Tired, Brigadier Chandok seeks for their permission to let him sleep.

Huda asks,

"Magar Sir aap itni garmi mein kaise soyenge?"

"Cadet Huda, as a soldier, mujhe aadat hai har tarah ke mahaul mein adjust karne ki.",

reminds Brigadier Chandok.

Huda smiles and nods his head, then secretly raises his brows.

All of them smile and bid Brigadier Chandok a good night and leave him to sleep in peace.

●●●●

"Chalo yahin corridor mein hi ghoom lete hain. Itna acha mausam hai, light bhi nahi hai.",

says Rajveer.

(Left Right Left tune begins)

All the boy cadets look at each other, excited.

All of them bounce on Rajveer for a group hug. That comes as a shock for Rajveer as well as all others.

"Arey khoteyon shor mat karo!",

Suriji gestures of slapping them on their heads respectively, widening his eyes.

"Aur chorho usse mar jaana hai aise usse to."

The females laugh silently.

"Magar yahan to kaafi andhera hai.",

says Naina.

"Andhera hai? To ae lo abhi candles le aate hain.",

saying so Suriji quickly brings a plate filled with lots of illuminated candles.

Pooja who is standing next to Naina, resting her head on her shoulder, staring at Suriji says,

"Hayee aisa lag raha hai kisi ka birthday celebrate karne aa rahe hain Suriji."

Naina laughs and slaps lightly on Pooja's head. Pooja laughs too.

"Ae lo.",

Suriji places the candles at different corners of the corridor which gives the corridor a view of a diwali night. Just that there are no lights other than these candles. A few he places at the different slabs of the corridor.

All of them smile by witnessing the beautiful arrangement.

"Arey waah Suriji aapne to aaj Diwali wali feeling de di.",

appreciates Huda.

Lolita Ma'am helps Suriji with the candles.

"Abey Yudiye...",

Huda rests his elbow on Yudi's shoulder and crosses his feet. Looking towards Suriji and Lolita Ma'am he teases,

"...bilkul ghar wali feeling nahi aa rahi aaj?"

All of them purse their respective lips, hiding their amusement.

"Aisa lag raha hai Mummyji aur Papaji academy aaye hon mujhse milne.",

Huda too purses his lips, hiding his amusement.

All of them look anywhere but towards Suriji and Lolita Ma'am, hiding their amusement.

Suriji who understands the tease, stops abruptly and without looking to turn towards Huda, says,

"Cadet Huda maine na tere dono kaan vich sir kar dena hai. Samjh aa rahi hai!"

And blushes profusely.

All laugh.

●●●●●

All of them scatter in pairs.

Suriji and Alekh walking together at a distance.

Ali and Huda walking together behind them at a distance from Suriji and Alekh.

Yudi and Rajveer walking togther behind them at a distance from Ali and Huda.

Dr. Shalini and Lolita Ma'am walking together at a distance from Yudi and Rajveer.

Naina and Pooja walking together at a distance from Dr. Shalini and Lolita Ma'am.

Suriji begins narrating his story.

"Yahan KMA mein aane se pehle maine parhayi ki degree li jahan se, jiske badaulat tumhara Suriji yahan hai aur tum logo ko acha acha khaana khilata hai, wahan ki bhi apni ek kahani hai.",

says Suriji.

"Aisa kaha jaata tha ke uss institute ke mess mein kuch shaitani takatein rehti theen.",

Suriji widens his eyes as he remembers.

All of them slow down their pace and look towards their partners respectively. Alekh turns to look towards Suriji. Suriji looks back towards him through the candle light and nods his head in affirmative.

Looking ahead, walking ahead in their slowed up pace, everyone pays their full attention. Suriji narrates further,

"Admission forms mein ye mentioned rehta tha neeche ke iss academy mein kuch unwanted activities hote hain. Wo khulkar 'haunted' word ka use nahi karte the. Magar aagah zaroor kar dete the subko."

Everyone quivers hearing about the mentioning of it in the admission form.

"Agar aisa hai to log wahan admission kaise lete the? Wo academy chalti kaise thi? Government ko to band karwa dena chahiye tha usse turant.",

protests Rajveer.

"Rajveer puttar band karwaane ke liye government ko bhi saboot chahiye hota hai. Unhe apne dastawez mein likhna hota hai ke unhone wahan kuch adrishya takaton ko mehsoos kiya tabhi government koi action le sakti hai. Magar jab koi inspection ke liye aata tha to mahaul bilkul shant rehta tha. Aur unke jaane ke baad phirse ye harkatein shuru hoti thi. Aur darsal in fact baat ye hai ke aksar ye sub lights out hone ke baad hi hota tha. To kisi ko personally koi disturb nahi karta tha. Jab tak ki unhe koi tang na kare!",

says Suriji, uttering the last line as a warning.

"Magar unhe koi tang kaise aur kyun karega Suriji?",

asks Naina, confused.

Rajveer turns and looks towards Naina, knitting his brows, while Naina asks her query.

He then turns in front again to look towards Suriji again.

"Naina puttar mera maanna hai ke unhone time fix kar liya tha jaise ke lights out se pehle hum kuch bhi kar sakte hain magar lights out ke baad unhe wo jagah chahiye. Theek ussi tarah jaise Yudi ne apni kahani mein bataya tha.",

says Suriji.

Yudi gets alert hearing that.

All of them nod their heads respectively.

"Magar tumhara Suriji thehra dheet banda.",

laughs Suriji.

All smile and shake their heads respectively.

"Ek raat mujhe zoron ki bhookh lagi. Main pohnch gaya mess mein bina ye soche ke aage kya hoga. Such bataun to bhoot, pret, aatma se zyada darr to mujhe Mrs. Joseph se lag raha tha. Agar wo teacher mujhe pakad letin to mere sir mein kaan kar detin pakka wo!",

laughs Suriji.

All laugh listening that.

"Tum logo ko jaise tumhari Lolita Ma'am ka darr rehta hai....",

he turns and looks towards Lolita Ma'am nervously for a brief moment.

Lolita Ma'am straightens up showing off her importance.

All of them laugh silently, enjoying witnessing them.

"...waise hi humein Mrs. Joseph ka darr rehta tha.",

completes Suriji and turns again to look in front.

All of them nod their heads respectively.

"Main mess mein gaya to dekha mess ka darwaza aadha khula hua tha. Mujhe bada ajeeb laga. Mess ka darwaza humesha raat ko band rehta hai khastaur par uske haunted hone ki wajah se.",

says Suriji.

"Matlab locked nahi hota bus darwaaze par kundi lagi rehti hai jisey koi bhi khol sakta hai aasani se.",

adds Suriji.

"Neend ka maara tumhara Suriji, maine socha ke mujh jaisa aur konsa sher ho sakta hai jo iss waqt mess mein aane ki jurrat karega.",

laughs Suriji.

Here Suriji is laughing there the heartbeats of each of his listeners accelerates anticipating the further story.

"Ander gaya to ander ka manzar dekhkar meri sitti-pitti gum ho gayi!",

says Suriji, his mood changes suddenly from the state of laughter to the state of horror.

"Bartan apne aap zameen par girne lagey!",

Suriji's eyes stop blinking.

"Pehle ek; phir do (2); phir to bus girte hi rahein.",

he remembers the sound created.

"Main to hairan khada dekhta raha!",

his nape begins to warm up as the fear begins to build inside him.

"Mess ke cupboards ke darwaaze zor se khulte phir band hote. Ye chalta raha aise hi. Kuch samjh nahi aa raha tha."

"Wahan ki lights jalti-bujhti. Jabki lights to off theen. Jalayi hi kab kisi ne?"

That skips the heartbeats of each of them.

"Jaise-taise main Waheguru ka naam lete-lete ander gaya slab ke paas to dekha wahan ek cup mein chaye rakhi hai. Chhu kar dekha.... chhu kar dekha to bilkul garam, jaise abhi abhi kisi ne banai ho.",

sweatbeads get collected on his upper lips.

"Kisne banayi chaye jab mess mein aana kisi ko allowed hi nahi to?",

asks Alekh, shocked.

Suriji shakes his head in negative, staring Alekh and gestures through his hand - 'kya pata?!'

"Isse pehle ke main iss baare mein zyada soch paata, mujhe kisi ke kuch khaane ki awaz aayi.",

says Suriji, his breathing turned shallow.

"Maine dhyan se suna ki aawaz kahan se aa rahi hai. Main uss awaz ki taraf badha dheere-dheere; darte-darte!",

Suriji utters each word slowly.

His slow utterance of each word sets the pace of the heartbeats of all of his listeners.

"Samjh aaya ke wo awaz ek fridge ke ander se aa rahi hai!",

Suriji stares them in utter shock.

His listeners stare him back, equally shocked!

"Phir?",

asks Lolita Ma'am, desperate to know the further story.

"Yakeen maniye Lolita ji, andhere mein bhi itna darr kabhi nahi laga hoga akele mein jitna uss waqt roshni hote hue bhi lag raha tha!",

Suriji stares Lolita Ma'am with his eyes wide opened.

Lolita Ma'am stares back mirroring his expressions.

"Ek mann to kar raha tha ke ulte paon bhaag jaon. Achanak.... achanak apne bahdur hone par mujhe shaq hone laga! Uss waqt aisa lag raha tha jaise seema par larhna isse kayi gunah aasan hai!",

says Suriji.

All of them could understand what he went through better now.

"Main puri tarah taiyar tha ke koi bhi ander se bahar nikle to main usse nahi chorunga!",

says Suriji, in anger.

Pooja bites her lower lip in anticipation.

"Jaise hi maine wo fridge ka darwaza khola... main to jaise baraf ki tarah wahin jamm gaya!"

"Kyun aisa kya hua tha Suriji?",

asks Ali, desperate to know.

Suriji turns to look towards Ali and says,

"Ali puttar mere saamne...",

he gestures his front with both of his hands,

"Mere saamne ek ladki lagbhag uss umr ki jis umr ka main tha uss waqt, fridge ke ander baithi hui iss tarah kuch kha rahi thi jaise sadiyon se bhookhi ho!!"

All of them stare him numb! Shiver runs down the spines of each of them! They quiver.

"Kya???!!",

all of them exclaim in non-uniform intervals.

"Magar.... magar Suriji koi fridge ke ander aise kaise? Matlab fridge mein to sub saaman rakhe honge na?",

asks Huda, shocked.

"Oye uss waqt mera dimag itna kaam kar hi nahi raha tha puttar! Aise maukon par subse pehle dimag kaam karna band karta hai. Kuch nahi soojhta kya sahi hai kya galat! Kya such hai kya vehm!",

says Suriji, staring Huda with his eyes wide opened.

All realise that it is in fact true!

"Mujhe kisi cheez ka pata tha to bus ye ke mere ankhon ke saamne ek ladki hai. Boys hostel mein ek ladki! Ajeeb! Bohot ajeeb!!"

The boys could understand how it must have been like discovering a girl in boys hostel.

"Aur... aur baat sirf itni nahi hai ke boys hostel mein ek ladki thi magar isse badi baat ye thi ki usse... usse dekhkar kahin se bhi wo ek normal insaan nahi lag rahi thi.",

says Suriji.

"Matlab?",

asks Naina, turning her head a little towards right, her eyes intact on Suriji.

"Matlab ye Naina puttar, usse dekhkar aisa lag raha tha jaise uske shareer ka rakht chalachal band hue sadiyon ho gaye hon!"

Blood almost freezes of his listeners too hearing that!

"Uski ye badi-badi aankhon ki putliyan jaise aankhon se bahar nikal rahi hon.",

Suriji widens his eyes further.

Pooja covers her mouth with her hand in shock.

"Uska badan, uske naakhoon....",

Suriji makes face,

"Itne gande jaise sadiyon se nahai na ho!!"

Dr. Shalini bites her nails in fear and quickly realises that she must not have done that! But nothing could shatter the level of her fear.

"Kuch samjh nahi aa raha tha kya karun!",

exclaims Suriji.

"Aap chillaye kyun nahi Suriji? Aa jaane dete subko!!!",

scolds Rajveer, frustrated merely by visualising the story that Suriji has narrated this far.

Naina gestures him to calm down.

"Hosh iss kadar udd gaye the Rajveer puttar ke chillane ki shakti bhi nahi rahi thi.",

says Suriji, staring Rajveer in horror.

All of them stare Suriji in silence.

"Maine... maine jaise taise usse poocha - ko... kon hai tu?"

*Flashback*

The girl stares Suriji with her almost lifeless eyes and says,

"Mujhe bhookh lagi hai! Mujhe khana do!"

Her voice forced out of her throat, dry absolutely dry as if she hasn't quenched her thirst for years. Her visible cheek bones tell how malnourished and undernourished she is!

"Tu... tu yahan kya kar rahi hai? Lights out ke baad khana nahi milta!",

scolds Suriji.

In no time she gets out of the fridge like magic and strangles Suriji! Suriji widens his eyes, bending backwards as a reflex action to the force applied by her on his throat.

"Main sadiyon se bhookhi hoon! Mujhe khaana deeee!!!",

she shouts out loud, looking directly into his eyes with her eyes filled with rage!

Apart from the sudden assault, her words 'sadiyon se bhookhi!', turn Suriji dumbstruck! He quivers in fear!

Her ice cold hands against Suriji's fire hot skin, hot out of fear and shock, generates current throughout Suriji's body! He quivers not only out of fear but out of her touch too! Magnitude of which is greater, he has no idea and he has no time to focus on that.

"Kha..khana...!!!",

Suriji points out behind her, having no idea what is he doing. Is there any food kept behind her for real? He just needed something to distract her and he comes up with this idea and he excutes the idea, without thinking of the end result.

In a situation such as that of Suriji's sometimes we get bound to speak without any proper logic, with a hope of buying some time to think logically and save ourselves. Suriji did exactly that!

But to his horror when she turns, she does discover food in front of her! How  it appeared suddenly, Suriji has no idea! Was it already there, Suriji doesn't know this too! All he knows is he apparently is saved from this monster!

She smiles and laughs like a maniac! Like someone who has got food to eat after an eternity! And indeed it is an eternity for her!

She runs and grabs the food. She begins having the chicken piece, quickly, like it might vanish if she doesn't make haste! She licks her dirty fingers!

Suriji stares her shocked! The smell of the stale food fills the air. Suriji covers his nose with his hand. He wants to stop her from having it but he wouldn't dare!

The doors of the mess get pushed suddenly with a loud thud! That skips Suriji's heartbeat. He gets back and his lower back collides with the slab of the mess. Suriji stares at the opened door area with his eyes wide opened and finds no one to be there. He realises that it must be the wind. He relaxes for a brief moment before his heartbeat picks up pace and his eyes widen again upon witnessing the girl staring someone apparently in front of her, though Suriji could see no one! She shouts and trembles in terror upon witnessing who-so-ever is standing in front of her, who is visible to only her. Suriji begins sweating and sweats profusely in no time as he realises that she is damn serious about witnessing someone in front of her eyes who is invisible to Suriji.

She takes her right hand behind her head, her head tilted backwards, as if she is trying to free her hair from someone's clench.

She tries to resist the pull by the person who is invisible and pulling her. She nevertheless gets pulled and gets pushed towards the wall, her forehead gets hit against the wall by someone, deliberately, once! twice! thrice! and so on... until her forehead starts bleeding. She tries to resist! But the more she resists, the harder she gets pushed towards the wall.

She soon falls on the floor on her face, unconscious!

Suriji quivers profusely! His hands quivering non-stop!! His wide opened eyes transfixed on the body in front of him.

The body gets pulled by her hair, that reveals her face, all around her eyes are dark patches just the way someone gets when beaten black and blue!

Since he is unable to witness who is pulling her it appears like she is floating in the air when gets pulled! The sight, Suriji knows shall turn out to be his biggest nightmare for the rest of his life!

The floor gets messed up by the blood stains!

Suriji, with a thumping heart walks out of the kitchen and follows the body which is now suspended in the air. Suriji shouts out loud when he witnesses the body thrown out of one of the windows!

He cries profusely, getting on the floor!!! Shouting in terror and helplessness!!!

All of his fellow mates come running towards him upon hearing his loud cry and shout.

"Suri! Suri kya hua??",

they ask in shock switching on all the lights.

Suriji points towards the window, crying profusely, sitting on his knees.

All of them stare towards the window and find it closed.

"Kya? Wahan kya hai?",

asks one of his mates.

Another one runs towards the window and tries to pull it open but it stays jammed.

"Ye to khulti hi nahi hai. Kitni baar isse pehle bhi hum koshish kar chuke hain.",

he says, defeated.

"Khuli thiiii!!!",

Suriji shouts out loud.

"Ye khidki khuli thi!!!",

he cries.

Everyone turns to look towards the window in utter shock.

"Aisa... aisa kaise ho sakta hai Suri? Uss... uss haadse ke baad ye khidki kabhi nahi khuli. Ab to iss mein zung lag gayi hai.",

says another of his mates, looking initially towards Suriji then towards the rusted window.

Suriji gets shocked hearing that!

"Yahan wo ladki...",

Suriji quickly wipes his tears desperate to convey the whole incident to his fellow mates.

"Ladki? Yahan?",

all of them ask in unison, knitting their brows and wrinkling their nose respectively.

"Haan! Haan wo thi yahan!!",

says Suriji, nodding his head in quick succession to show his confidence about whatever he is saying to them.

"Yaar Suri yahan koi ladki kaise ho sakti hai?",

asks another of his mates.

Reaching him, Suriji, with his eyes wide opened, holding him by his left upper arm and swearing with his right hand, Suriji says,

"Kasam se Manoj, thi mess mein ek ladki!"

Looking away, thinking deep, Suriji begins explaining, leaving Manoj during the process of explaining,

"Aisa... aisa lag raha tha jaise sadiyon se bhookhi ho!",

Suriji's voice low out of fear.

"Mess mein? Suri mess to locked hota hai. Aur raat ko konsi ladki girls hostel se nikal kar boys hostel ke mess mein ayegi?",

asks Rohan, holding his waist from either sides.

"Nahi! Nahi aaj locked nahi tha!",

Suriji quickly reaches Rohan trying to make him believe himself.

"Chal! Chal dikhata hoon.",

Suriji pulls Rohan with him.

All other cadets look towards each other and follow Suriji.

"Dhyan se aana yahan khoo...",

Suriji stops abruptly upon discovering no witness of the blood strains that he found a few moments ago imprinted on the floor.

Upon reaching the mess they do discover the mess unlocked. They stare in utter shock and one of them asks,

"Ye kon khula chorh gaya?"

"Ander chal kar dekho.",

says Suriji, his heart thumping in his chest.

They enter inside the mess.

"Dekho... dekho iss fridge mein thi wo. Keh rahi thi usse bhookh lagi hai.",

Suriji tells them.

They get shocked further hearing Suriji.

Suriji pulls the door of the fridge but it doesn't open. He makes another futile attempt of opening the fridge!

"Yaar ye fridge to sadiyon se band hai! Tabse... tabse jabse wo hadsa hua tha!! Humari fridge to wo hai! Tu iss fridge ki taraf aaya hi kyun?",

asks another of his mates, knitting his brows.

Suriji stares the fridge in horror!

He then turns to look towards the fridge that they use and gets shocked.

"Haan yaar! Main... main iss fridge ki taraf kyun aaya?",

asks Suriji, staring at the fridge in disbelief.

All of them stare at the fridge in horror.

"Kitni baar inhone koshish ki iss fridge ko yahan se hatane ki. Magar jo bhi koshish karta wo current khakar mar jata!",

says his friend.

Suriji couldn't believe he said that!!!

"Ma..ine... mai...ne isse khola tha!!!",

he exclaims in horror.

They all freeze at their respective spots, staring Suriji dumbstruck!!!

"Yahan... yahan chai...",

he trails off unable to understand how to make them understand.

"Aur ye kya haalat ki hui hai tu ne yahan ki?",

asks one of them staring at the utensils scattered everywhere on the floor.

"Ye.... ye maine nahi kiya! Ye maine nahi kiya!",

says Suriji, shaking his head, quivering in fear, sweating.

"Yaar mujhe... mujhe kuch gadbad lag rhi hai yahan. Waise bhi hum subko pata hai humein yahan nahi hona chahiye iss waqt. Chalo yahan se.",

says Vivek.

"Yaar acha khaasa ye girls hostel tha magar uss hadse ke baad jab renovation karwaya inhone to pata nahi kya soojhi inhe ke isse boys hostel kar diya aur udhar boys hostel ko girls hostel bana dia! Wo ladki to marr gayi magar iss hostel ko bhoot bangla bana diya!",

says Rohan in anger.

All of them agree with Vivek and Rohan.

"Chalo nikalte hain yahan se.",

says Vivek and all of them walk forth in order to leave the kitchen.

They stop abruptly upon realising that Rohan hasn't walked with them.

"Oye chal Rohan!",

says Suriji and turns to look towards Rohan.

All others turn with him and get shocked upon discovering Rohan freezed at his spot and staring up towards the right corner of the ceiling. He appears to be absolutely lifeless!

Cold wind blows from no where! They quiver not only because of the cold wind but witnessing lifeless Rohan.

"Ro...hann..",

Mohit calls him, quivering, as he senses something is amiss!

"Chal Rohan!!',

Suriji tries again, trying very hard to believe that everything is absolutely fine.

"Dekh yaar Rohan mazak mat kar. Chal!",

says Vivek, opening and closing his fist in quick succession out of nervousness and fear.

They all look towards each other in horror upon realising that Rohan is not trying to fool them!

"Ro...han... tu... ruk kyun gaya?",

asks Suriji, nervously.

They all again look towards each other upon receiving no reply from Rohan.

While they were looking towards each other they hear Rohan replying to someone,

"Ab main nahi kahunga aisa!"

They immediately turn to look towards Rohan in shock! Quivering profusely! They realise that his voice has changed as if he is extremely terrorized.

"Nahi main aana nahi chahta tha!",

he says further, never blinking his eyes.

All of them shake their heads respectively, unable to believe.

"Rohan... tu... tu kisse baat kar raha hai?",

asks Vivek, fearing the presence of any unknown entity there, looking all around.

"Tumhe... tumhe koi tang nahi karega!",

assures Rohan to the one he is talking to.

Vivek and Suriji take backwards steps, staring Rohan throughout in helplessness. Their respective pairs of brows creased.

They then get yet another shock when they discover Rohan walking towards the kitchen slab.

"Ro... Ro...han... kahan ja raha hai tu?",

they ask in unison, staring Rohan with their eyes wide opened.

Suriji feels extremely guilty that he came here at this hour of the day and now because of him his friends too are dragged into this messed up state!

"Rohan dekh main tere haath jodta hoon please chal!",

pleads Suriji, folding his hands in front of Rohan.

But Rohan has shifted to some other zone and is absolutely unaware of whatever Suriji is asking of him.

"Haan saza milni chahiye!",

says Rohan, staring the invisible entity.

His friends freeze to their spots respectively upon hearing Rohan's words.

They look towards each other in horror.

"Sa..za..? Kaisi saza?",

asks Vivek, quivering in fear.

They witness Rohan walking forth towards the kitchen slab. Slowly, bringing out the knife from one of the drawers, he places the sharp end of the knife against his neck.

"Ro... han... ye tu kya... kar raha hai...?",

asks Suriji in horror.

"Usse usse rakh Rohan!",

says Vivek in horror.

Before they could say anything further, Rohan slits his own neck and falls dead on the floor.

Suriji and his other fellow mates shout out loud in horror, sweating profusely. They cover their mouths with their hands respectively. Their eyes opened wide in utter shock. Hearing their shout the faculty members come running towards the mess.

They stare at Rohan in utter shock and horror before turning to look towards Suriji and his friends.

"Hum... humne kuch nahi kiya!",

says Suriji in desperation and in state of horror.

●●●●●

The body gets taken for postmortem. By now the sun has appeared in the horizon.

"Mess ka darwaza kisne khola?",

shouts Brigadier Mehta.

Suriji and his friends stare each other with no reply to give to Brigadier.

"Lights out ke baad apne room se kitchen mein aane ka matlab? Pani aap subko apne room mein provide kiya jata hai. Washroom ke alawa, koi reason mujhe nahi lagta apke paas hona chahiye room se nikalne ka. But aap mess mein kya kar rahe the?",

shouts the Brigadier.

"Sir darasal galti meri hai. Bhookh lagi thi to socha mess mein...",

Suriji trails off.

His words boil Brigadier's blood.

"Kya aapko pata nahi raat ko mess ke darwaze band kar diye jaate hain?",

asks the Brigadier, knitting his brows.

"Sir dimag mein to yahi tha magar jab wahan jakar darwaza khula paya to laga shayad Waheguru aaj mujh par mehrbaan hain!",

says Suriji, feeling gulity and sorrowful.

Brigadier glares Suriji in anger.

"Magar wahan jakar jo kuch bhi dekha....",

Suriji widens his eyes and trails off.

"Wo sub to aapko pehle hi bata chuka hoon.",

says Suriji.

"That place is haunted Cadet Suri!",

confirms Brigadier.

Suriji stares Brigadier in horror!

"Aur isiliye wahan raat ko jane ki permission kisi ko nahi di jaati.",

scolds Brigadier.

"Tumne dekha tha na uss ladki ko?",

asks Brigadier.

Suriji nods his head in affirmative in slow motion, staring Brigadier in horror.

"Rohan ne bhi usse dekha tha! Ussi ne majboor kiya Rohan ko aisa kadam uthane ke liye. Warna Cadet Rohan aisa nahi tha.",

Brigadier shakes his head feeling sad.

Suriji cries remembering Rohan.

"Magar mujhe samjh ye nahi aa raha ke agar usne tumhe bhi dekha to usne tumhe maarne ki koshish kyun nahi ki?",

Brigadier knits his brows.

Suriji gulps his saliva trying to understand.

"Kyunki... kyunki maine uske khilaf kuch nahi kaha Sir!",

says Suriji.

Brigadier looks towards Suriji, knitting his brows.

"Rohan ne apne gusse ko zaahir kiya. Usne kaha ke uss ladki ne boys hostel ko bhoot bangla bana diya! Shayad... shayad usse Rohan ki ye baat pasand nahi aayi.",

says Suriji, his heart thumping inside his chest out of fear and loss.

Brigadier looks towards Suriji in horror and nods his head.

Order gets passed that all of them will be sent back to their homes for at least fifteen days.

The priest gets called. He performs the shanti puja. Only after the purification of the place the classes get resumed.

*Flashback ends*

"Iss hadse ke baad jab main hostel se nikala ghar jaane ke liye. Maine peeche murh kar dekha to humare hostel ke kitchen ke side, khidki par Rohan ko khada hua paya.",

says Suriji.

All of them quiver!

"Magar Rohan to...",

Yudi says.

Nodding his head Suriji says,

"Haan, magar wo meri nazron ke saamne tha."

"To aapne kisi ko bataya nahi?",

asks Alekh.

"Nahi maine chup rehna hi sahi samjha. Magar main wo drishya bhool nahi paata. Uske galey mein ek nishan tha.",

says Suriji, remembering.

"Kaisa nishaan?",

asks Rajveer.

"Kaala! Jaise ki khoon sukh gaya ho!"

His listeners quiver in fear.

"Theek wahin jahan usne apna gala kaata tha!",

says Suriji.

All of them knit their brows tight, respectively.

"Mujhe yaad hai packing karte waqt bhi mujhe kisi ke apne paas hone ka ehsaas hua tha!",

tells Suriji.

All of them look towards each other, shocked.

"Kyun kya hua tha?",

asks Rajveer.

"Rohan ko aadat thi har subah room mein ek agarbatti jalane ki. Uske jaane ke baad kisi ne bhi room mein agarbatti nahi jalayi. Magar subah theek saadhe nau baje wohi khushboo purey room mein fail gayi. Ajeeb baat thi na?",

asks Suriji, looking towards his listeners in horror.

All of them nod their heads respectively, in horror.

"Uske bistar par koi nahi soya tha. Magar subah uska bistar bikhra hua paya. Jaise raat ko koi soya ho wahan!",

exclaims Suriji.

All of them raise their brows respectively.

"Ajeeb baat ye bhi hai ke raat ko darasal kamre mein koi soya hi nahi tha. Sub kamre mein hi the, magar jagey hue. Apne-apne bistar par.",

shares Suriji.

"Aap logo ko darr nahi laga uss kamre mein rehne se jahan Rohan rehta tha?",

asks Yudi, opening his eyes wide.

"Oye Yudi puttar laga to bohot tha magar aur koi chaara bhi nahi tha. Humne lights on rakhi kuch der. Phir baad mein band kar di thi light. Magar soya koi nahi tha.",

says Suriji.

"Jab bistar ki silwatein dekhin to hum sub darr gaye. Rohan tha raat bhar wahin humare saath, iss baat ko soch kar hi kitna darr lag raha tha. Humein pata nahi chala magar uske hone ka. Light off nahi karna chahiye tha! Nahi karna chahiye tha!",

Suriji shakes his head in regret.

"Rohan ke saath uss raat darasal kya hua ye raaz to uske saath hi chali gayi. Bus yahi chahta tha ke Rohan ki aatma ko shanti mil jaye.",

sighs Suriji.

All of them nod their heads respectively.

●●●●●

Akshat reaches his home and shouts at Swayam.

"Bhai! Bhai!",

shouts Akshat, calling out Swayam.

"Akshat! Kya hua?",

asks Swayam, shocked, climbing down the flight of stairs.

"Aapne Sujal ko kyun maara? Kya dushmani thi aapki uske saath?",

asks Akshat, directly.

"What? Ye kya bakwas kar rahe ho? Aur tum Sujal ko kaise jante ho?",

asks Swayam, reaching him.

"Doesn't matter Bhai. Aap mujhe bus ye bataiye ke kyun kiya aapne aisa? Kya kiya tha Sujal ne aisa?",

asks Akshat.

"Nafrat karta tha main usse! Nafrat! Uski wajah se Kashish meri nahi ho saki!",

says Swayam, angry.

Akshat gets shocked to hear that!

"Kashish!?",

exclaims Akshat.

Swayam nods his head, staring straight towards Akshat.

"Mom ne Kashish ko mere liye chuna tha. Mujhe Kashish dekhte hi pasand aa gayi thi. Aisa nahi hai ke main Kashish ko pehli baar tab dekh raha tha jab Ma ne uski tasveer dikhayi thi. Main pehle bhi usse dekh chuka tha. Magar usne mujhe nahi dekha tha, market mein.",

Swayam walks across Akshat.

"Magar Kashish ne bina ye jaane ki rishta kiska hai, shadi ke liye saaf mana kar diya. Ek saal baad maine usse Mr. Verma ki party mein dekha tha, Sujal ke saath. Sujal waise hi mera business rival tha, upar se Kashish ko uske saath dekhkar mera khoon khaul gaya. Jee to kar raha tha wahin uska kaam tamam kardun. Magar phir socha isse hoga kya, Kashish meri phir bhi nahi hogi! Aur such kahun to Kashish mein mera interest aur raha bhi nahi.",

smirks Swayam.

Turning to look towards Akshat, he asks him,

"To kya milega mujhe Sujal ka khoon karke?"

Akshat knits his brows, considering his words.

●●●●●

At night Kashish reaches the cremation ground and looks all around, alert.

"Aa gayi main yahan. Kon ho tum? Kyun bulaya hai mujhe yahan?",

asks Kashish, all serious and alert.

The wind blows the sand around a particular cremated body.

Kashish, with a throbbing heart walks slowly towards the place, looking all around every now and then.

Reaching there, Kashish picks up a little soil, covering the soil properly with her hands, closing her eyes Kashish chants few mantras and realises that someone named Lavanya got cremated here.

Opening her eyes, Kashish asks,

"Kya tum Lavanya ki aatma ho?"

The fragrance of rose fills the air suddenly.

Kashish nods her head in understanding.

Kashish understands that Lavanya needs her help.

Kashish walks to the incharge of the cremation ground who keeps the records of all body that are cremated here.

"Ahmm... mujhe Lavanya Upadhyay ke baare mein jaana hai. Kya aap please check karke bata sakte hain?",

asks Kashish.

"Lavanya Upadhyay? Ek minute dekhta hoon.",

he says and brings out the register.

Searching he says,

"22 September 2022! Raat ko teen baje body layi gayi thi."

"22 September! Sujal ki maut ke saat din baad!",

Kashish quivers!

She looks towards Giridhar Lal, knitting her brows.

"Raat ko teen baje?",

she cross checks.

"Haan! Ajeeb baat lagi mujhe. Raat ko koi bhi chita ko agni nahi deta. Sub subah hone ka intezaar karte hain. Magar inka parivaar to maano aanan-faanan mein kriyakram karna chahte the. ",

says Giridhar Lal, remembering.

Kashish wonders why!

"Aur ye sub hote waqt bhi unke chehre par dukh ka koi nishaan na ho.",

he adds.

Kashish tilts her head to the left, surprised.

"Jaise bus apna kartawya nibha rahe hon. Aur isse chhutakara paana chahte hon.",

says Giridhar Lal.

"Kaise maut hui inki?",

asks Kashish.

"Postmortem report ke hisab se suicide ki thi usne.",

tells Giridhar Lal.

"Mujhe waise details dena allowed nahi hai jab tak ke orders na ho.",

says Giridhar Lal.

Kashish brings out some money and hands it over to Giridhar.

He smiles in gratitude.

"Bura na maane to ek baat poochoon?",

he asks hesitantly.

"Poocho!",

says Kashish, knitting her brows.

"Kon hain aap? Aur kyun pooch rahi hain aap ye sub?",

he asks, intruiged.

Kashish looks towards him, serious.

"Main yahan khud nahi aayi. Mujhe yahan bulaya gaya hai!",

says Kashish, all serious.

"Bulaya gaya hai? Kisne bulaya?",

asks Giridhar.

Kashish stays quiet for a brief moment before she says,

"Lavanya ne!"

Giridhar stares her serious!

She finds it weird.

"Mujhe laga aap chonk jayenge!",

says Kashish, disappointed.

Laughing a little, sarcastically, Giridhar, whilst keeping the money into his pocket says,

"Madam ji ye sub to yahan aaye din hota rehta hai. Kabhi kisi apne ko koi aatma bulakar yahan le aati hai; to kabhi koi khooni khud aakar yahan pashchatap karta hai."

"Pashchatap? Yahan aakar?",

asks Kashish, surprised.

"Ji! Itna majboor kar deti hai aatma ke uss aatma ke maut ki wajah khud uske kabr tak chalkar aati hai usse maafi mangne.",

smirks Giridhar.

Kashish arches her right brow in shock.

"Aur kuch yahan aa to jaati hain, magar phir yahan se kabhi jaati nahi! Aatmayein tadpa-tadpa kar uss insaan ko dum todne ke liye majboor kar deti hai!",

says Giridhar.

Kashish quivers hearing that!

"Acha laga jaankar ke aapke saath aisa kuch nahi hai. Balki aapko to Lavanya ki aatma uski madad karne ke liye bula rahi hai.",

says Giridhar, smiling.

Kashish knits her brows wondering who is Lavanya and why is she seeking her help?