The Ghost: A Short Story.

As I sat in my office going through the obituaries in today’s newspaper I heard a soft knock on my door. I looked at my watch, surprised as to who it might be on a Sunday morning. However, before I could respond, a dishevelled man with uncombed hair and dim uncomprehending eyes peeped at me from the door. ‘May I come in sir?’ he asked politely.

Though I did not want to be disturbed but taking pity on him I decided to call him in. He looked as if he had not slept for weeks and is in some serious trouble. ‘Please come in. Is everything okay?’ as he sat on the chair as I asked with genuine concern.

‘Thank you for letting me in. I’m alright.’ He shook his head with irritation and said, ‘travelling in Delhi is a cumbersome task. It dazzles me. Last night I had a narrow escape right in front of your office when a bus had almost flashed its headlights in my eyes. Even my goggles couldn’t have saved me.’ He raised his eyebrows at the insensitivity of the people.

‘You should have been more careful,’ I said reassuring him and picking up the phone to order coffee for this distressed man, and for me too – I was distressed at being disturbed on a Sunday morning. There is a butchery near the coffee shop and they make delightful coffee with fresh goat serum.

I put down the receiver and turned to him, ‘now tell me what brought you here?’

‘Sir my name is Toby and I am a resident of Almora.’ He made himself comfortable in his seat, ‘I died in 1849 and have been staying in my ancestral house since then. For a long time my house had been ranked among the top ten haunted houses by the GhostLand Society. This continued unabated for the next 150 years or so.’

I knew where he was getting to. In my profession it was not unusual to hear this. Let me tell you that I am a famous ghost consultant- a profession that I’ve been pursuing since my death in 1927. Young as well as old ghosts come to me for my guidance on how to be frightening. I tell them to change their strategy to meet the different needs of different era.

I nodded sympathetically and he continued, ‘however, I started noticing a gradual change in people’s behaviour. They were not scared of me anymore. My raking dropped so low that you could almost touch it with your feet.’

The coffee arrived. It was dark blue and dead cold.

He continued, ‘even the local village kids are not scared of me anymore. If I make screeching noise, they start even louder music. If I emerge out of thin air, they shoot at me with their toy guns. If I hover over them in night, they flash their mobile lights on me. It’s very humiliating.’ He paused for a moment and said beseechingly, ‘please help me.’

I said reassuring him, ‘you will surely be helped. Do you have a working knowledge of computer?’ I was not hoping him to know it.

He was taken aback at this question and said hesitantly, ‘no sir I don’t.’

‘Okay. We will talk about it in a moment. But first I need to know what methods are you using to frighten people. I will come to your house next week and you will have to frighten me using your best efforts.’

He nodded in agreement. The earlier gloom had disappeared from his eyes and they were bright and expectant now. I wondered if that may be the effect of the coffee.

‘Next thing you do is buy and learn to operate a laptop. Though I will give you lessons on how to be a scary ghost, but the knowledge and expertise you learn from the latest Hollywood horror movies is mind boggling.’

He had brought a notepad with him and took notes of whatever I said. While writing he was nodding like an obedient child and when I finished he closed his notepad, drank his coffee and after giving me his details, left.

Next week after a long and tiring night I left for Almora by bus. I found a comfortable seat on the upper shelf between the luggage. I reached Almora at about 9 p.m. I could see the mountains and tree lining silhouetted against the lighter night sky. Cool wind was blowing and after the commotion of Delhi the serenity felt like heaven.

The map Toby had given me took me to a steep narrow winding trail flanked with dense forest. After one hour I reached the old dilapidated mansion. There was no boundary wall and the house was surrounded with wild grass that grew long and unkempt. There was a single track probably made by those adventurous people who come there in twilight in search of ghosts. A lamp post stood on one side of the building and threw yellow light on the onlookers. Except that there were none at the time.

The building was made of grey stone and must have been a glorified edifice in its hay days. Now it sagged terribly from one side. The doors and windows on the first floor were gaping holes for the wind to rush freely through them. The main entrance on the ground floor however was intact but the window frames, rusted by time, hung on their hinges at a weird angle.

There was a big mango tree right in front of the building, rocking back and forth with the breeze and enjoying itself. When I knocked on the door it moved very slowly with a creaking noise and opened wide. I entered inside and lit a candle. It was a big hall with broken chandeliers hanging down from the ceiling. Everything was dusty and the bricks and cement from the dingy wall had eroded away. There were cobwebs all around.  It’s one of the creepiest places I have seen recently. I liked it instantly.

As I entered the room the lamps hanging from the high wall had started to switch on and off. The lights were bright and I had to put my goggles on. I called out loud – Toby! No answer. I went to the adjacent room. It had three old rickety and run-down chairs and one table which looked as if they could crumble down any moment. There were two wine glasses and a wine bottle on it. I put my candle on the table and poured the wine in the glass. I was about to take a sip when it turned milky white and with it came a laughing sound from behind – in a thin and high pitched voice. It was exasperating. As soon as I turned I heard a rustling sound, the candle got off with a long trail of smoke in the air and someone jumped on my back. I was disbalanced but managed to get hold of Toby and pushed him away.

‘Are you not scared?!’ he shouted. I lit the candle again, kept it on the table and sat. I felt bored.

‘Who gets scared by these old tricks now’ I said yawning. ‘Even a five year old knows these tricks are obsolete.’

He looked tired, ‘look this is what I was talking about.’

‘If you want to do better you need to evolve and change your old tactics. You can’t expect people to get horrified when all you have to offer is a 200 year old trick.’

He did not seem happy but remained quiet. ‘By the time kids get ten year old now a days, they have seen a big repertoire of horror movies. They have become immune to ghosts and spirits. Even for the gullible you need new strategies. You don’t have to be so overt and apparent. Creaking doors, wine changing colour, jumping on the back from behind are outdated.’

‘What should I do then? That’s all I know,’ he asked gloomily.

‘Did you learn computer?’ I asked. He put his head down and stared at the floor, ‘I don’t want to.’

‘Why not?’

‘Because for that I’ll have to live with humans.’ He looked at me for a moment and then started at the floor again. ‘It’s disgusting. They clean their house, let fresh air in, get rid of the rats and remove the cobwebs.’

‘Yeah I am aware of that. But you will have to bear it all. Go join a computer class. I will come next month and depending on your progress we will continue our classes,’ I reprimanded him.

Then I further added, ‘I am giving you some scary movies in a pendrive and some study material. You watch the movies and read the stuff for a month. You sure will come up with tremendous new ideas.’

It was late night and I was feeling very energetic. I insinuated that I want some privacy now, ‘if there is anything else we will discuss it tomorrow morning.’

‘Okay sir’ he looked sceptic about the computer class but I warned him and told him firmly that this would be our last meeting if he did not abide by what I say. He carefully took the pendrive and books from me, thanked me and left the room obediently.

Next morning he came at 6 a.m. with a tray in his hands. There was fresh raw mutton cut nicely into square pieces in the plate and two coffee mugs. Both were chilled. The weather was cold and it was nice to have that tasty breakfast.

After wiping my mouth with the tissue paper I said, ‘I will leave now. I’ll see you in a month.’

He was in an exuberant mood, ‘sir this time I won’t disappoint you.’ His voice was determined and I could tell that he would do what I had asked him to.

‘Next time if you succeed in scaring me we will continue our classes. I will also give you a recommendation letter for a better ranking.’ He looked pleased to hear this.

We waved goodbye and I left for Delhi.

After one month I went to see Toby again. Reaching the village this time was easier as the bumpy road was mended and it made the tortuous turns seemed less obnoxious.

It was dark when I reached the house. I was relieved to find the removal of all those dramatic events that took place last time. The main door was open and I entered inside. It was a familiar surrounding. I called his name twice and got no answer. I went upstairs and searched every room. All were empty. I decided to wait in the living room upstairs. The floor and the furniture were covered with a thick layer of dust. A big fat lizard from the side wall looked at me and blinked its big, bulged eyes. A sculpted table made of dark oak wood occupied the corner space. I kept my candle and sat. Unlike what people believe we too need light to see things. However, sunlight and other intense lights dazzle us and we need our sunglasses. Without our sunglasses we are useless in daytime. It increases our productivity manifold.

I did not forget to bring my own wine bottle this time. I sat and drank and waited. Toby did not come. It was past midnight and I was feeling fresh and lively. I started to read a magazine about the hike in property prices. It had pictures of house-for-sale and this one particular building caught my attention. It was an old and abandoned prison where a huge fire broke out in 1867 galloping all the inmates alive. No one could be saved - not even the cats and dogs. I’d never seen such a gloomy building before. I wished I could buy it.

It was 2 a.m. now and still there was no sign of Toby. I felt a little apprehension. Has something happened to him?

Unlike humans, ghosts never get late for a meeting. They never cancel or postpone it without prior notice. So when a ghost gives you time and doesn’t show up, it’s really serious and something to worry about. Since I did not know the whereabouts of Toby there was nothing I could have done to find him. I had no option but to wait.

I went into the balcony hoping to see him coming. I could hear the jhingurs singing in chorus and blinking lights across the mountain, like a cluster of shining stars.

The narrow path from which I came last night hid behind darkness. I came inside and tried to immerse myself in the magazine. However, my mind was constantly wandering as to where Toby must be. The clock struck three.

I felt a strange sensation rush through my body. What if something has happened to him? I was now worried. I steeped into the balcony and with my binoculars tried to get a good look of as far as I can see. Rain water had accumulated under the lone lamp post that stood there like a defiant warrior. I could hear thunder and see lightening in the distance. I could swear I heard a soft knock on the door! I turned back and rushed towards it. I waited for a moment and put my ears on the door I waited for another knock. However, when it did not come I opened it slowly. It was Toby! He was messy with uncombed hair and drenched clothes. It reminded me of our first meeting. ‘What happened? Where were you?’ I cried. He was struggling to keep his balance. His steps were falling on the ground as if their collision with the floor was not anticipated.

He obviously was drunk. He looked at me with tired eyes, slowly came to the table and sat. He started after a long pause, ‘please forgive me for being late. I know it’s a sin which is not forgiven easily.’

My concern has metamorphosed into anger. I had been sitting here waiting for him, and he was so irresponsible to be so heavily drunk – and late.

Looking at my non-forgiving expressions he added (although I doubt he was in a condition to read expressions), ‘believe me, never in my entire ghost-life had I been so frustrated. I had been living with humans for a month. As I had anticipated it was very scary and Devil knows how I managed to do that for thirty days.’

I was silent. He continued, ‘all my afterlife I have scared people just for fun and it is only now that I know that what it feels to be on the receiving end, what it feels to be the victim. I feel so guilty and remorseful. From this moment onwards, I am a changed man.’

‘You are not a man,’ I retorted. That came out spontaneously though.

He wiped the tears from his eyes and blinked at me, ‘I am sorry. I am a changed spirit now.’

I had heard this before. The ghosts who stay with humans for some time, change forever. Either they surrender to them or give up being scary voluntarily.

‘It’s your life and your wish. I’ll leave tomorrow morning,’ I said curtly. Before leaving the room I added, ‘I will take my full fees though.’

I doubt he heard that. He was rambling to a nonexistent entity sitting beside him.

Next morning I got up to leave at 6 a.m. and packed my backpack. As I entered the main hall I saw a ghostly apparition of a woman dressed in a yellow sari. Though I could not see her face but somehow she felt familiar. Where have I seen her before? She hovered near the chandelier for a few seconds and then went straight into one of the rooms. I swiftly followed her moving up the grand staircase but she vanished before I could approach her. Then I sensed a peculiar smell. It was of chameliitr that my wife used to wear. Suddenly all the memories came back flooding. This yellow sari was the one my wife wore on the day of our marriage and later on every marriage anniversaries.

I knew she had taken rebirth. How can it be her when she had been alive for over sixty years? The smell led to me a room where a chair was rocking back and forth with its back towards me. I could see that the woman in yellow sari was sitting on it. I moved slowly to the front and was awestruck to see that it was her. She had a smile on her face and asked me lovingly, ‘What’s the plan for today?’

That was the most horrifying question she used to ask me on our anniversaries. That meant lots of shopping and roaming around aimlessly hand in hand in moonlit night.

I was already running out of money and to escape her I rushed towards the ground floor.  She rushed behind me shouting, ‘I want to buy a diamond set and an iPhone honey.’

I ran for my life. She followed waving her hands, ‘listen honey.’

I was blind with fear and collided with the main door with a Bang!

I fell on the ground panting. As I turned back, Toby was laughing hysterically with his hands on his tummy.

‘What was that all about?’ I asked alarmingly. However, before he could respond I realized it was all a farce. It couldn’t be my wife, for I sure know she is alive at the moment. ‘You liar,’ I got up and shouted at him with repugnance. ‘Last night you said you won’t scare anyone anymore.’

He still was laughing, ‘sir, I was drunk and stupid. I can never stop being myself.’ He helped me getting up and apologized for being drunk last night. ‘Your movies and books didn’t go waste after all.’

My anger slowly vanished as I congratulated him.

Few months down the line, I couldn’t stop smiling while reading an article in The Ghost Times declaring Toby’s mansion the most haunted house in the country.