The clever trick (960)

Renuka was lying in bed after a hectic morning. Getting up early in the morning, preparing hurriedly breakfast and lunch, and sending her six-year-old son to school by 8 am was a bugbear. It was a big ordeal to wake him up, give him a bath, force-feed the breakfast with milk and send him with his books for the day without forgetting the lunch box. But she enjoyed doing it though it irritated her sometimes making her raise her voice. Her hubby would have no time for her in the mornings but he never troubled her for his things. It was only after 10 am she would be somewhat relaxed when she would switch on the TV resting on the bed with the day’s paper and mobile by her side and the laptop on the other.

It was an independent house with a tiny garden. She loved gardening. As she was in the bed one afternoon, she heard the buzzer. She saw through the window a tall young man in his early twenties dressed well in pants and a shirt with a matching tie standing with a briefcase in his hand. He had curly hair and looked quite handsome. When he saw her, he bowed his head and said “Madam, sorry to disturb you at this hour. I have come to introduce to you some burglar alarms that would ensure total security. I wonder whether you would like to have a look. It wouldn’t take 15 minutes, madam”

“I don’t think we would be interested in burglar alarms. Thanks anyway for checking” Renuka replied.

“Madam, you must be aware of the spate of thefts and robberies in the vicinity of late. Almost daily some house is burgled. Much worse is the fact inmates are attacked and even killed. There is a great demand for our products particularly from independent houses. You don’t have to buy. It is enough if you make yourself aware of the foolproof security systems available with us” he pleaded.

She hesitated for a while He looked decent and harmless. His shoes were glistening with polish. She said before going in “Please wait. I will ask my husband if he is interested.”

Renuka was cautioned to be careful by her husband though he had no objection to her seeing the stuff and collecting details of price etc

She opened the door and let him in. He was perspiring a low. She switched on the fan and told him to wait as she went to the kitchen to fetch a glass of water he desired.

When she returned, she found to her shock the door which she had left ajar was closed and locked. As he drank the water with a smirk on his face, she knew she had erred in her judgment. As he advanced towards her making her recede backwards to a chair, he laughed and said” Madam, please remember no burglar alarm would be of any avail if you let unknown strangers into your house. Sit on the chair and don’t make any noise. Hand over the keys to the almirah. If you comply with my request without demur you would not get hurt bodily. Some wicked men rape before killing the victims. You seem intelligent. Please give me the keys” he said in a soft and leering tone.

“Young man, you seem to be new to this profession. Do you think I would ever open the door without ensuring adequate precaution? I did not go to telephone my husband as you surmised. I opened the back door and alerted the three gardeners who were clearing the weeds and cleaning the garden to come inside with their implements. They are behind the unlocked closed doors on either side of this drawing hall” she said

“What do you mean?” blurted the young chap.

“Nothing but what I told you. I could see that you are educated and speak English fluently. I have a suspicion you have strayed into this wrong path by mistake. You must have parents, sisters and brothers. I can spoil your life. I have two options. I can give a signal to the gardeners behind the doors to pounce upon you. They are armed with sickles, crowbars and whatnot. I can call the police and hand you over. The other option is to let you go scot-free if you promise that you will never indulge in such crimes. I do not want a young life and the dependent family to come to grief. Tell me quickly before I change my mind about what you wish to do”

The young man promptly fell at her feet and clasping her legs said “Sorry madam. This is my first foolish attempt. I am not getting any job. My family is starving. I hired these clothes for a day. I promise to turn a new leaf and never dream of such misdoings. Please forgive me and let me go.”

She then let him pick up his briefcase and opened the door for him to go out. Once he left and the door was secured, she sat on the sofa and broke into laughter. She narrated to her husband about ignoring his caution and the clever trick she employed with great presence of mind about the imaginary gardeners behind the doors to scare the young fellow away.

It was then she heard the school bus approaching from the loud horn. She turned to look at the expensive crystal clock on the side table to see time. But it was not there to her great shock. Then she remembered the iPad she had left there when she answered the doorbell of the young man. It was also missing. Her spirit of joy gave way to gloom at her foolishness.