PATAL

Amlan Bhattacherjee

Patal rushed to the door but could not open it. He heard an incessant knock on the door. Patal is in class VIII of a school in the locality. His neighbours, members of the family and those who are very close to him call in the nickname. Patal’s school is off nowadays due to summer vacation. He remains alone in the house during the day time. His parents go out in the morning and return home by evening so Patal has become habituated to stay alone in the home for the day long. His parents repeatedly told him that he should not open the door, especially between 2 pm to 4 pm when the locality becomes unoccupied.

Patal having accumulated courage opened the door though could see nothing or anyone. Nevertheless, he stood for a while at the door and looked around. From the main entrance, the lane that connects the wide road is visible but no one was there but Bhola the street dog. Patal often talks with Bhola, so he asked “what happens, Has anybody come to our house? you are a worthless fellow, and good for nothing. Keep watching,” Bhola waved his tails, looked at Patal and sat in front of the door. At last Patal closed the door and asked Bhola to be very watchful.

Patal coming to room sat on the cot ( Palank ). He could not understand who  knocked on the door.”Is it something mysterious!” Patal murmured. “I have to inform dad.”-he decided. By this time he became sleepy and started yawning a number of times and finally, he laid on the bed and plunged into a deep sleep. Grandfather clock proclaimed the time- 3’o clock.

Patal is a brave boy.  Everybody in his locality praises him for his bravery. His school friends accepted him as their leader but today Patal realised that he felt shivering.  Suddenly he heard a big sound just like a thud as if something fell from above. He jumped out of the bed and looked around the room but he could find anything. There was insufficient light in the room, outside clouds already occupied the sky. All of a sudden he heard a human voice asking Patal whether he was afraid or not. Patal could not see anyone inside the room and became puzzled about who was questioning him!  but he could feel that he was gaining courage out of the situation. Patal replied confidently – “No I’m not afraid at all, I’m fine.” The unknown and unseen figure slowly began to take shape as a man before Patal but he couldn’t recognize. The figure then told him that a brave boy like him should not be afraid. Gradually Patal saw that the unknown and unseen figure is wiping off his image and finally came in a shape to him as clear as anything. He is tall and handsome with a mild smile on his leaps.

Now Patal recognized the man. He was neither but Bishuda as everyone used to call him, who was untraced for a long time, but how he could come to his house. He said, “You are Bishuda, aren’t you? You are untraced but how do you come here? Patal knows that Bishuda is an honest man and has many qualities. He never compromises with injustice and always stands against any mischief. The miscreants in the area are always against him. Bishuda came closer to the cot (Palank) and sat on it. He said, “Patal sit here. Don’t be afraid, I will tell you everything that happened to me. He continued, “Look, Patal, you don’t know where I stay.  I now live in a distant place where no living soul can go. I was brutally injured and thrown into a roadside jungle far away from here. People know that I’m absconded, no one knows what happened.” By this time Patal was drenched to the skin knowing that Bishuda was dead and how a dead man could come here to meet him.

Bishuda while narrating the fact Patal was only thinking about how it could be possible. A dead man appeared as a living man. Patal was feeling uncomfortable but he tried his best to conceal it. Bishuda said to  Patal-“I knocked on the door repeatedly but you did not open it. In the past, I tried to meet you many times but did not succeed. Today I was firm to meet you but I saw that you did not notice me then I did a  trick and I managed to enter your room. But I can’t stay for a long time. Your parents may arrive at any time. So before I leave this place I have a request to you that when you become an adult you must punish those who brutally killed me.

I know you are the only bravest boy here and have many qualities. I know you always try to raise your voice against any injustice even though you are a mere boy.”As soon as he completed his words Patal saw Bishuda vanished in the air. He looked around but could not find him. Patal became at a loss and could not decide what to do.

Suddenly he heard a knock on the door and that was gradually becoming louder. Patal realised that he was in deep sleep. He hastily managed to unlock the door. He saw his dad anxiously waiting outside. He said –“What’s the matter? I’m knocking the door for a long time. Are you sleeping in the evening? Patal did not understand what to say.

-“Do you remember Bishuda? Patal looked at his dad vacantly.

-“A few days back his body was found in the roadside jungle,” Patal’s dad continued-“ Police today enquired to his family and some of the nearby residents of their house as part of their investigation.

Patal without uttering a single word slowly sat on the cot ( Palank) and closed his eyes and tried to recall everything in detail. He was sobbing stealthily. “ Bishuda when I’ll be a man I must punish the killers, trust me Bishuda.”- tears started rolling down his cheek.

Amlan Bhattacherjee