Bleak truth (Chapter 2)

I was tired of what happened today and wanted myself out of this entire mystery. I wanted to know more about Ram Lal's brother's demise and the lady in that house but, this man Ram Lal kept on weeping and giving those dirty looks all that while and somehow got me out of that house. He was a very cunning man and was not as great as others thought him to be. All that while, the entire surrounding haunted me. I felt like somebody was crying out for help and, I could sense it vividly. I could smell dishonesty and trial of honesty there. Something was strange there but, I didn't want to poke my nose into another person's life. 

 

As I walked out of the house, my life returned to normality. I was happy to breathe the normal air again. " Madamji, what brings you here," said that young boy I got to see in that mansion. He was in a hurry yet; he had that respect to stop and greet someone he had seen before. That young chap has never seen me before yet; I could measure the heights of his character through the weights of his respect. So well-mannered and disciplined. 

"Huh, I was just looking for the women's residence here," said I. I desperately wanted to ask him about the lady in Ram Lal's house but, how could I ask that now. The confusion I underwent deep inside was readable from the look of me screening for words. Though he seemed to be a good guy, I decided that I shouldn't jump to a conclusion all of a sudden.

"In Milapur, we don't have any women's residences. People will talk ill about women and girls who stay in such places. There used to be a Mahila resort almost 20 km away from this place. But, due to lack of visitors, it had to close down too." said Meetu. Yes, he said that he was called Meetu by his friends and other village folks. Indeed there was a complete pack of sweetness in the way he addressed me and the way he spoke. A pile of mud was sticking close to his cheeks and his clothes. With the sight of him wearing an ultimate mess, I could read that he was a hardworking chap. He must be poor or maybe didn't get any financial support from his family. Again, I didn't want to jump to any conclusion like I always tend to do. 

"Meetu, but I need a place to stay. I'll be around here for quite a while. I am ready to pay but, I would need a roof above my head." said I. I sounded worried because I knew that there was a probability of Meetu turning my request down. It was obvious. He had just told me that they don't have any residences permitting a woman to stay here and how I could meet Ram Lal again in this case.

"Madamji, you can stay at my sister's house. People there are hospitable to strangers or newcomers to the village rather than to their own family. If you could pay a little for groceries, they would welcome you with a big smile." said Meetu. I could feel the pain in his words. I could sense that there was something wrong. I could see the tears in his heart as he said those words. There must have been a conflict between him and his sister. The glowing smile on that boy's face suddenly faded away when he started talking about his sister.

"Come, I shall ask the Rickshawala to drive you to her residence."

"Why? Where are you going? Come, we shall together visit your sister."

"No, Madamji. She might turn you down if she spots you with me. If she turns you down, then you'll be left with no place to stay here. I don't want that to happen."

 

He was a very sensible boy and was considerate as well. He was right. If his sister doesn't allow me to stay over there, then I'll have to return to my place again. So I went over to Manila's house. Such a hearty name. She looked like the pictographic female version of Meetu. Her house was not very large but was the most comfortable place, after being in a very treacherous surrounding.

"Is this Manila Ji's house?"

" No, it is Manila's and Jitendra's house," said a stern-looking woman. She was old and fit. She didn't have a hunched back or was having poor eyesight. She was healthier than any woman of her age.

" I am from another village. If you don't mind, can I stay here for a while," said I. 

"If you would want to stay here for free, then........"

"No, I shall pay for it," said I. There were delighted to know that I would pay up for grocery and in that delight, I was allowed to stay in the largest room in the house. That room would have been smaller than the kitchen in Ram Lal's but, I knew that I shouldn't complain about it.

In the evening, I was taking a stroll through the village. The village looked so beautiful and elegant. Nature at times seems to enhance one in its beauty. I am one such person. I love nature and, I like being natural and transparent about my thoughts. As I was passing by, I saw that same woman in a grocery shop. I traced her and found that she was purchasing some groceries. I know that I can be clumsy at times. Yes, she had come to the grocery shop then definitely she would buy her groceries. 

As I was trying to hide away, she caught my hand. She took my hand in hers and placed my hands on her cheeks. She looked at me in such a way that she had a lot to say. Her eyes spoke something that I couldn't understand. After a while, she let go of my hand and turned away in tears. I wonder what it was. I don't know why she did that. Earlier she knew my pet name which, only my parents knew, and now she wanted to tell me something and, something else stopped her.

As I was thinking about that lady, she turned back to me and said, " Help me," 

I don't know why she said that but, that made me think a lot. 

Why did she need my help?

Why did she look at me like that?

What can I do about it?

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