Shriramnagar

#Nameofstory: #Shriramnagar

#Episode1

#Author: #RhituparnaChakraborty

#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 or character is purely coincidental. There is no intention to hurt or rebuke anyone through this work. This story/episode cannot be copied, published or reproduced without the permission of the author RhituparnaChakraborty.

Jagat Mohan sat in his super comfortable arm chair smoking those flavoured wisps of smoke emanating from his Hookah. His huge mansion in the village of Shriramnagar was a treat to the eyes. He lived there with his wife Satyawati, four children, Suryaveer, Chandraveer, Priyamvada, Priyanjali, his brother Jagdish Mohan, Jagdish Mohan’s wife Nirmala, their sons Rajveer and Ranveer. Jagat and Jagdish have a sister as well.Her name is Jayawati. Jayawati had also been living in that mansion for the past couple of years with her husband Manohar Singh and her children, Nandini, Raagini and Suhaas.

Being the ‘Sarpanch’ of this village, Jagat Mohan’s word was law. The entire village had to abide by his words. Any issues in the village, whatever it was, Jagat Mohan must be informed first. Yes, even before the Police knew about it, Jagat Mohan must know about it. Jagdish Mohan, Suryaveer and Chandraveer were Jagat’s shadow and spine.

Shriramnagar was a lush green village. The villagers had basic amenities. There were two good schools. However there were no colleges. Food and water supply were good. Electricity was an issue. Nonetheless, people were used to power failures. Jagat Mohan’s Mansion which was also known and Jagat Nivaas, had all the facilities under the sun. Right from generators to vehicles to all the luxuries, everything. The mansion had a huge garden with the brightest flowers. The rooms of the mansions were palatial. The mansion buzzed with househelps, cooks, gardeners and of course drivers.

Satyawati fixed her veil and walked towards Jagat Mohan. Her bangles and anklets jingled. She came and handed over the cup of tea to Jagat Mohan. Jagat gestured to keep the cup on the table. Satyawati gently kept the cup on the table right in front of Jagat. Jagat then looked at Satyawati and said, ‘Where is Priyamvada?’Satyawati shivered. Jagat looked at her sternly and said in a loud voice, ‘WHERE IS PRIYAMVADA?’. Hearing that Suryaveer came out of his room. Satyawati trembled and said, ‘I…I..told her not to go to college. B..b..ut….’ Jagat got up, slapped Satyawati tight and said, ‘She was not supposed to go to the town in the name of college and meet her boyfriend Nihir.’ Jagat looked at Suryaveer and said, ‘Find that Nihir and if needed break his bones.’ Suryaveer smirked and said, ‘I have fresh bullets dad. Why just break bones?’ Jagat patted Suryaveer’s shoulder and said, ‘As of now, broken bones would suffice. Get Priyamvada home.’

Suryaveer left in his car. Jagat looked at Satyawati, pushed her and said, ‘Get the hell back to kitchen.’ Satyawati wiped her tears, fixed her veil and went back to the kitchen.

Pulling Priyamvada’s hair, Suryaveer brought her home and locked her in the room. Back in town, Nihir was badly beaten and was rushed to the hospital. Suryaveer then went about his daily business of managing his dad’s shops and stores in the village.

The villagers were scared of two entities. One was Jagat Mohan. They were also scared of one more thing. Yes. The ghost. You heard it right. The Ghost of Shrirampur which resides in the ransacked ‘Haveli of Malhaar’. ‘Haveli of Malhaar’ was an ancestral palatial abode in Shrirampur which used to be the home of the then King, Raja Malhaar Singh and Queen Rani Kalavati Singh. As legends have it, Raja Malhaar was killed in front of Rani Kalavati and seeing her husband dead, she had killed herself to protect herself from being raped by the enemies. Since then, the place is haunted. People hear cries of Rani Kalavati seeking help. And the saddest plight is, whosoever goes inside this haunted place, never comes back. No one even finds the body.

Early morning Mansukh the farmer came running to the abode of Jagat Mohan crying. He knelt before Jagat Mohan and wailed and said, ‘My daughter Sitara is missing. Neighbours told me that she was seen walking right in front of Haveli of Malhaar.’ Jagat Mohan smoked a wisp of Hookah and said, ‘That’s a forbidden area. Why did she go there?’ The farmer cried and said, ‘She is a child. She did not know.’ Jagat Mohan said, ‘That’s a haunted place. No one goes there. I cannot help you here.’ The farmer cried miserably and not knowing what to do, went to the police station.

…………

Saanchi told Mushtaque, ‘What? No! I will come with you.’ Mushtaque said, ‘Saanchi, I can’t even tell you where I am going and you want to come with me?’ Saanchi said, ‘I will talk to your boss. I will come with you.’ Mushtaque pulled Saanchi close to him, held her waist gently, looked into her eyes and said, ‘Sweetie, my boss is very strict. You can’t come with me.’ Saanchi looked at Mushtaque with tears in her eyes and said, ‘But I will miss you.’ Mushtaque planted a kiss on Saanchi’s right cheek, caressed her hair and said, ‘I will miss you too love. But then, you know your husband is a cop.’ Saanchi hid herself in Mushtaque’s broad chest and said, ‘I know. I love you.’ Mushtaque kissed her head and said, ‘I love you too.’

Mushtaque went to the police station. Parvati, his boss was waiting for him. She said, ‘You will go to Shriramnagar as a school teacher. Your name will be Mohan Awasthi. Abhay and Sofia will be in this project. They will be in the police station whenever you need them.’ Mushtaque nodded and said, ‘Right Maám.’ You will be leaving tomorrow early morning. Drop Saanchi and Mehek at my home. Mushtaque said, ‘Yes Ma’am.’ Parvati then said, ‘ You know you have to look like a simple school teacher, so,….’ Mushtaque smiled and said, ‘Even you won’t recognize me maám.’

Next morning, clad in a checked half sleeves shirt and loose trousers with simple pair of slippers and not to forget oiled hair and specs, Mushtaque reached Shriramnagar. His attire hid his well toned muscles and flat abdomen. Because of his height, he did have a hard time standing in the village bus. Nonetheless, he managed well. His gun stayed intact in the holster in his trousers. The shirt covered it well………..

To be continued……….