It was an usual Sunday morning. I got up late and took a shower and switched on the TV set to listen to the main headlines with a hot cup of strong tea. I made breakfast for myself. Two boiled eggs and a slice of bread and butter. I am not a health conscious person but have to eat judiciously. I sat on the soft sofa. It was the most comfortable and cozy place I have ever been to. Though the window was closed still some sunlight penetrated through the glass pane. It was a beautiful bungalow with a small garden and a gate. The name plate was outside the gate. This house was little away from the city, in the heart of valley. Not many people lived nearby. I was an introvert so not many visitors used to visit my place. I was living my happy, lonely life.
Suddenly someone knocked at the door. I was not ready for this. I peeped through the door pinhole. I could not see anyone. I think I didn't use it for so many months. I regretted it. Someone knocked again. I had to opened the door. There was no other choice . The moment I opened the door I saw not a very familiar face. He was a middle aged, smart looking, tall, handsome man with his broad shoulders giving an impact that he visits gym daily without skipping it even for one day. He removed his goggles and greeted me with a smile. It was very unusual for me but still I controlled my anxiety and smiled back at him.
I looked at him and asked him the reason for his arrival with my gestures. He hesitated a bit and said, " Hello sir, I am Rakesh, I saw your name plate outside your house. Your name......"
I interrupted him and said," Oh! That is my brother's name. He doesn't live here." I wanted to finish the conversation and close the door. But he immediately said, " He was my classmate. We were very good friends in the college. We did many plays together. He was the most charming person in our group. We used to call me chocolate boy. He...."
" Ok...that is very nice." I was not interested in listening to his stories. " I don't talk to my brother very often. He remains busy in his business work. He lives in the city. I like village life. So I preferred to live here ".
Probably he understood that I am not interested, so he said if I can give him my brother's number. I refused saying that I have given my phone for repair. "I was traveling yesterday and my phone fell in the puddle. I have given it to a phone repair shop. I will get it in the evening." I tried to explain my case to him. I wanted to close the door and go back in my comfort zone. I wanted to sit was watch TV.
He interrupted me by saying that his wife is a police inspector. She has been to nearby police station for some urgent inquiry. She will return in sometime. If possible can he stay here for sometime.
It was a shocking piece of information for me. I confirmed again, " Your wife is an inspector. Great to hear this. What do you do for living?"
He said, " I am a lawyer. My name is Mr Rakesh Sukhram Mathur."
I looked at him with a shock and felt numb for an instant. He had a smile on his face. I couldn't look into his eyes. I asked him to come on the house. He came inside and looked around. " Oh, you have kept the house very clean."
" I cannot live in dirty place. I keep my surrounding clean. Do you want some tea?" I asked him. He nodded in agreement. We had tea together but I was continuously looking at the door. He said, "Are you waiting for someone?"
I told him that I have some important work in the bank. I must leave now. But he reminded me that it was Sunday and banks are closed on Sundays. I felt ashamed of myself. How can I give such foolish excuses. I told him that I have to leave and started looking for my shoes.
He said wait we will talk but I ran from there as soon as possible. He tried to catch me but I was an expert in running away from police.
Yes you have guessed it correctly. I am a thief. I was living happily in that house from past 5 months. The owner used to live abroad and his name was Mr. Sukhram Mathur.
Now I have to wonder here and there till I get a similar, another house.
Written by
Anisha Inamdar
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