The Bride - Part 4

Early next morning Shalu opens the backyard door. She says a silent prayer in the mind, but her lips are moving. She looks around. But nothing. The flowers were missing. It was wet everywhere. It had rained heavily last night.

Shalu rushed in the house and searched for Nalini. She was sleeping in the puja room. That night Nalini was continuously chanting the almighty's name. She went off to sleep there while praying for Anu's happy wedding and thinking why she may have said the absurd words that evening. Shalu came in and woke up Nalini.

"Vahini, wake up", Shalu said softly.

"Shalu, did you not leave yet?" said a sleepy Nalini, rubbing her eyes.

"The flowers are missing, vahini".

"What are you saying?"

"Yes, the flowers are no where to be seen."

"Come, lets go and see properly", said Nalini getting up from bed.

Everyone was asleep. They both went towards the backyard. All was wet and muddy due to the rains. They both strained their eyes in search of the flowers. But they were nowhere to be seen.

"Maybe the rains washed out the flowers."

"Possible, vahini."

They were speaking in hushed tones.

"It seems to have rained pretty hard last night."

"Vahini, but all the other plants are in quite good shape. Was it that heavy to wipe out the flower bunch?"

"We never know."

"Narkar Madam?" came a male voice from a little distance.

Startled Nalini and Shalu turned back to see their neighbour Mr.Vinayak Deodhar standing by the compound in his side of the property. Both the ladies gave a sigh of relief, but they did feel a little weak in their knees.

"Oh! Deodhar Kaka!" exclaimed Nalini.

Mr. Vinayak Deodhar was a 75 year old man living with his wife and elder sister just next to the Narkar's house. They have been neighbors for the past 18 years.

"Yes, its me", he said.

"You just got us scared", said Nalini.

"Oh-oh, I'm so sorry. I really didn't mean it."

"Its fine."

"So, are you done with the wedding arrangements?"

"Not yet, kaka. You know how it is in a marriage house."

"Yes, yes. If you need any help do let us know."

"Oh sure. There are quite a few people at home now. But be sure to come for the wedding on time tomorrow."

"Of course!"

There was a pause.

"Did you just wake up?" asked Mr Deodhar.

"Oh yes. We both came out to see if the plants were in proper shape", Nalini replied looking at Shalu, who nodded instantly.

"Is everyone still asleep?" he inquired.

"Yes. Everyone will start getting up soon."

"Oh ok. I thought I saw you like an hour ago."

"Me?"

"Oh so it wasn't you?"

"No, I just woke up. No one is up yet, except the two of us".

"Well actually, I was plucking some flowers for my daily puja when I saw someone in your backyard walking hurriedly towards the front gate. I even called out. But the lady just walked fast."

"A lady?"

"Yes. And she didn't reply back. I thought it was you doing some work."

Nalini and Shalu were shocked. Shalu caught Nalini's arm tightly in fright.

"I too moved towards our front gate", continued Mr.Deodhar, "but I took some time to reach due to the mud. By the time I reached the gate and saw around, there was no one."

"Oh! What was she wearing?"

"A simple saree."

"OK"

"And yes, she had something in her hands."

"Like what?"

"I think it may have been flowers."

Now Nalini and Shalu were really scared.

"Oh, but you know what", said Mr. Deodhar. "You should probably check your flowers in the garden."

"Flowers in the garden?"

"Yes, your garden has nice flower plants. These days petty thieves come in the mornings to pluck flowers and vegetables, so that they can sell those at the traffic signals."

It was starting to get a little brighter now. Nalini looked around. All the plants and flowers were good, except that they had lost a little shape due to the rains.

"Oh, maybe then", said Nalini.

"Those vendors tell you they bring their lot from Panchgani or Kolhapur. But they are generally stolen from peoples gardens around here. Have you ever wondered how those flowers, veges and fruits are so fresh even during the basking sun?" continued Mr. Deodhar.

"Hmm. Yes", replied Nalini, not paying much attention at his talk.

"OK then. You continue with your work. I will keep on talking like this for my whole day", laughed Mr.Deodhar.

"No issues. We'll talk later."

"I'll send my wife and sister in the evening for the Sangeet ceremony."

"Oh surely. You can join in too."

"Lets see. OK, bye for now", and saying so Mr.Deodhar went inside his house.

Nalini and Shalu looked at each other confused.

"Did you see anyone awake in the morning when you woke up?"

"No, Vahini. I was the first one. The lights were all off. I don't think I saw anyone awake."

"Come, lets go in and see."

The two go in the house. But by now atleast 5-6 people were up from bed. they didn't feel it appropriate to ask questions to anyone in the morning as soon as they were out of bed.

"Good morning Kaku", said Jyoti didi while brushing her teeth.

"Jyoti! Good morning", replied Nalini.

"Arey Shalu, you didn't go?" asked Jyoti.

"Didi, well...", Shalu didn't know what to say.

"Jyoti I've to tell you something. Come in", said Nalini pulling Jyoti by her arm into the bathroom.

"What happened kaku?"

Nalini shuts the door behind them. "The flowers went missing."

"What? How come?"

Nalini narrated everything.

"Oh my! Thats so very impossible. Did Deodhar Kaka see the lady?"

"No, by the time he could say anything, she was gone."

"Then she may have surely come back to take the flowers."

"But how did she know our house?"

"Maybe she followed us. But how is that possible? These street vendors are generally walking around. They can't do that."

"You never know."

Jyoti immediately rinsed her mouth and wiping her hands came out of the bathroom and went directly to Priya's room.

"Wake up lazy bones", she shook Priya.

"Only 2 minutes. Please", said Priya.

"No, up now. The flowers we kept in the backyard last night are missing."

"What? Hows it possible? Shalu may have already taken them."

"No, they were gone before Shalu even woke up."

Priya literally jumped up from her bed. "What are you saying?"

"Get up. Change now. Something else happened."

"What?"

"Not now. I'll tell you on the way. We have to leave for FC Road now."

To be continued...