Just a House

Ritu returned from work and opened the door of her house. She felt the door of the opposite house open behind her. She turned back. There was no one there. The house had all the tell-tale signs of shifting - discarded papers, clothes, some small broken furniture pieces, some tapes... oh, this and that.

She turned around and memories flashed, of hopping over for a chit-chat once in a while. As she stared, it felt a little surrealistic--not seeing the lady of the house, Sneha, smile and welcome her in for a cup of tea. But Sneha's words rang in her ears, for it always circled back to the same things. The litany about her various ailments, the difficulty of managing her mother-in-law in the old age, how burdened her husband was... As if on cue, the husband joining them, complaining about the ineffective association, the problem with water or electricity or parking.

Ritu would sit through with a smile, waiting for a pause when she could leave without offending. Though she tried to avoid going there as much as possible, it would have been rude to always refuse the invitation. And, Sneha made wonderful coffee.

But when she returned to her house, she would pour it all out to her husband, Ravi.

Now, the house seemed to open a part of itself to her. See, she is gone... All this will also go away. Ritu stepped into the house tentatively, wondering why they had not locked when leaving. Then, she realised there were some people inside still, removing the A/C or something else. She quickly backed off but stood surveying what little she could see from the doorway.

The layout is exactly the same as your current house, it seemed to be telling her. She knew that of course. The same nice verandah... She stood frozen, wondering if she was losing her mind. I know you. You are one of the who have walked in and laughed and chatted... Won't you be mine? 

Startled at the voice in her head, she looked closely. It was the same layout, of course. The lighting, though, was different, she assessed, unable to feel sentimental about that house. She turned back to her door and went into the house  

She remained pensive and thoughtful, thinking of the strange experience, or, was it just her imagination?

Ritu and Ravi had moved into this house a year and a half ago. An apartment in a gated community in the heart of the city. Though the complex was several years old, it was spic and span and even had some modern facilities such as a community hall, a gym and a park. Its old residents took pride not only in the appearance of the complex but also ensured it was lively and vibrant. Social, cultural and religious activities over the years had created a special bond so that whether people lived there or moved out, they continued to remain connected. Newcomers were welcomed with warmth and drawn into the celebrations. Ritu and Ravi had been reluctant initially to take up the place as it lacked covered car park or a swimming pool. But the central locality at a rent lower than what the modern apartments charged was what fitted their pocket.

After setting up the house, Ritu often sat back enjoying the decor. It was well-ventilated and throbbed with vitality. "I wish we could buy this house. Do you want to ask the owner if he is thinking of selling it any time?" she asked Ravi.

Ravi dismissed it. "No one does that."

Though she didn't think that was a reason not to do so now, she let it be... allowing herself time to settle down. Maybe, with time, her thinking may change or his will. 

"Today, our neighbour knocked on the door," she informed him. "Sneha. That's her name. She is friendly, smiling. Told me all the gossip about the complex."

He smiled knowingly. "You must have had a good time?"

She chuckled. "Well, it was entertaining but, really, she complains a lot. About everything. Oh, she asked me why she never heard any sound from our house. Apparently, the previous tenants used to fight a lot. But she knows you do chanting in the morning and can guess the dishes I cook from the aroma that wafts." Ravi also laughed. She wagged a finger, "You cannot complain about my food any more. She guessed that I loved making sambar the most and every time she smells it, her mouth waters."

"She hasn't tasted it yet," he joked, earning a slap on the arm.

"Oh, and she has so many ailments... I mean, not just she, but her mother-in-law, her husband, and even their son who lives abroad! She kind of listed them all."

A year had passed in the blink of the eye. Slowly, Ravi also seemed to have been charmed by the place. "Our house owner is not selling this place," he said regretfully, surprising her. 

"You asked him!?" He nodded. 

"Shall I ask around if anything is coming up for sale?"

"I checked. Nothing..."

"Oh," she said, disappointed. The two kept asking the manager and the watchman. And then, Sneha told her one day, "We are moving out, to another apartment in the outskirts."

"What are you planning to do about this house?" Ritu couldn't help. "Rent it out?"

"No, we haven't decided yet... But, maybe sell it off."

"Can you let know when you do decide?" Ritu asked. "We are looking for a house here."

"Ok! I will talk to my husband and get back tonight itself!" 

Ritu was excited and called Ravi to inform him of the possibility. He was also excited and they waited eagerly for the call. Their joy knew no bounds when Sneha called that evening to say they would be selling it and shared the price they were expecting. Ritu thanked her and conveyed the information to Ravi. They sat back and grinned. They had anticipated the price and figured out how much loan they would have to take. "Shall we tell her to hold it for us? I will talk to the bank tomorrow," Ravi suggested.

She nodded. "Let's talk in the morning, though..." Ritu cautioned, fearing her heart would fly out - that's how light and elated it was. She was afraid to take any decision in that state of mind. But, it was a foregone conclusion. It was going to be a yes, of course.

And here she was, still undecided. She wanted the house to be empty so that she could walk through the house and get a feel. But the peek into the house made her pause.

Will Sneha and her difficulties always plague her thoughts? Will she feel like an imposter in that house? Most of the times, of late, she had only seen Sneha going to the hospital for herself or her mother-in-law, or her husband talking about the difficult times.

"Don't be silly, you will forget her in no time," he reassured her. 

 Next morning, she opened her front door and stood staring at the opposite door, which was locked. But in a flash, she remembered one of the rare occasions when she had seen the mother-in-law near the door. "Are you excited about shifting to the new house?" she had asked.

"They are sending me off to the old age home," the lady said, her eyes sparkling with tears. "Sneha is also getting old and unable to take care. If her son needs her, she is unable to go."

It is the new house which is making it happen, not me! She thought she heard the house cry out, seeing the pain on her face. She stared at the door, quelling her mind that was projecting her thoughts on the door. She heard a chuckle followed by a silence.

"No," she told Ravi. "We will wait. The light and ventilation aren't right," she said.

She feared she will go mad, get afflicted with something there.

The house was sold in no time. The new neighbours invited Ritu and Ravi to the house warming ceremony in a friendly gesture.

"You missed an opportunity," the doorway seemed to say as she crossed the threshold and went in, taking in the bright lights and the beautiful decor.

Ritu regretted not buying the house. "Tche! Couldn't you have said something? Been more firm?" she blamed Ravi. Her disappointment turned sour and she became dour, complaining about the new neighbours, the parties they hosted, the music they played... The happiness that emanated from that house seemed to turn into poison by the time it reached Ritu's ears. She complained no end of smells and noises, and soon, of ill health.

Ravi sighed helplessly and thought. "Looks like whatever spirit possessed that house now has a hold on you, dear." Indeed, of late, she reminded him of Sneha.