Mr and Mrs Othello were thrilled when they received the news
that they had inherited a house in the prime location of Delli Culta
district in Lahore. However, their joy was short-lived when they were
informed that Mr Othello's father had passed away and they had to handle the
details of his funeral before inheriting the house. The younger Othello had
a strained relationship with his father, who had cut off all financial
support and severed ties with him after he married his present wife, Dean,
and settled down in Australia. Thus, the sudden inheritance was a surprise
to him.
After completing the necessary work concerning his father's demise, Alvin
received the title deeds and keys to his father's house. However, upon
arrival at the house, the Othellos were in for a rude shock. The neglected
and ghost-like appearance of the house was a far cry from their
expectations. Their troubles escalated when they found that none of the keys
fit the front door. After a frustrating half an hour, the couple decided to
call the lawyer, Mr Lawrence, who arranged for an expert locksmith to solve
the problem.
The locksmith informed them that the lock required a special brand of keys,
which were out of stock. The impatient couple decided to break down the door
with the help of some laborers. However, they were in for a more unpleasant
surprise when they found sturdy metal bars barring the entrance. A musty
note below the entrance revealed that the elder Othello had played a nasty
joke on his son and sought revenge for his unfilial conduct.
The Othellos spent a miserable night at a budget hotel and returned the next
morning to find the walls blackened, cobwebs, insects, and vermin
everywhere. Alvin realized that restoring the house would require a fortune
and would still be difficult to sell. In the end, the elder Othello had the
last word, and the younger Othello was left with a bitter inheritance.
In conclusion, the story highlights the importance of maintaining a good
relationship with family members, as inheritance can sometimes come with
unexpected surprises. |