“Yay! Daddy is back from the office. Let’s talk about our vacation plan now”, Vishu was jumping up and down upon seeing his father’s car
As soon as he was in, the kids grabbed his arms and made him sit on the sofa.
“Hey. What is so exciting?”, their Daddy asked
“We have finalized our vacation spot and I have also seen a beautiful cottage there. The best part is that it is not in the middle of the town, which means we will be able to live in complete peace and away from the crowd”, announced Sheetal
“Wow. Thanks, darling. I badly need this break and cut off from the world. So, tell me where are we going? I will do the bookings right away”, he asked
“It’s a small hill station named Ishanagar and the cottage is named Hilly Billy. Do you know my friend Pooja? She went there last month and she highly recommends this spot”
Viraj froze upon hearing this name.
“Why? What happened to you? Is there anything wrong with the place?”, she asked
“We want to go there. We have seen the photos on the Internet and it’s a beautiful place”, cried both the kids together
“No no. I am fine. Was just wondering about the place. I haven’t heard about it ever. I hope it turns out to be nice”, he tried to change his expressions
“Oh yes. Let me show you on the map too”, Sheetal was ready with her laptop
The family checked out the route, place, location, and reviews of the cottage, etc.
“Okay. Sheetal, can you please go ahead and do the bookings? I almost forgot that Dad called me while I was driving. I should call him back”, Viraj rushed to his room and called up his dad
“Ishanagar? Why do you have to go there, Viraj? Find another nice hill station”, Viraj’s dad was worried for him
“That’s okay Dad. If I say something now, Sheetal and the kids will be disheartened. I have seen that cottage. It’s on the exact opposite side and far away from there. It’s a matter of 2-3 days. Nobody must remember me now”, he assured
The family was soon on their way to Ishanagar and upon entering the town, Sheetal opened her GPS to find their way to the cottage. They followed the way shown by the map.
“What? The map says that we have reached the cottage and it’s on my left side. But there is nothing here. How is it possible? Let me ask this man”
“Bhaiyya. Do you know where we can find the tourist cottage Hilly Billy?”, Sheetal asked the first man she saw coming toward their car
“Arre madam ji. You have come the wrong way. It is a problem with their location. All the tourists lose their way. If you want, I can take you there. I am going close to that cottage only”, he offered. Both Sheetal and Viraj looked at each other. Viraj was a little uncomfortable but Sheetal signaled to let him in as they were getting late for lunch already.
“Okay. Please take a seat”, Sheetal gestured to him and told the kids to make some space
“Sir ji. Take a U-turn. The cottage is another 3 km from here”, Viraj followed his instruction
“The caretaker of the cottage is my distant uncle madam ji. This is a small town. Everyone is related to one another in some or another way”, he laughed
“Uncle, why have you put nail paints on your hands and toenails?”, Vishu noticed. Sheetal turned around and tried to quiet Vishu while the startled man hid his hands
“Oh, this. Most of the men in this town apply this. Some tourist madam might have shown it several years ago to our forefathers. They liked it and we are just following the fashion Chote Sahab ji. Sir ji. Take that uphill road on your right-hand side”, told the man
Suddenly Viraj stopped their car and turned around.
“Are you sure you are taking us to Hilly Billy cottage? I see that all the cars are going in the opposite direction, from where we have come. No car is going here”
“Sir ji. I know that cottage. The caretaker’s name is Kishan kaka….”
“Yes yes. You are right”, Sheetal confirmed
“You might have seen it on their website. It’s located away from the city and does not have anything in the close vicinity. This is why it is loved by many people who want a peaceful time here”, he explained.
“Let’s go Viraj”, Sheetal told
Reluctantly, Viraj continued
“Sir ji. Please stop the car here. I have to get off. You take this road. Another 200 meters ahead is the cottage”, and he got out of the car
Surely, after some 200 meters, they saw the cottage which they had seen on the website and the name written very clearly.
“Wow. This is unbelievable. They should correct their location on the map”, said Sheetal while getting down from the car
Sheetal and the kids opened the main gate and got inside
“Isn’t it beautiful Viraj? So quiet and…”, suddenly she was interrupted by Aisha
“Mom. Where is Daddy?”
As they turned around, Viraj was still sitting in his car and his mouth was wide open.
“Viraj. Are you okay? Why are you sweating so much? Oh my God. What’s wrong with you”, Sheetal tried to move him
“Oh. Nothing. I am fine. Just a little tired of driving. It’s difficult on the hills. I am fine. Let’s go inside”, he got out of the car slowly
The cottage was surrounded by tall trees, situated atop a tiny hill. No other cottages or shops around it.
“Now how are we supposed to search for the caretaker in this huge place?”, wondered Viraj
“Let me call him up. Wait”, and Sheetal took out her mobile only to find no signal to make the call
“Wow. In a way it is good. Uninterrupted peace and quietness but…”
“Welcome madam, sir. I am right here”, they all turned around to see a rather old man who seemed to have appeared out of thin air
“When did you come? We were just wondering…”, stammered Viraj
“Oh, there is my room. I live there with my wife. I just saw you entering. You won’t get any mobile signal here. But once you register, I will give you the wi-fi details and if you want to call me for any service, here it is – this bell. Ring it and I will just appear like a genie”, he chuckled and gestured for them to follow him
While they were all following this old man, who was a little stooped but walking fast for his age, Vishu again caught up to his mom and whispered
“Mom, see, even he has applied nail paints. Funny, isn’t it?”
“Let’s apply it on your daddy’s fingers also when he is sleeping”, planned the mom-son duo
The cottage was lavishly large with beautiful interiors and oakwood furniture. They registered quickly and Sheetal asked for lunch.
“Oh yes. My wife has already prepared it. You can freshen up and come to the dining room”, he said and went off to make the arrangements
Once they freshened up, Sheetal wondered
“Oh. I forgot to ask where the dining room was. Let me call him with the bell”
“Dining room is just on the right side of that reception lounge”, said Viraj
“Oh. How do you know?”
“Well. I… I saw it on the website. You forgot they had put up a map”
“Oh is it? Maybe I missed it. Let’s go. I am starving”
They all reached the dining room and were pleasantly surprised to see a lavish spread of food on the table.
“All your favorite dishes, Viraj. Did you call them beforehand?”, winked Sheetal
“Oh, we are glad sir likes all of these. All these are local delicacies. That’s why we prepared them for you. Enjoy your lunch”, said the caretaker
After having their heavy meal, they all retired to their rooms to rest. By the time they woke up, it was already dark and very cold due to the rain.
“I will get something hot for you all to eat and drink. Why don’t you enjoy some indoor games by the fireplace?”, suggested the caretaker. The kids took to the TT table while Sheetal marveled at some antique furniture and paintings on the wall. Viraj settled himself near the fireplace reading a novel.
Suddenly he heard some muffled cries.
“Papa. Papa. Here. What took you so long to come?”
He turned around to see the kids still busy with their TT game and Sheetal studying a painting.
He dismissed the interruption and got back to reading.
“Viraj. Your children are asking you something. What took you so long to come back to us?”
This time he was certain that the voice came from the fireplace. He looked carefully and saw two tiny faces looking back at him.
“Sheetal. Sheetal… come here”, he shouted. All three of them came rushing towards him
“What happened, Viraj?”
“Can you hear something? Look carefully at the fire. Can you see two faces there?”, he was sweating and stammering
“Nothing Daddy. We can’t hear anything except the rain. And faces!! What faces? It’s just the fire”, said Aisha
Suddenly, the electricity went off and there was thunder and lightning. They all huddled together. Sheetal took the bell out of her pocket to call the caretaker – Kishan Kaka. He came along with his wife with a lamp. Both of them were holding each other’s hands – both hands.
“Here. This is happening again after 12 years. All of you. Please hold each other’s hands. None of your hands must be free. Otherwise, they will take you away with them”, he said in the trembling voice
“Who will take us away? What is happening again after 12 years?”, demanded Sheetal
Before he could answer, Kishan and his wife ran away to bring more lamps for them. Suddenly, there was a loud screeching scream.
“Viraaaaaaaaaaaaaj”
“Shivani”, Viraj exclaimed and started running outside
“Shivani? I am Sheetal. And where are you running? Come and hold my hand. Don’t you remember what Kishan Kaka just told us?”
Now Sheetal was afraid. But Viraj paid no heed to her and ran outside. Sheetal, Aisha, and Vishu held each other’s hands tightly. They all saw a huge fire outside and heard Viraj’s cries.
“How can there be fire? It’s raining so heavily outside. Let me go and check on your Daddy. Both of you. Promise me that you are not going to leave your hands and please be here. We will be right back”, instructed Sheetal
“Mom. Please don’t go. I am very scared. Please”, pleaded Aisha
“Aisha. Your Daddy needs me. He is in some trouble”, and she dashed off
Kishan Kaka and his wife reappeared with more lamps.
“Where are your parents? I told you all not to leave your hands. Come with us. You can’t stay here. Come. Quickly”
“But…”. Aisha did not argue much and signaled Vishu to follow them without leaving each other’s hands.
Sheetal and Viraj came back to the room, panting and completely drenched in rainwater.
“Sheetal, we have to run away from here. Quick. Let’s go”
“Viraj. Where are Aisha and Vishu? We can’t leave without them. What’s wrong with you? What kind of a father are you?”
Viraj’s eyes were red, both, with anger and fear.
“That is how I am. I don’t want to lose my life. To hell with the kids. Now, if you want, come with me or stay here”, he grabbed her hand and dragged her to the car. When they reached outside, the kids were already sitting in the car with the lights on and they were calling them frantically. Viraj and Sheetal ran towards the car. Viraj opened the door and got inside while Sheetal’s door was locked. He tried to open it but in vain.
Suddenly the door flung open and Sheetal flew up in the air and landed far away from the car. Now, all the doors of the car were locked. Viraj turned towards the kids. Their eyes were red.
“Papa, why did you do this?”, they demanded
“Huh? What are you talking about? I am your daddy”
The door of his side opened and he was thrown outside. The kids stepped out of the car and were soon joined by a lady.
“Shivani? You?” Viraj’s face had turned pale.
“Why did you kill me and our children Viraj? And what took you so long to come back here?”, demanded Shivani
Sheetal just could not believe her eyes. Her children were asking the same question again and again but it was not their voice.
“Tell me…”, now Shivani’s voice was thundering and all of them were inside a fire circle
“I… I am… I am sorry Shivani. I should not have killed all of you. But I cannot tolerate anybody messing up with my life and my money. You were doing that. I had to kill you. I am sorry”, and he broke down
Sheetal walked close to Viraj in complete disbelief of what she just heard and stared directly into his eyes.
“Yes. I have come here earlier also Sheetal. With my friends. I met Shivani, who had come down from the USA and this property belonged to her father. Shivani was the only child and her father was a very respectable person in this village. I thought that since she was wealthy and had this huge property, I could use it for my illegal business. I befriended her and we got married. Her father died in a couple of years, leaving behind this property in her name. We had two sons. Then, Shivani came to know about my illegal business and threatened me that she would go to the Police. In a fit of the moment, I strangled her to death. Our sons saw this and were going to the Police. I had to kill them too. I, along with my Dad, burnt and buried them here itself, in the backyard. I am so sorry”
Suddenly, the rain stopped, the power was back, Shivani disappeared and Aisha and Vishu were back in their senses. They ran and hugged their mother.
Sheetal reached into her pocket to take out the bell to call Kishan Kaka. But there was no bell. Instead, she found her mobile phone with the full network and the police’s number displayed. She did not hesitate to press the Call button.
Police appeared promptly, and listened to the whole incident and Viraj’s confession. Sheetal asked the police about Kishan Kaka, who she cannot find now.
“Madam. This cottage had been sealed for the past 12 years after the occupants were found missing mysteriously. I think your husband and his father convinced the police back then that Shivani had run away with her children along with her ‘partner’. The case was pursued for a year or two and then became a thing of the past. There is no Kishan Kaka and this is no Hilly Billy resort.”
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