Room No.15

It was already 11 pm. It was the only hotel in that small town. There was a No Vacancy board on reception table. I woke up the snoozing clerk at the reception counter. It was clear he was upset at being disturbed from the frown in his face .

“I need a room for the night” I said

“Sorry sir,all rooms are occupied. Haven’t you seen the no vacancy board?” he said

“True, I have no place to go. I see in the board behind you agaisnt room 15 the keys are hanging. Please help. Just for one night.”

“That is not for letting out, Sir. It is vacant for six months . You won’t be comfortable there”

“Please do not refuse. My body is aching. I need to sleep. I don’t mind any discomfort so long there is a bed and a fan”

“Sir, er….. there was a problem and for six months it is locked. But we clean it daily in the day time”

“I don’t mind whether it was occupied or not. I need a bed. Please give me the room” I insisted

“Ok Sir, you should not shout at me in the morning. Here is the key. You can open.” he said

When I turned to leave for the room with the key, he said "Here is a bottle of water. Keep the lights on in the night"

I switched on the lights. There was a stale smell. I opened the windows and put the fan at high speed. I sat down on a reclining chair and started smoking a cigarette. I kept the door open as it was sultry and fresh air was blowing from the door side. I heard the clock strike 12 somewhere. I decided to hit the bed when I saw a young man in lungi and vest in his thirties enter the room. I was startled.

“I saw the light after a long time. So I thought fit to have a peep and say hello” he said

I showed him the chair opposite to me and asked him to be seated. When he sat down I offered him a cigarette. He didn’t light it though he accepted.

“Do you stay in the hotel?” I asked

“Yes, I live here”

“Since how long?” I persisted

“For more than six months” he said

“Do you work in this town?” I asked

“Actually I came here to work some months ago. But something unexpected happened I could not get the job” he replied

“I am sorry. Are you still trying for some job? May be I can help you in finding one” I said

“That is nice of you. But I don’t think I can work any more” he said with some exasperation

“Why, you look healthy and strong? By the way in which room you are staying?” I asked

He said "I am staying in room number 15 only” as he put the cigarette in his mouth. "Can you light the cigarette?" he asked

I was puzzled. "You seem to make a mistake about the number. We are in room number 15. It must be some other room” I said

“No, I am certain. I have been staying in this room for several months. I have not vacated. You have actually encroached into my room”

I was taken aback. "How come? The reception clerk told me the room was empty for six months and gave it only after lot of persuasion”

“So you believe him and would not trust me. I will explain. Please light the cigarette with your lighter”

I gave him the lighter. I could hear the click of the lighter and the flame come up. What I beheld gave me creeps. The lighter was burning in the middle of the room with the dull fire at the extremity of the cigarette hanging mid air. I ran into the verandah screaming like a mad man. All doors opened with lights on and men came out with their angry eyes glaring at the clerk who had also come. "I warned him sir, He only insisted” he said amidst sobs.

The trap

Raju and Arvind were drinking in the bar late night.

“I have to go now to pick up a lady employee at 12.30 am in BTM layout.I must rush It is already 11.50 PM” said Raju

“Raju, will you do me a favour? Here is Rs 1000 you wanted.Let me go in your uniform and pick her up. I have seen her once when you dropped me at BTM layout one afternoon when you went to pick her up.I wish to befriend her.I like her face.I promise I will be a good boy.Please inform her that you have taken sick and that a substitute is coming in your place.Give her some assurance that it is safe for her to travel with me..’ said Arvind

“No, it is not permitted.If the office comes to know I will lose my job.Sorry”replied Raju

“Take another Rs 500.I will ensure no harm comes to you.Won’t you do this for a friend’s sake?”asked Arvind.

Lured by the money he agreed and told him.” Here is her address and mobile number.Tell her Raju from Idiyur lake area sent you.You can tell her that I gave her name as Supriya.Please avoid any mischief.Just drop her at her office and come back.I will be waiting for you here.”

Arvind rang her up immediately telling that he was coming in lieu of Raju of Idiyur lake area who had taken suddenly ill. He expected her to raise some objection but was relieved when she said “ It is all right.I hope you will be here in 30 minutes”

Arvind’s intentions were not honest.He was gloating that in an hour the girl will be under his control and possesion.When he reached her house it was dark out side and he could not see girl’s face as she got into the vehicle. There was a nip in the air outside. She was wrapped in a shawl that half concealed her face..Arvind started the vehicle and proceeded towards Electronic city. After driving the car for about 30 minutes silently, he turned the car into a dark and desolate road.

“Why are you going in this road? Aren’t we supposed to go to Electronic city.Are you new to city or what?” she shouted

“Supriya, do not scream at the top of your voice.I know where I am going.You will reach your office no doubt but after a hour.Let us have some fun on the way.I have been wanting you for long. Be a good girl.There is no one around here and none can hear you.The doors are locked.Please understand and do not resist.Otherwise you may not reach home alive”Arvind said in a soft lecherous voice.

She was silent for a few minutes thinking about the piquant and dangerous situation she was in before she answered ”OK,stop the car.and come to the rear seat.You should not take more than 15 minutes.My office will start searching for me”

He stopped the car under a tree and jumped in joy to the back seat.The next moment he was on her imposing himself to molest her..He did not know what happened to him when a sledgehammer like blow descended on him.Before he could even let out a scream, there was a rain of blows on him totally immobilizing him.

When he opened the eyes the next day morning he found himself in a hospital with heavy bandages and plaster all over with his leg tied up to a stand .He saw a policeman standing by his side. Raju was seen with another policeman holding his hand .There was Supriya, her dad and another young lady along with a police inspector .One or two press reporters were hovering around. The doctor informed the inspector that there was a dislocation of the shoulder blade, fracture of hands and several fingers,and major injury in pelvic bone.It would take months for him to walk and may be limping thereafter.

The inspector turned to the lady and said”well done, Pushpa.” He then turned to the reporters and explained “After the recent murder of an unsuspecting lady employee of a call centre in the night, we had mounted the patrol. . There were such complaints coming frequently. We had also a night cell fully equipped to deal with such offences. It was good that Supriya’s dad alerted us on phone about change of driver.We had adequate time to send our Karate black belt holder to their place before the culprit reached..We switched persons and sent the police lady instead of Supriya in the car.She had been trained to tackle any miscreant on one to one fights.We were also following.This is again a lesson to lady employees not to fall into such traps and exercise abundant caution.”

The premonition

“What is for dinner?“ she heard as he ambled along towards the dining table.Chandra said “Go and wash your hand before you sit for dinner”.This made him angry and he pounced on her.Chanda felt a slice of sharp pain on her arm as she defended herself from Navin.He looked scary with blood shot eyes, slobbering mouth and a scowl of hate in his face.”I hate you, you slut.you dare to talk back to me’ he said in anger as he raised his hand to slash her again.She hit him on his wrist and the knife jumped from his hand to a corner.He started blabbering and she was always afraid of hearing him talk of late.An alcoholic beyond redemption he was the antithesis of what she thought he would be a suave, handsome, diligent, upcoming executive and a loving husband.Her marriage was a total failure and luckily they had no children.

It was last week she remembered he was sipping his tea in the sit out while reading the paper.Suddenly he put the cup down and said “Check whether Peter’s wife is OK.She was admitted in hospital I feel.I have a queasy feeling”

Two days later when she rang her friend who was living adjacent to Peters she was shocked to hear that Peter’s wife suddenly took ill only the previous night around 1 am and passed away despite emergency treatment.Chandra looked at her sleeping husband with horror when it dawned on her that Navin had a premonition of the impending death.

She recalled how one day a few months back when they were walking in a mall, Navin pointed out to a middle aged man with baskets on both hands and said that he would fall down in the escalator.She felt Navin was talking insensibly when the man appeared strong and walking with firm steps.As they were climbing down to the lower level in escalator , she saw to her great shock the man suddenly folding in two and falling on the moving escalator few steps ahead of her.A crowd gathered and rushed him to emergency.She asked Navin how he knew he would fall.Navin said it was just a hunch and he really did not know why he felt like that.She dismissed the event as a coincidence.But Mrs. Perter’s demise convinced her now that he had some power to foresee events.

She looked at her arm as blood was oozing out.He did not stir but shouted instead ”You dare to hit me, you stinking wench.I hate you and am leaving you for ever.Take it from me you will see no more of me.You can romance unfettered with your office manager .Don’t think I am not aware of your shenanigans..I am fed up with you.”He went out blabbering nonstop till she heard his car start and leave the house.

She was outraged at his insinuation though there was no such romance except they were good friends liking each other.He knew she was married and maintained the friendship at decent level.She would often feel that he would have been a better choice than Navin but knew the mistake had been done.She did not feel like eating after Navin’s sudden exit and became morose that her marriage had entered the shoal of mutual dissatisfaction and incompatibility.All her efforts could not wean him away from liquor into a responsible and understanding way of life.She put her head on her arms on the dining table and fell asleep.She must have slept long for it was 11.30 PM when the telephone rang shrilly.
A sudden fear engulfed her.She did not like Navin talking of leaving her permanently.There was a cramp inside her stomach as she clutched the receiver to hear a male voice.”Is it Navin’s house….? I am sorry madam to disturb you..Are you Mrs. Navin?.... Oh oh….er …er.There has been a ghastly accident.May be he drove while fully drunk.Can you come to the hospital at…”

She did not want to hear anymore.She knew what must have happened as memories of the middle aged man falling in the escalator and Mrs.Peter rushed in her mind.

A faint gesture

Ranjit had beer daily in the evenings with his friends at the local restaurent.They occupied the same corner table and shared the bill equally. It was the same charming bar girl who served them daily.May be this could be the reason why they never changed the table.It was a daily ritual. But she never spoke one unnecessary word though courteous.Her large blue eyes and her swaying hips did something to Ranjit that can hardly be explained and he knew he was in love with her.But she never encouraged any advances from him. Ranjit was not defeated and his visits continued hoping someday she would relent.

One day as she was bringing the tray with bottles, glasses and ice, she accidentally dropped the napkin .Ranjit pounced on it and gave it to her with a flourish.She took it from him with a thanks accompanied by a smile along with what he presumed as a faint wink unseen by others.

Ranjit was overwhelmed by joy as he announced with gusto ‘Today’s beer binge will be on me.Drink as much as you wish’.His puzzled buddies wondered what went wrong with their usually tight fisted friend.

Last reply

Not one around in the isolated mountain resort.She knew her life was fast ebbing out as the last blood drained.She carried her lover’s child in her womb.When she insisted on marriage, he brought her here with false promise and stabbed her before leaving.

Luckily she could feel the locket in the chain on her neck that he had ignored in his hurry.It contained their photo.She opened it to touch his picture with her blood soaked finger and drew his initials on the floor.

‘This is enough.You will soon get nailed’ she muttered in wry smile as her life passed out

We did not harass

‘Did you harass your wife for dowry?’ asked the lawyer
‘No,I did not’ said the youngman.he seemed calm and collected
‘What is the reason for her suicide?’
‘I don’t know’
‘You are her husband.How come you are not aware?
‘She didn’t discuss with me about this
There was an audible laughter in the court.
‘Did you start a new company?’
‘Yes,I did’
‘Who financed it?”
‘Mainly the bank and my savings’
‘Was it sufficient?’
‘No’
‘Is your wife a partner?’
‘Yes’
‘Has she invested any amount?
‘She promised to muster her share’
‘How much?’
‘Rs.10 lakhs’
‘Was she working anywhere?’
‘No she was a housewife’
‘Wherefrom was she expecting to muster?
‘I don’t know’
‘Has she any friends or relatives to help her financially/’
‘None’
‘Wherefrom she expected to muster? She must have told you’
‘Yes, I remember her telling that she would ask her dad’
‘Was her dad in an affluent position to give?’
‘No, he was not wealthy but had a tiled house’
‘Was your wife his only child?’
‘No, he has four children’
‘How can he then help her/’
‘Don’t know.May be by selling the house?’
‘You mean the house where he was living with his wife and children”
The defendant was quiet
‘Answer the question’
‘That was the only way’
Did your company need her share of money urgently?’
‘Yes’
‘Did you ask her to bring it quickly?’
‘Yes, I did’
‘When was that?’
‘One year back’
‘Did she bring?’
‘No’
‘So you had to remind her frequently’
‘Yes, the money was urgently required’
‘Did you send her to her dad’s house to bring the money?’
‘When she said she would go, I permitted her’
‘Did she ask to go almost daily?’
‘She had to request her dad for help’
‘If she did not go, did you suggest that she go?’
‘May be’’’
‘Did she go in her kast 10 days/’
‘No, she did not’
‘Did she refuse?’
The defendant was quiet
Answer the question
‘Yes’
‘Was there a loud argument over this as your neighbours allege?’
‘Yes, we were discussing’
‘Still she refused?’
The defendant kept quiet
Answer the question’ the judge ordered
‘Did your parents and brother also join in the argument/’
Again silence from defendant
“Answe’
‘Yes, they advised her’
‘Advised her, what?’
‘Advised her to get her share of the money’
‘Did her dad agree to give before you started the company?’
‘No’
‘So the pressure on your wife to get the money mounted in the last ten days of her life’
Silence
Especially after her refusal.Any response?’
Continued silence
‘Answer’
‘We did not harass’
‘Did your wife smoke’’
‘No’
Do you smoke?’
‘Yes, I do’
‘Are you aware that many burnt cigarette marks were there on her face, belly and thighs?
Silence again

The lawyer said ‘I rest my case your honouur’

The living god

Diwali was next day. The sales were brisk in the bazaar with shops awash with goods in glittering colours and designs on the shelves and platforms and with overflowing crowd of people eager to buy. I saw that lady in her early forties,with a small boy and a girl slightly older in tow in the super market watching the shelves from a distance.From her appearance and ordinary dress I could surmise she was not well off.I had nothing in particular to buy but came to the big store to while away my time watching people.The young boy was tugging her at every shelf and pointing out to some item or the other he desired.She gently dragged him away.The girl was quieter and seen comforting the boy.I saw them moving towards the discount counter offering dresses at dirt cheap prices.She selected after long time two dresses one each for her kids and moved towards the sweet stall.The boy was wanting many delicacies but when his mom bought half a kg of the cheapest sweet,he started crying loudly.She took care to make a detour to the exit gate by avoiding the fire works and crackers section.

As they were nearing the entrance some one collided against the girl who was holding the sweets packet.The whole thing fell down on the floor.When the girl bent to pick the sweets, the security dissuaded her saying it was a dirty place with so many walking in and out.The lady’s face was grim as tears trickled from the eyes of the girl. The boy started pleading that they go back to buy again.But the lady dragged them away outside.

I could not forget the faces of the crying boy, the silent girl with guilt writ large and the sad woman.I wondered why God kept some in perpetual want while some in needless plenty.It made my heart heavy and I lost the mood to linger anymore in the shopping centre.I went back home a short while later

Two hours later, there was a knock at the door of her one room tenement.The room was not bright.When she opened she found a man in driver’s white uniform standing with two large and heavy baskets in his hand.He said”This is for you and your children.My boss every year on Diwali eve gifts like this to some unknown people.He saw you and your children at the supermarket.Please have no worry as he is a very decent and good man.”

The boy jumped with joy and the girl smiled.The woman after some hesitation accepted the baskets to find dresses for all, plenty of sweets of different varieties, fruits and crackers for the kids.There was a cover addressed “To my sister, Happy Diwali” with 1000 Rupees inside.There was a note that said ”if you need any help, meet me and my wife at….”

She looked at the man in uniform showing him the note and the money.He smiled back and said “Yes, this is the way my boss celebrates Diwali each year bringing cheer and smile to some unknown needy family. He is my living god”