Short Story by:RANJIT SINHA ROY



The sun had already set and daylight was fading fast. The bus reached late by more than an hour and the ferry boat, after waiting for long, had finally left. The river was very wide here and the last few fishing boats were returning to shore. The sky was gray with low monsoon clouds and rain might start any moment. With no more ferry service for the day, the jetty was empty.

Usually the rickety bus would reach well in time. But today there was a tyre puncture and it took nearly half an hour to get it changed. Then few miles after, suddenly without any warning, the engine stopped. The driver requested the passengers to get down and push. After several attempts the engine coughed, grumbled and with much reluctance returned to life. Now at riverside, to avoid a repeat, the driver without stopping the engine reversed and started back. He did not want to take any chance. The bus would return only next morning.

Sujit was one of the passengers to get off. He was a salesman for a company dealing with agricultural implements. He was to go to the town across the river and meet the Development Officer next morning. Now with no ferry or bus service available, he did not know what to do. Few villagers, who got down from the bus, had already walked away. Sujit had never been to this place. He felt stranded and did not know where to take shelter for the night.

There under a large shady tree, was a small teashop. Business for the day being over, the shop owner was preparing to go home before it was dark or started to rain. He locked the shop door and was ready to go. Desperate, Sujit went to him and requested to wait for a minute. The man asked,
“What do you want Sir? Shop is closed. I cannot prepare tea for you. It is getting dark and may start to rain anytime. I must go now.”

Sujit said
“No, no, I do not want tea. See I am new to the place and know nothing of this area. I came by the bus and wanted to go to the town on other side of the river. Now both the last bus and ferry boat have left and I am stranded. Do not know where to go. Can you suggest any hotel or lodge nearby?”

The man laughed at his naivete.
“No Sir, it is a small village and we have no hotel or lodge here. You get them only in towns.”

However, he was considerate. He thought for few moments, then said,
“Sir, I can suggest you one thing. You see the village across the paddy fields? Take the mud road and the first house on left with brick walls and tin roof belongs to one retired schoolteacher. He is an educated person and a very nice man. He will definitely give you shelter for the night. Now can I go Sir?”

“Oh sure. Thank you.”

Sujit walked down the mud road across the field and reached the house with a high boundary wall and a broad wooden door for entrance. The door was closed. It was almost dark by then and raindrops started falling. Sujit knocked on the door and when there was no response banged hard. Someone shouted from inside,
“Wait, wait, I am coming.”
An elderly person opened the door. He looked at Sujit in jeans and T-shirt, with a kit bag in hand. He could make out that the young man was not a local villager. He must be from the city. Suspicious of strangers, he asked,
“Yes, what do you want?”

Sujit explained his helplessness. He wanted some shelter for the night. Early next morning he would leave and take the first ferry service.
Raindrops increased by then. The man asked Sujit to hurry inside. He bolted the door, went to the veranda and switched on the light. He then said a little apologetically,
“Were you knocking at the door for long? I am bit short of hearing. Sit down please.” They sat on two wooden armchairs on the verandah.
The man said,
“My younger son may be a couple of years older than you. Only this afternoon he left for the town and will return by tomorrow evening. It would have been nice if you could meet him. He passed Intermediate. My elder son is a graduate, working in the Revenue Office in town. He stays there with his wife and children and comes here on school vacations. My daughter is the eldest, married and lives in a village about thirty miles from here. My wife is no more. It is now three years since she passed away.” The old man loved to talk. He gave details of his family to a stranger. Simple folk. Then asked,

“How about you, are you married?”

“No, not yet.”

Sujit could see the lighted kitchen door at the other end of the veranda. Someone inside was preparing food. Aroma of cooking floated out.

“Pushpa, Pushpa.” The old man called in the direction of the kitchen. One young woman wiping hands appeared at the door.
“Were you calling me Papa?” She asked.
”Yes, come here for a moment.” The old man said. She came and stood near them.

She was about twenty-five, of medium height with a proportionate figure. With smooth light brown complexion, she had large innocent eyes on an attractive face. A stone set gold bud glittered on left side of the nose. Two plain gold earrings shined over her cheeks. Her long black hair was loosely knotted in a bun over the slender neck. Glancing at Sujit, she wiped her sweat glistening face with the Saree (Indian ladies’wear).

The old man told,
“We have a guest tonight. He is from the city, unfortunately missed both last bus and ferry. He will be here for the night and take the early morning ferry service. Will have dinner with us. Prepare some special dishes for our guest.”

Glancing once again at Sujit the young woman nodded and was about to return to kitchen, when the old man remembered something and added,
“You arrange his bed in my elder son’s room.”
“Yes Papa.” The woman returned to kitchen.

“Pushpa is the wife of my second son. She is tenth pass and from the town. Nice girl, not like other village women. I am lucky to have her as my daughter-in-law.”
The man was silent for a while. Then added,
“Only one sad thing. My son and she are married nearly five years and still no issue. It keeps me worried all the time. My elder son has two daughters. Who will carry the family title?” He sighed deeply.

Rain had stopped by then. Pushpa finished preparing food and came out of kitchen. She went to the hand pump in a corner of the courtyard and washed her hands, feet and face. She filled a bucket and kept it on the veranda. She went to the last room at the end of the veranda and after some time, entered the middle room and closed the door. Few minutes later she came out, changed to a fresh light yellow saree and hair neatly combed and braided. With a large red bindi (dot on forehead), she looked innocent, pious, and pretty.

“Bed is made. Shall I serve dinner now?” She asked the old man.
He said, “Oh, yes. Our guest must be tired and hungry by now.” He looked at Sujit and smiled.

It started to rain again. Raindrops drumming on the tin roof and falling in straight parallel lines, it was a strange experience for Sujit. Just a few hours back, these people were completely unknown to him and now the old man had told all about his family. He not only gave him shelter for the night but also offered dinner and bed. Very simple folk they were. One would not find such people in the city. Those were mostly selfish and suspicious of strangers.

Sujit wanted to wash his hands and feet. He went to the edge of the veranda. Standing near, Pushpa poured water from the bucket and handed him a clean towel. Without looking, Sujit knew that she was watching him.

Meantime, Pushpa swept and mopped a portion of the floor in verandah. She put two carpet mats side by side and placed brass plates and water filled glasses in front. She asked them to sit down for dinner.
(Normal Indian custom of serving dinner in rural areas).

Food was warm, simple and tasty. Sujit praised the preparations, but she only smiled. The old man commented that she was an excellent cook. Blushing she glanced at Sujit.

Dinner over, they sat for sometime in the chairs again. Sujit told about his parents, his brother and sister in the city. His education and job. The old man said his younger son was in grains supply business and doing fairly well. His only worry was that the daughter-in-law had no issue so far. Both husband and wife had been to various places of worship with no result. Three months back, they consulted a Gynecologist in the town. He prescribed medicines and gave some hope. Now everything depended on God’s will.

Pushpa had dinner in the kitchen. Then she arranged things and locked the kitchen door. She entered the middle room, in a row of three on one side of the verandah. Old man explained that the first room was his own and the middle one for the younger son and Pushpa. Last room was for the elder son and his family, whenever they come. Bed for Sujit was arranged in that.

“Papa, it is time for you to go to bed.” She called from her room.
“Yes, yes, I should go now.” He got up, and then told Sujit, “Moreover, you are to get up early to catch the first ferry. It leaves at sunrise. Hope you will be comfortable and sleep well. Good Night.”
He walked to his room and bolted the door.

Sujit also went to the assigned room and shut the door. The bed was neatly prepared with a clean white sheet. He changed to nightdress, switched off the light and went to bed. It was dark, except for a faint nightglow coming through the open window.

He could hear Pushpa bolting her bedroom door. Then everything was quiet, except raindrops beating on the tin roof and frogs croaking in the dark. Somewhere in the distance a dog was barking and a night bird flew from one tree to other.

The place, the bed and raindrops beating on the tin roof, were all new to him and Sujit was not getting sleep. He turned from side to side and thought of the happenings of the day. He thought of Pushpa and felt sad for her. Poor woman.

Sujit almost dozed off, when he heard the faint sound of a door opening. Then he saw the door connecting his and the middle room slowly opening. The adjoining room was Pushpa’s and the door was shut when he came in. Now what could have happened? He saw Pushpa silently walk to his bed. He was surprised. Was it for real?
Then Pushpa bent towards him and whispered,
“Are you asleep?”
“No, not yet. What happened? Is your father-in-law alright?”
“He is alright and sounds asleep. May I sit on the bed?” Her voice was almost a whisper.
“Oh yes, please sit down.” He moved a little away and Pushpa sat on the edge. She smelt of rose, perhaps it was the body powder she used.

Her low voice trembled a little,
“I request you not to mistake me. I heard you and my father-in-law talking. Now you know that even after five years of marriage, I am still childless. We tried all available means, but without any result. My husband likes children very much and he is more worried than anyone else. He constantly thinks about this and gets depressed. If it continues like this for long, I am afraid, something serious may happen. I love my husband more than my own life. I am ready to sacrifice anything for him. I even asked him to remarry, but he is vehemently opposed. We love each other very much.” She paused.

Even in the dark, Sujit knew she was crying silently. He moved nearer and said,
“Your father-in-law told that some Gynecologist has given you some hope.”

“Yes, he also said that I am absolutely normal. Defect lies with my husband. It seems that for certain males, a particularly essential thing for reproduction is extremely low in quantity. My husband is one of them. Fortunately it is not absolutely zero. Chances are there, but one in thousand. Doctor prescribed some medicines and he is taking them regularly. He is perfectly capable otherwise. We do it – you know what – with the hope of my conceiving. Then every month disappointment awaits us and he gets frustrated. I do not know what is in our fate.”

She was silent. So also Sujit. Then almost inaudible, she whispered,
“You can help me.”
“I can help you! How! I am not a doctor!” Surprised Sujit could not make out what she meant.

“You can help me get a child. You know how. Days are passing by. Then a time will come when it will be too late. Everyday I beg to God to find me a way. Now I think He has listened to my prayers. Tonight my husband is away and my body is ready to accept your offer. None has seen you coming. No one will suspect. You are God sent. Please help me, please.” She held his hand.

Sujit was speechless for few seconds, then said,
“You told that you love each other very much. Now will you not be betraying him? Will you not be unfaithful and cheating an innocent person?”
“No, I will not. I request you to save him. I was, I am and I shall ever remain the most faithful wife. My fidelity is beyond question.” She paused,
“It is my body which needs you, not my soul. My heart belongs to my husband only.”
Though Sujit knew that she had no love for him, still the desire for her body was intense and rising rapidly. Hesitant, he asked,
“Your husband may suspect.”
“No, he will not. He tries every night and tomorrow also he will make attempts. If I conceive tonight, he will think that his efforts have finally yielded result. He is a simple man and will never suspect me even in dreams. Now, please do not delay.” She whispered and her lips lightly touched his ear. He felt hot and could not control passion any longer. Forget the mind, he wanted her warm body.

He pulled her close. Eyes closed, lips parted, she tilted her face up and he passionately kissed her full in the mouth. They removed their clothes and embraced each other hard, feverishly kissing and caressing all over. Holding his cheeks in both her palms, Pushpa pushed his head down to her bare breasts. With burning passion, Sujit laid her flat on the bed. Body against body, his chest pressing her firm round breasts and a leg circling her smooth tapering thigh, time ceased to exist. She was soft, shivering and warm under his palm. Eyes shut, lips trembling, moaning and breathing heavily she pulled him over her. Sujit was fully roused by then. Eager and impatient, her body was inviting and she begged him to take her at once.

Sujit was clumsy and fumbling. Sensing his lack of experience, Pushpa guided him through the trembling, pulsating and moist road to paradise. He was like a lion in cage and then, the earth shook; sky went aflame and the world exploded within. Mouths locked, they tried to muffle the last ecstatic cry. And then it was all over. Sweating exhausted and limp, Sujit rolled down to the side.

Rain stopped by then. A dog was barking somewhere in the distance and frogs continued to croak. Pushpa remained flat and motionless on her back. Probably she wanted to fully absorb the precious gift she received tonight, not wanting to waste even a drop of it.

Few minutes later, Sujit put one arm across her breasts and circled her silky smooth thighs with one leg. He tried to pull her nearer, but slowly and gently Pushpa removed his hand and leg from over her.
Surprised, he asked,
“What happened, anything wrong?”

Without answering Pushpa got down from the bed and put on her clothes. She said,
“I am going to my room. Thank you for everything. Now all depend on my luck.” She walked towards the connecting door and then remembering something, came back and stood near the bed. She whispered,
“Tomorrow you must leave early, even before sunrise, when it is still dark and go to the river jetty. And one more thing, it is my personal request --- never again come to this house or try to meet me. Please.” She turned, went to her room and bolted the door shut.

For a long time Sujit remained awake. He felt exploited and cheated and was angry. Then, slowly reason descended on him. He realized her desperate condition and felt compassion. He sincerely wished her efforts tonight would be successful.
Slowly he became calm and rather felt sorry for her. Listening to the continuous croaking of frogs, he fell asleep.

Hours later, when birds started chirping, he woke up with a start. Quickly he changed the dress, took the bag and came out of the room. It was still dark around, only the sky was getting lighter and luckily it was not raining.

He walked to the old man’s door and knocked.
“Who is it?” Old man shouted from his bed.
“It is me. I am leaving now.” Sujit replied.
“Oh, I see. Wait, I am coming.” The old man opened the door, looked around and said, “Why so early? It is still dark.”
“No, today I do not want to take any chance. I must catch the first ferry boat. I would rather wait at the jetty than miss it.”
“Okay, as you wish.” Then he called “Pushpa, Pushpa, get up, our guest is leaving.”
After a minute, Pushpa came out with sleepy eyes and disheveled. She stood away from Sujit and avoided looking at him.
“Go up to the entrance door and close it after he leaves.” The old man told her.
Sujit took the old man’s hands “Thank you very much for everything. I really did not expect so much hospitality. Thanks again.”
“God bless you.” The old man muttered.

They got down from the verandah. The old man stood alone. Sujit walked to the exit door, Pushpa following him. He opened the door and stepped out. Pushpa was about to close the door, when he turned and whispered,
“I understand your position Pushpa. I have no doubt that you are a very devoted and faithful wife. There was no sin in what you did last night. Sure I shall try my best to honor your request. Still, I can never forget you. Thanks for everything and good bye.”
He walked away in the darkness. Pushpa closed the door.

One and half years passed by. Sujit avoided any sales assignment in that area. But now his senior wanted him to go there and he could not refuse.

It was late afternoon when Sujit got down from the bus. Next ferry would be after another two hours. He glanced at the watch. Plenty of time to make a trip to the village. After moments of hesitation he started walking down the mud road, across paddy fields. He must know what happened to Pushpa. He was curious.

In few minutes he was knocking at the entrance door. It was hot and humid and he was sweating. Some male voice responded from inside and then the door opened. A young man, must be Pushpa’s husband, stood holding the door and looked at Sujit. He was tall, well built and pleasantly handsome. Sujit liked him instantly. No wonder Pushpa loved him so much. He felt guilty in his presence.
“Yes! You want something?” He asked with a smile.

Sujit said, “Pardon me. I was passing this way and felt very thirsty. It is so hot. Hope you won’t mind, if I ask for a glass of water.”
“Oh no, not at all. Please come in.” He stepped aside.

Sujit came to the courtyard and there he saw Pushpa. A child on lap, she was sitting on the steps to the verandah. She showed neither surprise nor any recognition, but kept looking at him. Her husband said,
“Pushpa, please get a glass of water for the gentleman. He is thirsty.”
Pushpa got up, came to her husband, asked him to hold the child and went to kitchen.

The child was chubby and very cute. With large eyes he was staring at Sujit.
“Your son?” Sujit asked. “How old is he?”
“Yes, my son.” The young man sounded proud. “He is about nine months.”
Sujit looked around. “Is there no one else, say your parents?”
“No, my mother died two years after our marriage and father passed away just three months back. He loved his grandson very much.”
The child was still staring at Sujit.
“You have a lovely boy” Sujit extended hands and readily the child came to him. He was not afraid of the stranger.

Sujit did not know what came to him. His whole being became cool and quiet and a peculiar calm descended on him. He pressed the baby lightly to his chest and felt nothing could be more desirable than this. He closed his eyes for few seconds and when opened, saw Pushpa standing beside her husband and watching him with a glass of water in hand.

Sujit carefully held the child with one arm took the glass and drank it full. The young man asked if he would like to have some more water. Though he did not need any, Sujit said,
“Yes, one more glass please.”
He wanted to hold the child longer. Pushpa went back to kitchen and returned with a jug of water. She avoided looking at him directly.

After some time, though he wished to stay longer, Sujit felt it proper to go then. After one more hug, he extended the child to Pushpa. But the child would not go and clung to him. Smiling, Pushpa’s husband remarked,
“He likes you very much.”
He told the child,
“Do you want to go with uncle? Then go, Ta-Ta. Bye.”
He laughed. But Pushpa did not, as though she believed the child might really go along with Sujit. She almost forcibly took the child away from his arms and he started to cry. Pushpa wiped his tears and tried to console him.

Sujit was watching. Several times their eyes met, but her face remained expressionless. Few minutes later Sujit said,
“I shall make a move now. May miss the ferry otherwise.” He softly pinched cheeks of the child in Pushpa’s arms and said,
“Ta – Ta, Bye.”

He started walking towards the exit door. The young man came along with. Sujit heard the child crying. The boy wanted to come to him.

At the door, just before going out, he turned to have a last look at Pushpa and the child. Pushpa held the right arm of the child up and waved at him. She was telling the child,
“Ask uncle to come again. He must not forget you.”
Smiling she was looking at Sujit. But did her eyes look sad? He was not very sure.

Sujit waved back, smiled and said,
“No, I shall not forget you. Never.”

He thanked, shook hands with the young man and stepped out.