This is the part 2 of the series The Lingering Spirit of Grandma by Gunjita Das of Class 7, Epic Public School where Pupai searches for the truth behind her grandmother Amalika Bannerjee’s death, only to uncover chilling secrets.

Last time, I told you that Grandma had left us forever in the first part of this series ‘The Lingering Spirit of Grandma‘ . But that never happened.

In this part, you will find out the identity of Grandma, and whether her death was truly an accident or a pre-planned incident.
Let’s briefly recall what happened earlier:

Grandma burned in a fire caused by the wood-burner. Paranormal activities followed her death. Finally, she left us—or maybe she didn’t.

Let us now continue with Part 2:

Years have passed. Unlike other days, today I was missing Grandma terribly. Everything around me reminded me of her. Her name was Amalika Bannerjee.

To distract myself, I thought of going out to play with my friends. Just then, Tutul, Mitil, and Khir arrived. We went out to play near a village close to ours, called Jhapsa—a mysterious place, where very few families used to stay.

We decided to play pass the ball. While playing, the ball rolled into Jhapsa village. Mitil and I went to find it, but we couldn’t find it anywhere. We went deeper into the village, searching everywhere, but still had no luck.

We were about to turn back when an old voice called out,
“Is this what you’re looking for?”

We turned around—and what we saw left us frozen in fear.

We ran for our lives back to our village.

Khir and Tutul were shocked and asked what had happened. We told them everything. It was none other than… my loving Grandma.

It was already five in the evening when we got home. A thought struck me—
“I shouldn’t have run away. I should have found out whether she was really dead… or possibly alive.”

Just then, Mom called me for dinner. She had made jackfruit curry—one of Grandma Amalika’s favourites.

I drifted into my thoughts, but before I could go any deeper, Mom asked me,
“What happened? Eat your food—it’s getting cold.”

I quickly finished dinner. As Mom, Dad, and I were getting ready for bed, a strong storm started, accompanied by loud thunder.

Dad quickly shut all the doors and windows. Suddenly, the electricity went out. Mom lit a lantern.

Out of nowhere, I heard Grandma’s voice.

I screamed.

Mom rushed to comfort me. I was terrified. She gently patted my head until I drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, I had breakfast and decided to find the truth. I went back to the Jhapsa village alone.

Deeper into the village, I found some huts—and from one of them, Grandma came out. But I couldn’t believe it. I saw her body myself—wrapped in layers of plastic… How could she be alive?

“Grandma! Grandma Amalika!” I called.

She looked at me and said,
“Oh child, you must be lost. I’m not your grandma.”

I said, “No, you are my Grandma! Don’t you remember me? I’m Pupai.”

She paused.
“I think I know you… Yes! You are my Pupai! I missed you, dear. I love you. How are you?”
She hugged me tightly, crying. I hugged her back and promised to bring her home.

But every time we tried to return, we couldn’t find the way back. Days turned into weeks, weeks into months. I still couldn’t figure out how to bring her home.

A few months had passed. One day, I decided to try again.

I went to tell Mom that I am going out, but she stopped me.
“No, there’ll be a thunderstorm today. What if you can’t make it back?”

But I had to meet Grandma. If not today, then never.
“Mom, I’ll be back in an hour or two! Bye!”

Before she could stop me, I was gone.

Mom came outside but saw I had already left. She thought to herself,
“She’s usually so obedient. Something’s odd. She’s been acting strange … Something’s fishy.”

Meanwhile, I reached Jhapsa. As I approached Grandma’s hut, a woman came up to me and asked,
“Hey kid, did you come to visit the lady who lives here?”

“Yes, where is she?” I asked eagerly.

She replied,
“Last night, she told us she’d be going to her real home soon—her grandchild was helping her return. But today when I came with flowers she had asked for, she was gone. Are you her grandchild, Pupai?”

“Yes… I am Pupai.”

I turned and walked away. Just then, dark clouds gathered. A powerful storm broke out. I was soaked and devastated, wondering where Grandma had gone.

Somehow, I made it home. Mom was waiting at the gate.
“Where were you? You’re drenched! Didn’t I warn you? Are you hiding something?”

“If I am, please don’t be angry. Let me change first. It’s cold. I’ll tell you everything.”

I changed and curled under a warm blanket. Dad was already asleep. But Mom sat beside me, waiting to hear the truth.

I told her everything. She didn’t believe me—how could she? I had no proof.

Later that night, we were standing by the gate when suddenly we saw Grandma.

Without thinking, I shouted,
“Grandma! Here! This is your home!”

But Mom grabbed my hand and pulled me back.
“What are you doing?! What if she’s not your Grandma? Do you even know her name?”

“Yes, Mom! I spoke to her!”
“Enough! She’s nobody to you.”

I looked back. Grandma was standing sadly by the gate. I had failed again.

The next day, I took it upon myself to bring her home once and for all.

I went back to Jhapsa. There she was—sitting silently on the veranda, crying. I hugged her and brought her home.

When we entered, even Mom couldn’t hold back her tears. She hugged Grandma tightly.

Later, she informed the authorities.

Several months had passed since the fire incident. One day, Officer Ayaan arrived at our home, asking for my father, Dipanshu Bannerjee.

Dad rushed forward, hopeful.
“Sir, do you know anything?”

“As a matter of fact, yes.” He paused.
“The woman who died in the fire was not your mother, but Late Maya Maitra.”

“Maya Maitra?! She was my aunt!” Dad exclaimed in shock.

The officer continued,
“She was murdered by Kitartha Sinha. He had planned to kill your mother, respected Amalika Bannerjee. They tried many times to erase her memory—but failed.”

Dad stammered,
“Ki–Kitartha Sinha… He’ll destroy everything… us…”
Then, he collapsed.