Chapter- 2(1)

After a breathless run to save herself, she tripped on the muddy ground before falling from the cliff.

Rathi abruptly opened her eyes yet again failed to escape from a touch that following her closely, like it just an inches away. Her body shuddered to feel that fear and she gripped the sheets to make sure that she is in her bed.

It's not the first time she's having this kind of a dream or maybe we can call it a nightmare. Rathi doesn't know what these visuals trying to convey. Is it going to happen or is it telling she is shadowed by something that's going to harm her?

She switched on the lights and saw the time is three at midnight. Scratching her head, she stared at the empty water bottle. She needs hot water badly but she is confused about going out. Hoping that everyone will be asleep Rathi slowly opened the door.

Closing it behind without making any noise she walked to the stairs, the sound of rain heard against her ears and she didn't see anywhere than her way down on the steps.

Filling the water in the kettle, Rathi looked at the rain through the window. She repeated her dream once again and started fearing about her life.

"Rathi?" Hearing Shankari's voice all of a sudden she slipped the kettle in the sink.

"You startled me," Rathi said catching her breath.

Narrowing her eyes Shankari inquired what she is doing in the middle of the night.

"I came for hot water," Rathi placed the kettle on the kitchen stove.

"You want tea?" Shankari asked in a concerned tone moving close to Rathi.

"No, water is enough," she said and turned to the window.

"How many people are staying upstairs?" Rathi asked hoping she will say the truth.

"Two,"

"Who are they?" Rathi looked at Shankari.

"They are my relatives."

"How they are related to you?" Rathi asked seeing that Shankari is opening up.

"There's no need for you to know that now get your water and go to sleep," she retorted back on her face, that same arrogant tone which was off for the past few minutes.

"Goodnight," Rathi said filling the warm water in her flask and walked out of the kitchen. While stepping on the stairs she turned to see Shankari still watching at her. Rathi finds that strange.

Ah, why I am so curious to know her guests? I shouldn't make any trouble until leaving this place, Rathi thought before going to bed.

The next day she got ready for her class, she wore her blue salwar. She looked beautiful after tying her hair in a ponytail. Breakfast was served in her room and she ate without asking any question.

When she came to the living area she saw two men sitting on the dining hall and discussing something which didn't hear in her ears, they were showing their backs to her so she couldn't see their faces.

Before she could take a proper look at them Shankari stood before her like blocking her way.

"You got ready?"

"Yes," Rathi nodded.

"Okay, Mani is waiting for you, leave," Shankari decently asked her to get out.

Rathi silently left not being humiliated in front of those strangers.

Are they any terrorists? Undercover agents or mafia? Why she is protecting them like a treasure and why she isn't letting me speak to them or they don't want to see me? Rathi thought while traveling in the car.

Her course has completed a week before but she doesn't want to stop coming to this place. Here she feels her freedom. No one is there to control while she's playing the violin.

She headed to the hall where she usually practices and writes new notes which she discovers while playing. Rathi was working on her own album of songs which she is composing whenever she is free. It's her dream to at least do something with her talent.

That time Geetha entered in with an envelope and handed it to Rathi. It's her course completion certificate.

"Why you are bringing it for me, if you've called me I will be there," Rathi smiled seeing how sweet her teacher is.

"It's fine, anyways I come to see what my student is doing right," she reasoned and sat on the chair opposite to Rathi.

"How long are you going to come here?"

"Until next week," Rathi replied and placed her violin on her lap.

"Okay, if you need any help don't hesitate to ask me," she told and that made Rathi think about money but she didn't ask.

They talked for some time and then Geetha left since she has a new set of students waiting for her.

Rathi sat in the silence for a long time before starting a new song that suddenly stuck in her head, she took the bow and played the chords that could be perfect for the feelings that she's having now, feared about moving out of the place and curious to know the people who were staying in her house.

It took three straight hours to almost complete the song but Shankari called when she is confused about how to finish it.

She's late that's why she's calling her. Rathi attends the call slipping all the papers inside her bag.

"What you're still doing there?" Shankari asked but her voice was not threatening.

"Sorry, I am on the way," Rathi came out of the hall.

Mani was sleeping inside the car, Rathi patted his shoulders and he sat up blinking his eyes. He's a short and a stout person and Rathi knew him for eight years. Not only him, but all the people who were working in their house haven't left their job in these past eight years and Shankari didn't appoint anyone other than these people, it's not like she's treating them better, the reason is something else. And this is the first time that someone came to their house as guests.

The drizzling rain decorated the window shield beautifully and Rathi watched it humming the tune that she composed and she eventually got an idea how to finish it. The next two days were weekend, this is the best chance for her to look for the money when Shankari was not in the home. She has been calculating all these things in the meantime.

The car stopped before the mansion Shankari was waiting at the front dressed up neatly and it feels like she is going somewhere. Alongside there this person who looked the same age as Shankari waiting with her. Rathi identified that he is the guest staying in their house.

She had a smile looking at the man, and he smiled back. His face was kind of rugged and sneaky.

"Rathi this is Das, our guest," Shankari introduced.

"Hello, sir. I am Rathi Nethran," she smiled.

"Nice to meet you Rathi, and I heard a lot about you," he said that in Tamil with a smile on his face. And Rathi was confused that how come Shankari has a Tamil relative?

"We are going out, and might take time for us to return," Shankari said and that made Rathi jump in joy, mentally.

"Okay, I'll stay in the house," she enthusiastically replied and didn't question where they are going.

"Good, stay in your room and no one is in the house so make yourself a cup of coffee," she said and walked to the car. Rathi watched them until the car is out of her sight.

Then she headed inside the house taking happy steps, dancing, and twirling in joy. She headed upstairs with a big smile on her face, opening her room in a hurry she took her violin out to play the full song that's kept repeating in her head. She usually practices in the room opposite hers. It has bright lights and windows so she headed there, she didn't close the door thinking that she is really alone in the house. But little did she know there's someone waiting to hear her music.