GaiRi ka Gadan: The Marghat (Final Part)

This is a honest and faithful retelling (but not necessarily the truth) of a bizarre episode as described by Shubhakar Kala. The story goes back a long time in past, possibly the time when that classic photograph was taken in 1963 post marriage of Hari Prasad Kala. (By the way Bhai had a love affair before marriage; that story is as intriguing and will be told in this blog some time later) So the two young boys from Secundrabad, not used to heightened sense of supernatural in a village milieu, had to spend time in daand house. The other folks of the house had gone to attend baraat. Elder tauji being a man of his words, had committed a certain number of ‘baraatis’ so the important gents were included in ‘baraat’ party, the riff-raff left behind. The two fellows from down south found themselves counted as riff raff.  Women as usual were debarred from ‘baraat’. (The men have weird concepts of bravado, conquest; a ‘baraat’ is considered a raiding party and the bride the bounty, therefore women have no role in a ‘baraat’ rather they are expected to be ready at home to welcome the conquering goons) Anyway the house had taiji for sure and may be a few others.

  

It was a moonlit night, a light breeze operating through the small windows. It is early wind up at village due to unavailability electric lights. By nine they were through dinner after some gossip went to bed. Some more small talk at bed and it was good night. Shubhakar, Prabhakar and some other fellows were in the same room, a small window opening to gaiDi ka gadan’ was letting in the diffused light of a bright moon. Soon they all went to sleep…

Past midnight Shubhakar woke up feeling thirsty. It was slightly warm that night not uncomfortable but warm. He began to stir to rise turning over to the side of the windows when he suddenly froze. Debilitating terror striking, causing temporary paralysis. 


He began to perspire profusely, inaudible whisper emanating from him, ‘Prabhakar! Prabhakar!’. The cause of this commotion was sight of a indifferent apparition slipping in through the window into the room, going about looking for something there quiet unmindful of people sleeping there. The floating figure, wearing a white kurta, a weak pale faced fellow seemed to be looking for something there. Then he turned towards him, for  a split  second time froze and then the apparition dissolved. Collecting his wit, Shubhakar  found himself on the floor between his and Prabhakar’s cot, drenched in sweat. Woke up Prabhakar and told the story.

Next day they told the incident to taiji, who shook her head in understanding, said that was your ‘Chacha’ died young of tuberculosis. He is harmless, seen often in that room………..    The most striking part was the attire of the spirit matched word for word with the description of taiji!