My mom is an amazingly good storyteller. When I was a kid she used to put me on her lap and tell me a lot of stories. I can still hear her voice laced with the cling of her bangles as she used to ruffle my hair. My eyes would move from her to the dark ceiling where I could visualize every minute detail happening.
Different stories had different ways of storytelling…
For a horror story….I could see her eyes becoming large with fear. Her hands clawing at me and then stopping me from biting my nail.
A fairy tale ….would mean a soft voice with a seemingly happy atmosphere where everything is Hunky-Dory but suddenly the problem arises in the tale and my eyebrows meet in concern for the usual damsel in distress. Such was the effect of these stories that once I actually put a pea beneath the mattress of my elder sister to prove she is not a princess when she dint realize it.
Some stories had mom saying in the end “To Dekho Beta , Kabhi Jhoot Nahi
Bolna…Bado Ki Izzat karna …Nahi to Allah Miya Gussa Karenge (something my sis still uses to tell her kids)
Or “kya samjha tumko?” where I had to tell the moral of the story.
I am a big boy now so no more stories for me. But I sure do remember most of them and today would like to share one of the stories from the “potli” of my Mom. One which is so relevant for all the youth today.
Mom tells me it’s from the Arabian nights. But I dint remove the book of Arabian nights which I possess, to check it….what you will read is my understanding of the narrative. What visuals I saw on the ceiling one night when mom was telling me this lovely story.
Chapter 1
Haji Deen Mohammed was a unique man. No it’s not that he was not normal. He was. But he was just too optimistic in nature. Never did anyone in the village see him in anger or in despair. He used to smile constantly and laugh at times showing his front tooth which was half broken. Not that he did not have worries. He had. And his optimism had no real ground to exist. He could hardly provide for his wife and two children. Craftsmen by nature he makes decorative items with the help of simple tools. His friend and helper, Mairaj used to buy it from him to sell them in the larger markets of Dilli and Bambai but he had not come back for long. Money was running out. In desperation he had started stitching handmade carpets for a small businessman but with no orders forthcoming from the cities even the businessmen had asked Haji to leave.
So now he is sitting on the thick ground in the hot afternoon watching kids play Gilli Danda with glee.
“ Haji…Haji” …someone was shouting.
Haji stood up cleaning his kurta from behind to remove the dust and see who was calling him.
It was Ali, Haji’s dear friend running towards him brandishing his dirty gamcha.
“Is Mairaj Back. That’s good. I knew he would .Its Friday. He always does” Haji shouted back as his buddy reached him, panting.
“How many Fridays have passed by, Haji. And you have just sat there on this muddy ground waiting for him” his finger pointing to the place where Haji had just been sitting.
“You just can’t kill time like this waiting for him. I have got a job for you. Kishen Lal wants to paint his house. He is paying Ek Paisa.
Kishan is a nice man”Haji smiled,
“Is he looking for me?”
“Yes, he is, because you are the only fool to work for so less and that miser doesn’t want to give what others are asking for. But good for you. At least you can have a meal in the night with your wife and kids”.
Haji put on his hand on his friends shoulder and started preaching him while walking towards Kishan’s unpainted home
“Allah is the Greatest, Ali. See how he has provided sustenance for me. I will come to your house after I am done. We can eat Sattu* then”.
* Sattu-a mixture of Rice,Jowar,Bajra and Channa. (CONTINUED--- CHAPTER 2)
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Chapter 2
Haji stayed in a small hut in the farthest part of his village. He hurriedly walked towards his house eager to show the one paisa tightly clutched in his fist to his wife.
Kulsum Bi was the apple of his eye, his life.Haji had seen her once in a wedding and he knew she was the one. He had pushed his mother a lot to get married to her. Kulsum was the only reason for Haji to be alive and no matter what befalls them he was aware that she would always be there to support and comfort him. The only thing he disliked and feared was her shrill voice which could even make Lajjo, his goat stop from may bleating.
Kulsum was a fine young lady. But lately she had become impatient as hope was diminishing and she could see no further respite from her misery till Mairaj came.
What irritated her more was Haji’s laidback attitude. With every night her kids sleeping empty stomach, the mother in her had become more vocal.
Tonight she had fed her kids with some dal and roti and as they wanted some more she kept an empty pot on the fire till the kids slept.
“Asalamwalaikum”, said Haji as he entered his hut which was illuminated by a single lamp.
“Walaikumasalaam” the pain in her greeting was noticeable
“Meri Jaan, look what I have got” showing her the coin which Kishan Lal gave him reluctantly after a strenuous session of coloring.
Kulsum though relieved to know that the next two days her kids wont go unfed still dint react.
She said plainly “Have your food. I have cooked something, and what have u done to your kurta, it’s all dirty. Where have you been”.
Haji told her everything while eating whatever little Kulsum could keep for him.
“You know this is not enough Haji, We must do something”
“Have Faith in Allah Taala, my dear, Things will get better” Haji said softly while kissing his sleeping kids.
“Chand Bi is giving me five paisa for selling off Lajjo”
“Kulsum”, after a long pause Haji said “You can’t possibly do that. She is family. How could you even think of it? Will you sell of your kids too”.
This comment angered her and she started shouting “Yes I will. It’s better to sell than to see their faces every Morning & Night asking for food.
“They clutch this all the time telling me Maa khaana do Maa khanaa do” showing him the Pallo of her tattered sari.
“It’s a Test from Allah. He wants to see if we still remember him and worship him in this time of ordeal. And does He not say In the Holy Quran that No man would be burdened more than that which he can’t handle.”Haji was trying hard to make her understand.
Kulsum started crying “you don’t understand my suffering. What do I do when I see the eager look in their eyes, their gulping throats, their sighs and how much do I lie?”
Haji came forward to comfort her.
Wiping her tears he said“Kulsum you are my life. If you start losing hope I will be shattered. You think it is easy for me. Its not. But I am patient”.
Hours passed. Haji, lying down was looking at a lizard walking on the roof of his hut as it tried to catch a fly. It was Kulsum’s time to soothe her husband. She lied down beside him and kissed the noble mark on his forehead and said sorry
“You can go to your mother’s house for some time”
“I am not going anywhere”Kulsum whispered back, nuzzling his neck
Haji took her in her arms and tried to sleep again.
After a long time he whispered “I see a dream”
“What?”Kulsum, half asleep murmured.
“I see a dream every night. For the last three four days”
“What dream? Different dreams or the same dream?”
“The same dream, everynight”
Kulsum moved him from her arms and got up, now interested “what do you see? Why did you not tell me?”
Haji now lying back looked at the lizard which had gulped down the fly and said “Because it doesn’t make sense”
“What do u see? Tell me. Tell Me now”
Kulsum Bi was the apple of his eye, his life.Haji had seen her once in a wedding and he knew she was the one. He had pushed his mother a lot to get married to her. Kulsum was the only reason for Haji to be alive and no matter what befalls them he was aware that she would always be there to support and comfort him. The only thing he disliked and feared was her shrill voice which could even make Lajjo, his goat stop from may bleating.
Kulsum was a fine young lady. But lately she had become impatient as hope was diminishing and she could see no further respite from her misery till Mairaj came.
What irritated her more was Haji’s laidback attitude. With every night her kids sleeping empty stomach, the mother in her had become more vocal.
Tonight she had fed her kids with some dal and roti and as they wanted some more she kept an empty pot on the fire till the kids slept.
“Asalamwalaikum”, said Haji as he entered his hut which was illuminated by a single lamp.
“Walaikumasalaam” the pain in her greeting was noticeable
“Meri Jaan, look what I have got” showing her the coin which Kishan Lal gave him reluctantly after a strenuous session of coloring.
Kulsum though relieved to know that the next two days her kids wont go unfed still dint react.
She said plainly “Have your food. I have cooked something, and what have u done to your kurta, it’s all dirty. Where have you been”.
Haji told her everything while eating whatever little Kulsum could keep for him.
“You know this is not enough Haji, We must do something”
“Have Faith in Allah Taala, my dear, Things will get better” Haji said softly while kissing his sleeping kids.
“Chand Bi is giving me five paisa for selling off Lajjo”
“Kulsum”, after a long pause Haji said “You can’t possibly do that. She is family. How could you even think of it? Will you sell of your kids too”.
This comment angered her and she started shouting “Yes I will. It’s better to sell than to see their faces every Morning & Night asking for food.
“They clutch this all the time telling me Maa khaana do Maa khanaa do” showing him the Pallo of her tattered sari.
“It’s a Test from Allah. He wants to see if we still remember him and worship him in this time of ordeal. And does He not say In the Holy Quran that No man would be burdened more than that which he can’t handle.”Haji was trying hard to make her understand.
Kulsum started crying “you don’t understand my suffering. What do I do when I see the eager look in their eyes, their gulping throats, their sighs and how much do I lie?”
Haji came forward to comfort her.
Wiping her tears he said“Kulsum you are my life. If you start losing hope I will be shattered. You think it is easy for me. Its not. But I am patient”.
Hours passed. Haji, lying down was looking at a lizard walking on the roof of his hut as it tried to catch a fly. It was Kulsum’s time to soothe her husband. She lied down beside him and kissed the noble mark on his forehead and said sorry
“You can go to your mother’s house for some time”
“I am not going anywhere”Kulsum whispered back, nuzzling his neck
Haji took her in her arms and tried to sleep again.
After a long time he whispered “I see a dream”
“What?”Kulsum, half asleep murmured.
“I see a dream every night. For the last three four days”
“What dream? Different dreams or the same dream?”
“The same dream, everynight”
Kulsum moved him from her arms and got up, now interested “what do you see? Why did you not tell me?”
Haji now lying back looked at the lizard which had gulped down the fly and said “Because it doesn’t make sense”
“What do u see? Tell me. Tell Me now”
Chapter 3
“I see that I am walking and walking and I see the sun setting and I see the river flowing by and then I see a bridge on the river. I walk to the other side. On the other side I see a white cottage. Completely white. I walked towards it and see an old man wearing a sparkling white kurta pajama sitting there in deep contemplation. He looks at me and asks me to come towards him. His eyes tell me that he was waiting for me. This old man has a large white beard flowing in the heavy wind. and then I walk towards him and as I come close to him he suddenly holds my hand tight and asks me “Have you come for the treasure” I try to release my hand from his clutches but this old man doesn’t budge. I try hard and hard and then I wake up”
Tears were running from Haji’s eyes as he told his dream.
“And you have been seeing this every night”
“Yes every night. I want to go and search for this place. But I thought you won’t allow me too. That’s the reason why I did not tell you. You will think of it as foolish which I know you are thinking. But this dream kept coming again and again. I feared that I if I see it tonight I will walk out of the house in the morning and look for the old man waiting for me. And with the problems we are going through it’s just not possible.”
Kulsum had no words to express her confusion.
“I don’t want to sleep kulsum. I don’t want to sleep”
Kulsum moved her hand on his beard and said “if you see it tonight, you go. I won’t stop you.”
And Haji did see it again. The river, the bridge, the cottage, the old man, his hoarse voice saying “have you come for the treasure” and the firm grip of the old man on his hand. And Haji did get up. It was the Fajr time as the Muezzin called for morning namaaz.
Tears were running from Haji’s eyes as he told his dream.
“And you have been seeing this every night”
“Yes every night. I want to go and search for this place. But I thought you won’t allow me too. That’s the reason why I did not tell you. You will think of it as foolish which I know you are thinking. But this dream kept coming again and again. I feared that I if I see it tonight I will walk out of the house in the morning and look for the old man waiting for me. And with the problems we are going through it’s just not possible.”
Kulsum had no words to express her confusion.
“I don’t want to sleep kulsum. I don’t want to sleep”
Kulsum moved her hand on his beard and said “if you see it tonight, you go. I won’t stop you.”
And Haji did see it again. The river, the bridge, the cottage, the old man, his hoarse voice saying “have you come for the treasure” and the firm grip of the old man on his hand. And Haji did get up. It was the Fajr time as the Muezzin called for morning namaaz.
Chapter 4
Haji was ready for his destination. He wore the best Kurta Pajama he had...the one he wore in his wedding. Putting on his Mojidi and praying one last time for success in his mission he walked out of the house.
The first glimpse of the gentle sun could be seen from the mountains.
But also in full view was Kulsum, standing beneath the Mango tree with a small red Potli.
“Here keep this” Kulsum said, “It has some rotis and achaar. Eat it only when you are very hungry. Don’t give it to someone on the way. Take Ali with you if you can. Also…”
Haji interrupted her “Kulsum. Kuch nahi hoga. Don’t worry. I will be back. Inshallah. Soon.
He kissed her forehead and walked away to his dream.
She went back in the hut and lied down besides her children who were not aware that their father was off to a place he did not know how to go.
The first glimpse of the gentle sun could be seen from the mountains.
But also in full view was Kulsum, standing beneath the Mango tree with a small red Potli.
“Here keep this” Kulsum said, “It has some rotis and achaar. Eat it only when you are very hungry. Don’t give it to someone on the way. Take Ali with you if you can. Also…”
Haji interrupted her “Kulsum. Kuch nahi hoga. Don’t worry. I will be back. Inshallah. Soon.
He kissed her forehead and walked away to his dream.
She went back in the hut and lied down besides her children who were not aware that their father was off to a place he did not know how to go.
Chapter 5
But Haji did have an idea. He had seen a river. And the closest river from his village was Gomai Nadi. He knew that to reach it may take one full day. He thought of borrowing a horse or a mule but that would have cost him. Hence he relied on his legs and thought of walking all the way.
The sun was warming up for its daily journey through the skies. Haji had just walked out of his village and was on the narrow lane which took people to the cities. He had not been to one yet. Mairaj used to tell him so many things about the city. The bazaar, the lights, the energy, the city girls. So confident and so pretty, the English Memsaabs, the money. But somehow Haji had never left the village as he could not survive without seeing his kids and Kulsum.This was the first time he was leaving them and had no idea when he will come back.
Mairaj would have certainly laughed at his foolishness. Running after a dream .Crazy.
Haji smiled.
He passed the British Cantonment which had set its base at the outskirts of his village. Seeing the company flag fluttering he said in contempt “Chorwa saale”
He met Hari Bhai on the way who had just milked his cows and was walking with a huge tumbler on his head.
“Where are you off to, Haji.”
“Will tell you when I get back”. He did not want to lie. He fastened the pace so that he doesn’t have to put up with more questioning.
Kulsum meanwhile had bought some Rice and Dal from the bazaar.
Murtuza, her son was asked to take care of his sister, Badar.
Both were surprised not to see their farther who hugged and kissed them every sunrise.
Had he come in the night? Where has he gone? He had promised me he would get me something in the night. Did he? Murtuza demanded to know.
Badar was too small to ask questions but she reacted with howling cries and copious tears.
Even Lajjo had started may-may hing moving her neck vigorously, wanting to break the rope which tied her to the mango tree. If she only knew she was about to be sold to the plump Chand Bi, she would have kept silent and not moved a muscle.
When the sun was at its fiercest best, Haji stopped in his tracks. He had asked for directions from some villagers and was told to take a “Tanga” as it was just too far. Luckily one showed him the way where he could find a bridge which passes over the river.
Haji opened up the Potli to take a bite. He realized Kulsum must have made them while he had gone for Fajr prayers and the acchaar was from her mother in law. The last time she had come she was in a sarcastic mood. Her look was of disgust and seemed to be repenting for getting her pretty daughter married to this good for nothing.
But all this will change.Haji reminded himself. He ate a little, offered his Zohar Namaaz and was back to walking towards the river.
Kulsum was sitting beneath the tree ,her eyes searching for her husband. Her kids were playing in front.
“It’s too Hot Murtuza, Get in the house. Chalo” as she lifted Badar.
The sun was loosing its brightness gradually.Haji was taking a little rest sitting in the shade for some time. As he was massaging his weary legs, he heard the tick tock of a horse dragging a Tonga along with him.
Haji got up in desperation and waved his hands to it.
A poor Tonga driver looked at him and asked, “Where are you going”
“Gomai Nadi”
“Teen Kawdi”
“I have no money”
“Then what do you have”, looking at his thin Potli.
Haji hurriedly opened up the potli “I have some Rotis and a little something”.
The Tonga drivers hunger got the better of him. His master had asked him to fetch his friends but that was way too far. He could surely help this underprivileged man to his destination.
And have some rotis.
Kulsum at the same time had finished with the lunch. Murtuza had gone out to his friend and Badar was fast asleep.
She started thinking if it was a good decision to send Haji like that. But there was no harm. She knew he would sit there waiting doing nothing till Mairaj came. The stock of Handicrafts which he had prepared was kept in the corner. He was good at his job, she thought as she checked some of his work. Kulsum just hoped he would come back soon.
The sun was warming up for its daily journey through the skies. Haji had just walked out of his village and was on the narrow lane which took people to the cities. He had not been to one yet. Mairaj used to tell him so many things about the city. The bazaar, the lights, the energy, the city girls. So confident and so pretty, the English Memsaabs, the money. But somehow Haji had never left the village as he could not survive without seeing his kids and Kulsum.This was the first time he was leaving them and had no idea when he will come back.
Mairaj would have certainly laughed at his foolishness. Running after a dream .Crazy.
Haji smiled.
He passed the British Cantonment which had set its base at the outskirts of his village. Seeing the company flag fluttering he said in contempt “Chorwa saale”
He met Hari Bhai on the way who had just milked his cows and was walking with a huge tumbler on his head.
“Where are you off to, Haji.”
“Will tell you when I get back”. He did not want to lie. He fastened the pace so that he doesn’t have to put up with more questioning.
Kulsum meanwhile had bought some Rice and Dal from the bazaar.
Murtuza, her son was asked to take care of his sister, Badar.
Both were surprised not to see their farther who hugged and kissed them every sunrise.
Had he come in the night? Where has he gone? He had promised me he would get me something in the night. Did he? Murtuza demanded to know.
Badar was too small to ask questions but she reacted with howling cries and copious tears.
Even Lajjo had started may-may hing moving her neck vigorously, wanting to break the rope which tied her to the mango tree. If she only knew she was about to be sold to the plump Chand Bi, she would have kept silent and not moved a muscle.
When the sun was at its fiercest best, Haji stopped in his tracks. He had asked for directions from some villagers and was told to take a “Tanga” as it was just too far. Luckily one showed him the way where he could find a bridge which passes over the river.
Haji opened up the Potli to take a bite. He realized Kulsum must have made them while he had gone for Fajr prayers and the acchaar was from her mother in law. The last time she had come she was in a sarcastic mood. Her look was of disgust and seemed to be repenting for getting her pretty daughter married to this good for nothing.
But all this will change.Haji reminded himself. He ate a little, offered his Zohar Namaaz and was back to walking towards the river.
Kulsum was sitting beneath the tree ,her eyes searching for her husband. Her kids were playing in front.
“It’s too Hot Murtuza, Get in the house. Chalo” as she lifted Badar.
The sun was loosing its brightness gradually.Haji was taking a little rest sitting in the shade for some time. As he was massaging his weary legs, he heard the tick tock of a horse dragging a Tonga along with him.
Haji got up in desperation and waved his hands to it.
A poor Tonga driver looked at him and asked, “Where are you going”
“Gomai Nadi”
“Teen Kawdi”
“I have no money”
“Then what do you have”, looking at his thin Potli.
Haji hurriedly opened up the potli “I have some Rotis and a little something”.
The Tonga drivers hunger got the better of him. His master had asked him to fetch his friends but that was way too far. He could surely help this underprivileged man to his destination.
And have some rotis.
Kulsum at the same time had finished with the lunch. Murtuza had gone out to his friend and Badar was fast asleep.
She started thinking if it was a good decision to send Haji like that. But there was no harm. She knew he would sit there waiting doing nothing till Mairaj came. The stock of Handicrafts which he had prepared was kept in the corner. He was good at his job, she thought as she checked some of his work. Kulsum just hoped he would come back soon.
Chapter 6
The Tonga left him on the way. Haji thanked him. It would take at least an hour for the retreating sun to vanish, Haji told himself. The fed driver had asked him to walk through the narrow lane for a few minutes to find the bridge.
Amidst the huge trees and green foliage he finally saw the bridge. But it did not look similar. It was a little broader and made of stones. Haji had seen the dream enough times to realize that his bridge looked like being made of naturally fallen logs that could support one at a time. The kind that could get washed away from strong currents. He stood there tired at the centre of the sturdy bridge leaning down looking at the gushing river eager to meet the hushed sea.
“Hey you”. a villager shouted.
Haji stood back.
“What do you think you are doing” the villager closed on him.
“I am searching”
“Searching what?”
“I am searching for a bridge and a cottage”
The villager looked at him quizzically.
“Someone is waiting for me there”, Haji replied, “Is there any other bridge, I mean smaller”.
The villager still did not understand him but decided to like Haji
“There is one, but way up there”, pointing to the huge mountain. “But no one stays that side. It’s too scary there in the night” the villager warned.
Haji thanked him and walked towards the mountain.
Kulsum had a guest at her house that evening. Some one coming regularly to meet her and was eyeing Lajjo as of now. Chand Bi was a plump nagging lady.
“Where has your Miya gone” Chand Bi demanded to know.
“I don’t know” a curt reply from Kulsum, making her hair.
“What work does he have? And why did he say no to 5 paisa? Does he think he can make more than that, sitting doing nothing?”
Kulsum trying to change the topic “That’s a nice earring Bibi”
Chandbi was surprised with the comment,” is it not? Touching them, she said” when was the last time Haji got something for you, How much does he really care to get something for you. Saying no to 5 paisa like that. And Look at your kids, thin and frail as if they haven’t eaten for weeks.”
Kulsum heaved a sigh. Out of respect for the aged lady she had kept quiet but now her patience was being tested.
Chand Bi Continued. “He did not tell you where he went. You must be aware of what he does. These men are like dogs. Keep a tight leash on him. There is a big Tamaasha happening in the other village tonight. He must have gone there to see the Nautch girls dancing. I am sure he is there”.
“Stop it Bibi” Kulsum took the lady by her arm and pushed her out of the house.
“My Husband is my concern”, she defiantly said and closed the creaking door.
Haji had climbed tirelessly for an hour on the steep mountains, his eyes on the spot where the villager had pointed to. Amidst the green shrubbery he could hear the distant sound of the river. And then finally he reached a plateau to find his dream coming true……
Amidst the huge trees and green foliage he finally saw the bridge. But it did not look similar. It was a little broader and made of stones. Haji had seen the dream enough times to realize that his bridge looked like being made of naturally fallen logs that could support one at a time. The kind that could get washed away from strong currents. He stood there tired at the centre of the sturdy bridge leaning down looking at the gushing river eager to meet the hushed sea.
“Hey you”. a villager shouted.
Haji stood back.
“What do you think you are doing” the villager closed on him.
“I am searching”
“Searching what?”
“I am searching for a bridge and a cottage”
The villager looked at him quizzically.
“Someone is waiting for me there”, Haji replied, “Is there any other bridge, I mean smaller”.
The villager still did not understand him but decided to like Haji
“There is one, but way up there”, pointing to the huge mountain. “But no one stays that side. It’s too scary there in the night” the villager warned.
Haji thanked him and walked towards the mountain.
Kulsum had a guest at her house that evening. Some one coming regularly to meet her and was eyeing Lajjo as of now. Chand Bi was a plump nagging lady.
“Where has your Miya gone” Chand Bi demanded to know.
“I don’t know” a curt reply from Kulsum, making her hair.
“What work does he have? And why did he say no to 5 paisa? Does he think he can make more than that, sitting doing nothing?”
Kulsum trying to change the topic “That’s a nice earring Bibi”
Chandbi was surprised with the comment,” is it not? Touching them, she said” when was the last time Haji got something for you, How much does he really care to get something for you. Saying no to 5 paisa like that. And Look at your kids, thin and frail as if they haven’t eaten for weeks.”
Kulsum heaved a sigh. Out of respect for the aged lady she had kept quiet but now her patience was being tested.
Chand Bi Continued. “He did not tell you where he went. You must be aware of what he does. These men are like dogs. Keep a tight leash on him. There is a big Tamaasha happening in the other village tonight. He must have gone there to see the Nautch girls dancing. I am sure he is there”.
“Stop it Bibi” Kulsum took the lady by her arm and pushed her out of the house.
“My Husband is my concern”, she defiantly said and closed the creaking door.
Haji had climbed tirelessly for an hour on the steep mountains, his eyes on the spot where the villager had pointed to. Amidst the green shrubbery he could hear the distant sound of the river. And then finally he reached a plateau to find his dream coming true……
Chapter 7
He saw it. It was there. In front of him. He was back in his dream again. The wooden bridge and in front the small white cottage. It was standing there as if waiting for him. The moon had come up; the moonlight falling on the cottage giving it a, mesmerizing effect. The river was still following its course lashing at the wooden bridge intermittently. He crossed the bridge in a daze. He could not believe his eyes. Could it really be true, Haji thought. Is it possible? And where is the old man. He was sitting there on the stairs. There is no one here. Even the cottage looked abandoned. Haji looked around searching for the old man
In the whole journey he used to talk to himself making stories.
The Old man would clutch his hand and ask him. “Have you come for the treasure”
Haji would say” Yes. I have”
The old man would smile, and lead him to the treasure.
He would open the lock to the cottage. Take him inside and would hand him over the treasure lying in the room and tell him “Take this. You have earned it. Go, your wife is waiting for u” and Haji would thank the old man and walk out to his beloved. He never thought what that treasure would be. He just knew it would be something special.
But all this did not happen.
There was no one to call him.
No one to ask him what was he doing there so late in the night.
He walked up to the stairs and looked through the windows. Absolutely nothing .Except darkness. A little dejected, Haji sat on the stairs and decided to wait for the old man. Half of his dream had come true. It’s the other half which was left to be realized.
“Sabar, Haji, Sabar”, he muttered to himself.
He waited and waited and then his tiring eyes closed on him and he slept a much needed sleep.
In the whole journey he used to talk to himself making stories.
The Old man would clutch his hand and ask him. “Have you come for the treasure”
Haji would say” Yes. I have”
The old man would smile, and lead him to the treasure.
He would open the lock to the cottage. Take him inside and would hand him over the treasure lying in the room and tell him “Take this. You have earned it. Go, your wife is waiting for u” and Haji would thank the old man and walk out to his beloved. He never thought what that treasure would be. He just knew it would be something special.
But all this did not happen.
There was no one to call him.
No one to ask him what was he doing there so late in the night.
He walked up to the stairs and looked through the windows. Absolutely nothing .Except darkness. A little dejected, Haji sat on the stairs and decided to wait for the old man. Half of his dream had come true. It’s the other half which was left to be realized.
“Sabar, Haji, Sabar”, he muttered to himself.
He waited and waited and then his tiring eyes closed on him and he slept a much needed sleep.
Chapter 8
Nagraj Yadav was a ruthless man. No one really messed with him. And tonight he was in a real bad mood. The British were looking for him and his group of thugs. As soon as they were to be found, the order was to hang them all. To avoid suspicion they had dispersed in small parties and were all planning to meet in Agra to become the uninvited guests of the landlord’s daughters wedding.
There we will kill, Nagraj told to himself.
He enjoyed killing. Tonight he was hiding on top of a certain mountain which had a river flowing through it. Accompanying Nagraj was Shera, another thug with untold records of killing and kidnapping against him. Both of them were dressed with checkered loongis and shirt jackets like the company sepoys. They possessed daggers, cords made of twisted leather, having a noose at the other end which if entangled on the horse or the man would result in his instant death.
They were expecting the British to be on the look out for them. But what they were not expecting was a seemingly poor man in a plain white kurta pajama sleeping on the stairs of a deserted cottage. The thugs closed upon him.
“He looks like a Farmer”
“What is he doing here?”
“He could be an informer, from the company.”
“But he is unarmed”
Shera grinned,” Do I care” and kicked the poor man in the stomach.
Nagraj taking lead took him by his collars and pushed him hard again to the ground.
Haji was taken by surprise. Nagraj slapped him hard, so hard that blood started oozing from his face. The thug then threw the cord on his neck and pulled it hard. Haji gasped for air.
“Why are u here”, Nagraj asked. It would mean nothing to him to kill this person but wanted to know what made this stupid man to sleep here.
“Why are u here”, Shera shouted again from behind.
“I…saw a dream”Haji just managed to speak.
Nagraj was intrigued. He loosened the chord.” What?”
“I saw a dream and I came here. An old man was to be here to tell me where I will find the treasure”
Shera burst in laughter. He fell down laughing, his hands on his stomach. He just couldn’t believe what he heard.
But Nagraj was stunned.
“Do you see it everyday?”
“Yes” Haji replied, breathing heavily.
“And now did u see all this. This place. This bridge…”
“This cottage. I saw all this. Everything. In my dream every night”, continued Haji.
Shera could not understand what engaged Nag so much.
“Whats your interest? Kill Him. What we have in front of us is a mad man. And only a mad man could see such a dream. And only a mad would think of following it.”, he questioned Nag.
“No he is not. I see a dream everyday. Just like him.”
He looked at Haji who was badly bruised with blood running on his face.
“And what I see scares me. I don’t know what Durga Maa wants to tell me.”
Haji asked him,” What do you see.”
“I see that I am walking to a hut which is at the farthest corner of a dusty village. There is a mango tree in front of the hut. A goat is tied to this mango tree and she is restless. I walk towards the tree and see the goat has dug a small hole in the ground beneath her. I dug further and further and you know what I find. Do u know what I find? I find Gold. Gold. Lots of it. In a number of pots. Then suddenly I see the door of the hut opening and a pretty lady is standing there. She smiles and asks me “have you found the treasure”
And then I wake up. I am seeing this dream every night. It scares me so much that I don’t want to sleep.”
Shera was shocked with Nagrajs confession. He was his best friend and still was unaware of the turmoil going through him.
“Why did you not tell me?”
Nagraj had released haji. He sat down on the stairs and in deep thought said,” I thought Maa would tell me. Make it clear to me. And she has now. There is such a place and I have to find it. This man is here for a reason. He is here for me. To tell me to go search for this place as he has.”
“But he has failed. He did not find anything. There is no old man here.”Shera tried to reason
“But I Wont”, grinned Nagraj twirling his mustache.
“So what do we do with him”, Shera removing his dagger for just one signal from his friend.
“We leave him”. Nagraj said with finality,” Go traveler, you have done what you were destined to do, Run, before I change my mind.”
And Haji Ran…................
There we will kill, Nagraj told to himself.
He enjoyed killing. Tonight he was hiding on top of a certain mountain which had a river flowing through it. Accompanying Nagraj was Shera, another thug with untold records of killing and kidnapping against him. Both of them were dressed with checkered loongis and shirt jackets like the company sepoys. They possessed daggers, cords made of twisted leather, having a noose at the other end which if entangled on the horse or the man would result in his instant death.
They were expecting the British to be on the look out for them. But what they were not expecting was a seemingly poor man in a plain white kurta pajama sleeping on the stairs of a deserted cottage. The thugs closed upon him.
“He looks like a Farmer”
“What is he doing here?”
“He could be an informer, from the company.”
“But he is unarmed”
Shera grinned,” Do I care” and kicked the poor man in the stomach.
Nagraj taking lead took him by his collars and pushed him hard again to the ground.
Haji was taken by surprise. Nagraj slapped him hard, so hard that blood started oozing from his face. The thug then threw the cord on his neck and pulled it hard. Haji gasped for air.
“Why are u here”, Nagraj asked. It would mean nothing to him to kill this person but wanted to know what made this stupid man to sleep here.
“Why are u here”, Shera shouted again from behind.
“I…saw a dream”Haji just managed to speak.
Nagraj was intrigued. He loosened the chord.” What?”
“I saw a dream and I came here. An old man was to be here to tell me where I will find the treasure”
Shera burst in laughter. He fell down laughing, his hands on his stomach. He just couldn’t believe what he heard.
But Nagraj was stunned.
“Do you see it everyday?”
“Yes” Haji replied, breathing heavily.
“And now did u see all this. This place. This bridge…”
“This cottage. I saw all this. Everything. In my dream every night”, continued Haji.
Shera could not understand what engaged Nag so much.
“Whats your interest? Kill Him. What we have in front of us is a mad man. And only a mad man could see such a dream. And only a mad would think of following it.”, he questioned Nag.
“No he is not. I see a dream everyday. Just like him.”
He looked at Haji who was badly bruised with blood running on his face.
“And what I see scares me. I don’t know what Durga Maa wants to tell me.”
Haji asked him,” What do you see.”
“I see that I am walking to a hut which is at the farthest corner of a dusty village. There is a mango tree in front of the hut. A goat is tied to this mango tree and she is restless. I walk towards the tree and see the goat has dug a small hole in the ground beneath her. I dug further and further and you know what I find. Do u know what I find? I find Gold. Gold. Lots of it. In a number of pots. Then suddenly I see the door of the hut opening and a pretty lady is standing there. She smiles and asks me “have you found the treasure”
And then I wake up. I am seeing this dream every night. It scares me so much that I don’t want to sleep.”
Shera was shocked with Nagrajs confession. He was his best friend and still was unaware of the turmoil going through him.
“Why did you not tell me?”
Nagraj had released haji. He sat down on the stairs and in deep thought said,” I thought Maa would tell me. Make it clear to me. And she has now. There is such a place and I have to find it. This man is here for a reason. He is here for me. To tell me to go search for this place as he has.”
“But he has failed. He did not find anything. There is no old man here.”Shera tried to reason
“But I Wont”, grinned Nagraj twirling his mustache.
“So what do we do with him”, Shera removing his dagger for just one signal from his friend.
“We leave him”. Nagraj said with finality,” Go traveler, you have done what you were destined to do, Run, before I change my mind.”
And Haji Ran…................
Chapter 9
Haji reached the village in the late evening. He was too excited to realize he had walked all morning. There was his Hut. His mango tree. His Lajjo tied to the tree. He saw the small hole dug by the goat. He started digging with his bare hands.
Kulsum was weeping all night and the next morning. She thought of telling the sarpanch of Haji’s absence. But thought of waiting one more day.
She was lying in her hut when she heard some sound outside. Was it Chandbi trying to thief on her goat? She got up hurriedly and opened the door to her hut.
She found Haji there on his knees.
“Did you find the treasure”, Kulsum asked, relieved to see him.
Haji smiled which turn into a laugh showing his broken front tooth.
And then she saw Gold. Lots of Gold.
Kulsum smiled.
Mom: Kya Samjha?
Me: hmmm?
Mom: what’s the moral of the story?
Me: Follow your dreams.
Kulsum was weeping all night and the next morning. She thought of telling the sarpanch of Haji’s absence. But thought of waiting one more day.
She was lying in her hut when she heard some sound outside. Was it Chandbi trying to thief on her goat? She got up hurriedly and opened the door to her hut.
She found Haji there on his knees.
“Did you find the treasure”, Kulsum asked, relieved to see him.
Haji smiled which turn into a laugh showing his broken front tooth.
And then she saw Gold. Lots of Gold.
Kulsum smiled.
Mom: Kya Samjha?
Me: hmmm?
Mom: what’s the moral of the story?
Me: Follow your dreams.
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