That Creepy Night

We moved to a new rented flat. Though it was amidst the hustle bustle of the market, it was inside a gated community. The community was quite green, full of trees, in fact, I could say it had a beautiful green canopy of trees.  At night, normally after 11 PM, the place used to become quite calm and tranquil, as all shops were closed by that time. There was a huge banyan tree next to our house. Our master bedroom balcony opened up to the shades of the tree. The tree might be almost 100 years old, probably. In the day time, one laundry man earned his living – setting up a small stall under the tree. Only issue of the place which used to haunt me sometimes, was a mortuary of a hospital next to our community boundary, which was visible from our flat.

Three months passed. Our lives became quite easy….as the that flat was near to our offices. Winter season was almost winding-up. Spring was verging in. My husband was out of station for one week. I was all alone at home. During those nights, I used to switch on the TV to avoid loneliness.

On the second day, I was extremely tired. I had too much of work stress as my global boss was visiting India. I was late from office. Somehow, I managed to put some rice and one potato in the pressure cooker, and waited for extra two/ three whistles so that I could open the lid quickly.

Mashing the boiled potato with mustard oil, salt and green chilly, I quickly gobbled a plateful of rice and went to bed directly to let my whole body relax on the bed. Cold was still reigning during the night time…. Putting myself under the blanket, I slept at around 9 PM, when market outside was still lively and busy.

Middle of the night. Suddenly, I got up with some dripping sound from my bathroom. I got scared. Is there any one inside….or some negative power came inside my home? I tried to recall if I had closed the main door properly or not. I didn’t have enough courage to remove my blanket and get down from the bed to see what’s happening.

“Jhanak, Jhanak, Jhanak…….” Suddenly I could hear some payal or ghungru sound from my balcony, which was just opposite side of the bathroom.

I understood….some evil power was all set to haunt me for the whole night. I searched for the mobile phone. Thank God! It was not so far from me. It was almost 1 AM. Other days, I used to hear the night guard’s whistle. But that day, though I tried to ponder my whole attention… I couldn't hear. I was clueless what to do. Husband was also seven seas away. What to do….!!! I was too new to the place to call any neighbor of that relation.

The ghungru sound was continuing….. dripping sound was still on….And, my heart beats were accelerating....

Almost half an hour was over like this……

I thought as the evil forces were not attacking me till now…. I should do something…..

I was lucky enough all of a sudden….

I heard the whistle of the night chowkidar….

He was coming towards our side….

The creepy sounds were still on….

When I could feel that the night guard was almost under my flat, I immediately jumped up to switch on the light of the bedroom. Oops….Nothing was there….

But, the sounds were on……

I gathered some courage now….went to the living room to see if the door lock was open. No….it was locked from inside….balcony doors were also closed. I took one kitchen knife….and approached the bathroom. Opened the door with a big bang……

Nothing was there……but, water was drippling from the tap. I probably forgot to tighten it.

Now, with brave heart, I planned to go out to the balcony of my bedroom, from where the sound of ghungru was still coming……

I opened the door….. The sound was coming from the banyan tree…… it was still on….

I could see the guard with black – knee-length jacket and a cap.

I called him – “Bhaiya…..”

He responded…..”Yes Madam……is everything alright?”

I hide the knife, and didn’t delay to ask “Can you hear some ghungru sound? Or am I the only one to hear that….”

I could see his smile though vaguely….which was gradually converting into a laugh….

“Yes Madam….

…….That’s the sound of a seasonal – migratory bird. This sound you will usually get to hear…..as they will make their abode here for this whole season……”

“No worry Madam….you go inside and sleep peacefully…..”

Ooh……..I was sooooo relaxed after almost 2 hours of anxiety…..

Don't you think that I was quite brave...by the way??? What's say???