The Oath

For whom he dreamed, made the room into a house, she betrayed him. He wandered for years in search of her carrying a volcano in his chest. He wanted to kill that infidel woman. But the day when she came in front of him; he could not kill her even when he so desired.

Sohan loved the new house very much All the houses they lived were one-roomed located in a hamlet. But this one was of the government's sugar mill. Two rooms, courtyard, veranda, kitchen. Has a quiet neighborhood. There are two to four houses; the rest is a farm with the laborer's ghettos near the hill. The problem is for food. He doesn't know to prepare anything other than tea. Lunch is taken in the factory canteen The problem is for the night. He is a capable supervisor of the mill. Fat salary, house, bonus, what more a lone person wants? Thinks of settling down here putting an end to all wanderings. He was by nature calm and simple. Mother had given good ethical values ​​to her son. He hesitated to talk loudly but is now restless. Throughout the day he is angry. He cannot remain peaceful. He is in search of that infidel, only after killing her, the volcano in the chest will calm down. But even after ten years, Sohan has not been able to find her. From the money saved, he bought a counterfeit firearm so that wherever she was found he would kill her. But the weapon was getting rusted after many years.

Sohan feels terrible on Sundays. There is none of my own to spend some time with. Earlier Alka was there but had a constraint for money. Today I have money, but Alka is not there. The day broke with the desire for tea. Evening meal comes packed from the canteen. I was lying with the face covered by a blanket when the doorbell rang. Hey! Who's there? Neither the milk comes here, nor the newspaper itself. When I got up from the bed and opened the door, there was a lean thin man of my age standing there. What is the matter? Ram Ram Babu Ji, I am Banke. I have a tea stall near the labor lane. I came to know that you face a problem for tea and breakfast. Yes, Then? If you want I can deliver tea and breakfast.

That is good. When will you bring?

“If I bring at 8 O’clock”.

"Will, it does not get cold by the time you bring here? You take my thermos to bring tea. Can you bring lunch for Sunday?"

Yes, Saheb You get a Hot Box. I shall bring in that.

"How much do you expect?"

"Whatever you feel proper, you give me that".

No, it must be clear.OK, I shall pay you Rs 1500 but don’t absent and give me fresh and hot food.

I am poor Saheb, but honest. I shall give no room for complaint.

Sohan entered his room and advanced Rs 500 and gave him a thermos.” Keep this advance, bring lunch and dinner also".

Banke went away, but after a short while, he was present with tea and breakfast. Keeping the breakfast he said, “Saheb, at what time should I bring your lunch?”

“OK, by 2 O’ clock”

He got surprised seeing the tiffin. He was eating food in the hotel for ten years After Alka’s departure, this was the first time he was taking homely food. The sweet flavor of the food made him happy. Two Potato Parathas, A Radish, Chilli Pickle The whole body got energized. Do all women cook food with the same taste? This was exactly the same taste, for which he was eager to rush home after a tiring day’s work. Alka was ready with a hot plate in the house. While taking breakfast, Sohan remembered the settlement of Kolkata ten years back, where he had turned a one-roomed house into a paradise with Alka. He worked in a sugar mill. Marriage got solemnized in childhood. Earlier Alka lived with her mother in the village. He visited her on Teej-festival He used to send money every month. When mother expired, he brought Alka along with him. Alka had a special taste in whatever she cooked. She was adept in making delicious food with ordinary oil and spices.

Sohan remembered the past again. Alka was twenty, Sohan was twenty-two, and love sprouted in that little room. Alka was intelligent and knew how to manage the house economically. They saved some money and both enjoyed themselves on holidays. They roamed all day on Sundays and returned to the room late at night. Sohan started thinking; he had not committed any sin, did not have any ill will for others then why did it happen to him? Why was he created by Alka?

***

People tried to caution him, but he had blind faith in Alka. He thought that people do not tolerate others happiness. Until the last day, there was no difference in his devotion to Alka. By the time Sohan could sense it, the house had turned to ashes. He had heard from neighbors that a boy came to that colony. He sold pickles, spices, marmalade. Alka had close intimacy with him. She made him sit and offered tea. Sohan ignored everything that the people talked. They got married in their childhood, both grew together. Alka was an open book to him.

One day when he came from the sugar mill, he found the door locked. He thought probably she would have gone to the nearby shops. Kolkatta is such a big city. Alka could not cross the street without him.

Just then the auntie of the neighboring house saw him and told,” Alka has given me the key of the house”

“ Where has she gone, Auntie?”

“ I don’t know my son, I didn’t ask her.”

“At what time she left?”

“ Around 12 to 12-30 in the afternoon.

Darkness spread around him. It was at six o'clock in the evening. Hope there was no accident. After unlocking the door and putting on the light when the door was opened the rug swept from under his feet’. The box was open. Alka had left with clothes, money, ornaments, and everything. He sat down in deep agony, holding his head. He understood that whatever his neighbors had told was correct. He did a mistake by ignoring their caution. It had caused Alka to leave the house. The volcano started erupting in his chest. By morning he had taken a decision. Went to the mil, gave his resignation and sold furniture and other household items, after coming home. With the money collected he bought a counterfeit firearm and set out in search of Alka. He took an oath "Wherever I meet her, I shall kill her" because this was the only punishment for a blatant betrayal. But during the last ten years, he could not get any clue.

The doorbell was ringing. Sohan got up hurriedly. Banke had brought the food for him. There was a child with him.” I have brought the food, Saheb, it is already 01-30 PM “

Even in winter father and son did not have any warm clothes on their bodies.

“How many children do you have” Sohan asked.

Saheb, four. My wife was telling that to keep the food hot, a Hot Box may be useful. You buy two so that I may bring food in one and take back the other one.

“I shall give the money; you buy it. How much it will cost?”

“I don’t know Saheb. My wife deals with it.”

Sohan thought that the man was simple and honest. Giving him rupees thousand he said,” Look, Banke, use the balance amount to get warm clothing for the children.

Sohan became sad. How is God’s justice? Those who can afford do not have children and those who cannot afford, but still manage a family somehow, have more children. Even though heartbroken by Alka’s absence, he had to work for earning. Being honest he had no difficulty in getting a job and promotions. Now he was a supervisor in a factory.

***

After eating food from Tiffin, the mind became restless with the familiar smell. In his mouth, he drowned in the ocean of happiness, as if after a long time his taste had been found.

***

After several years, Sohan’s life became juicy. He gave a key of the house to Banke and started paying him fifteen hundred rupees a month. In between, he would also clean the house. Sohan had been staying here for over a month. With the peace coming back in his life the yearning to find Alka got dampened. He started convincing his conscience that it was futile to have an attachment with one who had deserted.

One day Banke brought special food. Kachori, Chole, Rayta, and Kheer. Sonan asked in surprise,” Why? What is the special occasion ?“

Saheb Ji, It is the birthday of my younger son”

It was heartening to note. They may be sweating for their daily bread but do not ignore the little pleasure coming in their lives. They celebrated such special occasions even with their limited resources. Banke had served food in a plate. He went to his room and returned with a currency note of rupees five hundred, 'Banke, you keep it, give it to the child on my behalf. The tears came in the eyes of Banke. 'You are God, Saheb Ji.”

Days were passing peacefully. One day a new boy came with my breakfast.

“Who are you? Where is Banke?” Sohan asked.

“He has a severe fever. He could not getup. So Auntie asked me to deliver the breakfast here.”

“Then how will the dinner be delivered?”

“I shall bring myself Saheb."

Banke was bedridden but his wife had made the breakfast with the same delicious taste.

”Did he get the fever so suddenly?”

It was persisting for the last fifteen days. It came at night. Today it was severe, so he could not get up.

“Today I am on leave. How will I get my lunch?”

“I will tell her, Saheb.”

The boy went away. Sohan got pity. Banke would not have shown to any doctor. If something happens then these poor children will be orphaned. In two months, he had almost recognized that Banke was a straightforward person. There is a big hospital in the factory, but probably he could not muster the courage to go there...

During the day the doorbell rang, Sohan said loudly, “The door is open, come in. Put the hotbox on the table and take the morning hotbox from the kitchen”.

Hearing some sound outside he came out. The boy was not there. There was a woman, probably Banke’s wife. Seeing Sohan the hotbox slipped off her hand. Sohan was stunned and stood like a statue. After so many years his prey was standing before him. He started shivering in anger.

“You?”

Alka’s was stunned after seeing Sohan. When the prey is in front, the lion gradually moves forward and captures it... In the same way, he was moving forward step by step. In his eyes, the volcano of anger, hatred, and vengeance was erupting. Perhaps the weapon had got rusted, lying locked in a box, but for this impoverished and ungrateful woman, the hand was as good.

'I searched for the whole country but you are right here under my own eyes enjoying! Today you can not escape

Alka took a step backward, 'Listen to me Sohan ...You may kill me. I shall consider it my good fortune to die in your hands.

'I betrayed you, but it was not a drama. Even today I like you in the form of my husband, without wishing for your well being I do not eat a morsel of food in the morning. You believe me.”

“Should I believe you?” Sohan was unable to speak in anger.

Alka then said, 'Hit me, but not now. If you kill me now, you will get the sin for killing the whole family. What will happen to Banke and his innocent children...?

'Are you trying to implicate me with your words?”

The face of Alka was now fearless. She was calm and composed. She said, Banke, is a very straightforward and weak boy. He is a victim of his fate and poverty. He is living under my umbrella. If I am not there, he will die and in turn, his children will be orphaned. I am guilty Sohan, but what wrong has Banke done to you?

“Well, Is it not a crime to ruin a family?”

“Banke can never do that. Whatever has been done, was done by me”.

'Why Alka? What did you lack? What he had which I could not give you ...?”

'You had everything, Sohan. But Banke gave me the children, which you could not give”.

The ground slipped off under Sohan’s feet. He remembered that day when the doctor had told showing the report, 'Brother, even if you can not have children, you can always adopt!'

He had broken down that day and cried a lot. It was Alka who handled him appropriately.

Sohan bowed down his head. Alka said, See I am the mother of Banke's children. I mend his poor house. But it is true that Banke cannot take your place.

"Stop" Sohan shouted so loud that it made Alka tremble.

'Stop your crap and go home. Get ready Banke. He is struggling with a high fever. Let's take him to the hospital of the factory. Alka wrapped a scarf on her head, 'Please eat .your food first, Sohan. It may get cold”.Alka said and hurriedly got out of the door.

The End