Bibhu's Encounter With Ghost

In Indian family, relationship are self defined and associated with certain discipline and liberty. Like one can have jovial relationship with spouse's younger brother or sister but have to maintain respectful attitude to them if they are elders; does not matter if they are younger by age to you.

Shankar and Bibhu share a similar kind of relationship.

Shankar married Meera who was three year younger to him. Bibhu was Meera's elder brother and was by two years elder to her. So by age Shankar was one year older to Bibhu but by relation he was at lower altitude. Hence every time both meet, reluctantly Shankar had to say 'Namsakr' and touch his feet, as his wife would do so, with utmost devotion. She called him with respect Bibhu Bhaina meaning (brother similar to Father). Although Bibhu acts as if he is the damn serious fellow in the family but at his behind he is the subject of joke and even his parents become light while describing his attitude.

It was just few  months after the marriage, Shankar and Meera were invited to attend 25th marriage anniversary of Meera's parents. Since Shankar was the Son-in-Law, he  was treated as a special guest. But Shankar never liked to be treated specially but wanted to be frank  and befriend with everyone. The was laughter all around wherever  Shankar went. Women specially liked Shankar and he was the best uncle among children. However Bibhu maintained his seriousness and at time showed his frown face when someone laughed out loud. It was by end of the day when all the celebration was over, all the relative gathered at the  living hall and sat for casual discussion. The discussion though began casually but end up on the subject of existence of super natural beings. All were asked to share their real life experience on Supernatural things ghosts or demons. It was at the end Shankar was asked to narrate his experience to which he replied.

"I have never experienced anything, nor will I do; these stuff don't exits..."

"Don't Exist?!....They do" told Bibhu (who was seated at a distance and was curiously hearing the conversation) with a deep and sharp voice and countered Shankar.  All the attention went on to Bibhu and everyone looked eagerly at him to hear something meaningful. Bibhu cleared his throat and began.

"It was the time of Rajo festival (a festival celebrated in Odisha during June) and I along with one of my friend planned a trip to Shankarpur to meet a common friend on my Luna moped. It was about 50 km from here probably near to the place where our Meera is married."

"Shankarpur is about 6 or 7kms from our home; What happened there?" Asked Shankar curiously.

"Juain Babu (Shankar), You ask what not happened!. It was maybe 8 or 9pm in the late evening. We started from Shankarpur, may be after travelling 10 to 15km, maybe we took a wrong turn, and the road lead us to a canal bundh.  The road was muddy due to rain. My friend told, that road will also lead us to main road and it will also reduce few of the kilometres. Hence, I proceeded further. The road was muddy and bumpy and not a single soul was travelling on it. I was feeling little heavy.

It was all of a sudden I bumped on a soft hump as if, I drove over some living things. As I was thinking thus  I and my friend heard a shrill howling sound. It was a inhumanly sound!"

"You might have hit some creature!" said one from the children group seated in the room.

"Shut up! You are too small to realise these stuff. Is it some funny stuff I am describing.." Bibhu fumed in anger.

"Sorry for interruption, Ignore the kid" said the mother of the kid, " Then What happened?"

"I tried to speed up my Luna, but I had to apply break there, as a figure all in white, crossed the road. I turned the vehicle and with full speed we returned on the road to the nearby village. we stopped near the village club house. The Kids from the club house gave us water and Milk "

"Panskuda Club House? The club kids helped you?", asked Shankar

 "Yes, They are very good. They gave us room to stay overnight as we were not in a position to drive back home. Few other joined later and brought us food. They also informed, it is very dangerous to travel in that road at night as it leads to a big crematorium ground of the village ! "

Bibhu ended the story...

The gathered people, were indeed impressed with the story and the story teller.  

It was next day when Shankar and Meera took farewell. Shankar before entering the car, took Bibu little aside and told him.

"Bibhu bhai Sorry?"

"Sorry for what?" Bhibu was puzzled.

"Actually, I was also a member of Panskuda Club house and I was there when the event happened with you."

"What? I don't understand"

"It was a prank! that all happened with you!, I never knew it was you, who was our victim that night, You are then lot thinner as you are now."

Bibhu's face was all red.

"Good Bye, Bibhu bhai" Said Shankar bowing before Bibhu leaning to touch his feet. Back in the car Meera was happy,  seeing that how genuinely her husband respected her elder brother.