Like I said earlier, I have been a part of three hauntings, but until I see one, I won’t entirely believe in ghosts. The thing is, how will I know the apparition I am seeing is a ghost unless it is the unexpected appearance of somebody who I know is dead? And that kind of meeting, I would rather not have. I like the dead to rest in peace. But I know of old family houses that are haunted by restless spirits of ancestors. These manifestations are mischievous or malevolent depending on the kind of person the predecessor was. And I have met people who said they have seen spectres. Or ghostly shadows flitting along their corridors at night. And people who have heard a sinister knocking on the door when there was no Moon and nobody outside. I never question the validity of what I am hearing. But I wonder why ghosts choose only to appear at night.
Mumbai has several famous haunted spots that nobody dares to visit at night. One such place is said to be the old S Bridge that links Byculla east and west. The legend is that it’s haunted by a girl’s ghost. Even in the daytime, though a convenient roadway, the bridge is pretty unused, and at night it is deserted and creepy. It is a small bridge curiously-shaped in the letter ‘S’ that goes over railway tracks. Getting across takes a minute. But a minute, as I discovered, is enough to get spooked. At 1.30 am in the pouring rain of the monsoon of 1992, I was returning from a party on my monstrous motorcycle one Moonless night. I took S Bridge without thinking. It was the shorter way home. I was young, tough, and fearless. The blood was hot, as they say. I did not even remember the legend of the haunting as my motorcycle flashed up the first curve. When I came onto the straight, it happened.
The motorcycle, among the fastest and most trustworthy bikes on the road, stopped. Surprised, I attempted to kickstart it. When the lamppost beside me ominously shut down. That’s when I noticed the dogs. All around me and staring behind me, their heads cocked to one side, bodies ramrod stiff. Eerily, they began to howl. Not bark or growl. But howl. Dogs are supposed to see spirits and I then remembered this was the haunted bridge. I don’t scare easily. Or let imagination get the better of me. But it took all my resolve not to turn and see what was behind me. Unnerved, I put my feet on the road and with the bike between my legs, slowly walked to the curve that began the descent. Howling, the dogs followed. The bike began to roll down the road and I just knew it would start again. I was right. It roared back to life and I took off. I got home cold, wet, and shivering, and found I was burning with fever.
About Mark Manuel
The above thoughts/content has been proudly copied from the wall of Sir Mark Manuel. Being interviewing almost every role model of this country and going stronger each day. Mark Manuel is a respected Mumbai editor, writer, and columnist.
With over three decades of journalism in leading publications. This includes the Free Press Journal, Times, Dainik Bhaskar, Mid-Day, and Afternoon. He is famous for his brilliant pen interviews. He himself is a TEDx speaker.
Further
His interviews have featured in several leading media houses. They include the Hindustan Times, Huffington Post, BBC, and Network 18. Almost every famous person has been interviewed by him in the country from Mother Teresa to Muhammad Ali. His first book is just out. It’s titled Moryaa Re! It is a crime thriller that is perhaps the country’s first police procedural. He began his career covering crime. And in a tribute to his experience and knowledge of this beat.
Several distinguished officers of the Mumbai Police and its Crime Branch collaborated with him to make this book possible. Amitabh Bachchan wrote the forward in a statement of friendship for Mark Manuel and admiration for his work.
About Storyofsouls
Leave your comments on how did you like this story. If you love it do share it to bring that change that we wish to see in the world.
You can also share your inspiring story with us at replytosos@gmail.com. Story Of Souls is an initiative where we invite people to bring their stories to us. We want people to “write to heal.” The idea of Storyofsouls is appreciated by ALL INDIA RADIO. An Online Platform where you can share your real-life stories. The impact of our stories has reached the UN, Harvard University. On some real-life stories, web series are also planned. You can also visit our Youtube channel. You can follow us on Facebook LinkedIn Instagram
Storyofsouls is glad to inform you that we are now a Google news verified platform.
We are proud to inform you all that storyofsouls.com is the official TedX MotiJheel Kanpur Partner for their upcoming event.
