House of Tales… Episode 7

#Houseoftalesepisode7

#houseoftalesepisode7

Links of earlier episodes: #Houseoftalesepisode1

#houseoftalesepisode1, #Houseoftalesepisode2,

#houseoftalesepisode2, #Houseoftalesepisode3

#houseoftalesepisode3, #Houseoftalesepisode4

#houseoftalesepisode4, #Houseoftalesepisode5

#houseoftalesepisode5, #Houseoftalesepisode6

#houseoftalesepisode6

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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.

Saanchi answered the call: Hey, you are fine?

Mushtaque: Yes. How are you? How is Mehek?

Saanchi: All great. Mehek is super happy, guess why?

Mushtaque: Why?

Saanchi: Mom and Dad are here.

Mushtaque: Aha. But she meets them very often.

Saanchi: Uff….not my mom and dad, your mom and dad….

Mushtaque: Really? They never told me.

Saanchi: Haha, it was a surprise visit.

Mushtaque: Great!

Saanchi: Did you eat something?

Mushtaque: Yes. How about you?

Saanchi: Mom had made Biryani today, just the way I like….

Mushtaque: Aha, so lots of pampering…….

Saanchi: Yes, you can feel jealous…I don’t mind…

Mushtaque: Can I ever feel jealous of my love?

Saanchi(giggling): No! I know that.

Mushtaque(Yawning): Feeling sleepy. Wish you were here. I could have hugged you and slept…..

Saanchi: Should I come?

Mushtaque: Right away…. please….

Saanchi(Giggling): Stop it now. Go to sleep. Good night!

Mushtaque: Good night. Love you!

Saanchi: Love you too.

……………………………………………………………………………………

Mushtaque was about to go to his room when he heard some dry leaves rustling. It was not the breeze. It seemed as if someone was walking. He turned around. No one was there, but he did hear some faint footsteps. He walked ahead to see. Yes, he could see someone walking. Yes it was a girl. She was wearing a pair of salwar suit. Who could she be? He thought of waiting to observe where she was going at this hour. She walked up to the huge tree in front. The moment she reached there, she turned around. Mushtaque immediately hid himself. He did see the girl the moment she turned around. She was none other than Deepika. Mushtaque watched her. Deepika was holding a long scarf. She then looked around. She then spotted something and walked towards it. Mushtaque looked where she was going. Apparently she was going towards one of the tables kept in the garden. She pulled a chair from there and dragged it towards the tree. Mushtaque felt something was wrong. He began walking towards her. She did not realise Mushtaque was behind. She kept the chair underneath a branch and was about to climb when Mushtaque said, ‘Deepika!’. Deepika was startled. Mushtaque asked, ‘What are you doing here at this hour?’ Deepika groped for words…. ‘I…I…I don’t know….I…I think I was sleep walking….’ Mushtaque looked at her and asked in an interrogating tone, ‘Sleepwalking? You sleepwalk?’ Deepika fumbled, ‘Y..yes…’. Mushtaque said, ‘That way you should not be staying alone in a room. There should be someone with you always at night….’ Deepika said, ‘Uh…that’s why Sonal is always with me in Vilaspur.’ Mushtaque asked, ‘Then why isn’t there anyone in your room here? Does your father know about your sleep walking?’ Deepika said, ‘Please….don’t tell him….he does not know about it…. please….I developed it after I went to hostel. I request you not to tell anyone anything about it.’ Mushtaque nodded and said, ‘Okay! But, you need to go to your room now. Come, I will escort you.’

Mushtaque dropped Deepika to her room. Deepika went inside and locked the door. Mushtaque walked to the security gate. The guards were sleeping. Mushtaque patted the cheek of one of the guards. The guard woke up with a start. Mushtaque said, ‘You get paid to sleep at night?’ The guard stood up and said, ‘S…Sorry Sir…….’ Mushtaque said, ‘Go and sit in front of Deepika Ma’am’s room. I saw a snake just now. Her room windows are open. Keep an eye. Wake the other guard up to keep an eye on the main gate.’ The guard did as Mushtaque said.

Mushtaque looked around. He went back to the tree and checked. It was dark he could not find much. He will check tomorrow.

Mushtaque went back to his room. He tried to sleep but could not. Tomorrow he will seek answers.

Next morning Mushtaque woke up early and went for a walk in the garden outside. He went back to the tree to check. However he could not find any clue. After around half an hour he saw two women coming. He guessed they were house helps. He waited for the women to settle down. He would ask them questions for sure. Shama Kaaki and Reshma Mausi kept their bags inside and came out to the garden. They usually began with tending the garden, then they would go and do the rest of the chores. They would come pretty early. Mushtaque walked up to them and said, ‘Beautiful flowers.’ Shama looked up and said, ‘Thank you! And Sir, You are?’ Mushtaque smiled and said, ‘I am a guest here.’ Shama said, ‘Oh ok ! Namaste!’ Mushtaque greeted her warmly. Shama then introduced Reshma to Mushtaque. That’s Reshma. My sister.’ Mushtaque smiled and said, ‘That’s nice. The garden is very beautiful. You guys really work hard.’ Shama smiled and said ‘Thank You!’ Mushtaque then asked, ‘So you have been working here for a long time now?’ Shama answered, ‘Yes. We have been here even before Deepika baby was born.’ Mushtaque smiled and said, ‘Wow! So were you there when Ranvijay and Samarth got married? While working on the rose shrub, Shama said, ‘Yes….we were there……we have seen weddings….we have seen……’ Before Shama could say something, Devi Choudhary came to the verandah. Seeing him, Reshma quickly gestured something to Shama and then Shama got back to her work. Seeing Mushtaque, Devi Chouwdhary said warmly, ‘Good morning! Come son, breakfast is ready….’ Reshma and Shama got up and went to the rear end of the garden to work on the other plants.

At the dining table, one by one, people joined for breakfast, except Deepika. Ranvijay said, ‘Is Deepika still sleeping? Let me call her?’ Sonal said, ‘No no Uncle, you please sit. I will go get her.’ Mushtaque said, ‘Sonal you are still limping. I will go and call her.’ Sonal said, ‘I will call Saahil Bhai and ask him to get Sonal while coming. Anyway, he will have to come through that hallway itself.’ Saying that Sonal called Saahil:

Saahil: Yes Sonal….

Sonal: Bhai, we are waiting for you for breakfast….

Saahil: Yes, I am on my way…..

Sonal: Bhai… listen…get Deepika with you. Her room is right at the corner.

Saahil: Okay!

…………………………………………………………………………………….

Saahil knocked at Deepika’s door. Deepika heard the knock. She looked at the clock at her bedside table and looked at her phone. There were missed calls. She is late for breakfast. She does not want to recall what had happened last night. She woke up and opened the door. Seeing Saahil she wished him good morning. Saahil saw the dark circles around her eyes and her tired face. He said, ‘Sorry if I disturbed you…. Sonal told me to call you for breakfast…’ Deepika said, ‘No no, don’t say sorry please. In fact I should thank you for waking me up. I will join you all in 15 minutes.’ Saahil replied, ‘Sure! See you then.’

Saahil went to the dining room. Seeing him alone Mushtaque almost shouted, ‘Where is Deepika?’ Ranvijay, Sonal, Samarth, all of them looked at Mushtaque queerly. Mushtaque realised he should not have shown this concern. He immediately said, ‘I mean, it’s, we should all have breakfast together.’ Saahil replied, ‘Deepika is coming. She said, she would need 15 minutes.’ Mushtaque did not say anything but he kept on looking at the watch. If she did not come in 15 minutes, he will rush. All the same the guards the there. If Deepika tried to do something wrong, the guards would hear some noise. But Mushtaque did not trust these guards. But then, in 15 minutes, Deepika came. She smiled and greeted everyone. She looked at Mushtaque. Mushtaque could read the questions in her eyes. She prayed Mushtaque did not tell anyone anything about the incident last night. She realised Mushtaque did not tell anyone anything.

Bahadur, Suresh and Raju served breakfast. After sometime Shama and Reshma also joined in the kitchen to help them. Mushtaque wanted to talk to Shama and Reshma but with everyone around, it was not possible. Ranvijay asked Deepika, ‘Did you sleep well?’ Deepika was lost in some world. She did not even hear the question. Sonal nudged Deepika with her elbow. Deepika looked up and said, ‘Wh…what?’ Ranvijay continued, ‘Did you sleep well dear?’ Deepika said, ‘Yes dad.’ Ranvijay then asked Sonal, ‘How is your foot? Don’t you have a follow up appointment?’ Sonal replied, ‘Yes uncle.’ Saahil said, ‘I will take you to the hospital.’ Ranvijay added, ‘You can take one of our cars. I will ask a driver to drive you guys.’ Mushtaque said, ‘Actually, I have to step out anyway for some work. So, I can drop Saahil and Sonal at the hospital.’ Ranvijay said, ‘Oh okay then! No problem! But please try to be here by lunch. We have special lunch today.’ Saahil laughed and said, ‘The food here, every day is special.’

After breakfast, on the pretext of getting some water, Mushtaque went to the kitchen. Shama was having breakfast alone seated in one corner. Mushtaque got one bottle of water and went near Shama and casually drank some water and asked, ‘It was really nice talking to you in the morning?’ Shama smiled. Mushtaque then said, ‘The people here are so warm and nice. Be it Mr. Ranvijay or his father or even his brother Samarth….’ Reshma said, ‘All that glitters is not gold…….’

To be continued….