Topic suggested by DevaFan on Mon Apr 19 06:07:25 .
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.
On a Dark And Stormy Night
The wind was blowing relentlessly against the closed door. Raamu could hear the hard rain beating against the panes of his windows.
"It is a horrible night to be outdoors," Raamu thought to himself.
"Living in the outskirts of a city could be so lonesome" he once again lamented to himself. What he would give for some good company to share a pot of coffee on a cold night like this.
As if answering his thoughts, there was a light knock on the door.
"Yaarathu?" he shouted, whilst wondering who could be out on such a bad weather.
A young man, couldn't have been more than 20, stood outside, soaking to his skin. He was at least six-feet tall, fair, moustached, and had very curly hair.
"Konjam ulley varalaamaa?"
"Oh! Vaangalein," Raamu answered with an expectant note in his voice.
"Sorry. Anaavasiyamaa ungalukku thontharavu kodukkurein."
"Athukkenaa, paravaa illei. Aamaa, intha neraththiley, neenga engey.....," Raamu didn't finish his question.
"Athai yen kekareenga. Periya hero maathiri, engappavoada Benz-u caar-ei oattitu vanthein. Petrol adikka kaasillei. Kaadi ninnuruchu. Ippo thindaadurein."
Raamu smiled, "Neenga oru jolly type-athaan irukkareenga. Your good name please?"
"Oh sorry. I am Saarathy."
"Romba cold-a iruppeenga. Let me make you a cup of hot coffee," Raamu volunteered.
"Oh, that will be great." Saarathy interjected. "Aamaa, neenga thaniyaathaan irukkareengalaa? Phone irukaa?"
"Yes. Enakku thanimaithaan inimai. But sorry, lines are out. Namma ooru telecoms paththi thaan ungalukku theriyumey." Raamu smiled, while igniting the stove.
"Thaniyaa irukka bayamaa illei?"
"Enna bayam? Pae-pisaasu, ithula ellaam enakku nambikkai illei. Company-kku TV irukku, radio irukku. Athu poathumey."
"Konja TV-ei on pannattumaa?" asked the visitor.
"Sure. Ippo news oadura time thaan."
As Raamu filled the cups with hot coffee, Saarathy switched on the TV. Both sipped on the coffee silently, watching the news.
"Here is an important announcement." the TV newscaster said, catching the attention of both Raamu and Saarathy. "The picture shown on the screen belongs to a serial killer, who has killed 12 people for no apparent reason. He preys on those staying alone and unarmed. So far police have not established the reason for his killings but suspect that robbery may be a motive."
Raamu turned his attention to Saarathy, as the latter switched off the TV.
Saarathy gave Raamu a weird smile, "TV-le kaattuna padam familiar-a illeh?"
"Enna solla vareenga?" Raamu wanted to know.
"Illeh, antha padaththula kaattuna anga-adaiyalangai gavanitheergalaa? Six feet tall, light moustache, fair-skinned, curly hair, ......" Saarathy was studying Raamu's expression.
Raamu stared intently at Saarathy.
"In fact, the police have taken me for questioning many times and I have even been featured in the national newspaper!" Saarathy continued.
"But why do you say that?" Raamu argued, "Even I look like that guy."
"Neengalaa? Nallaa joke pannareega!" Saarathy laughed aloud, "You are much shorter, clean-shaven, wear glasses and have straight hair."
"Athu ellaam small problems. Wearing heels, false-moustache, contact lenses and a wig can solve the problems." Raamu said quietly, while producing a dangerous looking dagger.
"Ennai poala oruththan impersonate pandraanu naanum kelvi pattein. Naan onneh thedura sirammam kooda illaama, en veettukkey nee vanthuttey!"
Saarathy froze as he saw the dagger approaching him, the thirteenth victim.