The Heart Lies...

Chapter 10

Koyal’s eyes moved from the hand holding the umbrella to the person’s face. Blue eyes winked at her. “Mr. Mishra, the boys are getting ravenous. I was wondering if you have some extra food lying around here. I’m sorry they finished up all the food we were carrying…”, blue eyed umbrella man addressed the conductor. “You ask and I provide Saheb. Don’t worry, I'll arrange for something and send it directly to your tent.” Can’t believe this is the same person, I had asked help from. Bloody reverence of gori chamdi(white skin/foreigner). Mr. Mishra scurried off. “Hey, why don’t I walk you to your tent?”, umbrella man offered, spotting no umbrella in her hands. “No” He looked at her puzzled. A bit more of insult isn’t gonna harm me. She exhaled, “Actually, I don’t have any tent. So there is no place you can walk me to…” “Ohh..”, he said without any air of superiority or mirth she was expecting. “So are you here all by yourself?”, he asked. No. Say no. Don’t let him think you are here all alone. “Yes..” Well done Koyal. That was very smart of you. Shut upp! He seems to be a kind person. So says the best judge of people.. “I think I may be able to help you, come with me”, he said interrupting her thoughts. He walked onward. Unsure, what to do, Koyal stood rooted at her place. After a few steps, sensing no one beside him he looked back and ran back to her. “Hey..don’t worry. I may look like the bad guy but I’m the good one.” She chuckled. “No, nothing like that. It’s just that...chuck it. Guide the way Mr. Good guy.” “Haha...yaa come.” Woah, even under an umbrella he is managing to walk with a respectable distance from you Koyal darling. I guess he is not that bad afterall. I told you he looks kind enough. They walked in companionable silence. Well, as silent as lashing rain can be. He didn’t ask her any questions and she appreciated it. He came to a halt in front of a tent and called out, “Miss reporter..” Mila materialized out of the tent. In the rain, Koyal perhaps had missed to see that she was heading back here. She stared wide eyed at Mila. But Mila had eyes only for him. “Ohh...Om..” Om? “Come in, come in. Don’t just stand there in the rain.” Look at her. So far from the unwelcome, curt bitch that she was earlier. “Umm, maybe later. I was hoping you could do me a favour.” “If it’s something I can help you with then I sure will Om”, she said with a big fat smile plastered on her face. “I would really appreciate it if you could accomodate my friend here in your tent.” Mila’s eyes finally fell on Koyal. Mila’s smile stayed put but her eyes conveyed how her mood had soured. “Her?” “Yaa” “Your friend?” “It would mean a lot miss…?” “Mila” “Yaa...Miss Mila, I may even consider doing that interview of yours. Mila shrugged. “Ok fine, she may stay!” Hey, don’t I get a say in this matter. Shut up, right now a shelter is what you need. It’s only the matter of a night. “Ok then. See you both tomorrow. I should leave now otherwise the boys will clear out all the food by themselves”, he chuckled and began retreating his steps. “Uhh...thanks...Om”, Koyal said. “No..problem. I’ll see you around” He smiled and left. Karan’s words...Arghh...will you stop it. Anyone in the world can use that line. “Close that flap properly will you now and don’t even try making yourself at home!”,Mila barked. God save me from this putana(a demoness)...