Bankimchandra Omnibus: Volume - 1: v. 1

by Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay

  Here we would have liked to let the curtain fall, for we do not wish to show anything that is unseemly and impure. We must tell you what is absolutely necessary. But there was beauty here. The call of the kokils and the humming of bumblebees from the ashoka, kutaja and kurbak groves; the geese babbling on the river; the scent of juthi, jati, mallika, madhumalati and other flowers; the sunlight coming into the house through the blue panes; the flowers in silver and crystal vases; the various colourful objects in the house; and the pure sound that poured forth from the music teacher. I have a special reason for mentioning all this, for all this beauty was connected with the young man who was looking with so much interest at the wandering eyes of the young woman. It was her beauty that made them so beautiful to his eyes.

  The young man was Govindalal and the young woman was Rohini. Govindalal had bought the house and the two of them were living here.

  Suddenly, Rohini’s tabla played out of tune, a string snapped off the music teacher’s tambura and he stopped singing. The novel fell from Govindalal’s hands. An unknown young man appeared at the doorstep of this pleasure-house. We know him. He was Nisakar Das.

  6

  ROHINI LIVED ON THE UPPER FLOOR OF THIS TWO-STOREYED HOUSE IN semi-seclusion—half pardanasin. The ground floor was occupied by the servants. In this secluded spot, scarcely anyone came to visit Govindalal, so there was no outer building for visitors. If, once in a while, a tradesman or someone else came to see Govindalal, word was sent to him upstairs and he came down and received his visitor in a room which had been set apart for the purpose on the ground floor.

  Nisakar shouted, ‘Is someone at home?’ as he reached the door.

  Govindalal had two servants called Sona and Rupo. The two came to the door as they heard someone calling, and were surprised to see Nisakar, whom they at once took to be a highly respectable gentleman. Nisakar had taken particular care to put on very fine clothes. Never before had such a person crossed the threshold of this house; so the servants stared at each other in astonishment. Sona asked, ‘Who are you looking for?’

  ‘You, inform your master that a gentleman wishes to see him.’

  ‘What name shall I give?’

  ‘No need for that, just say a gentleman wishes to see him.’

  The servants knew that Govindalal did not receive visitors—that was not his nature. So they were unwilling to announce Nisakar. Sona was hesitant. Rupo said, ‘You have come in vain—the master does not see anybody.’

  ‘Then you stay here, I’ll go up unannounced.’

  The servants were now in trouble. ‘No, sir, please don’t. We will lose our jobs.’

  Then Nisakar produced a rupee. ‘Whoever announces me will get this rupee.’ While Sona pondered, Rupo pounced like a kite, took the rupee from Nisakar’s hand and went up to tell the master.

  There was a beautiful garden surrounding the house. Nisakar tipped Sona a rupee and said, ‘I shall be in the garden. Call me when the master sends for me.’

  Govindalal was busy and Rupo had no opportunity of telling him about the visitor. Meanwhile Nisakar, as he was walking in the garden, looked up and saw a very beautiful woman watching him from the window.

  Rohini saw Nisakar and thought, ‘Who is he? It is clear from his appearance that he does not belong to this area. It is also clear from his clothes that he is very rich. He is handsome too—more so than Govindalal? No, that’s not true. Govindalal is of fair complexion but this man has a beautiful face and eyes, yes, those eyes—oh! what a beautiful pair of eyes. Where does he come from? He cannot be from Haridragram. I know everyone there. Can’t I speak to him for a while? There is no harm in that. I shall never be unfaithful to Govindalal.’

  These were the thoughts racing through Rohini’s mind when Nisakar looked up and their eyes met. I do not know if their eyes spoke to one another, nor would I care to say if I knew But I have heard that eyes do speak.

  Now Rupo had an opportunity to tell Govindalal that a gentleman was waiting to see him. Govindalal said, ‘Where does he come from?’

  Rupo said, ‘I do not know.’

  ‘Why did you not ask him before you came to tell me?’

  Rupo saw that he was about to prove himself a fool, but he had sufficient presence of mind to say, ‘I did ask, but the gentleman said he would only tell you.’

  ‘Then go and tell him that I cannot see him.’

  Meanwhile, Nisakar had begun to suspect that Govindalal had declined to see him for the servants did not come for him. ‘But why should I be civil to an evil-doer? Why shouldn’t I go up without being asked?’ he thought and without waiting for the servants’ return, he re-entered the house. He saw no one downstairs, so without hesitation he went upstairs and appeared in the room where Govindalal, Rohini and Danesh Khan, the music teacher, were sitting. Rupo pointed out Nisakar to Govindalal. ‘That’s the gentleman who wanted to see you.’

  Govindalal was very annoyed, but seeing that the visitor was a gentleman, he asked him who he was.

  Nisakar gave his name as Rashbehari Dey and said that he was from Baranagar. Then he planted himself on a seat, knowing that the master of the house would not offer him one.

  ‘Whom do you want to see?’

  ‘You.’

  ‘If you had waited a little, instead of forcing yourself into my room, you would have heard from the servants that I have no time to see anyone.’

  ‘But I see you have plenty of time. I wouldn’t have come to see you if I were a man who is put off so easily. Since I am here, you can’t get rid of me until you have heard my business.’

  Govindalal said, ‘I do not wish to hear it. But if you can get it over in a couple of words, you may as well do so before you go.’

  Nisakar said, ‘It will only take me a couple of words. Your wife Bhramar wishes to lease out her property.’

  The music teacher, Danesh Khan, was putting a new string to his tambura. While he continued with the task, he held up a finger of the other hand, and said, ‘That’s word number one.’

  Nisakar continued, ‘I wish to take it.’

  Lifting another finger, Danesh Khan said, ‘Word number two.’

  ‘For that purpose I went to your house at Haridragram.’

  Danesh Khan said, ‘You have had two words. That makes three.’

  Nisakar asked, ‘Are you counting pigs, maestro?’

  With anger in his eyes, Danesh Khan asked Govindalal to send the ill-bred visitor away. But Govindalal was deep in thought and did not speak.

  Nisakar continued, ‘Your wife has agreed to give me the lease but we need your consent. She neither knows your address nor wishes to write to you, so the task of consulting you fell on me. After much search I have found you and I am here to seek your consent.’

  Govindalal did not answer. His mind was elsewhere. He had heard Bhramar’s name after a long time, after nearly two years—his own Bhramar.

  Nisakar understood that something was going on in Govindalal’s mind so he continued, ‘If you agree, just give me a line to say so and I’ll go.’

  Govindalal said nothing. Nisakar understood, and he repeated everything all over again. This time, Govindalal, having controlled his feelings, listened carefully. Reader, know that Nisakar had made up what he said; Govindalal, however, was not aware of this. In a more mellow tone he said, ‘You do not need my permission. The property belongs to my wife, it is not mine; you should know that. She can lease it out to whomsoever she likes. I cannot permit it, nor can I forbid it. Perhaps now you will excuse me.’

  Nisakar had no choice but to go. After he had gone, Govindalal asked Danesh Khan to sing something. The master had just finished tuning his tambura. He asked his patron, ‘What shall I sing?’

  ‘Whatever you like,’ Govindalal said as he started drumming the tabla. He had learnt to play the tabla many years ago, but he had now become an expert. Today, however, he could not keep time with the maestro. There was no accompanist with his song and tambura. Danesh Khan was annoyed. He put do
wn his tambura and stopped singing; he excused himself, saying that he was tired. Then Govindalal tried to play the sitar, but could not remember the melody. He left the sitar and started reading his novel. But he was not able to concentrate on what he was reading; he put that down too. He went into the bedroom and he did not see Rohini there. He told Sona, who was at hand, that he was going to have a nap and must not be disturbed.

  Having said this, Govindalal entered the bedroom and closed the door. The evening was nearly done. He did not sleep. Sitting on the bed, he covered his face with his hands and wept. We do not know why he cried, whether it was for Bhramar or for himself. Perhaps it was for both.

  We do not see that there was anything else for him to do but cry. After what he had done, how could he go back to Bhramar or show his face in his village? Now there were thorns on his path to Haridragram. There was nothing for him to do but cry.

  7

  WHEN NISAKAR CAME AND SAT IN THE LARGE HALL, ROHINI WENT TO ANOTHER room. She was out of sight but not out of hearing, and in fact she listened to everything that was said in the hall, very attentively. She even moved the door curtain a little so that she could see Nisakar. He was well aware that a pair of wide and beautiful eyes were watching him from the other side of the curtains.

  She heard that Nisakar had been to Haridragram. Rupo was also there and had heard the conversation between his master and the visitor. As soon as Nisakar left, Rohini beckoned Rupo and whispered in his ears, ‘Can you do something for me? The master must not know and you will get five rupees baksheesh.’

  Rupo thought it was his lucky day. He was earning a lot of money. Poor people like him needed all the extra money they can get, so he said, ‘I’ll do whatever you ask.’

  ‘Follow that gentleman downstairs. He is from my native village. I never get any news from there. I am worried about my people, I need to ask him about them. The master sent him away angrily. Go down and ask him to stay, but take care that neither the master nor anybody else knows anything about it. I shall go to see him as soon as I can without being noticed. If he hesitates, persuade him to stay.’

  Sensing baksheesh, Rupo ran off to carry out Rohini’s order.

  With what objective Nisakar had come to deceive Govindalal I cannot say, but his conduct as he came downstairs would have aroused grave suspicions in any intelligent person. He had started examining the wood and the bolts and hinges of the front door. And then Rupo came down and asked, ‘Do you wish to smoke, sir?’

  ‘The master did not offer me this, should I accept it from his servant?’

  ‘Perhaps not, but I need to speak to you in private. If you would not mind coming with me . . .’

  Rupo took Nisakar to his room. Nisakar had no objection. Having offered him a seat, Rupo gave him Rohini’s message. Nisakar thought that the moon was within his reach. A very easy way of accomplishing his task appeared before him. ‘My dear man,’ he said to Rupo, ‘your master has thrown me out. How can I stay on in this house?’

  ‘The master will not know anything about it. He never comes down to this room.’

  ‘Maybe he does not, but when the mistress comes down to see me, he may wonder about that and follow her downstairs. Just imagine what will happen to me if he finds her with me.’

  Rupo kept silent. So Nisakar continued, ‘In this secluded place, he could lock me up, murder me and bury my body in the garden. I could not even call for help. You yourself might give me a blow or two. No, I can’t stay here. Go and tell your mistress why I can’t. Tell her also that I have an important message for her from her uncle. I could not give it to her because the master threw me out.’

  Rupo saw the five rupees receding from his grasp. ‘If you can’t stay here,’ he said, ‘what about waiting for her somewhere outside?’

  ‘I was thinking of that. As I came I noticed a landing ghat on the river bank under two bakul trees not far from this house. Do you know it?’

  ‘I do.’

  ‘I’ll go and wait there; it is dark, nobody can see me there now. If your mistress can come, I’ll give her all the news from her village. If there is any trouble, then I can run away from there. I do not particularly fancy being locked up and being beaten like a dog.’

  Rupo went up and told Rohini what Nisakar had said.

  Now, I cannot say what went on in Rohini’s mind. A human being does not even know his own thoughts, so how would I know Rohini’s? I cannot say that she was so fond of her uncle that she would throw discretion to the winds to get news of him, and I suspect she had quite different reasons for wanting to meet Nisakar. The two had exchanged glances and divined each other’s thoughts. She had noticed that he was handsome, had a beautiful pair of eyes and was a prince among men for his manliness. She had resolved not to be unfaithful to Govindalal—but this was quite different from being unfaithful.

  This wicked woman might have thought, ‘If a hunter sees a deer off its guard, doesn’t he shoot an arrow at it? If a woman sees a vulnerable man, doesn’t she wish to make a conquest? A tiger does not eat all the cows it kills. Women conquer men solely for pride and the pleasure of conquest. Many people catch fish and shoot birds solely for love of sport. One hunts for sport, not food, and that’s why hunting is such fun. Since this large-eyed deer has strayed into my woods, why should I let it go without piercing it with an arrow?’ I am not sure that Rohini’s thoughts were exactly these, but she agreed to see Nisakar at the ghat by the river bank of Chitra.

  Rupo reported this back to Nisakar, who stood up in delight when he heard it.

  8

  AFTER RUPO HAD GONE, NISAKAR CALLED SONA. HE ASKED HIM, ‘HOW LONG have you been working here?’

  Sona replied, ‘Ever since the master came here.’

  ‘Not very long, then. What does he pay?’

  ‘Three rupees per month, plus food, shelter and clothes.’

  ‘How do you manage with such a low wage, since you are such a good head-servant?’

  Sona, melted by such kind words, said, ‘What can I do? Who will give me a higher wage in this place?’

  Nisakar said, ‘You need not worry about a good job. If you were to come to my part of the country, you’d be snapped up and easily earn five, seven or even ten rupees per month.’

  ‘If you would be so kind as to take me with you.’

  ‘How can I take you? How can you leave your master?’

  ‘The master is all right, but the mistress is awful.’

  ‘I have first-hand proof of that. Are you sure that you want to come with me?’

  ‘Of course I am sure,’ said Sona.

  ‘Then do your master a favour before you leave. Can you do this?’

  ‘If it is something good, of course I can.’

  ‘It is good for your master but very bad for your mistress.’

  ‘In that case tell me at once. I am very eager to do it.’

  ‘Your mistress sent word that she would meet me secretly at the ghat on the banks of the Chitra. Do you understand that? I have agreed to keep the appointment with the purpose of opening your master’s eyes. And I want you to inform him on the quiet.’

  ‘I will do it at once. I will do anything to get rid of that wicked woman.’

  ‘No, not yet, wait till I have gone to the ghat. Keep your eyes open; when you see the mistress setting off for the ghat, then go and inform your master. Then come and join me.’

  ‘As you wish,’ Sona said, and touched Nisakar’s feet. Then Nisakar walked slowly and with a stately gait to the ghat, from where one could enjoy the beauty of Chitra, and sat down on the steps.

  Chitra was flowing silently under the stars. Jackals, dogs and other animals were howling all around. Somewhere in the distance, a fisherman on a boat was loudly singing a song in praise of the goddess Kali. There was no other sound in that isolated place. As he listened to the song and gazed at the bright light that came from a window of a room on the first floor of Govindalal’s house, Nisakar thought: ‘I am a cruel man. How cruel of me to lay s
uch schemes for ruining a woman! Or is it really cruel, is it not my duty to punish the wicked? I promised my friend I would do this to save his daughter’s life, and so I must carry out my promise, but I am not happy about it. Rohini is wicked and it is my duty to punish wickedness and check its course. Then why am I so unhappy and worried? Can it be because I haven’t been fair? Yes, it is the unfair means which I have adopted that are raising these doubts. Moreover, who am I to punish wickedness and reward virtue? He who punishes wickedness and rewards virtue will also judge Rohini. I cannot tell, but maybe He has appointed me to carry out His plans.’

  Since you, Krishna, are always in my heart,

  I only do what you tell me to do.

  Nisakar spent the first quarter of the night with such reflections. Then he saw Rohini approaching the ghat with silent steps. She came and stood beside him. To be doubly assured he asked, ‘Who is it?’

  To be doubly sure, Rohini also said, ‘Who is it?’

  ‘I am Rashbehari.’

  ‘I am Rohini.’

  ‘Why are you so late?’

  ‘I had to watch my steps in case someone saw me. I am sorry you have been put to so much trouble.’

  ‘No trouble at all. I thought you’d forgotten.’

  ‘I wouldn’t be in this sorry plight if I were one of those who can forget. I came to this place because I could not forget someone. And now I am here because I could not forget you.’

  Even before she could finish speaking, someone came from behind and caught her by the throat. Startled, she asked, ‘Who is that?’ A solemn voice replied, ‘Your death.’ Rohini recognized Govindalal’s voice. Almost blind with fear of imminent danger, she said, her voice trembling, ‘Let go, let go, I had no evil intention in coming here. Ask this gentleman if you do not believe me.’

  She pointed to the spot where Nisakar had been sitting. No one was there now. Nisakar had vanished the moment he saw Govindalal. Rohini said in astonishment, ‘Why, there is no one there.’