DFA-S01-E05: A Desperate hunt

I was at a loss. A police motorcycle screeched to a halt beside me and a young officer checked my licence and other documents but not before hurling a heap of abuses and threatening to put me behind bars the next time he found me flouting traffic rules. After greasing his palms substantially and promising to do the needful from then onwards, I continued driving and didn't realize when the wide, busy Southern Avenue had given way to quieter, narrow single lane of Joka.

The houses wore a deserted look in this part of greater Kolkata unlike those of the South which bustled with activities even at wee hours during the pujas. Promoter Raj was yet to claw it's way into this area and as such high rise apartments at every nook and corner was missing. I took a turn into an alley, as directed by the google map on my mobile screen, oblivious to where I was going. If there wasn't any open area ahead I won't be able to turn my car back leaving me with no option other than to ride one kilometre in back gear to get back into the main road, while returning .. But it wasn't the time to be bothered by such trivialities now. There was nothing important than finding Isha and carrying her back safe to her mother. The road ahead was illuminated only by my car's headlights with no streetlights in the vicinity. It was bumpy and less frequented, I found from the weeds having grown on the surface. Suddenly I was compelled to brake my car to a standstill, as there was a dead end.

A small, single floor building stood blocking my way. It looked dark and shabby. It was unlikely anyone lived here. With no living souls around, there was no way to confirm the address other than to knock and find out. ' Hello. Anybody there ?' My voice echoed in the darkness causing my heart to race. 'Raghu are you there ?' But still no answer. The rusty, metal door creaked open when I gave it a hard push and immediately a putrid smell caused me to feel sick to my stomach. Taking out my torch from the car I sneaked into the passage and immediately felt something run behind me. Turning behind I saw nothing. 'Must be field rats' I thought, looking at the rice fields behind the house and kept walking .

A small room led to a big hall and it was here that the smell was more prominent. My torchlight illuminated heaps of cardboard boxes lying on the floor all packed with dolls. So this was Raghu's godown, I told myself. Did he live nearby or his friend had misguided me ? As the light shone on one of the boxes, a barbie doll's face peeped from inside the transparent cover.. I could recognize the company's logo instantly. As I began to open the top cover an uneasiness gripped me . Then I realized this one had a different face. And also a different body.

This was ridiculous. It was an older version of Nisha, in fact an old lady wearing a gown and not a young girl wearing fancy dress . Her skin was shrivelled of age and hair dry and unkempt. Out of curiosity I took the doll in my hand and watched it open its hazelnut brown eyes. Wondering why it wasn't introducing itself, I checked the battery holder. It was empty. Suddenly the lips of the thing quivered and I clearly heard it say 'Go back home. You still have time to save your wife and daughter. Go before it's too late'. It was then that I noticed the identity card worn around her neck. It had also got shrinked from its normal size and I had to strain my eyes in reading the name Sister S. Gomes, St. Mary's Convent School, Ballygunge. I didn't knew whether I was in a trance, seeing and hearing things, but suddenly I wished I could fly back home.

There was a load shedding in my locality and the street and houses were all shrouded in darkness when I returned. It was 2:30 AM in the month of December and a few stray dogs were barking from cold. I called my wife's name a couple of times, but there was no answer. When banging didn't yield results, I tried the backyard, hoping to find the rear door open .. if by any chance my wife had forgotten to close it after the maid left in the evening. But I found it locked too. Now the only way inside was to climb the water pipe like a thief and steal into the terrace of my own house. The bang of the terrace door was not working and it was my only chance.

When I reached the top the terrace was flooded with moonlight. The house was so quiet that it appeared to be deserted. I kept calling out my wife's name in low tone as I tiptoed through the living, hall and dining, noiselessly like a cat. When I reached the kitchen I found the oven still warm with few cups and dishes scattered in the sink . A peculiar smell filled the entire house, like of burnt plastic. I took out a kitchen knife from the counter for my safety and walked back to the passage.