Chapter 6

Neenu.

Neenu was about to go back when she saw Tembul standing at the small door of the hut. “Memsaab” it was Tembul’s voice “you forgot the mug back there so Anand Saab sent me to give it to you.” Tembul must have been a good five feet from Neenu. Slowly his arm began to extend like a snake leaving its skin behind. His arm reached very close to Neenu’s hands holding the hot water bottle. The arm looked like a dirty amalgam of human flesh, bone and tree trunk. It was like the branch of a tree coming out of a human forearm. And the eyes of whatever was standing in front of Neenu were gleaming black in the lantern light of the hut. Its teeth were yellowish with brown patches on them. The face could not be distinguished in the dim light. Neenu saw all this within seconds and was numb from head till toe. She felt asphyxiated but could not move her hands to touch her throat. Her eyes watered terribly. Tembul extended his arm a little forward and opened his hideous mouth and there was a voice “Take the mug, Memsaab.” And Neenu saw the face. Somehow, Neenu’s body managed to muster all the strength she had left and she let out a scream.

Anand.

Anand ran towards Neenu’s hut. What had happened? What had happened? He entered the hut and met a gruesome site. Neenu’s head was immersed in the brass pot of hot water placed on the angithi. She was not struggling. Her body was erect against the pot and just stood there. Without hesitation Anand pulled her head out, balanced her body against his and laid her flat on the ground. Her face was disfigured with burn marks. Flesh was hanging from her cheeks and chin and a white fluid oozing out from beneath her closed eyelids. Anand used his cold hands against her face to cool it. “Neenu!” he called at her. He grabbed her shoulders and shook her. “Neenu!” he shouted in her face. He placed the back of his palm against her nose. She was breathing, although the breathing was faint. It must be my cold hands, he thought. He tried to find her pulse, all the time watching her face for any sign. Any sign. Neenu smiled. It was a cruel smile. Like that of a hunter who had lain a trap for a deer and on finding it, smiled at the thought of having venison for dinner. Anand was confused. What was she doing? This was not funny. Anand loosened his grip around her wrist. He said slowly “Neenu?” and Neenu opened her eyes.