It was 4:30 in the afternoon. I was in the metro. There was not much going on around except for the usual bustling of random people. My mood was not that fine also.

My boyfriend, Manoj and I had a fight toady. He thought that I was cheating and was ready to break up but me. I was constantly trying to convince him that I didn't. I've been trying to grab on to this toxic affair cause I was hopeless. Abhik saved me from getting hit but was unhappy with my insecurity. We had a fight and he stopped talking.

Right now, I was scrolling through insta until a text reached me from the same unknown number.
"Snigdha Roychowdhury sitting peacefully???"
I looked around but nothing bizzare caught my eye. How come a text from this very number reach me when I clearly recall blocking it?
"I'll tell mom about this and contact the police"I made a mental note.

Just then another text came:
" Come on, talk with me dear, why so scared? It's been a long time since we've spoken face to face."
Unease filled my viens and with trembling hands I replied,
" Whoever the hell you are leave me alone I will contact the cyber police!"
" Looks like you don't recognise me, after all no one will."
" Get lost you stranger"
" I will leave you alone for sure, you know what to give, if not you also know what will happen"
" Who are you to give threats to me! You are nothinbut a physco criminal."
" Whatever you say little one"


I got off the train and with no other thoughts went home. I opened the door and entered.

My mom was in the kitchen. When she saw me, she smiled but that was replaced by a look of worry.
" Ma, I need to talk to you...I told everyone that batch is cancelled. Is uncle here ??"
" What happened dear?? Why are you so anxious?? Freshen up, I'm coming with food. Your uncle has gone to his in-laws with your aunt and your sister."
"Ok."

I went to my room and after taking a cold shower wore a pair of loose plazo and a t-shirt on top, I came down with my damp hair let down loosely and with my specs.
My mom was sitting on a sofa in the living room.

"Come dear" she said.
I sat on a sofa adjacent to hers and began,
" About dad's death you are hiding something..."
"Why are you beginning this topic dear?? There are things which are better left behind. We should move on..."
" I have a feeling that something will happen... something we don't know....and I think dad's death is connected and also this house.... something is different this time and definitely wrong."
" You are just stressed dear, before you had your dad to help you, now you just feel that his presence would help."
" No mom, this is so different. I know that feeling which you mentioned."
" Are you hiding something from me Snigdha?"
" I should be asking that question ma. I think we should reopen dad's case, something is going to come out this time, I am certain."
" No. It was re-opened four times, and each time I suffered, one worse than before, I will not bear to go through that pain again..."

A tear slid down my mom's cheek, I sat beside her feet and said,
"Ma...What was done to dad was injustice...but we-"
"Enough Snigdha, I won't be able to take anymore, go to your room."
" But you..."
" You are still young, so naive, you're just like me, but then I- I lost him.. You won't... no never....you can't know...it's dangerous...you can never enterwine yourself with this..."
" Ma.. I can understand...I'm not that little girl anymore."
" Go."
My mom's voice was commanding, this was rare and I took it as a sign to not push anymore.
"and stay away from this house's past, you're a part of it, yes, but I won't let you be affected."
I got up with a silent nod and went up the stairs.

time skip:
There was not a sound at this hour. I was lying on my bed after dinner.

" Snigdha...the one who is calm... elegant...just in contrast with my personality. Dad you were a really good plot twister. What did you plot my life into?? Why is this perfect plot changing? Did you leave us intentionally or was it another one of your plot twists?....."
A million questions were racing in my mind. Questions I was desperate to find the answers to. Answers for which I was ready to leave everything behind...answers which could free my mom from her invisible chains in this family....

Where ?? where will I find answers....
I got up from the bed and went to the balcony. The moonlight is full moon bathed me in all its glory. The wind restless like me, blowing my hair away from my face. Some say that this is the most romantic weather...but for me nothing was romantic in life....all my affairs left me hopeless. My life was a big a question mark, one in which I yearned for peace... which I never knew if I could get, let alone romance which is like a luxury to me.

I spend some time thinking, hoping that some prince charming would appear just like in those movies but I knew no one would come... No one will come and hug me from the back and ask me if I am alright, if I need help...no one. I had one hell of a life where all I wonder is when I will end my struggles and settle down to rest.

I was tired. No not of less sleep or anything else but of obstacles coming my way. Tonight I take a challenge. I will slove the mystery of my father's death even if it means fighting till my last breath.

I went to my bookshelf and picked out a raged book the pages of which were falling out. A gift from my dad, the book marker in it, a gift from my brother. Just then something clicked, will I find something in both their rooms.
I know it's a risky idea but what if it's worth it?? What will I find there.











© Aishi Dey Talukdar