Mansion of Illusions

By Kotra Siva Rama Krishna

Are voodoo, witchcraft, black magic and shadow world, etc. things are true and in existence or are they just the creation of the human mind? Would there be any change in the behavior of the human mind in faraway, odd and lonely places? Are the souls are separate from the human bodies and would they go on journeys leaving the bodies somewhere and come back into them again? Can human mind memorize things and reproduce them with the same clarity and clearness even after fifty, sixty years also? Almost an answer to all these questions, 'A Mansion Of Illusions', a suspense, romantic and psychological thriller with a word count of 1,17,731.

Two young girls, two young boys, two middle aged women and two middle aged men were entered into that house in which one more than hundred years aged old woman was bedridden. Neither Dr.Rajesh nor Dr.Malathi among those people, to their surprise, could find anything wrong with the old woman. Her breathing was normal, all the other body functions were normal but she was in a comatose state lying on the bed like that. All those eight people were forced to believe the rumor that was in circulation that the soul of the old woman was on a journey leaving the body there.

Not just the old woman, but the house was also an enigma to them. Almost all of them have faced different bizarre and eerie experience in that house. The people who were long back dead came before them in that palace. They heard eerie voices, laughter but could not see the bodies. They could not understand whether they were real or all they were just subjected to hallucinations and imaginations. Vinod's repeated saying that it was quite natural that human mind undergoes different sorts of experiences in odd places like these did not put them at ease.

The old woman was a big puzzle even to her own grandson, to Dr.Rajesh, himself. It was not understood to anyone why she always kept her grandson away from her, confined herself into that house. The murders of her husband and her lover in each other hands in the massacre that took place in that palace some eighty years or so back made them shivered with fear when they heard even so long back that incident took place. The other rumor that the old woman had kept the dead bodies of her husband and lover in one of the upstairs locked rooms in that house created lot of fear in their hearts even they did not know whether it was true or not. But they could not dare to open the doors of that room because of fear.

It was not just all the negative in that palace. The attitude of the girl Sameera, who had lot of anger and hate on her parents, changed dramatically after entering into that house. Situation turned out like that by the end she understood her parents and started loving them. Her anger and indifferent attitude towards Aravind also quite surprisingly changed into one strong love and she decided to marry him to which her parents happily agreed as they also liked Aravind a lot. Aravind, who also loved and liked Sameera and wanted to marry her, as well has changed and gave the promise that he would sure try to get rid of his addiction to shadow world. Anand, who tortured his wife for the small wrongs that she had committed at one time in the past, changed surprisingly and started loving her. The parents of Sunanda felt so happy as there has come such a good change in their son in law. All the misunderstandings cleared, disputes settled, they were all a happy union loving and liking one another by the end of the story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kotra Siva Rama Krishna
• Release date: Dec 17, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215495131

Kotra Siva Rama Krishna

The twenty two romantic and suspense thrillers of this author ‘A Mansion Of Illusions (1,17,731 Words)’, ‘A village, a forest and an old mansion (1,13,049 Words)’, ‘Chasing butterflies (1,11,211 Words)’ ‘Across the river...under the bridge (1,02,739 Words)’, ‘Enna (1,03,119 Words)’ ‘Strawberry (1,11,700 Words)’ ‘Amaswitha (1,51,618 Words)’, ‘Sasikala (1,09,423 Words)’ ‘Just Relax! (1,15,793 Words)’, ‘ House of Delusions (1,18,530 Words)’ ‘Half Opened Doors (1,23,600 words)’ ‘Lovenest (50,565 Words)’, ‘Moonshine (51,427 Words)’ ‘Nirupama (51,675 Words)’, ‘Scarecrow (52,226 Words)’ ‘Rose Garden (62, 284 Words)’, ‘Dusk (53,856 Words)’, ‘Rain Flower (53,139 Words)’ ‘rustle In The leaves (3,52,000 words) and ‘Snow Flower’ (2,15,200 words), Wisps Of Smoke (3,20,500 words), Split Personality (3,30,000 words) along with a short stories book ‘Sand Dunes (24,973 Words) and two non-fiction books ‘Body, Mind And You (16,533 Words)’ and ‘English Grammar Simplifier (18,436 Words)’ are available as ebooks and paperbacks only on Amazon websites. The total word count of all these books is more than 29,00,000 (Twenty Nine Lakhs words). The same can be found by searching with author’s name ‘Kotra Siva Rama Krishna.’

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License Notes

This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please return the same and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Disclaimer

The concept, plot, story, characters and everything in this novel are only fiction and emerged only out of the imagination of this author. If anything in this novel even a small part of it resembles, similar or identical to any living or dead or to any literature, anywhere in the world even remotely it is only coincidental and this author has no knowledge whatsoever of it and cannot take any responsibility for the same.

About me

Iam an Indian English writer write mostly fiction books and so far I have written thirty books out of which twenty eight books are romantic, psychological thrillers and the remaining two are non-fiction books, Body, Mind and You and English Grammar Simplifier. The word count of my books range from 15,000 to 3,50,000 and the total word count of all my books is more than 30,00,000 (Thirty Lakhs Words). I have a weakness, I don’t get the feeling that I wrote the book if someone else edits the same, so I am my own editor to all my books. As such there is a pretty chance that you may come across grammatical, verbal mistakes, incongruities and inconsistencies while going through my books, then please pardon me and go ahead. I am always open as much as possible when it comes to sexual narrations in my books as I think sex is very main and natural characteristic not just in human beings but in all other creatures also. So you can find sexual narrations in my books graphical, absolute and complete. My heart-felt thanks to all those who have been purchasing my books all along, encouraging me and supporting me.

Prologue

9a.m. 12 th March, 1959:

There were four adults and one child present in that big house then. The climate there was quite gloomy and cool. Dark and dense clouds clothed the sky completely. Cool wind rippling through cutting their bodies across. Except the sound of it there were no other sounds. The silence then prevailed there was painful and fearsome.

The sky suddenly thundered and a small drizzle ensued.

Why did you have come here? I have told you not to come here at all, was not I? It was the old woman who might be aged sixty five years broke that unbearable and painful silence first.

I also told him not to come here however much compelling the circumstances may be. I said I would attend any type of necessity he may have. Why he had come here like this I too can’t understand the person who said that was appearing as having thirty or so years of age.

The person who was subjected to that conversation remained silent and he was appearing having thirty two years or so of age. The woman who stood beside him was appearing like his wife and there was a boy in her hands then. The boy might have four years or so of age.

Vasanth, you did not answer my question looking into the eyes of that person the old woman said.

Why should not I come here? Vasanth suddenly opened his mouth and curtly asked her. I am your flesh and blood. Is there any surprise that a son visits his mother?

The same painful silence followed again. The old woman hung her head for some time. Tell me mom, why should not I come to my own mother?  You have to answer my question first with the same forceful voice Vasanth asked again.

She perched her head up and looked into the eyes of Vasanth. In our matter it is different my son. Either this house or I would not do good to you. Please try to understand your mother her voice filled with anguish.

Why it is different to us? Why this house or you would not do good to me? You must explain to me the anger in his voice was increasing. You don’t know how much I am longing to see you, to speak to you, to get your love and affection the increased anger in him turned into anguish.

There was no response from her. She closed her eyes and hung her head once again. The woman with Vasanth was observing the old woman without any particular expression in her face.

Mom, you must tell me. Why should not I come here? Your silence is scorching me. Please answer my questions.  he pleaded this time.

Sorry, Vasanth. I cannot answer your questions. But don’t think I am not having love on you. Because of my love, because I want your safety all the time, I am keeping you away from me always. But I am looking after you well. I have provided all the means necessary for your education and other needs. She adjusted herself a little and said

That is not enough mom. I want you. I want to be with you. This is my wife, Saritha. You did not even come to my marriage. And he is my son, Rajesh. You did not come even to see him. I am feeling a lot for you. It is quite surprising to me how you remain without any feeling for us the anguish in his voice was intensified.

It is not so that I am not feeling for you three Vasanth she drew a long breath. Please try to understand. It is ....

Please mom, don’t say the same thing again and again Vasanth cried out interrupting her. I cannot hear it so

The old woman helplessly stood looking onto the earth again.

I should not come here. If I don’t come here for ever, you will feel happy. Alright. If it pleases you so, I will do so. I would not come here again. I never will come to this place in my whole life. Good bye Vasanth turned back.

Vasanth...please she lifted her face up and said feebly.

Tell me, mom. Is there anything you still want to say to me? Vasanth once again turned towards her and asked her irritatingly while looking into her face.

Try to understand me my son she said pleadingly.

He remained silent since he could not think of what to say. Give me answers to my questions mom. Then I try to understand you. He gathered himself and said.

She remained silent. She knew what he was going to ask.

You are a sorceress, a witch. You practice witchcraft. This house is full of evil. My father’s and that Nagaraju’s souls are still here. That is why you don’t want me to come here. Is it is not so? with an accusing tone he asked.

That is all trash. How can you say such type of things? her voice was full of distress.

If it is trash then tell me what is the truth? he demanded.

But there was no answer from her. She took refuge in the same silence again.

Answer atleast the question I am going to ask. I have heard something. After hearing that, I have become completely upset. I cannot become normal. You must clarify that to me looking into the eyes of the old woman Vasanth said. The same empty expression in her face was irritating to him.

Ask it then with the same weak voice she said. But it seemed she knew what it was and not much interested to give answer to that.

Are you still keeping the dead bodies of my father and that Nagaraju in the upstairs room?

Suddenly the old woman’s forehead creased with wrinkles. Why do I do such type of a thing? It is just a rumor. Never believe in such rumors. He too felt pity looking at the agony in her face. But the adamancy in her in telling the truth to him was making him more and more angry and irritating. He was also thinking whatever he heard so far about it was not just a rumor.

Then may I open the doors and look into it? Vasanth asked stepping forward.

Are not you believing your own mother? crossing his way she asked him with a depressive expression in her face.

You are not behaving like any other mother. So I doubt you. What would be the loss if I go and see into that room? knitting his brows together Vasanth asked.

No. It is equal to insulting me. Insulting your father as well. I am not going to let you do that. The old woman’s voice was quite firm.

After that, half an hour or so passed with arguments, pleadings, accusations between that mother and son. All the time the other thirty years aged person, the other woman and the child remained in silence. As it was going so, the other thirty years aged person took the boy into his hands from the woman there. The boy even he could not understand anything, appeared listening everything quite carefully.

Now I am going out mom. Vasanth said. Even you don’t answer my questions as I have requested, I would not come here again. He turned back. The woman with him took the boy from the other middle aged person and started with Vasanth.

This time the old woman did not try to stop her son at all. For the last time the other woman turned back and observed the old woman from top to bottom with a feeling that she herself could not understand before following her husband.

You too move out and close the doors behind you Ratnakar looking at the other person there the old woman said.

Ratnakar obeyed her immediately. The old woman remained staring silently at the closed doors with the same blank expression in her face. She was sealed again in that big house to her fate on her own volition as it was for the last thirty years or so.

Chapter-1

8a.m.: 11 th April, 2011  

A small drizzle ensued after the dark and lour sky made a helpless groan. The falling rain was spreading evenly in the middle open place of that big house which has two portions with the said open place in the middle. If one stood in the said open place facing west, there would be two portions one on the right hand side and one on the left hand side to him. There were three rooms in the left hand side portion, the middle room of which was little small comparing with the rooms on either side of it and the top of it was a slab. There was a verandah before the rooms on the left hand side. On the right hand side portion there was a big kitchen and on the top of it were three rooms and the middle room of which was bigger than the other rooms on the either side of it. The top of upstairs portion was also a slab. On the side of kitchen, being a part on the right side were bathroom and toilet. If one stood facing the kitchen, on the left hand side, there would be staircase to go into the upstairs.  On the backside of the right side portion, there was a big garden with several trees and bushes. There was a way into the garden through the kitchen. There was entrance into the house through the middle room.

There were eight people present in the verandah before the rooms on the left hand side portion excluding the old bed ridden women in the left side last room in downstairs. The eight people eyes glued to the rain which was falling continuously from the moment they entered into that village, faces expressionless while their bodies were getting relaxed in the chairs laid there. It was 8 a.m. but was appearing like 6 p.m.

Why the climate suddenly turned like this? It was quite bright and shiny until we entered into this village Rajesh said as it was to himself than in particular to anyone. He stood up from the chair and walked a little forward near to the rain as he had got bored being seated like that for more than half an hour or so in it. This rain started just from the moment we entered into this village and did not stop till now.

Something wrong with something, in your opinion? Malathi, co-doctor in his hospital, said adjusting herself in her chair to be a little more comfortable. Her frame exactly fitted in the chair she sat then. It was difficult to assume to anyone that she had fifty three years of age by that day. She maintained her diet so and did exercise everyday until then to see that her body never would become fattier and her skin not to lose its sheen. Her beautiful eyes and natural glamour make it difficult to anyone to avert their gaze immediately from her.

Everything is wrong with everything it seems irritation was quite clear in Rajesh daughter Sameera’s voice. First thing we should not have stepped into here at all. It was not just the climate creating irritation in her like that. As she looked at her father and the doctor Malathi together so and talking like that till seconds back she got that irritation. In fact any type of intimacy between them two would create irritation and anger in her. But ironically her father had to be together with this woman more time than with her mother as Malathi was the co-doctor in his hospital.

I did not particularly invite you to here. Moreover I have suggested to you to stay in town itself at your friend’s home. Why did not you do so? Rajesh as well equally irritated. It had become usual for the last six months or so the father and daughter got irritated with each other whenever they met together. Very seldom they were talking cordially with each other. Sameera was doing everything that would irritate her father. Now the outfit she was wearing making him embarrassed even to look at her. It was not just then she wore such type of clothes, every time she was wearing such type of skimpy dresses only to irritate and infuriate him. He too understood the purpose behind her wearing such type of dresses. But why, he could not understand. He did nothing less to her. He had provided everything she needed even before she asked till that day. Sameera was the only daughter to him. He indeed has lot of love and affection on her. It had become a big puzzle to him why his daughter developed such hatred on him. It had become even more not understandable to him that why it all started just six months or so back.

Why you father and daughter quarrel like this always? it was the duty of Tanuja, wife of Rajesh to make a truce between father and daughter whenever a situation like this erupt. It is not at all a time for arguments or quarrels placing her right hand firmly but friendly on her daughter’s left shoulder she said.

The irritation in Rajesh slowly vanished and he considered his wife with a smile on his face. His mind was trying to make contrast between Malathi and his wife as he was quite intimate with both of them. Tanuja was quite young having only forty six years of age comparing with Malathi. She would not do exercise and follow any particular diet to keep her body fit and see her glamour not to fade away. But still she was as she was twenty five years or so before when he had got his first acquaintance with her. She was a glamour doll then and now too. She became a little fatty and got one or two grey hairs which were quite inconspicuous. In fact what he loved more in her was her always amenable nature. She always tried to be helpful co-operating with him and their daughter. Sameera used to be so good with her parents until half a year or so back. The change that has taken place in their daughter was irritating her as much as it was irritating Rajesh but she was trying her best not to show that out. For the last six months she was trying to know the reason for the change in her daughter but in vain. Sameera was unbreakable and not letting anything out to be known.

But a time for what -—enjoyment, making merry Sameera sarcastically asked looking into the face of her mother with the same disgusting look every time she cast while talking with her.

You have said it quite right. That is the other reason we have come here besides seeing your grandmother Vinod a psychologist, husband of Malathi might have thought it was perfect time to intervene.

Is it is so? Is this lore sky, this old house, this old woman that much enjoyable to you? the sarcastic note was still there in Sameera’s voice and she turned her head to him. It is indeed very peculiar of you to get an enjoyable feeling here.

Talk properly Sameera. She is your father’s grandmother. Don’t call her as old woman. You also better call her as grandmother. Removing her hand from Sameera’s shoulder Tanuja said. A little anger for the first time crept into her after they entered into the house and her facial expression was reflecting it.

I cannot feel anything like that in fact Sameera mumbled. However much she did not like the old woman, she knew her father respected her a lot and any disrespect towards her would cause ire to him. Anyhow I call her from now on as grandma. For that time she decided to be compromised.

What is really wrong with my grandmother? It is a big conundrum to me. Going to the chair nearby and throwing himself into that, Rajesh said irritatingly putting aside what was going on around then.

It is irritating to me also. I too cannot see any wrong with her. Physically she is quite alright. Leaning back in the chair Malathi said. Her gaze fixed on Rajesh. Her chair was quite near to his chair and her body was almost touching his body. He was feeling her breathing on his shoulder but completely oblivious of that. They enjoy such type of intimacy between them whenever they were together. What they both did not notice then was that Sameera was observing them with her scrutinizing eyes with lot of disgust and hate in them.

But why she is bedridden like that? wrinkles on the face of Rajesh were even more deepened.

In the best of my opinion she is not bed ridden it was Aravind who was silent until that moment just observing the rain and appearing quite indifferent to what was happening around him suddenly said. Sorry for the interference

Aravind was in fact a guest like character in the house of Rajesh. He was the son of one of his best friends, Mukesh. After his parents tragic death in a plain crash Aravind shattered completely. That incident happened six months before. There were no other close relatives to Aravind. Rajesh though it would be quite wise to take him to his home and keep him with them until he completely recovered from his sorrow. Tanuja too well acquainted with Aravind’s parents and she liked Aravind.  Aravind was such a good boy all the people would like him instantly. She gladly agreed to her husband’s proposal and five months back Aravind came to their home.

The only person in that home not liking Aravind was Sameera. It was indeed a big puzzle to Rajesh and Tanjua why their daughter disliked Aravind. He was really a very handsome boy and well educated. Any girl of her age would die to make friendship with him. But Sameera was not even in talking terms with him. At last they came to the opinion that their daughter would hate everything which they loved and liked.

In the best of your opinion why she is so then? turned his head backwards and looking at the boy Rajesh asked.

She is on some soul journey Aravind said in a small whispering tone. Her soul left the body here and went to some other place

There was complete silence then. The sounds of whirling wind and drizzling rain made the climate there even more eerie.

This was the only thing, the only thing that Rajesh and Tanuja dislike in that boy. How and why he was acquainted with the shadow world they did not know but it was taking most of his interest and time. What all they knew was he had spent until his fifteenth years or so at his maternal grandparents home and the village in which it located was very backward and practicing witchcult was a common thing in the homes there. He would often talk about parnormal matters. He would not adore and respect gods and goddesses the common people normally do. There was an unknown eeriness in him which sometimes was troubling Rajesh and Tanuja. They very badly want to make that boy to come out from the hold of the shadow world but they could not think of how to do that.

Is there any such type of thing? looking at Vinod, Rajesh asked. He hated himself to ask like that. He never liked to believe in such type of matters.

I have heard such type of things. But I am not having full knowledge about them. Anyhow they are not concerned with psychology. Putting both his hands into his pockets Vinod said. The small smile which he always kept on his lips was playing its part then too.

When I touched my grandmother I felt her body lukewarm as she was with a mild fever. Except that I could not see any wrong with her turned his head and looking into the open space before him Rajesh said.

My cell phone is not working Sameera said while looking at her cell phone as if she did not hear anything that her father and Vinod talked. From the moment I have entered into this house it lost the signal.

I am also facing the same problem. Sunanda said. The signal may be available if we go out of this house

Then all the others as well said that there was no signal in their cell phones.

Why it is so? Is this house built specifically like that not to allow cell phone signals? Or are there cell phone jammers unseen here? Not even one of our cell phones is having signal Vinod surprisingly said.

No problem if our cell phones don’t work for one or two days. I am not going to bother about it that much Tanuja said.

But I will. My friends always try to contact me through phone. If my cell phone does not work here I shall be shut out completely from the outside world. Sameera said.

Nothing serious happens if your friends cannot contact you just for one or two days. If you want that much, go out of the house and see if signal is available. Sunanda said.

Sameera did not say anything. It seemed that all the others there as well sharing the opinion of Tanuja regarding cell phones.

In fact I wanted to bring my laptop here. But in hurry I have forgotten to take that with me. If I have brought my laptop with me we would have good time pass here looking at Sameera, Sunanda said again.

You are right Sameera nodded her head. I also did not get the idea of bringing my laptop with me while starting to here. Otherwise I myself have brought my laptop with me she regretfully said.

Anyhow Sameera was feeling happy that Sunanda preferred to talk with her so. Considering the recent incident that took place between them, Sameera did not think that Sunanda would talk with her again.

No one talked for sometime. The wind rippling through across them was quite cold.

How it would be if we go and examine our grandmother again? Malathi suggested.

I am not thinking there comes that much of a change just in one hour. As per Ratnam’s information she has been like that for the last four days or so. And his strong suggestion is not to go into her room often. stifling a yawn Rajesh said.

The rain stopped, but the black clouds did not vacate the sky. The cold wind was whirling like an angered serpent. They were all feeling an uneasy coolness.

That Ratnam promised to bring breakfast to all of us. Why did not he come yet? Malathi’s daughter Sunanda said I am feeling terribly hungry

Why did not you tell me about that yet? I would have gone out and get you something to eat. Her husband Anand said. It surprised to himself. Why he asked her so, he thought. In fact for the last few months he was feeling lot of anger and hatred towards Sunanda.

I know you as well are suffering like me. I did not want to bother you since the breakfast was promised by that Ratnam to us. Sunanda as well did not expect this type of consideration from her husband and felt happy. Recently she was facing lot of torture in his hands and she was not at all in a position to oppose that either, just because there were serious wrongs on her part. The only way to her was to apologise to him for her wrongs and alleviate his anger but he was not at all giving her a chance. It was indeed after months that he said such a favorable thing to her.

Sunanda and Anand were married for more than a year. It did go quite well until four months back. Then Sunanda’s affairs with her boyfriends came out. That had happened because of her weakness of talking in her dreams. On that particular day she dreamt sexual scenes with her boyfriends and talked revealing everything.  Unluckily Anand was by her side at that time awaked by her talking like that. After she woke up he made her said all that again and again until he came to clarity. From that moment onwards he was torturing her in different ways but taking care that it would not be known to his parents in law.

Ratnam is a man of words. He appeared so to me. He will come soon. Just see. Rajesh said. He just finished saying so, all they had heard a tapping sound on the front doors.

It is certainly Ratnam. I shall go and open the doors. Rajesh got off from the chair and went near to the doors there.

Making Rajesh’s guessing true, with big packets in his hands, Ratnam entered into that house with his assistant holding coffee flasks and cups. Ratnam made sufficient water facility in the house already. Ratnam was appearing as forty five years aged man while his assistant might be of twenty five or thirty years aged.

Sorry, I have become little late arranging the food which he brought there in paper plates and distributing them among those eight people there, Ratnam said.

No problem at all. In fact you are doing us a great favor. We shall remember it all the time. Rajesh taking one of the plates into his hands said. They all would have faced lot of un-comfortability if Ratnam had not brought the food then.

Never say like that sir. Considering the help grandmother did to us, what I am doing now is quite incomparable.

Then all the eyes were concentrated on Ratnam. The point that this man was serving the old woman for more than ten years created a peculiar interest in all of them on him.

I think that it is your father... what is his name? putting the tiffin into his mouth in tiny morsels Rajesh asked.

Ratnakar while continuing distributing the food plates among all of them Ratnam said.

Yes ... I very lightly remember him now. He was the person used to look after my grandmother’s affairs. Rajesh said.

Yes sir, upto ten years back my father Ratnakar used to look after grandmother. He knew grandmother from his very tender age and he was a relative to her too. He calls her as sister. Ratnam and his assistant sat comfortably on the floor there.

What he is doing now? Why he has entrusted his duties to you? Rajesh knitted his brows making a furrow on his forehead.

My father has become mad. Sometimes he is harming people as well. Most of the time we are locking him in a room. There was no emotion or pain in the face Ratnam. He said that just as a matter of fact. 

What? Rajesh startled He has become mad? But why? It was like a blow to Rajesh. He was not in touch with that village or his grandmother for more than twenty years. He could guess that Ratnam’s father was a considerably aged person by that time but madness in him was unexpected.

It did not happen at once looking into the expressions on the faces there Ratnam continued. On one day my father came home from this house quite disturbed. We had tried to know about the reason to our level best but we could not. Then afterwards slowly and slowly he became completely mad The interest in the faces around grew even more.

You could not know the reason for his madness at all? Sunanda adjusting herself in the chair she sat for more comfort but keeping her eyes steady on Ratnam asked.

Her asking so has given an opportunity to Ratnam to look at her directly. She was in her traditional wear that was sari, blouse and some more. But this outfit was accentuating her youth than covering it. Her enough tall figure with abundant youth was luring Ratnam to stick his eyes on her. Her unblemished gold color skin, not very straight nose, with her black hair made as a pony tail on the back, she was beautiful and attractive at the same time. Her big breasts which were thrusting upwards in her blouse were more titillating. The cleavage available to the eye under her silk sari was making Ratnam’s mouth dry. One could trace the outline of her bra beneath her transparent outer dress. Her nostrils were flaring in and out beautifully with her breathing exercises.

Just on the side of her, Malathi sat. Despite her fifty three years of age, Malathi as well was appearing strikingly attractive to Ratnam. Surprisingly there was not much resemblance between Malathi and Sunanda, so Ratnam could not understand that Sunanda was Malathi’s daughter.

I have taken him to so many doctors. No one could diagnose him correctly not to say cure him he said ruefully.

Have you taken him to a psychiatrist? Anand intervened. The matter appeared a little interesting to him

Psychiatrist means who?

Ratnam’s ignorance did not surprise the people there. This village guy indeed deserved an explanation for that term.

He looks after mad people like your father and cures them. My father in law himself is a good psychiatrist looking at Vinod, Anand said.

I am not a psychiatrist but a psychologist. I cannot help people if they completely turn mad. Vinod said Anyhow bring your father to me. I shall try to see what is the problem with him. I know good psychiatrists also. If necessary you may take your father to them. I do see it goes at as low cost as possible. keeping his face without any expression Vinod said.

I am so happy to hear that. I shall try to bring my father with me when I take lunch to all you people It appeared he rather made the happy expression on his face. It seemed the idea that his father could be cured did not make him much happier.

You are so good to us. Helping us a lot. How we can do anything in return to you? Rajesh indeed felt for the help Ratnam was doing to them. The fact that he was looking after his grandmother around ten years or so as well moved him a little.

Sir, I am saying once again, considering the help grandma did to us, whatever I am doing is very little and quite incomparable the gratitude shown in his face then appeared quite genuine.

Is my grandma that much good? Then why she cannot be so with me? Rajesh said in a low voice as if he were mumbling to himself but everyone there could hear it clearly.

It means that you don’t know about your grandmother fully well. She loved everyone. She wanted good of everyone a bit of emotion turned up in the tone of Ratnam.

In fact no one can understand her fully well. No one knows about her fully either. Even her very close relatives too misunderstood her as to give some leverage to what he was going to say Ratnam paused a moment. His ploy worked and the interest in the faces around there intensified even more except in Rajesh. It had become quite evident that he was going to say something more.

What this man is going to say now? Rajesh irritated in himself. He knew there were some disturbing incidents in his grandma’s life and it would be quite better that the other people there have not known about them under those circumstances. Rajesh’ mind was racing to find a solution to stop Ratnam but before he found one Ratnam started.   

If that incident had not happened some sixty years or so back, in which six persons were murdered including her parents and husband right in this house itself, she might be different on this day

That was what Rajesh wanted most not to happen. It had its effect instantly. The exciting feeling reached its motto in all the people around but in Rajesh. Let it happen whatever going to be he leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes helplessly. It might be interesting to hear that story now but these people would definitely feel different at night. Especially the young girls! It was such a ghastly story.

Why that many people were murdered? Is there such a horrifying past with grandma? Why my dad or mom never tried to say this to me? Sameera’s eyes became wide in her sockets to their might.

Upto then Ratnam was trying to steal a glance at Sameera. But her posing a question like that gave an opportunity to him to bear his eyes fully on her. As