It was Friday today. It was already five days since Ganesh had come to this village. In the morning, after bath, he began to hurriedly pack his bag. There was an excitement in his movement. Today he was to go to the taluqa to his home. The very thought of returning home and meeting wife and son thrilled him. Another reason for his happiness was that during the past three days he was wholly successful in reining his mind that was getting distracted because of Madhurani. During the last three days there were several occasions when he had come across Madhurani. But not even once, even by mistake, had he met Madhurani’s gaze. He was deservedly proud of this achievement. He was also realising that the disturbed condition of his mind that he had experienced for the past three days had now subsided.
Ganesh was almost ready when there was a knock on the door. He opened the door. A villager who had tied a cloth round his head was standing there. He had worn a dhoti and a cloth vest. Ganesh gave him a questioning look.
“Malak, has sent me to carry the luggage,” the villager said.
“Who? Sarpanch?”
“yes sir,” he confirmed.
Ganesh made way for him and the villager stepped in. Ganesh pointed to the bag kept in a corner and said, “That’s the only one … You carry it and go ahead .. I’ll follow you.”
“yes sir”
He untied the cloth from his head, rolled it into a flat round and placed it on his head. Next, he lifted the bag and kept it on the rounded cloth. Carrying the bag he began to step out of the door. “Take care .. your head,” Ganesh cautioned.
He bent a little and stepped out. Looking at him carrying the bag on his head, Ganesh shut the door.
Ganesh came out and locked the door. A whole lot of excitement was radiating from his face and from each of his movement. Let me have a fine smoke before going to the bus-stand, he thought. He locked the room and went to Madhurani’s shop. By now he had almost got used to avoiding Madhurani’s gaze.
“One Bristol,” he said placing a one-rupee coin on the wooden box that was kept before Madhurani.
Today, Madhurani did not speak to him. Earlier, every time she had freely talked to Ganesh.
Ganesh felt uneasy.
Did I go wrong somewhere?
Then, why didn’t she talk?
Is she angry with me?
Or is she sad that I am going home?”
No, nothing of this sort.
I am just trying to jump to conclusions.
Is it necessary that she should always talk?
Perhaps, today she is in no mood to talk.
I am forcing things on her.
He tried to brush off his thoughts. Madhurani silently took a packet of Bristol kept on the rack behind her and taking a cigarette out of it placed in Ganesh’s hand. Suddenly Ganesh gave her a startled look. Ganesh’s hand felt something more than the cigarette. While handing the cigarette Madhurani had gently pressed Ganehs’s hand. Or was it unintentional? To find out, he had given her a startled look. A luscious, mesmerising, mysterious, and certainly meaningful smile had spread on her face. Ganesh had once again got entangled in her intensely ardent look. His determination of not looking into her eyes had already crumbled. He began to sweat. Confused, he took the cigarette and began to walk to the bus stand. He was finding it difficult to take even a few steps. His mind was suggesting him to cancel visiting home. But no, Sarpanch’s servant had already carried his luggage to the bus stand. If he were to cancel his trip now, it would have unnecessarily given rise to doubts. With heavy steps he walked till the corner. At the corner, though he tried a lot to control himself, he could not avoid turning and giving a look to Madhurani. She, too, was looking at him invitingly. In her gaze was the sorrow of separation and also an invisible power of attraction. Even when she was out of sight he felt as if she was coming along with him. Yes, giving him company – stealthily stealing a corner in his heart.
Complete novel - Honey - A story of a feminine power
Re: Complete novel - Honey - A story of a feminine power
Fine dust was breezing in through widows of the bus. At times the bus bumped. There was a heavy crowd in the bus and then there was the unending chatter among people. Ganesh used to feel giddy and nauseated when the bus went through the ghat. But today Ganesh did not feel any discomfort.
This was because of the touch of her hand.
Who knows where this will lead to?
It is obvious that she is encouraging me.
Means, it is not just me who is taken up by her but …
She too has feelings for me.
The fire is lit at both the sides.
“Khat … Khat ..” Ganesh felt something making a sound. But he ignored it. He did not wish to come out of his day-dream. Again the sound, “Khat..Khat”. This time someone shook him. He came to senses and looked. It was the bus conductor.
“Yes..yes..” becoming confused he put his hand in his pocket.
Taking out a five-rupee note and placing it in the conductor’s hand he said, “One ticket to Ujni”
“Sir, this bus has just started from Ujni,” the Conductor said with a smile.
“I mean.. give me a ticket for the taluqa,” Ganesh said trying to hide his embarrassment.
Most of the time the same Conductor served this bus. Ganesh had learnt from someone that his village was somewhere on this road that is why he always chose to get his duty marked on this route. He would always stop the bus at his village and collect the morning or the evening meals box. The bus took a longer halt at his village. While collecting the meals box he also used to make small talk. Making a “Khat..khat”sound he tore a ticket and placed it in Ganesh’s hand. He then moved ahead making the same “Khat..Khat” sound. Ganesh kept the ticket in the top pocket of his shirt and, looking out of the window, again got immersed in his day dream.
“Sir ..wake up.. Are you asleep?” Ganesh was startled by a loud voice. Someone had shook him by his shoulders. Confused, Ganesh looked around. All persons, except him, had got down from the bus. The bus had entered the Bus stand and he was the only one to be still sitting inside. He was woken by the bus conductor. The conductor was looking down at him. Ganesh was thoroughly embarrassed. He took down his bag and began to get down from the bus. Since the time he felt Madhurani’s enchanting touch …Surely, she must have touched him purposely.
Otherwise, why would she have given a sweet smile?
From that time Ganesh was floating in the air. He never knew when he traced heavy steps from her shop to the bus stand… when the bus arrived.. when he got in it. and when the bus reached the bus stand of his taluka..
Her enchanting smile, the excitement of her touch and her ardent look was still not leaving his mind’s eye.
Ganesh got down from the bus. The conductor too, got down. The bus driver had already stepped out and was waiting at the rear entrance for the conductor to join him. After the conductor got down he allowed Ganesh to go a little further and, pointing at him, he said in an irritated voice – “Idiot… the entire bus got empty.. and this cartoon was still in his seat looking out of the window.
The driver looked at Ganesh and gave a bitter smile.
Ganesh was able to listen to all this. But ignoring it he took the bag and left the place..
(to be contd..)
This was because of the touch of her hand.
Who knows where this will lead to?
It is obvious that she is encouraging me.
Means, it is not just me who is taken up by her but …
She too has feelings for me.
The fire is lit at both the sides.
“Khat … Khat ..” Ganesh felt something making a sound. But he ignored it. He did not wish to come out of his day-dream. Again the sound, “Khat..Khat”. This time someone shook him. He came to senses and looked. It was the bus conductor.
“Yes..yes..” becoming confused he put his hand in his pocket.
Taking out a five-rupee note and placing it in the conductor’s hand he said, “One ticket to Ujni”
“Sir, this bus has just started from Ujni,” the Conductor said with a smile.
“I mean.. give me a ticket for the taluqa,” Ganesh said trying to hide his embarrassment.
Most of the time the same Conductor served this bus. Ganesh had learnt from someone that his village was somewhere on this road that is why he always chose to get his duty marked on this route. He would always stop the bus at his village and collect the morning or the evening meals box. The bus took a longer halt at his village. While collecting the meals box he also used to make small talk. Making a “Khat..khat”sound he tore a ticket and placed it in Ganesh’s hand. He then moved ahead making the same “Khat..Khat” sound. Ganesh kept the ticket in the top pocket of his shirt and, looking out of the window, again got immersed in his day dream.
“Sir ..wake up.. Are you asleep?” Ganesh was startled by a loud voice. Someone had shook him by his shoulders. Confused, Ganesh looked around. All persons, except him, had got down from the bus. The bus had entered the Bus stand and he was the only one to be still sitting inside. He was woken by the bus conductor. The conductor was looking down at him. Ganesh was thoroughly embarrassed. He took down his bag and began to get down from the bus. Since the time he felt Madhurani’s enchanting touch …Surely, she must have touched him purposely.
Otherwise, why would she have given a sweet smile?
From that time Ganesh was floating in the air. He never knew when he traced heavy steps from her shop to the bus stand… when the bus arrived.. when he got in it. and when the bus reached the bus stand of his taluka..
Her enchanting smile, the excitement of her touch and her ardent look was still not leaving his mind’s eye.
Ganesh got down from the bus. The conductor too, got down. The bus driver had already stepped out and was waiting at the rear entrance for the conductor to join him. After the conductor got down he allowed Ganesh to go a little further and, pointing at him, he said in an irritated voice – “Idiot… the entire bus got empty.. and this cartoon was still in his seat looking out of the window.
The driver looked at Ganesh and gave a bitter smile.
Ganesh was able to listen to all this. But ignoring it he took the bag and left the place..
(to be contd..)
Re: Complete novel - Honey - A story of a feminine power
Ganesh came to the taluqa and was back home. At home there was his wife and a cute son. But his mind was left behind in that village – near Madhurani. He was eager to return to Ujni, to Madhurani. Some holidays came in between otherwise he would have reached Ujni long back. Had he returned during holidays, it would have made people unnecessarily suspect him. The two days of holidays dragged on like two long months. He had already packed his bag and kept it ready. Just to while away some time.
The eagerness with which he looked forward to return to Ujni …
With same eagerness .. perhaps with even more anxiety … Madhurani could be waiting for him.
He began to think.
After all, no matter how much you try to control the feelings in your mind
A person is not happy unless he expresses them.
Though just through a sign, Madhurani had expressed her feelings.
From the time I reached there I must have caught her fancy.
Otherwise why should I sense the intensity of her ardent looks…
Which also made me drawn towards her …
That she should be drawn to me like this ..
Leaving so many others, to choose me ..
Indicates that there must be something in me, too.
He was proud of his looks. Whatever it be, it was important that she had revealed her mind to him. For, it would not have looked nice had he gone after her passionately
Finally, the day dawned. The Monday. The day for which Ganesh was waiting eagerly. Even today Ganesh did not feel the discomfort of the journey to Ujni. Throughout the journey, he was seeing Madhurani, with arms spread wide to draw him into her embrace. Who was sitting next to him in the bus … What the other passengers in the bus were doing … What scenes were passing outside his window … He was aware of none of these.
The driver applied the brake and the bus stopped with a jerk. It was Ujni. Ganesh’s face broke into a smile. Today, he struggled to get down carrying his bag before all others. He came out of the bus. Maybe, the crowd had jostled him out. On coming out he glanced all around.
Could Madhurani be waiting for him at the Bus stand…
Hope is such a mad thing.
He tried to tell himself.
How could she be here?
Did she know when he was coming…
Just then Ganesh saw Sada walking towards him. Ganesh ignored him.
“Oh, Ganeshrao.. its you… For a while I didn’t recognise you,” Sada stood before him and said. Ganesh tried to move ahead avoiding him.
And what is this Sir … You are looking as if you have rolled like a donk… in the village’s dump yard,” Sada said following Ganesh. From his talk Ganesh understood that he had wanted to say “rolled like a donkey.”. but an afterthought had made him avoid saying it. Ganesh paused and looked at his clothes. Trying to be the first to get down from the bus, they were wrinkled and were soiled by the dust coming in through the window. This time he had not made any attempt to avoid dust. He patted his hair with his palm. Even the hair were tussled and perhaps also coated with dust. Ganesh felt ashamed of standing before Madhurani in such a condition.
“Give it to me, Sir … You must be tired.. I’ll take the luggage,” Sada said.
“No.. I’ll manage..” Ganesh said and began to trace quick steps – towards Madhurani’s shop. He was dying to meet her.
The eagerness with which he looked forward to return to Ujni …
With same eagerness .. perhaps with even more anxiety … Madhurani could be waiting for him.
He began to think.
After all, no matter how much you try to control the feelings in your mind
A person is not happy unless he expresses them.
Though just through a sign, Madhurani had expressed her feelings.
From the time I reached there I must have caught her fancy.
Otherwise why should I sense the intensity of her ardent looks…
Which also made me drawn towards her …
That she should be drawn to me like this ..
Leaving so many others, to choose me ..
Indicates that there must be something in me, too.
He was proud of his looks. Whatever it be, it was important that she had revealed her mind to him. For, it would not have looked nice had he gone after her passionately
Finally, the day dawned. The Monday. The day for which Ganesh was waiting eagerly. Even today Ganesh did not feel the discomfort of the journey to Ujni. Throughout the journey, he was seeing Madhurani, with arms spread wide to draw him into her embrace. Who was sitting next to him in the bus … What the other passengers in the bus were doing … What scenes were passing outside his window … He was aware of none of these.
The driver applied the brake and the bus stopped with a jerk. It was Ujni. Ganesh’s face broke into a smile. Today, he struggled to get down carrying his bag before all others. He came out of the bus. Maybe, the crowd had jostled him out. On coming out he glanced all around.
Could Madhurani be waiting for him at the Bus stand…
Hope is such a mad thing.
He tried to tell himself.
How could she be here?
Did she know when he was coming…
Just then Ganesh saw Sada walking towards him. Ganesh ignored him.
“Oh, Ganeshrao.. its you… For a while I didn’t recognise you,” Sada stood before him and said. Ganesh tried to move ahead avoiding him.
And what is this Sir … You are looking as if you have rolled like a donk… in the village’s dump yard,” Sada said following Ganesh. From his talk Ganesh understood that he had wanted to say “rolled like a donkey.”. but an afterthought had made him avoid saying it. Ganesh paused and looked at his clothes. Trying to be the first to get down from the bus, they were wrinkled and were soiled by the dust coming in through the window. This time he had not made any attempt to avoid dust. He patted his hair with his palm. Even the hair were tussled and perhaps also coated with dust. Ganesh felt ashamed of standing before Madhurani in such a condition.
“Give it to me, Sir … You must be tired.. I’ll take the luggage,” Sada said.
“No.. I’ll manage..” Ganesh said and began to trace quick steps – towards Madhurani’s shop. He was dying to meet her.