House-warming

Ravindra was earning well. By chance, he came across a vacant site on the outskirts of the town, available at a low price. Many people advised him against buying the site as it was close to a graveyard. At a time, when real estate prices were escalating, fearing that it may become more costly, he bought it immediately. 

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It was midnight and the priest was conducting the house-warming ceremony reciting all the mantras in a very solemn voice. At one part of the ceremony, Ravindra, his wife Krishnaveni, and all the relatives were told to go around the house. Ravindra was walking in front of Krishnaveni and the relatives were behind. After one round, Ravindra grabbed his wife's hand and saw he had her arm in his hand. He panicked and looked back. He saw that arm which was up to the shoulder, was bleeding and there was no one to be seen behind him, neither his wife nor relatives. A huge torso appeared before him. Ravindra got scared and ran into the house. He was surprised to see that everyone was at home and was confused. 

After completing some more rituals, everyone was told to go around the house again. This time, Ravindra asked Krishnaveni to walk in front of him. As they completed one round, Ravindra seemed to be pushed hard by someone. He lost balance and fell on Krishnaveni. Everyone thought that Ravindra had fallen asleep, but something was amiss with Ravindra. He thought that the huge torso which he had seen earlier had pushed him. He wondered 'As everyone said, was this place haunted, was it a graveyard earlier? Did I make a mistake buying a site here? Are these things happening due to the influence of ghosts?' All these questions were disturbing Ravindra. Somehow, he emboldened himself and entered the house again. 

After some more time, the priest told Ravindra to go around the house for the third time. Ravindra was trembling with fear and his heart was pounding, he wondered what would happen if he walked around the house. This time Ravindra asked his wife to walk beside him, not ahead or behind him. Everything went smoothly and they were nearing the end. Seeing the huge torso coming fast towards them, to save his wife from the impact, he grabbed the hem of her saree and pulled her towards him. 

'Earlier, you dragged me by the hand, then pushed me away and now you have torn my saree. What is this? We are at our relative's house. Why are you flirting with me?' saying this, Krishnaveni looked at her husband angrily. 

Looking at Ravindra, she was afraid. 

Ravindra was fast asleep. Krishnaveni wondered why he was doing such things if he was asleep and immediately called her mother-in-law. 

'What's up, Krishnaveni? You called me so early in the morning. Is it comfortable there? Are all the ceremonies going on well?' her mother-in-law asked picking up the phone. 

''Aunty! It's your son! He is behaving very oddly. He is fast asleep, but once he pulled hard at my hand, then he pushed me away. Just now, I'm ashamed to say, he even tore my saree. I'm afraid something is very wrong.' 

'Don't worry Krishnaveni, as a child, he would watch Dracula movies with his father, dream in his sleep, and lick my cheek. With great difficulty, I weaned him and your father-in-law from watching those movies. Now that he is married, he might be watching those movies on OTT again. Let's control him!' she replied. 

'Aunty! If you suggest this, I will take the necessary steps. Now onwards, your son will be completely under my control.' 

'I told you to control him only in respect of movies!' said her mother-in-law. 

'I am saying that I will control him for the rest of his life in all aspects,' replied Krishnaveni triumphantly.