AT THE TEMPLE

When he saw us, he smiled and without thinking we smiled in reply. We sat at the end of the temple so as not to interfere with his duties. He worked with precision. He knew where and when to do his duties. He was like a robot; very timely and very agile. We kept looking and wondering when Guna would make his move.
After quite a while, I thought Guna was aware when the priest had completed his task when Guna got up and approached him. By then he was sitting cross-legged near the entrance of the temple. Guna went nearer and greeted him. He acknowledged and Guna started his tale about what I had witnessed and the favour asked by the couple.
The priest listened intently and nodded his head now and then. Then he smiled and got up. He came over to where the rest of us were seated. He sat cross-legged in front of us and before. By then, we were quite comfortable and had got over the fear of him. He started talking and asked us a lot of questions. We answered, or rather I answered all I could as truthfully and as close as I could without leaving any details.

TO SEE THE MEDIUM

So, the next thing was to seek the priest from the Indian temple nearby. It was another scary place. The statue of the God in the temple was awesome and frightful. Even though we had not done anything wrong or silly when we were there, we were afraid of it. We had been naughty, playful and cheeky but we still feared the temple and its inhabitant.
The little temple was not very far from our hoses. Just a short wlak and we would be there. Would he, the priest believe us; the story? Would he think that we were pulling a fast one on him? Would he laugh off as a joke? How could we convince him and get him to go to the tamarind tree at night? Tonight!
Guna, the braver and wiser of the five decided to talk him into helping out. He would be the spokesman. The temple was ahead of us. Someone, possibly the priest had just carried out prayers because we saw the lights on the oil lamps still flickering when blown by a breeze. There were lights from little square incenses laid around the altar and at the doorway of the temple.
We were sure to find the priest there now. Without any doubt, he was just coming out from the inside of the temple where the statue was situated. He was dressed in his usual white dothi, a white coloured cloth wound around his waist and covering his lower torso. His upper torso was bare. His long hair; which I had seen him washing and drying, was now tied into a little neat bundle behind his head. He had a little beard and moustache on his face. On his forehead he had applied some white powder used for praying. Both part of his upper arms were also smeared with the same white powder. He did not look frightening. He was rather a solemn figure going about his duties.

Ghosts? Spirits? Aliens?

Once out from under the staircase, I opened the palm of my right hand. Yes, there were two rings. Everybody exclaimed in awe. Two rings, real rings and not made of plastic. There were tiny and beautiful carvings on the top and upon inspection we saw some lettering on the inner part. They were beautiful.
"Tick! Tick! Tick! Krek! Krek! Boom!"
We looked up but we did not see anything. That was the cue to scatter. We took to our heels. The sound was so loud and deafening. What was that?
"Ghost? Spirits? Devils? Oh no."
From a distance we heard the sound again. This time we stopped and eyed the house and the tree. Only then did we understand. We saw branches and leaves and seeds dropping on the zinc roof the house. A slight breeze must have brought them down without us realizing it. These droppings on the zinc roof caused the terrific din. It was so silly that we laughed and laughed aloud although we were already exhausted after the sprint.
It was after a while that we stopped our racket and really took the time to examine the rings which were still clasped tightly in my palm. We examined them carefully again. Yes, they were real and it was just as had been instructed by the girl. It must be true; the story must be real. They all agreed. We all nodded and smiled.

The Search

To the backyard of the deserted house, we went. It was deserted after the sad and unfortunate incident. No one wanted to live there after that. Who in the right mind would occupy it especially after the horrible incident.
The whole house had a strange stillness and quietness. It was empty but the emptiness was intense and terrifying. It seemed to envelope us all as we approach it.
The staircase was in front of us now. The words kept coming to me as if to guide me. It kept drumming and echoing and I thought the girl was beside me all the time.
"Go to the left side of the stairs and underneath it you will find the two rings."
None of us wanted to be left behind. We walked closely together. Upon reaching the staircase, we stopped.
Gopal whispered, "Koong, where are the rings? Can you remember?"
Slowly but carefully, I reached under the staircase and started looking around. The others waited a few metres away. It was narrow; the space under the stairs allowed only one person in. it was dark too and there was a stench of decayed material. I used my hands to grope the spot but there was nothing. I pushed away the dirt and dead leaves away from under the staircase nervously. I was seriously considering giving up not because I was unsuccessful but more of fear that a hand would stretch out and grab me into the darkness.
The others were getting impatient. I bet there were equally frightful.
One voice whispered, "Have you found them? Any luck?"
I did not recognize who said that but the voice seemed nervous and dead serious.
I remembered the girl saying the left side of the staircase. I kept at it; pushing dirt and dead leaves away. Then I felt something hard and tiny. The feeling of something round excited me. Even in the darkness, I saw a glint. I was totally engrossed at my task and totally ignoring the others waiting for me.
I quickly crawled forward, stretching my hand. My whole body was by now hidden by the staircase. Sure enough, I found a ring. My heart burst with joy. But where was the other. I slowly moved my hand and groped the area where I found the first ring. I used my fingers slowly and nervously because I was too excited. Then I touched the other ring. Instinctively, I withdrew my hand holding the two rings expecting at any moment a hand reaching out to grab me and pull me inside. None of that happened as one would expect in a horror film. It was a relief.
I crawled out again, retreating backwards. The others came forward to help me out.
Guna asked, "Have you got them?"
I nodded my head because I was to exhausted and scared to answer.
"Let me have a look."

The Wonderful Tamarind Tree

At this time of the day, the workers would be at work and would only arrive home at four in the evening. Therefore the place was deserted and totally quiet.
We walked slowly under the tree looking sheepishly because we all knew where the boy had hung himself. We would all look up at the tree half expecting to see the figure swinging to and fro. But there was none. Only the slight movement of the tiny leaves on the branches brought relief to us.
This tree had provided us a lot of fun and usefulness. I used to spin my tops under the tree. There were many afternoons when I had played alone here when the others were not around. They would usually help their parents tending to the goats or cows or vegetable plots. So I was usually alone.
It gave me a place of solitude and peace. It was strange though; to think of it now, because I had never thought about the incident when I was alone there. My neighbours had frequently warned me not to play there too often especially during the evenings or nights.
I had always punctured the bark of the tamarind tree to get the sap from it. It is white and looks like the latex of rubber trees. When the sap starts oozing from the puncture, I would dab the end of a string that was used to wind around a top. Then I would rub the end of the string so that the sap when hardenend prevented the end of the string from fraying. This was an ingenious idea.
I was not the only one who used the sap for the same purpose. Many of the boys including my buddies did the same. In fact I had learnt this skill from them.
I can bet many youngsters today do not know about this little skill.
The shade under the tree was perfect for my little games; marbles, top spinning, cards and even hide and seek. This spot was not a popular place to many de to the spooky tales surrounding it.
The fruit, the tamarind was also much sought after by the little boys and girls around the area. The locals would throw pieces of wood, aimed at the fruits hanging from the branches. Once hit, the fruits would drop onto the ground. The ripe ones would be gathered and eaten. The unripe ones would be left scattered under the tree. Often when I arrived there, I would see the unripe fruits scattered all over the place with the tiny green leaves. Then I would know that some kids had been there before. These kids never lingered very long there. Once they had enough of the fruits, they would run helter due to the fear of the place.
I had also done the same; aiming a piece of wood at the fruits and hitting them. Once they had dropped to the ground, I would select the ripe ones and leave the young green sour ones. The ripe ones had a hard brown shell. Once the shell had been opened, the flesh gives of a sour smell. The taste is sour, a kind of sweet fragrant sour that was quite tantalizing.
We were advised not to consume too much as it causes a stomachache. In fact consuming too much of anything is bad to our health.

The Adventure Starts

It was an instant approval without hesitation. We left for the house mentioned. Before that I left specific instruction to my younger brother and sisters to stay at home and not to wander around.
So, it was with great enthusiasm that we arrived at the house. It was empty and left unattended for quite some time after the sorrowful incident. Getting to the house was easy but upon reaching the backyard, a certain uneasy and uncanny feeling enveloped us all. We had seldom entered or passed this area unless being forced to.
We knew of the incident and heard of countless stories of strange encounters. Why the sudden interest in all of us; I could hardly explain. Maybe, it was because as a group we felt braver or maybe it was the sense of togetherness. It could also be just a favour to help the poor souls.
Even in the daytime, the huge tamarind tree with its shady branches and leaves provided a blanket over the whole area. There was an indescribable quietness and stillness one would not expect in area near so many houses. Not far away, barely a hundred metres, were two rows of linked houses. In those days, they had wooden walls and rose on stilts. These were houses that were provided by the company for its workers.
Once in a while, a bird would land on a branch, chirp a few times, look around and fly away upon seeing the five of us under the tree.

Questions and more questions

“How?” Guna asked.
“That’s the problem. I need your advice.” I pleaded. “She asked me to get the Indian priest from the local temple tonight.”
“Tonight?” Thaila asked.
I answered, “Yes, tonight.”
“Then how can we help?”
“I don’t know the priest but you do. So please help me. Can you help me?
Gopal asked, “How can we do that?”
“Well, we have to convince the priest to go there; I mean the tamarind tree tonight and help the poor souls.” I said.
Thaila volunteered, “I’ll do the talking and persuading but I need you support. But how can we prove it to him? He wouldn’t just believe our words.”
“Ah… I nearly forgot. She told me to look for two rings under the staircase at the back of her house.”
Ravi quickly added, “Let’s go now. It’s still early and bright. It’s not so scary.”

Getting the gang to believe Me

They were my Indian neighbours and we usually met in front of my house and played games in the compound surrounded by our houses. It was like killing two birds with one stone; having fun playing games and keeping an eye on my brother and sisters.
After lunch, mum left me in charge. As usual, I met my ‘gang’ under the tree in front of my house.
It is usual even to youngsters nowadays. They prefer to talk and consult their friends on many matters. It was also true in my case. I expressed and consulted my friends more than my parents. This was because they were always too busy and hardly had time to attend to and listen to us.
I started quite hesitantly, "Hey guys, you wouldn’t believe me.”
“What?” Guna asked.
The others echoed his query, “Yes, what happened?”
“Listen,” I said. “Last night, after the horror movie, I saw something.”
“What?”
“A ghost!”
“Joking. You must be pulling our legs.” Ravi said.
I quickly added, “No, no. It’s no joke. Let me carry on. Remember the guy who committed suicide under the tamarind tree.”
“Yes. What’re their names?” Gopal asked.
“Let me see. Chandran, was the name of the boy and the girl…Devi. Yes, Devi.” Guna answered.
Thaila asked, “Yes, you’re right. But why did you ask?”
“I haven’t finished. You see, on my way home after you guys had left, I saw them.”
Before I could carry on, Gopal interrupted. He said, “Are you sure?”
“Yes, believe me. I saw both of them.” I said. “The boy was hanging from the same tree and the girl was in front of me. She asked me to help them.”
“What? Help the ghosts?” Ravi asked.
“Yes, to help them get married.” I said.
“How?” Guna asked.

To Tell or Not To Tell

My father had left for the farm as usual to tend to the vegetables. I saw my grandparents getting to go too. Mother was in the kitchen preparing breakfast for the kids. It was a Friday so I had to go to school as usual.
In school I was very quiet because I was still thinking of the incident the night before. My mind was confused. I just could not wait for the bell to ring. Friday was the best day of the week as I could go home at noon. I wanted to tell my close friends when I reached home. I was also excited. Would they believe me? How could I convince them? Would they help me?
When I reached home my mother had cleaned the house and was preparing lunch when I approached her. She sensed something but she kept quiet. I wanted to tell her about the encounter and the dream that I had but I realised that she would not believe me. She would only laugh at me and say that it was just my imagination.
At about lunchtime, mum had to send the lunch to the farm as my father and grandparents ate their lunch there. It was useless coming back just for lunch and go again as the distance was quite great.
I was asked to stay at home to take care of my younger sisters and brother. It was a duty I did not quite like. I preferred the company of my close buddies; Gunasegaran (Guna), Gopal Krishnan (Gopal), Thaiyalan (Thaila) and Ravinderen (Ravi).

In Safe Arms

At that same instant I must have opened my eyes and right in front of me was my mother. She was shaking my shoulders and wiping my forehead with a towel. I screamed again because she had being transformed into my mum. After quite a while I finally realised I was lying on my bed. My own bed! My clothes were soaked. By then I knew that sitting by my side was indeed my mum and not the lady ghost in the terrible dream.
I hugged my mother tightly; something I had not done since I was a little boy. I felt comfortable and safe in her arms. I could not sleep and just laid there.
Slowly my mum asked, "Did you have a bad dream?"
"Yes, mum. A terrible nightmare! A ghost! I dreamed a ghost," I replied. I left out the details and the similarity between the encounter and the scene in the dream.
My mother said, "Well, I guess you will not go for another horror movie after this. Sleep now and forget about it."
She left me to sleep and I slowly dozed off again. It seemed really strange how the words and comfort of a mother could work wonders. This time I really slept without being disturbed. It was broad daylight and the cockerel was crowing loudly.

Sleep and Dream

I did not want to be teased by them so I tried to act as brave as possible. I washed up, brushed my teeth and changed my soiled clothes into dry ones. Then I tucked myself in bed, covering myself from head to toes. In fact I was shivering as if I was having a chill or fever. I could not control myself. I was feverish. I dared not call my mum and explain to them. She would not believe me. It was better to keep it to myself.
I must have dozed off when all of a sudden I awoke or was it a dream; I was not sure. The girl appeared again; sad and sullen; with deep sorrowful eyes. She was crying and I could see her tears rolling down on either side of her cheek. But her tears were flowing like the water in a river. The scene was the same and it was near the tamarind tree. It was similar to the encounter earlier in the night. She floated nearer and nearer and each time, she was calling out my name. It was so sorrowful, the way she called my name. I was sure my heart sank not out of fear but out of pity. The figure hanging from the tree was swaying to and fro as if on a swing.
Although I could not hear what she was trying to say but from the movement of her lips and her gestures, I could understand what she meant.
Suddenly there was a total change in her features. Her tears were tears of blood and her face was not a solemn or sad but of anger and terror. She was stretching her arms and the fingernails seemed to grow longer by the minute. She was about to strike me with her fingernails when I instantly retreated but I slipped and fell. I had tripped over a protruding root of the tamarind tree. She stretched her arms further. Her fingers were holding onto my shoulders and shaking me violently. At that instant, I let out a terrifying and ear-piercing scream. It was uncanny and inhuman like.

Reaching Home Safely

Luckily I did not collapse out of fright. Everything was so still and not a soul could be seen. It must have been past midnight. I wondered how long I had been rooted there. Still I sensed as if somebody was watching me from afar.
The hooting of an owl jolted me out of the trance and gave me the cue to dash home as quickly. Surprisingly, now I could run so fast. What had happened when the girl or the ghost appeared? I could not even move although I tried to. Was it because the ghosts or spirits had a spell on me then?
My house was not very far away. The lights were on and it was a relief to see it. The comfort of my home and my bed would definitely calm my nerves.
My mother, my brother and my sisters were still up because they were waiting for me. They were in fact just packing up after a long night of baking cookies for the coming Chinese New Year. My grandmother had already retired early as she was tired after the long task.
My mother noticed the change and the messy look in me. My hair was wet and I was sure that gave it away.
She asked, "Heng, what wrong?"
I could only answer, "Nothing. Nothing."
I did not want to look silly. If I had told them about the encounter, they would have laughed and teased me. They would have said; 'Serves you right' or 'Why did you have to go out to watch the horror movie?' or 'Told you so!' or 'Maybe after this you will not dare to go again'.

Talking to the Ghost

In a slow and sad voice she said, "Koong, please me."
I mumbled something, "W..h..a..t?"
The ghost said, "Koong, you have to help me. I will not harm you. We just want your help."
My trembling voice seemed so strange. I said, "O…how do you know my name.. what.. do.. you.. want.. me to.. do..?"
"Koong, you must help us," she said again slowly.
"What… what … can I do?" I was stammering incoherently.
"Koong, you must help us. Only you can," she said.
"How.. how…?" my voice faded.
"You know why we killed ourselves, don't you?" she asked.
"Yes… but…" I asked.
"You must listen carefully. Go to the backyard of my house and under the left side of the staircase leading up to the house, you will find two rings," she said.
I quickly asked, "Yes, then…"
She explained further, "Take the rings. Then find the Indian priest from the local temple. Bring him here tomorrow night. Tomorrow will the one hundredth day of our death."
I asked again, "Is that all?" I was eager to get away as quickly as possible.
"No! No!" she interrupted. "Explain to him that he must help us to be married under the tamarind tree tomorrow."
"Now, I understand," I said with a little sadness inside.
Before I could ask any further, the girl vanished and the hanging figure disappeared too. I was too shocked and dazed after the encounter that I was rooted to the spot. After what seemed to be a very long time, I came to my senses. The hair on my neck and hands were standing on ends and there was a very strange sensation all over my body. My shirt was wet and sticking to my body like the skin due to the sweat that was still oozing from all the pores on my body.

The Tamarind Tree: Part 2 The Encounter

That house mentioned was just up ahead, on a hill, which I had to cross to get to my house. The tall tamarind tree was also just beside the house. Oh, my God! Please keep me safe and let those poor souls away from me. People believe that those who died tragically will not rest in peace. Their souls or rather spirits will wander around the scene of the tragedy. People have often seen them; one hanging from the tree and the other sitting under the tree weeping away.
Well, I kept walking as fast as my feet could carry me. I nearly tripped over a root that was sticking out from a tree. How my heart pounded and I thought I could hear it too. The drizzle had stopped and my shirt was wet due to the sweat that was pouring down my neck and back. Again the voice could be heard. How could the spirits know my name? Rubbish! They did not know me. I had never talked to them. Oh, ghosts know everything! Oh, no. That was the last straw. I ran all the way up the hill and was just about to turn away from the sight of the house; I saw it or rather them.
In the light of the moon, I saw a figure crouching under the tamarind tree and another hanging from the tree. It was swaying slightly. I was rooted to the spot as my legs refused to move. I tried to yell but not a sound or whisper could be emitted. My legs were shaking feverishly. My eyes were focused at the horrible scene. It was just 100 metres away. The figure under the tree got up slowly and appeared to stretch out its hand towards me. The hanging figure was still on the tree. My mind must gone blank due to the increasing fear. I was frozen for quite a while. Then when I came to myself, the figure was in front of me, barely 2 metres away.

The Tamarind Tree: Part 1

I heard someone calling my name softly. I turned to the direction of the voice but I could not see anybody. I thought that it was just my imagination or just the wind that was blowing. As it was late in the night, our imaginations can go wild. I kept on walking, as I was rather tired and that it was past midnight.
I was an avid fan of movies and especially horror movies. Every second Thursday of each month, there would be an open-air cinema screening movies, which I had never missed. That particular night, a horror movie "Dracula" was screened. I went there early not wanting to miss it. Many of my friends refused to go because they were afraid of such films.
The unmistaken voice calling me again was quite distinct. I was sure that somebody was calling me. Who could it be? It was drizzling a little but not heavy enough to soak me. Who could be calling me and not showing himself? Was it my friends who wanted to scare me? Or could it be GHOSTS!
I had better not take the risk of stopping and looking around. I was alone and there were stories about ghosts and spirits wandering around at night around the particular lane I was walking on.
At that instant, my thoughts went back to a haunted house up ahead. It seemed that a couple had committed suicide due to a family dispute. The boy had hung himself from a tall branch of a tamarind tree. The girl had consumed a bottle of weed-killer and she died in her house. It seemed that the parents of the boy refused to accept the girl as she was from a family with a lower status. Later, and after the deaths, the two families were often accusing one another for that tragedy.

Be patient and look out for part 2

The Tamarind Tree: Introduction

Why is the title "The Tamarind Tree"? Well, the tree has a lot of uses and haunted many who lived and who are still living there. Many Malaysians will undoutedly know the many tales and the spooky feeling when you go near this tree. This tree is also known as the 'assam tree' because we can use the fruit the 'assam Jawa' to cook many of our mouth watering dishes.

Let me spin this tale; wholely true and factual based on my experience and in memory of my dear friends, Ravi, Guna, Thayalan and Gopal.

Be patient and wait for my part 1