Amaswitha

By Kotra Siva Rama Krishna

Long time back there was a village. It was afflicted with cholera and all the villagers were swiped of except three, Mohura, Amaswitha and Montu. Mohura thought it was just by god's decision that the village was afflicted with cholera and the parents and siblings of all the three were dead. He wanted to take revenge on god, take him into his control and spread his empire everywhere in the universe to put a stop to the god's atrocities. But Amaswitha was his main weakness and he wanted her to be the queen of his empire and be with him all the time. Montu was his best friend and Mohura wanted him also to be with him always. But either Amaswitha or Montu liked the decision of Mohura much and they disliked a lot his taking the help of bad angels to take revenge on god and to spread his empire everywhere. Amaswitha and Montu, both were committed suicide, to stop Mohura from implementing his evil ideas.

But just their death did not stop Mohura and in every life of Amaswitha, Mohura tried to make her the queen of his empire but failed. But in the ninth life of her, as Sasikala, Mohura could make her the queen of his empire but in that life also Amaswitha did not like Mohura's ideas and she just liked her husband Somanath whom she had to marry because of the evil design of Mohura and their son Aravind.

Montu also took another life as Sasinadh and while he was leading a very pathetic life as a bangle seller, Mohura made him rich after Sasinadh's promise to him that he would help Mohura in the way Mohura would ask him once he became rich. But Sasinadh did not fulfill his promise as he could not even think about the nasty things that Mohura wanted him to do. It was not just Sasinadh but most of the humans who became rich promising Mohura to help him later denied that promise after they heard the nasty things Mohura asked them to do. But Muhura would not leave any of his betrayers or their family members also for the generations to come. He would take the male souls of his betrayers into him, strengthen himself and torture the female souls related to their betrayers until their death. It just would go like that generations after generations also in the betrayers' families. Mohura took the Sasinadh's soul and all his sons' souls except one, into him and strengthened himself and killed all his female folk after torturing them. He did not leave his descendants either as he would not leave any of the descendants of his betrayers.

As Somanadh was the direct descendant of Sasinadh he wanted to take his soul also into him and strengthen himself. But he wanted to make his death even more painful to him as he was related to Sasinadh, he made Sasikala who was Amaswitha at one time married him and asked her to take his soul into her and strengthen herself. But instead of that, Sasikala became a faithful wife to Somanath and gave him a son Aravind. It enraged Mohura a lot and he took the soul of Sasinadh into him and strengthened himself and took a decision to take his son Aravind's soul also later.

To save Aravind and his family from the clutches of Mohura and his evil gang, Sasikala, trained Vamsi and sent him to Aravind's home. There Vamsi met beautiful psychologist Sanjana who was the sister of Aravind's wife Menaka and they influenced each other a lot.

Sahamooti, who was a famous psychiatrist and also a victim of Mohura's gang, took the decision to destroy that gang. He met his favourite disciples Charles and Rose of Black Ant Mental Care and asked them to help him in his mission and they agreed. How all these people have got success over the evil group is the story

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kotra Siva Rama Krishna
• Release date: Jan 25, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215815823

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

Present:

Mallika looked at the woman who sat in the chair, closed her eyes and thinking something deeply. It was just like that she was in deep meditation. Mallika knew her for a long time, that unmarried woman, Ranjitha, who was aged more than seventy now and helped Mallika a lot. She helped Mallika for her education, for her welfare and for her family. In the end she helped her in securing a good job in her industry itself. Mallika never could forget the help she got from that old woman.

On this day, Ranjitha particularly asked Mallika to come to her home. It was not unusual that Ranjitha sometimes asked Mallika to come to her home and Mallika was always ready to do whatever help Ranjitha wanted from her. In fact, Ranjitha was a wealthy woman and she need not depend upon Mallika for the little favours but Mallika new that the old woman particularly liked the association of her. Being the daughter of her close friend might be the reason for it.

Mallika decided to call the old woman and make her come into this world but at that very moment as if she noticed Mallika’s intention, Ranjitha opened her eyes and looked at Mallika. Oh, you came! Please come and sit. she said.

Mallika went straight to that old woman and put her right hand on her right shoulder. I can say that you are worrying for something very deeply.

Yes, my dear. Ranjitha nodded her head.

May I know what it is? after removing her hand from her shoulder, making herself comfortable beside the chair of Ranjitha, Mallika asked her.

Ranjitha leaned back in the chair, closed her eyes and hissed out heavily. I have to give up. I have to give up the battle and admit defeat.

What! instantly there was a startling expression in the face of Mallika. That means he got the palace!

Yes, he got the palace. Ranjitha changed the direction of her chair a little so that she could see straight into the face of that twenty five years aged girl. I have tried my level best to save him from the evil. He just cannot understand. He cannot understand the mysterious history of his mother. He cannot understand the evil that has been following our family for a long time. He cannot understand, as his sister, even as his half-sister, how much I like and love him. He cannot understand that I am trying to save him and his family from that shadow world. He cannot understand anything. There was irritation and anger in the old woman’s face.

Mallika remained silent as she did not know what to say. She did not know much about the family history of the old woman either. But she knew the sister and brother were quarrelling with each other for a long time in court to get that palace into their hold. She knew this also for the good of her brother Ranjitha tried to keep the palace not to go into her brother’s hold.

He opened that palace and entered into it with his family. What is going to happen now? Ranjitha once again reclined in the chair and closed her eyes.

But if you really intend you can keep it like that. He cannot go against you. Even you both are financially and in other matters are on equal footing but when it comes to the palace you said you have got more authority. Mallika said.

You are right. Ranjitha opened her eyes once again and nodded her head. But he is becoming more and more angrier with me. His hatred is becoming more and more towards me. I know that my days are numbered. I don’t want his hatred on me to be increased even in my old days also. So I have to give up. I have to agree for his taking the palace.

Why he is that much obsessed with that evil palace? Mallika’s face clouded with surprise.

Because he born in that palace and he spent his childhood in it with both his parents until his father died and mother disappeared like that. There is no surprise at all that he is liking the palace so. I cannot blame him at all.

I dare say something here. Mallika said. There is no evil and there are no devils at any time. You are just imagining all that. That palace is just a palace and no bad shall happen to anyone by living in it. Forget about everything and just be peaceful.

Ranjitha laughed loud and got off from the chair. How nice it would be if whatever you have said is true! But dear.... She turned and looked into the eyes of Mallika. Don’t forget I have seen more world than you saw. I am more educated than you are and running successful business still at my old age. Are you thinking that I have come to this opinion without considering everything?

I am sorry. I am very much sorry. Mallika also got off from the chair. I know how intelligent you are! But....

Alright. Alright.... Ranjitha waved her off. In fact this palace is only a part in the whole shadow thing concerned with our family. It is for a long time back, so strong and well built. Deaths took place so sudden, people suddenly became mad and many mysterious things happened and we could not understand anything. Still nothing of that is understandable. Among all these, the big mysterious thing, which I cannot understand even a little bit is my brother’s mother Sasikala.

What? there was surprise once again on the face of Mallika.

I never could know where she has come from! I never could understand why she married my father in the first place. I really could not believe when I heard that my father married at his fifty second year. You just cannot understand my shock and amazement when I have seen such a tender aged girl as the wife of my father. The most deplorable thing was, she was quite young to me also.

My god! Mallika gasped on hearing that.

Not just young like that, I must say she is terribly glamorous. There was not much surprise that my father attracted towards her so. There is no surprise that she attracted towards my father as he was handsome also. But the age gape between them both was horrific! It is nearly thirty years! I must say my father was a handsome person. In his fifty two years or so of age also he was quite handsome. I need not say to you that he was considerably rich also. As I said there was not much surprise in her being attracted towards my father.

She paused for a moment. The most shocking thing to me then was she was not at all aimed at my father’s richness. She did never bother about the costly things that our family possessed and she did not bother to buy any. I could find her only as an innocent, beautiful girl.

And surely very good. Mallika said.

Yes, surely very good but with a very sinister motive.

Mallika startled on hearing that.   No one can be good with sinister motives aunty.

With sinister motive but not of her own. She has been sent. I am afraid that a big evil gang was behind her and made her marry my father.

I just cannot understand any of what you are saying.

That Sasikala joined as a secretary at my father. The details she has given in her resume were completely fake. No one knows where from she has come. My father influenced by her beauty that much he did not try to verify any of her details. She easily could achieve for what she has come. In very few days of her joining she could make my father marry her.

There was few seconds agonizing silence.

What your father said? Did not you question him about the marriage?

Ranjitha nodded her head helplessly. He was just a victim. No man, not just my father, could forego such beauty. I have asked of course but his answers were evasive. I saw a sort of guilty feeling in him but nothing more.

How was your father and daughter relationship?

It was perfect even after that marriage also. Ranjitha said. My mother dead when I was just ten years aged. My father not just never tried to marry anyone else but there was no other woman in his life until this woman came. I just could not believe when I heard that my father remarried.

Ranjitha breathed deeply and said I held up in America looking after our newly established business there. I used to come to home occasionally. Whenever my father was with me, he used to be so good to me. He liked me a lot and loved me a lot. There is no doubt in it at all.

Are you feeling angry towards that girl aunty? She came in between you and your father.

No, never dear. Ranjitha hastily turned towards Mallika and looked into her eyes. Whenever I looked into her eyes I saw only innocence, only good, only sort of sadness. I don’t exactly know the reasons for her marriage with my father but she is exceptionally good. I too loved her as much as my father loved her. I think I said she was quite young, four or so years younger to me also.

"I asked her on one day. ‘Do you know what you did? You married a very old man. You deserve a young man matching your age.’

‘But I am happy with him. I loved him and married him. You don’t know how much we both like each other.’ she said

I knew that she was trying to hide something. There was something behind her marrying my father but she could not tell about that. Many a time we talked and every time I tried to know wherefrom she has come what she really was, what she really wanted.  But I never was successful. Not even a single person came to our home from her side.

I cannot say whether I felt happy, sad or otherwise when I came to know that she was conceived. But I felt only happiness when I saw my little brother, Aravind. He got the qualities of both his parents. Instantly I started loving him.

‘How is your little, little brother?’ she asked me on that day.

‘Just so cute and beautiful like you.’ Taking him into my hands I said.

I saw happiness in her face then. She indeed felt so happy that I liked my brother like that. I enjoyed some days with my little brother.

It happened even before Aravind’s birth. My father wanted to shift into that old palace.

‘We want to move into our palace.’ My father said.

‘What?’ I startled on hearing that. Instantly I understood which palace he meant.

Yes, from now on we live in that palace. without bothering with the expression in my face he said again.

‘But you know what type of palace that is! No one can stay happily and peacefully in it. You too know about that very well.’

‘I am not going to believe any of that. Nothing will happen to us. I just cannot leave such a beautiful palace unused like that. You don’t feel unnecessarily worry about it.’

I too did not see much reason then to stop them. Of course I was feeling fear towards that palace, but as my father said to me if it has been made livable again, usable again, it would worth crores of rupees! They moved into that palace.

Why did you have felt fear towards that palace? Mallika intervened and asked.

That palace was constructed a long time back with my great grandfather Sasinadh. I heard the place on which that palace was constructed was not a good place. There was a strange story behind my grandfather becoming rich and in constructing that palace. After construction of the palace, my great grandfather father started living in that. In very few days he died quite mysteriously. His wife became mad and except only one son, the rest of his all family died mysteriously. From then that palace was remained locked for sometime.  After that also some of our forefather’s family members tried to live in that palace. But none of them could stay peacefully there for long. In fact, it was only my father, that woman and their son lived quite long in that palace, five years.

I see Mallika nodded her head.

Then suddenly on one day I heard that my father died. His death was also so mysterious. No one could say how my father was dead. He just died in his sleep. The most surprising, shocking and astonishing thing...... Ranjitha paused for a moment before saying again that woman Sasikala disappeared. No one could say where she had gone and what happened to her. My brother has become all alone in that huge palace. He was just five years old then.

My god! How horrible! Mallika gasped on hearing that.

Yes, horrible it is. Ranjitha nodded her head. I have to take charge of that five years little boy. I have attracted towards him that much I thought that he was enough to me in all respects. So I did not prefer to marry either. There were some other reasons also for her not marrying but she did not want to discuss about them with Mallika.

I was in America then looking after our business affairs there. I have to entrust those things to some other people and came to India. There were only two goals for me then, one my family businesses and the other my brother. I decided to get him the best education possible and make him the best citizen in the world. I became successful with my businesses. I could see my brother get best education and became very good citizen. But.... Ranjitha came once again to her chair and slumped in it.

I don’t know how it happened. Aravind started loathing me. I became an enemy to him. I think he thought that I was the reason somehow or other for our father’s death and his mother’s disappearance.

How terrific! How he could think like that?

I cannot say. The other reason for his hating me that much was I never allowed him to go into that palace again. Of course, he has his parents’ memories in that palace. But in my opinion it was only an evil palace and it does only bad to the people go into that. When completed his education he went away from me and started his own business. He was very clever, developed his business a lot and became very rich in no time. But going into the palace has become his only aim. He started proceedings in the court also. In the end, ultimately I have to give up as I don’t want him to become more and more inimical towards me. Now he entered into that palace with his family.

Ranjitha leaned back in the chair again. In fact that palace is only a part in the whole evil thing. Even she has not her own, there was sinister motive in Sasikala in marrying my father. Some evil group targeted our families for a long time.

How can you say it like that?

Many many mysterious happenings. Mysterious deaths. It is just like a curse.

Mallika did not say anything. In fact she could not know what to say.

You are thinking I am imagining all this. But I am not imagining any. I have become only old but not mad. Ranjitha said.

No, I am not thinking like that at all Mallika hastily said but that was what she was thinking all the time.

Alright. There was that painful silence once again between them both.

Aunty after few seconds silence Mallika said. There is a purpose in your saying all this to me. Do you want anything to be done by me particularly? You just ask me and I am ready to do anything for you. Remembering the help that Ranjitha did to her all the time, Mallika said.

You need not tell me particularly about that at all. Ranjitha said. You are the only close person to me. At first I want to share my feelings and distress with you. I am feeling a little better now. Next...... she reclined in the chair and closed her eyes again. I am feeling that my days are numbered. I am having a strong presumption that I am not going to live long.

Please...please...don’t talk like that. Mallika hastily said. There was distress in her voice also.

No, dear. We cannot stop the inevitabilities. We just have to accept them. Listen to me. With little irritation Ranjitha said. As soon as possible I want you to go to my brother’s home in his absence and tell his family members what I have said to you. Make them try to understand. Make them how dangerous it is to stay in that palace.

I sure do that so. Mallika nodded her head and said. But your father, that woman and your brother could live in that palace for five years happily.

That was because of that Sasikala I am thinking. In fact what type of experiences they had in that palace in those five years we don’t know. On the other hand, my father’s mysterious death happened in that palace. That Sasikala’s mysterious disappearance also happened in that palace. No that palace is not a good one. It is always good to maintain distance from that palace.

I sure do in the way you asked me. You don’t worry at all. Once again placing her hand on the shoulder of the old woman and squeezing there, Mallika said.

Thank you, thank you very much dear. Ranjitha closed her eyes and hissed out heavily. 

Chapter-1

D on’t become the thought itself. Maintain distance. Then there shall be no problem whether you are thinking voluntarily or involuntarily. Sanjana said looking into the face of her sister Menaka.

Then in your opinion the problem is with my thoughts but not with the environment around. There was a pinch of irritation in Menaka.

Sanjana made a throaty mellifluous laughter.  I am not seeing any problem with the environment around. I am thinking .........

It is our mistake that we allow you to become a psychologist. Menaka interrupted her sister still feeling irritation. You just don’t know how mother and I are feeling all about this.

What is there to feel anything about this? with force Sanjan restrained herself from laughing again. Alright. I agree with you that there are evil, supernatural and devils. But nothing has happened so far after you people entered into this palace. How long before, two months, three months..... looked questioningly into her sister’s face.

Three months.

Yes, three months. Sanjana breathed deeply. You people are so happy in all these three months. Then fear for what?

You don’t know. After hearing that Mallika like that.....

That Mallika put into your heads exactly what that mad old woman Ranjitha put into her head. It is really very foolishness giving weight to any of that.

Don’t talk like that. That Ranjitha is not just old and mad. She is a very successful business woman. At present Aravind is the only blood relative to her and there is no surprise in her feeling like that towards him. I don’t think that she is such a weak old woman to imagine things so.

Never think clever and educated people don’t have psychological problems and don’t subject to hallucinations. I agree that she is clever and a successful business woman. I agree with her love and affection on Aravind also. But I still say that she is suffering from serious psychological disorder.

I said already. Once again Menaka’s face clouded with irritation. We did a mistake by allowing you to become a psychologist.

Alright. Anyhow what you people want to do now? with a beautiful frown Sanjana asked.

Mother and I both are thinking that it would be quite better to leave this palace as fast as possible.

Can you make Aravind to agree to this? shrinking her eyes to the minimum, Sanjana asked again.

That is impossible. Menaka nodded her head helplessly. You know how much he is obsessed with this palace. You know how much he tried to gain this. I don’t think that he would give up this palace for anything in this world.

Then what would be the use in thinking like that? But why he is.... Sanjana said and tried to say something more but interrupted by her sister again. You are going to ask me why he is obsessed like this with this palace. He spent his childhood, until his fifth year or so I think, with his parents in this very palace. Even in his fifty two years or so of age also, those childhood memories have great influence on him.

I know this. You told me before. Just at such a tender age, his father died mysteriously and his mother just disappeared in this very palace.

Is it is not surprising? His father died without any reason! His mother just disappeared!

Why should we think that his father died without a reason? If postmortem  conducted on that body it might be known. Just because we don’t know the reason, don’t think that it is without a reason. She paused for a moment before saying again. There might be something behind his mother’s disappearance also. All for some earthly reasons, I can say.

Menaka did not say anything. She knew very well that she could not make her husband to agree to leave that palace. But after hearing what Mallika said she was disturbed enough. There was no necessity to say how her mother Sulochana was feeling as she was also equally exposed to Mallika’s talk. Even before that also she was not with a good opinion on this palace.

Is it is not better that we shed our fears and enjoy ourselves in this palace? If we forget about the stories, it is indeed a very beautiful palace. Sanjana said while reclining in the chair.

Very big one also. If this palace is not this much big, we may not be feeling this much of uneasiness.

To us few people this palace has become rather big, I agree. Sanjana nodded her head.

There was some silence in between them both then.

There are some similarities between Aravind’s mother and you. Suddenly Sanjana said.

To me and that mysterious woman Sasikala? there was an instant startling expression on the face of Menaka.

Yes while a charming smile embarking onto her lips, Sanjana said.

Spit that out fast. I just cannot bear any similarity of anything with that mysterious woman.

Sasikala was a very glamorous woman and in fact that was what made Aravind’s father marry her. You are also very glamorous.

Shut up. It is not true. Menaka angrily said.

Tell it is not true that your glamour attracted Aravind. For what else he married you then? looking teasingly into her sister’s face, Sanjana asked.

We loved each other. That love is the reason for our marriage. Neither my glamour nor his handsomeness is the base for it. Menaka was still angry.

Surely your glamour is the base for it. Whatever you may say, my strong opinion is that. Sanjana was stubborn.

Alright. Alright. What is next? Menaka asked while trying to control her irritation.

That Sasikala joined as a secretary in his father’s office and married him. You also joined in brother-in-law’s office as a secretary and married him.

Anyhow this much is true. Bloody similarity! I pray I don’t disappear like that woman on one day in this palace. There was fear in the face of Menaka.

Sanjana got off from the chair, went near to her sister, put her hand on her right shoulder and squeezed it. You are feeling too much of fear! I am here and I see that there shall never be any problem either to you or to your husband or to your tow beautiful young girls. Until you say that there is no problem to you people here, until you all can stay here without any agitation, I stay here and don’t go anywhere. I can do everything in my power to make you people happy about this palace.

Really, really you do it like that? looking hopefully into the face of her sister, Menaka asked.

Why should not I do that? How can I remain without doing it like that? Sanjana kissed on the left cheek of her sister while putting her right hand around her neck. Are you thinking that I forgot what we were before your marriage with Aravind? Are you thinking I never think what he did for my studies and for my welfare? Ever mother can make your marriage with a person like him? I can be anything but ungrateful.

Oh, Aravind becomes furious if he hears you like this. Menaka said. Please don’t say like this when he is around.

I can understand that much. Sanjana left her sister and nodded her head. Where are your two devils? I want to have a heartfelt talk with them. In these two days of my arrival, I could not have much of them.

In their respective rooms I am thinking. Menaka said. Go and meet them. It would be their pleasure also.

It was night 11.30 and she was trying her level best to slip herself into sleeping but she could not. At first she felt thrilled and happy when she heard her son in law got a huge palace of his forefathers’ all to himself and that thrill and happiness were intact until she stepped into that palace. She could not say why but a sort of uneasiness started in her once she stepped into it. She tried her level best to analyze herself why she was feeling like that but she could not. Ultimately she has come to the reason it was just because of the massiveness of that palace. It was indeed very big and in fact more than ten servants every day from morning to night work to keep that palace neat and in order.  If her son in law was not such a rich person it would have been indeed an impossible task to maintain this palace.

In addition to this, after hearing that Mallika’s words like that on that day she just could not remain peacefully at all. Whatever Mallika said was appearing quite believable and convincing. A rich, educated, intelligent and successful business woman would not imagine things like that. Moreover, what was the necessity to such a rich woman Ranjitha to remain unmarried unless it was for her brother Aravind? Why Aravind was not trying to understand any of this?

As it was such a big palace with many number of rooms, Sulochana has been given a very spacious room which was furnished neatly. There was a massive bed and a refrigerator also in her room. Never, even in her wild dreams also, Sulochana could think that she would enjoy a life like this! Both of her daughters were glamorous and she herself also was a glamorous woman. Their father was a tall and handsome person with white complexion and both the girls resembled him also. 

Even it was not surprising that rich Aravind attracted towards her daughter like that, she did not expect that it would happen so. She has not seen anything to object when he said that he wanted to marry Menaka. Everything was so good and so happy in their lives until they entered into this palace. After hearing Mallika in such an elaborative way, Sulochana’s anxiety became even more.

She squeezed her eyes shut and rolled this side to that side and that side this side inviting sleep but it mercilessly avoided her. However hard she was trying not to think, thoughts about her son in law and his family invading her ruthlessly. His father died so mysteriously in this palace itself and his mother disappeared! Where she would have gone leaving her dead husband and five years old son in the palace and what would have happened to her? Was there really something sinister in this palace?

Then, suddenly then, she started feeling as if someone pinned her body to the bed. Her heart filled with shock and fear. What was happening to her? Why she became suddenly immobile like this? She was using even the last drop of strength in her body also to mobilize it but she could not. She could not even move her little finger. She tried and tried and exhausted completely but could not move herself at all. She just did not know when she fell asleep.

I want to talk to you while they were all taking their breakfast in the dining room, Sulochana said to Menaka with a small voice. By way of her telling like that, Menaka understood it was not something to say in open and she almost guessed what her mother was interested in talking with her.

Tell mom, what do you want to say? when they both were all alone in her room, Menaka asked her mother. They both were comfortably settled in the double cot in that room.

There is indeed something evil in this palace. Staying long in it will be harmful to us. coming near to her daughter and putting her hand on her shoulder Sulochana said.

Mon, how many times you say this to me? Even whatever may be present in this palace we cannot leave it like that. You very well know how much your son in law is obsessed with this palace. He becomes most furious if we ask him to vacate this. Menaka became irritated on hearing what her mother said. Even she herself did not like staying in that palace, she knew that it was an impossible task to go out of it.

First listen to me about my yesterday’s experience then tell me whatever you want to say. Then Sulochana explained to her how she suffered the last night. I never have suffered like that in whole of my life until yesterday night. What do you say now?

It is quite surprising to me to hear. Why none of us did feel like that at any time till now? looking into the face of her mother, Menaka asked.

I cannot say anything to that. But whatever I have said to you is absolutely true. Sulochana said again.

I don’t know what to say to this. Menaka clipped her inner lip between her teeth frames and put herself into deep thinking.

Oh, you both are here! Menaka was about to say something then, Sanjana entered into that room. What you both are that seriously engaged in talking? slumping herself somewhere on the bed near to her mother, she asked.

You have come at the correct point of time. In fact you are the only person who can answer this also. Then Menaka explained to her about their mother’s suffering last night.

It is not at all something that we need to worry about. After hearing everything so carefully, Sanjana said.

What the bloody hell you are talking? If you suffered like me yesterday night.... Sulochana started saying something angrily.

Wait, wait. Your psychologist daughter is going to launch on something. She has an explanation for your yesterday’s suffering. Looking into the face of Sanjana, Menaka said.

Sure I have. Providing me a chance, I explain that to you both. Going near to the wall and leaning herself to that Sanjana said.

In the present circumstances that is the only thing we can do. Go on, pour yourself. Hissing out heavily, Menaka said.

Mom, your experience on yesterday’s night not a queer one at all. she smiled and said. You are unnecessarily worrying. It is not at all something that you have to feel anxiety.

Then what it is? You do take everything easily. You don’t know how much I have suffered. Sulochana was still irritating. 

I can understand. Sanjana was still smiling. But it is not a disease. It is not something that you have to feel anxiety. Everyone feels it at some point of time or other. It is called as sleep paralysis.

You are saying it as paralysis and not dangerous. How a paralysis cannot be dangerous? there was confusion in the face of Sulochana.

I did not say simply paralysis. I said sleep paralysis.

"What is the bloody hell of difference between sleep paralysis and physical paralysis?’ Menaka saved her mother from asking that question.

"Before you understand the difference between these two terms, you have to understand the sleep process. When you sleep, in fact two things do go into sleep simultaneously, one is your mind and the other is your body. Only if these two sleep at once it would be a proper sleep. And when waking up also it happens in the same way. Your mind and body do wake up at the same time.

Sometimes your body goes into sleep but your mind will go into only semi-sleep. It still to some extent works. In such situation you get dreams. As your body is sleeping it does not obey the orders of the mind then. That is why you don’t run even you get a dream that you are running in the street.  The luckiest part here is: whether the mind is in semi-sleep or deep sleep your body does go into sleep. If it does not happen like that you start running when you get a dream that you are running as I said before.

Sometimes your mind wakes up fully first but not your body. When your mind wakes up that you can know about the surroundings, about yourself, about where you are and you desperately try to move. But as your body does not wake up it would not cooperate with you. You do have a feeling that you are tightly tied with something. You cannot even open your eyes." Sanjana’s elaborate explanation came to an end.

Exactly that was the situation I have faced. You just cannot imagine how much I have suffered. There was satisfaction on the face of Sulochana as her daughter understood her problem.

I can imagine. Because sometimes I too suffer with this. In fact it is quite useful to us. putting her both hands around the shoulders of her mother, Sanjana said.

How this sleep paralysis is going to be useful to us? this time also Menaka took the burden of asking that question instead of her mother.

It makes you to stick to the bed restraining from doing whatever you are doing in a dream. If there is no sleep paralysis you do everything that you do in a dream. In fact you can come to know about this sleep paralysis only when your mind becomes completely sober. If your mind is in semi-sleep that means in a dream state or in deep sleep, you cannot be known about this sleep paralysis at all.

Interesting explanation indeed! Menaka nodded his head. But still I am feeling fear that our mother may face this experience in future also.

Even in sleep paralysis also you do one thing for sure that you can control. That is breathing. Take long and deep breaths. That makes you conscious of your body and you can come out of this sleep paralysis.

Sulochana hissed out heavily and said Whatever you have said is quite good to hear but not very much convincing to me. Why I have not felt it like this in my whole life till yesterday? In my opinion surely something evil in this palace is the reason for my suffering like this.

You are trying to fix yourself so and it is quite bad. There are no evil, devils, etc. things on the earth and I don’t know how to convince you about that. Sanjana said.

What Sanjana said also is true mom. There are no such things. There is no supernatural like that. Menaka said.

Then whatever that Mallika said is just false? There is no truth whatsoever in her saying? Sulochana said.

I indeed want to have a talk with that Mallika. She spoiled both of your minds fully. Sanjana angrily said.

It is not that Mallika in fact. She has been sent by Ranjitha, Aravind’s sister. She just said to us whatever that Ranjitha wanted to say to us. Menaka said.

Why she is feeling that much about her brother now? How much my brother in law has to fight with her for this palace! Sanjana surprisingly said.

She is not bad as you are thinking of her. All the time she is thinking only about him as he is the only blood relative to her. She just doesn’t want him to enter into this palace with his family and subject to the dangers here. Sulochana siad.

Sanjana looked into the face of Manaka still feeling surprise. I cannot understand any of this. She said.

I too. Menaka said. That Ranjitha is appearing like a very strange lady.

Just tell me one thing. She is such a rich woman. What is the necessity to her to remain unmarried like this? Sulochana asked.

Why she remained unmarried like this? with a frown on her forehead Sanjana asked.

It is only for her brother Aravind. Sulochana said again.

This too I cannot understand. Once again looking into her sister’s face Sanjana said.

There may be any number of reasons for her not marrying mom. Why do we believe only what that Mallika has said? Menaka said.

The three of them did not know what to talk immediately.

After few seconds pause Menaka siad. One thing is true. If Ranjitha wants she can keep the house in litigation for some more years. She herself gave it up.

Why she gave it up? Sanjana asked.

She does not like her brother develops more and more anger and hatred towards her. He is already quite angry with her.

Why Aravind feels that much hatred towards her? It is she who looked after him. It is she who provided everything to him. Sulochana said.

I too don’t know clearly about that. Menaka hissed out heavily. But he is thinking that his sister was in some way responsible for his father’s death and his mother’s disappearance.

It is an outrageous lie! I don’t think Ranjitha has anything to do with it. Aravind’s father is her own father also. Sanjana said.

But he remarried that too when Ranjitha became quite an adult. If parents remarry like that it sure does have an adverse affect on the children’s minds. Menaka said.

I never believe it so. If it is like that there is no necessity to her to look after Aravind that carefully. Sulochana vehemently denied that.

We don’t know the truth mom. We just don’t know anything. Menaka said.

We don’t know the truth of course. We should atleast try to think logically. If she did not like her new mother that Sasikala, she would have fought tooth and nail with her father. She would not have allowed her into the home itself. But she did not do so. More than six years or so that Sasikala so happily spent time with her father. Who took care of little Aravind after the death of his father and disappearance of his mother? What would have happened to Aravind if she did not bother about him? If she really does not like Aravind, she very easily could get him out of her way. But she looked after him well and made him a bright citizen. In my opinion she is indeed a remarkable woman. Sulochana concluded.

I agree with you on this mom. Aravind’s anger towards her sister is quite unreasonable. Nodding her head Menaka said.

Then why should not we agree with her other theories also about this palace and other matters? Sulochana asked.

My little psychological sister needs to clarify that. Looking into the face of Sanjana, Menaka said.

First of all I have to hear all of those. Without full knowledge I cannot comment any. Sanjana said.

To that matter I too don’t know everything. Whatever that Mallika said to us, I shall tell you.

It took nearly half an hour or so to Menaka to give a full account of what Mallika has said and what she herself knew about her husband and his life.

Aravind’s father suddenly died in this palace without any reason. Even more surprisingly his mother disappeared on that day itself. Where she had gone and what happened to her no one knew till today. Breathing deeply and hissing out heavily, Menaka said in the end after giving the full account.

It is not so without reason. It is just so we don’t know the reason. Any post mortem made on the body to know the reason of his death? Sanjana asked and adjusted herself to more comfort on the bed.

How can I say? I were not present at that time. Menaka said. Might not any post mortem has conducted for that purpose.

Then I have to reiterate that we just don’t know the reason for his death. Next, that Sasikala, Aravind’s mother was appearing as a typical woman. She married someone who was as much aged as her father supposed to be, only for the reasons known to her. As per that Mallika’s saying she was not after the money. Aravind’s father what is his name? looking inquiringly into the face of her sister, Sanjana asked.

I don’t know. I have to ask Aravind for it. Menaka said.

It’s a shame! You are supposed to know about your father-in-law’s name. Sanjana accusingly said.

What Sanjana said is right. How do you remain without knowing even your in-laws’ names? Sulochana said.

I know my mother-in-law’s name. looking irritatingly at her mother Menaka said. Sasikala

Sanjana laughed and said No surprise. She is the linchpin in the whole story. What is your father-in-law’s first wife’s name? I mean that Ranjitha’s mother’s name?

She does not know even her father-in-law’s name and you are asking about his first wife’s name! mocking surprise Sulochana said.

That Mallika told you people all the story without telling their names? Sanjana asked.

She herself does not know. She just told to us whatever that old woman asked her to tell us. Menaka said.

Whatever it may be Sanjana started saying again. "You people need not give even an iota of importance to what she has said. Sudden deaths...people disappearing...hearing strange voices...seeing strange things....and to other mysterious happenings also there shall be earthly explanations and at present we just don’t know. Giving up this beautiful palace for such silly reasons