by Tarun Bandarupalle
Long ago there lived a family named “Royals” in a small town Shoyo which is far from the city. The family is from a very unorthodox and middle-class background. In the first week of September 2003, a baby girl was born in that family. They named the baby girl Rashmi. Her parents Bunny and Mona are very happy and feels like a blessing from God. Even though they are in the 20th century the people in the town follow the old tradition, culture and rituals. Before her birth town is not in good shape and facing lots of trouble and issues. With her birth, things changed to positive which gave them hope. From that day everyone considered her as a lucky charm. Till the age of 11, she has been the lucky charm for everyone. Whoever used to meet her or talk with her earned huge money or achieved more success. Rashmi used to feel like a princess where people are always around her.
It is March 1, 2014, Rashmi went to the city for a year due to some financial crisis. The moment she left her town everything falling apart. The major loss is that the school demolished, because of a fire accident. By luck, the incident took place at night time as every child is safe. Their careers fell into jeopardy as the only school demolished. Their parents cannot afford to send them to private schools. In that same town, an old woman who stays near the school has blamed Rashmi. She spread rumours about her for a series of events happening in the town from past months. People in the town believed her without any enquiry or information. This is because of the unconventional way of thinking and trusting people.
One fine evening, people attacked the Rashmi family in a brutal way. Her father died in that attack. Her mother is kicked out of the town in the most humiliating fashion. Mona did not have the courage to fight back for justice. As a result, she committed suicide at the entry of town. Before her death, she made a doll and hidden somewhere at the entry point. The next day Rashmi travelled back to her hometown. She became unconscious from the moment she stepped into the town as her mother body is hanging. She somehow managed to hide in the town for months. One evening she came out to buy some groceries. That is the first time people saw her. She thought everything is normal as everyone is busy in their lives. People attacked her by throwing stones, eggs and so on. She managed to escape from the place and went back to the secret place.
On her way to that place, she found a doll lying on the ground. She took a close look before picking up as the doll is indicating something. Without any hesitation, she picked up the doll and rushed to hide. The attack by her own people is disheartening. She becomes upset and sad thinking about how people change from time to time. Her best friend Rani tried decided to talk and stand with her despite knowing the consequences ahead. Due to the pressure and blackmail on her and their family by the rest of the people in town, they stopped her. She felt sad as she is the only hope Rashmi has at that time. At this point, the doll is everything to her as something magic is present in the doll. She felt the doll name was Bunny as the doll vibes are the same as the mother vibes. The very next moment she decided to take revenge on people who are responsible for the situation. To also prove that she is not accountable for any damage. The first step she did is going back to her home and let people know she is not hiding anymore.
People in town criticized, insulted her for her crazy behaviour with the doll. She talks with the doll as it reminds her that she is not alone. She never took it to the heart because she treats them as family members. An old woman in the village panicked after hearing that Rashmi is back in town. She panicked, even more, when she came to know that she had a doll and her behaviour with the doll. The old lady knows that her life is in danger because the doll is powerful. She also knew that her mother left the doll. The old woman tried too hard to explain about the doll. She also pleaded with people to give protection day and night. People laughed at the old woman saying that nothing is going to happen. They had a long discussion to consider it as serious or not. The panchayat of the town Karna said: “two people will be at your place for security 24/7.”
It is around 3:30 a.m. the same night where The old lady and two security guards killed by doll and Rashmi. Rashmi performed black magic on the doll by piercing with needles and some tricks. Before piercing the doll she took the names out thrice and the body part to attack. She took the old lady name first and pierced on legs, hands and heart of the doll. The next second The old lady died because of a heart attack. Then she took both names at a time and pierced on eyes, the tongue of the doll. Both security guards became blind and dumb. Later she broke the doll hands. Both hands of guards also damaged. Rashmi then decided to let them live as she needs someone to say what happened last night. She used only one doll to perform this activity. The doll became normal the next morning. Few others are killed in the same fashion.
The next day when the panchayat and others in town came to know about the incident all are in shock. They went to the temple to talk with the priest about the mystery. A priest from an ancient temple in the village is known for his mantras. The same talent revealed what happened last night. He then decided to perform a pooja at the riverside on the night of Purnima. He also told them to seize Rashmi place. The most important thing is that we need to separate the doll and her before pooja. Karna replied to him saying I will make it happen and everything will go according to your plan. All left the temple and went back to Karna’s house to plan.
They came up with a plan to send Rashmi to a mental hospital for treatment. For successful execution, they used her friend Rani to enact in a way that melts Rashmi heart. Rashmi is an emotional fool who made their plan to execute with ease. Rani reached her home around 12:30 p.m. She cried out like anything to convey her concern for Rashmi. Rani used her mother sentiment as a weapon to convince her for treatment. In the beginning, Rashmi didn’t believe her words but in the end, she agreed to visit the hospital for treatment. They came outside and saw an ambulance waiting outside. Rashmi left for the hospital for treatment.
Rani snatched the doll from her friend at the last moment. She went back and gave the doll to the panchayat. He called the priest to give the good news.
All arrangements are ready for pooja. The Purnima night arrived where everyone gathered to do pooja. The priest started reading the mantras and sprinkled turmeric power on the doll. A few seconds later the doll started behaving weirdly as sounds came out. The priest continued the pooja for three long times. At one point the doll exploded. From the doll, a spirit appeared which is of Rashmi mother. Seeing that everyone is in shock as she is still alive. The priest controlled the spirit with his powers and sealed it in the bottle. The bottle was thrown in the river. The priest performed the last rites. The next second Rashmi expired as her life depends on the lifetime of that doll. Listening to her demise everyone in that town is confused and sad. Then the priest told everyone the reality. The reality is her horoscope is in this manner. No one can change except the spirit in this bottle.
If anyone in the world opens the bottle the spirit revives. Then no one can stop her because the doll is everything to her. We are the reason for this as we treated her and their family in such a fashion. Once she is reborn no one is spared. This is the right time for us to think modern and have a better life.
In this universe, everything has feelings and soul. It depends on the individual how we treat. Rashmi treated the doll as her mother which is precious. Live for yourself rather than others. Let’s pray the bottle will open once in future so that Rashmi gets what she deserves. That’s the greatness of their relationship. Give importance and respect to relationships. Never judge anyone irrespective of anything. Live happily and let others live happily.
About the Author:
Tarun Bandarupalle from Hyderabad is a passionate writer and music lover. A blogger who constantly helps in creating awareness among the public regarding various topics. A die-hard fan of MSD who loves to meet him one day. An aspiring writer who loves to learn day in and day out for constant growth. Friends and Family are two diamonds in his life. Believe in the concept of “Be the change rather than preaching others about the change in society.”