“To phir bhojan tum kyun laayi ho?”“Then why did you bring the food?” he asked, looking back at the paper.
I sighed.“Pehli baar laaye hain? Isse poorv bhi to anekoan baar laaye hai na. Phir aaj aap aisa prashn kyun kar rahe hain?”“Is this the first time? I’ve brought you meals many times before. So, why are you asking this question today?” I inquired, keeping my tone low.
He finally lifted his gaze from the paper to me. I could feel the weight of his gaze. But I didn’t dare look up from the maroon fabric of my skirt.
It hit me!
I was still wearing the attire he had given me.
Shit! That’s why he was watching me so closely back then and now.
“Paros dein, Kunwar-sa?”“May I serve, Kunwar-sa?” I asked, embarrassed.
A long silence followed as I calmed my racing heartbeats down, and he finished writing.
“Tum theek ho?”“Are you alright?” he asked.
“Humein kya hua hai?”“What would happen to me?” I smiled, though I was clenching my palms tightly over my knees, awaiting his answer.
But Ranaji’s voice startled me.“You’re back, Agastya?”
I stood up and stepped back, looking down as he entered.
“Bhai-sa,” Kunwar-sa exclaimed, getting off the couch.
I glanced at them out of the corner of my eye.
“Where did you go without telling me?” Ranaji asked, walking to the couch.
“Nowhere,” he said with a faint smile,“I was feeling down, so I thought I’d take a walk,” and sat beside Ranaji as he patted his shoulder.
“You shouldn’t wander around like that anymore,” Ranaji said, tone serious.“You’re about to become a man with responsibilities. After your marriage, you shouldn’t roam like a free bird.”
“Ji, Bhai-sa, by the way, should I ask someone to bring your lunch here?” he asked.
Ranaji looked at the food and replied,“Oh, yes, I need to talk to you about something as well.”
I left them alone after saying.“I should get your lunch, Ranaji,”
Reaching the kitchen, I asked the helpers to prepare food for Ranaji. A few attendants lined up with bowls in their hands, and I directed them to follow me.
We all entered his chamber, and I signalled the attendants to place the bowls on the table.
“May I serve you, Ranaji?” I asked slowly.
He smiled and replied,“Yes, please.”
I began while he ordered the other attendants to leave. They bowed and left.
“Do you think they will take any action against it?” Ranaji asked Kunwar-sa, and I tried not to pay attention.
I was a trusted attendant, so he didn’t ask me to leave.
“They will. And I think they are behind all of this.”
I didn’t know why, but everything felt different. I had heard them talking a thousand times while serving food, but this time, it felt different.
“So, do you think six months is the minimum time they’ll need to lift their swords?” Ranaji asked.
