It was a rainy Sunday night. I was exhausted after a hectic schedule
of lectures throughout the week. After a big struggle I was able to finish my
boring land law assignment. It was eleven forty five.
The sky was little clear after the heavy
downpour since morning. But the monsoon winds were blowing hard. I placed aside
the novel “Woman in White” which I was reading to escape from monotony while
doing the assignment.
The window banged with the heavy wind. I stood up, closed all
the doors and windows of my little boarding room shut and crawled in the bed.
What I only closed my eyes tight and took an effort to take a nap since the
weather was blessing enough to have a sound sleep. I wondered how nice it could
have been if mom was near me. Then I would be sipping a hot coffee prepared by
her while resting my back on the comfortable pillow of my canopy bed at home.
There was a drizzle outside. Rain drops flowed down from the
window pane remaining a misty mark on the glass. Leaves and withered flowers
carried by the wind fell on the balcony and some remained on the surface of the
window soaked in the rain water. Within few minutes the drizzle converted to a torrential
rain with thunderstorms.
Except the sound of rain and thundering there was no other
sound. I could even hear the ticking noise of the clock.
Suddenly there was a lightning spark and then it thundered causing
a power cut.
Then there was a heavy thud in downstairs.
“What was that sound?” I wondered.
Then there was a silence for few seconds. I ignored the sound
and blew out a sigh. But I listened attentively.
Again there was a sound like a soft knock on the door
downstairs.
“Who is at this time?”
I took the torch under my pillow and pointed it to the round
wall clock hung just above my bed. It was sharp twelve at midnight.
I felt little drops of sweat emerging from my skin even in the
rainy weather. I tried to ignore the sound. But to my utmost fear the noise continued.
I tried to forget it and stay as if I didn’t hear anything. But
the sound became louder and louder.
The ghost story I read in the morning started to haunt in my
mind. I stood rooted on the spot being unable to make even a step ahead. But I could
not tolerate this any longer either.
Finally I mustered all my courage and took the torch from one
hand and the pen knife from the other. Whoever the ghost stands in front of the
door I determined to face it. I walked so slowly and even I could hear my heart
beating fast.
I turned back and halted after few steps to make sure there is
no ghost behind me trying to smother me with its blood stained, evil, cold
hands. I was shivering as if I was dropped in North Pole.
My hand and whole body started to shake violently as soon as I reached
the door. I bite my lips which were almost dried and my throat was locked as if
I have swallowed a lump of iron.
“What will happen if some ghost kills me in this lonely boarding
house? Even my parents or roommates are not here to rescue me” My heart pounded
in a terrific rate that I thought I will die on the spot.
I gripped the pen knife in one hand and opened the door while
stepping behind as a measure of defense. I was ready to see a ghost with a
blood shedding face. I inspected everywhere near the door and around with the help
of dim light emitted from my old torch.
Then there was a soft utterance of pain. I was still trembling
I pointed the torch to
the place where the noise came.
There was a cute puppy which has badly got wet in the rain.
“Oh dear, you scared me a lot” I smiled and took it to my hands..
