THORNS IN THE CROWN by Tanushree Podder

Author:Tanushree Podder
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing India Pvt Ltd

25

Peter

A Man Spurned

Do I love Devyani enough to join the revolutionaries? Peter asked himself repeatedly but found no answers. The more she rejected him, the more he wanted her.

The miasma lifted suddenly. Peter had been roaming aimlessly on the streets when he saw Devyani exiting a restaurant with a British officer. Surprised, he watched her smiling coquettishly at the officer. This woman, who professed to have dedicated her life to the cause, had rejected his love for that of a British officer.

Worse, Peter knew Major Robert Adams was a womaniser and an alcoholic. The staff at the officers’ mess had noticed the women who stole into his room. The philanderer had an enormous appetite for women.

Forty, balding and overweight, Adams was an ill-tempered officer posted at Fort William. What was Devyani doing with that scoundrel?

The officer held her arm and steered her across the road. Seething with rage, Peter followed them into a nearby theatre.

The next morning, taking leave from work, Peter made his way to Devyani’s house to warn her about Adams.

She stood at the door, blocking his entry.

‘Let me enter, Devyani,’ he begged.

‘Why are you here, Peter?’ Worry lines creased her forehead and she appeared exhausted.

‘How can you flirt with a British officer? What happened to all those sermons about your dedication to the country?’ Peter shouted. His loud voice was drawing the attention of the neighbours who were now peeping from their windows.

‘You are making a scene. People are watching us.’

‘Why don’t you let me enter the house?’ Pushing her aside, Peter stepped inside.

‘Have you been spying on me?’ Her face was flushed with anger.

‘There is no need to spy. You aren’t discreet, Miss Lily White.’

‘Are you drunk, Peter?’

‘No, I am not drunk. I am celebrating my frustrations.’

Their relationship was far from comfortable at the moment. They had parted on a discordant note. Shrugging nonchalantly, Devyani stepped away from him. In a quick move, he grabbed and pinioned her against the wall, and kissed her on the mouth. For a moment, she was taken aback by his boldness. Then she began hitting and scratching him.

He swore and released her. She wiped her bruised lips with the back of her hand and tears filled her eyes.

Regretting the impulsive action, Peter grabbed her hand. ‘I am so sorry, Devyani,’ he muttered.

‘How dare you?’ she cried, slapping him hard across the face.

‘I love you.’

‘I don’t want to see your face. Don’t come here ever again,’ she hissed.

‘If I see you with Adams, I swear I’ll kill him.’

‘Get out!’

Peter’s nights were haunted by thoughts of Devyani and Adams. Obsessed with jealousy, he shirked work and lurked around her house to keep watch. He followed her everywhere. Ismail’s warnings had no effect on him. He no longer cared about the job or himself. He wanted to kill Adams.

A week later, he applied for leave and went to Chandernagore. A dangerous plan took shape in his mind as he travelled to the Mitra mansion, where he was greeted with the usual warmth.

After dinner, the menfolk gathered in the baithak khana to enjoy their session of hookah and gossip as usual.

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