Threads & Theories: The House That Lies Kept Quiet
You know that strange stillness right after you’ve finished a painting?
The canvas stops breathing — but you know it’s holding something back.
That’s what this chapter feels like.
The silence before the next brushstroke.
The moment a color dries — but the truth doesn’t.
This week, we’re back in Meera’s world — coffee cups, case files, and a very inconveniently handsome investigator.
Let’s step into the still house and see what it’s hiding.
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Chapter IV
I
woke up to my alarm sounding, 7:00 am it read.
8
missed calls?... From brother… What was he doing up so early?
I
called him back and he answered immediately, and with a panicked voice, told me
that one Mr. Shah had visited him late last night. Apparently he enquired about
my visit to Levels. Tharun told me that the investigator might visit me anytime
today. “Alright”, I said. “Nothing to panic about, I was just out visiting my
old friend at Levels you see, anna.”. “But Mr. Shah told me that the friend of
yours has been missing for around a day now? Did you know that Meeru?”, he
asked doubtfully. “I heard about it from my colleagues yesterday, apparently it
was on the news anna… I was just there to meet her and she told me about her
upcoming engagement with this guy…Binod?...No…Bimal!… After some more catching
up on each other’s’ lives, we left.” I answered groggily. “Alright then, take
care Meeru.”, he said and cut the call.
Unsettled by the call, I stood up,
decided to freshen up and go make my morning coffee as it would help me calm
down and take my mind off of things. But
the thought of my brother’s worried tone bothered me a lot.
Was
she okay? Will they find her? Where did she go?
With
my cup of coffee in one hand, I sat down on the couch, reading “The Murder of
Roger Ackroyd” by Agatha Christie. It was a great read, one of my favorites to
reread. As I reread that book for the 10th time, I heard my doorbell
ring.
Mr.
Shah!!!...Must be him… I feel so excited, I get to meet him at last, my idol…
Okay wipe that smile off your face Meera, look calm…
“Coming!”,
I replied politely, and made my way to the door. There he stood, quite tall,
with an air of superiority and just pure intelligence. I had always been a big
fan of his work, falling asleep to his case files during my college days. And
now, here he was at my doorstep. Flashing a cordial smile to his question, ”Dr
.Meera Nayak?”, I let him in with a nod. I just couldn’t stop smiling, and I
believe that made him slightly uncomfortable, as he shifted his gaze away from
me to the couch.
I
ushered him to take a seat on the couch and asked, “ Would you like something
to drink, tea or coffee perhaps sir?”, “No thank you doctor, I am here to ask
you a few questions about Miss. Uttara Iyengar, I heard that the two of you
were acquainted…”, he stated sharply. “Uh, yes, we were actually best friends
during our school days. “, I replied cordially. “So, you met with her on the 20th
of August? And if you don’t mind me asking, I would also like to know the
purpose of this rendezvous.”, he asked leaning in. “Uhm… Yeah sure, we met at
the Levels restaurant and we spoke about life you know, just catching up on
everything… And she mentioned her engagement with Bimal. “, I answered.
“Alright,
did she tell you anything else, about her performance?, about a second
rendezvous?”, “Haan…. About her performance, yes, at 7:30 pm… I suppose?... She
did invite me, but unfortunately I had other plans, so I couldn’t make it...Uhm…
No, she never brought up a second rendezvous specifically… just that we should
meet up more often, that’s all Sir.”, I answered diligently.
“May
I ask what plans you had for that evening?”, asked Mr. Shah.
That’s
an odd question… But who am I to question his methods…
“
Oh yes, I had planned to spend the evening going out with my niece Ashmitha. We
went to Vega Mall, spent the night there, shopping and eating… Then at around
9:30, we called it a night and I dropped her off at Tharun’s… my brother’s
house and came home.”, I replied.
“20th
August, was not a government holiday… Was there a specific reason why you
didn’t go to work that day doctor?”, he asked with a smile.
Okay,
now he’s getting annoying… But the face card is enough for me… Heard that he’s
single…
“That was my niece’s birthday, hence the
shopping spree that evening… we had cut the cake earlier that day, at 12:00 am
to be precise, so I decided to take her shopping as a birthday surprise.”, I
answered returning the smile as he looked around my living room, focusing his
gaze on one particular painting. “That’s all, Dr .Nayak. Thank you for your
cooperation. I’ll take my leave now, if I may.”, "Just a second,
Sir!" I ran into my room and grabbed a book. "Could you sign this for
me? I'm a huge fan of your work.”, I replied with a tone of excitement and
sheer respect. “Sure, you flatter me doctor. “, he answered, looking flushed
with pride.
With
autograph in hand, I bid him farewell and looked at my clock.
8:01
already?! … I’ve got to make haste!
✨The Artist’s Corner
This chapter feels like painting with both hands — one steady, one trembling.
Two people.
Two stories.
And somewhere between them — a truth that’s just waiting to dry.
Maybe that’s what art is, sometimes.
Not the picture we paint — but the pauses between our brushstrokes.
🎨Painting Prompt: “The Visitor”
Paint or sketch a scene where an unexpected visitor enters a familiar space.
Don’t focus on their face — focus on what their presence changes.
✍️ Writing Prompt: “A Knock at the Wrong Door”
Write a short story or poem (around 300 words) where someone opens a door — and realizes too late that they shouldn’t have.
Was it curiosity? Guilt? Fate?
Let the silence after the knock speak the loudest.
Every door we open in search of truth… opens something in us too.
Until next time, my lovely seekers of stillness —
keep your palettes ready and your secrets quiet. 🕯️✨
Credits :))
🎨 Theme Page Art: Sowmya
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