House of Tales… Episode 3

#Houseoftalesepisode3

#houseoftalesepisode3

Links of earlier episodes: #Houseoftalesepisode1

#houseoftalesepisode1, #Houseoftalesepisode2

#houseoftalesepisode2

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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.

Deepika realised she was hungry. She kept her mom’s photo back and went ahead to open her trolley bag to take out fresh clothes. She pulled out a comfortable t shirt, a pair of pajamas, undergarments and kept them on the bed. She then took her towel and went to the bathroom. The shower was refreshing. As the water touched her skin, she felt the water gripping her soul with all the affection under the sun. Oh, how much she had missed this all these years. The lavender shower gel added to the bliss. She was in the shower for almost 30 minutes. Wrapping herself in her towel, she stepped out of the bathroom. She wore the fresh clothes and took out her moisturizer and comb from her back pack. She applied moisturizer generously, combed her hair, tied a neat pony tail and went out of her room.

Meanwhile, Devi Choudhary was raging at Ranvijay, ‘How could you do that? You know what had happened earlier!’ Ranvijay tried to explain, ‘I tried my best, but she would not listen.’ Devi Choudhary said, ‘Drop her back, tomorrow itself….’ Ranvijay was about to say something when Deepika came there. She did not hear the entire conversation. She said, ‘I am so hungry! Come all of you. Let us have dinner.’

Saying that Deepika went to the kitchen. The aroma of freshly cooked chicken curry emanated from the kitchen. Bahadur Kaka was frying piping hot pooris while his assistant Raju was getting the salad ready. Suresh was getting the dining table ready. It was a huge spread. Steamed rice, fluffy pooris, chicken curry, shaahi paneer, matar paneer, chicken dry fry, salad and kheer. Suresh and Raju served the food on everyone’s plate. Deepika was delighted. She ate to her heart’s content. The food was delicious.

While having dinner, Samarth cleared his voice and said, ‘Eat well sweetheart. Anyway, you have to leave tomorrow.’ Deepika looked at Samarth wide eyed and said, ‘What? Are you serious chachu? I just came.’ Ranvijay added, ‘Yes, Deepu, you have to go tomorrow. Samarth Chachu will drop you.’ Deepika looked at Ranvijay and said, ‘NO! I just came. I am not going anywhere.’ Ranvijay replied sternly, ‘You have to go. Now have your dinner and go to sleep.’ Deepika knew there was no way she could stay back, unless she did some quick thinking.’ She said, ‘B…but, Sonal is coming tomorrow.’ Ranvijay looked at Deepika confused and asked, ‘But you said she is at her home town.’ Deepika groped for words and said, ‘Y…yes, but, when I texted her now, she said, she will come here tomorrow. I can’t be rude to her. Please, Grandpa, Dad, Chachu, I and Sonal will stay for a week and then go.’ Devi Choudhury said sternly, ‘Week? No! Only for two days. That’s it.’ Deepika knew, it would be better to keep quiet and figure out what to do once she is back in her room.’

Deepika finished her food and went to her room. She immediately took her phone and called Sonal.

Sonal(Yawning): Tell me

Deepika: You are coming to Ranjanpur tomorrow.

Sonal(perplexed): What? Tomorrow?

Deepika: Yes, tomorrow. And if dad or chachu or grandpa calls you, you will tell them you made this sudden plan because you have been dying to visit Ranjanpur.

Sonal(raging): Are you mad?

Deepika(pleading): Please please….. listen, if you help me this time, I will help you with all the writing work next semester. Promise! Please help me this time….

Sonal: Okay..okay….. fine. I will be there.

Deepika said a silent prayer of ‘Thank You’ to God and went to sleep.

Deepika slept like a baby. She woke up to sounds of cuckoo birds. When she looked at the clock, it was 7 am. She yawned, stretched, freshened up and went out to the garden. She saw two women there. They were non other than Shama Kaaki and Reshma Mausi. Shama Kaki was a distant cousin of Bahadur Kaka and Reshma Mausi was Shama’s sibling.

Deepika went near them. The moment Shama saw Deepika, she left her work and exclaimed with joy, ‘Deepika!!! My Child!! How are you?’ Deepika hugged her and said, ‘I am fine Kaki. How are you?’ Deepika had tears of joy in her eyes. Shama also came running and said, ‘You have grown up Deepika. God bless you. It has been so long since we saw you.’ Saying that Reshma brushed Deepika’s hair. Deepika’s eyes welled up. She had missed all of these so much. After her mom’s death Shama Kaki had taken care of her. Deepika decided, she won’t leave Ranjanpur that soon. Today when Sonal comes, she will come up with a new plan so that her stay here in Ranjanpur could be extended.

In the evening hours Sonal arrived. Deepika ran to hug her and while hugging Sonal, Deepika whispered, ‘The plan is to stay here for long. Don’t say a thing now. When dad says something, I will handle.’ Before Sonal could say anything, Ranvijay came. Sonal greeted him. Ranvijay smiled and said, ‘Welcome. Please make yourself comfortable. I will ask Suresh to get something for you girls to eat.’ Ranvijay then called a house help to help with Sonal’s luggage and asked him to keep it in the luxurious and comfortable guest room.

Sonal and Deepika then went to Sonal’s room. Deepika closed the door. Sonal made herself comfortable on the bed and said ‘Now tell me, what’s the plan?’ Deepika looked at Sonal and said, ‘From today you will limp while walking.’ Sonal looked at Deepika sternly and said, ‘And why on earth will I do that?’ Deepika said pulling Sonal’s cheeks, ‘Because you are my bestie. Please. We will say you sprained your leg and hence you will need rest. That way we will get to stay for some more days.’ Sonal said putting a pillow on her lap, ‘But Deepika, instead of all these, why don’t you ask clearly why is it that they don’t want you to stay here.’ Deepika said pensively, ‘That’s what I want to know Sonal. We have a month long holiday. I need to know all the tales of this house.’

After dinner everyone retired to their respective rooms. As it is, tonight too, there were those eyes peeping through one of the windows of Deepika’s room. As was the norm of this house, Deepika is a Choudhary. She would eventually commit suicide. It’s painful but that’s the destiny Deepika came with. Yes, may she live these few days happily.’ Thinking that, the eyes vanished in the thin air. The air around gave out a strange fragrance, Deepika felt stuffy in the room.

To be continued………………………………