'Take care of yourself, eat properly,follow the rules and attend your classes on time and don't forget to call us everyday' Mrs.ray instructed her daughter Raveena in an apprehensive tone.
' I have spoken to your warden, you will be staying in dorm no.-2 , don't worry we will be visiting you every 4th Saturday' added Mr.ray hugging her daughter.
'I'm a big girl now dad, i ll be just fine and stop crying mom' she pleaded kissing her goodbye. She stridded off to her dorm on the 2nd floor of St.Martin school's hostel.
'how are things going along'? Raveena turned her back to see who it was on hearing a sudden voice in the 45 feet long empty dormitory. It was a middle aged women clad in a salwar-kameez, her hair neatly tied in a bun. As raveena gazed at her, she smiled and said 'I am Geeta, one of the care-takers of your dorm.madam told me that a new girl has joined the hostel so i came up to have a look'. she said while making the bed next to Raveena's.
OH ! hello aunty, Raveena smiled back warmly and continued transferring her belongings from the suitcase.
'why didn't you go for games'? asked Geeta in a concerned voice.
'I wanted to put my things in place before the weekend ended so it gets easier for me to settle up'.
'yes! i can understand, i am off duty now so let me help you a bit'. remarked Geeta picking up a hanger from the opposite side.
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'Do you know they say this hostel is build on a graveyard and spirits rome here every night' spoke Saumya in an undertone. 'what nonsense Saumya! i don't take your single word, these are just silly made-up stories' replied an exhausted Raveena. 'now come, lets complete das sir's assignment'.
Although she had mingled with all the dorm mates and was enjoying her stay in the hostel. Saumya had become one of Raveena's closest friend, they shared adjacent beds and were in the same class too.
Geeta aunty was amongst her favourite ayahs. she would bring her food when off duty and she along with Saumya chatted with Geeta aunty on the weekends for long hours.
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It were faint sobs that woke Raveena up in the middle of the night. As she glared around the long dark dormitory ,she saw someone sitting on the corner most bed just before the washrooms. She got up at once and walked towards the dark figure. The dorm was quiet and everyone was asleep.
As she marched forward she realised it was Geeta aunty, surprised and suspicious she called her from behind 'aunty...aunty...is that you? what happened'? To her surprise Geeta aunty didn't moved. 'Why are you crying aunty' she again called taking little steps towards her.
and suddenly...as she was 5 ft away from her.....the figure vanished. no one! no sound! Raveena was petrified...she stood their still and almost uttered a cry of horror. She ran back to her bed and immediately shook saumya still in disbelief and horror.
'Geeta aunty..geeta aunty...there...crying....vanished...'she was too horrified to make her words appear sensible. 'What happened Raveena, why are you so frightened' ? Saumya asked anxiously rising from her bed. Raveena was still breathing heavily and tears down poured her face as she finally caught her breath and narrated the whole incident to Saumya.
Saumya too froze hearing hearing Raveena but they both finally lulled each other to sleep and vowed to find out the matter the next day.
Raveena slept bad that night and was the first to wake up in the morning, seeing the sun throw upon its sunshine on all corners of the dorm she heaved a sigh of relief. Not long, Raveena narrated the complete incident to one of the seniors who almost fell in a state of shock. After a few moments of silence she told
'but Geeta aunty had left the school 2years back! I think you are mistaken'.
'how could i"? asked Raveena perplexed and frightened. I have joined the school just some weeks ago and she had been with us all through my stay here'.
to this she had no answer....on asking the warden and others this is what they came to know
Geeta had
died six months back because of
tetanus !!!
Raveena was shocked,horrified...she was not able to decipher anything, other girls couldn't understand her plight and they refrained from talking to her.Raveena stayed on her bed all day, Geeta's face flashed and clogged her mind and thoughts. Saumya was the only one who consoled her, she was trying her best to bring her out of this and did all she could to make her feel comfortable and happy.
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It was a Saturday evening and Raveena and Saumya were enjoying a stroll on the pavement in their games time.Almost a month had passed since the incident had happened and Raveena was feeling much better, she was succeeding in forgetting that nightmarish episode.
In their talks they forgot to keep hold of time and distance and walked away too far, almost at the end of the girls hostel where data- office was located.
'oh no! its already 8;00 pm...time for dinner'. exclaimed Raveena as she saw her watch in the light of little bulb that shone in front of the small data-office's gate. 'let's run or else we will get late and that barbarous warden will scold us'. 'but am thirsty, cant walk even two steps. let me see if there is water inside the office. you stay here' instructing Saumya, Raveena tip-toed inside.
She found a tank in the right side of the entrance. As she filled her bottle, Raveena turned to see the board on the right corner that doned '
remembrances'. She rolled her eyes and suddenly....she was appalled.crashed! Raveena had fainted at what she saw on the board.
Saumya chatterjee
1992-2007
died of tetanus
the next thing Raveena knew was waking up in the hospital.she could feel her left foot numb. The doctor came up to her and smiled warmly.
'so you finally survived a major
tetanus infection from spreading in your body but i am sorry we had to cut off your lower left limb'!!!
This post is purely a work of fiction.
image courtesy - Google image search
this post has been written for
Blogeshwar and
anubhooti
