Unearthing The Forgotten Legacy.

Rajasthan is the largest Indian state in land area and the seventh most populous. On the northwestern part of India, it encompasses most of the vast and inhospitable Thar Desert (also called the Great Indian Desert). 

As the vibrant Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan, awakened to the golden rays of the morning sun, Amit Jamwal, a young and affluent businessman, found himself yearning for an adventure beyond the confines of his luxurious lifestyle. Restless and eager to explore, he heard whispers of an ancient village nestled amidst the mystical hills of Rajasthan.

He was told that the name of the village was inspired by the moonlit landscapes of Rajasthan, "Chandravati", blends the word "Chandra" (meaning moon) with "Vati" (meaning village). It conjures images of a serene, timeless town bathed in the soft glow of moonlight.

Determined to unravel the secrets of this forgotten place, he embarked on a transformative journey.

As the sunlight blazed relentlessly overhead, casting its fiery glow upon the ancient village roads of Rajasthan, Amit Jamwal found himself navigating through a stark and desolate landscape. The road, worn down by time and the ferocious desert winds, stretched forever, its dusty surface bearing witness to the footsteps of long-gone generations.

Amit needed to have a rest stop, use nature's cover to ease himself and stretch his legs. The sun was going down, and he would've been miles ahead of where he was if it hadn't been for the delay. One tire puncture was easier to deal with than two. The roads were in terrible condition, with potholes all the way. To say he was peeved was an understatement.

Amit Jamwal decided that the next town would be where he laid his head for the night. Especially with that creeping tiredness touching his eyes, which drooped a few times, intending to close. He fought against it as best he could. These old village roads in Rajasthan, with their deserts stretching on both sides and meagre greenery clinging to survival, bore witness to the ebb and flow of life in this harsh land. They embodied the resilience of its people, the stories of their ancestors, and the echoes of a time when survival was a constant battle against nature's formidable forces.

To either side of the road, the barrenness of the desert unveiled itself in all its arid magnificence. The golden sands, shifting and sculpted by the ever-present gusts, stretched as far as the eye could see. The dunes rose and fell in gentle undulations, forming a mesmerising pattern that appeared chaotic and harmonious. A sense of isolation and solitude hung heavy in the air as if the desert guarded its secrets with unwavering determination.

The sun cast long shadows that danced and flickered across the road, creating an ethereal play of light and darkness. And suddenly, it was dark. The air, dry and tinged with the scent of desert minerals, carried a whisper of mystery. It seemed to hold the tales of forgotten caravans, nomadic tribes, and ancient legends lost to time.

A large moon shone like a massive spotlight, illuminating a barren landscape with its undulations as far as his eyes could see. The foot-tapping music continued to blare out of his music system, and his fingers tapped the beat on the steering wheel. Glancing at his GPS, he couldn't see any town or a village for miles. He imagined if there was one, it'd be like the many he had already passed: tiny mud houses with small shops on both sides of the highway and a hotel, a greasy eatery for truckers and a petrol pump. 

Amit Jamwal must have been driving a couple of miles down the road in darkness when lighted torches with lighted flames suddenly appeared a little distance away from him. He had learned from experience never to stop on lonely dark roads. Amit saw six to seven burly men holding long sticks with  cloth attached to the burning end. He continued to drive without stopping and moved past them.

He could see the bright flames of the torches following him. He kept on at a reasonable pace, not speeding, hoping to reach the village Chandravati quickly. He was just on the outskirts of the town when the men sped up, overtook him, and stopped just in front, blocking his way. He screeched to a halt, wondering how they got there so fast.

He waited for the men holding the torches to approach him, but none did. Five minutes elapsed. He wondered what they were waiting for, maybe trying to make him sweat and run away, abandoning his car. Finally, he watched two men approach him.

They confidently walked over, one man tall and thin and the other short and fat. They halted about a meter from his front windows; the taller one stood back and shouted, "Who are you? Let's see your face."

He lowered the dark-tinted window. The fat one worked his way to the passenger side, brilliant light brightening his interior.

"Where are you headed?" the fat man barked gruffly.

"None of your business," he replied. 

"Answer my question," the fat one repeated." I do the asking here."

He said nothing. His window was still open, and he glanced at the rear mirrors. No other vehicle. Nothing but a vast expanse of empty land and a village away in the distance. He was alone and isolated. But he was not scared. "Get out, NOW!" the fat man barked.

"What's your name? Where are you from?"  

Amit did not answer

"You heard me?" the fat man repeated aggressively.

Then, it happened suddenly, whatever it was. Amit noticed a subtle tremor in his rear mirror, distant and almost imperceptible. The allegorical presence surged forth, its intensity snowballing. It was an ethereal entity, an ever-shifting embodiment of cosmic energy. Its kaleidoscope of shades evoked the resplendence of a vibrant tapestry reminiscent of the brilliant spectacle of the Indian festival 'Diwali' fireworks illuminating the heavens. As the sphere expanded, Amit found himself transfixed by its mesmerising allure.

The fat man caught sight of it first and turned his gaze, his visage contorting in sheer terror. His lips moved soundlessly, a silent expression of bewilderment. The luminous orb swiftly engulfed the rear mirror, and the other man, catching a glimpse from his peripheral vision, recoiled instinctively, crouching down on the ground. Desperate to secure his survival, he sought refuge in the earth's embrace.

In an instant, both men erupted into frenzied shouts, their voices laden with panic. A radiant white brilliance enveloped Amit, rendering him temporarily blinded. He huddled low, shielding his head with his arms, squeezing his eyes shut. Behind closed lids, he witnessed the hues morphing and intertwining in a captivating dance of colours. Then, a deafening whoosh reverberated through the air, followed by an eerie stillness that slowly yielded to the faint presence of nocturnal creatures.

Tentatively, Amit raised his head.

The men had vanished, their presence erased as if they were mere figments of imagination. The space they once occupied stood vacant, devoid of their existence. The enigmatic light had dissipated, leaving the night as moist and oppressive as before. Beads of perspiration dotted Amit's brow, his body drenched in sweat.

Hastily, he alighted and examined the area where the men stood. The moon acted as his flashlight. Nothing. No bones. No blood. He checked the car. Nothing. No debris. No remnants of a vehicle. It was unexplainable, and he hated mystery. He jumped into his car, started the ignition, and squealed away, uncertain of what he had just experienced, wishing to be anywhere else on that dark road. He reached the village, Chandravati, in less than thirty minutes. He was bathed in perspiration, and he couldn't stop shuddering.

 The village was different from what he had expected. There were far more houses and many more stores. But there was also something strange. No other vehicle was on the road. No truck, car, bike, or bicycle. The road was empty, as can be..

Amit cautiously stepped into the eerie village, his senses heightened by the palpable air of mystery surrounding him. The dilapidated mud houses and overgrown vegetation whispered secrets of a forgotten past.  As hunger gnawed at his stomach, he stumbled upon a ramshackle eatery, seemingly the only place offering respite in this desolate realm.

Pushing open the creaky door, Amit found himself in a dimly lit room, its atmosphere heavy with a mixture of aged wood and musty air. The flickering candlelight cast uncanny shadows on the walls, revealing that this once-thriving establishment had fallen victim to decay. The sound of his footsteps echoed ominously, amplifying his growing unease.

A figure emerged from the shadows at the far end of the room. The big man possessed a hulking physique adorned with a thick, unkempt moustache that seemed to have a life of its own. A turban encircled his head, adding to his intimidating presence. His eyes, obscured by the shadows, glimmered with a sinister gleam.

Amit hesitated but approached the counter, his voice quivering, "Um, excuse me, Bhai ( brother). I'm famished and was wondering if you have anything to eat."

The big man's lips curled into a sly grin, revealing a row of yellowed, decaying teeth. His voice rumbled through the stale air, filled with an otherworldly aura, "Ah, a hungry traveller, are you? Step right up, my friend. We have just the delicacies to satisfy your cravings."

Curiosity mixed with trepidation, Amit followed the big man's lead, and sat at a rickety table. The eatery seemed devoid of any other patrons, amplifying the feeling of isolation and unease.

A strange sensation washed over him as Amit bit into the food served. The flavours were indescribable, a mix of sweet and sour, with an underlying hint of something unsettling. Each bite seemed to weigh heavily on his conscience, fueling a growing sense of dread within him.

The hours ticked by, and the night fell upon the village like a suffocating blanket. With nowhere else to go, Amit, now filled with curiosity and fear, decided to spend the night in this mysterious place. Sensing Amit's inner turmoil, the big man offered him a place to rest within the eatery.

"We have a spare room upstairs," he said, his voice dripping with sinister hospitality. "Rest well, my friend. You'll need it."

Amit followed the big man up a rickety staircase, its worn steps creaking under their weight. The upstairs corridor was dimly lit, with faded wallpaper peeling off the walls, revealing layers of forgotten secrets. The air grew colder, and a hushed silence settled around them.

The big man led Amit to a door at the end of the corridor. Opening it with a rusty key, he revealed a frozen room. Dust-covered furniture, moth-eaten curtains, and an old four-poster bed greeted Amit's weary eyes.

As he settled onto the bed, Amit couldn't shake off the feeling that he was not alone. Shadows danced along the walls, whispering secrets in an unintelligible language. The room's atmosphere grew increasingly oppressive, suffocating him with impending doom.

Amit's sleep was plagued by restless nightmares as the night wore on, haunting visions of the village's past and the sins it harboured. The boundary between dreams and reality blurred as malevolent forces seemed to taunt him from the darkest corners of the room. Amit's overnight stay turned into a waking nightmare.

The first rays of dawn pierced through the tattered curtains, casting a dim glow upon the room. Amit stirred from his fitful sleep, his eyes heavy with exhaustion. As he sat on the bed, his heart pounding in his chest, he realised something was wrong.

The room had transformed.

The once dilapidated walls now gleamed with a sickly sheen, adorned with symbols and grotesque paintings that seemed to writhe in the morning light. The air crackled with magical energy, suffusing the space with an inexplicable malevolence.

Fear gripped Amit's soul as he stumbled to the door, desperate to escape the nightmare that had consumed him. But as his trembling hand reached for the doorknob, it disintegrated into dust, leaving him trapped within the room.

A hollow laughter echoed through the chamber, chilling him to the core. The big man's voice slithered into Amit's mind, taunting him, "You thought you could leave? Oh, my dear traveler, you are forever bound to this cursed place. Welcome to your eternal prison."

Amit's heart sank as he realised the horrifying truth. The village, the eatery, and the big man with the moustache were all mere instruments of an insidious trap designed to ensnare unsuspecting souls and condemn them to a perpetual nightmare.

Amit rushed to the window in a panic, hoping for a glimmer of hope. Still, all he saw was an endless expanse of desolation stretching into infinity. The village was nothing more than a fragment of a nightmarish realm, forever disconnected from the world he once knew.

Amit's spirit shattered, consumed by an abyss of despair as the realisation of his eternal fate settled upon him. His screams echoed through the room, blending with the laughter of the unseen entities that revelled in his torment.

And so, Amit became yet another lost soul in the tapestry of horrors that clung to the forsaken village—a cautionary tale to all who dare to wander its treacherous paths. Forever trapped in a twisted dimension of nightmares, his existence was a testament to the cruel whims of fate and the insatiable hunger for the unknown.

The legend of Amit's ill-fated encounter spread among those who whispered about the haunted village. But few dared to venture near, for they knew the price of curiosity—a price paid in screams and eternal damnation. The village remained a dark secret, hidden from the world, its true nature known only to the spirits that lurked within its cursed boundaries.

And so, the story of Amit's harrowing experience faded into obscurity, a warning lost to time, while the haunted village patiently awaited its next unsuspecting victim.

   $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$The End$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$