The Lingering Spirit of Grandma

A chilling story by Gunjita Das, Class 6, EPIC Public School, recounting mysterious and paranormal experiences following her grandma ‘s tragic death. Explore this gripping tale of love, loss, and lingering spirits.

It was the 13th of May in the year 1981. At that time we used to stay in a big hut made from tin and mud. That day like any other day my grandma woke up early in the morning. My Dad and Mom were still sleeping at that time. It was Grandma’s habit to take a warm shower every morning. So she wanted to boil some water but since it rained heavily the previous night, wooden pieces and branches were wet. Those days most of the households used wood burners unlike LPG these days. Wood burners are a kind of stove that uses wood instead of gas.

Let us come back to the story. So my grandma went out in search of dry branches to light the stove. Luckily she found some and as she returned she lit up the wood burner and started boiling the water. It was then she saw a ripe jackfruit lying on the ground. She picked it up and started to cut it, while she was cutting it, her back was facing the wood burner. Light breezes were flowing and somehow the loose end of the Saree went over the fire and started burning instantly. She did not realise until the fire started spreading all across and her entire body was on fire. She started screaming in pain.

Hearing her cries my dad rushed to check only to find Grandma covered in flames. He could not believe his eyes and tried his best to reduce the fire with a blanket, once done she was rushed to the hospital with the help of a few neighbours.

The doctor examined her and informed us that she suffered a 92% burn and they could not comment on her health condition before 72 hours. The only relief was the fact that they assured us that they would try their best. There was not much to do at the hospital everyone decided to return home.

Our family used to own a cloth factory during those times where we used to make and subsequently print t-shirts. We had two huts made one for tailoring and one for printing. My grandma had a room in the printing area. That day I was playing near that room when I heard my grandma, say, “I have kept two rasagullas and one kaju barfi over the cupboard, make sure you eat it”. I was too small to comprehend the fact that grandma was in the hospital, I assumed she might have returned, so I replied “Okay, grandma”.

When I returned home I could hear my parents discussing grandma’s deteriorating condition. I was shocked and immediately reacted, I said, “What! Are you joking? Grandma just asked me to have the sweets she has kept for me”.

Hearing this they did not believe me, they immediately went to check for themselves, and to their surprise they did find two rasgullas and one kaju barfee, but both were rotten and could not be consumed. I was not allowed to eat them and went back to my playing.

A few days later we received the sad news that grandma was no more with us. We could not complete the cremation that day as there was a strike that day across the town. The next day when we went to bring her body from the hospital, Grandma was packed in layers and the smell that came out was simply horrifying. Then finally the cremation was completed.

The next day, we consulted a priest for the last right ritual who advised us not to keep Grandma’s room empty till the rituals were completed. Tintin slept in the room that night. Everything was normal but around 1 AM the window which was perfectly fine all this while suddenly fell straight over Tintin’s back. She screamed and came out of that room instantly. Later, she narrated the incident in the morning to the rest of us. 

The following day my father decided to sleep in that room. Again nothing seemed to be paranormal but then around 2:30 AM, the tube light in that room broke open from the middle and fell down. My father distinctly heard someone whisper “Sleep aside, sleep aside. I am having a problem to move.” He kept his eyes closed and waited till morning.

These two incidents were alarming enough for us to consult the priest the next day. After listening to the entire incident he advised us to place a picture of a deity in that room. But the strange happenings continued. 

Later, that day, when my mother had finished her shower, she tried to open the door of the bathroom, but suddenly she observed that the air turned thick and the total environment changed, it was then she could hear someone say “You did not cook my favourite food, you told you will surely make it within a day or two”. After that, the environment was completely normal and fine. 

The following day my exams were scheduled. My mother hired a rickshaw from our neighbourhood and we started for my school. While going down a slope I felt someone pushed me and I fell on the road. Then the driver and my mom quickly took me to the hospital and got some first aid.

This way such small incidents continued, and then just the day before grandma’s last right ritual, my mom was transferring some boiling water, suddenly she felt that someone intentionally pushed her left hand and the boiling water fell on her right hand burning it pretty bad. 

The very next day, Grandma’s last right ritual had started and the priest was performing the poojas. He had advised that everybody should be inside the hut. But I was unaware of this and went out to play. I had just crossed the Marigold plant in the courtyard and know not why I fell down on the ground and lost my senses.

Meanwhile, the priest was trying to pour water on the flowers, but he could not move his hands. Realising something he asked my mother to check if anybody was still outside the hut. As soon as she came out of the house she found me lying on the ground completely senseless. She rushed inside and came with my father who tried to lift me, but to his surprise, I was much heavier than my usual weight.

After a lot of effort, they took me to the priest and started asking questions to me. Then, everybody came to know that the soul of my grandma entered my body. After an hour she left us completely and we started living a safe and sound life.