by Pran Kishore
‘Idiot!’
Having said this, she ran away, leaving the bride there. Dazed, Razaq took the doll and kept it on his pillow and went out of his shed.
Malla Khaliq held the pipe of his hookah in his motionless lips. He gazed blankly at the floor. Aziz Dyad, too, with her head hung down, remained silent. Ghulam Ahmed was desperate to hear a word from his father. ‘Abba, if you continue to remain quiet like this, I am afraid my heart will surely burst out. Say something, please.’
Malla Khaliq sighed. ‘I am a foolish old man. Why should anyone consult me?’
Ghulam Ahmed moved near his father and said, ‘Abba, do not talk like that. We need your advice and support. Last year’s losses in the business held me back from sharing my worries with you. That is why I did not tell you anything. But this year, I have got a good orchard. Give me another chance.’
Malla Khaliq sighed again and glanced at his wife. Then he said to Ghulam Ahmed, ‘It is good that you have finalized the deal, but how did you manage the money?’
‘I got some money from Zoon’s father, and the rest of the money was invested by the dealer.’
‘So you once again went with a begging bowl to your father-in-law. Is your own father dead?’
‘How could we arrange such a huge amount? We are not even able to repay the bank loan.’
‘Narayan Joo is still alive, we could have borrowed from him.’
‘But is it not better to seek help from those who are your own rather than from strangers?’
‘Narayan Joo is no stranger! My blood brother would not do what all he has done for me. He has always helped us – even after the raid of the tribesmen, when we were reduced to paupers. We were forced to put up our utensils for sale. Those difficult times, which were worse than doomsday, did not break our relationship. Yet you consider Narayan Joo an outsider? Do you have any inkling how big his business is in Bombay? Yet, there is hardly any shrinking in his love for me and my family. Tell me, is it not true?’
‘I did not mean that. I respect Lala Sahib as much as I respect you. I strive so hard only to see some increase in our income. Be honest and tell me if our business is stable. Even if there is a good tourist season, our business does not last for more than three months and for the rest of the year, we remain idle. Besides, our family has expanded, and the children of yesterday are adults now.’
Malla Khaliq raised his eyes towards his wife.
‘Perhaps he is right,’ she said.
‘Hmm – perhaps he is right.’ Saying this, he stood up as if he had lost the case. He went and sat near the window, gazing at his houseboats with tears in his eyes.
Ghulam Ahmed sensed that his father was in distress and he went near him saying, ‘Do not be so nervous, Abba. I will not let any harm come to this old business of ours. I promise you.’
‘But the harm is already done. Look at Qadir, how he has stopped working since he got involved with Jane. If Razaq were not here, I think our guests would not be served even a cup of tea.’
‘Let us thank God that Jane was caught in Gul Beg’s car. Qadir is still lost in this fright. He will be well again when this story turns stale.’
‘I do not think so. Once you develop a taste for crime, it is very difficult to get rid of it.’ Saying this, Malla Khaliq stood up again and said to Ghulam Ahmed, ‘Let’s see how our Dastagir Sahib helps us out. You have an appointment with the broker, but take care that you are free soon. You have to reach the airport after that.’
Malla Khaliq told Aziz Dyad while going out to the isle, ‘You keep breakfast ready for Raja Rathinder. I shall go and see what keeps Razaq busy.’
Aziz Dyad collected all the cups and the samovar, and said to Ghulam Ahmed, ‘You may leave, my dear son. May my Dastagir help you in your endeavours.’
Parveen was experiencing a strange sensation, as if every particle of her being was simmering, since she had talked about those dolls to Razaq. Razaq, too, felt his heart sinking and rising whenever he saw her. Seeing her, Aziz Dyad said, ‘What is this frolicking about like a wild goat with your dishevelled hair? Come here, I will do your hair.’
Parveen squatted in front of her mother and said, ‘Come on now, you pull my hair apart as you wish.’
Aziz Dyad pushed her back, but said fondly, ‘Go away. Why should I do your hair? Go and do it yourself. You have grown like a shepherdess of the jungle, and yet you have not learnt to tie your hair.’
‘But I love it when you comb my hair with your hands!’
‘You can enjoy this love from your mother for some more days, but who will pamper you like this when you are at your in-laws’ house?’
Hearing these words, Parveen gave a slight push to her mother and stood up. ‘I am not the one to go to any in-laws’ house. Do you hear me?’ she said and left the room. Her mother called out to her again, but she did not return.
Having placed all Mrs Mundra’s belongings in the bedroom, Razaq asked Malla Khaliq, ‘What would they like to have, tea or coffee?’
‘No tea, nor coffee,’ said Mrs Mundra. ‘Mr Narayan, you were talking of some qahva. You said it is better than Chinese tea.’
‘Yes, it is called qahva,’ Narayan Joo said.
‘Let’s try it.’
Malla Khaliq said to Razaq, ‘You stay here, I will have it sent.’
‘I take your leave, madam,’ Narayan Joo said as he followed Malla Khaliq to the isle.
The two friends had decided to visit the DIG’s office to assess the developments in Jane’s case. Before leaving, Malla Khaliq advised Noor Mohammad, ‘You should keep a watch on Qadir.’
As soon as Malla Khaliq and Ghulam Ahmed walked out of sight, Qadir came out and went to the ghat. But Noor Mohammad accosted him, ‘Where are you going?’
‘To perdition,’ replied Qadir. ‘I am not a jailbird after all. You do not even let me breathe freely.’
Noor Mohammad did not think it proper to have an argument with him and went to the pantry. Qadir sat on a step of the ghat. Seeing him there, his little son came running to him. Qadir cast a fierce look at him. ‘What do you want from me?’ These sharp words from his father frightened the little boy and he retracted. As he backtracked, he slipped and was about to fall in the water, but Ghulam Qadir swooped and saved him. Zeb came running. Qadir angrily handed over the child to her and said, ‘Better appoint a babysitter if you do not know how to take care of your child. He was about to drown in the lake.’
Zeb replied, ‘Yes, why not? My child’s father earns millions!’
Noor Mohammad noticed the brawl and walked up to them and said, ‘What is wrong with you two? There are guests in the houseboats. Do you want them to flee?’
Zeb took her child in her arms and ran to her room. Qadir said to Noor Mohammad, ‘You may attend to your work peacefully. I’m not going to run away.’
There was a huge crowd at DIG Prahlad Singh’s office. He had an appointment with Narayan Joo and Malla Khaliq and had enough experience to know what the two friends had come for. He apologized to Malla Khaliq for having ordered a raid on his houseboats. He explained further, ‘We were free from this menace so far, but for the last few years, the smugglers have spread this addiction among the youth. You know, young men and women in many foreign countries can hardly live without drugs.’
‘You refer to foreign countries,’ said Narayan Joo. ‘I’ll tell you what happens in our own Bombay. In front of my son’s house, there is a big diamond merchant, with a business in billions. But both his sons got so addicted to drugs that he has to keep them under lock and key before leaving his house. They wail in agony without their daily dose and then, recently one of them died a miserable death.’
‘No, sir, we shall not allow things to worsen to that extent. We must thank God that Jane had left Haji Sahib’s houseboat. Her arrest has provided us clues about the gang of hippies who run their illicit business from the rear side of the lake. If she had continued to lodge in your houseboat, that would have certainly had an adverse impact on y
our family. Now we have dispatched her to Bombay.’
Malla Khaliq was frightened to hear all this.‘But Ghulam Qadir did not know what a dangerous woman that young Mem was.’
‘She named Qadir as one of her accomplices.’
Narayan Joo was quick to plead for Ghulam Qadir. ‘Yes, she could name anybody in order to save herself.’
Prahlad Singh looked up at Narayan Joo, and said with a smile, ‘You are right. We do not implicate anybody with crime unless we have some solid proof. That is why we let Gul Beg go even though she was found in his car.’ Then turning to Malla Khaliq he said, ‘It is my suggestion that you ask your sons to have a thorough knowledge of your tenants’ background.’
‘Sir, you have been considerate in saving my honour. I will remember your kindness till I breathe my last.’ Saying this, Malla Khaliq took leave of Prahlad Singh. Narayan Joo also thanked Prahlad Singh. The two friends came out and sat in Narayan Joo’s car. ‘Leave me at my office and drop Haji Sahib at Gagribal,’ Narayan Joo directed his driver. The car started and Narayan Joo turned to Malla Khaliq. ‘Haji Sahib, now you must offer a niyaz. We have had a narrow escape.’
‘Yes, we must offer a niyaz. This rogue of a son of mine had placed the whole family at such a great risk.’
‘Be careful when you are home. You should not torment Ghulam Qadir. It is wise to be polite with him, otherwise I am afraid you may lose him forever.’
‘Don’t worry. I will digest the whole venom myself.’
Aziz Dyad was in the kitchen, making arrangements for dinner. Zeb sat beside her, chopping vegetables. Aziz Dyad lit the gas burner, placed a vessel over it to boil water for tea and then she said to Zeb, ‘Do you know where your Abba has gone? He should have told us what to cook for this new lady guest.’
Just then, Malla Khaliq entered the kitchen and asked Zeb, ‘Where is Ghulam Qadir?’
‘He may be sleeping in his room. I do not know if he is well. He does not say anything and remains melancholic all the time,’ Zeb said.
‘He is probably still frightened of the police. Go and tell him that all is well now. I have returned from the DIG’s office. Please do this at the earliest, my daughter. We must all encourage him so that he busies himself with his work.’
Aziz Dyad was very happy to hear all this. She said to Zeb, ‘Yes, your Abba is right. I will take care of dinner, please go and convey this happy news to him.’
Zeb left at once. Noor Mohammad cast a glance at her happy face and then went into the kitchen. He asked his mother, ‘Where have you sent Zeb to? I saw her so happy after a long time.’
‘Your father has brought some happy news,’ Aziz Dyad told him.
Malla Khaliq gave the details of his meeting with DIG Prahlad Singh. ‘I sent her to her room so that she communicates this good news to Ghulam Qadir.’
Heaving a long sigh, Aziz Dyad said, ‘Poor Zeb! She was always like a full blossomed rose, but see what a pallor has seized her in these few days.’
The room was filled with smoke, and Qadir was puffing a cigarette when Zeb entered. She snatched away the cigarette from his hand and threw it out of the window. ‘Have some pity on your lungs at least.’ Qadir cast a ferocious look at her face.
‘Why are you looking at me like this? Do you want to devour me?’ she asked.
‘Why are you worried? I am not enjoying these cigarettes from your father’s income.’
‘Not my father’s income, but your own father’s money is being reduced to ashes. Now cheer up, Abba has freed you from the trap of the police. You must go prostrate at his feet and beg for his pardon. Then you can engage in some meaningful work. Your houseboat is still empty. Go and get new guests.’
Qadir was as angry as ever and said, ‘Am I scared of the police? I have not committed any crime.’
Zeb sensed it would be safer not to irk him further. ‘All right, why should we debate? Now get up. This is the time when the buses from Jammu arrive. Take a trip to the Tourist Reception Centre.’
Qadir defiantly pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and was about to light another when Zeb swooped and snatched the lighter from his hand. But Qadir pounced at her and got his lighter back. ‘If you stretch your hand again, I shall surely rip it apart.’
But Zeb dared him. ‘Even if you slash my entire body, I will not let you follow any wrong path. Who knows what these cigarettes contain?’
‘Even if they contain poison, how the hell is it your concern? I am not to going to the tourist centre or the airport. I simply abhor this trade. If you continue bugging me like this, I will flee from home.’
‘Where will you go? “She” has been taken away by the police, and sent to Bombay.’
Hearing Zeb’s jibe, Qadir stood up, and Zeb shrank in a corner. His eyes were red with ire. ‘Do not get scared, I am not here to slay you. Listen, I have taken a decision. I shall leave this houseboat work and start some business. Now, I have the knack and the skills to pursue business.’
Zeb giggled. ‘Oh, why not! You and business! You cannot run this one houseboat. I know what knack in business you have. If my Dastagir Sahib was not merciful to you, you would have been behind bars by now.’
‘You shut up, or I shall pluck your tongue out!’
Zeb started wailing over her destiny. ‘Oh my God, this son of such a good Haji Sahib is possessed! Where are those promises of yours? Oh Qadir, you used to be so good!’
‘When everyone is busy making their destiny and fortune, why should I alone be blamed for the crime?’
‘All right, if you are really serious about pursuing your own trade, you should consult Abba. Or is it that the business you wish to pursue is not worth mentioning? Why don’t you understand that this dubious business ends in disgrace?’
‘So I have to take advice from you now! And Abba senses poison in every new thing. How can I seek his counsel? But let me tell you one thing: if I do not return to this house as a millionaire, I am not worthy of my name Qadir.’
‘But if you are going away, at least tell me where to.’
‘I am going to Delhi. Gul Beg told me that if one is interested in setting up a rich trade, one must go to Delhi or Bombay.’
‘So you have decided to leave us and go to Delhi? Are you going there in search of Jane?’
‘Do you think I will stay here with you to hear all your taunts?’
‘I will poison myself to death.’
‘Why don’t you do that? Oh my God, what a menace she is!’
‘I am going to tell Abba all this.’
Qadir gripped her throat and said, ‘If you do so, I will throttle you to death.’
There was a sudden clap of thunder. At the same time a hawk seized a bird, and the resulting screech startled Bilal who was sleeping under a blanket. Qadir withdrew his hands. Zeb held Bilal in an embrace. The child raised his eyes to his father, but Qadir turned his head towards the window. Then he stood up suddenly and went out.
He went straight away to Gulshan where he had hidden the portion of Jane’s income in the floor under some wooden planks. He heaved a sigh of relief when he found the bag containing the money safe in the spot where he had kept it. He lifted the bag to take it, but then thought it would be safer to keep it there as it was. He said to himself, ‘Now there is no hindrance. I shall show them how Qadir’s dream of becoming a millionaire comes true.’
Meanwhile Noor Mohammad, who was in search of Qadir, entered the houseboat. Hearing his call, Qadir quickly came out to meet him. Noor Mohammad made him sit beside him and tried to advise him. ‘Why are you still trying to play this hide-and-seek? Let us forget whatever has happened. You should start your life afresh. Come on, I shall take you to Abba.’
‘No, no. Not now. I cannot face him yet.’
‘But he is not blaming you for anything.’
‘No, not this time, please. I will soon see him myself. Do not force me now.’
‘All right. But take my advice. Please do not be friends with Gul Beg. He is not a
good man. You know wealth alone is not all. We cannot do what he does. People respect our Abba. People swear by his honesty.’
‘I have nothing to do with Gul Beg. Besides, he might have been arrested along with Jane.’
‘No. Abba said that the police could not prove his complicity in Jane’s crimes, and so they let him off. Or it might be that he bribed the police. But why should we bother about him? I will go and see if Raja Rathinder Singh wants anything. And Lala Sahib is also here. He has to accompany Abba to the shawl-maker. Razaq is busy in Gulfam.’ Having said all this to Qadir, he left the houseboat Gulshan.
Ghulam Qadir sat down relaxed on the sofa. He felt as if he had found a treasure. ‘So Gul Beg is at large. And I was worrying that he might be with Jane in Delhi. Now I will settle all my old scores with him,’ he muttered to himself.
Amir Joo dwelt in a shanty in the rear Dal. There was no embroiderer as skilled as him in all of Kashmir. His eyesight was about to die out soon, yet he was not free from the debts of the big shawl merchant of Kothibagh. Malla Khaliq’s shikaarah passed through the water avenues shaded by the thickets of willows and reached the little isle where Amir Joo resided. He found him sitting on a rush-mat in the compound, busy at work on a pashmina shawl. His daughter, scrubbing utensils, called him, ‘Father, Haji Sahib is coming here.’ Amir Joo hurried and went to receive him. He held the prow of the shikaarah in his hands and fastened it to the bank. Malla Khaliq and Narayan Joo came out of the shikaarah.
Malla Khaliq explained the purpose of his visit. But Amir Joo said hesitantly, ‘But I am not a better artisan than the shawl merchant Abdullah Shah.’
‘He has gone to Delhi, and we do not know when he will return. We have very little time because Raja Sahib has to fly back.’
‘I am already under his debt, you know.’
Amir Joo never dared have any transaction with any customer without Abdullah Shah’s permission. Narayan Joo assured him that even if Abdullah Shah came to know about this deal, Malla Khaliq would defend him. Amir Joo said to Malla Khaliq in a confiding manner, ‘You know, I have a marriageable daughter for whom I have painstakingly made a few shawls. By quietly selling them, I would be able to meet all the expenses. Abdullah Shah does not know about this. I will bring those shawls to your houseboat tomorrow.’