LOVE IN THE RAIN

That day sky was covered by dense black clouds. Nearby mountains were embracing the grayish clouds putting them on their peaks as if royal crowns. Sprinkled rain drops were off and on were touching the thatched roofs of the tribal hamlets of foot hills. Magru,

the tribal chieftain's son was shepherding his livestock on the grassy meadow whistling and singing a folk song. Though the Monsoon rain drops made him half drenched, his smiling face and jhampi -clad head was looking so attractive that might attract any virgin. 

Afternoon was going to be over. Rain showed its power by enhancing it's amount of downfallen drops a little bit more heavier than before. Magru had a desire to round up it's livestock to start homeward journey. 

Suddenly a screaming of a girl has dashed into his ear pits. He was amazed. Hís attention was diverted from the cattle. Instead of being homeward he became bush ward. He nSangiri, a girl was lying flat beside the bush. Blood was oozíng out of her wounded right arm and a leopard was lurking in wait expressing it's offing mood by growling. So Magru was clear that the girl was attacked by the leopard. 

Thanks to God the beast wasn't a maneater. Instantly Magru ran towards the leopard with a stick in his hand and was able drove away it into the thickets. God saves the shorn lamb. Heavy rain acted just like an armour for Manglu. 

The girl opened her eye lids that were shut down by the panic. Magru ran up to a brook nearby and drenched his napkin. He squeezed out the water into her mouth. He also wiped up her face and wounded arm. 

The girl requested him, " Please take me with you to your house. I feel pain in my arm. " The voice of girl was low. Her body wanted a support. Humanhood moved up Magru. He could wait no more. He put the poor girl on his shoulder and carried off to his house. His cattle herds also followed him.

They reached home. Clouds on the sky were shedding their shower of raindrops making rattling noise on the roof and leaves of the trees. Magru's parents were happy to see the new comer. They treated the girl as a guest. Basically tribal folks are hospitable and amiable by nature. Simplicity and honesty are their life long companions. 

However Magru's mother guided the girl up to a room. Ms.Sagiri, Magru's mother asked the girl in her language, " Dear Daughter what's your name? Where is your home? Why did you come to the forest alone? Our forest is full of wild animals and birds except elephants. I like your bravery. " The girul replied, " My name is Punei. I am a graduate. I recently got a job at Ceramic Industries as Asst. Manager. I am staying with my parents at Nitinpur town. It is t9en kilometers away from here. I also belong to a tribal family. Since birth I have been staying with my parents at Nitinpur. But our native village is just five kms away from your village situated at the back side of the mountain. Yesterday I came with my parents to our village. Because my uncle's daughter's birth anniversary was to be celebrated. I was curious to see the forests and enjoy the rainy sceneries of the mountains and forests. So I entered into the forest without informing my parents who were tired and asleep. Suddenly a leopard began to chase me while I was viewing a brook standing beside. But I couldn't know the presence of leopard sitting on a Jamun tree. When the tiger jumped from the tree I at once became conscious of danger. So I broke of a bamboo stick and started running. The tiger was behind me. While it was coming nearer I was frightened it with the stick. At the same time raining started. I preferred to escape out of the jungle. But my ill luck I fell down stumbling and the stick was off from my grip. The tiger attacked on my

right arm. It's paws wounded my hand. But I couldn't lose courage. I fisted on the leopard's head. I poked the tiger's eyes by the long nail of my left thumb while it was trying to bite my throat. It's eyes were wounded with bloodshed.So it left me immediately and began to paw it's eyes, squating at a distance of half a furlung from me. God is great. In the nick of time your son arrived and carried me to your house. " In the meantime Sagiri Magru's mother had finished bandaging the girl's arm with herbal paste. Thereafter she prepared some cakes made of maize and rabbit meat curry with tribal style. She served the cake and curry to Punei. Her motherly tendency was on the peak. She fondled Punei with care 

and instructed his son to take her to the nearby hospital to take Tetanus toxide. 

It was raining cats and dogs. Still Magru took Punei in his bike to dispensary and did the needful. They returnd home safely wearing their rainy coat. Punei asked on the way to Magru, " What is your qualification? " " I have completed Graduation from Birsa College. Now I am doing a Tourist Guide job under OTDC. I had come here on leave" Magru said. Then Punei was happy. Her emotional passion was ignited towards Magru gradually.

Younghood of a man is gifted by God to fulfil His desired projects in the terrestrial field. Magru and Punei reached home. Punei communicated the information to her parents soon by her mobile phone every particulars beforehand. Her parents arrived. God's decision can never be fallible. They stayed in Magru's house for a week. By the way of interaction marriage proposal of Punei was put forth by Punei's parents. Magru's parents agreed wholeheartedly with the Punei's parents proposal. All came to the conclusion that the marriage ceremony will be held on the temple premises of Goddess Damdamni, Jungle Deity after the rainy season was over. 

During the stay in Magru's house happily Punei's parents returned home after receiving a warm farewell. Magru and Punei engaged themselves on their respective duties. During autumn their marriage ceremony was performed with pomp and grandeur amid the natural environment which was an effulgency of Rainy season.

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