Ramukaka looked at him – his eyes showed both – gratitude and concern for him. He turned and hurried toward the tractor. Soon the tractor was out of his sight. He looked at the dark sky – the storm was gathering fierceness.
He closed and locked the main door tight behind him, returned to his couch to enjoy peace.
He looked at the land line even as it rung shrill. Ramukaka couldn’t have reached his village so soon – he answered the call.
“I miss you darling”, a soft voice whispered from other side, “I wish I was with you at your farmhouse.”
He paused for a moment to recognize the caller and heard a sexy laughter as she laughed at his confusion …
“This is what happens when you date women – a dozen of them… I’m Ria. How are you?”
He was about to answer her when the call disconnected and the line went dead.
He heaved a sigh of relief – he was in no mood to chat with her at this moment.
He had travelled all the way to enjoy the peace and tranquility of his farmhouse.
The weather outside was going from bad to worse. The sound of huge raindrops falling on the roof sounded deafening. The intensity of the wind was powerful. The frequency of lightning high to ever increasing sound decibels of the accompanying thunders. He sensed that the electric supply may fail any moment. He searched and found candles and a lantern…
He smiled away to himself as he relived the childhood memories when he used to help Ramukaka light up the lantern.
He lit it up, just in time – the electric supply did fail.
The room was now dimly lit up by the light of the lantern and some light from the fireplace. He found the atmosphere within the farmhouse a bit romantic and wished that one of his girlfriends were with him. A loud thunder broke his daydream and he quietly resumed sipping on his drink.
He was lost in a trance that rendered him the peace he wanted. He had few questions burning within to which he had to seek answers …
Suddenly – he sat alert – out of his comfy position. He thought he heard someone knock on the door.
He paused for a moment as he looked out of the window that seemed to display the wrath of the nature spilling heavy rain and a raging thunderstorm. The wind it seemed had lost control on its speed. He shook his head and laughed – No human could possibly make it to the location of his farmhouse in this kind of weather.
He was about to resume sipping when he distinctly heard urgent knocking on the main door. This was no deception of mind. Someone was really knocking on that door… He was now alert…
‘Who could it be? Ramukaka?’ and he negated this hunch… ‘Ramukaka will be at the hospital tending his daughter.’ He picked up the lantern and made his way to the sack.
He picked up the revolver he owned for his safety and tucked it behind in the belt of his trouser and made his way to the main door… Whoever was outside was now banging the door hard.
“Who’s it?” he asked, the door still closed and locked.
“Please let me in … The condition outside isn’t safe for any human. Please open the door and let me in…”
He thought for a moment – yes the weather wasn’t good at all and the person outside definitely needed a shelter till the storm passed. He had a revolver with him for his protection…
He unbolted the door and opened it raising the lantern enough so that the light will directly reflect on the face of the uncalled guest.
He, involuntarily, took a step backward as he looked at a disfigured face that was downright spooky … He laughed at his own reaction. This kind of stuff happens only in the horror movies – right?
To be continued……