Suddenly Ganesh realised that the murmur in the hall has inexplicably waned. He was talking to Guruji who was sitting beside him. He turned around to see why the hall had suddenly gone calm. He saw that everyone in the hall was looking at the door with his mouth open. He too looked at the door. His mouth also fell open. Madhurani was standing in the door. She had especially dressed for the occasion.
What would have made her come here? …
She was looking at him.
Has this woman come after him?
This thought made his stomach churn.
She stood in the door and looked around at the hall. When she caught Sarpanch’s eyes, she greeted him. .
Then, again she glanced around the hall and her gaze came and rested on Ganesh. She gave him an enchanting smile and began to slowly walk towards him. As she came nearer, Ganesh’s heart began to beat faster and faster. He also began to sweat.
“Come here Madhurani, in the centre,” Sarpanch gestured her to come and sit beside him.
“No.. It is more comfortable here in this corner,” she said.
Now Ganesh heaved a sigh of relief.
She had also come for the meeting.
I was thinking something quite different.
Of course she has the courage to do whatever she feels like.
Ganesh recollected the man who had pinched Madhurani and in return she had beaten him with her slipper. By now Madhurani had come near Ganesh. She sat down next to him with her thighs touching his.
Frankly, maybe because it was congested here, her thighs were touching his.
Of course she could have asked people to move a little away and make place for her. Her other thigh was touching the thigh of Guruji who sat on the other side.
But while her thigh was lightly brushing Guruji’s thigh, she was sitting with her thigh closely pressed against his.
Ganesh began to like the fleshy touch of her thigh. Ganesh did not move aside and try to give her space to sit comfortably. Slyly Ganesh looked around at the people sitting around.
To find out what sort of looks they were giving him.
But Madhurani, keeping her smile intact on her face, sat looking at people all around in such a manner that no one doubted Ganesh. He felt relieved. He noticed yet another thing. The people around were looking at her, some slyly and others openly.
Now the Sarpanch began to feel restive. So much time had elapsed, all people had come, but there was no sign of Patil. After inviting him, Patil had kept him waiting thus. Sarpanch began to feel offended.
“Hasn’t Patil come yet?” Sarpanch said hiding the expressions on his face and looking to his right and left.
“Patil is at his worship,” one of Patil’s coterie said.
“Worship ..for such a long time… wonder whose worship he is doing..” Sarpanch tried to make a joke out of it. Few around him chuckled.
“Go.. and tell him.. that all people have gathered and have been waiting since long… ask him to wind up soon, “ Sarpanch instructed the coterie.
The villager got up arranging his cap and hurriedly went out of the door.
Even after a long time the villager who had gone to call Patil did not return. Seeing the uneasiness of Sarpanch one more person went to call Patil. But he too disappeared and did not return. Now the murmur of the crowd abated. Some people went out of the hall and began to take a stroll. Some people lighted beedis and chillums. Some people began to prepare tobacco. With great unease the Sarpanch went to the gallery. Still several people continued to sit in the hall. Some people stretched themselves. But Ganesh was not prepared to get up from his coveted place. He was still hooked to Madhurani’s touch.
One by one .. everyone is going out..
Should I also go out .. otherwise unnecessarily people may begin to suspect.
Ganesh leaned forward to get up.
“Ganeshrao, where are you going ..be seated… or is it that you too are feeling like having a smoke..” Madhurani said to Ganesh.
Ganesh fell in a dilemma, should he go or sit. He sat down. Just then a stream of people who had gone out returned to the hall.
“I think Patil has come…” Ganesh said.
“After having made us wait for such a long time…I have unnecessarily come for the meeting,” Madhurani said grumbling.
Then, looking at Ganesh, she changed her expression of displeasure and smiling at him said, “But one good thing is that you have met me. Otherwise I would have left long back.
Ganesh merely looked at her and blushed.
People who had gone out came in. When they all settled in the hall at last Patil came in. As soon as he came in he glanced around the hall and greeted to one and all. Then, sitting in the centre of the hall , he called the Sarpanch who was standing in the gallery, “Good morning ..Sarpanchji .. come in.. let us finish the meeting quickly.”
Sarpanch turned back and greeted to Patil in return and sat next to him, a little unhappy.
“Then, shall we start the meeting?...” Patil asked Sarpanch as if he was seeking his permission.
Sarpanch looked at Patil and conveyed his consent.
While looking around he noticed Madhurani who was sitting in a corner.
“Madhurani,, come forward… here…” Patil called her to the front.
“I had asked her to sit there the moment she arrived… but ..” Sarpanch left the sentence hanging and looked at Madhurani.
Sitting in the corner Madhurani gestured and told them that let things begin, she was comfortable where she was.”
Patil looked around and as though remembering something said, “And yes… during this election there are two seats reserved for women .. we must get ready at least for one… shouldn’t we… That is why I invited Madhurani for the meeting… She must get used to meetings.” Patil said.
Ganesh noticed Patil’s administrative skill and a politician’s experience. Because when earlier Ganesh had spoken to Patil, he had used pure urban Marathi and from his talk he seemed well educated. Then, why should he now talk like a rustic? Possibly to create an impression in the minds of people that he too was one of them.
Complete novel - Honey - A story of a feminine power
Re: Complete novel - Honey - A story of a feminine power
“So, shall we start the meeting?” Patil glanced at the gathering in the hall and asked. “Where are the father of the dumb girl… and the father of the dumb young man?” Patil threw a searching glance over the hall and exclaimed.
“Oh, why are you two sitting in a corner… that too, one on this side and the other on the other…” Patil observed light heartedly.
A wave of mild laughter spread in the hall.
“Come here .. in the front..” Patil asked them to come forward.
Then Patil once again glanced over the heads of the crowd and looking at the corner where Ganesh was sitting said, “And Guruji and Ganeshrao… you too, come a little forward… and Bhatji, you can move a little away.”
Guruji got up. Now Ganesh had no other go. While getting up he glanced at Madhurani. A naughty smile had spread across her face. Ganesh went and sat next to Patil.
“So Sarpanchji, what is the first item?” Patil took over the conduct of the meeting.
“What is there .. Fathers of the dumb youth and the dumb girl, both are ready for the marriage … what do you say Pandurang.. Raghu…?”
Both silently nodded their assent.
“The next thing would be to find out an auspicious date for the marriage,” Sarpanch said.
“What about exchange of gifts…” someone opened his mouth and asked.
That also would be taken care of… First find out the date,” Sarpanch said.
“What Bhatji, when is the next best date?” Patil asked Bhatji, the Brahmin.
Bhatji slightly leaned forward and opened his old, rusty calendar, the almanac.
He glanced through two-three pages and said, “After the traditional Tulsi-marriage, the first auspicious event is on the 27th of the next month.”
“What day is it?” Sarpanch enquired.
“Thursday,” Bhatji said.
“It’s the day of the bazaar,” someone muttered aloud.
“Bhatji, find out another date ” Sarpanch said.
On the market day, the village people were generally kept busy the whole day as such they mostly avoided marriages and other functions on this day.
Bhatji again looked into the pages of the almanac, the calendar, which he was holding in his hand and said, “next one is on twenty-ninth. A Saturday.”
“Fine. Then let us fix the twenty-ninth.. what do you say Pandurang?.. Raghu?..”
The two fathers nodded in assent.
Then, Patil said, “So, twenty-ninth is fixed. Now take the next item.”
Patil did not want the matter to prolong so he announced the decision.
“Now, let us decide on the exchange of gifts, “ one man sitting next to dumb young man’s father said hurriedly.
He seemed to have been already coached by the dumb young man’s father.
Patil glanced at the dumb man’s father and asked, “What do you say Pandurang… what are your expectations…”
Dumb man’s father merely shifted his position and listlessly glanced here and there.
Just then Ganesh noticed that Patil had signalled the village doctor. No one other than him would have noticed it. But as Ganesh was sitting close to Patil he did not miss it.
“One moment.. before we take up the issue of exchanging gifts, I have one point to raise..” the doctor interrupted. All eyes turned towards him. The doctor was normally mild mannered and rarely spoke at such meetings. People became curious to know what his point was.
“You see.. if the dumb boy and the dumb girl get married there could be a problem,” the doctor said keeping the mystery intact.
“Problem? What problem?” four five surprised voices exclaimed aloud.
The doctor took a pause to make the serious mood of the meeting more serious. The dumb girl’s father became nervous and scared.
“What problem? … tell us clearly, Doctor,” Sarpanch said with little apprehension.
“Come on Doctor.. speak out… don’t remain tongue-tied,” Patil said.
“No, I am thinking whether to tell it or not,” the doctor said.
“Hey Doctor … are you going to open your mouth and talk further or shall I give you a big blow under your ear?” a strong short tempered uncle of the dumb girl sitting next to her got up all provoked. The dumb girl’s father somehow calmed him and made him sit down. The Doctor had broken into a sweat. He glanced at Patil.
“Tell them.. go ahead … I am here, don’t worry,” Patil coaxed him.
If the dumb boy and the dumb girl get married, their children also could be born mute … there is a good possibility of that,” the Doctor said.
A dead calm engulfed the hall.
“Then, what does it matter?” someone exclaimed.
“ What do you mean .. what does it matter…” someone sitting near the father of the dumb boy got up and said, “ As it is it is strenuous to take care of one dumb person.. now if the marriage takes place, they will be two… and if their children also are born mute.. there would be a flock of dumb ones …who will take care of them …”
“We will care for them … you don’t have to bother..” the girl’s uncle declared spiritedly.
“And what about the heir of our family …. He’s also dumb … no, we can’t allow all this…“ another one taking side of the dumb youth’s father said.
“Look. First of all, everyone remain calm and quiet,” the Sarpanch intervened.
“How can we be, Sarpanchji? Are you going to take care of all those dumb children?” dumb man’s uncle, who was silent all along, said.
“We’ll find a way out … I may not do it alone but our village will make some arrangement.”
“It means the same thing…children will beg all along… and the villagers will give them food,” the excited dumb man’s uncle said.
“Pandurangrao .. get up… this meeting is called off … people are ready to give as many girls to our dumb boy as he would like to have.. and that, too, normal girls… not dumb ones.. the boy isn’t that desperate,” the dumb man’s uncle made the boy’s father get up.
“Don’t be hasty… Just also think of the boy’s feelings,” Seeing the meeting going awry, Ganeshrao opened his mouth for the first time.
“Who are you? ..” the boy’s uncle questioned.
“He is the Gramsevak of our village…” someone provided Ganesh’s background.
“You don’t try to act clever and teach us … do whatever the government has asked you to do and take your salary … don’t get involved in these affairs…” the boy’s uncle thundered at Ganesh.
As no one else supported Ganesh, he had to reluctantly fall silent.
“Come on Pandurangrao … no use sitting here even for a minute more… don’t worry about the dumb one’s marriage… I’ll shoulder the responsibility…” the dumb man’s uncle held the father by his hand and almost began to lift him up.
“Your boy has spoilt our girl’s life.. what about that…” the dumb girl’s uncle who was held restrained all the while by her father now got up and questioned.
“It’s not our fault… you were unable to control your girl.. this is your fault… our boy did not force her… it was your daughter who pulled him over her..” the dumb man’s uncle said leading the father towards the door.
“Hey you… mind your tongue,” one person from the side of dumb girl’s father got up and started hurling vile abuses. Dumb girl’s uncle could tolerate this no more
“You mother****…. Wait I’ll teach you a lesson… Sudama, catch him…” the mute girl’s uncle now rushed at mute boy’s uncle and said.
A few belonging to the dumb girl’s side ran behind him. Now people supporting dumb boy’s father too stepped ahead.
Soon a tussle began. There was utter confusion in the hall. Just then a loud and deep voice boomed in the hall.
“You rascals… get out, all of you.. go out.. and sit on each other’s chest or break each other’s head,” an angry Patil sent them out.
For a while an uncomfortable silence prevailed in the hall.
“Ramya… neck out all those people,” Patil ordered one of his servants.
Ramya and three of his colleagues stepped ahead and began to shove away one person after another by catching hold of their shoulders. The people jerked themselves free and began to move away.
Seeing this chaos Ganesh, Madhurani and other respectable people stood up. A total calm had now spread over the hall. The only sounds that were heard were those of shoes and slippers made by people going out. And, in between, brief arguments between the people and Patil’s servants.
“All of you, please take your seats… we try to do good to someone and that someone says he already has enough of it,” Patil said.
Without taking his seat the Sarpanch began to walk towards the door.
“Sarpanchji… wait for a few minutes… we’ll have our tea and then adjourn the meeting… as it is it is already adjourned… but still…” Patil commented.
Wondering whether to sit or to go away, Sarpanch once again took his seat.
“All others also please wait for a while ..” Patil said.
“Some people, unable to decide, merely stood in their places.”
“Take your seats… otherwise you will go and tell everyone that Patil has sent you away without even offering tea,” Patil said in a lighter vein.
A few people let out a forced laughter at this joke and sat down.
People from both sides who were clashing seemed to have gone out Because loud sounds of their clash was now rising from below.
“Oh, why are you two sitting in a corner… that too, one on this side and the other on the other…” Patil observed light heartedly.
A wave of mild laughter spread in the hall.
“Come here .. in the front..” Patil asked them to come forward.
Then Patil once again glanced over the heads of the crowd and looking at the corner where Ganesh was sitting said, “And Guruji and Ganeshrao… you too, come a little forward… and Bhatji, you can move a little away.”
Guruji got up. Now Ganesh had no other go. While getting up he glanced at Madhurani. A naughty smile had spread across her face. Ganesh went and sat next to Patil.
“So Sarpanchji, what is the first item?” Patil took over the conduct of the meeting.
“What is there .. Fathers of the dumb youth and the dumb girl, both are ready for the marriage … what do you say Pandurang.. Raghu…?”
Both silently nodded their assent.
“The next thing would be to find out an auspicious date for the marriage,” Sarpanch said.
“What about exchange of gifts…” someone opened his mouth and asked.
That also would be taken care of… First find out the date,” Sarpanch said.
“What Bhatji, when is the next best date?” Patil asked Bhatji, the Brahmin.
Bhatji slightly leaned forward and opened his old, rusty calendar, the almanac.
He glanced through two-three pages and said, “After the traditional Tulsi-marriage, the first auspicious event is on the 27th of the next month.”
“What day is it?” Sarpanch enquired.
“Thursday,” Bhatji said.
“It’s the day of the bazaar,” someone muttered aloud.
“Bhatji, find out another date ” Sarpanch said.
On the market day, the village people were generally kept busy the whole day as such they mostly avoided marriages and other functions on this day.
Bhatji again looked into the pages of the almanac, the calendar, which he was holding in his hand and said, “next one is on twenty-ninth. A Saturday.”
“Fine. Then let us fix the twenty-ninth.. what do you say Pandurang?.. Raghu?..”
The two fathers nodded in assent.
Then, Patil said, “So, twenty-ninth is fixed. Now take the next item.”
Patil did not want the matter to prolong so he announced the decision.
“Now, let us decide on the exchange of gifts, “ one man sitting next to dumb young man’s father said hurriedly.
He seemed to have been already coached by the dumb young man’s father.
Patil glanced at the dumb man’s father and asked, “What do you say Pandurang… what are your expectations…”
Dumb man’s father merely shifted his position and listlessly glanced here and there.
Just then Ganesh noticed that Patil had signalled the village doctor. No one other than him would have noticed it. But as Ganesh was sitting close to Patil he did not miss it.
“One moment.. before we take up the issue of exchanging gifts, I have one point to raise..” the doctor interrupted. All eyes turned towards him. The doctor was normally mild mannered and rarely spoke at such meetings. People became curious to know what his point was.
“You see.. if the dumb boy and the dumb girl get married there could be a problem,” the doctor said keeping the mystery intact.
“Problem? What problem?” four five surprised voices exclaimed aloud.
The doctor took a pause to make the serious mood of the meeting more serious. The dumb girl’s father became nervous and scared.
“What problem? … tell us clearly, Doctor,” Sarpanch said with little apprehension.
“Come on Doctor.. speak out… don’t remain tongue-tied,” Patil said.
“No, I am thinking whether to tell it or not,” the doctor said.
“Hey Doctor … are you going to open your mouth and talk further or shall I give you a big blow under your ear?” a strong short tempered uncle of the dumb girl sitting next to her got up all provoked. The dumb girl’s father somehow calmed him and made him sit down. The Doctor had broken into a sweat. He glanced at Patil.
“Tell them.. go ahead … I am here, don’t worry,” Patil coaxed him.
If the dumb boy and the dumb girl get married, their children also could be born mute … there is a good possibility of that,” the Doctor said.
A dead calm engulfed the hall.
“Then, what does it matter?” someone exclaimed.
“ What do you mean .. what does it matter…” someone sitting near the father of the dumb boy got up and said, “ As it is it is strenuous to take care of one dumb person.. now if the marriage takes place, they will be two… and if their children also are born mute.. there would be a flock of dumb ones …who will take care of them …”
“We will care for them … you don’t have to bother..” the girl’s uncle declared spiritedly.
“And what about the heir of our family …. He’s also dumb … no, we can’t allow all this…“ another one taking side of the dumb youth’s father said.
“Look. First of all, everyone remain calm and quiet,” the Sarpanch intervened.
“How can we be, Sarpanchji? Are you going to take care of all those dumb children?” dumb man’s uncle, who was silent all along, said.
“We’ll find a way out … I may not do it alone but our village will make some arrangement.”
“It means the same thing…children will beg all along… and the villagers will give them food,” the excited dumb man’s uncle said.
“Pandurangrao .. get up… this meeting is called off … people are ready to give as many girls to our dumb boy as he would like to have.. and that, too, normal girls… not dumb ones.. the boy isn’t that desperate,” the dumb man’s uncle made the boy’s father get up.
“Don’t be hasty… Just also think of the boy’s feelings,” Seeing the meeting going awry, Ganeshrao opened his mouth for the first time.
“Who are you? ..” the boy’s uncle questioned.
“He is the Gramsevak of our village…” someone provided Ganesh’s background.
“You don’t try to act clever and teach us … do whatever the government has asked you to do and take your salary … don’t get involved in these affairs…” the boy’s uncle thundered at Ganesh.
As no one else supported Ganesh, he had to reluctantly fall silent.
“Come on Pandurangrao … no use sitting here even for a minute more… don’t worry about the dumb one’s marriage… I’ll shoulder the responsibility…” the dumb man’s uncle held the father by his hand and almost began to lift him up.
“Your boy has spoilt our girl’s life.. what about that…” the dumb girl’s uncle who was held restrained all the while by her father now got up and questioned.
“It’s not our fault… you were unable to control your girl.. this is your fault… our boy did not force her… it was your daughter who pulled him over her..” the dumb man’s uncle said leading the father towards the door.
“Hey you… mind your tongue,” one person from the side of dumb girl’s father got up and started hurling vile abuses. Dumb girl’s uncle could tolerate this no more
“You mother****…. Wait I’ll teach you a lesson… Sudama, catch him…” the mute girl’s uncle now rushed at mute boy’s uncle and said.
A few belonging to the dumb girl’s side ran behind him. Now people supporting dumb boy’s father too stepped ahead.
Soon a tussle began. There was utter confusion in the hall. Just then a loud and deep voice boomed in the hall.
“You rascals… get out, all of you.. go out.. and sit on each other’s chest or break each other’s head,” an angry Patil sent them out.
For a while an uncomfortable silence prevailed in the hall.
“Ramya… neck out all those people,” Patil ordered one of his servants.
Ramya and three of his colleagues stepped ahead and began to shove away one person after another by catching hold of their shoulders. The people jerked themselves free and began to move away.
Seeing this chaos Ganesh, Madhurani and other respectable people stood up. A total calm had now spread over the hall. The only sounds that were heard were those of shoes and slippers made by people going out. And, in between, brief arguments between the people and Patil’s servants.
“All of you, please take your seats… we try to do good to someone and that someone says he already has enough of it,” Patil said.
Without taking his seat the Sarpanch began to walk towards the door.
“Sarpanchji… wait for a few minutes… we’ll have our tea and then adjourn the meeting… as it is it is already adjourned… but still…” Patil commented.
Wondering whether to sit or to go away, Sarpanch once again took his seat.
“All others also please wait for a while ..” Patil said.
“Some people, unable to decide, merely stood in their places.”
“Take your seats… otherwise you will go and tell everyone that Patil has sent you away without even offering tea,” Patil said in a lighter vein.
A few people let out a forced laughter at this joke and sat down.
People from both sides who were clashing seemed to have gone out Because loud sounds of their clash was now rising from below.
Re: Complete novel - Honey - A story of a feminine power
Ch. 30 – Corfmerf sorfonrf
When Ganesh came to Madhurani’s shop he saw that there already was a considerable crowd. Since the previous day’s meeting lots of things were churning in Ganesh’s mind. He wanted to reveal them to her and feel lightened. But seeing the crowd it did not seem possible to do it then. Ganesh peeped through the crowd and glanced at Madhurani. She looked back at him and with a typical gesture gave him an enchanting smile.
“Please try to understand me … How can I attend to you when all these people are waiting”… this could be the meaning of her gesture.
Surely.
Unable to control himself, Ganesh began to pace up and down before her shop. After going up and down a couple of times he thought..
It won’t look nice to pace up and down here…
Someone might read unnecessary meaning into it…
He looked at Madhurani through the crowd and gestured her saying that he would come a little later. She permitted him with her eyes to do so.
He turned to go to his room when he heard Madhurani’s voice, “ cofra ..mefra… sofru..onfra….. Ifra… wifrillfra befri wafreitifringfra…”
He stopped as if someone had suddenly applied a brake.
This was Madhurani’s code language.
What did she say?
Umm.. yes.. we have to remove all fris from it.
He began in his mind the process of removing all fris from her sentence. What does then remain?
Co..me..so..on…I.. wi..ll.. be.. wai…ting..
Hmm, come soon I will be waiting.
So, she was telling this to me.
But cleverly she said this as if she was talking to someone else in the shop.
Ganesh turned and looked at her. She was looking at him and smiling. Giving the same ardent look. The same mesmerising expression. Her looks seemed like that of a lover calling her beloved. Ganesh also looked at her. He returned her smile and started for his room.
On the way he saw the dumb girl carrying a mug of water and going towards private area meant for women. He looked around. He could not find the dumb young man. But saw people giving the girl vile looks. Someone had told him that the dumb young man was held captive in a room and was carefully guarded. That’s why even the dumb girl was looking sad. He returned to his room with heavy steps.
A knock on the door startled Ganesh.
Who could it be?
Some time back he was lying on his bed thinking about Madhurani. He never knew when he drifted into sleep. He got up and looked out of the window. It had become dark outside. His glance fell on Madhurani’s shop. There were no customers there. And there also was no one at the cash counter. Even Madhurani wasn’t there.
Is it Madhurani who knocked his door?
He sprang up at this thought. He hurriedly opened the door giving a broad smile. But at the door it wasn’t Madhurani. It was Sarajabai..
But where could Madhurani have gone leaving the cash counter unattended?
Sarjabai was carrying his evening meal served in a plate covered by her pullo. When he had nowhere else to go for meals it was Sarjabai’s responsibility to take care of his meals. She did not expect anything from him in return. Initially he had now and then tried to offer her some money. But she never accepted it.. He did not feel comfortable receiving meals from her without making payment. Her weak economic condition made him feel guilty. He found a midway out. Now and then he purchased and sent provisions to her house. Occasionally from the city he also brought for her gifts like a nine yard sari.
As was her practice, without a word Sarajabai placed the plate of meals inside and covered it. She also carried away the morning’s plate in which he had had his food.
Ganesh came out and began to look for Madhurani. At the end of the lane, in a dark corner he saw Madhurani talking softly to a woman wearing a nine yard sari. They were discussing something in low voices. The woman was holding an empty mug in her hand indicating that she had returned from the private area and was now freely having a chat.
As soon as Ganesh saw them and the woman met his eyes, she wound up her talk and, in a voice loud enough for Ganesh to listen, said “My man has said that we would now take him to a Doctor in the taluka-city.”
And she moved away. “I’ll tell you the rest after returning from there,” she said while going away.
After she went away, Madhurani saw Ganesh and going towards her shop she asked, “Had you come earlier?”
Ganesh turned back and closed the door of his room and started for her shop.
When Ganesh came to Madhurani’s shop he saw that there already was a considerable crowd. Since the previous day’s meeting lots of things were churning in Ganesh’s mind. He wanted to reveal them to her and feel lightened. But seeing the crowd it did not seem possible to do it then. Ganesh peeped through the crowd and glanced at Madhurani. She looked back at him and with a typical gesture gave him an enchanting smile.
“Please try to understand me … How can I attend to you when all these people are waiting”… this could be the meaning of her gesture.
Surely.
Unable to control himself, Ganesh began to pace up and down before her shop. After going up and down a couple of times he thought..
It won’t look nice to pace up and down here…
Someone might read unnecessary meaning into it…
He looked at Madhurani through the crowd and gestured her saying that he would come a little later. She permitted him with her eyes to do so.
He turned to go to his room when he heard Madhurani’s voice, “ cofra ..mefra… sofru..onfra….. Ifra… wifrillfra befri wafreitifringfra…”
He stopped as if someone had suddenly applied a brake.
This was Madhurani’s code language.
What did she say?
Umm.. yes.. we have to remove all fris from it.
He began in his mind the process of removing all fris from her sentence. What does then remain?
Co..me..so..on…I.. wi..ll.. be.. wai…ting..
Hmm, come soon I will be waiting.
So, she was telling this to me.
But cleverly she said this as if she was talking to someone else in the shop.
Ganesh turned and looked at her. She was looking at him and smiling. Giving the same ardent look. The same mesmerising expression. Her looks seemed like that of a lover calling her beloved. Ganesh also looked at her. He returned her smile and started for his room.
On the way he saw the dumb girl carrying a mug of water and going towards private area meant for women. He looked around. He could not find the dumb young man. But saw people giving the girl vile looks. Someone had told him that the dumb young man was held captive in a room and was carefully guarded. That’s why even the dumb girl was looking sad. He returned to his room with heavy steps.
A knock on the door startled Ganesh.
Who could it be?
Some time back he was lying on his bed thinking about Madhurani. He never knew when he drifted into sleep. He got up and looked out of the window. It had become dark outside. His glance fell on Madhurani’s shop. There were no customers there. And there also was no one at the cash counter. Even Madhurani wasn’t there.
Is it Madhurani who knocked his door?
He sprang up at this thought. He hurriedly opened the door giving a broad smile. But at the door it wasn’t Madhurani. It was Sarajabai..
But where could Madhurani have gone leaving the cash counter unattended?
Sarjabai was carrying his evening meal served in a plate covered by her pullo. When he had nowhere else to go for meals it was Sarjabai’s responsibility to take care of his meals. She did not expect anything from him in return. Initially he had now and then tried to offer her some money. But she never accepted it.. He did not feel comfortable receiving meals from her without making payment. Her weak economic condition made him feel guilty. He found a midway out. Now and then he purchased and sent provisions to her house. Occasionally from the city he also brought for her gifts like a nine yard sari.
As was her practice, without a word Sarajabai placed the plate of meals inside and covered it. She also carried away the morning’s plate in which he had had his food.
Ganesh came out and began to look for Madhurani. At the end of the lane, in a dark corner he saw Madhurani talking softly to a woman wearing a nine yard sari. They were discussing something in low voices. The woman was holding an empty mug in her hand indicating that she had returned from the private area and was now freely having a chat.
As soon as Ganesh saw them and the woman met his eyes, she wound up her talk and, in a voice loud enough for Ganesh to listen, said “My man has said that we would now take him to a Doctor in the taluka-city.”
And she moved away. “I’ll tell you the rest after returning from there,” she said while going away.
After she went away, Madhurani saw Ganesh and going towards her shop she asked, “Had you come earlier?”
Ganesh turned back and closed the door of his room and started for her shop.