INDALI

CHAPTER - 8

*3rd person P.O.V*

*Few days later*

"Have you heard Thakur sahab's daughter has called a meeting near Ramesh babu's home?" A group of women were murmuring among themselves.

"Yes yes I have heard. Such a besharam she is. Her husband died few weeks back and now what is she doing? Calling meetings? Tsk tsk" another women replied shaking her head in displeasure.

"Even I have heard that Ramesh regularly visit Thakur's home. Something is cooking up between them. I am telling you her intensions aren't right".

"I have heard the sa-" a woman stopped mid sentenced as a group of men passed by them. "They might be going towards Ramesh babu's house" she contined as her curious eyes followed the men.

Right then a girl around 14 years old walked by them , following the men. A women called her out "Rani where are you going?" The girl turned around and replied "haven't you heard kaki the meeting has been called for everyone from children's to women from young to old , everyone"saying this she turned around and strolled out of their sight.

The women again murmured something among themselves and followed the girl.

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In between the leaves of the tree , the afternoon sun was peeking ever so slightly. The leaves were dancing with the wind. The rustling sound of the leaves weren't calm as they used to be , it more resonated as a ting of battle , a ting of rebellion.

Men , women , children everyone were gathered around a big tree infront of Ramesh's house. They were assuming and questioning among themselves that what must be the reason that everyone is gathered here? What Indali wants to talk to them? The murmuring was overpowering every other noise of the surrounding.

A little boy came running and inbetween his heavy breaths he whispered,"They are here. She is here". And all the loud murmuring stopped at once. That low little voice stopped everything , even the breeze. Everything went still.

From a distance they saw two men approaching them. They were Ramesh and another person from the village. Following them was a lady , a very young lady. Draped in a pale blue saree. As they came closer the crowds anticipation was reaching heights.

Indali's heart was beating so fast that it might have came out of her mouth but she knew to control her emotions for good. She never imagined that the whole village was going take her so seriously but deep down she was satisfied that whatever is going to happen is going to happen for once and for all.

Those who were sitting under the tree stood straight. Ramesh came to a halt infront of the villagers and so did Indali. She took a deep breath and started speaking ,"Namaskar! Some of you must be aware that a few days back Angrez sahab's were here to collect taxes. But due to the chaos and failed administration , we were unable to pay them their allowance. After my father's death my husband was the one who was dealing with it but after him..."

There was stillness. Everyone were waiting for Indali's next words. The silence was more painful than Angrez sahab's Chabuk.

"Zamindari is something that is passed down from generation to generation but Angrez sahab asked me to hand over our zamindar to him , to them. But i am not going to do that not even at the cost of my life."

Many people shivered seeing the fire in her eyes. Back somewhere a person whispered in his wife's ear ,"May lord provide that Sahab with mercy" and his wife chuckled.

"So what are you trying to say here?" An olderly man asked to her in a grave voice.

She took a deep breath and gulped the lump down that was forming in her throat and said ,"I will be taking up the zamindari."

And the murmurs rang again.

"Zamindari? And You?" The older person asked to her making a disgusting face. "Is there any other option kaka?" Indali questioned back. "We will choose someone else as our zamindar." Another person from the crowd suggested.

Indali look towards that person and replied ,"You think Angrez will let that person perform all his duty? They will take up his zamindari , promising the person only with mere pension then they will impose whatever amount of tax they want and I won't let it happen." Everyone went silent once again.

An old woman came to the front and asked ,"Don't you have shame. You are a woman and they don't do men's work."

"And it will be alright with you when those angrez will beat you and take away all your money , leaving you only with hunger?" Indali asked. "What's the guarantee that you won't give up this zamindari?" Another question popped up. "My father loved this village more than anything in his life and for him I am ready to go to any extent."

Bulbul kaki from the crowd came forward and said ,"Beta but don't you think a man would be appropriate for this job? To handle everything?" Indali smiled a little and said ,"A man would have probably handed over all his duties by now to those sahab's but I am standing infront of you , fighting for your rights and your welfare".

"Huh!! You think you did a great job by doing this? What are you? What are you thinking of yourself huh?" A rage filled voice from the crowd said.

For a moment it reminded her of her mother in law. Her raged filled voice and eyes. She was constantly taking deep breaths and calming her down. All these were so new to her and her anxiety wasn't helping at all.

"Ami Indali and I am your new zamindar."

She turned back and went away from the crowd towards the village. Everyone again went silent for the n'th time. But this time a chuckle rang in that stillness and it was non other than Ramesh's.

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Chabuk - the long whip sort of thing that the colonial govt used to punish people with.

Ami - it's a Bengali word which mean "I'm"

The update is here:):):):)

Finally. I wrote another chapter. And we hit 200 views woahhh!! It might not be big enough for you but it's huge for me !! Thank you ❤️ Hehe

I hope you liked the chapter. If you did then do vote and comment. Wishing you people Merry Christmas and happy new year in advance.

Until the next update.

With love,
Ek Choti Lekhika