Murmur of the Lonely Brook (18 page)

Parvati went out with the tea for Shevak and Diwa.

“Bring the garlic and get me a knife,” Jayshree told Nisha.

Nisha always loved Jayshree’s company; she was simple yet full of wisdom. She often came out with simple answers to important issues. Jayshree came from a far off place.

“So, you will have two husbands soon.” She smiled at Nisha.

Nisha looked at her but she failed to see any signs of sadness. Almost all of the time Jayshree was merry and smiling.

“Tell me something. How do you love both equally?”

Jayshree smiled at Nisha as if she was asking an innocent question.

“The balance of love is in our mind. How will they read what is inside me? Will one come to know the difference? It’s not as difficult as you think.”

“You mean you didn’t feel any difference when you came to know that you would have two husbands?”

“Why should I? Even my mother had two husbands and both my father and uncle adored me and my brothers and sisters. We were one big happy family.”

“But I am worried. I know it’s good for the family but I cannot be at peace in my mind.”

“Look at me; I am happy with my two husbands and four children. And I can tell you that time will teach you many things. Very soon you will enjoy being loved by two handsome men.”

Nisha felt confused with these insights and wisdom. She continued chopping the onions and thought about Pravin. She thought about the thrill and romance of their first meeting, about their first night, and about the night when her universe crumbled.

Jayshree looked at her. She could not make out if the tears that rolled down her cheeks came from emotional pain or from the onions.

***

In the courtyard, Diwakar kneaded flour with oil and water and passed on the portions to Parvati. Shevak finished cutting the dried chunks of meat with his axe and knife and placed the lot in the large vessel of water. Nisha, Jayshree, and Uma, Balbir’s wife, who had also come early, made balls out of the kneaded flour mixture and rolled them with rolling pins.

The guests arrived in lots and the place was filled with laughter and chatter. A group came and left and then another group came. A few gossiped while a few sang in chorus. Diwakar sat upstairs and played music from his mobile. Parvati started frying the poltu and placed them on a covered vessel. Nisha worked mechanically, helping Parvati. She served the guests while Parvati cooked and sometimes they changed places. Diwakar came down occasionally and helped them wash the plates. By evening, it was over and only a few close relatives and friends remained. Parvati took this opportunity to inform them about the ensuing engagement of Nisha and Diwakar. Everyone was in favor of the understanding and appreciated the arrangement. Parvati felt relieved and thanked the Devta.

Shevak, Parvati, and Diwakar sat in the courtyard. Everyone was exhausted after a hard day’s work. “We need to make the announcement next month,” Parvati said.

“I know.” Shevak puffed on his bidi.

“Do you have some money with you?”

“For what?” Shevak looked at her.

“Chotu said he would send more this month. But I need a bit more as I wish to give a necklace to Nisha.”

“She already has one.”

“But it’s my wish. If you cannot help me buy one then I will give her mine.”

“You only come up with more expenses when you know the earnings are low. Let me see how much we can afford. The bank loans are there.”

“Maybe we could sell the part of the land that we don’t use?”

Shevak felt disturbed and irritated. Land was close to his heart and he could never imagine selling any part of it even though it remained unused.

“You foolish woman, you don’t know what you are saying,” he yelled at her and picked up an empty glass. Diwakar saw his aau and realized that he had to act promptly and stop him. He jumped up and stood between them and grabbed his aau by the shoulder.

“Please calm down, Aau, please,” he pleaded.

Shevak sat down but continued rumbling.

“An ornament is of no use to the family. Land can come to use at any time. I will get you the money you need but don’t ever think of selling land!” He looked at her with scornful eyes.

Parvati kept quiet, as she knew about his ill temper. But she was happy that he assured her he would get the money she needed. This was the only thing on her agenda—to give the girl who would do much to keep the family together a piece of gold.

“Get me the necklace when you go to Sangla.”

“I will, but I need to get wheat and meat also.”

“Yes, and ask your sister to send Ria back.”

Shevak remembered that Ria was the next liability he had. He had to marry her off and that was an expense also. “I will ask them to put her on a bus to Sangla. And then Diwa can go and bring her here.”

“Maybe Diwa could go to Chandigarh and bring her back.”

“I don’t think that’s required. The bus is safe and she can travel alone.” Shevak was tired. He got up and both went inside.

Chapter 18

It was the first day of the mela. Snow flurries filled the valley but the mild wind that blew held some promise of clearing the clouds. Dayawanti was happy to see a gathering at the shop. Some supplies of vegetables and essentials like sugar, rice, and wheat had been delivered. During the mela, everyone brought something and contributed to the temple.

The mela was an annual event during winter and the locals called it Gunga Mela. Gunga means deaf and dumb. No one knew who would be the Gunga; the Devta selected him and Gunga could be either one person or two. Once selected, the Devta spoke through the Gunga and passed judgments. Balbir and a few others chatted and speculated on who would be the Gunga this time.

Parvati saw that one of the cows had been groaning since morning. She took out some dried turnips and fed her. Turnips help to keep cows warm and provide relief from mild diseases. But the turnips did not help and the cow kept groaning. Shevak was not in the house, as he had left for Sangla. She found Diwakar fiddling with his mobile on the balcony.

“You need to take her to the doctor.” A veterinary doctor was posted in the village but his clinic was at the far end beyond Lalaji’s shop.

Diwakar had his breakfast and went out with the cow. It was a slow trek for two kilometers as the cow was sick and could not move fast.

Parvati had breakfast with Nisha and picked up the shovel. “We need to take out the droppings from the cow shed. It’s loaded and will overflow if we don’t move it.”

Both went down and made their way to the apple orchard. Parvati cleared a space in one corner where the cow dung would be heaped. They went inside the cowshed and pushed the manure out into the courtyard. Parvati sat down and spread a sack that was cut open from the middle. She started gathering the manure and stacked them in the middle of the sack. When enough manure were loaded, Nisha and Parvati lifted the sack by holding the corners and carrying it to the clearing. By late afternoon the shed was clear but by that time they both looked miserable and smelled horrible. Parvati sat down exhausted and wiped her hands with snow. She watched Nisha as she cleaned hers with a towel and water.

“We will go to the temple tomorrow. It’s no use for all of us to spend the night there.”

“But will Aau be going tonight?”

“Yes, he has to go. He will have his dinner early and leave.”

Diwakar came back a while later with the cow. He explained the medicine to Parvati and left for the temple.

It was late evening and the villagers, braving the cold, had reached the temple. The snowfall had stopped and the wind finally moved the clouds. The stone bricks of the temple floor were all covered in white. The main complex was in the middle. The thick wooden posts stood dark in the twilight while the tapered slate roof, now covered with snow, extended on all sides. A few candles burned near the door with flickering flames and the light fell on the wooden walls that depicted dragons and deities enhancing their mystery. The Devta sat outside the door in his throne in solitary silence.

On the western side of the compound stood three large halls where the roof offered some protection. The villagers sat outside on the balcony under the overhang and huddled closely together. A fire had been lit on one corner to heat a large vessel filled with oil. A few women strained wheat and cleaned the meats.

The only sound came from the Gur, who was reciting hymns and would perform the puja. He finished his ritual and came back to light oil-soaked torches on four corners. The flames danced in the darkness of night. An eerie silence prevailed until the first beat of the drum. The sky was clear with stars blinking and a quarter moon that spread a mystic glow across the snowscape. The beat continued and suddenly the tempo increased. Everyone looked around and saw the Gunga rising from the crowd. It was Rajaram. He walked in a trance toward the fire and in a flick dipped his hand in the hot boiling oil. He took it out intact and unscathed. This was the proof the villagers were waiting for. It meant that the Devta had taken possession of his body and mind. And Devta was all-powerful. The Gur removed a silver belt from the Devta’s idol and wrapped it around him. He also placed a piece of yellow cloth over his shoulder. Finally, he was made to wear a sheepskin helmet.

It was not that the Devta was present constantly. The Gunga remained silent most of the time and only stood up when Devta wanted to speak through him. The Gunga walked among the crowd of people and everyone felt scared. The Devta passed judgment through the Gunga and identified the non-believers, who were fined. Sometimes it was ten rupees, sometimes twenty, and sometimes more. The youth that followed him decided on the amount. The money was collected and kept in a fund to be used the next morning for buying goodies like chocolates, biscuits, and condiments. The villagers were worried. Not for the fine, which was negligible, but for the loss of face in front of others.

This continued until midnight and then the Gunga rested, or rather the Devta rested. Everyone went home with apprehension for the victims, which Gunga would identify the next day.

The second day was festive in nature. Villagers came with sacks and baskets of apples, wheat, flour, meat, rajma, and other edibles and gathered at the temple. Except for the sick and elderly, everyone came, as staying at home would make them a candidate for identification as a non-believer. Parvati and Nisha left early with apples and buckwheat flour. Diwakar was already in the temple. Shevak woke up late and joined them.

The Gunga was already up and wanted a tour of the village. The drums and cymbals and the Gur followed him. He walked with his eyes half closed, speaking incoherently. The Gunga pointed at three homes in the village whose owners were fined. Arvind was among them and he was fined the highest. He had to pay a hundred rupees to the party.

In the temple, the women and men sang and danced while some cooked meat and poltu. During a break Nisha approached the Devta and stood before him with folded hands and closed her eyes in prayer. In her mind, she spoke with him.

What wrong have I done that you have given me such a punishment? Why are you making me suffer? I have never asked anything from you and even now I don’t ask anything. I respect you and have full faith in you
. She paused for a moment but then continued again.
If this is my destiny then so be it. Just give me courage and strength so that I perform my duties peacefully. I have no peace in my mind. I need your blessings.
She stood there for some more time and then went back to sit with Parvati and the other women.

After a while, liquor was served and the men drank to their heart’s content. The liquor helped them overcome the cold and they continued dancing until late in the evening. The party broke up and except for the victims, everyone went back relieved.

Ria came back after a few days. She traveled alone on a bus to Sangla. And as the city faded behind her, she felt depressed. Diwakar picked her up at Sangla and brought her home. Both Parvati and Nisha looked at her for a while.

It was difficult for Parvati to approve the jeans and shirt.

“You are old enough now. You should not wear this English dress.”

“Everybody wears these in the city.”

“Yes, but this is the village. It would be better if you put on something decent.”

“You will always remain a farmer,” Ria said and marched out of the room.

She went inside and unpacked her bag. She saw the packet of photos and spread them on the bed. After a while she forgot the exchange with aama and called Nisha.

Both went through the photos and Ria told her her excitedly about all the places she had visited. She insisted that it was the best place to live and was much better than their village.

“I will live in this city. I am not going to stay here,” she announced.

All along Nisha sat silently by her side and listened to her. Ria finished and looked at her, expecting some comment.

“Why are you so quiet?”

“It’s nothing,” Nisha said, managing a weak smile.

“No, I can see you are not your usual self. But you should be happy. Now you will have two husbands instead of one!”

“Do you think it’s something to be happy about?”

“Both my brothers are good and they will take good care of you.”

Nisha thought about speaking her mind but realized that it was useless to waste words with her.

“Yes, they are good and I should be happy,” she said and went back to the kitchen.

***

Diwakar crossed the river and went up the slopes with his axe. He had tried to find a few friends to go along but everyone was busy. He decided to go alone. He found nothing on the nearby slopes and trekked higher. He used the axe for support and reached the forest. The snow had melted from the rocks and boulders but the ground was still covered with a thick layer. He saw footprints of various animals in the snow and assumed they had gone to the river. He sat on a boulder and glanced around. The pines stood tall with their bark wet from the snow. The wind blew through them and made a whoo-whoo sound. A few that stood in the shadows still had snow on them. Freshly fallen needles made a pattern below each tree. The oaks and poplars stood naked and bare but he knew the new leaves would come out soon. He looked at the spring flowing next to the boulder. The top was frozen but he heard the faint sound of the water flowing underneath.

He thought about Nisha and his dream. He smiled at the very thought of her. In just a few days, she would be in his arms. It was more of a fulfillment than a desire. He thought of the coming season and decided to advise aama to take complete rest. He would work the farm only with Nisha. He thought of the many moments he would spend with her on the field, the meadows, the slopes, and near the spring. He decided to straighten up the house, the room, the courtyard, and everything around it. He would ask aau for two lamb kids to accompany them to the field everyday. He thought about planting a few rose bushes around the fencing.

He then drew a house on the snow with his finger, with a tree and two lambs. He felt happy looking at it and then clicked on a song on his mobile. He kept it playing on the boulder and picked up the axe.

***

Shevak sat with Ria and listened to her intently. He had a soft spot for her and had missed her presence all through winter. He asked her about everything. He also shared his experiences in the city. He saw the photos. “You look like a city girl.”

Ria thought about sharing her thoughts with him but good sense prevailed and she simply smiled. She knew he would never approve.

“I have learned a few recipes. I will cook them for you.”

“And what are those?”

“Noodles, a sweet dish from carrots, and also cakes, but we don’t have the things we need.”

“Never mind, we will try the carrots some time.”

Parvati made pancakes and watched father and daughter talking together for some time. “Why don’t you tell her not to wear those pants in the village?”

Shevak glanced at Ria’s pained expression and was at a loss of words. He smiled at her but kept silent. Parvati saw the conspiracy between them and decided to drop the subject.

Lila got the news that Ria was back and came to meet her. Ria hugged her and pulled her inside. Ria showed off her photos again and chatted for a while until Lila interrupted her.

“Your brother is getting married tomorrow?”

“Yes, Nisha will be his wife also,” Ria said casually.

“He does not want another girl to be his wife?”

“No, both my brothers will share her, like Aunt Jayshree.”

“So now it’s your turn?”

Ria blushed and smiled. But then she was serious. “I need to ask Jeet when he will be ready.”

“Ready for what?”

“For running away to the city,” she said and realized instantly that she had divulged a great secret. But Lila was a trusted friend and an ally. “But you must swear to God not to tell anyone about my plans.”

“I swear,” Lila said, touching her.

Ria looked at her and saw she was sincere. She smiled at her and both left for the courtyard.

At night, Ria went to sleep early. But sleep eluded Nisha, and she stood at the window gazing at the faraway peaks. She couldn’t see the moon but she could see the moonshine washing the slopes that stood tall against the dark sky. The mountains had always instilled a sense of freedom in her but now she felt trapped, trapped in a situation from which there was no escape. She thought about how to face the situation. It was only a day away. She knew she could not pretend. She knew everyone expected her to be happy. Everyone expected her to keep the two men happy. She knew it would be difficult. She once again prayed for strength and wisdom.

***

It was the morning of the announcement. Pravin sat in the shop with his gaze fixed outside. He had a sense of accomplishment and felt happy it was he who had taken the initiative. He knew his aau treated him differently now. He was not sure about Nisha but hoped she would meet all expectations. Diwa was more than a brother and he was sure there would never be any differences between them.

“What are you thinking?” Raju asked.

“It’s my brother’s marriage today and I cannot attend.”

“Yes, you told me earlier. Maybe you should make a phone call.”

Pravin nodded.

“And when do you plan to go back to your village again? Remember, you promised to take me along with you.”

“Yes, I remember. We will surely make a trip but not immediately. Let my brother have fun for a few months,” he said with a stoic smile.

***

Shevak sat in the courtyard while Diwa cut his hair. He took a handful of snow to remove the trimmings from his face and jacket. Shevak then insisted Diwakar go for a haircut but he refused. Winter was the only time he could grow his hair and he liked it as it was. He simply shaved and washed his face.

In the kitchen, Parvati took out her treasured shawl and the necklace Shevak had brought from Sangla. As per custom, the women wore a necklace made of black beads with three gold balls in the middle. Nisha already had one of those, so Parvati wanted this necklace to be different. This had alternate green and gold beads and Parvati felt sure she would like it.