Hide & seek in woods
Meena decided to hide in woods that day. She used to love woods but her Mom always told her not to go too near it. She kept avoiding them. She was staying in her maternal parent’s house. It was her summer. She was enjoying with her friends. She was so happy when she saw her Uncle Dinesh going in woods. She looked towards him with confused expression. She didn’t understand why he was going in woods. But it was not her business. Her Mom always warned her to not interfere in adult’s business. Meena didn’t comment but she was curious. She wanted to go behind her Uncle Dinesh. She couldn’t just follow him. On that point she suddenly got one idea. She would suggest hide & seek. She went to her friends & suggested them that hide & seek. Immediately all agreed then she smiled. Then she got chance. This time she ran in woods with her friends. She knew that when she would ran in woods all kids would join her. Her guess was right. Then all started to run inside wood. She began to go in way she saw her Uncle. Soon she sensed one by one all kids started to hide. That boy who supposed to catch her was stopped counting. She needed to hide so she looked around & without second thought. She ran inside one bush. She sat in it. When she sensed one hand on her shoulder, she shivered. She wanted to scream but it seemed as if someone was holding her voice. Her mouth was opening but sound was not coming. She began to sense touch of body. She started to shiver. She remembered what her Mom warned against. Evil people! Who tried to touch girls in wrong way. She began to feel upset. She was so sure that someone was holding her when suddenly her friend Sarika came towards her. Sarika began to scream “ Blood..blood!” On that point she sensed that dead man was holding her. Actually she was fallen on dead body. She kicked hard to escape from grip & went she looked behind. She sensed that it was her Dinesh Uncle. She screamed loudly but her voice didn’t come out. She just decided to run. She kept running without guidance. She didn’t sense where she was going. She came in senses when a regular fruit seller of her grandmother told hold of her shoulder & stopped her. “ What happened? Are you hurt?” On that point she suddenly felt strange way. She began to feel as if she was going in different world. She started to feel as if she was going to faint. That lady began to call people. She was surrounded by crowd. She was so sure that she was going to scream & cry. Then suddenly she began to feel all was perfect. She was not sad at all. She wanted to remember cause of her troubles. But she didn’t remember anything. She looked towards her dress, she began to sense that she was full of blood. She tried to remember it. Then suddenly she remembered all. She told them “ There was some body..” then once again she stopped. She didn’t remember any thing. She didn’t understand what was wrong with her brain. Then that fruit seller called her grandmother. That fruit seller told her to sit in small house located in corner. She didn’t say anything. She just obeyed. She did what they told. They gave her something to drink. She just drank. She just kept obeying without argument. She did whatever they told her. She was so scared. She tried to remember all but she couldn’t. She knew one thing that her Uncle was dead. She was not sure how. She didn’t remember anything. She just said “ Dinesh Uncle died!” All people looked towards her with shock. They asked “ Where?” Then other started to ask “ How?” Next one asked “ When?” One even asked “ Did he died alone?” They all bombarded her with questions. She kept watching them nervously. Her mind was in shock. She couldn’t grasp anything. She wanted to cry. She even tried to cry but she couldn’t. She was surrounded by unknown strangers. She wanted her Mom Dad. She didn’t want to be alone. She wanted to feel scared. She began to feel restless. She didn’t understand her feelings. She slowly said “ I want to go to my Mom!” They all agreed to it. Soon someone called her Mom. Her Mom started to talk with her on mobile. She began to feel relaxed. She started to think that she needed to go to sleep. Whenever she went to sleep after telling her trouble to Mom, always she woke up & her troubles would be over. She began to feel that she needed to go to sleep. Then when she would woke up, her entire life would be normal. She wanted to feel normal but she was getting restless. She needed to think like normal person but she kept feeling so nervous. She wanted to go sleep. She slowly asked one lady “ Can I sleep here?” That lady looked nervous but then that lady nodded. She didn’t sense that her clothes were full of blood she would manage to spread blood on entire bed sheets actually she didn’t care. She started to feel strange desire to go to sleep. She just decided that she needed to do that. She went to sleep on that bed. She didn’t want to remember anything about that incidence. She wanted to forget it. She knew that she needed to remember it too. She needed to remember her Dinesh Uncle. She wanted to accept him as part of her life. She was so frustrated. She didn’t want memories of that hand touching her. That touch of body! She wanted to forget. She slept on that bed. She knew that people were watching her in strange way. They were even thinking that she might be hurt. Finally one lady decided to change her clothes. All were ordered to go out. She didn’t do anything just obeyed. Finally her clothes were changed during that time one lady threw away bed sheets in corner too. Then she used new clean bed sheets. She slept peacefully on that clean bed. Those bedsheets seemed so nice & welcoming that finally she managed to forget all her sorrows. She was sleeping like child on them. Of course she was still child. But suddenly she began to feel that she would woke up as adult. When she would woke up, she would be grown up. Her entire troubles would end. She knew that no one blamed adult. But then she didn’t understand why she kept feeling that something bad happened to her Dinesh Uncle? Then she remembered some blood & once again it was gone out of her memory.
Nita was shocked when she understood that her brother killed by someone in woods. They didn’t know what it was. Some were claiming animal & some were claiming human. Some people were even trying to claim that it might be suicide. But Nita knew one thing that her daughter Meena saw some of it. She needed to go back as soon as possible to her house. She didn’t want her daughter to become part of this. She came here since she wanted her daughter to enjoy. Her husband Satish was too bossy. Meena never able to enjoy life normally around him. Luckily Satish spent his most of time in office but nowadays he was doing work from home. He needed to complete a project. Sometimes she had feeling that his Boss didn’t want him in office. Satish was smart & wise so they needed him to get clients but they didn’t want him to coordinate with remaining staff. He kept insulting & abusing. He was always like that. But when she was dating him, he was so nice to her. Even her parents thought that he was nice person. He kept pretending that he was always concerned for her. He never saw his this attitude. She knew that boys pretended as good natured person during dating but she never expected this much. She sensed it when he first time fought with waiter in cafe. She tried to relax him but he screamed on her & said “ Just shut up! Don’t try to boss on me! I am not your pet.” She was so shocked. She didn’t want to date him again but he kept following her. His parents sent marriage proposal & she became attracted to it. She took it. Then she was adjusting as best as she could. Now she knew that her daughter Meena was not okay but she couldn’t expect his help. He would just keep blaming her. He might talked about his daughter as burden etc but he would never help her. Nita ran to place from where she received all regarding Meena. She began to feel so upset. She reached there. She immediately greeted by house owner who pointed towards her daughter. That house owner had changed everything to make her daughter clean. She immediately offered her some money for cleaning bedsheets etc. that house owner said “ It’s okay. But take her to your house immediately. I don’t want people specifically press or Cops to gather here.” Nita nodded. She took sleeping Meena in her arms & then she started to walk as fast as she could. She arranged tickets immediately. She never thought that anything was so wrong with Dinesh. She decided that she didn’t want her daughter to be involved. She began to arrange way to escape from this. On that point Cops called her. She didn’t understand whose call was it so she took it. Cop “ Madam we are investigating death of your brother so you need to bring your daughter here.” She didn’t want to do it but she knew that her all options were closed so she agreed. She told Cop about condition of her daughter. He told that he would bring Doctor too. She was glad. Then she did her worst task. She informed Satish. Satish began to abuse her dead brother & her entire family. She didn’t know what she supposed to say. Finally Satish declared “ I need to come too…” “ No..no I am coming back. Cops will take address & let me go.” Satish abused her for some more time & after it disconnected call after agreeing with her. She began to feel that she did big mistake by coming here. She thought that it would stop her troubles but instead it increased. She knew that her brother wanted her to give up on their land. She wanted to do that but Satish didn’t permit. She knew that things would get worst step by step for her. But she never thought that Dinesh would take revenge like that. She was not sure but she felt that Dinesh intentionally attracted Meena towards place where he killed himself. She didn’t understand why did he took such revenge. She was always helpful to Dinesh. It was frustrating. She didn’t understand why he needed to act like that. Soon Cops came with Doctor. She gave nervous smile to Cops. Doctor checked to Meena. Then Doctor told “ This is mental break down. She is perfect physically.” Cops nodded. Then Cop asked “ So she saw something.” Doctor “ It’s possible. But no need to see actual murder. She could have this nervous breakdown due to just watching dead body.” Cop looked confused. They decided to wait. Nita was confused but she didn’t want to face Sandip so she asked “ Maybe I need to stay here?” Cop “ No..no this is suicide. It will be proved soon. You don’t need to stay. We will send someone if statements are required.” She could clearly sense her parents & Dinesh’s wife didn’t want her on funeral. Her Mom came near & said “ If you stay in house in night of death you know according to ritual you need to stay for..” before her Mom could say anything Dinesh’s wife screamed “ Go away! I don’t want outsiders in this house now. I don’t want to arrange those luxurious lunches & dinners for you. You never help my husband. You never cared. As a sister you just demanded things. Your husband was always abusive with him because of you. You are useless in every way. Just get lost. I don’t want to see your face.” Nita felt so shocked. Nita didn’t say anything. She went to her room. She packed all. She knew that after this she would never come back. Her brother Dinesh was not truly saying positive about her. Dinesh was just pretending. She just packed all & waited. Soon Meena woke up. She began to tell Meena that they were going home. Meena immediately agreed. Meena was clearly hated that place now. She knew one thing that now she never returned to her birthplace since no one wanted her there. Nita obeyed what they told. She always did it. Now her only place of relaxation was gone. She needed to work under Satish daily but she decided that she needed to do it. She arranged tickets. Luckily she managed to book two bus tickets. She gave her number to Cops. Then she immediately went away. When she sat in bus, she noticed Meena was shivering. Meena was scared. But when they started to go away, Meena said in soft voice “ I will miss Dinesh Uncle & all. I love that house but now we will never go back. It’s all my mistake.” Nita looked confused. She didn’t want to go in details. But she never thought Meena would say this.
Satish was so upset by all this nonsense. Satish was expecting some money from Dinesh after selling land. But Dinesh was not willing to sell it. Then after some time Dinesh took loan on it. All was wasted on that old house of inheritance. Satish never understood why did Dinesh kept that house? Now he knew that he wouldn’t get anything from his wife’s family. They were always burden to him. He wanted them to give money but they never managed. He always wanted profit but he always got losses from Nita. Nita cooked okay. But he wanted wonderful lunch & dinner daily. She just kept cooking normal food. Now she was bringing back Meena in this condition he knew that it would have reaction. He didn’t want to manage all. But he was stuck in this mess. He couldn’t escape from it. This was frustrating. He needed happiness but his family always brought some troubles for him. He knew that soon Nita would come. He heard door bell & immediately ran to open door. He was so frustrated. He began to scream on Nita. “ So you managed to destroy another opportunity? I mean instead of convincing your brother you managed to push him towards suicide…” he kept blaming him. He didn’t had time to look towards his little daughter. Meena was so confused. She was looking in strange way around. Then Meena gave strange smile. She went to corner. She took out one showpiece. Then she hit Satish with it. When Satish felt pain he sensed what had happened. He kept looking towards Nita. Nita was shocked too. Nita “ Meena what are you doing?” Meena suddenly laughed in strange way & ran inside her room. Satish who normally used to scream on her at every small matter didn’t say anything. Clearly he was scared of her. Nita didn’t understand why. But then she noticed his wound. She looked at that showpiece with shock. How could her small daughter could manage to pick up & throw such big showpiece? She didn’t understand. But she knew one thing that this action deserved punishment. She said “ I will teach her a lesson..” “ No..no I think she did it by mistake.” Nita was confused. Satish was clearly scared. Satish was no longer wanted to punish Meena. Nita knew that Satish might kept giving lectures & kept taunting but he was coward inside. But she never thought that he would be scared of his own daughter. She decided to ignore him & went inside. She looked towards Meena with anger. “ Why did you do that?” Meena turned towards her. She was so shocked. Meena was looking so pale. She sensed that her daughter didn’t eat her lunch. She smiled nervously & said “ I bring some thing to eat.” “ Yes. Bring Chicken.” Nita was confused. Meena never demanded like this. Meena always ate whatever given to her. Due to Satish her daughter was always submissive. Nita was happy that she asked for something. Nita knew that she had all material in refrigerator. She started to go in kitchen then she turned back. She couldn’t cook such nice lunch so soon after death of her brother. She said “ Meena I can’t cook today. Dinesh Uncle just died..” Meena suddenly said in strange voice “ I am not dead Chiku!” Nita looked towards her daughter strange way. At beginning she thought that it might be ghost of her brother. She was about to say something but she was truly scared. She just closed door & ran out of room. Then she sat on hall sofa. She was so confused & scared. First Satish ran away from Meena & now she was doing same thing. She knew one thing that whatever Meena brought with her was not going back like this. She was so confused. She called her Mom & told her everything. “ Mom tell me what actually happened with Meena?” Her Mom “ Your brother went in that woods. Do you remember them? I always told you & Dinesh to avoid it?! But he went there to kill himself. He took one..” she didn’t want entire description but she didn’t have any option. She told her Mom to stop. Her Mom wanted to stop any way. She went to refrigerator & took out cold water. She began to drink it. She didn’t sense when she finished entire bottle. Her stomach started to complaint she ran to washroom. She wanted to listen to Mom. But she needed to go to washroom. When she came out, her call was disconnected. Her Mom was no longer taking her calls. She sensed that her Mom might wanted to avoid her. After all Dinesh’s wife hated her. Then she went to Meena. Meena was perfect. She was doing painting which she loved to do. Meena turned towards her & said “ I have already completed my homework.” Nita was so scared. Nita began to sense journey of her troubles was going to begin now. Satish came back in evening. He was injured but he didn’t show any desire to meet Meena. She was so confused. She needed to do something about her but she was so confused & helpless. Meena was not acting in normal way. She knew that it would take sometime. She began to sense that she needed to talk with Meena. She needed to do something. She went in Meena’s room. She asked Meena “Do you miss your Uncle?” Meena didn’t say anything just kept painting. It was normal painting. A girl was playing but then she noticed. There was one small shadow in wood behind her. She slowly went towards Meena. “ Meena whose shadow is it?!” “ Shadow?! Which?” Clearly Meena was confused. Meena asked her “ When did I draw it?” Nita was so scared. She went inside her room. She took one photo of God & placed it near Meena’s pillow. Meena kept looking towards it. But Meena didn’t object. Nita tried to talk with her further but Meena was no longer interested in her. Nita didn’t find any way out of situation. Nita just kept talking one sidedly. Finally Meena said “ When will you serve dinner?” Nita agreed to give it immediately. Meena nodded. Then Meena ate her dinner in her room. Meena went to sleep in normal way. It seemed as if nothing was wrong with her.
Next morning Nita went in room. Every thing was perfect. She didn’t see anything was wrong. She was happy. Meena acted normally. Meena got ready for school & went away. Then Nita began to clean room. She began to arrange all when she noticed. The photo of God had shadow. She didn’t understand how was it possible. She took it in her hand & she began to observe it. She was so restless. She didn’t understand it’s cause. On that time her mobile rang. A lady Cop was calling for statement of Meena. She was so helpless & nervous. She began to cry without second thought. That lady Cop asked her nicely “ What happened?” She told everything. “ Do you feel my daughter is possessed?” Lady Cop smiled little. She felt so embarrassed but soon Lady Cop controlled herself. Lady Cop “ Your daughter might have mental trouble! Have you ever thought by this angle?” She turned her head negatively. “ Then you must. Your brother did suicide so you need to contact psychiatrist.. well let me help you. I can bring psychiatrist with me during statement of Meena. She can tell you what is issue? Then you can start treatment but you need to pay for treatment!” “ It’s okay. I just need reliable psychiatrist.” “ Okay. I will bring one tomorrow. Can I come in evening?!” “ Yes.” She immediately agreed. Then when Meena came back she appeared normal. Satish came back. Satish also began to feel Meena was normal. But when Nita suggested about Cop & Psychiatrist. Satish just took his hand to his wound & immediately agreed. He was scared of his own daughter. It was good & bad at same time. Since due to fear he was not torturing her. But Meena was not normal too. Nita could sense. Meena was kept talking about Dinesh again & again. It seemed as if she was trying to become like Dinesh. Finally Cop & Psychiatrist came next day. Satish was waiting there too. Then they slowly began to discuss. Meena began to tell all. Meena didn’t remember some part clearly. But then suddenly Meena began to tell “ Dinesh Uncle was upset with Dad. Dad was demanding..” Meena suddenly lost in track. Meena “ I don’t remember.” Then Meena began to laugh. Meena’s voice began to sound strange. Meena “ Satish wanted money from me.. I want revenge..” Meena was talking in strange way. Psychiatrist suddenly told Nita & Satish to go out. When they went out Psychiatrist looked towards Meena & said “ No need to pretend. I know you are okay. You can tell Cops & no one will mention your name.” Meena suddenly shivered then she said “ My Dad was asking for money daily from Dinesh Uncle. Uncle kept giving it since Uncle was scared that he might throw my Mom out of house. I wanted to punish him.” Then Meena started crying. Cop patted on her shoulder. Cop said “ We will do it.” Cop & Psychiatrist left room. Nita was so nervous. Psychiatrist suggested counselling for Meena. After all this Meena needed it. Then Cop went ahead with regular procedure. Satish was arrested for asking money. They found many witnesses who told he was abusing & hitting Nita. Nita was sad by all this. But still on some level she knew that she needed to accept truth. Her husband indirectly killed her brother. She told truth too. Satish immediately gave Divorce to her. She agreed to take it but she wanted alimony which he was not willing to pay. Soon Dinesh’s wife told her that she could stay with them. Dinesh’s wife was happy that she was fighting on their side for justice. Nita knew her legal battle was wrong but she was happy that she was back her birth place & most importantly her daughter Meena was going to stay where she wanted. Meena was only child in that house. Dinesh died young without kids. He was just married. Nita felt that she could never forget favour of Dinesh’s wife that she forgive her. She hoped that Dinesh’s wife might settle once again one day. But soon she sensed that it was impossible without money. So Meena was their only hope. Meena always played in woods. She was never scared of woods. Nita knew that counselling helped. Nita knew that Meena pretended all but Meena’s desire to hit Satish was taking her on wrong route. Nita was glad that she was normal now. Meena was playing with other kids like normal child. She was happy about it. She felt one thing after observing her that she could get over every crisis for her daughter. They all were enjoying their life since they had decided to get over their sorrows with smile. They decided to fight back.
The End
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