Cursed

Episode 04

Pitobash started his day early. He used to get up early, complete all his daily rituals and used to go for a walk. From there, he used to visit the local temple, where he offered his prayers and return back to his home. He sat in the front veranda and starts to read the newspaper while having his morning cup of coffee.

When the clock chimed nine times, he used to go inside for his breakfast. After his breakfast, he goes to his warehouse, where he supervises the loading and unloading of the materials. At lunchtime, he comes back to his house and have his lunch and takes rest for some time. After that, he again goes back to his workplace, but before that, he goes to another place.

It is the local bar in that village. It gets crowded when the sun sets, but now it sports a deserted look. He goes inside and waits inside a private cabin. After some time, three people go inside the cabin. They spend some time inside. After that, Pitobash leaves the bar, and after fifteen minutes, the others leave. From that place, Pitobash moves towards his workplace.

The persons who have met him go on their own directions. Pitobash goes to his workplace and stays there till evening and after that comes back. Back in his home, he sits in the veranda till late night where he meets people, have drinks with them and talk. The people are mainly from the village of Motu, and the discussion goes on for hours.

'But what goes in that discussion?' asked Rohan.

'I think they would be discussing their next plan.' said Shyam. 'No one ever knows what they talk.'

'Who all are present in their family?' questioned Swayam.

'His wife, three sons, his father and three servants.' said Shyam. 'Sheila is her second wife, who gave him three sons.'

'What about his first wife?' asked Suraj.

'She allegedly killed herself by burning herself in her room. The reason is she was ashamed that she was not able to give Pitobash sons. But the truth which has been hidden is it was Pitobash who had killed her. But nothing was ever proved. After her death, he married Sheila, who is one-third of his age. She remains confined to the house and never even comes out of the veranda. His sons go to the local school, but they are more interested in bullying other children. His father was a dirty old scoundrel who still has that air of wickedness in him. He was also involved in this heinous crime and is still an active brain behind it. Out of all from his generation, only he has survived and is like the brain of this racket but stays behind the door.' said Shyam.

'So, how do we get inside?' questioned Suraj.

'I tried to find out some information and got to know that his wife does not support what is happening. There are rumours that even she bore a girl once, and it was taken from her but getting to her was impossible. I spoke to one of the maidservants who works there. I had asked her to pass on a message to Pitobash's wife.' said Shyam.

'That's great. Do we have any update?' exclaimed Rohan in excitement.

'Yes, initially she was reluctant and was afraid to go against her husband and her father-in-law, but some persistence from her maid convinced her to do it. I have asked her to be the ears for us. She would try and bring out the inside information and send it to us through the maid. We just have to wait. I would be meeting the maid tonight. I hope there is some news.' said Shyam.

'That's great. We would have loved to accompany you, but it would be too much crowded. So, let us meet tomorrow at this time and discuss. We need to get to them faster before they can act.' said Suraj.

With it, Shyam nodded, and they parted ways to meet tomorrow. The night fell quickly. The half-crescent moon was playing hide and seek behind the clouds. There was darkness all over. The stars were also not visible, making the night look darker. Shyam crept his way towards the spot where he was to meet the maid. She was already there. She was fully covered. Even her face was covered in a veil. She stood under a tree and waited for Shyam.

Shyam came near her. As she removed her veil, Shyam was surprised to see Sheila.

'What are your doing?' said a surprised Shyam.

'I slipped out of the house to give you the information. My maid is in the house in place of me.' said Sheila.

'That's a big risk you have taken.' said Shyam.

'Yes. I know. If they get to know they will kill me. But I had to tell you the information.' said Sheila.

'Please tell me.' said Shyam.

'They are planning again. Today, the Sarpanch of Motu village was here. They were talking about some new delivery which would happen in some coming days. The Sarpanch was talking about a guy who is like their head. They never tell his name, but he never comes to light. The Sarpanch had a meeting with him a few days ago, and they are now looking for two new deliveries which would take place in some days. Tomorrow, he would transfer the information, and everyone involved in it would be ready for it.' said Sheila.

There were tears in her eyes while she was narrating it. There was a pain in her voice as she was telling it. She felt the story repeating all over. She folded her hands and left the place.

Shyam had decided to meet Suraj and his friends the same night to pass on the information. They were waiting inside the same hut when Shyam came in.

'I have news.' said Shyam smiling.