BROADCASTING GHOST

We were returning after attending a three-day residential seminar at a renowned Management Institute located out the town. I was driving the Honda City, and Neena, an Assistant Professor at my University, was sitting at my side. It was just after 6.15 p.m. The sun was already setting; its orange glow was lighting up the sky; the birds were flying away on the horizon.

     

As we reached a stretch of the unbroken forest, I wanted to take a break. Pulling to the side and switching off the engine, I looked at Neena, "Can I have a cup of coffee from the flask?" She nodded and picked up the flask from the rear seat.

While sipping coffee, I switched on the radio in the car, tuning into the local FM band. A favourite song started playing. I closed my eyes momentarily; I needed to feel relaxed. Neena was gazing out of the window from her side towards the thick forest.

Time went by slowly. The homebound birds were chirping, and umpteen forest noises were audible; many parts of the flora were getting covered in shadow due to oncoming darkness.

Coffee over, I was about to start the car when suddenly the song on the radio died away; I thought it must be due to some signal problem; then silence descended, which was followed by the noise of the radio static. And then we heard blood- curdling scream; it was so horrific that my senses dulled for a moment; the hair on my neck started bristling; a man's voice floated in indistinctly, "Help... somebody, please help me ...I am dying...." The voice ended with a gurgling noise as if he had been strangulated; after that, there was complete silence!

Soon the music restarted as if there was no interruption.

I stared at the radio and then turned towards Neena, "What was that?" My face showed a mixture of surprise and apprehension.

She frowned, "I don't know. Something very eerie is happening. Somebody seems to be in trouble. But how can that voice come through the radio? Let us go home fast." She abruptly stopped and looked away, appearing nervous.

I leaned forward and fiddled with the radio; everything seemed normal. I was not sure whether it was some type of advertisement or radio play or the radio channel had got mixed up with another. I scratched my head and shrugged.

That incident passed without any further occurrence, and we returned home about an hour later; by which time it was completely dark.

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I would not have seriously thought about that strange experience any further, but for another incident which took place a week afterwards. I was alone in my car that afternoon, travelling on the same highway and about to reach that place near the forest.

Somehow my sixth sense was hinting that something would not be right. And that happened! A similar phenomenon occurred with the voice in the radio coming through strongly and then trailed away, "...I am dying…." What followed was horrible gurgling noise.

I pulled the car to the side at once. This time my shock was not that great. The daylight and a repetition of that incident had made me a little bold. Other vehicles were plying on the road. I climbed down from the car and looked around. I was not sure what I intended to do except I felt that this mystery could be figured out here.

My car was parked on the left side of the road, so it was natural that I looked at the forest at that side. Not seeing anything of significance, gradually I began to walk towards it. Due to the dense undergrowth, I found that as I took a few steps inside, the sunlight was drastically curtailed, and a peculiar smell hit my nose. In the dim light, which was filtering through the leaves and branches, I saw that the ground was scattered with fallen vegetation. 

But, a part of the ground a little away on my right, caught my eyes. It looked as if it was dug up and then covered in haste. That area was relatively clear as compared to the adjoining regions. I went forward, gazing when suddenly I noticed that something was sticking out of the loose earth. As I narrowed my eyes, I realised with revulsion that it was a human finger! I gulped, my legs felt weak, and the truth hit me that a dead body was buried there; it could be decaying, and the conclusion was obvious; there was an unnatural death- most probably a murder.  

I did not need to think any more; turning I swiftly walked out of the forest. My only thought was to go to a police station.

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As I was about to enter the city police station, I saw her coming towards me. A little surprised, I asked, "How come you are here Neena?"

"I have just come to this side of the town. Why are you going to the police?"

"There is an unthinkable situation. I found a dead man buried in the forest near the same place where we had heard that strange radio voice, some days ago!"

On learning the facts, she gazed at me silently for many minutes, then said, "It is terrible. Who is that poor man? I feel so awful for him. I am sure the police will take care of everything."

Both of us met the Inspector and soon enough, I was guiding a police team to that area in the forest.

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Thenceforth a month and a half had gone by. In the meantime, the dead man had been identified, an ex-student of my University. His name was Rex. I had never met him in person.

Soon the investigation was in full swing. I also came to know that the autopsy report had pointed to death by poisoning. Somehow, I could not give much thought to this case since by then I had become very preoccupied with my project. Later I did not even check from the police about the progress. There was no communication from Neena; last, we had met was at the police station.

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That day was a Saturday, and I was driving alone. It was early evening, and I was passing through the same area near the forest, my car radio was tuned in to my favourite station when an abrupt silence descended. Then I heard a scream coming out of the radio. Straight away my senses became alert; I pulled up the car at the side and listened intently. The voice was not of any male, but a female was screaming, and she sounded familiar.

The radio station broadcast came back. Yet, I was unsure; I sat there thinking, wondering whose voice that was. Minutes passed, but I remained seated. Again, the music faded out, and there was the accompanying silence. And, moments later, that scream came, the pleading voice of a female and then the gurgling noise. My mind flinched; I could recognise the voice now; it was Neena's voice!

Jerking open the car door, I stepped out in a rush, virtually ran towards the forest, and reached the same spot where I had earlier found the dead body of Rex. The surroundings were similar; falling darkness midst the forest; I saw a hand protruding out of the ground, but now it was a female hand with gold bangles. With unsteady fingers, I cleared the loose soil; then saw Neena's body, her face was brutally contorted!

Panicking, I turned and ran out of the forest, entered my car, and drove unsteadily towards the city police station.

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Inspector Rathod was listening to me attentively. "Are you sure about the identity of the dead woman - Neena?" He had a strange look on his face.

"Absolutely sure Inspector, no second thoughts, I knew her well. I am sure you will remember that both of us have come to you together during the initial part of your investigation."

He reached for a file and shook his head in disbelief. "In that case, it is a very odd situation." Then, opening the file, he looked up. "This is the investigation case file of Rex." Staring at me for many seconds, he slammed the file close and said, "There are many aspects still to be probed in this case, but please understand that the prime suspect here is his ex-girlfriend, Neena. It seemed that Rex was blackmailing her, and she killed him and buried him in the forest." 

He then got up, went to the window to look out, came back, sat down and grimaced slightly. "But now, you say that my suspect has been murdered. Impossible!"

       

I also was astounded. 

Many questions were now going through me: Had Rex reacted by murdering and burying her in the same spot where he was buried? But how could it be possible? He was a dead man. So, was it his avenging ghost who committed this heinous crime? And what about the mystery of voices on my radio? Were they the dying words of Rex and Neena caught in freak radio waves which got transmitted repeatedly to me?"

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The investigation was thrown into disarray and seemed to be moving at a languid pace. Meanwhile, I had been informed by Inspector Rathod that next to Neena's body in the forest, he had found Rex's handkerchief with his name stitched on it. I supposed that it was a tell-tale proof that the phantasm of Rex had gone near her and executed her. Definitely, her death was through sheer terror.

This could become the unsolved case of the Inspector.

 

END

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