#Rajpurepisode1
By: Rhituparna Chakraborty
Tags: Series, Fiction, Stories, Thriller

#Rajpurepisode1

#rajpurepisode1

#rajpur

#Rajpur

#Author: #RhituparnaChakraborty

#Disclaimer: This is an original work of fiction with no relation to any person/organism living or dead. Every episode, every character is a work of imagination. Any resemblance to any person, organism, place or character is purely coincidental. There is no intention to hurt or rebuke anyone through this work. This story/episode cannot be copied, published or reproduced without the permission of the author RhituparnaChakraborty.

Naresh Sharma came back from work. Shubhangi, his wife, heard his scooter roaring at the gate. Washing her sticky flour clad hands quickly she ran to open the gate. Her husband’s scooter can be deemed an antique piece. It originally belonged to his father. After his father’s demise, this scooter became his friend, philosopher and guide. His wife insisted on buying a new vehicle, but Naresh Sharma wouldn’t budge. The scooter’s noise was enough to alert Shubhangi that Naresh Sharma was at the gate. The moment she would hear that, she would rush to open the gate. Naresh Sharma was a short tempered soul. If Shubhangi would take time to open the gate, there would be unnecessary stress at home. Hence, no matter what, she tried her best to maintain peace at home.

Shubhangi opened the gate, took Naresh Sharma’s bag and helmet and went inside. Naresh Sharma walked leisurely behind her. Naresh Sharma was 57. He had three daughters and a son. Nihaar, Nirali, Naina and Nitisha. Nihaar was 30, Nirali was 27, Naina was 24 and Nitisha was 18.

Naresh Sharma had a grocery store. He earned enough to give his family a comfortable life. However, he was not comfortable in spending a lot of money on things which he thought were not necessary. Nonetheless, his family was happy.

Naresh Sharma had bought a lavish 5 BHK apartment in a posh locality in the town. Rajpur is a small town. The locality Nisarg in Rajpur is immensely beautiful and expensive. Most of the businessmen of the town had their bungalows or penthouses there. Naresh Sharma bought an apartment there primarily for the purpose of investment. He wanted to make it a service apartment where people who came for business trips could stay here. He could earn well that way.

Nihaar was a mature and responsible guy. His father’s word was law for him. He was not in a hurry to get married. He wanted to build his father’s empire further. The entire responsibility of the service apartment was his.

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Mushtaque was doing pushups. He was wearing a round necked black plain t shirt and grey track pants. He was sweating profusely. Saanchi came from behind and whistled. Mushtaque smiled to himself, stood up, grabbed the towel from the chair, wiped his face, looked at Saanchi and said, ‘You did not do the right thing by whistling. Just let me take my shower and you will bear the consequences.’ Saanchi giggled and whispered, ‘Catch me if you can.’ Mushtaque looked at Saanchi’s eyes and whispered, ‘Wait and watch my lady.’

Saanchi smiled, pushed Mushtaque gently and said, ‘We will see about that.’ Mehek, their daughter, was at Saanchi’s mom’s place. Her summer vacations had just begun. Saanchi was making coffee when Mushtaque came from behind, grabbed her waist, shook his head gently till droplets of water from his wet hair fell on Saanchi’s neck. He then gently started kissing the droplets of water on her neck. Saanchi closed her eyes and let all of Mushtaque’s love seep in her heart. Just then the coffee boiled and Saanchi shrieked, ‘Noooo. Don’t spill, don’t spill. I can’t clean the gas stove anymore. It’s so irritating.’ Mushtaque was startled. He said with an annoyed note, ‘You are adept in ruining romance, aren’t you?’ Saanchi grinned and said, ‘Let’s go somewhere please. I am so bored.’ Mushtaque said, ‘ Well, I have some work in Rajpur. You can join me.’ Saanchi said, ‘Pheww. Do you ever get proper holiday? I don’t want to stay in any of those official guesthouses. I want to stay in a nice beautiful place. Yes, I will let you work. But then, once you are back from work, I want you to be with me. Your official accommodations are all about work. I don’t like it.’ Mushtaque pulled Saanchi closer to him, swayed his index finger gently on her forehead, moving it further to her cheeks and finally to her lips and said, ‘Anything for you love.’ Saying that, he planted his lips on hers and the world seemed to be lost in their universe of love.’

Naresh Sharma’s service apartment was appealing. It was new. There were no reviews on the reservation site as yet. Nonetheless, Mushtaque liked the pictures of the house. He spoke with Nihaar and finalised that place for their stay in Rajpur.

Mushtaque and Saanchi arrived early in the morning. There was mist all over. Nihaar was there to welcome them. The apartment was beautiful, spacious and lavish. The furniture had some touch of the era of the Victorian age. Naina was pursuing a course in interior design. She took care of the entire decor of the house.

After Nihaar helped Mushtaque and Saanchi keep the luggage, he showed them the entire house and said, ‘We have a cook who will be here in sometime. His name is Suresh. I have told him about your requirements. He will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. The house help, Sarita, will be here too in sometime. If you need anything, give me a call.’ Mushtaque said, ‘Sure. Thank you!’

After Nihaar left, Saanchi screamed with joy and said, ‘Oh, what a beautiful place. Did you see that little garden in the balcony? My my! And the rooms!! Wow!!!.’ She then hugged Mushtaque tight and said, ‘ Thank you, thank you, thank you…..’

After couple of hours, the doorbell rang. Saanchi opened the door. There was a lady standing at the door. She was wearing a red saree. She had a big red vermillion ‘bindi’ on her forehead. Her eyes were clad with thick kohl. Her curly hair was tied into a bun. Saanchi said with a questioning note, ‘Sarita?’. The lady nodded. Saanchi let her in. Sarita went inside. She took the broom from one of the shelves and went about cleaning the house. Just then the door bell rang again. Saanchi answered the door. A young chap stood there. He was wearing a pair of grey trousers and a colorful tshirt. He must be around 25 or so. He looked at Saanchi, grinned and said, ‘I am Suresh.’ Saanchi said, ‘Good morning. Come in.’ Suresh went to the kitchen and started making breakfast. Saanchi went to the room upstairs and started unpacking her suitcase. Sarita came to her room just then. Sarita had big round eyes. Saanchi somehow found Sarita’s gaze uncomfortable. Since Sarita was there to clean the room, Saanchi thought she should step out while Sarita did the cleaning. Saanchi came downstairs when she saw a beautiful girl waiting at the door. The moment she saw Saanchi, the girl said, ‘Hi, I am Nirali. I am Mr. Naresh Sharma’s daughter. I came to check if everything is okay.’ Saanchi smiled and said, ‘Yes. All good. Thank you!’. Nirali gave a warm smile and said, ‘Hope you have a wonderful stay here.’

Mushtaque got ready and came downstairs. Saanchi was at the breakfast table. Suresh came with steaming Aaloo Paranthas (potato stuffed flatbreads), butter, curd and tea. The aroma was captivating. Mushtaque and Saanchi sat to have breakfast. Mushtaque said, ‘I will be back in an hour from work. Till then you can watch movies. We will then go out.’ Saanchi smiled and said, ‘Sure.’ After having breakfast, Mushtaque left. Suresh came and told Saanchi, ‘ I will leave now Ma’am. I have a key with me. I will come at around 12 to make lunch. Please save my phone number. If there is anything, let me know.’ Saanchi saved Suresh’s number. After Suresh left, Saanchi got her laptop and browsed for movies. Sarita had not come downstairs as yet. Saanchi thought, once Sarita leaves, she will lock the front door and watch a movie.

Just then Saanchi’s phone rang. It was from Nihaar. Saanchi answered the phone. Nihaar said, ‘ Ma’am, the househelp Sarita is not well. She won’t be able to come today. I am sorry for the inconvenience. But, she will definitely come tomorrow. Till then, Suresh will take care of the house.’ Saanchi froze there……….