Inverted Thoughts

Staring at the goddess idol with fiery eyes, the girl said, “I will not leave this place until I get justice.”

The people surrounding her were shocked and frightened.

As she finished talking and was silent, it started to pour, as though the sky had suddenly opened up to share her sorrow. As the sun began to drop and she began to get soaked by the rain, she vowed not to move from her position.

A few years after the incident,

“Lakshmi, where are you? It’s almost nine o’clock,” her anxious father inquired.

“I’m almost here. Since there are no cars or taxis and it is raining, I am walking home. I’ll be there in ten minutes, so don’t worry,” Lakshmi remarked.

She was wearing a dupatta over her head as she walked home in the pouring rain, but it was hardly noticeable. She cried out in a harsh voice as a truck nearly struck her as she got closer to home.

Knock…Knock…

Lakshmi was lying near the entrance, unconscious, when her father opened the door. He quickly gathered her in his arms and attempted to wake her. He glanced around as she gradually regained consciousness and noticed a shadow slowly fading into the night in the exact location of the incident. He prayed to the goddess while slowly joining his palms, causing shivers to run through his body.

“Thank you,” he sighed.

“She appeared again?” the Panchayat president inquired as a crowd gathered at the office the following day.

Everyone said, “Yes,” in unison.

“We know that she only protects us when our people in the village are in danger; she has never hurt anyone, yet we are afraid of her for some reason,” He said, “It’s also time for her soul to rest in peace.”

“What are we going to do? You know what she wants!” a villager said.

Everyone fell silent. Nobody knew the solution.

At last, the president said, “Let’s speak with the temple priest; he might have an answer.”

Everyone walked over to the temple. The priest was conducting the morning aarti at a simple temple dedicated to the goddess Durga, which was situated beneath a peepal tree.

“I understand why everyone is here. The moment is drawing near, and everything will work itself out. Be patient for a few more days.” said the priest distributing the prasad.

After hearing the priest’s words, people felt rested and went back to their houses.

As days went on…

The village president was looking through the Aadhaar card when he questioned, “You are Shyam?”

“Yes, sir!” said Shyam.

“Sorry, I can’t understand what’s written on your ID card so I asked for your Aadhaar for confirmation.” With a modest smile, he returned his Aadhaar card and said, “Your chief editor called and told me that you will be coming today. This is just a small village, what exactly are you looking for?”

“I’ve heard that strange occurrences are happening in this village,” Shyam inquired.

The president’s smile gradually disappeared.

Shyam questioned directly, “Who is Maya?”

“The last time I heard the name was a few years ago. You work as a journalist, right? You don’t know her?” Slipping back into the past, the president’s face went white.