The doll that talks

#RhituparnaChakraborty

#thedollthattalks

#thedollthattalksepisode1

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#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.

Episode 1

Characters:

Mushtaque Khan aka Faraaz Khan: Super Cop

Saanchi: Mushtaque Khan’s wife

Mehek: Saanchi and Mushtaque’s daughter

Ishaani Singhania: Mehek’s friend/classmate

Ranjit Singhania: Ishaani’s dad

Raina Singhania: Wife of Ranjit Singhania and Ishaani’s mom

Ruhi Trivedi: Mehek’s friend/classmate

Amit Trivedi: Ruhi’s dad

Ananya Trivedi: Amit Trivedi’s wife and Ruhi’s mom

Rhea Rathod: Mehek’s friend/classmate

Sushant Rathod: Rhea’s dad

Sunaina Rathod: Sushant’s wife, Rhea’s mom

Kalpana: Mehek’s teacher

Neeti : Househelp at Mushtaque’s home

Abhay: Mushtaque’s team member

Sofia: Mushtaque’s team member

Parvati: Saanchi’s mom

Savita: Neeti’s aunty.

Saanchi was rushing through cooking. She quickly made the pancakes and put them on the dining table. She then called Mehek, ‘Mehek! Hurry up baby. You will be late for school.’ Mehek came holding her hair and said, ‘Mommy, fix my pony tail please.’ Saanchi said, ‘Let’s do this. You first come and start eating. While you eat, I will fix your pony tail.’ Saanchi then put some maple syrup on the pancakes and rushed to get a glass of milk for Mehek. Mehek ate like a snail. Saanchi said sternly, ‘Now, you must finish your breakfast! Don’t you know kids need to eat well to get energy. Look at you! You must finish the pancakes and milk and if you don’t eat, I am going to write a note to your Kalpana teacher.’ Kalpana teacher was one teacher in school whom every kid in the school was scared of. Well, she was not a mean teacher but she was strict and believed in discipline. Mehek knew if she did not finish her breakfast, Saanchi would actually tell Kalpana teacher. While Saanchi combed Mehek’s hair and tied a neat pony tail, Mehek was almost done with her breakfast.

Just then Mushtaque came back from the gym. Seeing Mehek not fussing much about breakfast, Mushtaque said surprised, ‘Aha! Such peace at my home! And that too while Mehek eating breakfast! Well, I am impressed.’ Mehek said in her adorable voice, ‘Mommy would tell Kalpana Ma’am.’ Saanchi looked at Mushtaque and winked. Mushtaque laughed. He then said, ‘Give me 10 minutes. I will take a quick shower and drop Mehek at the bus stop.’ Saanchi said, ‘Please hurry up. I will get her lunch box.’

The bus stop was a 10-minute walk from home. However, since Mehek would always take extra time to finish her breakfast, Mushtaque always had to drop Mehek either in car or bike. The bus stop would be filled up with kids and their parents. The bus crew was very careful with all the kids. Mushtaque would keep a strict eye till Mehek and the other kids boarded the bus safely and then he would come home.

After his shower, Mushtaque came downstairs wearing a pair of blue denim trousers and white v necked t shirt. He quickly grabbed his car key, wore his aviator glares and said, ‘Mehek, come fast.’ Saying that he picked Mehek’s bag. Saanchi kissed Mehek and said, ‘You have a wonderful day in school my baby.’ Mehek giggled and said, ‘Yes mommy. Bye bye.’

Mehek liked school. She was not much fond of the academics there, but she loved her friends. Her best friends were Ishaani, Ruhi and Rhea. All four of them were chatterboxes. The teachers would have to make them sit away from each other during classes, or else they would keep on talking non stop. Ishaani’s dad Ranjit Singhania was a business man dealing with many stuff including clothes, electronic gadgets and timber and the like. Her mom Raina Singhania was a homemaker. Ruhi’s parents, Amit Trivedi and Ananya Trivedi were professors in a college. Rhea’s parents, Sunaina Rathod and Sushant Rathod were software professionals.

After dropping Mehek at the bus stop, Mushtaque came home. Saanchi was ready to go to work. The college she worked in was 10 km away from her home. She would sometimes drive to work, sometimes, Mushtaque would drop her. By the time she would be back from work, Mehek would have already come from school. The househelp Neeti would bring Mehek home from the bus stop. After Mehek arrived, Saanchi would make nice snacks and some beverage for Mehek and then would take Mehek for the Karate classes.

Saanchi had a long day in college today. Usually Saanchi would reach home by 3:30 p.m. but today she was late. It was almost 5 by the time she reached home. To her surprise, Neeti was not there at home nor was Mehek. She had already told Neeti that she would be late from college, but then where were these girls. She immediately called Neeti. Neeti received the call. The conversation after that:

Saanchi(concerned): Where are you?

Neeti: Ma’am, I had tried calling you several times but your phone was unreachable. So I informed Sir. Mehek had a birthday party so she went to her friend’s home. Sir knows about it. You can call him and confirm. But Sir said he will be in some meeting so he won’t be able to answer calls and then he would pick her up after he is done with his work. Also I have kept the house keys in the flower pot.

Saanchi(relieved): Oh ok! But do you know which friend?

Neeti: No ma’am. The child’s parents have informed Sir. Sir knows about it.

Saanchi: Okay. But where are you?

Neeti: Ma’am since Mehek was not at home and there was nothing much to do, I came home. I have some work now so won’t be able to come now. Hope that is okay with you.

Saanchi: Oh….okay. You can come tomorrow.

Saying that Saanchi hung up. She checked her phone. No missed calls from either Neeti or Mushtaque. She had been in the library the entire day today correcting answer sheets. Usually the phone network would be somewhat weak, but there would be a notification of missed call. Saanchi told herself, ‘Maybe I am overthinking. But, I should call Mushtaque and confirm.’

Saanchi immediately called Mushtaque. Mushtaque was in a meeting and hence his phone was on silent mode. Saanchi texted him , ‘Neeti told me Mehek has gone to some birthday party of her friend and you know about it. Just wanted to confirm that. Please call me immediately or at least reply to this text.’

Saanchi waited for Mushtaque to answer or reply. 5 minutes went by, Mushtaque did not answer, 10 minutes went by, Mushtaque did not answer. Saanchi immediately called the school help desk. The helpdesk team said, ‘Mehek had boarded the bus and the authorized person Neeti had picked her up from the bus. Saanchi froze. She was about to dial Mushtaque’s number when Mushtaque called. Saanchi cried on the phone and said, ‘Mehek…….’ Mushtaque asked concerned, ‘Saanchi……what happened?’ Crying, Saanchi said, ‘Mehek is not home as yet………’ Mushtaque’s heart skipped a beat. He had been handling so many cases all these years and today when something like this happened in his life, he was aghast. He knew he had to calm himself down because his daughter and his wife needed him now. He told Saanchi, ‘I am coming home right now.’

To be continued…………..