Sun Moon & Stars Volume II Call Of The Skull Men

CHAPTER 28

Bougainvillaea had a good amount of priceless, old and crafty items spread across the house. Apart from being one of the prestigious old families of the city, the Sanyals had generations of wealthy merchants, scholars and businessmen. Naturally, peculiar ancient lock systems were common.

Both the brothers had seen those objects, which they considered to be littered around the space, but never thought that their mother had entrusted the key of her beloved attic room to her student. It was a pin tumbler lock of the circular variation, difficult to pick without damaging the entire system, attached to the door. 

During their teenage years, the lock had intrigued them and they had tried a lot of time to coax their father for the key. He had brushed it off saying the key was with someone who was capable enough to maintain the room.

Manik had few opportunities to visit the room when Madhumita was staying in the mansion, while Ragnik had never bothered to spare a glance.

"It is exactly how you had left it," Kallolini stepped aside to make way for Madhumita.

"This room wasn't closed for twenty-two years," Mini commented in a soft voice, already admiring the bronze globe proudly placed on the mahogany study desk. She also noticed the world map spread on the table with compass, dividers, set squares and a long scale lying over it. All made of bronze!

"Can you identify the scent, Mini?" Malini asked.

"Sage." Mini didn't answer, Ragnik did.

Manik held his brother's shoulder tightly. He knew how much he loathed that smell. He broke all the perfume bottles their mother used. The fragrance of sage drove him insane; he hated it and hated women who used it.

Pouring a few drops from a small glass container on the copper diffuser Madhumita lighted it with a small twitch of the knob. Soon the smell of sage mixed with cloves and vanilla but predominantly sage spread around the room.

Ragnik exhaled roughly trying to fight the anger building inside him. He couldn't stand the smell for one more second. The presence of his mother was shutting out his civilized senses. If he stood there any longer then he wouldn't be responsible for the damage he would do to his mother's beloved room, he reminded himself.

Just when he decided to leave Manik grabbed his arm and held him tightly. "Let me go," Ragnik whispered. "You are not alone. We are in this together," Manik said and asked him to turn back. 

"The room is spacious enough to accommodate everyone. Please sit down," Madhumita addressed occupying a small chair in the corner of the room. "Ela, Mini; sit down in the front." Madhumita gestured towards the chairs lined up in front of the desk. "You too Geeta."

Sudha laid Oishi on a small sofa placed at the other end of the room closer to where Madhumita sat. She decided to stay beside her caressing her head as Oishi remained away in dreamland.

"Where are we? In Victorian Era?" Vyjayanthi mocked trying to ease the tension that was suffocating the space. From the dark polished cupboard and intricate designs of the furniture to the other antique items and old chandelier lightening up the room in a hew of soft yellow, she felt they were teleported to the 19th century.

"No, in the middle-ages. In a small place of eastern India." Madhumita pulled a thin rope and a large map of 15th century India fell over the wall hanging from the ceiling.

Unable to withstand the smell of sage any longer Ragnik strode towards the windows and opened them all. He took a deep breath in the fresh morning air. He was holding up; letting the anger boil, irritating him to the core. But the calm cold morning breeze snapped his self-control. He gritted his teeth as the tears fell.