the door of hell- siddhi jairath

March 24th 2019: 11:00 AM

It was a Sunday. Sunny. The sky was clear, the atmosphere was busy, the bustling sounds of people filled the air.

There are 8 known planets, 7 continents, 195 countries and here I was, in the tiniest part of a tiny speckle on the map; Khotachiwadi, Mumbai.

The thronging sounds of shopkeepers and customers bargaining over the smallest amount of fruit, vegetables and spices, the vibrant food items, half of them rotting, neatly lined up in an orderly manner. “Taaza taaza tarbooz!”

In the near distance, I saw a little girl, her hair tangled, eyes glimmering eager to make a few pennies. Her stomach grumbling, and fingers trembling with the colorful rubber bands wrapped around her fingers. “Pachchees ke hain, lelo didi”, Crowds of people passing, the girl was constantly ignored, the hope in her eyes faded as her heart shattered to pieces. But that’s just the way things are, at least here in India.

“Nadia, come here!” yelled Mom, noticing the distance, I walked towards her. “Stupid girl, standing in the middle of the street! Kuch ho jata toh?”

“Sorry maa,” I mumbled.

“Look here now, what pens did you need for school?” maa continued, shuffling through the stock displayed in the stationary shop.

‘Sachin’s Super Stationary’ read the rusty board.

“Are you listening, Nadia? Hello?” followed by a slight tap on the side of my head, it was maa. I admit, I do have the tendency to get distracted, maybe it’s because of my attention to detail.

“Nadia?” I looked up, it was Saanvi.

“Saanvi! Hi!” I exclaimed, suddenly energized.

Saanvi Gupta, my best friend. I’ve known her for 8 years now, our families are friends too. She has huge glasses, she’s practically blind without them, a single dimple on her left cheek and a spot-like birthmark in the middle of her neck. She gets good grades and maa constantly compares me to her., I don’t mind it though, I love Saanvi.

Maa and Saanvi’s mother started talking, while Saanvi and I started walking towards a nearby iIce-cream shop. As we walked, we passed an antique looking door, dusty. It stood out, one of the only walls that hadn’t been tagged with political leader posters or messy, graphic spray paintings.

“Don’t look in that direction for too long.” whispered Saanvi, “They call it ‘The Door to Hell’. Legend has it, 20 years ago, 3 children walked into that place but never made it out alive.”

Weird. Why hadn’t I ever heard of it before?

March 25th 2019: 12:18 AM

It was 12:18 AM and I couldn’t stop thinking about that door, what was behind it? Why was everyone so terrified? It was just a door, it couldn't be that bad.

What’sChat

Nadia: Hey, you up?

Saanvi: Hi, yeah. What’s up?

Nadia: I can’t stop thinking about that door.

Saanvi: Forget about it, it’s pure evil.

Nadia: I think I might go check it out.

Saanvi: Don’t do it, Nadia!

March 25th 2019: 4:00 PM

“Going to meet Saanvi, maa! I’ll be back around 7,.” I yelled

“Be back before dinner, beta” Maa replies

I hate lying but I hated the suspense even more. I felt the urge to solve the mystery and see for myself. What was behind that door?

I jumped onto my old bicycle and cycled my way to the same market. It was busy, people rushing to get their jobs done. I pulled into the dark alley where the door was located. There it was. 10 feet tall, staring at me. I fidgeted with the lock, it was old, very old. It looked like it was going to shatter with the least amount of pressure put on it. I picked up a rock and smashed it hard into the lock, it fell to the floor.

This was it, the moment of truth. I pushed open the door as it swung open with a creaking sound. There was nothing but darkness. I stepped into the dark room as rocks hit against the bottom of my shoe. I felt a sudden pressure on my head, an aching pain and then, nothing. It went black, I passed out.

March 25th 2019: 9:00 PM

I woke up in a hospital bed, maa next to me, with tears in her eyes.

“Maa? Why are you crying? Where am I? What happened?” I questioned.

She looked up at me in anger. “You stupid girl! What were you doing near the Door of Hell?”

I bursted into tears and repeatedly apologized.

“I’m sorry maa, I’m so sorry. I was curious, please forgive me”

It’s been a year since then and I still have no clue what’s behind that door. What caused me to black out? I pass that door with a feeling of panic and anxiety, I don’t dare to question it.