My Nepenthe

Chapter 19

"What? Are you kidding me Om?" he heard Shivaay's voice through his mobile.

"I wish I was kidding. I still can't believe this Shivaay. Like my life has any less problems, supernatural entities decide to have a picnic in it?"

"How is Gauri?"

"Still in shock."

"God! Do you want to come back? I will send the chopper."

"I asked her the same and she declined it. We are only a few hours away from our village. We will start once the car is repaired. I got a mechanic to work on it," he answered, and his brother sighed.

"Are you sure?"

"Hundred percent. You know that she is stubborn. Once assigned a work, she won't leave it halfway."

"Someone seems to be knowing a lot of things lately, Huh."

"Shut up," he replied though he couldn't help the blush.

Thank heavens, his other brother didn't watch him going red. God! That kiss was...

"Fine, message me once you reach the mansion," Shivaay said and Omkara agreed.

"Was that Bade Bhaiya?" Gauri asked walking into the small room.

"Yes. Are you feeling better now?" he asked smiling at her and she smiled back with a nod.

She sensed he wanted to talk but decided not to.

"What is it Omkara ji?"

"Tum thik ho na Gauri? You won't get upset if I talked about uhh..."

"About Lalita daadi ji? I am only feeling bad for the poor thing. It shouldn't have happened with her Omkara ji."

"I have filed a complaint against the burglars. It must be them who killed her. That is the reason I called Shivaay, he has more contacts."

"Good thing, I hope she will find peace then."

"If they did wrong, I would see to it that they will be punished," he said in a determined tone.

She looked at him and smiled proudly as she said, "I know you would."

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Gauri looked at the mansion before her in awe. It wasn't as big as the one back in Mumbai, but it had a more royal feel to it, just like the palaces in the stories her father used to tell her.

With a huge arch leading to a pathway fenced by trees, the building stood at the far end looking big and grand. The walls and the roofs were filled with original artwork and wood paneling, creating an aura of old-world charm. Even the steps which led to the entrance were customized with stone statues of majestic looking lions, one on each side of the doorway.

The home garden has a charm of its own, growing flowers of rose hibiscus and chrysanthemum. The scent of the air was a sweet hybrid of the flowers it harbored.

At the far corner, away from the prying eyes of any village folk, an old pool whose size is smaller than its twin in Mumbai, was built into the ground, made of concrete and natural stone. The couple could see only a part of it, as they got down from the car.

Men and women were scattered around the place busy in carrying out their work though some of them curiously looked at the pair, wondering what the purpose of their visit was.

"This is beautiful. Even my town didn't have such a big bungalow," Gauri whispered, and her husband smiled.

"Why are you whispering?"