Arohan - The Ascent

I Love You

The tongue is one of those parts in the body that does not have a bone in it. Hence it cannot stand on its own. It lolls around in the mouth, where taste takes it. And so, the villagers who until a few hours ago, were casting all kinds of aspersions on the character of Urvashi, now sang a new tune. 

As soon as the panchayat got over, the villagers could be heard whispering with each other, "my God, what a dynamite this new teacher is?" "My God, she even had Durgesh ji and Narottam Ji call a Panchayat" "She has made the impossible possible" "Never seen a woman like this before"- As many compliments as there were mouths.

"You seemed to have the changed the villager's perception about you within hours," observed Pandit Ji as, Urvashi and Pandit Ji walked slowly towards the school. "They all seem to think, you have made the impossible, possible," he said, looking at Urvashi, his eyes closely observing the determination that was beginning to show on her face. Who could tell, by looking at that pleasant face, that she held such nerves of steels, under the seemingly, naïve, almost timid features.

"Neither their harsh comments affected me, nor do their compliments mean anything to me," said Urvashi, turning to look at Pandit Ji. "This is not what I called the Panchayat for. I did not want the parents to use my bad reputation as an excuse for not sending their children especially their girls to school. Besides, I have seen what they do to women in these Panchayats.  I would rather die than go through something like that," Urvashi now seemed distant.

Pandit Ji drew in a deep breath. "How?" he asked, unable to contain the wonder that seemed to come from within. "How did you manage to break free?", he articulated his thoughts.

"It's a long story...maybe I'll tell you at leisure," she said, smiling genially.

"What now?" asked Pandit Ji.

Urvashi smiled a big wide smile. "Let's get straight to the action. Holi is around the corner. What if we organize a huge Holi Tyauhar  in the school premises and distribute a few books and color pencils to all the children Pandit Ji? "asked Urvashi, her eyes glowing with excitement.

"Hmm we can do tha,it's a good idea. I'll write to Lucknow for funds, until the funds sanction comes, don't talk about to anyone. There are many who would like us to fail and very few who will genuine want us to succeed," warned Pandit Ji. Urvashi nodded in agreement.

Narottam's House

As Narottam sat, taking a swig from his hukkah, Vicky was pacing up and down, his face red with embarrassment. He had never lost in his life,NEVER. And today because of Narottam, he had to face embarrassment in front of the entire village. Urvashi had made him a puppet in her war with Durgesh and Narottam and Vicky did not like it, AT ALL.

"If it had not been for you and Durgesh Ji going and making that secret deal with that woman in the morning, by now my plan would have been an enormous success," said Vicky, his irritation at being so embarrassed, visible in his tone. "What was the need to make a deal with that woman?" he asked, his tone now taking a more authoritarian tone, without his knowledge.

Narottam, who until that moment, was leaning down on his cot, with his eyes closed opened his eyes at Vicky's words. Jai, Sonu and Minku now stood in rapt attention, as Vicky crossed a line with their patron.

Narottam looked at Vicky, his eyes now narrowed. He pointed his index finger at Vicky and moved it back and forth, indicating for Vicky to come to him. Vicky stomped over to where Narottam's cot was. "Sit," said Narottam, his tone now, aggressive. Vicky stood over Narottam, his eyes narrowing slowly. "I said SIT," screamed Narottam, loudly now.

The next minute Vicky sat down wordlessly. "You would have been floating in the gutter, if I had not rescued you from the police, that night, all those years ago," he said, gripping Vicky's chin in his fingers and forcing his face up to look at him. "You, are like my pet dog. Always remember that, ALWAYS. You know what they do to dogs that turn around and bite their owners?" said Narottam now glaring into Vicky's face. "They put them to sleep," he said, looking straight into Vicky's face. "The next time you talk to me, remember, I am your master and you are my pet. As long as you remember this, you'll be fine. The day you behave like we are equal, you will have problems,understand?" he said, pushing Vicky away from him.