The Green Room & Devi Collection by Nag Mani

Author:Nag Mani [Mani, Nag]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-03-20T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 6

THE TEMPLE

Aditi was chopping vegetables for lunch when she heard an auto-rickshaw stop outside. Manoj came in and informed her that the Mukhiya of the village had invited them for lunch. Cursing, she put the vegetables in water and changed hurriedly.

It couldn’t be a coincidence, she thought, as the vehicle bounced along the brick-road.

Laila had paid her a visit that morning. Zoya, her youngest daughter, hopped along.

“I heard you came out in the fields last night,” Laila had said as she settled herself in the bedroom. Zoya observed in awe the many books piled carelessly on the table. “It’s not safe, Madam. You should stay…”

“I saw someone come out of the field.”

“Ah, Madam, these thugs, why should you go chasing them? My husband tells me…”

“Not a thug! It was… never mind. I heard someone died two days ago?”

“Madam, you want tea, do you? I have a headache. Zoya? You girl, stop nosing around. Go home and make us some tea.”

“Why are you troubling the little girl? Come along to the kitchen. I will put some milk to boil.”

“Oh, Madam, you don’t know these little brats. Just playing and eating all day. You stay here. Go girl. Go to the kitchen and make two cups of tea.”

“Sugar and tea are on the shelf. There is a little milk in…” Zoya had already pranced out of the room. “Call me if you can’t find something,” Aditi shouted after her.

“You have lots of books out here. Do you teach?”

“No. I… err… I am preparing for some exam. But where is the time? I mean…”

“Yes. This is a new era, Madam. The world is changing. Otherwise when have you seen women working? I hear women in cities even drive cars! What courage it must take! Can you drive, Madam?”

“No, I…”

“But you can easily learn. I know it! I know what people are capable of the moment I see them. And I see it in you.”

“Thank you. I surely do want to learn to drive. But tell me, Laila, who was the man who died recently?”

Laila paused for a brief second. “I will tell you what Madam, there are some things beyond our understanding. And we should leave them to it. They leave us alone. And so should we. Do not go meddling with something you do not understand.”

“What do you mean?”

“You are a guest here, Madam. There is a reason we call you our guest. You don’t know things, so your faults can be overlooked. You are not aware of our customs and beliefs. We don’t want to tell you either, for if we do, then you too will be bound by them. But let me tell you these two things,” she leaned forward and held Aditi’s hands. “Those trees out there. Don’t go near them. And never meddle with anyone – by anyone, I mean anyone – going in or coming out.”

“Why? What is there in the forest?”

“We just don’t go there, Madam. There are some customs we villagers follow. It’s for our own safety.

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