BTL - Chapter 5

It was nearly 8 in the evening when Arnav shut down his laptop and leaned back in his chair. He massaged his aching temple as the acute pain that ahd started a while ago seemed to have increased to a dull ache. He sighed as he opened his eyes and started at the blinking light on the laptop showing its charging status.

He had hardly gone anywhere with the story and had spent most of the day researching more on the modus operandi of murder that he was trying to write about in the story. He had been on call nearly all day with his researcher who had in turn been checking with their friend in the CID who usually helped them with the case study for the murders.

It amazed him, how they had never shown any curiosity for his real identity and had been more than satisfied with the usual appraisal he showed them in his book's foreword...he had a good team of loyalists from medical, judicial and public offices that had been more than helpful for him to formulate and research on his topics.

But even after all the new notes he had made throughout the day and the direction he had thought was a good decicion to take the story in, nothing seemed to be tying up...he was very close to scrape the entire thing ot base his character on anyone but himself! This was the first time he had to solve a mystery to write one.

He got up and nearly buckled over as he felt pins and needles attack his sleeping leg, thanks to the long time he spent sitting down...he could also feel a desperate need to crack his spine but thought it was best to take an aspirin and sleep after dinner. He was still trying to get his leg to feel normal when his phone rang making him smile at the name that was flashing on the wide screen

"Saale...now you get the time to call me?" Arnav said with a smile as Manav's warm chuckle sounded from across "Oh Hello! You were supposed to call me...remember? All I got from you was a text that you reached yesterday morning, bas..nothing else...loser!...anyways, how you holding up? All ok down there?" Manav asked with concern as Arnav breathed deeply

"Yeah...all is ok...but i haven't gone anywhere with the book man...I just cant seem to figure out where i'm going wrong.." he said as Manav sighed "Arnav...give it some time...its only been two days since you reached there...don't stay cooped up inside the house, roam around a bit...who knows! Maybe the beauty in Coorg will help you focus better" he said as Arnav's mind suddenly conjured up Khushi's face

"Arnav? Are you there?" Manav asked as his friend's voice suddenly went quite "Uh..yeah, i'm here...sorry...what were you saying? Yes...roam around...I will be doing that tomorrow...i'm looking for alternative accommodation" he said as he got up and walked to the verandah to breath in the fresh night air, cool and refreshing

"What? Why? Did you not like the house?" Manav asked him as he looked down into the deep valley "No..its not that...I actually wanted the house all to myself, but the owner's grand daughter is living here too...she's repairing the house...and Its distracting...so i'll be moving out as soon as I find another great place like this" he said as Manav coughed animatedly

"Wait! Hold on...there is a girl living with you in the house?...and you want to move out? Dude! Is she that ugly??!" Manav asked in mock seriousness as arnav smiled "Shut up! She's not ugly...But I'm here to do my work Manav...not pick-up pretty girls...so its best I stay on my own...and concentrate on my work" he said as Manav started laughing

"Oh ho! Pretty girl huh? That answers my questions about her being ugly...and distraction did you say? Arnav when did a single girl started getting distracting for you? Hell, i've seen you type away to glory in your room, at that wild party you threw for me on my bachelors...that too with half naked chicks running around...so don't give me this bullshit...admit it, this girl is something special" he said as arnav sighed loudly

"God Manav! Its nothing like that...I just want some peace and quite and all she does is talk, talk and talk...and she drills...and fixes things around the house..." he said as Manav chuckled "yeah...sure, I believe you...go and look for another house all you want...but something tells me you'll be back to your distraction in a jiffy" he said as arnav rolled his eyes and was about to retort when he heard VK's hesitant knock and knew it was a call for dinner...He quickly wished Manav a good night and promised to keep him updated about the book and also about other things that Manav wanted to so desperately know about.

...

"So, hows your book coming along?" Khushi asked arnav as they sat sipping some mint tea outside on the verandah...they had just finished the wholesome dinner and were about to part for the night, when Khushi asked him if he'd like to join her for some refreshing mint tea

Arnav agreed with her despite the fact that he wanted to run far away from her...her proximity was making him feel all sorts of weird things and was not letting him focus on anything...plus today she looked extra fetching in a white churidar-kurta...and it did not help his overworked brain that he still found her irresistible in a fully covered form too instead of those little ganji's and shorts she usually wore.

So, in a bid to spend more time with her, he ended up saying a yes to her offer...plus the mint tea might do his headache some good...or so he convinced himself for his want to drink it...but all he could think of right now was how her plump lips blew on the hot tea before sipping on it daintily...his body reacting in unwanted ways as they sat in the verandah overlooking the guava tea, the steaming cups of mint tea which VK's wife Smitha had served them wafting their light fragrance around

"Uhh...its going ok...i'm still working out the overall storyline" he said after a prolonged silence which was bought about by his wayward thoughts. Hoping that she did not notice him stare, he smiled slightly at her as she looked on with interest "Oh..is it a fictional piece? I thought you were writing a factual book..." she said as he shook his head "No...i'm not an expert to write on facts...I prefer writing fiction...it gives one so much freedom to express what they never would in reality" he said as she nodded

"Yes, I agree with you...so tell me, who is the main character of your story? If you don't mind that is...i'll keep it strictly confidential" she said with a grin as arnav smiled back making her breath hitch...what was it with this guy and his smiles... "Well, he's a guy in his mid thirties...not much family...strong ambitions" he said as she looked on with interest

"Oh...political interests?" she asked him at which he frowned "Why political?" he asked her to which she gave him an odd look "Uh...cause you said its a political fiction?" she asked as he mentally slapped himself...he had made too many slips already and had to tread carefully here "Oh yeah..off course...but first his ambitions are not so politically inclined" he said as Khushi nodded and sipped on her tea

"I really don't understand why writers mostly have a man as the protagonist...why can't there be stories written on woman?...like even Agatha christie wrote for poirot, when she herself being a woman could have had a better insight for a woman protagonist..." she said with a wistful voice as arnav looked on with an amused smile"Maybe because its easy to write about a man in all difficult situations" he said only to get a scowl from her

"Thats so sexist!...women have so much more depth...and even though some might argue about how men are more logical...they fail to see how women have instincts...which is more important some times...take Pike for that matter...I love his books...the mysteries are so gripping...the storyline fantastic...I usually can't keep the book once I take it to read" she said as arnav felt warmth filling him up

"But, the protagonist is always a male...and he solves the mystery based on logic...how wonderful would it be if he writes from a woman's perspective...it will make the story more interesting...the findings based on instincts...that's what I feel his books lack..." she sighed as arnav suddenly felt like he was tied to his chair

Why had he not thought of it earlier? His current book was a supernatural mystery...bordering on lines of a thriller...having a woman as the main character and following it up with khushi's suggestion on instincts and maybe a sixth sense will probably work...hell, it would be great! He thought as he saw the woman in front of him calmly sipping her tea

She had no idea what she had done...he was so excited that he wanted to grab and kiss her for giving him such a brilliant idea...but he knew he obviously couldn't...so he controlled himself and finished his tea in silence...he saw her eyeing him over the rim of her cup "Why are you so quite all of a sudden? Don't tell me you agree with everything I just said" she said skeptically as arnav shook his head

"Not everything...but some of it" he said cryptically as she rolled her eyes and bid him a soft good night, leaving him in a whiff of fragrant citrusy smell...as heady as the eucalyptus surrounding them and as mild as the faint roses in the overgrown garden...making arnav smile at the unexpected twist that beckoned him.

BTL - Chapter 4

The next morning dawned on a positive note for Arnav...there was no jarring alarm to wake him up or the usual early morning honking on the street below his apartment that irritated him, instead he awakened to sweet chirping of birds and the inviting rays of early morning sun...he stretched in bed before lazily getting off the canopied bed and walking to his balcony.

He smiled as a cool breeze ruffled his hair and the soothing smell of eucalyptus in the air relaxed him further...how could he leave this place now? He wondered as he placed his arms on the railings and peered down into the valley.

A soft knock on his door brought him out of his morning Nirvana as he padded towards his bedroom door and opened it slightly "Good morning sir...Hope I did not wake you up? I got you the newspaper and some fresh coffee.." VK said as Arnav opened the door wider for him with a grateful smile

"Breakfast is also ready...do come into the living room whenever you are ready" he said as he placed the tray on the small table in the balcony "Thanks...that smells wonderful! I'll be out in some time" arnav said as the older man smiled at him and left.

Arnav poured some of the tempting fresh coffee and sat down in the wicker chair to read the newspaper...he mixed some cream in the cup and saw it swirl around the black liquid before settling...the browns and hazels reminding him of bright happy eyes...he shook his head before relaxing back into his chair to savor this piece of paradise.

...

"Chickappa...I'm sure there is some mystery here...how can the guava's go missing again? I'm positive that its those naughty kids from that Mr Srinivasan's estate...I saw them loitering around the other day...wait till I get my hands on them!" Khushi said as she sipped on her coffee...VK stood in front of her laughing at her comical expression

"But then...the tree is inside our compound...if they were to steal the fruits then we would have seen some cycle tracks or even found their footprints around the wet mud...it definitely is a conspiracy!" Khushi said still in her thoughts as a VK cleared his throat, announcing the arrival of their tenant

Arnav looked on amused as Khushi suddenly kept her cup down and gave him a bright sunny smile...the effects of which made her look even more beautiful than she was "Good morning...I hope you like Dosa?" she said to arnav who looked appreciatively at the breakfast spread

"I do actually...I don't get to eat much south indian food at home, mostly I just order for it...but i've always had a liking for the food" he said as he helped himself to some crisp dosa's and variety of chutneys laid down in front of him "So...what was it you were saying just now? something about a conspiracy?" he asked khushi who sat up straighter and took another sip of her coffee

"Oh that!...our guava's are being stolen...the huge tree in our compound? It bears the best guava's in all of coorg...but recently a lot of them are missing before we even think of plucking them...so I was trying to find a way to catch the culprits" she said with an annoyed face which arnav thought looked very cute on her

He nodded and kept on listening to her rant about how she was going to keep a watch and maybe tie a dog around the tree to alert them when someone was around the tree...and he realized that he liked her blabbering...something that he had always found annoying in others...he found it adorable on her.

She was still talking as he finished his breakfast and poured himself another cup of coffee...he was sipping on the same as she suddenly hit her hand in frustration "I so wish i had Crispin Pike's brain to figure out this mystery!" she sighed as arnav suddenly went into a fit of uncontrollable coughing...owing to the coffee going down the wrong pipe

"Oh my God! Are you ok Arnav?" Khushi said as she leapt from her seat and quickly came to help him out...she took the cup from his hand and handed him a glass of water while rhythmically rubbing her hand on his back... "Drink the water..it will help you" she said as arnav's eyes watered from the coughing

He gulped down the cool water and leaned forward resting his arms on the table...only then did he realize the soothing way in which her hands was still rubbing his back...he looked up at her and said a quick thank you as she hastily removed her hands and gave him a small smile

"Hope your ok now? Do you need something else?" she asked him as he shook his head in the negative...his back still tingling from where her hands were... "Ok then...I'm going to go and do my work..and as I promised, you will not see me till meal times!" she said as she did a mock salute and left the living room...her perfect backside swaying in the well fitting jeans.

Arnav saw her till she was no longer visible to him...and only then did he relax back in his chair...she read Crispin Pike?...that means he had to be extra careful around her...but then it was only for another day...after that he won't see her again...will he?...he again picked up his coffee cup with this in mind...making his way back to his room.

...

It was nearly lunch time and arnav had still not gotten anywhere with his work...he had replied to his mails as promised to his boss and had spoken to his research assistant about some of the facts he wanted cleared, when he heard a slight drilling noise

He quickly closed his laptop and peered out of the side window overlooking the front yard of the house..it took him a while to work out what was going on when a he saw khushi get up from a crouching position in front of her famous guava tree...she held a kind of DIY drilling machine and was busy setting up a kind of wooden permitter around the tree.

The unusual scene took his mind of the gloominess that had set it as he had pondered over his novel...he quickly donned his slippers and walked out of his room to go and see what she was up to.

...

Khushi had just finished getting the main four bars ready to place around the tree when she heard footsteps approaching her..she looked up from her crouching position to see Arnav looking at her curiously as she very ungracefully got up and dusted her hands on her pale blue jeans

"Hi..what brings you out here? I hope I didn't disturb you...i know the drilling was loud, but i'm done with it.." she started blabbering off when arnav shook his head and held up his palm "No..its fine...what are you doing exactly?" he asked her as her eyes shone in enthusiasm

"Oh this! I'm building a protective frame around the tree...i'll be placing barb wires around this frame, so that no one dares to come near it" she said proudly and chuckled at her own brilliance to the amusement of arnav who could not help but smile at her madness

Khushi looked up to see arnav smiling softly at her...the smile completely transforming his otherwise stern face...he looked years younger as his smile reached his eyes "Khushi...why are you so obsessed with this tree? And do you really think placing a barb frame around it will deter the culprits from stealing the fruit? Did you know that some find it highly amusing to be faced with a challenge...your'e just inviting more trouble!" he said as her face fell

"You think so?..I don't know...I felt this might scare them away...I knew my initial idea of tying a rottweiler around the tree was better..." she said muttering to herself, adding more fire to arnav's merriment "Oh and this tree is my tree! I had planted this 20 years ago!...so i'm very very possessive about it!" she said proudly which made arnav raise his eyebrows

"Really? Well then i guess you are correct in trying to protect it..." he said as khushi smiled brightly at him, oblivious to the way his heart started beating a tad faster looking at her beautiful face, made more irresistible by her smile "Thank you!" she said as arnav nodded

"Just an advice...maybe you should think of spreading some white boric powder on the ground below...if there really are people stealing the fruits, their footprints will be visible in the powder...the mud usually does not show if its trampled around...but the boric powder will stick to their shoes and will give you a clear indication if there really was someone" he said as khushi started at him in wonder

"Oh wow! I never thought of that...you are right! I should do that first...then when its confirmed that someone does come to steal, I'll lay down my trap! Gosh...i so feel like Agatha Christie right now" she said patting herself on her back as arnav cleared his throat

"Ahem...I think I should be praised? Since I gave you the idea?" he said as khushi hit her head "Haan...your'e right...but I can't call you Agatha christie na...she was a woman...uh, yeah...you can feel like Crispin Pike right now...in fact the idea you gave me...i'm sure I have read it in one of his books...have you read them?" she asked arnav who was suddenly very interested in the blushing fruits on the tree

"Uh..yeah...I've heard of him...not really read his books" Arnav said trying to end the conversation, but luck did not seem to be on his side as khushi spoke "You should read them...he's amazing...although I feel he should try experimenting with..." she said as arnav turned towards her sharply but khushi seemed to be in her own thoughts...what was she saying?

"Uh Khushi? You were saying?" he asked her when khushi looked at him and shook her head "Oh nothing...since you haven't read his books, you won't understand...leave it" she said as arnav kept looking at her while she gathered her things and left saying she'll see him at lunch.

He really wished she would tell him..this would be a first time that he could have some face to face feedback from a reader...but he couldn't very well say that he had read the books...hell he had written them...and he knew he had to make up something to know what she was about to say...but why did it matter to him that she seemed disappointed about something...something that he wrote.

BTL - Chapter 3

'He wondered where the foot prints came from...it wasn't like anyone else resided in this house or even dared to venture in its eerie silence...why was it then, he felt someone's presence...the thought left a cold feeling lingering in his being...'

Arnav stared at the words in front of him...he had already reread the six chapters he had jotted down so far...but after that he had badly got stuck on the seventh...He sighed as he exited the software and shut down his laptop before leaning back into the comfortable wicker chair in the adjoining balcony

He closed his eyes as the characters in his latest novel kept revolving around his mind...his protagonist was loosely based on his personsomething which he had never done beforebut somehow it had clicked and he had been on a roll, so much so that he had finished the first three chapters in a single night!

But then things had gotten a bit difficult, because though he had started the novel on a very solid foundation and had built over it quite well, his creative juices had simple stopped flowing once he reached chapter sixthe paranormal twist in the story was just not settling well with his psyche and he had been in a fix if he was probably wrong on basing his newest protagonist on himself..he felt that the climax he had originally envisioned may not come through if he continued in this way.

He let out a long sigh before picking up the laptop and walking back into the room. He set the device on the study table to charge and switched on the lights in the now darkened room as the evening had set in...He looked back towards the balcony to witness the last visible light of the setting sun, finally drenching the valley into cool darkness.

Half an hour later he was walking out of his room to look for VK...the hot shower had done wonders to his tensed self and the calmness of the place was giving him a sense of rejuvenation. He ran his hands through his damp hair before walking slowly into the dimly lit living area

Arre sir...you are here? I was just about to come and call you for dinner VK said as Arnav nodded at him before walking towards a large showcase that held many old books, the same had intrigued him earlier in the day These are bade saabji's books...you can take them to read if you'd like VK said, looking at the way Arnav was taking a keen interest in them

Thanks...I might.. he said as he opened the cupboard and ran his forefinger along the various books...ranging from political to spiritual topics...he finally found his favorite book amongst the collection and pulled it out with a smile A Tale of two cities

That is a fifth edition original copy...1921, I think a soft voice spoke from behind him as he was leafing through the yellowed pages. He quickly turned around to be greeted by a pair of startling hazel orbs..but it didn't take him long to take in the rest of her face..her long perfect nose, high cheekbones marred by a slight blush...full plump pink lips unadorned by any artificial color and straight long hair falling in a soft cascade around her delicate shoulders

The rest of her was equally perfect with womanly curves and beautiful fair smooth skin...he knew she was the same girl he had earlier found under the sink...her still bare legs confirming his doubt Beautiful...I...I mean, this book is b..Beautiful he said as the suddenness of his thoughts spoken aloud made him stutter.

Hmm...Yes I agree...it is one my favorite booksthis one here was a gift given to my great-grandfather by the British Officer he worked under during colonial times she said walking towards him and closing the bookcase. She took the book from his hands and picked up a tissue from the nearby coffee table...she wiped the dust of the book and offered it back to him

I know we are supposed to keep these in better condition...but I had forgotten about this little treasure the house holds she said as she smiled softly, making arnav gulp at the unfamiliar feeling in the pit of his stomach...her smile transformed her face further...taking her natural beauty to another level

Khushi observed the man in front of her with interest...When she had heard his name, she had thought of an older gentleman...someone who was very authoritative and probably stern looking...she had never imagined that this man standing in front of her will be that mumbaiyya she had cursed earlier.

She had watched him discreetly for a few seconds, taking in his tall, lean frame...he did not seem like the overtly muscled types, but the way his veins stretched over his bare forearms, spoke of a well toned, maintained body...and then his face...he seemed to have a kind of melancholy around his eyes when he had looked up at her, but his rugged handsomeness had stopped her from delving too much into it.

I'm Arnav by the way...you must be babyji he said as he extended his arm to greet her... Khushi Gupta...this is my nanaji's house she said shaking his hand briefly before pulling away and stuffing her hands back into the pockets of her shorts.

They stood observing each other for a few seconds more before khushi cleared her throat Uh...was it you who came to the bathroom earlier? When I was fixing the sink? she asked him curiously only to have him nod his head at her Yes, that was me...I did not realize that was you fixing the plumbing though he told her as she nodded

Yep...I'm kind of like a DIY person...whatever I can fix, I'll do on my own...in fact its high time I fix up this place good...Its been ignored for a very long time she sighed as she slowly walked towards the dining room and poured herself a glass of water while Arnav observed her discreetly.

Anyways...I heard from chikappa that you will be leaving? I'm sorry I came in at this time, but I work in Delhi and could only take a month's time off to come and restore this place...my boss only agreed to a long break since work's not crazy busy right now...and she can afford to give me a break only when the season's off khushi said matter of factly drinking the cool water

Oh...what kind of work do you do? he asked her with mild curiosity...since she spoke of seasons. Khushi smiled at him again before slumping down ungracefully in the comfy dining chair I'm a wedding planner...I work for a company called 'Dreamz Inc'...yes I know sounds corny...but we are one of the best wedding planners in Delhi and NCR she said proudly as arnav looked at her in amusement

Sounds like a cool job he said as he too sat down and waited as VK placed dinner plates in front of them So youre here for a month only? he asked her as she served herself some pickle and salad before passing on the plate to arnav

Yes...if I can get things done before that, then Ill be gone before the month ends...Why? Are you considering staying back now? she asked him wiggling her eyebrows as he thoughtfully bit into a piece of cucumber I really don't know...see I rented this place because I wanted to do some serious writing...I wanted to be completely on my own so that I can gather my thoughts and simply write! he said as she nodded

I know...they told me you were a writer...and if you are having second thoughts, let me reassure you that I will not come in your way at all...as it is, the part of the house where you are staying will not be disturbed at all..And if you like, I can reduce the rental substantially since its only fair she said trying to change his mind...but for the life of her, she had no idea why she was trying to convince him so much...

Fine...let me re-think about it, I am anyways staying here for another two days, so Ill decideon Mondayif I want to move out...and don't worry about the money...its fine, the rent is pretty low any which ways he said as VK served him some vegetables

Sure, sounds good...trust me, you will probably only see me during meal times...Ill make sure to stay out of your way otherwise she said with a bright smile...and somehow those words made arnav feel restless instead of relief...something about her presence was very soothing...but maybe it was best to stay away from making any attachments to anyone..not even the caretaker.

So, what kind of book are you writing? And are you a published author? she asked him as he tried to come up with a reasonable answer...he had never had to answer this question to anyone before and was at a loss of words... No...Im not published yet...this will be my first book...its a p..political drama he said hoping she'll buy it

Oh...ok..i'm not really interested in politics, so I probably won't understand anything...but hope it works out for you and you end up writing a bestseller... she said as he nodded politely and continued with his dinner...he wondered what she would say if he told her the truth about his books...that every book he had ever written had been bestsellers!

The rest of the meal went down in companionable silence, and after bidding each other good night...both Arnav and Khushi went their opposite ways...one thinking about the sadness in his eyes and the other thinking about the liveliness in her hazel ones.

BTL - Chapter 2

"Hello sir...welcome to Coorg" an old but strong looking man dressed in a loose pants and a button down cotton shirt, greeted arnav as he stopped his car inside the bungalow's compound and got down. He peered at the main entrance of the cottage hidden by the overgrown hedges around and took a deep breath, inhaling the crisp fresh air that filled his nostrils gaving him a sense of peace and calm.


He returned the man's smile as he shook hands with him "Thanks...are you the caretaker? Sorry I did not have your number so spoke to the manager on landing at Bangalore" Arnav said to the man, stretching his arms above his head to get rid of the cricks in his back thanks to the long uphill drive.


The man smiled back at him and got busy pulling our Arnav's luggage from the car's trunk "Yes sir, I am Venkateshan Krishamani Rao, but you can call me VK or just Rao...whatever you prefer" he said pleasantly as he kept the bags down and came towards arnav who was surveying the thicket around the place, his eyes flicked back to the old man on hearing his name


"Okay...i guess i'll stick to VK" he said as the man nodded and started picking up the larger of the bags "No wait..thats very heavy..." Arnav started arguing as VK hauled the bag over his shoulder while dragging the other bag with its wheels on the cobbled path "Its ok sir, I can manage...please come this way" he said as arnav gave up and picked up his laptop bag, following him to the second gate, in front of the house.


"Looks like this place has seen better times" Arnav commented as he surveyed the pale ivory color peeling off the outer walls of the cottage...he looked around and grimaced at the overgrown shrubs and wild plants lining the main pathway, while the old creaky gate gave a positively horrific groan...a huge guava tree stood guarding the bungalow in the small courtyard surrounding it.


"Oh yes sir...actually the house has been more or less closed off for over two years now, the last it was used was by an author like you...after that no one had stayed here...even me and my wife used to come one once a week for the upkeep...but now that bade sir's grand-daughter is back here for a few days, she'll be taking care of the repairs and other things.." he said as arnav suddenly halted at the man's word


"Whoa! What? You don't mean she is staying here do you? I was not told about this...I had precisely told them that I wanted the house to myself...I've bloody rented out the entire place!" Arnav said fuming at the thought that he won't be alone in the house as he had imagined if this grand daughter was here.


"Oh...Sir, I understand what you mean...but babyji decided to come here at the last minute...she wasn't aware of your visit since the rentals are overlooked by our estate manager...she too came to know about it two days ago when she got here...and since this is her house..." he said as arnav gave him a stern look


"Look VK...I don't care that your babyji decided to come here at the last minute...my only concern is that I have paid for three months of exclusive use of this house...and if that is not given to me then I will look for other accommodation...the last thing I need is some babyji dancing on my head while I try to work" arnav said with a frown as VK's face turned a slight pink


"Sir...please don't talk like that about babyji...she is very special to us...If you do not wish to live here, I will ask babyji to talk to our manager and return your money...but since its friday today, we can only do that on monday...in the mean time, it will be best if you stay here till then and maybe look at other places for accommodation over the weekend...I will be happy to assist you" he said with a defeated sigh as arnav nodded


He was too tired and exhausted from the journey and felt it was best to discuss this with their babyji at a better time...he really could not believe that he was already speaking about finding another place to live in before even walking into the house!


...



"Sir?" Arnav heard VK's voice call out from outside...he locked his laptop and got up from the carved wooden table in his room and went to open the door to a pleasant sight...he smiled gratefully as VK came in with a tray laden with hot aloo paratha's, yogurt and lime pickle...there was also a pot of freshly brewed coffee which arnav was dying to have.


"My wife thought you must be very hungry...but since its an odd time between breakfast and lunch, she thought that paratha's and coffee would be a good choice...do let me know in case you want something else" VK said with a warm smile


"No, this is great...how did you know I drink coffee?" arnav asked him to which VK shrugged "the other writers all drank coffee..we just guessed you did too...I can bring you tea if you like..but I do recommend the coffee, its locally produced here in coorg" he said proudly to which arnav smiled


"Oh no...this is perfect...by the way, how many other writers have stayed here before?" arnav asked him as he poured the smooth black drink and added a dash of milk "Oh...about 5 other writers...in fact, one of them used to come here quite often...he is a spiritual writer and finds peace and tranquility in this space" he said gesturing around the room and beyond


Arnav nodded as could not have agreed more...as soon as he had walked into his room...he was astonished by the sheer beauty of the high ceilinged european styled room...the tiles were a warm terra-cotta while teak furniture gave the room an enchanted feel...the fresh linen and soft smell of eucalyptus from the forest outside lent a feel of calmness to it.


He had walked out into the large deck cum balcony, only to be astonished by the beautiful sight of the valleys and lush greenery in front of him, the steady streams of late monsoon waterfalls were a sight to his sore eyes...this really was heaven on earth...and it would be a shame to let go of a chance to live here...he somehow felt that the wily old man had given him this room to dissuade him from leaving the house.


He waited till VK left the room before rolling one of the parathas and dipping it into the cool yogurt...he suddenly felt famished as he remembered the last meal he had was probably last night with Manav...he had not eaten anything from his flight in the wee hours of the morning and then he had driven non-stop from Bangalore airport to coorg.


Once he was done with his food and second cup of coffee...he wandered out of his room in order to find VK...he needed to check with him if there was a LAN connection or wifi in the house so that he could check his mails ...though his phone coverage was all right, he hardly had any data speed...and he doubted that his data card will work due to the high altitude.


He walked slowly drinking in the beauty of the interiors as he admired the wood paneled ceilings and colonial style furniture..large old paintings lined the walls while many different knick-knacks scattered around the house spoke of a well travelled owner. He really wondered which era had influenced this house..since he saw soo many various styles in the construction and design of it.


He had now reached a longish corridor which was leading towards an open courtyard...he continued on making a mental note to take down VK's phone number, he was just about to reach the end of the corridor when he stopped abruptly as he heard a soft voice coming from one of the rooms...he turned back and strained his ears to check if it really was someone's voice when he heard it again


It sounded like someone was calling from the room on his left...Arnav slowly turned the knob and heard a female voice call out from the bathroom for someone that sounded like 'chikappa..' he wondered what the hell it meant as he waked towards the voice and was left bewildered and astonished at the sight that greeted him


Two beautifully long, tanned smooth bare legs were peeking out from under what looked like a humongous sink... "Chikappa...where are you?" the girl said again as she struggled with something on the right side...her hand trying to locate something on the old tiled floor...Arnav quickly walked towards her, his footstep alerting her


"Finally...where were you? Please pass the spanner to me...I just need to tighten this bolt...that should stop the leakage" she said as she held out a delicate hand to him...he bent down and looked around for the spanner and gave it to her as she clasped her hand around it and grunted in exhaustion as she tightened the said bolt


It took arnav a minute to register that she was now wriggling out from under the sink...he wondered if he should stay back or leave...and finally decided that it was best to leave...he had anyways not spoken to her yet...but the smooth expanse of her khakhi shorts clad legs and the flat midriff peeking out from under her t-shirt that had ridden up kept him rooted to the spot.


He heard her curse as she hit her head on the underside of the sink base while trying to slip out, when she was just about to come out, he swiftly turned and walked away from there...he had no idea why he did that...but he felt it was best to not meet someone like this...he should have first only announced his presence instead of ogling at her.


He walked back to his room and closed the door behind him before walking towards the open balcony once again...he was surprised that the plumber was a girl...that too someone who clearly was not a local..at least not in the way she dressed..so was that babyji?



...


"Chikappa?" Khushi called out to VK who suddenly seemed to have vanished as she slipped out from the bottom of the sink...she got up and dusted her clothes before checking the water that was now running steadily in the sink...she washed her filthy hands and gathered all the tools before zipping up the tool bag and hauling it on her shoulders...where had he gone?


She walked into the storage room off the kitchen and deposited the tool kit on the old creaky shelves before pulling her hair free of the scrunchie holding her bun together...she picked up a juicy apple on her way to her room when she spotted VK cleaning his feet on doormat before entering the living room


"Chikappa! Where did you vanish off to?...you just came handed me the spanner and left...what happened? That mumbaiyya called you or something?" Khushi asked him gesturing towards the new tenant's room...VK had told her how he had refused to stay in the house after he came to know that she was here too.


She really could not understand his reluctance...the house was huge! They won't even meet each other...plus she had too much work around the upkeep of the house to disturb his work...But she did not want to argue with anyone...she had already spoken to their manager to return all his money on monday.


"Me babyji? But I never gave you the spanner...in fact after you got to work on the sink, I left to get some herbs from the garden and am just getting back" he said as khushi gave him a confused look...if VK did not give her the spanner..then who did? That mumbaiyya??