So hello guys I'm back again with my story ❤️ with my Bengal 💙

☝️👆 Please check out the video before reading this chapter ☝️👆

The video showing the environment of Murshidabad. I was supposed to add up a video which would be included both Temple and Mosque but unfortunately this video don't have this only Churches 😅 so please just imagine those as Temple and Mosque.

So about this chapter, here it's gonna be a little bit about religion and how humanity here behaving with this.

So first I'm giving you the warning if you're not so comfortable with those things please don't read.

This chapter content is not to hurt or insult any other religions or their rituals and cultures so please don't throw hate comments.

Third Person's POV

It is a story of harmony. Bengal is rich in communal harmony. But narrow-minded people have built a wall of division by fabricating a network of discrimination.

Religion-religion, caste-nation divisions have wounded Bengal.

Attempts should've been made to highlight the fact that the demands of human humanity are far above the religious identity of the individuality...

Surova's POV

A small market has sprung up where the pitch road has taken a turn. A Village behind, covered with dense bamboo forest.

There is no electricity in the village, so sometimes the face of a sad civilization catches the eye-When a young man or a young woman comes along the dirt road through the green bushes; The clothes she/he wears are made in a factory in Ahmedabad.

But there is electricity in the market. Three tea shops, two Sandesh (A kind of Bengali sweet), three clothing stores, one Manohari (Same like before it's also a sweet kind), two grocery stores.

There is a warehouse. There is a husking machine. There is a brick kiln behind it.

People are coming from the surrounding villages. At nine o'clock at night, there is a feeling of strong deposit, then everything is empty. Just a few flashes. Some nerdy dog ​​shadows hover over the pitch.

Sometimes the truck goes to a distant town. Again all silent. The owl's call in the ancient banyan tree at the bend also seems to belong to silence.

It was afternoon time, I was sitting with boredom in the market while reading some articles before heading back to Baharampur (Murshidabad) HQ. Well there were some information connected with my own duty.

It says-

"The Border Security Force (BSF) is probing whether the Chinese drone found by a farmer in his field along the India-Bangladesh international frontier in West Bengal was being 'misused' for trans-border crimes.

The South Bengal frontier of the border force headquartered in Kolkata issued a statement on Saturday, saying it has approached the local police station in Petrapole, North 24 Parganas district, to take custody of the black quadcopter model 'S500' to get it forensically examined.

The drone is manufactured in the Peoples Republic of China and it was found by a farmer in his farmland in Purbapara (North 24 Parganas district) around 6 am on March 19."

Wait then why they transferred us here for nothing?!? What the actual hell...

"The farmland is about 300 meters from the international border. The farmer picked up the broken drone and handed it over to the officials of the local Petrapole police station," the BSF said.

I keep reading the article until-

Suddenly I got a phone call...

"Hello! S7 speaking? "- "Oh Surova! I'm glad to inform you that BSF troops from the nearby border post Kalyani reached the spot but as they could not gather much details and the drone, the force approached the police. We're hoping that very soon it'll make it's way to Murshidabad. It was found that the drone does not have a camera. No one has claimed it till now", the BSF said.

"We are investigating whether the drone was misused as part of a conspiracy to breach border security or for trans-border smuggling," I said.

"Well good luck for that", and the call ended.

*Sigh* Now I'm wondering why suddenly I transferred to Murshidabad from Kolkata... Wow I might have get a chance to catch them hmm.

Well it's been 2.5 months I've Posted here in Murshidabad from Kolkata, the place I've stayed for a long time I guess.

Last time I was sent to Sundarbans... God thanks to those forest rangers for helping me out. Yup I learnt some great skills from them.

Oh my apology! I didn't introduce myself yet, Hi! I'm Surova, mostly recognised by my Code 'S7' in my job or duty whatever you call it and my close ones call me 'Su' for short.

Well to say the truth what I do is- Collecting information about the trespassing things, smuggling stuffs and the trespassers, their original and fake identities, to identify them accurately.

And then send them to the State Department Minister for further enquiry. Like you can call me a 'Supportive Assistant of BSF'.

Awkwardly amazing I guess! Thank God half of the time I stuck in paperworks or I'll be bored as I'm a junior from others who are all senior officers (not the police you're thinking) and don't have to catch by a trespasser by his collar.

But to say the truth I'm better in doing that so that's why finishing my paperworks in lightning speed and stuffing all of the information in the computer I wander along with Cornell (A senior of mine) and secretly I joined him in The Chase, it's pretty amazing and a great exercise!

Well at the end I was the one pulling someone's collar and dragging them out to the base and giving his responsibility to Cornell for later things.

First of all I'm the only female in the HQ, second 'A girl can fight?' is the most exhausting question I've answered many many times 'Oh yes of course!'.

So I secretly hang out with my Gramps Cornell to join him. Oh yes I already forgot to tell I'm the youngest and he's the oldest *shrugg* so I kinda like to call him that hehe. Ok I'll tell you about him later! He's so wonderful and friendly!

(Author: Reminds me of Grandpa Raul in BBB *lost in my world*

Surova: God! *face palm* We're midway of the story!

Author: Sorry 😅 )

First I'm gonna tell you about this place-

The time was winter. The wind was blowing all the time from the huge field north of the market.

Then the sky turned gray with clouds. Light rain started. The winter in Bengal is already very cold. In the rain it is sharp.

The gentleman called it 'Poushe Badla', locals called it 'Daor' and when the wind is strong with rain, they say 'Phapi'.

This weather of service became 'Phapi'. Paddy has not been harvested in the distance yet.

This untimely disaster will cause severe damage to paddy so people are in a bad mood.

The peasants waited in the tea-shop for a day to shine in the sun and the beheading of Allah-Bhagwan. Till the end, some angry young farmers shouted, "There is none on your head, no one."

There is no one on the head who can be happy. Arguing verbally in an angry mood.

Fighting ensues and there is no irrelevance to the argument-something just happens.

No one spends time sitting in a village house due to the untimely disaster of that severe winter.

Everyone comes to the side of the small oven of civilization. To give heat to hands and feet.

That is the happiness then. And to get rid of the monotony of lazy days, various things come up.

Actor-actress or singer from Bombay or Indira Gandhi , Chief Minister, MLA-or Sara Bauri.

There is a lot of fighting, Tea seller's sales are increasing. Paddy season- Today or tomorrow, you will get money tomorrow, so the borrowing amount increases.

I feel bad for the people here but what can I do except be a silent watcher?

At that time an old woman came. The spitting beggar old woman. Giant look. One head white hair.

Wearing a tattered cloth, wrapped around her body like a sticky cotton blanket, with a stick in one hand.

On the way to the pitch, she walked in the same casual rhythm. The signs of her longevity are evident in the face of decay. She entered the tea shop and asked for tea.

Seeing her, everyone stopped arguing. Everyone was amazed at how she was able to survive the disaster.

The old woman swallowed the tea very comfortably and looked at everyone's face. But did not say anything.

Then someone asked her- "Oh old woman, where did you come from?" The old woman wasn't in a good mood. She replied with a growl, "What will you do to know, boy?"

They laughed- "Oh God! I'm looking forward to it! In this rain, she has come out like a pony."

The old woman got angry- "Be careful, don't talk nonsense. Where do I come from, why people care anyway?"

A person said calmly, "Oh old woman, where do you live, so they are asking. She replied- "In your head".

She began to open the money tied to a torn cloth from inside the blanket.

After paying the price of tea, she took to the streets again. People shouted- "She will die, the old woman will die!". The old woman turned around and said, "You die, let your hundred die."

Everyone saw that the old woman staggered to the bottom of buck's mouth to the Banyan tree.

The bottom of the Banyan tree is empty. The soil is almost wet and muddy.

She went there in front of the surprised eyes of all of them and sat down on a thick root near the trunk. There is a hole in the trunk behind the root.

There she spread her legs with her back. It was understood that the old woman has a lot of experience.

That means she is a tree dweller. Some people said that they could have gone to Baroaritala (The shelter for the poor people). She will absolutely die.

After this, naturally a lot of things came up about the old woman. The chatting started again...

There is an 'old saying word' of the village about 'Poushe Badla' That is: Seven on Saturday, five on Tuesday, three on Wednesday- all the rest of the day will end in that one day.

That is, if it rains on Saturday, there will be seven days, on Tuesday five days, on Wednesday three days. If it takes another day, it is a matter of one day.

It rained on Tuesday. Of course no one calculated- but on the day it left, the sky was clear. The bright face of the sun was seen.

And, everyone discovered that the old woman was lying on the floor with her back to the ground.

Seeing that she was not moving for a long time, Chawla (The Tea seller) Jaga said, "The old woman is dead."

One said- "Oh my goodness! Then the fox-dog will eat that! Can the smell last?" One by one the crowd continued to grow.

Some people touched the forehead of the old woman and saw that it was very cold.

One also saw a pulse- there was no vibration. Therefore dead. The watchman was informed.

He came and said- "What will happen with informing the news to the police station? A beggar has made a fuss in Phapi, why station-police again! Report to the police station five crores away, then he will come night and day. By then the smell will be grew more, when is the account of the dead or not? You don't see how the body has swelled?"

Someone asked- "So then what will we do, Chowkidarda? (The Watchman)" He replied- "Throw it in the river! It will be drowned underwater just with the speed- whatever!"

The advice of the wise watchman was obeyed. The river is two miles across the field. Now dry.

How many came together after being thrown up there. It was hung on a bamboo bed.

They left that too. The old woman's body was covered with hot sand to prevent it from shining.

When they came back, everyone kept their eyes on the horizon. When the vultures would come down in flocks.

I was planning to return and excused myself from the upcoming drama, seriously I don't wanna Gramps Cornell to shout at me. But I saw something which made me to stay.

Suddenly in the afternoon a strange sight was seen. A bamboo bed is coming across the field.

The matter came to light when it reached the market. The people of Muslimpara are bringing that old woman's death body. They are reciting Arabic mantras. Some even wore hats on their heads.

Those who left it there were Hindus. They were surprised and angry and wanted to know- "What's the matter?" They replied- "No, that old woman is a Muslim".

"Evidence?" There is a lot of evidence. Many have heard she muttering Alla or Bismillah.

Even Mollah Sahib of the village swore unequivocally: "Today at Fajr (during the morning prayers) when I was coming to catch the bus after the prayers, the old woman was dying. I heard her read a clear kalma. Who knows, the old woman is dying? I was going to town- The day of the case, so I didn't see the further matter. Repent! Repent! What is it that we survive? So I arranged to give it to the grave".

Bhattacharjamshay of the village has just got off the bus. Peeking out, he said, "It was impossible. I also went to the city today on the same bus with Mollah. I heard clearly, the old woman was saying Sri Hari Sri Hari Sri Hari".

A lot of evidence was gathered in his favor. Nakri the barber swore and said, "Yesterday I came to Battala (beneath the Banyan tree) to work. I saw that I can't sit. Then I heard the old woman say clearly. Saying in her mind- Haribol Haribol!" (Bengali praying naming lord Krishna's name)

"You heard wrong", Fazlu Sheikh said. Nibaran Bagdi is an angry man. Once upon a time he was a tainted robber. He shouted- "LIE!".

Karim Faraji now prays a lot and the 'Banda' man was once a professional lathiyal. Why would he tolerate the shout of prevention? He shouted more- "Beware!" The quarrel escalated. The argument continued.

Then it was seen that a group of people started pulling the bamboo bed. There was excitement all around. The shops began to close.

And then it was seen that many people were running out from the village. Deadly weapons in everyone's hands.

Oh shoot now uh? Should I call the police? I tried. What the- freaking network it's not working! I sweat dropped because I wouldn't stop them alone oh God WHAT I'LL Do Now?

TThe bamboo bed was then on the pitch. Two clear crowds stood on either side of the old woman. Weapons in the hands of both parties. They are abusing each other.

Sometimes Mr. Mollah is shouting- "Muslim brothers! Jihad Jihad. Nakayedakabira Allahu Akbar!". On the other hand, Mr. Bhattcharje roared and said- "Joy Ma Kali! Come down, mother. Joy ma kali ki joy!"

The thunder roared and it was seen that the endangered law-abiding poor blue uniformed watchman was standing in the middle with his stick raised and trying to say something to both sides.

Whenever the Muslim side comes forward one foot, he desperately sticks the stick in the pitch and roars- Be careful.

When the Hindu side came again, he kicked the stick to the road and shouted in the same way- Beware! Who knows how long he would have been able to stop this violent mob- he started beating the sticks on both sides like crazy. 'Khat khat khat khat' and trembled.

Then a strange scene was seen. The old woman's body is moving. Trying to get up and move.

Armed crowds on both sides are staring blankly. The watchman is watching with his mouth wide open.

Then the old woman got up. She got up and looked around and saw the two sides crowds.

Her face became distorted. She laughed out loud with that distorted face. The watchman opened his mouth and said- "Old lady! You're not dead!"

She scowled- "Die, you die. Let your hundreds die!". The crowd on both sides shouted, "Old woman! You're not dead!"

She replied- "You die. You should be dead!". Someone asked out- "Old woman, are you a Hindu or a Muslim?"

The old woman got angry and said, "Did you eat the head of the eyes, Minsera? (a slightly cursive word in Bengali while comparing the human with a animal) "Can't you see Oh hell-eaters, Oh vultures. Can't you see it? If I can I'll take your eyes out- that, that, turn run get lost!", She shouted.

Eventually I got a chance to reach the old woman. I asked in a good way- "Old mother will you go with me? You will get sick like this!"

But the old woman laughed and said- "Where else was I healthy? Inside, the beetles have finished everything and what to do now is just the last day to see".

Saying this, she let out her last words and continued walking on the road. She staggered along the road.

The crowd moved away and gave way to her. In the light of the last sun, she gradually faded away.

I blinked multiple times to realise what just happened actually! Is she just vanished in front of my view? *Sigh* I'm again hallucating things great! I saw others are leaving also.

Again someone called me- oof- I've already forgotten I've to return to the base.

"Um Hello Cor-" - "Su! Young lady do you have any notice about what is the time now? Who gave you permission for wandering around till the night 11?", He shouted loudly through the phone making me deaf.

"Sorry Commander I was actually wait? It's Afternoon isn't it? It's just 5-" "I won't listen any excuse Surova! Just returned back here or-" "Um? Hello Commander? Cornell? Gramps? Can you hear me?" And the call ended.

I sighed it's always happens because of network problem but what he just shouted about make me worried. I looked around and checked my surroundings...

Oh I wish I didn't-! Oh CRAP?!? It was a minute ago sunlight was here?!? And wait? Oh please don't tell me I'm DREAMING AGAIN?!?

Though wandering around the night isn't freaking me out but the fact a minute ago I checked the time is Afternoon 5! I checked my phone? WHAT?? 11:30 PM? WHEN? WHAT? HOW IT EVEN POSSIBLE?

Ghaa from when I come to this place weird things started happening! Oh like a forbidden curse reopened by a unknown!

Oh God it's JUST SO FRUSTRATING!!! I stopped myself from panicking cause this irregular things really freaked me out.

I dialled again the number of Cornell. Gladly he picked up- "Su? Are you coming-" - "Cornell! Help-!" "Wait? Girl YOU OKAY? WHERE ARE YOU?-"
I faintly heard him shouting.

Before I said out something more I blacked out hoping someone will save me...

~*Some moments later*~

"Hm?", I woke up by the sunlight fall on my face. Wait? Where am I? I jerked up from my laying state and rubbed my eyes to get a clear view.

Somehow I am backed to my base? But at last I remember I was blacked out in the road of the market...

"Thank goodness you've awaken", a familiar voice caught my ears. "I was so worried about you when you didn't pick up my calls for like a million times", he said and sighed.

"Oh Cornell! Sorry for making you worried actually something weird happened so I just can't make out things stright. My apology but how did I get here?", I asked out.

He frowned at my this statement like I've asked something awkward. "What are you talking about? You're the one who walked through here and called me! Before I came I guess you'd collapsed on the ground. I found you at the front of the gate? By the way are you feeling better? I guess the slight fever you had has went down?", He checked my forehead and smiled.

"I? Came here by my own? But I didn't have any fever! I swear just-!", He cut me out.

"Oh don't worry in this spring time it's weather changing! Don't you forgot though you're working with us but still you're not fully prepared for this type of state", he warned.

"But Cornell I'm an young adult and I can take care of myself and I am saying it was raining yesterday, and it's winter time", I started arguing can't getting out yesterday's incidents which I am feeling like some moments ago. He frowned at that.

"How old are you? You're definitely behaving like a 8 year old, though you're young adult but still you're like my daughter", he ruffled my hairs.

"But I wasn't dreaming?", Was I? I won't give up until I proved myself.

"I'm saying it's spring time how it's even possible? I bet the fever made you crazy just take some rest and be okay! Don't forget we've alot of works to do cause only 2 more weeks here left before returning back to Kolkata!", He looked unamused and left with that. I am surprised again.

"The WHAT?!? I thought it's been 2 months we'd come here! Now just 2 weeks left? How? It should've at least one month left?", I muttered to myself.

But the dream or really something happened was just all my imagination? But how?

I went to the market at 3 PM and when I last checked the time it was 5 PM! How the time passed so fast? To 11 PM?

Like you gotta be kidding me? What the heck was I doing there? Sleeping? Nonsense evidence.

Cause I've seen the entire conversation between the two religions and the old lady? How could've it's all about a dream?

Oh God! Please just- ok 2 more weeks great! I just wanna get out from this cursive place. Literally HAUNTED!

But the main fact... Did the time stopped for me to see some past incidents? Or it was just my entire time of dreaming the whole incident?

Was the old lady also just my imagination? Or the time stopped for me to see the entire incident? Who knows I've to go and do some things.

Specially I wanna know about this place more, it's seems kinda mysterious.

Cornell once told me there was a cursed village here. Was it still alive? Who knows...

Third Person's POV

বাংলার প্রতিরূপ- Replica of Bengal

Communal harmony - সাম্প্রদায়িক সম্প্রীতি

The appearance of Bengal in the web of discrimination - ভেদাভেদের জালবিন্যস এ বাংলার অবয়ব।

The appearance of a netted Bengal of discrimination - বৈষম্যের জাল জড়ানো বাংলার আবির্ভাব।

The networked humanity of discrimination. Humanity trapped in a web of discrimination - ভেদাভেদের জালে আবদ্ধ মনুষ্যত্ব । ভেদাভেদের জালবিন্যাস্ত মনুষ্যত্ব।

The old woman has become obscure, the inner soul of Bengal, which has no religious identity, has become clear.

She wants to awaken modern Bengal and all the people by abandoning the fascination of religion.

The old woman who wakes up from a long sleep awakens the unconscious people between the two communities.

At the end of the story, she takes the crowd and the reader to a non-communal human feeling.

This incident does not show any humanity towards the living man but there they fights with the man after his death by claiming him as his own.

This is like a fragment of the overall form of Bengal- "The web of discrimination"...

Will Surova find out what's behind of this weird happening things?

Or she'll accept she's the one who's dreaming alone about all the entire things?...

Even if it's just a dream what the story of the so called Cursed village?

Will someone ever find out this?

Let's see and find out...

Sooo finally updated! YAAAY!

Actually my board exam coming in just 2 weeks and here what am I doing 😶😅 just letting out this story ideas before I wrote this entire incident in my Bengali exam as essay 😂 (my 1st language) I'm relieved now 😁

Now I can go study with clear mind 😌🌬️

Let's meet after my exam. You're welcome to the Village Of Mystery!

Hope you like 👍 if you enjoyed please leave a comment 💬 on this chapter and vote ⭐ please 😋

[Word Count: 4137] ✍️

Till then good bye 🎶