A queer tale

Siddarth (we will call him Siddhu) had nothing with him when he was thrown out of his room except for a spare set of clothes, a tooth brush,a razor,a cake of soap and odd personal things in a worn out cloth bag. He had not paid the room rent for six months. It was not that he wanted to deceive the landlord but he had no income when his company folded up one day without notice and he was left jobless. His immediate concern was to find a roof over his head for the night. He had luckily a few hundreds hidden in his undergarment that will see him through for a few days.

He walked the whole day long on the streets of the small town looking for a place to stay. In a few places they had a room to let out but needed a downright advance of a few thousands of rupees. As he was losing hope with only the town bus stand as the possible alternative, he saw a tolet board hanging on the gate of an old house. He was virtually on the outskirts of the town that was thinly populated.He opened the creaking gate to find the front lawn in total neglect with weeds all over and dead leaves from the overhead trees strewn all over. There was little evidence of habitation. Nevertheless he went in and pressed the bell. When there was no response he knocked on the door hard. He peeped through a window to find the interior also unclean with no evidence of inmates. When he was about to give up and turn back, he heard the sound of the door being opened.

An old man with a long white robe that almost covered his legs appeared. He had a pale face, a long white beard that looked as having never seen a brush and whose age could not be guessed.His eyes, though sunk deep seemed sharp of seeing through one’s body, sent shivers to Siddhu. He was not invited inside.

”What do you want, young man’ the old man asked in a squeaky tone that was almost a whisper.

“I saw the tolet sign. I need a room immediately” Siddhu said

“Have a look at the outhouse but tell me beforehand whether you are single.The place is not available for those who bring girls for the night”

“That is ok. I am single and have no girl friend though I don’t see any reason for this condition.Can we see the place?” Siddhu asked

The old man gave him the key for the out house.”You go and have a look. It may be dark because of many trees hiding sunlight.You can switch on the light” He added with a laugh that was scary from his toothless mouth “Remember no girls.”

The outhouse consisting of a big room kitchenette and toilet looked as dirty as the main house. It was dark and he switched on the only light that was not bright. He found a broom in the corner and cleaned feverishly the place. The cot had a mattress but no sheets. It didn’t matter to him. He decided to take it although he was not comfortable with the spooky ambience. May be in day time things may appear different, he thought to himself.

When he went to the main house the old man was not seen .The door was closed. All lights were switched off. He knocked several times but there was no response. He was tired by the walk all day long and his limbs begged him for rest. He went back and hit the bed. He was dead tired that he fell asleep soon.

Some where there was the distant chime of 12’O clock. Siddhu woke up with a start. He could not sleep. He felt he heard some sound from the kitchenette. The door was locked and there was no chance of anyone entering, he thought. Suddenly he felt that someone was walking past him brushing him. There was the smell of fresh jasmine flowers. He stood up in fright and reached for the switch.He was sweating with goosebumps. But the light strangely did not burn. He turned the switch up and down many times to no avail. As he felt two hands clasp his neck, he tried to scream but there was no sound emanating from his voice. He could feel the breath and the fragrance of flowers closeby as the pressure on the neck increased. He could remember no more as he fainted.
The day had broken. There was a small cluster of people outside the old house with men and women standing at a safe distance from the gate. Two policemen were seen near the outhouse. An ambulance and a police vehicle stood outside. Someone with a squint was telling his eager listeners “This is the second instance of unnatural death in this vacant house. One happened about six months back”

“What could be the reason? Was it a murder? Is there anyone living in the main house? How did the young man gain entrance to out house?”asked one bystander

“I cannot answer all your queries. But this much I know. An old man and his young daughter were living here. I have heard that the daughter had fallen in love in with a young man to whom the out house was let out. It appeared he promised to marry her soon and they were on very intimate terms. When she came back from a trip to outstation earlier than scheduled, she found to her consternation and shock the young man with another woman in compromising position. She turned bitter against all men and committed suicide within a fortnight unable to bear the treachery especially when she was carrying his child. The young lover strangely was found dead after a month of the suicide with no external injuries.there was no evidence of murder.” explained the squint eyed man.

“Where is the old man?” asked another.

“God knows.People say that he became soft in his head after his daughter’s demise and was seen asking young men who came to him for the room whether they had girl friends evidenly unhappy with such men whom he thought betrayed the girls. I haven’t seen him here for long. May be he is also dead.”