Short Story
The Ghost Woman
I embraced you...but it was unreal...
Rajat Tokas as Rohan
Mugdha Chapekar as Meera
Part1 Page 1
Part 2 https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/56400394
Part 1
Mrs Kalyani was worried for the guests...the two day train journey was tiring for
everyone...though she was happy as her only son Rohan finally got married... she had been
waiting for this day in her life so desperately...
Mrs Maya "Kalyani di, ask the bride if she needs anything...she is sitting in another
compartment..."
Mrs Kalyani "i asked her...i think she's sleeping now...she must be tired..."
Mrs Maya "but di...she is wearing such heavy dress and ornaments, I hope she's fine"
Mrs Kalyani "no no she's not like that...i know her very well...i always wanted Meera to be my
daughter in law...she understands our customs and rituals so nicely...i am happy that Rohan is
married to a homely and well cultured girl"
Mrs Das "well Kalyani ji now a days girls are so advanced that they sit with their husbands the day
they are married and even start talking with them..."
Mrs Kalyani "i know...but when I asked Meera...she happily said she will sit where ever I tell
her...now she's in a different compartment and Rohan is with his friends..."
Mrs Das "you are lucky Kalyani...whats the time??"
Mrs Kalyani "its 1:00am...we will reach in another one hour..."
Mrs Das "i was thinking if we can sleep now...one of us can sit with Meera...she's all alone in that
compartment..."
Mrs Kalyani "i thought Kavya is with Meera..."
Mrs Das "no no Kavya is sleeping...i will go..."
-------
Meera's eyes were closed...she was wearing her bridal clothes...she was a beautiful girl...she
had never spoken to Rohan before nor she knew anything about him but she was happy with her
marriage...
the train moved faster...all she could hear was the wind passing by the window...
Mrs Das entered her compartment "Meera...do you need anything beta??"
Meera "no aunty...i am fine..."
Mrs Das "alright...would you like to freshen up...??"
Meera said hesitantly "yes..."
Mrs Das helped her get up...she took her towards the nearest washroom... "i am standing
outside...if you need help"
Meera smiled and nodded her head...
After few minutes she came out... "aunty I feel like vomiting"
Mrs Das "don't worry Meera...you can stand near the door for some time...it must be suffocating
for you to sit for such a long time...come"
Mrs Das helped Meera towards the door... Meera relaxed as the cool air blowed on her face...
she leaned against the door...
Mrs Das "feeling better now??...i will get a water bottle...i am feeling so thirsty"
Meera "yes Aunty..." she said while nodding her head...
she stood near the door and looked outside...there was a smile on her lips...that suddenly vanished when she saw a woman sitting next to her, with her head bent down...
Meera "excuse me..."
The woman lifted her face to look at Meera...
The blood in her veins curdled at the horrific sight and she screamed...she immediately moved away from the door...
Mrs Das heard her scream"what happened Meera...are you alright?"
Meera "nothing aunty..."
she turned behind to look...but there wasn't anyone...
Mrs Das "Meera you must rest...i will take you back to your seat..."
Meera was still thinking about the terrible incident that chilled her spine in few seconds...
she didn't wanted to tell anyone about the horrific scene she witnessed...she tried to forget and closed her eyes...
------
Belgaon was a small and beautiful village...it was not developed like other villages but people were
happy with basic necessities of life...
Train reached the small station at Belgaon... all the family and relatives got off the train to reach
home, they were tired after the long journey... the house was old and had a big courtyard with
some banyan trees, one well and a long path towards the gate...the house had three rooms...one
room was for Kalyani and her husband Debashish and one for Rohan and Meera, there was one
extra room for the guests...
One hour later
Kalyani "Meera you must have bath and wash your hair , we have to perform some rituals which
are important and must be performed on the same day of the wedding, since you will be going with
Rohan to Delhi soon...so I have to make sure we complete all the rituals..."
Meera smiled and nodded...
she had bath and came out wearing a nice saree, her hair tied nicely under a white towel...
Kalyani "Meera make sure you take this coconut and it should break the first time when you hit it
hard against the well...and also make sure your hair does not open unless you break the coconut"
Meera nodded...
Kalyani stood at the door step of the house...while Meera walked towards the courtyard with the
coconut in her hand...it was dark...there wasn't a single noise outside...she looked up the tall
tree...she made sure she was walking carefully...she looked at the well...suddenly her foot slipped
and she fell...the towel wrapped nicely around her head fell off...
Kalyani worriedly looked around "don't worry Meera," she said though she knew it was
inauspicious...
Meers got up and walked towards the well slowly...she tried to hit the coconut against the
well...but it didn't break the first time... Kalyani came towards her "don't worry" Meera tried again
and it broke into two half...
_____**********
Tum Se Tum Tak
Ganesh Kartikeya
8