BELLS IN NEW YORK

Chapter 3- Part 01

After catching up over a cup of tea, with my plans of a nap gone down the drain, I decided to go to the kitchen to help Pa cook dinner. But my cousin insisted that Pa take a rest while she helped me cook. So cooking with Pa was now cooking with Priya.

Dinner was served in less than an hour and we all sat down at the dinner table to eat. Ivaan was digging into the Masala Dosas in no time. Priya's dosas were the best I had tasted in my whole life and trying them again after such a long time was heaven to me.

Light conversations happened throughout dinner, most of which comprised of Pa complimenting Priya for her food.

It had been so long since there was so much life in our house. Literally. Everybody was laughing and talking with each other and little Ivaan was stuffing his face with food.

Gopal and Pa were engaged in a very serious conversation about the recent cricket matches in India. Priya was trying to get Ivaan to slow down his eating spree.

Ever since I started working at the police station, family meals became less and less frequent and I only ever saw Pa after he had fallen asleep.

Papa's death had a huge blow on Pa. He started to work twice as hard even when I told him that it wasn't necessary. But he was too stubborn. He insisted that he would take care of the expenses and that I should just focus on graduating police academy. But, I knew that it was mostly a desperate attempt at trying to not think about Papa too much.

So, seeing Pa's sparkling eyes and his beautiful smile stretched across his face as he showed Ivaan his treasured antique collection, made me happy after a really long time. I made a mental note to try my best and spend more time with him.

"Drithi, you've been awfully silent for quite sometime. That's not like you at all. What are you thinking about?" Priya interrupted my train of thought.

"Nothing much. I was just thinking about random things." I replied, looking over to her.

"Drithi, how's work? Is the case progressing at all?" Pa jumped in on the conversation, setting Ivaan down, who immediately ran off to play.

"Not really, Pa. We keep finding leads but they were all dead ends. Whoever it is, they know how to clean up after themselves."

The mood in the room changed drastically as Pa gave a brief account on the abductions.

"I'm getting the shivers just by hearing it," Priya said after Pa explained everything to them, "there really are creatures who are sick enough to kidnap children."

"Priya, while we are here, make sure to keep an eye on Ivaan. Whoever this bastard is, they seem to like kids his age," Gopal said, glancing over at Ivaan as if to make sure he was still here.

A deafening silence settled around the dining table as all the adults naturally got lost in thought about the bizarre occurrences. The only sound that could be heard was the howling of the wind. Ivaan was also passed out on the couch, having exerted all his energy.

After about five minutes, Pa was thr first to break the suffocating silence.

"Alright, alright. Let's not let it get to us. Priya, Gopal, you must be tired after the long flight. Go ahead and get some sleep," Pa then turned towards me, "Drithi, you too. You have work tomorrow, don't you? I'll do the dishes."

Of course, I disagreed.

"No, Pa. Let me help," I said, getting up from the table.

"No. You already helped making dinner. I can handle this. Besides you just got back from work."

"Pa, I'm not the only one who had work today. You did too. Let me help,"

Regardless of Pa's protests, I picked up some of the dirty dishes and headed towards the kitchen, proving to him that I had no intention of backing out.

Gopal and Priya were given the spare bedroom that was hastily prepared thr day before. I volunteered to have Ivaan in my room as there wasn't much space for three people on their bed.

Once the table was cleared, I showered and headed to my bedroom with a fast asleep Ivaan draped over my shoulder.

My bedroom wasn't very big, but it wasn't too small either. The single sized bed was the same as I had left it this morning, the sheets askew as I slept through my alarm and was almost late for work. My bed was on the right side of the room, directly facing the study desk. A Cork board hung on the wall above the table, covered in colourful sticky notes and push pins. Right now, the main theme of the board was the o going kidnapping case. Apart from a bookshelf and a closet along with the others I mentioned, my bedroom was very minimalistic.

I gently set the sleeping Ivaan on my bed and climbed in next to him.

Although I was beyond exhausted, sleep didn't come easy. Words from the news reports kept popping up inside my head. Thirteen kids had gone missing with no trace over the span of a mere three months. The only child who was found has been too traumatised to speak to anybody apart from her parents. The citizens are getting increasingly restless with every passing second. Children could no longer play freely, and their parents were extremely paranoid.

Ivaan rolled over and curled up into my side. Having Ivaan next to me like this made me all the more conscious about the situation we were in. I could feel just how scared every parent must feel. You could never know when you could lose your own child. This case needs to be closed successfully as soon as possible.

I hugged Ivaan back tightly, and switched off the bedside lamp. Closing my eyes, I let the chaotic thoughts lull me to sleep.

♧♧♧

Masala dosa- A variation of the popular South Indian dosa, which has its origins in Tuluva Udupi cuisine of Karnataka. It is made from rice, lentils, potato, fenugreek, ghee and curry leaves, and served with chutneys and sambar. (Source: Wikipedia)

Hello!!!
I know what you are probably thinking. When will the action start? Trust me, it's just around the corner.

Anyways, here's the first part of chapter 3. Let me know your thoughts in the comments and make sure to vote and share!!!

See you next Saturday!

21/05/2022