"I am Kundan. This is a story from when I was 9 years old. My mom and I traveled to my maternal grandfather's village on the death anniversary. As soon as we arrived, my mom and grandma began conversing, and I slipped out of the house. I had heard many stories about this village from my mom, so I really wanted to see it. But everything seemed strange—there was not a single person in sight. It seemed like only our family stayed in the whole village.".
'Kundan! Hi!' A voice made me jump. It was my aunt (Massi). She said, 'What are you doing outside?' I said, 'I was just wandering around the village.' She told me, 'There's nothing to see. Come in.' I persisted, 'Please, Massi, take me around a little bit.' But she told me sharply, 'I said, there's nothing. Stop asking and come in.'
That night, when all the others had retired to bed, I asked her, 'Massi, why doesn't anyone walk outside after the sun sets? Is there some reason?' She paused, and I insisted. She finally explained, 'There is a reason. That garden close to our home—it's not good. Things go awry there. No one who goes in returns.'
I was surprised. 'Why? Why is there something in the garden?' She answered, 'Nobody knows. But it is known that folks hear something strange—calls, laughter, screams. And there's always fog within, no matter the weather. Nobody goes there, not even animals.'
Her words frightened me, but my curiosity did not perish. That evening, when all were asleep, I crept out of the house and made my way to the garden. I noticed houses around it, with cobwebs and wild grass overgrowing them. A red lantern was suspended outside these houses, which confused me. Then, the garden gate creaked loudly, ringing in the stillness.
As I approached closer, I could sense that someone was whispering around me. The whispers grew louder and clearer—saying my name. My feet were glued to the ground with fear. Massi just came at that moment and pulled me back home. She was angry and frightened. She shouted, 'Why did you go there? I have told you how risky it is!!'
The following day, my aunt and mom went out to the market, leaving me alone with my grandma. At lunchtime, I asked her, 'Why do people not go to the garden? Does it really happen as Massi says?' My grandma just shrugged, saying, 'People actually died of starvation in a famine some years ago.'. That's why the village seems haunted.' I questioned her about the landlord Massi had spoken about, but she dismissed it. At last, she said, 'The landlord sits right beside you.' Astonished, I looked around but saw nothing.
She smiled mysteriously and continued, 'You would not be able to see him, no matter how much you tried.'
That evening, I dreamt my deceased grandfather showed up, addressing me by my name. I awoke screaming, but there was my grandma sitting next to me. I exclaimed, 'I just saw grandpa!' She uttered softly, 'Yes, you did. He was the landlord.'
I still do not know what really happened to that garden or landlord, but from that evening, I realized the village kept secrets—secrets deeply rooted with my grandparents. What a gripping and eerie story! Let me know if there's anything else you'd like to explore or discuss about it!