From this part, Im changing the name of the house to Wilson House and the village/town from Bayville to Bayside. I will make these changes to preceding parts as soon as I get time. 😃
THE GHOST AND MRS. KHANNA…..part 4
Frankie, the fish shack owner was a scrawny, grey-haired weather-beaten man who had a permanently constipated expression on his face. He took orders for fried fish and served them with equal apathy. When Kripa walked up to the shack, he looked rather surprised but blandly asked what she would like to have. Kripa ordered a coffee and sat down at a bench overlooking the sea.
There were quite a few people there for morning munchies, like early surfers, vacationers and young couples. Kripa observed Frankie, wondering how to broach the subject of the house. She noticed the plump, jolly woman sweating over the grill while Frankie served the orders.
She waited till most of the customers had left and then walked up to the counter: Excuse me, can I talk to you a minute?
Frankie turned with a dour face: Your coffee would be 2 dollars, Miss!
Kripa paid the bill but lingered on, hesitating to ask this unfriendly guy. He turned again with a scowl: Need anything else?
She drew a deep breath and plunged in: Actually there is, I need some information about a house.
Which house?
Wilson House….
Frankie finally recognized her, he gulped nervously: You are the new folks there?
Yes, my husband asked you for directions the other day?…she smiled encouragingly.
What do u want to know? He looked quite hostile.
Anything you can tell me, its history, who lived there before us.
Frankie looked rather white around the gills, but he replied rudely: I sell fish, I don't know nothin' about history…
Kripa realized that Frankie wasn't going to co-operate or spill the secrets of the house. She sighed and turned around, wondering whether to walk back to the house(she shuddered at the very thought) …OR …to walk the considerable distance to the Public Beach. She turned again and asked Frankie: How far is the Bayside beach from here?
About 20 minutes if you walk, Miss. I wouldn't do it if I were you!
Kripa was surprised: Why? Is it unsafe?
He shrugged and turned away without a reply.
Kripa started walking towards Bayside beach. At least there will be people over there. She had just walked a hundred yards when a female voice yelled – MISS! HELLO MISS! behind her.
Kripa turned around and saw the plump cook from Frankie's fish store, waving and gesturing her to wait.
She came to Kripa huffing, puffing, out of breath and held out her hand.: Hello Miss, I am Peggy, Frankie's wife. You renting Wilson house?
Kripa smiled and shook Peggy's hand: Yes, I am Kripa.
Peggy's smile was friendly : So Kreepa, you wanted to know about the house?
Kripa nodded morosely: Yes, but Frankie there wouldn't tell me anything but Im sure he knows.
Peggy laughed, dimples breaking out in her plump cheeks: Aw, don't mind Frankie! Hes scared of everything and everyone.
Scared? But why? Kripa was puzzled.
She laughed some more: Hes afraid those real estate people will sue him if he told u folks about that house.
Ohh! Can YOU tell me then, Peggy? Kripa looked hopefully.
Sure, what do u want to know?
Everything! Any incidents, any happenings in the past?
Peggy's jolly face grew somber: Well, I can tell u are in trouble, Kreepa. That house….she shook her head…nobody could live there for more than 3 months. Its been lying empty for 4 years now.
But why? Why cant they live there? Kripa's hands felt clammy with dread.
There's things there that are not normal, not of this earth.
What things? Kripa's blood ran cold.
Well, ya know, Spirits, unhappy souls who once lived there.
Who are they? Kripa almost whispered.
That I cant tell you, I don't know the whole story, only that some lady died there.
Died? Kripa shivered with the memory of the sobbing at night.
Yeah, that's what little I heard, but theres a lady in the village who knows all about it.
Kripa brightened with hope: Whats her name?
Mrs. Reed, lives off Main Street in town. Shes the local History lady, knows about all them old families, old houses in this town. She keeps records and collects journals, so on.
How can I find her? Kripa asked eagerly.
Just go into town, ask anyone around Main Street, they will show ya.
Thank u so much, Peggy! Kripa gushed sincerely. Finally she had some concrete information.
Peggy smiled :You're welcome, Hun! So tell me did see or hear anything strange yet?
Kripa nodded with a troubled face and slowly told her about the crying sounds at night, the face at the window.
Peggy shook her head sadly: So its begun for u already? You had no idea, did u?
No! We lived in Manhattan, my husband found this house online, our agent Mr. Howard told us it was a great house.
Peggy scowled: That RAT! He tricked you! Everyone in this town knows about that house. Nobody even wants to come here, not even workmen.
Kripa shivered, horrified that Howard had unloaded the local haunted house upon them! When Angad heard what would be his reaction? Would he believe the local legend or Howard?
It seemed now only Mrs. Reed could help her solve this mystery.
She asked Peggy: Is there any way to go into town from here?
The walk is too long and lonely, Hun! I wouldn't advise it. But u can call a cab to pick u up from Frankie's Fish. Everyone knows our shack.
Thanks! I will do that! Kripa smiled in gratitude.
Peggy flicked her hand in a short wave: I'll be off now before Frankie starts getting jittery. Good Luck, Kreepa.
Kripa pondered on what Peggy had said as she strolled along the narrow, sandy road.
So she wasn't the only one to hear strange noises, see "things" or have those eereie feelings in that house. Others had heard and seen them before her! It was reputedly "haunted" by "spirits"…. some lady had died there. She shuddered again as if someone just walked over her grave.
She decided to call a cab to town and was just taking out her cell phone when it rang.
It was Angad, sounding quite livid with worry: KRIPA! TUM KAHAN HO? MAIN GHAR PER PHONE KAR RAHA THA, NOBODY WAS ANSWERING! IM OUT OF MY MIND WITH WORRY! WHERE THE HECK ARE YOU?
Kripa was secretly thrilled that her loving hubby was so worried about her, she apologized sweetly : Im so sorry, Angad, mujhey please maaf kar do. I felt like taking a morning walk. Aur chaltey chaltey yahan aa gayi. Do u remember the fish joint u asked directions the first day? Im standing right next to it.
Angad was still pissed off: Listen sweetheart! From now on, tell me before u venture out on ur own! It's a new place, people don't know you, anything can happen!
Kripa reassured her hyper husband: Its ok, Angad, Im fine, mujhey kuchh nahin hoga.
Kuchh nahin hoga! He was still fretting…how can u confidently say Kuchh nahin hoga? Aur agar hua bhi toh? How can I reach you in time? I am 40 miles away! Wahan pahunchney mein ek ghanta lag jaata hai!
Kripa pouted in a complaining tone: Tum itna naraaz kyun ho rahey ho? Ghar mein akeley mujhey achha nahin lagta, bore ho jaati hoon. Isiliye baahar ghoomney chali aayi. I can make friends here. Just now I met a very nice lady who owns the fish store. She was so friendly.
Achchha! Toh akeley mein tum bore ho jaati ho? Angad calmed down and his tone became wickedly teasing: Lagta hai ab jaldi se kisee teesrey ko laana padega!
Teesra? …she frowned…. Matlab? Teesra kaun?
Wahi….he chuckled….hum dono ke pyaar ka anjaam, our little pumpkin!
Ufff! She turned coy and giggled: Tum bhi naa! Abhi toh honeymoon shuru huyi hai aur abhi se….
[Silently she added…Uss bhoot bangley mein bachcha, KABHIE NAHIN! We will move out before that!]
OK, ab kaam ki baat karein? Angad became all business-like: Main ek plumber bhej raha hoon. Tum ghar laut jaao.
Plumber kyun?
Kal raat ki baat yaad hai ? Wo ajeeb awazein? I told Howard about it. He said he is sending a plumber to check the water pipes for any blockage.
Theek hai, I am going home.
Angad cautioned her: The van should have the company name on it…Fixit Plumbing Co., the guy's name is Gary. Show him the wall where we heard the noises.
Kripa hurried back to the house but didn't go in. After Peggy's feedback, she was even more afraid to go in alone. She loitered around on the beach, she didn't even bother to look up at the windows. She knew they would be open.
A big black van pulled up half an hour later, with the name of the company Angad had mentioned.
Gary was a tall, hefty guy wearing a tool belt around his waist. He greeted her jovially, Kripa led him into the house.
So Ma'am, show me the place where u heard the noise last night.
Kripa went up the stairs to the dreaded passage outside the bedroom and pointed out the wall where Angad had heard the gurgling noises.
Gary bent down and propped his ears to the wall and listened. Everything was quiet, still as a mouse.
Kripa mentally rolled her eyes, of course there wont be any sound since all the noises came at night…because this damned place was "haunted"
Gary straightened up and tapped the walls with his knuckles: Yeah, solid constuction, they don't make houses this way anymore.
He was praising the place! Kripa wondered why this guy wasn't nervous about the house like the others?
She suddenly had a thought and asked him: Are u from Bayside town?
What, Ma'am? ..Gary looked up from his crouching post.
I mean, is ur plumbing company in Bayside?
No Ma'am! I am from Copiague.
I see! ….Kripa understood very well. Gary wasn't a local guy, he didn't know the reputation of the house, that's why he wasn't scared like the other locals. That devil Howard! He had deliberately sent a non-local plumber because the local ones probably wouldn't agree to come here.
Kripa looked around the house with trepidation. She wondered what mystery was lurking in its walls, whose sighs of sadness were buried there. Who was that woman who had killed herself. She shivered and quickly followed Gary down the stairs in his quest for the water Mains.
Angad called on her cell: Is Gary there?
Yes, hes checking the water pipes, wants to see the Water Main.
Take him to the back of the house, behind the pantry door….Angad gave her instructions on the location of the heating system switches and water Mains.
As he worked, Gary glanced at Kripa from time to time, checking her out. He was not entirely to blame, she was looking very pretty in her pink top and cut offs. But Kripa felt rather uncomfortable. Here she was alone in the house with a big, muscular guy. If he had any bad intentions, she had no chance of saving herself.
She told Angad on the phone: Yeh banda mujhey bahut ghoor raha hai?
Angad sat up in consternation: Really? Kaisey? Buri nazar se yaa ..
Aisey hi…mujhey baar baar dekh raha hai.
Angad tensed with worry again: Dekho, tum ek kaam karo, phone band mat karna, keep on talking to me. Then he will know I can hear everything he says and does.
Kripa followed his advice and kept on giving Angad a running commentary of Gary's work. Whenever required, Gary also borrowed her phone to ask Angad about the locations of particular switches.
Angad teased her again: Waisey, ek baat kahoon, I cant blame the poor guy! Tumhey dekhkar koi bhi deewana ban jaaye. Main bhi toh phans gaya! Dost ki shadi mein ek jhalak dekha aur fidaa ho gaya!
She twisted her lips: Zyada maskaa mat lagaao. Kuchh nahin milney wala.
Really? Tum bhi kitni bholi ho! Maska laganey ka fees wasool karna mujhey aata hai! He promised wickedly.
She laughed with pink cheeks and quickening heartbeats.
Gary checked all the water pipes, the water heater and straightened up with a puzzled look: Its strange, Mrs. Khanna. Theres no obstruction in the water pipes, heater is working fine. I don't know why you're hearing all those noises. Might be just expansion and contraction of the wood floors. That's common in old houses.
Kripa silently grumbled….I know why there were those noises both nights. Because its haunted! Howard really sold us a "lemon"
Gary shook off the grime from his hands and asked: I have to wash my hands. Can u show me….
Kripa led him to a small bathroom under the stairs.
She was just turning to go when she heard Gary yell in shock: HELL! WHATS THIS?
She ran into the bathroom, the tap was running, the water flowing out was completely BLACK! Kripa gasped and covered her mouth! Why was the water BLACK?
Gary stared at the pitch black water with a stupefied expression. He was stumped: What the….! Ive never seen anything like this!
Kripa stepped forward with a palpitating heart: Why is the water so BLACK?
Gary flung his hands in air: I have no idea! Let it flow. Maybe it will stop on its own.
They watched in fascinated horror as the black liquid gushed out of the taps like some vampire's blood. It filled the sink, then spiralled downwards in a weird whirlpool. Then gradually the blackness receded and the water turned a pale brown.
Gary looked serious: If I were you, I wouldn't drink that water.
Kripa nodded….they always drank bottled water anyway.
Gary advised her: Wait till the blackness clears away and then use the water.
Kripa asked nervously: But why did it happen? Why did the water turn black all of a sudden?
Gary shrugged: Could be the sediments in the water combined with the metal in the pipes, causing a chemical reaction. Anyway Miss, don't worry about it. Ive tightened everything up, well and good. The pipes wont bother u at night, theyre all clear, I flushed them!
Gary didn't charge them anything, he said Howard would pay him. Kripa nodded with pursed lips….of course that cheat would have to pay, for dumping them with this bhoot bangla!
After Gary took his leave, Kripa stood on the porch and thought…. ….maybe the pipes wont bother us anymore but how will I ever go to sleep in this house, knowing it was haunted? I wouldn't be able to even close my eyes!
Contrary to her beliefs, soon enough she fell asleep on the living room couch while watching boring daytime soaps on TV. She was too tired from all the running up and down the stairs. Suddenly she woke up with a jerk! The alarm clock was beeping loudly in her bedroom upstairs. Angad used that clock to get up in the mornings.
She was startled! She looked at the grandfather clock in the parlor, it was only 4 pm. Why was the alarm beeping now? Did Angad turn it on by mistake?
Inspite of her trepidation, she went upstairs to check. As soon as she entered the main bedroom, the alarm stopped beeping, there was a clicking sound and music began to play on the clock radio. It sounded like a very old-fashioned song, like from the 1940s or 50s. A woman with a sweet voice was singing some famous song from an old bygone era:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nNk3ZlDsL8
]Blow me a kiss from across the room
Say I look nice when I'm not
Touch my hair as you pass my chair
Little things mean a lot
Give me your arm as we cross the street
Call me at six on the dot
A line a day when you're far away
Little things mean a lot
Don't have to buy me diamonds or pearls
Champagne, sables, and such
I never cared much for diamonds and pearls
'cause honestly, honey, they just cost money
Give me a hand when I've lost the way
Give me your shoulder to cry on
Whether the day is bright or gray
Give me your heart to rely on
Send me the warmth of a secret smile
To show me you haven't forgot
For now and forever, that's always and ever
Honey, little things mean a lot
Kripa listened spellbound, mesmerized by the woman's lilting voice and beautiful lyrics. The song ended, then started up all over again! The spell was broken! She frowned…how can the radio play the same song all over again? She reached out to the clock radio and turned the dial to other stations. The same song was playing everywhere, on all stations! Her blood ran cold.
She hit the radio OFF button! It didn't turn off! That was when she noticed the damned thing was unplugged!
OH GOD! The plug was on the ground. It must have come off when Angad plugged in his laptop last night! The plug is OFF! Then how can the radio be ON? She backed away from the radio. She backed out of the door, staring at the radio in horror! The radio was possessed! She had to get out of this house before she went crazy! The bedroom windows blew open suddenly, cold wintry air blew in like it was December in July! Someone was there in the room with her! It was HER! Kripa knew it was her! The one who sobs at night….
Kripa turned and ran down the stairs, out of the main door and ran as far from the house as she could. She flopped down on the sand and collapsed, out of breath, terrified, her heart thumping with dread! She had felt some presence in the room ….someone was there! She knew that woman was there, listening to the song!
That was where Angad found her 2 hours later when he returned from work. She was sitting silently, staring out at the sea, strangely traumatized!
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pallavi
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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