Episode 11
As soon as Haider opened his eyes and looked around, he screamed in terror. The hut was completely filled with small, human-like creatures. Their heads were bald, and they had no eyes—only noses and lips. They were clinging to the walls, the roof, and even the floor. Haider felt as if they were so tightly pressed against him that it became difficult to breathe.
If that wasn't enough, when Haider looked behind Kalidas, he saw a gigantic demon standing there. Towering tall, crimson red in color, with a topknot of hair on his head, fiery eyes, and protruding teeth, the demon was smiling at him.
Terrified, Haider screamed and pushed through the crowd of beings to escape the hut. They laughed as he trampled over them. But the scene outside was no different—those same creatures were on every tree, every surface.
Haider's courage began to falter. Stumbling, he reached the cremation ground and saw a group of those beings gathered around, fighting. A body had clearly been cremated there—they were pulling out the bones and eating them, fighting over them like animals. When they noticed Haider, they screamed and laughed loudly.
The fear blinded Haider. Everything around him began spinning, and then—he blacked out.
---
Back at home, Jahang Ara and Shahmeer were sitting in their room. After completing the funeral rites, they were exhausted. Jahang Ara spoke, "Why don't we buy a new house?"
Shahmeer, engrossed in a book, replied, "What? After putting in so much love and effort into building this home, you want to leave it?"
"No, I meant we should get a new place for Rabaab and Haider after their wedding," Jahang Ara clarified.
"What's wrong with Haider's house? It's small, sure, but not too small for two people to live peacefully," Shahmeer said, still not looking up from his book.
"I think we should arrange their wedding next month. I've been preparing everything for her since she was a child. And Haider's loneliness will finally end," Jahang Ara said, deep in thought.
"What's the rush? Rabaab is still studying. Haider hasn't completed his education either. I don't think Rabaab would agree to it now, but you can talk to her," Shahmeer suggested, noticing his wife's pensive mood.
At that moment, there was a knock at the door, and Rabaab entered.
"Speak of the devil and the devil appears," Shahmeer chuckled.
Rabaab looked confused, glancing at her mother. Jahang Ara said warmly, "Come sit, dear. We were just talking about you."
Rabaab sat down, and Jahang Ara continued, "Look, your father says you're still studying. But I believe studies can continue even after marriage. My only wish is to see your happiness in my lifetime. Are you willing?"
Rabaab had never seen her mother this serious before. She softly replied, "Ammi, your wish is my wish. Do as you see best. I'll continue my studies too."
Jahang Ara hugged her tightly, overwhelmed with emotion.
---
When Haider opened his eyes again, he was still in the hut, but this time it was empty. He tried to get up, but his body wouldn't cooperate. He turned his head and saw Kalidas sitting silently by the fire. Haider wondered how the fire kept burning all the time. He felt extremely thirsty and tried to speak, but only a faint sound escaped his throat.
Without turning around, Kalidas said, "So, you're awake. How did you like our hut?"
Haider remembered all the terrifying faces and felt sick with fear. Kalidas got up, filled a clay pot with water, and handed it to him. Using all his strength, Haider sat up and drank. His eye still stung painfully.
"What did you put in my eye? And who were all those creatures?" Haider asked.
Kalidas laughed. "My friend, God allows humans to see only a limited part of reality. But the other beings we cannot see—they can see us."
Haider looked around nervously, fearing those horrific beings were still nearby. But he saw nothing.
Kalidas continued, "This kohl… if any human makes and applies it themselves, they'll be able to see all the creatures that roam this world. But once they see them, those beings might twist their necks and kill them. They didn't harm you because you're my friend—otherwise, your bones wouldn't even be found."
Haider shuddered and asked, "And the huge red figure behind you—who was that?"
"That was my most powerful jinn," Kalidas replied.
"What's his name?" Haider asked.
"Jinns never reveal their real names, because if a human learns it, they can control them. But you can call him Dasam," Kalidas said with a nervous laugh.
"Dasam? Isn't that a name among demons?" Haider asked. He thought he had read it somewhere.
"You know quite a bit," Kalidas smiled. "Yes, he's one of my demons. If a person wants to bring ruin upon their own family, Dasam gladly obliges. You must've heard of parents killing their own children—that's usually Dasam's doing. He inflames the human mind until they forget all bonds."
Kalidas went back and sat by the fire.
Haider drank more water and regained some strength. Realizing Kalidas had gone silent, he decided it was time to return home. He stepped outside—it was already evening. Though he considered himself brave, the horrors he had witnessed had shaken him to the core.
---
Rabaab had been calling Haider for almost two hours, but his phone was off. Worried, she informed Jahang Ara. Seeing the concern on her face, Jahang Ara said, "Let's go to his house."
Just as they were about to leave, they saw Shahmeer's car approaching. He stopped, got out, and walked quickly toward them.
"Is everything alright? Where are you going?" he asked.
Before Rabaab could reply, Jahang Ara said, "We're going to Haider's house. He's not answering his phone."
"Let's go together. Get in the car," Shahmeer offered.
Jahang Ara replied, "No, it's nearby. Let's walk. It'll be good exercise too. Unless, of course, your old joints can't handle it." She laughed, and they all began walking.
At Haider's house, they knocked on the door. No response. Shahmeer banged it several times before they finally heard movement inside. Haider opened the door in a daze.
"There you are, sleeping peacefully while we've been worried sick!" Rabaab scolded him.
Haider let them in. As the room lit up, Shahmeer noticed Haider's eye and was startled—it was completely blood-red, as though it were bleeding from within.
"What happened to your eye, son?" he cried out. Rabaab and Jahang Ara turned to look and gasped.
Rabaab screamed at the sight.
Seeing their panic, Haider himself rushed to the mirror—and was shocked to see the state of his eye.
Trying to brush it off, he said, "It's nothing. Just a twig… I rubbed it too hard. Must've gotten irritated. I'll wash it."
But Shahmeer knew better. That kind of redness wasn't caused by a twig. He had seen enough in life to know there was more to this story.
Haider stood at the sink, splashing water on his eye, thinking about what had happened to him. The horrifying images wouldn't leave his mind.
After a while, he noticed some improvement. Relieved, he returned to the room where everyone was waiting.
Seeing the redness fading, Rabaab felt calmer.
Jahang Ara smiled and said, "Son, we've come with a message for you."
"Yes, I'm listening," Haider replied.
"We want your and Rabaab's nikkah to be held this month," Shahmeer announced. Rabaab shyly lowered her gaze.
Haider was overjoyed. "That's wonderful! But… my exams start next week. Would it be okay if we do it after the exams?"
"Yes, of course. We're just worried about you. You shouldn't be alone anymore," Jahang Ara said with concern.
They all began discussing the wedding preparations with excitement.
---
Finally, Haider's exams ended, and college was over. During that time, Kalidas neither summoned him nor did Haider go to him. Sometimes he wondered what Kalidas wanted from him—but he never found a clear answer.
Then came the day he had dreamed of since childhood—the day Rabaab would become his life partner. That night, their nikkah was to take place. In the afternoon…
To be continued…
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