House of Tales… Episode 6

#Houseoftalesepisode6

#houseoftalesepisode6

Links of earlier episodes: #Houseoftalesepisode1

#houseoftalesepisode1, #Houseoftalesepisode2,

#houseoftalesepisode2, #Houseoftalesepisode3

#houseoftalesepisode3, #Houseoftalesepisode4

#houseoftalesepisode4, #Houseoftalesepisode5

#houseoftalesepisode5

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#rhituparnachakraborty

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.

Mushtaque smiled and said, ‘Nice to meet you too.’ Ranvijay then escorted Mushtaque and Saahil inside. The moment she saw Saahil, Sonal ran to hug him. Sonal hugged him tight and said, ‘Bhai! I am so happy to see you.’ Sahil patted her head and said, ‘I am very happy to see you too Sonu. How are you? How is your friend?’ Sonal tried to hide her worries and said, ‘We both are doing great.’ Saahil then introduced Sonal to Mushtaque and said, ‘He is my friend Mushtaque.’ Sonal greeted Mushtaque with a warm smile and shook hands with him. Ranvijay then said, ‘You guys must be tired and hungry too. It must have been a long journey. I will ask someone to get your luggage from your car and keep them in the guest rooms.’ Mushtaque said in his baritone voice, ‘Oh Sir! Don’t trouble yourself, please! We will leave in some time. We came by to meet Sonal.’ Saahil added, ‘Yes, we had come to Sompur, so thought of meeting Sonal. Mushtaque has in fact arranged our accommodation. We will leave in some time.’ Sonal held Saahil’s wrist and said, ‘Bhai…I cannot walk properly. Hence I cannot come with you. And I have so many things to talk. You were on official tour through out. This time when I went home, you were not here. Please stay back for some days. Please….’ Ranvijay added, ‘Sonal is right. Moreover, it’s dinner time now. I won’t let you go without having dinner. Also, I will be very happy if you meet my father, brother, daughter. Anyway, we have Holi coming up in the next couple of days. Join us in the celebration…..please….I insist.’ Saahil looked at Mushtaque for approval. Mushtaque laughed and said, ‘I know you want to spend time with your little sister. Let’s stay here. No problem. Also we can finish the documentation work in Sompur regarding one of your clients’ bank issue from here itself. Sompur is not far from here at all.’ Saahil nodded and said, ‘Right.’

Ranvijay asked two boys to get Saahil’s and Mushtaque’s luggage from the car and got those kept in two guestrooms. Both the rooms were adjacent to each other. Saahil was around 5 feet 9 inches tall. He was a chartered accountant. He had a sturdy structure and dusky complexion. He had wavy hair and he was lean. He wore a steel rimmed rectangular pair of glasses. He had a sharp nose and a warm smile. He was wearing a loose round necked t shirt and pair of faded jeans. He was wearing a pair of crocs flip flops in his feet.

Mushtaque was wearing a round necked black tshirt. Although the Tshirt was loose enough to hide his six packs, the sleeves hugged his biceps. He was wearing a pair of navy blue cargo trousers. He was wearing a pair of sturdy shoes. Of course, he had his gun neatly tucked underneath his tshirt. Well, being a cop, carrying that gun has become more of a necessity. His rugged good looks and innocent eyes caught Sonal’s attention and for a moment she forgot all her worries and fear. She told herself, ‘Why did bhai never tell me about this handsome friend of his.’

Mushtaque and Saahil went to their respective rooms to freshen up. In some time they came to the dining table for dinner. Devi Choudhary welcomed them whole heartedly. Samarth too extended a warm welcome. Sonal introduced Deepika to Saahil and Mushtaque. Deepika smiled. Sonal looked at Deepika. Sonal was happy to see that smile on Deepika’s face. Because back in the room, Deepika was altogether in a different state of mind. Perhaps, she missed her mother, or perhaps she did not want to leave Ranjanpur. ‘Nevermind, atleast, my friend is happy’, Sonal thought.

Bahadur Kaka, Suresh and Raju served dinner to everyone. There was Chicken Biryani today along with Raita, Soft Chappatis, a mixed vegetable curry, and Kheer for dessert. As they ate, Saahil asked Sonal, ‘How did you get hurt?’ Sonal said, ‘I tripped over a rod. Maybe some construction worker kept it. But, the injury is not that bad. I am recovering. The doctor had called for a follow up.’ Saahil replied, ‘Okay! Which hospital? I will take you.’ Ranvijay added, ‘I will get a car and a driver ready for you.’ Saahil said, ‘No no. Thank you so much! I can take my car. It’s fine.’ Ranvijay said, ‘That’s no trouble. Please. Go comfortably.’ Saahil smiled and said, ‘Okay!’

Mushtaque was having his dinner quietly. As was his habit, he observed everything closely. He listened to the conversations between everyone. He was someone who would talk only when necessary. But he would listen and register everything in his grey matter. When Sonal talked about the iron rod accidentally kept by construction workers, Mushtaque found it somewhat strange. Nonetheless, since he did not know anything about the history of this Choudhary family, he decided not to worry much about it. Samarth talked a lot. Devi Choudhary was a quiet fellow. Ranvijay talked moderately. Bahadur, Suresh, Raju, they seemed to be very disciplined. Suresh and Raju would obey every word Bahadur said, without any interruption. Mushtaque did not see even a slightest frown on the faces of these cooks. Saahil was also a man of few words. Sonal was a chatterbox. Deepika was quiet. Sonal kept on trying to include Deepika in the conversations. Deepika would smile or laugh but wouldn’t continue it.

Mushtaque looked around the dining room. It had a rustic look with all the modern amenities. The house was huge. Lot of workers all around. However, where are the women of the house? Mushtaque’s question bag expanded.

After dinner, Saahil and Mushtaque went for a walk in the garden. Saahil said, ‘Dinner was good.’ Mushtaque nodded, ‘Hmm.’ Mushtaque looked around. He looked at house from the garden. Saahil asked, ‘What are you looking at so curiously?’ Mushtaque said, ‘Isn’t it somewhat strange?’ Saahil asked, ‘What strange?’ Mushtaque said, ‘Apart from Deepika and Sonal, there are no women in the house. Where is Deepika’s mother? And Samarth’s wife?’ Saahil replied, ‘Sonal had told me Deepika’s mom and her aunt had died when Deepika was a kid.’ Mushtaque replied, ‘Hmm.’ Mushtaque then said, ‘And they don’t have any female househelp?’ Saahil said, ‘Oh….right…..yes, how come there are no female househelp?’ Saahil then added, ‘Perhaps, it is because Deepika is always in Vilaspur. Since there are no women here in this house, they don’t have female househelp.’ Mushtaque said, ‘Could be.’ Saahil then said, ‘Anyway, I am feeling very sleepy. I will go get some sleep. Good night!’ Mushtaque said, ‘Good Night!’

Mushtaque dialed Saanchi’s number. He had not been able to talk to her for the past two days. Although, as was Saanchi’s rule, he did send her text messages about his well being. One sentence would also suffice, but he had to send a message, ‘ I am fine….’

Deepika came back to her room. The moment she entered, she felt the fragrance and breeze in the air from the open window behind her bed. She then came to her bed and sat down. She felt a hollow inside her stomach. She went ahead and drank some water. She then went to the window and stared at the tree in the dark. She looked at the tree and cried. After around half an hour, most of the lights in the house were out. The house went quiet. Deepika went to her closet. She pulled out a dupatta of hers. She pulled it to see if it was strong enough. She wiped her tears and told herself, ‘Hope Dad will forgive me for this….’ She then opened the room of the door and walked to the door with the dupatta (scarf) in hand……………….

To be continued…………………..