The Black Car

Present day.......

I opened my eyes slowly. Everything seemed to brighten up before me. When I regained my conscious fully, I was told by Dr. Deshmukh that I was in comma for 25 years.25 years in Comma? Which meant now I am 75 years old! Why would I be in comma? Then very slowly I seemed to regain my memory.

25 years ago......

It was raining heavily that afternoon. In my hurry to get back to the house, I did not notice the black car parked across the road. I realized that something was wrong when I saw the car moving towards me. I seem to recognize the car but could not recall where did I see it. Anyways, the driver came out of the car and handed me a letter saying that it was from his master. I realized that it was the same black car which went missing from a garage and then it went out of my site. Moreover there were sightings of a black car moving on its own this afternoon. But I was scientist and I never believed in these stupid things. Anyways I went home puzzled after receiving the letter. After reaching home, I had a shower, had my lunch and went to my study to read the letter. On reading the letter, I understood that someone asked me to come to his/her home to meet him/her at the address mentioned on the envelope. The address seemed quite familiar though I knew it was somewhere near my previous bungalow in Jharkhand where I spent my childhood days. The sender's name was a very familiar, Rohit Chaterjee. Soon old memories came to my mind slowly......

40 years before the incident...........

I used to live in Jharkhand then. I was a ten year old boy, studying in class IV. I used to stay in a triple storey bungalow with my father. My mother died when I was but an infant. Since then my father bought me up single handedly. He was a very reputed businessman in Jharkhand, the owner of Sen's creation, Mr Arnab Sen. I was 11 years old and studying in fifth standard when dad decided to give the third floor to his childhood best friend Anindya uncle, as a rent because he was financially unstable and eventually got a job in my father's company as a manager. He had son, a little older than me, named Rohit, Rohit Anindya Chaterjee. Very soon we became best friends. Rohit was more my guide than a best friend to me. We always played, ate, studied and spent most of our times together. We always stayed and stood beside each in other in every situation. Though we fought with each other sometimes over petty issues,we again become friends. We stayed together for a decade.

10 years after meeting Rohit......

Arindam Uncle bought a new house in Jharkhand by then opposite our house. But me and Rohit met everyday. I was 20 years old and my father wanted me to go to The States for further studies. A few months later, I graduated from my college and the next week was scheduled for my departure to The Sates. The day came in a blink of an eye. That day we cried a lot. With a very heavy heart we bid each other goodbyes. On reaching The States, we both maintained communication for a few years. Then I got a Job there. I used to sent money to my father's house monthly and then after few months news of my father's death came one day. So I returned to India, performed his last rites and went back to USA. I spent 30 years in USA as a scientist, became wealthy and then returned to India a few months ago and was staying in Mumbai and became a professor of IIT Bombay.

Few months before the incident (The day I received the letter)........

I was overjoyed on receiving his letter after so many years. Tears of joy rolled down my eyes. But one thing definitely bothered my mind how did he come to know I returned and where was I staying?. How does that matter to me. All I decided that I will go to Jharkhand this spring to meet my friend. Spring was few months due. So I decided to buy all the essential things required for my journey such as colours, a pichkari (Water gun) and a sun screen (If required). The day of my departure came in a blink of an eye. I packed my bags and left for the airport. The flight reached its destination on time. On landing at Jharkhand airport, I saw no one. Then I spotted a tall middle aged man waving his hand at me. He was mine age only. Just one glance and I recognized him. Rohit's eyes has not changed within these years. Even his face's lining has not changed. I did not give a seconds thought and rushed to hug each other. I noticed that people were staring at us and laughing, but then I noticed that they were laughing more at me and whispering. I did not care. I was too happy to notice my surroundings properly. Then we rode in his car. I noticed it was new car. As we sat in the car, I asked him about his old black car (Now I remembered that the black car was Anindya uncle's old car). Rohit said that after Anindya uncle's demise, he sold the car to a garrage owner in Bombay 17 years ago. Rohit was driving the car. Looking out of the road, I saw people staring at our car as if they have seen a ghost. Some phrases literally creeped me out."look look that car is driving on its own! How is it possible?" My friend calmed me down saying "You know its the human nature to make non sense jokes....You don't pay heed to them." and gave me a sinister smile. After few hours, we reached his father's original house. It was in a dilapidated condition. Inside the dimly lited house, the corners were covered in spider webs, the antiques were covered in dust. In one room (It was Rohit's father's room, as told by him), I saw a wooden rocking chair which was moving to and fro in its position. There was an eerie silence in the entire house (Except for the echo of the screeching sound of the wooden rocking chair). Suddenly felt a cold hand on my shoulder. I turned around in horror and to my relieve it was Rohit. I felt his hand was very cold, like dead cold. Then he lead me to the guest room and aske me to freshen up and then come down for lunch. After changing into some light clothes, I went down for lunch. To my surprise, he said that he cooked all the dishes as there is no one living in this old house except him. We sat down for lunch and we talked about our old days. Then I got to know from him that his wife and his young daughter were murdered intentionally by some goons a 15 years back. I was very sad upon hearing Nayanika sister-in-law and Reena's death. "What about you friend? How is everything going?" I said "I am a bachelor like you and currently working as as assistant professor in IIT Bombay. I returned a few......" " Yes I know. A few months ago." He said even before I could complete my sentence. I asked a bit perplexed "Yes...but how did you know?" He gave me a serious look and said "Somethings were a secrete, must be a secrete and shall remain a secrete in a lifetime. If you try to know the depths of these secrets then you will be the one repenting." My face went white for a while and then he laughed loudly "Ha..haa..haaa...just joking! I got to know from my sources. After all I am the ex head constable of Jharkhand. You may have forgotten me but I never forgot you. You see this winter I visited Bombay with my friend of my work place and came to know from the local students that a new professor joined IIT Bombay and just investigating for sometime I came to know that it was none other than my old childhoood best friend Nikhil Sen. By the way your students praise you a lot about you." "Oh....is that so? Ok...Ok" I felt relieved though I knew something was wrong. "I have something sad to tell you" he said suddenly turning from a friendly expression to a very serious look as if he was guilty for doing something wrong to me. I asked in concern tone "What happened?" He said "I could not save your house." "My old house? What are you talking about? What happened to it" He gave a sigh and told me.

"15 years ago, I got complaint that there were lot of illegal activities going in a house near your home street. I was a bit scared that it might not turn up your old house because there were a handful of houses in that street and they were not big as your house. When I reached the site, as expected it turned out to be your house. I was shocked from the core. So I decided to take action right away. At night I made a blunder by going alone there to gather proof. I went there as a common man and then I was caught. I threatened to expose them and as I ran away fro there somehow, they shouted at my back saying "Sahab.....you made a blunder by threatening us. YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS! ! !....." I never knew I had to pay this way. When I reached home, I saw my wife and my daughter lying in a pool of blood. I was broken from inside and went insane but soon returned to normal and took a pledge that neither I will let the criminals stay in peace nor turn your house into a place of criminal activity. But then I got retired."

I was hearing patiently all this while. Both me and Rohit burst in tears. In a fit of rage and revenge I told Rohit that this evening I will go there alone and save my house that too alone without anyone. Rohit asked me too calm down and said "Nikhil calm down....it is not the time of revenge. The Jharkhand police is looking into the matter. Please don't be so excited...." Though I pretended to change my decision infront of him, deep inside I made a pledge that I will go there that evening. Post lunch we went for a nap. I woke up in the evening. Rohit had gone outside to bring some snacks. That was my chance!! I said to myself. I crept out and went to the direction of my house. I still remembered the street. It was a few street away. Reaching there I noticed that the entire place was deserted. My old house looked very eerie and the atmosphere was very spooky. I became emotional upon seeing my house but then I told myself it was not time to become emotional. I had to seek revenge. I quitely crept inside through the window. I notice my every footstep. I was wearing a mask in my face and carried a long sharp knife for safety. I also had my phone fully charged to gather evidence. After walking for sometime, I stumbled upon a sack. I made every possible attempt not to shout. I opened the sack and was shocked to find illegal drugs in it. I quickly took a photo. I went further and then I saw a room from where light was coming. I also heard some laughter. I could hear clearly what they were saying. I took a video of them. One of them said "Soon we will become wealthy by selling these across the country" "Yes and then we will lead a luxurious life for our whole life." Said another. "The cars can come sooner or later and then these things shall be sent to Calcutta and then outside India through our ship." Said the third. There were three more. I quickly ran out from there and then directly to the Jharkhand Police station. I went to the head constable and showed him all the proofs I gathered. The constable without a single word took all his forces and surrounded the house. The criminals were arrested. All the illegal products were taken. The Government of Jharkhand decided to make a Ashram out of the house. I was too proud of myself that I was able to save my property from the hands of criminals.

On reaching the police station, the Constable congratulated me. He seemed to be younger than me by few months. He congratulated me and praised me a lot. He asked me "How were you able to do this all alone by yourself? Please explain us Mister." I smiled and said "Sir, this house actually belonged to my late father Shri. Arnab Sen. Since I went abroad for a while, I was not able to concentrate here. I am currently staying in Bombay. But all credits goes to my friend and ex head constable Sri .Rohit Chaterjee. Had it not him then I would have not done this far." On hearing my friend's name, all the people inside the police station including the head constable turned nervous and became tensed. The head constable asked in very serious tone "Tell me the truth. Who helped you? How can he be your friend? And how can he even help you?" I was a bit angry and said "He is my friend and I even have the proof" Then I began to search my clothes for the letter given by Rohit to me. But I could not find it anywhere. Maybe it had fallen somewhere? No it had not because the head constable said "How can Rohit sir be in a condition to help you? You are not a child anymore that you can crack such mean jokes. Don't you know that Late Rohit Chaterjee passed away 15 years ago and his body was found along with his wife, daughter and old driver in their house?" and then he pointed to a photo frame of Rohit hanging on the wall and it was garlanded.