The show ‘Ghost Talk’ on Supernatural FM starts with radio jingles comprised of the sound of dogs’ howling mixed with haunting Thai stringed instruments. After the jingle, at the stroke of ten in the evening, DJ Win greets his listeners and listens to the ghost stories they have called in to tell. The stories’ lengths vary but the highlighted one can take up to an hour with commercial breaks in between.
Today’s programme is the same, but the call is important. DJ Win’s voice is smooth and calm as usual, but he can’t stop tapping his foot under the table.
‘Welcome to Ghost Talk with me, DJ Win, as your host. Today we are going to hear the talk-of-the-town ghost story from a first-hand witness. The one who walked into a house and found a three-year-old girl living with her dead mother for three days. My team says the girl’s aunt is on the line now. Good evening, Mrs. Wanwara.’
‘Good evening, DJ Win.’ The female voice is high-pitched with a hint of nervousness.
‘How is Kora? Has she talked more about what happened or shown any signs of trauma?’
‘She seems fine. She’s too young to understand what death is, so when people ask about her mother, she says her mother is in heaven but comes see her from time to time.’
‘That’s a very chilling thing to hear, isn’t it?’
‘Yes. I still can’t believe it. I just talked to my sister on the phone three days before I went there.’
‘My condolences. I know you’ve told many people about this, but could you give a detailed account of what happened?’ Then DJ Win adopts a more sympathetic tone. ‘You can stop at any point that makes you feel uncomfortable, okay?’
‘Thank you. But I also have a few questions to ask you, too, since you’re well-experienced with supernatural beings.’
‘Of course! I’m merely a supernatural enthusiast but I always try my best to serve my audience and the higher power. Should we start when you arrive at your sister’s house?’
‘Sure.’ Mrs. Wanwara takes a deep breath before she begins. ‘When I rang the doorbell in the morning, the house door was opened, and Kora stepped out wearing a stained white T-shirt without any pants. I asked her who opened the door for her and she said “Mama.” I then asked her where her mother was, and she just pointed to the house. When I followed the girl inside, I felt something was wrong. The lights were off, and it was eerily quiet. The air was stuffy and strange. I couldn’t find anyone on the ground floor, and the next logical thing was to go upstairs but my legs wouldn’t move. Luckily, one of the neighbours whom I asked earlier for help volunteered. She went upstairs, and I heard her open a door. The foul smell reached us before she walked back down and said, “Don’t let the girl go upstairs.” There was nothing to be done but to call the police and my cousins.’
‘Amazing! I mean terrifying. And I’m sure the great mystery that was on everyone’s mind was how a girl survived for three days without starving.’
‘That’s what I thought. I asked her many times about who gave her milk and helped her get up and down the stairs, and her answer is always “Mama.”
‘Do you really believe her mother’s ghost was taking care of Kora even after she died?’
‘Yes. Why don’t you ask her yourself? Kora is sitting on my lap right now. Say hello to DJ Win, Kora.’
There is a clattering sound of a phone changing hands, then a girl’s meek voice is heard.
‘Hello?’
‘Hello. Nice to meet you, Kora,’ says DJ Win.
‘Tell him who gave you milk in the house.’ Mrs. Wanwara’s voice is distant but is still audible.
‘Mama,’ answers the girl.
‘And who took you downstairs and opened the door for you.’
‘Mama.’
‘Good girl.’ The clattering sound repeats and Mrs. Wanwara’s voice becomes loud and clear again. ‘You heard her. Anyone who thinks I faked the whole thing is wrong. I still keep Kora’s clothes from that day. The stained T-shirt from Ovaltine malted drink is clear. A little girl like her wouldn’t be able to climb a table top to reach the jar, boil the kettle, and made a cup of hot drink!’
‘Good point. Now, if you don’t mind me asking, how did Kora’s mother die?’
‘My sister had epilepsy since childhood, and the doctor said it was because of her congenital disease, but the last time I talked to her she said she hadn’t had epilepsy for years, which brings me to the question I’d like to ask you.’
‘Okay.’ DJ Win’s reluctance is clearly audible. He does not like this turn in conversation.
‘I’m willing to raise Kora along with my son and daughter, but given the circumstances, I need to know one thing. My mother, Kora’s grandmother, died not long before all this, and now my sister. I don’t want to say bad things about the girl, but is it possible, even just a tiny chance, that she’s jinxed.’
‘Before I go further, I have to tell the listeners to use their discretion for what I’m about to say. Like the saying goes, you can choose not to believe in something but don’t insult those who do. My staff has already given me Kora’s and your date and time of birth. I’ve spoken to Master Rong, the great fortune-teller whom I’m familiar with, and he assured me that you won’t have any trouble from her or her mother’s spirit. Both you and Kora were born in the same year, the year of the Tiger, which is what make you equals in luck.’
‘I’m glad to hear that, but what about my daughter? She was born in the year of the Dragon. Would Tiger oppress Dragon?’
‘Not according to astrological value. They are both strong animals. So, there shouldn’t be any problems.’
‘Right. It’s good to hear that.’ Mrs. Wanwara’s tone suggests otherwise.
‘It’s really a noble thing you plan to do, raising her like your own instead of giving her to her father.’
‘Huh! I’ve never seen Kora’s father visiting or even sending money. It’s true that Kora’s mother and father were separated before she was born, but I still think he should have shown his face to Kora from time to time.’
‘Maybe hearing this will make you feel better. Master Rong also added that by adopting Kora, which is a good deed, you will bring good karma to your life. Also, her birthday suggested that she would bring fortune to you and your family, which is already true, I presume. People all over the country who sympathise with the girl have sent money to help you raise the girl, haven’t they?’
‘Yes. And I thank them all for their support. I’m also a single mother with two children of my own, so I really appreciate it.’
‘Well, I wish you all the best. Sadly, we’ve come to the end of the show. Thank you again for telling your story tonight, Mrs. Wanwara.’
‘My pleasure. Goodbye.’
‘Goodbye. This is DJ Win. At your service on weekday nights at ten.’
The radio jingle is turned on again followed by a commercial break. DJ Win removes his headphones and stretches his arms in the air. His assistant opens the door to ask him about his work schedule.
‘I thought Master Rong was in LA. Did you make an international call to him?’ asks the assistant.
‘He’s still in LA, and no, I didn’t make the call.’
‘But what you said on the radio…’
‘Is what Mrs. Wanwara needs to hear?’ The assistant lifts his eyebrow. DJ Win says, ‘Having that superstitious woman adopt Kora is better than letting social welfare find a stranger’s home for the girl. If a bit of fortune telling helps encourage the aunt to raise the girl, then there’s nothing wrong.’
‘What if Mrs. Wanwara turns out to be cruel. I might be wrong, but I don’t trust her judging by the sound of her voice.’
‘Then at least the fear of her sister’s ghost should be enough to keep her in line. I bet this isn’t going to be the last time we hear about the ghost of Kora’s mother.’
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