“Anirban, what are you doing this weekend?” Enquired Sayan. It was a long weekend with holidays from Friday to Sunday. “Nothing much. Plan to stay at home only”- I replied. “Why don’t you come along with me? I am going to my native. A small village in North Bengal. You can also take some beautiful pictures.” Why not? I am game for it. And so we were off to North Bengal.
What I had assumed to be a battered wooden cabin was actually a bungalow fit for a Lord Curzon no less! The bungalow was inhabited by only Mohan. Mohan was the caretaker and he lived in a home nearby with his family. After dropping off my luggage I decided to take a look outside and reached the balcony. It was a lovely view outside with lush green foliage, the chirping of birds and the smell of wet soil. I just closed my eyes and sat down on the chair and was enjoying the breeze. However soon I felt the presence of someone. I opened my eyes and found a face just inches of my face. I was shocked. And fell down from the chair. Sayan and Mohan came running in hearing the noise. Mohan apologised profusely. It was his little kid Brijesh. Sayan pulled me up and after I regained my composure, he suggested let’s go to visit the nearby palace to meet the king. “Are you kidding me? A king? In today’s day and age?” “Yes a king. The royal family.”
The King’s palace was like a shabby old building in Central Kolkata seeming as if it will collapse any moment. As we entered the palace believe me my fellow Toastmasters I instantly thought of the movie Bhool Bhulaiya. However, we couldn’t meet the king. He was very sick is what we were told. There were some strange looking saints at the king’s palace and they were putting on some tika on a few people who came to meet the king. While leaving the palace I was also given a tilak while Ayan was spared.
One of the striking features of a hill side area is that the sun sets very quickly. By 7pm it was pitch dark with only the noise of some insects puncturing the silence. Sayan invited me downstairs for dinner. There was no electricity available so we had to do with oil lamps for light. Mohan and Brijesh also joined us. Mohan was very silent and was looking a bit disturbed. Sayan noticed it and asked “Mohan what is the matter?” Mohan looked at us, his face full of fear which was clearly visible in the night light and spoke in a husky voice – “Babu the king is in his death bed, they are calling the Soul Stealer to save him.” “A what? Sayan who is a soul stealer?” “Nothing Anirban, just stuff of legends. The soul stealer is a person who knows dark magic using which he calls out the name of another person, if he/she replies, his/her soul is stolen by the evil tantric and transferred to the king thereby adding to his life.” “It is not stuff of legends Babu, the saints who were present at the King’s palace today came to mark people who will be targeted by the Soul Stealer.” “Wait a minute! Mohan do you mean this?” And I showed him the tilak on my forehead. Mohan looked awestruck and then started shouting hysterically “Babu your life is in danger! Leave your dinner and do as I say. We may be able to save you.” Both myself and Sayan were sceptical but Mohan was no longer pleading, he was ordering. All the doors and windows of the house were locked. We all assembled at the biggest room in the house. Sleep was the last thing on our mind. Sayan was besides me. Mohan and Brijesh nearby. We were waiting with baited breath. It was pin drop silence, even the insects had stopped making sounds. It was pitch black. You could only see the balcony outside through the glass window. Moon light puncturing the darkness. And then...I heard a strange noise...as if someone is dragging something. “He is coming” Said Mohan “Climbing the walls”. Within moments a figure had landed on the balcony. I couldn’t see his face. The figure was trying to peep through the window but I was pretty sure nothing could be seen inside. Then I heard a voice “Anirban...how are you my son?” Gosh it was my grandfather speaking!! I could hear his voice...my grandfather who had passed away a few years back was calling me. Sayan was shouting “Don’t reply” “Anirban come to me. I miss you so much son.” My mind was hypnotised. I don’t know what happened to me, I started walking towards the balcony. Sayan pounced on me and pressed his hand on my mouth. I wanted to shout out loud “I am coming grandpa” but I was overpowered. The voice bellowed me. I fought off Sayan, I had to go. Mohan came in the way. I shoved him away too. Only a few steps between myself and the window. I am close and it all went black!!
When I woke up next morning I found Sayan and Mohan sitting beside me. I had a searing pain at the back of my head. I asked Sayan “What happened?” Sayan replied “We nearly lost you buddy but thanks to Brijesh who knocked you unconscious that you are still alive.” “So what happened to the Soul Stealer? Well he left for some other house. Get ready buddy. The doc says you are fine now. We will leave for Kolkata” We got ready and before we left I thanked Mohan and Brijesh for all their help. As we were coming back we got a call from Mohan that the king is feeling a lot better now. Last night a young man was killed. Police is yet to understand the cause of his death. As I boarded the train to Kolkata Sayan told me that the soul stealer’s voice mirrors the person whom you miss the most. I realised the one’s whom we love never leave us, they stay in our heart.
