The wasted souls (Completed)

Chapter 4

Acharya stood in front of the massive gate of the Haveli, with constable Lal Singh beside him. After having parked his vehicle at the gate, he approached the old gatekeeper, sitting on the stool inside. As soon as he saw Acharya he stood up from his seat and greeted Acharya with a salute.

"Is your master in?" Acharya inquired of him.

"Yes sir, he is," he replied.

"What is your name?"

"My name is Parambir. Why sir? What's the matter?"

"Since how long have you been working here?" Acharya asked, ignoring his curiosity.

"Since 10 to 12 years,"

"So you know Raman Sethi too, don't you, especially his wife?"

"Yes, I do know her. She works here but has not shown up lately,"

"Do you remember when you last saw her?"

"But why do you ask all this? Did something happen?" the gatekeeper asked, now really confused at all the questions.

"Yes, she is dead," this outright response changed the old man's demeanor, and his wrinkled, small eyes widened in disbelief.

"So when did you last see her?"

The man steadied himself as he gripped the gate, while his other free hand went over to the turban on his head to hold it in place. Acharya saw that the piece of news had clearly disturbed the old man.

"I think I last saw her some twenty days back when she came to work in the morning. She always greeted me on the way in and out. That day I only met her once," he said after giving it a thought.

"Why only once?"

"I dinned late that day, so the gate was unmanned,"

"Why did you dine late?"

"Oh, what do I say...there were some guests that day,"

"What was the occasion?"

"Oh...I don't know, no one told me,"

"Were there women and children too?"

"Yes, a few,"

"Ok...I would like to meet your master now,"

"Ok, sir," the old man said, proceeding on his weak legs to open the smaller gate to let them in.

The house was big and the land on which it stood was even bigger. It was well kept and tended to, Acharya noted; and saw only one car parked in the parking lot. The owner was a thrifty person as he had heard.

Both men walked along the tiled pathway leading to the Haveli entrance. The door was opened by a servant, who welcomed them into the decorated hall and led them to the sitting area, where he asked them to be seated, after which he rushed off to inform his master of their arrival.

Within a few minutes, Acharya saw two men descend the stairs, followed by the same servant. Once on the ground, they approached Acharya, who had now stood upon their arrival, while the servant made himself scarce.

In his sixties, the wealthy miser had a domineering personality, with dyed hair, was clean-shaven, and stood tall in a lean body. He viewed Acharya with disdain, bespectacled eyes. Beside him with a similar tall frame, but a healthier figure, was a younger version of the father, but he had kind, dreamy eyes.

"What can I do for you, inspector?" he asked, but before Acharya could open his mouth, another warning came to him, "I don't give any donations," Acharya shook his head knowingly.