An open window

 Akka used to sit by the open window in her  Om bungalow in Matheran after her daily morning chores and would enjoy her coffee sip by sip while looking out of the window , taking in the beauty of nature, the lush  green trees, gently swaying to the mild breeze, creating waves in the sky, the cooing of birds , the fragrance of flowers and dried leaves bathed in dew, that shone in the sunlight creating small rainbows .  During monsoons, the clouds from the nearby Sahyadri ranges would come floating by and enter her house with a a gentle spray of the rain. The window had a clear view of the little hills and small cliffs of the mountains. This was her routine from Monday to Friday . Weekends were busy with tourists staying in her home for bed and breakfast, however she still managed to find time for her daily morning date with her open window and coffee. 

Her children living in the city would often tell her to move closer to them as she was not getting any younger and old age had started taking a toll on her health. 

Akka was a very good hostess, she would befriend all those who came to stay in her bunglow  and often had repeat guests .It was rare for Om bungalow to be occupied on weekdays. However, on one  such weekday , a Wednesday, there was a couple who had made a booking .

“ Welcome to my humble abode”, said Akka to Chaya, the pretty young woman accompanied by Ravi, her handsome fiancé. Chaya and Ravi made a handsome couple, very much in love and complimenting each other in all aspects. “ What brings you here on a weekday”, asked the chatty Akka over a cup of tea and cookies.

“ Akka, we are here on our pre wedding shoot “, said Chaya giving a little kiss and a subtle hug to Ravi . “ Our photographer,  Kiran , will be here with his team soon. I hope you don’t mind us setting up the cameras and lights in your beautiful house “, said Chaya . Chaya was the more exuberant of the two, while Ravi was the quiet types and looked very dependable and mature . 

The next day went past in a flurry of activity with the photographers scurrying around, the makeup artists , choreographers and costume designers taking complete charge of Akka’s house . By evening, everyone was exhausted and retired early after dinner . On her daily sync up call with her children, Akka had lots to share with them about the day and its excitement. 

A lot of pictures were taken with the sunrise as a backdrop and Kiran , the photographer, frequently caressing Chaya’s cheeks, putting a stray frond of hair away etc. Akka somehow was quite uncomfortable with his body language from the start . Soon after breakfast, the entire team bade  her farewell, both Chaya and Ravi promising to invite her for their glamorous destination wedding . “ We will go to the close by Lord’s point , take some pictures there and leave directly from there “, said Chaya as she thanked Akka again for her hospitality. 

Sighing  with relief , her freshly brewed coffee in hand , Akka sat on her favourite chair by the open window. Being a clear sunny day, she could clearly the Lord’s point and beyond . She saw the team set up the equipment for the shoot . She saw Chaya in her flowing yellow coloured chiffon gown , flowers in her open hair. Ravi dressed in a resplendent white shervani , looking elegant and royal , standing precariously close to the edge of the cliff . Akka saw Chaya slowly run towards him , with Kiran behind her , supposedly trying to shoot a shot, and within a blink of an eye, she saw them  push the unaware Ravi into the ravine . She heard Ravi’s blood curling scream as he disappeared into the depths of the valley. 

What sounded like a scream escaped from Akka and all  her house help came running towards the open window . 

“ Get my phone”. Said Akka in a shaky voice. Shivering , she dialled the police helpline number , 112 . Akka had just been an eye witness to a murder through the open window of Om Bungalow overlooking Lords point . 

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