WV-5/2

The Whisper Valley-5/2

Khushi was out of her mind with fear! Her body went numb as the attacker dragged her into the thicket! And When he pushed her against a giant oak tree,his hand holding her by her waist and neck, he caught her by her nape and asked her gruffly," Didn't I tell you to leave?" 

Khushi who was close to a collapse due to fear... at once felt relieved as it was the voice of her saviour-Mr.Foggy Two eyes!

"Didn't I?" His voice rasped in the dark night!

She struggled to breathe and then tried to talk..."Ummm...ummm.."...but could not find her voice as her throat was parched!

"How many times have I to tell you?"He rasped again!

But...she croaked and heard him swear and adjust her against him so that she could breathe better!She could feel the leather of his gloves making marks on the tender skin of her neck and throat!

"But why should I go? Wha.....what have I....er....done?"She finally asked the question that was plaguing her!

"What you have done??????#$@%!" He swore and turned her and pinned her to the tree trunk and thats when she saw him! His face was covered in a thick muffler but well there were those eyes that peered out at her intense and piercing making her to gasp in a strange mix of fear and awe!

"What you have done?" The eyes narrowed and even in the dark she could see them red and blazing!

"You spoilt so many things!" He shook his head and pinned her further to the tree trunk saying,

"Move it now! Leave this place! Now! Just get out of Whisper Valley!"

Khushi took courage! Three encounters and she already knew he meant no harm!

"Why? I won't!" She said and flinched as he move din front saying," Then be ready to die a gory death!"

"B...b....b.bbbb..uuuuttt.... why?" She asked inspite of herself!

He groaned and said "Listen...Just leave... and.... forget about all this!"

"No..." Khsuhi blurted out before she could even think as it came naturally from inside! Why should she? whats all this and who are all these people to oust her out of some place as if they owned it! All the miseries she suffered took a toll on her and she was now reckless!

What? Are you?????....crazy?????You...don't even know...." He was now shaking in anger!

Khushi felt he wanted to say something more but was not sure and so she gained some more confidence and asked "Who are you?....Whats all this?"

There was a deafening silence and then she heard it! The distinct sound of horse hoofs hitting the ground and the trot of the horse! And she yelped as a black something ran past her in lightening speed!

He caught her neck with his hand and said menancingly," You ask too many questions! Just leave the Whisper Valley!"

" ...And If I don't?" She asked recklessly....

Again there was silence as the eyes studied her looking into her eyes deep and probing...

And then he said very coldly..." You will... "

"I won't!" she said squaring her sagging shoulders! 

What are you doing khushi! She heard her innerself chiding her! In the midst of the night challenging a masked intruder mostly on his own home ground!

His hand tightened on her neck and she winced as already there was the mark from the earlier attack!

He swore and pulled her collar off as a button popped off her top as his thumb ran across her neck...

She could hear him sucking in his breath!

That ^%$##@&! He swore!

"Why did you save me?"She asked him!

He suddenly jerked back as if he was electrocuted and said gruffly," Enough!Just leave the place and this is the last time you are being warned! I won't come to your rescue the next time!"

He turned when Khushi's mind raced faster! 

She needed to know! 

She said," I will..."

He stopped mid stride and turned back and did she see disappointment in his eyes????

"Good... "and then said a tad sadly she thought..."...good bye!"... he sighed... and made to move

"But only if you meet me tomorrow and tell me whats all this about!" She said calmly!

He turned and pushed her hissing," NO!"

"Yes!" Khsuhi realised she had a strange power in her to make him listen!But was she able to score on him? She wondered!

"NO!!!! NEVER! This is the last time you are seeing me!"He said...

Khushi somehow felt bereft! 

Last time? Something tugged at her heart!

"No! I want to meet you once before I leave and I swear I will leave Whisper Valley after that..." She bargained with him!

"No!" He blew out a low whistle and she heard the hoofs and there was a moment to her right!

"Listen..."She was still talking when there was the noise of someone talking.... 

".....er.....where is she? Oh lord Jesus! Joel please....oh please poor child...she must be.... oh..."

It was aunt Rose's voice...

Khushi turned and the man then moved like lightening and thats when she realised there was a horse waiting! He lunged on to it and Khushi panicked...

She must know...

"I will wait for you... at the Whisper Rock... tomorrow!" She said boldly!

"No!" He hissed... "I am not coming!"

"Why?" She demanded! 

This is ridiculous!

She thought at the same time! 

She was demanding something from a  stranger!

"Shut up and go... they are looking for you." He hissed!

"No!"She stamped on the ground!

He growled," Lady don't test my patience!"

Khushi realised how accented his voice was just like old times! 

He also looked odd! There was an aura of some etherial quality in him! He somehow looked different !It felt different with him! Like never before!

"Atleast... tell me when I can meet you!" She pleaded with him.

"Never!" He dug his heels into the sides of his horse..and started to move...

"Listen I will leave as you said but if you meet me at the whisper rock... tomorrow at twelve!" She said quickly!

"NO!!! AND GOOD BYE"He did a mock salute....turning away...

"Tomorrow... at..."Khsuhi could not complete as he left!

There was only darkness and silence enveloping her!

Where did he go? Why did she not here the hoof sounds then! What was the man! Was he for real?

She turned and screamed but her scream never was heard as a hand stopped it by pressing hard on her mouth!

It was the same man!

"Not a word to them!!!!And....Tomorrow...YOU ARE LEAVING THE WHISPER VALLEY! and now...er...finally...GOOD BYE!"

"Ms. Tripathi!" 

"Hello my dear!" Joel and Rose's voice echoed in the silence and Khushi panicked turning to acknowledge them! 

Holy cross!!! He was there! Why couldn't they see him! She turned and he was nowhere in sight! What was happening! 

She shivered ! 

"Aunty" She said breathlessly!

"Oh my poor darling!" Rose was by her side in minute and enveloped her saying," What happened?"

"How come you are here?" Joel asked her looking around suspiciously!

"Er..." Khushi took a long deep breath and said," ...er.... I heard someone knocking at the door?"

"Knocking? Who?None comes in at this time and I would know as I have the security informing me if anyone comes in to the gate!" Joel was furious!

"I dunno Joel! I heard the door open" She observed him then! 

Why was he furious?

"...and... she continued... so I went down and then found er... the door open and walked out only to be locked out!" She concluded with a heart that hammered in her rib cage!

Why was she lying? Coz the man asked her to! Came the answer from with in but...he was.... why should he?

Her head spun! Hey Devi Mayya!

"Then how are you here? Why diddn't you call us Ma'am? "Joel asked a tad angrily!

"I ...er...was not carrying my mobile Joel and .... er....I was walking to the out house to sound one of our maids!"Khsuhi explained.

"But the out house is that side dear!This is opposite of that..."Rose said...

Khushi opened her mouth to say I Know.... but curbed herself and said," Oh is that so?"... instead and Rose looked at Joel who was meaning to ask more and said," Oh give her a break! Can't you see she is lost? Just let me take her in...we...shall discuss tomorrow morning Joel! Just take rest and sorry for the bother"... and shepherded her in!

"Oh! Are you alright?" Joel asked and then he suddenly smiled saying," I am sorry coz its my responsibility to look into the safety of the inmates of the Casa Willows!I just was so worried when Mrs.Sanders called me in the dead of the night and reported you missing!"

Khsuhi looked at Rose! They reached the main entrance and were on the stairs!The light on the porch was switched on... obviously for the search party to trace her and she saw that Rose was a little flustered!

"How did you find out aunty? Did you come to my room?"Khsuhi asked!

" Er...I went to check on Madam! You know just to replace water in her hot water bag and while walking back I accidentally happened to touch the door of your room and it gaped open! I heard you lock it when I retired so I went in and checked and found that the bed was empty and so..." she looked at her stricken..."I was so scared!" 
Tears welled up in her eyes!

"Ok I take leave!" Joel left them to their meanderings after opening and settling them in...and closing the main door after him which automatically locked it!

"Aunty! Please!Awe!" Khushi hugged her and Rose sniffed and said frowning,"... now where did you get that perfume from Missie?"

"Perfume? I didn't apply any" She said frowning! 

"But you smell like...oh god! You smell like the..."Rose's eyes rounded as she almost whispered hoarsely...

You smell like the Valley of willow!

"What?"

"Yeah! Rose took one step forward and sniffed and said ominiusly! "It is that! It is the Valley Of Willow!"

"Whats that?" Now whats this new willow twist! Khushi snorted!

"Don't you know its the rare perfume that was created for Willow feathers and was gifted to her! Oh god! Where ever did you get that from...! I thought they never got round to finding its formula!"Rose exclaimed...

What are you talking aunty? I can't get it!"...Khushi was... zapped!

She was then reminded of the faint perfume she could sense in the library but right in the gardens....???...No she didn't!

"Ok! Missie lets put you to bed and... Rose walked her already to her room and Khushi went in switched on the light and found no surprises there for a change!

She sat on the bed and said..."...ehem... why dont you tell me the legend of the Whispering Valley!"

"I ..e.r..."She closed her eyes and said... "happen to loose it....er... yesterday in the woods!"

"What? Wait till Aron gets a whiff of it" Rose said animatedly! He will make such a ruckus of it!"

"Awe! Aunty you don't know how sorry I am but... but...well..what can I say but apologise Khushi lamented!

"No no my dear! We will talk to him but... its sort of too difficult to narrate the story! I would love to but! But we ...don't have that kind of time!"She turned and said," Tell you what! There must be one transcribed copy at the old club house which is being used as  the Town Hall presently!You may... get to read it there! But you won't be able to borrow it!" She said!

"Thats fine I shall go and read it there! Anything to know about this legend!" Somehow she felt many answers she was searching for...were hidden in the legend! 

"Ok! I wil ask one of our Drivers Mahesh to take you there! Go read and he will get you back! Madam has strictly instructed that you will not go anywhere without an escort!" Rose said much to Khsuhi's relief!

"Ok aunty!" She said smiling!

"Sleep tight my dear and wake me up if you find anything amiss Rose walked out closing the door behind her and Khushi locked it and ran to the sliding door and opened it to just catch the glimpse of a rider on the horse vanish into the fog!

He was there in the gardens! Oh God!

She tossed and turned in bed till finally sleep took over!

THE WHISPER VALLEY

Khushi got down the car to look at the huge door way! It was built strangely in roman architecture! The central huge door of admittance had pillars on both sides supporting a v shaped frame as in roman architecture with Gothic tastes to it!

Huge half circlular steps led to the main entrance and she walked up the stairs staring at the huge structutre in awe as it gleamed prestine white in the morning sun!

A ravine called out somewhere and Khsuhi broke into goose bumps as she felt being watched!

She stopped at the top stair and looked around! She found none! Even Mahesh took the car out to park it in the empty space besides the club house!

She walked in and smiled at the door jangler announcing her presence like old times! she looked around... A huge hall... may be an erstwhile ball room spread before her which now had rows of tables with two chairs each neately arranged before each window which was draped in curtains still in the vintage style... giving a very ornate look to the hall! The central chandelier was very heavy and ornate in white and gold with dangling candle holders swaying slightly to the almost still air in the huge room!

there was a  small desk to one corner which said May I hep you!

Khushi smiled at the yound lady sitting there and said," Good morning! I am Khushi! Khushi Tripathi! I am ..."

The young lady was dark but very pretty with typical local features of large expressive eyes and a generous mouth!

She immediately got up and welcomed her saying," Good morning Ma'am! Myself Thangam!" Typically and added..."What can I do for you?"

Khushi liked her instantly and understood she was a Tamilian!

She smiled and said," I wanted to read the Legend of the Valley and where can I find it?"

Thangam looked at her oddly and said,"Second floor Ma'am!There is an archive section there where the copy of the original trancripts of Anne MacPhereson is kept for visitors to go through! As you know they say... "...she stopped abruptly... "oh,no I am sorry! I shouldn't be telling tourists all this!"

"What were you trying to say?" Khushi asked!

"No no Ma'am! If our supervisor gets to know he will remove me from my job the young lady was scared in the earnest!

"No no! I won't tell what is it about the legend please tell me!"

Thangam looked to the left and to the right and leaned forward asking Khushi to lean towards her too and whispered," ...it is said that the legend was not narrated by Anne MacPherson  by Willow's grand daughter!They say the legend was written by the ghost of Willow feathers as she spoke to her grand daughter who was a medium of sorts...

Anne then jumped into the creek after she finished the work as the legend is cursed! Those who read it fully will never live to narrate it! Those who narrate it will never live to read it if they have heard from others!"

"What??? Strange!" khsuhi exclaimed frowning!

"And Ma'am..." Thangam again looked left and right and whispered! The legend transcripts are guarded by none other than the great Arnav Simha's ghost himself they say! And who ever tried to possess them dies splitting blood!

They say he still is visible on his horse with his dog Buddy in the creek and when the fog is thick and the light low... the valley often sees someone pass by searing through the thick fog...like in the times of the Valley Fair which is going to be soon!" She said animatedly!

"When is it? What is it?" Khushi asked!

"Its an annual Valley Fair! It was conducted in the past for making the neighbouring villages to showcase their produce to the affluent here at the Valley!

But now its both a tradition and a tourist attraction just like the carnival in Goa"Thangam exclaimed proudly!

"OH!" Khushi Said ingraining what she said!

The best part is the Whisper Annual Ball which is still conducted after three centuries as the government recently recognised it as one of the events showcasing our culture!It will be on the night of the third day- the final day of the fair! "Thangam went on!

"Wait a minute you mean to say there is a fair of three days and the third day there is a ball in the evening? But who participates?" Khushi laughed out! 
That would have been then for the European population... these days who would... She was sceptical!

"No ma'am! There are about 40 traditional families listed here at the valley and they by first right are the prime invitees apart from the local rulers the clan of the Arnav Simha Raeszaada!

The rest of the hundred tickets are sold to the tourists!

There would be a grand dinner with the ball! she said smiling!"

"Oh!" Khushi said....
" Anyways...up the stairs and towards the right on the second floor! Ask the incharge Rishi he will help you out!"Thangam got busy with yet another tourist!

Khsuhi took to the wide ornate stairs that deviated to both the sides after a central landing!
Shetook to right and collided into a hard lithe body and looked up to see a very handsome man say," Whoa! Are you for real?"

Khushi frowned at him as he went on one knee saying,
"Alberto Rossini at your service...Madame Feathers!

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