Ferede Village ” Home Stay” ( the Ghost story Part 5th) …

Ferede Village “Home Stay” ( the Ghost story – Part 5th ) …

(Recap – On my stroll downwards, I reached to an old Victorian bungalow. It was owned by some Britisher. He sent his servant to get me along with. There we got introduced and after some time he offered me some “home brew” ale. In conversation with him he began to narrate story how he got settled here.)

For a little while, English man kept on gazing afar on horses who grazed there. The intermittent neighing and snorting of horses produced a musical effect. I too remained silent seated there. In fact, story initiated by English man had arose a curiosity in me. I was eager to listen the full story. In between, the sound of engine of some heavy truck, laboring hard uphill reached to us. The throttle of engine of truck was not common. It gave an impression of old timed truck. I could definitely identify the throttle of the truck’s engine. This type of truck were rare in service now a days. But every thing could happen in our India.

                Ferede Village ” Home Stay” : The honking of truck

In this 21st century, here this type of means of transportation, in hill side might be expected. Then suddenly, the throttle of truck engine came to a halt. The truck gave a long piercing honk. Now I could ably identify this honking. In my childhood, I had heard such type of honking of trucks. These old timed trucks had had in the driver side’s window, such type of  thick rubber ballooned honker. These produced weird, piercing sound when when balloon got pressed by driver. This pressing made air passed through the barrel shaped wind instrument and a honk generated.

The same balloon honk again sounded and resonated in in the small valley. “Roop Lal” English man called out. Roop Lal appeared mutely. “Just take the list of items from Mam sahib inside. Get to the truck there and receive the consignment from the truck. Don’t forget to take some money too to pay the driver. Look! if some postal papers has to be received. Now be quick!” Roop Lal gave a nodding assent. Then English man released the next order, “Before you leave, another round of the drinks you make sure to be served, of the same “first jet.” Roop Lal again nodded, went inside and appeared with a mug in hand loaded with liquor. He refilled our glasses.

           Ferede Village ” Home Stay” : Defining the “First jet”

(Here I would like to explain about the “brew with first jet.” This fact I didn’t know till that time. Later on I collected information about this first jet. I was informed, when the process of decant begins, the first pour of liquor that comes out is an over proof ale. This is considered so hard and intoxicating in nature. In practice, often people take such home brew ale after mixing at least equal water to make it dilute and softly consumable. Only “hard drinkers” prefer the “first jet.”)

We both, it seemed to me had come under the sensational inebriation of the first round of liquor. It was obvious from the fact, the surrounding atmosphere had begun to produce more and more beauteous impression, at least upon me. The serenity of air heavily loaded with pure oxygen, I felt inside my nostrils. It was afternoon, sun rays were in more slanting mode. I was inebriated little more, no doubt. But I was in full possession of all my faculties. The idea of old timed truck was striking me again.

       Ferede Village ” Home Stay” : The idea of Truck  amazed me

Firstly, as I was aware of the fact, this type of horn were totally banned in India. The honk and then sending of servant with the list of items of goods. Again asking him to collect postal papers. But the spell of liquor too suggesting me, “might be some old timed truck in delivering the services in this hill side. It was not a wonder at all. The reason for supporting this argument too was there. Even in  National Capital region of our India, we are habitual to witness ultra modern vehicles on one side of road and Ox- ridden cart on the other side of the road. Everything was possible in our India.

The English man with the gesture of hand softly requested me , ” have your drink Gentle man. Tell me, whether you enjoyed the quality of drink or not.”

“It’s unique Sir! I responded under the sensation of liquor. Meanwhile a  thought flashed into my mind, ” what kind of host, this English man is? No snacks been served with drinks?” As if, English man read my mind, he spoke, “This home brew ale contains the support of dry fruits in the preparation, that is enough to suffice the snacks in calories production. But if you need something, I can ask my better half to serve some thing, she is inside.” This mind reading of the English me abashed me. “No… No… Sir! I said sheepishly.

            Ferede Village ” Home Stay” : Something roused my doubts

The another thing pinching me was, when I was there in the “Home Stay,” I intermittently heard the rumbles of wheezing past vehicles on the road. It was the day time and such sounds were expected. The only sound, I noticed was of that old timed truck here. As it’s the nature of the spell of the drinks, the man becomes desultory in thoughts and in conversation as well. The present and important topics gets slip off. Often it comes some times to the mind of the person that he was talking about something important or interesting. But finds unable to resume the topic. The same thing occurred with the English man.

In the spell of liquor spree he asked me. ” D’You recall, I was talking about some another topic in the beginning?” I responded eagerly, “Yes! I do recall Sir! You were talking about your Estate, your father and his  some friend.” He gave a small laugh and said, ” It often happens under the spell of the ale. But it’s good. Now I will narrate you about that and then about the Estate.” (The end of the part 5th.) Penned by — Vinay Pharasi …..