The Case of the Mysterious Door Bell Rings

News item in Page 3 of Deccan Herald:

Yenlur, 18 Aug: Doorbells have started ringing mysteriously in many flats at the posh residential complex of Sobha Palladian. Over the last few days many residents have responded to multiple door bells without any visitor. Many are irritated at this strange phenomenon, some are angry and some scared.

Only a few months back, loud water gurgling sounds were heard at many places and toilets started flushing in the middle of the nights nonstop. That mystery was solved and traced to high water pressure on the overhead tanks and faulty Cera flushes.

The new door bell ringing has baffled many. The MC believes it could be due to faulty wiring – a design defect by Sobha, but they are taking no chances. A dog squad has been pressed in to service led by Duke, Zoey and Bhageera. Persian trained sniffer cats have also been called in.  Security is beefed up to apprehend all invisible infiltrators!

Ding Dong! Ding Dong!! The bell rang.

Its a long walk from my corner bedroom to the door. And I am in the middle of Sue Grafton (the famous Private Investigator) being chased by a gang of goons! I walk up and open the door, and there is no one!

I am puzzled. Did i really hear the bell ring? Or is it the tension of the story that rang some alarm bells inside my brain??

I come back and resume my reading.

Ding Dong! Ding Dong !!

This time I am smart.  I say to myself – let it ring, I am not going to get fooled again . If there is really somebody they will ring again and go back to my book.

Ding Dong! Ding Dong!! Ding Dong !!!

Now I am certain I have a visitor – but how come no my gate app buzz ?? 

I open the door and I only see the beautiful ceramic welcome plate softly chiming on my neighbour’s door. I check my wall clock. Its only 5pm. and too early for any ghost to come out! And soon there are many more mysterious rings in other flats too.

My next-door neighbour is furious! Her tuition classes have been disturbed a dozen times.

Our diametrically opposite neighbour is zapped. He had made four sorties to the door during a Netflix serial. After the fifth unsuccessful door opening he suspects his newly opened wine bottle. Inspecting thoroughly, he finds no tampering or signs of a fake on the Chardonnay bottle.

????   and then  he notices the gold embossed special limited-edition logo. And he exclaims: Arre Wah !! aaj kal nasha bhi audio-visual ho gaya hai!! Sirr chakkar ke saath sound effects bhi aa raha hai!!!

A few moments later I see the durbar in full session. All members with deep concern creased on their foreheads are discussing the Kerala floods and the mysterious bell rings. They suspect errant boys playing pranks. And with their legendary speed and efficiency the MC members swing into action!

A rapid task force is formed. A special investigator is appointed. Armed with a B Ed, she has enormous experience with kids & grand kids. And she can mentally fingerprint every child in Palladian and from any profile. 

 Video footage is called, frame by frame scrutiny happens and after some serious discussions the verdict announced.

5 kids who have recently finished reading all the Enid Blyton series wanted some action of their own!

What next Sir Ji? Kya Dandh Diya Jaaye ?

Durbar to decide in today’s session !

Krish..