Hapush was playing football with friends older than him, when the argument ensued.
You’ll never be able to stay there, in that ghost infested house for an entire night. : Naru came up with his challenge.
I can. : Transpired from an eight year old boy named Hapush : And I’ll stay there tonight.
But you’d need to prove that you had actually stayed in that house for an entire night. : Naru, who was ten years old and the smarter of the two, said. : Get a flower from the only Krishnachura tree (Royal Poinciana) that is there and we’ll give you a treat. An “Egg-Roll” is what I would personally owe to you.
Hapush’s poor father worked as a carpenter. They stayed at a house in the slum at the outskirts of the city. Hapush’s father couldn’t afford to put him in a School. Why Hapush played with a half-torn football. He kept roaming around and playing here and there, for the entire day while his parents were busy, saving money, in order to buy a piece of land and to be able to afford a house of their own.
At around 8:00 pm, Hapush came out of the house after having his dinner. His parents were sleeping. They used to sleep early, because Hapush’s father had to show up at the site of his work, early in the morning. Hapush knew that he would have to walk a lot, before he could reach the haunted house.
It was pitch-dark and in front of Hapush was an abandoned and half ruined bungalow. Everything seemed too quiet. No, not quite that quiet actually, because Hapush could hear disembodied voices and sinister laughter coming from somewhere at a distance. Hapush knew they were ‘them’. The ghost of a headless white lady, who was said to be heard laughing from quite a distance of the haunted bungalow.
How could a headless lady laugh? : Thought Hapush.
The mere thought terrified him to the core. Hapush’s feet went numb, but he kept walking. As if ‘the night’ itself was calling him inside that demolished hell. As if someone was talking inside Hapush’s head. Who’s hissing?
Come closer Hapush. : Something hissed. Maybe it was a snake or a ghost. Hapush felt like running away, but couldn’t.
I need that treat. : He said to himself. : I’m brave!
Dry leaves murmured and spoke to him as Hapush stepped on them.
Run away child. : They said. : We don’t want to be a witness of what’s about to happen to you. Run away.
But Hapush didn’t turn back.
There’s the Krishnachura tree. : He said to himself. : I’m almost there.
Suddenly something really hot grabbed his neck from behind and lifted him up.
Leave me you bad ghost. : Hapush tried to scream, but lost his sense.
When Hapush woke up, he found himself lying inside a dark room. Only a little lamp that was lit at the corner of the house, was trying to battle it out with the darkness that had attacked Hapush from all corners.
Police ka informer hai kyaa bey (Did the police send you here to find me kiddo)? : Asked a silhouette with his voice suppressed due to some sort of caution. : Abey jaldi bol (Tell me, now)!
Hapush was so shocked that he started crying.
My name is Hapush. : Said the poor soul. : I came here to take a flower from the Krishnachura tree. My friends told me that they would give me a treat if I got that flower. I love Egg-Rolls. Don’t kill me ghost.
Abey chup gadhey (Shut up stupid). : Hushed the voice. : Marwaayegaa kyaa (Do you want me dead)? I am not a ghost. I’m a human.
A face came closer. It was an unshaved face, with red eyes, bursting out in anger. His eyes seemed to be like burning pieces of coal.
Meri bhi ek beti thi (Even I had a daughter). : The face smiled and suddenly the burning red eyes got extinguished as they filled themselves with tears. : Mar gayi hogi aur apney maa key paas gayi hogi, ya yahin kahin hogi (Must have died, and paid a visit to her mother or maybe she is still somewhere around). Tujhey Egg-Roll pasand hai (Do you like Egg-Rolls)? Mujhey bhi (Same here). Meraa naam Babban hai (My name is Babban).
Hapush stopped crying but the hiccups continued. He tried to see. It was a near middle aged man. He wore a black shirt and black trousers, with his hair back-brushed. Other than Hapush, he was the only person in the room.
Abhi baahar nahin jaaney dungaa (I can’t allow you to leave). : The guy lit a ‘Biri’ (Cigar) : Police merey peechey hai (The Police is after me). Kal ghar jaana (Go home Tomorrow). Dar maat (Don’t be afraid). Main buraa aadmi nahin (I am not a bad fellow). Dhandaa Charas ka, par Bachchon ko nahin bechtaa (I dealt in Cannabis-Resin, but I have never sold a child). Egg -Roll bhi khilaaungaa aur tujhey apni kahani bhi sunaaungaa (I owe an Egg-Roll to you along with a story, the story of my life.)
Babban started narrating…
Five years ago, I used to love a girl. She was the most beautiful lady I had ever met. She belonged to a rich family. We ran-away and got married. I started working as a laborer. She was not happy about staying in a slum and I felt the helplessness that came with poverty. I was pushed to start a new business, an illegal business. Been absorbed in a gang, I started selling ‘Charas’. We earned a lot. So much so, that I bought this house. Yes, I used to be the owner of this bungalow. One day my wife gave birth to my dearest daughter, though my wife succumbed and died during the childbirth. The girl child had no one else other than me, to take care of. After her death, I lead a life of trickling loneliness. The little soul, my unfortunate daughter became the only cause to my survival. My business had to run as usual, though one day I got caught due to my absent-mindedness. The customer turned out to be a Police Officer, whom I couldn’t recognize. I was sentenced to imprisonment. Probably it was a sabotage by Lakhan, a rival member of my gang, because despite my arrest, the other members of the gang had remained untouched and unharmed.
However, being the leader of the gang, prior to my arrest, I had hidden a lot of Charas, somewhere in this bungalow. Our gang came looking for the stuff that I had hidden, but couldn’t find it. My six month old daughter was at my aunt’s house. Eventually they kidnapped the little flower of mine and dared to threaten me inside the premises of the jail, that they would kill her if I were not to tell them where the Charas was hidden. Finally I was forced to disclose the location of the stock and later came to know that despite my surrender, they never gave my daughter back to my aunt. I managed to escape from the prison after one and a half years and am hiding here inside the ruins of my past. I’ll find my two year old daughter, Hapush. I need to find her.
The smile on the sad face seemed calm and solitudinous.
Agar mil gayee, toh phir kabhi voh dhandhaa nahin karungaa kyunki achchey logon ki haay lagti hai baabu (If I could find her, I’ll never be a part of the Cannabis business again). Tu ro mat, teri shaadi karaa dungaa apni beti sey (Don’t cry. Marry my little daughter). Khub Khaana Egg-Roll, donon mil key (The two of you may have as many Egg-Rolls as you can).
How did part of this house get destroyed? : Asked thoughtful Hapush.
I had to sell it for money, to a promoter while I fought the case with the Public Prosecutor. : Said Babban. : Of that money, I had saved a little in my bank account. However, now there is nothing in that account. I had to bribe the Jailer, who had become a friend of mine, and agreed to help me escape. Those promoters are supposed to build a building here. It’s not safe for me to stay here for more than a night. Eventually the trained Police dogs are expected to come here, looking for me. Tomorrow I need to go to Rafeeq, an old friend, and ask for help. Lakhan has my daughter. Rafeeq said that they may have murdered her, but I couldn’t believe them. Selling her somewhere seemed to be a more logical decision on their part. Now sleep. I’d need to start early in the morning.
Hapush lied down but couldn’t sleep. He had never expected something like this to happen in his wildest dreams.
The sun rose and suddenly the house were not as haunted as it seemed on the Moonless night.
Jaa baabu, ghar jaa (Go home Kiddo). : Babban said.
Haapush ran towards his home. Freedom!
Babban came out of the house wrapping himself up in a blanket and started walking. He was almost near Rafeeq’s house when two little hands grabbed his right palm.
I informed my parents that I am safe. : Said the little boy named Hapush. : I’ll come with you.
No : Said Babban. : For me it’s a dangerous path ahead. Go home Baabu.
I won’t go home. : Urged the boy. He seemed happy to accept the challenge.
Babban thought for a while, caught his palm and started walking.
Husbands! : Babban smiled.
The journey began. Two of them reached Shobhabazar, Kolkata. They were supposed to meet Rafeeq.
Once you had saved my life. I won’t lie to you. Lakhan isn’t the way you were. He must have sold her to Rameez, a guy who is in orphan selling business, and his right hand man. Unlike you, Lakhan sells Charas even to children. : Said Rafeeq. : Rameez comes to my liquor shop every now and then. We chat regularly. I’m sure that they don’t have your daughter.
All I want to know is, if she’s even alive. : Said Babban. : Rest is my problem.
Only one person may have access to that information. : Said Rafeeq. : It’s Rameez. But I’m sure he won’t tell you.
There must be a way to settle it. : Said Babban.
There is a register with Rameez. If you can get that register, you might be able to know her whereabouts. : Rafeeq confirmed. : Rameez must be there, sitting half-drunk at my liquor shop.
Indeed Rameez was sitting at a liquor shop, when a small boy came to him.
Baabu, khaanaa do naa (Please give me something to eat). : Said the boy.
Chal yahaan sey (Get lost). : Said Rameez. : Baap key paas jaa (Go to your father).
Meraa koi nahin (I am an orphan). : The boy continued. : Do naa (Please, something to eat).
Merey saath chalegaa (Will you come with me)? : Asked Rameez.
The guy and the boy crossed steep passages of Shyambazar. Rameez called someone named Lakhan.
Welcome back Rameez. : Said Lakhan. : I have been waiting for you.
Khushaamadeed (All’s well)! : Aur bataaiye… ek minute (Give me a moment). : Said Rameez as he took out the big fat register. Apnaa naam bol bachchey (Tell me your name kid). Arrey arrey, register cheen key bhaaga, pakro (Get hold of the boy. He is running away with the register).
Hapush did not stop. He kept running with the register, in a zig zag manner, as if he were playing football, while Lakhan, Rameez and the other members of the gang chased him. The track was full of steep passages. Hapush ran to Babban, got his signal, and hid behind a wall. There was an open gutter in front of them. Two of the men fell inside it. Rameez and Lakhan stopped.
Babban was waiting with a rod covered in rust. He came out from the other side and hit Rameez on his right foot. Rameez fell down, screaming in agony. Lakhan was the strongest contestant of the group. On top of it, he had got enough time to sense the trap and attack Babban. Babban fought hard but when Lakhan hold Babban under his strong right foot and the rod swept away from Babban, Babban gave up.
Bhaaga naa (Did you escape from the prison)? : Asked Lakhan, panting. : Aaj maregaa (today I’ll kill you).
Babban had lost the battle as Lakhan picked up the rod to pierce him with its broken edge. Suddenly as per the plan Rafeeq came out of his hide and hit Lakhan on his head with a brick. Lakhan fell down, unconscious.
They sold her to a banker. : Said Rafeeq. : The address is listed in the register that Hapush stole for us.
Come with me. : Said Babban : We need to go there. Move fast.
It was the house of a middle class family. A woman came out with a two year old child. The child was having her lunch.
Kyaa khaayegi meri raani beti (What would my daughter want to have for lunch)? : Said the lady. : Meri raani beti (My daughter is a queen).
Come; let’s get her from that woman. : Said Rafeeq, about to pounce on the lady. : That’s your daughter. They sold her to…
Baban grabbed Rafeeq’s arm and stopped him. He was crying, as he stared at the mother and daughter.
Take this register. : Said Babban, rubbing his eyes. : Get a photocopy and give it back to me. I need to write a letter. Tell your guy to give the letter to the Inspector. Now tell me the addresses of the warehouses Lakhan uses to keep all the Charas. Make it fast.
What about your daughter? : Asked clueless Rafeeq.
She has a family. : Said Babban, as he tore the page of the register, in which the record of her daughter was mentioned. : Her own family.
It was evening. Police had arrested Rameez, Lakhan and Babban. Babban and Lakhan came face to face.
Maal gayaa naa (Did you lose all your stock)? : Asked Babban. : Jab baahar niklaa toh kasam khaa key niklaa thaa, tujhey ley kar lautungaa (I had sworn to get you behind the bars).
The police officer dragged Lakhan towards the Police-Jeep. Babban saw Hapush standing at a distance.
Thank you lord’s messenger! : He said, smiling. : You saved my soul. I’m no longer a ghost. I’m as human as it can get. Alive!
Babban smiled with tears in his eyes. His eyes weren’t red anymore. To Hapush, the smile seemed divine.
The Police-Jeep drove away further and further, while the little boy waved his hand. He was crying too. He had a flower in his hand. A Krishnachura flower that was the ticket to Naru’s Egg-Roll.
Let him go Police uncle. : Shouted Hapush, as tears rolled down his cheeks. : Let him go and I’ll give you the entire Egg-Roll.
Featured image courtesy: pxhere.com
