The house, a small fort really, was situated in a remote village called Lakshmishwara in Rajashthan where his ancestors ruled during some pre-historic age and where his grandfather lived now. Raj has come along with his parents and five years old little sister Gia to attend the annual festival of Vishnu Puja all the way from Delhi. Though he has been coming here every year since he remembered, this was Gia's first time in three years because of some mysterious fever that always attacked her during this time of the year.
Vishal was a respected man in the village. After his retirement he has settled here and assumed the role of the “Raja” of this village succeeding his father Sekhar Narayan Chakravarty. Something which the villagers were only too eager to bestow upon him as Sekhar Narayan was an incapable and weak “Raja”. It was very easy to fool and cheat8 him. Vishal on the contrary was not only an authoritative leader but was very kindhearted too. Villagers loved him. He has worked very hard to establish peace and unity in the village which was so prone to communal riot4 previously.
Raj loved to come here to see his daddu in spite of the fact that it was him who named him after his great great grandfather Rajpratap Narayan Chakravarty. Seriously did he not think even once? And why did his parents accept? Logic defied Raj every time he tried to think about it. If his sister could have such a modern name then why could not he? He has hated his name since the day his mom did not buy him the Shin Chan sticker name-label because his name would not fit into it. Also it was very uncool a name for a handsome twelve year old who was the lead singer of the school band.
But whenever Raj came here, he could not but feel the gravity of his name. The entire fort was full of evidences of the great Rajpratap Narayan Chakravarty I's achievements. In fact the frontal part of the fort was turned into a museum which featured many heroic portraits of the great man and showcased many of his weapons among the others. It fascinated Raj. But mostly he was awed by one painting that featured the great Rajpratap sitting on a couch relaxing while a great python wrapped his leg. The great snake was his pet. Its name was Lalchand. ♣ Raj woke up from the sound of blaring conch shell. It was the dawn of the puja ceremonies. It was time to take bath and get ready. He loved the dawns in Lakshmishwara. The crisp cold air, peacock’s loud calls and multi-colored hibiscus flowers when compared to the stark concrete of Delhi. It was a peaceful paradise9. ♣ The puja has started. The idol was Vishnu’s but with a twist. It was a foot tall Vishnu standing on open lotus flower while the snake3 with five heads provided him shade. He held a mace, a conch shell, a wheel and a bow along with a lotus in his four hands. An arrow5 holder hung from the back of the idol. Apparently Rajpratap had once seen a dream during a time of colonial crisis where he saw lord Vishnu like this. Next morning he got the idol altered. Apparently lord vishnu helped him win the battle. The idol was made of solid gold and platinum with two diamonds for two eyes. The bow and the arrow holder were made of pure gold as well. Vishal had traveled to the city to take out the idol from the locker in the bank. He would return it tomorrow. ♣ This was the one time in the year when the entire population of the village and the neighboring villages gathered at the vast opening outside the fort. They prayed irrespective of what their religion was. It was a very old tradition. The puja was over by the afternoon. Vishal carried the idol outside the fort. Waiting people saw it, paid their homages and then he carried it again inside to the puja room. ♣ The ceremony was over now. Vishal and Raj’s dad were busy supervising while the villagers were served food. Raj ran here and there feeling important. By the time ceremony got over, it was late night. Vishal went to the puja room, one last time, to pay his homage. But something was amiss. Oh my god. He realized with a chill running his spine that the bow and the arrow were missing. ♣ The police inspector knew Vishal. So he was in the house in an instant. He carried out a routine enquiry asking people questions which Raj was not quite happy about. He was a great fan of detective books and believed he could do better. He noted down important points of the investigation. He visited the scene of the crime enriching his notebook with further notes. After a detailed thoughful analysis Raj narrowed his list of suspects to people inside the house. As there was no way for the any outsider to enter the house. Even if anyone had why would he just take the bow and the arrow. It made no sense. After much thought raj decided someone who was Vishal’s enemy could do it to harass him. Though he was inclined to Hari uncle as a true investigator he noted the whereabouts of each family member during the “atithi bhojan”. Everyone was a suspect. Though Raj carried out his investigation with passion7, he couldn’t but feel sad when he looked at Vishal. He was ancient and superstitious. He believed the theft was a sign of impending loss of pride2 for the family. He refused to listen whatever logic Raj had to offer. When even after two days, nothing was solved, Raj’s dad could not stay any longer. Apparently he had adviced Vishal to make another set of bow and arrow.
Raj felt torn1 in two parts. One part of him wanted to stay with daddu and continue his investigation while the other part could not bear the thought of being separated from his mother. He tried to reason with Vishal to convince his parents to stay longer but Vishal simply said it was not necessary as he had already given order for another set of bow and arrow. Raj’s dad said, a true investigator always solved the mystery sitting at home raking their brain. He gave Sherlock Holme’s example. Raj agreed reluctantly. ♣ Two days have passed since Raj returned to Delhi. But he could not concentrate neither on his studies, nor on the band’s practice. He even stopped going to his afternoon matches of cricket. He could not accept loosing his very first case. He sat quietly on his bed, re-reading a Sherlock Holmes trying to find some clue from the great master. Suddenly a light flickered in his brain. He was hit by a brain wave so hard that he had to jump. Why didn’t he think about this possibility earlier? He slapped his forehead. ♣ Everyone was sitting around the table. Like a professional detective, Raj has called a meeting where he would reveal the mystery of lost bow and arrow. Vishal was summoned from Lakshmiswara. Everyone sat absolutely still; amused, confused and curious. Raj cleared his throat filling the air with self imposed importance. He reached his pocket and pulled out a packet. He placed on top of the table and pushed it towards Vishal. “Go ahead, daddu. Open it.” He said seriously. Vishal opened it with his hands shaking. It was indeed what it promised to be. The bow and arrow! His jaw dropped open as he looked at Raj. Raj’s parents were no better. Raj paced the room with both hands at his back, looking smug. “Well. Dad you said, genius detectives solved mysteries sitting at home raking their brains.” Raj started speaking finally, “Well I did it. I solved the mystery that the police could not.” “I knew from the beginning that it had to be someone from inside the family because it was not possible for anyone to enter the house. And even if someone extraordinarily powerful to cross a twenty feet wall entered the house, why would he take such a pain to just take the bow and arrow.” He paused dramatically. Everyone nodded their heads. “So my list was narrow.” Raj continued, “My first doubt went to Hari uncle because he didn’t like daddu and always fought with him.” Hari flinched and Vishal chuckled at the sharp observation power of his grand son. “But then that day while sitting on my bed, I suddenly remembered one thing Gia had said. She thought the bow and arrow were cool weapons for her G.I Joes to have. So she went ahead and made her claims on these. Because according to her, the Vishnu idol looked awfully over burdened with the bow and arrow. So she relieved him and gifted them to her G.I Joe.” Raj finished. Gia spoke at this point, as she was rehearsed so many times meticulously by Raj, “I am sorry. Bhaiyan said, what I did was wrong. I am sorry.” Vishal got up and hugged his grand son. He was proud. Today Raj made himself worthy of his name.
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