Warned: The Astrologer's Prophecy by Mahtab Narsimhan

Author:Mahtab Narsimhan [Narsimhan, Mahtab]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Tags: Action & Adventure, Boys, Family, Friendship, India, Mystery, Young Adult
ISBN: 9781777831806
Publisher: Stardust Stories
Published: 2022-02-01T05:00:00+00:00

13

After I’d finished cleaning the cowshed, which was gross, I hurried through the pouring rain and back up to my room. I slammed the door when I got in and tried to lock it. To my shock, the bolt had disappeared. I stared at the strip of dark wood where it should have been. Had it been there when I’d arrived? I couldn’t remember. I’d not needed to lock the door before, but now it was a matter of life and death. The one on the outside—a simple slide bolt—was still there.

So, Das could lock me in, but I could not lock him out.

My head pounded with questions as I paced the room. What if Das came in the middle of the night and murdered me? Why had he been at Venkat’s place? Was he in cahoots with the astrologer and was Nana the next target?

I had to talk to Nana ASAP and tell him that Das was dangerous. Plus, I needed proof that Das was connected with the astrologer or that he had evil intentions. Without proof, no one would believe that Das was up to no good while pretending to be a loyal servant. The only way was to keep a close eye on Das and record him in action. I’d have to make sure the phone was charged at all times.

I wandered over to the window. The rain had stopped momentarily, but black clouds filled the horizon and tendrils of lightning trailed between them like the tentacles of a giant octopus. A figure, holding a tattered umbrella, hurried into the cowshed I had just mucked out. Lalita. I had to talk to her.

I made sure the coast was clear and raced down. She was in a corner of the shed, mixing straw into the dung and making dung cakes for the fire. It was a disgusting job, and it made sense that Das would pass it on to someone else.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

Lalita startled but settled down when she realized it was only me. “Please go away and don’t talk to me. You’ll get me into trouble and I can’t afford that right now.”

“I came to apologize. Nana punished me too, if you must know.”

Lalita said nothing as she slapped the dung patties onto the wall. They stuck there and would stay there till they dried. The smell was awful, but I did not mind. At least I had someone to talk to.

“I think something weird is going on,” I said. “I need your advice.”

Lalita looked up and opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out. Someone blocked the weak daylight coming in, and even before I turned around, I knew who it was.

“You’re done here,” said Das. “Leave now and don’t come back.”

“Please!” begged Lalita. “I need this job, or my mother and I will starve.”

Watching Das bully my friend made me want to punch him.

“Not my problem,” said Das. “Go to the city like your friends did. Less garbage in Tolagunj, and you’ll find more work there.

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