A Midnight Call

That night I was returning alone from a long distance 'Call' almost outside the city. It is very cold this year, it was very cold as the night was long. Even though I was wearing thick warm clothes, the cold air seemed to penetrate my ribs. I was coming in my old motor. I have been driving this motor alone for ten years now. But now it seemed that it would have been better to have a driver with me. There is nothing more painful than enduring the gusts of cold while holding the steering wheel in this bitter winter. Our city is very popular. It is spread far and wide, harboring several major roads. But did not clot. Sometimes there is nothing but a lonely road from one end to the other.

The road through which I was coming was also very deserted. Sometimes Hartuki or Mahua trees can be seen on both edges of the road. And on the other side of the road, there is only an empty uneven field. It is because there is no house in it. Who will make a home in this lonely place.

However, all this was not visible in the dark. The flashing lights of my car showed only a glimpse of the road ahead. It seemed as if the sea of darkness was somehow cut by the light of my engine.

Even though I suffered due to the cold, I felt very relaxed. My car is old but strong. He does not act rudely. Reached home within half an hour.

There was no doubt that I would be able to sleep comfortably in the warm blanket. My motorbike revs up the silence of the dark road. Covering myself as much as possible, I sit inside, abandoning all thoughts, thinking only of the comfort of my warm bed.

No one is as subjugated as doctors. However, it seemed that once I reached home, no one would be able to get me out of my home for money except at the risk of my life. Now it is necessary to spend twenty or twenty five minutes somehow.

But suddenly the happy dream was broken by an unexpected incident. My perfectly healthy motor started making a strange metallic screeching noise. I could not find any reason for the motor to behave like this. This afternoon the car was serviced well . There was no sign of problems in it then. What is the reason for such a sudden outburst?

I was really scared by the wildness of the motor in the middle of this dark and deserted road on this great winter night. There are still about seven or eight miles to go. What to do if the motor is really stopped in the middle of the road? This time I was angry with myself for the stupidity of not bringing people with me this night. Having a person with me would have helped a lot in times of danger.

I saw that the motor's moaning grew louder, and I realized that the speed of the motor was also slowing down. Even after applying all the knowledge of motoring, I could not solve anything.

My motor suddenly stopped at a place in the middle of the road. And it had no sign of moving. I tried my best to fix it. But it did not give any response other than a little bitterly groan at my suffering.

My whole body was really convulsed with fear and anxiety. I can't imagine leaving the motor and walking seven or eight miles of uninhabited roads in the midst of this bitter winter. It is impossible to spend the whole night in this field. What to do now?

"Dr. Babu"

Suddenly my heart seemed to jump into my chest. Who called at such a time in this desolate place?

Again I heard, "Dr. Babu."

I could see this by casting a sharp glance in the darkness. A tall slender figure is dimly seen beside a gnarled tree by the wayside. I did not understand how he suddenly appeared in such a place, but I replied, "Who? Who are you?” A little bit of hope appeared in my mind. As surprising as his appearance is, he might come in handy.

The man said from that place, "You don't know me.

I do not have the urge to know either. I just need someone to help me. When I was about to tell him the same thing, the man said again, "You have to come, doctor. One's seriously ill!”

At such a time I was surprised as well as irritated by this request. At this time, the patient was ready for me in this place on the road!

As if the person saw my heart and said, "This is God's mercy. Doctor! I never dreamed of meeting you here at such a time, but what a danger it would have been if not."

Talking too much was not good then. A little annoyed, I said, "Where is your patient?"

The man now silently raised his hand in the darkness and directed. I looked in that direction and saw the light of a house really far away.

A house like this is rare in such a secluded wilderness. Suddenly going to such a place at such a time is a bit dangerous. But I don't have any enemies and I have very little money with me!

After thinking for a while, I asked, "What is the disease?"

He said, "I don't know, Doctor, but the condition is very serious. If you don't go quickly, you probably won't be able to save the patient. Please, let's go, doctor."

Where to handle my own danger, or suddenly have to go to the middle of the road in the middle of the night for the next treatment.. However, doctors cannot remain silent when listening to the problems of human life and death. I was forced to say let's go.

A narrow path across the field. Can't see well in the dark. So I followed the person and walked for five minutes and came to the yard of a house. Light is visible from the door of a house in front. Pointing in that direction, the man said, "The sick man is in that room, you go, I am coming soon!"

In the dark, I could tell that the house was not very rich looking.

Small four or five houses and a little fenced yard. The houses are also not all paved, but on both sides there are sheds. I went to the front room as the man said. The room is not very big in size, there is very little room to move around as there are boxes of different sizes on it. A window facing the door.

A kerosene lantern flickers by the window. In that light, it was vaguely seen that a very emaciated gentleman was lying on a stool to the left of the door.

As soon as I entered the room, he said in a low voice, "Doctor Babu has arrived. I will never forget your kindness, please, sit down.”

As I approached the bed, I could feel a chill run down my spine. The patient was almost unrecognizable, their skin as pale as death, their eyes sunken and feverish. But what frightened me the most was the strange symbol carved into their forehead, one that I had never seen before.

Suddenly, the room was filled with a cacophony of sound - a chorus of guttural growls and whispers, as if something was moving in the shadows. I turned to face the door, but it was blocked by a hulking figure, its eyes glowing with malevolent energy. As it moved closer, I realized that it was not human - its skin was as black as pitch, its hands twisted and clawed.

I tried to run, but my legs wouldn't move. I was frozen with terror, my mind racing with the realization that I was trapped, surrounded by a malevolent force that I couldn't understand.

As the creature reached for me, I felt a sudden jolt of pain and terror, and then everything went black.

When I woke up, I was lying on the side of the deserted road, my clothes ripped and my body bruised. My motorbike was nowhere to be seen, and the only sound was the distant howling of wolves.

I stumbled to my feet and tried to call for help, but my voice was weak and hoarse. As I limped along the road, I realized that I was not alone. Something was following me, its cold breath on my neck, its hands reaching out to grab me.

I ran, my heart pounding with fear, my mind racing with images of horror and death. But no matter how fast I ran, the creature was always there, its claws scratching at my back, its teeth gnashing in my ear.

Finally, I collapsed, exhausted and broken. As the creature loomed over me, I realized that I was going to die here, alone and forgotten, in the cold darkness of the night.

And then everything went silent.