HOLISM - DAVID

DAVID

         “C.H.A road... “.

The auto driver looked carefully at him suspiciously and then let him in. He didn’t feel unpleasant on the act though. He loaded the dingy bag into the back and sat calmly. He felt relief for something. The sound of clinging of meter didn’t invite his attention. As the vehicle moved on, he squinted back at the corner of his eyes and saw his past days bidding farewell in unison; the same way he felt when he turned back at the train and before, in the taxi. They said ‘Bye,s’; requesting the fate not to take a U-turn ever. Wind brought fresh air and new fragrances, strange to his palates for a long time. Buildings, pavements, auto-motives, shops, people, all had ate up newer forms and newer demeanours since he last met them. At the tri-junction before C.H.A road, the rickshaw stopped at signal. He saw the pavement connection to the road a little distant. He took his baggage and got down. He ran before the signal went red for walkers. He felt 5 years younger, yes exactly 5 years younger walking on that pavement. An old man walking towards him stopped at close and looked at him carefully. He kept his head low and continued, leaving the old man’s inquisitive stance incomplete. He knew that person.

         ‘Raju Chacha’; he murmured.

Such relations had gone extinct for him. Long 5 years had taught him the value of bonds and bothers. He had only his shoulders to hold on, only his hands to wipe hiss tears and only his legs to balance a fall, though he couldn’t make out any of these at most instances in his life. His mom was still alive, and so was his siblings; a brother and a sister, both elder than him. But he had no big complaints for how they treated him for the past years. He had reached the saturation to get hurt-and-run by the so called feelings. He felt them now as excuses; mere excuses to escape from the reality; the present world in which one lives. Love, care, contemplating, sobbing, complaining, cursing; all were excuses …………..…………………… ………………

Frustrated inventions of a rugged life.

He saw his ancestral fortress, the house which succumbed his childhood and young ages with happiness and prosperity. Like a film roll emanating from its spindle, the memories backlashed his focus. A temporary absentia… neighbours, first love, ganging, eve-teases, angry young man image, kung-Fu lessons…. Everything ……………… ………………………………………………………………………..

‘Was that mine?’ he couldn’t believe the ‘he’ in the memories was himself. The journey from 25-30 was long and solid; solid enough to wipe out every traces of goodness extant in his life…. Now he was full of chafe,,,,, leftovers . . .

He saw his brother sitting outside the house. Davis. His hair had gone salty, boasting out an age more than he actually had. He mused around to hear children’s voices; he had not seen his brother’s. He exactly remembered his sister-in-law’s face. He wished to see his mother,,, after a long wait. Though he had no big expectations in their reactions towards him, he wanted to see and hear them before he moved on in his life. He saw two eyes looking erratically through the glasses, throwing out a feel of eerie in air.

         “David ……?”

David nodded. He sat on the wooden cantilever bench and smiled.

         “You got out today?”

         “Yesterday evening…” David replied without looking his brother.

         “How’s your health?”

David nodded in compliance. He felt a nausea that he had not tasted for a long time; something he thought he wouldn’t experience again. He wanted to ask a few matters and leave ASAP but he couldn’t recollect what all to …

         “Then… what else??” Davis came to the point directly.

         “Where’s mom??”

         “She’s at Dina’s… Will come after a week.”

         “Oh… by the way how’s she? Haven’t seen her children… How many she has??”

Davis took a reluctant pause and said as if revealing a family secret to a stranger;

         “Only one…. Daughter. Her name is Adheena.”

         “Sweet….. How about.., your children????” David spitted the words.

         “Two…. They have gone to school. Your sister-in-law went to office. I took a leave today”

Davis’ reply alarmed David. He got the hint that his brother somehow had got informed about his arrival and had taken leave to probably return an ‘old un-ordered parcel’.

He stood up taking his torn bag and motioned to leave when Davis spoke;

         “After your trials mom went sick due to anger on you. She said she doesn’t have a son in your name. We thought it’s the anger in her, but later realized it’s final when she made the will in mine and Dina’s name. I couldn’t convince her that….. You….................. If you want some money I’ll get you within two months; currently I got to repay a loan. This old house will be sold soon to a builder. I’ve built a small house in the corporation area. Like my children, people there don’t know about you. So contact me via phone so I could meet you outside. Also do call Dina before meeting her. Her husband is a little tough chap. And- “

         “In total, I should not interlope into your lives again………right brother??……” David intervened.

         “I didn’t mean that.”

         “I know, I know…… Felt to see mom and some unseen faces…… I felt those are genuine needs. Anyways tell mom I came here. Also Dina… And give this to the children, saying some lie….. Bye”

Placing a packet of chocolates on the table, David rushed down the steps and strode towards the gate without turning back. He had been preparing for this scene for a long time but the reality did shake him a little. He knew his mother wouldn’t exclude him from her mind. Dina and Davis, both were good at taking advantages,, David could easily guess what would have happened. And his brother cleverness was evident from the scenario created at his ancestral home. He cleverly shifted his mother to Dina’s home. The story of selling the ancestral home and building a house at corporation would be a blatant lie. And about the will, something he had guessed years before…

He knew his life would never retain the name and lustre on any furbish. Once judged for IMPRISONMENT, a person would bear the title until his death….. ‘PRISONER’. The years inside the jail would just be a beginning. Shades of dislike, uncouthness and fear from the society would haunt him endlessly. Words of suspicion, Eyes of doubtfulness, reluctant hands to help could be common hinders. Friends become strangers, Relatives become tormentors, and society seems utopian…. All would point him guilty, perhaps the only guilty person around them, no matter how good he had been before…………………………..

David had a strong heart to supersede these mundane realities. He moved on ………..

                            He was around 300 km away from his home now. A suburban place he had not been to before. He guessed it was a border. He had already stopped thinking anything. After freeing, he hardly ate something and hunger came into his bean. A string of street food joints ensemble in a row and the truck drivers and local people flooded into them. David got into one and ate hot parathas and curry. Aimlessly he walked along the roadside; trucks were parked in a lane.

         ‘Was it good to get into any one? Or live in the state itself?’, he was confused.

He could see the check post. In the faded lights he saw the uniforms which befriended him for the past 5 years. David knew it was better to get into trucks after the border checking, else he might be caught on suspicion. Dawn might get better help. He decided to wait till dawn. Lying on a dilapidated concrete bench near a washroom he traced his eyes across the stars hidden behind the clouds. They probably resembled the days of his past. Until it rained, the glow would be camouflaged by the clouds; so was his condition. Night breeze drooled moisture on his face and he felt dizzy in a trice. Slow passing of trucks and vehicles in irregular intervals acted as lullabies to him. Time passed by. Soon he fell asleep.

         “Helpppppppppppppp……………….………… helpppppppppppppppppppp………………….”

A deafening cry accompanied by a series of footsteps awaked David from his much awaited sound sleep. Through his dizzy eyes, he could see a small male figure followed by a gang of big male figures. Before his senses could decipher the farce, the hoodlums had captured the boy, stuffing a large chunk of cloth into his mouth. Night again fell into silence. For a second, David sat straight……………………….. and then he started running. He didn’t knew why he was running but he continued running. A reflex call from his innards.

He saw the hoodlums but covertly followed them. The boy had stopped fiddling in their hands; probably unconscious. After a series of turns, they got him into a lone warehouse lighted with 0-watt bulbs. David waited for a few minutes and then went close to a broken window. The boy was tied to a column and he remained unconscious. One among the hoodlums was telephoning someone and other three; total four; were busy gulping some coloured beverage. David patiently waited and kept his sleep-deprived ears and eyes as sharp as possible.

After telephony, the man talked to his fellas,

         “Saab told to keep the child till 4:30. And Bhola, at 3:00 we’ll have to go near the check-post, Saab’s people will come and then we will proceed. You two look after the place. “

Comparatively smaller persons nodded to the speaker. The biggest bully should be Bhola. David looked at his watch, in the faint 0-watt light it showed, 2:25. At first he wanted to make it clear for himself,,, whether to involve in the matter…………………….. An unknown boy abducted by an unknown clan at an unknown place. He was an ex-convict and there was a handful of policemen within a km radius. If caught in a questionable situation with the boy at night, those uniformed law-executors would easily charge him for ‘kid’napping and to his luck, his family would be in front to hail the police act.

‘And child abduction had been old since begging became a profession.’

For a person who was fed up with so called society, David had no interest in doing acts for social well-being; something he believed was a beautifier. Saving a boy who could be tomorrow’s rainmaker…

‘Bullshit!!!!’

David looked at the boy again. Without thinking further, he walked back..................... ........................................................................................................................,,,,,, he had plans.

The boy was wearing a more or less tidy, casual dress. So he could ensemble, the boy was not kidnapped from his school. Tidiness showed he had been identified recently; and a boy at 2:30am near a check post?!!!!!!!!.

David was sure the boy’s parents would have been there with the boy.

         ‘Identify them, pass the buck to their shoulders, and leave the place ASAP.’

He walked faster to find two crying faces searching for their little progeny lost in the dark. As population were less in the place it would be easier for him. And if they were not spotted, he thought he’d inform any food joint and the people might take up the heat. He looked into his watch again,    2:35am.

David reached the place he started running. The check post was empty. String of trucks might have gone through. It had lights though. He turned to the other side and saw the food joints out of the lights,,, empty. He moved to a truck, parked lonely near the washroom. But it had no one inside. He wanted to see a couple of crying faces; he couldn’t see any face.

Confused, he stood still. The good and the evil in him started arguing. A dilemma over three choices; whether to save the child, or to leave the place, or to continue sleeping as if nothing happened. David stared at the lights far away him……………….. It did call him, but he was not convinced. The good David prodded him harder to move his steps. But the bad David had his own reasons to defend…………………………….

He again looked at his watch; 2.42 am. Reluctant, heeding to his conscience, he walked towards the light. He felt the tread heavier step after step. Night’s silence seemed louder enough to pierce his ears. Daunting road tended to lengthen and the moonlit land bestriding the road was thinning narrower and narrower. David had crossed halfway and the light beam from the check post faintly lighted the road ahead him. He looked down at the lit road and walked slowly. He rehearsed the dialogue to be said to the policemen out there. A shadow covered the light beam affront him. On looking up he saw a young fella, similar to his age, talking to someone, apparently inside the operator room. David stopped. The man seemed a little tensed and lost. He was not audible but David surmised; the man could be the person he was waiting for...................

The man started walking towards David, disappointed. His muted blubbering echoed in the air. David moved faster and asked him,

         “What happened?”

         “…………..huh. My son……. I lost him-“

         “Come with me.”

David pulled him faster and on the way he tried to explain the things in the order which it happened. The man’s sobbing went louder when he heard his son fainted in midway and was tied to a pillar in an unknown pot.

         “What did that policeman say at the gate?”

         “He ain’t a policeman. He’s just the operator. Police already left the place. He called to the nearby station but the in-charge had gone somewhere and will be back by 4:30 or 5 in the morning” The man said in between weeps.

         “Pitch perfect. So let me be clear. We’ll have to rescue your child by ourselves. And we can try that only after 3’o’clock, if there lies any chance. Till that don’t panic or shout in angst and spoil your child’s life.”

         “But why only at 3??? We could try from now itself!!! What’s so bad in it?”

David didn’t care to reply. He signed him to quell all sounds and move. They reached near the warehouse. David first looked inside and after making sure nothing seemed different, he showed the man his son. His eyes grew red with anger; hands ambushed with veins. Muting his emotions he again asked David why they had to wait till 3. David showed him the four bigfellas escorting his son’s slumber and said in low voice,

         “I guess those two big shots leave soon as it ticks 3. It’ll be easy then. Neither you nor me can beat them down and come out alive. So be patient and hope,,, rather pray for no change in their plans.”

David looked his watch,,, 2:55am.

The two sat under the window and waited for the time to pass itself. The man was trying to settle himself; regaining composure and trying to figure out things so happened. David had something in his mind and was reinvesting thoughts to debug out any mistakes. He saw the man shivering in devastation.

         “What’s your name?”

         “………huh...Senthil.”

         “Tamil?”

         “No…. Bangalore”

David looked at his watch again. 2:58am.

         “Why you came here with your child? “

         “…huh?.......Satish……….. had an exam at a college…… in the city. We missed the bus at the gate……. Troubled at the washroom. I had stomach ache…, Satish stood outside the door. I heard his screaming voice…… and multiple footsteps parting away……. but couldn’t find…… anything when I came outside. “

         “Your boy, Satish….”

         “Yeah “

David stood up slowly and looked inside. Things were intact.

         “I told Satish several times………. to sit in the bus. The conductor would have noticed it then; I couldn’t tell him…… in prior………. He was afraid unnecessarily and said he’ll wait……. in the washroom.……….Ill fate of my child……… “

         “Don’t worry. And don’t freak out in panic when you get inside. You get inside when I deal the two hoodlums and get away with your child. Okay..?”

         “………..huh... Yeah.”

David’s watch ticked 3. He looked inside. The bullies were busy drinking and eating. Satish was still unconscious.

“These people doesn’t seem punctual.” David said.

“Why do they need my child?” Senthil grounded his eyes while speaking.

“Uh……… I don’t know actually. People abduct children for various reasons-”

“What fu**ing reasons?”

David maintained his own composure and replied to the person who had lost it,

         “May be to sell them in some other place, or for… carnal pleasures, or for their internals,,,, anything. But don’t worry Senthil, we won’t let anything bad to happen.

“Who are you? How did you happen to see Satish? You said you were sleeping at some bench near the washroom. You’re any hitch-hiker? Or a beggar or something?”

David was not pleased with this questioning.

         “I think it’s not important for you to think upon such things right now.”

         “No. I want to know. Everyone I saw today are strangers. The filthy people inside, you, the operator, the irresponsible conductor, everyone is a stranger. I want to know. I want to know who you are. I want to know why this all happened to me.”

David found the man hysteric. He was probably spitting out thoughts fuming in his inner mind. Anxiety had overpowered his outward demeanour. David looked into the window and ensured the scenario might not change at least for the time being.

         “My name is David. Lives,,,, or lived in a village far away from the border. Now I’m homeless, jobless, abandoned and free. Free in all senses.”

         “Why is that?”

         “My family; my brothers and mom, said they don’t want my company anymore.”

         “And why is that, tell me, why is that?”

David feared a little to say the exact truth to the misaligned Senthil. But he, in his inner mind wanted to say the lingering embers heating his brains for years; his ill fate.

         “It’s slightly lengthy. You sure about it?”

Senthil nodded without thinking.

He sat close to Senthil, smiling at his sceptical eyes, he said;

         “After my dad’s death, my elder brother took up charge of the house. My sister’s marriage was the major phenomenon in focus. As she was ‘excellent’ in studies, dowry became a mandatory in her marriage market. I had a job in public library and also helped my master in Kung-Fu classes….”

The pauses in between filled David’s heart with the colour and hue he lost in the swaying run of his life. Like the petals of a flower, they all got blew away…….

         “Our land assets; me not in the ‘our’ at present; had a dispute with the neighbour. He took advantage of dad’s death and claimed, a portion of our land was his. The boundaries were not clearly marked when he bought the land. My mom always said, I had the heart of my dad [smiles]………… He believed in words rather than papers. And so probably didn’t care separating from the neighbourhood ……………. To meet the marriage expenses, brother decided to sell half of the land. But this filthy neighbour came out with boundary conflicts and sent off the buyers. Moreover he installed new boundary piers with the local political aid, eating up our land to a substantial extent. Our family really suffered mental strain and strangles. One night brother and I decided to take out those concrete piers. It was midnight. Unfortunately, neighbour saw us. He started shouting and stormed towards us. Brother had this plow in his hand. In the reflex he hit that man on his head, and hit again in the fury. Probably he went unconscious. We ran from the place before people gathered but his wife had heard him shouting on us. Brother was married, looked after the house and sister-in-law was pregnant. Dina’s marriage was a stake to be superseded. I was young, unbounded with relations other than my mother and siblings….. A natural sacrifice one young descendant would take up for his family’s well-being…… and I was happy for that. But I didn’t knew it was the end of my bonds with family. I was not informed of my sister’s marriage, birth of my nephews or anything. Five years in jail,,,, and probably the rest of life in the jail with no bars….  SOCIETY………….. No big difference……………………………………………………………..

Slept near the washroom when felt tired. Saw your child running. Felt to help. That’s all….”

Silence embarked around them in compliance. Senthil seemed sober.

Crude combustion sounds stole their attention. Probably the hoodlums were racing some motorbike in neutrals. It was 3:15am. David stood up and saw them instructing the other two. Bhola was inspecting their surroundings. The bike moved through a narrow pathway and disappeared; rumbling sounds faded off. David stood still. The hoodlums seemed inebriated to a high. He prayed ………. Yes, he prayed after a long time, probably for Satish. Then he took the two wooden sticks he had gathered before and gave one to Senthil,

         “Keep this behind your shirt. Don’t use it until someone comes to you”

David himself kept it behind his shirt loosely. He took a stone approximately weighing 10kg. He looked at Senthil. He eyed in conformance. They stepped aback and threw the stone with enough force to break the window of their vision into innumerable shatters. The deafening voice startled both the hoodlums; one of them falling from his chair to hurt himself. Other man looked around in commotion and saw two men running towards him. He tried sprinting for his metals but the spirits dispirited his spontaneity. David reprised his Kung-Fu agility and in a trice, he took the wooden stick and broke it into two using the hoodlum’s head. Senthil; awestruck, covered his head and shouted in shock.

         “You creep! Get your child and start running ……”

The other rookie hardly stood up when David clobbered his upper thighs with a Tibetan kick.

         “Are they dead?” Senthil asked.

         “Nah. I hate jail. Now just RUN!!!!!!!!!!”

Dribbling footsteps filled the street-light-deprived road. Senthil panted like a dog carrying his enfeebled son and David ran looking into the extents on all sides to see if they were being noticed. He was not sure if they had escaped from all. Humming sounds of truck horns and slight traces of lights invoked a relief in their hearts. They were not alone. They reached the main road. A tea stall was open. They walked towards it slowly.

         “Satish!!! Satish!! Son!! Are you okay my child? Satish!!!”

Sprinkling drops of water on Satish’s face, Senthil tried to wake him. David was examining if the boy had any external wounds.

         “Err………………mmm……………….” Satish muttered in tire.

         “Let him sleep well now. He’s not wounded, I guess. Better get to your place ASAP and take him for an internal check-up…. Chetta, when will the next bus to Bangalore reach here?”

         “You won’t get bus directly from here till 8. Better have some tea and snacks from here and then take the bus to Kovai at 4:15am. From there, Bangalore buses are available at any time.”          The stall owner said.

David slid his hands along the boy’s head. Breeze did the same along his head. Milieu was fine. Peace surrounded them. They felt it in unison; everything is fine.

         “So that’s it. Get the bus to Coimbatore. Have something from here, and also take something parcelled in case Satish woke up in midway. Take good care of him. Also be careful while eating food from outside. Don’t spoil your stomach. [laughs]. And say my regards to his mom.”

Senthil smiled. His smile conveyed a gratitude inexpressible through words. They both hugged together. Then they had tea and hot ‘rotti’ made of rice flour and parcelled up some.

4:10am.

They waited for the bus to come. Senthil took his visiting card from the wallet and gave to David.

         “I have an upholstery production and marketing unit at Bangalore..; in the downtown. I actually need a…..good, person to help me manage these. I would like you to come and….. be my aid….. What you say? “

David took the card and smiled. He smiled whole-heartedly; for he saw someone showing a piece of care towards him. He kept smiling without replying.

Horns of the bus came into their auras; with the stall owner bellowing at them to wave at the bus to stop. David stood at middle of the road and waved wider. He talked to the conductor and came running towards Senthil.

         “It’s all clear. Good to go my friend. Take care and reach safe.”

         “Okay David. Come to Bangalore. We’ll be waiting. Bye.”

         “Bye.”

David waved them off.

He looked at the visiting card in his hand. Without thinking, he tore them into pieces. He could see a new relation was building up with him and Senthil……… David was not ready to make the mistakes of his life again……… There existed a fine, commendable bonhomie in his heart with Senthil; and he didn’t want to impair the same. He apologized to the day’s friend and started walking in the opposite direction. David already decided in his mind, not to make any relations that existed for long,

For,

      He didn’t want to scapegoat himself for earning the myths… love & care….

He moved on, serving himself again for the goodness of others; expecting nothing but humanity, in return. 

………………………………………………..END……………………………………………………

Lama signing out…….

YARNS OF LAMA-8

                          

                                                                  ABEL

          





          “I don’t want this baby … “;

          “What? “; Lalitha was already tired after traveling to the dispensary.

          “I don’t want this baby ! … “; Abel repeated his words with air throttling at the tip of his lungs ..

          “Are you mad ??? ….. Why would you say that ?? .. “ ;

Abel sat at the doorsteps suppressing the rage radiating all over his body. He was adorable,, a well grown, fair lad but in those awkward facial expression he looked a typical Indian .

Lalitha didn’t care to ask again. She lied on the bed trying a catnap before dinner.

          “ Why you want a child now ?? You’ve me right ?. That’s enough. Get rid of this baby … “;

Standing at the door, he said curtly without looking into her face. Lalitha got up from her repose, caring not to jerk her stomach and said calmly,

          “Son, don’t say such blasphemous things. Children are God-given lineage. We’re not supposed to destroy them. Creation and destruction is God’s right. We cannot take over his job. “;

          “But Manni Aunty told me there is a powder with prophetess that decimates the fetus inside your stomach before fifth month of gestation. It won’t harm your health; I reassured… “;

Lalitha got red with fury , at the thought how despicably cruel her son was …

            “Abel …!!!! , stop talking rubbish. How can you think of such Godforsaken crime ??? You are willing to banish your younger brother or sister !! … Do you realize that ?? ………. . . . .

And that busty, shit-face Manni , , , , her cunt is stuffed with chicken-shit and she can’t carry a child … . . Don’t heed to her stinky mouth my child , , That witch only spits shit …

Why son ???? Why you want to get rid of the baby ??? All love to have young ones to play. A cute, little infant who will you forever . . . even after my death .. What if I spoiled you in my womb itself ??? Do think about that before you think too much .. “;

          “ But  . . .. But it is not born to an Englishman like me …. “;

His reply struck her like a killer-wave ,,, leaving her dumbstruck…

          “It is either born from  that dingy Panwaala or to that hopeless, ugly Madraasi … …Uncle said to me so when I asked who made you pregnant . I don’t want such a brother or sister . It’ll be surely black and hideous, , with ugly eyes and foul mouth . Chiiiii . I’ll be damned in this village, all have started teasing me . . . helllll . . . I won’t love that godforsaken child a bit; you better realize that …..  “;

   Slamming the door hard hard on the wall, he marched out leaving his pregnant mother weeping at her bed ….

He went directly to the podium near Sarpaanch’s office. The sky was filled with stars, thousands of them ; bestriding a bright crescent of the Moon. He looked at them with eyes watered due to an emotion still unfathomable to him. He wiped of the tears and started counting. The latest digit he learnt from Sarpaanch was ‘78’ ; he still doubted its pronunciation … , chebanti eight or chedanti eight …….. Cautiously he counted them to reach his target, trying hard to suppress the lingering thoughts,, . . ..  but in midway the tears again blocked his vision turning the whole sky into a pale blue blotch . . .

It was Manni aunty who said him the history of his birth ..,

           “ Chokree …. You are so white in complexion because your gene is from an Englishman. In our village, English customers come once in a bluemoon, when they are misguided by escorts or when their pocket goes thinner, but still they want to fuck..  That man, your father; a tall, slender, handsome kirk, wearing a hat, and shorts, and dangling a costly camera in his neck; came by chance. He asked the guide for ‘lassi’ but that guide.. a Malayali dork , thought he was asking for a ‘pussy’ .. He brought him to your uncle. As we treat our customers with lassi, your English Daddy was happy and when your mother’s cleavage came to his eyes, your uncle had to bolt the door from outside.. “;

Abel couldn’t control his giggle. History of ‘ABEL ANGREZZI’ .. he thought. He also heard about his father; eavesdropping to the goose-talk between his mother’s colleagues ,

            “ Lalitha didn’t leave that angrezzi for 4 hours.. She was afraid if anyone of us would snatch him….  Bosediii,,,  She is such a parsimonious slattern. I wanted to see at least his pink penis .. “;

            “ How you know his dick was pink?? “; another trout asked ,

            “ I know… All angrezzis have pink penis. Not like those black ugly rubber of local buggers.. “;

           “ Did she say anything about him?? About his strength or something ?? “;

          “ Yeah …. She said he’s a stallion. His stamina is like a horse’s . . . He had a penis similar to an iron rod,,, and he took her in her hands and then pressed hers into his . . .. . Aaaahhh it was then the condom tore and the semen flushing her cunt.. “

          “ No way !!!!!!!  “;     Sheela..; one big buxom, jerked her body in astonishment.

          “ Yes….. she said so .. Also,, you know,, the man was a little jerk. He poured whiskey at her body and lipped it from there… But she said it was her favorite moment .. “;

          “Mata-ji ….!!!! , when am I going to get such a hunk???? “;  … . . . . .

. . . . . .

Abel had found himself proud from all these talks. He floated above all, fascinated of his father. He had no wish to see him or to get cared by him . Only the identity was more than enough . . , , in his village,, Natpurwa ; a remote, illiterate village in West of Lucknow. Most of the boys and girls here, were fatherless, and alike ,,, black, undernourished, pale-eyed figures . Their mothers, mother’s mothers and their female ancestors had only one single choice of occupation,, bestowed to them by the existing ritual system ,, PROSTITUTION . . They were one among the last descendants of the devadaasis, who were lend to the king or landlords by their husbands ; if existed , or by their fathers and brothers as a token of their homage. The fealty; a bond between the servile and the served; was strengthened through the vulvas of females in their homes . . .

Later, in the progress of country and people, most of the clan went into redemption, migrating to newer places and finding newer jobs ; impregnating themselves into a new lifestyle. But Natpurwa stood defiant against the change; holding their culture and rituals close to their heart and rekindling the dying sexual desires of Indian bourgeoisie alive …..

Regular customers were the policemen , minions of local political parties and middle aged neighboring villagers ; coming to the bordello-hamlet irrespective of day or night. Customers came to Natpurwa and had their surges expressed, while the villagers welcomed them; obliged to their existence considering them as the 21^st century equivalents of the old Kings or landlords . . . .

Women empowerment activists tried to retrieve the lives of their sisters and once, even launched a huge procession to Natpurwa with the Delhi CM in charge. It could pause the merchandise for a month. But when villagers complained about negligence of their culture, and an imminent poverty, the authorities diverted their POV to Aasiyan crises and Kalmaadi scam . In a country like India, negligence was easily acquainted with forgetfulness . . .

In such a hell was Abel. But he; like most other people of Natpurwa, was unaware of what happened outside the village, and knew no bread other than whoring. The females of Natpurwa rented themselves , while the males handled the accounts ; irrespective of their relation; mother, sister, daughter, wife … whatever,, the males were customized to pimp females by their culture. Lalitha was pimped by her brother; Laloo who had slowly started acquainting Abel into their clan-business, as his daughter was nearing puberty. He might not be able to take upon the charge of both. And he was anxious about the forthcoming sibling of Abel; everyday he went to Mata-ji’s temple, stuffed coins in the ‘bhandaar’ praying the omnipresence to give his sister , a girl child ….. because in Natpurwa ,, Girl means prosperity..

          “ Abel betta … Abel betta .. . . look who has come ?? !! Betta …??. “;

Sarpaanch jolted Abel at his grey head, who slept on the podium the whole night. When he opened the eyes, he saw his pregnant Mom with a boy similar to himself. At once he thought he was dreaming but in a trice he saw himself elated, recognizing the boy …..

     ‘ Shyaaammmm !!!!!!!   Ramila Aunty’s Shyaam !!!!!!!! ‘ ;

Abel jumped from his slouch and hugged him squeakily, 

          “ My pal …… “;                 He muttered in those drowsy lips ..

They ate Rumaal roti with mattar kheema;one of Lalitha’s best prep; Ramila looked fatter since she left, and Abel could see her face graceful with exuberant make-up. Her husband wore white kurtha and white pants, flaunting the attire code of his party. Shyaam had become chubbier and fairer….

He was Abel’s only true pal since childhood. When his instinctive pride and jealousy from other contemporary infants towards a Fathered boy, alienated him in his childhood, Shyam came with helping hands like a Guardian Angel enacting a perfect buddy of abel’s taste. When their mothers made money, they both played together, waited together, and got hungry together till one of their mothers got recess for cooking the meal.

Their well-bred bond was broken when the man-in-ehites came to fuck Ramila. He was then, a minion of BSP in the local area; the rulers of Lucknow for a few consecutive years. He fell in love with the whore’s cunt and then finally with the heart, but when he asked her hand to her father, He eas ill-treated; beaten up, and thrown out of the village. Ramila’s lament was answered by Mata-ji when at the same night, her man came and took her, with the extant son , Shyam, after retaliating with his party henchmen…

It was the fifth month after the elope occurred and the party-man had rose to higher echelons in the commune..; he was the P.A of the current M.L.A. Natpurwians had to get into truce with him and their bonhomie visit after a long time back to the village, meant the same….

         “Lalitha, we are taking father  with us. He is going old and with no me, he can’t get a penny here. My man didn’t a bit at first, but yesterday my father went to him and cried holding his feet . . . . .   

Shyam is still reluctant to accept  this recall;  he still hates his grandfather . But he heeds  to his new father. They are a good couple . . . . I’m happy now, Lalitha!!! …”;

Abel saw Ramila’s eyes brim with water. He knew it was out of an emotion . . . .  palliation . .

          “Abel . . . , are you coming to town with us ??? “;

The words pushed Abel into a reverie. In his 14 years of life, he had not yet crossed the boundaries of his Neanderthal hamlet. He looked his mother and saw a complaisant smile, saying “ GO MY SON, you won’t get such calls often .. “;

He got into         a  strange contraption on wheels that he had seen only on roads. Inside the vehicle he felt too chilling and the Dolby music pierced into his ears. Ramila smiled on seeing his childish pump-ups; something she saw in her son few months ago . . .

          “Life outside our village is very different, Abel. Now I go to school where a lot of children group up. We write, read, play together, and ate golas….. its like a world of kids. Though other mates in class are younger, they form a good commune . . There is T>V at home, and you can see Amitabh Bachhan movies at least ‘5’ times a week, . Also cricket  . . .

In the flat where I’m living, few boys are there who talk only in ANGREZZI . . . They deride me a lot, but you know, I’ve started learning it and one day, will supersede them. Also- “;

  The happy blabbers of Shyam continued and Abel silently heard, buttoning his lips. He felt both, jealous and marooned, and felt miles away from his friend sitting beside. He wished if his father had rescued his mother . . .

Returning to the car after a big banquet, the man in whites called Abel close, that Shyam couldn’t see them ,

He gave him three crispy thousand rupee notes and said ;

          “There is a Govt school in Mirzapur and they don’t take fee, but also give free lunch. You must go there from next June . . . .

I’ll say to the headmaster. Save this money for those stuffs you need, , , slate, pencil, whatever … “;

The hand kept on his shoulder surpassed a hatching warmth to Abel's heart; a paternal oversight, something he never experienced . . . . 


Waving them off, Abel cried ...,,,,, He didn't know why ..  . . . . ..  , , , ,   Was it for Shyam ? Was it for that caring man ?? ... or was it a downpour of emotions out of unanswered questions he darted towards God ????????????? .......


Few days passed ... and the day had come ... 
                                             DELIVERY DATE ....

The midwife predicted the baby would come by noon and Abel's house was packed with mother-whores. Laloo had bought jalebis and laddoos from Mirzapur and waited for the godly moment. He shouted loud to the elders , 

           " It ll be a girl !!. Mata-ji came to my dream yesterday and said she'll be the auspice of our family's prosperity . Also today morning Mata-ji sent a GOMATHA to my home in morning !!  What more !!!!! Good riddance !!!!! ";

Abel sat at the podium and peered his populated house. For the last few days he stayed away from home ; coming only for lunch & dinner. He hated the elderly aura surrounding his mother , and their chatterboxes full of hot air. He was also in a cold war with his mother as Lalitha didn't heed to his behest . 

          "I care this baby not a bit less than you .. "; she had said him blatantly.

Seeing everybody busy and delightfully agile for something he hated much , Abel found himself choking and alien. . 

     ' I hate this place ...... hate this life .. '.

Suddenly Manni Aunty came out the front door, panting ; 

          " The baby is coming !!!!! . ..  baby is coming .... ";

Two more ladies entered the house, slamming the door with a deafening sound. . . .   All fell into silence ...... Laloo walked back and forth in short stroke lengths, chanting some unknown watchwords and counting beads off a newly bought pearl chain .. 
Abel found himself tensed ..... Might be the concern for his mother ,,,,, No ... it was not that ..,,, there was something more . . 

Minutes of uncertainty passed and the air trespassed mourns of Lalitha, reverberating it like an owl's hoot . . 

And then . . . . . . . 

 . . ..  the news came . . . . 

It was the same Manni aunty who broke the silence . . 

          " Badaai-Ho Lalooji . . . !!!!!! Badaai Ho ...!!!!     its a boy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  . A cute, fluffy tad just like his brother . .Lalitha is perfectly fine .., Mata-ji's blessings have been always with her .... ....
Abel !!!!!! Come here son ... ,    there is a little pup for you . . . .. You won't take your eye once you see him . . . ";

Abel hesitated first , but when he saw his all other boys and girls rushing into his house, he couldn't resist his invoice, he couldn't neglect his levity from the lingering tension....................... The words, ' cute like his brother' echoed in his mind . 

     'She must be boasting ......        .... is he fair ?? ';

          "Come fast you sisterfucker... ";  his friends pushed him forward . 


The women were singing an ancient folklore praising Lord Rama, marking the beginning of a new era, that cried delicately with that neonatal charisma . 

          " Give way to the brother . . . . Let him see the Kumar ... ";          Manni Aunty made way for Abel . 

When the heads and buttocks moved for him, in the hands of his aunt, he saw a chunk of creamy butter slightly smiting its hands up and down ..... The tiny fists held the fingers close and the eyes, deliberately shut in hesitation of the new light never found inside the mother's womb. Abel couldn't believe his eyes !!!!!! ,,. except for the strands of black hair on the tiny head, the baby looked exactly like him,,, a CARBON COPY .... Instinctively he squatted near the baby and took him in his hands. The cotton like skin tickled his fingers and the teeny legs stroked his chest infrequently. He pecked him on the forehead, dwelling his lips for a few seconds; passing the warmth and calling in silent voices ,, " CHOTTU ...... ";

Lalitha opened her eyes for the first time since delivery, and saw the most blessed vignette, she thought would never happen . . . . 
She thanked Mata-ji wuth eyes brimming in joy . . . 
Abel couldn't fathom the reason why his neonate bro looked so fair. He could do the best guess that the Madraasi or the Panwaala , ,  his father had got black skin due to sun-burns or UV bleach . . 

            " You both are like Luv and Kush ,,,,, children of the omnipotent himself .... ";

     'Yeah it made sense.. ' ; Abel voted the midwife.

            " Mother , from next year I want to go school in Mirzapur. When he grows big I'll take him too . You must agree ,,,,, and you must say uncle .. ";

Lalitha nodded her head.

Outside, Laloo was heartbroken. He didn't move inside to see the new nephew but was reckoning the money of sweets and the losses in future . An oldie said to him ;

            "Laloo , , when your nephew grows big, you can retire from your works . Your girl can be under him then . Don't be upset laude .. ";

            " Hmmm .... ";

Laloo hummed and nodded his head, looking at his daughter , who gave away the sweets . 

After a long series of crying , the baby boy opened its eyes. . It first saw Abel and bulged the tiny eyeballs in utter amazement , and then touching his pink cheeks . . .  . . . smiling like an angel . . . 


     For life to go on in Natpurwa, the only capital needed is HOPE . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .        . . . . . . . . . . . .  ...................  ....... .............................................................................. .................... A hope of more customers, and more and more money. . . . . 
                     Life goes on here,,,,,,, with small joys like Abel's , interloping the hellish life , , , , ,  like a rain in the desert  . . . . . . . . . . . . . 



                                                                                                 LAMA SIGNING OUT . .