Pages

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

LONELY - My new novel just published - Chapter 5

I have already published three of my books through Amazon.com:


"LONELY," my new novel is just self-published in www.pothi.com. I have ordered my first copy from www.pothi.com and awaiting delivery.

I intend blogging the first few sample chapters of the novel for everyone to read. Every alternate day, a new chapter will be released through my blog. Avid readers may please read and send me their comments.

I would appreciate if readers can indicate their preference about using their comments as part of the book

Readers who are interested in reading the entire novel may look for it, at www.pothi.com. The entire sale proceeds from all my books go to support the charitable and social activities of our L.N.Charitable Trust. The Trust focuses its efforts on Training and Development of Youth. For more details, you may look at www.tnneelakantan.com


Here you go with the chapter 5.......

.................................................................................................................................................................

Chapter
5
A fortnight passed by. Gopi visited the Mani Shankar’s place more often, taking time off from the restaurant. He didn’t seem to mind anymore. Apparently, his interest in Sharmilee was growing. Sharmilee too responded, acknowledging his presence every time. She laughed too, when Gopi cracked some jokes, whatever she understood from them.
“I must take her to a good doctor.” 
“You must go to Haridwar or Roorke,” Gopi suggested. “I can help you with a few contacts. They may help you,” he volunteered further.
Everything changed one day. Sharmilee had vomited in the morning and fainted. Savithri Devi, the old lady in the lodge had now become very understanding and rushed in to help. Her initial apprehensions had now disappeared. She held Sharmilee’s hand and felt her pulse. She arched her brows, with concern. She suspected what it could be.
She pulled Mani Shankar aside and whispered to him, “You must take her to a lady doctor. I suspect something more serious.” She didn’t elaborate. Sharmilee was resting in her room.
“Do you know anyone?”
She didn’t.
Mani Shankar telephoned to Gopi.
“Give me some time. I shall find one and bring her over there.”
In the next about an hour, he came in a taxi, accompanied by a lady who looked like a doctor. The lady examined Sharmilee, who had regained her consciousness and was feeling better.
‘She is a midwife,’ Gopi commented on the sidelines.
When the lady came out, she confirmed, “Yes, the girl is pregnant. May be a couple of months into it! She doesn’t seem to know anything. How do you connect with her?”
Mani Shankar briefly told her about Sharmilee. “She was on the streets. Some army men seemed to have done this mischief. What should we do now? Sharmilee is not in a mental state to determine many things on her own. She is still a child, mentally. Only her body had grown up.”
Mani Shankar was now really worried, while Gopi was rudely shocked.
“There is a primary health care center here, but no regular doctors. Try there, if you are lucky. Otherwise, you may have to go to Haridwar only,” the lady declared. “I am a midwife and I can take care of the child delivery, when it comes to that. I have helped several women here for their child delivery.”
Mani Shankar thanked the lady and Gopi took her back to her place. Before leaving, she suggested a few homemade remedies for Sharmilee. Savithri Devi appeared to be familiar with what was required to be done.
Mani Shankar had to seriously think and make decisions. He missed Gowri and her sane counseling.
‘Am I getting into more trouble?’
“You must go the police,” Savithri Devi said. She was already apprehensive of trouble for her, obviously.
“It is worse than not doing anything at all,” shot back Mani Shankar. “Leave it to me, please. I shall take the entire responsibility for Sharmilee.”

*****


Monday, October 20, 2014

ARCADIA 2014 CONTESTS

L.N.Charitable Trust, Melagaram, Tenkasi had adopted the acronym “SAKTHIY” as our mascot. “SAKTHIY” Stands for Advancement of Knowledge, Talent, Harmony and Integrity among Youth.

As part of our efforts towards Youth Development, the Trust conducted ARCADIA 2014 contests on Saturday, the 18th October, 2014. The contests were held among the children studying in Class 6 to 8 in Government and Government Aided schools within Tenkasi Education District. Despite heavy rains the previous day, 389 children from 16 schools participated in the 10 different contests held in the premises of Bharat Montessori Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Ilanji. The winner of every contest was awarded a cash of Rs.1000 as first prize, Rs.500 as second prize and Rs.200 as third prize, besides cups, medals and certificates. The event was coordinated by the Tenkasi-Shencottai Public Library Vasagar Vattam. Bharat Montessory Higher Secondary School and its teachers and volunteers conducted the contests on behalf of the Trust. Sri Mohana Krishnan, Correspondent of BHARAT gave away the prizes to the winners. Selvi Karthika and Selvi Punitha gave a dance performance during the prize distribution ceremony.

L.N.Charitable Trust thanks the Bharat management and its team, the Tenkasi-Shencottai Public Library Vasagar Vattam and its office bearers for the successful conduct of the contests.


L.N.Charitable Trust lauds all the participating schools and their children and wish them a bright future.

























Saturday, October 18, 2014

LONELY - My New Novel - Chapter 4

I have already published three of my books through Amazon.com:


"LONELY," my new novel is just self-published in www.pothi.com.

I intend blogging the first few sample chapters of the novel for everyone to read. Every alternate day, a new chapter will be released through my blog. Avid readers may please read and send me their comments.

I would appreciate if readers can indicate their preference about using their comments as part of the book

Here you go with the chapter 4.......

....................................................................................................................................................................


Chapter
4
Thanks to the mobile cellular technology. The Mani Shankar’s cell phone was handy. Gone were the days when one had to wait for long hours to connect a call, out of the town. Mani Shankar talked to Gowri in U.S.A, the next morning and told her everything, without omitting any detail – including the one relating to Sharmilee sleeping on his bed. Gowri was a person of details, as usual, and naturally, she had a number of questions. And, she was very magnanimous and understanding, as usual.
“I know you very well, Mani. Unfortunately, the world is not as magnanimous or large hearted as you are. You can run into problems. So, be careful. Take care. Best thing, take the girl to some Home for the Destitute, and leave her there. We can take care of her expenses there, if warranted. Anyhow, keep me informed,” Gowri said.
Mani Shankar met Gopi in the restaurant. “Can we talk?”
“What about?”
“About Sharmilee, the destitute girl….. You know her…. You have been offering food to her.”
“Yes, what about her?”
“How much do you know about her?”
“Very little. I sympathize with the girl. Whenever she passes by, she looks pathetic. She is very innocent. She is not communicative. Yes, I had offered food from our previous day’s kitchen. My owner is quite strict about the revenues to the hotel. I can’t be seen giving away even the previous day’s food freely. I am accountable to him……. The girl looks repulsive, I am sorry to say, with her dirty clothes and unkempt hair. But, I hadn’t seen her since the day before yesterday. I didn’t get time to check on her, too.”
“Why are you interested in her?”Mani Shankar was direct. He noticed that Gopi showed keen interest in his conversation about Sharmilee. Gopi turned his head away as though he didn’t want to face the truth.
“She is in my custody now,” Mani Shankar continued.
He looked perplexed. “Why? Is there any problem?”
“No, she is fine. You must see her now.”
There was curiosity in his look. “Where is she now?”
“Are you free anytime today?”
“I can go with you this evening.”
Mani Shankar was quite puzzled by Gopi’s interest in Sarmileel.
‘Could he be the one?’
He didn’t appear so.
They met in the evening. Mani Shankar took him to the lodge by walk and they talked on the way. They found enough time to share their loneliness and their stories.
Gopi’s father Pandarinath lived in the far off Roorki, beyond Hardwar. He was a mithaiwala and had plans to start a restaurant in Joshimatt, the base camp for the pilgrims to Badrinath, an abode of Lord Narayana. There was no decent vegetarian restaurant in Joshimatt and the potential for a hotel business was tremendous. But Pandarinath had no manpower support to manage a business in two different places. He had a rich father in law, but no issues at home. Pandarinath was growing older and his wife was desperate to have a child. During one of his visits to Joshimatt in connection with starting a restaurant over there, Pandarinath chanced upon a young widow with a young boy, around seven or eight years old. The boy, Gopi, was cute and lovable. Somehow, Pandarinath fell for Sugandhi, the widow and developed a relationship with her. His visits to Joshimatt increased and he spent time with Sugandhi and Gopi. He developed a liking for Gopi who didn’t fully understand Pandarinath’s relationship with his mother. Soon, Gopi took Pandarinath as his father. Pandarinath started his restaurant at Joshimatt and Gopi, at a very young age, became the de facto owner and employee of the restaurant. Unfortunately for Gopi, his mother fell ill with some sudden serious illness. Pandarinath could have easily taken her to Hardwar or Roorke for a good medical treatment, but he was afraid of getting exposed in front of his wife and the rich father-in-law, whose patronage he couldn’t afford to lose. Local medical attention didn’t help Sugandhi and she died. After his mother’s death, the relationship between Gopi and Pandarinath went through some metamorphosis. Pandarinath’s visits to Joshimatt reduced, though Gopi continued to be the trusted employee and a remote son. Gopi couldn’t complain. He had a decent life with some freedom and responsibility to engage himself in. He liked the restaurant business and his association with it 24x7. He never went to any school for his studies. Occasionally, he too felt very lonely, but was helpless about it. He was already wedded to his work. His restaurant and his guests there were his greatest companions.
“I am so sorry, listening to your story.” Mani Shankar empathized with Gopi. He could realize how lonely Gopi should be feeling right now.
‘I am not the only person on this earth, to feel lonely‘…………………………………..
“Did you say anything……?” The Gopi’s question brought back Mani Shankar to their conversation.
“I wanted to say that I was not alone on this earth to feel lonely. In my case, I am the one who had sought loneliness and still feeling bad about it.” Mani Shankar then told Gopi briefly about himself.
Sharmilee had spent most of her time that day, sleeping in the comfort of her warm room, under the blankets. When they reached the lodge she had just got up and was sipping some tea.
“Oh, she looks terrific.” The Gopi’s comment came loudly.
Sharmilee recognized Gopi instantly, with a broad smile. She extended the cup with tea to Gopi. Mani Shankar looked for any unusual expression or body language from Gopi. There was none, except a natural curiosity from a young adult about a charming girl. That was interesting.
“How, uncle? What a transformation? How could you do it?” Gopi had suddenly felt closer to Mani Shankar and started addressing him ‘uncle’.
Mani Shankar explained. “She is going to be in my custody for some time. I need to find a proper place to put her in – maybe some orphanage. She also needs to be treated for her mental illness. She is not a normal girl. I have to find some long term custody for her.”
“Tell me, uncle, what I can do to help you? I really pity this girl. Now, with her changed appearance,……… I don’t know what to stay.”
But Mani Shankar understood what he would have liked to say. The boy seemed to love her.
‘Is she in a position to reciprocate?’
They engaged in some small talk and went for a walk, down the valley, along a narrow path.
“There is a small temple down this valley, an exquisite place, surrounded by a very beautiful garden, full of wild flowers. I can take you there, if you would like. But not now, maybe, in the morning.” Gopi explained.
Mani Shankar, Gopi and Sharmilee appeared to be developing some intimate bond between them. Sharmilee, for the most part, was either silent or responded with just one or two words, but she seemed to be enjoying the company.
“Uncle, for the first time in the last several years, I feel having some company, today,” Gopi mentioned, towards the end of their meeting that day. They ate some simple dhal and roti prepared by Savithri Devi, the old lady, looking after the lodge.
 “What a delicious food I am eating,” Gopi commented. Coming from the hotelwalah, his appreciation of the food was understandable.
After all the small and serious talk, Mani Shankar gained no further knowledge about Sharmilee. He wasn’t yet prepared to discuss everything about Sharmilee in detail, with Gopi. 
Mani Shankar religiously relayed what happened that day, to Gowri, who grew more apprehensive, though she didn’t express it much. This ritual continued in the days to come too.

*****

Thursday, October 16, 2014

LONELY - My new novel just self-published on www.pothi.com - Chapter 3

I have already published three of my books through Amazon.com:


"LONELY," my new novel is just self-published in www.pothi.com.

I intend blogging the first few sample chapters of the novel for everyone to read. Every alternate day, a new chapter will be released through my blog. Avid readers may please read and send me their comments.

I would appreciate if readers can indicate their preference about using their comments as part of the book

Here you go with the chapter 3.......

.......................................................................................................................................


Chapter
3
They talked after their dinner. Sharmilee talked in bits and pieces. She was very much distracted when she talked and every now and then, she would go very remote. Mani Shankar posed the questions slowly, patiently and listened to her, even more patiently.
Where were you born? No idea. Who are your parents? She didn’t even know who they were and whether they were alive or not. Do you remember them? No, she didn’t. How did you come to Joshimatt? She came here along with a gypsy group, by an army truck. They were good people. The gypsy group had abandoned her long back. Had you ever gone to a doctor? Not that she ever knew. Do you remember any of your relatives or friends? She remembered some aunt in Delhi. She couldn’t describe Delhi, but Mani Shankar made out from her description of the place. She mentioned a big lake. He couldn’t guess where. How do you manage yourself daily? Begging, mostly. At times, the young hotelwalah (Mani Shankar remembered him as Gopi) used to give her the leftover food from the hotel. How old are you? She blinked. ‘She couldn’t be beyond twelve or thirteen’. Do you remember anything significant about your life? She tried to describe some army man whom she remembered, but Mani Shankar couldn’t make out anything.
It was quite clear that she was mostly oblivious of her past. She was mostly unafraid being alone and never really tried to find her past. She was very comfortable with Mani Shankar. She had no other contacts. She had never been medically attended to by a doctor.
‘I have inadvertently taken up a big responsibility.’
They went to bed in their separate rooms. He decided to check with Gopi about Sharmilee, the next day. Whatever he knew about her!
Sometime in the mid of night, he sensed the door to his room, opening. He opened his eyes and saw Sharmilee entering his room.
“What Sharmilee, any problem? Do you need anything?” He felt troubled by her sudden entry into his room at midnight.
“I feel lonely and I am afraid to sleep alone in that room.”
Mani Shankar got up and switched on the feeble light.
‘She was used to sleeping all alone, in that abandoned car. What happened to her tonight?’
“Come and sit here. You must have had some nightmare.”
She came closer and sat on the bed. Her dress was in disarray and he adjusted them. She didn’t object. He didn’t know how to handle the situation further. She looked like a small child, looking for some parental love and caress.
He first hesitated, but then thought, ‘To hell with it.’
He drew Sharmilee closer to him, rested her head on his lap, and gently hugged her. She threw her arms around him and hugged back passionately. He thought she was going to crush his bones.
“Something happened sometime ago,” she said huskily.
“What?”
She didn’t remember clearly. She seemed to have no sense of date, or day.
It must have been a New Moon day. She hadn’t seen the moon that night.
“Two men, young, dressed in boots and green clothes, a lot of colored patches on their dress, took me in their van, promising me food. But I didn’t know what happened after I got into their van. But I found myself in my car later.” Her description of the events came laggardly. Mani Shankar listened intently without interrupting her.
“Did you dream?”
“No. It happened.”
‘O my God! They could be some army men. What did they do to her?’
She knew or remembered nothing more. She became silent and soon, slept away on his lap. She gently put her on the bed in his room. Mani Shankar sat worried and was alarmed at what he was supposed to be doing with this girl. He didn’t get sleep for the rest of the night.
He walked outside the lodge. It was biting cold. It didn’t trouble him. He gazed at the stars as though looking for an answer from them, to his dilemma.
*****

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

LONELY - My new novel to be self-published - Chapter 2

I have already published three of my books through Amazon.com:


"LONELY," my new novel is finally ready to be self-published. I am debating within myself about publishing it at www.amazon.com or www.pothi.com and I would probably take a decision in a week's time.

In the meantime, I intend blogging the first few sample chapters of the novel for everyone to read. Every alternate day, a new chapter will be released through my blog. Avid readers may please read and send me their comments.

I would appreciate if readers can indicate their preference about using their comments as part of the book

Here you go with the chapter 2.......

.......................................................................................................................................

Chapter
2
When Mani Shankar returned back, he brought with him a bagful of fruits, bread and some tea. The girl was sitting on the ground, reclining on the bonnet of the car.
“Your bags are here. I knew you would come back.” She remarked. Mani Shankar smiled.
“My name is Mani Shankar.” He extended the carry bag and tea to her. She hesitated before finally accepting them.
“They call me Sharmilee,” she replied while sipping her tea. 
“Tell me, what happened last night,” he asked her.
She narrated, but was not coherent. She was distracted every now and then. She thrust her two fingers into her mouth whenever she struggled to recollect. She couldn’t be termed a normal girl. Something was amiss with her. She mentioned about going to some people nearby to seek help, but as usual, they brushed her aside, using foul words.
Mani Shankar looked at her intently. She didn’t appear repugnant anymore. He continued to stare at her for some more time and there was silence between them. Strangely, even she too, was staring at him intently, her fingers already in her mouth. Saliva dripped out of it. She didn’t seem to care or even know.
“Do you want to be taken care of?”
“Who will take care of me?”
“I can. Do you want to go with me?”
Her eyes widened and she rolled her eyes in all directions. At least, she didn’t seem to resist the idea.
“Now, give me some time. I am going to find a place for us to stay. Then I am going to come back and take you with me. Okay?”
She didn’t respond.
“Don’t go away anywhere. Take care of my bags in the car. I shall be back as soon as I can. If you feel hungry, there is enough food for you in the bag.”
Mani Shankar left without waiting for her to respond. He had already developed a plan for her. ‘How far is she going to cooperate?’ he wondered.
He returned in a taxi, after a couple of hours.
“Come on, let’s go. We now have a place to stay.’ He extended his hand to her. ‘Do you have anything with you?’
She puckered her lips and bit them. She must have been anxious. She didn’t care to take anything with her.
‘Come.’ He held her hands and pulled her gently. They got into the taxi and the driver looked amazed and smiled cannily.
Chalo.’ (Go)
Mani Shankar had already briefed the taxi driver where they should be heading. They travelled some distance, before the taxi stopped in front of a small building, outside the town. An old lady received them, though she, too, was curious about the girl. She wrinkled her face. Maybe, she didn’t approve the company.
Without saying a word to her, Mani Shankar took Sharmilee inside. There were two small rooms adjoining a narrow reception area. He went back to the vehicle and brought a few more bags.
He showed one of the rooms to Sharmilee.
‘There is a bathroom inside. Go, have a bath, and then put on this dress – I hope it should fit it. You can discard your old dress.’ He handed over a nightgown that he bought from the market. That was the only fit-for-all dress he could get. Sharmilee was hesitant, but obeyed.
In the meantime, he went into the other room, had a quick shave and bath and was ready before Sharmilee came out of her room. Now she looked more presentable.
‘Do you like it?’
She nodded timidly.
‘Come, let’s go.’
She obeyed without uttering a word. The taxi was still waiting outside for them and they got in. The old lady watched quietly from a corner. The driver too was amused now, though he didn’t comment anything. The taxi took them to the market. There was more life now, in the town. The taxi stopped in front of a saloon.
Sharmilee looked bewildered and panicked. Mani Shankar held her hand warmly. It was basically a gent’s saloon and the middle aged barber looked on, puzzled. But the money made all the tricks. Sharmilee was given a neat haircut, even while a few bystanders peeped into the saloon inquisitively. Sharmilee looked even better now, after a boy cut, she looked rather lovely. He then took her to a nearby clothing shop, bought her a couple of dresses for her, a few blankets and woolen jackets. All the time, she had put her two fingers into her mouth, saliva rolling down her jaws. They went back to the lodging house.
“Go and have a bath again. And then, put on the new dress.”
Sharmilee obeyed without any protest. She must have been quite impressed with her own look in the mirror in the saloon.
When she came out of her room, Mani Shankar commented, “You look gorgeous, Sharmilee!”
She smiled and shied away from looking at him. She seemed to trust Mani Shankar and was very cooperative, without raising a question. In the meantime, the old lady had prepared some food and served it in the reception area. They ate quietly.
Once finished, Mani Shankar asked Sharmilee, “You can stay with me here, in this place, if you wish. This is going to be our home, for some time. You are under no compulsion. You can go back to your car, if you want to.”
“I shall stay with you.” The answer came from Sharmilee without any tinge of hesitation.
She went to her room and slept for the rest of the day.
‘What am I doing here? Am I doing the right thing with this girl? What is my connection? Would I have done this, if Gowri was with me today?’
Mani Shankar had no immediate answer to his chattering mind. He decided to call Gowri in USA, later in the evening and tell her about this development. She must know everything. He decided to take a walk to clear his mind from the cobwebs.
The old lady waited anxiously near the entrance to the lodging house.
“You look worried!” Mani Shankar checked with her.
“It doesn’t look proper,” she gazed her eyes over him, probably, gauging his age.
Mani Shankar wanted to be honest. “The girl, Sharmilee is like my daughter. I found her on the streets. I have no connection to her. She helped me yesterday when I was in trouble. I wanted to pay back to her. Do you mind?”
“How long do you intend to stay here?”
“It might be a little long, I hope. But why, do you have any objection? I had already indicated to you.”
“But, if the stay is going to be longer, the terms might be different.” The lady adroitly exploited Mani Shankar’s predicament. It was off-season and she had no guests. Mani Shankar agreed to her stiff terms and didn’t mind. The place was decent, away from the main market, secluded, quiet and comfortable. Plus, he got home-made food.
“But, mind you, no trouble,” she cautioned.
“Absolutely!” Assured Mani Shankar and walked out.

*****
......... to be continued......................

Sunday, October 12, 2014

"LONELY" - My new novel ready to be self-published - Chapter 1

I have already published three of my books through Amazon.com:


"LONELY," my new novel is finally ready to be self-published. I am debating within myself about publishing it at www.amazon.com or www.pothi.com and I would probably take a decision in a week's time.

In the meantime, I intend blogging the first few sample chapters of the novel for everyone to read. Every alternate day, a new chapter will be released through my blog. Avid readers may please read and send me their comments.

I would appreciate if readers can indicate their preference about using their comments as part of the book

Here you go with the chapter 1.......

...................................................................................................................................................................

Chapter
1
Sukwinder, the tempo driver dropped Mani Shankar in a corner and drove off. Joshimatt was just nearby. For Mani Shankar, hitchhiking with a tempo driver seemed a better option than waiting for another State Transport bus. The bus, he took from Haridwar, broke down on the way. The conductor and the driver looked quite casual about it, as though that was a routine affair. It must be. The very few who occupied the bus, too, didn’t seem to be unduly concerned. Some of them got down, sat on the pavement and began smoking and gossiping, while others continued to doze off. The engine of the bus fumed, coughed, smoked, rumbled, but didn’t move an inch.
Mani Shankar became restless, for no reason. The bus conductor couldn’t assure when a relief transport might come. He stood in the middle of the road, a little away from the bus and signaled to a few passing vehicles for a hike, but they all sped past him.
One tempo stopped by. ‘ki hoya? Gaddi rukk gayi?’ (What happened? Did the bus break down?)
Mani Shankar nodded and asked the driver, “I want to go up to Joshimatt.”
Bhaitona!’ (Why don’t you sit down?)
The front seat in the tempo was good for just two people, including the driver, to squeeze in. Mani Shankar threw in his bags in the carriage of the tempo and got in. Sukwinder, the driver was quite an interesting guy. He blabbered a lot, joked a lot and laughed a lot. He even offered a bottle of beer, but Mani Shankar politely declined. There was never a talk about money. But he kept up his word, except that he stopped the tempo, a mile away from Joshimutt.
bus, thodihi dhoor hai idhar se!’ (It is only a short distance from here)
When Mani Shankar extended two, hundred rupee, notes to him, he exclaimed, ‘Wareh wah! Thakdi aadmi ho!’ (Hey, you seem to be a rich guy), but he refused to take it. ‘Hamne dosthi ke liye kiya! Aash karo, dosth!’ (I did it for friendship. Enjoy, my dear friend)
He drove off into a small side road, without looking back. ‘Sardar jis are great friends,’ thought Mani Shankar.
The sun was settling down in the West. It was late March. He started walking. Soon, the contours of the Joshimutt town and the reflections from the shimmering lights from the buildings slowly appeared in the distance.
‘Why did Sukhwinder drop me off in the outskirts, rather than bringing me into the town? After all, Joshimattt had been just another five minutes drive for him.’
Mani Shankar had no answer.
He felt very lonely, once again. The deserted road, the barren hills, the deep valley behind, the winding river down the valley far below, and the darkening horizon all dampened him further. He took out his handkerchief and wiped the dirt and sweat from his face.
He walked into the town. He felt cold. He put on his jacket and the woolen cap. Hardly anyone was on the road. A few laborers alone sat by the wayside campfire, smoking beedies. Many hotels around the market had not reopened, as it was off-season time. Very few tourists came to Joshimatt around this part of the year. They would, by the end of April or early May when the Badrinath temple opened for the new season. A couple of hotels, that were open, were untidy and badly maintained. The only vegetarian restaurant, that was open, was crowded inside a small, cramped space. A brisk, young boy was seen serving there as the cashier, the server and the cleaner.
Mani Shankar approached him and inquired, “Are there any decent stay arrangements nearby?”
Hey, Gopi, ithna late khyon ho raha hai?” Someone shouted at the young boy from the table at the back.
Abhi aa rahaa hai, bhai sahib!” The young boy, Gopi shouted back and then turned to Mani Shankar and said, aap thoda wait keejiye, chai bhej dhoom?” He quickly ran to the kitchen.
Mani Shankar waited at a table near the entrance. Someone brought him some tea.
Gopi came back, a few minutes later. maaph keejiye, mein aapko kaise madhadh karoon?” His tone was extremely polite. (I am sorry, How can I help you?)
Idhar koi decent jaga milega, teherne ke liye?” Mani Shankar repeated his inquiry to check whether there were any decent places to stay nearby. He explained that he didn’t like the few hotels he had already seen.
“See, this is off-season. You appear to be from the cities. You may not get anything decent here, within the market area. Would you mind staying away from the town?” He then directed Mani Shankar to walk back a mile or so and take a small elevated road where he said Mani Shankar could find a few decent lodges. He excused himself again to attend to another guest in the restaurant.
Thanking him, Mani Shankar walked out. He was unsure. He walked to the nearby taxi stand. The drivers were making merry or drunken. He walked a little further up. Someone suggested to him about Shri Shankaracharya Mutt in Joshimatt, which was close-by. He took the steep road up, to the mutt. But the manager had gone away to Rudraprayag, a town down the river Alaknanda, and he wasn’t expected back before late, that night.
Mani Shankar was tired, as he walked back. He also felt hungry as he didn’t eat anything since he left Haridwar. He thought of going back to the restaurant in the market.
Suddenly, he felt dizzy and his head reeled. He knew what it was. He was probably getting ‘hypoglycemia.’ He scrounged his bag, nervously. His usual quota of chocolates wasn’t there.
‘But, I remember definitely buying them in New Delhi.’
There was a small open ground, on one side of the road, next to a dilapidated building. He rushed there to avoid fainting to the ground. A young girl was sitting around the corner of the building, watching him. She had her two fingers thrust into her mouth.
In the next few moments, as he tried to take shelter, Mani Shankar fainted and fell over the little girl. The girl panicked, made some strange sounds, but was strong enough to hold him from falling to the ground. Mani Shankar was saved from hitting a sharp rock that projected from the ground.
The place was virtually deserted and there was no other soul in the near vicinity, to know what was happening.
He regained his consciousness only when he saw someone fed him some warm tea. When the images became clearer, he realized that the ‘someone’ was none other than the little girl he saw before he fainted. He gulped the tea little by little, the girl silently looking at, not speaking a word. He found some energy returning back to him and his lips parted to ask something from the girl, but the words didn’t come out. He was still very weak even to speak.
Meri baath vishwas nahi kiye, woh log!’ the girl commented, after some time. (They didn’t trust my words)
Mani Shankar didn’t understand. Bet he felt better, soon.
The first thing he noticed was that the girl was very dirty and smelled filthy. Her clothes looked muddy and torn, exposing a part of her breast. Her hair was wild, matted and unkempt. She couldn’t be more than thirteen or fourteen. Either she didn’t bother about how she looked or she wasn’t aware of how she looked.
The girl helped him get up slowly. Everything was still very hazy. His knees felt very weak, trembled and collapsed as he took the first few steps with the help of the girl. The girl appeared to be surprisingly strong to support him. She slowly walked him, to the backyard of a nearby another abandoned building. He wanted to say something, but the words didn’t come out. It was dark now, except for some lights here and there. There was none on the road. He couldn’t resist the girl, even if he wanted to.
There was an abandoned, old, Ambassador-model, car. She walked him closer to the vehicle. Mani Shankar gave a meaningful look to her. What she understood, he didn’t know, but she nodded her head. As they reached the car, she opened the back door and shoved him inside.
She, then, opened the driver’s side front door, got in, closed the door and looked at him. Not a word was uttered. She offered a bottle of water that she removed from the dashboard. Mani Shankar drank slowly. Some more energy returned to him.
Dhanyavaad. Yeh aapkaa ghar hai?”(Thank you. Is this your home?)
She appeared to understand his question and nodded. All their further conversation went in Hindi. Mani Shankar called forth all his power over his tutti-futti (broken) Hindi he had learnt almost three decades ago when he worked for a few years in Delhi.
If his Hindi was broken, hers was corrupted. Her accent or dialect was unusual. He now recalled everything clearly. Some part, he surmised from her conversation.
He thought he had given her enough trouble and that it was time for him to leave her alone. He took out a few hundred-rupee-notes from his wallet and extended them to her.
She looked bewildered and pushed his hand back. She didn’t seem to want his money. He opened the door, got out and started a few steps, even while thanking her once again for her help.
A few steps down, he noticed that the girl was right behind him. Further down, she walked by his side and held his hands firmly, as though she wanted him to stop going away. He looked puzzled.
She behaved like a small baby. She dragged him back to the car. He stumbled over the next few steps. They were back to the car. He didn’t know what he should be doing. He looked into her eyes.
He saw the loneliness in them.
Suddenly he felt she was no more, dirty. Rather, she looked cute.
‘What is happening here?’
He spent that night in that small, cramped space in the backseat of the car. He had nothing to cover himself, except the shawl. It was cold and chilly outside and it didn’t bother him anymore. He never even remembered to eat anything. He was overtaken by fatigue completely. The girl slept in the front seat. She didn’t eat too.
He opened his eyes, only when the bright sun lit the inside of the car, the next morning.
‘A very unusual night! A very unusual meeting with a little, innocent girl!’
She was still sleeping.
He quietly opened the door, got out of the car, leaving behind his backpack bag inside and walked to the nearby market. A new resolution was slowly taking shape in his mind. For the first time, he got a feeling that he was not alone feeling lonely.
*****
                                                                                                            ....................... to be continued