Night Of Nightmares

Four-year-old Renee was highly enthusiastic about visiting her grandparent’s home for the summer vacations. She had picked up gifts for her three cousins and was curious to tell her Granny about her School and friends. She got out of the Taxi and ran straight to her Grandfather who was tying rope swing to the branches of the Mango tree. Renee greeted everyone had brunch and exhibited the gifts. However, Kiku her cousin had taken the center stage, demonstrating his Skating skills. Everyone clapped for him and praised him. Renee felt left behind. Kiku was three years older than her and his sister Kuki Di a year older than him was glued to the Television along with Mampi Di her Aunt’s daughter who was of Kuki Di’s age.

Renee recited poems and rhymes she had learnt in her playschool but none other than her Grandparents paid her intentness and cheered for her. In the evening the kids played hide and seek, Renee hid behind the Mango tree and when nobody came to search for her she came out to find her cousins enjoying their noodles. As a consequence Renee felt betrayed and wailed, her uncle reprimanded her cousins for leaving her out alone. They excused themselves saying they were afraid of monkeys who were often found perched on the mango tree branches eating and throwing mangoes. Uncle then took them all out for a stroll near the Canal. They returned early as the place was notorious for jackals after sunset.

The four cousins had their dinner and went to Granny’s room to listen to her enchanting stories. Grandfather along with other elders had gone to attain a wedding invitation. Granny told them few stories as well as asked them to sleep as she too was drained from the day’s chores. Renee urged to sleep with granny. Kiku called her a snob and a frightened little kitten. Renee fought him back saying she was brave and not afraid of anything. Kiku challenged her saying, ‘If she was brave she should sleep alone on the cot near the foyer’. Renee accepted the challenge and went to the foyer. Mampi Di and Kuki Di told her there was no need as power cuts were common during nights. This enraged her further and she was adamant to change her decision.

Renee slept alone while the others went on to watch television and then retired to their respective beds. Renee woke up as she felt warm and sweaty only to find there was indeed a power cut. She turned to the other side and saw shadows on the glass windows. The shadows were moving to and fro as if swinging in the corridor. She tried her best to be calm and to her horror saw a small mystical creature making its way to the kitchen. It had bright flashing eyes and a small body. She closed her eyes firmly, after a few minutes which seemed like an eternity she heard a rustling sound from the attic above the foyer. The sound seemed as if a big bird flapped its wings. Renee tried calling granny, nevertheless couldn’t utter a word. She tried to run, her legs didn’t move. She opened her eyes a bit and this time saw a bigger mystical creature moving towards granny’s room.

The only thing Renee could do was close her eyes tightly and wish to have listened to Kiku and Mampi Di and for the morning. Renee lay in her bed motionlessly like a bundle with unflinching eyes, hands, and legs drawn close to her chest. She once more heard a light noise in the pitch darkness lurking adjacent to her and the mystical creature’s hand near her head. With all her might and courage she strived to open her eyes as it was a do or die situation, only to hear her granny’s voice and hands on her head. She had never felt this happy in her little life span. She jumped to granny’s shoulders to be carried to her room.

Next morning in the breakfast table in front of everyone granny proudly declared Renee was the bravest grandchild to having slept alone in the foyer. Her cousins saw her with devoted eyes. Mampi Di said she was always afraid of the shadows of the swinging coconut branches on the window glass. Kiku Di said she was afraid of the pussy cat which roamed around in the kitchen. Granny added something that needed to be done about the Owl that has made the attic its home. Moreover, she had come in the night to check on Renee seeing her sleep tight she had left. Renee was amused and surprised by all the revelations that had not let her sleep. All that was substantive was her cousins gave her special treatment and cared for her.