Ghost Bungalow

Being the watch man of the cemetery, I have cremated many blood-less bodies. They were either of the priests who went to the Bungalow to capture the spirit or the atheists who tried to solve the mystery. I live in a hut built next to the cemetery gate. From my window I can see the path that stretches at least till the Bungalow. Not sure where it proceeds beyond that, as nobody went beyond the Bungalow. One night, somebody knocked at my door. I opened the door, and right in front of me, stood a stout guy in flowing black robe. I could barely see his face, as it was covered by his robe cap. As soon as I opened the door, he said, “Can you accompany me to the Bungalow.” “Are you atheist? Are you not afraid? You know what time is it now?” I threw a volley of questions at him. “Why so many questions. One day you are bound to die, why fear. Hold this lantern and take me to the Bungalow”. He replied. I further warned him “It would take another 2 hours to reach there. This means, if at all we are not killed on the way, we would reach there at midnight.” And the wall clock bell behind me rang 10 times. He said, “And it’s a no moon day and Friday. I am aware.” he held my arm strong. “Food?” I asked him. He turned back, pulling me along.

Thus began our journey. He did not talk all along the way. The long route was pitch dark, the lantern being the only source of light. He asked me to walk in front. Every now and then I turned back. He was walking with his head down. I made all attempts to see his hidden face. Suddenly a bat flew right above this head and he clasped it quickly, squeezed the neck and threw it down. I could hear the squeaky sound of the bat. I quietly walked in front. We walked for about an hour an half “Show the lantern here”, he said pointing to a big stone erected on the side-way. I held the lantern close and it had a list of names and dates He went close by and said “Which means, these many were not killed till this point. He laughed aloud”. He did not enter his name on to it. The wind blew stronger. He held his robe firmly and said “Now let’s move. We have to be in the Bungalow in an hour’s time”. By then, it would be 12. I knew. We continued the journey.

From a distance we could see the Bungalow. The gates were closed. He pushed opened the gate and it did with a creaky sound. The wind blew stronger taking away his robe. I held the lantern high to see his half burned face. Before I could ask something, he asked me to proceed. He opened the big door of the Bungalow and as he did the big banyan tree fell with a heavy thud. He laughed insanely. As he walked, a broken glass piece pierced his leg. Tiny drops of blood oozed out. He laughed aloud with a joy of triumph. “Nobody has made it till here but I did.” He said as he entered the spacious front room of the Bungalow. The lighting flashed once and we realized that we were standing in front of a big mirror. It flashed again and he looked into the mirror only to find only his reflection. And I kissed him on his neck from back. Clock struck 12.