Happy Father's day

‘I want that toy.’, I shouted.

The strong hand holding me pulled me away from the shop. I was afraid of his fierce eyes. One look from them, made me squirm always. I was silent.

At the age of 7, I was an obedient child. I did not have options anyways.

The helicopter buzzed in the distance.
*************************************************************************************
‘Dad, I want a Street Hawk cycle.’, I demanded.

‘What is the need?’, he shot back.

‘All my school friends have. I have tuitions and I have to walk so much.’, I tried my best to reason.

‘So? Didn’t we at this age walked for miles? Your generation just wants everything served on the plate. No, no cycle. Walk’, and he returned to his paper.

The feelings of hate had started to develop. What kind of father he was? I slammed my door and shut myself.’

*************************************************************************************

‘Dad, I want a bike. All my friends in the college have one. I feel so ashamed to sit behind them or come by bus’, I was trying in vain.

‘When you have proper connectivity to your college, market etc., why do you want a bike? We are not staying in a remote area.’, his usual reasoning came up.

The hate had transformed into anger now over the years.

‘You know what, you are a miser, a cold hearted father, who never ever has given me things I wanted. I hate you dad, I hate you for everything.’

He kept silent.

*************************************************************************************

I studied harder in my college, did part time jobs, accumulated money. I wanted to show him that I can earn more money than him, can buy whatever I want, anytime I want.

My interactions with my father decreased. I moved in a hostel with my money from the job. Bought a bike on EMI.



I got a scholarship to study abroad. I went home once to get his blessings. I knew he was jealous that his son could do what he could not. I felt victorious.

*************************************************************************************

I married Claire. I told him on phone. His reply was dry as usual. He asked me why did I bother to call when I had already married?

It was funny to see him like that. I knew he could not interfere with my life. anymore.
*************************************************************************************

I was under severe debt. The recession had hit me bad. All my savings, my house was mortgaged. I was in a bad state.

The telephone rang. My father was admitted in a hospital.

Being a son, I had to go. But I had an interview at my company.

We were being interviewed to prove if we were still fit for the company. I was unfit. Unemployed.

************************************************************************************

He did not survive. He died a day before I reached. I was not sure if I should be sad or not.

I performed the last rites.

His lawyer came up to me and handed me his will.

He had left everything, his house, his savings for his only son – that was me. He had two houses which I was not aware of. It was for me. He had bought a piece of land. It was for me. He had lots of cash , his hard work, in the bank. It was for me.

A small envelope was there. It had my father’s writing – ‘Son, whatever I earned, was always for you. I did not give you a helicopter because I wanted you to soar high by yourself. I did not give you a cycle so that you can appreciate the hard work. I did not get you a bike so that you could understand the value of self sufficiency. I always loved you my son and I would have loved if for once you could have come with my daughter in law. I do not know if I will live to see you again, but I am leaving enough money for you to live happily for the rest of your life. I know you are having a bad time there and this should help you a lot, love Dad’



I was not sure if I should be sad or not.

*************************************************************************************

Dads, never show their love as mothers do. They keep silent, watch you all the time and feel proud when you exceed their achievements. Remember it was your father who held your hand when you fell, it was he who felt proud when you excelled in your studies and it was he who told his friends that my child has a job. He cries but never in open, he speaks but without a word, his blessings are there without putting a hand.



Go give your father a big HUG . Tell him how much you love him!


** - Edited by Ditipriya C
***** - Not inspired from any other story. Any similarities is purely coincidental.

Ma Kasam..aaj chun chun ke likhunga...

Mother,ma,aai,amma,mummy..the word itself gives an immense relief..the person who stands by you at each step of life..the person who tends to forgive all your mischiefs, all your evils and still maintains that her child is the best..

Dedicated to them, here are 5 top dialogs of Cine Moms and Real moms which we have been listening to time and again -

Cine Moms -

a) Beta, tu aa gaya mere laal? Maine tere liye aaj teri manpasand kheer banayi hai..tujhe bahut pasand hai na..

b) Aaj agar wo/tere pitaji zinda hote to kitne khush hote....

c) Kya isi din ke liye tujhe maine paal pos ke bada kia??

d) Ek tu hai..bilkul apne pitaji ki tarah..aur ek wo tera nikamma bhai..kisi ki nahi sunta..

e) Bas bete ab jaldi se ek sundar si bahu la de mere liye..

Real moms -

a) Khaana thik se kha raha/hi hai ki nahi? (if child is stationed outside)

b) 10 baj gaye hai..abhi tak so kyun raha/rahi hai?

c) Kab nahayega/gi...mere ko aur kaam hai ki nahi..ya tere peeche hi chillati rahun?

d) Isko cricket ke alwaa kuch soojhta hi nahi..saara din bas cricket cricket cricket...

e) Thoda khana banana seekh..kya khilayegi pati ko..raam jaane kya hoga is ladki ka?

There are many more such gems...which you guys can add up..just felt like jotting them down :D :D..

The shades of Life

The different shades of life take us through a roller coaster ride. As Danny saw a roller coaster, he felt his life rewinding back to 40 minutes earlier. After all his life had been a roller coaster since then.

40 minutes earlier –

Danny parked the car in his garage. The car was totally serviced. He was feeling very happy today. It was their anniversary after all. He had brought flowers and chocolates for his wife. He had got a ring to put it on her. She would be so glad.

He knocked at the door. No response. He knocked again. Pressed the bell. No response.

He pushed the door. The door was open. Silence inside. Everything seemed normal. Except she was not there.

A white note was stuck at the refrigerator –

‘Oh, your lovely dear wife, is so beautiful. If you want to see her then come to the City fair in next 30 minutes. Your time starts now!’.

His eyes were frozen to the note. He clenched his teeth. He didn’t know who had done this. But he knew his wife was in trouble. A fear ran through his spine. The first time. He tore the note to pieces.
He realized he had no time. He rushed to the garage.

25 minutes earlier –

He was rushing through the city. Signals, cops did not matter today. He never thought he would see such a day. The cell phone beeped.
The message said – ‘ In the fair, a gift awaits you at the Russell Popcorn shop. Tell the boy - your name.’
He looked at the number. He called back. Beep beep! No response. He tried again. No response. He threw the cell out.
Damn it!
He accelerated. He was going mad. The game had begun. He was the mouse.

5 minutes earlier –

He had taken the gift. It was a box. Something oozed out of the box. Blood. His forehead was sweaty. He looked all around. He could see smiling faces. Faces smiling at him. Everyone seemed to be a culprit there.
He opened the box. His hands were shaking. A finger lay in the box. It was hers. It was hers. The pink nail paint was still there.
His eyes were bloodshot now. He would have torn apart the culprit. He searched for the person frantically. But no hope. He looked at the diamond ring again.

He was tired. But the flames of revenge kept on raging within. He carefully took out the note, kept under the finger.

‘Go to the roller coaster. There is an adjacent building. Climb to the roof top. A gun is hidden under the black septic tank. Take it. You know how to use it, don’t you? On the western side of the roof, your target is tied up. Take an aim and shoot it. Your wife will be back home if you complete your assignment. All the best’

He threw the paper away.

He didn’t have a chance. His wife was his life. He had to do it.

Now –

Danny looked at the roller coaster. He saw the building. He rushed to the top. It was empty and dilapidated. The stairs creaked as he ran to save his wife.
The roof was a big one. Broken furniture, sacks, stones was the order. He looked for the tank. There it was. The gun lay wrapped in a polythene bag. Two bullets. He loaded the gun.
It was not a time for remorse. He never had ever anyways.

He looked around now. No one seemed to be there. Where was the target?
Wait, something is moving there. What is it? It’s someone. It is alive. His target was right in front of him.

He hesitated for some moments. He never hesitated before. Was it her wife? No! This cannot be true. The message said his wife would be back home safe.
He looked around. He didn’t care who the target was. He wanted his wife. He will find out who is doing this to him and tear him with bare hands.

He took aim and shot. The figure moved for some time. Then it was silent.

He turned around and wanted to go back home. Wait. Who was it? He went back to the body.
The rope was untied. The body slumped to the floor.

He could not feel anything. The whole world seemed to have stopped. He was short of words. A slight gasp escaped his mouth. He wanted to scream but he could not. His head was bursting.

His wife lay on the floor.

There was a loud bang on the door. ‘Down with your gun’, the cops shouted from behind. He knew he had no chance.


‘ The police today captured Danny after a frantic lookout for more than two years. Danny, a psychopath, was wanted for over 23 murders in the city. He would murder people and cut their fingers to keep them as a memorabilia. The police got a tip from an unknown caller. Danny was caught on the roof of a building situated amidst the Company grounds. The City fair is being currently held there. Danny was trying to kill his wife. His wife was found unconscious and had a finger cut. The finger was retrieved from Danny’s possession. Danny might face a trial in few days and his hope of staying alive is very slim.’

***********************************************************************************

Danny was sitting in his cell. Staring at the wall. A policeman came in and handed him an envelope.

‘Hello Danny’ – the envelope said. Danny opened up the contents. The content had two pictures, the same diamond ring and a letter. He opened the envelope-

‘I know you might be thinking how did you get caught since you always thought yourself to be smart and clever. I was on your case for the past 2 years and I must admit that you certainly did not leave any clues or hints whatsoever for me to follow you. You could have been a free man even now if you had not entered that house 10 days ago. You found a girl, happily playing the piano and waiting for her husband. You slit her throat from behind, cut her finger and took off with the ring. The ring, which was given so fondly by her husband. You killed my beautiful wife , Danny. You made me your worst enemy. But you had no remorse, you had no conscience. For you it was just another murder. For me it was end of life. But I wanted you to catch you. I wanted to make you go through the pain, the feeling when our near or dear ones go missing. I wanted you to die but not before you understood what death actually meant.

You dropped your car servicing center card at my home. Maybe it was fate against you for the first time and how fatal did it prove for you. It did not take me more than a day to track you down. For the next few days, I kept a watch on you and your house. I was surprised to see that you had a wife. I thought of a plan for my revenge. It did not take me much time to abduct your wife and leave the note for you.
I was watching every expression, every action of yours. You felt helpless, pained and distraught just like your victims. You thought you controlled your life, their lives. You thought you were a GOD. This time, you had nothing but your misery. This time you lost.

Your wife is fine and recovering from the bleeding because of the finger injury. The gun had false shots equipped with tranquilizers. She would be fine and I will ensure she does not have to struggle in life. There has to be a difference between a human and an animal like you. There are a few gifts with this letter to remind you of your sins. Had to put in some effort to get them though.

Rot in Hell, Danny!

Your friend.’

Danny kept silent. He looked at the photos – one had he and his wife smiling at a beach, another had his wife sleeping in the hospital. The ring shone in the darkness.

He looked up and closed his eyes. The roller coaster had stopped.

2011 # Story5 - The Love Game

'Do you love me?’ she asked with the naughtiness I was so familiar with.

I did not say it as was my usual technique to irritate her and looked at the other direction. The game had started.

'My sweetheart, my love, please say that you love me? Please na!’ she made her 'I am so sad' face again which was one of those weapons I initially could not oppose to. However, with time, I had managed to overcome this weakness of mine.

I just gave a smile. She loved that smile of mine. And it was my weapon!

She looked at me for some time. Her eyes were so beautiful. The first time I saw her in the city mall, I could not just take my eyes off her.

'Now this is being stubborn. Why do you do this to me? What is the harm if you say it once that you love me? Is it so hard to utter 3 simple words for your beloved? I am not talking to you. Huh!’ she tried her second weapon of 'mock anger'.

I winked at her. She gave me a nudge. A hug couple of seconds later. A peck on my cheek.
Those old tricks of hers.

This was almost the daily routine for us. She would suddenly come to me and ask me to profess my love to her and I being the adamant guy of all time would not do it. She would try every trick in the Girl’s book to make me say those words and to give her a fair credit, she did manage to do it almost every time. It was our favorite game before marriage and we still continued with it. I must admit she won almost every day.

At the end of the day, whoever lost had to give a surprise, big or small, to the winner. Childish it was, but we had our own personal happiness attached to it.

'Ok wait, I will get your coffee now and then mister, I shall see who wins today? Ok?’ she ran into the kitchen.

I wanted her to win today. I so wanted her to win every single day.

Tears rolled from her eyes, as she made the coffee in the kitchen. She muttered to herself ' Why do you have to win like this Sid? If you had asked once, just once, I would have lost to you every single day. For once, Sid, please speak. For me. For our family. For our love.’

It had been 2 years post that accident, since I lost my voice. Every single day she tried to make me speak. I was the unspoken winner since then.

To the 3 greatest forms of woman!

The fever –

The temperature had risen to 104 degrees. My whole body was aching with the fever. I was shivering in cold. My lips were dry. Everything around seemed to be a blur. My father was pacing up and down in the hall. Suddenly, he ran to the telephone and dialed up another doctor’s number which he had just remembered. Engaged. Engaged. Engaged. He looked at me with disappointment. He suddenly rushed out of the house in heavy rain. I was alone now and terrified.

I closed my eyes in pain and a drop of tear trickled down. I asked God for some mercy. I could no longer sustain the pain. I do not remember how long I winced in that situation.

A soft click of the door and could hear faint footsteps.
A hand appeared. A wet cloth was placed on my forehead. A kiss on my cheek. My eyes closed and I was lost in deep slumber.

I opened up my eyes the next morning. The fever was gone. So was the pain. The lady, whom my father had divorced, was still sitting beside me. She hadn’t slept the whole night. My mother still loved me!


The gift –

’25,000’, my sister was shouting. She had received a gift cheque of Rs. 25000 from the university because she had topped it. Blah! She was always the studious one. She was ugly and I didn’t like her at all. She had big fat glasses. She was fat. My friends made fun of her.

‘Mom, Dad, Raju, I topped yes! I am going to put this in the bank now. This will be for my masters in the XYZ college. I am so happy!’, she was dancing around. Dad just smiled. Mom gave me a look ‘look at your sis!’. I hated her to the core.

‘I want a X box’, I demanded to my parents. Mother gave me a stern look. We belonged to a middle class family where chocolates were like cakes and a chicken dish at home was like eating at a five star. But being the apple of their eye, I had always made my parents give in to my demands. Not this time though!‘Raju, you would not get it and that is final’, my dad scolded. I gave a grumpy look. My sister eating an ice cream, could just show a tongue. I hated her the most.

‘Happy birthday, beta’, my mother shouted in my ears as I opened up my eyes. ‘Get ready, we are going for a picnic with Ramola Aunty’, she shouted again. Aah! Birthday mom, its mine! Should have let me sleep. My sister came in. Not today you fatso! ‘Happy birthday bro!’, she came ahead to kiss me. ‘Yeah yeah ok!Thanks’ and I rushed to the bathroom.

A package lay on my bed. I jumped on it! Opened it! Xbox! Wow! Mom Dad I love you! I was dancing around!

The small card lay on the ground being stomped by my feet – ‘Happy birthday brother, your loving sister’!

The crash
–

‘Give me a call when your reach ok? I will be worried otherwise’, she spoke with her usual worried tone.
‘Yes love! Now let me board the plane. India is hot!’, I managed to blurt out some words in the crowd. Bus, train or plane, we the Indians treated every transport the same. Jostling and bustling.
‘Ok listen, there is a snowstorm ahead today at LA. So please be careful and take a cab from the airport only. You never know about the behavior of these goras against us!’ she said. I loved her for all this.
‘Yes my sweetheart, I will. Ok need to disconnect now as boarding the plane. Cya soon and love you!, I gave a kiss and put the phone in the bag.

Some time in your life, there comes a day when nothing goes right. Absolutely nothing.

The plane could not take off because it developed a technical snag. Shoot! We were rushed into a lounge and asked to wait. Another plane was scheduled in hour. The TV blared ‘US is expecting a snow storm anytime.’. I managed to call my wife and updated her.

The plane took off. I was now missing her badly. I looked at the wrist watch. It was given by her. It beeped ‘Love you Sid’ every time you touched it. Girly, but full of love. It had been a year since I came to India for my business. And she stood like a pillar all the time when it wasn’t going well for my business in the US of A. I had clinched a multi -million deal now and it was time for celebration with my love.

‘Ladies and Gentleman, we are experiencing very bad weather and visibility at the airport is zero. We are experiencing….’, the pilot’s voice faded out. I could see the faint lights of the city from the window. There was a sharp noise, the engine sputtered . Darkness. The beautiful city was now rushing to us at a breakneck speed. There were shouts. The air hostesses were screaming to be normal. My heart had stopped. I took my wrist watch and kissed it. Her face appeared in front of me. I could now see the ground clearly. Boom! Ear splitting noise. I was surrounded by flames. I passed out.

Darkness. I could not feel my legs. I could not see anything. I could hear faint noises somewhere far. I could smell burning wires and bodies. I tried to move my head without any success. I was trapped in this debris. I was alive but dead for the world outside. I tried to shout. Was my tongue cut? Was I dead?
I pressed something in my hand.

‘Love you Sid’, ‘Love you Sid’, ’Love you Sid’, it beeped. I did it again. It beeped. I did it again. I wanted to be out. I was not dead. Can you hear me? I am not dead. ‘Love you Sid’, it kept on beeping.

A bright light blinded my eyes. ‘Sidddddddddddddddd’, the familiar voice shouted. ‘Please help him, please. Oh My god! Please!’ someone was shouting. Was it her? I could hear couple of radios burring ‘we got a survivor here, we got a survivor here’. ‘Siddddddddddddddddd’. Who was that?

They took me out in a couple of hours. My leg was smashed and I had a broken neck with 30 % burns. Yet, I was alive. Because of the watch? Because of my love? Because of her, who heard that beep when everything around was dead? She, who drove over 200 miles in that snowstorm? She who believed that I was alive? She who brought those medics and cops once again, 22 hours later after the search party was gone?

She gave a smile. I could not have died. She was my life and she was still there. With me, for me!

The Fall

He looked around. The city was looking beautiful. He looked down. The river below was deep and enormous. There he was standing at the edge. It was tough but he knew it was for once and all.

He prayed to God, remembered his wife and children and with one big sigh, jumped off. He could see the river fast approaching, ready to take him inside and then inches before, with one big jerk he was pulled back.











'Bungee jumping is awesome, shall do it again' , he thought as he smiled!

2011- Story #4 - The Assasin

The footsteps were getting closer. He ran for his life through the dark alleys. The shadows behind him were closing upon him.
His whole body was cracking and he gasped for breath. He hid behind the garbage bin.

The road was dimly lit. He could see no one but he knew the moment he moved he would be chased. His action, his movements were being watched.

The mafia knew he had betrayed them for his girlfriend. All he wanted was a good life now but they would not let him live with their secrets.

He gulped, his eyes darting from one place to another, trying to look through the darkness. He could see no one. Not a soul moved. A dog howled somewhere.

He looked at his pistol. Just one bullet left. He remembered hiding his gun in the garden. His house was now around a couple of blocks from here.

He checked his watch. 11.35 pm. He had to reach his house. How? His mind was thinking furiously.

He could hear footsteps closing in. No, wait. They are going back. A weak smile appeared on his lips. He peeped from the corner of the bin.

They were getting into the car. The car moved. Wait, are they going towards his house?

This sudden thought made him leap forward and rush towards his house. He used the shadows and the trees to cover him. He had to reach there before they did. It was his only safe place. He was the boss there.

His house was immersed in darkness. He had to get to his gun. He looked around. No one could be seen. The neighborhood was quiet.

He crept from the side entrance and entered the garden. Where did he hide the gun? Of course, below the tulips. His hands went digging furiously. He stopped to look around. Still no one.

Ah, there it is. The gun was in his hands now. He slowly checked it. Loaded. ‘Come you bastards! You are going to hell faster than I am’.

He cautiously moved to the main door. The keys, yes the keys are below the mat. He slowly opened the door and went inside.

It was pitch dark inside in the main hall. He looked through the window. No one was there. Wait, who is that? He could see the car stationed.

Alas, He could not see the figure stealthily moving behind him.

'Anthony', a growl came from behind. He looked around, just in time, to see a gun aimed towards him. More shadows moved in from behind.

‘Shit, they are in!’ a thought flashed seconds before he went berserk.

His gun roared in the dark. It was as if the Devil himself had stationed in him. He did not stop until the last bullet was fired. 'Damn you guys, go to Hell and burn, hahahahahaa'! He stood there like a maniac.

Silence.

He kicked the body with contempt and made his way to the main switch.

The hall was spluttered with blood. Bodies in Cops, gangsters and pirates dresses lay dead with brains splattered and guts spilt.

Roselyn's body in the Police costume lay at his feet. The toy gun seemed to blurt out blood. Her eyes were still. She always loved costume themes for big events.

The 'Happy Birthday Anthony' banner fluttered in the cold wind.

He checked his watch as footsteps appeared at the door.12.05 am!

2011-Story #2 - The Culprits

He was woken up by the loud bang on the door. First, he thought it to be a dream. Then he suddenly realised Ashok was not lying beside him anymore. He rubbed his eyes and looked around.

Bang! The main door creaked. 'Open up', shouted someone.

He was not sure what was happening. He checked his watch. It said 3 pm. 'Who could this be at this hour? And where is this Ashok?’ he thought to himself. And then a fear ran through his body. He muttered ‘No, no this isn’t possible? They cannot know we are here’.

He jumped out of the bed and ran towards the hall.

As he entered the main hall, he saw Ashok peeping through the eye hole.

'Hey, what is happening?’ he asked.

'Shh, do not make a noise', Ashok gestured through his fingers. He looked scared.

'Open the door or we will summon the police, you scoundrels.' 'Bring them out', 'Disgrace to the society', 'Baahar Aaao *****', the shouts increased. The banging continued.

Ashok came running to him and whispered 'Shit, what to do now? They know we are here. We are caught Raj, we are caught. What to do? Think think', the fear in his voice was evident.

'I knew it. I knew it. That dog Shivkesh, I know it is him. He told them about us, he always seemed to be a rogue. We paid him so much but yet. We just should not have trusted him’ Raj gnashed his teeth in anger.

Ashok was now under great stress. The banging increased now. The main door seemed to give away to the incessant blows.

Both Ashok and Raj looked at each other. An escape was impossible.

Raj finally spoke 'We cannot do anything now. Let us open the door. Else this mad crowd might treat us in ways we can’t even think of'.

Ashok tried to say something but Raj was already on his way to the door.

Raj looked at Ashok and gestured 'It is all over'.

'Come on you two, we know you are in there', 'Enough is enough', 'We are going to break the door', the shouts increased.

As Raj opened the door to the hostile Society Committee, Ashok muttered, 'What have we done? It was those two guys who stayed in A2-703, who misbehaved that night. They created a ruckus not us. What did we do? Is it a sin to be a bachelor? Are we not humans or are we not socially acceptable? Where will we go now?'


The despair was drowned in the shouts of 'Bachelors not allowed anymore', 'Get out immediately', 'Disgraceful you young people are'......

The graveyard

The bus was moving at its own sweet speed. The sun was about to set and the whole sky was smattered with orange color. There were not many people sitting now. I hadn’t seen such a brilliant display of colors in a long time. I was coming back from my brother’s house.

Those eyes were staring at me. Those dark blue eyes surrounded by wrinkles. The old man wore a white shirt with dark trousers. They looked worn out. For some reason, he was looking at me continuously. As I noticed, his eyes were dull and lifeless. No one was sitting beside him. No one seemed to notice him even. There were around 15 more passengers and yet this man was looking at me. Suddenly he smiled as if he realized something, and turned around. I heaved a sigh of relief yet was curious as to why was that man doing this.

My stop had come. To my astonishment, I saw the old man getting down with me. The curiosity was aroused even more.

‘Hello sir’, the man called.
I turned around to see. He was walking fast to catch up with me. ‘Hello’, I replied with a forced smile.
‘Sorry, I was just trying to scare you there. But you seem to be a tough nut.’ He flashed his toothless smile.
‘Err, yes I am quite used to scares. Been an avid fan of Hitchcocks and Poes’, don’t know why but I tried to be friendly.
‘I see. I am coming back from my son’s house. Moved in this area yesterday so thought of paying them a visit.’
‘That is good; even I am coming back from my brother’s house.’

We had stopped in front of the graveyard now. The old man, suddenly without a word and with amazing agility, went inside the graveyard. I, now with a strange curiosity, followed him. I certainly wanted to see what else did this man had in store.

The old man now was walking ahead of me and was unusually quiet. He stopped once and looked at me and then started walking again.

‘Most interesting’, I remarked to myself. I was always a sucker of horror and suspense. And to happen in a place like a graveyard was a bonus in itself.

The graveyard was now dark and visibility was poor. A dog howled somewhere. The place had an eerie feeling. One could always feel that ghosts lurked around there. To meet one there wouldn’t have come as a surprise.

After walking through the bushes, we came to an open area, where all one could see was graves. The caretaker’s house was visible on the eastern side. A small light emanated from the hut.
I stopped midway and decided to see the man from there itself. The old man stopped in front of a freshly dug grave. His back now faced towards me.

To my horror, the man suddenly twisted his head in a full circular motion and then moved it again to look at me. Now his head was facing me and his front body on the opposite direction.

Such a sight would have scared the daylights of a person but I had seen worse, though, I admit this was most unusual.

‘I moved in yesterday and tried this today on my wretched son. He apologized for killing me. Liked it?’ he shouted with the same toothless smile as he walked into his grave.

‘Absolutely sir, loved it, will learn it tomorrow for my brother. Welcome to the neighborhood. Nice meeting you’, a smile ran through my lips, as I walked into mine.