A trip to Konkan is the best thing you can do instead of a Goa trip. - Sanika Sawant - Adult

Lush Coconut trees, the smell of fish frying, old bunglows feels like you have time traveled in the past, but you will never feel like a traveller. Konkan never makes anyone feel like an outsider.

But that wasn't the case with the Gokhale Brothers, who had just received a WhatsApp message, claiming that they have kidnapped their Grandma.

Come to OOthal restaurant, Konkan In hurriEdly, and bring ₹ 1 lakh ' was all that was needed get these Brothers flow from UK to India.

"So..... we all came with 1 lakh rupees? So the kidnapper will get 3 lakhs?" Questioned a boy who was chewing on a sugarcane.

"Shut up Chetan! Here Grandma's missing, and you are worried about the money?" Aaditya quickly called the police while roaming around veranda.

"You know na the police won't listen to you after being called for 15th time? And the network is not good so.... no use " Said the Manav as he came out with tea and nankhatai jar.

The 3 of them sat together and recollected their clues.

At 3pm, they get a call from their youngest to check their messages and come to know that their 85 year old Grandma is kidnapped.

The first place they went to after meeting Chetan in Konkan was the Oothal Restaurant, the place which once their Grandfather's. But even the current owner knew nothing about the message or their grandmother.

"The message itself is giving me a stroke while trying to read. I'm sure it's some prank by some boy nearby, only an illiterate could write such a terri-" Said Aaditya.

Chetan spoke in between "But could it be some kind of hidden message? Like in movies? or something els-"

"That might be the case, since I can see a note poking out of the nankatai" Manav quickly removed the note and read.

The note read the following words 'The only room in this village which smells like it has been cleaned 100 times a day' 2 heads instinctively turned towards Aaditya, who was busy removing the cookie crumbs individually from his collar and cufflinks. "What?"

The eldest grandson's room, when unlocked, the room welcomed the 3 with chaphaa fragrance. A neat, tidy room with limited furniture and items. Not even a single wrinkle in sheets and dust! Except for Aaditya, who whooped up the globe and light stand to clean the dust.

"Would it kill Maalti Kaki to do the dusting?"

"Yes it would if you tell her to dust it 10 times a day, give her a break!" Chetan sat on the bed, which revealed a note from beneath the mattress.

"Next clue!" Manav then read it. 'Pickle Theif'.

The 2 got up, went straight ahead the middle child's room.

"Wait wait wait wait wait! Why mine? We all love pickles!" Justified Manav as he stood before the 2.

" You finished half the jar of Mango pickles in 5th Grade when me, grandma and Chetan were out" Aaditya said and swiftly left for his room.

"And you use to steal lemon pickle from my dinner" chimmed in Chetan and ran behind his elder.

The middle child's room didn't smell anything, just felt quite empty. There were near to no items except a bed frame and a window. That's when Aaditya remembered, half of the things in this house were taken away by Manav.

"Yes I did. My job only provided for residence. Unlike you who stole sofa and fridge Aadi!"

"Stole? I asked Aaji for it. She didn't even use much" Answered back Aaditya as he faced closer to him.

"Just because she didn't use it, doesn't mean you will call the workers the next day to shift the fridge and sofa and at THAT moment ask Aaji if she wants it or not!"

"Atleast I didn't left India by just leaving a note!"

"Atleast I DIDN'T SELL GRANDMA'S GOLD FOR MY STUPID BUSINESS!"

A silence spread after Manav's screechness. All 3 looked looked away. Chetan just sat there. He tried to say but was again shut by some profanities.

He then again tried to say something, again shut.

Again tried, again shut.

Once again, and still shut.

Finally he screamed "OHH! Look again a clue!"

"I said shut up Chetan!"

A screech again filled the room as if someone was stabbed. The 2 eldest snapped their heads at their brother as if he had fallen or something.

"You 2 are the worst grandsons anyone could ask for! When Aaji had gotten cancer, Manav left the house. Why? Because he didn't like to take care of her! Was cooking for 4 peop- no, just 1 person so burdensum for you?"

Manav just stared at him, a lump was formed at his throat.

"And Aadi? You stole, yes, STOLE Aaji's gold for your Consultancy company. And your reply was 'Oh! I thought you didn't use it much, so I sold it.' This was your excuse?"

The 3 brothers sat at 3 different corners of the room, unable to speak. A strong wind came by and took all 3 of them into a stroll down their memory lane. When lights use to go, how all 3 use to sit near their Aaji and listen to her stories, when they planned to steal the Pickle jar but were shocked to find that Manav already emptied half of it, how they use to hide their test papers from their father.

The wind ended his trip around the room and placed the third clue in the centre. It read the following words-

Jugaad Master'

"So we know who the Jugaad master is, right?" Asked Manav slowly, as if one word from him would once again erupt a chaos.

"To Chetan's room we go" sung Aadi as he got up and marched up the stairs.

"Wait why mine? What did I do?" Snuffled Chetan as he whipped down his tears.

"You fixed Manav's specs with a thin stick when it's screw was gone" answered Aaditya. Then Manav reminded him of the time when they broke Grandma's mint plant and Chetan fixed it with the nearby mud and fix - it glue.

The youngest room. The 2 eldest first thought that they had entered a godown, but then were assured by the youngest that it was indeed his room.

Mud pots stacked together, newspapers and used books kept in the corner, a half lit up bulb in the centre of the room. Unnecessary things had filled up the room. Leave the message, the first question anyone would have thought was how the hell one sleeps in this Cow dung smelled room?

But the last message, was quietly sitting at the table. It's bright white colour was the only one which atleast reflected the bulb's light.

Instead of sulking, they gather together to read the last message. But strangely, it seemed more of a letter than a clue-

Dear Aaditya, Manav and Chetan,

I'm sorry that I couldn't meet you 3. My cancer has taken the best of me. All my savings, furniture, even the house in which you are has been given away, but nothing could stop it.

This game you were playing, solving clues and everything was done by me because I wanted you 3 to be together. To remember how much fun you use to have here.

I don't have much days left. My last wish is that you 3 stay together and help eachother in sickness and grief.

Thank you. '

Instead of crying, or atleast feeling remorse, the real question that the Gokhale Brother had was if there is anything, any asset, any money left for them or not?

"There is nothing left for us. Aaji had to sell every bit of this house, afterall that was the only thing left for her" said Chetan as he sniffed away his tears.

With a thump Aaditya got up, took his bag and murmured "If she didn't leave anything for us, why did she gave such a stupid message? Just tell us the truth naa! Be together through sickness and grief? As if I don’t have other things to do!"

Manav just turned back, talked with Chetan about his studies and asked to call if he needed anything and left.

No remorse, no sad cries, nothing!

That's when Chetan stopped his fake cries, after all how long can he created his alligator tears.

"Hi Aaji! Howz Goa?" He called his Aaji.

"Great! And my mocktail is also sexy like me!"

"Well uhh, those 2 left the house, they got to know that you left nothing for them" A laughter erupted from other side.

"Good for them! Who wants such useless thief grandsons! One sold off my gold bangles and mangalsutra! And other, my furniture! It's good that your uncle bought off that gold! Otherwise I couldn't have paid for my brain tumor removal and this life time stay in Goa!”

Chetan reminded her to not drink any alcohol, since she just got out of the hospital, but all he got was a sigh from his sassy Aaji.

"Let bygones be bygones! That's what they say right? Well, I have contacted Mr. Sathe, he will visit you regarding my will. Now you are my sole hier for that house and land! After all, you were the only one who left his studies and helped me."

"And also the only crazy naatu who helped you make all the clues and this game!"

"Yeah yeah, but your clues were so childish! I bet 500 that your brother's could have solved it without your measly clues!" Silence was all that she got from the other end.

"YES! I WON THE BET! SEND ME 500!"

"I NEVER ACCEPTED THE BET!"

In this way, the story of one of the Konkani house ended with a twist. Each house hides a story, some bitter, some happy, while some will leave you thinking what just happened!

About the Author:

Meet Sanika S. Sawant

Sanika S. Sawant is a second-year student at Mulund College of Commerce with a quiet fire for words and stories. Whether she’s lost in the eerie charm of The Silent Patient or flipping through the fantasy world of Piper, Sanika finds inspiration in narratives that linger long after the last page. A passionate reader and emerging writer, she balances her creative side with a strong ambition to become a Company Secretary someday — showing that structure and imagination can absolutely go hand-in-hand.

She believes that writing helps her explore the unsaid, express the unheard, and connect deeply with others. This story is her way of sharing a piece of her inner world — one that she hopes will make you pause, reflect, and smile.

About the Story

This story was submitted by the author as an entry for the BhashaLab Ultimate Story Writing Competition, 2025. We appreciate their creativity, thoughtful expression, and the courage to share their voice with a wider audience. Thank you!

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