She sat in the Starbucks cafe, sipping her coffee and staring out of the window. The blood stained knife lay next to her handbag, covered with her blue silk scarf…

Priya and Kingshuk are happily married upwardly mobile couple, or it seemed so to the outside world.

Priya Tripathi had met Kingshuk Dutt at a function organised by the media giants StarPlus. After 4 months of courtship, mainly of hanging out every evening at some café or bar or plain n simple dhaba, Kingshuk had gathered the courage to propose to her. Priya’s ‘Yes’ was not immediate because of their diverse background although both are born and brought up in the cosmopolitan Delhi. Priya belongs to a Brahmin family from UP while Kingshuk is a Kayasth from undivided Bengal. Financially too Priya’s family were well to do while Kingshuk was practically an orphan, staying with his sister and brother-in-law after the demise of his parents in a short span of six months. However, both are working in good reputed organisations, Priya in an Advertising Agency as Account Supervisor and Kingshuk as Assistant Marketing Manager in a FMCG, and their career is moving up smoothly.

Kingshuk had already broken the news to his sister, Rina and she was happy and apprehensive both at the same time. Happy because her little bro is finally settling down at the ripe age of 30 years and apprehensive because of Priya’s background which so different from theirs. Rina broached the subject to her husband Aditya after dinner in the privacy of their bedroom. Aditya said laughing loudly, “Is it 100% this time or 50% like all his previous 50 girlfriends?” Rina admonished her husband for making fun of his brother’s failed romantic escapades in the past and said, “No this time it seems both are serious about it but Priya has to convince her family.” Aditya said, “Let’s keep our fingers crossed for the time being. I will speak to Babai in the morning.”

Priya had expected a strong opposition from her male family members, father and brother but surprisingly, the objection came from her mother whom she had confided in the first place. Parvati Tripathi, her mother, even dared her to mention it her father. But Priya as a headstrong but darling of her father broached the topic to her father while jogging with him in the Lodi Gardens. Her father did not react immediately but gave her a puzzled smile while continuing to jog.

Later, over breakfast he asked his wife, “Are you aware of Priya’s decision?” Priya’s brother, Rajeev was also at the table but not aware of the latest development in the family. “Yes, she told me last night and I have already admonished her and said forget about it.” Parvati Tripathi replied sternly. Umashankar Tripathi looked at her wife and said, “I didn’t ask for your decision, Priya is 25 years old and can take her own decision.” Rajeev looked at his parents and Priya with a dumb expression hoping someone will throw some light. Finally, Umashankar told his son, “Priya has decided to tie the knot with a boy of her own choice and he is a Bengali chap by the name of Kingshuk Dutt. Do you have any comments; if so then say it now as I would like to meet this guy before I go for my overseas tour.” Though, Rajiv was his mother’s boy and always supported her in any family issues, this time, he decided to keep quiet and give silent nod to the matter.

Kingshuk was interviewed by not just Umashankar and Parvati but Priya’s uncle or Chachaji, her father’s younger brother also. At the end of one and half hours of grilling, even Parvati had to accept that Kingshuk would be a good Damaad (son-in-law). It was decided that Umashankar and family would meet Aditya and Rina Bose and decide upon the auspicious date for the wedding ceremony.

The wedding took place at the Chhatarpur Farm House of Priya’s Chachaji on a November evening. It was a joint reception and guests from both side were present, distinctly different sets of people, on the one side were typical crowd from small town and the other side were cosmopolitan suave crowd clearly friends from the profession of both Priya and Kingshuk. There were food for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians but kept at opposite ends so that there are no clashes. Notwithstanding the Bengali custom of DOLI being taken the following evening as the Sun sets, Priya and Kingshuk left with Rina and Aditya to start their conjugal life at the latter’s house in C R Park. The honeymoon was planned to coincide with Christmas holidays and they went to Goa.

Priya and Kingshuk settled down to a routine lifestyle, both their offices were at Cyber Hub, Gurgaon and they commuted together in Priya’s newly acquired BMW X1. The married life was breezing past and before one could realise, it was time for first anniversary celebrations. Using the membership of Aditya at the Jahapanna Club at Alaknanda, Priya and Kingshuk arranged the party where friends and colleagues of both joined for the merriment. There was Sanjay Sinha from Priya’s office. He has recently joined as Account Director of the agency. Kingshuk had met him once or twice, while picking up Priya from her office, but somehow never really liked him. He could not pin point the reason for his dislike but perhaps it was Sanjay’s exuberance and handsome features which attracted most women to him that put Kingshuk off completely. But, on this day as a host, he kept a permanent smile on his face and allowed Sanjay to not just flirt with Priya and other girls from the office but even with his sister Rina.

Four years have passed and there have been a number of changes in the life of Priya and Kingshuk. First, they have shifted to a rented accommodation in Gurgaon amid protest from Rina. Secondly, Kingshuk is now Marketing Head of a product category and his responsibility has increased manifolds requiring him to spend many a late evenings in office. Priya too has increased responsibilities now with more clients to handle. As a result they no longer commute together as the timings do not match any more, especially in the evenings. Third and most importantly, the communications between them has reduced substantially, may be because they hardly see each other on most of the days of the week. Only weekends seems to bring out the conversations but then that too, turns into arguments quite often. Moreover, Kingshuk now has to travel all over the country, at least a week every month. But to the outsiders and they include their near-and-dear ones as well, everything seemed to be perfect. In fact, Priya and Kingshuk had booked their own flat, a penthouse at the Golf Course Road and expected to shift there in 18 months time.

It was late February Saturday evening, Kingshuk was out on extensive tour as there as only a month left to achieve yearly targets, when Priya decided to call over friends for a impromptu party at home. They were colleagues from office who have become friends primarily as more and more time is now being spent with them. Sanjay Sinha was there too, he has become very close to Priya nowadays as they seem to spend more time together in the office. The party was in full swing with music dancing and general chitter-chatter with sub groups sitting all around the apartment. Priya and Sanjay were on the balcony both having their drinks and smoking. The people inside could not hear their conversation as the glass door was closed but some of them were giving them curious glances now and then. It was obvious that something was brewing between the two. The bell rang and someone opened the door to receive the food ordered from the Karim’s. The smell of hot Mughlai delicacies stopped the dancing and Simran, Priya’s junior knocked on the glass door of the balcony and said, “Priya, Sanjay, the food is here, let’s eat till they are hot.” Priya and Sanjay took a last puff from their cigarettes and came inside. The Mughlai food was exceptionally good and finished in no time. It was almost 11:30 and most of them decided to call it a day; some had to go quite a distance to Noida, another suburbia of Delhi. The ones left were Sanjay, Simran, Ashutosh and his wife, Uma and her husband, all from Gurgaon only.

Around midnight, there was the sound of key turning in the main door of the apartment but the people inside were so engrossed with each other that nobody heard the footsteps when Kingshuk entered. He had meant to give a surprise to Priya but in turn was surprised himself. Priya was sitting very cosily with Sanjay and others too were in a very relaxed posture all across the hall. Kingshuk wanted to say something but just gestured a Hi to all and went inside to the bedroom and closed the door. He sat down on the bed with his head on his palms. He needed to revisit his relationship with Priya who is now very distant from him. They hardly make love anymore and if either is in mood, the other will give some excuse to avoid it. Kingshuk realised it was more than half hour when Priya entered the room and said, “You were supposed to come next week, how come you are so early?” There was no happiness in her voice but a tinge of irritation. Kingshuk looked up at her and said sarcastically, “I know you are not happy let alone welcome me for I have spoiled your evening with your boyfriend.” “If you are talking about Sanjay, then let me tell you, he is just a good friend and we were not alone, there were others too. I was feeling low so I had called them over for an impromptu get-together.” Priya retorted. Kingshuk was too tired to answer her back; he got up and went to the bathroom to change his clothes.

In the morning, Priya in a reconciliatory tone said, “Jaanu, since you’re back in town, let’s go and meet Rina didi and Jiju. We haven’t met them for a long time.” Kingshuk too was thinking of visiting his sister as he needed some kind of balm to calm his nerves, so agreed instantly. He called up his sister and informed her about their impending visit.

Months have passed after that Saturday and on the surface, Priya and Kingshuk seemed to have sorted out their relationship. Kingshuk had not only achieved his targets but have actually exceeded them and is certain to become Deputy General Manager which promises a quantum increase in salary and perks. He was in a happy, contended mood when Priya suggested they take a short break as there was practically no work pressure at this time of the year. They decided to drive down to Mukteshwar in Uttarakhand where Kingshuk’s friend Aditya Amar runs a nice resort by the name Cottage Nirvana.

The coveted holiday began in the wee hours when most people were sleeping on a Wednesday as they drove towards Mukteshwar in Priya’s BMW X1. Nobody saw them leaving even the colony guard who was taking a quick nap inside the booth. Kingshuk was an avid photographer and would stop at places to take a shot of the scenic beauties once they had hit the mountain trail. After crossing Bhimtaal where they had stopped for lunch, they reached a spot near Ramgarh, the scenic beauty with Trishul range at the backdrop was fascinating. Kingshuk couldn’t wait to find a spot to stop the car and take some pictures. Priya too was waiting for the car to stop and Kingshuk to take snap shots in the secluded road. There was hardly any traffic at this time of year as school & colleges are yet to shut for the summer break.

Kingshuk started taking snaps and got so engrossed in the scenic beauty of the place that neither did he realised that he was standing almost on the edge of the land nor the fact that Priya was standing right behind him. He felt a sharp pain at the back as Priya pushed the sharp knife into his back and thereafter everything went black as he tumbled down the ravine. Priya was holding the blood stained knife, there was an eerie smile on her face. She looked down but could not see Kingshuk. She was about to throw the knife in the ravine when a convoy of cars from both direction showed up. She covered the knife with her blue silk scarf and came back to the car tossing the knife inside at the passenger side, hoping to get rid of it later, sat on the driver’s seat and took a U-turn towards Delhi, towards her Sanjay.

She was sitting in the Starbucks cafe, sipping her coffee and staring out of the window. The blood stained knife lay next to her handbag, covered with her blue silk scarf. She had called Sanjay once she reached outskirts of Delhi and he has agreed to meet her there. She ran through the events of the past few years and was sure that there was no love left between her and Kingshuk, at least from her side. A new beginning is awaiting her as she thought about her well laid plan; the passport with US H1B visa for 10 years along with the Lufthansa tickets are in the purse as was the offer letter from JWT, New York where she will be joining the following Month. She had called her aunt Malini at New York confirming her impending visit. Her divorce papers are also ready and currently lying on the dining table. She thought all this was not necessary if only Kingshuk had agreed to the divorce when she had asked him once after that Saturday incidence. The divorce documents will give her the alibi that she had no knowledge of Kingshuk’s whereabouts or of any mishap that he may have encountered that day.

Her reverie broke as she felt a hand touch her shoulder. She turned back and saw Sanjay standing behind and she hugged him tightly. Sanjay kissed her lightly on the lips and they sat down. She pushed the blood soaked knife wrapped in her blue scarf towards Sanjay and said, “This needs to be disposed urgently.” Sanjay touched the scarf and immediately withdrew his hands and said, “What is this? Why are you still carrying it with you? You should have thrown it somewhere on the route.” “Yes I tried to throw it thrice but couldn’t do so as every time I stopped to find a good spot to dispose it, some one or the other would show up.” Priya said exasperated. Sanjay took the scarf holding the knife and placed it in his bag. “Now, what is your plan?” asked Sanjay. “Well I will have to kill some time before heading for the airport by eleven, scheduled departure is 0240 hours. My bags are in the car, but you will have to get rid of Kingshuk’s suitcase,” replied Priya. Then with a twinkle in her eyes, said “We can use this intervening time to know each other more intimately.” Sanjay laughed shaking his head and said, “Why are we wasting time here, let’s go then.” It was decided that they will take their individual car and Priya would hand over the suitcase of Kingshuk on way to Sanjay who will dispose it off along with the knife.

Priya and Sanjay reached Indira Gandhi International Airport Terminal 3 around 11 pm and parked her car in the premium car park. It had been decided that Sanjay will take a cab for returning to the city as they wanted the car to remain undetected for a few days. He had already disposed off the knife and burned the blood stained blue scarf in the wilderness of Gurgaon-Faridabad Road. Sanjay suggested that the best way to dispose of the suitcase will be to lose it inside the airport. The suitcase was a small stroller which Priya can easily leave it in the washroom or even at the Lufthansa counter itself, in the crowd no one will notice, perhaps. They approached gate together and Priya showed her passport and the ticket to the CISF personnel. He looked at the passport with a keen eye and looked at Priya even more closely. He then raised his hands to call somebody and soon a posse of Police surrounded Priya and Sanjay. “Your game is over Ms. Priya Dutt and Mr. Sanjay Sinha” boomed the voice of Inspector Inderjit Sharma.  Priya and Sanjay looked at each other, they had almost made it, and the only incriminating evidence on them was the strolley of Kingshuk, the presence of which they cannot explain. Sanjay was the first to recover and he protested, “What game are you talking about, Inspector? She is a friend and I have come to see her off.” Inspector Inderjit Sharma is a seasoned player, he told them very calmly “I am okay if you guys want to create a scene here in the public but I suggest a more civilised way would be that we go to my office and talk about it there.”

Lady Sub-Inspector Shanta Chauhan broke the news to Priya. Kingshuk, by fluke had survived both the knife injury as well as the fall and was rescued by some villagers. He was taken to a local hospital where upon getting conscious he had asked for Aditya Amar from Cottage Nirvana and Aditya had called the police. The police took the statement from Kingshuk at the hospital including the mobile number of Priya which was passed on to Delhi Police and they immediately put it on tracking. The police knew it when she reached IGI T3 and had put an alert on all the gates.  The sub-inspector told Priya that she is being taken into custody for attempted murder and Sanjay Sinha for being an accomplice in the crime.

Priya sighed and thought if only she could have got rid of Kingshuk’s strolley, the last incriminating evidence; she could have denied all the charges.

Among many other things, FOOD or CUISINE is something, every community in this country claims to be expert. There’s a sort of competition goes on as to which one is the superior if not the best. But there is one thing on which Bongs win hands down and that’s the GHOST STORIES. I haven’t come across many good stories of ghosts or paranormal activities even in English literature. Below is a true encounter with a spirit told to me by my brother some years back that has been etched in my memory.

My job as Account Director with the advertising agency takes to various places in Punjab & Himachal Pradesh for client meetings. On one such visit to Amritsar to make the campaign presentation to the management team of Vardhman Group, we, me and my colleague Swarup got late in leaving for Delhi and decided to take a halt at Jullundhar. We knew the place well and had stayed there at Hotel Skylark, many an occasion.

It was getting dark when we left the suburbs of Amritsar; the destination was 2-3 hours journey if everything goes well. Joseph, the trusted driver was at the wheels of Ambassador Car and driving at a sedate pace of 60km per hour. Both of Swarup and I had dozed off in the comfort of the back seat. Suddenly, the car started losing speed and came to a sputtering halt. I woke up first and asked Joseph what has happened? Joseph muttered something inaudible and got out to open the bonnet to check the problem. After some time he came around and said, “It seems there’s kachda (dirt) in the carburetor. I will clean it but it may take some time.” We had nothing to say, I cannot even drive, let alone repair a car.

What seemed to be eternity was actually 30-35 minutes that took Joseph to clean the carburetor of the Ambassador and the car engine came to life. We were relieved as the car once again rolled on. But more adventure was on store for us that evening.

We were on the highway and again moving at a steady speed when suddenly, the car started swerving at an angle on the road. Joseph was a good driver and immediately brought the car to a halt on the side of the road and put the blinkers on. This time, one of the rear tyres has got punctured. Outside was dark as there were no street lights on the highway. I asked Joseph, “How far is Jullundhar from here?” He said it is approximately one hour from the point where we were stranded. Then with help of the Eveready Torch that I always carry with me on these tours, Joseph started to change the tyre.

It took another fifteen minutes for us get going again. There were no further incidents till our destination, Hotel Skylark, Model Town Road, Civil Line, Jullundhar. The hotel Manager Prakash Verma knew me well and welcomed us with warm smiles. We told him that we are in only for the night halt and shall leave in the morning after breakfast. Also that we would be taking one room only, no point spending unnecessary money for one night. Prakash said, “Fine Sir, I will allot you the number 410 which is at the corner and bigger room too. I will provide you one extra bedding so that Joseph can also be accommodated” I had no issues him sleeping in the room as it was matter of one night only. I am very finicky about cleanliness and it has become a practice that I ensure the hotel room is cleaned in front of me wherever I go and most hotels comply too. Skylark was no different and Prakash knew about this, so he called the housekeeping staff to get the room cleaned as we entered the room. The room was really spacious with two separate beds and ample space for the third bedding on the floor. The housekeeping staff came with fresh bed sheets & towels, vacuum cleaner and after about 10 minutes the room was made habitable for me.

We ordered food in the room only along with soda and ice. Swarup was carrying a bottle of Peterscott whiskey with him. Joseph had gone down to have his dinner and must have his own brand of liquor with him, I guessed. When we finished our drinks and dinner, it was almost 11pm and decided to call it a day. I brushed my teeth, a regular good habit and lied down in my bed which was directly opposite to the dressing table. We have kept the bathroom light on and faint ray of light emanated from below the door. Swarup was already snoring, I said “Lucky Man”, under my breath. It took me some time to finally sleep, may be 5-10 minutes.

I have a very light sleep and will wake up with slightest sound or movement in the room. As it happened, I woke up with the sound of shuffling of the feet. I thought, Swarup or Joseph has got up to go to the bathroom but to my surprise saw both of them sleeping soundly. Then eyes settled on the dressing table and I became very still unable to move. There, a lady, I can see only the back, is sitting on the dressing table stool and combing her hair. From where did she come? I clearly remember having locked the room after putting the food tray outside and once Joseph had come in the room. I was mesmerized with the event happening in the room and was praying that either of Swarup or Joseph should wake up too. I considered myself a brave soul and logical too but even in this winter month of January, I started to perspire unable to move any of my body parts. Meanwhile the lady in question was at her job of combing her hair and making a bun using some hair clips and black ribbon. I do not know how it went on and then she got up went in the bathroom, without opening the door, just vanished inside the closed bathroom door. By now, I was sure that it’s all my dream, shouldn’t have taken that third peg.

With great will power and strength, I got up from the bed and tip-toed to the bathroom to catch the intruder. I opened the bathroom door and there was nobody inside, I moved the shower curtains and there too was no one to be seen. I came back to my bed now absolutely sure that it was hallucination at its best courtesy the third peg of whiskey. I turned on my side and slept.

In the morning, it was Swarup, who woke me up around 6:15 am. He had already brushed and ordered tea from the room service. Joseph had also got up and gone down. Swarup said, “Boss, is this black ribbon yours? It was lying on the washbasin counter in the bathroom.” Whatever little sleep was there inside me vanished immediately. I switched on all the lights in the room and went to the dressing table. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw a few strands of female hair and couple of hair clips lying there!!!

It cannot be true. My logical mind was shouting at the top of voice to me. The room was cleaned in front of me and there was nothing of the sort anywhere in the room so where did all these things come? I had no answer, then or even today.

I took the ribbon, hair clips & the hair strands and for a moment thought of bringing them back with me as a proof. But then thought proof of what? Nobody is going to believe this they experience it personally. I threw them in the dustbin and washed up.

Thereafter, I had been to Jullundhar many times, stayed at Hotel Skylark but never in Room # 410.

My flight was delayed by 55 minutes from Kolkata as a result by the time I reached the city, the Sun has already said adieu for the day. I got down from the taxi in front of Hotel Nandan, Guwahati and looked around. It’s been almost seven years that I am coming back and the place around Nandan has changed a lot. It is much more crowded than what I last saw. I paid off the cab and went inside the hotel where I had stayed for good three weeks, the first time I came to Guwahati. Later, I found small but comfortable flat near my office, the Central Bank of India, where I was transferred from the Kolkata. Immediately, the memories of Paromita Prasad came flooding to me.

You must be wondering, what is all this about!!!

Well, I am Param Purkait (actually Purokayastha), a software engineer and part of the IT Project team at Central Bank of India (CBI). Eight years back the bank was making all their branches IT enabled that would reduce work load of its workers, therefore, I was sent to Guwahati as Project Head for transforming the laid back branch into a modern banking hub. Paromita had just joined as a Trainee Officer and was my go-between and coordinator. We hit it off very well, both being young in those days.

Paromita, was a convent school followed by Presidency graduate and most importantly very independent and carefree woman. In all of One year & four months of our affair (that’s what the rumour was around), she never spoke of her parents or family. Even when I tried to venture into the subject she would smile or get irritated and change the subject. As if she had no family at all and she was born out of no womb. She too was staying alone as a paying guest in the suburbs and used to commute quite a distance in Guwahati parlance, to the bank. So after about 4 months, when I casually said, “Why don’t you move in at my place, I have two bedrooms, you can take up one”. She quite readily agreed and came over the following week. The arrangement suited me as she was a good cook and my days of eating out every night finally came to rest.

Life was great, the workflow of digitizing the data at bank was moving fluently and I guessed if everything was in place, then the final commissioning can be advanced to an early date and I can go back to my beloved Kolkata. However, destiny had other ideas. One day as we entered our flat and was going into my bedroom, Paromita said, “You know, I think there’s ghost in this apartment”. I turned to see if she was mocking or sarcastic but her face did not show any signs of either. I said, “Why, what makes you think so? I don’t believe in ghosts or god, it is all creatures of human mind.” “You do not believe me but I am telling you there’s something in here,” Paromita said before going in her own room.

There were no further discussions in the matter and I thought the ghost bit has died down on its own. I was wrong in a sense. The monsoon had arrived at the valley and it has been raining incessantly for days when the ghost of our apartment came alive once more. It was end of July; the rain gods were busy pulsating down throughout the day and evening. We came home and Paromita suggested, “Let’s have Khichuri & Dim Bhaja, the weather is perfect for this.” I readily agreed.

We finished our dinner and were sitting on the balcony enjoying the monsoon rain. I lighted my cigarette and inhaled deeply. Suddenly, Paromita looking behind me shouted “Hey, who are you and how did you get in?” I was shocked and immediately turned around but could see nothing. Taking a deep breath, I said, “That was a great manoeuvre to give me a heart attack but remember I will pay you back.” She was still in shock and said, “No, I am serious, I just saw a man standing behind you.” “You are working very hard and this last leg of the project is giving you lot of stress that’s why you are seeing things that are not there. You need good rest, let’s go and sleep,” I said, trying to calm her down.

I woke up with a startle, there was banging on my bedroom door. I opened the door and Paromita was standing outside, dishevelled. She was saying something which I couldn’t make out in that half sleepy state. She pushed me aside and entered my room.

I went to check her room, which to me was perfectly in order, nothing amiss. I drank water from the jug lying on the dining table and came back to my room. “What happened? “ I asked her. She said, “I took Avro-something pill which is a stress buster and sedative before I went to bed and was sleeping soundly. Then all of a sudden, I felt warm breath upon me and could feel human presence in the room. First, I thought it was you and was about to rebuke you when I woke up completely and realised there is no other human in the room except me. I also thought you have done the prank and hiding somewhere inside the room.” “But I was sound asleep and it was you who woke me up with loud banging on the door,” I protested. “Yes I realised that it wasn’t you, because my room too was locked from inside.” Paromita said, clearly still shaken. “I am not sleeping in that room again,” she said after a while. “Well in that case, I will go and sleep in your room,” I said when realised she is not going budge from the bed she is perched now. Immediately, she said, “No you will also have stay in here, I cannot sleep here alone.”

And that’s how our live-in relationship began till that eventful day.

It was a gloomy winter day with Sun not making any effort to appear and cloud/ fog having a field day in the entire valley. I was in my office at the back side of the bank in the basement with my assistant Pobitro Phukan. The workload was heavy as a number of bugs in the system had to be cleared and both of us were immersed in our work. Probably that was the reason we did not hear the gun shot or any of the ruckus happening on the floor above us.

We heard the pounding of footsteps coming down the stairs and in a moment there were dozen men in Para-military & police uniforms in the basement. The Inspector from the local station spoke first, “Hello, I am Inspector Sarma. Where were you guys in the last one hour?” I was shocked to see so many uniformed figures but somehow managed to say “Both of us have been here at our desk since morning.” Now another person in BSF uniform said “Did you hear any gun shot or shouting?” “What gun-shot & what shouting?” I countered. Even Pobitro was looking completely dumb-struck.

Then we were told, that a group of men and probably one or two women had raided the bank upstairs in the broad daylight, looted somewhere around Rs.20 lakhs, shot & killed Ram Prakash the Guard and have taken two hostages along with them. “Who have been abducted?” I asked. The Inspector said, “They have taken Ms. Paromita Prasad & Mr. Ranjan Borthakur.” My whole world started spinning around me and I somehow managed to find a chair and sit down. The Inspector went on, “We believe, Ms. Prasad was to staying with you, Sir, by any chance did you notice any change in her attitude in the recent times?” “No, she was fine.” I blurted out, without thinking. The Inspector and the BSF person came closer to me and said in unison, “Think deeply and then answer, did you notice any behavioural change in her in the last few months/ weeks or even days?” Now I started thinking and playing out the scenes of our life in my mind and as I thought over the last few weeks conversations between us I realized, Paromita had been little aloof over the past few weeks. The love making had been on halt as she was not in a mood and in fact she had started sleeping in her own bed for last one week too. I told the Inspector everything I could recall except the last bit.

The Inspector said, “Well, we have reason to believe that she was a Commando of an extremist organisation and had been planted here in this bank with the sole purpose of robbing this bank. Since she was also part of your group in the IT, she may have details to hack the net banking system for a larger chunk of money. This is the most common operational method the extremists are using these days. I suggest, you work out some safe fire walls or change the coding immediately. Meanwhile, you are being provided with 24 hours security as we suspect, she may try to harm you.”

I was rendered speechless. How can I or we change the coding overnight which has taken over a year to create? But more perplexed at the revelation that I have been sleeping with an extremist for almost a year or more!!!

My reverie was disrupted with the knocking at the door. I got up and open the door. As soon as I opened the door, there was a soft ‘thud’ sound and everything went black.

I opened my eyes and saw a familiar but somewhat different face, that of Inspector Sarma. Before, I could say anything, he silenced me, “Mr. Purkait, you are a lucky man to have survived a gun shot from that close range.” Then he explained.

“We were aware that you have come to Guwahati. No, not because we had a watch on you but on some other suspected people. And our hunch was correct. You were followed from the airport to your hotel and then that person foolishly enough used a landline phone to communicate to his masters. We then, without letting you know, put up surveillance at your hotel. There were three people that came to eliminate you. But fortunately, we were ready for them and with our current motto of NO PRISONERS TO BE TAKEN, all three have been eliminated. Yes, Ms. Paromita Prasad as you know her was part of that group and she was the one who fired at you.”

Inspector Sarma said that there were no immediate danger to myself anymore but still he would deploy two guards, just in case.

I was discharged the following day from the hospital, finished my work with the bank within the week and returned to my favourite place on earth, Kolkata.

 NOTE:

The above has been dramatised, keeping my promise to a childhood friend whose phone was busy for almost half hour when I tried calling him. Later he said he had been talking to a female acquaintance from his bank in Guwahati, I teased him about this and promised him to write a short story on this. All characters in this are my imagination as is the plot and any resemblance to any living person is purely coincidental.