shelter of a railway platform. Mallika's family had a ~place, the length of a spread out mattress. Everything, _ everyone was squeezed in there ~ Mallika, her husband Bhushan — ~ their two-and-half-year-old son’ Khokon and her widowed -sister- “in-law Asha; tin suitcases, beddings, bundles, pots and pans.— —knother day Rad dawned. Perhaps, the sun has no option but to rise, chasing away the night's shadows or else why would darkness give way to light in this cruel, ugly world? Today, Mallika’ family had nothing to eat, the child had been whimpering since early morning. It fll into a pattern as the day advanced; the drowsy child would start howling and then gradually tire and drop off again. Mallika looked up to find Pramatha accompanied by Ramlochan descend on their mattress kingdom. They belonged to the “Help and Welfare Society: that was aiding the refugees. Asha covered her head, pulling the loose end of her sari close to her forehead. Bhushan’s fever had remitted. He was dozing wrapped in the folds of a kantha and wasn't bothered by Pramatha’s appearance So many had come and gone ~ men from societies, associations, and newspaper offices. It had made no difference to thelr lives. Mallika and her family didn't rely on the government, but they had placed Even a few days ago one could see forlorn, dispossessed people, spending their days and nights, EAS, huddled together like herds of cattle and goats in the Ad D Related titles “wa4 20. Mapmaking had continued to live on at the ir fai . The} their faith on these men. , Soin full wall theyre station - which was hell on ear about to be turned out. ‘How is he now?’ , ; ‘The fever has remitted, but will rise again with all the shivering, for sure: , / a who replied to Pramatha’s queries. In It was always Mallik speech, attire and demeanour Pramatha appeared a middle-aged pater familias; which was why they resented his solicitations. The man had done nothing for them although this was the fourth time he had come to enquire after their well-being and demonstrate his concern, Now they were on the verge of starvation. Mallika didn’t mince words, and bluntly said, ‘We are relying on you and you are doing nothing for us!’ “We are really at sea... how many people can we take care of? Now . . . if you don't try to help yourselves then. . .’ ‘Help ourselves, did you say? Should we attempt to? If that is what is required then I'm ready to stand up straight and behave responsibly. Here 1 am throwing my hands about, dancing and screaming for attention. What further humiliation is left for us?” Her words catried. a sharp sting. But the agony of the hapless never finds a voice; signs of anger, of humiliation, never appear on their faces. Pramatha found this manner of the destitutes rather terrifying at first. It seemed to him as though they were turning their backs to him in contempt, saying, ‘Don't talk down to us or flood us with platitudes. Tell us instead what we need to do, tell us what the solution is. Pramatha was a realist, unusually aware of things. His head reeled, his heart thumped unnecessarily, unreasonably, when he tried to work things out. Blowing hot and cold, he sought to calm Mallika down. "What can I say . . . you have come in waves, flooding the city: ‘The government is unable to cope. How many people can We Joo! ‘4 Down] Ad Download KEYDROP - KEYDI - Cajas de CS GO SPONSORED BY KEY-DROP.COM Related titles AB/ 4 The Final § nal Soluhan after? It’s all God's handiwork, like a del . + el God who makes poor, insignificant men like us do wh; Or else why would we be perturbed about the sation lat he wants like you and come running to your aid?’ fering of women ‘Why take the name of that disgraceful being?’ Pramatha kept his cool. Brushii i . ing aside her down to serious business. outburst eae Be OF an earthquake. it ig ‘Look, we have No control over the present situation but we can find you a job if you wish. You'll earn enough’ ‘Why don't you find my husband a job? He's suffering from_ _ malaria now but will be alright in a day or two. He can start working after resting for a couple of days! Bhushan raised his bloodshot eyes and looked at them. Pramatha made noises of regret and said, “There are no jobs for men. Men are out of work everywhere. But there are some mal: jobs still available for women! “Will you find something for my sister-in-law too, in that case? We can both work and earn’ Pramatha was only tog happy to kill two birds with one stone, "| think I could? he said.) ~ Mallika glanced at hef child, now reduced to a skeleton. She spoke to Bhushan softly, drawing the loose end of her sari over her head, ‘There's no other way out for us: 'S there? What do you say?” Bhushan didn't utter a wo unclenchi fists. . Gh Gu why has fate brought me ( this pass?” Mallika “ ere Was: ” ail had called out to God by force of heb Tee nothing in her voice to indicate she was ie ae oe seemed to be dismissing him from last time. id, he lay stil, clenching a4 ga plea. She her mind, ta! Download Ad Related titles w22 Mapmaking ‘Okay, I'll do whatever you ask: dance naked if yoy But you'll find a room for us betel wont yout Aa enclose and a drop of milk for the child, otherwise he'll die’ Pramatha calculated in his mind. He calmly said, ‘You’ Pi room to stay in and some milk too. Take this money as advan, it'll cover the rent of the room and the price of milk. You'd beg, give me a receipt for the money straightaway. I'll take you to you, room in the afternoon: Smiling to himself, Pramatha lit a cigarette. He was ng chewing betel leaf and he felt bad about it. Blowing a ring of smoke he ordered, ‘Ramlochan, go and buy a litre of milk, then stay here and look after these people. There are many perverse People about the place, waiting to pounce on them. Remain alert: Suddenly Mallika Jost all restraint and threw herself on the ground. She held Pramatha’s feet, ensconced in a Pair of shiny polished shoes, and sobbed, ‘Are you a man or a god?’ A young man of twenty-or twenty-two and a girl of about the same age came up to her almost as seemed to be college students," “ Pramatha left. They ‘Did he say hell get you a job? the boy asked "Yes! : ‘The man is evil; do you ky find you?’ new what kind of job he'll The two went on to explain the ature of the ; for ten whole minutes. While they talked, Rec th JOb to Mallika her a quarter litre of warm milk. As she ister chan had brought took out a shell-shaped spoon from within ‘0 them, Mallika te the fold, and began to feed the child on her lap, blowin I Of the kantha, cool it. ; on the milk to ‘If you know the man is a scoundrel why q.. , to the police?’ she asked. , OU take him “The police won't arrest him’ the boy repligg “They will if you complain’ the git Piped in Wig, d Sta, Download Ad Dowr bp Related titles w(\ \ {he Final Solon 25 Mallika’s tired smile bore witness to her grief ‘Complain? How can I? Sister, you don't know how this world is, How can Lick up a fuss when there is nothing I can find fault with? fe wants to find me work, make me comfortable. How can | grumble about that?’ Mallika pushed the child away from her lap on to the ground, her eyes glittering: Her fury and disgust seemed to centre on the child. ‘Do you think I don't know what villainy is? Can't 1 figure out who's honest and who's trea us? He puts on an act of. sincerity, " but can he hide the look in his eyes? We are living with our backs to the wall. Had it been otherwise we would have kicked him in the teeth and shown him the door. But we are helpless, what can we do?” ‘The boy and the girl remained silent. Ramlochan, who had been watching them from afar, went and fetched a police officer. ‘We are student volunteers’ the boy offered by way of explanation. The police officer left after taking down the names and addresses of the students and warning Mallika not to be duped. ‘Be on guard; he advised. ‘How can we be wary when our stomachs are empty?" Mallika derided, but the Police officer had no time for her words. The Students had already left and Ramlochan kept sitting at the corner of the platform, at some distance from her. Perhaps he was keeping an eye on them, making sure others didn't win them over. Mallika turned to her sister-in-law Asha, ‘Thakurjhi, you are the cause of our ruin! Get to work! Bring us some relief" Asha shivered, ‘I can't - not even if have to die’ Mallika wiped away her tears. ‘Am I talking of death or dying? Do you think I fear death? 1 would be ready to die if that could keep my child alive! Ad Download to read ad-free Related titles “A24 Mapmaking She didn't talk about Bhushan and whether he ought ¢, tm alive or not. She had straightforwardly asserted that she ag repared to die for her husband. If she had her way, she wong . tha either. But she was ready fo, bor i be entrapped by Prama' the child could be saved. She knew her death wouldn't keep i‘ child alive and had therefore decided to give in to Pramay, machinations. ‘Just consider Thakurjhi .. . the three of us may be able to lin again. It's not such a shameful or sinful business . . . we wor't loo, down upon you, we'll-worship-you-instead; she implored. ‘Don't insist . . . I can't do it} said Asha desperately. _Bhushan;-who had been silent all this while, spoke sharply now, ‘One must never lend one’s ears to such talk: Then he dozed off again. The world, even his very existence had turned remote, upside down, Everything had become muddled in his mind. Mallika, Asha, Khokon, the milling crowd, the stench, nothing had any meaning for him. But for Mallika, a roof above their heads was the primary need. __In the afternoon, Pramatha’ car came and took them to 2 small two-storeyed building at the edge of the city. The house was | situated in a respectable colony. The guard at the entrance let them | in, They were given a room on the ground floor. \—the house had once belonged to a slim family, who had fled when Pramatha managed to cause a riot in the . d when | andgec £0 cause a riot in the area. This was what Ramlochan was to tell Mallika, to ex; i " ‘Press . Pramatha and also to evoke feelings of, eratitude maton for wanted to press home the extent to which Peano Ramlochan ‘ rami help her. Pramatha had also given shelter ¢g four td gone to er families in four other rooms. As she arrived, men, won, of these families stared at Mallika with their gent and children They had nothing t0 s8¥. They knew or hag pag’ aeant e7es The cars driver followed Malka family in ang gerd nothing inside a neighbouring room. ad Pym Download Related titles nNThe Final Solution 25 Mallika heard a girl grumbling, ‘You’ sad come back?” ing, “You're so late; when will I go ‘What can I do? I don't own the vehicle, do 1?” ‘But the boss won't forego the rental, will he?’ ‘That’ none of your business ++. 1 The driver returned to the vehicle. A while later Mallika saw a married woman, a few year: older than herself, wearing a nice sari, get into the car alone. She looked extremely dejected. Mallika could sense where the woman was being taken. She had known all about it in her days and nights on the railway platform, living among the multitudes. That boy and girl had spoken to her in detail about Pramatha’s various activities She herself had seen how a girl or a woman returned alone - ir a short time - an hour perhaps, clutching a few coins in her fists filled with impotent rage. But she had not yet found out that Pramatha had hired a room on rent at a high price in a disreputable colony. Nor did she know that he would pocket the payment for the room, the car rental, the woman's fees, and a commission against the woman's earning from her temporary master. Mallika didn't have an inkling of all that. Settling in hardly took her any time; they had so little anyway But at last there was enough space for Mallika to sit down with fee outstretched. She spread mattresses for Bhushan and Khokon anc dropped down hard against a wall. Her head would have burst were it not for the cushion provided by a mop of her unruly hait. She was perspiring heavily now. It was incredible how one person wat openly carrying on the flesh trade, letting out rooms and renting out cars — all at one go! How all of these were interconnected She hadn't believed it when she had heard about it; now it lay exposed to her view. The front door was ajar. A couple of women were scrubbing Pots and pans near the common tap. A man about Bhushan's age Stepped out of the room in the corner. He was about (0 60 ont but stopped in his tracks when addressed by one of the wore Ad Pam Download Related titles a‘Dada, listen . .. I have something to tell you. It was apparent that the man had put in an effort to jog. presentable, and was desperate to be out of the house. The Bir had walked up from the tap. Slim and dark, she looked as if She was older than the marriageable age. The girl and the man moveg to a corner as the front door was wide open. ‘Where are you off to now?’ she asked. ‘To look for a job, where else?” ‘Bring some medicines for Boudi. Can't you see how she is suffering? If you can't get hold of medicines bring some poison’ “What do you take me for, eh?” Although the man had not raised his voice, the sound of a stinging slap bestowed on the sister’s cheek reached Mallika’s ears. bere ny ed at Bi hal ach house guard cam: the " ‘ged gentleman led by the guar é up on the courtyard, ‘Dada is not in; the girl shouted from the courtyard, ard. ‘Oh, I met him outside. But come here, 5 | have somethi lething to tell you! “Why have you come again?’ the girl aske to him. “Your brother said you'll be thrown out unle in a couple of days’ “What can I do? He'll pay when he can’ ‘Come with me for a while. Let's see what can be ‘No . .. I don't like going out! arranged? “But you'll be with me, why be afraid?’ ‘No, no, no. | will not go with anyone!’ Mallika had been watching the gil closely. She glareg j, “The bitch; she said to herself, ‘not married, doesnt have gj "wer, 4 85 she walked up SS the Tent is paid " mF or a child, yet playing hard to get! ‘Shang Ad Download to read ad-free Related titles NwThe Final Solution 27 Pramatha sent for Mallika that very day. He couldn't wait, t wasntt the driver with the car who came but Ramlochan in a taxi, He had also brought some rice, dal, fish and vegetables for the family. ‘Must I go today — now?" Mallika asked. ‘Babu wants you to. It is just for a short while so that you can sit, chat and get back quickly’ Bhushan was down with fever as usual; the child had gone to sleep. All of a sudden Asha said ‘Boudi, you stay and cook the rice. I'l go! ‘Asha had been displaying signs of extreme restlessness ever since they had arrived at the place. Weak and tender-hearted, she felt pulled in both directions, her nerves on edge. Mallika grasped her hand. ‘I'll be grateful to you, Thakurjhi, if you go . . . that'll make us, the abandoned people, come alive again. We will be indebted to you, dear? But Ramlochan intervened saying that Asha won't do, as it was Mallika, Pramatha had sent for. There was no choice, go she must. Led by the noose, she would have to take whatever path was destined for her. - —_ -—~Pramatha had a small, modern-looking, pleasant house all to himself, in the suburb near the city. He smiled as he led Mallika inside and said, ‘I've called you here so that we can talk. We must get to know each other better, now that we have met: Mallika couldn't object. Besides, she wanted to find out what kind of work Pramatha wanted her to do. Was it similar to the one the woman next door was involved in? Or was it something else? Dressed in grimy clothes, filthy sandals and with unkempt hair Mallika looked rather out of place on a colourful sofa in the tastefully decorated room. She felt as if she were a domestic help whom the master of the house had lovingly bid to sit on the sofa. That hardly mattered! In Pramatha's eyes her emaciated looks took on the overtones of a fidgeting tigress. The way she looked straight - Cajas de CS GO SPONSORED BY KEY-DROP.COM Related titles w28 Mapmaking at him, her head raised; she seemed about to Pounce On hi i her teeth into his flesh. The idea of taming the wild creatur * bringing her under his control thrilled Pramatha. ‘Tye taken the entire responsibility of your family, Yo, hon nothing to worry about in that regard. im Not involve yo, i anything that may put them in harm's way: ‘Such consideration! Can't be for the good, can it?” Mallit, silently thought. ‘You'll work for me; Pramatha said. “Work for you? What do you do?” Mallika asked, knitting he brows. She couldn't comprehend. ‘Do I engage in one kind of work . . . I'm involved in so many things. No matter, have some tea. But before that, go and have a bath. You'll find soap on the rack. And pull on fresh clothes. have kept them there’ ‘Not today; Mallika demurred. ‘Dear girl, do listen to what I tell you; affectionate. Mallika kept sitting, steadily. added People say if you are dressed so shabbily2" pramatha ‘That was an entirely different matter, Majij Pramatha showed her to the bathroom, Tab ue body in the brightly lit, aroma filled bathroom, 4, soap into her waves of nausea. Was it because she hadn't eaten an as hit by couldn't fathom why she was, without rhyme or rey, mv ing? She both by tears and laughter. N, assailed ‘Goodness! You do look nice Pramatha exciainy, Mallika returned in her new clothes. ‘he servany ,"°¢ when brought in some snacks and tea for her and whiskey, already glass for Pramatha, Mallika had seen many drunkards ay yp wand a platform, but it was the first time she sat face C0 face 0 one.” Pramatha said, his voice her shoulders erect, and looked at him Ad Dowr Related titles wTakii big gul "he Fira Soliton ag ‘aking a big gulp, Pram having downed ior’ then a clase and sat beside her after i i sses in such a sh time. Mallika had already finished her tea, Drawi short span of and pulling her close to his bosom, Pramatha tende ner to himself ‘It is how I want you . . . come and be with me ly murmured, then you can go back . . . ! ‘or a while and Suddenly Mallika saw red: Blood came surging to her head, She had accepted the fact that Pramatha was going to engage her in prostitution, but she couldn't tolerate the thought that he had planned to enjoy her first, before introducing her to the profession. Breaking free of his arms, Mallika caught the bottle with both her hands and brought it down on his head with fierce strength. The bottle splintered and Pramatha went limp. Mallika stared at Pramatha’s unconscious form. She was utterly bewildered. Her eyes looked aflame. A servant called out from behind the closed door. ‘Babu, did you call for me?” ‘No . . . go away; she ordered. Mallika looked around. Pramatha had only lost consciousness; he wasn't dead. Couldn't she finish him off, once and for all? Was there a gun in the house — but she didn’t know how to use it. Should she beat him to death with its muzzle or wring his neck in the folds of her sari’s end? She thought for a while. She took off the sari that Pramatha had gifted her. Then rolling it into a rope, she slipped it over his head like a noose, tightened it sient a neck, twisting and turning it with the help of the ites soda bottle. Pramatha would not die - that soon: It took Mall 3 600d fifteen minutes to strangle him t0 death She loosened the knot, unrolled the sari am into his vest-pocket and took out wads of ban! was meant for her surely, but why not take the: thought. Collecting her bundle of dirty clothes, out of the room and shut the door behind her. slipped her hands notes. Some of tt est as well, she K Mallika stepped Download Ad ei 1 Related titles A= [scrleo] 30 Mapmaking sends for you, she told the servant, ad i by him. d said it was fine “dnt be seen anywhere. He had known hy Mallika home that night. There were two armey tha had feared for his life. He had goog He grinned an wouldn't be taking sentries at the gate: Pram: reasons to be. Recalling she had com “Shall I call one?’ / ka replied. “it’s not necessary; Malli ‘Asha trembled in fear at the terrible picture Mallika made, ‘Bou she uttered. Mallika gave her a big sn the final solution ~ * e in a cab, one of the guards asked her, ile, ‘ve found a way out Thakurjhi ‘Asha grew more frightened, ‘Are you out your mind, Bou?’ ‘Perhaps I am . . . but I've found an excellent way out. That gangster! He thought he had got me to carry on his clandestine trade. What did he take me for? Am I weak just because I'm a woman?” ‘Calm down, Bou — sit down, I beg you’ te you cooked, Thakurjhi?’ Mallika asked settling down. pvt at eaten . . let me have some food, my stomach’ S te lently in hunger’ She let out a hearty laughter, ‘We'll kav wt ‘ungry again, Thakurjhi never, ever My son will —have milk four times a day... I'l oe i ~ ++ Till go to the railway station every _ d sari, the sharks will come again to pick ~———~And Tower , ‘ing her voice Mallika said, ‘But this time I'l b& __carrying a sharp_knife-w . a ith. 1 fo hide it so that no one finds on You-understand, ‘Thakurjhi. Wh Download Tran Related titles “za