A MYSTERY HOUSE II

One week passed and it was Saturday morning, Ankush already woke up after his daily chores, he sat in his room and went through the papers of the house of his dad's which is in the interior of Maharashtra far from Mumbai the name of the place is Panvel, this place is in Konkan region, were so many hills stations are available.

Ankush saw the paper and find something different in it. It is not a legal paper in the house, but a contract of supply of toys, to a particular region through the ship. He checked another document they are also some papers regarding the contract.

Only one document is the paper which has the affidavit of the house, but it is written that the house belongs to a single person until another party is willing to give away the property, and it is willingly given by Prateek's father to Sandeep.

Sandeep entered the room, with a knock, My son why you are beating my head on the papers which are not original? There are no papers that your grandfather left. It is not a genuine document. We have to go to the place and enquire about it with my brother. Prateek, Sandeep, Ankush, and Narayan set to the address which is mentioned in the papers.

As planned three of them set to the place in a personal helicopter, so that they can reach and investigate the situation and the person behind them. They reached Panvel in half an hour. As they approach the destination their hearts are beating fast, and Prateek is still feeling very disturbed.

The place is a bit interior to the Panvel main city. There is not much transport facility available in this area, but the place is filled with natural beauty. The hills of the western ghats are spread, like a quilt protecting the living beings from the climatic changes that occurred during the period. According to Google Maps and GPS, they came to know that their destination is somewhere near the place right now, Luckily the network has good coverage so Ankush approached the destination.

As they approached near, they saw the Haveli, or kind of castle, it easily look like a haunted house. The place is filled with plants, weeds, trees, and so many different and rare species of plants are found. On the left side of the house there is a banyan tree covering the window in the left corner The place is equal to the forest area, where all kinds of species of plants are available. At the front of the house, there are mani plants hung in front of the doors.

The house is away from the pollution and sound of the city, every part is filled with fresh air and fresh aroma of the flowers, and the slightly moving wind. Due to fresh air, the coolness of the wind makes the climate very cold. It touched four of them and they feel as if the environment is welcoming them. As they move ahead, toward the main door, the tiles and grass clear the dust on their shoes, because the dew drops are cleaning their legs with respect and love.

They reached the main door, they knocked at the door but no one opened it. Ankush and Prateek knocked on the door and ring the bell no one responded. They felt no one is staying, but the house is clean and no cobwebs are surrounding the walls. Also, that house does not look like no one is taking care of it.

Prateek and Ankush went in different ways so that they get clues, of a person staying, Narayan and Sandeep searched the house and plants nearby so that they get any clues of a person staying, or they get the keys.

Prateek, went to the back side of the house and found a small room, it is open, he went inside the room, and saw an old man cleaning the room, he knocked on the door, and the old man, saw a new person outside, " he put on his glasses and came out. He is nearly fifty-five years old, his hair is not much white but has a stiff and healthy body with good active health.

He asked," Who are you, what are you doing here? I never saw any outsider for years, why did you come here? Prateek, said, "We are here in the search of one person, is someone staying here? The old man was shocked and went inside, shutting the door, in the face of Prateek, He knocked on the door three times, but he not opened.

Prateek, said angrily, "Uncle if you don't open the door, I will break them and call the police here, we already planned to break into the house, if you don't come out, I will destroy the whole house. Hearing the sound everyone came back side, and asked what happened.

Prateek told everyone to keep quiet and hide, slowly the door opened and the old man came out with a box in his hand. He then told, "This is the box left by the person who is living here for six years, now he left a year back and told me that if someone comes here give this box, he is the main hire of the house.

Prateek was shocked to hear all that. The old man continued. This is the only thing that he left for the person who came in search of the house. Prateek asked, "Uncle if you don't mind can you tell me where that person went?

The old man said", I don't know much about it," but I know that he is been kidnapped by someone, or that person is paying for his deeds, or there is no escape from the place he went. There are fewer chances for him to be alive because, for the last two years, I don't have any contact or any information about him. As I am doubtful that he is secretly protecting someone. I don't have any other information other than this. Hearing this three of them came out of hiding.

Seeing Sandeep and the other two members the old man is shocked and moves backward. Prateek said don't be panicked they are my friends; they don't harm you. The old man is continuously seeing Sandeep. Don't worry, he is not the person you think. He is Mr. Sandeep, he is one of my uncles.

Prateek requested, can you disclose some other clues about the person living here. The Old man is not ready to disclose anything else. He said this is the only thing I know. It is time for my medicine, if you want to know anything else then go through the box. I will give you the key to the house, you can go inside the house and search for further clues.

The old man has given him the key and closed the door hardly toward their face. They were all shocked to see his sudden change of behavior. Prateek and Ankush become suspicious, and they are not ready to digest the things that happened right now.

As they got some clues and some ideas, about his father, they further decided to investigate themselves. They took the box and the key and went inside the house. The house is very tidy and beautiful, it is fully furnished as if someone is staying and all the basic things require are available. It has 3 big rooms, a hall, and a kitchen.

Ankush and Prateek chose one room, and Sandeep and Narayan took another room, it is a Saturday night, and on Monday it is a national holiday, they have three days to get further clues, and also have to plan properly to reach further culprit. Prateek and Ankush opened the window and started looking outside.

An amethyst-purple tint invades the late summer skies. The world is changing and autumn is approaching. Soon the land will be a fire in the warm glow of tree flame. The night sky was juniper-purple. The sound of intoning bees filled the air. The stars were glowing like beacons for the lost souls of the world. A feathered medley echoed through the trees. The garlic smell of ramsons drifted through the air. The clouds were bracketed by the eternal, summer sky. It was like a dome of solar blue.

What is the mystery behind the missing Prateek's father, Will all of them be able to find the culprit? For all the new twists and turns start reading and do not forget to comment and follow me. If anyone wants to do some changes to the storyline let me know.

It has taken a long time to publish this content. I apologize for the delay caused, hereafter I will update my work on Sundays. Thank you for all your support and patience. Hope the story I write will be liked by all of you.