Precognition

16 January, 1953

Maya and Ram had finally found a better home unit. Their new neighbour, Mr. Gokhale who was Ram's colleague helped them move in. Infact, he was the one who suggested this place.

It was almost like a huge courtyard surrounded by 7 houses where different families lived. The people over there were warm and friendly. After a small gathering in courtyard, Mr. Gokhale along with Guruji, another senior member of society told Ram that it is prohibited to open the door of the house past midnight. If at all a person does it, he/she will might face bitter consequences.

Ram and Maya had a conversation about the same. He thought that the people were fooling them into something. Maya warned Ram to not even think of doing anything which isn't permitted. He couldn't control her excitement and decided to do it anyway. He made sure that Maya was asleep and quietly went to open the door. He looked outside and far in the courtyard, he saw a reflection of a man hanged on the tree and a woman lying on the ground near the tree, crying for help. He went near the tree to see what happened but saw no one.

Ram narrated this incident to Maya and Mr. Gokhale. Both were extremely disappointed by this behaviour and made him promise that he won't do it again. Later mid night, Ram heard a knock on the door. He looked at Maya, she was fast asleep. Ram slowly opened the door and was shocked to see the shadow of the same man holding a woman in his arms at his door step. Ram was petrified. He just stared for a second and slammed the door.

He struggled to tell Maya about last night the whole (next)day. More scared than ever, Ram put himself to sleep before the clock ticked 12. He heard the knock this time too, but he chose not to respond. Shockingly this time, Maya woke up and walked towards the door. Ram held her hand tight and while hustling to stop her, he pushed her on a side. Her head hit the glass table and she got sevearly injured. Ram held her in his arms and got out of the house while she was bleeding heavily. He knocked the doors of all houses surrounding courtyard but no one came to rescue because of the society rules.
Ram blamed himself for this condition of his wife. He didn't want to see her die,so he kept her on the ground near the tree and hanged himself.