Monday, September 15, 2014

THE MYSTERY MAN

Doors and windows remain locked
from outside.
The gate too is locked
from outside.
It is an exquisite building
its owner is still a
stranger to the neighbours.
He looks serious always.
He answers in monosyllables
that too without even a polite smile.
His whereabouts are not
known to anyone in the neighbourhood.
He remains reticent always.
The man has kept no time-table
to visit his house.
Sometimes he comes driving his car
accompanied by his servant.
A curly, burly, dusky youth the servant is.
The owner, sometimes comes
once in a month.
Sometimes, once in three months
and sometimes in six months.
After unlocking the gate
they walk straight to the house.
Then they keep the doors and windows opened.
The servant scrubs
the floors of every room
then removes the cobwebs
keeps safe the premises
allows winds to enter
the rooms through the
doors and windows
so that the old
irritating smells pervading
the atmosphere are blown outside.
Then the doors and windows are closed
after driving outside
the gate also is locked from outside
and drive away to somewhere.
One day
out of curiosity
one person in the neighbourhood inquired:
Is this house for rent?
‘No’
Is it for lease?
‘No’
Is it for sale?
‘No’
Is it for your children?
‘No’
All answers in monosyllables.
The person in the
neighbourhood was wondering.
‘Then, what for this house’?  - he was asking himself.
On his return to his

residence he was laughing aloud….    

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