Saturday, September 9, 2023

Adventure story. 622. Voice of a kid

                                      Voice of a kid

Pradip was watching his land carefully. It was that land which he cherished for centuries. He wanted his son Vikram to come & join him. But Vikram was too busy. Vikram didn’t have much interest in land. Pradip could easily understand his wishes. He looked towards his house. His wife Sarika must be waiting for him. He started walking towards house. He suddenly sensed as if some child was walking behind him. He didn’t understand who was it. He turned behind. He saw entire field was empty. He looked towards ground. He didn’t see foot marks. He told himself that he was imagining things. He smiled & started to move ahead. He suddenly felt strange sort of pain on his shoulder. He didn’t understand what was happening. He touched his shoulder. He didn’t see anything. He felt as if some weight was on his shoulder but that weight was not visible on it. He kept looking around. He was feeling so restless. He wanted to feel happy in his heart. He was so upset. He didn’t understand why he was so scared. He smiled to himself & said “ Who is it?” He clearly heard small child laughing. He felt so relieved. He sensed some kid was playing joke on him. Kids were so naughty these days. He smiled & said “ I am listening to you. I will catch you.” He turned. He started running around field in search of that kid. He turned in many directions. He didn’t find. He started to go ahead but he suddenly heard laughing again. This time he didn’t look behind he kept moving ahead in anger. But suddenly he felt pain on his back. He sensed that this kids had thrown stone on him. He was so angry. He began to scream “ Who are you? I will tell your father! How dare you hit other person like this!” He didn’t sense how angry he was. He kept screaming. For long time he didn’t heard any sound. He began to feel so nervous & upset. He knew some kid was there. He was sure that If he didn’t catch that kid this kid was going to create big issue for him. He screamed so loudly. It was so shocking when suddenly one man came out of crops. That man “ What happened?” “ Are you doing mischief here?” “ No. I came here since I heard your voice.” “ There was one kid here which was laughing then throw stone on my back.” He pointed towards it. That man decided to take look. That man “ You are not hurt. You are lucky that stone must be some pebble.” “ But it hurt me so much.” “ It will surely hurt when it come with force. But it didn’t cut you.” “ Yes I am lucky that kid didn’t hit me on my head.” That man nodded. “ Some kids act so naughty.  They didn’t even sense that their actions were becoming cruel instead of funny.” “ Who are you?” That man “ I just came here. Bought this land. I am Mahesh.” Pradip smiled. He was so glad to find some young man around. He wanted some one with whom he could share him happiness & sorrows. His life was so lonely since his son betrayed. No…he couldn’t call it betrayal. Vikram wanted his life in different way. From childhood he was not interested in farming. He didn’t want to become farmer while Pradip loved to become farmer his son hated it. Pradip had education. He did other things too. He had done lots of good investments. He was rich farmer due to his wise moves. But still he wanted to remain farmer. But his wife Sarika always criticised it. Sarika never wanted to marry farmer. She wanted to live in city. She spent entire life in city until she was not married to Pradip. Sarika couldn’t find any suitable husband. Pradip never understood why but she didn’t so she had no option but to marry Pradip & she made it clear to Pradip every day after their marriage. Pradip’s parents always hated her. His parents kept telling him to find different wife but he knew that it was not easy. He kept tolerating her. Then he started to bringing money in home due to his wise decisions. Sarika began to talk sweetly but she never liked farmers or village & she made it clear before their son Vikram. Slowly Vikram began to dislike it too. Vikram went in hostel after it he began to shift in city. Vikram was more ambitious than his Mom. Vikram didn’t want city. He wanted foreign countries so Vikram was shifted in foreign. Sarika was hoping that one day her son Vikram would take her to city but Vikram went in abroad & never showed any interest in his parents. Vikram didn’t even demand money from them. Vikram sometimes shifted money in their joint bank account as duty of son. But Vikram  wanted freedom from them. Vikram got married. His wife came in village. She started happily for few days. She was settled in abroad but she loved village. Vikram’s wife Radha kept coming sometime in village. She even brought kids with her but after sometime it stopped. Now only Radha visit us. Neither his grandchildren nor his son wanted interested in visiting his land. He was so happy to meet Mahesh. He smiled. “ So where did you stay?” “ I stay in hut on left side.” Mahesh pointed. Pradip was confused. He knew that there was small river on that side but no one stayed near it. It was risky. Water level increased many times when rain fall heavily in Monsoon. “ Isn’t it risky to stay there?” “ Poor man like me doesn’t have much option. That land was empty. I started staying there. I fear soon someone would destroy my hut. But I don’t have much options. I am not wealthy. I need to send my money to my family. If I began to purchase house what would remain for me to send to my family? I spend all money on this land.” Pradip thought for seconds then said “ If you help me in my land I will help you too. We can do it together. I have one small house in corner which I don’t use. You can stay in it.” He nodded.Then Pradip took him to Pradip’s great grandfather’s small hut & said “ Stay here.” Mahesh nodded. Then Pradip returned to his house. It was long way but he was not so tired. He managed to make new friends. He liked Mahesh. He seemed like nice man. He was about to call his wife when he suddenly sensed that his wife Sarika was not going to come. Sarika died just one month ago. Pradip didn’t understand why he kept forgetting it. Pradip didn’t actually love her but she was one company. Now he needed to find some pet as company. He hated Sarika in his heart. She managed to destroy their life due to her love of city. He looked around in his house. He cared turned Sarika’s face in her photo frame towards wall. He didn’t want to see her face again.

        Mahesh was so happy to find this hut. Mahesh sensed that Pradip was not normal. Pradip was odd type of old man. Mahesh saw Pradip screaming towards invisible kid in odd way. Normally Mahesh would have avoided people like Pradip an eccentric old man without family but at this point he needed some help. Mahesh needed one shelter. He knew soon authorities would have forced him to move. He was living in threatening place now this hut was safe. He decided that he could adjust with Pradip. He began to clean hut on that point. He heard voice of small kid too. He was so sure that some kid was there. He didn’t understand how could he head imagination of Pradip. He ran out. He started walking around field. He was sure that he heard voice. He kept searching but he didn’t find anyone. He wanted to go back but then he suddenly felt concerned about Pradip. He knew that Pradip was alone in his house. Mahesh needed to help him. Mahesh felt so nervous. Mahesh needed to go out. Mahesh took his mobile & one kitchen knife he had. He kept looking carefully towards knives. He sensed sharpness when he touched it. He knew that it couldn’t protect it from serious weapons. But he needed something. He decided to call Pradip. Pradip was resting on his bed in darkness of night. He had already ate whatever food he managed to cook. He didn’t totally disliked it. He didn’t need to cook now what Sarika liked. But on that time used to cook so he needed to do extra work but he could get what he liked. Pradip immediately heard voice of his mobile. It was  unique sound on that peaceful night. He kept watching nervously towards mobile. First that voice of kid & now this voice of mobile. He knew that people were considering him mad since long time. Now if this increased his son might send him to mental asylum. He didn’t want to go there. He just kept resting on his bed. Then he slowly closed his ears. Pradip decided that he was not going to take that call. Mahesh kept trying. Then Mahesh began to feel concerned. Mahesh began to run towards Pradip’s house. Soon he sensed that he didn’t know road. He was began to run ahead. He felt so sure that it was Pradip’s house that he began to scream “ Pradip Uncle…Pradip Uncle…” after sometime light became on. He was so happy. He felt that soon Pradip would come out. But instead one man of his age opened door. Behind him his wife & children were gathered. Clearly he managed to woke up entire family in middle of night. Not exactly middle but still it was night & they were sleeping. That man “ Why you are screaming name of that mad man outside our house?” His wife added “ I feel that mad must have given our address by mistake! I am telling you tell to his son to send Pradip Uncle to some hospital. It’s very risky the way he was staying alone.” Then one kid said “ Daddy I am sleepy. Let’s go.” & Mahesh felt so confused. He heard voice. But now he felt that it was exactly like that kid. Before he could comment, his father angrily closed door. Mahesh screamed “ I just wanted to know address of Pradip Uncle.” But that man screamed “ Go away or I will call Cops.” Mahesh turned to go. Then he once again turned. That kid was in window & laughing loudly. This kid kept harassing them. Mahesh wanted to know what was her name. She was such sweet innocent girl. She was looking so adorable. He didn’t think anyone would believe that she was planning so much. That girl was laughing so loudly. Mahesh couldn’t believe himself. Mahesh began to look around. Mahesh began to walk slowly. Mahesh began to look around. Mahesh was looking on both sides of road. He was watching around. He needed to find Pradip’s house. He didn’t keep knocking doors. He kept different watching houses on both sides of road. He kept watching houses carefully. He needed to find house but this time he didn’t kept knocking other houses.  He kept calling Pradip. Then finally after sometime Pradip decided to take that call. Mahesh “ Pradip Uncle are you alright?” “ Yes I am.” “ I found that kid.” “ What kid?” “ That one which was laughing?“ now Pradip started laughing. “ Stop this nonsense. You can’t recognise that kid.” “ I can! By her voice!” “ It’s impossible. Don’t talk nonsense like that.” Mahesh suddenly began to feel confused. Mahesh began to feel that so tense. Mahesh was so stressed. Mahesh didn’t want to every one to think he was mad. He began to get so upset. Mahesh knew that Pradip was no longer supporting him. Mahesh didn’t say anything. Mahesh just said “ Sorry. I disturb you.” Then Mahesh started going back. Mahesh was so stressed. Mahesh went back to hut. Mahesh knew that this girl was not going to give up. He saw it in her eyes but he didn’t get anyone who could support him. Mahesh was so tense. Then suddenly his mobile rang. Mahesh looked towards it. He couldn’t believe it. His Dad was calling. But his Dad was died for five years. He began to shiver. He didn’t understand what was wrong with him. He ran in hut. He took out small photo frame & began to worship. He was shivering with fear. He didn’t understand what was happening to him. He was so scared. He began to feel so cold. He took out his jacket. Still he was shivering. He tried to control himself. But his shivering was not stopping. He kept taking name of God but it was not helping that much. He tried to control his feelings but it didn’t help them much. He was so scared. He knew that he was losing his mind. He called his wife. Tara took his call. “ Tara I just got one call from my dead father?” Tara “ What? Are you alright? Do you sense we have three kids & old mother in our house? You can’t lose your mind like that!” He nodded. He didn’t care that she was not there. He just wanted her support. Tara “ Do one thing? Go to Doctor!” Mahesh didn’t like this idea. He wanted to save money not waste. He just said “ I am fine.” Then she asked “ What happened?” He told all without stopping. After telling her everything he felt so relaxed that he fall asleep peacefully.

     Next morning Mahesh woke up with hopes. Once again he went to his land. He started doing his work. It was such large land. He was hoping Pradip would help but he was not coming. Mahesh sensed that Pradip was looking away. Pradip didn’t want to have any connection with him. Mahesh kept doing his work. This time he kept away from Pradip’s land. He didn’t want to have any conversation with Pradip too. Mahesh went away as far as possible. Pradip was glad when he didn’t want Mahesh around. He was so stressed. Then suddenly he heard voice of that kid. He was so frustrated. He didn’t want to keep hearing it. He knew that it was imagination of his mind. It was important to stop it. He kept working. On that point he sensed something was before him. He was so stressed. He decided to relax & breath properly. It was odd image. It had face of cat & body of human. It had knife in hand & that figure laughed. He was so shocked. He couldn’t move. Slowly he sensed odd pressure on heart. He began to get breathless. He wanted to feel relaxed. But he couldn’t. He started to sense that he couldn’t control his emotions. He wanted to relax but he couldn’t. He began to feel extreme pain in his heart. He was getting breathless. He wanted to scream but he couldn’t. Suddenly that figure came near him & started laughing. It was dancing around him. It was dance of joy. Pradip was so upset. He sensed that he was dying & this kid was happy about it. This kid was jumping with joy. He wanted to ask for help but he couldn’t scream. He began to get breathless. He knew that he was going to die. He knew that Mahesh was right. It was this kid. That kid kept dancing. Then suddenly that kid ran away. He heard more voices. Pradip was so scared when one kid came near him. But then he sensed this one was trying to help him. This kid was calling to his parents. Soon Mahesh came running & Pradip closed his eyes. Mahesh shivered with fear when he saw his son near Pradip. Pradip was looking nice dead body. Without second thought Mahesh called emergency number. He knew their land was far away but he didn’t have much option. He slowly sat near Pradip with his son soon Tara joined him with remaining kids. Pradip didn’t open eyes for entire time. Finally Ambulance came. They carried Pradip away on stretcher. They told that it was heart attack. Mahesh sensed that Pradip was already dead. It was too late. Mahesh didn’t say anything just went away. He didn’t go in Pradip’s hut. He went to his own hut. He slowly told Tara “ I don’t want to stay here. I know this mad girl is around.” Tara nodded. “ We might lose large amount of money but I can live without money not without you.” Mahesh smiled. All kids were scared. Mahesh began to pack all his luggage. He started to confirm that he took all. He decided to book next day bus tickets. He wanted to go out of there as soon as possible. He was so tense. On that night they all slept together. He could sense all were scared. Each of them were shivering with fear. Mahesh knew that they all went out. Mahesh was feeling so sad. He lost so much money. But he knew that he needed to smile. He tried to cheer up his family & started to take them towards bus ticket counter. But suddenly on road Police car came. He slowly stopped. Police “ Before dying Pradip was taking your name.” “ Ohh! He was hoping that I will come to help him.” “ No..no he said you know who killed him!” “ What?” Tara suddenly talked “ That girl!” Mahesh gave her angry look. Police “ What girl?” Mahesh sensed that he had no option except telling everything to Police. Mahesh slowly told all. Police listened carefully then Police asked “ Which hope?” “ I don’t know.” Then Police looked towards his children. Police “ I need to talk with them too.” He was so scared. They had no option. They went in Police car. Mahesh didn’t have much money so he didn’t called lawyer. But soon Police became convinced that there was one girl. Police said “ We found this hairpin & there were two shoe prints one belong to your son which just came near Pradip but other were dancing around him in circle.” Mahesh shivered with fear. Then Mahesh agreed to described her. He told about her & painter painted her face. Then Cops told them to stay in Pradip’s hut. One constable stayed outside. After some time they showed them photo of girl. They understood that they found mask & many animals who were killed after torturing in girl’s room. She was clearly psychopath. Mahesh was so scared. Mahesh knew that this girl would just go in mental asylum & came out. He didn’t want to stay near her. He just wanted to sell his land. Then suddenly one day father of that girl came. Her father wanted Mahesh to sold land to him & go away. That girl’s father wanted to hide all. Mahesh knew that it might put some other person in harm but he had no option. He wanted safety of his family so he just took money & went away. He gave statements in Court but luckily he never forced to face that girl. He never saw her face again but still sometimes he saw that little girl in nightmares & woke with scream. Even his children & Tara also had nightmares time to time too. But they were glad that they were just imagination & their nightmares not truth. That little girl was far away from them.

                                         The End

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