It was end of October, Dr. Atunu Sen on earnest request of Dr. Mohan Lal had joined him and his wife Mrinalini for a weeklong stay at the latter’s ancestral home in Hazaribagh. Atanu himself is an ENT specialist while Dr. Mohan Lal is a renowned cardiologist. They have been friends since college days with many similar likes and habits except one, while Dr. Mohan Lal is a complete atheist, Dr. Atanu is a devout of Lord Vishnu and believes in existence of both god and ghosts. In fact, he is so afraid of the latter that all lights of his home are switched on even when sleeping at night!!

Dr. Mohan Lal’s ancestral home is huge, built on a land parcel of over 3 acres with beautiful landscaped lawns and many fruit bearing trees; the custard apple trees are full with ripened fruits. They got down at the Hazaribagh station, a 10-15-minutes’ walk to the home of Dr. Mohan Lal. The station road seemed narrower than the actual because of the vendors occupying the space on both sides of the road with their fares of vegetable, fruits and other home utilities. Behind the line of these vendors were other shops selling meat, fish and eggs. Mrinalini bought vegetables and fruits while Dr. Mohan Lal went to the meat shop buy chicken and fish.

Mrinalini handing over two bags of veggies and fruits to Atanu commented, “We will have to come here every morning to pick-up fresh vegetables and fruits.”

“Where else do plan to take us?” Atanu asked.

“We have come here to relax, no running around for next few days. Get charged for the hectic life back home.” Mrinalini replied with all seriousness.

“What about some sightseeing, going to a few touristy spots? Surely you don’t mean that we come here to shop groceries and vegetables only?”

Dr. Mohan Lal joined them, he had overheard their discussions, he spoke, “Atanu, there’s nothing to see here, only relax, eat, drink, walk around and when you get bored, go back home and to your work. And yes, you get to taste the best Jalebi and Rabri, here in this market. We will come back here to have the Jalebi-Rabri.”

The gate was opened by the caretaker-cum-gardener, Ramdas. He took the luggage and the shopping bags inside. There’s an outhouse close to the main building where he lives with his family. All through the year he tends to the lawns and maintains the house very efficiently. The front lawn was blooming with variety of flowers, the riot of colours and the fragrance made the place vibrant. They sat down there while Ramdas brought them tea and cookies.

Once the sun set over the horizon, the surroundings became very silent. In the afternoon, there were sounds of occasional vehicles and hawkers passing through the streets but now nothing, pin-drop silence. Atanu was feeling uneasy, being a city bred boy, he is more accustomed to the constant noise and honking sound of the city streets. He started probing, “What happens if some one is sick? Are there any hospital or clinic nearby?”

“None, there are no hospital or clinic here. People mostly wait patiently for the fever or cough to get over on its own, praying to the Almighty. If the patient becomes critical, they are taken to Dhanbad. Sometimes, doctors from Dhanbad or Ranchi come here to set up Medical Camps. I have heard that there are few young doctors in Ranchi who have formed an association called Ayurdad, who come here once a month to check on the patients and provide medication.” Dr. Mohan Lal informed.

“What about the crime scene? Are there any robbery, theft, murder reported in recent times?”

“Not that I know of, it may happen once in a while but nothing to worry.”

“And wild animals? You had mentioned that the forest is close to this property.”

“Yes, once in a while a fox or a leopard do stray over from the forest but nobody comes out from their homes at night. You play cricket, football, enjoy a picnic style eating out under the sun during the day, get inside after sun down, enjoy your drink, sing and dance, enjoy hearty dinner and sleep.”

Atanu looked outside through the glass pane of the window, he could see the half-moon behind the eucalyptus trees. The feint moonlight made the atmosphere a bit eerie, he felt goosebumps. Dr. Mohan Lal has been watching his friend and couldn’t resist teasing him, “Oh, I forgot to mention, you know, most of the houses are owned by people who have business or occupation in the cities like Dhanbad, Ranchi, Patna or even Kolkata, they come here once in a while, most of the time, houses are unoccupied, an ideal situation for the ghosts and spirits to inhabit.”

“Please don’t make jokes about ghosts. You know, I am scared of such things.”

“Then, I am sure they will show up to you.” Mrinalini teased Atanu.

“You mean, they exist in this house too?” Atanu was quite shaken.

“We have come after almost five years, the house was unoccupied, there’s a strong possibility that some of them may have taken shelter here.”

Atanu looked at Mrinalini and Dr. Mohan Lal suspiciously, he couldn’t make out if they’re serious or joking. He called out to Ramdas who came immediately.

“Are there ghosts here? And dacoits?”

“Dacoits don’t come here because there are hardly any tourists coming these days and locals don’t possess enough wealth to attract dacoities. They have gone away to other more lucrative areas. But yes, I have heard of paranormal activities in the vicinity. Sahib, you don’t worry, this house doesn’t have any spirits, good or bad.”

“The ghosts don’t come here, this area is populated, they prefer solitude. Most of them live on the other side of the forest, in Ratanpur.” Dr. Mohan Lal having heard the conversation, quipped.

Atanu kept the lights on at night, still had a fitful sleep. In the morning after freshening up and having tea-biscuit, they went to the market for fresh veggies and meat. They decided to have their breakfast at the famous Daroga Singh Kachoriwala where the dal-kachori is said to be the best in the region, they also make very crispy jalebi and creamy rabri.

Atanu had just put a piece of Kachori dipped in the aloo-masala when someone from his behind called out, “Hey, Atanu, how are you? When did you come?”

Atanu turned around to find Subroto Babu with his wife Kaberi and son Tatai coming his way.

“We came yesterday only. What about you, when did you come?”

“We have been here for a week now and getting bored. Nothing to see around, thinking about going back now. How long do you plan to stay?”

“We are here for another 4-5 days at least.”

“Thank God, let’s meet up for lunch or dinner, it would be nice to catch up… please share your mobile number, I will call you.”

“Yes, please give your mobile number, in case of any emergency, we can call someone we know.” Kaberi who was listening to their conversation, spoke up.

“Where are you putting up?” Atanu asked avoiding giving his number.

“We are just behind the forested area at Ratanpur, my grandpa’s house. It’s a 3-story big house in green and yellow colour façade. Why don’t you come with us now?” Kaberi informed.

“Sorry, I can’t come right now, I am with my friends but will come some other day.”

“Then give your number, I will call you to fix for lunch.” Subroto insisted.

Atanu had no option but share his mobile number with Subroto. They went away in their Suzuki Ciaz. Dr. Mohan Lal who has been listening to their chat, asked, “Who were they?”

“Oh, they are my neighbour back home.”

“You shouldn’t have given your number to them.” Mrinalini said but did not elaborate further.

“Yes, but he was insistent, wants to call me over for lunch at their house. It is strange because back home, they keep to themselves, not very friendly with the neighbours.”

“Where are they staying?”

“Ratanpur, at Kaberi’s grandpa’s home.”

“OMG, that area is not good, I have heard of many paranormal instances happening there. You must refuse their invite.” Mrinalini was concerned.

“Shall I tell them?”

“You can, but what’s the point? They probably know and we can’t go there to guard them… moreover, who can guard anyone against the spirits?”

“Let’s not talk about the unknowns. I won’t be able to sleep at night.” Atanu said with a nervous laugh.

“Okay, let’s not talk about them. But I have experienced the presence of the spirit in our house on an earlier visit. I won’t tell you where as we have to stay for few more days.” Dr. Mohan Lal winked at Mrinalini.

“You are a doctor yourself, man of science, why are you afraid of ghosts? Have you ever seen them?”

“Well, the ghosts don’t differentiate between doctors and common man, they attack anyways.”

“Only a female ghost, maybe a Petni or Shakchunni will be after you, they usually speak in nasal tone as they suffer from cold n cough, as an ENT specialist, you are their ideal choice.” Mrinalini teased.

They had a relaxing day, Mrinalini made Chilli Chicken and fish curry with mustard for lunch forcing Atanu to over eat. He slept the entire afternoon.

In the evening, they were chatting when Atanu’s mobile rang. He exclaimed, “It’s Subroto calling, hope he’s not calling me over for dinner now.”

“Brother, I am calling in distress, need your urgent help.” Subroto cried from the other end.

“What happened?”

“My son Tatai is running high fever, since we came back in the morning.”

“Yes, I remember, his eyes were watering and he was coughing too…”

“He has been like that for couple of days…”

“Give him a paracetamol, I will come in the morning but I am not carrying my medical equipment.”

“Have already given him paracetamol but it has had no effect.”

“Sir, please come now and check my son.” Kaberi spoke from behind.

“I don’t know how I can help, we have come here to relax and decided not to bring any medicine or medical equipment, not even my stethoscope. We have no plans to see any patient.”

“Your friend is a doctor too; he probably has a stethoscope.”

“No, even he is not carrying it.”

“Then, can we give him some other medicine?”

“But where will you get the medicine, there are hardly any chemist shop. I suggest, give him another paracetamol and wait for the morning to take him to Dhanbad.”

Subroto agreed and disconnected the phone. However, he called again after an hour or so, “Doctor, Tatai is bleeding from the nose and his temperature is very high. I am very scared.”

“Why?”

“Is it dengue? I have heard it could be fatal if not treated early.”

“It is possible.”

“Please come and check on him.”

“Why don’t you bring him here, you have a car…”

“I can’t, he is bleeding profusely, please come.”

Atanu was confused, “What to do?”

“Tell them to go back immediately, the kid won’t get proper treatment here.” Dr. Mohan Lal advised.

“But Subroto is in dire need, being a doctor, how can I refuse him…”

“It is getting late, how will you go there, we don’t have any vehicle and you are unlikely get a rickshaw to go there at this hour.” Mrinalini said.

“Then you have to pass by the forested area, you may encounter wild animals.” Dr. Mohan Lal added.

“Even if the wild animals don’t attack, the Petni and Shakchunni won’t spare him.” Mrinalini said.

Ramdas, working in the kitchen had heard them, he came out and said, “Saheb, I will take you there, I know the house quite well.”

“All the best. I had warned you about giving out your contact details.” Mrinalini spoke as Atanu left.

Atanu followed Ramdas who have been walking briskly. There were no street lights, only the light coming from the residences lit up the path faintly. Meanwhile, Subroto called up twice and urged him to speed up. Atanu, trying to keep pace with Ramdas, tripped over near the forest but got up quickly. Ramdas came to his rescue and guided him rest of the way.

“There is the house of Dutt Saheb.” Ramdas announced as they approached the big 3-story house.

“Thank the Lord. But what I am seeing, isn’t that Tatai standing at the gate?” Atanu spoke aloud.

“Yes, that’s true. Your friend must have tricked you to come here.” Ramdas said.

“Hey, Tatai, what are doing here? Where’s your father?”

“He is upstairs.”

“He said you are running high fever and bleeding from the nose…”

“I am absolutely fine. Dad easily gets scared and exaggerates… makes big issue of small things.”

Atanu and Ramdas went inside and climbed up to the first floor. He pushed open the bedroom door, Subroto and Kaberi were howling over the very still body of Tatai.

Atanu felt his blood draining out, he collapsed on the floor.