The Mysterious Box

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height

* bhūtha sthala - a place where the diety is worshipped congregationally.

*bhūtha pettige  -  A sacred box in which jewels and other valuables are kept and offered to the bhūtha sthala in a native Manglorean's house.

.............................................................

Ooty Post Office

Vihaan autolocked his car holding a cardboard parcel in his hands, when a stout, dark man, who was a helper in the office, rushed to him. He welcomed Vihaan in their local language taking the parcel from one hand and also the half lit cigarette from his other hand.

"Saar, what Saar, long time? You no worry. I post." he jumped around puffing the cigar while Vihaan shook his head laughing and headed back to his car.

"I think this is the only place we get to see you properly." One of his neighbors, greeted him with a warm smile. "You said you would introduce me to your wife, eh Vihaan?"

"I will Sir. Actually her health is a little upset. So.. "

"Oh. Then we could meet the next time I come by your house."

"Absolutely." he said patting the gentleman's shoulder.
- - - - -

He crawled towards the road with great difficulty. The blood dripping from the right corner of his forehead seeped into one of his eyes and the scratches all over his body, made him feel numb. The wheels of his vehicle were still rotating as he tried to gain some strength to move forward and manage his shivering hand to grab hold of something supportive, but in vain. His knees wobbled and he fell unconscious.

Sandhya gasped as she woke up startled. She saw her husband asleep beside her and relaxed. Stroking his hair, she carefully got down and walked to the kitchen. Seeing the wooden box that was kept in the center of the living area, she panicked more and hurriedly gulped a bottle of water she took out of the refrigerator.
"Sleep walking again?" came a voice from behind the refrigerator door. She immediately closed it to find Vihaan behind.

"No. The same old nightmare again." she replied as he wound his arm around helping her to the sofa seat. He knelt down after making her adjust herself on it.

"You've gotta stop thinking about that Sandhya. It's not good for our child if you wake up like this in the middle of the night, panting and straining yourself."

"Vihaan, can I ask you for something? "

"Anything you ask will be at your footstep." he retorted bowing at her while she giggled.

"Remember I had told you about our old house that my grandparents had left even before I was born? It was where my ancestors resided for years. They used to host this event called bhūtha aaradhane every year."

"Bhūtha aaradhane is this Mangalorean tradition in which people who wear dresses made out of coconut leaves and dance around the fire are worshipped as a deity, right?"

"Yes, but since we vacated that place, no one has returned. We took the *bhūtha pettige and migrated to the city. My grandparents and the rest of the family passed away then. We lost our baby the previous time and I was at the verge of losing you too."
Her voice trembled as her eyes welled up.
Vihaan kissed her womb and settled beside her, her body enveloped in his arms.
Resting her head on his chest,
"I'm thinking of putting those jewels back in the *bhūtha sthala and hosting a bhūtha aaradhane again. What if all these are bad omens? You may think it's all a coincidence but I'm too scared to take any chance this time Vihaan."

"When do you want to go?"

"I know you don't believe in such...  What? Really!"

He nodded smiling.
"Anything as long as you are cheerful and calm. Junior, you're Mom's a magician and she sure knows how to get Daddy on track."

They felt the baby kick and she hit his chest listening to the father-child conversation.

"I've booked two train tickets online for tomorrow at two PM."

"So you knew I would agree? What if I hadn't?"

"You're wife's a magician husband man." she winked. He leaned closer just when the clock struck 12.

"Wait!"

Vihaan looked at her disappointed as she went inside the kitchen and brought a small box.

"What is this?"

"Open it!"

He opened the box which contained a black strap watch with a silver case on which a lotus was imprinted.

"Happy birthday!" she wished hugging him from behind.
"Now you have two lotuses, one on this watch and another on your wrist." she chirped holding his hand which had a tattoo of a lotus.

"Thank you. But is that it?" he tittered turning to her.

"Good night Vihaan. I still have to pack our bags."

"What did you tell me the name of your native was?"

"KAMAROTTU"
- - - - - -

Click
Janani posed for a selfie with Nilesh and his wife Panchami after their wedding reception.

"Can we go now?" Panchami grunted.

"Hang on Paanchali! What important work do you have now? I have to talk to Pandu."

"Hey, you either stop calling her Paanchali or me as Pandu. Paanchali is Pandu's daughter-in-law, Jenny!"

"I can't call you with five names! OK Valimiki Maharishi! Now tell me where you two are going for your honeymoon?"

Pandu blushed."Ooty!"

"No!!!! You are not coming with us! Shameless!" shouted Paanchali at her best friend who already made a deal with her husband about borrowing their car while they were in the resort.

"Hehe Janani, you are not gonna stay in our room, are you?"

"Thanks for the invitation Pandu, but I'll be busy."

"Don't tell me you're gonna search of that anonymous author about whom you're writing an article on!"

"Yes Paanchali!"

"You think you can really meet him in Ooty?"

"Hopefully, if he's not packing up to move somewhere else." sighed Janani.
- - - - - -

"Sandhya! I'm taking the bhūtha pettige. Careful with the stairs." Vihaan advised concernedly.
......................................................................

Thank you all for the lovely feedback!
They are actually making me pace with the updates!

AND NOW begins the actual story! Guys get ready for the ultimate twists and turns!  Oooo can't wait to tell you guys this story. A huge Namaskaram to the fantabulous director! Are you'll exited too 😉
Keep the love coming wonderful people! 
Feedback appreciated😃

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net