The Ghastly Ghost

Sandeep was walking at a brisk pace to his home after watching a late night movie with friends. It was already past 2. The howling of wind, and the swaying of trees gave a creepy ambience. As he tried his best to suppress the thoughts of ghosts and witches, unconsciously, he increased his pace. A few minutes later, Sandeep thought he saw something moving under a tree but couldn’t figure out who it was or what it was.

“Is it a ghost?” He paused for a second. “... or is it a mohini?” The word Mohini made him remember the stories he heard when he was young, in which a Mohini would stalk, seduce, and suck the virility of a handsome man till he would die within a month or so. Sandeep shivered from head to toe. A drop of sweat rolled down on his temple. As he approached that tree, that figure moved again. This time he could see a hand moving forward. He felt his heart skip a beat.

“What...? Wh-what?!” Sandeep inquired, putting up a brave face.

“Ah...! Sandeep... it’s me...” That shadowy figure replied in a hoarse voice.

“M-me who?” He was getting ready to run.

“Vishwanath... help me…” That figure came forward and grabbed Sandeep’s hand.

“Gho-ghost...! Somebody help me… som…” Sandeep collapsed before he could finish the sentence.

When Sandeep woke up, he was in his room and his parents were at his bedside.

“How are you feeling now?” His mom asked.

“I’m ok, mom. What happened?” His parents burst out laughing as he frowned, trying hard to remember. He gave them a puzzled look.

“The person who grabbed your hand was Mr. Vishwanath. He twisted his ankle while on his way home and couldn’t even walk. Since he had left his phone at home, he was sitting under that tree, waiting for a passerby to help him. Then you came there, and he asked for your help. But your scream alerted the whole neighborhood, and now you’re here.” His parents couldn’t control their laugh.

“But his voice…” Sandeep mumbled in an embarrassed tone.

“He has had a sore throat for the last two days.” His parents continued laughing.