The Cursed Identity- A Haunting Dream

Where's that dead body?

Chpater 12

The school was gearing up to conduct its annual art and craft exhibition, held every year before the summer break. It featured the art and craft articles, by students of each class. The exhibition was a delight for students, good at art and burden for those who even didn't like it as a subject, for e.g. Arjun and his friends. How Arjun had been passing in the art exam was a secret, he would share with no one. But Arjun liked this exhibition because on this day the classes were suspended.

The day arrived and school was ready for the feast. Parents were also called to admire their child's talent and boost their child morale. Whole school was decorated, by the students and it looked beautiful. Snack stalls were earning a good income and the atmosphere was enthusiastic.

Arjun was roaming with his friends in the school premises.

Suddenly the weather changed and within seconds, black clouds appeared. The atmosphere at once became dark and gloomy. Arjun was surprised by this sudden change in weather and took shelter in a classroom.

Very soon it began raining cats and dogs but it didn't interfere in the exhibition, being held in the hall.

Arjun was enjoying the pleasant air coupled with soothing smell of sand. One of his friends had a binocular and so they were able to see the proceedings in the hall.

The sky had become pitch black and so it was mandatory for Arjun to remain intact with a place till the rain would have stopped. All of a sudden Arjun remembered to call his mother and tell her about his condition. He took his friend's polythene and went to the school PCO.

He moved swiftly enjoying the pleasant weather. He was surprised to see no guard at the PCO. He went inside and what he saw was beyond his imagination. He saw the phone cordless in hand of a boy, grievously injured and unconscious. He checked his pulse rate and found it negative. He came out but saw no one there.

He then decided not to waste another minute and he ran towards the exhibition hall.

The exhibition was going on in full swing. Arjun entered the hall fully drenched and at once went towards the principal.

"What happened, Arjun? Is there any problem?"

"Another murder has happened sir,"

"What are you saying Arjun. Where?

"Sir his body is lying in the PCO."

"Ladies and gentlemen please excuse me. I have to finish an important work. You keep enjoying the exhibition. Mr Rastogi I would like you to join me," said the principle, taking care not to spread confusion.

"Sure sir."

The three went towards the murder spot and were very soon near it.

"Here sir, follow me inside the PCO." said Arjun.

Arjun took them inside the PCO but was surprised to see no dead body lying there. The cordless was kept at its place and there were absolutely no blood marks in there.

"Arjun, is this a sort of prank. Where is the dead body you said was lying here?"

Arjun was awestruck. His mind was not ready to believe what his eyes were seeing. He went ahead to check the cordless and saw it in good condition. He then looked around but found no blood marks.

"How can this happen? I myself saw that dead body lying here." thought Arjun.

"Where is the body Arjun. I am asking you."

"Trust me sir, I am not lying. A body was lying here, holding cordless in his hand. He was grievously injured. I even touched him and checked his pulse."

"So you are saying that a dead body was lying here which fled, seeing me coming here. This is too serious a matter to play prank on. I didn't expect such a childish behaviour from you."

"But sir......"

"But what, Arjun, an exhibition is in progress and I left it, only to witness this,"

"I am not playing a prank sir. You should believe me. A murder has taken place. What would I gain in playing such pranks?"

"That I don't know, but I am warning you not to play such pranks again. Come Mr Rastogi we must return back."

They left the place but Arjun remained there to find some clew of his innocence. He searched the whole PCO but found nothing except an old directory. He came outside the PCO and stood under a tree.

The rain had stopped and sky became clear. Arjun saw a peon running towards him.

"Arjun, counsellor sir had called you. He is sitting in the office."

"Yes I am coming."

He again went inside the PCO and rung his home telephone.

"Hello mummy I will be late. The exhibition would end late."

He then moved towards the counsellor office.

"Arjun come inside. I was waiting for you. I was getting bored there and so I thought to counsel someone."

The counsellor, named Jay Mishra was a young lad and was famous among the students due to his friendly nature. He wore spectacle in order to look serious but they were not able to hide the mischievousness in his eyes. He sported long hair and was quite fair in complexions.

"Principle sir told you everything,"

"Yes but I want you to tell me again."

Arjun started from the beginning and told him every minute details of that incident.

There was a minute of absolute silence in the room after which the counsellor broke the ice.

"Arjun, don't think I do not believe you. After all, you have till now experienced all these things and there is no question of checking the authenticity of your claim. The only thing I want to say is that you must give yourself some time. Spend some time with all your loved ones and try to forget all these things. I know it's easier said than done but I know you will try your level best."

"But sir I will lose my attendance."

"Don't worry about attendance. I will make sure you don't lose any."

"Thank you sir, I will try my level best."

"See Arjun, good news. Our school is closing for summer vacations from tomorrow. So now I think you would lose no attendance. Go and enjoy your summer vacations."

"Yes sir I surely will."

Arjun came out of the office and went towards the cycle stand and soon he was on his way to home. He was moving with steady pace when suddenly, his cycle stopped. He kept on paddling his cycle but it had no effect. Very soon his annoyance grew and saw passers-by laughing at him. Now he became angry and started paddling furiously but the cycle didn't move an inch more. At last he looked back but saw no one. He scratched his head and looked around only to see his friends laughing and giggling.

He felt like an idiot and ran towards them uttering some 'friendly words'. Their laughter had no bounds and they kept on laughing. After a minute, Arjun too joined them and they all laughed their heart out.

"Let's enjoy a tea at the nearby stall and then return our home"., said Sameer.

"That's a great idea."

They all went towards the nearest tea stall and had a cup of tea. After that they made plans regarding their playing schedule during the vacations and bid each other good bye.

Arjun returned home late and as expected had to face a series of questions. Arjun told them only about the exhibition and the tea party. His father scolded him not to roam around with his friends unnecessarily. After receiving his quota of scolding he went towards his room to sleep.