Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary – Chapter 7

Two sisters. Alike in appearance but contrary in nature. Both leave home but where one of them returns the other goes missing. Binita Sen steps in to help in another bizarre search after Debts of Desire. Read Chapter 6 The House was a palatial structure set amidst sprawling lawns that stretched on endlessly. The eye could not see the end of the land’s boundary. The main house was a three-storeyed gothic building. At the centre of the portico, where they now stood, a large marble mermaid stood in a dancing pose…

Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary – Chapter 6

Two sisters. Alike in appearance but contrary in nature. Both leave home but where one of them returns the other goes missing. Binita Sen steps in to help in another bizarre search after Debts of Desire. Read Chapter 5 Keya woke up the next morning to find her mother poring over the Mussoorie Times. She checked the time and realised it was almost time for breakfast. “Why aren’t you ready yet?” asked Keya yawning. “Won’t we be late for Landour?” “Oh not yet” said Binita looking up at the sound of…

Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary – Chapter 5

Two sisters. Alike in appearance but contrary in nature. Both leave home but where one of them returns the other goes missing. Binita Sen steps in to help in another bizarre search after Debts of Desire. Read Chapter 4 While Keya was taxing her brain over critical matters, her mother was enjoying a leisurely stroll in the spacious courtyard of the Convent of Jesus and Mary, Waverly School. She was accompanied by Sister Joyce D’Silva, the elderly matron of the girls dorm. The two women had developed quite a rapport specially…

Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary – Chapter 4

Two sisters. Alike in appearance but contrary in nature. Both leave home but where one of them returns the other goes missing. Binita Sen steps in to help in another bizarre search after Debts of Desire. Read Chapter 3 The crisp fresh mountain air hit Binita pleasantly as she strolled in the driveway waiting for the taxi that would take them to the town center. Soon Keya joined her mother. She looked smart in a navy-blue pullover and white jeans. Binita wore an offwhite kurta with a beautiful hand embroidered floral…

Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary – Chapter 3

Two sisters. Alike in appearance but contrary in nature. Both leave home but where one of them returns the other goes missing. Binita Sen steps in to help in another bizarre search after Debts of Desire. Read – Chapter 2 The Upasana Express chugged off on its way to Dehradun. Binita arranged her bags in the First-Class AC coupe for two and was settling down with a book when Keya climbed down from the upper berth and sat down beside her. “Have you thought of how you will get into General…

Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary – Chapter 2

Two sisters. Alike in appearance but contrary in nature. Both leave home but where one of them returns the other goes missing. Binita Sen steps in to help in another bizarre search after Debts of Desire. Binita Sen was lounging in her armchair glancing over the morning newspaper. This was the favourite time of the day for her when Keya, her daughter was still sleeping, and her maid Malati was not due in another hour. That meant she could finish reading the newspaper before Keya grabbed it and Malati demanded her…

Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary – Chapter 1

Two sisters. Alike in appearance but contrary in nature. Both leave home but where one of them returns the other goes missing. Binita Sen steps in to help in another bizarre search after Debts of Desire. The black 4X4 Mahindra Thar SUV sped along the long winding roads of Mussorie. Light was fading and dusk was fast enveloping the hills in a dull blanket. The circular glare from the vehicle’s headlights lit up the road ahead. As the car left the main Mussorie town and climbed higher towards the tiny hamlet…

Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary – Prologue

Two sisters. Alike in appearance but contrary in nature. Both leave home but where one of them returns the other goes missing. Binita Sen steps in to help in another bizarre search after Debts of Desire. Mary Mary Quite Contrary How does your garden grow? With Silver Bells and cockle shells And Pretty maids all in a row Little Ronnie was feeling angry. It had been raining since evening which had kept most people indoors. He hated it when the roads were empty and there was nothing for him to…

A Walk in the Hills

Revathi walked down the cobbled path of the little hill station looking at the colourful shops lining the pavement. Trinkets, bags, curios and leather shoes were arranged enticingly on the shelves in the shop windows. School girls in their yellow check shirts and brown tunics stood sucking ice lollies in ice cream shops. Their little pigtails bobbing up and down as they nodded their heads in animated conversation with their friends. Lost in her thoughts, she jumped at a loud snort right behind her. She quickly made way for the…

The Awakening

Uma lay still on her bed staring into the darkness. She had the same dream once again. The medicines had stopped the nervous attacks but they could not stop the pain from jabbing at her heart every time.  She got out of bed, wrapped a shawl around her shoulders, and moved to the small balcony attached to her room. It was a small but cosy room with a mid-size bed, a small sitting area before a fireplace and an attached bathroom. She didn’t need anything more than this. Uma stood…