THE ONE RING

THE THEFT

We were in Kolkata during the Durga puja. On the occasion of Durga Puja, Lordess Durga comes to the mortal world to bless her felow mortals and provide them an opportunity to serve her. Basically it is a time when Bengalis enjoy their heart out with favourite and enjoying delicacies, and pandal hoping.

At such a time,(just three days before) the three best friends, Snigdha, Sonia and myself, Souma had planned a meeting just to discuss how to spend the occasion. Sonia's house was mid-way between my and Snigdha's. So we had planned to meet at her house at 11:00 a.m.

I arrived at her house sharp at the decided time. On ringing the bell, Sonia came out and welcomed me. I sat on the sofa and asked her whether Snigdha had arrived or not. I got to know that the latter will arrive a bit late. We were talking on various subjects when the bell rang. Both of us went to welcome Snigdha. On opening the door, we found that our friend had finally arrived. She was wearing a simple yellow coloured dress and her hair was all messed up. She was a girl who paid a lot of attention to her dressing. It was unusual that she had worn such an ordinary dress just before the puja.

She came in. Seeing that she was not at all enthusiastic, I questioned her, "Why are you not happy in such a beautiful day? Got scolding? Or maybe not enough new dresses?"

Sonia said sarcastically, "Maybe she has got only ten dresses this year unlike last year". Last year Snigdha had bought about 15 dresses.

Snigdha's mood didn't improve, rather she became irritated and said, "Please... Times are not that good."

Sonia asked, "Why?? What happened??"
Snigdha said, "Last night someone came to rob us."

"What" we said in a same tone and then started laughing.
Snigdha said, "Believe me, I am not joking."
"Really? Then tell in detail."

"In our house we have four floors. The ground floor is almost empty. Only our house servant Sumanto Uncle sleeps their. There are three rooms on the first floor. My parents sleep in one, my elder brother Sourjya in another and the last one is occupied by me. Last night, about 2 or 3 p.m., my father heard some noise and woke up. I sleep in the next room. On waking up he saw someone getting out from their room. The bed lamp couldn't show the face of the man. He came hurriedly and called me. After that he ran down the stairs and I followed him. But after we reached we found nobody. So assuming that it was my father's mistake we came upstairs again. On entering their room, father started shouting. I entered and saw that the almirah was open and everything was on the floor. Even the locker was broken. The thief was here and was searching for something. I told him to see whether anything was missing. But everything was all right."

I said, "Then why are you sad? Nothing was stolen."
Snigdha said, "So what? Maybe tonight again he will come to rob us."

Sonia asked, "Do you have any idea what the theif was searching."
Snigdha nodded.

Sonia said, "Okay.... Sounds interesting. See today night. Be aware. Tell me one thing, if the theif comes today again or maybe tomorrow, would your family let me investigate?"

Snigdha replied, "Maybe!!"

So this was perhaps the start of our adventure.