The Hell Games (Kalki Chronicles)

Black Magic

A month passed by. Suddenly, the country faced the biggest shocking incident of the decade. That night, nobody slept and everyone glued themselves to the news.

The 2012 Delhi gang rape and murder case involved a rape and fatal assault that occurred on 16 December 2012 in Munirka, a neighborhood in South Delhi. The incident took place when Jyoti Singh, a 23-year-old female physiotherapy intern, was beaten, gang-raped, and tortured in a private bus in which she was traveling with her male friend. There were six others in the bus, including the driver, all of whom raped the woman and beat her friend.

"How could such animals be set free? Delhi is not at all a safe place for us," Samaira reacted sharply to the news. Everyone was badly affected by the incident especially women.

Hectic months passed by for Samaira, who was doing two things simultaneously. On one hand, she had to earn her living and send some money home, on the other, she had to prepare for the civil services preliminary exam to be conducted annually in the month of May-June. It was three months now when we had just recovered from the worst phase that the country had to face in the aftermath of the Nirbhaya Rape case. Rapes became more rampant than before. Nobody feared the law till a new law came into place. A committee was formed in December 2012 to look into the Nirbhaya Rape case suggesting some recommendations in the laws related to rape and other sexual offences. The new law was passed in the form of the Criminal Laws Amendment Act 2013 in March 2013 strengthening women's position in society. All of these developments formed part of Samaira's curriculum. Emotionally, she cried her heart out, "Being a woman, I could relate myself to the incident that happened but yet maintained that no woman can have a misfortune like Nirbhaya, as she was named. No one could be braveheart like her". It was during this time that Samaira also received special treatment from her family and friends. However, who knows what lay ahead in future especially for a woman like her.

Holi was around the corner. The fear instilled in the minds of women also gained ground. This year, all festivals were fraught with sadness everywhere. And it was Mohan who was more anxious to know what plan Dev had in mind.

It was 26th March, Holi. The festival of colors was started with great fervor by teachers and students alike. However, the institutes remain closed throughout the day. No one could even dare move out of the house, spick-and-span. Everyone was being immersed in different colors - pink, red, yellow, blue, and all colors of hue.

There were few students like Samaira who detested playing with colors. Dev also joined the group.

It was noon when Samaira received a call from the Institute. "Mam, Happy Holi. The institute is open today. Can you take some classes for the students as there are no teachers available at short notice?" the receptionist requested.

"Okay, what time are my classes scheduled for today?"

"It would be good if you could come now".

"Now. Okay, will reach there in fifteen minutes", Samaira hurried

Being skeptical about the situation outside the house, Samaira covered her face with a cloth to prevent herself from being colored. The shops around the house were closed down. Everyone around seemed immersed in the celebrations. They celebrated by having Bhang Thandai on one hand and playing with colors on the other. Rangwali Holi or Dhulandi, the celebration of colors brings the entire neighborhood together. People smear colors on each other as a token of welcoming them to the gathering and making them a part of the festivities.

On the negative side, Holika Night and a whole day of Holi festival are amongst the most auspicious days for performing Black magic, Tantra Mantra, Vashikaran, and other spiritual remedies because it becomes easy and fast for invoking the negative and positive energies on these days. Holi night is not only special for common people but it is also very special for Tantriks in India because this is the day which is best for attaining Siddhi. Black magic is done by invoking negative energies, witches, and unsatisfied ghosts for the fulfillment of all wishes.