Rafflesia

  Sumit congratulations wished his parents and siblings. Sumit had completed his graduation in Science with good percentage and had appeared for the Exams conducted by the Railway Board. He had done well and was hoping to get employed as the Station Master in a Railway Station near his town in Bilaspur. But his posting was done at a remote station near Ooty the hill station down South. Even though Sumit was very happy with the job and the perks associated with it he and his family were a little bit unhappy about his job posting as it was a remote place where his job Station was located and on top of it the Station was small with limited number of train arrivals and it was located deep into the forest so to say.                   

Sumit was the youngest among the four children and was pampered a lot. His mother and sister doted on him. After his posting was confirmed, by the way it was korba where Sumit would be posted his mother and sister were jittery. Not because he would be moving out of home but since the Railway Station was in a secluded place and on top of it the state was naxal infested as all of know. Sumit was optimistic even though he too had few doubts about the place and life style. Did he have any other option? No it was a big No he had to join his job as it was his preferred job. Sumit was always clear about the type of work and job he wanted. So he worked for it and finally got it.    19 th of August he had to start for Korba. He had done the luggage packing in the previous night itself. His mother had prepared a lot of snacks for him to carry to korba. His sister had prepared his favourite sweet dishes and had arrived early in the morning to see him of along with her husband. Sumit's father was tensed too as Sumit found him strolling early in the morning, which is his trait whenever he feels tensed. Sumit knew his father would act tough for the obvious reason. Well, it was time for Sumit to start to the Railway Station and board the Bilaspur express at 9 am. His mother gave him a spoon of curd laced with sugar which traditionally is considered an auspicious omen before a journey. . Sumit took the blessings of all elders present there and with a heavy heart(his mother's eyes were wet with tears)he waved bye and started off in a cab accompanied by his elder brother and brother-in-law    

As the train started chugging out of the Station felt a pain that he had so far never experienced. It was the pain of going away far. from his people, place and everything which was unavoidable. With a heavy heart Sumit settled in his seat after arranging his luggage under the seat . The train reached Korba early in the morning next day. Sumit was received by his assistant dagu Seth that is what was his name. He was taken to the quarters alloted and everything was set in place for Sumit's comfort. He was served hot breakfast and tea by dagu. Sumit got fresh and reported to his Senior in the Office and called his parents about his reaching safely to Korba.     As days passed by work load seemed alright as the Korba railway station was small and the passenger traffic was also less. But daily chores like cleaning, washing and cooking were not manageable for Sumit. He asked dagu to fetch him a female help who would manage all these works. Next day dagu brought along a young girl no lady of around 22 years of age. The young lady was typically dressed in the tribal attire Saree that was draped differently in comparison to Sumit's mother or other ladies of his home. She walked barefoot with heavy anklets that made a lot of sound . She had a big nose pin and big bindi on her fore head. There was a rustic look on her face but she was a natural beauty . She immediately got into the kitchen and started her work . Sumit observed that Chanda the tribal maid was good at her work and she soon became an integral part of his household. She was a chatter box literally and she very innocently used to discuss everything and anything with Sumit. Sumit was a nature lover and he was thrilled to know from Chanda that her tribal village which was nearby was surrounded by waterfalls, thick green vegetation, fresh air, flowers and fruits etc. Sumit got so excited from what he heard from Chanda. He expressed his interest to see her village and explore the scenic surroundings around.                 

Sumit fixed a Saturday for this visit. Chanda would be accompanied by her neighbours who were of her age. All the young ladies dropping in early in the morning at Sumit's quarters. They seemed to be so excited and happy as they would be going on a trip with Sumit. They were giggling and laughing all along . Sumit was asked to join them as they would be walking deep into the forest and see around. Sumit got ready wearing his boots that were ideal to walk along the rough forest terrain. He was baffled looking at the ladies walking barefoot swiftly. Nothing seemed to. bother them. As they were walking, talking and jumping around suddenly Sumit got a shock of his life. A big bear with two baby bears stood in front of them. Sumit stood like under a spell. The girls who had come along with him and Chanda seemed to not bother about the bear and it's cubs . They made some strange sound and the bear ran away along with the cubs into the sense forest. Sumit was surprised at the ease with which the young ladies dealt with the situation. He was thankful that the ordeal got over . He even decided never to venture into such trips .       Chanda continued to be an important part of Sumit's life. She slowly started getting more vocal about her opinions about any topic they would talk about. She would give references about her place in the tribal village near the Railway Station and quite deep into the forest area. The description about the scenic beauty and freshness around her house was so appealing and attractive to Sumit.

When Chanda suggested he should visit her village Sumit immediately agreed. Chanda as usual would be accompanied by her parents chameli and jako. As the day came for their trip to chanda's village her friends dropped out telling they had some other work in the Railway Station that would fetch them some money. Chanda had no other option but to accompany Sumit. Both started walking towards her village which was an absolute treat to the eyes. The waterfalls, birds chirping and butterflies and other birds flying oh! It was superb so to say. After about 20 minutes walk Sumit felt tired and suggested they sit down on rocks for a while and then continue the walk. As they sat looking around and munching snacks that they had carried it started drizzling all of a sudden which is a normal phenomenon. Deep forest and drizzle made the place so chilling and cold that Sumit had to come closer to Chanda who was shivering with cold. Sumit had a jacket which kept him warm and he pulled himself closer to Chanda to keep her warm. His intention was to keep her warm that's it, but now something unexpected and romantic happened between the two Sumit pulled her closer to him and hugged her tightly. Chanda too responded to this hug and both got closer and closer. Just when Sumit was about to plant a kiss on her lips a thunder was heard in the sky warning both of them to stop at there. Chanda almost jumped from there and started weeping. Sumit tried to console her and even apologised for whatever happened but Chanda kept weeping and it continued for a very long time.       

 The drizzle turned to showers and then heavy rainfall. They had no other option but to remain in a hut they found nearby in the forest. With fear about the wild life of the forest and guilt with what had happened between him and Chanda he dozed off to sleep late in the night. When he woke up in the morning he found Chanda waiting for him to wake up so that they can go back to the Railway Station his place of work. She no longer wanted him to come along that is what Sumit felt. She waved good bye and very quickly almost vanished into the woods.       With a very heavy heart Sumit came to his quarters and had his bath . When he was getting ready to go his Office dagu came hurriedly shouting "Sumit Sir, Sumit Sir". Sumit came out and asked dagu what happened? In response dagu asked if Chanda was with him the whole night in the forest. Sumit said yes dagu . Dagu said Sir, the traditions of tribal society is very strict. As Chanda spent her time with you in the night they will punish her severely and may not spare you even. So, it is better you don't come out atleast for a week and if possible you go back to your place and come after a couple of months after the tribals rage may come down. Sumit understood the intensity of the situation and decided to move from there at the earliest. He sought the help of his seniors in the Office and boarded the next train available to Raipur.       

After 2 months he applied for a transfer to Raipur citing his personal reasons and luckily got posting at Raipur.    Time flew and Sumit got married to a girl of his parent's choice who later became his choice too. His children grew up into adults who were studying engineering and medicine respectively. His adult children were nature lovers just like Sumit and after much delay and discussion finally a program was arranged to visit the hill station at Korba. Sumit very reluctantly agreed to this trip. It was obvious he wanted to avoid visiting that place for obvious reasons. But, with no other option he agreed and there he was. With all old memories ringing in his mind and heart he sat in the car waiting for his children who were buying something from a food stall set up in that place.           Sumit got a jolt as he looked at the lady in the counter who was making the bill of purchase. She looked like Chanda and ofcourse she was Chanda He felt like escaping from that place immediately which was no way possible. He kept looking at her a d was lost in his own thoughts. He was curious to know the real facts about Chanda . When he looked around he found an old man who looked like a gate keeper and he went near him. Casually he asked who the lady was who was doing brisk business in this. forest region.     The gate keeper was more than happy to tell Sumit about the lady in the counter. He said her name was Indira and she had set up this kiosk to provide jobs to needy tribals so that they can earn some money. He even spoke about how she was sent out of her tribal village as she had spent one night with a Railway employee who cheated her and left her helpless. Sumit wanted to scream and tell the old man that he was the employee and he had not cheated her. It was the circumstances that made all trouble. The gate keeper went on to tell that Indira even opened a School for tribal kids who could not afford to pay the fee. She was like a mother figure to all those orphans and needy .                      .    

  It was time for all of them to start their onward journey. Sumit's children sat inside their car and they started their onward travel. Sumit felt relieved that Chanda Ney Indira was getting on with her life progressively. He was happy that she had not recognised nor questioned him about anything. Imagine if his wife would come to know about his past with Chanda . As the car was moving ahead he turned back to find Chanda waving her hand as a sign of good bye . Sumit felt a slight pain in his heart that would stay with him for some more time or no time at all.