The Story Of Horror

Sir, here are the keys," Subrata handed over the bunch of keys. Taking the keys, Rajshekhar asked, "Besides you, who else is here to take care of the house?

I'm currently acting as the caretaker. Champa and Gour clean and organize the house. Champa also cooks for those who come for picnics. But since no one stays at night, we also don't stay overnight. We finish our work by evening and go back home. Our house is not far; it's just outside the boundary of this property. The original owner of the house had set up this arrangement.

Alright. Is there any way to call you if we need something?

Yes, sir. In the room where you'll be staying, you'll see a rope hanging. If you pull it, the bell in my room will ring, and I'll know you're calling.

You're telling me an ancient story. Don't you have a mobile phone so that we can call you?

Yes, sir, I have one. But as you can understand, in rural areas, the tower connection isn't good after evening.

Oh, alright. So, are you leaving now?

Why, sir? If you tell me what you want for dinner, I will have Champa prepare it and bring it to you in about an hour.

Raj looked at his friend Animesh and asked, What do you want to eat for dinner? If I had known about this arrangement, we would have brought food with us.

Animesh said, Why worry? He said they will cook and bring it.

So, what do you want to eat?

Not much, just some luchi and spicy mutton curry, and a little something to warm us up, Animesh then looked at Subrata and asked, Can you manage that?

Yes, yes. I'll bring it.

Alright then, let's go. We'll take a look around the house and see how you've arranged the room we'll be staying in.

After Subrata left, Raj and Animesh walked upstairs from the downstairs drawing room. The old zamindar's house was situated by the river Ganga. Once upon a time, zamindars lived here, but one of the descendants built a house in the city and moved there with his family. Since then, this house had been abandoned. Several generations later, a descendant who currently owns the house is renting it out for picnics. Maintaining such a large house is expensive. Renting it out brings in some money, hence this arrangement.

As they stepped inside the house, they both felt as if they had truly stepped back into the zamindar era. They entered the room where they would be staying. A high, royal bed with white soft sheets was made up. There were pillows, bolsters, everything. The chandelier was lit, creating a magical ambiance. When they turned on the fan, it started spinning fast. They each took turns freshening up in the attached bathroom. Raj then walked towards the balcony on the second floor. He unlatched the door with his hand but had to push it hard to open it. Once the door was open, a gust of cold wind entered the room. By then, Animesh had also come out of the bathroom. He said, Raj, because of you, I feel like a member of a zamindar's family for a day.

Raj smiled, See, you didn't want to come at first.

How could I have known that such luxury awaited us?

Suddenly, Subrata appeared at the door. Sir, I've brought your food. Would you like to eat downstairs in the dining room or should I serve it here?

Let's go downstairs. It's not comfortable to eat on the bed, replied Raj.

Alright, Subrata said, noticing the open door to the balcony. Who opened this?

I did, Raj answered. I wanted to let the hot air out of the room.

Without commenting further on the matter, Subrata said, Then come downstairs. I'll serve the food.

When they reached the dining room, they were astonished by the sight of a massive dining table that could easily seat around thirty people. Even though there weren't that many people now, the table was still set up like it was in the old days. The two of them sat down opposite each other, and Subrata elegantly arranged the food. He then supervised their meal. After they finished eating, he said, Wash your hands and come to the sitting room. I'll pour your drinks.

When they were seated, Subrata mixed and poured the drinks, handing them to both of them. Raj said, Thank you very much. You've done a lot for us. You don't need to stay any longer. It's quite late. Will we be able to reach you if we need anything?

Yes, sir, you will. I'll take my leave then. Good night." Subrata left. They sipped their drinks slowly and chatted. Suddenly, Animesh said, "You know, Raj, with all the arrangements you've made, it would have been even more fun if you had arranged for a dancer from the zamindar's dancing hall. I've never had the chance to see one perform up close.

Hmm, that's a bit much. But if you'd mentioned it earlier, maybe it could have been arranged.

We could have asked Subrata.

Do you think he could have arranged it so quickly? I doubt it.

Well, that Champa or whoever could have come to entertain us.

In the midst of their conversation, the lights suddenly went out. Raj exclaimed, Damn, a power outage! Subrata didn't mention that the power could go out unexpectedly. Otherwise, I would have asked him to bring a couple of candles.

Yeah, it feels strange when the lights go out in such a house.

What, are you scared?

Not exactly scared.

I didn't know you were still as timid as before, Raj teased. Just then, there was a sound in the room. Animesh asked, "What was that sound?

Where?

Can't you hear it? I hear the sound of anklets.

Where?

There, listen, Animesh pointed out. This time Raj heard it too. In the darkness, they both looked around, trying to locate the source of the sound. As their eyes adjusted to the dark, they saw a woman in white descending the stairs, the sound of her anklets matching her steps. They were both startled. Subrata had said no one stayed in the house, so who was this woman? She approached them. Raj, suppressing his fear, asked, Who are you? But as he spoke, he noticed his own voice trembling. The woman laughed, Oh, didn't you summon a dancer? Now you don't recognize me?

Who called you? We didn't.

You did. So, what dance would you like to see? Kathak or something modern?

Leave. We didn't call you.

You didn't call me now, but you did back then. You forcibly brought me here, separating me from my infant child. And to make sure I couldn't use the same excuse again, you killed him.

What nonsense are you talking about? We don't know you.

Oh, you do. It's in your blood to enjoy women, to be mischievous with them, and if they don't comply with your wishes, to erase them from the world. That vile blood still runs in your veins, which is why, after all these years, you thought of a dancer as soon as you entered this house. Last time, I couldn't take revenge due to lack of power. This time, I won't spare you. She reached out her hands towards their throats. Everything happened so quickly that they had no chance to escape. Raj tried to call out for Subrata, but no sound came from his throat.

The pressure on their throats increased. Even using both hands, they couldn't free themselves. Both Animesh and Raj began to choke. They couldn't make a sound, and soon, they collapsed to the floor.

A few days later, the police found two decomposed bodies. The officer could only wonder how they ended up there.