That dreadful night which still haunts me!

During our childhood days, the elders used to tell us different kinds of stories, they varied from family stories to self experiences. I loved those personal experiences and always fantasized for such experience myself. Now I can share tens of those experiences which personally influenced me at different levels. Amongst them, today, I am going to share a horrid experience that happened during my school days and it goes like this:

I still remember that I was in the 9th standard in 1972 and I was overly fond of cinema, any kind. I liked to watch action movies and that night I had gone to watch a wrestling movie of late Dara Singh(prior Indian wrestler and actor). The movie started nine at night, we were two, my late nephew Chandra Thakuri and I. As it was a Sunday, we had planned for the night show. We really enjoyed the movie, a lot of wrestling stunts, which ended around 11:40 at night. It was at Rink Cinema Hall, Darjeeling, so after the movie, we both strolled down( as Darjeeling is a hill station) to the Petrol bunk in front of the Darjeeling Railway Station in order to head home. From there, my nephew headed to his place and I took the sanitorium road and headed towards home at Dhobi Talaw. I looked at my watch, it was almost 11:45 pm so I began to walk fast, almost like jogging. So, in no time, I came to the foot of the sanitorium, from there I had to slow down. As I was walking fast earlier, I hadn't seen a bald man standing near the lamp post at the curve. When I neared him, he asked me " Brother, what time is it ? "I looked at my watch and it was close to 12 midnight which was concerning for obvious reasons and I responded to him, "10 to 12, sir", without a hault so he accompanied me without my consent. I noticed that he was a little taller than me. He also asked , "Where are you going ?" Without even bothering to turn my head towards him, I replied, "Dhobi Talaw". I didn't bother to even enquire about him but still he said "I dwell just below the Govt. High School". I was not in a mood for lengthy conversation, so I didn't ask much and kept walking .

After walking a few steps, I realised that all of a sudden, he is as tall as me and that was alarming because as far as I recall he was easily taller than me just a few minutes ago. I couldn't help but my heartbeat began to go fast, though, I always assumed myself as a brave brat and had walked the same road and some others, even worse, numerous times. But, at that time, I was feeling very uncomfortable, Why ? Until then I hadn't seen at his face and now I had no courage to do so. I began to walk fast . Just before the Govt. High School Gate, he said "Brother, I need to depart from here because I am going through the school gate to get to my place". I didn't reciprocate to that or maybe I didn't know how to, but unwantedly, I watched him going down the gate. You will not believe me, but as he entered the gate, he transformed into a small kid with his head full of long black hair. I haulted for a bit to see him go but before reaching the first curve of the road, he more or less disappeared. Now, my was racing and without wasting a moment, I ran home. Reached home, knocked the door, mother opened the door, I forced myself in. At this, my mother chastisized, "What, why so hurry , did you see a ghost or something ?"

I didn't respond and went to bed, I heard my mother was murmuring, "Walk at night and what can you expect ?" I still didn't utter a word and went to sleep. Only the next morning, I told my family what had happened last night and my second to eldest brother- in-law had already experienced something similar just a few weeks ago. Trust me, I was flabbergasted and perplexed. My son still asks me about it and I still recall that acquaintance every time I walk that way!

Along with this, I have numerous experiences as such, which I will be mentioning about soon! So, keep an eye on it!