3, ALLUR

Fauzan P.O.V

I sat on the balcony of my hotel suite silently sipping my favourite cup of coffee as I looked around at the spectacular breath-taking view of Allur. I remembered last when I visited this place with my father, which was a few years back from now and even this hotel didn't exist at that time. I had instantly come to love the greenery and beauty of simple Allur. It was a small hill station situated near Chennai with not much development but I am glad they had an airport for private jets.

I inhaled the fresh damp air of Allur as it was filled with mountains and greenery around making it refreshing in monsoon season as rains added a tinge of cold to the weather. We see very few cars and low pollution as most of the people living here were farmers or vendors by occupation. Allur was filled with dense forests and only a few people owned houses or industries here whereas many owned huge lands and cultivated crops like Rice, wheat, and tea. Now I have realized that people around the globe are interested to invest in this place and bring about lots of changes which I didn't approve but every place is changing so Allur is in for it.

My father had purchased a huge tea garden and set up a small tea factory which was running well and became a national, recognized brand of India and I was here on behalf of my father to clear some backlogs in this business. I waited for my car to arrive so it can take me to the house my Mom owned, which was situated in Chilkur as it was 40 km away from here and there wasn't a single kachcha road that leads to Chilkur and took quite a time to drive down.

"Saheb, your car is here." A cleaner name Ramu who is in his late 50 comes and informed me as I grabbed my coat and buttoned my sleeves. "Where are you going at this time Saheb?"

"I am going to Chilkur." I informed the cleaner as he cleared the table where I left my coffee cup and an empty plate of patties. "I have some things to take care of."

"But son, the road to Chilkur is very bad and under repair. You are going to this rainy weather which is not a good idea as far as I know." He advised concerned as he knew the place around well.

"No problem." I smiled kindly at his concern as I pulled out a hundred rupee note and handed it to him. "I will stay there tonight and will be back tomorrow. Keep me in your prayers."

"May God bless you, my son! May he protect you," He blessed taking the money and disappeared with the blessing on his lips. I had my sweater on so I hung my coat on the shoulder and a briefcase in my other hand heading for the lift. Within a few minutes, I was on my driving the beautiful Renault Mahindra. I enjoyed driving on my own with navigator service as the greenery and weather made me feel refreshed and joyful.

As I crossed the city and reached the outskirts, I was mesmerized by the beauty of Chilkur. The road was a little rough and muddy but I managed to drive slowly until I came to a bridge which was built to connect two places through a famous Lake Sridevi connecting to River Cauveri. I crossed it slowly as it was a sight to see with trees all around, birds flying and I saw few villagers bathing there.

As soon as I crossed the Lake and a few miles away my Mom's beautiful house was visible. This was the house my father gifted my second Mom on their first anniversary. My Mom was born and brought up in Chennai but she loved Allur the most as I wondered why as she always described the beauty of Allur in her stories and how special it was to her. I saw tears glisten whenever she mentioned Allur as she hesitated to share something but never did I ask her anything beyond what she shared.

When I reached there, I saw a car parked at the gate and I was surprised to recognize it. He went inside and was surprised to see my father waiting for him which was unexpected.

"Dad, why are you here?" I frowned unable to understand his Dad's sudden urgent arrival without prior information.

"Fauzan, I am here to talk to you about something. I don't know how you would react to this but I need a favour from you." My Dad said seriously as he appeared tensed and I was worried for him. I hope everything was alright.

"I am surprised to see you here." I continued. "Mom, told me you are on your trip to Australia but seeing you here is making me doubt that things aren't good. What is it, Dad?"

"I was... but I cut it short and came here." My father answered grimly. "Sit and let me explain it to you. I will leave in a few minutes after I finish what I have to say."

"Are you heading home?" I inquired and he nodded in affirmative.

"Your Mom doesn't know I am here. Can you please keep this a secret?" My Dad asked and I gave him a doubtful glance as I had never seen him keeping things from Mom. This must be something.

"Alright, don't tell her anything until she doesn't ask about it." Dad requested as he very well knew I never lied or kept secrets from my Mom. "The least you can do for your old Dad."

"Oh come on!" I smiled at him. "Okay, so tell me why you are here?"

His Dad thought for a second as he frowned to himself as if deciding how to start a conversation. "Son...so here I want to share this with you and I wonder if you will help me in this for your Mom."