Challenge
Smita was very excited about going to visit her auntie. After all for many days she had not seen her.She was such nice lady. Last time she had gifted her with a gold chain. Smita was just mad about her.She always wanted her auntie to visit her.But her auntie never came to visit them. She finally decided to go and visit her by herself. Her mother was not very happy about it because her auntie did not came on her any function.She just sent money orders.Mom"Smita why do you have to visit her on this vacation?why do not you go to Bhopal to visit your uncle instead?" "Mom I went there on last vacation also?why are you against visiting her?" "She was not very happy regarding your visit." "Who told you that?" "You can always read it in a person's voice.""And mom many times you read things that are not there at all." After hearing this her mom finally quit arguing.Smita just didn't understand her mom's attitude.At the same moment her younger brother Rajan entered her room. He also started putting clothes inside her bag.Smita"Why are you putting your clothes inside my bag" "Papa said that I am going with you.""No mom. Not with him!" Mom was upset with Papa because he had given Permission of going to auntie.Now he had also permitted Rajan to go with her was too much for Mom.But Papa was very good in convincing so Smita knew that it was lost case.Then Smita ordered Rajan to pack a separate bag for him.She didn't want her clothes to be damaged by her toys.Papa and Mom was going to drop them at auntie's bungalow. They were very excited about it.
When they sat in a car next morning suddenly Mom's phone started ringing. But Smita didn't want to be late so she just switched off her phone.Then for safer side she even switched off her father's phone and they all started their journey. When they started moving away from home Mom and Papa were also became such excited that they totally forgot about their cellphones. Their journey was very pleasant as well as relaxing.When they reached their destination they received shock of their life. The fences of bungalow were very high and made of bricks. They could not see anything from outside. On the gate there was large broad telling to beware of dog. Then they suddenly heard loud dog barking.That voice was very scary.Rajan"No one told me about this dog." Mom "Because we don't know about it. We never visited your auntie because she never wanted guests.We are not even sitting here now if your sister didn't force us to come here."Mom angrily looked at Smita. Smita started looking out of car window. She was very shocked to see these changes. She always remembered her auntie in a friendly way. She could clearly saw that there were many changes which she didn't know or ignore to know.
When their car reached near the bungalow, Papa started using horn to get auntie's attention. But for sometime no one came to door finally the door was opened and car entered inside. When they went inside they saw their auntie opened the door and she was holding two angry dogs in other hand.Rajan was shocked to see those dogs.Rajan"Mom look at those dogs can they bite me." Mom was also sweating after seeing those dogs.Mom"I just don't know. Honey I think this is enough.I don't want to leave my children here."Papa was about agree with Mom,when Smita started shouting loudly"But I want to stay here and you have promised me." Mom"But sweet heart why do you want to stay in such place.""Because I enjoy staying there and that is my decision.If Rajan does not want to stay, it was his choice. But I would stick to my decision." Papa" Now will you stop arguing? If she want to stay she will stay. No use of arguing about it.But Rajan can change his decision and come back with us." But after listening his sister Rajan began to think that backing out would be sign of cowardism. Rajan"No. I will stay." Mom "But Rajan you just said...""Ohh! Mom I was just joking." Even while saying this anyone could see fear clearly written on his face. But Mom could see that there was no use of arguing about it.
When they reached to the door.They saw a man angrily looking at them. Smita "Mom who is this?" "This is your uncle. Don't you remember him?" Smita didn't remember anything about her uncle.But she was not going to confess about it.She didn't want to look stupid before her parents.But she didn't like that man at all.He was looking at them with such suspicion as if they were going to kill him. When Papa came out of car with them. He didn't even greeted him.Uncle"I was trying to call you.Why did you switch off your phone?" "Phone?!!" Papa took out his phone and shocked to see that it was switch off.Papa"By mistake I must have switched off the phone.""O really!! and what about Priti's phone?" Mom was more shocked when she saw that her phone was also switched off. She angrily looked at Smita , when ever Smita did some mischief Mom always guessed about it.Mom"I am very sorry. Why were you trying to phone?""To tell you that we are little bit busy this week. But since you have already arrived there is no use of telling it now.So come inside." And uncle went inside. Papa and Mom were very angry.They should have returned on that second. But auntie came there looking very excited.Auntie"I was so excited that children are going to come after so many days. Finally we were having some guest." Mom"The way he treated us,if he continue treating people. It will be hard to get any person in this home."After saying this angrily Mom and Papa went inside.Mom and Papa were not at all interested in sitting there. They even wanted to take Smita and Rajan with them. But Auntie forced them to let the children stay. So they finally left alone. Then Auntie showed them their room. When they began to unpack their bags Uncle came there. Uncle"This is lock and key for your cupboards."Rajan"Why do we have to lock our cupboard?""There were many thieves here." "My god!! then how did you stay alone? there was not even a watchman.""Silly boy you shall not trust a watchman. Mostly watchmen were involved in the crime. They kill their employer and get away easily. You can just trust the dogs." Rajan was such fascinated by Uncle's tale that he was not at all hurt when Uncle called him a silly boy.Rajan "Did anyone murdered here?"Uncle was just waiting for this question.He began to tell horrifying tales to him. Smita also liked his tales and slowly she began to think that her Uncle was a nice man.
Then finally he told them not to open the door and not pick up a phone and he left the room. Rajan "Uncle is very interesting man.I really like him." "Don't he scared you with those stories?" "Not at all.Why shall I be scared when Uncle had a gun." "Gun?!!""Of course!! don't you see the gun in his pant?" Smita was very scared to hear this.Why did a person need a gun?But she didn't want to ask Auntie anything about it because it would be embarrassing to her as well as to her Auntie.She decided to just wait and watch.Then Auntie came to their room.A small girl entered with her.She was hiding behind her. Auntie"Shruti don't be afraid those are your cousins." But Shruti seemed to be too scared to come out. Then Smita suddenly remembered the big doll given by Mom. At that time she was shocked learn that she had a small cousin whom she had never met.Smita went near her and gave her the doll. She smiled very sweetly.Her sweet smile touched their heart. Suddenly Rajan took out his favorite toy and gave it to her.She was on top of the world after so many gifts. Smita"Can you sleep with us?"Rajan"That's great idea!we can play all the night." Auntie"But you must sleep at night." Smita"Auntie!! just for one night. Please it's vacation after all." Shruti"Mama please!!" After Shruti's request Auntie just couldn't say no to them."But I first have to ask your Uncle."Then they went down stairs. They all sat on table for dinner.
On the dinner Auntie slowly brought the issue of letting Shruti spend the night with Smita and Rajan. Uncle"Why did they want to do that?little kids were just trouble for their elder brother and sister."Smita was very angry after this statement.Smita"I am not agree with you.I love my brother." "O really!May be your doing this just to get your share of property easily?""What?"Smita and Rajan received shock of lifetime after hearing this.Auntie"Will you stop it?she has just passed her 10th standard and don't think there were going to be property issue with them." "Ya.Not until they got big enough." Shruti was confused and scared so she just could not eat any food. When Uncle noticed it. He started scolding her claiming that she was doing it to make him feel guilty so that he would give her the doll.She always wanted. Shruti"But I already had a doll."After hearing her Uncle was very angry. He was about to slap her,when Auntie came between them and ordered Shruti to go to her room.Shruti"Mama I want to sleep with them." Uncle"You are not going to sleep with them." At first Smita was about to argue.But then she thought talking sweetly would be good for situation.Smita" Uncle can I say something?" "Go ahead.""I knew that Shruti has done a mistake,but if she says sorry to you will you forgive her.After all she is a small child. At night I will tell her she is not suppose to answer back like this." First time Uncle smiled and it became clear that now on Smita will be always on his good books. Uncle"I must say your sister raised her daughter very nicely. You can always learn it from her.I think this girl is going to creat good impression on her.I think Shruti can stay with her until she went back to her home." After observing her sister's success Rajan decided to follow the lead. Rajan"And we will locked all cupboards and windows.We don't let come any stranger near the house. My Mom always says that you must not trust any stranger." Now Uncle was on top of the world."Such nice kids. Shruti come beta sit with them." After that dinner suddenly turned into nice festival and Shruti was very happy with that change.Smita learned one lesson today that she must not say anything directly against her Uncle or she would be in biggest mess.But she had to find a way with which she could change him and also reason of his fear.It was a challenge but Smita loved challenges.
After that Uncle many times came to their room,he checked that all windows were locked properly. But they felt that he wanted to ask something. After sometime he finally asked them "Smita why did you decide to come here? Did your Mom or Papa insisted?" Before asking that question he had made sure that Rajan and Shruti were playing and not paying any attention to them. Smita could feel that Uncle was beginning to trust her.She decided to go by honest way. Smita"Actually Mom was against of sending us here. She thinks that you don't like visitors. But I was bored by visiting Uncle every time so I insisted that I will come here finally. Papa forced Mom to do it."Uncle looked satisfied with answer.Uncle"I normally don't like visitors.But you and your brother are like family so you are always welcomed here." "Thank you Uncle." After this conversation Uncle finally left them alone. Rajan"What happened?" Smita" I think Uncle was suspicious about us." "But why?" Shruti"Papa always suspect everyone.""But why?""I don't know. He always keep a gun with himself to protect us." "From whom? Does your father receiving some kind of threats?" Smita"Rajan, Don't ask her such questions. She is just a small girl.""Sorry!!""Once one neighbour came to our house and he threatened us that if Papa didn't stop harassing him.He would take the revenge.""Ok.so he is afraid that may be your neighbour will try to take revenge." "Our servant was also fishy." "What?" "Papa was telling Mom that she was looking under table for some clues." "What clues?" "I think the neighbour must have send her." Smita was very thrilled by these talks. She was started planning a nice investigation on their neighbourhood.
Next morning they all acted normally. But as soon as their breakfast was finished.They all run towards the garden.But there were big compound walls around the garden so they could not see anything.Then they found the idea. They decided to climb on tree.At beginning it was hard.But finally they managed to climb it.After reaching there they started looking inside their house. At first they saw a woman was cooking the they saw a man was coming there. All felt normal by just looking at them. But they could feel that something was wrong with the neighbours.They were doing it for many day.One day they received the shock. They saw that Uncle was coming in their direction.When Uncle came near them. He ordered them to come down. Uncle"What are you doing there?"Smita"Nothing much."Uncle was very angry with them.His face was turned red with anger.His hands were also shaking.For some seconds Smita thought he was going to kill them with gun.But suddenly Shruti interfered."Papa we were keeping watch on neighbour's." Then Uncle was very happy."So you are going to help me against him. I saw that goodness in you from first day only." Then he told them all to sit near him and started telling his story."You are Auntie never listen to me.This man was bad from the beginning.When he came to meet us,he said hallo in strange way.They slowly I began to notice that unnecessarily he parked his car near my gate.You know he had some strange motives.I think he was keeping watch on us.When I went to ask about his motives.He started blaming me about spying on him.Now tell me.If some one acted suspiciously, you must keep little bit of watch on him so he threatened me.But now with your help.I will catch him." They all were very happy to help their Uncle and find the criminal neighbour.
Through out the vacation they kept watch on the neighbour.But at one time they suddenly saw that the man slapped his wife.They all got down and told Uncle about it.Uncle"I think he is planning to kill her.He must be having affair with that lady who brought him red roses yesterday.I think we should make a call to police."Smita"But we don't have any proof."Rajan"Well, I think finding proof is job of police not our."Uncle"Rajan is saying right thing.We should make a blank call to police and put that person in jail."When Uncle left them,Shruti said slowly" I don't believe Papa.I think we must talk to Mom."Smita really didn't like the idea either.She suddenly began to think that some thing was strange with her Uncle.But Rajan was already too convinced with Uncle's idea so there was no way to make him listen to her.She saw that fight and wife also hit the husband with her hands so it was two way affair.Smita decided to bring this matter in Auntie's attention.Auntie was shocked to hear it."You are telling me that you are looking in the neighbour's house all days.""Yes.""How disgusting !!Smita don't you know that looking in other's house is crime.Those husband and wife always quarreled with each other.But that was their personal matter.That wife told on first day that we should not interfere in her matters.She is an educated woman.She can go to police.If she wanted to do it.You can also see it clearly that she never spares her husband.She also hit him so we shall not going to interfere."Smita"Sorry Auntie.""Tomorrow you are going home and Shruti was also joining your school." "What?But Why?" Smita could clearly see tears in her Auntie's eyes.Auntie"You are Uncle is suffering by Paranoid Personality Disorder. In this disorder a person began to suspect everyone.You know some times he even suspects his daughter and wife and after what you told me.I had began to suspect that it may effect Shruti also.If she continues to believe him. You saw that Rajan and Shruti were encouraged by his ideas.Slowly after treatment your Uncle will be fine.""No Auntie Shruti didn't believe him.""I am so relieved.But look at Rajan.Uncle is having wrong effect on him. After all Shruti needed to meet other people and your Uncle is not ready for it.""Ok Auntie.But why did this happened to Uncle?""May be.Genetic.""Then Shruti also...""No.Your Uncle have many brothers and sisters.They didn't suffer from it.It was just bad luck."After that next morning they all went back with Shruti. Every vacation they came their with Shruti.Every time they saw the improvements. Finally Uncle's fantasies turned in to only stories in Uncle's eyes also.Now they just laughed at his suspicions.
The End
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