The train journey

Rohit was tired after the long journey from the Kashmir border to Srinagar and then to Delhi. He was still in his informal fatigue and wished to catch some sleep before the train reached Gwalior. Luckily he had the window seat to recline. There were still five minutes for the train to start. He stretched his legs and closed his eyes.

“Excuse me. Let me keep my luggage on the loft. These two seats next to you belong to us," an elderly but short man said. His wife who was taller than him was standing beside him with two heavy bags in her hand.

“Let me help you. Give me the boxes and bags,” Rohit said

“Thanks a lot. It would have been anyway difficult for me to reach the loft," he said with a giggle.”We are going up to Bhopal. Are you also travelling to the same place?”

“No, I am travelling up to Gwalior.”

“You seem to be an army man from your dress. My son is also in army in artillery somewhere in Kashmir. He should have been here with us .We have finalized the marriage of his sister. We are going there for that purpose. Other family members and relatives along with my daughter have left by train earlier. My son had sent a message through someone that he cannot come due to exigencies of work and asked us to go ahead with the wedding." the old man spoke nonstop.

"I am sorry to hear that he could not come. What is his name? Any idea where he is presently?"

"Sohan. Unlike me he is a tall chap six foot with curly hair and sharp nose. I don't know the exact place. Some place called Uri or some such name. Would you know him by any chance?"

"Did you say Sohan...Sohan Gupta? Does he have a black mole below his lip on the chin?"

"Yes, right you are..He has the mole and a deep scar on his temple he sustained from injury while playing as a young boy. Do you know him?"

Instead of replying Rohit turned his head towards the window to see the station passing by as the train slowly started moving. The elderly man was waiting eagerly for Rohit to turn back. When he continued to look outside even after the station was left behind, the man coughed gently to draw his attention.

As Rohit paid no heed, the man asked him "You haven't replied whether you know my son. But you were right about the mole on his chin. How is it he could not get leave when you have been given?"

“I don't know him personally. I have seen him in the mess a few times. That was a few months back. I got leave only for a week as my dad is having heart surgery. Sorry, I am very sleepy as I have been traveling," Rohit said and stretched himself on his seat

The man mumbled something to his wife.

Rohit with his eyes closed was recollecting his close friend Sohan telling him about two weeks back how eagerly he was looking forward to attend his sister's marriage as his leave was sanctioned. Thoughts about him and their friendship slowly waned as he dozed off to sleep.

He woke up with a jerk when the man next to him nudged him to inform that the train was entering Gwalior station

“Thanks uncle for waking me up. I was very tired and fell asleep”

“I have one request. When you meet Sohan next, please ask him to write to us. It is nearly a  fortnight since we got to hear from him. We are worried at his unusual silence. I am happy to have met you. I shall pray for your dad’s well being,” the man said as he shook his hands.

After getting down, Rohit lingered by the door, where the elderly man stood, till the train slowly departed. Waving his hand at the receding figure, Rohit stood still unable to control the tears from his eyes. He had not the heart to tell Sohan’s parents, especially on the eve of their daughter’s barat, that he was the one who had sent the message about Sohan’s inability to come. How could he tell them that their son was critically injured  from a terrorist attack two weeks back and that he is battling for his life? He could only pray for a divine miracle.

Truth prevails

The board outside announcing that the store was hiring hands was godsend as he was roaming the streets in search of a job. Someone in the shop collected his name and address in a chit. In a few moments Kartik stood perspiring before the owner of ‘Vinayaka’, an air conditioned departmental store.

“Where were you working earlier and why did you leave the job?” asked the owner.

He knew a truthful answer would certainly not fetch him the job. The thought of his starving family troubled his mind. However, he was determined not to lie come what may.

He gulped the saliva and said “I was not working anywhere for more than two years.”

“Why? You do not seem to be in good circumstances to be without a job. Aren’t you married?”

“I am, Sir. I have a wife and a son. My aged mother is also with me”

“You have not answered my first question. Were you idling your time for two years or do you not wish to reveal the name of your previous employer?”

“It is not like that. To be frank, I was in jail for two years and was released six months back. I have been searching for a job since then without any luck”

He was interrupted by owner who said “Who will give a job to a criminal? I am sorry I cannot also.”

“I understand, Sir, but I wish to say I am no criminal. It was my destiny that I was falsely accused for a crime I was not even aware of”

“What do you mean? That is what everyone tells”

“I was travelling in a crowded bus and a seat was about to fall vacant. When I lunged for it, a man asked why I was pushing him and that he was not going to occupy the seat. I thanked him and sat in the seat. Within minutes there was a commotion and a scream from an elderly man that his pocket was picked and people saw the man who was talking to me escaping through the front exit. Someone said he had seen the culprit talking to me and the conductor saw the empty wallet under my legs. Despite my pleading that he was a stranger and he must have dropped the wallet by my side, I was handed over to the police. After beating me blue I was put in jail.Trust me, Sir, I have never indulged in crime in my life nor uttered a lie. My family is starving. Kindly help me. I swear by what I told you,”Kartik said.

“What you say may be true. I have no means of verifying it. But I am not in a position to take a risk and employ you,”  the owner said curtly and escorted him outside the store himself.

He had hardly moved ten steps, he heard a loud cry from a middle aged woman “Stop the cycle, he had snatched my chain” It took no time for Kartik to stand in the front of a speeding cycle and push the cyclist down even as he also fell down. The chain snatcher whipped a knife but was overpowered by other passersby. The chain was safely restored to the woman who profusely thanked Kartik for his resourcefulness and bravery.

Limping back home, he told his wife “No luck today also, dear. I found a place offering jobs but the stigma seems hard to erase.”

“Never mind. I have hot gruel ready. Do not lose heart. God will answer our prayers as you have done no wrong,” she consoled him.

An hour later a young boy in his teens was at their door asking ‘I am from Vinayaka stores. Is there any Kartik here? My owner wants him immediately.”

“I am Kartik. Do you have any idea why he wants me?”

“No Sir. Please come along with me in the scooter. He is waiting.”

When he was ushered into the owner’s room, he smiled at Kartik and said “I have since changed my mind. You can come for work from tomorrow as part of our security. I trust you fully. You will get uniform in two days. Give measurements before you go. Take these thousand rupees and buy provisions.”

Taken by surprise and not knowing what brought about this change in him, he said with tears flowing from his eyes “Only about an hour ago, you sent me away suspecting my integrity and now you are not only employing me but as security. My prayers to God have not been in vain”

“I judged you wrongly. Luckily and very soon I had a proof of your helping nature when you left my store. A compassionate man can never be a criminal. I was watching the incident from the store. Incidentally that lady is my wife.”

Easy money

There was a nip in the air with the full moon shining brightly on the clear sky. Kapali was returning to Chennai in his empty mini-truck after dropping a load at Hosur. Humming a film song after a scrumptious meal at Krishnagiri, he seemed in no hurry. He switched on the recorder, lighted a cigarette and drove for an hour,

He saw at a distance two men waving their hands to stop the vehicle. There was a big bundle beside them. Thinking they needed a lift with the prospect of some easy money, he stopped the vehicle.

“This is our relative who fell from terrace by accident and died on the spot. He hails from Gudiyatham.We will pay you 500 rupees if you can hand over this bundle containing his body to two members of his family who would be waiting on the highway as you near Gudiyattham.They would have a lantern for easy identification. Can you please help us in this emergency?”

Though afraid to carry an unknown body, the lure of money tempted him to agree but he reveled at the prospect of extracting more from these village folks.

“I do not carry dead bodies for the risk involved. It is against company rules to carry unauthorized goods. But considering the urgency, the late hour and his waiting family members, I agree if you are willing to pay me 750 rupees and one of you accompany the bundle,” said Kapali.

They looked at each other for a while. One of them said “We agree to pay the amount you demanded but we cannot travel with you as we have urgent work here. We will leave early morning by bus. Our relatives would be there waiting for you. Please help us”

Kapali refused and required lot of persuasion

He finally said “I will not take a dead body without someone responsible for it accompanying me. What if the two men who are supposed to receive the body do not turn up? I would be burdened and stranded with a dead body in hand. There is a lot of risk involved in this business. Considering the urgency, I do not mind if you pay me 2000 rupees.”

“Our relatives would surely be there. Do not worry” they said in unison. They reluctantly paid the sum he demanded before placing the covered bundle on the rear of the truck.

Richer by 2000 bucks, Kapali was happy thinking that in two hours he would be relieved of the burden. He drove for some distance and stopped the truck for emptying his full bladder.

As he returned to his seat, he felt a very slight movement of the truck. Wondering what could be the reason, he felt the movement again. He looked behind through the opening to see whether the bundle was intact. His blood froze and sweat broke out on his forehead when he saw the bundle shaking violently as if trying to free itself. How can a dead body move? Was he imagining himself he wondered and pinched himself hard? It was clear that whoever was presumed to be dead is in fact alive. He got down and opened the cloth covering the body. There was a middle aged man bloodied all over with both limbs tied and covered in plastic sheet. He was seen trying to extricate himself. Luckily the man had not suffocated to death thanks to shoddy packing that left an opening near his face.

Kapali quickly removed the cloth cover and the plastic sheet. He untied his hands and legs and tried in vain to make him sit. The man was injured all over the body with a gash on his head. He seemed critically injured and needed immediate medical attention. After swallowing some water that Kapali poured in his mouth, the man opened his eyes.

“I was told by two men that you had died instantly after a fall from a height and that I should hand you over to your relatives who would be waiting at Gudiyatham.Luckily you are not dead and need to be rushed to a hospital nearby”

“Those two men were evil. They beat me up with rods when I went to collect the long pending dues from them. There was no accident or a fall. They tried to kill me and possibly thought I was dead. I have none at Gudiyatham.I belong to Bangalore” he spoke haltingly with great difficulty and almost inaudibly.

When Kapali told him that he would first inform the police at Gudiyatham and thereafter admit him in a hospital, he nodded his head and said “Thank you. I am feeling very sleepy. Please hurry”

Kapali pressed the accelerator not to lose valuable time and stopped only when he reached the police station. He ran inside and luckily saw the Inspector still there with two constables.

He narrated the event as it took place and said “The man is outside in the truck. I must rush him to the hospital as his condition seems critical. Meanwhile please try to nab the two wicked men at Krishnagiri”

“Let me talk to the injured man first and verify the veracity of your statement, “said the inspector as he came out..

Kapali touched the injured man who lay with his eyes closed and spoke to  him loudly, “The inspector is here. Please tell him quickly what you told me as I have to take you to the hospital”

The man did not reply. Kapali tried to wake him up again from his drowsiness. There was no movement to his great worry. He repeatedly asked him to open his eyes and tell the inspector. But the man lay inert.

The inspector turned the injured man’s head towards him when the head fell on its side. The inspector felt at his nostrils for breath and his pulse. He looked accusingly at Kapali and said “The man is dead.”

With a dead body on his hand and with no proof for his statements other than the only person who could corroborate already dead, Kapali started crying “I am innocent, Sir” even as he was rudely pushed inside the station. The inspector had a smirk on his face as the constable pulled out the bundle of 2000 rupees from Kapali’s pocket.

The elevator

It was around 5pm and the offices in that tall 14 floor building were closing. There were long lines before the elevators in each floor of people wanting to reach home early before the evening traffic snarls. All eyes were on the panel indicating  the floor where lifts were at any point of time. There were three elevators on this wing and one of them was out of order thus adding to the number waiting.

One of the lifts started at the 14^th floor and was cruising down up to eighth floor without stopping midway. Suddenly it got stuck slightly above the seventh floor. The waiting people became restless as they heard the thuds of the passengers in the lift.

Someone from seventh floor shouted “Press the emergency. How many of you are there? Any operator inside?”

“We did. It is not moving. We are just two. No operator. No light too” a female voice answered.

“We have alerted the security. The mechanics are expected. Take care. Is the other one a female like you?”

Thanks.No.I am scared to be caught like this” said the female voice.

“Do not worry. We are here” assured the nameless voice from seventh floor.

Suddenly there was loud noise of someone knocking on the sides of elevator and sounds of shuffling and movement.

All ears were tuned to the noises

“Don’t touch me. I warn you” screeched the female voice

“No, no. Take your hands off me, you rogue. I will lodge police complaint” shrieked the female.

There was a nonchalant giggle and vague noises of reply.

“Help, help. I am being groped in the dark by a wicked person. Please get the lift operated immediately. I beg of you’ shouted the voice

“Hey mister, keep your hands off her. We are more than twenty here waiting to teach you a lesson. I warn you not to mess with her” said the voice from seventh floor.

There was a loud shriek followed by frantic appeals that faded into long silence. One could hear only muffled sobs.

The people on the seventh and sixth floor who could hear were highly agitated.

Someone in the crowd asked “Are you safe, madam? Your silence is bothering us”

Someone called 100 to get the police. More calls were made to get the mechanic post haste.

It was clear some evil person is trying to take advantage of the situation and molest the poor female caught alone in the lift. Seething in anger and shock, they were waiting to punch and box him before handing over to the police.

The long delay for the mechanics to reach and the total silence made them worry whether the worst had happened. All their warnings and admonitions were met with stony silence.

There was a great relief when the mechanics arrived and hurriedly fixed the problem. There was no reply to their query whether the light had come. The lift slowly came down nonstop to 7,6,5,4,3,2,1, and G. A big crowd had gathered. Policemen near the elevator entrance asked the onlookers to move aside.

After what was an interminable excruciating wait, out came a young man and young woman hand in hand smiling at the onlookers. While the waiting persons looked with shock and disbelief, a policeman asked the female, “Do you have any complaints to make against this man, madam”

“What, a complaint against my husband. We are Mr. and Mrs. Swaroop,actors,” she replied with a laugh

The man added “We wished to turn the unexpected mishap into a Hitchcock experience for all the waiting persons and an acting diversion for us to pass the time. Sorry folks, if we had caused you some worry. I am sure the happy conclusion should make the experience worth the while.”

The temple bell

Dingdong, dingdong, dingdingdong…dingdong, dingdong, dingdingdong…. rang sonorously the temple bell situated at the top of gopuram (tower) as Aadhi repeatedly pulled the rope in a manner perfected by years of practice. With no discordant note, there was certain pleasing rhythm and blissful music in the ringing. To the trained ear however the bell seemed to produce the long strains of Aum.The loud peals that echoed around the four main streets surrounding the temple and beyond alerted the residents of the puja time in the temple. The bell rang several times in a day.

Neither a village nor a town, it was something in between in size boasting of its temple as the only one in the vicinity and its main attraction. The beauty of the Presiding Deity and His consort, and the famed power ascribed to the god in alleviating chronic ailments drew many devotees from outside the place too. The temple was not rich and had bequests just enough to carry out the daily rituals.

Aadhi, a frail middle aged man inherited this job from his father upon his premature death. The remuneration was low but carried the perk of free accommodation adjacent to the temple as he also did the duty of security when he was not ringing the bell. On most days he got at midday the food from the temple kitchen. But this was not adequate for his family of wife and two kids. With his school going children growing up, he found the income hardly adequate even for the basic needs. His salary remained stagnant with the temple itself in bad straits.

But Aadhi did not consider this a job but as a family privilege to serve the lord through the bell. Like the Chakra and Conch that adorned the Lord, the temple bell to him had also the same divinity. He often spoke to the bell when alone confiding his travails and felt his burden had lightened.

“What are you going to do about the school fees for the children? The last date is already over. If we do not pay in a week they will be sent away” lamented his wife Kumudha, when he went home one day late for dinner.

“I don’t know who to ask but know for sure no one in this town will advance me money. It is temple festival starting from tomorrow for three days. I will try to find some help thereafter. Do not worry. I will seek the help of my master, the bell, whom I have served diligently for years to take my case with the Lord. He will never let me down” he said with trusting faith. With nothing better to suggest, his wife kept quiet with a wry smile at the credulity of her husband.

That night as he lay on the bench near the entrance to the temple, he could not sleep. He looked up at the big bell and uttered in plaintive tone” Have I not served you well all these years? Have I taken holiday even once? Even in fever or pain I have always served you to my best. Yet when I am in difficulties to whom I can go for help? I cannot directly access God except through a master. You have been my master and still you remain a silent witness to my suffering. Please plead for me to God” He was praying continuously till sleep embraced him.

Next day morning the temple wore a festive look. Aadhi was near the gate where the rope hung tolling the bell with gusto. The brass plated dwajasthamba (flagstaff) close to the entrance shone in golden colour.Devotees started coming to the temple. The children stood near him watching him ringing the bell with zest, Devotees too at the dwajasthamba lingered to hear the joyful sound of the bell in great rhythm.

It was then a short man, strange looking with a conical head and broad hips, stopped near Aadhi and watched him keenly at his work. The crowd around now started looking alternately at the strange man and Aadhi working at the bell. Aadhi was oblivious to the former’s presence till the short man placed a brass vessel on Aadhi’s bench that was adjacent to him and put a ten rupee coin to the surprise of the gathered devotees. The sound of falling coin drew the attention of also those depositing coins in the temple hundi adjacent to the flagstaff. They too dropped coins and notes in the brass vessel.

By evening the vessel had a sizable collection. Aadhi did not know to whom this money belonged. He went to the senior priest who knew his pitiable condition for advice.

“Aadhi, the devotees drop their offerings at the temple hundi and also on the plates after we show the aarti.The latter is shared by the priests. Likewise whatever is given to you is yours. Thank God for his blessings”

The strange conical headed man came all the three days and dropped a coin first to be followed by the visiting devotees. Each day Aadhi collected a tidy amount to the glee of his wife and children.

On the third day, when he saw the short man, Aadhi approached him with folded hands and said “Sir, I do not know who you are. I have been here for years. No one has ever paid me. It was only after your gesture that people have started dropping money in the vessel you placed on my bench. Can you please tell me what made you to be so kind to me?”

The short man just smiled and said “I did it to shore up your faith.”

“Did you mean shore up my faith? I do not understand. I have never seen you earlier. Do you live in this town?” said Aadhi

He just smiled and said “Yes. I live here only like you for years” before he abruptly left leaving Aadhi confused.

Aadhi affirmed to Kumudha his strong belief that his benefactor was none else than the divine bell in disguise while she still wore her wry smile.

The new found thrill

Keshav and Kamli were anything but a ‘made for each other couple’. She was an extrovert, fun loving and gregarious while he was an introvert, a loner and a staid type. She loved eating out, fond of many cuisines and  especially new and esoteric dishes while he always preferred traditional home made food. She loved friends and kitty parties, and was fond of travel. He avoided parties and was a home bird. She loved watching films while he dozed away in cinema halls. She was a great fan of Shreya Ghosal and Sonu Nigam while he liked only Carnatic music. She loved Soccer and had a crush on Messi, and Keshav was no sports person. But the silver lining despite all these differences was that they deeply loved each other.

One Sunday as they were sipping tea at the balcony, he was nibbling with his iPhone. Kamli broke the silence.

“I had great expectations from the marriage. But I never expected even in my dream of such a dull life. We are married for three years. Search your heart and tell me whether you had surprised me even once with an outing to a far off place for my birthday. Am I asking you for a hot balloon ride at a hilly resort that my friend R got from her hubby as a surprise gift?”

“It is not like that, dear. You know my office and the work they have heaped on me. Believe me, it is want of time and nothing more.”

“Phew! Just try to tickle your mind to remember of any gift given for our wedding anniversary. I am not asking for a gorgeous dress. You could at least take me to a local restaurant. You do not even take me for a long drive along the beach,let alone thrilling me. You haven’t even shocked me once doing something different from your insipid routine,”she bemoaned

“I am sorry, Kamli. What you say is possibly true. I am not giving excuses but the pressure of office work is too much. But I have given you total freedom to do what pleased you and never questioned you on what you did or where you went. I have given you a vehicle and enough money,”Keshav said in his defense.

“Who wants your car and money? Sad, you know nothing about what a woman seeks”

“It did not strike me that you get carried away by the outward demonstration of love. I love you deeply you know” he replied

“It is not only these. We are like two islands with no common interest. You do not like anything that I love. I wish you understand me more.”

“I will try and please you from now on,” he said patting her in the back

Two days later he told her “I may be late tonight as I am to submit the annual report in gist to Chairman. Do not wait for me.”

She went to bed early by 9 pm and spent some time reading an unfinished novel listening to Suniti Chauhan on iPod. She switched off the night lamp too and soon fell asleep. Around 1 am when she was half asleep and turned to one side, she felt the warmth of a body behind her and an arm over her.. She was drowsy and thought Keshav had returned even as she snuggled closer. The grip of the arm tightened drawing her closer to him. He had put his leg over her and ran his hand over her shoulder and arm. She enjoyed the comfort of the grasp from behind her and the smooches on the shoulder and her nape that sent goose bumps across her body. Keshav was always gentle but today he was different as he had promised, she thought. “Keshav” she called softly and asked “when did you come?”

Instead of a response, she was pulled forcefully. It then struck her that this was not the Revlon musk that Keshav used daily but something else pungent. Scared beyond words, she tried to push him aside

Her both hands were now in his clasp in a scissor hold and her scream was silenced by his palm closing her mouth. It was dark and she could not see. It was obviously someone else who had stealthily entered and about to assault her. Praying to God, she summoned all her strength and succeeded in freeing herself. She jumped out of the bed and ran to a corner.

It was then the bright light came alive and she saw Keshav sitting on the bed laughing loudly and uncontrollably.

“What a foolish act is this? You scared the life out of me. I could have hit you hard with anything I could have got hold of” she said angrily

“Calm down, Kamli..You wanted shock and thrill. I hope you had it in ample measure. As a bonus, be ready to fly to Hong Kong next week. I have some work there for a day but we will spend a week there. I will make amends for all the lost happiness” he said with a mischievous wink

It was now her turn to hug him in joy.

The capricious fate.

It cannot be called a restaurant. It was at best a small eatery, somewhat like a way side dhaba in a thatched shed. There was nothing presumptuous about the place, no name board, no bright lights or clang of china. But there was a steady flow of customers because of its location at a vantage point near the bus stand and the affordable prices. It had only tall benches serving as tables with short ones doing the duty of chairs. It boasted of no big variety in the menu. There were a few ordinary people having their dinner of roti and sabzi, vegetable briyani or aappam, a dosa like rice preparation.

Gopal who owned the place has been noticing for a long time from his cash counter one young woman with a small bag in her hand seated on a culvert near a lamp post on the opposite side of road. She did not look like a passenger waiting for a bus but someone in poor circumstances with nowhere to go. It was nearing the closing time of 11pm.There was none eating in the eatery and the day’s left over was there. He beckoned her to come and when she looked hesitant summoned her by gesture.

“I have been seeing you since evening sitting at the same place obviously with no place to go. You must be hungry. Be seated and have your meal,” Gopal said

Unsure but with a surprised look, she sat in the corner of a bench. A small boy brought her roti sabzi and briyani in ample quantity.

“I have no money to pay,” she said almost inaudibly.

“Who asked you for money? Eat as much as you want and  tell me later about yourself,” Gopal said

He was watching her eat gluttonously as one who had been starving for days. She must be in her mid thirties, good looking but with a worn out sari and a wan look. Her hair was disheveled as if it had not seen oil for years and her skin appeared dry.

***

As he was looking at her sideways, his thought went back to his wife Thamarai who must be of the same age as this woman. He wondered where she would be and whether she would also be roaming like this woman in the streets.

Thamarai was 19 when they were married and a year since then he lost her. She went out to buy provisions in the nearby store, his mom had said, but she never returned. Someone had said she was forcibly pulled into a van in a matter of seconds and taken away while another saw her walking along with a middle aged woman. The store boy affirmed that she bought the provisions from the store. Searches were made and police complaint registered, but there was no trace of her.After a couple of years his mother nagged him to marry someone else but he was adamant not to marry. Thamarai, he knew, was a good girl and loved him deeply. He was sure that she would never have deserted him. He decided to wait and was even willing to accept her without asking her questions about her absence.

He felt Thamarai may not return. He remembered the happy days with her and one particular incident very well. They had gone to a local fair moving around arm in arm buying many small stuff, eating cotton candies and having various rides in merry-go round, giant wheel and such. There was one stall where a middle aged woman was putting tattoos. On an impulse Gopal proffered his arm and asked the woman to tattoo a lotus (Thamarai) on the upper arm. When finished, he asked Thamarai to have one.

”I am not a man like you. I cannot also have one openly in hand and that too your name,” she said

The tattoo woman smilingly said with a wink ”Pappa (child) your husband is wanting. Have one in your calf muscle and only you two will know”

On his insistence, Thamarai had a tattoo of Krishna with a cow (Gopal) put on her leg.

He would often ask her when both of them were alone “Let me see my name on your leg” much to her shyness and then caress her leg lovingly.

***

He woke up from his reverie when the woman after eating came and stood before him deferentially.”Be seated,” he said as he showed her a stool.

”You don’t seem belong to this town? I don’t think you have anyone here from your appearance. Are you single or married? What is your name?”he asked.

She kept silent for a while and when prodded said” You can call me Mangala.Please do not ask me anything more. I have nothing to tell except that I have no one. I thank you for giving me food when I needed it most. Allow me to go.”

“If you do not wish to tell, it is ok.But where will you go at this hour? It is not safe. You better stay in this dining hall and leave in the morning” he said

She remained silent unsure of what to do. “Whether it is tonight or tomorrow it is the same for me. I have no place to go,” she replied

”Ok you stay here tonight. You can decide where to go tomorrow,” he suggested and went to his portion on the rear.

.It had rained heavily nonstop in the night with one foot deep water everywhere in the morning. Gopal standing outside the eatery was surveying the area seeing the water receding  slowly in many places from the pathway.

It was then Mangala came out of the eatery and said to him”Thank you again. I have no words to express my gratitude. Let me go on my way.”

Gopal gave her a hundred rupee note and bade her good bye.

As she was wading through the water towards the gate with her sari lifted up knee high, he had a fleeting glance of the tattoo of Krishna with cow on her slim leg. Shocked beyond words, he continued to stare at her leg. As she turned at the gate and saw him gazing at her leg, she instantly put down the sari in disgust and hurriedly walked away.

Gopal opened his mouth to call  her Thamarai but his voice choked in emotional indecision even as he continued to stare at the fading figure with tears flowing from his eyes.