Posted on by Pinkii Bakshi

Part 15: Onslaught of the Mob

The night outside was restless. Chants rose and fell like crashing waves, distant yet deafening in the silence of the DM’s bungalow. The once lively neighborhood had turned into a battlefield, its warmth replaced by the cold shadow of fear.

Inside, families huddled together, whispering prayers under their breath. Meena sat with her mother, gripping Kassy, her pink teddy bear, so tightly that its soft fabric wrinkled beneath her fingers. She didn’t understand much, only that something terrible was happening outside—something that made even the grown-ups afraid.

Up above, the bungalow’s terrace remained eerily quiet. A shadow moved against the pale moonlight—stealthy, deliberate.

A man, his face wrapped in a cloth, crouched near the water tanks. His hands trembled slightly as he untied a small bundle. Inside was fine brick powder.

Without hesitation, he sprinkled it into the tank. The red dust dissolved instantly, disappearing into the dark water.

It would have gone unnoticed.

Except the guard caught the faintest movement in his peripheral vision.

“HEY! WHO’S THERE?”

The figure froze for a split second before darting toward the terrace wall.

The guard didn’t wait for an answer. He fired a warning shot into the air. The sharp crack of the gun echoed through the night, slicing through the chants outside.

Inside the hall, people gasped. Someone stifled a scream. Meena buried her face in her mother’s saree, her little hands shaking.

Outside, the mob hesitated. The gunshot sent a ripple of uncertainty through their ranks, and within moments, they scattered into the darkness.

But the man on the terrace was already gone. By the time the guards rushed up, all they found was the poisoned water.

The tension in the room was suffocating.

A guard dipped a bucket into the tank and held it up to the lantern light. A murky, reddish tint swirled in the water.

“Brick powder,” he confirmed grimly.

A murmur spread through the crowd.

Mrs. Ghosh clutched Meena tighter, her heartbeat hammering against her chest.

Just then, the heavy wooden doors swung open, and the District Magistrate himself stepped inside.

His presence commanded attention. The whispers died down as all eyes turned to him. He walked to the center of the room, his face drawn with exhaustion but steady with resolve.

“I know you are scared,” he began, his voice calm despite the tension. “But I need you to know—you are not alone. We are in this together.”

A few heads nodded. Someone sighed in relief.

“I won’t lie to you. The situation outside is grim. Many houses in the neighborhood have been burnt down.” A collective gasp filled the room, and some clutched their loved ones closer. “But,” he continued, raising his hand, “this bungalow is well-guarded. You are safe here.”

Mrs. Ghosh swallowed hard. “My husband… he was supposed to return today.”

The DM’s expression softened. “I spoke to him,” he said. “He has been asked to stay back in Bhubaneshwar for now. Traveling isn’t safe, and we couldn’t risk it.”

Tears welled up in her eyes. “He… he agreed?”

“Only after I assured him that you and Meena are safe.”

She let out a shaky breath, relief mixing with the ever-present fear.

The DM looked around the room once more, his gaze firm yet reassuring. “We will get through this. But for now, stay inside, stay strong, and most importantly—stay together.”

The words settled over the crowd like a fragile blanket of hope.

Meena, still clutching Kassy, looked up at her mother. “Baba will come, right?”

Mrs. Ghosh ran her fingers through Meena’s hair and nodded, though her own heart trembled with uncertainty.

“Yes, beta,” she whispered. “He will come.”

PS: I’m participating in #BlogchatterA2Z

18 Replies to “Part 15: Onslaught of the Mob”

  1. Oh God! This chapter has so much tension! I am in awe of your imagination power and the way you are continuing the story. The tension in Meena’s mother’s voice, the questions, the assurances, and the innocent query of Meena and the promise at the end – you have written them with an evocative style and the emotional breakdown touched me straight! Kudos to you!

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    1. Well I know little Meena has been going through a lot but atleast they are safe in that bungalow, isn’t it? This is the dark night that will give way to a new dawn quite soon! Thank you for your continued support!

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  3. I’m genuinely moved by the depth and tension you’ve woven into this chapter. The way you depicted the atmosphere inside the DM’s bungalow—families huddled together, whispering prayers, and the palpable fear—is so vivid that I could almost feel the unease myself. Meena’s innocence, clutching her teddy bear and asking if her father will come, adds such a poignant touch to the narrative. The sudden intrusion of the poisoned water and the guard’s warning shot heightens the suspense, making the reader feel the urgency and danger of the situation. The District Magistrate’s calm demeanor amidst the chaos provides a sense of leadership and hope, reminding everyone that they are not alone. The reassurance given to Mrs. Ghosh about her husband’s safety, despite the grim circumstances, offers a glimmer of comfort. Your storytelling continues to captivate, drawing readers into the heart of the crisis and making them care deeply about the characters’ fates.

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    1. Thank you so much! It truly means a lot to know that the reader cares deeply about the characters’ fates. It’s a testament to the story’s ability to create a meaningful bond between the reader and the characters. I am truly humbled by your kind words and encouragement; they motivate me to keep going.

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      1. You’re most welcome! When a story makes me care that much, it’s because the writer has poured heart, soul, and some serious magic into the narrative. Your characters felt real, their journeys gripping—I was fully invested! I’m so glad my words encouraged you, because your storytelling certainly inspired me. Keep weaving those beautiful tales—the world needs them.

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  5. //Tears welled up in her eyes. “He… he agreed?”//
    Oh my… I can really feel her longing for support from her beloved husband. Sadly, things aren’t going well at all. At least, both of them are surrounded by neighbours. I imagine Mr. Ghosh must be feeling just the same on his end.

    //“Baba will come, right?”//
    What else could a child hope for? You’ve written such a touching and suspenseful chapter.

    The part about mixing poison into the drinking water feels all too familiar in Indian culture—it seems to happen everywhere. Sometimes I wonder why such old, harmful habits still persist.

    I hope everything turns out alright in the end.

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    1. Thank you for noticing and appreciating these expressions. The longing for Mr. Ghosh is indeed palpable.

      You’re absolutely right—the element of water poisoning was inspired by a real incident.

      As they say, if it’s not alright, it’s not the end. So yes, my friend, let’s hold on and wait for a happy ending!

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  6. You write like making a movie. Each image crystal clear. Each expression movement well described. The story is moving to its climax and the tension palpitating makes it an interesting read! Looking forward to read the next one❤️

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  7. Humans are capable of doing terrible things when mob mentality takes over. On the other hand, people are also capable of gathering together as a community to protect and look after each other.

    Getting to see two sides of human behaviour here thanks to the story’s setting.

    As always, so well written!

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