Adult Stories

One day Ganesh was batting on Mahadya’s bowling and Madhurani was standing in the shade of the mango grove. Ganesh’s complete attention was on Madhurani. He never knew when Mahadya bowled and when the ball went past scraping his head. He was fortunate that the ball merely scraped his head otherwise his crown would have broken. Shaken up, Ganesh fell down. All gathered around him. Madhurani also came running. She sat down and brushed Ganesh’s head with her palm. Her palm got a blot of red blood.

“Hey! Go and get the doctor… let him drop everything in hand and come over here,” Madhurani took the matter into her hand.

Ganesh was lying down silently holding head in both his hands.

“Ganeshrao…Ganeshrao…” she shook him to make sure that Ganesh was still conscious.

Holding his head Ganesh threw an ardent look at Madhurani.

“Oye Ganapya...get some water from Lamanya”

“Ganeshrao… how are you feeling?” a boy asked.

“You beast, move aside… how would he feel when he has hurt his head?” Madhurani shouted at him in annoyance.

“No.. is he feeling like vomiting…” the boy asked further.

By then Ganapya came running with a jar filled with water.

“Ganeshrao.. take a sip or two.. you will feel better..” Madhurani said.

“Sprinkle some water on his face” someone advised.

“Has he fallen unconscious for us to sprinkle water… he is in his full senses…” said another. All wanted to do something for Ganesh but no one could decide exactly what. Some started rubbing his soles, some started patting him, while others moved their fingers in his hair. Just then Babanya came carrying the Doctor’s bag. He was followed by a breathless Doctor trying to catch up with him. Babnya came and, squatting on the floor, opened the Doctor’s bag.

“Do you think you can give him an injection…let the Doctor arrive…” one of them could not resist the temptation to tease him even at that serious hour.

The Doctor arrived.

“Where is he hurt?” the Doctor said trying to gain his breath.

“The ball hit his head” someone from the crowd answered.

“Good that it merely brushed his skull otherwise his crown would have broken”.

Madhurani looked at him in anger.

The one who had said it understood her sentiment and fell silent.

“Ganeshrao, is there a nausea?” the Doctor asked.

Ganesh shook his head and said “No.”

Next, the Doctor took out his stethoscope and inserted into his ears and began to check Ganesh’s chest and stomach.

“He has hurt his head and this cartoon is checking his chest and stomach” some said in a hushed tone.

“Have you got hurt anywhere else?” the Doctor asked continuing to check him.

Ganesh again shook his head and said ‘No’.

The Doctor began to take Ganesh’s pulse. Madhurani gave him a questioning look.

“Nothing to worry about… he is hurt a little… that’s all..”the Doctor said folding and keeping the stethoscope in his bag., “I’ll give some tablets… give him twice a day…. he’ll be alright.”

The Doctor took out two bottles from his bag. He took out three tablets from each bottle and broke each of them into half. Taking two halves from each set of two tablets he tied them into six packets.

“Ask him to take these packets every morning and evening” the Doctor said keeping the packets in Madhurani’s hands.

Night had fallen. Ganesh was running high fever. Right from the start there was a string of visitors. Sarpanch, Patil, Village Master all had visited. The neighbour Sarjabai had brought out a jowar soup and she fed Ganesh in spoonfuls. She sat near him for a long time and had now gone home. It must be midnight. Madhurani still sat near his bed. She brushed her hand sometimes on his forehead and at other times on his face. Even in that condition Ganesh felt her touch welcome. He was tempted to pull her into his embrace. But he had become very weak. Less because of fever and more because of the excitement of Madhurani’s touch.

“You can go now, Madhurani… go and catch some sleep..” Ganesh said hiding the turmoil that was going on in his mind.

He still had fever. No strength seemed to have remained in his legs and hands. The Doctor had tied a bandage on his head where he had got hurt.

“Leaving you in this condition?’ Madhurani said checking his neck for fever.

He too wanted her to stay with him. He held her hand and held it tight on his chest.

She gently removed her hand from his and said, “You must lie down calmly … you’ll feel better only if you take complete rest.”

Getting up she picked up the bed sheet from near his feet and asked, “Shall I spread this on you… outside it is biting cold..”

Ganesh did not know what to say.

It was true that it was cold…

But how would it lessen with a mere bed sheet…

This was such a nice opportunity… but the body, like an old man’s, was not cooperating

She sat near his feet and began to press his legs. Her soft touch gave rise to a tingling sensation in Ganesh’s body.

Today there was an excitement in the entire village. Today was the dumb young man’s marriage. The dumb youth’s father and uncle had taken pains and found another prospective bride for him. The girl was from a poor family from the neighbouring village. So what if the bridegroom was dumb? The girl would live comfortably because of the dumb youth’s vegetable farm. The girl’s father’s condition was so poor that he didn’t even have the capacity to perform the marriage. That is why the dumb youth’s father had agreed to bear the entire expenditure of getting the marriage performed. And the marriage was to be held in the groom’s place. The dumb youth was under strict vigilance. He was not at all permitted to meet the dumb girl. The father of the dumb girl also had her almost shut in a room.

The marriage was to be held at eleven in the morning. But right from morning several people from the bride’s side began to arrive in bullock carts. As they were from the bride’s side they were not looked after with great enthusiasm. The arrangement for their stay was made in the school on top of the hill.

The villagers strutted about wearing new clothes as if the marriage was from their own homes. Whenever a marriage was held in the village Bhika took care of the tent and the loud-speaker. Kisen was responsible for serving meals. They had teams of their own people. Patil and Sarpanch were always ready to guide people from time to time. Beside hair cutting, shaving and arranging for massage the barber was also responsible for distributing invitations and applying tika on the forehead of the people. For all these works no payments were needed to be made. Barber received one or two payali grains every year for attending to these works and in return for the work done during the marriage function new clothes were given to him and to the members of his family. During the marriage function, hisr entire family worked hard as if it was a marriage in his own homes. Their meals etcetera was taken care of at the venue of the marriage.

It was ten O’Clock. The crowd at the marriage hall reached a further peak. To add to it was the sound of the band and the music blared by the loud speakers. All these made the atmosphere evocative. Ganesh had received the invitation in the morning itself. Ganesh put on freshly ironed clothes and he stepped out locking his room. Due to sheer habit he glanced at Madhurani’s shop. The shop was closed. He then glanced at her house. The house was open. Just then he saw the servant from the shop and Madhurani’s father-in-law walking out of the home. Perhaps they both were going towards the marriage hall. Until they went away Ganesh lingered near his room. The door of Madhurani’s house was still open. It indicated that Madhurani was still at home. A gust of thoughts arose in Ganesh’s mind….

Almost all people of the village were going towards the marriage hall and Madhurani was alone in her house.

It means this provided a good opportunity.

As it is, from several days, a secret thought was going around in his mind and perhaps also in her mind.

He would never again get privacy and opportunity to open his heart. Ganesh’s feet began to automatically trace steps towards Madhurani’s home. While going he recollected her enchanting touch. He recollected her ardent look that held an invitation. And the naughty smile that always lingered on her face.

He was going, as such…

But after going there he wouldn’t be put to shame, would he?

It was better to plan out the whole thing.

As he walked towards her home he slowly began to decide the details in his mind.

In between he glanced here and there.

Was anyone noticing him?

Otherwise, he would gain nothing except a bad name.

Good, no one was in sight.

But it would not be nice to just walk in.

He must also find out some excuse.

As it is, because of being busy in marriage arrangement the Sarpanch’s servant had not filled water in his room.

During this hot summer, under the scorching sun, the excuse of needing water to drink would be easily convincing.

As it is, the hot weather had made him feel thirsty. Now his throat turned more dry. Partly because of the heat and partly because of his thoughts. He reached and stood in front of Madhurani’s door. He once again looked all around.

Was anyone observing him?

There was no one around.

Sound from the loudspeaker and the band from the marriage pendal was reaching him. The sound filled Ganesh with a new enthusiasm and vigor. His breathing became quick. His heart also began to beat loudly.

He lightly sounded the bolt of Madhurani’s open door.

How come, there was no sound from inside.

Madhurani… is she at home?...

Ganesh again sounded the bolt.

“Who’s it?” a sweet voice asked from inside.

Ganesh could not utter a word.

Sound refused to come out of his mouth.

If my condition becomes like this here, what would happen later?...

Come, let me quickly turn back.

But no, it was no good to run away at the opportune moment. …

Running away was not a sign of courage….

It was certainly not of manliness….

I must show some courage.

I must exhibit manliness.

However bold may the woman be, the man has to take a lead.

“Who is it?” again the voice came from inside. Now it seemed a little annoyed.

“It’s me..Ganesh..” somehow Ganesh managed to blurt.

He was happy with it. And he picked up more courage.

He must show more such courage.

“Ganesh… come in.. I am here..changing clothes” her voice came from inside.

An image of Madhurani as she changed her clothes floated before Ganesh’s eyes.

All these days I was just imagining her body. Possibly today it is time to see it in person.

His breathing became harder.

It was not necessary for her to tell him that she was changing her clothes.

That means, she had purposely told him that she was changing her clothes…

Should it be considered as a part of an invitation…

Yes, of course…. When she is sending signal after signal from so many days..

How much more explicitly must she give her signal…

Ganesh slowly entered the house. After entering he did not fail to bolt the door from inside.

While putting on the bolt, he realised that his hand was trembling and legs had gone weak. He fixed the bolt and turned to go inside. He took a deep breath and again tried to muster his courage.

“Sit there, on the platform… on the stringed cot” the voice again came from inside.

She could have just asked him to sit on the platform.

She seemed to have some secret intention in asking him to sit on the stringed cot,…

Certainly this too was a way of inviting.

Now, should he go straight inside…

Again Madhurani’s clothless figure floated in front of his eyes.

Yes, he must go in…

This was a good chance…

He walked to the stringed cot laid on the platform. Now he began to gather courage to straight away go in where Madhurani was possibly changing her clothes.

But what was this. His mind was ready to go in. But his legs were not cooperating. They had gone numb. Sweat broke out on his entire body. If Madhurani saw him in such a state what would she think He slumped on the stringed cot spread on the platform. After sitting down he felt a little better. He took out a kerchief from the pocket of his shirt and began to wipe his sweat.

“Madhurani I wanted some water… I am very thirsty… Today the servant did not fill water”, he did not realise that he had spoken this out.

It was not proper to remain totally silent.

The atmosphere had to be eased by talking something.

He consoled his mind.

“Its only water that you want, isn’t it?.. Then why all these explanations… are you ever barred from coming to my house” Madhurani teased Ganesh from inside.

Have you ever been stopped from coming to my house …

Madhurani’s sentence began to revolve in his head.

This was also an invitation.

That too, candidly open.

Now, he must do something… “No it’s not like that, Ganesh sprang from the cot and said what ever that came to his mind. Slowly he began to go in the direction from where Madhurani’s voice was coming.

Just then…

“I’ll get it in a minute…after tying my hair…” Madhurani said coming out.

Ganesh quickly moved behind and sat on the stringed cot.

Again he had missed an opportunity…

In such matter timing was very important…

How many times would I miss opportunities?

If this keeps happening every time…

One day she will refuse me…

And would also say… he was stupid…

He was of no use.

Ganesh looked at her. Madhurani had worn a green sari. She looked stunning in the green sari. His glance automatically met hers. Ganesh saw a kind of naughtiness in her eyes. Ganesh felt encouraged. The disappointment that had filled his mind now vanished completely.

The place where Ganesh sat had a deoli, a small hollow in the wall. Madhurani went there holding the hair pain in her teeth and the combed hair in her hand. There was much space for her to lean and look into the deoli. But Madhurani touched her thighs with those of Ganesh and leaned over searching something in the deoli. This was yet another confirmed invitation for Ganesh. Ganesh’s hands began to itch to hold her by her waist. Ganesh picked up courage and stretched his hands. He was about to embrace her by throwing his hands around her waist when she turned back and began to go inside. Perhaps she had found what she was looking in the deoli. A look of disappointment and of having missed another opportunity spread on Ganesh’s face. Ganesh looked at her figure that was going in. Her fair neck and shoulders peeping out of the wide neck of her blouse seemed to be calling him. Before going in she paused at the door and gave Ganesh an ardent look. She went in and Ganesh sat on the cot all hurt and disappointed. He suddenly sprang up.

He must do something now…

A better opportunity may not present itself again…

He began to walk towards the room into which Madhurani had gone. His breathing became heavy. He brushed off the fear from his mind. His body was now filled with strong determination. He went and stood in the door of that room. Madhurani, her back turned towards him, was combing her hair. Because he stood in the door, the room suddenly became darkened. She must have surely sensed his arrival. But she was still engrossed in combing her hair. He began to go near her. He began to become aware of the increased pace and heat of his breathing. His ears too began to emit heat. He found all this unbearable.

One… two…three.. he held his breath and like an animal pouncing on its prey he rushed and caught hold of her hand. He was pleased that at last he had done what he had thought of doing since long.

Now he waited for Madhurani’s response.

Jerking her hand free Madhurani moved aside. This was rather unexpected. She looked at him. He tried to gauge the feeling expressed by her eyes. But try however he was unable to phathom them.

Was she angry at his daringness?

Was she still encouraging him or …

He was not able to understand anything. Gathering courage he once again tried to hold her hand.

“What is it that you are doing?” he heard Madhurani’s voice.

Throwing at him a sharp look Madhurani began to walk out of the room.

Again his breathing became hard… he began to sense the heat of his breath…his ears began to tingle with heat… but this time because of a feeling of shame for having being taken for a ride.

This means that she has rejected his love.

Ganesh found it hard to believe.

How could he go wrong in understanding her feelings?

He had lost all courage… He felt like slumping down.

While going Madhurani turned and stood in the door. He saw in her eyes feelings such as anger, love, hatred, remorse and loathing.

He could bear anything but not her anger and loathing.

Unnecessarily he had got entangled in this mess.

They say that that even Gods cannot fathom a woman’s mind. It was indeed very true.

He was angry on himself. He was also angry on Madhurani. He controlled himself and tracing quick steps walked out. He had no courage to look at Madhurani. But from the corners of his eyes he gave her a sly look. Then tracing quick steps he reached the closed door of the room. He opened the bolt. Before stepping out he slyly looked at Madhurani.

In her eyes he seemed to notice the feelings that said, “Wait..don’t leave me midway and go away like this.”

But no, better avoid her…

Till now he had failed to correctly understand her….

Let him not repeat that mistake…

He jerked the door open and stepped out. He did not even bother to turn and look.

Outside, even in the sun, he felt better. A gust of cool breeze touched and ran over his sweaty body. He felt cool.

Good..the matter was finally decided.

How long could he keep it prolonged…

He came out of Madhurani’s house and for quite a long time lingered in front of his room.

“Where can he go now?”..

To his room?..

Or to the wedding?...

In the room he would have felt lonely. He despised any kind of loneliness. Meaning he was scared to remain alone. If he could go to the wedding… there would be no privacy at all… But he also did not want a noisy crowd. Then, leaving behind his room and the wedding hall, he began to walk to wherever his steps took him. He walked towards the bazaar that was on the other side of the marriage hall. While walking he paid no attention to his surroundings.

As it was not a Thursday, the ground of the bazaar was wholly vacant. He stood alone in the vacant ground. He looked all over the ground. In that vast ground he was standing alone.

Feeling desolate …

Next, for a long time he wandered like mad in the village. Almost all people had gone for the wedding as such the village seemed all empty. As if a team of bandits had just ransacked and looted it. As he wandered he suddenly sensed a human presence. Someone’s voice was coming. He turned in that direction. When he neared it he found that he had come and stood in front of the dumb girl’s house. The house was locked from outside.

The people from the dumb girl’s house would certainly not have gone for the wedding.

Where then could they have gone… locking the door …

They must have gone into the fields…

But the sound was coming from inside the house…Sound that stirred the soul… Numbing all senses of the listener… the dumb girl’s shrieks.. they were her broken heart’s shrieks… possibly his own heart must also been shrieking like this… but it was heard only by him and no one else.