Meena Mangalathil:

Chapter - 10  “Well the criminals, were more dead inside than alive.” “Rafael, what does that mean?” “Simple, when you say something to your friend, if you ask something to your friend and if they do not respond, not once or twice or thrice, what would you do the fourth time?” “Rafael, fourth time, there won’t be a third time, that person is a dead man, we’d just forget him.” All nodded. “That’s what happened to these people too, they just turned their face, when their soul spoke to them, making it silent.” “Oh!! how sad, now can’t they revive the soul?” “Yes Monica, something very drastic should happen to them like fall in love or get hurt that really would cripple them, only then they would realize, what they are or else, (Rafael nodded his head in resignation) they would always be in the prison of the body with no hope to live. But there is a tragedy in it too, the actions they had done would come to repay and that is when they would really r

Chapter - 9  “Good, back to the story, they talked, sang and joked all the way back home, there a big surprised awaited them.” “What surprise Rafael?” “The men who had cut the doctor into pieces were awaiting them.” “What!!!!!!!!! Oh!!!!!! My God!!!!!!!” “But why?” “Well they were brought by the police.” “But how come the police came to know about it in the first place?” “Immediately after they left Dr. Martin’s clinic, they had a squabble in the pub and in that fight, they spilled all the details loud and clear for all to hear, ending them in prison. This was part of the interrogation, five in chains.” “Five members!!!!!! But anyway, its good to hear they are not roaming scot free around the place.” All nodded. “If you have done a wrong children, its not necessary, that you should be punished, you can be the best person in the whole wide world for all to see. But, the inside police, the very soul of yours, he is very very

Chapter - 8 “Giving a pouch of gold to both Juan and Sanjo, he turned to Dr. Martin and said, Sir, we’ll try to return at the earliest and don’t feel bad in making Juan and Sanjo work. By the time, I hope you’d heal and start to walk, while I return.” “Alfonso, I’m glad to hear, you decided to return  and no problem, in asking Juan’s and Sanjo’s help. I’d be glad of their company. But before your departure, I need your help, Alfonso.” “Speak up sir, what can I do for you?” “Could you please shift me to my home? I would have my privacy and no one would disturb me there. I know, at this hour no carriage could come our way, but I have only you people to ask.” Alfonso smiled and nodded. He looked at others and all nodded, within no time, the last light was down darkening the clinic and the whole group moved talking and joking.” “Rafael, what happened?” “Well, Dr. Martin, was as light as a feather, when compared to Rojer and it was not a big deal to make

Chapter - 7 “Father, I’m glad to see that you are well and fine. Turning to the crew members, she spoke smilingly, Yes, father I met these young gentlemen, who helped me patch up all your limbs in place. Do you think, I could do it singlehandedly?” Dr. Martin’s eyes lighted up with mirth. I can imagine that, with all bloody blood flushing around the place, these men messed in it? Good. I forgot to ask in the first place, Alfonso, what made you come here? All looked at each other. “It was a case of food poisoning father, I treated Rojer and he is fine now.” All looked relieved, but Alfonso’s fist tightened, Isabella could feel his tension, but she didn’t acknowledge it, she smiled sweetly at him and looked at her father and spoke, “Father, these gentleman do not have any known people here.” “Aah!! that’s good. So now I got an opportunity to welcome you gentlemen, to my home to stay. He turned to Isabella and spoke, “Bella, you take them home immediately and ask

Chapter - 6 “Rafael, I’m really getting scared. Let me cross my fingers.” All smiled. “Don’t fear Rebecca, that is not very good for our body, the root cause of many diseases like acidity, head ache, stomach disorders, shoulder pain, high blood pressure and sometimes strokes and brain haemorrhages too happen due to fear. ” “Oops!! thank you, Rafael, next time, I’ll make sure that I quit fear.” All smiled. “Good, now shall I say, what they replied?” “Yes, please do.” “Maam, we tinker around high waters with our ship.” “And what type of tinkering? fishing? or sea diving?” “Well, to be exact, fortune hunting.” “I don’t deny the ocean isn’t a treasure house, but don’t you think, it would be better if you could search for your treasure here? With your two strong hands, you can work hard and a mind so clear and an attitude so straightforward, you are surely going to be winners.” Alfonso spurted his coffee and started coughing.  All the crew gape

Chapter - 5 “She started unwrapping the left hand of her father methodically not knowing what to expect. Her hear was coming to a stand still as the bandage was nearing to the wound and at last she undressed the wound which made her eyes widen.” “How did you do this?” Tears started rolling from Isabella’s eyes. “What happened Rafael? Why is Isabella crying?” “Well, the crew had really helped her father . They had joined the main artery brachial artery, where the blood from the heart is being pumped to the hands and the cephalic veins and brachial veins, the blood vessel, that pumps back blood to the heart were connected.” “Really, that’s impossible, but how?” “That’s the funny part, they inserted very thin tube  into the artery, so as to keep the blood flowing.” “Rafael, are you saying that, they did as we do in plumbing? joining two water  hoses?” “Exactly, one of the crew members was good in tinkering around with bamboos and water hoses and

Chapter - 4 “Isabella ran behind Sanjo, to know what the commotion was  all about, what ailment had befell Sanjo’s friend, that it necessitated, such commotion?” thinking so, Isabella reached her destination right behind Sanjo, who had no time to give a hint of their presence. Isabella stopped dead in her tracks.” “What in the name of God are you doing here?” “All eyes turned towards the door, the medicine man, who had introduced himself as Dr. Martin was lying still, Alfonso, who was covered with blood and holding a big bandage which was half wound around Dr. Martin, the other crew members who were also covered with blood looked at the new comer. But seeing the beautiful apparition near the door, they felt disoriented.” “Hey lady!!! what are you doing at this hour in a place like this? Can’t you see blood all over the place? If you want the medicine man, he is out of service for the time being.” “And why should that be, Mr?”