The Revenge

By Prabir Kumar Datta

The vast office building in the industrial park at the outskirts of the city was almost empty when Neil left his office. He was however not having the reputation of being workaholic. Rather he never wanted to miss his evening soiree in a pub instead of staying late at the office. But today his delay was intentional as he wanted a sufficient alibi to avoid his wife Ann who was going to her parents this evening for one day and wanted him to accompany her. He had skillfully avoided the request on the plea of excess work pressure at the office at the cost of   suspicion of his colleagues who were giving curious looks for his unusual overstaying at the office. 

But he had to take that small risk for a greater interest of spending today’s attractive night with Sylvia, his new cute girl friend, in his vacant house for which he had been planning for a long time. For such illegitimate deed Neil had of course no inhibition in his mind as he was never a believer of sacrificing such extra marital pleasure for the sake of maintaining the chastity of marriage. 

In fact his view of life was to enjoy as much as possible for which he had never hesitated to change his women companion every now and then against lavish spending about which his wife Ann was also not totally unaware of . But she herself being a timid housewife with no income or financial support from anywhere was helpless before her husband who was a moneyed man and obstinate enough to defy her totally. 

The dreadful event took place when Neil was hurriedly proceeding towards his house in his car. Suddenly his eyes fell on the man at the bus stand near his house gazing at him and smiling in a queer way .The sight made him almost freeze in great fear as the man was none other than Derek, the person who had died six months ago and was cremated before his own eyes. He was having no doubt in recognizing him unmistakably as he was so closely known for more than ten years. That totally unbelievable thing brought a feeling of great fear within him. The entire area was deserted by now at the close of the day and the road was also almost empty. In great panic he passed the spot quickly without looking back any more.

He had been getting hints of this type of mysterious happenings on several occasions after he had purchased his new house in a posh locality some months back. Today’s event also appeared to be somewhat connected to his house. 

It was a beautiful house having three bed rooms with a terrace in the first floor and a big living room in the ground floor along with lawn and car parking. It was available at a very reasonable price and the broker recommended it so much that he had no hesitation in finalizing the deal quickly. But just after shifting there the unwelcome incidents began to occur.

Two days after shifting in that house he had met near the house some middle aged person who on his own came forward to introduce himself as his neighbor. He told, ”It is nice that you have come here. But the house you have purchased was lying vacant for a long time as it has a very bad reputation. You should have enquired thoroughly before buying it. I am sure that the broker has not told you anything. “

Neil was happy to meet the new neighbor, but his words made him shaky. When asked about the reasons for his comments he simply avoided,” Now that you have already bought it I should not tell you anything. But try to be a bit cautious. Stay there and you will understand everything.”

Neil had taken exception that day at such unsolicited advice full of obscurity from a stranger on the very first meeting. Smelling something fishy he shared his worries to his wife Ann who also became very much concerned. Both of them tried a lot thereafter to locate the man but strangely enough failed to find out his whereabouts in spite of great effort.

Initially they thought that it must be a case of jealousy of some neighbor for their possession of the attractive house at a very cheap price and therefore tried to trifle away the matter. But after some days they themselves started to face various disturbing things in the house.  On one occasion Neil had to wake up in the midnight by the sound of shifting furniture and somebody walking in the living room at ground floor.  Trying to explore the matter they ran downstairs and felt that somebody left the room quickly although they checked that the main door was locked properly. Ann got so much scared that she even wanted to sell the house immediately when Neil had to dissuade her. He tried to convince her that it might well be a nightmare and there was no reason to succumb to someone’s motivated plan to drive them out from the well bargained property.

But he had to think a bit more seriously when similar things occurred again at some interval. After a couple of days, in the evening Ann came back running from her daily shopping with a very frightened face. Neil was inside the house and was very much surprised to see her. When asked she said,” We should not have ignored the warning of that unknown person.”

When Neil asked the reason she said, “I have seen Derek standing near the gate and staring at our house. He was smiling at me mysteriously and vanished somewhere as soon as I proceeded towards him.”

“That’s impossible. Everybody knows that he committed suicide and both of us identified him.” Neil tried to console her although he himself was feeling very much unsettled at such uncanny incident.

He did not give much cognizance to Ann’s words that day but today his own experience at the bus stand was really difficult to ignore. He now utterly needed some time to concentrate and analyze the sequence of the events. So on reaching home he sat in the balcony with a glass of whiskey and tried to rewind his memories while waiting for Sylvia. 

 He had married Ann four years back after they had a five years period of romance which was however full of love and hate moments. In the university they studied in the same class when Neil had to fight a lot to win Ann’s heart and bring her out of her devotion towards Derek who was their classmate and common friend. Derek, who came of an ordinary background, was a brilliant student of sober nature and owner of many other intellectual traits like singing, writing, public speaking etc. for which Ann initially fell in love with him. 

 Neil on the other hand was a handsome flamboyant son of rich parents and had a lot of money to spend to attract girls. Ann was the centre of attraction to the boys in university and Neil had always an inferiority complex before Derek who used to beat him before Ann every time with his softer skills. He was therefore envious of Derek and all along tried his best to undermine him before Ann. By his wealth and glamour he could ultimately mesmerize Ann and was able to marry her by beating Derek. After marriage Ann also appeared to forget Derek and took her conjugal life quite naturally making Neil free from tension.

After leaving the university Neil had started as a manager of his ancestral company whereas Derek could not finish his studies due to his extremely stringent financial condition and had to go for a temporary humble job with a meager salary. When he one day lost that job too he was practically helpless on the road. At last on the recommendation of his wife Neil once gave him a job in his own company under him. Derek was very much thankful to Neil for this help and used to admit that openly. He proved to be a very sincere worker very soon.

But with the passage of time Neil noticed that Ann was again getting softer to Derek whom she could now meet every now and then on various official parties. He became furious feeling that Derek was taking undue advantage of the mercy shown by him and was trying to betray him instead of being grateful for the help. His strong ego was badly hurt for which he wanted to punish him. As a consequence one day Derek had to face dismissal from his job being accused of a big misappropriation of money which however was totally concocted by Neil. 

Derek had no ability to fight the case and was arrested when just to show greatness before Ann Neil arranged for his release on bail by paying the bail amount himself. Ann innocently believed him without understanding his filthy scheme and treated Derek as a traitor. When one day Derek came to explain the actual fact about his innocence Ann insulted him nastily in front of Neil. Derek went out of their house that day with his head down before them without knowing where to go. He could not bear the insult of Ann in front of Neil in spite of doing nothing wrong. 

But nobody could ever anticipate the turn of events that took place thereafter.  Next day they got the news of suicide of Derek by being run over by a train. The news was widely covered by the print and visual media about six months back when Ann burst into tears and Neil too felt a bit guilty. He arranged for his cremation ostensibly, handled all legal hassles on his own and showed lot of bereavement.

After his sad demise Ann started missing Derek again which did not escape Neil’s notice. He felt that Ann had always loved Derek and was only attracted for his money and status in the society. It was so irritating to him that he took that as a plea for his desperate involvement with other girls of which Sylvia was the newest addition. 

 Anyway Neil did not want to spoil tonight’s romance with Sylvia by frightening her with his dreadful experience of the evening. He tried his best to forget the matter as a hallucination and waited impatiently for Sylvia and was thinking of the ensuing colorful night. He also made up his mind that he would have to finally leave Ann who in his opinion had lost her right as his wife by remaining immersed in the memory of Derek.

But he never knew that today’s night was not at all auspicious for him. Seeing the delay of Sylvia he called to her mobile phone when he got the most disheartening reply. Sylvia expressed lot of regret and informed her inability to come due to some unavoidable circumstance at her household. Neil became totally upset at the sudden cancellation of the long awaited and so nicely crafted plan. He was so long dreaming that he would have Sylvia tonight to give him company in the vacant house. But now the very thought that he would have to spend the whole night alone in the house made him completely nervous.

Ann telephoned him to enquire, but Neil was then so much bewildered that he could not receive her call for two times. He was not sure whether he should tell today’s experience to Ann or not. However after thinking a lot he himself finally telephoned her and narrated today’s incident to her. She was extremely horrified and repeatedly advised him to take all precaution at night, keep the mobile on and inform police if anything happens. 

Neil had already appointed some private detective to unearth the truth few days back after some incidents had occurred earlier, but he did not disclose that to Ann. So he listened to the advice of Ann attentively and after sometime reported today’s incident to that person over phone. The man advised him to remain vigilant and assured that he would come next morning itself. After that Neil now had no other way than to remain strong and spend the night alone. He tried his best to overcome the fear by consuming extra pegs of drink.

All went well till midnight and Neil was in deep sleep fully drunk when suddenly he had to wake up at the sound of something heavy falling on the floor. Opening his eyes he was startled to see some human figure entering his room and discovered that the sound was that of a chair falling on the floor. In bright moonlight through the glass window he immediately recognized the man. It was none other than Derek in the same dress and smiling in the same way as he was doing in the evening. There was no room for confusion at all and Neil felt severe trembling within himself. He exclaimed, “Who are you?”

Derek did not reply and started approaching towards him slowly. Neil noticed with horror that he had sharp claws in his hands in place of fingers. With hissing voice Derek uttered, “Don’t you recognize me? I had to commit suicide for you.”

“It can’t be. Tell me, who you are.” Neil shouted trying to gain strength.

Derek laughed loudly,” Bravo! So you have forgotten me! Why not! You are enjoying all pleasures of life with new house, beautiful wife and other women at the same time. Fantastic! But it’s my turn now. I have come to teach you lesson today.”

Neil badly wanted to scream but no sound came out of his throat which was by this time complete choked. Derek raised his claws and giggling in a horrifying way said,” How strange! Are you afraid, Neil? But you never lost to anyone.”

Neil was pale in fear. Derek said in a harsh voice, “You are regularly torturing Ann and enjoying with other ladies. You deserve punishment for that. Now your days are numbered.”

 Neil’s whole body became stiff by this time. All his logics were jumbled up. He had now no doubt that it was nothing but the spirit of Derek taking revenge on him.  He wanted his best to resist but was unable to move his hands.  He could see sharp claws of Derek approaching towards his throat. Suddenly Neil felt an acute pain in his chest. Before Derek could actually touch him his senseless body fell on the bed and he breathed his last in a few minutes.

One day after the death of Neil a few people including a bereaved Ann were sitting with serious face in the living room of the house. The incident was first discovered by Ann who came back hurriedly next day early morning from her parent’s house suspecting something bad after her repeated phone calls to Neil remained unanswered. On reaching the house her apprehension turned out to be true and the matter had to be informed the police. Police inspected the whole house, took finger prints on various objects of the house and sent the body for post mortem. Everyone familiar to Neil including Ann had to face lengthy interrogations by them during last one day. 

Neil was a pleasure loving man and due to his reckless life had developed various health problems like heart trouble and high blood pressure.  Of late Ann was facing great mental agony for his involvement with several other women and they had frequent altercation between them on that matter. In spite of that Ann tried to maintain a workable relationship as she was completely dependent upon her husband for her living. She never wanted a break up although Neil very often raised the issue of her softness towards Derek and threatened her of divorce.  But such unexpected demise of him was never imagined by Ann who was now broken down completely. 

Several people flocked to their house and some of them were occupying the sofas in the living room. Ann was sitting alone in one corner with her head down. Everyone was sitting silently after the body was taken by the police for post mortem. After a long time one gentleman sitting in the sofa broke the silence and told Ann,” I hope you know that he entrusted me with the job of finding out the truth behind the mysterious incidents faced by you. I really feel sorry that I could not save him.”

Ann answered,” What could you do, Mr. Bose? There is no proof in our hand nor can anyone be suspected. There is even no sign of injury.”

“Yes, we need solid proof. But don’t worry. I will find out the truth very soon. I have already some idea in mind but I have to establish that.”

Another gentleman in the room said,” I think, you are becoming too much ambitious. I already knew that something like this was going to happen. I cautioned them much earlier about the house. But they did not pay any heed. Evil spirits do not like to be disregarded.”

He was the man whom Neil met on the road immediately after they came here. Ann was in no mood to talk about the incident any more. But the man did not stop,” This house is infamous as somebody committed suicide here. Mr. Bose, Please forget about finding truth out of the blue. It is clearly an action of the unsatisfied soul.”

The other persons present were all clueless and remained silent. At that time a police car arrived from which a police officer in uniform well known to Mr. Bose alighted. Mr. Bose got up to greet him and asked,” What is the news, officer? ”

 The officer replied,” The death is due to heart attack as per the post mortem report. We have already verified the medical reports of the deceased. He had hypertension and high blood pressure which very often leads this type of calamity according to the doctors. Also the forensic department has informed that no outsider’s finger print has been found in the room.  We have no other alternative than to close the case.” 

Mr. Bose interrupted, “But we can’t rule out the inexplicable experiences reported by the deceased. Also as an investigator I never believe in myth. I still believe that this is a murder very skillfully committed.  May I make you one request? Can you please allow me just one week? I am confident that I can give you some definite proof within that time”

Mr. Bose was a very well known private criminal investigator who could not be easily ignored. But the police officer looked a bit dissatisfied at this denying of the findings of scientific reports. He said sarcastically, “You detectives smell a rat even in the very simple and authenticated case. If it is a murder what can be the motive?  We have thoroughly checked that aspect also. Even the call details of the victim and his familiar persons show nothing objectionable. You may have wild imaginations, but we the police have to be realistic and fact driven.”

Mr. Bose didn’t mind at his comment and said politely,” I fully agree sir. This appears to be a great challenge for me too. But the deceased himself entrusted me. How can I back out now? That is why I request for this little time.”

 All others present looked at Mr. Bose with eyes of disbelieve. Ann looked a bit annoyed as she didn’t want hassles any more.  The officer agreed reluctantly,” All right, I am waiting for one week more taking the risk of condemnation from my superiors. Please don’t let me down.”

During the next week Ann was extremely occupied with the cremation of Neil after getting the clearance of police and observing the rituals and other formalities with heavy heart with the help of her relatives and friends. Although Mr. Bose made such confident claim that day he was found missing after that. Ann was almost sure that Mr. Bose did the drama just for his concern for fees assured by Neil, which however she did not want to deceive.

On the seventh day call from the police station came to Mr. Bose. The police officer said with a victorious laugh, “The time taken by you expires today. Hope, you agree to lose now. “ 

Mr. Bose answered, “I am withdrawing myself from the case. But at the same time I am not losing. You are my friend. I shall explain you everything later personally.”

His wife Mili was trying to anticipate the reason of the unexpected behavior of her husband who had never given up any investigation midway earlier like this. She had recently been trying to write crime thrillers of which most of the raw materials came from her husband. As the conversation ended she told her husband with humor, “What happened to you? Have you grown old? I don’t believe that you withdraw from a case.”

Mr. Bose loved his witty wife very much for her sharpness and help in his cases. He replied, “Really, I think I am getting old. That’s why ethics has become more important to me than legality.”

“Please leave the joke now and tell me the actual reason.” Mili was impatient. She was sure that there must be some greater cause behind her husband’s decision.

Mr. Bose told,” Then I have to tell you the whole stoty.”

He became serious and after a pause started his story:

” This is a rare case with many unique features. Firstly, here I was appointed by a person who is no more. Secondly, my job was to find out the truth behind some ghostly incidents with I didn’t believe. Thirdly, there is no evidence of murder in the forensic report, post mortem report or call lists verified by the police and no motive of murder could be established although it appeared to be a murder to me. “

“Had the inexplicable incidents not occurred I too could have treated it as a normal death like police. But I was sure that it was the act of some person whom I could not identify. Also his interest in it was clear to me”.

“Initially I suspected the neighbor of Neil who had warned him about the house thinking that he might be interested to grab the house at throw away price by driving them out. But then I thought that he had no scope to know the friend of the deceased who had committed suicide six months back and it was not possible for him to present him in disguise. Another unsolved issue was how a person could enter the house at midnight when the door was locked that too without leaving any finger print. I was sure that I was missing something. I had to spend a few sleepless nights thinking over the solution.”

Mili was aware of the details of the case from the beginning and so said impatiently, ”Tell me whether have  you solved those or not?”

Mr. Bose smiled, ”Yes madam. I have. But for that I needed to do some extra work. When everything failed I decided to recheck things one by one. There was no doubt about the post mortem report or forensic report. I scrutinized the call logs again but still found nothing doubtful. When I almost left all hopes something clicked in mind. I again contacted the service provider and checked whether there was any other number in the name of the deceased. From them I got the key to open the magic door.”

 Mili asked,“ Key to magic door! What’s that?”

” I got the most vital information which clarified all the mysteries very soon. I found that there was another mobile number in the name of the deceased. When I checked the call details of that number I found most surprisingly series of calls to and from a particular number. After that, it was not at all difficult to detect the location of the caller and contact him by the help of local police. To my amazement it was discovered that the number was actually being used by Ann and the caller at other end was none other than Derek, the person alleged to have committed suicide six months back. The finding was totally beyond my expectation and when I charged the man he surrendered to me and told me a spectacular story. I have called him today for telling you the same. He is expected anytime.”

 The story had reached to a climax and it was now very difficult for Mili to wait. But she did not have to wait long. The door bell rang after some time and Mr. Bose opened the door. She saw a man with humble appearance entering the room when Mr. Bose told him with a smile,” I called you, because my wife wants to be introduced with you.” 

The man said to Mr. Bose with some hesitation,” Sir, Whatever I have done is for the sake of saving Ann only. I have nothing left in my life. I am ready to face any punishment for the sake of the wretched woman who was being tortured and whom I love from the core of my heart. But believe me, Neil’s death was never our aim, we only wanted his correction by frightening him.”

Mr. Bose consoled him,” Look, I am not the authority to punish you, nor I was entrusted to investigate the murder. In fact I have withdrawn from the assignment as my appointee is no more. Police is probably going to close the case as a natural death. You have no fear at least from me. Although law can say otherwise, to me the victim’s fault was much more than that of you. You can tell everything without hesitation.”

After some initial talks the man started:

” I really had suicide in mind when I was badly abused by Ann without any fault of mine. Life was meaningless to me. I was walking with heavy heart along a lonely train track surrounded by jungle deciding to jump under the next train. Suddenly I saw a dead body on the rail track which appeared to be recently run over by a train. Its skull was smashed and face was totally deformed.”

Mili was listening to the man with all ears. The sudden twist in the story  made her excited.

The man continued, “Immediately an idea flashed in my mind. I thought that I wanted to commit suicide as I didn’t like to live with the identity of a thief. Here was a chance to get rid of my identity. I took out all the papers and purse from the body and put my purse, identity card and mobile in his pocket and my wrist watch in his hand. I also wrote a suicide note in a piece of paper and put the same with the pen in his pocket. Immediately my entire identity was gone and the next morning media covered the news of my suicide. The body was identified by both Neil and Ann on the basis of those items.”

“ I started my new life and after a few days of wandering here and there purposelessly at last I happened to reach an orphanage in another town where by sheer luck I got a job as a caretaker. The job was totally satisfying to me as I could now devote myself to the service of man and forget my agony.”

There was pin drop silence in the room. The man wanted a glass of water. After drinking water he continued, “But after some days I felt very much worried for Ann whom I had seen to lead a very painful life with his rogue husband who abused her regularly. He was a drunkard, a womanizer and an arrogant fellow. I had tolerated his misbehavior only for the sake of Ann. She had on many occasions narrated her misfortune to me with tears.

I contacted her over phone one day when she was very scared initially but I told her everything. I could know that Neil was much more violent to her nowadays for the reason of her alleged softness to me. We discussed at length about restraining Neil and at last decided to frighten him taking the advantage of the bad name of the house so that he can be corrected. Ann provided me with the duplicate key of the house and the gloves with artificial claws by which I could enter the locked house from outside without leaving any fingerprint anywhere.”

As Derek stopped Mili told her husband,” Now I understand why you have pulled out from the assignment. You have taken correct decision. I would rather request you to do whatever is possible to save him. He acted like a true lover to punish a criminal.”

Mr. Bose said smiling,” God will judge that. But I hope you have got good material for your next episode although I don’t know whether it will be a thriller, a triangular love story or a story of fight between truth and falsehood.”

 By Prabir Kumar Datta