A Chance Encounter

 

Ayna looked at the invitation propped on the living room table. It was positioned to catch her attention and hopefully provoke her to act.

“Ma I’m not attending. I won’t react favorably even if it is the first thing I see in the morning.”

“How long are you going to mourn that your wedding was called off because the groom had a fatal accident.”

“On these occasions people don’t take kindly to my presence.”

The arguments would have continued but for the entrance of Ayna’s best friend Vinny.

“Promises are meant to be kept and remember what you told Rani. Let’s have a look at your wardrobe. Why don’t we look at your wedding trousseau and choose an outfit before it becomes dated or you outgrow it.”

Ayna laughed, “You know how to outwit Ma and smart enough to remind me of a promise made long ago.”

“I have my own agenda. You know Manish’s buddy Jiten will be there and he is interested in you. Give yourself a chance before you find yourself on the shelf. And you hadn’t even met the man you were going to marry. It was all on the computer and none of us were comfortable with the process.”

“Yes, it was hurried and all the expenses and prep were futile as he was seriously injured and then vanished without a trace. I got a short message from his family about the accident and after that just silence. I haven’t been able to deal with the trauma and the guilt of putting my family through this drama.”

“Attend the engagement party. It is going to be huge because the wedding is going to be only family. There will be guys that are interested in girls like you, there will be dancing and music and you will be one of the many having a great time.”

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Ayna was pleased with her reflection but she still hesitated to enter a room filled with familiar faces. Vinny’s gentle push and the general spirit of gaiety helped her find her feet and she moved effortlessly in the crowd, carried by the music and the bonhomie around her. She greeted old acquaintances and even met Jiten and had a quick short chat. After all she couldn’t afford to disappoint Vinny who knew when Ayna needed to be propelled in to action.

A breath of fresh air became absolutely necessary in a room packed with high energy. Ayna made her way out of the gyrating dancers, the noise had gone up a few decibels and the pulsating music was becoming a bit tiring. She managed to find her way to the verandah that led to the garden. A brief breather would work wonders to restore her energy.

The verandah was dark and only caught the lights spilling out from the main rooms. Ayna looked around for a chair and found a few stacked in a far corner. In the dark, she misjudged her step and stumbled. A man’s hand stretched out to steady her and she realized she wasn’t alone.

A voice penetrated the dark, “I hope you haven’t hurt yourself.”

The man’s presence was unexpected but she hid her nervousness, “Thank you. I’m afraid I didn’t see you.”

The man carried on making small talk and put her at ease. No names were exchanged and Ayna asked, “You must know the town and the family.”

“I didn’t live here but spent a few childhood holidays. We went for picnics to the old fort near the river.”

The old fort was a conversation spinner until they were interrupted by Vinny’s phone ringing insistently. “I’ve been looking for you. We are going to raise a toast to the couple. Please hurry up.”

Anya stopped speaking midway, “Must go now and I’m sure you will join me.”

“Please carry on as an old injury has slowed me down and it takes me time to stand up and start walking. I will be on my way.”

 Ayna hurried back to where everyone had gathered. The party was drawing to a close and Ayna was caught up in saying good byes and agreeing to future meetings.

It was only as Ayna drove back with Vinny and Manish that she remembered briefly about the stranger.

Manish teased her, “My friend Jiten is totally impressed and wants to meet you soon.”

Vinny laughed, “Amazing that you were so much in demand after your long absence at social meets.  I noticed you were missing for a long time?  Who was the lucky man?”

“It sounds foolish now but the conversation flowed seamlessly and it didn’t occur to me that names weren’t exchanged. It was like strangers you meet at the railway station or airport, travelling in different directions and saying hello. I didn’t think I had sat out for a long time.”

Work pressures pushed back memories of meeting with the nameless stranger. Ayna was surprised when an envelope was hand delivered. It contained an invitation that read:

We met at the engagement party and parted without even exchanging names. It took me some time to find you out and to ask if we can take this a step forward.

Would you care to join me for dinner at The Electra on 13th December at 8 pm?

Regards

Ramesh

Ayna read the letter several times and debated whether she should respond to the letter. Not only did she not know his name but in the darkness she had barely made out his features. It was almost like a blind date but she was familiar with the restaurant and decided to be impulsive.

Remembering a past practice from her teenage years, Ayna had informed Vinny the details of her dinner date. Their rule was to inform if the situation looked dodgy and before matters got out of hand.

Ayna had barely time to look around and was greeted by a smartly dressed man who introduced himself, “I am Ramesh and am glad you decided to accept my invitation. “

He led her to a table for two and which faced the entrance to the room. After some casual conversation Ramesh looked intently at Ayna. His hands were on the table almost asking to be held, “I’ve something to confess. I met your fiancée briefly, before he had the accident…”

Ayna stared; slack jawed unable to utter a word, her eyes filled up with tears.  “Did you know him?”

He touched her trembling hands, “No. We had both stopped for a break at a wayside tea shop and exchanged pleasantries. He was happy and excited and said that he was getting married shortly to a girl from Sonepore.

I started a little later and was delayed by the news that the road was blocked because of a collision between a truck and a car. It was your fiancée’s car and I helped some of the bystanders to extricate him from the mangled remains.”

“How did you know that I was the bride?”

“I had come to the party along with my friend who works for an event planning company. You had briefly turned your face towards me when I overheard one of the invitees point at you and mention in detail about the accident.

 You walked in while I was waiting for my friend to be free. By the time I had gathered courage to speak about that terrible incident, you were gone.

 I’ve wanted to meet you since that night.”

The conversation had taken an unexpected turn when the phone vibrated in her bag and made her uncomfortable. Instinctively she withdrew her hand and looked at the message on her phone. It was from Vinny and read DON’T MOVE. JITEN COMING. Confused she looked up to see that three men had appeared from nowhere and encircled Ramesh who aimed a glass of water in her direction. Instinctively she dodged and the contents sloshed her before it hit the wall and broke.

Involuntarily Anya screamed, covered her face and started to sob while a few waiters and diners led by the restaurant manager crowded around. Embarrassed and scared, Anya started to cry loudly and before she could make herself understood heard a male voice taking charge of the mess.

It was Jiten and he was able to calm Ayna. In a few minutes he had extricated her from the pandemonium and led her out.

As he started the car he asked, “Where and how did you meet this man? Did you know anything about him?”

“I met him at Rani’s party and it ended there. I didn’t know his name. A few weeks later he sent me an invitation for dinner and it was signed Ramesh. I thought ….”

“Sorry to interrupt but he uses several aliases and is a clever cyber-criminal. You could have landed in deep trouble.”

“At the restaurant he provided me with information that sounded authentic and I found no reason to be suspicious.”

Jiten listened carefully to Ayna’s account and then said, “Men like Ramesh are wily and smart. Witnesses have confirmed that he was present at the site of the accident. Luck was on his side as he noticed Arun’s phone in the debris and pocketed it. He had accessed information from the phone that provided him with personal data. I doubt that he heard anything at the party. His reasons for attending the party are unknown. Maybe he had come along with his friend and had nothing planned.”

 Ayna regained her composure, “How did Vinny know you were at the Electra?”

“This evening I visited Vinny who mentioned that you were dining at the Electra with a mysterious date.  I told her that I would be also going there and she laughed and asked me to report about your date.”

Ayna looked intently, “You appeared at the exact moment and it was too much of a coincidence.”

“I work for a cybersecurity company that provides services to banks, financial institutions, credit card companies and others. Mr. Ramesh is the master mind behind a group of criminal hackers. We have been chasing him unsuccessfully.

The hotel uses our services and informed us that Mr. Ramesh had used fraudulent credit cards and hadn’t checked out. We often work with the cyber police department and they were told that Mr. Ramesh would be dining at the restaurant.

My curiosity to identify Ramesh had brought me to the restaurant. I was worried to see you in his company and called Vinny who warned you and alerted me.”

Ayna sat silently; her voice choked as she tried to make sense of the evening’s events. She wondered why Ramesh had wanted to meet her.

Jiten was in no hurry and waited until he guessed that Ayna was had composed herself. He spoke gently, “Today’s incident was unreal and I don’t know why Ramesh planned this dinner. Trust is in a way spontaneous and Ramesh had given you no reason to disbelieve him. I don’t think he wanted to harm you.”

Ayna shivered and her voice trembled, “He aimed the glass at me. I could have been hurt.”

“He acted on the spur of the moment, most probably to distract the police and escape.”

A smile quivered on Ayna’s lips, “You have been the knight in shining armor. Could I return the favor by asking you out for dinner?”

“Tonight let me have the honor and I’ll take a rain check for another evening.”

 

Ayna rang up Vinny, “My dinner date has changed. Don’t worry until further notice.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Cloud Kitchen

 

 

Preety Lata Biswas was a housewife trained under the supervision of women who were a part of the extended family. They considered it not only their duty but tradition to ensure that every young woman who crossed their threshold as a bride learnt all the necessary culinary skills. It was a rigorous training on par with that of a Cordon Bleu chef. The women were instructed how to peel, chop and cut vegetables followed by gutting and cleaning fish, deveining shrimps and after they had satisfied the piercing gaze of critical elders were they allowed to cook a dish. There were many other skills that they learnt along the way and to be honest not all of them were brilliant but a few of them like Preety Lata surpassed even her teachers.

Families had shrunk and the Biswas family and their progeny no longer lived in the same house. Time had also changed the taste buds of her sons and they wanted something new and untried.

Preety Lata was now a matron confident and an acknowledged head of her household and ready to have her sons married. Many young people were now finding their own life partners but her sons handed the parents this task. At first it had appeared not only the right decision but increasingly proved to be a far more complicated business. Both the sons had specifications that weren’t easy to meet but stipulated that their future wives should have careers. If the sons had their requirements then so did their mother.  There was one specific skill that had to meet Preety Lata’s exacting standard. The prospective daughter in law would not only satisfy the basic requirements of looks, education and family but know her way around a kitchen.

Mrs. Biswas shuddered when she remembered the travails of tutoring her daughters in law who looked askance when they used basic kitchen appliances like a knife. Young women who used the computer keyboards at lightning speeds would take hours to peel potatoes. Of course Preety Lata was demanding but she also knew when she had arrived at an impasse. Nevertheless it was to her credit that she did impart the basic skills with hopes that her sons wouldn’t deprived of decent edible meals. Young couples are smart and found a way around tears shed while not only chopping onions but one of genuine frustration. They moved to different cities away from the daily kitchen dramas and ate their way happily through home delivered meals.

It was not much of a surprise when Preety Lata’s youngest son Abhik announced that he had found his match and would be happy if his mother agreed to carry out the required formalities that a wedding entailed. It would be wrong to say that Preety Lata would have been liked the first refusal but she was relaxed as it hadn’t been easy with her older two sons.  The Biswas family met the fiancée and her family and found no cause for worry. They were happy that Roma was supposedly in between jobs and for the time being would be staying at home.

The so termed honeymoon period for the newly wed couple had minor hiccups and all four of them settled to an acceptable daily routine. Roma was interested in cooking and would spend time in the kitchen along with her mother in law. Preety Lata was pleased with Roma’s attention to small details and even shared some of her expertise.

It was a few months later that Roma started going out every Friday morning and coming back in time for dinner. She informed her mother in law but didn’t give any more details. It hurt Preety Lata as she felt disrespected but couldn’t bring herself to ask any thing.

 As with most matters, Preety Lata brought it to her husband’s notice and he disregarded it with masculine disdain. After a few weeks of constant refrain he advised, “Why don’t you ask the concerned parties? Does Abhik look worried?”

“I’m not sure that he even knows. Roma is home before he returns.”

“Don’t look for trouble,” was his final advice.

All kinds of misgivings flooded Preety Lata’s mind and she hoped that Roma’s actions weren’t besmirching Abkik’s as well the family reputations. Was Roma having an affair? What was the importance of Friday? And above all why had Roma not shared any details? All this fretting and guessing affected her relationship. Who could she confide in? She would rationalize that it could all be very trivial or who knew when future catastrophe would strike.

 Preety Lata had been married early and to a family where the men had the first and last word. She would hardly have lifted an eyebrow if it was Abhik. In her experience men enjoyed liberties that women whether married or single were not allowed.

Roma was preoccupied but had noticed the cooling off between Abhik’s mother and herself. She decided to make the first move. Choosing a quiet moment she asked, “Ma, have I offended you in any way. Are you unwell? Is there I can do?”

Tears came rolling down and Roma looked askance. Preety Lata choked, “I thought you trusted me. Obviously you don’t. You are out every Friday and I don’t even know where you have gone.”

Quick to realize why she had fallen from grace Roma apologized profusely. “I should have told you earlier but wanted it to be a surprise. I am planning to start a cloud kitchen and….”

 “What is a cloud kitchen? I didn’t know that you ran a business.”

“It’s a long story. When I was young my parents were hard pressed for money. My mother is a good cook and she decided to supplement the income by taking on   catering orders. We three sisters gave her a hand and also learnt how to handle cooks as well as clients. My mother has scaled down her business and on Fridays I look at the accounts and other stuff.”

Preety Lata was taken aback by Roma’s disclosure.  Except for the occasional compliment nobody had acknowledged her skills. It hadn’t occurred to her that she could earn and have her own disposable income.

Roma continued, “A cloud kitchen takes and delivers orders but doesn’t serve food on its premises. I have been visiting banks, talking to suppliers, cooks and other staff but I need to rent kitchen space. My mother’s kitchen isn’t large enough and rents are high.”

“Is your mother agreeable?”

“It can only be temporary and we want space closer to home.”

“Do you think our kitchen and the adjoining covered space would suit your needs?”

It was an unexpected response and Roma wasn’t too sure but here was a suggestion that could take care of the kitchen space.

“The existing kitchen will need renovation and reassigning space for the family and the business can cause upheavals.”

 “The kitchen is my home but the house isn’t mine. The proposal will have to be made to Abhik’s father and he has to agree.

All these years I believed that I didn’t have the expertise to earn. I have realized that my cooking may also have commercial value.”

Preety Lata’s husband stared in disbelief at his wife and the mother of their three sons, who had always taken the quiet back seat. She spoke confidently and with conviction and was not at all like the woman he had known for so long. At first he was inclined to be dismissive but hearing her speak, he listened to her impassioned plea.

Preety Lata’s husband refused to have the privacy of his house invaded by a cloud kitchen. But his wife’s fervor backed by his daughter in law made him take an active interest and he helped them to secure rooms to start the kitchen. He told his wife, “I thought it was my responsibility to find you the space but after this whether you sink or float is truly your business.”

Preety Lata realized that cooking was not only nourishing others but nurturing her creativity, of getting recognized for the value of her culinary craft.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Campaign Trail

 

Fortune had rolled out the red carpet for Vir and everything was within easy reach. He had money, looks, and intelligence and his birthright to win all the prizes that life had to offer.

 His first real opposition was in the last years of school when Joya’s entry rocked the dynamics of the classroom. She was attractive, knew how to charm and soon became one of the lead performers on the school stage. The ripples lasted for a while and then everybody settled down except for Vir. He couldn’t fathom why she preferred the company of Tej and Ron, who were nothing special.  She wasn’t rude, she didn’t snub him, she was just not interested and he was clueless. Vir was frustrated but not impatient and decided to bide his time.

Ron and Tej hastened their steps as it was the last day of the school year. A teacher whisked Tej away before the assembly was about to start. Tej looked crestfallen, stood apart and whispered a few words to Ron who in turn spoke to Joya. She moved swiftly and couldn’t be seen among the impatient students waiting to be let off.

The last speaker Vir walked up to deliver the final oration. He had barely spoken when he started to fidget as if he had an unstoppable itch.  Red faced and embarrassed, Vir cut short his speech and hurried off the stage and the event was concluded with the school song led by Joya.

Tej, Ron and Joya walked out without a care, relieved that their schooling was over.

 “Joya what did you do to make Vir squirm?  Nobody else would have dared to humiliate him onstage especially after his father had announced a hefty donation to the school.”

“Exactly. I was mad when you told me that Vir had been chosen to substitute for Tej. Vir’s father’s money paved the way. I saw his blazer on the chair and just put in a handful of red ants. I got bitten too but nothing like Vir.”

Tej was disapproving, “You know that wasn’t smart. Vir hasn’t gone out of his way to harm you.”

Joya shrugged, “I’m no longer in school. Think of the future. I’ve managed a couple of modeling assignments and may be an audition for a television show. What about you guys?”

“My aim is civil rights, justice, and good governance for everybody. I’m going to get a college education and look to join a political party that I believe and can trust.”

 “I can see it so clearly. Tej your first action will be to join the students union and Ron will be clicking your protest marches.”

“Look who is speaking. I helped you assemble the photographs for your modeling assignment.”

Ron would capture life through the camera’s lens, Tej would strive for honest public administration and Joya would captivate hearts.

And Vir, very much in the public eye would go on his ordained path.

At the beginning it was slow even for Joya who believed that she could take the world by storm. At all times there were so many young women, each one ready to give her all and there were agents, contacts who promised much and often delivered nothing. Joya worked hard for the box office numbers and learnt to reinvent to survive.

It was the days when nothing worked and she saw her smile crack along with her make up that she would visit Ron. He said little, noticed that with time Joya’s restless energy could become hysterical and popping pills or alcohol were no longer capable of blotting out the present.

“I need to showcase more mature meaningful roles not only romantic ones. I’ve almost nailed it at some auditions and then it just slipped away. I guess that is any actor’s  life but did you know that Vir is involved in the film industry.”

“Yes I meet Vir occasionally. Why don’t you approach him? He has an extensive network.”

Joya avoided answering Ron’s question, “Tell me do you meet Tej?”

 “I forgot to tell you. Tej wants to meet us. He wants to share some news before it becomes public. Can we meet next week? ”

 It had been a long time since the three of them had met and the first few minutes were caught up in trivia that helped to connect. Tej observed them critically, trying to take their measure, people change and they had come a long way from their teenage years.

“All these years I’ve been working to build and strengthen the party’s office and build systems. It hasn’t been an easy task because the older members were the slowest to acknowledge change. Now the top leaders want me to have a more public face and field me as a candidate for one of the city’s constituencies. The belief is that a fresh face would help us win an influential section of the electorate.

 I haven’t made up my mind about the offer. The news hasn’t been made public and I would like to hear your opinions.”

 Joya looked Tej in the eye. “Would you be upset if I told you the name of the constituency ……”

Tej stared unbelievingly, “Where did you hear this? I was made this offer only a few days ago. “

 “You know that walls have ears and I won’t disclose my source. Wait until I tell you the next bit.”

“I could understand if Ron knew after all he has entry to many worlds and does work for the media but you?”

Joya grinned cheekily, “I learnt early in life not to underestimate anybody. Vir has asked me to marry him but he has one condition.”

 Tej was trying to make sense of Joya’s disconnected statements while Ron added, “I’m sure you are aware that Vir fell in love with you from the first moment and you ignored him.”

Joya’s voice dripped sarcasm, “Do you know whom I love or that isn’t important?”

“No. Tonight you are more a stranger than your usual self,” Tej muttered.

“Vir’s offer has a clause. I must be ready to give up acting. It wasn’t easy and I would have almost conceded except that soon after I was offered the lead role in a political thriller. The script is brilliant and I’ve signed the contract.”

 Ron was critical “Are you playing for time?”

Joya’s refusal to answer left both the men uneasy but they promised to meet again. There was an upswing in Joya’s popularity and Tej was grooming himself for his responsibilities.

Occasionally, Vir would commission Ron for one of his many business projects.  They had a satisfactory working relationship and neither of them crossed personal boundaries.

“My father thinks the time is opportune for me represent the party and gradually build my stronghold. He will support and guide me while my brothers and cousins take greater responsibility in the family business

The election campaign is gathering momentum and tomorrow my name will be announced publicly. It wasn’t my choice but I have been pitted against Tej.  The party machinery and funds are heavily weighted in my favor. Just tell Joya to stay out of the fray. I wouldn’t want her to get hurt.”

Vir’s news would be public knowledge but the warning about Joya made Ron apprehensive. Tej was on the campaign trail and difficult to contact and Joya’s response was casual. “Vir is upset over my refusal but he won’t ever harm me. His father is worried about the results though both of them are first time contestants. Tej has political support but he doesn’t have the backup that Vir enjoys.”

 “Don’t be so stubborn. You don’t have to be a part of Tej’s campaign entourage. Often situations get out of hand and escalate.” Ron repeated Vir’s words but Joya was on her own trip.

Tej was scheduled to address a big public meeting and had requested Ron to take a few photographs. Traffic and crowds had built up and Ron was delayed. He abandoned the cab and started making his way towards the venue. He overheard bits of conversation, “The film star Joya is going to be sharing the platform.  There are rumors of her joining the party.”

Ron felt uncomfortable, Vir’s warning echoed and he pushed forward to get closer to the raised dais. Skirmishes and rough housing had become a part of these rallies and he only hoped that this one would pass off peacefully. The site was near a crowded city neighborhood and there would be chaos if there was trouble.

The meeting was well received with rousing speeches and promises, Joya waved and smiled with the practiced ease of a crowd pleaser and Ron was panning the crowds to get some candid pictures. Tej had got down from the stage and Joya was behind when he heard a few gun shots and some smoke bombs being let off. Within seconds he saw Joya hurtle down and the chaotic crowds pushed in all directions. He was too far away to help and in danger of being trampled in this mad stampede. He wanted to protect the last footage and to find an escape route.

 Ron was experienced enough to know that in such volatile situations the first action was personal safety. He would find out later not only what the camera had recorded but who had marked his presence in that melee. He didn’t want to be roughed up or have his equipment damaged.  The news of Joya’s death was common knowledge by the time he had reached safety.

Whether it was Joya’s death or fate but Vir lost by a slim margin.  Vir mourned her deeply but he it didn’t stop him from actively participating in future elections.

 Tej returned to the nitty gritty of running the party machinery and would be respected for his logistical skills. Joya’s death had left him remorseful and with unanswered questions. Had she known about the attack that might signal her end?

After her death Ron had been requested to display some of his work and it had included a few photographs of Joya before she became famous.  A couple of these were sold to an anonymous buyer who in spite of Ron’s efforts couldn’t be traced.

Joya had spilled out childhood stories of abuse and neglect, bad mouthed people who had duped and dumped her and the seedy workings of the entertainment industry but left Ron guessing about the man she truly loved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lost in Glad More Garden

 

Andrew Burnett was the least likely man to make a mid-career change to write Gothic novels.  He preferred reading spy thrillers and wouldn’t have picked up the novel with its lurid cover and title had it not lain on the empty train seat next to him. The story line was unlike his usual fare, it captivated him and he started reading more books of the same genre.

He felt emboldened to try his hand at writing on similar themes. It was easier said than done and the rejection slips weighed him down. Such was his wish to succeed that he enrolled online in creative writing skills but it was to no avail. He had almost decided to give up when an advertisement encouraged his aspirations. It was a competition for a short story and the winner’s entry would be published in the magazine Gothic World.

He couldn’t believe his luck but this win steadily set him on a literary path. It wasn’t a rapid rise but he persevered and honed his craft. In order to remain relevant and sales worthy, he followed what his peers were writing and what the reading public wanted.  He worked diligently on all fronts to maintain his position and popularity.

 Andrew had chosen the nom de plume of Rupert Knight as a more appropriate moniker for a writer of romance and adventure. Very few knew that Andrew and Rupert Knight were the same person and he zealously guarded his privacy and preferred to remain an enigma.

One of Andrew’s publishers had given him a ticket to attend a literary meet in India. He was pleased to know that he was popular in India but unsure about travelling the distance. His Aunts Betty and Anna who had raised him helped him decide. He wanted to gift them a holiday that was different from their annual seaside stay.

“Why don’t we all go together? You can do a bit of sightseeing while I’m busy and then maybe we can have a short vacation together.”

Betty was hesitant, “We did go there once and it wasn’t enjoyable.”

“I wasn’t aware. When was this?”

“It was a long time ago before you came to live with us”, said Clara.

“Since we are going so far it would be a good idea to see my childhood home.”

 They spoke together almost without thinking, “Andrew, it isn’t always wise to revisit the past.”

Andrew made up his mind that they would travel together and the visit to his childhood home would be the surprise ending.

The flight was tiring but on arrival the old ladies were bowled over by the organizers’ hospitality. After the wet English weather the warmth of the tropical sun, the colorful sights, and the shopping won their hearts. This wasn’t the India of their memories and they were happy that Andrew had overruled them.

There were still a few days remaining of what Andrew termed as a “holiday” and they would be flying to another part of the country.

“Thank you. We are glad that we came along and had such a good time,” said Anna.

“We are going to spend a few days in Glad More Tea Estate. You’ll see how much it has changed. They have started a hotel as well as growing tea.”

Both the sisters were at a loss for words, their palms were sweaty and their mouths too dry to speak. Andrew sensed their unease but couldn’t figure out the reason. Betty gathered her wits, “What do you remember about Glad More?”

“Not much. I can remember Mum and Dad and Lucy and….”

“You remember Lucy?”

“She died and all of us came away from India.”

Neither of the aunts spoke and they drove the rest of the way to the hotel in silence.

Glad More had changed; it looked inviting with charming cottages and gardens while tea was still being cultivated on some of the slopes.  Betty and Anna could only manage a quick glance at the surroundings before they hurried in to their room to have an urgent discussion.  

Anna had a definite opinion, “Andrew doesn’t remember much. Why let the past weigh him down.”

“I agree. But he won’t forgive us if he hears a local or a hotel staff’s story.”

“The tea plantation is no longer the same and I don’t think there would be any old timers who would know or recognize us. Andrew is middle aged and we are old.”

“No Anna, we must tell him and there can be no two accounts. In any case we weren’t there when it happened and believed Peter’s version of what may have happened that morning.”

“I will support what you say but please remember that I didn’t and still don’t think it is necessary.”

Andrew had walked around the hotel grounds, visited the hotel office to enquire if records existed about the previous layout and then gone on to visit his aunts. He found them sitting in the verandah, facing the garden and recovering from the flight and the long car trip.

“Would you like some tea?  Have you walked around the grounds?”

“Yes I did and it is well set up. Tomorrow I plan to see the area where we lived. The hotel has been constructed at a lower level. I must tell you about a cat that is haunting me…….

Betty thought it best to finish what was foremost on her mind. “Andrew, there is something that we need to share with you. Maybe we should have disclosed it earlier but the time wasn’t ever right.

Nobody knows what happened to your sister Lucy.”

Betty’s words were too much to comprehend and Andrew almost choked, “Is Lucy alive? “  

Anna looked away and Betty wondered how she could describe what happened on that day.

“Please remember that we were not present when this happened. I can only tell you what your father told us.

It was early in the morning and Lucy had decided to play in the garden. She was about nine years old and she had been warned not to wander beyond the front lawn. Nobody knows what made her go to what was known as the Echo Point as it was on a rocky ledge on much higher ground. Lucy had a pet cat Tippy and she might have followed him without realizing that she had strayed away from the house.

Lucy’s absence was first noticed at breakfast and there was no trace of her by the time the house and the gardens had been searched. The police were informed, special teams employed to investigate not only the estates but the adjoining countryside.

There were rumors that she was kidnapped but no ransom notes appeared. Also a white child walking by herself couldn’t go far without being unnoticed. How far could she have walked on hilly terrain? The current belief was that she had lost her footing and had fallen to the narrow gorge that lay below.”

“How did they conclude that my sister had fallen below? Were there any signs?”

“Sadly there were no footmarks, not a scrap of clothing, just nothing at all except that Tippy was sitting midway on the stumpy apple tree near the railing of Echo Point. “

 Clara had a nervous breakdown, cried incessantly and blamed herself. Peter called us and we flew out as soon as possible. I can’t even recall how long we stayed here. The tragedy took Clara’s life too as she didn’t live for long. Peter also lost interest after Clara’s death and died a lonely man.”

He guessed his aunts had tried to shield him as a child from the grim news but even after all these years it was both unacceptable and horrific.

Andrew tried to absolve his aunts, “Both of you did a marvelous job of looking after me. My parents should have told me but they were no longer there when I was growing up.

Do you know any details about Tippy since people believed that he saw the accident?”

“Lucy was fond of animals but Tippy was special because he followed her everywhere. He was a tortoiseshell tomcat and would hiss if strangers came too close to her.  I can’t be sure but your parents had arranged for Tippy’s care.”

Next morning Andrew went to the hotel office, “May I have the directions to the bungalow where the plantation manager lived? Do you have a cat that lives near the cottages?”

He was advised, “Sir the bungalow is abandoned and closed to the public. The hotel manager has pet dogs but there are no cats.”

Andrew was determined but a double fence of barbed wire denied him entry. He decided that he would try his luck at Echo Point and it was then that the cat’s mewing became louder, it was almost hissing around him.  His foot hit a broken step and he could detect a creature circling around his feet.

It was unnerving to say the least and he decided to retrace his steps. . As he came nearer to the cottages, there was a flash and a loud hiss and a moment later as if nothing had followed him.

May be his aunts were right that Glad More Tea Gardens didn’t wish to welcome the Burnett family.  He decided not to mention any of this to his aunts who were already hyped up.

 Andrew incorporated it in his next popular novel about a haunted house, a magical cat and dark dense jungles.

 

 

 

 

The Brown Book

 

Bleary eyed and hoping that the train hadn’t left Renu rushed to the station that would take her to the end of her project. The company that had commissioned her had made all the travel arrangements and this last leg was to be completed by road. It was her mother’s suggestion, “Why don’t you take the daily train that the mines used to transport people from the main station. “

“The mines have closed down and the train tracks might be in disuse.”

Her mother sighed, “My father was an engineer who pioneered the laying of some of the tracks in that area. As children we could accompany him in his inspection saloon and it would be parked at a siding. Once in a while we could get a joy ride on the Millstone Mines goods train as it was mostly used for moving stones.”

“The mines have been inoperative but now the owners want to earn money from the vast tracts of land that they own. “

“We visited one or two of the mines and they had small townships. The managers had large bungalows set in manicured gardens and there were many facilities for the families.”

 Renu was dismissive, “Staff had to be compensated for living in the wilderness.”

“It was a long road trip that conveyed people from the nearest railway junction. What are their plans as there are deep quarry lakes and mining ruined the surrounding areas.”

“Through the years the roads had been widened and time has allowed Nature to take its course. The forests are coming back and it is impressive. The owners want to repair the disused buildings and market it as a Nature resort.”

“Do the train trip if possible and come back by road. I promise you won’t regret it.”

“I’ll enquire and if possible give it a try if the train service is still available.”

Renu followed up her mother’s tip and called the office. She spoke to her travel coordinator Mr. Singh, “Could I take the train to the mines and return by car.”

Mr. Singh sounded hesitant, “The railway connection from the siding is for transportation of goods and there are no provisions for passengers. The company has booked cars for your visit.”

“As a part of the project I want to look at the train route to the mines. It would help if you could find a way out.”

A couple of days later Mr. Singh called, “There is a passenger train that runs biweekly from Charghat to Sathpera and from there it is a short drive to the mines.”

The stress of constant travel and surveying new places had taken its toll on Renu. She was relieved that the company had sent somebody to meet her at Charghat.

Mr. Gajdev welcomed Renu and said, “I’m sorry but you will have to hurry as the train will leave in a few minutes and the first class cabin is at the front.  It mostly goes unoccupied so you should be safe.” 

There was a warning whistle and she barely managed to board the train as it chugged out of the station.  The floor wasn’t too clean and she decided to stow her bag on the overhead rack. It was then that she noticed the man sitting in the corner seat. He was neatly dressed and his face was hidden by a book. He didn’t even look up once to acknowledge her presence.

Renu was grateful that her co passenger was silent and she didn’t have to make any effort making inane conversation. The view outside captured her attention as the trees that bordered the tracks were lit up with the blazing glory of the Spring flowers. The landscape rushing by and the slow rhythm of the wheels were almost hypnotic and her eyes closed slowly with much needed sleep.

Renu woke up with a jolt as the train screeched to a stop. She was reassured that Satphera was still some time away. The short snooze had refreshed her and she glanced around to check on her fellow traveler. He must have got down while she was asleep. She was alone and it might be prudent to check her belongings. Luckily nothing appeared to be missing or disturbed. She noticed a book covered in brown paper next to her bags.

 Renu couldn’t recollect if he was carrying any luggage. The man hadn’t taken his eyes off for a minute from his reading. Had he forgotten it or purposely left the book behind? Curiosity got the better of her and she decided to pick it up. It lay firmly stuck between the slats in the overhead rack. No amount of pulling or pushing allowed her to extricate it. Her fingers were bruised but the book lay embedded within the slats. The useless attempts left her frustrated and she wondered why she was so keen to see the contents of the book.

Alighting at Satphera Renu noticed that the book was nowhere in sight. May be her efforts hadn’t gone in vain and the book had fallen to the ground. A cursory glance told her that the book wasn’t on the floor. She had run out of time and would have to let it go.

Back home Renu said, “If the company does a good job of restoration then Millstone Mines can be an attractive proposition.”

Her mother asked, “How was the train journey?”

“I was too exhausted and was asleep for the better part but I had a strange experience.”

“Was it crowded?”

 “There was only one man who left while I was asleep. He was noticeably silent and reading a book that covered his face. The funniest part was that he left……”

Renu was cut short midway by her mother rolling her eyes, “You had a ghost sitting on the other seat.  It was Mr. Rao reading a book with a brown cover…”

“What nonsense he was human. It was the book. How did you know that it had a brown cover?

“As usual you don’t allow me to complete my sentence. Mr. Rao was a Millstone Mine employee who was on this train and his dead body was found on the railway tracks. Some people said he had been bumped off and others claimed he had taken his own life. The day he died he was holding on tightly to a book that wasn’t found after his death.  Many believed that it contained incriminating evidence against some staff members. Others said it was his daughter’s diary and he was out to get her for carrying on with a local hoodlum. Whatever it might be but there was a prolonged search that proved fruitless.”

The unexpected information left Renu at a loss for words. She tried to remember details about Mr. Rao but all she could recollect was the book that shielded him from prying eyes.

“Do you know that the book lay on the luggage rack even after he disappeared?”

”Exactly, it is as if he is provoking the living to find out what lay between the covers. There are some who rise to the bait and try and the book disappears.”

Renu sat quietly trying to recreate the scene from memory and smiled wryly, “I tried my hardest, bruised my fingers but the book remained stuck between the slats.”

“I hope your fingers weren’t badly hurt.  How many times have I warned you not to touch unknown objects specially in public places? I hope you’ve learnt your lesson.”