A Life To Remember

Suddenly there was a scraping sound near the east- side window of the dining place. First she ignored it thinking it must be a rat or something but after some time it came again…louder and clearer this time! Holding the kitchen knife in her hand, she dimmed the flame of the stove and went to inquire the cause of the sound. Switching on the light of the room she went over to the window and peered out through the glass pane…nothing! Must be the wind! As she turned to go back, a shadow moved across the lawn outside. The moonlight was clear and she could see the outline of the trees and the plants in the lawn. Quickly she switched off the room light and peered out of the windowpane, keeping her self in shadows. The trees were swaying in light breeze and everything seemed surreal in the quiet of the place. She stood there looking for any sign of movement but there was nothing! Then she saw him! He was crouching low near the far side of the big tree and staring directly at her, his face glistening in the moonlight, the scar on the cheek livid, giving his face a hideous look! It was Raman again! Her heart in her mouth and fear gripping her brain, Kamal looked around for a way of escape. She prayed now that ML and the kids would return and this nightmare will be over! How long have they been gone? An hour? Surely an hour, since she started cooking! They must be back any moment! If only she could keep her head and she could save herself, she thought. He had not seen her that was sure, otherwise he would have come closer and threatened her! Suddenly she became aware of the kitchen knife in her hand and felt good. Okay bastard! Come on in and you would get the surprise of your life! Holding the knife firmly in her hand, she slid down and peered over the edge of the window. He was moving towards the window now, very cautious, very stealthily! She watched him come near the verandah banister, jump in softly and crouching, peered through the window keeping his head low. But she could see him clearly and waited with bated breath for his next move. Had she closed the door? Yes, she had! And locked it too! Well okay, short of breaking a window or the door, he could not enter the house, she thought!