House Number 24
#housenumber24episode3
#Housenumber24episode3
Links for earlier episode: #housenumber24episode1, #Housenumber24episode1, #housenumber24episode2
#Housenumber24episode2
©All rights reserved
Author: Rhituparna Chakraborty
#Disclaimer: This is an original work of fiction with no relation to any person/organism living or dead. Every episode, every character is a work of imagination. Any resemblance to any person, organism, place, character or situation is purely coincidental. There is no intention to hurt or rebuke anyone or any profession through this work. This story/episode cannot be copied, published or reproduced without the permission of the author RhituparnaChakraborty.
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Before Preeti could say anything, Rahul came to dining room. Seeing Preeti, Rahul asked, ‘Hey, all okay? Preeti did not say anything. Rahul looked at Geeta. She was eating cereals and milk nonchalantly. Preeti tried to calm herself and told Rahul, ‘I need to talk to you. Come with me.’
Preeti took Rahul to the kitchen and told him, ‘I went outside to get the newspaper. It was not delivered till then. When I asked Geeta to tell you that, she told me that she could see some old man reading that newspaper in the guest bedroom.’ Rahul listened astonished. Preeti said shivering, ‘I have no clue what is happening Rahul. Why does Geeta talk about these old people. There is nothing in the guest bedroom.’ Rahul said, ‘Let us go and see if we can find the newspaper there.’
Rahul and Preeti went to the guest bedroom. They looked all around. There was no newspaper there. Rahul went to Geeta, who was done with her breakfast and was at her study table, doing some art work. Rahul asked Geeta gently, ‘Geeta, did you tell your mom that the newspaper was in the guest bedroom?’ Geeta said doodling something on her art sheet, ‘Yes daddy. But the old man now kept the newspaper back outside in the verandah.’ Rahul was flabbergasted. He rushed to the verandah to see if the newspaper was there. And Geeta was right. The newspaper was there.
Preeti told Rahul, ‘This is something concerning. Is our daughter alright?’ Rahul said, ‘The newspaper might have been delivered late. And it was always here. I think we should consult a counsellor for our Geeta.’
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Next day when Rahul and Geeta left for work and school, Preeti saw Sunita, her front door neighbor. Sunita was tending to a plant at the garden. Seeing Preeti, Sunita wished Preeti ‘Good Morning’. Preeti went to greet Sunita and said, ‘Thank you so much, but I really have some work to do, so won’t be able to come for tea. But, if could help me with something….’ Sunita said, ‘Sure! Please tell me.’ Preeti said, ‘Do you guys know any good counsellor here?’ Sunita thought for a while and said, ‘Not really! But I can find out. Is everything okay?’ Preeti said, ‘Umm, yes. Just that, because we have been moving almost every two years from one place to another. It’s taking a toll on our mental health. If we could get some help, it will be wonderful.’ Sunita patted Preeti’s shoulder and said, ‘I understand.’
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Rahul could not focus on his work. He would try to work, then get up, go outside, walk around, come back and would try to focus on his work again. His co worker, Sameer Verma noticed that. He walked up to Rahul and asked, ‘Are you okay?’. Rahul hesitated and then said, ‘ Uh…yes….’ Sameer said, ‘Are you sure?’ Rahul said, ‘Well…something is troubling me.’ Sameer said, ‘Are you okay talking about it?’ Rahul said, ‘Actually yes…….’. Sameer said, ‘We can talk in the cafeteria.’
Rahul and Sameer went to the cafeteria, grabbed some coffee and then Rahul said, ‘I am worried about my daughter.’ Sameer said, ‘How old is she and what is it that’s bothering you?’ Rahul said, ‘She is only 4 and she is hallucinating stuff.’ Sameer asked puzzled, ‘I don’t understand.’ Rahul said, ‘Well, she keeps on telling us about some old people living with us at our home. And we are just three of us staying at our home. I have no clue what she is talking about.’ Sameer replied concerned, ‘Oh! This is certainly worrisome. Did you talk to her?’ Rahul said, ‘Yes we did. She even draws sketches of these old people. Oh, I am so worried. Can you help me with some counsellor?’ Sameer said, ‘Even I am new to this place. But we can check with colleagues who have been staying here in Revati for some time now. They may be able to help with counsellor’s phone number.’
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Preeti’s phone rang. It was from Sunita.
Sunita: Hi Preeti, I got a number of a counsellor from Mrs. Suhasini, our neighbor staying in the last row house of our lane. I just texted the number to you.
Preeti: Thank you so much.
Sunita: Hope this helps you guys. We are also pretty new to this place. Do not know a lot of people around here. Mrs. Suhasini has been staying in Revati for years now. She knows all about good doctors and counsellors here. I will share her number also with you.
Preeti: That helps. Thank you again!
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Latika was still unwell and had not reported to work as yet. Sarju was regular in her work. Latika’s husband Hiru was a gardener in that colony. He would come alternate days to tend to the plants. The garbage collector Ravi and the cleaning lady Suman, were also very regular in their work. They have been working in this colony for years now. They have not yet interacted with Preeti much.
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Preeti checked Sunita’s message. The counsellor’s name was Dr. Ramya Kumar. Preeti checked Dr. Ramya’s reviews online. The reviews were good. She called at Dr. Ramya’s office and scheduled an appointment. She informed Rahul about the appointment. Rahul picked Geeta from school and went directly to Dr. Ramya’s office. Preeti joined Rahul and Geeta there at the doctor’s office.
Preeti and Rahul told every thing in details to Dr. Ramya. Dr. Ramya listened without interrupting. She then spoke with Geeta.
Dr. Ramya: Geeta, do you sleep well baby?
Geeta: Yes.
Dr. Ramya: And do you feel sleepy in school?
Geeta: No.
Dr. Ramya: So, do you miss your grandparents a lot?
Geeta: No. I talk to them on video call from mom’s phone.
Dr. Ramya then showed the sketch Geeta had made in school and asked, ‘Geeta, are these your grandparents?’
Geeta: No no! They live with us in our house here.
Dr. Ramya: Oh! But I thought it’s only you, your mommy and your daddy here in this house.
Geeta: No. The old people live in the guest bedroom.
Dr. Ramya: Do they talk to you.
Geeta(yawning): No.
Dr. Ramya: Do they come out of the guest bedroom?
Geeta: No.
Dr. Ramya: Okay! And have you heard them talking?
Geeta: They don’t talk to me or anyone else. They talk only to themselves.
Dr. Ramya: Do you understand the language.
Geeta: No. I cannot hear them clearly.
Geeta yawned again.
Dr. Ramya: So, Geeta, do you play any games on the phone?
Geeta: Yes.
Dr. Ramya: What do you play?
Geeta: I play a game where there is a kitchen, I take out food from there. I can also make pizza. I can also make new sketches there. I draw sketches of my friends.
Dr. Ramya: So you draw sketches of all your best friends?
Geeta: No. Sometimes I make any sketch. Just like that.
Preeti told Dr. Ramya: Actually I have this app on my phone where there is play set up of a home, living room, kitchen etc. Geeta usually plays in that app.
Dr. Ramya then called a nurse and asked the nurse to take Geeta away for some time so that she could talk to Rahul and Preeti.
Dr. Ramya then told Rahul and Preeti, ‘It seems, Geeta is making up things out of her imagination. Her sleep might be disturbed too because of screen time. I will have to meet her again after a week. For now, if you could keep Geeta away from the mobile phone app that she plays with. That could be one reason for her imaginary talks. If in a week, her behavior changes, we can conclude it could be because of the app and the game. Let’s see. I will see her in a week. But please observe her and don’t leave her alone. We may need to schedule regular counselling sessions after a week.
Dr. Ramya then asked the nurse to bring Geeta back to the room. She then told Geeta, ‘Sweetheart, sometimes looking at the mobile phone for a long time makes us feel tired. And we cannot sleep well. So, from today, for a week, do not play any games on the phone. Okay?
Geeta replied: Okay.
Dr. Ramya: Good Girl!
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Rahul and Preeti felt somewhat relieved. The mobile app could be one reason for Geeta’s hallucination.
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One thing Preeti and Rahul did not observe was, the newspaper had creases in it as if it was read before.
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To be continued…………………………..
