The Haunted Garden

On the edge of a small hill village was a dense forest, known as the "Haunted Garden." Sunlight barely reached there even during the day, and at night, no one dared to venture there. Sometimes, the sound of an old lullaby or whistle would come from a distance, prompting the villagers to close their doors.

Savitri Bai, 85 years old, was the village's most cheerful and strong woman. After her husband's death, she single-handedly raised, educated, and raised her only son, Rajesh. Rajesh landed a good job in the city and got married. Everything changed.

His wife, Neha, was nice on the outside, but calculating on the inside. Her mother-in-law's illnesses, medications, and care—all felt like a burden to her. She repeatedly told Rajesh, "Why should our lives stop? Mother needs rest now. Send her to an old-age home." Rajesh initially avoided it, but gradually his heart hardened.

One evening, Rajesh said to his mother, "Mom, let's go for a walk. There's that old temple in the forest where you used to go when you were a child. We'll worship there, and you'll feel better."

Savitri Bai was delighted. She put on her old scarf and got into the car with her son and daughter-in-law. The car stopped deep in the forest. Rajesh said, "Mom, you rest here. I'll go to the temple and see if the road is clear."

Mother smiled and agreed. Rajesh started the car and drove off. Neha didn't look back.

Evening fell, darkness deepened. A cool breeze began to blow. Savitri Bai understood—her son wouldn't return. But she didn't cry. She simply sat down on the ground and, out of habit, slowly began whistling, the same whistle she'd used to lull Rajesh to sleep when he was a child—foo-foo-foo... go to sleep, son...

The news spread through the village that Savitri Bai was missing.  People said they were eaten by wild animals, or by the cold... Their bodies were never found. Rajesh and Neha settled into a new life in the city, but Rajesh couldn't sleep at night. He felt as if someone was whistling in the distance—foo-foo-foo... "Go to sleep, son..."

Neha would say irritably, "It's been so many years, just forget it!" But Rajesh would just remain silent.

Ten years later.

Rajesh and Neha returned to sell their old village land. While passing by the forest, Neha said, "Let's go and see that place. It will lighten the burden on my mind. Maybe we'll find some trace."

Rajesh kept refusing, but succumbed to Neha's insistence. They both ventured into the forest. Following the old trail, they reached the place where the car had stopped. There, among the trees, stood a small hut—made of sticks, leaves, and mud, as if someone had built it with great effort.

Suddenly, the wind stopped. And then... that familiar whistle came from afar.

 Fu-fu-fu...

Neha's hand trembled. "Rajesh... what is this... what is this?"

The whistle was getting closer. A shadow appeared at the hut's door—thin, white hair, but eyes alive and bright.

"Son... are you here? You've spent so many years... Mother waited every day."

Rajesh's scream echoed through the forest. Somehow they escaped, got into the car, and raced toward the village. But the whistle kept following them—fu-fu-fu...

After that day, Rajesh and Neha never looked back toward the village. But they say that even today, that small hut in the forest remains. And if someone accidentally wanders there at night, an old woman's whistle can be heard from afar...

Fu-fu-fu... "Go to sleep, son... Mother is here..."

Those who consider their parents a burden should remember—a mother's love never ends,and neither does the wait for her.

 Read more : -  The Subconscious Mirror