Allie has come to his village after whole twenty years. He knows that in these twenty years a lot things has been changed in his village. He wanted to discover his village. Wanted to see all the changes, that happened after he left it for study.
He came to his inherited village house. He was excited to see his village and wanted to discover it own, without anyone's help.
When he reached his Grandfather's house, he heard that everyone has gone to village temple for worship. It was 4 pm of evening when he left his Grandfather's house to roam in the village.
He went to the tube well where he used to bath in his childhood with his friends. He roamed the village market which has become quite developed in these twenty years. After that, he went to Banwari , who makes betel for people, spent sometimes there, talking to villagers there.
The first person said, "Are you new in this village? "
Allie said, "Yeah! "
The second person said, "Are you the son of Appu goldsmith, who were to come today in this village? "
Allie said, "Yes! , I'm his son. "
The first person said, " Do you have any taveej or locket? "
Allie asked, "Why? (...pause...). By the way, I have a locket in my arm. Ammi had tied it, in my childhood.
The first person said, "Then, it is OK. "
(Allie thought why they asked about taveej and all. No matter, let it go!!)
After some talk, when sun were giving the last beam of it's sunlight. He left that betel shop. Now, he decided to visit the other side of the village and thought that he will come home at dinner time.
(The other side of the village was joined by a common road, to the other side of the village, city road in between, perpendicular to that common road.)
He was walking, seeing and was noticing all the changes of his new looking village. By now, sun has no sign in the sky.
......
It were half dark there, when he reached the village road turn, which opens to the city road. There he saw a girl, holding a pitcher in her waist. He thought to ask her, whether he is on right way or not, to go to the other side of village.
Allie said, "Hello?? Heyy?? "
(As she was going towards the city road, Allie was able to see only her back.)
She looked back and said, "What is the matter, Babuji? "(Allie saw that girl, her look was so innocent.)
Fascinated by her concern, he decided to visit the other side of village with her. And by this way, he won't get lost in this village, which has become so big in these twenty years.
Allie said, "Will you help me visit this village? I am new here. (...pause...) Ahh.. Do you know Appu goldsmith? "
She answered him in nod.
Allie said, " I am his son. "
She said, "Oh! you are Appu's uncle son. I know him, after all he is the wealthiest and the most reputed person of this village. "
Allie said, "So do you.... help me visit this village. "
She said, "I will, but you have to listen a story from me, now. Only then, I will help you. "
Allie said, "By the way, what's your name? "
She said, "My name is Joya. So can I start the story, now. If you will listen it tonight, I will take you to village tomorrow.
Allie said, "Huhh.... "
(Till now, Allie and Joya were in front of each other. There was a red line between the two, which was separating the city road and the village road.
Now, both get seated on a big stone which was half on both side of red line, which was at the corner of village turn to city road. Allie was seated on the village side of that stone and she was seated on the other side. And in between, there was that red line.)
She started the story.
In a village, there was a road which was the only link between that village and the nearby city. That road was perpendicular to the village road, taking a turn at a distance. It has a dreary look in daytime. It was like years ago, someone destroyed the glory and gleam of that road.
