The four of them trudged silently down the isolated road to the judge’s cottage. They wrapped their coats tighter around their bodies in a futile attempt to ward off the icy winds from penetrating their bones. Two of her guests had turned down Ramola’s suggestion of hiring Pradhan’s cars to ferry them to the Rhodo Cottage.
‘How far is the judge’s place?’ Sen asked.
‘Not too far. I mostly walk to all the places, but you may not be comfortable walking in the cold.’
‘Don’t underestimate my ability,’ chided the director. ‘I think it will be a rare opportunity to take in the atmosphere of the interesting town. But, of course, you must ask the others about their opinion.’
‘I don’t mind the walk,’ seconded Rohan. ‘It will whip up the appetite.’
‘I don’t enjoy torturing myself,’ said Arif. ‘I will leave the walk to you.’
In the end, a car was hired for those who had no inclination to walk. Arif, Sammy and Ahuja were driven to the venue, while the rest began trudging towards Rhodo Cottage.
Clouds covered the sky blocking the moon that occasionally winked through a break in them. The stars had disappeared behind the dense puffs of gray.
The crisp smell of pines filled the air. Guided by the torchlight, they negotiated their way on the narrow lane flanked by ghostly shadows.
The sound of crunching leaves followed them as they turned into a dirt track which was a shortcut to Rhodo Cottage. An owl hooted from its perch on a tree close to the path. The orchestra of cicadas halted for a moment as the foursome walked into their territory. The light from the torch in Tia’s hand sliced the darkness, illuminating the path before them. The night chill seeped through her jacket and Ramola shivered delicately.
‘A perfect night for a murder,’ whispered Sen. ‘My mind is full of possibilities, each more fanciful than the other.’
‘All we need is a dark hooded figure with a knife,’ said Rohan. ‘I think your next movie should be about a murder, dada. You could shoot the film at Ramsar.’
‘Good idea!’ chirped Ramola. ‘You should cast me in the role of a murderess.’
‘No,’ Sen disagreed with the idea. ‘I don’t like the idea of a beautiful woman as a murderess. If I ever make a murder movie, it will have a man in that role.’
‘Please don’t talk of murders,’ pleaded Tia, her hand clutching the torch tightly. Tendrils of fear curled into his stomach. ‘The setting is creepy enough to make my skin crawl. One more word about murders and I’ll scream.’
‘Here, hold my hand,’ Rohan said to Tia. ‘In fact, why don’t you could cling to me?’
He laughed as the girl crept closer to Sen instead.
‘Dada will not be able to protect you.’
‘Don’t worry, Tia, we have Rohan with us,’ chortled the director. ‘He can handle several goons, single-handedly.’
‘Hey, we look like pall-bearers returning after a funeral. Perk up, guys,’ Ramola tried to cheer them. ‘And please, no talk of murder. We are spooking the poor girl.’
‘It’s your stupid book,’ grumbled Rohan. ‘It has dampened everybody’s spirits. Imagine what it will do when it hits the stands. It doesn’t bother me. I can’t say the same for the others though.’
‘It’s just a book,’ Ramola remarked. ‘Why are you guys giving it so much importance?’
‘It might be just a book for you, but for me it is a road roller that can demolish everything I have achieved,’ Sen muttered. ‘How much of your life are you revealing, Ramola?’ He asked.
‘Does it matter?’
‘Course it does and you know it.’
She let out a deep sigh. ‘It’s quite an extensive coverage of my life. I wish you wouldn’t rake it up repeatedly.’
‘What if we all requested you to drop it? Will you do it?’
‘Drop the book? That’s impossible!’ Ramola seemed aghast at the very suggestion. ‘Tia and I have slogged over it for a long, long time. My publisher assures me that it will be a bestseller. It has the potential of a blockbuster. Suby, maybe you should think of adapting the book into a movie. I am willing to give you the rights provided you cast me in the lead role.’
‘By the way, did you know that Sammy is willing to compensate you for your hard work and subsidize whatever money you could make on the book. He mentioned it to me,’ said Rohan.
‘I think it’s not a bad idea,’ Sen opined. ‘You could make a lot of money.’
‘ It’s not about money. I haven’t written the book for money.’
‘You mean to say that the money is not important.’
‘You guys don’t understand,’ Ramola sounded exasperated. ‘It has been my dream to write the book and you are asking me to drop it.’
‘I suppose the havoc it’s going to wreak upon some people’s lives matters little to you,’ Sen remarked with an ironic smile.
‘It is not meant to ruin anyone’s dreams. As I said before, it is just a book.’
‘I wish you were not so stubborn about it.’
‘Let us not get into an unpleasant discussion. The judge’s cottage is just round the corner,’ Ramola moved ahead to avoid discussing the book.
‘Let’s drop the debate and enjoy the party,’ suggested Rohan, winking at Tia. ‘I’m looking forward to an enjoyable evening.’
Rhodo Cottage, bright, warm and welcoming, was as beautiful as its name suggested. The judge was a keen gardener and it showed as soon as one stepped through the ornate wrought-iron gate. Two Rhododendron trees with bright red flowers flanked the stone-flagged pathway, justifying the name of the cottage. Profusely flowering petunia and cineraria graced the flower beds along with the bright blue blooms of the gaping monkshood plants. On the far side, a gazebo was hugged by sweet pea and nasturtium vines.
Ramola complimented JJ’s green thumb, which was apparent in every inch of the meticulously planned and manicured garden, when the judge appeared at the door to welcome his guests.
‘Thank you, Ramola. You should look at it in daylight,’ said JJ, beaming proudly. He turned to his smiling wife.
‘Welcome to Rhodo Cottage,’ Geeta greeted the group and invited them to come in out of the cold. ‘The rest of your group is already here.’
Attired in a grey suit and a navy blue silk scarf, the colonel was standing near the room heater in the hall. ‘Make yourselves comfortable,’ he greeted. ‘Brrr … it’s nippy today.’
‘I am going to stick by the room heater this evening,’ declared the professor. ‘Winters are a bad time for me. My joints are not as young as yours,’ he explained, wincing with pain.
Tim, who had been chatting with Nick, came forward to meet the guests. ‘You look beautiful, tonight,’ he complimented Ramola. ‘Tia, you look lovely, too,’ he added as an afterthought.
‘Don’t let him flirt with you,’ warned Nick. ‘The guy has a hundred girlfriends all over town. You will be better off with me.’
‘What was that about soldiers having a girlfriend at every station?’ retorted Tia.
‘Don’t let them fool you, Tia. Both these guys are Casanovas,’ laughed Ramola.
‘My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep; the more I give to thee, the more I have, for both are infinite,’ Nikhil recited the lines from Romeo and Juliet, as he went down on his knee and presented a long-stemmed, red rose to Tia.
‘Rise and make not a fool of thyself,’ quipped the girl, nudging him playfully.
‘I feel left out,’ complained the colonel. ‘I thought some girls like experienced men.’
‘I may suffer with painful joints but my heart is still young,’ said the professor.
Uma looked heavenward in mock exasperation and shook her head.
Everyone laughed and Ramola’s book was forgotten for the moment.
‘I’m here to give company to the neglected ones,’ said Arif, helping himself to a canapé. ‘I may appear crusty but I can be good company.’
The colonel stared thoughtfully at the cadaverous man. He had an oversized, balding head and a shrunken frame and it was almost impossible to think of him as an underworld don. Arif looked more like a hen-pecked husband than a criminal. The expensive suit seemed to hang off his frail and sagging shoulders. His hands were pale and slender. His only stress indicator was his habit of cracking his knuckles.
‘Don’t believe a word of what he says. I know for certain that he is bad company. The same, however, can’t be said about me,’ said Sammy. ‘I’m sure Ramola will endorse that.’
The colonel’s eyes swung to the politician. He studied the high-bridged nose, full sensual lips and the deep-set eyes beneath bushy eyebrows. The curly hair had definitely received a lick of an expensive hair-dye. The eyes give him away. Hard and cold – reptilian. Long ago, the colonel had read about the deadly pit-viper’s sixth sense that helped it catch unsuspecting prey. For some strange reason Sammy reminded him of a pit-viper.
On the other hand, Sen, with his long wavy hair, sculpted mouth, arched eyebrows and effeminate figure conveyed an artistic temperament.
‘Charming place,’ remarked Sen. ‘It has a lovely ambience and a positive aura. Do you think the judge would allow me to use his house to shoot my next movie?’
‘What a great idea?’ said Ramola, who had heard Sen’s remark. ‘Don’t forget to cast me in the lead whenever you shoot your movie here. It’ll save you the cost of transporting a heroine from Mumbai.’
‘…and we’ll make guest appearances, free of charge,’ added the colonel. ‘I’m sure JJ and the professor will make an impressive debut. You could even shoot us playing golf.’
‘I’m willing to do my role for free, but Dimwit will want a kilo of the best cuts for a guest appearance,’ Tim chuckled.
Geeta Joshi bustled around offering drinks and snacks. The lady had stocked her kitchen with an inexhaustible supply of food and snacks for the evening. Ramola had offered to send Dinesh and Ganesh to help, but Geeta had refused her offer, saying: ‘Don’t spoil me or you will find me asking for them for every party hosted here, and we have quite a few of them.’
Arif stared moodily at the silhouette of the mountains.
‘The mountains are magnificent, aren’t they?’ said the doc, joining him at the window.
‘They make you feel like retiring from all worldly woes,’ the don sighed. ‘I must be getting old to start thinking of retiring.’
‘Oh no, look at the colonel. He retired at fifty-four. The army likes them young. JJ must be around your age and the professor, too. Ramsar is a wonderful place for retirees.’
‘Perhaps I should follow Ramola’s example and invest in a place here.’
I hope not, the doc was appalled at the thought of having Arif around. Ramsar will turn into a lair for criminals if he lives here.
‘Excuse me, I think JJ needs my help,’ he said and moved away.
Seated in a corner of the room, Ahuja was scratching Dimwit behind the ear. The dog, pleased with the attention, rolled over on to its back and begged for more.
‘You won’t be able to get rid of Dim if you give in to his demands,’ warned Tim.
‘Awww, Dim doesn’t bother me. I love dogs. Unfortunately, my ex-wife hated them. I should think of getting myself one now.’
‘I truly believe that a dog is a man’s best friend. Unlike women, it never abandons or betrays you,’ agreed Tim.
Ramola, who had been chatting with Uma, spread out her hands. ‘Will you read my palm?’ she asked.
‘I don’t know much about palmistry,’ protested the professor’s wife. ‘I am more of an aura and Tarot reader.’
‘That’s not true. The colonel told me that you know palmistry, as well.’
‘I know very little of it.’
‘I will be satisfied with whatever little you predict,’ Ramola insisted.
Uma reached out for the star’s hands and squinted at the lines. ‘I need a magnifying glass to study the lines. My eyesight isn’t very good,’ she mumbled.
‘We have a magnifying glass,’ offered Geeta. ‘Though it’s not very powerful, I think you will be able to see a few lines.’
Tim sidled up to Ramola and whispered. ‘Join me by the alcove once you’re done with the palmistry.’
‘It had better be worth the effort. The colonel is about to teach me a few card tricks,’ she muttered under her breath.
‘It will be,’ he promised. ‘As for tricks, I know a couple of them too.’
‘You’ve got a very strong fate line,’ Uma said, poring over Ramola’s palm with the magnifying glass. ‘It has helped you conquer many setbacks in life. It also shows that you are a self-made person.’
‘That’s absolutely true. I was determined to become an actor, but I had no godfather in the film industry. I had to chart out my own career. What about the life line?’
‘The lifeline is strong. It shows vitality and zest … the line is unbroken until …’ Uma paused, confused. ‘There seems to be a break, though. I will have to study it in daylight. Why don’t you come over to my house after your guests have gone? I have a powerful magnifying glass at home.’
‘So, tell me, do I have a long life or a short one?’
‘The life line is quite strong, but …’
‘It’s alright, I would rather live a short and exciting life rather than a long and boring one. What about my love life?’ asked Ramola, her eyes twinkling with mischief. ‘Is there any chance of a sizzling love affair in my life? I’ve been alone too long.’
‘Your heart line says you fall in love very easily. Is that true?’
‘Absolutely true.’
‘But you fall out of love easily, too. You have had many lovers and relationships but you’ve never been serious about any of them.’
‘That’s no secret,’ laughed Ramola. ‘Everyone knows I’ve had a lot of lovers in my life. All these guys, here this evening, have been my lovers at some stage in my life.’
Smiling at the candid confession, Uma continued, ‘You’re very unpredictable as far as your actions go.’
‘Hmmmmm.’
‘You will have another affair. There is no doubt about that. This one will last until the end of your life.’
‘You can’t say when it will happen?’
‘No, not without a powerful magnifying glass,’ Uma bent her head to the woman’s palm once again. ‘I’ll tell you more when you come to my place.’
‘I’ll come over the day after tomorrow then, will it be convenient if I come at about eleven in the morning?’
‘That should be perfect. We could sit in the lawn and enjoy a cup of tea together. Maybe, we should ask Laila and Geeta to join us, too.’
‘Perfect! I’ll be there,’ promised Ramola. ‘Anything else you can tell me now?’
‘The head line show strength and creativity. You will succeed in whichever art form you want to take up. Acting, painting, singing, dancing, music, you will be good at all of them.’
‘What about writing?’
‘Of course, writing is also a creative hobby.’
‘Are you ladies going to spend the whole night, reading and getting palms read?’ asked JJ. ‘What about us?’
‘You can join us if you wish,’ retorted Ramola.
‘No, no, I have no wish to have my future told. I like the suspense.’
‘Ah, that is another way to look at life,’ replied Uma. ‘All the astrologers and palmists in the world will lose their livelihood if there were more people like you on the planet.’
‘Ramola,’ Uma said worriedly, when the judge had moved to the other end of the room, ‘are you in some kind of trouble?’
‘Trouble? No, not at all. Why?’
‘Have you been threatened lately?’ Uma persisted.
‘Not really … why do you ask?’
‘I sense danger around you. It’s in your aura. Please be careful.’
‘Danger? What sort of danger?’
‘It’s just a hunch. I could be wrong, of course. Nevertheless, there is no harm in being careful.’
Ramola was perplexed. A premonitory chill traced its icy way down her backbone. Her body grew cold at the memory of Arif’s threat. ‘Thanks for the warning, I will be careful,’ she mumbled.
‘Laila,’ the judge called out. ‘You have to sing for us. No excuses tonight.’
Everybody joined him in the request.
‘What should I sing?’
‘Why not sing the one you sang for me during our courtship?’
‘Yes, please sing the same song. It may get you a new admirer,’ the professor said teasingly.
‘Aaj jaane ki zidd na karo,’ Laila’s melodious voice rang out as she sang Fayyaz Hashmi’s famous ghazal in raag Yaman Kalyan.
‘I never knew you sing so well. It is as good as the version sung by Farida Khanum,’ remarked Ramola when the song ended. ‘Perhaps we should have a musical evening at my place soon.’
‘That’s a fantastic idea,’ seconded the colonel. ‘Can we expect an encore of the paprika roast chicken and tiramisu?’
‘You shall certainly have all the paprika roast chicken and tiramisu your heart desires,’ promised Ramola. ‘How about next Saturday?’
‘Why not?’ the colonel replied with enthusiasm. ‘I will announce it right now, so that you don’t back out.’
‘Ladies and gentlemen,’ the colonel clapped his hands to draw everyone’s attention. ‘We will be gathering at Ramola’s place next Saturday for a soirée musicale.’
There was applause at the announcement.
‘I haven’t finished, yet,’ continued the colonel, holding up his hands. ‘There is roast chicken and tiramisu on the menu, too.’
There was louder applause and cheering this time.
‘I will miss it,’ sighed Sammy. ‘I wish I could be there.’
‘Now for the clause in fine print,’ continued the colonel. ‘Since there are no free lunches in life, everyone who attends the party will have to sing.’
‘Uh-oh, so that rules me out because I can’t sing to save my life,’ chuckled the professor.
‘Don’t worry, everyone will make for the hills when I begin singing,’ reassured JJ.
‘I’ll put the two of you towards the end of the evening, after dinner …’ laughed Ramola, ‘…when I want everyone to leave.’
The evening rolled on pleasantly with music, dancing, drinks and jokes.
‘It’s a different world out here,’ Sen commented. ‘Everyone is so transparent. No hidden agendas, no bitter thoughts … so unlike our industry where everyone has an ulterior motive.’
‘Don’t be so sure about that,’ cautioned the judge. ‘We have our own axes to grind as well. To watch us argue, you must attend one of our card sessions. This joker, Acharya, will never accept defeat and the professor who has spent his life warning his students against cheating, is not above cheating in the game.’
‘…and the revered judge, who has served justice all his life, finds nothing wrong in taking a peep at others’ cards,’ retorted the professor.
‘Go easy, Ramola,’ the doc wandered over to her as she poured her second drink. ‘Don’t overshoot your alcohol quota.’
‘This is just my second drink, Doc,’ she protested.
‘Don’t blame me if your blood sugar zooms. You have been partying a lot these days.’
‘Oh Doc, don’t worry. I have taken my shot for the evening, and a larger one, too.’
‘Ramola, are you insane?’ he chided her. ‘You are not supposed to take a larger dose without consulting a doctor. Insulin is not a chocolate or a soft drink that can be taken in whatever quantity you desire. Anyway, let that be your last drink for this evening.’
‘Aye, aye, sir,’ she gave him a mock salute.
Just then Rohan walked up to her. ‘Your diabetes is still not under control?’ he asked.
‘Some things in life are never under control, darling. One’s destiny, for instance,’ she simpered.
‘Speaking of destiny, I think we should give ourselves a second chance.’
‘Who are we to give ourselves a second chance?’ she philosophized. ‘Forget it, Rohan. Whatever was between us died the day you began cheating on me.’
‘I still love you, Ramola. I was stupid and immature. I made mistakes and I’m ready to atone.’
‘No, I’m done with that phase of my life. You were a mistake and I don’t repeat mistakes.’
‘Well, I won’t allow you to flirt with the policeman.’
‘Getting possessive, are we?’ she snapped.
‘I’ve a right to be possessive,’ he asserted with a show of machismo.
‘Yeah, right. But you can flirt with my secretary? Don’t think I haven’t noticed you panting after Tia. So, don’t try to fool me with the atonement bit. There, I’ve said it.’
‘I’ve said it, too. I won’t allow you to flirt with Tim.’
‘What do you intend doing about it, Mr Rohan Sharma? I’m not your chattel.’
‘I’m warning you, Ramola. Careful how you tread.’
‘Alright, I am going to Tim now. Let’s see how you can stop me from flirting with him.’
Throwing a challenging glance over her shoulder, she walked away.
‘Hi, Lara. You seem quite distracted,’ said Tim softly as she subsided into the couch in the alcove beside him.
‘That bloody bastard,’ she gritted through her teeth. ‘He has the nerve to threaten me.’
‘Now, which of the bloody bastards has threatened you?’ laughed Tim. ‘Just name the guy and I’ll beat him up for you.’
‘It’s not a joke, Tim. These guys are nothing but trouble.’
‘Don’t I know that? I’ll be glad to be seeing the last of them soon.’
‘They’re beginning to get on my nerves. I can’t wait for them to leave.’
‘What just happened to upset you, my dear?’
‘Why spoil our mood by talking about them? Let’s talk about pleasant things.’ She smiled at him. At five feet seven inches in her stockinged feet, Ramola wasn’t a short woman, but Tim towered over her. She leaned her cheek on his powerful shoulder.
I think I am in love with this man. He is so gentle and protective. It will be nice to have those strong arms wrapped around me.
‘Your wish is my command, ma’am,’ he bowed to her.
‘There is something I wanted to discuss with you.’
‘Is something bothering you?’ he sensed her anxiety.
‘It must be my imagination, but frankly speaking, I’m scared of these guys,’ she said smiling ruefully. ‘Tomorrow, when they’re gone, I might look back and laugh at my fears. But tonight, my fears seem very real.’
‘It is about the book, isn’t it?’
She nodded silently as she took another sip of her drink.
‘They feel threatened by it, I guess. Cornered rats are known to attack when they feel threatened. So do people.’
Tim sounded concerned. He had heard a few unsavoury things about Arif and Sammy from his uncle and that worried him. They were not men to be messed with, which was precisely what Ramola had been doing.
‘I think you should stay here at the judge’s place tonight,’ he suggested.
‘I can’t do that,’ she protested. ‘I’m the host. I couldn’t sleep here while the guests are at the cottage.’
‘Do you want me to sleep on the couch in your living room?’
‘I don’t think that’s necessary. Tia, Durgabai, Ganesh and Dinesh are there to take care of me.’
‘I’m uncomfortable with the idea of you being at that cottage with these ruffians.’
‘They are not ruffians,’ she laughed. ‘They are respectable citizens of this country,’ she said, sarcastically. ‘I’ll be alright. Don’t you worry.’
‘I strongly doubt the “respectable” part.’
He put his arm around her protectively and she sighed with pleasure. ‘I’ll check on you tomorrow morning,’ he promised.
‘So, this is where the two of you are hiding,’ said Nikhil accusingly and they jumped apart. ‘Is he trying to make a pass at you, Ramola? D’you want me to punch his nose?’
‘Oh no, he’s not flirting with me and I don’t want this gorgeous nose broken.’
‘In that case, I think I’ll break his neck for monopolizing you.’
‘Don’t worry, I’ll allow you to monopolize Tia for the rest of the evening,’ laughed Ramola. ‘That should make you happy, Captain Nikhil Acharya.’
‘Much obliged, ma’am.’
‘Dinner is served,’ announced Geeta, smiling graciously. ‘Please follow me to the dining room.’
Nikhil rubbed his hands gleefully, ‘And about time! My stomach has been rumbling for the past hour.’
‘D’you know, for some reason, you remind me so much of Dim,’ said Tim as he put his arm over his pal’s shoulder and linked his other with Ramola. The good-looking trio made a beeline to the laden dining table.
Ramola’s flagging spirits lifted inexplicably. No one could remain morose in Nick’s company. Besides, Tim’s assurance put her mind at rest. She was no longer alone in her little castle. Tonight, thoughts of the handsome young copper would keep her company. Her heart filled with joy. Happiness is infectious and spreads faster than disease. That evening, Ramola’s joy infected everyone she touched.
Tomorrow, they’ll leave and I’ll be rid of them for good. Tomorrow, I begin a new chapter in my life. Tomorrow, I’ll email the manuscript to the publisher. Tomorrow, I’ll sing and dance with joy. Tomorrow, Tim and I will confess how much we love each other. Everything will change tomorrow …
The two lovers exchanged glances across the table and smiled secretly.
‘I wish you had another day at Ramsar,’ the colonel told Sen. ‘I would have loved to have you over at our place for a Bengali meal. My wife is an excellent cook.’
‘I would have loved that too,’ Sen said. ‘It’s been a long time since I had a nice Bengali meal. I won’t say no, however. Can I take a rain check? I intend coming back for the shooting, remember?’
It was almost midnight when the party got over. Ramola lingered. She didn’t want the night to end.
‘Let me drop you back,’ Tim offered. ‘It’s freezing out there and everyone is quite drunk. Nick can drive some of the guests in his car, while I take the rest in my Jeep.’
‘Good idea,’ Arif nodded his head. Sammy and he were the only ones who hadn’t been dousing themselves in alcohol.
It was a silent drive back to the Charmwood as each of them sat cocooned in their private thoughts.
‘Care for a nightcap?’ Ramola offered as they arrived at the gate.
‘Not tonight,’ Tim declined. ‘I don’t want to go down the ravine.’
‘Will you come for tea tomorrow? I’ve saved a piece of my birthday cake for you.’
‘I certainly will,’ he promised. ‘Sleep well, darling.’
‘Good night, everybody,’ Nikhil called out as he gunned the engine and reversed the car. ‘Have a safe journey back, tomorrow. Good night, T.’ He blew her a kiss. ‘I’ll be seeing you next weekend so be good.’
‘Bye, Nick,’ the girl called out, blushing as she returned his air kiss.
‘You like him, don’t you?’ asked Ramola, watching Tia.
‘He’s really nice,’ she nodded shyly.
Ramola stood at the gate, a forlorn figure, waving at Tim. He waved back, fighting the urge to stay with her. Tomorrow, he promised himself, I’ll ask her to marry me.