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.