The Cousin

The bus entered the bus terminus of Eluru. From here, she had to take another bus to her village, though she was sure someone might have sent a car to pick her up. She had declined to accompany her aunt and uncle to her home, preferring to travel by bus, so that it would give her the much needed time to come to terms with the tragedy. She knew she could never be the same nor could the void left by her loved ones be filled by anyone else. So, her uncle had booked her a seat in the Amaravathi A/C Coach of APSRTC, which was one of the most luxurious buses in the fleet of the State Public Transport Department. As she came out of the arrival block, she found Raju, one of her father's most trusted farm hands, waiting for her beside a Mahindra Jeep, her favourite vehicle. His face was grim and clouded with a sadness that seemed to go deep into his soul. He and his family had been serving them for generations and had a deeper bond with them than the other workers employed by the family. For the first time in the 16 years of her life, both of them were tongue-tied. He opened the door of the car silently while she sat without saying anything. Sometimes silence conveyed what a thousand words couldn't. The journey to the village was equally wordless as each of  the two persons was lost in their own thoughts.

Her cousin was there to greet her. "How was the journey?"

"Fine."

"Come, you must be tired." She didn't say anything as he led her to her room as if she were a guest rather than a member of the house. It felt strange to be in the house empty of the people who loved her the most. She felt like a stranger in a place she had known all her life - a place where had played, danced, sang, grown up amid some of the purest form divine love a child could ever get. Yet, when she was on the verge of adulthood, she was staring at a house that had no real people. Everyone there had something to gain but nothing to give back. It was all surreal. He led her to a room that was a bit away from the other rooms; this room was usually given to guests who wanted more privacy. She didn't say anything since this room fitted her mood perfectly. She didn't feel like talking to anyone. He placed her bag near the bed and went into the bathroom and came back after a few minutes. "The water is luke warm, just as you like it to be." he said. "Freshen up and we will talk later." He left the room closing the door. She looked around the room and noticed that some changes had been made. The curtains had been removed from the windows and it made the room transparent to anyone who cared to look.

She walked to the windows and noticed her cousin standing near the window of his own room. She realised that something was off, so she went to the bathroom and peered closely at each corner of the bathroom searching for possible hiding places for hidden cams. When she couldn't find any, she came out and looked in the window. He was gone. Feeling uneasy, she decided to lock her room, but the handle bar was missing - on both sides of the door. A chill ran down her spine - were they plotting to get her killed? What did they mean by removing the locks and the handle bars of the door? She looked for soemthing heavy to place by the door; there was none. with a thumping heart she went to the bath room and examined the door; it was in a similar state. It was obvious someone had deliberately ensured that she couldn't lock herself in. She stood near the door unable to decide what to do; had her father been alive, she would never have been in this situation at all. Her eyes blurred with tears as she slid down the door in grief and helplessness. She kept her head between her hands and sobbed.

"Sahi, are you alright?" Sahithi shot a red hot glare at her cousin who was standing too close for comfort. He appeared to be concerned but something about him felt odd. She simply glared at him for a few moments before shew found her voice.

"What do you mean by removing the bolts and handles from the doors?" he looked taken aback by her sharp tone.

"Well, we were trying to protect you."

"By removing the bolts and making the room vulnerable?"

"We didn't want you do anything silly after.....after....well....um.....we wanted to make sure you were alright by checking on you from time to time."

"Well, I am not brave enough to kill myself. Don't worry. You can't get rid of me that quickly."

"You misunderstand me, Sahi. I....."

"What are you doing here?" he seemed angry at her cold demeanour but managed to control himself.

"I was checking if you needed anything."

"Send Rangamma and leave me alone."

"I cannot do that."

"What!!"

"It is my duty to protect you and I will do that even if I have to be with you always."

"I am not a child."

"But your safety is my first priority."

"Fine. But get out, I need to freshen up."

"Ok. But call me if you need help." She glared at him till he left the room and then banged the door close in anger.

"How dare he?" she muttered to herself as she checked the water in the bucket before stripping off her clothes. She really need that bath since she always felt dirty after a long journey. The luke warm water soothed her jangled nerves as she poured the water over her head. Though she had all the modern facilities, she preferred the Indian way of bathing as it felt more natural and kept her busy and alert. When she was done, she wiped herself dry and wrapped herself with the towel, stepping out of the bathroom. It was a habit she couldn't change since she always had her own room with an attached bathroom wherever she went. Whe she came out, her cousin was sitting one the bed waiting for her. He was holding a set of half saree for her to wear.