கவுதம் கருணாநிதி
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I'm back
1
"Daddy"
Raghunath turned his face towards his daughter Divya. He was in a chair holding the newspaper in his hands.
"Daddy"
"Yes Dear.."
"Shall we go for an outing?"
"Outing? In this period?"
"Why daddy?"
"Everywhere covid is getting spread. We'd be very careful dear. We'd not be going anywhere where the people get crowded."
"If that's the case I've one idea."
"Idea? Good.. What's that?"
"We'd go where people are not there."
"Means?"
"Somewhere away from the city..some forest.. Getting bored daddy by being in home itself.."
"Let me think and tell."
"Please daddy."
"What's your mother's opinion for this?"
"She also favoured my idea"
"Is she? Where's she now?"
"In kitchen."
When Divya said this Keerthi came out of kitchen with smile on her face.
"Yes Raghu .. I'm also getting bored. Somewhere we've to go otherwise I'll be mad."
When Keerthi said to this to her husband he smiled at both of them.
"It's already planned by you both".
"Daddy" Divya hugged him.
"Divya.. you're not a kid..You are a college student.." When Keerthi said to Divya latter complained to her dad.
"Daddy"
"Hmm.."
"Whatever may be my age.. I'm your daughter ..Am I right?"
"Absolutely..Let her say anything..You are ever my dear..Ok?"
Saying to Divya, Raghunath smiled at Keerthi.
"Ok.. I'd given my car for service. I've to get back. You both get ready. Before noon let's start our journey."
"Daddy" Divya screamed with joy.
Keerthi was also happy. Her eyes were bright.
"Where are we heading to daddy?"
"I don't know.."
"What?"
"Really I don't know.. Let us plan to a place where we three are only there."
Raghu told them. They're also thrilled.
"Ok we'll get ready.".
***
Raghunath was in service centre.
"Everything is ok sir now. You could feel a different ride now."
When the mechanic said Raghunath smiled at him. Later he got the claim was perfectly alright.
Raghunath was returning his home.
He's working in a private bank whereas his wife Keerthi is a school teacher. They'd shifted to Coimbatore when they got blessed with Divya. Now she is studying first year Computer Science Engineering.
Raghunath likes Coimbatore very much. Whenever he finds time he used to go to Koniyamman temple and Marudamalai.
He'd all the habits. ie smoking drinking. After Divya's arrival to his family he became teatotaller. His world revolves around his wife Keerthi and his daughter Divya.
When both of them desired to go somewhere he immediately nodded his head as he loves them very much.
For the past one year they didn't go anywhere as the lockdown due to Covid was severe.
He reached his house.
Got down from the car.
When Raghunath entered his home both of them were ready with their luggages.
"Divya"
"Daddy"
"Ready?"
"Yes daddy. We're waiting for you."
Keerthi came near to Raghunath.
"Did you fix the place?"
"Yes Keerthi"
"Where we are to?"
"Suspense"
"Daddy please"
"No dear.. place is fixed. Resort is also booked.. We're going to stay there for a week.."
When Raghunath told them Divya screamed with joy.
"Really daddy?"
"Yes Dear..ok both of you get into car. Let us take lunch in Haribhavanam and proceed."
"Ok Daddy."
Keerthi and Divya got into the car.
Raghunath kept the entire luggage in dicky.
Ensured that house got locked Raghunath started the car.
When the car left the compound a black cat was staring it ferociously.
***
Haribhavanam.
Keerthi and Divya ordered for chicken briyani and Raghunath prefered to have rice with fish curry.
"Daddy"
"Hmm"
"I'm very happy."
"Me too" Keerthi said.
Raghunath smiled at them.
"How long it will take to reach our resort?"
"Just four to five hours.."
Food was served. They'd their lunch.
Came out.
Got into the car.
Raghunath felt a different smell in car.
"Divya"
"Daddy"
"Did you smell anything?"
"No daddy..Nothing.."
"Are you sure?"
"Sure daddy."
Raghunath was confused. He's confident that he'd smelled something different.
Without bothering much he started the car.
When the journey was proceeding both Keerthi and Divya fell asleep.
After they got up again they realised that they slept for longer duration.
Car was climbing up in a hill road.
Climate was chill.
Divya knew that it was not to Ooty.
"Daddy"
"Hmm.."
"What's this place?"
Raghunath smiled and replied.
"Yercaud."
"Oh super daddy."
"Hmm"
Soon they reached the resort.
"Welcome sir.."
One old man was standing in the gate.
Raghunath nodded his head. Parked his car in parking lot.
Old man took their luggages and guided them .
"Sir"
"Yes"
"If you want anything just call me I'll be at the gate only.."
"Ok..your good name?"
"Ramaiya sir"
"Ok Ramaiya"
Ramaiya left.
"Daddy"
"Hmm"
"Resort is very nice.."
"Hmm"
"Love you daddy"
Raghunath smiled at her. Came near to his wife.
"Climate is so chill Keerthi."
"So?" Her face turned red.
"So what? I'd just told you.". Raghunath smiled at her.
"Sir" Ramaiya called from outside.
"Yes get in"
"Dinner will be ready by eight sir"
"Nice"
After they'd dinner because of the journey tired they went to bed early. Climate was also very chill. They slept immediately.
Raghunath got up hearing a strange sound.
What's this sound? From where?
'I didn't hear this sound in my life before.
My God.'
Raghunath slightly tensed. Suddenly that sound stopped.
'What happened? Now there's no sound..I think I'm misguided by myself.'
Thinking himself Raghunath went to rest room. Washed his face. Looked at the mirror.
Raghunath felt that there was someone along with him. He carefully looked for that unknown here and there. Couldn't find out anyone.
'Everything is my imagination. No-one is here.'
Raghunath made up his mind and went out of the rest room.
In the meanwhile some letters were there in the mirror which were not noted by Raghunath.
Those letters were…
"I'm back."
To be continued
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