Plague Merrick

Manor Park Station

Exhausted Nitesh sitting on the station bench waiting for the next train at the Manor park station, to go home after his shift at the Dosa restaurant. Nitesh left Dosa at at 11.50 pm and walked through busy High St North, passing through many passerby, squishing though hanging over punk group of funny jolly people by the pub.

Then there are the Chrisna fond groups walking singing and playing loud instruments of Drum drum drum, loud sounding with bitting on the the drum with drumsticks, on the drum handing from ones neck. Another one blowing on flute high - pitch whis-stttl-lee-e, sound, the others are banging rubbing on one to others places, the two metal plates on both- hands chung-chung-chuug, sounding.

There are few others with rattles on one hand each, shaking making Ching- Ching - Ching sounds. They all singing out of tune in different odd sound, Heri - Hari Krishna- Hari, dressed in white doti with saffron border line wrapped around and pulled up at the back edges knotted on the hip and saffron cotton loose material sheets with Sanskrit words printed on them, hanging down from the neck.

Squished passed the group Nitesh walked continuously ahead, there next another group holding up Arabic writing banners walking towards High street north directions and giving some slogans, doing chants. Nitesh knows they are Muslims some among there are on long white robe, some with beards, some with Arabic scarf on the heads or wrapped around on their neck, Nitesh walked passed them, continued towards the Manor park station as usual.

Walked down the steps, looked at the train scheduled time and walked up to the bench and sat on the bench feeling exhausted, legs hurting, feeling sleepy. Pulled his phone out of his pocket and saw it was not charged, put it back in the pocket.

Nitesh looked over his right shoulder, felt someone place a hand on his right shoulder.

Nitesh jumped up from sitting, automatically making sound ehh-hhe-ou! Looking right to left, to left to right, behind him and back in front of him, looking straight to the path he gave down, them to the other way to the where train the approaching from.

Noone seems to be anywhere! who was it? How can they vanish so quickly, Hitesh mourning to himself!

Felt a gentle thought of air nor passing breeze kind, a kind of stillness, little vibrating, Hitesh didn't bother as to his normal dismissive, in others attitude.

Nitesh about sit down again, as just as his bottom to be touching the bench, the still thick air felt thicker and a vibrating voice spoke up;

"aha"!

Nitesh Shaked his head, and looking, while with his both hands running on his body: crossed arms like, left to right and right to left, rubbing over his arms, to shoulders, to side and lower backs and uncrossed rubbing on his tights exactly let to left and right to right, Nitesh is totally unaware of his hands movement reactions, while looking around and mounting sould coming seeping put through speakers from the station control room.

" Oh yeeass" sounded again.

Nitesh shaken it off, doesn't matter, who where. Trying to sit again, as his bottom about to touch the bench;

" Oh, you!" With a jolt.

Nitesh jumped up again unconsciously without his conscious-will, Nitesh wouldn't react to anything odd, and being a Londoner like usual Londoners do not care about happenings around them, often many big incidents go amiss, unnoticed, by many Londoners.

"Oh you don't get it, this is the very Hamlet!" Loud thudding voice as of someone rehearsing drama play lines.

"I belong to the St Michael and All Angels Church!" The voice stretches long lowered sounding humble voice!

" And my Heron family line! "Sobbing voice already crying!

"And my Manor house!" Loud Thud! A commanding sound like an Order!

Nitesh murmured to himself, oh no! The bloody phone ran out of change, no! can't even listen to music, having to hear all these, God knows coming from where!

" You aren't bothered? You don't bother ? Ye'eeh! My legacy - The Earl of London!" Continued the sound maker. It began sounding add and from nearby. It is white, UK male sound.

Nitesh shook his head off looking at the rail - track, waiting for the train.


Author Dr Fatema Miah (Raby).
Solihull. UK.

Chil - warm tickling wrapped around the body!


Glanced at the rail line:

The Train coming soon, Nitesh felt hopeful happy, he is totally unbothered, as usual Londoners live in hectic life with all kinds of non-sense sounds, from far and near, do not bother them. It was odd on this occasion that station was empty, this is unusual for busy Manor Park station, near High street north, the Romford road, West Ham to Ilford commuters fills up station usually, from food business night shifts, and the people those retaining from parties, gatherings and the all others.

Suddenly, air of kind of chill and warm of sharp poky tickling kind of strings like began to feel like a wrap-around going on Nitesh's body!

Nitesh couldn't be unbothered any more. Oh no! What's this! Nitesh began murmuring louder.

"You are under my grip"! a voice came.

Nitesh trying to turning around, looking side- to- side, back to front, loudly said who are you? Where are you? I can't see anything? And what's happening to my body?

"Ei you are in my grip,"

"You don't bother,do you?"

"Ei, you have to bother, you see."

Nitesh shouted! shut up. What is this joke?

"It's no joke"

"Of course it's not a joke"

" I can joke if you like"

"Eh" talked in one go.

By now Nitesh shivered. A daring, unbothered East Londoner is bothered now!

" You see, you going with me" said, It.

Going where Nitesh questioned and who are you why can't I see you?

" You can't see me it's your problem, you see, not my problem, I am, Im, I'm you see" It, stopped.

Tell me who you are ? Nitesh said in commanding voice.

" Na, nah, no, noap, I won't take your this kind of attitude you brown man in my UK, commanding" It, moaned.

So you are a English racist buger? Hitesh reacted.

" Oh, you talk in rage to me, me! me a white English man"? It, moaned.

Where are you English , oh white English man, bloody racist? Nitesh spoke arrogantly.

" Oh you, mean" It, cried sounding upset.

Nitesh by then got very annoyed and frustrated, shouted put you f.ing shit, stop f.ing around me, I don't bloody like your non- sense, you ghost.

"Oh, so you worked out I am a ghost, ok, let's get going".

Get going? Questioned Nitesh.

" You, you see, you, going with me"

Going where?

"With me" and pulled Nitesh along with, It.

Nitesh felling being dragged along by It. Up the stairs, out of the station, back on the path Nitesh walked to the station earlier. Passing by the crowds, the Muslim group with banners, the Chrishna singing loud sounding group, the hangover groups. It, talking through, telling Nitesh;

"Oh it bothers me, these all different groups, you and all others, aah, made it a different place on earth"

You dead ghost and still racist? Nitesh could not stay not throwing a criticism!

"Oh! You lot! Crowded up the whole place" It, began crying and saying, " I can't sleep, the groups and groups going out, this Chrisna singing group are so annoying, I hated them back then, were taken as inferior, as sullen people stupid people you see, far away land, Indians the Hindoos"

It's not Hindoos it's Hindus you can't even say it correctly can you! Nitesh criticised again! And what about the others? Nitesh questioned.

"I can sleep when they are out, those ones over there, I hate them, but I can sleep in peace" spiteful in mix of unpleasant in the tone.

Means they make it RIP for you? Then why do you hate them? Nitesh questioned.

" Hate is hate you see, it's not only that hate for nothing, you see, they are in my country, their look, rough! Iem! how annoying"!

What about those hanging out your kind , your English or mix of what ever they are?


"Oh! My! my! blimey!

These lot don't even have dressing sense;

no manner;

what so ever, their talk is irrespective;

they ruined English Language;

they talk in short- cut;

no politeness, bad attitude and ou! Ou!

The pub culture taken in to hanging out, disgusting!

All disgusting!

I can't even distinguish the male to female often!

Even they wear ripped clothes;

ripped you see!

Some ripped clothes they buy;

they buy from big stores!

And the trunks or the pants dropping down the hip!

how shame! shame!

The whole Society!

Ah! all topsy - turvey!"

It, gave a long speech like, and continued:

The voice vibrating; sounding high -pitch to down sobbing, sometimes shaky sounds and auto-changes into screeching long stretch in stressing kind:



" we, you see, had to dress up well, tailored made to measured well fitting clothes, following a dressing guide line, gentle men and ladies, a defined significance dressing with good manner" !

It, stopped.

Nitesh laughed loudest with a long giggle, and said you seem to look very closely, nick pick, it is pervert like or staring neatly picking on, bias, hate full or you are just too miserable bored, or all, actually surely all, you disgusting and discriminating, you old git!

Nitesh gave mouthful.

Walked in, through the gateway between the pillars, into cemetery opposite Goldsmith Rd. Nitesh Questioned why have you brought me here?

" It's just it is my waking route, you see. I followed you from here" It, giggled.


Author Dr Fatema Miah (Raby).

Nationalist's dignity! .

In it's grip Nitesh felt diggy!

I am feeling sick in my stomach, said Nitesh.

"Oh! Oh! Ought to be, the dirty sickening stuff you lot eat! Eeehhh! You sell the sick stuff , make business here in my land very land, this was a beautiful Hamlet!"

Before It, could finished Nitesh hissed! You started your racists talk again, you old git, ghost! Nitesh hissed!

" You call this sick feelings explanation, racist?

You don't know Language definition we had to study over years from childhood, been checked up, prompted, reaffirmed and approved in through in practice, we were as young men or big child prompted to reaffirmation! The expressions and tone language balance! You see!

It, sounded classical!

Hitesh giggled you classical old git!

"You, you, you, you see, have no manners;

you all those, everyone nowadays;

and you say old git, I am not old at all;

I am young like you, you see?

Classical what you say, it was the finest class. upper like, unlike you lot, all these"

Moaned It, and continued:

"Racists you say, if you don't like it! Racism, is a finest Nationalism quality of self-respect ! Dignity! "

Before It could say more, Ee'ehh! Nitesh giggled loudest!

You making me laugh!

laugh! you see! Laughed Nitesh!

Racism and Nationalism!

Yeah! Yeah! Of course suits you!

Nitesh laughted! And added Nitesh:

Nationalists' dignity is racism!

"Of course it is not to be like by you, because the very quality standard goes against as such you couldn't be here on such high self -respect quality maintaining Britain!"

It, spoke in sharp ascertained tone!

I like your language, how you speak! I studied English Literature for my A' level, you see!

Nitesh expressed his appreciation.

"You speak reasonably well, of course, than most others;

and you could hold on in conversation with me so far! Many cannot!

They collapse! You see!

I squish them tight, because they annoy me to madness for how they talk utterly wrong English,

You see!" As It, confesses!

Nitesh, ough! let a sigh- of relief!

" You are educated you said, and working in sickening food business" ?

It, questioned!

Nitesh without criticism or showing annoyance this time answered;

I completed university also;

I had a Degree in Marketing!

Can't get a proper Job, just for a wage to cover up rent and living expenses I am working there now.

And still making hundreds of job applications, applying every months! Nitesh explained.

"Britain is ruined!

As such, to this extreme extent;

we had jobs posts waiting for us!

We were sent to get qualifications training of skill knowledge certificate to take on the job white we were paid on placement trainee position! "

Explained It.

Agreed Nitesh, I know!

Nitesh felt a sudden one big swing diggy-ness, and made a big long sound, auoough!

And saw, It, made him turned around, from one Grave to another.


There it was astonishingly lit up in patches kind of long strips!

Glaring up in his eyes! Nitesh pulled his hands quickly on to his face, face dropped down to his chin touched his chest. Lifted his head up again wondering what's happening, Nitesh said out loud whaatt's that?

It, began laughing, giggling eec-ehh!

The lights and mirror like reflection.

Nitesh got too stressed by the dazzling lights!

"Well! Well! Well!" Pleased sounding, It.

Nitesh annoyed said what's this now, annoying!

" Hmn" with a humming sound, It said have a look! See for yourself! "

Annoyed Nitesh, peeped through his fingers, the lights were dazzling bright, in the mirrors each, there were figures showing on back sided, strange body. He asked: what are these?

" They come to meet me and I try to introduce some new ones to them often, you see like you". And giggled, It, louder!

Why me? Asked Nitesh.

" Because you studied English Literature you said! Didn't you! didn't you!" It, repeated in haste and in excitement!

Why are you happy? Nitesh asked?

" They will award me with points, you are educated? You said, and I heard your talk, would I bring stupid nonsense talkers! No. No-way!" It, iterated.

Nitesh had began to feel funny, wondering, he can see little devices on their hand, if they are calculating! what's happening, and he asked what is happening?

"They want to meet you, know you"! Before It, could finish, everything disappeared with one flick of flash. Vanished! Flick- flock, gone!

"ah they gone! Didn't take you! It, teased Nitesh!

Take to where? Nitesh asked,!

"With them to on travelling, the long way, up in the sky! Don't ask me anymore! I can't tell you much detail, they don't tell me. You see!" It, thrown tantrum attitude.

Nitesh really go scared by now and annoyed!

I am going now, I am ready tired and walked me back here, I have walk back now !

" No, no, no, I'll take you back, I will help you easy your tired pain! It, promised!

Nitesh being annoyed tried to leave, oh! He felt a tight grip on him, and the chill- warm wrapped around tightened on him, he couldn't move!

" Nope! Do not try to scape! You can't go, you see! " It, shared Nitesh off.

By now Nitesh understood, he hasn't got freedom to leave as he likes. Trying to be normal, Nitesh asked, so, were they aliens or Holy spirits?

What do you know about the aliens? And do you believe in holy spirits? Asked , It.

Nitesh trying to be funny said, Author's perception, I read author written about the stuffs! They both laughed together!

It, asked tell me about your Author!

Then the It, pulled Nitesh dragged him out of the grave yard walking fastest on the high street North. Nitesh vibrating in tight grip, trying to be funny, threw a humour out, said, on this path along this high Street North here remained Authors young years footsteps!

"What did author say about Holy spirit". It, question.

Author said; Jinn, about the Holy spirit! You are not the one, because you are the dead soul, a Ghost! Criticised, Nitesh.

"Oh! so mean! Did your Author wrote that"! It, sounded annoyed!

What are you? If not a ghost, what else? Nitesh ascertained the question.


Author Fatema Miah

The Hamlet and Little Ilford.

" Tell me about 1771?" It, asked sounding serious!

What? Nitesh questioned! And added probably, it's about my great grand, great, great grand parents' parents' birth year! May be! What do you want to know questioned Nitesh!

" You! you! you see!" You Silly - billy" laughed, It.

Nitesh also laughter!

"1771" It sounded serious!

Oh! Is it something very special about that year, a special date of the year and connected to you?

"Silly - Billy you! I didn't say it's a year 1771!" Laughed, It.

What about it is! How would I know what you talking about?

" Guess! You must know! You are with me for sometime now! It, sounding mixed of annoyed and eager!

How am I supposed to know! You tell me, I am not a mind reader neither a ghost like you! Nitesh threw a long hiss.

" Tell me what do you know about Plague Merrick"? Questioned, It.

1771 Russian Plague! Nitesh uttered . Black death! What ever ! The pandemic kind!

" No. No. No. I told you it's not a year!". It, reasserted!

Them what are you talking about! Another hiss from Nitesh.

"Tell me what you know about this very place".? It, questioned and by then they gone passed the Manor Park station.

You made me come pass my station! Nitesh shouted.

" Patient! Be patient! You are either me I said!" Said, It.

Angrily Nitesh shouted what the hell you are doing with me?

"Calm down! And tell me about this place, the history!"

Nitesh said it Manor park, what History? Added, It was the Little Ilford?

"The Hamlet, the



plaque for Joseph Merrick , was subsequently installed at the cemetery grounds (Plot 1771) so the public could finally visit and pay their respects.

John Merrick. 


The 1770–1772 Russian plague was the last massive outbreak of the bubonic plague in central Russia, claiming between 50,000 and 100,000 lives in Moscow alone. It caused massive social panic, economic collapse, and culminated in the violent Plague Riot of 1771.

The Hamlet and Little Ilford.



" Tell me about 1771?" It, asked sounding serious!



What? Nitesh questioned! And added probably, it's about my great grand, great, great grand parents' parents' birth year! May be! What do you want to know questioned Nitesh!



" You! you! you see!" You Silly - billy" laughed, It.



Nitesh also laughter!



"1771" It sounded serious!



Oh! Is it something very special about that year, a special date of the year and connected to you?



"Silly - Billy you! I didn't say it's a year 1771!" Laughed, It.



What about it is! How would I know what you talking about?



" Guess! You must know! You are with me for sometime now! It, sounding mixed of annoyed and eager!



How am I supposed to know! You tell me, I am not a mind reader neither a ghost like you! Nitesh threw a long hiss.



" Tell me what do you know about Plague Merrick"? Questioned, It.



1771 Russian Plague! Nitesh uttered . Black death! What ever ! The pandemic kind!



" No. No. No. I told you it's not a year!". It, reasserted!



Them what are you talking about! Another hiss from Nitesh.



"Tell me what you know about this very place".? It, questioned and by then they gone passed the Manor Park station.



You made me come pass my station! Nitesh shouted.



" Patient! Be patient! You are either me I said!" Said, It.



Angrily Nitesh shouted what the hell you are doing with me?



"Calm down! And tell me about this place, the history!"



Nitesh said it Manor park, what History? And added Nitesh It was the Little Ilford?



"The Hamlet, the the very suburb, the great route from the Europe to the very England! Does it matter to you at all, do you just live here kind of sleep and ean a wage, eat, and nowadays, nowadays fun on Net" It, cried.



What are talking about ? Tell me what is your point?



"Look where you are now! This place!" It, said!



You brought from one to another grave yard? Nitesh annoyed shouted.



" Why you hate graveyard! Is the last, final destination! You will be here too"! It, exclaim.



What? Do you want me dead ? Questioned Nitesh.



"No.no.no"! Said, It.



What about this place ? Nitesh Questioned.



" Tell me what do you know about John Merrick? Can you see 1771 there"? Asked It?



What about this 1771 you told me it's not a year! You tell me about this 1771.



" The Plaque for Joseph Merrick , was subsequently installed at the cemetery grounds in the Plot 1771. The public you see finally visit and pay their respects. Good afternoon all!"



The John Merrick! What is this John Merrick on the save 1771? Asked Nitesh!





" You know, you said, about The 1770–1772, Russian plague was nasty massive outbreak! Began in central Russia killed up to hundred thousands in Moscow there. It was massive panic and economic collapse caused, and turned onto violent Plague Riot of 1771! It was a different matter!". It, concluded.



And tell what you want tell, I'm listening. Nitesh reassured to, It.



"This is about me, me you see!. It cried.



What about you,;tell me don't cry . Nitesh with kind sound comforted It.



" I died you see! I am dead! You know that dint you"! It, being idiotic.



Nitesh Holding on his anger, changed hiss reaction, readjusted his tone and in soft voice said I know you are ghost and this is your after death . Tell me if what tell more?



"I died of black death! Mass death in one place many being , human being you see, we were , we were stuck upon, tier by tier, no hospital beds, no treatment no medical care! It was not dignity at all! It was disgusting! disgraceful death was allowed"! It, cried, sobbing!



" Sorry and sad to hear that " Nitesh expressed his sympathy!



"Condition was horrific, disgusting! Killing, of course killing condensation killed us all"! It, paused .



" Worse thing was, there was no dignity no dignity"! It, repeated.



Hmn sighted Nitesh.



" You see! Hurts more! It hurts, such way of final days, the last days of departures!" It, saddened expressed.



I see, nodded Nitesh.



" The expected, accustomed rituals: the last death bed visiting , last statements, the will, to be seen by relatives, families, loved ones, friends, nothing was there, nothing was possible"! Sad in, Its, tone pierced through Nitesh's heart, and tears ran down from his eyes through his chicks dropped on his chest.



Wiping his tears, Nitesh said, I feel for you?



"I know I can see and feel it" It, continued.



"The grave was worse sad thing happened! I Joseph Merrick, A Hamlet's respected Gentle man, The Lector, you see! and my grave! My grave"! It, paused after excitement. And continued.



" Let alone a ritual funeral! What was expected, custom, culture you see! Nothing ! Nothing! Worse is they dumped another on top of one, top of mine"! It, s acreached voice.



Oh no! I see your sadness! Nitesh empathized!



"And the number was meant to be my bed, the pouch, the pandemic effected count on the department unit, it was same to that John too! And they buried same way cremation, on same slot, mass cremation you see and! And! And same grave"! It, stoped with sob!



My Goodness gracious me! Nitesh said if cou ok d hug you now I feel I want to hug! This is sad man! I mean gentle man! Sir!



" O, you! I am pleased, you honoured me"! It, sounded happy.



Nitesh got up and stood straight, brought both feed together, like to the military standing position, right hand raised to his forehead and I said, salute y

ou Josep Maverick, sir"!



"Ah! I am so happy! Thank you Nitesh! With a sigh of relief, It, said you are free to go now"! And, It, the Joseph Merrick! The Ghost disappeared too!.



Author Dr Fatema Miah (Raby)

Solihull. UK.