The Web of Hermit

By Mridula Singh

Nisha was lying on the bed. The blood from the gash on Nisha’s forehead had dried on the bed sheets beneath her. The big metal vase, from which she had
been hit, was lying nearby. She was breathing though. Downstairs Dhruv, the Hermit scion, was lying unconscious. He would die in the hospital later.
Soon, dark whispers began to fill the air.The Hermit has been cursed yet again.
Avantika has visited yet again.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Blue Rose Publishers
• Release date: Jan 7, 2024
• ISBN: 9789357417211

Book preview

PROLOGUE

It was shocking by all standards. Nisha Mitra had always loved shocks and dramas, but not anymore. Within a short period from dusk to the dawn; her life had been turned upside down. From a charmed and a favoured one, she had become an ill-fated and a cursed soul. What had gone wrong within those witching hours, no one had a clue! Before dusk, she was the mistress of The Hermit, after dawn, she was its culprit.

Her in-laws, Gauri & Rakesh Dwivedi, in the next room, were trapped and helpless. The ancient door of their ancestral home, The Hermit, it seemed, had been locked from the outside and in the next room, their only son, Dhruv and his barely a month old bride from the city, Nisha were arguing and fighting like hideous monsters. The elder parents helplessly heard screams and abusing’s hurled at each other, as if, someone had poisoned the very air in the next room. The shouting’s continued for few hours which seemed like a lifetime.

Gauri passed out after some time due to sheer exhaustion. Rakesh kept shouting at his son to keep quiet, but in vain. Neither the shoutings stopped nor the mayhem.

They were let out of the room in the early dawn by the villagers, who had come running after hearing the tragedy from the servants of the household, Chaggan and Makhaan, in the morning.

The scene in the next room was garish. Nisha was lying on the bed. The blood from the gash on Nisha’s forehead had dried on the bed sheets beneath her. The big metal vase, from which she had been hit, was lying nearby. She was breathing though. Arrangements were being made to take her to the local dispensary, from where she would most obviously be referred to a hospital. Broken mantle pieces and cutleries were lying all around. Nisha and Dhruv had apparently fought and hurt themselves after consciously locking the parents inside, it seemed.

Down stairs, unconscious Dhruv was lying in Payal’s, his grandmother’s lap. The old lady was looking blank, staring at nothing in particular. She seemed to be in the state of deep shock. The servants who came in the morning had shouted loudly from the outside but Payal had not been able to comprehend. She stood like a statue long after Dhruv was taken to hospital. Rakesh kept embracing her and pleading her to compose herself, but the old matriarch was not responding. No-one in the onlookers had a dry eye. Death and gloom hung creepily in the air…….

Dhruv died in hospital two days later without uttering a single word. Nisha stayed in coma for five days and recovered with what doctors described as dissociative amnesia, and didn’t remember a thing about the fatal night.

But they say that life has its own ways for extracting revenues. Life was never the same afterwards for anyone involved. Not for Dwivedis of Hermit who had lost their only son almost soon after his marriage. Neither for Mitra’s whose daughter’s happiness was snapped cruelly so quickly. Not in the least for Nisha, who could not decide whether she was sane or insane amongst an array of unanswered questions.

They were newly married, what grave issues could they be fighting about?

How could she not see Dhruv's murderous rage and try to pacify him?

Who could have locked her in-laws in the next room? How did Dhruv tumble down the stairs to his death?

Her mind, in time, had recollected some of the horrible specifics. But instead of solving the puzzle, the memories had further elevated Nisha's miseries.

Dhruv had shouted at her, You whore, you slut, give me what I want, or else…

Village women had warned her, Shhhh! Avantika's name spells doom for the Hermit

CHAPTER- 01 (2015)

Nisha was wandering quietly within the society’s compound, she had recently shifted to, when she saw six years old neighbor Chinti coming excitedly towards her.

Chinti was strolling with her father Ashoka, relishing her tooty-fruity. Lithe girl loved all that was sweet and creamy. Having a small, sweet face over a thin, frail body, the six year old was always conscious of her appearance. Not a single hair out of place on her head, her dress always matched her sandals and she walked like a little princess with lots of airs. She wanted to be a big dancer with a big car and a big fan following, when she grew up. She had confided her treasured dreams in Nisha earlier with a swearing oath not to utter a word to anyone. The little ones take their views very seriously.

In Nisha, the little girl probably saw her mother she never had. Today, she decided to voice her opinions of her little faithfuls whom she had gathered around. Nisha on her part reciprocated the love and affection whole-heartedly. Like today she leaned conspiratorially towards Chinti to hear her seemingly wise cracks of the society.

Badu has become very naughty. I liked him a lot but now I detest him. Chinti started on a serious tone. She made a face as if admonishing a favourite pupil who had gone astray.

Why do you have stared disliking him? Nisha enquired encouragingly.

He has started eating meat! Chinti cried in disbelief. Nisha considered it unwise for the parents to introduce non-veg at such a tender age.

Chinke is very sweet. Chinti went on to admire her next protégé, adding, I like her white cheeks and round mouth.

Nisha admired Chinti’s abilities to have her way through young children.

Earlier Niki was quiet, but now has become mischievous. Chinti was talking merrily.

Chinti suddenly remembered something and exclaimed to Nisha, You know, Montu has developed teeth! Nisha enquired, How are his teeth?

Montu has developed two needles like sharp canine teeth at two ends. Chinti replied with actions. Sensing something incorrect, Nisha immediately asked, Who is this Montu?

The little pup that lives in the corner flat on the third floor of block B. Chinti pointed towards Montu’s flat.

Nisha felt both ashamed at her ignorance and horrified at Chinti befriending all the pups. She checked time and decided that Chinti should be now taken to her home to her grandmother. She took Chinti’s little finger into her and guided her to the lift.

At home, Chinti proudly showed her amateur drawings to a willing Nisha.

Wow, Nisha exclaimed much to the Chinti’s delight, and instantly won an invitation to join Chinti to colour her forest scene.

Nisha enjoyed colouring as much as little Chinti. In the innocent little girl, Nisha found her friend, her child, a non- judging healer. After spending few hours with effervescent Chinti, Nisha seemed to forget all her sorrows. Happy and content, Nisha walked to her residence after finishing the forest scene.

Ashoka, Chinti’s father had watched Nisha and Chinti quietly through the entire time.

Nisha had recently shifted in his neighbourhood. She lived alone and looked sad. It appeared as if she had left an ocean of adversities behind her. Nisha’s quietness had given her a mystique aura, which seemed to have attracted Ashoka. Also, what attracted Ashoka was Nisha’s easiness with children.

Though Nisha’s face wore a somber look, she could brighten it up with her bright eyes, whenever she chose to. She had a childlike playfulness inside her which occasionally reflected at her face, mostly when she was around children. In social gatherings, he had always found her happily surrounded by children, tending to them, playing with them or feeding them, telling them stories or listening to them, laughing or joking with them.

The main purpose of Nisha around his apartment was that Chinti liked her. That’s what Ashoka reminded himself again and quietly went to his bedroom to sleep…….

Ashoka himself was tall, dark, handsome and had a respected white collared job with an envious salary package. He was cheerful and friendly earlier but the death of his wife had hardened his heart and had crushed all tender feelings in him.

It had also to do with the fact that Ashoka had always accused himself to be partly responsible for his wife’s death. Tanya, his lady love had contracted a rare disease that had infected her uterus. She had extracted a promise from Ashoka that he would never allow doctors to remove her uterus how hard they tried.

Ashoka was called into the pre-operation room and was told about the horrible complications of retaining the uterus. Tanya had been given the anesthesia and was lying still on the bed. Looking at her and the fact of poison spreading throughout the body had shaken Ashoka and he had categorically told the doctor to do as per her discretions and what she thought to be in the best interest of the patient.

The very first question Tanya asked Ashoka after coming from the operation theatre was, Why had you not stopped the doctor from removing the uterus?

Ashoka was shocked at the question. He had assumed Tanya to be anaesthetized.

Your life was at stake. Ashoka answered.

Now I won’t have another child. Tanya echoed her feelings

One is enough for us. Besides, your life is far more important.

But you also broke your promise.

I am so sorry.

How can it be guaranteed now that you would keep your other promises?

No reason could be talked to Tanya then. Doctor had come and injected her soothers to calm her down.

Tanya’s blood pressure after that couldn’t be brought under control in spite of doctor’s best efforts. Within twenty four hours she had drifted into coma never to wake up again. Tanya’s death and even more her accusations of insensibility and breaking his promise had done grave injustice to Ashoka’s conscience.

From a joyous, carefree man, he had overnight matured with visible greys. He had plunged himself ferociously into work, which was responsible for his steady rise through corporate ladder and the envious package he got.

Leaving little Chinti under his mother’s care, he divided his waking hours into office and drinking whiskey before slumbering to sleep. He didn’t care to speak to his friends or relatives. His colleagues at work had hardly seen him uttering a word.

Even his mother who had shifted to his residence to take care of little Chinti almost never heard him. She threatened him time and again that she would leave him and his daughter, should he continue with his obsolete behavior.

But being a mother, she could not bring herself to leave her boy and his little girl alone, so her threat had now become mere harmless bursts and were conveniently ignored.

Next day, Nisha climbed the steps of her office in a bad mood. She always looked depressed in the mornings. After reaching the seat, she put her purse on the table and went for finger-tip machine to register her arrival time.

Her morning sadness always intrigued her colleagues. They were always seen discussing in the morning on myriad topics ranging from important to mundane ones. Nisha’s desolation was today’s topic.

Indu remarked, Here comes the tragedy queen.

Sensing being spoken of, Nisha addressed her colleagues,

Hi, everybody

Naman volunteered, We have unanimously decided that you deserve the honour of being the most unhappy belle on the earth.

Nisha gave a questioning look to all. Aloud she said, No, I don’t want the honour.

Kishore asked, Then, tell us why you always look sad in the mornings.

Nothing worth glorifying about. Busy with the tight schedule and juggling in the traffic jam in desperation to reach office in time. was Nisha’s reply.

Tara interjected at this, Then do grace us with your smile now that your task of reaching office in time has been accomplished.

Nisha shrugged her shoulders. I am destined not to laugh.

Tara further queried, Why, what wrongs have you done and to whom?

I……… Nisha was lost at words. Without knowing Tara had a hit a sore nerve. She helplessly urged her colleague to end the discussion. Let’s get back to work. We are destined to work.

Naman, impersonating Nisha, said No, I think I am today destined to see you smile.

Oh! I do smile. Look I am smiling now. Nisha mimicked

Chinti and pulled her eyes by her hand.

Everybody laughed at Nisha’s antics and eased to their respective desks for the work, Nisha had tears in her eyes when she reached her desk. I am not destined to laugh. She reminded herself as if finding a convenient excuse for her depression.

Depressed she was throughout the day and into the evening. It was Chinti, who brought Nisha out of her desolation in the evening. She started playing ludo with Chinti and soon enough Chinti engrossed Nisha so much into her innocent play that she forgot being a grown-up.

Nooooooooooo Chinti’s shrieking sound reached Ashoka as he was getting out of the lift.

It was difficult for him to understand whether she was shouting in pain or was being mischievous. Both worried and curious at the same time, Ashoka hurried towards his residence gate.

Chinti was crying over the game of ludo, "No, no, no. You are wrong. You got first six, then second six, then third six and then three. Your sixes won’t be counted.

Nisha, her co-player, was not listening to her, No, you are wrong, honey. I got two sixes and one three, so I will count my sixes.

No, you got three sixes.

You are wrong again. I got only two.

Chinti and Nisha were arguing like little children. Ashoka’s mother, Dmitri, was sitting and looking from Chinti to Nisha and couldn’t decide for whom to speak for.

What’s the matter? Ashoka asked.

Papa, Nisha di is cheating. She got three sixes and one three. So, her sixes shouldn’t be counted. But she is not listening. Chinti wailed at the severe injustice.

Nisha didn’t argue her case in so many words, but there was defiance in her eyes. Dare anybody challenge her? Chinti had brought out the child inside Nisha. There was no way to settle the arguing children, one smaller and the other one bigger.

Ashoka left the case to his mother and retreated to his room. After trying to placate either of them and failing to do so, Dmitri excused herself to the kitchen.

Chinti and Nisha resumed their fight. This argument became their new game.

Chinti took the initiative, I saw very clearly. You got three sixes and one three.

No, not quiet. I know I rolled over two sixes and one three. Your sixes ought not to be counted.

Of course, they ought to be.

You are a cheat.

No Chinti, you are cheating. I will not play with you.

Just Chinti pointed a finger at Nisha and toppled the game. All dices and gotis spread on the floor.

Chinti and Nisha both eyed each other as to who would surrender first.

Ashoka’s mother came with biscuits and snacks. Seeing the mess, she stooped to clear it. Nisha at once was on the floor. Having Nisha surrendered, Chinti also forgot the acrimony and sat on the floor to help.

Ashoka watched bemusedly how the defiant