Welcome to my Nightmare

“In the stillness of an icy November night, as we got down from the car, a pal of gloom enveloped us. I and my friend hurried to the IB (Inspection Bungalow), situated atop a steep hill dotted with tall dark trees, bushes, and swampy landmasses around. There is no light to be seen for miles, and the entire area was covered in sheer darkness. Strange noises from deep inside the jungle kept echoing. The hissing of a stream nearby is quite intimidating, and constantly reminds me of an approaching evil.”

Hey! This is not some scary Hollywood Flick that tends to haunt you in the screens. This is about a real experience that I come across in the past.

We held our breath; rolled our fingers into a tight fist, and walked past the bushy lawn leading to the IB. There was no light inside. The electric supply in this part of the jungle is very irregular and mostly remained cut off from the main market area. Moreover, visitors rarely come here to stay. It serves as the last resort for those who had no other options for there accommodation, and that night we are one of those unlucky visitors.

A limping figure draped in woolen quilts greeted us at the reception. He introduced himself as the caretaker of the building and led us through the long corridor with the help of a dimly lit torch. As we walked down the wooden floor, our footsteps resounded with huge thuds. I tried to keep my feet soft, placed it as gently as possible, but the sound of footsteps is unstoppable. We’d passed through a row of empty rooms, and finally the limping guard stop and open the door of a room at the last right corner. He lit a candle and placed it on the table and advised us to carefully check the doors and windows before going to sleep.

The room was well furnished and there was a colonial appeal to it. I wonder whether this age -old bungalow was used to be the hunting lodge of some royal dignitaries in the past. Later, as I was about to say my prayers before going to bed a sudden puff of cold air washed my face. I was shooked to my bones. I look around the room and found that the window to my right, behind the steel almirah was left open. Wasting no time I get down from the bed to close it.

As I was about to shut it down …A look through the windowpane one can visualize those tall dark trees swaying their hefty branches like monsters moving their blood thirsty limbs. The strange noises from the distant jungle and the gurgling stream below as if some deadly best gulping to quench its thirst after a heavy meal. Now I was sure that there is something about this place that is not okay. While all these terrible apparitions lurking in my mind set to give me the worst nightmarish impact I ever had.

I was back in my bed. My friend fell asleep pretty soon. I was sleepy too, but the thought of an impending evil acted as a barrier to my sleep. It was almost half past midnight and I was not able to concentrate on my sleep. I felt like waking my snoring friend and have a little chat to suppress the terrible feelings, but a second thought I dropped the idea. I could hardly keep my eyes open. The more I tried to raise the eyelids the more they rolled down.

Eventually, mustered up my courage, I lied down and went to sleep, only to find myself entangled under the blood sucking clutches of an imaginary evil power. I felt a strange pressure pinning me down, holding me tight to my bed. I was caught inactive, unable to move my hands and feets. God…! The evil had cast its spell at last!

Suddenly there arouse the spirit of a savior in me and like a fanatic, I rebel against the power of the dark. I gambled all my strength to get out of this hell, but in vain. I still couldn’t move my arms and legs. I was reduced to a mere spectator to all the pains incurred. All I wanted now is to call someone to my rescue. I can see my friend, sleeping just a few feet away. I shouted at him, but no response. I shouted at him again. This time louder as possible, yet no help arrived. When I opened my eye, I saw my friend standing by the side of my bed asking me to wake up. I quickly get up and then it’s all gone.

My friend told me that he’d been awaken by all those feeble noises I made in my sleep. As I recollect I felt victorious. well ! So the evil has given up to my shouts…what if I can’t move my arms and legs! I have won a small battle against the legend of darkness.
Kudos! To me.

But the war against these damned souls will continue for all eternity……..!!!

A Beach Side Story

It was 4 PM when dad and I’ve reached the Puri City. The place is a hot tourist destination, houses the famous Jagganath Temple, and boarders the mighty Bay of Bengal. There are numerous hotels, holiday lodges/homes, and guest houses here. We had a hard time locating the guest house booked for us, as most of these guest houses were referred with similar names by the locals. But thanks to the rickshaw puller with whose effort we managed to find it.

Unlike the neighboring lodges and holiday homes, our guest house reflects the architectural wonder of the colonial era. Standing tall with huge pillars around, the guest house was a big beautiful bungalow overlooking the sea. A long lush-green lawn, interrupted by stately palms, and beautiful orchids, led us to the reception. We were greeted by the incharge there, who also guided us to our room.

After unpacking our luggage, we took a quick refreshment and headed for the beach, which is just at a stowns throw. This was the first time that I’d been to a beach, and the sight was awesome. Dad and I walked along the soft-wet sands, mingling with the crowd. As we moved nearer to the shore, gush of water flushes our feet, and the scene gets repeated every time we approach the shore until we were wet up to our knee.

After sometime dad left as he was tired due to the long bus journey, from Bhubeneswar to Puri. The journey was a bit hectic for me too, but the excitement by the sea is great. I decided to stay for a while and I find myself a sweet, secluded space in the beach to sit and enjoy this unique moment. The sight of the endless sea. Whisper of the waves. Soft touch of salt washed sands. All combine to give a perpetual delight.

Listening to the whispers of those hastening waves I got transported to a world of my own. Where I would be able to think, and imagine beyond ethereal boundaries, all alone and happy. It was almost dark now and the shadows beginning to disappear. The crowd slowly dispersed. Sitting and wandering the sea at this hour I was elated.

The soft breeze helps me recalling those sweet, wonderful memories of my life. As I was visiting the sweet past, a sudden beep brought me back. It was the alarm of my wrist watch.I'd set it the night before in Bhubeneswar. It was 9.30 PM. Dad might be waiting for the dinner. So I returned to the lodge.

Dinner was served, and the food was great. Specially, the fish item, ordered by dad, is simply delicious. I thanked the only cook who’d taken all the hard work to prepare the dish, and served us in such a homely manner.

A quick stroll across the lawn after dinner took us nearer to the beach again. Now it was just the street that parted us from those glazing sands on that moonlit night. But dad suggested we should return to our room and sleep, as it was almost 11.30 PM then, and we are to visit the Jaganath Temple early next morning.

Later, lying on the bed, as I closed my eye, I still heard those sweet whispers as clear as ever, inviting and tempting.