A soul costs a dollar

The group gathered near the dim post-light of the harbour, where no soul could reside. It was utter darkness; the harbour gates were sealed by the watch-guard, and he was told not to allow anyone in till morning by the head of the group gathered.

The head of the group, 'Aluval DSouza' was also the head of the village. He owned 4 fishing boats that would profit him a lot, and his younger brothers, Rimsal and Eloyin, were his partners in this sea- based business. Aluval's words were like the bible to these brothers, they would blindly follow what their brother says, and by following him, they were sure that whatever their brother decides bears good fruit and they were not to be worried.

They have seen how their brother takes care of the family and business. They were not this rich 5 years ago, but the business bloomed with colours all of a sudden. The sea gave them a lot of catch they could sell. Their fishing nets were overloaded with schools of fish, and in 5 years, they owned boats, houses, cars, and lands. They made a huge deal from the profit. Usually, Aluval wouldn't bring his brothers to the ritual, but today it seems different. They need to know what made them rich and what suffering their brother has been undergoing for the past five years.

A man in his 50s started walking along the coast of the sea; he had a bowl in his hand that was illuminated with flamed wood. It gave off an aroma that one could get into trans. He reached the place where the group stood. The place under the post-light was decorated with flowers, incense sticks, white thread, some herbs, and a weird sickle. By seeing so, one could say, there is going to be a Pooja (ritual).

The head of the group, welcomed the old man. “Finally, you are here, Ravinder. The clock struck 12, and I think now is the best time to start”.

“Don't be hasty, kid; let the spirit guide us at the appropriate time”.By saying so, he placed the fire-bowl in the middle of the flowers, sat down, and took the sickle engraved with some words and pictures. With the sickle, he made a cut in his palm, then fisted the blood into the fire and started chanting in a language no one understood. The fire engulfed the blood as it owned it and it started flickering rapidly.


A sudden whoosh of the wind howled, the air became icy, and the gathered people started shivering. Maybe due to the fear or due to the chill, Ravinder wondered. If air were to speak, such is the moment now, the sea-breeze twisted and turned, the ground dust near the ritual pyre was caught in the swirl and carried further away, the land became cold and so did the humans there.

Aluval and his brothers stood in silence until the wind calmed. Even though Aluval had experienced this before, he could not come to terms with it like the first time. The ritual still gave shivers, Eloyin was eyeing his brothers for facial changes, but they stood stoic. He knows what is to come next,He is ready to risk his life for his family's well being and their social-life