Echoes of Dread

Houses are often considered the safest havens in our lives. We go about our daily routines, and then return home to unwind and relax. However, the sense of safety can be shattered when the place meant for relaxation turns out to be haunted or unsafe. While many people cherish visiting their grandparents’ homes, I always felt a sense of fear whenever I visited my grandparents’ house. Despite my love for them, the house never felt welcoming to me. The only individuals who managed to survive living in that house were my grandparents. As of now, they have passed away. Previous tenants had reported paranormal activities, and even my mother, who grew up in that house, is afraid of it. My grandmother once shared the story behind the house, which dates back to a cultural practice known as “Gufa.” This tradition involves keeping girls in a room without sunlight or contact with men for 12 days before they reach puberty. Although I had to undergo this experience, it turned out to be somewhat enjoyable. Over the course of these 12 days, we enjoy a lot and the 13th day is marked by a grand celebration . The haunting of my grandparents’ house began with a tragic incident involving a family that previously resided there. The family had two daughters who were subjected to the “Gufa” tradition simultaneously. Unfortunately, both girls fell ill and passed away under mysterious circumstances, believed to be linked to witchcraft. Their bodies were buried beneath the house, and the loss of both of thier daughters, the parents abandoned the property.My grandparents often mentioned the strange noises they heard and many paranormal activities. They even claimed to have seen shadows lurking around. They mentioned that they could feel the cold chilling touch after midnights. To protect themselves, they would sleep with a metal object close by. I remember we never spent the night there, and if we did visit, they always warned us not to be alone after dawn. The four-story house was so dimly lit that even during the day, we needed a torch to navigate the stairs.The bathroom were the most frightening place to be. I never dared to open my eyes while climbing those dark steps, as my mother once mentioned seeing a shadowy figure in the hallway. Despite my grandparents’ efforts to rid the house of its haunting, the paranormal activities persisted. After their passing, the house was sold to a company, but the new owners didn’t last long. Complaints of supernatural occurrences flooded in, and people were too frightened to even step foot inside during daylight hours. Today, the house still stands, shrouded in terror. The house is likely vacant at this point, with its chilling past and a few ancient souls still lingering. I couldn’t bring myself to ever enter that house again.