KHARKA VILLAGE

PART 01 BLACK SHEEP

Suresh trudged homeward from Jaspur market to Kharka village, his steps weighed down by a large sack tethered to his forehead by a sturdy rope. His 45 years seemed amplified by the gray strands intermingling with his hair and the rough beard adorning his weather-beaten face, while the creases on his brow whispered of a lifetime of toil and hardship.

In the north of Jaspur market, the terrain began to ascend into hilly regions, while in the south, it remained flat. The hilly area to the north, with nine hills, was often referred to as the 'Nau DaDa.' Among these nine hills, the first hill from Jaspur housed the village of Kharka. Despite being the first hill from Jaspur market, Kharka village was situated farther uphill, amidst dense forests and rugged paths, with no settlements along the way. There was no novelty in walking that path for the villagers of Kharka. But in the night's shroud, fear gripped every soul venturing near, rendering the notion of solitary passage unthinkable.

Suresh was the only character who feared nothing. His mornings commenced with the embrace of the local spirit "raksi," and it was only after partaking that he found the fortitude and vigor to face the day. From Jaspur market, Suresh carried a load of essentials - salt, sugar, and provisions for his family. As he neared home, the night had draped its cloak over the land, painting the sky with a tapestry of stars. The forest whispered with the rustle of leaves and the mysterious glow of fireflies, while distant lights twinkled in the distance. Armed with his torch, Suresh ventured forth into the darkness, his solitary melody weaving through the night.

Suddenly, a lone sheep's bleat pierced the night air, startling Suresh from his reverie. Peering into the darkness, he strained his eyes to discern the source of the sound, but nothing stirred.

"Baa..." the voice faltered, drawing nearer with each passing moment. Suresh's brow furrowed in confusion. "Whose sheep roams the jungle at this hour?" he muttered to himself, his voice barely audible above the rustle of leaves. As he edged closer to investigate, a peculiar sight greeted him: a black sheep emerged from the shadows. Suresh blinked in disbelief, his heart quickening its pace as he took in the creature's eerie features. Glowing red eyes peered out from beneath a shroud of black fur, and long horns twisted atop its head, casting sinister shadows upon the moonlit ground. Despite the sheep's terrifying appearance, Suresh remained surprisingly unfazed. With cautious steps, he approached the enigmatic sheep, his breath catching in his throat. The air seemed to crackle with an otherworldly energy, as if the very forest itself recoiled from the creature's presence.

"Is this sheep truly black, or do my senses deceive me?" he wondered aloud, his voice tinged with a hint of curiosity rather than fear. Drawing nearer, Suresh scrutinized the black sheep, his gaze unwavering despite the rising tide of unease within him. Something about its dark form and glowing red eyes unsettled him, but he couldn't deny his fascination with the mysterious creature. Could it be a trick of the moonlight, or perhaps a figment of his imagination? Yet as he pondered, a realization dawned upon him: the sheep must have strayed from the nearby house from the village. With a resigned sigh, Suresh resolved to return the wayward sheep to its rightful home.

"It must have escaped from Birkhe's house," he muttered. Gently, he beckoned to the sheep, his hand trembling ever so slightly. With a grunt of effort, he heaved the sheep onto his shoulder. With his foot trembling under the weight of the sack on his back and the sheep on his shoulder, he trudged onward. "Phew, it's heavier than it looks," Suresh muttered, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

Suresh, bearing the burden of the black sheep and the sack, arrived at Birkhe's house near Kharka village. Despite the modest construction of mud, stones, and wood of the house, the dwelling provided solace, its grass-roofed shelter embracing Birkhe and his wife Rama. Within the wooden stable, a buffalo and a few sheep found sanctuary, yet the house remained quiet. Suresh made his way to the front of Birkhe's house, his voice cutting through the stillness of the night.