Nayan was not sure about the destination her husband, Dinesh, had in mind for their first anniversary.
“It’s my hometown,” his voice sounded nostalgic. “I adore the breathtaking scenery and lush greenery. We used to come here during my school breaks. My Aaji lived here with Arjun Kaka, my father’s brother. But one summer, when I was in 12th grade, Kaka disappeared. The villagers and police searched high and low, but there were no leads. My father decided it was best to take Aaji away, and we haven’t been back since. My father eventually sold the house and all the land our family owned in the village.”
“Does your father know we’re here today?” Nayan was taken aback when Dinesh shook his head.
“He wouldn’t approve of this visit, which is why I wanted to keep it a secret. It’s been almost eleven years since I was last here.”
As Nayan held Dinesh’s hand and took in the stunning vistas of the peaceful village, the crystal-clear river beckoned, and the trees glowed in a mesmerizing shade of green
Dinesh chatted with several villagers; some recognized him, others didn’t. A man in his late fifties, twisting his moustache, delivered a chilling comment.
“Your Baba disappeared with your grandmother soon after your Kaka went missing. Why would he take a woman living a peaceful life here to the city?” He shook his head in disapproval.
Dinesh chose silence, grappling with the painful thought of how his Aaji would have survived here alone.
As twilight fell and the village was shrouded in darkness, Dinesh and Nayan settled beneath a massive banyan tree. He reminisced about his childhood days spent playing with friends under the tree. They were so absorbed in their conversation that they lost track of time, unaware that the once-familiar surroundings had transformed into a pitch-black canvas under the new moon, with everyone else having returned home.
“Let’s head to the room,” Dinesh suggested, trying to activate the flashlight on his phone, but to his dismay, it refused to light up. He asked Nayan to turn on her flashlight, only for her device to disappoint him as well. Just then, a voice that was undoubtedly Arjun Kaka’s, pierced the silence, causing him to freeze.
“You’ve finally come. I have been longing for family to visit this banyan tree,” it said in a ghostly tone that sent chills down Dinesh’s spine. Shocked, Nayan stood frozen beside him.
“Your father murdered me right here on that Amavasya night,” the voice continued. “He wanted to claim all the wealth and farmland that should have been divided between us, and he buried me under where you stand now.”
Dinesh shifted uncomfortably, disbelief swirling within him. A part of him couldn’t accept that his father would commit such a heinous act for greed. The luxury he now enjoyed felt like a heavy weight on his conscience. He glanced at Nayan, then spoke to the disembodied voice. “Kaka, I promise I will make sure you get justice.”