The exorcist

A Story by Bhargav

The exorcist is a small adventure of a wealthy man and a smart person in an haunted house

He earned at least 50 rupees (in 1950s) daily, without leaving his quarters. He was a professional exorcist, telling people their future and warding off spirits. When one looked at his ashen face,his forehead smeared with ash and sandalwood paste,his untrimmed beard, his black and grey hair, black clothes and a pendent of skulls , he got reassured that the exorcist knew the future and possessed the skills to control the undead.

Ranvijay sat down on a plank of wood, opposite to the exorcist. The exorcist had met him once before and had asked him to come on this fixed date. Ranvijay wanted to ward off spirits residing in his ancestral property , Swarg loka.

The house was built during the 16th century. It was a mughal building, with gigantic rooms made entirely of marble.

The house was given the title of being haunted, when Ranvijay's great-great-great-great grandfather went mad shortly after the death of his father, and it was believed that he was possessed by his father. He later committed suicide, after which, the family moved to the village, leaving the house to its fate. Truth was,it was far from haunted, although it gave shelter to a lot of wildlife.

The exorcist picked up an orange bag from the corner of his cubicle.

"Let us leave" ordered the exorcist in a deep voice. Ranvijay followed him.

Ranvijay opened the door with a loud creeking noise. They couldn't see a thing after a distance of a feet. Ranvijay could make out a faint outline of some statutes.

Invisible to them, a cat was chasing a mouse. She had heard the door oopen, but at the moment, the mouse was more important.

"Stay outside" the exorcist oordered. Ranvijay froze at the door.

The mouse was now between the statues that lined the rear wall, trying to locate the cat. The cat was taking aim for a jump.

The exorcist stepped into the darkness. Ranvijay could no longer see him. the exorcist began chanting in a language which ranvijay couldn't understand. He raised his voice every second.

This caught the cat in surprise. She leaped through the air, invisible to the pair. Instead of the mouse, she hit a statue. A loud bong resonated through the house.

The cat lost her sanity completely. She hit every statue with all her might. Bong-bong-bong.

The exorcist screamed. he rushed out.
"Shut the doors! It is too strong!"
They shut the heavy timber door with a loud thud.

As they walked back to the exorcist quarters, he said in his deep voice" now, my payment please."

"But you did nothing except screaming! " ranvijay protested.

"Oh! How you speak! I put my life in danger for you. You must give at least my basic charges. You can pay me tomorrow" the exorcist replied.

He tturned to a darkened alley and disappeared into the night.