House of Tales… Episode 9

#Houseoftalesepisode9

#houseoftalesepisode9

Links of earlier episodes: #Houseoftalesepisode1

#houseoftalesepisode1, #Houseoftalesepisode2,

#houseoftalesepisode2, #Houseoftalesepisode3

#houseoftalesepisode3, #Houseoftalesepisode4

#houseoftalesepisode4, #Houseoftalesepisode5

#houseoftalesepisode5, #Houseoftalesepisode6

#houseoftalesepisode6, #Houseoftalesepisode7

#houseoftalesepisode7, #Houseoftalesepisode8

#houseoftalesepisode8

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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 came out of the police station. He was in a dual state of mind. Should he work on reopening the case? Well, seeing Deepika’s condition, his heart said yes. But as per the norms, it might not be right. He called Saanchi.

Saanchi: Hey….

Mushtaque: Busy?

Saanchi: No, one class just got over. Next class in another 10 minutes. All good?

Mushtaque: Yes…

Saanchi: When are you coming back?

Mushtaque: Well, the work which I had come for is over. I can come back today evening itself. However…….

Saanchi: However?

Mushtaque: There is something else…..

Saanchi: As in?

Mushtaque: As in…..ummm

Saanchi: Wait, let me guess, you found something suspicious and, as it is with your work, you can’t disclose.

Mushtaque(smiling): You know everything, don’t you?

Saanchi: I am your wife…..anyway, so then what’s bothering you?

Mushtaque: What do you think I should do?

Saanchi: Well, listen to your heart. Simple.

Mushtaque: Even if it costs my career?

Saanchi(smiling): You yourself had told me once. When we are not doing anything wrong, we should not be worried about the consequences.

Mushtaque: Got my answer. Love you.

Saanchi: Also, it means, I will have to wait for some more days before I get to see you.

Mushtaque: You told me to follow my heart.

Saanchi: Of course. I want you to follow your heart, because I live there.

Mushtaque(smiling): Love you.

Saanchi: Love you too.

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Sonal, Saahil and Deepika reached the hospital. Rohan had a few patients to check before he could check on Sonal’s foot. Sohum came to meet them. Deepika tried to smile. She tried her best to look happy. She even tried to initiate small talks. But Sonal could feel the pretense of happiness behind those. As if Deepika was forcing those smiles just to make people around her feel that everything was okay.

After some time, Rohan called Sonal to his cabin. Sonal did not want Deepika to be alone. So she asked Saahil to be with Deepika.

Seeing Sonal, Rohan smiled warmly and asked, ‘How are you?’ Deepika replied, ‘Much better.’ Rohan checked her foot. While checking the injury, he told her about the specifics of the bones, tissues and muscles in the foot. When he said that, he tried to steal glances at Sonal’s pretty face. Sonal listened to him with rapt attention. She loved to learn new stuff. When Rohan was telling her about the Xray reports, although Sonal listened to him, her thoughts kept on going back to Deepika. Rohan realised that Sonal seemed worried about something. Seeing her lost in thoughts, Rohan said, ‘I think in a week or so you will feel much better.’ Sonal nodded. Rohan then wrote some medicines in the prescription and while writing, he asked Sonal, ‘You look worried. Is everything okay?’ Sonal hesitated. Rohan looked at Sonal and said, ‘If you don’t want to talk about it, it’s fine. But sometimes, it is good to tell what’s troubling you.’ Sonal thought Rohan was Deepika’s childhood friend and he was a doctor. Perhaps she can tell Rohan. But then, no one should know that Deepika had attempted suicide. Maybe she could tell Rohan about Deepika’s mood swings and nothing about her suicide attempt.

Sonal said, ‘I am worried about Deepika.’ Rohan was surprised. ‘What about Deepika?’, he asked. Sonal paused and said, ‘She has been behaving very differently these days.’ Rohan asked concerned, ‘Different as in?’ Sonal said, ‘Well….she keeps on crying….sleeps a lot….’ Rohan asked, ‘And since when is she behaving this way?’ Sonal said, ‘Just after a day or two since we arrived in Ranjanpur.’ Rohan said, ‘But I did not notice anything now when I met her.’ Sonal replied, ‘She fixes this smile on her face when she is around people. But at home, when she is all by herself she would be very upset.’ Rohan nodded, ‘Hmm’. Rohan then said, ‘If you could observe her behavior for a day or two and let me know. It could be a case of depression. Depression can be dangerous. We will have to get her checked by a specialist. If she is diagnosed with depression, counselling and medicines would be necessary. Mental health is important.’ Sonal said, ‘Yes. Mental health is very important. I will observe her and let you know.’ Rohan then said, ‘Also, it’s okay if she wants to cry, let her cry. Nonetheless, do not leave her alone. If she needs space, it’s fine. But ensure someone keeps an eye on her.’

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During lunch, Mushtaque watched everyone closely. He watched their way of talking, he watched their body language, he even tried to read their eyes. Deepika ate quietly while everyone talked about things happening around. Shama, Reshma, Bahadur, Raju and Suresh kept on coming to the dining room to serve fluffy pooris and hot chapatis. Shama and Reshma always had long veils covering their faces when the men of the house were around. Reshma and Shama seemed to avoid Mushtaque. They kept on looking at Samarth and Ranvijay and then they would go back to the kitchen. Bahadur and Suresh would then come and serve Mushtaque.

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Before dusk, Reshma and Shama would leave. Mushtaque could not ask anyone in the house where these women lived. So, on the pretext of some work, he would have to step out of the house in the evening and find out where they lived.

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After lunch, Mushtaque and Saahil went out and sat underneath the shade of one of the trees outside. There was a mild breeze blowing. Mushtaque asked Saahil all about the hospital visit. Sonal had told Saahil what Rohan had said. Deepika could be in depression. And hence it was necessary that someone should be with her and that she should see a counsellor. Mushtaque said, ‘I am surprised, why this sudden depression? I mean, Sonal had said Deepika was never like this before. People in the village talk about some curse in the house. Even at the police station I could not find any information.’ Saahil was quiet for sometime and then he said, ‘What’s next then?’ Mushtaque said, ‘I don’t know. I have to find out more. But as of now, Deepika’s safety is our priority. We have to take her out of this house.’

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In the evening, Mushtaque asked constable Alok Sinha to find the address of Shama and Reshma. Mushtaque went to meet them. The moment Shama saw Mushtaque at the door, she joined her hands and said, ‘Sir, please leave. If someone sees that you are talking to us, we will be in trouble.’ Mushtaque said, ‘I assure you, no trouble will befall on you or your sister. I just want to know about the Choudharys and deaths of the women.’ Shama pleaded, ‘We don’t know anything. Please go away from here.’ Mushtaque said sternly this time, ‘See, I will ask you one last time and then I will leave. But tomorrow I will be back with an arrest warrant.’ Shama was petrified. She said, ‘Right from Badi Malkin (Devi Choudhary’s wife) to Choti Malkin(Nandini aka Ranvijay’s wife) to Sabse Choti malkin(Chandni aka Samarth’s wife), every one was very kind and nice. But….’ Mushtaque asked, ‘But what?’ Shama continued, ‘But it seems there was something wrong in the house. Initially everything seemed okay but eventually everything changed.’ Mushtaque asked, ‘ Changed? As in? There has to be something more.’ Shama said, ‘Please go away from here.’ Mushtaque said, ‘I will, but you must tell me more about the Choudharys.’ Shama said, ‘The women were very nice. There was no way they would commit suicide, unless……’ Mushtaque asked, ‘Unless?’ Shama said, ‘Unless….someone forced them to do something they did not want to do….. Women cannot stay there at night. Women should not stay there at night……..’ Mushtaque asked, ‘And why is that so?’ Reshma said, ‘There is something at the house who would not let any woman stay alive.’ Mushtaque asked, ‘You mean someone?’ Shama said, ‘No, it’s something….’ Mushtaque asked, ‘What do you mean?’ Shama said, ‘I don’t know much. Please spare me. If someone comes to know that you are investigating this, and we are being interrogated, we will be doomed. Please go away from here….’ Mushtaque asked, ‘Who someone?’ Shama said, ‘I wish I knew that. But there is someone who do not want the women of Choudhury family to stay alive. And there is something in the house.’

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That night Mushtaque could not sleep a wink. He kept on tossing and turning. He was also worried because Deepika did not allow Sonal to sleep over at her room. Mushtaque got up and went out. He took the water bottle in his room with him. He barely drunk water at night. The bottle was full. But he emptied the water in a flower pot and on the pretext on getting some water, he walked to the kitchen and filled up the water bottle. He then walked in the hallway in front of Deepika’s room to check if Deepika was fine. Suddenly he heard some noise. It seemed to come from the garden. Deepika’s room was garden facing. Mushtaque walked fast. He saw a shadow. There was someone right near Deepika’s window. Mushtaque tried walking as quietly as possible to see who or what was that shadow. But before Mushtaque could catch it, something strong hit Mushtaque’s head. He clutched his head and fell down……To be continued…………………

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To be continued……………………..