BY: Gurbachan singn Bhullar
Kanara took the sword off the wooden peg unsheathed it and tested its sharpness by a soft touch of his thumb on its edge. He went near the shisham tree in the countryard of the house. A thick branch was stretching towards the rising sun. He struck it with his sword and the branch fell down like a raddish. Satisfied he kissed the sword resheathed it and walked out of the house.
On his way back home from the fields he had heard the chowkidar proclaiming with the beat of a drum that patwaris had arrived for the consolidation of land-holdings. The announcement awakened him to the opportunity. It fuelled the smoldering fire inside him. For years there had been an irritant in some corner of his mind. But he had been able to do nothing about it If he was to act now was the time for the purpose so that everything could be settled during land consolidation.
He avoided the pucca road at a distance of about two miles from his village and preferred the less frequented path leading to the bus stand in the neighboring village. He was not only nursing a desire to have a big chunk of land about 15 acres but also wanted to eliminate his enemy-to-be. So he did not want anybody to notice him while on the way. His heart throbbed speedily at the very thought of the sin he was going to commit. Earlier he had planned to board the night train but dropped the idea as it was to take him to his destination at dawn which did not suit him at all He wanted the nights rest after the commission of the crime.
At times in the company of his friends he would boast that he could bring the river waters to a halt.
And sometimes one of the friends would taunt him “O Kartariya the child whose mother was forced to leave her house because of you must be a grown-up person now and would settle his scores with you”
Embarrassed Kartara would retort “What harm can he do? A small insect.” And musing he would ask “How am I responsible for driving his mother out of the village?”
Whenever the issue would come up for discussion it left its impact on Kartaras mind. He was convinced that his enemy-to-be at a faraway place must be growing up fast. A small insect today he would grow up to become a snake and could bite him any day.
It was almost noon the bus reached the stop. Much to Kartaras relief there was no one inside the bus who belonged to his village. He took a seat close to a window in the middle of the bus to escape attention. It was still there in his mind that in Jaggars murder case people of the village had not given him a clean chit. When Jaggar was murdered many accusing fingers were raised towards him. Some said he was directly involved in the case while others fell the had at least prior knowledge of i it But for having bribed the would have been included in the FIR Kulwanto too suspected Kartaras involvement in the murder. Through the fast moving bus he threw a hollow glance over the far-stretched fields and realized in his heart of hearts that that was the reason why she did not agree to be his life companion.
When finally the police booked two persons of the village for the crime Kartara thought of proposing to Kulwanto. After her husband’s murder Kulwanto was absolutely helpless. Her parents in-law had already died. A twoyear-old son was all she had. Kanara had it in his mind that Kulwanto being alone and in utter dejection might positively respond. Besides he was laying claim to her on the basis of his kinship he was Jaggars cousin in whose veins flowed the family blood. He thought Kulwanto was left with no alternative what else would she do without entering into the wedlock?
First Kartara proposed through Shamo wife of the village barber. Thereafter he himself confronted her with the idea. Tears rolled down her cheeks. She said “Kartariya how dare you think of marriage! The pyre of Jaggar is still burning and will not cool off 90 long as I breathe.”
Kartara who was scratching earth with a small stick said “Kulwanto Shamo too has hinted this but a swear by the holy cow that I know nothing about Jaggars murder. It is some of the bloody villagers who talk rubbish”
“Leave them apart but if you were so innocent why did you obtain a loan from the village moneylender and bribe the police officer?” She wiped her tears with the comer of her dupatta.
“I deny having obtained: any loan from anyone. No one can stop people from talking. Now when the culprits have been arrested there should be no doubt lingering in your mind.”
“God will balance the scales of justice But don’t say this again in the future For God’s sake leave me to my fate. Let me rear this toddler the worst has already happened” Kulwanto said.
“Kulwanto how do you presume that Jaggars death has not pained me at all? You know a brother is considered as ones right hand” Kartara stated meekly.
“If you realize the situation this toddler 100 has the family blood. When he grows up he will be your supporting hand.”
That’s why I propose to you but you don’t listen to what I say.”
“No Kartariya you enjoy you and let me have my share of the pangs. I shall bring up my son in my own way. I don’t want the tragedy to cast its shadow on my sons mind. But the killing of a noble and innocent person like Jaggar will affect up to seven generations of who so ever has been behind the crime.”
Kartara could see through Kulwantos shrewdly escaping the trap he had laid. Pretty like a night lamp Kulwanto would have brought light to his house. And the boy instead of emerging as his future enemy would have accepted him as his own father. And above all a bigger chunk of cultivable land would have been his property.
The bus halted at another place. This interrupted his train of thought. Out on the road a lad of about eight or nine was selling sugar-coated pills. Kartara thought Kulwantos son must have grown up like this boy If Kulwanto had been poisoning his ears he would certainly kill him after seven years or so. He knew of the murder of a40-year-old man by a boy of 14.
The sunshine had disappeared. Kartara noticed a cloud temporarily blocking the sunrays. He again looked back in the bus. He had it in his mind that people still blamed him for Jaggars death and sooner or later the truth would emerge out. Again his fear revived. He thought if he showed slackness now the boy would be a young man soon and would avenge the death of his father. The enmity among the Jats did not end even after generations
And if all went well he could become a Sardar (a big land-lord) having the consolidated landholding of both Jaggar and his own. The person who was now cultivating Jaggars land on an yearly lease or partnership basis gained a lot.
Ever since Kulwanto had gone along with her father she had secretly visited the city twice or thrice and had through a mediator found someone else to look after the Kulwanto did not come to the village and it pinched Kartara. He thought she still nourished a grudge against him Of the conversation he had with her only one thing was still fresh in his memory: she suspected his involvement in Jaggars murder. The rest he thought was just meaningless.
But again he thought about the possible complication that could develop after what he was going to do and his lips became dry. Earlier at the time of Jaggars murder the police officer had shown to him the hanging handcuff although he was not directly involved in the crime He introspected for a moment that had he wished he could inform Jaggar in advance about the plans to assault him. But what he had gathered was that they would only cut off his one leg. And their conspiracy was somehow giving him a sort of pleasure.
Both Kaila and Deepa had almost matured a mortgage-deed for getting a piece of land when Jaggar grabbed it by offering a higher bid. That day both of them had decided to take revenge. On the fateful day Jaggar had gone to his fields and Kaila and Deepa were busy distilling illicit liquor in their fields. Kartara who was following his buffalo incidentally went near them. Intoxicated with the freshly distilled liquor they shared with him their secret their plan to assault Jaggar They knew that he was also not on good terms with Jaggar.
Kartara soon returned home. At dusk when Jaggar was returning from his fields both Kaila and Deepa attacked him. Kaila tried to him in the leg but Jaggar jumped across the line to safely However Kaila goaded Deepa who pierced to Jaggars abdomen with a pointed spear Jaggar staggered and stumbled. The sharp edged weapon went deep into his body causing his on-the-spot death.
The police knew that Kartara had met Kaila and Deepa on the full day And Kartara with great difficulty could manage a loan for bribing the police officer so that he was not implicated in the — case. But now when he was going to commit the crime himself what — could be the consequences? Truth cannot remain hidden for a long time. He hated the idea of murdering his own nephew and thought of changing the bus at the next stop to go back home.
But what kind of a nephew he was? He was going to be his enemy. Moreover no one recognized him in that village. And by the time he was to reach the village there would be darkness. In the morning he would come back to his village. In case there was any complication he would mortgage a small piece of land to save himself. He was after all going to won Jaggars land too. Who was convicted in murder cases these days? He thought. One might be sentenced to imprisonment for a few years on a charge of inflicting injuries but one could be acquitted of a murder change! Sometimes there were no eyewitnesses and sometimes some legal lacunae help — to get the benefit of doubt.
The bus stopped with a jerk. He climbed down. The sun had already set and he was to cover about three miles distance yet. By then it could be twilight. His mind was busy finalizing his plans.
Now darkness started spreading gradually Dogs were barking in the villages He sat near a well on” the way.
He was a stranger to the village. He had come to commit such a — act that he could not obtain any clue from anybody there lest his identity was known. Kartara again got frightened how could he murder the boy and possibly his mother too and escape without anybody knowing about it?
Again he was a bold man. What was the necessity to oblation a clue? — He knew their “haveli” was near the wedding hall (janjghar). He also knew the location of their house where Jaggars marriage — Party had dined. He also expected” that God willing both mother and son might come out together all alone.
He saw someone coming towards the well Kartara had earlier thought that let the time come and — the appropriate decision would be taken. He placed the sword on the edge of the well and stood up. The visitor was a boy. He had some empty utensils with him. Perhaps he was returning after serving food to someone in the fields.
“Is it Saun Pura?” Kartara asked initiating his dialogue with the body. “The land consolidation has altered the routes.” ; “Yes it is Saun Pura. Earlier the entry to the village was from that Side.” He stretched his arm to point it out
“What is your father’s name?” Sucha Singh.
Kartara promptly recalled that the name of Jaggar father-in-law was also Sucha Singh but his wife had idea a long time ago so this boy might be the son of some other Sucha Singh. He thought it might lead to some clue if he continued conversing with the boy He joking asked him are you “Are you not afraid of moving about all alone at this time?
Are you not afraid of moving about all alone at this time? When we were of your age we were afraid of going out alone even after sunset.”
“Afraid of what?” the boys answer was prompt and without the least hesitation.
“In our village the thieves take away children of your age.” Kartara said laughingly.
“Who would dare touch me? In the Malwa region there is my lion-like uncle Kartara. He would cut such a person to pieces.” The boy casually glanced at the sword lying on the edge of the well.
Kanara felt everything revolving round him. He ran to the boy and embraced him. While walking towards Saun Pura Kartara was trying hard to control his tears.
(Translated from Punjabi )
Article extracted from this publication >> June 26, 1992
