Kirkee- III

Feb 4^th, 11:30 PM

I switched off the light, pulled the curtains on, went under the mink blanket, and switched off the TV.

I closed my eyes but remained in that way for nearly fifteen minutes.

I felt uneasy as if something was urging from my inside that I have some big job to do tonight, so I should not sleep. The idea of sleeping beside a graveyard came in my mind. It was followed by the story Bram Stoker’s Dracula. I remembered that at home in my laptop I have the movie Rosemary’s Baby which I haven’t seen yet.

I put my cabin luggage at its proper place. I took my seat at aisle. Tirtha was fighting with Sandy over a window seat. Both of them have the reputation to fight for window seats while travelling in train. Now they are facing each other for the first time in air.

A voice was giving weather report in the flight” Pune has recorded maximum of 29 deg and minimum of 17 deg.”

“We have no idea of fog in Delhi so we can’t say whether Qutab Minar will be visible or not.”

The next day is Devarati-Anindya’s reception; I must try to attend it. Even Amrita will be there. She was present at the airport, but I can’t see her in the flight.

I was anxious about reaching in time. A bit tensed.

“oto tension noy,” said a familiar voice from behind.

  Sujata spoke as if she has got immunity from her usual headaches.

I look around from my seat. I saw a lot of known faces were present.

I thought, everyone was in Pune yet I never knew!!

Suranjan? He should be in Boston right now. Then what is he doing in Flight SG212?

The flight was taking off. I wanted to go the toilet. As I stood up everything went dark.

Total black!! Then there was a huge blunt noise. Thud!

I can only hear some heavy movement behind the window. The movement was in beats at proper interval. It was coming towards my window and moving away slowly.

By now I was back in my sense. I searched for any of the following stuff:

TV remote,

My LED torch

Any of my two mobile phones.

I need to switch on the light.

I remembered to have put them beside my pillow while going to sleep.

I can still hear the sound. It was marching of heavy boots!!!

It was right behind my window.

I tried to sit up. It was pretty chilly. One mink blanket is sufficient in 17degree Celsius yet I was shivering.

I gave up looking for the remote or the torch or the mobiles.

Meanwhile, the sound was marching nearer. It reminded of the drumbeats and the Indian Army Kuchkawaz that takes place on 26th January every year.

I wrapped the blanket around me. As I stepped on the floor more surprises were in store. My chappals were gone. It seemed it has also joined the club with the remote and others.

I was keen on reaching the window. I tried to reach the switch board to turn the light on.

The carpet on the floor was very cold as if it was spread on a huge block of ice.

The light was not working!!!

I moved towards the window.

As I about to peep out of the curtain a thought flashed in my mind.

I came back and sat quietly at the edge of the bed.

I was sleeping beside a graveyard.

It is not a good idea to look for the source of the sound. All the dead soldiers were on their routine march.

I went to the dining hall. There was light outside, in the courtyard but it was flickering. I sat at the circular dining table. The head of a musk deer and the skin of tiger on opposite walls made the room appear more eerie.

I wanted to use the bathroom. But, for that I need to go near the window. I had no courage to do that.

Yes I was scared.

   

 The idea of going to the caretaker’s bathroom came in. I opened the main entrance and stepped out in the courtyard. The caretaker’s bathroom was on the other end of the bungalow.

I stepped out and I heard the sound of boots marching nearer. This time it was very distinct. A company was marching in. It was coming just 20feet away from me.

If I go towards the end of the courtyard I will be able to see the backside of the bungalow.

I thought of going.

“There is nothing.” my mind said.

But what if my imaginations are true? No it can’t be.

I came back.

As I stepped in my room I found the light was on so was the fan. I left the switches on.

I could see the mobiles, the remote, and the torch beside my pillow. They were untouched.

The chappals were at the right place.

I picked up my Nokia2600.It was 2:37am.

There are five more hours to go for the sunrise.

For those who do not know: In this part of subcontinent the sun rises at 7AM and sets after 7PM.

I switched on the TV. Most channels were showing similar type of programs like TV Shopping, Creative Vision, Tele Shopping, Active Buying etc.

The series of incidents came that took place in the last three hours made me sleepless.

It all began with stupid thoughts, which was followed by a bizarre dream where the flight I was travelling with my near and dear ones had an air-crash.Then there was the strange sound.

Where’s the sound now? It has stopped now.

There was no sound apart from that of the TV.

I felt monophonic, I was longing for company.

5^th Feb, 10 AM

The Maruti Gypsy moved out of the CQA (M) mess main gate. The Sikh jawan stood up and saluted. I looked out to see the cemetery. It was shining in the morning sunlight. I kept looking at it until the top of the big cross disappeared from my sight.

I have spoken to my family before getting on the car. Everything was OK.