Conjurer & The Sacred Lemons (10 page)

Ursula and her mother retuned home before Children returned from the school.

In the evening Ursula spoke to Patrick about their visit to the church and their discussion with the father. Patrick listened silently. He did not approve or oppose. He himself was going through trouble and limitless emotions. If Father could help him in getting alright he was not opposed to the idea.

That night also Patrick experienced another episode. Initially he heard some abnormal sound like that on owl which was growing slowly. Patrick did not wake up. He was just lying on the bed. Suddenly he felt that someone is trying to put a pillow like thing on his mouth. He started suffocating and tried moving his legs in desperate attempt to free himself. Ursula woke up due to this and saw Patrick struggling, wet with sweat and gasping for breath. She immediately put on the light.

“Patrick  ... are you alright “Ursula asked.

Patrick was still in shock and did not reply.

“What happened honey  ...” Ursula asked again.

Restoring his composure Patrick replied “I felt someone trying to put the pillow on my face and tried to strangulate me “Patrick said slowly.

Ursula did not had comment or answer to Patrick’s explanation. She could see pillow lying in one corner of the bedroom. She rushed all over the house to ascertain if some stranger was there but couldn’t find anyone. She returned to the bedroom.

She offered water and coffee to Patrick. Patrick was normal now. Probably he got used to these incidences or drugs were helping him to take it lightly. Rest of the night he slept quite well.

In the morning there was a silence both from Patrick and Ursula. Ursula did not want her mother to know the earlier night’s experience. She thought she might get more stressed if she was told about the incidence. Patrick went to the factory and kids to the school as usual.

Father Agnel with one of his colleague arrived at the William’s house at around 2 pm. Ursula and Mom greeted both of them.

Father Agnel took the round of the living room, Kitchen and all the bedrooms. He had also taken a round of the garage and the bunker. His colleague was also following him. Just when they were climbing down the stairs from the first floor, Father Agnel’s colleague fell down tumbling from the staircase to the end straight on the carpet. Ursula and her mother became speechless for a minute or so after witnessing his fall.

The colleague suffered some minor bruises but appeared to be shaken completely.

“What happened Dear Jerry … “Father Agnel asked while giving him his hand to get up?

“Father I am unable to understand. I slipped on the staircase probably “Jerry replied.

“Jesus is there to protect all of us. Be brave “Father told Jerry.

Father Agnel and Jerry sat on the couch. Ursula meanwhile brought coffee for both of them.

“Dear Daughter. The problem is not as severe as it appears to you “Father Agnel said slowly.

“It seems that there is a lot of negative energy on first floor of the house and in the bunker “Father said cautiously.

“But there is nothing to fear. This sinful spell can trouble and play some pranks but would not be able to harm anyone of you “Father Agnel added.

“But father how to stop the trouble once for all “Ursula asked impatiently.

“Dear Daughter do not worry. Time being I am putting this sermonized cross in your house .It will help you to get over the trouble “Father Agnel said confidently.

“And this Saturday we will arrange complete cleansing of this House. That should stop the trouble permanently.” Father Agnel assured Ursula.

“Thanks Father.” Ursula and her mother expressed their deep gratitude.

“Jerry my son, please plan for arranging for every material and things required for cleansing of the house before coming Saturday. Also do intimate other 4 pastors to be present here on Saturday “Father Agnel instructed Jeery.

Turning towards Ursula and her mother Father Agnel said “We will require all of you to be present in the house on coming Saturday. Please plan your activities accordingly”

Father and Jerry left the house.

Ursula and her mother were looking relaxed now. Probably they now got backing of the sermonized cross which was their protector now.

Kids retuned from the school and as always glued to cartoons on TV. Patrick retuned a while after and was in the living room reading newspaper.

Ursula briefed Patrick about the visit of Father Agnel and what he instructed. She also showed him the cross given by the father. Patrick also felt some relaxation after touching the cross to his head.

Chapter 7

Following the Rag Peter

Though Ursula had sought help of the church and father to cleanse the house she was still having apprehensions that the actual culprit behind the trouble is Rag Peter. Though her mother disapproved her theory and also suggested to drop the idea of observing him and his actions, Ursula was determined to check her apprehensions about the old man .She suspected that the fellow may be engineering these incidences to trouble Patrick. Her theory was simple. The old fellow did not like the William’s, who were outsiders to settle down in this community. To drive them away the fellow might be doing some abnormal things like magic or witch hunting on Patrick.

Ursula was determined to cross check here apprehensions. In the afternoon she was having ample time to take this activity without her mother, Patrick or the children knowing about it. First she thought of hiring a private detective to do the job but that meant sharing the entire personal things with him and also the dollars.

Ursula worked out a plan to track rag Peter. First he thought of collecting information from the neighborhood about him. After collecting the information she thought of keeping a watch of his movement’s right from morning to the night. She even considered entering his home, an abandoned house where he was staying for last few years. She started carefully jotting the down the activities she need to do to unearth rag Peter. The only issue which was bothering her was to keep this plan and activities secret from the family. She was also little worried about the safety aspect. What if this fellow came to know about his surveillance and he turns violent. However she was ready to face any threat or danger to get Patrick rid of the trouble.

Rag Peter as he was known in the community was living for last 15 years in the community. Almost entire Mandeville knew about him including the police and government officers. There was no criminal record or even some complaint against him from anyone in the locality. Community members used to give him food, sometimes money. However on his own he never approached anyone in the community either for food or money.

He used to wander around the neighborhood from dawn to dusk. Many people had seen him talking to himself or just sitting hours together at different places.

Ursula thought that the nearby neighbors are the good source to collect some preliminary information about the rag Peter. However she thought if she started asking directly against rag Peter, the neighbors’ may get suspicious about her motive.

In last 2 months she had a brief opportunity to meet Mrs. Watson and Mrs. Wang who were their nearest neighbors.  The occasion was the school function where all these 3 ladies met each other and had their first interaction. Later on daily they sued to meet at the school bus stop for 5 -10 minutes as they all used to come to drop their children there for school bus. However the daily conversation used to be mostly related to school studies, examinations and sports activities.

Ursula first decided to try her luck with Mrs. Watson. The reason was she was more open and almost of the same age group that of her .Next day morning when she met Mrs. Watson at the school bus stop, she enquired whether they could meet in the afternoon. Mrs. Watson agreed and asked Ursula to come to her house that afternoon.

In the afternoon Ursula reached Watson’s house. Mrs. Watson was waiting for her. They both sat down in the hall after exchanging pleasantries.

“I just thought of getting familiar with each other “Ursula broke the ice.

“Yes, we should. Being in a same community we need to know each other “Mrs. Watson replied.

“We had just settled down here in last 3 months and as such did not get opportunity to get to know others. So I thought let us make a beginning “Ursula explained further.

Mrs., Watson nodded in the affirmative.

“Let us have a cup of coffee first and then we can discuss “Mrs. Watson Suggested.

While they were having coffee, Ursula briefed Mrs. Watson about her family. How and why they had shifted from Jersey to here.

Mrs. Watson told Ursula that they had settled in Mandeville almost 14 years back when there were only 2 houses in this locality and the area was not much developed. Her husband works as a manager in a local bank and she had twin daughters. They go to the same school where William’s had their kids studying.

Mrs. Watson also told her that she works part time in the evening in a library not for money but she had a passion for reading and books. She told her daily 3 hours 5 to 8 pm she acts an assistant librarian in the state library. She also told her that though the remuneration is not high there is an opportunity to get to know the people in this job.

Ursula briefed Mrs. Watson about her freelancing travel correspondent job and various assignments she had done in the last few years.

Then Ursula cleverly diverted the conversation to the neighborhood.

“Mrs. Watson, our neighborhood is really beautiful and well maintained “Ursula initiated the discussion

“Yes, the community members take care of their lawns and gardens weekly and also the pathways and the surrounding is kept clean by the city services “Mrs. Watson replied.

“But what about security, is the area is safe for children and elderly?” Ursula asked

“In last 14 years we had not come across any major mishap in the community. There were 2-3 small thefts in the neighborhood few years back but we heard police captured some drug addict’s youngsters. After that no major mishap is reported “Mrs. Watson replied.

“But I see some strangers wondering in the locality “Ursula cautiously made the remark.

“But that is everywhere Ursula. These are homeless and jobless people who make their livelihood on the charities of the community “Mrs. Watson replied.

“In our locality, there is one old timer, elderly rag Peter but he is here for last 15 years “Mrs. Watson continued.

“But he looks strange and frightening. Especially my kids are really scared when they see him.” Ursula commented.

“Yes strange character but harmless” Mrs. Watson replied.

“He starts early in the morning takes a round of the neighborhood, then go to the nearby water tank for a bathe. He returns by noon eats whosoever gives him for the day. In the afternoon he is mostly seated either near his makeshift house in the abandoned house or under some tree in the neighbourhood.Many times people have seen him talking to himself. In the evening most of the time he is not traceable .some says he goes to the nearby church, some says he goes to a group which practices some form of mediation. Returns late in night” Mrs. Watson gave the entire background.

“So is he part of some group doing certain mediations…” Ursula tried to get clarification.

“No real idea. But that’s what I have heard” Mrs. Watson clarified

“But is it something like magic?” Ursula enquired

“I am not sure. But it is something related to mind and body.” Mrs,Watson tried her best to answer.

It was almost 2 hours since they were interacting. Sensing that children would reach home from school anytime, Ursula took her leave and also invited her to her house.