Cheeru muthachi

THE HOUSE 2

 Once inside the house it took a few moments for them to get adjusted to the dim lighting. The inside of the house allowed very low natural light and as they were coming from the sun, it left them partially blinded for some time. It was only then Janu felt her exhaustion from walking in the summer heat. 'It is particularly hot this summer'. She thought. She wished it would rain. They used to get a few showers in the summer- in both April and May. She suddenly felt thirsty. So she excused herself to go drink some water.

There were a lot of small rooms. This house occupied a lot of people once. There was a stagnant smell everywhere. The house was locked for a few weeks. Some rooms are probably never opened in years. Cheeru muthachi lived alone in this big house after all. She wondered why did they shift Cheeru muthachi here without properly cleaning the house.

The kitchen was in the eastern side of the house. There was a small room attached to the kitchen from where the well is accessible. Another door was attached to this room which opened to the outside of the house. It was for the well to be accessible from the outside also. The bathroom was outside the house. It was the same in her home too. Her father preferred to take a bath before entering the house after his work in the field. And it was customary to take a bath before entering the house after visiting a sick, funeral home, etc; also.

She opened the window door to the well. A long  wooden pulley was attached there. It was an old type like everything in the house. The rope was fully coiled around the pulley except for one end in which a pail made of arecanut leaf sheath was attached. She took it and put it the well. When it was filled with water, she took the rope and began pulling it up. Even in the summer there is plenty of water in the well.

A presence behind made her startled and turn.

Achu lifted a brow at her. "What?! I am thirsty too."

"You just startled me. I didn't hear you coming."

"Too busy enjoying this ghost house?" He made a wide arc action with his hands.

"May be we can arrange a permanent stay for you here. You would make a good pair with Cheeru muthachi. A yakshi and a raktharakshas" He gave her a taunting smile.

"Oh, stop it. You are taking this too far. I get it you are not happy to shift from our home. But someone has to stay here to look after her. She only got us ."

"Oh dear sis! You don't remember her at all , do you?"