The Wailing

By Kalim Ansari

Anamika dies in a car accident right after the office party. The same night, Ajay starts getting nightmares which later turn into hallucinations.
While fingers are pointed at Ajay for her death, he is convinced that the sinister apparition belongs to her. Unable to explain the reason to his wife Maya, he seeks help from his psychiatrist friend Ashok.
The events take a macabre turn when this unnatural dark force threatens his life and everything that he cares for.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing India
• Release date: Apr 21, 2017
• ISBN: 9781482889581

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Copyright © 2017 by Kalim Ansari.

ISBN:           Softcover                     978-1-4828-8959-8

                    eBook                           978-1-4828-8958-1

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

www.partridgepublishing.com/india

CONTENTS

Author’s Introduction

Acknowledgements

Chapter I The Dream

Chapter II The Funeral

Chapter III Someone Is Watching

Chapter IV Interviews

Chapter V Chasing Pasts

Chapter VI Ashok

Chapter VII Reconcile

Chapter VIII Tantrik

Chapter IX Night Again

Chapter X The Hypnosis

Chapter XI The Party

Chapter XII The Revelation

Chapter XIII The Falling

Chapter XIV Epilogue

Chapter XV Ashok’s Journal

AUTHOR’S

INTRODUCTION

T he Wailing is the first novel by Kalim Ansari. He is a professor of Marketing Communications & Advertising. He has spent over a decade in the Advertising Industry, working for the biggest names in the business.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I am thankful to the selected few who read the draft and gave their valuable feedback. I am grateful to my sister, Fahima, for reading it and giving the necessary clinical terms to be used in the book. I am also greatly indebted to my friend Ms Mukhopadhyay, who read the manuscript multiple times and also proof read it for me.

And above all, I am thankful to my wife, Mariam, for her immense support in helping me complete this book. Without her, it would have remained a thought in my head.

CHAPTER I

THE DREAM

T here was only darkness. Neither a sky above nor a ground beneath, but absolute darkness. He kept walking. The only sound he could hear was his own br eath.

Far away, he saw a white speck of light. He started walking in that direction.

As he got closer, he started running towards it. The speck became clearer. He could make out that it was a person.

A person, a white shadow in the darkness. He struggled to reach it.

He knew her.

He wanted to touch her. He stretched out his hand to hold her but a distant sound was stopping him. It was growing louder. He turned back to look where the sound was coming from.

The ringing sound was constant. He was being pulled away from the shadow. The white shadow became more and more distant.

His eyes were constantly moving behind the closed eyelids. He was dreaming… something strange.

A restless sleep for Ajay. Although he was drained and high when he fell asleep, he had been twisting and turning in the bed. The comfort of the soft white bed was not enough.

The phone was ringing continuously. Ajay searched for it and disconnected the call. It rang again. Ajay turned around and kept the pillow on his ears so he may not hear the ringing.

He wanted to go back to his dream.

The phone rang again. Ajay tried to open his eyes. He clinched his eyes as the sunlight fell on his face. He searched for the phone on his bed with his hand, moving it around. He found it. With difficulty, he opened his eyes to see the caller. It was Vikram from the office. Ajay answered the call, What is it Vikram? It’s a Saturday. Ajay spoke in a coarse sleepy voice.

Sir, it’s urgent, said Vikram in a serious tone.

What is the urgency? asked Ajay.

There is a bad news, said Vikram.

Ajay strained his eyes so he could be attentive to the conversation.

Ajay asked, What happened?

There has been an accident, Sir, said Vikram slowly.

Accident? asked Ajay as he was surprised.

Yes sir. Anamika; she had an accident, informed Vikram.

What happened to her? Ajay asked impatiently.

She died, Vikram cautiously answered.

How… How did she die? She was at the party last night! blurted Ajay loudly.

Sir, on her way back, she lost control of her car and rammed it against a wall. The impact was fatal. She died on the spot, explained Vikram.

Ajay went silent.

Anamika was the creative director in his advertising agency. She was not only his employee but also a good friend. She was assisting him to grow the business.

For the last few years, they had been working together on a few big projects.

Their hard work had eventually paid off as they had acquired a big MNC as their client.

Thus an office party was organised the previous night to celebrate it.

In the party, Ajay had given a small speech and gave credit to Anamika for the new business.

Sir? Are you there? asked Vikram on the phone.

Ajay regained his composure and replied, Hmm… Yes. She did not drink at the party. Maybe the rains… He paused and then asked, How is her family doing?

Her family is at the hospital, answered Vikram, They wish to have the funeral in the evening.

Help them arrange for the funeral, said Ajay.

I had asked them, but they refused, responded Vikram.

Why? Why did they refuse? asked Ajay irritably.

They gave reasons… I mean… they did not need any help, said Vikram. He tried to avoid answering Ajay’s question.

Vikram… Will you please tell me what they said to you? asked Ajay sternly.

Yes… Her father said that she was their only child and this is the least they can do for her, said Vikram.

Let me know when and where the funeral is, said Ajay, I shall be attending it.

Are you sure sir? asked Vikram.

What do you mean? asked Ajay angrily, Of course I shall attend. Just get me the details. Thanks.

Ajay disconnected the call.

He sat down on the edge of his bed with his hands on his knees, staring at the floor.

She had been working closely with him and the time spent with each other had made them good friends. She was his confidante.

She was a beautiful woman with a creative mind. Her tall curvaceous body could turn heads in any party. She had doe eyes with long eye lashes and her perfect lips were always covered with bold lipstick.

Her beauty was admirable as much as her intelligence.

Ajay pressed his lips and pulled his hair without making a sound. He tried hard to control his emotions.

He stood up and looked into the mirror. He ran his fingers through his hair to straighten them and walked towards the terrace.

The wall next to the mirror was filled with photo frames of him and his wife, Maya. They were childhood friends.

Ajay and Maya’s parents were friends and when Maya’s parents died, while she was a teenager, Ajay’s family took her in. They loved her and so did Ajay.

Ajay never had to officially propose to her as it was a cinch that they would marry.

He knew Maya would be meditating on the terrace. She had been practicing yoga since they got married seven years back. She liked to wake up early and feel the morning sun. Their terrace faced east.

A glass door opened from their bedroom onto the terrace besides the other door through the living room.

A corner of the terrace was converted into a patio with a nice sitting area in mahogany wood with some recliners and nice bright cushions and also a carved centre table. In the centre of the terrace was a water body made of stone, which also served as a bird bath. It had some yellow daisies floating in it.

The terrace had a folding canopy which could be extended during the rains. The open end of the terrace was bordered with four feet high railing made of polished wood.

The corner at the other end was converted into a small nursery with colourful summer plants and creepers. It also has a layer of grass to make it complete.

The sunlight lit the terrace well and the flowers in the nursery were blooming.

Amidst the flowers, sat Maya, in the ‘sukhasana’ position, facing the sun.

She was a beautiful woman with long black hair. The sweat on her flawless skin was glistening in the sunlight and made her skin look radiant.

Ajay walked up to the nursery and removed his slippers, as he knew Maya would not approve if it.

Ajay wondered how he should disclose to Maya, the news of Anamika’s death. It was Maya who had hired Anamika to replace her as the Creative Head for their agency. She knew Anamika from her college days and trusted her for the job.

Ajay and Maya had started the Agency together and as the business grew, more time was needed in the office.

But the death of Ajay’s parents forced Maya to step down and take charge of their house. She turned into a home maker.

Maya chose her home over her office and business, and had decided to stay home and be available for Ajay.

He walked up to her and greeted her, Morning… Maya… I need to talk to you.

It’s a bad news, isn’t it? she asked without opening her eyes.

How do you know? asked Ajay as he frowned.

Why else would you wake up so early on a Saturday and want to talk to me? she snapped back.

Maya opened her eyes and stood up slowly.

Let us talk over breakfast, she said.

They walked out in to the living room. The dining table was positioned in the corner.

She asked as they seated themselves at the dining table, Yes. Tell me, what is it?

It is about Anamika, he said.

Maya turned to look at Ajay.

She had an accident on her way from the party… She died, informed Ajay.

Oh! That is bad. Now we shall have to look for another Creative Head, said Maya as she poured a cup of tea for Ajay.

For God’s sake Maya! She is dead and you are worried about filling up her position? Ajay said angrily.

Oh yeah! Now that she is gone, maybe now I shall get to see my husband more often, at least on weekends, she retorted.

Really? Is that what is bothering you? We won a business. The biggest business we could ever dream. Wasn’t that your dream too? Did you not want our business to reach here? said Ajay heatedly.

Our business… or your business, Maya snapped again.

Of course our business. We started it. The two of us, have you forgotten, reminded Ajay.

Look at me. I take care of this house. I practise yoga. I cook and I paint too. Where is the business in it? replied Maya animatedly.

But I never told you to quit or step down. You did it, yourself, said Ajay.

Yes. I did. Because I had no other option, she shouted back.

Please don’t say that Maya, he pleaded with folded hands and frustration on his face.

The exchange of heated arguments was over. A silence ensued. The breakfast remained untouched.

Ajay said softly, I don’t know what has gotten into you. Anyway, she is dead. Be relieved.

Maya realised her mistake. She put her head down and apologised, I’m sorry. I guess my timing was wrong.

Maya spoke further, She was very talented and that is why I had hired her. I knew she could help our business grow.

Yes. She did. Ajay agreed. His anger had subsided too. And he knew Maya couldn’t remain angry with anyone for long. And with him, she could never push her anger beyond a day.

Maya was looking out of the windows at the sky, she thought for a while and then she asked, How did the accident happen?

She lost control of her car and crashed into a wall. She died instantaneously, he replied.

"I hope God shall give