Ss The Mansion ch4 updtd pg9. the end

The mansion

He had never expected the weather to get worse. It rained on his way to the said mansion. He had to take a look and finalize the deal. His sister and mother had bragged and bragged about the mansion. It was a dream for him to own one. He had heard about it from one of his friends few months back when he discussed with him about his desire to buy one. Raman did offer to go with him but he had declined. He needed to look for himself with out any one's interruption. He needed to find out if he really wanted the building.

Raman had called the caretaker informing his visit and to clean the place.

Jai drove his car tearing the mud path to take a short cut to escape the traffic. His pearl white car was bathed in mud. It took him an hour and a half to reach the place. He brought the vehicle to a screeching halt before the huge iron gate. Jai Walia sat in his car and looked at the mansion. The view was breath taking. It was a two storey building. .Huge walls protected the mansion from out side world. He sat in his car and stared. There was something about it. He couldn't place what actually it was. There was a nagging feeling with in him; he opened the door taking an umbrella from the backseat getting wet in the process. He opened the umbrella and pushed the Iron Gate kicking himself for not honking the car for the caretaker to open the gate for him. He pushed opened the gate walked briskly to the porch and rang the bell.

Jai waited patiently for the door to open. It took five whole minutes to hear hurried foot steps. The door opened and a middle aged man looked at him apologetically.

'Sorry Sabh I was in the kitchen ''

'It's alright '.' Jai put the umbrella at the side and walked in. he looked around the house carrying the same unidentified feeling. There was something about this house.

He did like what he saw. There were paintings hanging on the wall. He had noticed most of the paintings were of scenery. The caretaker took him upstairs where Jai noticed a painting of a handsome brown horse. He walked towards it and ran his hand through the painting a tremor ran through him. He snatched his hand away. The care taker looked at him surprised and Jai shrugged his shoulders. He looked at the painting before moving to a corridor that leads to the bedrooms.

'What do you think about it sabh?' asked the man.

Jai smiled.

'You liked the house?'

'Mmm' a little changes here and there it would be perfect'.' He thought loudly.

The caretaker smiled showing all his teeth.

'Shall I bring tea for you sir?'

'Yes.. and you can arrange dinner for me too I'll spent the night here..'

The caretaker looked at him surprised.

'Shall I call Raman ji and inform him?'

'No.. I'll do that work and by the way what's your name?'

'Kishen' I'll get your tea' shall I get your things from the car''

''I'll get the car I had parked it out side.. I'll take care thanks Kishen ji..'

Kishen flashed him a brilliant smile. On his way to the kitchen Kishen wondered if this man would give him a job here as a care taker''.

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Jai looked at the room Kishen had made. The man ran from one place to the other to please Jai. He had brought fresh sheets switched on the water heater in the toilet and ran back to the kitchen asking what he would like to have for dinner.

He opened the window the rain had stopped a cool wind swept him. He took his tea cup and sipped looking out of the window. The view was breath taking. 'Why would they want to sell the place thought Jai? Jai suddenly felt being watched. He turned immediately to find no one in the room. He put the tea cup and walked to the bathroom to freshen up.

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Kishen had arranged a sumptuous dinner for Jai. Jai was pleased with the man. Jai commented on the food later and went to retire in his room.

The rain had started jai went to shut the window he pulled the window and put on the latch. He sat on the bed and looked around the room. The wall was adorned again with a painting. It was indeed scenery faded by time. He got from the bed and stood before it. It did look like a back yard of the same mansion, the lawn looked mowed and the painter had sketched a horse the same one he had seen in previous painting and silhouette of a girl. He stared at the painting there was something familiar about it. He felt the same sensation again. There was something about this house. There was a pull.. He again felt someone's gaze was boring at his back. He turned instantly to find him alone in the room. Beads of perspiration formed on his forehead. Jai looked around the room. He suddenly felt cold. With confused thought he sat on the bed.

Jai switched off the lamp

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He took his canvas and paints and started on his work. He always loved nature. He sketched looking from time to time to take a look at the view before him. His attention was caught at the sight of his horse and her. He quickly sketched them and put the painting brush aside taking a long stride he stood before them she was busy complaining to the horse'.

'What are you feeding his ears with'? He asked startling her.

He watched her face grow pink with fascination.

'Hmm so what were you saying to him?' he asked running his hand on his horse. The horse acknowledged him. He patted the animal and returned his attention on the girl who was looking at him shyly.

'Tell me.. Come on if you can talk nine to the dozen to Bahadur you can tell me as well'.' He said looking intently at her.

Her face grew even pinker. She shook her head and turned on her heels..

'Don't do this yaar' tell me..' he said grabbing her hand in his hand.

She stood worriedly at his touch on her and turned with pleading eyes.

'Let me go''

He shook his head in denial.

'Please''

'Nope'' he said pulling her closer to him.

'Please.. let me go' didi will be here any moment''

'Let her be..' he teased with mischief.

She looked at him with horror.

He left her hand and looked at her thoughtfully.

'Why are you scared of her?'

'She knows that I'' she said looking away from his piercing glance.

'That you..' he repeated.

She bit her lips.

The seriousness left him and the smile returned.

'That you love Ajay Wadia'.'

Her face turned beetroot red.

He laughed throatily. She turned on her heels and fled.

'Hey'.'

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Jai got up startled from his bed.

What was that? Who was that girl? He switched on the lamp and looked around him. His gaze fell on the painting and he looked at it startled.

The whole dream felt strange to him. He threw away the blanket and got up from the bed. He walked to the table and gulped down water Kishen had left for him. He returned to bed and looked at the time it was 1past 30. The sleep was nowhere near. He tossed and turned on the bed thinking about the strange dream.

Jai drifted off to sleep couple of hours later.

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He walked to his father's room with determination. No more putting off the subject. This was his life and there is no life with out the girl he loves.

He knocked on the door and went in.

A man in his late fifties sat behind the table wearing a turban and black suite. He motioned him to come forward.

He looked at the older man with respect. He moved towards him and looked at him.

'So what have you got to say about it?' he asked in his deep baritone.

It took him few seconds to gather his courage to look at the older man and defy him.

'I would like to spend my life with Vani Pita Ji'. I love her.'

'Quiet son ' you do know what you are talking about? I have given word to Maya Devi that you will marry her first daughter Meenu''

The young man shook his head in protest. 'I am sorry to disappoint you''

'Ajay..' Screamed his father.

'You will do as I say.. no one dare question f my decision .. you will Marry Meenu''

'No'' said the younger man with finality.

His father Yashpal Wadia stared at him in disbelief. Was his son rebelling against him?

'What is wrong with Meenu? Is she not beautiful?' he asked softening little.

'She is.. But I don't love her.'

'What does love got to do with?' he asked with sarcasm.

'Everything'. I want to spend my life with the woman I want to marry'' he said not yielding.

'Vani is her younger sister son.. How can we? I have given her mother my word.

Said the older man looking at his son with desperation. Ajay was his weakness but that doesn't mean he can defy his own father. In his adult years Yashpal Wadia had never gone back on his words and he did not have any intention to go back now either even if it was for his son.

'You will obey my Order Ajay you will marry Meenu''

Before his father could finish his orders he interrupted.

'I am sorry to disappoint you Pita Ji.. if I marry it will be Vani..' he turned on his heels and left the room.

Ajay stopped on his track as he saw Vani watch him walk down the stairs to his room. He stopped on his track at the sight of her and walked towards her.

She looked at him approach her worriedly. Before he could reach her she turned on her heels.

He strode quickly and caught her hand.

'Where are you running off?'

'Leave me' please.. some one will see..' she said softly trying to free her hands from him.

'Let them see Vani I want every one to know you are mine' come with me.. I need to talk to you..' he propelled her to his room.

'Not in there.. I am scared not in your room'' she said pleadingly.

'I'll not eat you Vani.. come with me..'

'Some one will see'' she protested screening the place.

My God .. Vani you are impossible how could I have fallen for this darpoke?' he grimaced leaving her hand.

She looked at him guiltily.

Okay' now don't give me those looks as it is you are driving me crazy'. Come I need to talk and it's important..'

Vani' half heartedly nodded and followed him to his room screening the place.

Ajay looked at her and shook his head in desperation. He reached his door opened with one hand and pulled her in.