Secret

What happens when a boy or a man comes to his village after years? People will gather near him. The gathering will more if that man was the one person who moves out of his village abroad for higher studies. This story is also about that boy and one of his life incidents. My name is Nath and I belong to a small village about which most of the people don't know. My father is sarpanch of the village. He sends me to foreign to study and I studied. 

As my studies were completed I came back to my home. People in my village make a huge crowd. They came to saw the first one who went out to another country. They were gossiping and looking at me. They murmuring that did he changed alot? Did he lose all traditions and customs? One woman came to me touched me and when he found the thread which I was having from my shoulders to stomach. She looked relaxed and said he had not forgotten his traditions even after a long time. Most of the people were not known to me but from that crowd, an uncle came. My uncle cum friend. I greeted him and we left together to our house.

Some days, passed; uncle came to our home and brought some oranges from his farm. The whole village love his oranges. Then, I came and sat beside them. He said to me dear now you are at perfect age to do marriage. You should marry and live a comfortable life. I and he left for a walk. He again pinches me and put a marriage proposal. I am aware of the marriage customs of our village. Men in our village marry with a girl of 11,12 or 15 years. I clearly said to him that I will not marry a girl who is just 15 years. How will she live a married life who herself doesn't know how to drink milk without leaving stains of milk on clothes. I will marry a girl who is mature and understand the real meaning of marriage. 

Then after some days.

  My uncle was in his bua's house.he was sitting. Someone came to me and said to me that go and give this bowl of curd to him. I went inside of bua's house. I heard the sound of veena. That melodious sound of veena I never heard before. I don't enter the room. I just behind the curtain and want to see that girl who is playing veena. I only saw her long black and shiny hair. Then, suddenly sound stops and I came back in my senses. I found that people know someone standing near the door. I need to move inside. I gave a bowl to uncle and about to leave. Then, he stopped me and said to sit down for some time. As we both go together. I sat down but my eyes were busy searching for her. He knows who I am searching for. He said Kamla come and take this bowl. When she comes. I paused for a while. I forget myself. She is beautiful and looking more beautiful in yellow saree. She was very simple but still looking complete. I don't know when she left but her image is in my mind. I and uncle left. I asked him about Kamla. I said to him who was she? I saw her the first time. He shared that she is here for the last 4 years. Her parents are no more and she is here with her aunt. She is very intelligent and has an interest in art and dance. She is a good writer. She wrote many poems and a whole village like it. He finished and said why I am asking about her. My house came and I left and save myself from giving an answer to him.

I daily went for a walk and when I come in the lane of her house. I reduce my speed of foot. I want to look at her. She came with a basket of the vegetable peel. She came to throw. She looks at me but didn't reveal and went inside. One day I wait for a long but don't find her. I was returning to my home meanwhile uncle came and look at me. I greet him and he said today I am looking sad. He want reason of that I said no not at all. Then, he brings a priest and said to him look me and tell why I am sad. 

He looks at me and said, I am restless. My peace flies away with air. I can find relief only from the pond. My solution and answer lie in pond. Something related to the river. Uncle started suggesting terms related to ocean like Nahar, Jal, Pakshi and Kamal. 

The priest stopped him and said yes Kamal is the reason for my worry. Uncle got a name to tease me Kamla. He said you like her from the very first day. I don't know what to say and I was quiet. He realises that I want to know did she like to marry me.

 Now, seven years passed. Uncle is sitting near me and playing with a boy of 5 years old. My wife who is sitting and many women around her. Today is the celebration my son's and wife's birthday come on the same date. She is expecting her second child also. Today, uncle told me that he hired that priest just to listen to truth from me.

      The end ...

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