The East forest ghost (Introduction)

A peaceful village, brimming with greenery and nature's voices. A beautiful young girl, with a backpack on her back, humming a song, going to her school hopping and dancing.

A tea wendor: (Polishing his tea glass, smiles) Why my little girl is going school, huh!

Girl: Namaste Uncle!

Tea wendor: Namaste! Namaste! Go easy son, don't trip along the road.

Girl: Ok Uncle (walks hopping and dancing).

Tea wendor: Hahaha!

A customer: (Sipping on his tea) She is Santu's daughter, right?

Tea wendor: Yes, such a sweet little kid. My heart fills with happiness just looking at her. Kids are the only one who bring excitement to this small village.

Customer: Worth protecting then (sips his tea).

The girl hops through the street greeting other people on her way.

A man coming her way walking alongside his bicycle.

Man: Oh ho! Silly girl, I would have run over you right there.

Girl: (Looks at the flat tire) What happened uncle? How is your tire flat?

Man: (pulls her cheek gently) Rat gnawed off my tire.

Girl: (Laughs) Why are you joking uncle? Since when rat started eating tires?

Man: (rubs her head) Since when my daughter started asking about the punctures. Now, hurry or you might be late for school, go, go, go.

Girl: See you later uncle (hops away).

Tea wendor: What brother? Tire flat early in the morning, huh?

Man: (parks it before the tea stall, sits on the bench) What to say, brother? I have such bad luck. I had to deliver milk. Now I will be late.

Tea wendor: (Offers a tea) Here.

Customer: What is your son doing?

Man: He is out on his deliveries.

Customer: Oh! Here I was about to say that let your son handle your deliveries today.

Man: (sips tea) I wil need to get my cycle fixed asap.

Tea wendor: That's for sure.

The girl meets with two of her friends, Riya and Gudiya.

Riya: Hey Alpana!

Note: Alpana is name of the first girl.

Alpana: (stops hopping) Hmm! Say.

Riya: Gudiya heard this ghost story from her grand father yesterday while he was telling it to her father.

Alpana: Ghost story, there is no such thing.

Gudiya: Atleast listen to it, it's very interesting. It will give you chills.

Alpana: Nothing gives me chills, specially not a ghost story.

Riya: We are planning to explore the area to witness it ourselves after school. So atleast hear the context before the adventure.

Alpana: I am not going anywhere. I have so much work I need to do at home.

Gudiya: Afraid, are you? I see (smirks).

Alpana: What? Are you an idiot? I am not afraid of anything. Tell me then.

Riya: Tell her, let's see if she can digest the fear.

Alpana: (taunts her).

Gudiya: You know about that rumour going around of the east forest that is in the way to the Nandan pond.

Alpana: What is this? I have already heard this. If you are just here to tell old stories then let's go. My sister must be on her way (tries to walk).

Riya: (grabs her arm) Wait na! Listen to all she has to say.

Alpana: Geez! Go on then.

Gudiya: The rumour is that you hear someone is cutting tree in the forest but you see no one even though you could hear the sound clearly.

Alpana: Ofcourse, you can't. Because it's the sound of branches striking each other because of the wind.

Gudiya: That's it. But yesterday night, when my grandfather was returning home after selling his fishes in the next village market...

The yesterday night...

Grandfather: (paddling his cycle, sweating, crosses by the pond enters the forest) Oof! It has gotten so late today. And the weather is not merciful at all. I am getting some wind because I am cycling or there is no cold wind coming through the trees. I need some rest. I am tired.

It was just the edge of the forest. As he goes on further down the road which passes through a slightly dense forest with tall and full trees on the either sides of the road. He hears a sound. A sound of someone hitting a tree deep in the forest.

Grandfather: Huh? Who is chopping tree this late at night? Don't they know it is not right to cut trees after sundown? (Yells) Who is there huh? This late at night.

No reply and the chopping continues.

Grandfather: Looks like it is some body from another village trying to steel wood from here. Let me see (stops his cycle and gets off).

He tries to look inside the forest from his position. After some neck twisting, he saw a shadow of a person far inside striking a tree with an axe.

Grandfather: (Calls out) Hey, you are from the neighbouring village, right? Who allowed you to cut trees here? Run before I call the other villagers.

The strikes continued.

Grandfather: He is very fearless.

He stands his cycle and steps off the road into the forest looking at the shadow. Soon as he steps into the forest, the strikes and the shadow disappears instantly.

Grandfather: (shocked) Huh! What? Where did he go?

The shadow slides out from the behind of another tree and again begin striking the tree.

Grandfather: Oh, so you hid behind the tree. So you were a human after all scaring the people of my village. Let me tell you what happens when you try to scare people of this village. You think we are weak.

His grandfather steps further into the forest. The shadow stops his strikes, slowly peeps at him with his shining white eyes. Grandfather stops upon seeing him peep at him like that. Then a smile, a long stretching smile shrinking the eyes of the shadow, appeared on his face. Grandfather felt a chill. The shadow disappeared behind the tree again. Grandfather stood there, gasping. Suddenly, the strikes begin again but he couldn't see anyone anymore. The sound began jumping from one tree to another. Grandfather stood there looking here and there following the sound. Soon, a demonic laughter follows the strikes and echoes between the trees and an axe came flying straight at grandfather's face. He dodged it by tilting his head to the right. Then he saw a person standing before him, dragging his left leg, left arm hanging like it was broken, left part of the face crushed in. He slowly drags himself towards grandfather using his right leg. Upon seeing that horrifying view before him, grandfather rushed back towards his cycle. He unstands his cycle and begins paddling out of the forest. The ghost yells loudly and begins dragging himself faster towards him. Grandfather paddles faster, as he looks behind at ghost following him. As soon as he could see the light at the end of the forest he paddles faster. Few men were chatting under the light smoking when they see grandfather riding past them.

Riya: (shivers) Just hearing about it gives me chills.

Alpana: Done, it sounds all made up. Come on, you expect me to believe it.

Gudiya: I heard it myself. Grandfather was all sweating when he came home last night and his legs were shaking, he couldn't even stand when my father held him before he fell.

Riya: You should ask him yourself if you don't believe her.

Alpana: Seems like I should.

Kalpana: (slaps Alpana from behind) Bitch, you ran away again and left me to deal with him alone. Mother told you to take him with you, didn't she?

Jeet: (Standing beside Kalpana sucking on his thumb) Big sister, I don't wanna go to school.

Kalpana: Shut up or I will slap you twice.

Alpana: See, he doesn't want to go to school, then why force him di.

Kalpana: Oh! You were also like this when you were his age. I took you school so now it's your responsibility to show him the way.

Alpana: What a hassle!

Kalpana: Shut up or you will get slapped twice.

Riya: Slap her di, she blabbers too much.

Alpana: Zip it, you.

Kalpana: Move, will we stand here all day?

After school, they were coming back together.

Kalpana: (pulls Jeet up) Walk straight, pig.

Riya: (whispers)We will go to the forest, right?

Alpana: (whispers) With di here, how do you think we can?

Gudiya: Hey guys look, the villagers are in a rush for something.

Kalpana: Why, looks like something has happened? Isn't your house this way Gudiya?

Alpana: (stops a villager) What happened uncle? Why are you in such a rush?

Villager: Oh! Alpana (looks at Gudiya) Gudiya, son, you are here too. Your grandfather is in very critical condition. Looks like he won't last long.

Gudiya: No, grandfather (runs towards her house).

Riya: Gudiya!

Kalpana: Go Alpana, I will take Jeet home.

Alpana: Ok, Riya, come.

Both run behind Gudiya.

Yesterday night, Grandfather passing the men smoking under the light.

Man 1: Hey, uncle.

Grandfather passed them by in a hurry.

Man 2: What's wrong with him? Constipated?

Man 3: Happens at this age. There is nothing we can do.

Man 4: What if has earned enough money selling his fishes and wants to reach home before anyone steals it from him.

Man 2: Could be. Hahaha.

Man 1: Hey brother, did anyone else go along with uncle to the market?

Man 3: No, as far as I know.

Man 2: He never takes anyone else with him. Not even his own son.

Man 4: Damn right, he thinks he is Bheem.

Note: Bheem is a reference to one of the characters in the great epic Mahabharata who had unimaginable physical strength.

Man 1: Then who is that sitting behind him on the carrier.

Man 2: There is someone on his carrier?

Man 4: Oh yeah, there is a man sitting behind him, isn't it?

Man 3: Who is he?

Man 2: Leave it, we will ask him tomorrow ourselves.

This afternoon...

The men arrive at Gudiya's house. Grandfather was lying on his cot half sick.

Man 2: What happened uncle?

Grandfather: Nothing son. Just a little tired.

Man 3: Ofcourse, if you would ride your cycle this fast then you are bound to burn out.

Man 4: yeah, you didn't even hear when we called you.

Man 1: Did something happen yesterday?

Grandfather: Yes, I came across the ghost of the east forest.

Man 3: No way, oh god.

Man 4: But isn't that just sound of wood cutting.

Grandfather: I saw the one making that sound son, and he wasn't nice to look at.

Man 1: But, you don't encounter it unless you are alone.

Grandfather: I was alone. I go to sell fish alone, don't you know?

Man 2: We know, but yesterday you had someone with you.

Grandfather: No, I did not.

Man 3: Ofcourse you had. There was someone sitting on your carrier when you passed by us. We all saw.

Grandfather: (scared, sweats).

Man 2: Yes.

Man 4: We did.

Grandmother: (comes out of the hut) Oh! It is you all, you came to see him.

Man 1: Yes Aunty. He says he saw the ghost of the east forest.

Grandmother: Yes, he was coming back from his...( Continues with her story).

Grandfather was sweating like crazy imaging that ghost was sitting on his carrier behind him. Suddenly, the ghost appears beside him, crushed face, hanging left arm, sunken left ribs glaring right into his soul holding an axe in his right arm. Grandfather was frozen at his place lying on the cot. The ghost yells on his face and lifts the axe and begins striking grandfather with it. Grandfather struggled on the cot with his hands and legs spread out like he was tied to it. He could feel the axe chopping him but he could not scream, just shake on his place. The men and grandmother got scared and called out to him as to what happened. Grandmother called for her son while one of the men ran to inform the other villager.

Gudiya's father: (comes running) What happened Amma? (Sees his father struggling on the cot, grabs his face), Bapu, bapu.

The ghost had climbed on grandfather's chest and was smashing the axe head into grandfather's skull. Villagers begin to gather around him. Grandmother started crying profusely. Gudiya ran and fell down beside the cot to grandfather's head crying. The ghost slowly goes down and lifts his axe to smash it into his chest. Tears rolled down of grandfather's eyes as he could only endure the agony while he could do nothing. The ghost yells once again and gets ready to swing the axe. Suddenly he looks back, yells again and disappears. Grandfather gets released and immediately sits up. Riya and Alpana come running through the mild crowd.

Grandfather: (rubs his face and chest).

Gudiya: (crying) Baba (falls in grandfather's arms).

Gudiya's father: Bapu, you alright?

Grandfather: I am fine, I am fine (looks at Riya and Alpana).

Grandmother: (falls on grandfather's feet crying)

Gudiya's father: Bapu, should we go to hospital?

Grandfather: I am totally fine.

Gudiya's father: Then what was all this?

Grandfather: (says to Gudiya) Son, you go to your friends (sends her away and starts telling his son everything).

Gudiya runs through the crowd and dashes away.

Alpana: Gudiya, stop.

Riya: Where are you running off to?

Gudiya runs towards the east forest.

Riya: She is heading for the forest.

Alpana: What is she planning to do there?

Gudiya runs deep into the forest followed by Riya and Alpana.

Gudiya: (stops, pants, yells) Where are you? Appear before me. How dare you torment my grandfather? I will kill you. Just show yourself, you damn worthless ghost.

The ghost slides out from behind the tree with a big grin on his disfigured face. Swinging his axe, he looks at Gudiya, but Gudiya couldn't see it even though it was standing right before her. He throws his axe towards her, but the axe hits an invisible wall and collapses on the ground. Alpana, grabs her hand from behind and pulls her towards herself.

Alpana: Why you? Are you empty up here? An adult couldn't defeat the ghost, do you think you have a chance, huh, idiot?

Gudiya: (crying) Did you see how he made my baba suffer?

Riya: (shivers) Hey, let's get out of here. I feel so cold here. I don't like it.

Alpana: Come or I will slap, come (pulls her away).

Riya: (rubs her arms) Hoo! Why is it so cold here in the middle of the summer?

At Gudiya's residence...

Villager 1: It is a horrifying news. Let the entire village know to be wary of the forest. Gudiya's baba, you get some rest. Next time, don't go through that forest alone. The three girls arrive at the scene.

The time passes by and the forest starts to get famous as some more encounter the disfigured ghost chasing them with an axe. People from other village become witness to the ghost as well. News reporters and paranormal investigators begin arriving to the village to capture the ghost sightings. The little and cheerful girl has grown into a beautiful young woman. The occassion was auspicious as her house was decorated because her big sister Kalpana was getting married.

The village was shinning. The girls were all running around cheerfully including Alpana.

Two of the reporters, sat at the edge of the village waiting for their crew to return from the forest, watching the girls frolicking around.

Prayag: So brother Vishwas, how long are we going to wait here?

Vishwas: (Looking at Alpana) Just keep your ass down until the crew returns.

Prayag: Damn bro, how long are we going to stay here in this rundown village? I knew the ghost story was just a baseless rumour. It is made up by these villagers just to attract tourists.

Vishwas: (Looking at Alpana sitting with her friends who was momentarily making eye contact with him as well) Until madam tells us to.

Prayag:Shit, better have gone to the another village where that ghost of hanging woman is. Atleast, the ghost there has left dead bodies as evidence confirming her presence. But the ghost here, I think he is scared himself.

Vishwas: Stupid, wanna die? One of the paranormal investigators died there, who was not just a common reporter from a media channel like us but an expert in these matters. Do you think we would survive?

Prayag: Scaredy cat, do you even deserve to be a reporter if you can't take risks?

The girls chat about the two sitting far away in the corner.

Girl 1: Hey hey, those city men over there, aren't they handsome?

Girl 2: Right, I feel the same. They are so stylish. Did you see their clothes? How cool! Not like ours, this is my mother's saree you know, hump!

They laugh...

Girl 3: And I am wearing my brother's pant under my suit.

Laughter...

Girl 1: Hey Alpana, why are you looking over there time to time? Do you like one of them?

Alpana: Shut up idiot, it is, it is not like that.

Girl 2: No no, it is like that. Hmm!

Everyone laughs...

Girl 4: We don't see city men in our village very often.

Girl 3: And we don't get to go to the city too.

Girl 1: If we marry one of the city men, then we will get to live with them in the city.

Girl 3: Ya right.

Girl 2: Who would you like to marry to?

Girl 1: Hmm, I think I will want to take that one.

Girl 3: That one, who?

Girl 1: The one who has a device on his shoulder all the time, wearing a cap.

Girl 4: The one with the camera, oh.

Girl 1: Yeah, he looks so strong, that device, what do you call it, yeah camera, it got to be heavy, right.

Girl 2: Maybe, considering its size and all.

Girl 1: Oh my god! I love strong man.

Girl 4: I want that one who carries that bag along with him and keeps talking with the woman.

Girl 2: Yeah, I think they call that woman madam.

Girl 4: That guy looks intelligent,don't you think? Their madam looks so educated, yet she listens to him talking, he is gotta be smart.

Girl 2: Mine, I had a crush on this guy, he came with the news crew last time. He wass so tall, he was just gorgeous.

Girl 3: Oh that one, I was so captivated by him too. I heard they went to the neighbouring village where that spirit of the hanging woman is.

Girl 2: Oof! I just wish he would come back.

Girl 4: Why you two? The two men over there aren't too bad either.

The girls look at their way. Prayag waves his hand at them.

Prayag: So, you like one of them, do you?

Vishwas: Yeah, seems like it.

Prayag: Is that so? Who is it? Don't tell me, it is obvious.

Vishwas: Isn't she beautiful?

Prayag: Oh ho! Very.

Vishwas: I will fuck you up if you even tried to lay your dirty eyes on her.

Prayag: Ok ok, my men. Chill.

Girl 1: He is waving at us.

Girl 2: I think we will get them if we tried right now.

Girl 4: I think so too.

Girl 3: Why don't you go invite them to the wedding?

Girl 1: Can we? Shouldn't Alpana go? It is her sister's wedding. She is family, she can invite him.

Alpana: (Blushes) Why? Why me? Are you crazy?

Girl 3: Oh ho! Look she is bright red. She does like one of them.

Girl 4: Go then girl, you got a chance to talk to him.

Gudiya: (Face stuffed and carrying a bowl of gulab jamuns) What's going on?

Girl 2: (Whispers in Gudiya's ears)

Alpana: Hey, don't feed nonsense to her alright?

Gudiya: Is it true Alpana? Come come, let's go.

Alpana: Shut up, bitch, don't be a fool.

Gudiya: Don't be afraid, I am coming with you too.

Girl 2: See, she is going with you too now. Go.

Girl 4: Initiate a conversation with him, only then the matter will progress.

Alpana: (Shy) No. I am not sure.

Gudiya: Moron, come.

She pulls Alpana along with her towards the boys.

Prayag: Look look, she is coming this way.

Vishwas: (panics)Oh shit! What should I do? What should I do?

Gudiya: Hello, it is her sister's wedding today.

Prayag: We know. Everyone in the village was talking about it.

Gudiya: Ofcourse, we celebrate every event in this village with everyone involved.

Vishwas: That is good, brilliant I would say.

Prayag: (punches Vishwas slightly) Calm down bro. Hehehe! My friend Vishwas here is a little uneasy, you know, about the ghost and all hahaha.

Gudiya: Oh! I thought he was just nervous around girls.

Prayag: Well, you are right, I was lying. He is panicking.

Vishwas: N...n..no, he is an idiot. I was just saying it is good to involve the entire village in such an auspicious event.

Gudiya: Here, she got some gulab jamuns for you. She thought you would like to have some.

Vishwas: (Looks at Alpana) She did?

Alpana: (Slowly forwards the bowl) I hope you like it.

Vishwas: (Staring, takes the bowl gently touching her hand) I love it.

Prayag: Atleast eat one first, idiot.

Vishwas: Oh yeah, yeah (takes one).

Alpana: (Laughs).

Vishwas: Good, very good, I love it. Did you make it?

Gudiya: Well, the halwai made it but she will make some for you if you want.

Vishwas: Will you? Thankyou.

Alpana: Will you come eat at the ceremony?

Vishwas: Ofcourse, definitely.

Gudiya: Please, she will be happy to have you there.

Prayag: Don't worry, I will bring him. You can leave it to me.

Gudiya: Ok then, see you there (walks away).

Prayag: Yeah, we shall. Her friend was beautiful too, don't you think?

Vishwas: (Lost in thought staring at Alpana) Ofcourse....not.

Prayag: The hell!

Alpana: (smiles gently looking back at Vishwas).

Jeet: (yells from afar) Alpana di, ma is looking for you.

Alpana: Coming (runs).

Vishwas: (sighs)

Prayag: Don't worry my brother, you will see her again. We are going to eat at the ceremony after all.

Vishwas: (Phone rings, picks up) Hello, yes mam. What? Wait, we are coming right away (gets up).

Prayag: What happened?

Vishwas: One of the crew members collapsed. She wants us to go pick him up.

Prayag: Holy shit, run then.You don't think the ghost got him.

Vishwas: Who knows?

The forest 15 minutes ago...

Mam: (Looking at the set camera) Nothing. Do any of you notice anything?

Crew 1: No mam.

Crew 2: No signs here either.

Cameraman: I am ready to move camera as soon as you order mam.

Mam: Looks like we will have to go deeper into the forest. But the rumours say he won't appear with so many around.

Crew 3: Feels like a lost cause then mam.

Crew 1: Mam, excuse me, nature's call.

Mam: Go, take your time. Shall we go a little further? What do you say?

Crew 3: If you suggest, then I guess.

Crew: (Goes to the other side of the road into the forest and stands between two huge trees, unzips and begins peeing).

Suddenly an axe strike is audible. The crew member is alarmed. He peeps at his crew members tilting backward then pulls up his zip. The axe strikes again, felt like it was on the adjacent tree to the right. Then again on the tree to his left. The strikes begin hitting the either trees respectively and begins climbing up. The crew member follows the sound and looks up and suddenly sees a figure dropping on him from above with an axe. He screams in terror but the ghost rips him in two half from head to bottom. The either side fall on the ground seperately. Atleast, that what felt like to the crew member and he went unconscious. The other crew members heard the scream and came running and found him lying on the ground. The cameraman stayed behind.

Mam: What the! What happened to him?

Crew 2: (slaps on his face) Hey, wake up.

Mam: Damn it, gotta call those two and get him moved (calls Vishwas).

The cameraman was still on the camera. He notices trees shaking like monkeys were travelling through the branches.

Cameraman: What? Wind? But there is no wind. Monkeys! Were there any monkeys in the village?

Suddenly sees a dark shadow jumping through the tree branches.

Camera: What the! What the fuck is that? Gotta record it.

He picks up the camera to record the shadow but suddenly the ghost appears on the face of the camera. The cameraman drops the camera and falls backwards crawling.

Cameraman: (Calls out) Mam! Mam!

Mam: What's with him? You two try to bring him there. (Goes to cameraman) What are you doing? Dropping the camera like that!

Cameraman: (Gasps) Mam, I saw him.

Mam: Who? The ghost?

Cameraman: Yes, he was right up there, between the tree branches, then he suddenly popped up before the camera.

Mam: Did you record it?

Cameraman: I think so (gets up).

Mama: Ok, we will check it at the cottage. Pack up for now.

Cameraman: Yes mam.

After few minutes, Vishwas and Prayag come running.

Vishwas: Yes mam, where is he?

Mam: You two go and carry him up with one more person and send the other one here to carry the equipments.

Prayag: Yes mam. Let's go Vishwas.

Three people carry him and head for the village. The other two pack up and carry the stuff. Mam walks in front of them. The ghost, with a demonic grin drags along hanging by the feet of the unconscious crew member.

Riya was in the bride room with the bride helping her get ready.

Riya: My di is already very beautiful, but today I will make her look godly.

Kalpana: No need to work so much on me that I appear like a painted statue.

Riya: No no di, I have learned this technique from my mother. You know how good she is.

Kalpana: The entire village knows.

Gudiya and Alpana arrive.

Alpana: Hey look, who is this?

Gudiya: Isn't she that actress?

Alpana: No, moron, she is my sister. I never knew someone can look so gorgeous in their wedding dress.

Kalpana: Oh, is that so? Don't worry, you are next after me.

Alpana: We will see.

Outside the room...

Santu: (Stopping Alpana's mother Sapna) Why are you so worked up? Calm down. You are bride's mother for god's sake.

Sapna: (Panting in terror) I just had a premonition that something happened to Alpana.

Santu: Are you cracked? It is an auspicious moment here.

Sapna: You know about her, don't you? Even so. I wanna see her, right now. (Stumbles across Jeet) Hey, I told you to call Alpana, where is she?

Jeet: She is with the bride, ma. Don't disturb me, I am managing the caters, alright.

Sapna: (rushes towards the bride room) Alpana, Alpana...

Santu: Sapna, calm down. The guests will freak out too seeing you like this.

Alpana: (Hears her mother calling) Ma is calling, I will be back in a ziffy (heads out).

Gudiya: She has already found her future husband.

Riya: Woooo! Tell me about it.

Kalpana: Really, did she get time from her dancing and playing?

Sapna: Alpana, Alpana...

Alpana: (Grabs her mother) Ma, here. Why are you freaking out?

Sapna: (starts touching her hace) Where were you leaving your mother behind like this huh?

Santu: Sapna, she must be with her friends outside. Get a hold of yourself.

Sapna: Did something bad happen to you? Did you get hurt or something?

Alpana: Ma...(tries to calm her down) Ma, I am alright.

Sapna: If something happens to you, anything, just tell me huh, do not hesitate a single bit. Just tell me as soon as you can, ok.

Alpana: Ma, I have my lord mahadev with me all the time, can anything scratch me?

Sapna: Ofcourse not (hugs her tightly) Ofcourse not, nothing can touch you, Mahadev is always with you.

Santu: (Consoles her) Sapna...

The ceremonies begin and everyone participates cheerfully following every ritual. As the food serving begins, the bride's side carries their duties as they distribute meals and feed their guests for gracing them with their presence and blessing the couple. The waiting girl Alpana, eagerly awaits for Vishwas, looking through the crowd, maybe she will see him coming as the guests go, but her wait was unanswered. As the number of guests reduce to what you can count on fingers. She approached Gudiya anxiously.

Gudiya: (Serving one of the guests) Ask if you need anything, aunty, ok.

Alpana: (Pulls Gudiya to the side)

Gudiya: Hey, what the! What are you...

Riya: (Sees them, comes) What happened?

Alpana: He did not come.

Riya: Who?

Gudiya: The city men.

Riya: Oh, them, who you talked about.

Alpana: They said they will.

Riya: They might still be in the forest.

Alpana: This late! I don't think so.

Gudiya: I think they must be in their cottage. We should go and check out.

Riya: You two go, I will handle here if they try to look for you two.

Gudiya: Come, let's go (grabs Alpana's hand and proceeds).

Riya: (Goes back into the house, sees her father, Gudiya's father and Santu discussing something at the gate).

Santu: They did not. Why? I remember inviting them. I had a proper conversation with madam this morning.

Riya's father: I don't know what happened.

Gudiya's father: They are city people, this was to be expected. Why would they take part in a little event like this?

Santu: But madam was so genuine about accepting my invitation. I don't think she is like that.

Riya's father: Should we go and check?

Riya: Baba, wait, Gudiya and Riya have gone to see what happened.

Riya's father: They have!?

Villager: (Approached them) Are you talking about the city people? They came back a while ago. It seemed like they were carrying one of their people. It seemed like he was out.

Gudiya's father: Looks like the ghost got him.

Riya's father: These city people don't believe in ghost and stuff and venture into their territories just like that. See, this is what happens.

Santu: We should go and see if he is alright.

Gudiya's father: Hold on, your daughter has gone there right. Don't fret, everything will be alright if the ghost had gotten him.

Santu: Why do you say that?

Gudiya's father: My father has noticed something. Everytime, the east forest ghost got someone of our village, he recovers instantly as soon as your daughter shows up.

Riya's father: Now that you mention it, that ghost did possess many of our people but none of them died. You may be right.

Riya: Huh! Why is that? Is she some goddess or divine being?

Gudiya's father: Shut up, (pats on Santu's shoulder) No, I think what she says is true. Lord mahadev is always with her. That's why she is always happy and cheerful no matter what. The entire village loves our little daughter for that, isn't that right Santu?

Santu: (Nervously smiles) Ya, ya, may be.

The cottage...

The unconscious memeber was lying on the bed while others were confused to what just happened.

Mam: (Holding her chin) So, this is real. You know, this could be a lifetime scoop if we have captured that in camera. You are telling me that you have, let's see it.

Cameraman: Yes mam.

Prayag: But mam, what about him? Shouldn't we take him to a hospital?

Crew 2: Yes mam, what if he is seriously injured.

Mam: Are you an idiot? He is just unconscious, can't you see? He will wake up soon enough. Have you ever seen someone dying just because of peeing?

Vishwas: He fell unconscious because of peeing!?

Crew 3: No he did not. Mam is just taking it lightly.

Mam: Ignore those fool, you play the feed already. I wanna see how this ghost looks like.

Vishwas: We will know the truth as soon as he wakes up.

Cameraman: I will be playing the video. Are you ready mam?

Mam: (Swats him) You think I am kidding.

The member slowly wakes up.He slowly opens his eyes.

Crew 1: (Hazy) Where am I?

Prayag: Oh! He is awake.

Mama: Hold it, he is awake. How you feeling my guy? You doing alright?

Crew 1: Mam, is that you (vision clears)

As soon as his vision clears, the hazy image of Mam soon changes into the ghost's whose face was inversely parallel to his face, peering deep into his eyes. The member is paralyzed with fear and begins trembling on the bed as he uses his full might to move.

Prayag: (Shocked) Hey, what's wrong?

Vishwas: Mam, something is definitely wrong with him.

The ghost grabs his neck and begins choking him. The trembling increases. His eyeballs begin to flip backwards and he starts to suffocate. The people around him begin to panic.

Mam: (Terrified) Do something guys.

Prayag: Man, (grabs his right leg to calm him down) Get a grip.

Crew 2: What should we do?

Cameraman: (Begins recording the scene).

Vishwas: (Grabs the other leg) Hold him.

The member breaks free from the paralysis and grabs the hands of the ghost to get rid of them. And ofcourse, the other only see him holding something invisible. The ghost yells terrifyingly and a heavy wind resistance pushes the other people back, the windows behind begin slapping their frames. The ghost twists his body on his wrist with bone cracking sound and flips over on to the man's chest. Unlike Gudiya's grandfather, this time the chest of the member begins to cave in by the weight of the ghost and was visible to other people.

Mam: (Trying to balance herself in the wind) What's that?

Crew 3: Looks like someone is sitting on his chest.

The wind touch Gudiya and Alpana outside. Gudiya stumbles as she felt the chills from the wind.

Alpana: Gudiya, you ok.

Gudiya: Yes, yes, (balances herself on her knees) Looks like something is happening in the cottage.

Alpana: What? No (runs faster to the cottage).

Mam: What is it? I don't see anything on his chest?

Crew 2: None of us do.

Prayag: (Holding his legs) This trembling is getting out of hand. We won't be able to hold on for too long.

Vishwas: He is not gonna make it.

Ghost: (Static voice) Won't you come with me? I am so lonely. Won't you be my friend?

Mam: God, help us.

Vishwas: (Imagines Alpana's smiling face).

Alpana: (Enters through the door) Vishwas!

The ghost again looks at her and yells in a rage and vanishes. The wind stops. Everyone stops and stares at Alpana. The member rises rubbing his throat and breathing heavily looking at Alpana. Gudiya stumbles inside as well.

Gudiya: What.. what is happening over here?

Alpana and Vishwas make eye contact.