Chapter 27: chapter 27

I had to push morsels reluctantly, into my mouth on recurrent reminders from my mother-in-law. She was of the view that if I didn't consume food I will never regain my health. I worried more about my husband and son who were undergoing a third dose of covid medicines. The disease and the heavy doses of antiseptic had taken a toll on our health. I generally slept facing my face towards the wall with the lights switched on at night. During the day also preferred to sleep rather than eat, work or drink. In my drowsiness, I listened to the scratchy voice of my deceased father-in-law, "Daughter! I am here to check on all of you. Everything has improved to normal, I see. I will vanish after resorting health and wealth of you all. I am waiting for my son to recover, he had done a lot for me."I sensed him standing behind my back and uttering these words. I didn't dare to encounter him or look back. I felt like a heavyweight jabbing my feeble body. I tried to ignore the sound and sleep. I battled between my existence and allusions. I talked about it to my younger sister. She assured me that it is only because of the weakness in my body. Don't take it otherwise and trouble your mind. Although she is two years younger than me, her words were of wisdom. When I deterred my mother-in-law about it the next day she reinforced, " He will not leave this place until his son gets well. Baba is true in his predictions. He will not leave us until we perform his prayer meet as soon as possible." At eleven at night, I get a call from my college friend, Sujata. I was checking in some cooking videos to relieve my mind of all uncanny thoughts when the phone started ringing. I was amazed to see her calling at this hour. I guessed something must be urgent as she had been trapped in her rental house unable to meet her family due to the sudden lockdown. Her voice enquired, "Di, how are you and sir?" I replied, "I am in my recovery phase, reduced to flesh and bones. Sir is still in quarantine. He refuses to take food from me. He allows only my younger one inside his room. Tell me what is the reason for your calling at this hour? Is everything alright? I am concerned about you. She spoke out, "Di, someone informed me that cashier in our college was infected badly. He had been shifted to his hometown for better medical facilities but unfortunately, he passed away last night. I am feeling scared after hearing it from her. Sleep is far far away from my eyes. " "What? Are you sure about it? ", I retorted nervously. The cashier was a middle-aged manhandling the cash of all the permanent teachers in college. He was kind and soft-spoken and had been serving for the past twenty years or so in the same college. He got his mother's job on her demise. This news was shocking as well as unbelievable. I pondered upon it for some time to understand the situation completely.She stated, "Yes didi, my friend was sounding clear but please can you help me in finding out the reality? It is covid time, and lots of rumours are also spreading. You can ask his assistant for confirmation. As far as I know, he is no more." "You just do your prayers and don't stress your mind too much. Let me see if I can ask someone in the morning. I am incompetent even to type a message dear. Now go off to sleep", saying this I disconnected the call.