My name is Tamra!

Chapter 2:

Far away from Jaisalmer, at the city of Jaipur, (capital city of Rajasthan state) Tamra woke up with a start. She was a beautiful girl of 23, with jet black hair and very attractive body. She came from one the well-educated families of Rajasthan and her family was one of the modern thinking family, at least so they claimed. Her father Mihir Rathore was a doctor and her mother Sukanya Rathore was a banker. Her elder brother Adhrit did his graduation and had joined in the business.

Tamra lived in a palatial house (In fact it was a place of a king before her grandfather bought it) with her parents and grandparents. Her grandfather was a big business man who started from the scratch. There was a rumor in the city about his marriage. People said, Mr. Suraj Rathore was a poor man with big dreams. A King made him his assistant and Suraj learnt about investing and smart business. The King Jaimal was a very kind hearted person, he trusted Suraj with his wealth. Mysteriously he died one day and his wife and daughter were left with none.

Suraj played the protector; he made them believe only he could save the business and the wealth. So, the queen Gayathri, married off her daughter Aditi to Suraj a poor guy with lots of dreams. Then everything changed. Suraj became one of the richest in Rajasthan with a short span of 5 years. Aditi was just a tool in his hands to sign the papers. Queen Gayathri also died due to food poison after a few months of marriage. People said this could not be a coincidence. Suraj had something to do with both the deaths. But no one could produce any proof, so he marched on.

People say he was a player, Aditi had no courage to oppose his relations, for the fear of his physical abuse. She was hardly seen in the outer society. People felt pity towards her but were helpless. As the years rolled by Aditi gave birth to Mihir Rathore and Arun Rathore. Both boys were sent away to England for further studies, Mihir returned as a doctor and Arun as a business man. Arun expanded their business globally and saw business in every single opportunity. Suraj was very proud of his younger son Arun, gave him the entire business empire.

Soon after that, in an air crash Arun was brought dead. Again, people said, Mihir had his father's killer instinct, the air crash was by no means an accident, it was Mihir's handy work. Again, there was no proof or witness and Mihir lived happily in the palace. Suraj arranged his marriage with another wealthier family, called Singhs of Rajasthan. Sukanya was born with a silver spoon. She was interested in running family's finance business, with that intention, brought home a huge amount of gold and cash, increasing the value of their assets.

Mihir and Sukanya had nothing in common, but for convenience's sake they continued to be married. The divorce might affect the share value. Their first son was Adhrit Rathore a business man out and out. There was a rumor, in the Rathore family that, of the 2 siblings only one would survive. But till date, Tamra and Adhrit had broken the record. They liked each other and respected each other. After 3 generations Tamra was the only girl born in that family.

Tamra Rathore was somewhat a spoilt child and always had her way. Her father wanted her to be a doctor, she agreed but joined PhD, instead of MBBS. "You wanted me to become a doctor, Now I am going to be! You can't complain!" said Tamra to an irritated father. No one could say anything and she continued her research on heritage sites of India.

Tamra was a self - centered person and never had any friend in her life. She was very much attached to her brother and mother. When she was in 2nd grade, she was friends with a girl named Prabha. Both were like twins and were considered inseparable. Tamra even cut her hair because Prabha had a very short hair.

They both studied together and went to school together as they were neighbors. One day, due to illness Tamra could not attend the school for a week, in her absence Prabha was feeling lonely. So, she talked to another girl named Ravina. Ravina was a very simple girl from a poor family and she adored both Prabha and Tamra. Being accepted as a friend by Prabha was a great honor to her. The bond between Prabha and Ravina grew. After a week's time, when Tamra returned to school and saw Prabha in friendship with Ravina. She became furious.

Prabha expected a volcanic eruption from Tamra, instead she got more attention and affection from Tamra. Somehow that made her suspicious of a mean plan. Yes! Tamra was indeed planning a revenge on Prabha and Ravina. She was very fond of a golden bracelet given to her on her 11th birthday by her beloved grandfather. She thought she could use it for a good cause. During lunch break, she crept inside the class and hid a half bracelet in Prabha's bag and the other half in Raveena's. Returning silently suddenly she accidentally found that her bracelet was missing.

She cried bitterly, Prabha and Raveena consoled her but without any result. Poor things they did not know, Tamra was crying, because she was going to lose her friendship with Prabha forever. "I am too sentimental. That's not good! Prabha had betrayed me, so she has to bear the consequence." She said to herself. Seeing her miserable, Prabha asked her to lodge a complaint to the principal.

After enquiry, the school security came to the conclusion, that the bracelet was not misplaced but stolen. So, she insisted on checking the bags of students. For this the principal had a reservation, but seeing no other option, he agreed. First, the bags of the students belonging to Tamra's class was checked. She was waiting with her fingers crossed.

As Raveena's bag was being checked, Tamra objected. "No! not this bag! She is my friend!". But a small exclamation came from the security. She was holding a half of the bracelet. "Is this yours?" asked the Security. With utmost horror Raveena was watching this and Prabha was also shocked beyond words. Tamra just nodded her head. "I don't know, how this thing was in my bag!" spluttered Raveena. With some suspicion Prabha checked her bag and came up with the other half. She was watching Tamra, and understood the play. There was disgust in her face.

Tamra played her part really well. She begged the principal to forget, about the theft. She even told, she herself had given it as a gift, but forgot. Raveena was crying bitterly, but Prabha was silent all along. The parents were called, and informed about their daughters thieving. Raveena's mother cried bitterly and begged the principal not to take this to the police. Taking pity on that single parent, the principal just dismissed her from the school.

Still Prabha was watching everything with a grim face. "I told you not to make friends with Raveena. See, where it had brought you?" said Tamra to Prabha. "I never thought a friend could stoop to such a level!" was the only reply Prabha gave. Her parents asked the principal to issue the transfer certificate and took her to another school. "Why you dismissed Ravina? But not me? Because, she is poor?" asked Prabha which made the people around shocked. Because of Prabha, Raveena's dismissal was cancelled and she received the transfer order too.

Prabha moved out of Jaipur to Chennai with her parents, luckily her father was transferred there. What happened to Ravia, no one knew. But before Prabha left, Tamra wanted to meet and say a few things to her., which was avoided by the later till the date she left.

After that no one had become her friend, she made occasional acquittances, but no friend. She did her graduation from Maharani College and went for a master's then onto PhD. Tamra always was interested in history and the ancient monuments, naturally she chose that topic for research.

Her supervisor Dr. Tripathi was a very strict man, showed no consideration for anyone. She travelled across Rajasthan, went to different monuments and places, dug for any proof and spoke to local folks for more information. She collected data and analyzed them later.

Two days back she went to the village deep inside the desert with a burnt house. No one knew when it was constructed, or by whom. People in that village were afraid to talk about that house. They said, it was haunted. They could see and hear some lights and noises during nights, but in the morning, nothing was found.

Tamra chuckled to herself. "A typical story. A very good cover for antisocial elements to carry out their activities in secret. If only these people stop believing all these spooky things!" Even during day time no one was prepared to accompany her to that burnt house. Some even prevented her from going. There was a very old lady with a face full of wrinkles. She was simply staring at the house. Tamra thought the oldie might know something about the house.

"Halo Grandma! Namaste! I want to know about that house! When it was built? Who is the owner? Do You know anything about it?" asked Tamra with enthusiasm, she was even prepared to give a good sum to that oldie.

"Why ask me? Go and ask your grandfather. He was the one who is responsible for its destruction." Said the old lady in a disgusting expression. Tamra was taken aback and was flabbergasted at the same time. Slowly anger crept into her. "What does this old devil know about my Dadaji? Does she even know who I am? Senile old wolf!" Before Tamra could speak, her guide Taro spat out. "Shut up old mongoose! Madam is from a very high family. She belongs to Jaipur, not this God forsaken village. Talking about big people just like that?"

"Oh! Suraj Rathore is a big man now? Is it? How he became big? What do you know about that, money crazy monster? And who are you calling names? I am not like you, licking the shoes of rich people. I have my dignity." Said the old lady pointing a finger at Taro, she was yelling at the top of her voice.

By now, Tamra had become level headed and wanted to know more about that old lady. "Grandma! I think you are mistaken; my grandfather had never been in these places. How do you know my grandfather?" asked Tamra hiding her annoyance. "Oh! Well! So, you admit that Suraj Rathore is your grandfather, right?" asked the old lady. Now Tamra had to sit down to make herself equal to the situation. "How? How? Do you…." The old lady spat with curse and turned towards Tamra. "On hearing your name your highness! I realized you must be a blood relation to Suraj, looking at your age, I put it as grandfather." Said the lady with extreme contempt.

"But….I am Tamra, that's a very rare name and …." Tamra blabbered something which had no meaning at all. "Suraj, or Mr. Fox as he was known in these parts, was a greedy, selfish and arrogant fellow. Poor Tamra! All she expected was love, all she got was deceit." Said the old lady. "No…No Grandma!" Tamra started saying something, but the lady snapped. "Don't call me grandma, with the same mouth which called Fox Suraj grandpa! Call me Trikala or Auntiji"

"Sorry! but, my grandfather never disappointed me, He loves me with all his heart." Replied Tamra trying to stand up for her beloved Grandfather. The old lady laughed a mirthless laugh, which made her hair stand on end. "You think, Suraj named you Tamra just like that? You are the only female child in your family probably? Please go away from here young lady. This house has a history of vengeance. Don't fall prey to that." Saying these words, Trikala started walking towards a sand dune. She sat there and started singing a song which was very sad, and tear stained. Suddenly the attitude of her guide Taro's changed. "Madam! Please let's go! Before sunset let's leave this cursed village. I am responsible for your safety Madam! Please come!" said Taro in a hurry.

Thousands of doubts and questions in her mind, Tamra silently boarded the Jeep. The song of the old lady was still lingering in the lonely desert sands.