The Open Window by H.H. Munro (Saki)

The Open Window by H.H. Munro (Saki)

Re written by Anukriti Arora

“Quite an overactive imagination you have there”, said Mr. Singh to Ambika. Even though Ambika had the tendency to fabricate a little about situations, she was well liked by people. Her odd sense of humor maybe was the reason why she was so likable. She had an easy going air around her which made people comfortable, quite unlike the gentleman standing across the room, who also happened to be the victim in one of her latest pranks.

 Mr. Chaturvedi, a man of high intellect, even after writing a number of books on human psychology could not cure his own OCD. His anxious nature had one too many times brought distress not only to him but also to the people around him. In an attempt to cure it he thought of taking a break from his usual hectic life in Delhi and going to Mussoorie. It had been long since he had visited his friend there. His trip would not only help cure him of his illness but would also be a re union between his friend and him.

“He should have informed his friend about coming”, thought Mr. Chaturvedi. He was seated in the living room of his friend’s house. It was a comfortable little drawing room with a fireplace which definitely came into use looking at the burnt wood lying there. Mr. Chaturvedi could not help but notice the large glass windows almost on all the walls of the room.

“Would you like some more tea Mr. Chaturvedi?” asked Ambika. She was the thirteen year old niece of his friend, who had greeted Mr. Chaturvedi when he came to the house.

“No, thank you”, replied Mr. Chaturvedi while shaking his legs. He never found it easy to say more than a word to a kid. He got too anxious around them and that was why he had never married.

“When did you last speak to my uncle Mr. Chaturvedi?” asked Ambika.

“I don’t remember, it must have been a long time ago”, replied Mr. Chaturvedi.

“Then you most likely don’t know what happened to my cousin, a few months back?”

“We were playing hide and seek, it was her turn to hide so in haste she jumped off the open window, her leg slipped as soon as it reached the ground and she fell off the cliff.”

“It was a very heartbreaking event in all our lives”, said Ambika.

“Since then the windows have been shut, my uncle has forbidden us from opening it.”

Mr. Chaturvedi was taken aback by the story. It was almost hard to believe that such beautiful slope houses could have the tendency of taking somebody’s life. He was shaking all over. The thought of not knowing what crisis befell his friend made him even more edgy. He didn’t know what to say, so he decided to keep shut.

There was a moment of awkward silence between Mr. Chaturvedi and Ambika, when the bell rang.

Ambika disappeared out of the room to see who was at the door. Mr. Chaturvedi heard the click clack of the lock being opened. Mr. Singh appeared at the door with a huge grin on his face on seeing his old friend. Mr. Chaturvedi could see two more people behind his friend whom his friend introduced as his wife and daughter. The look in Mr. Chaturvedi’s eyes was that of pure horror almost as if he’d seen a ghost. His friend concerned for him asked him if something was wrong.

Eventually the whole story was narrated to Mr. Singh. On hearing the story Mr. Singh couldn’t control his laughter. All the while Mr. Chaturvedi had been thinking that his good old friend had lost his only daughter in a tragic accident, whereas in reality his daughter had only sustained minor injuries.

“Seems like your stern attitude was taken for a ride my friend”, said Mr. Singh to the embarrassed Mr. Chaturvedi.