Ting... Tong!!!!
Knock !! Knock!!!! Khat khat!!
Who's there? I slowly and steadily opened the door. Rushed out to see without even wearing my slippers.I had put a thin White night gown, and a Stole to cover myself from the chilly wind. The porch was covered with a layer of dust and dried leaves. It was surprisingly very cold outside. Moreover, the porch seemed to be barren like a cold desert. No one was seen around. Just a dim night lamp was there standing all alone in solitude. It was a black lamp post in the extreme right corner of my porch.
Suddenly a black small creature flew across the porch. I was having goosebumps in my arms. I thought as if it was a fly, but seeing that little bird like creature staring at me from that naked branch of that Neem Tree made me feel eerie about the whole atmosphere. Thin air was blowing with a whistle sound. It was spooky all around.
Miaaooo, Miaaooo !!! A noise came from somewhere. Suddenly a little black cat sped away.
I was so much engrossed in my thoughts that I didn't even realise when my little girl came out from her room.
"Ma... Maa, she called."
Who called? Were my ears ringing, I surmised. "
"C'mon. Let's go inside,Mom".What are you doing here, all alone in this cold night? "She dragged me inside by my arms. But my thoughts were racing somewhere else. Felt as if someone was playing some magical tune somewhere. I asked my daughter if she could hear that melody. But alas she couldn't. It was only ME and my ears.
That tune seemed to be quite familiar but I just couldn't make out when and where did I hear....
Time flies. Everything was back to normal. After finishing my day's work, I sat down on my favourite couch with a cup of brewing Hot Coffee with my all time favourite page Benaras Times. Just then again I heard that same music.
My windows opened suddenly and a whoosh air came inside. The music stopped. The hustling sound of the falling leaves and that familiar music broke the silence all around. It disturbed me unconsciously. The continuous music started irritating me so much that I rushed and closed myself in my room. Still it kept on chasing me in my Dreams as well.
When I looked at my reflection in the mirror it horrified ME a lot. My small little happy face was no less than a mixed bag full of fear, sans colours sans emotions. My straight rebonded hair went for a toss. I was shivering with fear and was having uncanny feeling of having ghosts around.
The graveyard near my house seemed like having a gala party of all the ghosts. It was like a DJ playing in the graveyard with innumerable haunting music.
I started sweating in that cold night. Seeing my little darling sleeping, by cuddling her Teddy sent some positive vibes for my solace. I just crept under the blanket and closed my eyes and tried to get some sleep. Oh how badly I needed that good night sleep!!!!
Good morning, said the golden Sun!!!!
The warm rays of the sun peeping from my window and the sun-kissed smile on my daughter's face kick-started my day and I locked my nightmare in that Pandora's Box which I would never wish to open again.