THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING PEARL

CHAPTER ONE

Erika the daughter of the doctor the third eldest child had come to visit her family after a long time. She used to stay in a hostel up doing something her family was unaware off. Her location was unknown where exactly she used to be. As she had her own dreams to fulfill her family didn’t stop her and let her go out with all their trust. Since 2 years she had been out and since a few days had no contact with her family members.

 The day before her 18th birthday in the evening the black curly hair girl returned back to her family from her hostel. She had thought of a grand entrance with all of her family members up to greet her home but it was the reverse. Not a single person was out there to greet her. She. went in the house to check out for some family members but they were all busy with something or the other and had no time at all. The house was too noisy and people ran from here and there. She was just informed that it was all for an important meeting her grandmother was going to have. She decided to leave out from there and thought for going to her room. Her room was at the top floor more like on the roof which was made like a room. It was the biggest room you may find at the entire small town. The entrance had a mechanical lock made by her uncle which opened just by her finger print. And what did that lock kept saved, just a small library and little other stuff that she had…

Erika didn’t visit them the entire time. She relaxed herself and went down at the time of dinner.

Their dinner was held in the dining room which contained a centre huge round table such that all the family members could fit in.

Their dinner was over and all were back with their work. Her mother returned back from her clinic which also was located in that small town itself.

She was too tired that she just wished her daughter goodnight and left after having her food.

Erika was very disappointed. After all this time she had returned and to see all of them busy like that made her feel that why the hell did she returned.

She went back to the room waiting for the clock to strike 12, as at everyone’s birthday there would be a cake cutting ceremony and the present giving at 12. It was 12 and it passed away but there was no one with even a wishing.

She sadly went to sleep. Next day was no good. Luckily her best friend came to wish her and gave her presents which made her a bit happy but her sadness was more which took over the happiness.

She went to meet her granny but she moved her away saying that she was busy. Her cousin elder sis showed the same sign.

She went back in the room and locked herself up. She was bursting with anger; but more than anger it was sadness due to disappointment; expectations do hurt a lot.

She felt pain in her chest. Her eyes watered and the girl sobbed out silently covering her face all on the pillow. She luckily felt asleep.

She heard knocking on the door. She woke up and realized some pain in her head. Her pillow was a bit wet probably with all her tears but most of it had dried till then. She looked at the clock which showed 8 pm. She suddenly got happy thinking maybe her family would surprise her at that time and the way they behaved since yesterday was all just an act. She rushed to open the door expecting all her family to be out there, but she was again disappointed. It was just the maid giving her the news to get dressed up for the meeting.

“I don’t want to attend"; she shouted trying to remove all her anger.

“It’s an order from your granny"; the maid replied and keeping the dress Erika was asked to wear she left.

Erika was really disappointed. She was angry on herself for just keeping on expecting things which won’t be true.

She looked at the dress. “I don’t want to go anywhere"; she shouted but she herself knew that she had no other choice. Those meetings were too important for her grandmother and she had to be a part of it. She got dressed into a red and blue combo gown with suited very well on her black eyes and curly hair. She took some time to get ready and was taking a little longer than usual as no one had come to give her the warning bell that they were getting late and to dress up soon.

She was all done so she decided to go and check on the others. She went downstairs. To her surprise the house was empty. When she asked about others location to the maid she was informed that they had already left as it was getting late and had asked her to follow.

Erika busted with anger now. Her family members didn’t even tried informing her that they were leaving or were about to leave or anything. She seriously didn’t wish to go any where. She wished to go back to hostel, at least her friends would had made her day more beautiful than her family.
She sat in the car and was drove by the driver to the location.

It was already dark out.  She looked out at the surroundings as they passed but it was pity dark out not allowing her to see anything. The car was stopped. Erika came out of the car. There was just one street light. But it was enough for her to see where she was. Erika remembered going out at that place before. It was the place where her family used to keep most of the magnificent parties or meetings. She moved in the main hall.

Erika entered in to find the hall room dark. The driver who had bought her there went to switch on the lights. To her surprise every one of her friends and her family member were present out there with all the preparations done for her birthday. The preparations that the family was so busy with were all just for her birthday. There was a grand celebration like there is some engagement going on. The entire town which they owned, every single member of it was invited at that place. She had never expected her birthday to be so grand. The cake was cut. Erika was having a great time of her life. Tears of joy rolled down her eyes which she tried not to be shown to anyone. She was very happy but there were some mixed feelings that were arising in her. She wondered what was it but she ignored it thinking it just her thought. She enjoyed the party to its fullest. All her cousins and his brother together gifted her watch, and a beautiful frock. Her family gifted her bike with many other gifts. Her mom hugged her tightly and apologized for not greeting her properly the previous day. The function went on well. Everyone returned back together in the bus which they had booked as the place where the function was held was a bit far away from the small town.

As they were about to reach they saw some fumes arising from the nearby place. Soon the family realized that it was nowhere else but their town which was burning down. The family called down the fire van as they rushed their bus towards the town. In front of their eyes each and every thing, every building, bungalows, restaurant, in front of them burned and fell down to become ashes and nothing else. The place which was once filled with green was now smoky red. They were too late to reach there and the fire van was much late. When they arrived nothing of it had left and the fire had almost extinguished after burning everything. The family and the others too which stayed there had received a nice shock and were on their knees, sobbing, trying to take care of each other.

When the fire went down each of them moved in slowly to check on for the damages. The cops were called in mean time. Nothing was left, nothing at all.

The family suffered a massive loss. All that they had was in that town, they had nothing much then that. They were totally bankrupt. They didn’t know what they could do.

The gaming machines were destroyed, all the machines they had were destroyed, the restaurants, the food, everything.

The police went on with their search.

Erika wasn’t able to leave her house. Even though everyone else left it for the temporary period she wasn’t able to.

“The buildings and stuffs weren’t too close so that if one caught fire the others would burn, that surely means that it could have been no accident that caused the fire at the first place. But there could have been some other reasons too that would have caused the fire by accident. Assumptions are many but until no proofs are found it can’t be said"; Erika thought as she looked from the high floor of the building where they stayed, from where the entire town was visible.

She was herself in a shock, especially when she had returned just at that time all that happened…

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