["ridiculous\tposture. And\tthus\tbegins\ta\tcycle. Govind\t met\t Gauri\t in\t the\t lentil\t field\t on\t the\t first\t full\t moon\t night\t of\t autumn when\t every\t one\t was\t awake\t and\t merry.\t He\t lay\t with\t her\t in\t a\t hay\t barn\t on\t the eighth\t day\t of\t the\t new\t moon\t before\t winter,\t when\t people\t were\t feasting\t at\t night after\t fasting\t the\t whole\t day.\t And\t he\t took\t her\t on\t every\t moon-lit\t night\t in\t the winter.\tFor,\tafter\tthe\tfirst\tflush\tof\traw\tpassion\thad\texpended\titself\tunder\tthe\tsun, they\t began\t more\t and\t more\t to\t lend\t themselves\t to\t the\t mellow\t light\t of\t the\t moon. Govind\twore\tclean\tclothes\tand\tGauri\talways\thad\tflowers\tin\ther\thair. As\tGauri\twent\tto\tmeet\tGovind\tin\tthe\tfields\tby\tthe\triver\ton\tone\teclipse\tnight, however,\ther\tmother\tsaw\ther.\t\u2018Ah!\u2019\tshe\tshrieked\tat\tthe\tboy,\t\u2018if\tyou\thave\tspoiled my\t daughter,\t you\t must\t marry\t her\u2026\t you\t wretch\u2026.\u2019\t And\t she\t shrieked\t at Govind\u2019s\t mother\t for\t letting\t her\t son\t roam\t round\t like\t a\t bull.\t And\t Govind\u2019s mother\tshrieked\tat\tGovind\u2019s\tfather\tfor\tbegetting\ta\tseducer.\tAnd\tGovind\u2019s\tfather shouted\tat\tGovind.\tTo\twhich\tthe\tboy\treturned\tthe\tsimple\tanswer:\t\u2018Marry\tme\tto the\tgirl.\u2019 And\tthen\tthere\twas\tmuch\ttoing\tand\tfroing\tamong\tthe\telders. And\t at\t last,\t on\t an\t auspicious\t day,\t discovered\t in\t the\t scrolls\t of\t their\t fate,\t for\t a good\t commission\t by\t Pandit\t Badri\t Nath,\t the\t Brahmin\t priest,\t Govind\t and\t Gauri were\tmarried\u2026. *\tFrom\tThe\tTractor\tand\tthe\tCorn\tGoddess\tand\tOther\tStories.","5 Five\tShort\tFables\t* THE\tDOVE\tAND\tTHE\tCROW Gliding\t softly\t through\t the\t clouds\t like\t a\t sunray\t on\t a\t grey\t morning,\t the\t dove descended\ttowards\ther\tnest\tin\tthe\tbanyan\ttree.\tIn\ther\tbeak\twere\ttightly\theld\ttwo grains\tgathered\tfrom\ta\tnearby\tfield,\tand\tin\ther\teyes\twas\ta\tliquid\tlight,\talmost\tlike a\tsquint,\tfrom\tthe\tconcentration\tof\ther\tdesire\tto\tget\thome\tfor\ther\teggs. As\t she\t reached\t within\t sight\t of\t the\t tree,\t she\t inclined\t on\t her\t shoulder,\t to\t the left,\t opened\t her\t wings\t wide\t and\t embraced\t the\t air,\t as\t though\t she\t was\t about\t to settle\ton\tthe\tfirmament.\tHer\teyes\twere\tintent\tand\ther\theart\tfelt\tthe\tpull\tof\thome. The\tlight\tof\tthe\tday\tshone\tacross\ther\tneck\tlike\ta\tsmile. Before\ther\tnow\tstood\tthe\ttaller\tbranches\tof\tthe\tbanyan\ttree.\tOnly\ta\tlittle\twhile ago\t had\t she\t ascended\t into\t the\t air\t from\t the\t cluster\t of\t leaves\t on\t the\t edge\t of\t the biggest\tbranches\tof\tthe\tbanyan.\tBut,\tsomehow,\tthe\tleaves\tseemed\tdifferent,\tthey seemed\tto\thave\tbeen\tparted\tfrom\tabove. The\t concentration\t of\t the\t light\t in\t the\t dove\u2019s\t eyes\t nearly\t tore\t the\t air,\t as\t she quickly\twheeled\tand\tmade\tan\teffort\tto\tdive\tinto\tthe\tpit\tfor\tthere\twas\tthe\tsign,\tthe sure\tsign,\tof\tthe\tcrow\u2019s\tapproach\ttowards\ther\tnest.\tAnd\tthis\tcrow\twas\tthe\tsworn enemy\t of\t her\t eggs,\t the\t vandal,\t the\t destroyer,\t who\t had\t twice\t before\t killed\t her young\tones\tjust\tbefore\tthey\thad\tbeen\tborn.\tHe\talways\tcame\tfrom\tthe\ttop\tof\tthe tree\t because\t he\t knew\t that\t her\t husband,\t the\t He-dove\t slept\t near\t the\t base\t of\t the tree\tin\ta\tlittle\tnest\ton\ta\tcavity\tof\tthe\tmain\ttrunk. She\t tore\t through\t as\t though\t her\t second\t sight,\t and\t her\t mother\t love,\t had","combined\t to\t make\t her\t the\t vehicle\t of\t flight\t itself.\t And\t what\t looked\t like\t a\t nose dive\tbecame\ta\tsafe\tlanding\ton\tthe\ttop\tof\tthe\ttree. She\tsat\ton\ta\tstrong\ttwig,\tfolded\ther\twings\tand\ttried\tto\tcollect\therself\ttogether. A\tthin\tgauze\tof\tconfusion\tcovered\ther\tand\ther\tbody\ttrembled\tin\tspite\tof\ther\twill to\t remain\t calm.\t From\t what\t secret\t source\t of\t energy\t arose\t the\t passion,\t she\t knew not,\t but\t in\t her\t nerves,\t from\t deep\t beneath\t her\t flesh,\t there\t arose\t tremors\t which disturbed\tthe\teven\tflow\tof\ther\tbreath\tand\tthe\tusual\tpeace\tof\ther\tpresence. She\tcooed. Immediately\tshe\theard\tthe\tcaw\tcaw\tof\ther\tenemy,\tthe\tcrow,\tfrom\tbelow. The\tugly\teater\tof\tdirt\thad\tsurely\tdestroyed\ther\teggs.\tShe\tfluttered\tand\tcooed. The\t crow\t caw-cawed\t and\t was\t heard\t to\t hop\t away.\t Collecting\t herself\t together, she\tpeered\tinto\tthe\tpit\tbelow\ther\tand\twith\tthe\tconcentration\tof\tinstinct,\tsaw\ther nest.\t The\t two\t eggs\t she\t had\t been\t hatching\t lay,\t grey-white.\t Perhaps,\t they\t were safe.\tShe\thad\tcome\tin\ttime. There\twas\tno\tbreath\tin\ther\tto\twait.\tShe\tdarted\tto\tthe\tbranch\ton\twhich,\tamong the\tleaves,\tnestled\ther\tlittle\thome. The\t crow\t cawed\t defiantly,\t even\t as\t he\t hopped\t a\t little\t way\t away\t from\t the branch. Shivering\tthrough\tfear\tand\ttrembling\ton\tthe\tborders\tof\thope,\tthe\tmother\tdove walked\tto\ther\tnest.\tAnd,\tblind,\tbut\twith\ther\tnerves\ttaut,\tshe\tspread\ther\twings\tto feel\t the\t contours\t of\t her\t eggs\t beneath\t the\t warm\t down\t of\t her\t belly.\t Warm\t were the\teggs\tbeneath\ther\tsafe,\tuntouched.\tShe\thad\tcome\tin\ttime,\tbefore\tthe\tcrow\thad attacked\t them.\t She\t cooed\t with\t satisfaction,\t with\t the\t instinct\t of\t the\t mother\t who","finds\ther\tlittle\tones\tsafe\tafter\tthe\tagony\tof\tseparation\u2026\tShe\tcooed\tdeeply\tas\tshe felt\t them\t near\t her\t flesh\u2026\t She\t cooed\t again\t and\t spread\t her\t wings\t as\t though\t the little\tones,\tstill\tunhatched\tcould\tlisten\u2026 The\t crow\t caw-cawed,\t even\t as\t he\t heard\t the\t dove\t coo.\t He\t wanted\t to\t frighten her,\t to\t bully\t her,\t as\t though\t to\t say:\t \u2018Your\t eggs\t are\t safe\t now,\t but\t I\t can\t still\t get them\t if\t I\t like;\t I\t have\t a\t strong\t beak,\t to\t fight\t with\t and\t my\t claws\t are\t strong\t like\t a vulture\u2019s.\u2019 The\tmother\tdove\tcooed,\tthis\ttime\ta\tdeep\tshriek\tof\ta\tcoo,\tto\tcall\ther\thusband, the\t sleepy\t lazy-bones,\t who\t had\t slept\t through\t the\t crisis,\t on\t the\t outpost\t in\t the cavity\tof\tthe\ttrunk\tof\tthe\tbanyan\ttree. There\twas\tno\tanswer. She\tcooed\tagain,\tmore\tshrilly. The\tcrow\tcaw-cawed\tto\tdrown\ther\tsoft\tvoice. She\tfelt\thelpless.\tBut\tthe\teggs\twere\tsafe\tnear\tthe\tbelly\tand\tshe\tspread\ther\twings wide\tand,\tlooking\tthis\tside\tand\tthat,\tshe\tsat,\ton\tthe\tdefensive,\talert,\tequal\tto\tthe fight,\tshould\the\tattack\tbefore\tthe\tHe-dove\tcame. The\tcrow\tknew\tthat\the\tcould\tnot\tattack.\tHe\thad\tlost\this\topportunity.\tPerhaps if\tthe\tHe-dove\tdid\tnot\tcome\the\tcould\toverpower\tthe\tmother\tdove\tand\tbreak\ther eggs,\t take\t her\t stock\t of\t grain\t and\t despoil\t her\t nest.\t Only,\t should\t the\t He-dove awake\tand\tcall\tthe\tother\tbirds,\ttogether,\this\tchance\twould\tbe\tlost. The\tdove\tcooed. Stung\t by\t failure,\t craven\t and\t mad,\t the\t crow\t suddenly\t hopped\t nearer\t towards","her\tto\tattack. Fluttering,\t shrieking,\t cooing,\t with\t her\t wings\t spread\t wide,\t the\t grey\t mother dove\tstood\ton\tguard\u2026\tAnd,\tnerved\tto\tresist,\tshould\tthe\tcrow\tattack,\tshe\tcooed defiantly,\t though\t a\t coo\t can\t never\t be\t a\t hoarse\t shout,\t as\t a\t caw\t can\t never\t be\t a whisper. The\tlittle\tsparrows\tbelow\theard\tthe\tagonised\tcoo\tof\tthe\tmother\tdove.\tThe\tHe- dove\t awoke\t as\t the\t strange\t coo\t of\t mother\t dove\t fell\t into\t his\t ears.\t The\t little sparrows\traised\ta\thue\tand\tcry. The\t mother\t dove\t cooed\t softly\t now,\t with\t assurance.\t The\t crow\t attacked\t her, picking\t at\t her\t wings\t in\t a\t desperate\t effort\t to\t avenge\t himself\t on\t her\t for\t her alertness.\t The\t dove\t fluttered\t wildly\t and\t beat\t of\t the\t attack,\t the\t white\t of\t her under-wings\tglistening\tlike\tthe\tlight\tof\tdanger\tbefore\tthe\tcawing\tcrow. The\tHe-dove\tflew\tup,\tfollowed\tby\tthe\tsparrows.\tThe\tcrow\tcaw-cawed\tand\tfled far\tto\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\tbranch.\tThe\tmother dove\tcooed\tto\tthe\tHe-dove,\thalf\tremonstrating,\thalf\tsatisfied\tthat\the\thad\tcome after\tall.\tThe\tsparrows\tchirped\tand\tmocked\tat\tthe\tcrow. The\tHe-dove\twas\tstung\tby\tthe\treproach\tof\tthe\tmother\tdove,\tcooed\tdeeply\tand proudly,\tand\tlifted\this\tbeak\ttowards\tthe\tcrow.\tThe\tcrow\trubbed\this\tbeak\twith\this feathers\tto\tclean\tit\tof\tthe\tblood\the\thad\ton\tit. The\t mother\t dove\t cooed\t with\t pain.\t The\t He-dove\t came\t and\t put\t his\t beak\t into her\t beak.\t The\t kiss\t gave\t the\t mother\t dove\t warmth\t and\t she\t cooed\t with\t love.\t The crow\tfled\taway\tat\tthe\tsound\tof\tthe\tlove\tsong,\tcawing\tbitter\thatred\tin\this\tmouth. They\t say\t in\t the\t Punjab\t that\t the\t dove\t can\t resist\t the\t attack\t of\t the\t crow,\t her","proverbial\tenemy,\twith\tcooing.\tFor\tthe\tcooing\tcomes\tfrom\tthe\tdeep,\tdeep\tlove\tof the\tmother\tfor\tits\tyoung\tones,\tand\tthe\tcawing\tof\tthe\tcrow,\tas\twell\tas\tits\tred-eyed anger,\tcomes\tfrom\tthe\tsmoke\tand\tashes\tof\tthe\thatred\tin\this\theart. THE\tBUTTERFLY Pink,\tpurple,\tmauve,\tscarlet,\temerald\tand\tgold\tare\tthe\tsweet\tpeas\ton\tthe\tbed\tat the\tend\tof\tthe\tgarden.\tAnd\tit\tseems\tthe\tbutterflies\tare\tlike\tflying\tflowers,\tas\ttheir wings\t have\t all\t these\t colours\t on\t them.\t But\t the\t gay\t impropriety\t with\t which\t they flit\t from\t the\t pollen\t of\t one\t stem\t to\t the\t other,\t makes\t them\t transitory\t moments against\t the\t flowers,\t which\t will\t still\t be\t there\t through\t the\t autumn.\t That\t is\t why\t I feel\tan\tirresistible\tdesire\tto\tcatch\ta\tbutterfly. I\t sit,\t book\t in\t hand,\t trying\t to\t read,\t but\t the\t edges\t of\t my\t further\t eyes\t are captivated\tby\tone\tyellow\tmeteor,\twith\tblack\tdots,\twhich\tintersects\tthe\ttriangle\tof the\tgreen\texpanse\tbefore\tme,\tsomersaults,\tdarts\tlightly\tforward\tand\tdescends\tlike a\t helicopter\t on\t a\t purple\t sweet\t pea.\t She\t folds\t her\t wings,\t opens\t them,\t and\t then flits\tto\tanother\tflower\tto\tgather\ta\tmore\ttasty\tbit\tof\tjuice. My\t ears\t open\t to\t the\t delicate\t hum\t of\t the\t whole\t bed,\t which\t makes\t the\t silence alive.\tAnd\tI\tconcentrate\tupon\tthe\tmiracle\tof\thow\ta\tlittle\tprotoplasm\twith\ttongue, nose,\tears\tand\teyes,\tfeeds\tupon\tthe\thearts\tof\tthe\tflowers.\tThe\tworld\tdrops\tlike\ta husk\tfrom\tthe\tscales\tof\tmy\teyes.\tBut\tbefore\tmy\tbrain-eye\tawakes,\tover\tand\tabove the\t further\t eyes,\t the\t yellow\t butterfly\t with\t black\t dots\t upon\t her\t wings,\t has\t gone towards\ta\tlarge,\tdark\tlover,\tprancing\tlike\tMartha\tGraham\talongside\ther\tpartner, and\ttracing\tan\tintricate\tconfusion\tupon\tthe\tlimitless\tlens\tof\tmy\tforehead. I\twould\tfold\tthem\tboth\twithin\tmy\tbrain-eye\tand\tunderstand\tthe\tmagic\tof\ttheir connection.\tI\twould\tbecome\tEuclid\tand,\tlike\thim\treconstruct\tthe\twhole\tsensitive life\tof\tthese\tbutterflies\tthrough\ttriangles.\tBut\tall\tI\tcan\tsee\tis\tthe\tpath\tas\tthey\tchase","each\tother. As\tI\tfollow\ttheir\tmovements\tidly,\tthe\ttexture\tof\tthe\tevening\tpresses\tupon\tmy eyelids,\tand\tthe\tpair\tvanishes. And\tthen\tthere\trises\ta\tslight\tbreeze,\tshaking\tthe\tsweet\tpeas\tgently.\tAnd\tI\tsee\ta suspensory\t group\t of\t stalkless\t blossoms\t no\t other\t than\t the\t butterflies\t in\t mass flight. Eagerly,\tI\tsearch\tfor\tthe\tyellow\tone\twith\tblack\tspots\tupon\ther\twings.\tThe\tlast rays\tof\tthe\tsun\tmake\tthe\tmist\tlike\tthe\tfiery\twisps\tof\tsmile\trising\tfrom\ta\tvolcanic crater. And,\tabove\tthe\tluminous\tpendants,\tI\tcan\tsee\tthe\tyellow\tone,\twith\tdark\tspots, whom\tI\twould\tlike\tto\tcatch,\tflitting\tacross\tthe\tsun-warmed\texpanse. Like\tSindbad\tthe\tsailor,\twaiting\tto\tgo\tacross\tthe\tseas,\tI\tpress\tmy\tsenses\tto\tthe silence\tof\texpectation.\tThe\tthickness\tof\tmy\tfingers\tand\tthe\thardness\tof\tmy\tbody shame\t the\t nerve-ends\t and\t put\t me\t on\t edge.\t I\t cannot\t ever\t believe\t that\t a\t crude body\tmay\thave,\tas\tan\tunderlayer,\ta\tpoet\u2019s\tlean\tsoul. I\t evolve\t a\t strategy.\t My\t cupped\t fingers\t will\t enclose\t the\t yellow\t one\t with\t dark spots\t within\t my\t grasp\t without\t hurting\t its\t wings\t or\t damaging\t its\t colours.\t And then\tI\twill\tlook\tat\tbeauty\tand\trelease\tit. These\t and\t a\t countless\t tremors\t of\t my\t senses\t urge\t me\t on.\t Multiplying\t the repertory\tof\ther\tmovements,\tup,\tdown,\tathwart,\ta\tliquid\tflow,\tcurl,\teddy,\tflitting with\tnimble\twings,\tseeking\tcontact\twith\tthe\thearts\tof\tmany\tpetals,\tshe\teludes\tmy grasp. The\t emptiness\t pours\t like\t sand\t through\t my\t fingers.\t And\t yet\t I\t am\t lured\t on\t to","the\t chase\t by\t a\t primitive\t instinct,\t charged\t with\t vibrant\t feeling,\t drunk\t on\t the odour\tof\tsweet\tpeas.\tIn\tthe\taimlessness\tof\tmy\tgaze,\tI\tfeel\tan\tutter\tfulfillment. Swift\tlie\tthe\tmeteor\twhich\tshe\thad\tseemed\tat\tfirst\tsight,\tuplifted\tby\tthe\tbreeze a\tlittle,\twith\tquivering\twings,\tshe\tdarts\tout\tof\tmy\thands\tbefore\tthey\thave\tclosed upon\ther. The\t hurt\t of\t the\t frustrated\t love\t possesses\t me.\t I\t revert\t back\t to\t the\t state\t of\t the amoeba\tin\tme\tand\tseek\tconsolation\tbeyond\tthe\tprimeval\tsenses.\tBut\tthe\tcapacity for\t thought\t has\t already\t been\t subtracted\t by\t anger\t from\t my\t self-perfection.\t And now\tI\tfeel\tI\tcan\twrite\ta\tpoem,\tfor\tthe\texperience\tof\ta\tlost\tlove\tcan\tthrive\tbest\ton regrets\tand\tanger. They,\t say,\t that,\t after\t the\t brief\t moments\t of\t rest,\t where\t they\t sip\t honey\t in\t the hearts\t of\t flowers,\t the\t butterflies\t go\t from\t luxuriant\t gardens\t to\t die\t in\t barren fields\u2026 THE\tGOLDEN\tCOCKEREL The\t sun\t comes\t out\t over\t a\t pale\t blue\t sky\t and\t warms\t the\t earth,\t scattering\t the winter\tmist. The\tgolden\tcockerel\thas\t already\tannounced\t the\tdawn\tfrom\t his\tperch\ton\tthe manure\tpit,\twhere\the\thas\tbeen\tlooking\tfor\tworms.\tThere\tis\ta\tcertain\tagitation\tin his\tvoice\tas\the\tcukrooncroos. Above\tthe\tfrail\tclatter\tof\tbrass\tpots\tand\tpans,\trubbed\tagainst\tthe\tsoft\tashes\tthe old\twoman\tshouts. \u2018Acha,\tacha,\tyour\tmother-in-law\tis\tup\tand\tdoing\tthe\tchores!\u2026\tOnly\tyour\tlazy wife\thas\tnot\topened\ther\teyes\u2026\u2019","The\tcockerel\tcukrooncroos\tagain. \u2018Yay,\t she\t is\t resting,\t after\t laying\t the\t eggs!\t Go\t and\t eat\t the\t ashes\t elsewhere! Shaitan!\u2019 Stretching\this\tneck\tto\tthe\tfull\theight\tof\this\telastic\thead,\tlifting\tthe\tred\tcrest,\tthe cockerel\t sniffs\t at\t the\t fertilising\t warmth\t of\t the\t sun.\t Then\t he\t cuckrooncroos,\t as though\tthe\theat\tis\tcoursing\tdown\this\tbody.\tAnd\the\trepeats\this\tcall,\tstanding\twith unsculptured\tlimbs\ton\ttop\tof\tthe\tlittle\thillock. \u2018Go\t eat\t your\t masters\t or\t I\t will\t twist\t your\t ears!\u2019\t the\t old\t woman\t quakes.\t And then\t she\t coughs\t a\t wheezy,\t asthmatic\t cough\t before\t talking\t to\t herself.\t \u2018Count them\tI\tmust\tcount\tthe\teggs\tbefore\tthe\tchildren\tfind\tthem.\tThey\twill\tbreak\tthem. And\ttheir\tfather\tneeds\tthe\tstrength\u2026\u2019 Far\t away,\t from\t above\t her,\t the\t sun\t bronzes\t her\t old\t face\t and\t makes\t it\t glisten. She\t feels\t the\t sap\t of\t youth\t in\t her\t body,\t as\t when\t she\t first\t came\t to\t this\t hut\t as\t a bride.\tShe\tlifts\tthe\tfolds\tof\ther\tdupatta\tand\thears\tit\trustle\tagainst\ther\tbreasts.\tBut she\tlifts\ther\tgaze\tand\tsees\tthe\tlittle\tchicks\tpecking\tat\tbits\tnear\tthe\tmanure\tpit\tand capering\tbehind\ttheir\tmother,\tthe\tthird\then. The\t cockerel,\t who\t had\t been\t calling\t the\t faithful\t to\t prayer,\t has\t frozen\t into\t a statue.\tThen\tsuddenly\the\tleaps\tfrom\tthe\thillock\tand\tchases\tthe\tthird\then. The\t hen\t shrieks\t and\t runs\t in\t an\t irregular\t movement,\t with\t uplifted\t feathers, head\t pushed\t forward\t and\t all\t her\t outer\t senses\t forbidding\t the\t approach\t of\t the suitor. The\tcock\tbreaks\tthe\tfragile\thalf\tsteps\tof\ther\tpanicky\tflight\tand\tgrabs\ther\tneck. He\t makes\t for\t the\t doorway\t of\t the\t original\t female,\t the\t root\t from\t which\t heaven","and\tearth\tspring. With\t a\t shattering\t discordance\t of\t shrieks,\t she\t wards\t off\t his\t hold\t and\t spreads the\tconfusion\tof\ther\tnerves\tinto\this\tbody.\tHis\twings\topen\tand\this\tfeathers\tflutter, as\t though\t she\t is\t a\t cat\t attacking\t him\t in\t the\t dead\t haze\t of\t noon.\t And,\t for\t a moment,\this\teyes\tclose,\tand\the\tfeels\tlike\ta\tdefeated\tmurderer,\tfull\tof\tavarice\tand anger. The\tthird\then\thas\tmade\tgood\ther\tescape. The\tchicks\tfollow\ther,\tstartled\tbut\tfaithful\tto\tthe\tmother,\twhile\tshe\tnow\tstands as\tthough\tto\tfold\tthem\tunder\tthe\tshadow\tof\ther\twings. The\tsunlight\tsteals\tover\tthe\tsoft\tgrey\tdust\tof\tthe\tearly\twinter\tmorning. The\t cockerel\t rescues\t his\t equipoise\t and,\t as\t though\t he\t is\t the\t victor\t of\t the\t love fray,\t flashes\t up,\t with\t bright\t feathers\t outspread,\t on\t to\t the\t manure\t pit,\t and cuckrooncroos\tagain. The\t old\t woman\t stoops\t to\t gather\t the\t pots\t and\t pans\t and,\t clearing\t her\t throat again,\tsays: \u2018To\t be\t sure,\t you\t inhabit\t the\t throat\t of\t a\t God!\t Talky\t talk!\t Cocky\t Cock!\t Shame upon\tyou!\tYour\tthird\twife\tran\taway!\u2019 Quivering\t in\t his\t entrails,\t at\t the\t compliments\t and\t insults,\t the\t cockerel\t sniffs the\t air\t like\t a\t peacock,\t lifts\t his\t neck\t agilely,\t stands\t on\t one\t foot,\t on\t the\t rubbish heap,\t cuckrooncrooing\t away\t as\t though\t to\t show\t off\t the\t purple\t cone\t of\t his\t crest against\tthe\tsunlight\u2026 THE\tPEACOCK","After\t the\t long\t wait\t of\t many\t gasping\t hours\t the\t rains\t have\t come.\t The\t eyes\t are filled\twith\tseven\tshades\tof\tgreen.\tAnd\tthe\tchildren\thave\tput\tupon\tthe\tswings. Deep\t from\t within\t the\t fields,\t come\t the\t cries\t of\t the\t peacock\t calling\t to\t the peahens. And\tthere,\tbeyond\tthe\tgrove\tover\tthe\twell,\ta\tpair\talights,\tBut,\tcontrary\tto\tthe expectations\taroused\tby\tthe\tsong\tof\tthe\tmale\tcalling\tthe\tfemale,\tit\tis\tthe\tpeahen who\tis\thot\ton\tthe\ttrail\tof\tthe\tpeacock. Turning\t to\t look\t and\t make\t sure\t that\t he\t is\t seen,\t gracefully\t lifting\t one\t foot forward\tand\tthen\tthe\tother,\tthe\tmale\tbird\twalks\tmasterfully\tahead. Afraid\t that\t she\t may\t lose\t him\t if\t he\t flies\t off\t again,\t the\t female\t bird\t treads\t the earth\tmeditatively\tlike\tthe\tNayika,\tvigilant,\twith\tlonging\tin\ther\teyes. And\t now,\t holding\t the\t female\t in\t his\t spell,\t speechless\t but\t sure\t of\t step,\t the peacock\tis\tbound\tup\tin\ta\tprolonged\trepose,\tsniffing\tat\tthe\tair,\tand\tpecking\tat\tthe odd\tbits\tof\tgrain,\tand\tconsidering\tthe\tfemale,\tas\tpart\tof\tthe\tlandscape.\tThen,\the senses\tthe\tnearness\tof\tthe\tfemale.\tAnd\tthen\tarises\tin\thim\ta\twave\tof\tdesire,\tas\tin the\theart\tof\ta\tprolific\tpigeon. He\tturns\tagain\tto\tlook\tat\this\tspouse,\tas\tthough\tto\tlure\ther\ton\tin\tpursuit.\tAnd he\t sees\t that\t look\t in\t her\t eyes\t which\t seems\t to\t say:\t \u2018I\t have\t sought\t you\t all\t day\t in vain.\u2019 Seeing\tthe\tobvious\tdevotion\tin\ther\tworshipful\tstare,\tthe\tproud\tmale\tbird\tturns away\tfrom\tthe\tadorer. The\tpeahen\twilts\tand\tnearly\tgives\tup\tthe\tchase.","Pondering\t for\t a\t moment\t on\t how\t he\t may\t tantalise\t the\t female,\t again,\t the peacock\trushes\tforward\tsuddenly,\tthen\trests\ttill\tthe\tpeahen\thas\treached\thim,\tbut again\t sidetracks\t her,\t waiting\t to\t be\t caught.\t And\t for\t a\t while\t the\t pair\t repeat\t these movements,\tas\tthough\tthey\tare\tplaying\thide\tand\tseek\tin\ta\tmaze. \u2018I\thave\tfound\tyou,\u2019\tshe\tshrieks\tin\tthe\tloveplay,\tas\tshe\tnearly\tcomes\tup\tto\thim. \u2018I\tdon\u2019t\twant\tyou,\u2019\the\tsays. And\tthen\tmustering\tall\tthe\tpower\tin\tthe\tsinews\tof\this\tflesh,\the\tstruts,\tprances, shifting\t to\t this\t side\t and\t that,\t drunkenly\t describes\t a\t circle,\t and,\t revolving\t his head,\tbegins\tto\tstamp\ton\this\tfeet\tand\tdance. The\tripeness\tof\tthe\tsenses\tis\tin\tthe\tchange\tof\this\theart. Shaping\t his\t passion\t in\t measured\t tresses,\t he\t compels\t a\t rhythm\t in\t his\t steps which\tseems\tto\tovertake\this\tdesire.\tDrawing\tnear\ther,\twithdrawing,\the\tlures\ther on,\twith\ther\tday-worn\theart\taflame. And,\t stirring\t his\t plumage,\t as\t though\t he\t is\t aware\t of\t his\t power,\t he\t now\t faces\u2019 her,\tfull\tface,\tpecking\tat\ther\tbeak,\tonly\tto\tmurder\ther\thopes\tby\tstepping\taside. At\tlast\tthe\tvery\tsight\tof\tthe\tstretch\tof\this\trefulgent\tbody\tholds\ther\tcontent. And\tonce\tfeared,\tthen\tadored\tand\tlonged\tfor,\the\tunfolds\tfor\ther\tthe\tvision\tof his\tbody,\tin\tthe\tuplifted\toutspread\ttail. Is\tit\ta\tray\tof\thumility\tthat\tturns\this\teyes\tnow\tto\this\tugly\tfeet?\tOr\tis\tit\tthe\tself- torment,\tas\tthey\tsay\tin\tour\tvillage,\tin\tappeasement\tof\this\tcolossal\tmale\tvanity? A\tLEAF\tIN\tTHE\tSTORM","Once\tupon\ta\ttime,\tthere\twas\ta\tleaf,\ton\tthe\tbranch\tof\ta\ttree,\ta\tlittle\tleaf,\ttender like\ta\tparrot\u2019s\tbosom. There\twere\tother\tleaves\ton\tthe\ttree.\tSmall\tlovely\tleaves.\tAnd\tbig\tleaves\twhich were\tpaling\twith\tage\tand\tready\tto\tdrop\toff,\ton\tthe\tbrink\tof\tdeath. But\tthe\tlittle\tleaf\tthat\twas\ttender\tlike\tthe\tparrot\u2019s\tbosom,\twas\tneither\ttoo\tsmall nor\t too\t big-it\t was\t young\t like\t the\t dawn.\t The\t lines\t on\t its\t palm\t were\t forming\t as though\tits\tfate\twas\tbeing\tset. One\t day\t there\t came\t a\t breeze,\t which\t was\t not\t the\t breeze\t of\t Punjab.\t No\t one knew\t where\t it\t came\t from.\t Perhaps\t it\t came\t form\t the\t sky\t like\t a\t windstorm.\t It shook\tthe\twhole\ttree.\tAnd\tit\tleft\tthe\tlittle\tleaf,\twhich\twas\ttender\tlike\tthe\tparrot\u2019s bosom,\t torn,\t so\t that\t the\t lines\t on\t its\t palm-like\t body\t began\t to\t change,\t And, suddenly,\tit\tbegan\tto\tsway,\tand\tsing\ta\tsong,\twhich\twas\tnot\tthe\tsong\tof\tthe\tland\tof the\tfive\trivers. Every\tday,\tthe\tsame\tbreeze\tblew,\tsharper\tthan\tthe\tfirst\twindstorm. And\t one\t day,\t it\t uprooted\t the\t tree.\t And,\t catching\t the\t little\t leaf,\t which\t was tender\tlike\tthe\tparrot\u2019s\tbosom,\tin\tits\tmouth,\tthe\tbreeze\tblew\taway\u2026 Swaying\tgently,\tsad\tand\talone,\tthe\tleaf\tfell\ton\tan\tearth,\twhere\tthe\tsun\tdid\tnot shine,\t and\t where\t there\t was\t no\t warmth\t like\t that\t in\t the\t land\t of\t the\t five\t rivers.\t A pallor\tcame\tover\tit,\tnot\twith\tage,\tbut\tthe\tyellowing\twhich\tthe\tmoist\tair\tproduces, where\tthere\tis\tno\tsunshine. Long\tdid\tthe\tleaf\tlanguish\tin\texile,\tthinking\tthat\tjust\tas\tthe\tleaf\tfrom\tthe\tBodhi tree\thad\ttaken\troot\tin\tLanka,\tso\tit\thad\tflown\tacross\tthe\tseas,\tBut\tit\tdid\tnot\tknow that\t the\t leaf\t which\t had\t flown\t to\t Lanka\t had\t a\t root\t attached\t to\t it,\t while\t its\t own","roots\tlay\tdrying\tin\tthe\tland\tof\tthe\tfive\trivers. At\tlast,\taflame\twith\tambition,\tit\tprepared\tto\tfly\tlike\ta\tbird,\tand\tit\ttook\toff\tfrom its\tforeign\thabitation. Swaying\tgently,\tfrolicking,\tplaying,\tsinging\ta\tsong,\tit\tflew\tand\tflew\tand\tflew\u2026 And\tit\tcame\tand\tsettled\ton\ta\trock,\tlike\ta\tbird\treturning\tto\tits\town\tlandscape, after\tthe\tseasonal\tflight. The\tsun\trays\twarmed\tits\theart.\tThe\trains\tcame\tand\tquenched\tits\tthirst.\tAnd\tit drifted\tfor\tsustenance\ton\tto\tsome\troots,\twhich\twere\tjutting\tout\tof\tthe\tcrevices\tof mountains. If\t you\t see\t it\t now,\t the\t lines\t on\t its\t palm\t are\t formed,\t as\t though\t its\t destiny\t was always\tclear. And\tit\tsits\tthere\tlike\ta\tpremature\tBuddha,\tbaking\titself\tin\tthe\tfire\tof\tthe\tsun,\tto resemble\tthe\tcolour\tof\tits\town. They\t say\t that\t there\t are\t magic\t trees\t which\t spread\t their\t roots\t from\t the\t sky downwards\ton\tto\tthe\tsoil.\tThe\tuprooted\tleaf\tseems\tto\tfeel\tthat\teven\tthe\tdrifting leaf\t might,\t one\t day,\t become\t a\t tree\t with\t real\t roots,\t but\t with\t leaf\t roots\t such\t as itself\tcan\tuproot\tthemselves\tat\twill\tand\tfly\taway\tto\tanother\tsoil\tfor\ta\twhile.\tFor\tit is\tnecessary\tto\thave\troots\tbut\tnot\tto\tget\trooted\tin\tbarren\tfields\u2026 *\tFrom\tThe\tPower\tof\tDarkness\tand\tOther\tStories.","6 Little\tChicks* Pecking,\t pecking,\t pecking\u2026\t Pecking\t here,\t pecking\t there,\t pecking\t nowhere\t in particular.\tThe\tthree\tlittle\tchicks\ttoddle\tup\tbefore\tthe\tkitchen\tdoorstep,\twhere\tI have\tthrown\tthe\tremainders\tof\tthe\tlentils\tfor\tthe\tsparrows. Slightly\t agitated,\t jumping\t a\t step\t or\t two,\t darting\t away\t from\t near\t the\t mother hen,\t but\t running\t back\t for\t shelter\t at\t the\t sight\t of\t the\t slightest\t shadow,\t Brownie, Blackie\t and\t Ginger\t are\t like\t tied\t balls\t of\t cotton,\t except\t for\t their\t perkey\t little yellow\tbeaks. I\tscatter\tthe\tremainders\tof\tthe\tdish\tof\trice\tinto\tthe\tflower\tbed. Up\ttoddles\tBrownie,\tthe\tmost\tforward\tone. Blackie\tfollows\tsuit,\tperhaps\tbeing\tthe\tsecond\tbig\tone\tin\tage. Ginger\t is\t left\t behind,\t but\t makes\t up\t for\t his\t littleness\t by\t outflanking\t others, straying\taimlessly\ton\tthe\tside\tand\tthen\tclambering\tup\ttowards\tthe\tgrain. Browine\tand\tBlackie\tpeck\ta\ttrifle\tmore\tfuriously\tand\tedge\tGinger\taway. Whereupon,\tthe\tmother\then\tinstinctively\tgoes\tto\tthe\trescue\tof\ther\tlittlest\tone, not\tdramatically,\tbut\tby\ta\tkind\tof\tcasual\tmoment\tof\ther\tneck\tuplifted,\tas\tthough to\twarn\tothers\tof\ther\tdispleasure. Moti,\t the\t mongrel\t dog,\t starved\t for\t days,\t has\t been\t dolefully\t eyeing\t the\t chicks and\tadmiring\ttheir\tcourage\tin\tgetting\tso\tnear\tthe\tshadow\tof\tmy\tpresence.","I\tfeel\tI\tought\tto\tthrow\thim\ta\tbone,\tbut\tdesist\tbecause\tthis\twill\tfrighten\tthe\then, or\t the\t chicks,\t and\t then\t I\t shall\t not\t be\t able\t to\t see\t how\t the\t little\t specks\t of\t life struggle\tfor\tsurvival. For\ta\tmoment,\tI\twatch\tthe\tmiracle\tof\tlittleness\ttrying\tto\tgo\tforward. Pecking,\tpecking,\tpecking,\tthe\tlife\tof\tthe\tchicks\twould\tseem\tto\tbe\tconcentrated in\ttheir\tbeaks.\tAnd\tthe\tglobules\tof\ttheir\tsoft\twoolen\trotundities\tseem\tto\tbe\tborne along\t by\t the\t intensity\t of\t their\t hunger.\t Is\t it\t possible\t that\t more\t than\t half\t of\t the nonchalance\t of\t the\t hen,\t who\t is\t not\t interfering\t with\t her\t chicks\t and\t is\t allowing them\tto\thave\ttheir\tfill,\twhile\tshe\tlooks\tsoulfully\ton,\tis\tto\tguard\tthem\tagainst\tthe danger\tof\ta\t\u2018shoo\u2019\tfrom\tme. And\t how\t can\t Moti\t sit\t there\t patiently,\t without\t daring\t to\t come\t near\t me, because,\t perhaps,\t he\t has\t been\t given\t moral\t lessons\t in\t good\t behaviour,\t with \u2018Dure!\t Dure!\u2019\t and\t an\t occasional\t lifting\t of\t the\t fuel\t stick\t by\t the\t Mali\u2019s\t wife\t who guards\ther\tdishes\tagainst\tpollution\talmost\tlike\ta\tBrahmin\tlady. Pecking,\t pecking,\t pecking,\t asserting\t their\t right\t to\t live,\t the\t little\t chicks\t have now\t dared\t to\t climb\t up\t the\t steps\t leading\t to\t the\t kitchen,\t an\t inch\t or\t two\t from where\tI\tstand. I\t stiffen\t myself\t into\t the\t rectitude\t of\t non-hurting\t and\t try\t to\t radiate\t complete ahimsa. But\tthe\then\tadvances\ttowards\ther\tbrood,\tcluck-clucking\ta\tlittle\tand\twarns\tthe little\tones\tagainst\tme. I\twithdraw. The\t mere\t shadow\t of\t movement\t has\t frightend\t Brownie,\t Blackie\t and\t Ginger.","And,\t perkily,\t they\t jump\t aside,\t doing\t their\t first\t exercise\t in\t vigilance\t against\t the best\tcalled\tman.\tTheir\tpanic\tbrings\tthe\tmother\then\tcluck-clucking\tto\ttheir\taid. The\t woman\t of\t the\t house\t thinks\t I\t have\t deliberately\t frightened\t the\t chicks\t and scolds\tme. I\tam\tshame-filled.\tBut\tI\tam\tnot\treally\tfeeling\tguilty. Moti\t comes\t slinking\t by,\t mops\t up\t the\t remainders\t of\t the\t lentils,\t sniffs\t around for\tmore\tand\tthen\tlooks\tto\tme. I\tthrow\tthe\tbone\tfor\thim. Browine,\t Blackie\t and\t Ginger\t come\t pecking\t back\t to\t the\t grain,\t as\t soon\t as\t the ominous\tshadow\tof\tme\tis\tremoved\tfrom\twithin\tthe\torbit\tof\ttheir\tmother\u2019s\teyes. The\tmiracle\tgoes\ton. *\tFrom\tBetween\tTears\tand\tLaughter.","Part\tII TEARS\tAT\tTHE HEART\tOF THINGS","7 Lajwanti* The\t loo\t of\t May\t flew\t into\t Lajwanti\u2019s\t face\t like\t flames\t from\t the\t hearth\t of\t heaven. The\t sun\t from\t whose\t mouth\t the\t fiery\t breeze\t came\t seemed\t to\t be\t standing relentlessly\tbehind,\ther,\teven\tas\ther\theavy\tjowled\tbrother-in-law,\tJaswant,\toften stood,\t apparently\t to\t goad\t her\t on\t to\t work\t but\t really\t to\t draw\t her\t attention\t to himself.\t And,\t as\t the\t sweat\t moistened\t her\t hands,\t she\t tightened\t her\t grip\t on\t the handle\t of\t the\t cage\t in\t which\t her\t Maina\t bird\t sat,\t docile\t and\t dumb,\t under\t the oppression\tof\tthe\theat.\tBut\tshe\tpersisted\tin\ther\tdetermination\tto\ttrudge\talong\tto Gurgaon,\twhere\tshe\thoped\tto\tcatch\tthe\tbus\tto\ther\tfather\t\u2019s\thouse\tin\tPataudi. \u2018Talk\tto\tme\tMaina-say\tsomething! The\tMaina\tbird\tfluttered\tin\tthe\tcage,\tperhaps\tto\tindicate\tto\tLajwanti\tthat\tshe was\talive. \u2018I\twill\tgive\tyou\twater\tas\tsoon\tas\tI\tget\tto\tthe\tbus\tstop\u2019.\tAnd,\turged\tby\tthe\theat spots\t on\t her\t feet\t where\t the\t torn\t soles\t of\t her\t chappals\t exposed\t her\t flesh,\t she hurried\ttowards\tthe\tshade\tof\ta\tsolitary\tmango\ttree\twhich\tstood\ta\tlittle\tway\taway from\tthe\tMehrauli-Gurgaon\troad. Once\tin\tthe\tcool,\tshe\tphewed\tseveral\thot\tbreaths,\twiped\tthe\tnape\tof\ther\tneck with\tthe\tend\tof\ther\thead\tcloth,\tthen\tforgetfully\tsmudged\ther\tface\twith\tthe\tsoiled dupatta,\tlicked\ther\tpalate\twith\ther\ttongue,\tput\tdown\tthe\tcage\tof\tthe\tMaina\tbird, and\tlooked\tin\tthe\tdirection\tof\tGurgaon. The\t dense\t heatmist\t enveloped\t everything.\t But,\t beyond\t the\t green\t grove\t of","mangoes,\thalf\ta\tmile\tahead,\tshe\tcould\tsee\tthe\toutline\tof\tthe\told\tcaravanserai. Quickly,\t she\t lifted\t the\t cage\t and\t went\t forward.\t She\t had\t the\t echo\t augury\t that Jaswant\twould\tbe\thot\ton\ther\ttrail,\tas\tsoon\tas\ther\tmother-in-law\trealised\tthat\tshe, Lajwanti,\thad\tnot\treturned\tfrom\tthe\twell\tfor\tmore\tthan\ttwo\thours.\tAnd\the\thad\ta bicycle. \u2018Come\tthen\tmy\tlittle\tMaina,\twe\tshall\tsoon\tbe\tthere\u2026\u2019 The\t exalted\t bungalows\t of\t the\t police\t lines\t of\t Gurgaon,\t sequestered\t behind hedges,\tunder\ttall\ttrees,\tquenched\tthe\tthirst\tof\ther\teyes.\tThe\tgreen\tleaves\tof\tneem trees\twere\tlike\tcool\tsherbet\tto\ther\tspirit.\tAnd\tthere\tseemed\tto\tbe\ta\tconfectioner\u2019s shop\t where\t she\t might\t be\t able\t to\t drink\t a\t tumbler\t of\t whey\t and\t give\t the\t Maina\t a little\tfeed\tand\twater. Somehow,\t the\t last\t lap\t of\t a\t foot\t journey\t is\t always\t the\t most\t arduous.\t Her\t legs seemed\tto\tdrag\talong.\tAnd\tthe\tburning\ton\tthe\texposed\tparts\tof\ther\tsoles\tbecame unbearable.\t And\t the\t echo\t augury\t about\t Jaswant\t catching\t up\t on\t her\t enveloped her\t mind.\t And\t she\t was\t nearly\t at\t the\t end\t of\t her\t tether.\t And\t yet\t she\t pushed forward,\tas\tthough\tshe\twas\tpossessed\tby\tthe\tdemon\tof\tflight. There\t was\t a\t moment\t of\t weakening\t as\t the\t Maina\t became\t utterly\t still;\t and, without\tlooking\tto\tsee,\tshe\tfelt\tthat\tthe\tbird\tmight\thave\tfainted\twith\tthe\theat\tand died. And\tin\tthe\tpanic\tof\tthis\tpremonition,\tshe\tfelt\tthe\tchords\tof\tguilt\tchoke\ther\tdry throat:\t She\t might\t have\t borne\t the\t humiliation.\t She\t might\t have\t given\t in\t to Jaswant.\t She\t could\t have\t closed\t her\t eyes.\t Her\t husband\t Balwant\t was\t away\t at College.\t Her\t benevolent\t father-in-law\t would\t not\t have\t known.\t And\t the\t mother-","in-law,\twho\twanted\tson\u2019s\tson,\tmore\tthan\tanything\telse,\twould\tnot\thave\tworried, even\tif\tshe\thad\tcome\tto\tknow,\tbecause\tshe\tfavoured\tJaswant,\twho\tworked\ton\tthe land\tand\tnot\tBalwant\twho\twanted\tto\tbe\ta\tclerk. \u2018Talk\t to\t me\t Maina\u2026\t Don\u2019t\t go\t away\t from\t me\u2026\t If\t you\t go\t I\t too\t will\t be finished\u2026\u2019 As\t the\t bird\t did\t not\t even\t flutter,\t her\t heart\t seemed\t to\t sink,\t and\t the\t sweat\t just poured\tdown\ther\tbody. \u2018Maybe,\t I\t am\t being\t superstitious,\u2019\t she\t said\t to\t herself.\t \u2018I\t should\t have\t done\t a magic\t ceremony\t on\t the\t cross-roads\t of\t Hauz\t Khas\t to\t ensure\t my\t safe\t arrival\t in Pataudi.\tAnd,\tthen\tGod\twould\thave\tkept\tmy\tenemies\tdispersed\u2026\u2019 Destiny\t spread\t the\t length\t of\t dumb\t distance\t before\t her,\t however.\t And,\t facing the\t emptiness,\t she\t felt\t as\t though\t the\t whole\t earth\t was\t opposed\t to\t her.\t And\t she wanted\t to\t kneel\t down\t before\t the\t Almighty\t for\t all\t the\t sins\t for\t which\t she\t was being\tpunished. \u2018Oh\tgently,\tgently,\tshow\tme\tthe\tpath!\u2019\tshe\tcried\tout\tin\ther\tsoul. At\tthat\tjuncture,\tshe\theard\tthe\tsinister\tshout\tof\tJaswant:\t\u2018Stop,\tmad\twoman,\tor I\tshall\tkill\tyou!\u2019 She\tdid\tnot\tlook\tback,\tbecause\tshe\tknew\tthe\tauthentic\taccent\tof\ther\tbrother- in-law\u2019s\t voice.\t She\t merely\t ran,\t with\t the\t instinct\t to\t fly,\t to\t get\t away,\t out\t of\t his reach,\tto\tthe\tgroup\tof\tmen\twho\twere\tresting\tby\tthe\tconfectioner\u2019s\tshop. The\t Maina\t bird\t fluttered\t its\t wings\t wildly.\t And\t now\t that\t it\t apprehended disaster,\tit\tshrieked\tand\tcried.","\u2018Stop\u2026\u2019\tThe\tvoice\tof\tdoom\trepeated\titself. Descending\tinto\tthe\tpit\tof\tconfusion.\tLajwanti\twas\tlost\tin\tthe\tprimal\tjungle\tof turmoil.\tThe\ttortures\tof\thell\tawaited\ther.\tBut,\tperhaps\tshe\tcould\tmake\tit. \u201cLajwanti,\u201d\tJaswant\tcalled\tin\ta\tmore\tmellow\tvoice. This\tstartled\ther,\tweakened\ther,\tand\tmade\ther\tregret\tshe\thad\tnot\tgiven\tin. She\t fairly\t ran,\t about\t twenty\t yards\t before\t the\t confectioner\t \u2019s\t shop.\t Jaswant passed\t by\t her,\t on\t his\t bicycle.\t Then\t he\t descended\t and,\t putting\t the\t machine athwart,\tbarred\ther\tway. Lajwanti\tconjured\tup\tin\ther\tdowncast\teyes\tthe\tsmile\tof\thorror\tthat\tbeamed\ton his\theavy,\tpockmarked\tface. She\tswerved\taway\tand\toutflanked\thim\tby\tdiving\tinto\tthe\tditch\tand\tmaking\tfor the\tconfectioner\u2019s\tshop\tfrom\tthe\tside\tof\tthe\tdepression. He\tdragged\tthe\tbicycle\tand\traced\tup\tto\ther. After\the\thad\treached\tthe\tconfectioner\u2019s\tshop,\the\tdropped\tthe\tmachine\tand\tran towards\ther\twith\tan\tenveloping\tmovement. Lajwanti\tfell\tinto\this\toutstretched\tarms\talmost\tlike\ta\twilling\tvictim. But\tonce\tshe\tbecame\taware\tof\tthe\thard\tembrace\tof\tthe\twild\tbeast,\tshe\trecoiled back,\tto\tfree\therself. Again\tshe\tran. Startled,\t he\t turned\t and\t chased\t her,\t catching,\t her\t by\t the\t headcloth\t before\t she","could\tsit\tdown\ton\tthe\twooden\tbench\tby\tthe\tconfectioner\u2019s\tshop. \u2018Why\tdid\tyou\trun\taway?\u2019\the\tasked.\t\u2018Have\tyou\tno\tshame?\u2026\tLook,\tfolks\u2026\u2019 The\tstraggling\tpeasants\tlooked\tnonchalantly\tat\tthe\tscene,\twithout\tcoming\tany nearer.\tAnd\tthree\tschool\tboys\tcame\tand\tstared. \u2018Let\tme\tgo\t\u2014\tI\twant\tto\tgo\tto\tmy\tfather\t\u2019s\thouse,\u2019\tLajwanti\tsaid,\twithout\tlifting her\tgaze\tto\tJaswant. The\tMaina\tbird\tfluttered\tin\tthe\tcage. \u2018No,\t you\t are\t returning\t to\t your\t husband\u2019s\t home!\u2019\t Jaswant\t ground\t the\t words. And\the\ttwisted\ther\twrist\tas\tshe\ttried\tto\tget\tout\tof\this\tgrasp. \u2018Brute!\u2019\t she\t cried.\t And,\t without\t shedding\t any\t tears,\t she\t began\t to\t sob.\t \u2018Leave me\talone!\u2026\tLet\tme\tgive\tthe\tMaina\tsome\twater\tto\tdrink\u2026\u2019 The\t throttling\t growth\t of\t Jaswant\u2019s\t bestiality\t gripped\t her\t young\t body\t and\t he shouted\thoarsely: \u2018Prostitute!\tBad\twoman!\tRunning\taway!\u2026 What\twill\tour\tbrotherhood\tthink?\t\u2014\tyou\tdisgracing\tus\tlike\tthis!\u2026\u2019 Lajwanti\tcollapsed\tin\ta\thuddle\tat\this\tfeet. The\tbrother-in-law\thit\ther\twith\this\tright\tfoot. At\tthis\tthe\tconfectioner\thalf\tgot\tup\tfrom\this\tgreasy\tcushion\tand\tappealed: \u2018Ohe,\t do\t not\t hit\t her.\t Persuade\t her\t to\t go\t back\t with\t you\u2026\u2019\t But\t as\t the\t woman","sat\tmutely\tlike\ta\tbundle,\tthe\ttangled\tundergrowth\tof\tJaswant\u2019s\temotions\tbecame concentrated\tinto\tthe\tfury\tof\this\tstubborn,\tfrustrated\twill.\tHe\tslapped\ther\ton\tthe head\twith\this\tloose\tright\thand. Lajwanti\t gave\t herself\t to\t the\t torment\t and\t sat\t dumbly,\t suppressing\t even\t her sobs. And\tnow\ta\tcrowd\tof\tpassers-by\tgathered\tto\tsee\tthe\tfun,\tbut\tno\tone\tintervened. The\t grip\t of\t frightfulness\t lingered\t in\t the\t crevices\t of\t light\t before\t Lajwanti\u2019s hooded\teyes. Grating\t of\t brakes\t and\t the\t dragging\t of\t wheels\t brought\t Engineer\t Din\t Dayal\u2019s jeep\tto\ta\tsudden\thalt,\ttwenty\tyards\tahead\tof\tthe\tconfectioner\u2019s\tshop. \u2018Go\tquickly\t\u2019,\tShrimati\tSushila\tDayal\tordered\ther\thusband.\t\u2018I\tsaw\thim\tslapping the\twoman.\u2019 \u2018Let\t us\t find\t out\t what\u2019s\t what\t before\t getting\t excited,\u2019\t said\t the\t dour,\t taciturn engineer.\t And\t he\t turned\t to\t the\t confectioner:\t \u2018What\t has\t happened?\t Who\t are they?\u2019 \u2018Sir,\tit\tseems\tthe\tgirl\thas\trun\taway\tfrom\ther\tfather-in-law\u2019s\thouse\tand\twants\tto go\tto\ther\tfather\u2019s\thouse\u2026\tBut\ther\tbrother-in-law\tcame\tand\tcaught\ther\u2026\u2019 Shrimati\tDayal\tjumped\tout\tof\tthe\tjeep\tand\tran\tahead\tof\ther\thusband. \u2018Cowards!\tGet\taside!\tLooking\ton!\tAs\tthough\tthis\tis\ta\tfun\tfair!\u2019 The\tcrowd\tscattered\tand\trevealed\tJaswant\tholding\tLajwanti\tby\tthe\thead\tcloth, which\the\thad\ttwisted\tinto\this\thand\twith\tthe\tplait\tof\ther\thair.","\u2018Leave\ther\talone!\u2019\tShrimati\tDayal\tordered. \u2018Sister,\t she\t has\t ran\t away\t from\t her\t husband\u2019s\t house,\u2019\t appealed\t Jaswant.\t \u2018And our\tgood\tname\tis\tat\tstake!\u2019 \u2018She\tmust\thave\tcome\taway\tfor\ta\tgood\treason,\u2019\tShrimati\tDayal\tsaid. \u2018Where\thas\tshe\tcome\tfrom?\u2019 \u2018From\tnear\tHauz\tKhas,\u2019\tJaswant\tsaid. \u2018Hai-on\tfoot?..\tTen\tmiles?\tShe\thas\twalked.\u2019\tJaswant\tnodded\this\thead. \u2018Poor\tchild!\u2019\tShrimati\tDayal\tsaid\tturning\tto\ther\thusband. \u2018I\t will\t not\t allow\t the\t girl\t to\t die\t of\t a\t heat\t stroke.\t Put\t her\t in\t the\t jeep\t and\t let\t us take\ther\thome.\u2019 \u2018I\twill\tnot\tlet\ther\tgo\tnow\tthat\tI\thave\tcaught\ther\u2019\tJaswant\tsaid\ttimid\tbut\tfrontal. \u2018I\twill\tcall\tthe\tpolice\tand\thand\tyou\tover!\u2019\tthreatened\tShrimati\tDayal. \u2018Anyhow,\u2019\tEngineer\tDin\tDayal\tcounselled\tJaswant,\t\u2018Come\tand\ttalk\tthings\tover at\tmy\thouse\u2026\tPersuade\ther\tto\tgo\tback\twith\tyou.\tDon\u2019t\tforce\ther\u2026\u2019 \u2018Come\t along,\u2019\t said\t Shrimati\t Dayal\t lifting\t Lajwanti\t even\t as\t she\t brusquely extricated\tthe\ttwisted\tplait\tof\tthe\tgirl\u2019s\thair\tour\tof\tJaswant\u2019s\tgrip. \u2018Give\tme\tthe\tMaina\tto\thold,\u2019\tJaswant\tbullied\this\tsister-in-law. Lajwanti\tmerely\tnodded\ther\thead\tin\tnegation\tand\tproceeded.","In\t the\t cool\t shade\t of\t the\t verandah\t of\t Engineer\t Dayal\u2019s\t bungalow,\t Lajwanti removed\t the\t hood\t of\t her\t headcloth\t and\t revealed\t her\t tender,\t tear-striken\t eyes and\tsaid: \u2018Give\t me\t some\t water\t for\t the\t Maina,\t mother.\u2019\t \u2018Gurkha,\u2019\t Shrimati\t Dayal\t called her\tservant.\t\u2018Give\tsome\tcool\twater\tto\tall\tof\tus\u2026\tmake\tit\tlime\tand\twater\u2026\tSimple water\tfor\tthe\tbird\u2026\u2019 The\t servile\t Gurkha,\t more\t taciturn\t than\t the\t engineer,\t took\t in\t everything\t at\t a glance\tand\twent\ttowards\tthe\tkitchen. \u2018Why\tdid\tyou\tbeat\tthe\tgirl?\tShrimati\tDayal\tasked\tJaswant. \u2018Time\t after\t time\t we\t have\t told\t her,\u2019\t said\t Jaswant,\t \u2018That\t her\t husband\t has\t only one\t year\t more\t to\t do\t at\t college\t before\t he\t finishes\t his\t B.A.\t But\t she\t wishes\t to\t be with\thim\tor\tgo\tto\ther\tfather\u2019s\thouse.\u2019 \u2018Mother,\the\tis\ta\tliar!\u2019\tLajwanti\tshrieked. \u2018You\t must\t have\t oppressed\t her\t very\t much\t to\t make\t her\t say\t this\t of\t you!\u2019\t said engineering\tDayal. \u2018Sire,\t we\t have\t been\t good\t to\t her,\u2019\t pleaded\t Jaswant.\t \u2018She\t comes\t from\t a\t poor home.\t My\t father\t is\t Chaudhuri\t Ganga\t Ram,\t Sarpanch\t of\t the\t whole\t village\u2026\t I have\ta\twife\ttoo,\tbut\tshe\tis\ta\tgentle\twoman\tfrom\ta\tbig\thouse\u2026\u2019 \u2018Like\ta\tcow,\u2019\tLajwanti\tflared\tup.\t\u2018And\tyou\twant\tmany\tmore\tviews.\u2019 \u2018Don\u2019t\tbark!\u2019\t\u2014\tShameless\tone!\tOr\tI\twill\thit\tyou!\u2019\tJaswant\tsaid. At\t this\t Shrimati\t Dayal\t got\t up\t with\t a\t cool\t deliberation\t of\t her\t torso\t and","delivered\ta\tclean\tslap\ton\tJaswant\u2019s\tface\tand\tsaid: \u2018How\t do\t you\t like\t this?\t \u2014\t If\t someone\t else\t hits\t you\u2019!\u2019.\t The\t man\t was\t taken completely\tunawares.\tHe\tsat\twith\this\tmouth\topen\tbut\tspeechless. \u2018\t That\t is\t what\t I\t should\t have\t done\t when\t he\t tried\t to\t approach\t me!\u2019\t said Lajwanti,\ther\thead\tturned\tdemurely\taway\tfrom\tthe\tengineer. \u2018Clearly,\tthis\tgirl\tis\tnot\thappy\twith\tyour\tfamily.\u2019\tsaid\tthe\tEngineer.\t\u2018Let\ther\tgo back\tto\ther\tfather\t\u2019s\thouse\ttill\ther\thusband\thas\tfinished\this\tstudies.\tAnd\tthen\tshe can\tcome\tback\tto\tyour\tfamily.\u2019 \u2018That\t is\t right!\u2019\t added\t Shrimati\t Dayal.\t \u2018I\t will\t not\t allow\t the\t child\t to\t be\t in\t your grip.\tYou\tcan\thave\tone\twife\tand\tnot\ttwo\u2026\u2019 In\t the\t quivering\t scale\t pans\t of\t balance,\t created\t by\t the\t voices\t of\t injustice, Lajwanti\t felt\t the\t first\t moment\t of\t calm\t which\t had\t come\t to\t her\t during\t two\t long years.\t But\t immediately\t she\t felt\t the\t fear\t of\t Jaswant\u2019s\t revenge\t for\t the\t slap\t he\t had received\t on\t the\t face.\t She\t looked\t at\t the\t Maina\t and\t said\t in\t speechless\t speech: \u2018Angel,\tsuppose\tthere\tis\ta\tcool\tplace,\tsomewhere\tin\tthe\tworld\twhere\twe\ttwo\tcan rest..\u2019 \u2018Ask\t her\t to\t decide,\u2019\t Jaswant\t said,\t \u2018If\t she\t goes\t to\t her\t father\u2019s\t house,\t she\t can never\t come\t back\t to\t us.\t If\t she\t comes\t back\t with\t me,\t we\t might\t consider\t sending her\tfor\ta\tlittle\twhile\tto\ther\tfather\u2019s\thouse.\u2019 \u2018Tell\thim\twhat\tyou\tfeel,\tgirl?\u2019\tsaid\tShrimati\tDayal. \u2018I\t want\t to\t go\t to\t my\t father\u2019s\t house,\t and\t never\t want\t to\t set\t foot\t on\t their threshold\tagain,\u2019\tanswered\tLajwanti.","\u2018\t There!\u2019\t said\t Shrimati\t Dayal.\t \u2018\t That\t is\t her\t answer\t for\t you\u2026\t and\t if\t you\t are\t a decent\tman,\tgo\tback\tto\tyour\thome.\t1\twill\tsee\tthe\tgirl\tto\tthe\tbus\twhich\ttakes\ther to\tPataudi\u2026\u2019\tAnd,\tshe\tturned\tto\ther\thusband\tfor\tconfirmation\tof\ther\tdecision. \u2018\tThat\u2019s\tright!\u2019\tthe\tEngineer\tsaid.\t\u2018Gurkha!\u2019\tShrimati\tDayal\tcalled. \u2018Coming,\tBibiji,\tthe\tservant\tanswered.\tAnd\the\tappeared\twith\tlime\twater\tfor\tall and\ta\tlittle\tplain\twater\tand\tcummin\tseed\tfor\tthe\tMaina\tbird. Lajwanti\t arrived\t with\t the\t cage\t of\t the\t Maina\t bird\t in\t her\t hand,\t at\t her\t father\u2019s house,\t when\t the\t old\t man\t was\t just\t going\t out\t to\t bathe\t his\t buffalo\t at\t the\t well.\t He stood\t open-eyed\t and\t open-mouthed,\t asking\t himself\t whether\t what\t he\t saw\t was his\t daughter\t or\t her\t ghost.\t When\t she\t bent\t down\t to\t take\t the\t dust\t off\t his\t feet,\t he could\tsmell\tthe\tacrid\tsummer\tsweat\tof\ther\tclothes\tand\tknew\tthat\tit\twas\tLajwanti. He\t dared\t not\t look\t at\t her\t face,\t because\t a\t daughter\t coming\t back\t home\t without due\t ceremony,\t was\t inauspicious.\t Gentle\t as\t he\t was,\t however,\t he\t did\t not\t ask\t any questions.\tOnly,\the\tcalled\tto\this\tyoung\tson,\twho\twas\tchopping\tup\tfodder\tfor\tthe buffalo. \u2018Indu,\tyour\teldest\tsister\thas\tcome.\tWake\tup,\tyour\tlittle\tsister,\tMoti\u2026\u2019 Lajwanti\t was\t sad\t for\t her\t father.\t She\t knew\t that\t a\t man\t who\t had\t borne\t the grinding\t pressures\t of\t years\t of\t survival\t on\t one\t bigha\t and\t a\t buffalo,\t and\t whose wife\thad\tdied\tleaving\thim\twith\ttwo\tsmall\tchildren,\twas\tin\tno\tcondition\tto\treceive a\t grown-up\t married\t daughter,\t who\t had\t returned\t without\t even\t the\t proverbial bundle\tof\tclothes\tto\tchange\tinto. Indu\t left\t into\t the\t chopper\t and\t rushed\t towards\t her,\t clinging\t to\t her\t legs\t as though\the\tsaw\tthe\tghost\tof\this\tmother\tstanding\tby\tthe\tdoor.\tTo\tbe\tsure,\tLajwanti","looked\t the\t split\t image\t of\t her\t mother.\t Only\t mother\t had\t become\t sallow\t with lungs,\t while\t Lajo\u2019s\t colouring\t was\t pucca\t brown,\t and\t gave\t richness\t to\t the\t small even\tface,\twith\tthe\tfine\tnose,\tflawed\tby\ta\tbig\ttatoo\tmark\ton\ther\tchin. Tears\twelled\tinto\tLajwanti\u2019s\teyes\tat\tthe\twarmth\tof\tthe\tboy\t\u2019s\tembrace. \u2018Look\t at\t this\t poor\t Maina,\u2019\t she\t said.\t \u2018She\t had\t come\t all\t the\t way\t with\t me\t from New\tDelhi.\u2019 The\tyoung\tboy\tgrabbed\tthe\tcage\tfrom\this\tsister\t\u2019s\thand\tand\tsoon\tforgot\tabout Lajwanti\tin\tthe\teffort\tto\tmake\tthe\tbird\ttalk. \u2018I\tshould\tgive\ther\tsome\tlentils\tto\teat\tand\ta\tlittle\twater,\u2019\tLajwanti\tsaid,\tsitting\ton the\tthreshold\tof\tthe\tverandah. \u2018Then\t she\t might\t talk\t to\t you\u2026\t Though,\t I\t hope\t she\t does\t not\t say\t too\t much\u2026 The\tneighbours\twill\tknow\teverything\u2026\u2019 For\t now\t that\t she\t was\t here,\t she\t wanted\t her\t return,\t somehow,\t to\t remain\t a private\t occurrence.\t She\t knew,\t of\t course,\t that\t everyone\t in\t a\t small\t place\t knew everyone\t else\u2019s\t business.\t And\t she\t had\t no\t hope\t of\t escaping\t censure\t from\t the tongues\t which\t had\t wagged\t when,\t before\t her\t marriage,\t she\t had\t played\t openly with\tboys\tof\ther\town\tage,\tand\tseldom\tcared\tto\tcover\ther\thead\twith\ther\tdupatta because\tshe\tdid\tnot\twant\tto\tlook\tlike\ta\tghost.\tAll\tthe\telders\tcalled\ther\t\u2018Man\tLajo,\u2019 while\t the\t boys\t called\t her,\t \u2018Meena\t Kumari\u2019\t after\t the\t film\t heroine\t she\t resembled. She\t wanted\t as\t she\t sat\t there,\t to\t know\t what\t was\t in\t her\t father\t \u2019s\t heart\t \u2014\t whether he\t had\t understood\t her\t mysterious\t will,\t and\t the\t instinct\t which\t had\t inspired\t her always\t to\t do\t the\t odd\t things.\t He\t had\t always\t told\t her\t that\t he\t was\t sorry\t he\t had named\ther\tLajwanti,\twhich\tmeans\tsensitive\tplant,\tbecause\tshe\thas\tlived\tup\tto\ther name.\tIndu\tpushed\ta\tcup\tof\twater\tinto\ther\tbird\u2019s\tcage.\tAnd\tlo!\tthe\tMaina\tbegan","to\ttalk. \u2018Lajo,\twhat\tdoes\tshe\tsay?\u2019\tthe\tboy\tasked. Lajwanti\tsmiled,\teven\tas\tshe\tlooked\tat\tthe\ttorrid\tsky. After\ther\tfather\treturned\tfrom\tthe\twell,\the\ttied\tthe\tbuffalo\tand\tput\twhat\tcattle food\tIndu\thad\tchopped\tup\tbefore\tthe\tanimal.\tAs\tthe\tboy\thad\tnot\tcut\tenough,\the took\t the\t chopper\t and\t began\t to\t prepare\t more.\t He\t was\t not\t the\t kind\t to\t scold anyone,\tand\tleast\tof\tall\tdid\the\twant\tto\tblame\this\tson\tfor\tgetting\texcited\tabout\this elder\tsister. When\t the\t buffalo\t had\t been\t looked\t after,\t he\t proceeded\t to\t soak\t the\t lentils\t for the\tevening\tmeals\tand\tproceeded\tto\tlight\tthe\tfire. \u2018I\twill\tdo\tall\tthat,\tBapu:\tLajwanti\tsaid. \u2018Daughter,\t it\t does\t not\t matter,\u2019\t he\t answered\t and\t stubbornly\t went\t on\t with\t the chores.\tAnd,\tturning\tto\this\tson,\the\tsaid,\u2019\t\u2018give\tyour\tsister\ta\tmat\tto\tsit\ton.\u2019 Imperceptible\tas\twere\this\tfeelings\tbehind\tthe\tmask\tof\this\tcalm,\twrinkled\tface, she\tsaw\ta\tpallor\ton\this\tlips\tas\the\tsaid\tthis,\tand\tshe\tknew\tthat\tshe\twas\tnot\twanted. That\tmat\twas\tonly\tgiven\tto\tguests. The\t courtyard\t was\t filled\t with\t shadows\t long\t before\t the\t fire\t in\t the\t sky\t became ashes.\t Lajwanti\t could\t see\t the\t clouds\t tinted\t red\t as\t though\t the\t world\t had witnessed\tsome\tgruesome\tmurder. And,\tfrightened\tof\ther\town\tself,\tshe\ttried\tto\thold\ther\tbreath. \u2018Sister,\tI\thave\tbrought\tyou\ta\tpitcher\tof\twater\tto\tbathe\twith,\t\u2018Indu\tsaid.","Before\tLajwanti\tcould\tanswer,\tMoti\thad\tbeen\tdisturbed\tby\ther\tbrother\u2019s\tvoice and\tawakened,\twhining. Lajwanti\tleaped\tforward\tto\ther\tand\tembraced\tthe\tchild,\tconsoling\ther. \u2018Lajo,\u2019\t her\t father\t said,\t \u2018The\t children\t want\t a\t mother.\t And\t I\t would\t have\t kept you\t here\t and\t not\t given\t you\t away,\t if\t people\t had\t not\t begun\t to\t talk\t about\t you\u2026\u2019 He\t paused\t after\t this\t statement\t for\t a\t long\t time,\t and\t then\t after\t blowing\t at\t the hearth\t fire,\t he\t continued:\t Now,\t I\t am\t both\t father\t and\t mother\t to\t them\u2026\t and,\t as for\t you,\t I\t will\t take\t you\t back\t to\t your\t parents-in-law\u2019s\t house.\t I\t shall\t fall\t at\t their feet\tand\task\tthem\tto\tforgive\tyou.\tThe\tdisgrace\tof\tyour\twidowhood\twithout\tyour becoming\t a\t widow\t is\t unbearable\u2026\t They\t will\t only\t call\t you\t ugly\t names\t here\u2026 They\tdo\tnot\tknow\tthat\tyou\tare\t\u2018sensitive\tplant\u2019\u2026 Two\t days\t later,\t a\t post\t card\t came\t addressed\t to\t Shri\t Hari\t Ram,\t father\t of Lajwanti,\twritten\tby\tJaswant,\ton\tbehalf\tof\this\tfather,\tsaying,\tthat\tas\tLajwanti\thad run\t away,\t without\t permission\t from\t her\t husband\t or\t her\t parents-in-law,\t the clothes\tshe\thad\tbrought\ton\ther\twedding\twere\tbeing\treturned\tand\tthat\tno\tone\tin Delhi\twas\tnow\twilling\tto\tsee\ther\t\u2018black\tface\u2019. Old\t Hari\t had\t already\t been\t trying\t to\t arrange\t for\t someone\t to\t look\t after\t his buffalo,\t his\t son\t and\t his\t daughter,\t so\t that\t he\t could\t take\t Lajwanti\t back\t to\t her parents-in-law.\t He\t had\t sent\t for\t the\t midwife,\t who\t had\t delivered\t all\t these children,\t from\t Pataudi\t proper,\t because\t he\t did\t not\t know\t anyone\t in\t the\t small village,\twho\twould\toblige,\twithout\tthe\tpayment\tof\tsome\tcash. Fortunately,\tthe\tmidwife\tChampa,\tarrived\ton\tthe\tsame\tmorning\tafter\tthe\tpost card\twas\treceived.\tAnd\tshe\twas\tmore\tthan\twilling,\tto\ttake\ton\tthe\tjob\tof\tlooking after\tthe\thousehold.","\u2018Why,\u2019\tshe\tsaid,\t\u2018I\thad\thoped\tto\tsee\tour\tLajo\twith\tbelly.\tAnd\tI\thad\twaited\tto\tbe called\t to\t her\t bedside,\t so\t that\t I\t could\t deliver\t her\t of\t a\t son.\t And,\t now,\t my\t loved one,\tyou\tare\there,\twithout\ta\tsign\tin\tyour\teyes\tof\tthe\tcoming\tof\tthe\thappy\tevent. If\t only\t for\t the\t sake\t of\t the\t soul\t of\t your\t dear\t mother,\t go,\t hurry\t back.\t And\t come soon\twith\tyour\tlap\tfull\tof\ta\tchild\u2026\u2019 \u2018I\t am\t putting\t my\t turban\t at\t your\t feet,\u2019\t said\t old\t Hari\t Ram\t to\t Chaudhri\t Ganga Ram,\tliterally\tremoving\this\tenormous\tcrown\tof\tcloth\tfrom\this\thead\tand\tplacing it\ton\tthe\tshoes\tof\this\tdaughter\u2019s\tfather-in-law. \u201cOh,\t come\t and\t sit\t here\t with\t me;\u201d\t answered\t Chaudhri\t Ganga\t Ram,\t brushing the\t beadstead\t with\t his\t left\t hand\t as\t he\t smoked\t the\t hookah\t under\t the\t shade\t of\t a neem\ttree. Lajwanti\t crouched\t a\t little\t way\t away,\t with\t her\t face\t covered\t by\t her\t head\t cloth and\taverted\ther\tgaze\tfrom\ther\tfather-in-law\ttowards\tthe\ttorrid\tfields;\tHer\theart was\tin\ther\tmouth,\tlest\ther\tbrother-in-law,\tJaswant,\tmight\tsuddenly\tappear\tform the\t barn,\t or\t even\t her\t mother-in-law,\t come\t on\t the\t scene\t suddenly\t before\t the father-in-law\t had\t forgiven\t her.\t At\t the\t same\t time,\t she\t knew\t that\t there\t would\t be no\tforgiveness,\tbut\tonly\ta\treluctant\tnod\tto\tindicate\tthat\tshe\tcould\tstay. The\tnod\tof\tapproval\twas,\thowever,\tlong\tin\tcoming.\tFor\tChaudhri\tGanga\tRam kept\tsilent,\tafter\thaving\tlifted\tHari\tRam\tto\tsit\tby\thim,\tand\tonly\this\thookah\tspoke a\tlittle\tagitatedly. Meanwhile,\t Lajwanti\t felt\t the\t sweat\t gathering\t on\t the\t nape\t of\t her\t head\t and flowing\tdown\ther\tspine.\tAnd\tshe\tlooked\tat\ther\tblessed\tMaina\tin\tthe\tcage\tto\tsee\tif the\t bird\t was\t not\t dead.\t The\t journey\t had\t been\t easier\t this\t time,\t because\t they\t had come\t by\t bus\t from\t Pataudi\t to\t Gurgaon\t and\t then\t caught\t the\t connection\t from Gurgaon\tto\tthe\tbus\tstop\thalf\ta\tmile\taway\tfrom\tthe\tlittle\tvillage\tof\ther\tfather-in-","law.\tAnd\tas\tthe\tbird\tseemed\tstill,\tshe\tspoke\tto\ther\tin\twordless\twords: \u2018My\t Maina\t tell\t me\t what\t will\t happen\t now?\t My\t heart\t flutters,\t as\t you\t often\t do when\t you\t are\t frightened\t of\t the\t cat\t coming\t to\t eat\t you.\t And\t I\t do\t not\t know\t if Jaswant\twill\trelent\tand\tnot\tpursue\tme\tany\tmore.\tBut\tperhaps\tnow\tthat\tmy\tfather has\tbrought\tme\tback,\tI\twill\tallow\tmyself\tto\tbe\teaten.\tOnly\tthe\thumiliation\twill\tbe complete\tnow.\tOh\tif\tonly\tI\thad\twarmed\tto\thim\tand\tnot\tthought\tof\tmy\town\tman who\t would\t never\t have\t known!\t I\t am\t really\t defeated.\t And\t even\t words\t are\t no use\u2026\tAnd\tyet\twithin\tme\tthere\tis\tdesire,\tand\tthere\tis\tlife\t\u2014\ta\triver\tof\tfeelings\tlike the\t ancient\t Saraswati\t river\t which\t has\t gone\t underground\t and\t disappeared\t from the\tsurface\u2026\tHow\tshall\tI\tcontrol\tthose\tfeelings,\tthose\tprisoners,\ttrying\tto\tburst out\u2026\u2019 She\topened\ther\teyes\tto\tmake\tsure.\tThe\tvision\twas\treal. Involuntarily,\t her\t eyes\t closed\t and\t a\t sigh\t got\t muffled\t into\t the\t folds\t of\t her headcloth.\t Sparks\t like\t stars\t shot\t out\t of\t the\t darkness\t of\t her\t head,\t and\t the agitation\t of\t nerves\t pushed\t up\t a\t copious\t sweat\t all\t over\t her.\t She\t knew\t that\t the constellations\tin\tthe\tsky\tabove\ther\twere\tominous. \u2018So\t the\t dead\t one\t has\t turned\t up!\u2019\t the\t mother-in-law\t \u2019s\t voice\t came,\t as\t the\t old woman\treturned\tfrom\tthe\twell\twith\tone.\tpitcher\ton\ther\thead\tand\tanother\tone\ton her\tleft\tarm.\tThe\theavy\tbreathing\tof\tthe\twoman,\tforced\tto\tfetch\tand\tcarry\tand\tdo all\tthe\tchores\tin\tthe\tabsence\tof\tLajwanti,\taccented\ther\tvoice\twith\tbitterness. \u2018She\t is\t your\t daughter,\u2019\t said\t old\t Hari\t Ram\t to\t appease\t the\t woman.\t In\t his innocence\the\timagined\tthat\tthe\tproverbial\tmother-in-law\thad\tbecome\tthe\tcause of\t his\t daughter\u2019s\t flight.\t \u2018I\t have\t brought\t her\t back\u2026\t the\t midwife,\t Champa,\t said that\tthe\tgirl\thas\tmade\ta\tmistake\u2026\u2019","\u2018To\t be\t sure,\u2019\t answered\t the\t mother-in-law.\t \u2018There\t was\t no\t question,\t since Balwant\thas\tnot\tbeen\tback\tfrom\tKalej\tfor\tmore\tthan\ta\tfew\tdays\tat\ta\ttime\u2026 Unless\t she\t has\t cast\t the\t spell\t of\t her\t grey\t eyes\t on\t someone\t else\u2026\t Jaswant\t says he\thas\tseen\ther\twinking\tat\tthe\tvisitors\ton\tthe\troadside\u2026\u2019 \u2018We\tare\trespectable\tpeople,\u2019\tsaid\tChaudhri\tGanga\tRam\tto\treinforce\this\twife\u2019s speech. \u2018I\u2026\twhat\tshall\tI\tsay,\tChaudhriji,\u2019\tanswered\tHari\tRam\tmeekly.\t\u2018I\twish\tfate\thad made\t her\t not\t so\t good\t looking\u2026\t But,\u2019\t now,\t I\t have\t brought\t her\t back.\t And\t you can\tkill\ther\tif\tshe\tlooks\tat\tanother\u2026\tHere\tis\ta\tring\tfor\tmy\tson\tBalwant.\tI\tcould not\tgive\tmuch\tdowry.\tNow\tI\twill\tmake\tup\ta\tlittle\tfor\twhat\tthe\tboy\tdid\tnot\tget\u2026\u2019 From\tthe\twearisome\tacceptance\tof\ther\tfate,\tthere\tswirled\tup\tincomprehensible violent\turges\tof\ttruth\tin\tLajwanti,\tso\tthat\tshe\tshook\ta\tlittle\tand\twas\ton\tthe\tpoint of\t telling\t them\t the\t horrible\t facts.\t And\t she\t was\t mad\t at\t her\t father\t for\t effacing himself\tand\tbowing\tbefore\ther\tin-laws.\tBut\tthe\ttremors\tin\ther\tentrails\tended\tin choking\ther\tthroat.\tAnd\tthe\tlofty\tflights\tof\tanger\tonly\tbefogged\ther\tbrain. \u2018Jaswant!\t Jaswant!\u2026\t Come\t over\t here\u2026\u2019\t the\t mother-in-law\t called\t her\t eldest son. The\t scarecrow\t in\t the\t field\t turned\t round.\t Then\t he\t lifted\t the\t palm\t of\t his\t hand to\tsee.\tHe\tunderstood.\tAnd\the\tbegan\tto\twalk\tback. In\tthe\tsilence\tof\tdoom,\tLajwanti\tquivered\tas\tthough\tthe\tdemons\tof\thell\thad\tlet loose\tsnakes\tand\tscorpions\ton\ther\tbody.\tAnd,\tin\ta\tfit\tof\tcrazy\tabandon,\tshe\tfelt herself\t borne\t form\t the\t underworld,\t on\t a\t bed,\t by\t her\t heroic\t husband,\t his\t arms wrapped\t around\t her\u2026\t Actually,\t beneath\t the\t trembling\t flesh,\t she\t knew\t Balwant","to\tbe\ta\tcoward,\twho\tdare\tnot\teven\traise\this\thead\tto\tlook\tat\this\telder\tbrother. \u2018She\t has\t come\t back!\u2019\t Jaswant\t ground\t the\t words\t in\t his\t mouth,\t throwing\t the white\tradishes\taway\ton\tthe\tground\tnear\tthe\toutdoor\tkitchen. \u2018She\tcould\tnot\ttell\tyou\tthat\tshe\twanted\tto\tsee\tthe\tmidwife,\u2019\told\tHari\tRam\tsaid. \u2018It\twas\ta\tfalse\talarm.\u2019 \u2018\t There\t are\t mid-wives\t here\t also!\u2019\t Jaswant\t answered\t pat.\t \u2018Why\t there\t is\t the Safdarjung\tHospital!\u2026\u2019\tDo\tno\tbe\ttaken\tin\tby\ther\tstories,\tUncle.\tShe\thas\tlooked at\t more\t than\t one\t before\t her\t marriage\u2026\t She\t is\t just\t a\t bad\t girl!\u2026\t The\t way\t she insulted\tme\twhen\tI\twent\tto\tfetch\ther\tback,\u2026\tShe\tsat,\tthere,\tanswering\tback!\tAnd allowed\tthat\tAfsar\t\u2019s\twife\tto\tslap\tme\ton\tthe\tface!\u2026\tProstitute!\u2026\u2019 \u2018Bus!\tbus!\tSon!\u2019\tChaudhri\tGanga\tRam\tsaid\tto\trestrain\tthe\tboy. \u2018Take\t that\t for\t having\t me\t beaten!\u2019\t Jaswant\t said\t and\t kicked\t Lajwanti\t on\t her behind,\t\u2018Lajwanti\tquivered,\tthen\tveered\tround,\talmost\tdoubled\tover,\tand\tuttered a\tshrill\tcry\tbefore\tbeginning\tto\tsob. \u2018You\tdeserved\ta\tshoe\tbeating!\u2019\tshouted\tJaswant,\ttowering\tover\tthe\tgirl\tlike\tan eagle\t in\t a\t malevolent\t glee\t of\t power,\t his\t arms\t outstretched\t as\t though\t he\t was going\tto\thit\ther\tagain. \u2018Come\taway!\u2019\tshouted\this\tfather. \u2018Let\thim\tpunish\ther\tif\the\tthinks\tshe\thas\tdone\twrong,\u2019\tsaid\tHari\tRam.\tAnd\tlet her\t fall\t at\t his\t feet\u2026\t My\t daughter\t is\t pure\u2026\t After\t saying\t this\t he\t felt\t pangs\t of remorse\t at\t his\t own\t cowardice\t and\t he\t was\t caught\t in\t the\t paroxysm\t of\t a\t dry throated\tcough,\tand\twater\tfilled\this\teyes.","\u2018Maina,\tmy\tmaina,\u2019\tLajwanti\tsaid\tunder\ther\tbreath,\t\u2018I\tcannot\tbear\tthis\u2026\u2019 \u2018Deceitful\t cunning\t wretch!\u2019\t Jaswant\t said\t and\t he\t turned\t away\t towards\t her father.\t\u2018Take\ther\taway\u2026\tWe\thave\tno\tuse\tfor\ther\there!\tAfter\tshe\thas\tdisgraced\tus before\tthe\twhole\tbrotherhood\u2019 \u2018Not\t so\t many\t angry\t words,\t son!\u2019\t Chaudhri\t Ganga\t Ram\t said.\t \u2018You\t have punished\ther\tenough!\u2019 \u2018Son,\tlet\ther\tget\tup\tand\twork!\u2019\tmother-in-law\tsaid. \u2018Bless\tyour\twords\tof\twisdom\u2019\tsaid\tHari\tRam.\t\u2018I\tknew\tyou\twould\tbe\tmerciful\u2026 And\t now\t I\t leave\t her\t in\t your\t care.\t Kill\t her\t if\t you\t like.\t But\t don\u2019t\t let\t her\t come\t to me\twithout\t her\t lap\t full\tof\t son.\t I\t shall\tnot\t be\t able\t to\tsurvive\t the\t disgrace\t if\t she comes\tagain\u2026\u2019 \u2018Maina,\tmy\tmaina,\twho\twill\ttalk\tto\tyou,\tif\tI\tgo\taway\tforever?\u2019\tLajwanti\tasked the\t bird\t in\t the\t cage\t even\t as\t she\t washed\t her\t with\t palmfuls\t of\t water\t from\t the bucket. The\tbird\tfluttered\twildly\tevading\tthe\tshower. \u2018Will\tyou\tshriek\tif\tI\tdrown\tyou\tin\tthe\twater,\tmy\tlittle\tone?\u2019\tLajwanti\tasked. The\tbird\tedged\taway\tas\tthough\tin\tanswer. And\t she\t sat\t down\t on\t the\t ledge\t of\t the\t well,\t away\t from\t the\t surging\t waters which\twere\tall\taround\ther\tdizzy\tbrain. If\tshe\tstopped\tto\tthink,\tshe\tfelt\tshe\twould\tnever\tdo\tit\u2026\tIt\twas\tnow\tor\tnever, when\t there\t was\t no\t one\t on\t the\t well\t except\t herself\t and\t the\t Maina.\t The\t village","women\t had\t finished\t fetching\t the\t water\t for\t the\t evening.\t And\t soon\t it\t would\t be dark. From\t where\t she\t sat,\t a\t tilt\t \u2014\t that\t would\t do\t it.\t But\t no,\t She\t must\t not\t wait\t any more. And\twith\ta\tjerk\tof\ther\ttorso,\tinterrupted\tby\ther\tindecision,\tshe\tforced\therself into\ta\theave. The\t fall\t was\t ugly.\t Her\t left\t shoulder\t hit\t the\t stone\t on\t the\t side\t before\t she\t fell sideways\tinto\tthe\twell. For\ta\tmoment,\tshe\twas\tlimp. The\timpact\tof\tthe\tfall\ttook\ther\tfull-length\tinto\tthe\twater.\tBut,\tin\ta\tsecond,\tshe felt\t her\t body\t rising\t up\t as\t though\t from\t its\t own\t momentum.\t Unfortunately,\t for her\tshe\twas\ta\tswimmer.\tShe\tcould\tnot\tdecide\tto\tlet\tgo\tof\ther\tbreath.\tAnd,\tnow, her\t hand\t pushed\t up\t above\t the\t water.\t And\t she\t found\t herself\t using\t her\t arms,\t to keep\tafloat. Still\tthere\twas\ta\tchance. Rising\t from\t the\t torso,\t she\t ducked\t down,\t with\t her\t nose\t tweaked\t between\t her fingers. She\t stayed\t under\t the\t water\t for\t a\t minute\t and\t then\t tried\t to\t drown\t herself\t by letting\tgo\tof\ther\thand\tfrom\tthe\ttweaked\tnose. The\thead\trose\tabove\tthe\twater,\tpanting\tfor\tbreath. \u2018Lajwanti!\tLajwanti!\tBad\tone\tcome\tout!\ther\tmother-in-law\t\u2019s\tvoice\tcame,\tin\ta","shrill\tappeal.\t\u2018\tThis\tis\tnot\tthe\tway\tof\trespectable\tpeople\u2026\u2019 There\t was\t no\t way\t by\t which\t Lajwanti\t could\t put\t her\t head\t into\t the\t water. Perhaps\t she\t really\t did\t not\t want\t to\t die.\t How\t had\t the\t old\t woman\t turned\t up? Because,\t left\t to\t herself,\t she\t would\t have\t gone\t under\t with\t a\t second\t or\t third\t try. Not\t even\t in\t the\t darkness,\t was\t there\t an\t escape\u2026\t Above\t the\t well,\t life\t would\t be worse\thell\tthan\teven\tbefore\u2026 Gently,\t she\t let\t go.\t And\t then\t water\t began\t to\t fill\t her\t nostrils\t and\t her\t mouth. And\tshe\twas\tsubmerged. Before\tshe\thad\tlost\tconsciousness,\thowever,\tshe\tfelt\therself\tlying\tdown\tin\tthe slush\tnear\tthe\twell. They\twere\tpressing\ther\tbelly.\tSome\tone\twas\tsitting\ton\ther.\tAnd\tthe\tspurts\tof water\toozed\t from\t her\t nostrils\tand\t mouth.\t The\t rancid\t tastes\tof\t stale\t air\t was\ton her\tpalate-the\ttaste\tof\tlife\u2019s\tbreath. And\tas\tshe\tlay\tdissolving\tunder\ther\theavy\teyelids,\tthe\tbitterness\tof\ther\tbreath seemed\tto\tlapse,\tand\tsleep\tshaped\ther\teyes\tinto\ta\tfixed\tstare. And\t yet,\t within\t a\t moment,\t more\t water\t had\t come\t up\t through\t her\t nose\t and mouth. And,\twithin\ther,\tshe\tcould\thear\ther\tfoolish,\ttormented\theart\tpounding\taway. And\tthen\tthe\tdrowsy\teyelids\topened.\tAnd\tshe\tcould\tsee\tthe\tMaina\tbird\tin\tthe cage\tby\ther. \u2018Alas\u2019\t She\t said\t in\t wordless\t words,\t above\t the\t ache\t of\t the\t head\t and\t the thumping\tof\tthe\theart,\t\u2018There\tis\tno\tway\tfor\tme\u2026\tI\tam\u2026\tcondemned\tto\tlive\u2026\u2019","*\tFrom\tLajwanti\tand\tOther\tStories.","8 The\tParrot\tin\tthe\tCage\t* \u2018Rukmaniai,\t ni\t Rukmaniai\u2019\t the\t parrot\t in\t the\t cage\t called\t in\t the\t way\t Rukmani\u2019s friends\tused\tto\tcall\ther\twhen\tthey\tentered\tthe\talley\tway\tof\tKucha\tChabuk\tSwaran in\tLahore.\tAnd\the\trepeated\tthe\tcall\teven\tbefore\tshe\tcould\tanswer\this\tas\tshe\tused to\tdo\twhen\tshe\twanted\tto\thumour\tthe\tbird.\tShe\tdid\tnot\tanswer\tbut\tsat\tcrouching on\tthe\tfringe\tof\tthe\troad\tabout\thalf\ta\tfurlong\taway\tfrom\tthe\tAmritsar\tcourt. \u2018Rukmaniai,\tni\tRukmaniai!\tthe\tparrot\tcalled\tagain. She\t was\t peering\t though\t the\t little\t clouds\t of\t dust\t raised\t by\t the\t passing\t motors and\t tongas\t and\t yekkas\t in\t the\t direction\t from\t which,\t she\t had\t been\t told\t by\t the roasted\t gram\t stall-keeper,\t the\t Dipty\t Collator\t was\t to\t come\t and\t she\t remained heedless\tto\tthe\tparrot\u2019s\tcry. \u2018Rukmaniai,\tni\tRukmaniai!\u2019\tthe\tparrot\tcalled\tshrilly\tand\twent\ton\trepeating\tthe cry\twith\tthe\tsure\tmocking\tbird\u2019s\tinstinct\tthat\tif\the\tkept\ton\tcalling\ther\tshe\twould answer. \u2018Han,\t my\t son,\t han\u2026\t the\t old\t woman\t said\t after\t all,\t wearily.\t There\t had\t been\t a dull\t ache\t behind\t the\t small\t knot\t of\t hair\t on\t the\t back\t of\t her\t head\t and,\t now,\t with the\t mounting\t heat\t of\t the\t September\t morning,\t it\t seemed\t to\t her\t like\t the rumblings\tof\tthe\tdreadful\tnight\twhen\tmurder\tand\tfire\thad\traged\tin\ther\tlane. Little\trivulets\tof\tsweat\ttrickled\tthrough\tthe\tdeep\tfissures\tof\told\tage\twhich\tlined her\t face\t and\t she\t shaded\t her\t eyes,\t with\t the\t inverted\t palm\t of\t her\t hand,\t to\t probe the\tsunlight\tmore\tsurely\tfor\tthe\tvision\tof\tthe\tDeputy\tCommissioner.","Her\t contracted,\t toothless\t mouth\t was\t open\t and\t only\t a\t couple\t of\t flies\t came from\tthe\tdirection\tin\twhich\tshe\tlooked\tand\tsettled\ton\tthe\tcorners\tof\ther\tlips. She\twaved\ther\tleft\thand\tgingerly\tto\tscatter\tthe\tflies.\tBut\tthey\tpersisted\tand\tset up\tan\tirritation\tin\ther\tsoul\tthrough\twhich\tshe\tfelt\ta\tpanic\tseize\ther\tbelly. \u2018Ni\ttun\tkithe\thain?\u2019\tthe\tparrot\tcried\tanother\tcry\twhich\the\thad\tlearnt\tfrom\tthe old\twoman\u2019s\tfriends\twho\tinvariably\tasked\ton\tentering\tthe\tlane,\t\u2018Where\tare\tyou?\u2019 For\tshe\tused\tto\tbe\taway\tearning\ther\tliving\tas\ta\tmaid\tof\tall\twork,\tcleaning\tutensils for\tthe\tpeople\tin\tthe\tbigger\thouses\tin\tthe\tlane\tor\twas\tmostly\thidden\tfrom\tview\tin the\tinner\tsanctums\tof\tthe\tdark\tground\tfloor\troom\tby\tthe\twell\tin\tthe\tgulley. \u2018Son,\t I\t don\u2019t\t know\t where\t I\t am\u2026\u2019\t she\t said\t listlessly,\t in\t the\t effort\t to\t keep\t the parrot\t quiet\t by\t assuring\t him\t she\t was\t taking\t notice\t of\t him,\t \u2018I\t only\t know\t that\t if Fate\thas\tnot\tgiven\tme\ther\tburqah\tto\tescape\twith,\tI\tshould\tnot\tbe\there\u2026\u2019 \u2018Ni\ttun\tki\tkarni\thain?\u2019\tthe\tparrot\tpersisted\twith\tthe\tthird\tcall\twhich\tRukmani\u2019s friends\tused\tto\tcall. \u2018Nothing,\t son,\t I\t am\t doing\t nothing\u2026\t only\t waiting\u2026\t the\t old\t woman\t said tiredly,\tas\tthough\tnow\tshe\twas\tholding\ta\tmetaphorical\tconversation\twith\ther\tpet to\t keep\t her\t mind\t occupied.\t For,\t from\t her\t entrails\t arose\t a\t confusion\t which\t was like\t the\t panic\t she\t had\t felt\t at\t the\t mad\t throats\t bursting\t with\t shouts\t of\t \u2018Allah\t ho Akbar!\u2019\t \u2018Har\t har\t Mahadev!\u2019\t \u2018Sat\t Sri\t Akal!\u2019\t on\t the\t night\t of\t terror\t when\t she\t had fled\tfrom\tthe\tlane. There\t had\t been\t flashes\t of\t blazing\t light;\t cracking\t of\t burning\t housebeams; smoke,\t smoke,\t choking\t smoke\u2026\t And\t she\t had\t thought\t that\t her\t last\t days\t had come,\tthat\tthe\tearth\titself\twas\ttroubled\tthrough\tthe\tmisdeeds\tof\tthe\tKaliyug\tand that\t soon\t the\t dharti\t would\t open\t up\t and\t swallow\t everything\u2026\t And\t then\t Fato","had\tcome\tand\ttold\ther\tshe\twould\tbe\tmurdered\tif\tshe\tdid\tnot\tleave. \u2018Ni\ttun\tki\tkarni\thain?\u2019\tthe\tparrot\trepeated.\u2019\tNi\ttun\tkithe\thain?\u2026\u2019 \u2018Nothing\tson,\tnothing\u2019,\tRukmani\tanswered,\u2019\tAnd\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twhere\tI\tam\u2026 And\tas\tshe\tlooked\tsteadily\ttowards\tthe\tjunction\tof\tthe\tMall\tRoad\tand\tKutchery Road\t and\t saw\t no\t sign\t of\t the\t Deputy\t Commissioner,\t her\t last\t phrase\t seemed\t to get\tmeaning. \u2018Rukmaniai,\t ni\t Rukmaniai!\t the\t parrot\t called\t again.\t Her\t answers\t to\t his metallic,\t shrill,\t nasal\t cries\t did\t not\t irritate\t her\t anymore,\t but\t relieved\t the\t heavy pressure\tof\tthe\tdemons\tof\tthe\tdreadful\tnight\ton\ther\thead\tand\ther\tchest\tand\ther bowels. \u2018Ni\ttun\tki\tkarni\thain?\u2019\tthe\tparrot\tpersisted. \u2018Son,\t I\t am\t waiting\t for\t the\t Sahib,\t so\t that\t he\t can\t give\t me\t some\t money\t to\t buy bread\twith\u2026\u2019\tThey\tsay\tthat\tthe\tCongress\tSarkar\twill\tgive\tback\twhat\twe\thave\tlost, son,\tthey\tsay\t\u2014\tI\theard\tat\tthe\tstation,\tson,\tat\tthe\tstation?\u2026\tAre\tyou\thungry\tmy son\t \u2014\t you\t must\t be\t hungry\t I\t shall\t buy\t you\t some\t gram\t from\t that\t stall\t keeper when\tthe\tSahib\tgives\tme\tmoney\u2026\t\u2018 \u2018Mai,\tyou\tare\tdreaming!\tYou\thave\tgone\tmad!\u2019\tthe\tgram\tstall\tkeeper\tsaid.\t\u2018Go, go\t your\t way\t to\t the\t town,\t you\t may\t get\t some\t food\t at\t the\t Durbar\t Sahib\t temple. You\twon\u2019t\tget\tanything\tfrom\tthe\tDipty\tCollator\u2026\u2019 \u2018Vay,\t jaja,\t eater\t of\t your\t masters!\t she\t shouted\t bitterly.\t Such\t commonsense\t as that\tof\tthe\tcomplacent\tgram\tseller\tseemed\tto\tbreak\tthe\tpitcher\tof\ther\thopes.\tAnd she\tmooed\tlike\ta\tcow\tin\tdefiance\tat\tthe\tend\tof\ther\tspeech. \u2018Acha,\t don\u2019t\t abuse\t me.\t I\t only\t said\t this\t for\t your\t own\t good,\u2019\t the\t stall\t keeper","answered\tas\the\twhisked\tthe\tflies\toff\this\tstall\twith\tthe\tend\tof\ta\tdirty\tapron. \u2018On,\t why\t did\t I\t leave\t home\t to\t wander\t like\t this\t from\t door\t to\t door!\u2019\t old Rukmani\twhined\talmost\tunder\ther\tbreath.\t\u2018Oh\twhy\tdid\tyou\thave\tto\tturn\tme\tout of\t my\t room\t in\t my\t old\t age,\t God\u2026\t Oh\t why\u2026\t Why\t didn\u2019t\t I\t tie\t the\t rupees\t I\t had earned\tin\ta\tknot\ton\tmy\tdupatta!\u2026\tHai\tRabba!\u2026 She\t moaned\t to\t herself,\t and\t tremors\t of\t tenderness\t went\t swirling\t through\t her flesh.\t And\t tears\t filled\t her\t eyes.\t And\t in\t the\t hazy\t dust\t before\t her\t the\t violent rhythms\t of\t the\t terrors\t of\t falling\t houses\t and\t dying,\t groaning\t men\t and\t heavy, shouting\t men,\t danced\t in\t macabre\t trembling\t waves\t of\t sunlight,\t dim\t and unsubstantial\tlike\tthe\tghosts\ton\ta\tcremation\tground\tbefore\twhom\tshe\thad\talways cowered\tevery\ttime\tshe\thad\tattended\ta\tfuneral. \u2018Rukmaniai,\tni\tRukmaniai!\u2019\tthe\tparrot\tcalled\tand\tbrought\ther\tto\therself. Crackling\t flames\t of\t heat\t now\t assailed\t her.\t And\t she\t sweated\t more\t profusely. And\t yet\t she\t crouched\t where\t she\t was\t only\t shuffling\t like\t a\t hen\t sitting\t over\t her eggs. \u2018At\tleast\tgo\tand\tsit\tunder\tthe\tshade\tof\tthe\ttree,\u2019\tthe\tgram\tseller\tsaid. The\t pupils\t of\t her\t eyes\t were\t blistering\t with\t the\t glare.\t She\t wiped\t her\t face\t with the\t end\t of\t her\t dupatta\t and\t heaved\t as\t though\t she\t was\t lifting\t the\t weight\t of\t a century\t \u2019s\t miseries\t up\t with\t her.\t Then\t she\t took\t the\t handle\t of\t the\t iron\t cage\t in which\ther\tpet\tparrot\tsat\tand\tbent-backed\tbut\tstaring\tahead,\tambled\tup\tto\ta\tspot where\tthe\tprecarious\tshadow\tof\ta\tkikar\ttree\tlay\ton\tthe\trutted\tearth. Ni\ttun\tki\tkithe\thain?\tni\u2026\u2019\tthe\tparrot\u2019s\tmonologue\tcontinued.\tSo\tdid\ther\tself- communings,\taroused\tby\tthe\tanonymous,\tmeaningless\trepetitive\tcalls;\t\u2018Nowhere,","son,\tnothing,\tnothing\u2026\u2019 She\t had\t hardly\t settled\t down\t when\t suddenly\t a\t motor\t whirred\t past,\t with\t a motor\tcyclist\tahead\tand\tsome\tpolicemen\tin\ta\tjeep\tbehind,\tscattering\tmuch\tdust on\tthe\tfringe\tof\tthe\troadside. \u2018\tThere\tgoes\tyour\t\u201cDipty\tCollator\u201d\tsaid\tthe\tgram\tstall\tkeeper. \u2018Hai\t hai!\u2019\t Come\t my\t son!\t she\t screamed\t as\t she\t shot\t up\t with\t great\t alacrity\t and picked\tup\tthe\tcage\tin\ther\thand.\t\u2018Come\tI\twill\tjoin\tmy\thands\tto\tthe\tSahib\tand\tfall at\tthis\tfeet.\t\u201cMad\twoman!\u2019\tthe\tgram\tseller\tsaid\tcynically. She\theeded\thim\tnot,\tbut\tpenetrated\tthe\tclouds\tof\tdust. Behind\ther,\tand\ton\tall\tsides,\tshe\tcould\thear\tthe\tsound\tof\trushing\tfeet\tstorming towards\t the\t gloomy\t gates\t of\t the\t kutchery.\t And\t their\t cries\t whirled\t in\t the\t air. \u2018Hujoor,\t Mai\t Bap,\t hear\t us\u2019\t \u2018Sarkar!\u2019\t \u201cDipty\t Saheb\u201d\u2026\t We\t have\t come\t on\t foot\t all the\tway\tfrom\tLahore\u2026\tYou\u2026\u2019\tShe\tnearly\tfell\tas\tthe\tmore\tpowerful\tmen\tamong the\tcrowed\tbrushed\tpast\ther\tand\ttheir\town\twomen. \u2018Rukmaniai!\t Tun\t kithe\t hain?\u2019\t the\t parrot\t in\t the\t cage\t cried\t even\t as\t he\t fluttered his\twings\tin\ta\tpanic\tat\tthe\tvoices\tand\tthe\thurtling\tfeet. The\t old\t woman\t did\t not\t answer\t but\t sped\t grimly\t on.\t Only,\t in\t a\t moment,\t the dust\tstorm\twhich\twas\tproceeding\ttowards\tthe\tcourt\twas\tturned\tback\tby\ta\tfurious whirlwind\t from\t the\t opposite\t direction.\t A\t posse\t of\t policemen\t charged\t the refugees\t with\t lathis\t and\t angry\t shouts\t which\t drowned\t the\t chorus\t of\t voices\t of which\tRukamani\u2019s\tsighs\tand\ther\tparrot\u2019s\tcries\thad\tbeen\ta\tpart. In\tthe\tdelirium\tof\tmotion\twhich\twas\tset\tafoot\tby\tthe\tlathi\tcharge\tof\tthe\tpolice, all\tvalour\twas\theld\tat\tbay\tand\tturned\tback.","Rukmani\t was\t brushed\t aside\t by\t some\t desperate\t arm\t until\t she\t reeled\t and\t fell not\tfar\tfrom\twhere\tshe\thad\tsat\twaiting\tfor\tthe\tSahib.\tBut\tshe\tclung\tto\tthe\thandle of\t the\t cage\t in\t which\t her\t parrot\t sat\t as\t she\t lay\t moaning\t in\t suppressed,\t helpless whispers. The\tparrot\tfluttering\tfuriously\tas\tthough\the\twas\tbeing\tstrangled\tand\tcalled\tout shrilly: \u2018Rukmaniai!\tNi\tRukmaniai!\tNi\ttun\tkithe\thain!\tNi\ttun\tki\tkarni\thain!\u2019 But\t the\t old\t woman,\t though\t concerned\t for\t him\t had\t turned\t in\t upon\t herself with\ta\tsudden\tdimness\tthat\tseemed\tto\tbe\tcreeping\tupon\ther. After\t the\t crowd\t had\t been\t cleared,\t and\t the\t dust\t settled,\t the\t gram\t seller\t was irritated\tby\tthe\tparrot\u2019s\tconstant\tcries\tinto\tstirring\tfrom\this\tperch.\tHe\twas\tafraid that\t the\t old\t woman\t had\t expired.\t But\t as\t he\t came\t near\t her,\t the\t parrot\t called\t her more\t shrilly\t and\t she\t answered\t faintly,\t \u2018Ham,\t han\t son,\t han\u2019,\t and\t the\t man\t knew that\tshe\twas\tstill\talive.\tHe\tlifted\ther\tup\tand\tfound\tthat\ther\thands\tand\tarms\twere slightly\tgrazed. \u2018Come\tand\tsit\tin\tthe\tshade,\tmother,\u2019\the\tsaid.\tAcha,\tson,\tacha!\u2019\tshe\tmoaned. And\tshe\tlifted\tthe\tcage\tand\tproceeded\ttowards\tthe\tshade. The\tparrot\twas\ta\tlittle\treassured\tas\the\tsaw\tthe\tgram-seller\thelping\this\tmistress and\the\tshrieked\tless\tshrilly. \u2018Come,\tmy\tlittle\twinged\tone,\tI\tshall\tgive\tyou\tsome\tgram\tto\teat\u2019,\tthe\tgram\tseller said\tto\thim. \u2018May\t you\t live\t long,\t son!\u2019\t the\t old\t woman\t blessed\t the\t gram\t seller\t in\t a\t feeble,","strained\tmoanful\tvoice. \u2018Rukmaniai\t ni\t Rukmaniai!\t Tun\t kithe\t hain?\t Tun\t ki\t karni\t hain\u2026?\t the\t parrot called\tnow\tin\ta\tslow\tmeasured\tvoice. \u2018Han\than,\tson,\than\tmy\tson\u2026\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twhere\tI\tam!\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\u2026\u2019 *\tFrom\tReflections\ton\tThe\tGolden\tBed\tand\tother\tStories.","9 The\tGold\tWatch* There\twas\tsomething\tabout\tthe\tsmile\tof\tMr.\tActon,\twhen\the\tcame\tover\tto\tSrijut Sudarshan\t Sharma\u2019s\t table,\t which\t betokened\t disaster.\t But\t as\t the\t Sahib\t had\t only said,\t \u201cMr.\t Sharma,\t I\t have\t brought\t something\t for\t you\t specially\t from\t London\t \u2014 you\tmust\tcome\tinto\tmy\toffice\ton\tMonday\tand\ttake\tit\u2026\u201d,\tthe\tpoor\told\tdispatch clerk\tcould\tnot\tsurmise\tthe\treal\tmeaning\tof\tthe\tGeneral\tManager\u2019s\tremark.\tThe fact\tthat\tMr.\tActon\tshould\tcome\tover\tto\this\ttable\tat\tall,\tfawn\tupon\thim\tand\tsay what\the\thad\tsaid\twas,\tof\tcourse,\tmost\tflattering.\tFor,\tvery\trarely\tdid\tthe\thead\tof the\t firm\t condescend\t to\t move\t down\t the\t corridor\t where\t the\t Indian\t staff\t of\t the distribution\t department\t of\t the\t great\t Marmalade\t Empire\t of\t Henry\t King\t &\t Co., worked.\t But\t that\t smile\t on\t Mr.\t Acton\u2019s\t face\t \u2014\t specially\t as\t Mr.\t Acton\u2019s\t face!\t \u2014 specially\t as\t Mr.\t Action\t was\t not\t known\t to\t smile\t too\t much,\t being\t a\t morose,\t old Sahib,\t hard\t working,\t conscientious\t and\t a\t slave\t driver,\t famous\t as\t a\t shrewd businessman,\t so\t devoted\t to\t the\t job\t of\t spreading\t the\t monopoly\t of\t King\u2019s Marmalade,\t and\t sundry\t other\t products,\t that\t his\t wife\t had\t left\t him\t after\t a\t three month\u2019s\tspell\tof\tmarriage\tand\tnever\treturned\tto\tIndia,\tthough\tno\tone\tquite\tknew whether\t she\t was\t separated\t or\t divorced\t from\t him\t or\t merely\t preferred\t to\t stay away.\tSo\tthe\tfact\tthat\tActon\tSahib\tshould\tsmile\twas\tenough\tto\tgive\tSrijut\tSharma cause\tfor\tthought.\tBut\tthen\tSrijut\tSharma\twas,\tin\tspite\tof\this\tnobility\tof\tsoul\tand fundamental\tinnocence,\texperienced\tenough\tin\this\tstudy\tof\tthe\tvague,\tdetached race\t of\t the\t white\t Sahibs\t by\t now\t and\t clearly\t noticed\t the\t slight\t awkward\t curl\t of the\tupper\tlip,\tbehind\twhich\tthe\tdetermined,\ttobacco-stained\tlong\tteeth\tshowed, for\t the\t briefest\t moment,\t a\t snarl\t suppressed,\t by\t the\t deliberation\t which\t Acton Sahib\t had\t brought\t to\t the\t whole\t operation\t of\t coming\t over\t and\t pronouncing","those\tkind\twords.\tAnd\twhat\tcould\tbe\tthe\treason\tfor\this\thaving\tbeing\tsingled\tout, from\t amongst\t the\t twenty-five\t odd\t members\t of\t the\t distribution\t department?\t In the\tusual\tway,\the,\tthe\tdispatch\tclerk,\tonly\treceived\tan\toccasional\tgreeting,\t\u201cHello Sharma\t \u2014\t how\t you\t getting\t on?\u201d\t from\t the\t head\t of\t his\t own\t department,\t Mr. West;\tand\ttwice\tor\tthrice\ta\tyear\the\twas\tcalled\tinto\tthe\tcubicle\tby\tWest\tSahib\tfor\ta reprimand,\t because\t some\t letters\t or\t packets\t had\t gone\t astray;\t otherwise,\t he himself,\t being\t the\t incarnation\t of\t clock-work\t efficiency,\t and\t well-versed\t in\t the routine\t of\t his\t job,\t there\t was\t no\t occasion\t for\t any\t break\t in\t the\t monotony\t of\t that anonymous,\tsmooth\tworking\tEmpire,\tso\tfar\tat\tleast\tas\the\twas\tconcerned.\tTo\tbe sure,\t there\t was\t the\t continual\t gossip\t of\t the\t clerks\t and\t the\t accountants,\t the bickerings\t and\t jealousies\t of\t the\t people\t above\t him,\t for\t grades\t and\t promotions and\t pay;\t but\t he,\t Sharma,\t had\t been\t employed\t twenty\t years\t ago,\t as\t a\t special favour,\t was\t not\t even\t a\t matriculate,\t but\t had\t picked\t up\t the\t work\t somehow,\t and though\t unwanted\t and\t constantly\t reprimanded\t by\t West\t Sahib\t in\t the\t first\t few years,\t had\t been\t retained\t because\t of\t the\t general\t legend\t of\t saintliness\t which\t he had\tacquired\u2026\the\thad\tfive\tmore\tyears\tof\tservice\tto\tdo,\tbecause\tthen\the\twould\tbe fifty-five,\t and\t the\t family-raising,\t grhast,\t portion\t of\t his\t life\t in\t the\t fourfold scheme,\t prescribed\t by\t religion,\t finished,\t he\t hoped\t to\t retire\t to\t his\t home\t town Jullunder,\twhere\this\tfather\tstill\tran\tthe\tconfectioner\u2019s\tshop\toff\tthe\tMall\tRoad. \u201cAnd\twhat\tdid\tActon\tSahib\thave\tto\tsay\tto\tyou,\tMr.\tSharma?\u201d\tasked\tMiss\tviolet Dixon,\tthe\tplain\tsnub-nosed\tAnglo\tIndian\ttypist\tin\ther\tsingsong\tvoice. Being\tan\told\tfamily\tman\tof\tfifty,\twho\thad\tgrayed\tprematurely,\tshe\tconsidered herself\tsafe\tenough\twith\tthis\t\u2018gentleman\u2019\tand\tfreely\tconversed\twith\thim,\tspecially during\tthe\tlunch\thour,\twhile\tshe\tconsidered\talmost\teveryone\telse\tas\thaving\tonly one\tgoal\tin\tlife\t\u2014\tto\tsleep\twith\ther. \u2018Han\u2019,\t he\t said,\t \u2018He\t has\t brought\t something\t for\t me\t from\t England\u2019,\t Srijut","Sharma\tanswered. \u201cThere\tare\tsuch\tpretty\tthings\tin\tU.K.\u201d\tshe\tsaid. \u2018My!\tI\twish,\tI\tcould\tgo\tthere!\tMy\tsister\tis\tthere,\tyou\tknow!\tMarried!\u2026\u2019 She\thad\ttold\tSharma\tall\tthese\tthings\tbefore.\tSo\the\twas\tnot\tinterested.\tSpecially today,\t because\t all\t his\t thoughts\t were\t concentrated\t on\t the\t inner\t meaning\t of\t Mr. Acton\u2019s\tsudden\tvisitation\tand\tthe\tambivalent\tsmile. \u2018Well,\thalf\tday\ttoday,\tI\tam\toff;,\tsaid\tViolet\tand\tmoved\taway\twith\tthe\tpeculiar snobbish\tagility\tof\tthe\tMem\tSahib\tshe\taffected\tto\tbe. Srijut\tSharma\tstared\tat\ther\tblankly,\tthough\ttaking\tin\ther\tregular\tform\tinto\this subconscious\twith\tmore\tthan\tthe\told\tuncle\u2019s\tinterest\the\thad\talways\tpretended\tto take\t in\t her.\t It\t was\t only\t her\t snub\t nose,\t like\t that\t of\t surpnaka,\t the\t sister\t of\t the demon\tking\tRavana,\tthat\tstood\tin\tthe\tway\tof\ther\tbeing\tmarried,\the\tfelt\tsure,\tfor otherwise\t she\t had\t a\t tolerable\t figure.\t But\t he\t lowered\t his\t eyes\t as\t soon\t as\t the thought\tof\tMiss\tDixon\u2019s\tbody\tbegan\tto\tsimmer\tin\tthe\tcauldron\tof\this\tinner\tlife; because,\t as\t a\t good\t Hindu,\t every\t woman,\t apart\t from\t the\t wife,\t was\t to\t him\t a mother\tor\ta\tsister.\tAnd\this\tobsession\tabout\tthe\tmeaning\tof\tActon\tSahib\u2019s\twords returned,\tfrom\tthe\tpent\tup\tcuriosity,\twith\tgreater\tforce\tnow\tthat\the\trealised\tthe vastness\t of\t the\t space\t of\t time\t during\t which\t he\t would\t have\t to\t wait\t in\t suspense before\tknowing\twhat\tthe\tboss\thad\tbrought\tfor\thim\tand\twhy. He\t took\t up\t his\t faded\t sola\t topee,\t which\t was,\t apart\t from\t the\t bush\t shirt\t and trousers,\t one\t of\t the\t few\t concessions\t to\t modernity\t which\t he\t had\t made throughout\t his\t life\t as\t a\t good\t Brahmin,\t got\t up\t from\t his\t chair,\t beckoned\t Dugdu sepoy\tfrom\tthe\tverandah\ton\this\tway\tout\tand\tasked.","\u201cHas\tActon\tSahib\tgone,\tyou\tknow?\u201d \u201cAbhi\tSahib\tin\tlift\tgoing\tdown,\u201d\tDugdu\tsaid. Srijut\t Sharma\t made\t quickly\t for\t the\t stairs\t and,\t throwing\t all\t caution\t about slipping\t on\t the\t polished\t marble\t steps\t to\t the\t winds,\t hurtled\t down.\t There\t were three\t floors\t below\t him\t and\t he\t began\t to\t sweat,\t both\t through\t fear\t of\t missing\t the Sahib\tand\tthe\theat\tof\tmid-April. As\t he\t got\t to\t the\t ground\t floor,\t he\t saw\t Acton\t Sahib\t already\t going\t out\t of\t the door. It\twas\tnow\tor\tnever. Srijut\tSharma\trushed\tout.\tBut\the\twas\tconscious\tthat\tquite\ta\tfew\temployers\tof the\tfirm\twould\tbe\tcoming\tout\tof\tthe\ttwo\tlifts\tand\the\tmight\tbe\tseen\ttalking\tto\tthe Sahib.\tAnd\tthat\twas\tnot\tdone\t\u2014\toutside\tthe\toffice.\tThe\tSahibs\tbelonged\tto\ttheir private\tworlds,\twhere\tno\tintrusion\twas\ttolerated,\tfor\tthey\trefuse\tto\tlisten\tto\tpleas of\tadvancement\tthrough\timproper\tchannels. Mr.\tActon\u2019s\tuniformed\tdriver\topened\tthe\tdoor\tof\tthe\tpolished\tBuick\tand\tthe Sahib\tsat\tdown,\tspreading\tthe\tshadow\tof\tgrimness\tall\taround\thim. Srijut\tSharma\thesitated,\tfor\tthe\tdemeanour\tof\tthe Goanese\tchauffeur\twas\tfrightening. By\t now\t the\t driver\t had\t smartly\t shut\t the\t back\t door\t of\t the\t car\t and\t was proceeding\tto\this\tseat. That\twas\this\tonly\tchance."]
Search
Read the Text Version
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- 26
- 27
- 28
- 29
- 30
- 31
- 32
- 33
- 34
- 35
- 36
- 37
- 38
- 39
- 40
- 41
- 42
- 43
- 44
- 45
- 46
- 47
- 48
- 49
- 50
- 51
- 52
- 53
- 54
- 55
- 56
- 57
- 58
- 59
- 60
- 61
- 62
- 63
- 64
- 65
- 66
- 67
- 68
- 69
- 70
- 71
- 72
- 73
- 74
- 75
- 76
- 77
- 78
- 79
- 80
- 81
- 82
- 83
- 84
- 85
- 86
- 87
- 88
- 89
- 90
- 91
- 92
- 93
- 94
- 95
- 96
- 97
- 98
- 99
- 100
- 101
- 102
- 103
- 104
- 105
- 106
- 107
- 108
- 109
- 110
- 111
- 112
- 113
- 114
- 115
- 116
- 117
- 118
- 119
- 120
- 121
- 122
- 123
- 124
- 125
- 126
- 127
- 128
- 129
- 130
- 131
- 132
- 133
- 134
- 135
- 136
- 137
- 138
- 139
- 140
- 141
- 142
- 143
- 144
- 145
- 146
- 147
- 148
- 149
- 150
- 151
- 152
- 153
- 154
- 155
- 156
- 157
- 158
- 159
- 160
- 161
- 162
- 163
- 164
- 165
- 166
- 167
- 168
- 169
- 170
- 171
- 172
- 173
- 174
- 175
- 176
- 177
- 178
- 179
- 180
- 181
- 182
- 183
- 184
- 185
- 186
- 187
- 188
- 189
- 190
- 191
- 192
- 193
- 194
- 195
- 196
- 197
- 198
- 199
- 200
- 201
- 202
- 203
- 204
- 205
- 206
- 207
- 208
- 209
- 210
- 211
- 212
- 213
- 214
- 215
- 216
- 217
- 218
- 219
- 220
- 221
- 222
- 223
- 224
- 225
- 226
- 227
- 228
- 229
- 230
- 231
- 232
- 233
- 234
- 235
- 236
- 237
- 238
- 239
- 240
- 241
- 242
- 243
- 244
- 245
- 246
- 247
- 248
- 249
- 250
- 251
