Bats in my Attic

Bats In my Attic

My husband and I were driving back from Chennai late in the evening. By the time we reached Porur it was raining cats and dogs. Visibility was near zero. To add to the melee, every lunatic on a motorbike or bicycle had placed plastic bags on their helmetless heads  and appeared to be driving with eyes shut as well, often on the wrong side of the road.

“Look”, I said, “there is a hotel. Let us stop for the night. We can continue tomorrow.”

The hotel was alright. It seemed mainly to cater to patients undergoing treatment in Ramachandra Medical College. We got  a room and retired for the night.

My husband started stroking my cheek.

“Stop it!” I said. “We have to get up at 4 AM.”

He did not answer.

Every time I nodded off ,he started again. The fourth time was too much for me.

“What is wrong with you? Leave me alone!” I switched on the bedside light. There was a large bat (looked like a giant) rubbing its  wings against my cheek.

“Aah” I shouted and ran to the door. “Come , Come” I yelled at my husband.

Used to obeying, he ran out too, groggy and quite unsure of what was happening. We fled outside.  ( Me without ankle support and crutch). The door slammed behind us, with the electronic key inside. I was in a nightdress, my husband topless in a pair of running shorts.

“Go to the reception” I said hysterically, ”tell them there is a vampire bat in our room.”

“I don’t have any clothes” protested my husband, “and there are no vampires”.

“Haven’t you read Dracula? Go downstairs. Otherwise we have to stand here all night!”

The receptionist sent up a couple of flunkeys. They were skeptical and obviously did not believe our story. Before entering the room one of them asked the other,

“Did they order room service? Brandy?”

They opened the door. The bat seemed to like me. It came straight at me. I started screeching again.

“Bat ! Bat! Help! Help!”

A few rooms opened and heads started poking out.

They gave us another room. I made them transfer my belongings, check the cupboard, under the bed and draw back the thick electronic curtains.

No more Vampires !

Velloretimes

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