– Satyakam Ray
Whether ghosts are real, hoaxes, or figments of our imagination, this debate will continue for eternity. Supernatural enthusiasts, psychiatrists, and rationalists will join in it. There is no definitive solution. Nonetheless, anyone who encounters ghosts unexpectedly is compelled to believe in supernatural beings. These beings lurk in the dark, like forests, neglected alleyways, and even hotels.
On a short vacation last year, the author faced a similar situation in Darjeeling. I wanted to escape from my mundane corporate life. So, I packed my bags and headed to the snowy, sleepy town. I wished to experience its full glory. I arrived on time and went straight to the booked hotel.
I will not publicize the hotel’s name. Doing so will make the establishment seem haunted. This perception isn’t suitable for the hotel and tourism industries. I will keep the name discreet from the readers throughout the narration.
As soon as I checked into the hotel room, I found something strange. Although the room and all other items were in order, an eerie vibe still lingered. It’s natural to go to some place and feel its positive or negative energy just by being there. Intuition comes into play more often, and the sixth sense begins to work spontaneously.
The rational person in me initially tried to ignore every sign. It seemed foolish to consider a new place without solid evidence. I followed my predestined travel route and met new co-travelers. Darjeeling sightseeing was excellent. As the night approached, we wrapped up the day’s travel and returned to our respective rooms.
The first night passed without any incidents.
The second-day journey began with a visit to a Buddhist monastery, which I thoroughly enjoyed. When I returned to my room, the monks’ chanting and drumbeating still rang in my head. My room was on the 2nd floor, a fitting side corner room. So, when I was finally walking down the hallway, I distinctly heard faint footsteps behind me. At first, I thought someone from a nearby room was coming. I glanced back to see who it was, but there was nobody! One must walk a little longer in the hallway to reach my room.
I hurried back to the room and locked it. I thought my mind was playing games with me! I was unconvinced and tried to make sense of the incident in the hallway. As I was alone, feeling a slight sense of fear was natural.
It was 10:30 pm. After dinner, I tried to sleep, but felt the same eerie vibe. I sensed a negative energy enveloping the room. My rationality was not in the mood to yield, and I dismissed the signs. I quickly glanced at the hallway and the windows to see if anyone was playing pranks on me. There was no sign of anyone.
I had a bad habit of sleeping late. So, I decided to pass the time by watching a movie on Netflix. It was around 1 am. I sensed a mysterious presence and a negative vibe in the room again. To those unfamiliar with the negative vibe, it’s an uneasy feeling that words can’t explain. Only it can be felt! This time, it unnerved me, so I quickly turned to my close confidant and sister, Aparna, for help over chat. I described how I was feeling, and fortunately, she gave me a mantra to chant to dispel the negativity. I chanted that mantra without rational questioning, deeply spooked.
The chanting was effective, and I felt a sense of improvement. I resumed watching the movie on the laptop while chatting with Aparna on the phone. Suddenly, I thought I was being watched from a distance. It’s a common human experience or cognitive response when you are being watched from a distance; you can feel it. I could feel the same feeling. That lasted for five minutes. I didn’t dare look up and see what was stalking me.
After gathering my courage, I looked up from my mobile and glanced towards the corner where my stalker was. Through the corner of my eyes, I saw a dark figure without a face. An average-sized human vanished right before my eyes. The person stood in the corner near the bathroom. It was a 100% real encounter, and I couldn’t believe my eyes. To double-check, I went to the spot once and found no one there.
Within a few minutes, I packed my belongings and fled from my room. I went to the hotel’s reception area and reported my incident to the staff. It was the holiday season, so almost all the rooms were occupied. I decided to spend the night in the reception area lounge. I was in touch with Aparna all the time via chat, providing a live commentary on what was happening. I checked out of the hotel early the next day. I didn’t have the guts to return.
The Darjeeling ghost real encounter may sound confusing or far-fetched to non-believers. But those who accidentally encounter the real thing can verify that something is lurking in the dark—a supernatural being! So, readers, be cautious with your solo trips and always heed the signs.
The Witty Stride 