XII

"What is this place!" Mrs. Devi exclaimed, waiving her hands in circular motion, "such weird smells!" "What smells mother" asked Sunita, " Oh! I left the kheer on the stove!!"

Sunita hurried towards the kitchen, "obviously not that smell Sunita!" Mrs. Devi snapped poking her head out of the window, "I don't like the negative smell out here" " Oh Ma!! Not again! I'm not changing houses like Papa!!" Sunita said annoyingly, stirring the utensil with the red spatula, "I don't believe in all these smells that you get, and especially I don't believe your nose!" Sunita laughed and nudged her mother, "come i'll show you the rest of the house"

"You are not living in this house darling!" Said Mrs. Devi in a sharp imposing tone, after seeing the whole house and settling down on a sofa she found less negative"this place is not correct, I can sense it..... too negative!!" "Oh Ma, it's a great house, the society is for sure lifeless, not many people speak to me..... or among themselves even!" Sunita chuckled lightly, having decided not to spoil her mood by her mother's beliefs, "but I'm more concerned about my home, which is nice and also, best among what Rakesh and I could afford."

"I knew you wouldn't listen to me, which is why I invited Shastriji, he'll be here tomorrow evening..... and I'm sure will confirm whatever I'm saying." Mrs. Devi replied calmly. " Ma!! What was the need to involve him!" Sunita lost her cool, "I have just shifted to my first home and here you are..... and all of this.....God!!" "There is no need to overreact, lets just listen to him, what he has to say." Mrs. Devi replied in a calm tone presuming her daughter's reaction.

She knew there was something definitely wrong, and just wanted to ensure Sunita is safe.Mrs Devi looked at the clock waiting for the next day impatiently.

XI

"Hi Darling! Its okay.....it happens" Mrs. Devi hugged her daughter, stroking her hair in a comforting way.

Moments later, Sunita welcomed her mother indoors. "Rakesh is in office, he has promised to come home a little early." Sunita informed her, without any expressions on her face " .....and what shall I bring you....water, tea....coffee?"

" Bring a bright smile....if you could" Mrs. Devi said, holding Sunita's chin lovingly. Sunita sighed and stepped backward, making her mother lose her grip from her face. "Mother I told you on call too, I'm fine, I can manage....you didn't need to run down here in such a hurry" Sunita blurted out " and its not something new, I have faced this rejection before too....its fine...not everyone has babies!" " Yes, but not everyone wants one so badly, nor tries so hard!" Mrs Devi answered, ending Sunita's argument in one sharp blow, " You have to fight it, you can't just give up...cursing your bad luck....I fear this is some bad energy's work" " Maa!!" Sunita reacted sharply, " this is why I didn't wan't to discuss things with you....you somehow always manage to link up things with spirits and omens....and all that voodoo stuff!"

" Sweety, you know its not just ""Stuff""....things like these exist" replied Mrs Devi, " and I had warned you the same, when you took this house!!" said Mrs. Devi giving a sharp look to her daughter, " and you see...its not letting you be happy....and neither letting you go!"

" Namaste Maa" Rakesh greeted his mother-in-law, " how have you been?" Mrs. Devi hugged Rakesh. " I'm fine dear, just worried about you both" Rakesh smiled as her gave Sunita a smirk, and whispered in her ear " And the ghostly lectures begin!" Sunita controlled her laugh and nudged Rakesh to keep quite.

/*What did Mrs Devi warn Sunita about her house? Tune in for the next post to find out!!*/