Aparajita tired and exhausted pressed the remote of her car to lock it and then rang the bell of her home . Sunny opened the door smilingly and  took her bag as she dropped to the nearest sofa in the room. Seeing her drained out he said Ajita , you must change your job. It has been one month since you joined back work but you have never come back on time .  Gaurav, your boss is a very insensitive man and he cannot understand that people need to have fixed time for work. It is okay one day here and there but even then,  8 pm is not an acceptable time to finish work . Sunny,  I am too tired to argue and just want to drop into bed .

Sunny looked at her lovingly and said okay we can talk tomorrow , come and have some food . I have prepared a special meal as we have completed two months of marriage today . There is your favourite cottage cheese and veg biryani.  She looked at him with gratitude and said – Oh dear! so sorry , we were getting late at work so I ordered two samosas and had them about one hour ago. I am so sorry baba, let us keep dinner in fridge after you have eaten and we will have it as our Sunday brunch tomorrow. Sunny could not hide his disappointment as he sat down to eat and Aparajita went to change . He had come back early to prepare this surprise dinner . It was not that he did not have  deadlines  and late working but it was not a regular affair . Not at all like Aparajita’s!

As he went into the bedroom he could smell her special perfume  and his mood changed . Quietly  he slipped into bed beside her and wrapped his arms around her . Sunny please,  I am tired and exhausted she murmured sleepily. He turned away quietly and closed his eyes.

Sunday dawned lazily and Aparajita walked into the kitchen to make their morning cup of tea. The clear water boiled into bubbles as she opened the box of their favourite green tea. The tin box was absolutely empty and she was surprised . Two days back she had bought a 250 gm pack and they only had this tea once in the morning . How could 250 gms finish in two days ? She took the tin and went into the bedroom and woke up her husband – Sunny did anybody come to the house ? The green tea tin is empty and I am sure I filled it two days back. Sunny woke up surprised  – what ? No no one came to the house and yes it has just been two days . We just have it once a day.  Do you think we opened the pack in some other tin ? Both of them looked perplexed and then she threw up a fit . I can’t do without my favorite morning cuppa ? Don’t worry, Sunny consoled –  I will change and get some . She hugged him and thanked all the Gods for such a wonderful husband .

Later that day Sunny  said,  Ajita let us get some curtains for the sitting room today and we will have and then an early night in bed,  he said winking at her . In the evening they dressed and walked out of the house . As she walked to the car she saw her favourite potted plant which used to be sitting on the wall between their house and the neighbours,  fallen on the ground and broken . Her  dad had planted this for and she was very attached to it . Aparajita looked into her neighbours house and said angrily- I wonder who pushed this down ? There was no wind or storm yesterday. Sunny picked up the plant and said – Ajita you know that lady will respond rudely, leave it . We can put it in a new pot. The plant is intact .

In the upholstery shop they chose a lemon yellow set of curtains which the shopkeeper promised to stitch and deliver to their house in two days . As they sat in the car Sunny’s phone rang and it was his sister who suddenly decided to pay them a visit for a few days. She had finished her studies and was looking for a job. Sunny you know we don’t get along and we are just married . She should have more sense . I cant be cooking meals for her . Why would you? Sunny replied – she will look after herself . She is 26 and she will have to get adjusted to our lifestyle. That night they made love after a whole week and slept peacefully .

Swapna,  Sunny’s sister was now with them for almost a month and she did not have any plans to leave . Aparajita and Sunny continued their work as usual and surprisingly Swapna was very cordial and helpful.  She would go out on her own during the day and shop for groceries and vegetables and sometimes had dinner ready for them . Aparajita now welcomed her with her heart and was growing fond of her. After their marriage she and Sunny had stayed for a month with his father and Swapna. Sunny’s mother had passed away a couple of years back. At that time Aparajita felt that Swapna resented her and would pass rude comments for no reason. Both Sunny and his father had explained to her that she was probably being possessive of Sunny as she clung on to him after her mothers death.

Then one day Aparajita came back home around 9:30pm  and Sunny was quite upset . Swapna had her dinner and was in her room watching a movie. While sitting down for dinner Sunny said Ajita, we won’t have a life like this . I am earning well enough for us to live a comfortable life . Please leave this job and look for another. And we wont miss out on anything . I long for your company when I am back from work. We meet in bed and that too like strangers. We both wanted to have a family as soon as we could , and my father is also looking forward to that .

I can’t leave my job until I get another one Sunny- she protested. I know it has been difficult and we are just married . We will be completing  only 3 months of marriage and surely we can wait a little more  for a child ?  My job is important for me . I promise you I will leave it as soon as I find another . At that moment Swapna came in from the bedroom and said Sunny is right , Aparajita you should give up this job. Livid with anger Aparajita lost all sense and said Swapna stay out of this , you have never been in a job so you cannot understand the value of it . I have had to work hard to make a name for myself in the world of advertisement and I cant give it up suddenly . Swapna please be quiet and go to your room said Sunny. Ajita he said turning  towards his wife – stop losing your temper . Swapna has been worried about you and said you had lost weight and did not look well. Aparajita went quiet and there were no more arguments .

The same night , Aparajita woke up around 3 am as she could not sleep and went into the kitchen. While she was washing a cup to fill with water she looked outside the kitchen window and let out a loud scream. She then rushed to wake up Sunny. Her scream had already woken him and Swapna . All 3 went out together . In the full moon night they could clearly see the main iron gate of the house wide open and Aparajita’s  small red car was standing in the middle of the gate with the drivers , door open. They stood silent and perplexed for some time . The car keys were not in the car and the gate lock seemed to have been opened and not broken. Swapna go and check the wooden rack in the sitting room and see if the car keys and gate keys are there . I am scared to go alone she said . Come we will go together and get the keys said Aparajita . Yes go on and I will wait here said Sunny . Once in the sitting room they found the car and gate keys in the usual space . They took it and went outside .

Next day Sunny and Aparajita lodged a complaint in the police station saying that somebody had tried to steal their car. Their neighbours Mr and Mrs Wasan had come over and warned them that there had been thefts in the neighbourhood so it should be reported. Mrs Wasan went to Aparajita in the kitchen and told her to bury at least a dozen lemons in the front garden to ward off thieves and ghosts . She was sure that this house was haunted. Aparajita and Sunny both were disturbed and Swapna was petrified .

Sunny do you think this has anything to do with what the owner of the house said ? When they were considering shifting into this  house the landlord Mukund  had clearly mentioned that there had been a theft in the house with previous tenants  and the middle aged couple had been murdered . The thieves had been caught by the police.  Mukund  assured them that he had conducted a puja (prayer service ritual ) in the house after the tragic incident. Aparajita was very apprehensive but Sunny had insisted that they should take up the house . In fact they had done their own puja before shifting in. 

Sunny smiled at Aparajita and said listen, we know that a lot of car thefts are going on nowadays and our gate can easily be opened . The thieves must have gone away when you put on the lights or when they saw someone . And my favourite pot breaking and the vanished green tea leaves ?  Oh come on Ajita,  I am sure it could easily be a cat which kicked the pot while crossing over? By the way which ghosts would be satisfied with throwing away pots and drinking green tea ? Don’t joke ! she scolded . You know I was against this house even though it was one of the best we had seen. Ajita there have been two other tenants before us . Well they stayed for less than 6 months and the lady next door said she didn’t know why they shifted?

A month passed quietly and Aparajita found out that she was expecting . All 3 were thrilled and Sunny’s father was overjoyed  saying that he will soon make a visit . Aparajita continued work as usual and her boss seemed to have no worries or concerns about her being in the family way. He kept insisting on tight deadlines and one day in the afternoon Aparajita fell unconscious on her table while working . Sunny was called to her office he  took her straight to the doctor . The gynae examined her well and said that everything was okay except that the lady seems to be exhausted. Aparajita had to take two days off and be in bed  while Sunny and Swapna took good care of her . While they were having dinner Sunny said Ajita now no more . Please resign ! Don’t start this Sunny , I cant take off suddenly as the work will suffer . I promise I will try and go slow and I probably have only 6 more months of work before I take maternity leave . Sunny looked at her exasperated and said nothing.

After two days of rest Aparajita got up in the morning all ready for work. She caressed her tummy lovingly and wondered if it is a girl or boy? Swapna served breakfast to both and said that she was planning to go back to her father’s house . Sunny and Aparajits tried their best to coax her to stay as she was needed now . I am missing dad said Swapna and if I don’t get a job in a month but Swapna was adamant .  I will come back . I will go day after tomorrow as it is a Sunday and both of you will be home.

That night they all retired to their rooms at 10pm and suddenly before they could lie down, there was a loud scream from Swapna’s room . Aparajita sat up in bed shivering while Sunny rushed out . Swapna was sitting at the edge of the bed and was panting with fear . She pointed to the bathroom and Sunny opened it slowly. A lean black cat escaped from the bathroom and rushed out of the bedroom. bedroom.  Sunny rushed behind to let the cat out of the house . Later all 3 sat together and Sunny remarked how strange this was as Swapna’s bathroom had no window. Maybe the help who came to help for washing dishes had left the kitchen window open and the cat had come in looking for food.

Aparajita had enough and she said – Sunny, I can’t stay here . This is becoming a pattern in the house . Strange things happen for a day or two and then things become normal. It is as if someone is trying to drive us out of this house .  I am done with this house. Sunny agreed and said with you expecting we cannot take any chance although cats, lizards do come into houses which are on the ground floor . He made a mental note to talk to the property dealer the next day. Swapna made sunny look at every corner of her bedroom and the bathroom before she slept that day.

Swapna went back to her father’s house that weekend and the couple missed her . Life returned to normalcy and a few more days passed.  Sunny engaged a cook for both morning and evening and life became a little more comfortable . The broker had showed them several houses but none appealed to both. Aparajita was going to complete 5 months of pregnancy and she was showing . Sunny took even more care of her , ensuring that she carried home cooked food and beverages to work. He continued to be upset about her late coming and she would always say that was the last time.

It was a Friday that day and Sunny had invited two colleagues for dinner . He had taken an off and did all the cooking . His colleagues came on time and even when they had finished their drink Swapna had still not come back from work. He picked up the phone to call her and just then Aparajita’s car drove into the house. He opened the door and saw her very tired and fatigued . He introduced his colleagues and then led her to the bedroom to make her comfortable. Aparajita went to sleep while the guests had dinner and left. She got up around 10 while Sunny was doing the dishes and sat down for a bite. Realising that Sunny was very cross with her she said in a small voice – it was my fault Sunny my creativity seems to have fallen down. It takes me more time to make jingles etc than usual. He said nothing and they slept .

Next day they woke up late and Sunny made breakfast and brought into bed. His father and her parents both called to ask about their well being . Both of them spoke to each other’s parents and the day went off lightly. Sunny again broached the topic of leaving the job and they argued. This time Sunny insisted and she firmly said I have to leave in a proper planned away. I have responsibilities Sunny and I have to leave things in a manageable way.  

 On Sunday , Aparajita made lunch and they enjoyed themselves playing cards and watching movies . They watched a movie and then went off to sleep. They had hardly slept when she got up with a craving for ice-cream. She tried to wake up Sunny but he was fast asleep . She got up slowly , switched on the light went into the kitchen and opened the freezer . She could not wait to have a mouthful of her favorite lip smacking chocolate chip ice cream.

To her utter disappointment the freezer was empty and she looked below in the fridge but no ice cream. She rushed to the bedroom and woke up Sunny in a fit . Sunny woke up groggily and walked to the kitchen. He had himself ordered the two different flavor’s of ice cream, received it and asked the house help to keep in the freezer. Could she have taken it home, he wondered ?

He looked all over but could not find . Then on the side of the fridge he saw the vegetable rack and there sat the two of her favourite ice cream packs , leaking over the onions . Tears ran down Aparajita’s cheeks and Sunny hugged her . Don’t worry it will be nice and solid in half an hour . Maya must have forgotten to put it in the freezer . I had asked her to put it in the fridge . Aparajita’s excitement was all diluted and she went and sat on the bed, sobbing. Sunny I was craving badly for some ice cream and now I cant have it as it has melted. Dont worry said Sunny , It will be perfect in half hour. I have increased the temperature . That night she had the ice cream and slept.

Next day early morning they were in for a surprise as Sunny’s father came in without any warning. Aparajita and Sunny both took leave as they were overjoyed to see him. Aparajita was very fond of Sunny’s papa who had welcomed her into the family when she got married . He treated her as lovingly as he treated his own daughter Swapna . When their help Maya came in Sunny asked her why she had not kept the ice- cream in the fridge ? Maya looked surprised and said she was very sure she had kept both packs in the freezer . Aparajita was surprised and she really wondered if Maya had forgotten?

Anyway having papa in the house was a blessing as he was very jovial and would make things very light . They all went for a movie that day and dad announced that he was staying till the delivery . Both Sunny and Aparajita were delighted . Sunny again requested Aparajita to leave her job and she refused saying that she wanted to work till the last month. Papa supported her and Sunny lost the argument.

Next day Aparajita went for work as usual and she made special effort to finish her work early but still managed to reach back at 8 pm. To her surprise Swapna opened the door and hugged her saying – we all want to be where the action is . I have decided I am going to stay here to welcome the baby.  Papa made some tea as Sunny had gone to the market . Beta now you should take more of rest . As I am here I will drop you and pick you. I don’t want you to drive up and down. That will be lovely Papa and Sunny will be relieved too.

They had dinner and watched TV for sometime . Back in their room Aparajita switched opened her laptop as she wanted to check her schedule for the next day. She opened the cupboard to pull out her favourite night dress which was nice and comfortable . She pulled it out and along with it came out a stole . She picked it up and saw that it was not hers . Sunny she turned to look at him and said where did this come from? This is not mine . Must be Swapna’s he replied . But she has come today and would have unpacked in her room. Before he could say anything Aparajita walked out with the stole and went over to Swapna’s room. Swapna looked at it and said it was not hers . Perplexed she went back to her bedroom and lay down on bed.

Sleep evaded her that day. Was Sunny seeing some other women at home when she was not there ? She was confused and did not know what to conclude ? Next day when Maya came in Swapna showed her the stole but Maya denied it was not hers or that she had ever seen it before. Aparajita did not feel like going to work next day and she lay in bed. Sunny enquired whether she was okay and went for work.

After breakfast when they were lazing around in the sitting room Aparajita asked papa if he believed in houses being haunted ? What happened ? Why do you ask he enquired ? Aparajita briefed him about the two murders in the house and the thefts . Papa since the time we have come here something or the other is happening periodically which either leaves us baffled or cause fear or some suspicion or inconvenience . It is as if we are being driven out of the house . Swapna intervened and told her father about the cat in her bathroom which had given her a fright.

As they were speaking Aparajita could see Papa’s face changing expressions . He asked gently is it every month ? Yes for a day or two and then things become normal. Why Papa, why do you ask ? Is it happening on full moon days in particular ? Aparajita and Swapna were now listening carefully and looked at each other. Well the car theft was certainly on a full moon night or around that time. Tell me all what has happened , said Papa. When they finished he put his hand to his head and a few tears rolled down his cheeks. .

Papa what is the matter, asked Aparajita ? Well there is a strong possibility that it is , it is done by Sunny. What are you saying papa screamed Swapna ? Why would brother be scaring us ? He loves Bhabhi and me . Aparajita sat stunned as Sunny’s father went on talking . Yes of course he loves you both and I am very sure about that . But he is not aware of what he is doing . Sunny has inherited a behavioral disorder from his mother . It was very prominent when he was younger and the doctors had said that there is a strong possibility that it will get corrected on his own as he grows up. The behavior problem reaches its peak and mostly manifests itself on or around full moon. According to the Psychiatrist he vents his suppressed anger and most of the times it may not be harmful but certainly the intent is to cause discomfort to the person with whom he could not completely vent out .

His mother had it for many years but it became lesser and lesser as she reached her 50s. Papa , Swapna asked , was he responsible for tearing all my comics and books ? Yes whenever they happened around full moon. Swapna sat shocked . We had put him on medication but  he seemed to become normal as we monitored him over the years . So the doctors said he is probably cured . There is a strong possibility that he is not fully aware of what he is doing but will always deny when asked . We could not tell you this Swapna.

Aparajita looked at him and said – Papa why didn’t you tell me before we got married . I am petrified now . I share this house and the bed with him. How can I live with him now and she broke down. Papa came close to her , hugged her and said Sorry beta , there was no incidence at all for a very long period and the doctor had said that he is probably cured. So I was selfish and wanted him to settle down .

But papa he could do us harm and I am expecting ?  Yes Beta , now I am worried that is why I opened up ? Swapna did not tell me about the cat incident otherwise I would have rushed here before . Aparajita continued – So the stole he must have been planted to instill some sort of suspicion in my mind ? And he is probably doing all this because I am not giving up the job? Yes ! Aparajita thought of all the days when strange incidents had happened and true enough they had arguments and most of the time about her job. Sunny would go silent after some time. Then the rest of the month things would be normal? Swapna said in a small voice – Bhabhi you remember the cat incident happened when both of you were coaxing me to stay and I said I wanted to return to papa’s house ? Aparajita said nothing just stared at her.

His mother would do similar kind of things, said Papa. Swapna walked over to her father and asked – papa , have I inherited this too ? No Not at all . The psychiatrist had clearly mentioned that there is a possibility that one of the children would have it . I have personally monitored you for several months in a year. When I married your mother neither her family nor I knew about her problem. It was only over a period of time I noted abnormal and strange things happening on or around full moon days and I got her checked up.

Aparajita got up and said Papa, I am not able to bear this . Please can you drop me to my parents house ? I would like to stay away for some time before I decide what I want to do. Suddenly anxiety , fear and uncertainty gripped the household . Swapna please help Aparajita to pack her bag and I will drop her said papa. Tomorrow I will take Sunny to the Psychiatrist. Sorry Bhabhi , Swapna hugged Aparajita and went to pack her bag.

As she walked out of the house Aparajita’s eyes welled up with tears . She didn’t know if she would ever live with Sunny or come back to this house. Her world had changed in a day.