Chapter 6

Chapter 6

06 May

Roger had fever at night and was profusely sweating. Vinita woke up several times, touched his forehead to check the temperature and wiped the sweat from his forehead and face. Little before morning she found Roger sitting on the bed, he still had mild fever. She gave him juice. She called room boy for three cups of tea and woke Rishi up. Rishi went to taxi stand and hired a car to Uttarkashi and drove off in the morning. Rains caused several mountain slides but luckily road was still passable. Highest point of their journey was the mountain pass that separated Yamuna Valley with the other mountain range. There they stopped. Although river was not visible but snow capped mountains and glaciers that fed Yamuna River were shining in the morning sun. Yamuna Valley far down was covered with the mist. Scenes were breathtaking. Roger’s mind was elevated with the overwhelming scenes. After a long time he was completely free from the tinnitus. A very old man was running a teashop on the pass; they had tea with biscuits in the cold air of the morning. Sunlight started falling on the mountain pass, they stepped down to a ledge and watched the valleys and warmed themselves with the sunlight and another cup of tea. They reached Uttarkashi before noon.

2

Bishambar slept on a spare bed in his son’s private room in the hospital. A lady nurse woke him up at eight; it was evident that both father and son had smoked. She was furious with anger but she kept quiet. It was unwritten policy of the management to let rich people mind their own business.

Bishambar called his travel agent to book him a charter flight from Dehradoon to Mumbai at noon. In half hour agent called back as he promised, “Sir your corporate credit card is not working anymore. Seems like bank has cancelled it.”
“What!”
“Yes Sir! Do you have any other credit card?”
“I will call you back,” Bishambar barked.
Bishambar had several credit cards but they all belonged to the companies he was controlling. He walked to an ATM machine and ran all of his cards one by one but none worked.
Bastards! They took away my credit cards, didn’t even wait for my resignation letter.
Bishambar had only three thousand rupee in his pocket. First he had to settle the hospital bill and then they must reach Delhi to catch a scheduled flight to Mumbai.
He tried to use his cell phone but it too was off the line.
Bastards! Roger’s ivy-league goons took away my phone too. They kicked me out even before I could resign.
He felt helpless without a cell phone. Ruthless bastards!

He walked out of hospital and bought another pack of cigarettes. From a nearby phone store he purchased a new prepaid phone connection and got his cell phone activated.
He called Vinita’s number again. He was in crisis. He had no friends to help him. Calling at home was out of question. Unfortunately he never kept his personal credit or debit cards in his valet. He always used corporate cards for all of his personal needs. He lost most of his personal wealth in the unfortunate deals he made out of his poor judgments.
Only Roger can rescue me now.
He repeatedly dialed the number but nobody was picking it up. Finally he gave up and struggled to stop his tears.
He walked to a tea stall and had a cup of tea and smoked another cigarette. He dialed the number again but this time her phone was switched off.
Bastards!
Then he decided to call his wife, he was about to dial the number his phone rang. It was the lady’s cell phone number from Uttarkashi. Finally his call was answered.

3

Rishi walked in his room and found the cell phone lying on the table but its battery was dead. He asked Vinita for the charger, she went down and brought it from her room. He plugged in the phone and there were ten missed calls all from the same one cell phone number.
Rishi autodialed the missed call number.
“Yes,” he said.
“I am Bishambar, Roger’s brother.”
“Hello Bishambar, I am Rishi. How are you?”
“Rishi”, Bishambar said, “Thanks for everything you did to us. I am really sorry for the hurts we caused to you all.”
“It is new river always. Don’t worry Sir.”
“Is Roger there? I am in a crisis. God will bless you.”
“May one ask what the crisis is?” Rishi asked.
“Last evening my son had an accident in Uttarkashi. He was drunk and fell down on the Ghat and badly broken his right hand. He had a surgery in Dehradoon, he may lose his hand. Please request Roger to speak to me. I am in a crisis. God will bless you.”
Rishi was dazed to hear this; he felt a tingling in his spine.
He said after a pause, “Don’t worry Sir, everything would be fine, Roger will call you back in few minutes.”
“Can I count on your help again? I am really sorry for our behavior, please forgive us.”
“Sir don’t worry, Ganga Mai will forgive you.”
“Thanks. Is Roger there?”
“He surely is, Mr. Bishambar. I’ll find him and put him right though.”
“Thanks.”
“I am disconnecting the phone, it is on the charger. I can’t take it with me.”
Terrace was warm in the sunlight so Vinita was sitting under the verandah in front of Roger’s room. He was in the bathroom taking the bath. Rishi sat with Vinita.
“Whom were you talking on my cell phone?”
“Roger’s brother Bishambar,” replied Rishi “seems like he is using a new number, his son hurt his right hand and had a major surgery in Dehradoon.”
“What! You are not joking!”
Rishi sat in silence.
“Tell me Rishi,” she said, “was it not the black magic spell by Gangagiri?”
Rishi did not reply.
“Oh my God!” Vinita said, “What are you going to do now?” Vinita asked.
“Let the Roger come out and we will decide.”

Roger was also stunned to know about his nephew.
He said, “I am not a bit sorry for my nephew but now Gangagiri scares me.”
“Do not worry about Gangagiri,” Rishi said.
“May be it was a coincidence, not a black magic. Now tell me what I should do?”
“Call him and see what he says, be nice to him. He is your brother,” said Rishi.
Vinita added, “Yes Roger, be nice to him, he is your family. Forgive them both.”
Rishi autodialed the last outgoing and handed the phone to Roger, he walked away and spoke with his brother for ten minutes.
Roger came back and sat on the chair, “Doctors say my nephew may never use his right hand. He won’t be able to rape anymore women.”
“And what is the other news?” Vinita asked.
“He asked me for the money to settle the hospital bills and to charter an air-taxi from Dehradoon to Mumbai.”
“Will you give the money?” Vinita said.
Rishi said, “Money is already given.”
“Rishi,” Vinita said in amazement, “How do you know.”
Before Rishi could say a word, Roger and Vinita said at the same time, “That is not important.”
They laughed.
“Bishambar can pick money from any Western Union agent. I gave him double the amount he asked.”
“Well done Roger?” said Vinita.
“I though you hate them.”
“Not any more. If Rishi does not hate them, why should I?” Vinita replied.
She looked at Roger’s face.
“Roger you look pale seems like you need rest,” Vinita said in motherly voice.
Roger was still feeling week and feverish and he went in his room to rest on the bed but left the door open.

Rishi went to have a bath and shaved and then applied the herbal medicine on his scalp that Gangagiri made for him. When he sat again with Vinita, room boy came with a steaming teakettle and cups.
“Jai-Ganga-Mai,” Hermit announced his arrival from the new entrance.
Room boy quit serving tea and bowed to Hermit and touched his feet. Hermit was again embarrassed.
“How is Sethi Sahib?” Hermit asked.
“Jai-Ganga-Mai.” Roger said from his room, “I am fine, Maharaj.”
Hermit walked to Roger and touched his arm, “You still have light fever, which is good. Did you hear noises in you ears?”
“I don’t think so. Not so far. Thanks,” replied Roger – he pointed to a chair, “have a seat.”
Hermit sat on the chair in the room. Rishi and Vinita too dragged their chairs too in the room. They all sat around Roger. Room boy served them the tea there.
“Gangagiri I have a news to share,” Rishi said.
“What?”
“Sethi’s nephew got his right hand badly broken,” Rishi said.
Smile vanished from Hermit’s face, he sat in a trauma and his mind went numb. His heart went heavy, as if jammed with lead. After a long silence, tears fell off his eyes.
Both Roger and Vinita didn’t like the way Rishi broke the news to Hermit who was a selfless holy man dedicated to the service of God. Roger was still not sure if Hermit’s treatment would work in long term but he was thankful for his selfless help and attitude.
Hermit said, “I am your prisoner, please forgive me. I will accept any punishment you have for me.”
Rishi laughed.
“Gangagiri, all I gave you a news,” Rishi said.
“Today I will prey to Ganga Mai to take away my black magic powers,” said Gangagiri in a broken voice.
“Gangagiri. Live with all you got. Dedicate your deeds to Ganga Mai. Neither you did nor can you do any thing in this life or in this world. Ganga Mai does everything.”
Relief returned on Hermit’s face, “So Ganga-Mai will forgive me. I leave the judgment to Ganga Mai.”
“No Gangagiri. There is never any judgment. You are never responsible. Every act is Ganga Mai’s act.”
Gangagiri replied, “Yes you are right! You are right! We are the instruments of God. It is God who plants things in our head and we find us doing.”
“You are not the instrument of God this makes you separate from God. You are God. You are Ganga Mai. You are the creation,” Rishi said.
Tears of joy fell from Hermit’s eyes. He rose from his chair and sat at Rishi’s feet.
“Please give me place in your feet, I will sit at the feet of my master.”
“Gangagiri this makes you and I separate. This only fortifies the ego that makes you and I, which are false. There is no you and I. We are the Creation. We are Ganga Mai. Creator and creation are not separate.”
Vinita also sat on the floor next to Rishi’s feet, “I too will sit at the feet of my master.”
Rishi left the chair and sat with them on the floor. They all laughed.
“Hey! Hey! Make room for me too,” said Roger.
“Please stay on the bed. In that case we will again sit on the chairs,” Rishi said.
They all again sat on the chairs and laughed again.

Rishi announced, “I will tell you a small story.”
Hira Singh appeared on the door with Priest from the temple on the mountain; he knocked at the open door but didn’t wait for the invitation. He tried to bow at the feet of Hermit but this time Hermit didn’t let him do this and instead gave him a hug.
Priest joined his hands. “My Namaskar to all of you. Hope I an not intruding.”
Rishi shook hands with him. “You are welcome.”
Hira Singh broke in, “Joshi Ji came to seek you yesterday and you were not here. Today again he came and I brought him here.”
“It is nice to see you Joshi Ji. I will bring more chairs from outside,” Rishi said but Hira Singh abruptly walked out and brought in two plastic chairs from the verandah and they all sat.
“Joshi Ji is my friend. He is the priest in the temple on the mountain,” Rishi introduced Joshi to Roger and Vinita then he said to Joshi, “Pundit Ji meet Sethi Sahib and Vinita. They were in the helicopter to scare us. They…”
Vinita interrupted, “No we were not there to scare you.”
Priest said, “I think Rishi Sahib was going to tell us a story.”
“Oh Yes! Rishi, where is your story.”
Rishi begun: Once upon a time a great Guru had two highly motivated and devoted disciples; both were in a stiff competition to serve him. They did everything for him. They washed his clothes, cooked the best possible food, cleaned up his place and gave him massage and bath everyday. Each wanted to serve him more than the other, so he would pass the secret technology to Nirvana to the best of them.
Everybody in the room burst into laughter.
Vinita said, “So Rishi we must give you massage and bath everyday so you could pass the secret technology to Nirvana to the best of us.”
Hire Singh said, “Then what happened?”
“Time to time there were the conflicts but Guru Ji mediated and they had to divide the tasks. If one washed the dishes, other stayed away from the kitchen but washed the clothes. They even divided Guru Ji’s body. One took over the right side and other took over the left side. So whenever Guru Ji lay down on the bed, each took over his side to give him a massage.”
Rishi had to wait to finish his story because everybody was laughing especially Hira Singh was laughing uncontrollably.
Rishi started again, “One day Guru Ji was sleeping on his right side. So disciple who was responsible for left side massage had to opportunity to massage the left leg. Disciple in-charge of right side of body found it difficult to serve his side so he ordered to his colleague, ‘Move your side of leg.’”
They were still laughing.
“This leg will not move. It will stay right here. You must wait for your turn. In-charge of the right side went outside and came with a thick cane stick and yelled, ‘so it won’t move. Today I will break this up to pulp.’”
Rishi had to stop again to accommodate their laugher.
“In-charge of the left side ran to the village and brought a sword, ‘Hey Pal! Now you will see what happens to your side of leg. Neither you will have this leg nor would you be able to serve it.’”
They were laughing uncontrollably now, so Rishi had to wait again.
“Well, they were about to settle their battle, luckily Guru Ji woke up from the sleep and saw that his life was in danger. He begged them, ‘please don’t hurt me.’
‘If that is the case you do not sleep on my side of your body,’ said one.
‘OK.’ Guru Ji replied, ‘Now on I will sleep on my back.”
At night Guru Ji packed up his stuff and ran away.”
They were still laughing.
Then Rishi added, “Please excuse my feet.”
They were still laughing.
Roger said, “Rishi, Nice story. It was a fun.”
“Rishi,” said Hira Singh, “Because of you all noble people are visiting my place. I went to school with Joshi Ji. He never set his feet at my place except the day I got married. He was our Purohit and performed my marriage ceremony. Rishi because of you I found my lost friend.” Hira Singh hugged Priest.
“Is that so,” Vinita asked to Priest.
Priest nodded.
Hira Singh said, “The day Joshi Ji presided my wedding ceremony, he even forgot to take his Dakshina. I still have that envelope intact. Hope Joshi Ji will accept it this time.”
Joshi was smiling he said, “Yes I did not take that envelop. Thanks for keeping it for me.”
Roger said, “Joshi Ji, Rishi promised us to take to your temple.”
“You are always welcome there. I am going there now and you can join me, but it is a steep climb on the mountain or you can come by car. It will shorten the walking distance.”
“I will bring them tomorrow at noon.” Rishi said.
“I will wait,” Priest said.
Hermit said, “I will also come, if it is not a problem with anybody here.”
Roger replied, “Sure! Sure! Gangagiri Ji, You are always welcome.”
They all nodded.
Rishi said, “Hira Singh, can you send our food up there.”
“I can send it there but it will get cold.”
“We will heat it up. We have a wood stove at the temple.” Priest said.
Vinita clapped with joy, “It is going to be a picnic there.”
“I must leave now,” Priest said.
“Joshi Ji, please stop till lunch. We are serving lunch in ten minutes,” said Hira Singh and walked out.
Rishi observed that Hermit was looking for an excuse to run away from the food.
Rishi made an announcement, “Few days ago I read a poem, certainly it was written by someone enlightened. I don’t remember the exact wording but I can tell you what it meant.”
There was a silence in the room. Hermit’s heart was beating fast; he knew that Rishi is giving him a message in the poem.
Rishi said—
Welcome to this beautiful world.
Blessed that you are here.
Beauty of its majestic mountains, bubbling rivers, shining deserts.
Fragrance of pine trees.
Aroma of herbs and spices.
Smile of children.
Colorful singing birds and the dance of the peacocks.
Welcome to this splendid world.
You are lucky that you are here.
You are lucky that you are here to witness this grand fair.
You are lucky that you are here.
Blessed that you are here.
Rishi finished up the poem and they all clapped their hands.
Hermit whispered in Rishi’s ears, “Thanks for opening my eyes. I was on the wrong path. I was not enjoying the gifts of God and the beauty of this splendid world.”
“You are on a wrong path only if you think you are on a wrong path. You are the creator and the creation. You are Ganga Mai.”
“Yes I am the creation. I am the creator. In my imagination I made myself separate from the creator.”
Hermit was pondering upon what Rishi said.
Food was being served in the room. There was not enough room on the table; so another plastic table from the verandah was also used.
Hermit tasted salt and spices after many years so food seemed too salty and spicy but still he loved it. He finished his lunch and stepped out to attend errands of the Ghat.

Roger ate light food but still he was not feeling well so he wanted to stay in his room, his door stayed open. Rishi also left for the Ghat. Vinita felt her responsibility towards Roger so she sat in the verandah. Hira’s Singh’s son and daughter came on the terrace with two other small children; they all were still wearing their school dresses. It was apparent that one kid was very poor; he was wearing torn up school dress and had no shoes. Vinita started playing with the kids.

Vinita’s cell phone was lying on Roger’s table; it rang and woke him up. He called Vinita but she was far away on the terrace playing with four children. He answered the phone.
“Hello!”
“Can I talk to Vinita,” a lady asked in English.
“I will ask her to call you back in few minutes or you can leave a message.”
“Who are you?” lady asked.
Roger replied in mischief, “I work for her.”
“Oh! That is new news to me.”
“You can leave the message?”
“Tell her to call me and by the way, remind her that today is her birthday. I know she never remembers her own birthday.”
“Thanks, I will pass the message.”

Vinita entered in the room and found Roger reading a newspaper.
“Any news?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“I must buy a birthday present.”
“For whom?”
“For you.”
Vinita was confused but then she smiled, “Who told you.”
“That is not important.”
They laughed.
“So what do you want for your birthday present?”
Vinita replied, “Shoes.”
“OK.”
“Many pairs.”
“I wish you asked more.”
Vinita called the kids in the room and pointed her finger at little poor girl’s bare feet.
“For all the shoeless kids in her school.”
Roger smiled.

Telephone or intercom was not yet installed in the rooms on the terrace, but each room had a bell button to the reception. Roger pressed the bell button and Hira Singh showed up in a ten minutes. He had a teakettle and cups on the tray.
“Oh I was to come immediately by then I thought of bringing tea also.”
Roger said, “That is nice. Thanks.”
After Hira Singh served them tea
Roger said, “Hira Singh I want you to do me a favor.”
“Anything in the world, Sethi Sahib.”
“I want you to see the head of the school where your kids go, get a rough number of poor students in that school.”
“Why?”
“We would like to make an anonymous gift of uniforms and shoes to them.”
Hira Singh walked away in astonishment and finished the job in less than one hour. He was making good money from his rich guest so he had money too; he contributed little extra money from his own pocket and returned in peace.

Vinita said, “No wonder, you move fast Roger.”
“This is the formula of my success, I never delay to catch an opportunity.”
“You think it is the formula of your success. There is only creator and creation. You are Ganga Mai.”
Roger was embarrassed but both laughed.
“I still owe you a birthday present.”
“No you don’t.”
Roger handed her the cell phone and said, “A lady called and gave me the news that it is your birthday.”
Vinita autodialed the last incoming number and walked out to talk in privacy but soon she came back laughing.
“Are you are my assistant?”
“A butler.”

4

After lunch Hermit was walked on the road in the direction of suspension footbridge. He was very happy because his torments were over. His self-endurance had come to an abrupt end. An incense stick was burning in a shop. He felt its fragrance and stopped for a moment and inhaled all the air he could to feel the aroma. Then he sat on the cope on the edge of the river and stayed there till incense stick was burned out. He used to burn incense sticks each day in the tiny temple but it was just a ritual he never paid any attention to the fragrance.
School time was over and children were rushing out of a pre-school. They were chirping, giggling and running all over the street in disorder. Their faces were fresh and without any burden. A small kid came to him and touched his feet his some other friends followed the suit. He felt their little warm hands on his feet. He put the smallest one in his lap, felt his little soft body and kissed him on the head and asked him name, they all told him their names. He touched their heads to bless them. Soon they were all gone. Hermit walked over the bridge and looked at the crashing river and felt its sound.
He remembered the poem Rishi told them just one hour ago.
Welcome to this beautiful world.
You are lucky that you are here to witness this grand fair.
You are lucky that you are here.
Blessed that you are here.
He looked at the holy river and said, “Yes I am blessed. I got lucky. Thank you mother Ganges.”
I am free from the torture I was inflicting upon my self.
“Free” word echoed in his ears over and over.
My goal was the freedom from this world; I failed to notice its beauty and joy. Still my goal is the Nirvana, the supreme or the ultimate freedom. I am burdened with this endless cycle of birth and death. I want to break this cycle and be free. BUT from now on I will not miss any beauty of the world. My Guru has found me, he will relieve my soul from this endless cycle, but since I am here as a visitor so I will not miss the dance of the creator and the creation.
Then he remembered Rishi’s words, “You are on a wrong path only if you think you are on a wrong path. There is only the creation. You are the creation. You are Ganga Mai. You are not separate. You are the God.”
“Yes. I can see it,” This was his own reply.
Hermit got confused but he laughed and said to the Holy Ganges, “I can wait for the answers; life is not a burden any more.”
On the Ghat, he was again busy taking care of the little temple. It was little hot so he took a bath in the river and sat cross-legged and gazed at the green mountains, it was a mesmerizing scene. He remembered he has incense sticks in the tiny temple; he burned a stick and felt the aroma of its evaporating scent. Freezing cold water of mother Ganges was touching his feet. He closed his eyes; his mind was thoughtless.
When he opened his eyes he found Rishi sitting next to him, wearing a loincloth. They smiled.
Rishi entered in the water and he too joined and they splashed water over each other.
Rishi shouted, “Let’s wash the Ghat.”
They washed the Ghat together and then had a cup of tea in a shop in the market.

5

Bishambar found Western Union sign on a big travel agency. Since it was a huge amount, as per laws agent issued him a bank check. He cashed the check from the bank. He was already feeling insecure with that much money. To save the money and time he decided against hiring an air taxi. Any hired aircraft would be come from Delhi so car would be even faster to reach Delhi. His son was able to walk, doctors immobilized his arm. Hospital agreed to arrange an over priced ambulance to Delhi’s Domestic Airport but he declined.
He went to the taxi stand and negotiated for an air-condition taxi to Delhi airport. He lit a cigarette and ordered the driver to first drive to the hospital to pick up his son. Driver told him not to smoke in his AC taxi. Bishambar cursed him and walked out of taxi and this time he negotiated for a non-AC taxi. He settled the hospital bill and taxi sped in the direction of Saharanpur. Bishambar and Sonny both smoked from the same pack, a pattern was already established and nobody stopped the other. On the way, Bishambar was lucky to buy a copy of financial times. There was a press release from Roger’s companies; it said companies bought back ten percent of their own stock. They didn’t disclose the source of their purchase. Newspaper also printed the news of buy back on the front page and said stock prices are expected to open high. Bishambar lit another cigarette and resisted the temptation to call his stock-brokerage company to ask for the current prices of the stocks he didn’t own anymore. He hated to see those stocks rise. His hands were shaking. He asked driver to stop the car at an expansive looking restaurant; there they ate lunch. Bishambar had not eaten a proper meal in last two days.

It took them six hours to reach at Delhi’s Palam airport and next flight to Mumbai was due in forty-five minutes. He bought the tickets and they sat on the chairs in the smoking lounge of the airport. He wanted to a have a drink but he was apprehensive of the huge amount of cash he was carrying in a black canvas bag but Sonny walked to the restaurant and had a drink. He got angry but controlled his nerves. He placed a nitro pill under his tongue. He called his wife and told her their arrival time in Mumbai. She asked many other questions but he disconnected the phone to avoid any further conversation. Flight left at right time. Crimson evening sun was about to set in the west. A lone bright star was already visible in the horizon. That star reminded of the Rishi, because he saw the same star two day ago when Rishi ordered him to call Sonny on the Ghat, to sign the resignation.
Your son’s resignation is my offering to Mother Ganges. Rishi set this up. Rishi ordered me to bring my only son on the damn Ghat. Sonny could have signed the document in the hotel room. Rishi is responsible for the whole mishap.

He wanted to smoke but smoking was prohibited in the flight he was angry again. He went in the bathroom with his shaving kit but his hands were shaky and accidentally he bruised his cheek with his safety razor. He kept washing his face with the cold water till his bleeding subsided.

6

Sun went behind a mountain in the west. Mountains in the east looked florescent red in the last rays of sun. Hermit made arrangement for Aartee and was waiting for the correct time to start it. Several pilgrims were present on the Ghat.
Rishi pointed his finger in the sky; there was just one bright star. He asked to Hermit, “Do you know that star.”
“No.”
“It is Shukra or in English it is called Venus.”
“Hermit faced the star and joined his hands in Namaskar. “Jai Shukra! Jai Shukra!” Then he cupped his hands and offered water of the holy river to the sky in the direction of the Venus.
“I never saw beauty in a star before. Today I worshipped it because I am seeing God in it,” Hermit said.
“If you want to pray, any excuse is good,” Rishi smiled.
“Yes! Yes! Any excuse is good to pray God,” Hermit replied.
“Gangagiri, Who prays whom!” said Rishi, “I guess I will take another bath.”
“It is your fourth bath, don’t get sick,” Hermit cautioned.
Rishi jumped in the storming currents and Hermit sat on the last step and muttered, “Who prays whom!”
It was the time to do Aartee and he went to Rishi. “Now you get out of water. I don’t like people taking bath at the Aartee time.” He pulled him out of water.
Hermit lit two incense sticks and lighted all the wicks, each hung out from one pit from a brassware containing multiple pits. He felt the scent of incense stick and the smell of burning butte roil. He watched mingling reflection of the flames in the running waters of mother Ganges and started singing Aartee.

7

Vinita went to her room and Roger wanted to surprise her with another birthday present so he used this opportunity to sneak from hotel. He walked on the way to the suspension footbridge. This was his first opportunity to walk alone on the streets of Uttarkashi. It was almost dark and as usual footbridge was full of pedestrians. Water was roaring under it. As he reached at the end of bridge he saw Hermit and Rishi talking on the last step. He walked in the market and it took him no time to find the biggest jeweler in the town. He was not an expert in jewelry; this reminded him of his ex-wife who had a taste of expensive jewelry. Anytime she took him to jewelers in London, Paris, New York, Zurich or wherever his job there was to sit and wait for long time and finally pay the bill that was always above his own expectation. He was a rich man but overpaying for anything was out of his character but he always had to bend his rules in her presence. He remembered his first meeting with her. They met in a party and next day he bought her an expensive diamond studded necklace and the love affair started at the same moment.
Let’s start this love affair with a piece of jewelry.
He wanted to propose Vinita. He was a very busy man and he knew that he would leave Uttarkashi very soon. Temptation to run his ever-growing empire was pulling him again and he had no time to waste. He had no habit of wasting even a minute.

In the beginning he thought Vinita and Rishi had something going on between them but he was wrong. Vinita revered Rishi and that was all, she was available so he can try to win her heart but he never had patience in his life. He wanted everything very fast.

He entered in the jeweler shop and there was no other customer. A sales man approached him but he asked for the owner of the shop. A man sitting on a chair in the corner approached him.
“Show me the best of the best you have in your stock.”
Jeweler in the small town had few pieces to show him but anyway Roger too was not an expert. He selected a diamond-studded necklace and started negotiations. He didn’t know if the quality of the jeweler was at par with its price but he was a champion negotiator. He brought the owner to his knees with his skills. They arrived on a price where owner found himself unable to budge any further down. Now it was the time to pay. He had no cash; Vinita was the in charge of his cash affairs. Each day, she went to a different Western Union dealer and withdrew just enough. Withdrawing a large amount of cash from a single dealer at a single time could raise the suspicion in a small town so Rishi suggested her to withdraw just enough for each day.
“I have no cash but all credit cards and I doubt if any ATM would give me this much cash.”
“We have a couple of ATM’s here and usually they don’t work,” Jeweler said.
Roger knew how to make a deal so he said, “In that case I may come back tomorrow.” He rose from the seat.
Jeweler was puzzled; he didn’t want to lose this customer for any cast. He was getting ridding of a piece of jewelry, which had no customer in the town.
“Wait, my brother is a jeweler in Dehradoon he accepts credit cards. Let me talk to him but since you left almost negligible margin for me so you must pay the bank’s commission on credit cards transactions.”
“I understand.”

Roger walked out with a small box in his pocket. He already asked Hira Singh to arrange a surprise birthday party in the biggest room of the hotel. Roger passed the Ghat, he was to go to the hotel and then he changed his mind and came to Ghat. Aartee was done and Rishi was sitting on the step near water with a cup of tea in his hand. Roger removed his sandals on the top step and sat with Rishi.
“Can you keep a secret,” he asked Rishi.
“No.”
“You idiot! What do you mean by no.”
“Well, I can’t.”
“In that case try to keep this secret that I want to propose to Vinita. I like her.”
“Like I don’t know,” Rishi said.
Roger had a heartily laugh.
“I think as you already know everything in the world. I believe you also know that today is her birthday,” Roger said.
“This I don’t know. Thanks for telling me.”
“I have asked Hira Singh to arrange a surprise party.”
“That is nice. She will be happy,” Rishi said.
“You really think so?” he asked.
“Yes, as long as the party is simple and graceful. She is a very simple person.”
“Yes she is a simple person.”
Roger fell into thoughts. Indeed she is a simple person. Now he was thinking, he should have asked Rishi’s opinion before he went to buy jewelry. But luckily noting is lost.
“What should I do to win her heart,” he asked Rishi.
“That I will not tell you.”
“This means that you do not approve my relations with Vinita.”
“I didn’t say that. I hate being a matchmaker because I don’t know what future may bring to the people I help to match.”
“I see! So you won’t help me. I was counting on your help.”
“I can tell you how to win the heart of a simple girl in the exact similar circumstances.”
Roger had a heartily laugh.
“You are a comedian.”
Rishi too laughed.
Roger said, “What should I give her as a birthday present.”
“I guess, you must ask her.”
“I already asked her and she asked shoes and uniforms for poor kids in the school.”
“That is nice, so you are done.”
“No, I got to give her something. I bought this necklace for her. What do you think?” Roger handed the jewelry box to Rishi.
“I doubt if she values jewelry.”
“I see. Mister-know-all, you tell me what I should give to her.”
“You are a hero of this nation; ten million people want your autograph. You make her a greeting card and sign your name. She will be more than happy.”
Roger was moved by Rishi’s words.
“Oh! I never though about it, you tell me where to start.”
“Let’s go,” Rishi ordered.
Hermit came with a cup of tea for Roger.
Roger finished up the tea in a rush and they went to market. They bought a craft paper and a pack of color sketch pens from a stationary shop. They found a printing press, for a small price, printer cut the craft papers in several ten by six inches rectangles.

They returned to Ghat and sat few steps away from the water. It was dark but a metal-halide light lighted the Ghat, and few people were there.
Rishi ordered to Roger, “Now draw the suspension-footbridge and the River.”
Roger tried to draw the bridge but wasted the papers but Rishi encouraged him to keep practicing. After several wasted papers, finally Roger drew a figure and Rishi approved.
“At least this looks like a bridge over a mountain river,” Rishi said and handed him another colored sketch pen.
“Shall I sign it?”
“No you do not sign it, you write ‘Happy Birthday Vinita’ and then write your first name in little and all small letters.”
They were done.
“Hey Rishi! What would you give to her?”
“I will also make a greeting. We have many papers left.”
Rishi memorized the temple on the mountain and made a figure on the paper.
“This looks like the temple on the mountain,” Roger said.
“Yes.”
Rishi wrote ‘Happy Birth Day Vinita’ on the card.
Roger said, “Now write your first name in little and all small letters.”
Rishi laughed. “No, there is no need of name.”
“Then why did you make me write my name?” Roger asked.
“So our cards won’t get mixed up. Mine is prettier then yours.”
“You comedian!” Roger again laughed heartily.
“Let me fix your card,” Rishi took Roger’s card and in just two minute he made the Ghat and the small temple on Roger’s card.
“Rishi this is superb, you are an artist.”
“Yep.”
“Now what do I do with this jewelry,” Roger said.
“Return it.”
“I can’t. I never ever returned any thing in my life.”
“Then keep it, you can use it some other time.”
“You can keep it, I am not carrying it back with me.” Roger handed the box to Rishi.
“I don’t wear necklaces,” Rishi said.
“Well it is yours now.”
Hermit was sitting on the last step and was washing the Aartee plate.
Rishi shouted, “Gangagiri, come here. I have a thing for you.”
Hermit came and said, “What do you have for me.”
“Do you know any lady who needs a necklace?”
“Yes.”
”Give her this present.”
Hermit took the box and opened it.
“This is very beautiful. Thanks.”
Hermit went to the last step and washed the necklace in the water of the Holy River. From the little temple and took out an ancient looking granite idol.
He shouted, “Jai-Ganga-Mai.” He washed the idol and wrapped the necklace around it and placed it back in the temple.
Roger was bewildered he said, “That is the most expensive piece of jewelry one could find in Uttarkashi.”
“You can go and steal it back.” Rishi said.
“Forget it, it is not the money but I spent one hour to buy it, my time has some value. Some one will steal this thing from here.”
“Roger, I think you gave it to me, I didn’t know that you also attached some conditions.”
“But that thing is just lying there waiting to be stolen.”
“It belongs to Ganga-mai Roger.”
“Actually I am much concerned about some one stealing it and then wasting it as an artificial jewelry set,” Roger said.
“Come on Roger! Most of the wealth in this world goes waste.”
“You comedian! Am I dealing with the whole fraternity of fools?” Roger smiled.
They rose and Rishi shouted to Hermit, “Gangagiri, you are invited at a party at our hotel.”
Hermit was about to say that he does not attend parties but then he remembered the poem.
He asked, “When?”
“Come there soon.”
“Thanks for inviting me.”
“And thanks for accepting the invitation.”
Hermit smiled, he was overwhelmed by the joy. He wanted to say something but words deserted him.

8

It was dark, at Mumbai airport Sonny and Bishambar walked out to the terminal. Bishambar’s wife was already waiting for them at the terminal. She rarely drove their Mercedes; driver was sitting in the car. She was shocked to see a huge bandage on her only son’s right hand. She asked many question but all they told that he had an accident in Uttarkashi. They avoided any further conversation in the presence of driver. They reached in their home in one hour and then he had no choice but to tell the whole story to his wife and mother.

Both ladies were in rage, both hysterically started screaming at Bishambar. He shut himself in his home office and locked the door. He lit a cigarette and opened a new bottle of Scotch whisky. Both ladies were beating his door and were still screaming nonchalantly, he was unable to go to kitchen for glass, ice and soda so he started drinking straight from the bottle and soon got dizzy. Still he was able to hear both ladies weeping and crying.
“You both drank together. Your only son fell down on the Ghat in your presence and you failed to notice. You both smoked together, you both smell smoke. Your son hit his own uncle. You and your son hit a Hermit. You did not even spare a lady who happens to work in your own company. Your brother saw everything but still he gave you even more money to you than you asked.”

Past day’s financial times was lying on the table, to divert his attention he started flipping the pages and saw his brother’s picture on the front page. In ten days Roger was scheduled to meet the Premier of Hungary to sign an agreement to build power plants there. He threw the newspaper in the wastebasket. He could still hear the screams; “Your son got drunk in your presence and fell on the Ghat in your presence and you were busy, celebrating your achievements, he hit his own uncle in your presence. You---”

Suddenly whole house calmed down and he heard the knock on the door, a servant told him that it is safe for him to open the door because both ladies took Sonny to the hospital. He servant brought him soda and ice but his bottle was already half finished. He finished most of the bottle and fell down from his chair and two servants dragged him to his bedroom and put him on his bed.

9

To surprise Vinita, Hira Singh’s wife Kanchan took personal care to arrange Vinita’s birthday party. She along with three of her friends decorated a large room in a simple way and arranged snacks. Hira Singh arranged another surprise party in other room; he arranged whisky bottles, ice and soda on a table. His wife was too busy to notice him doing this otherwise peace was a rare commodity. Joshi the Priest was invited too.
As guests started arriving they were all locked in the decorated room. Vinita was wondering what happened today, where is everybody. She was searching for Rishi or Roger.
Hira Singh’s wife found her on the terrace. “I need your help to clean a room.”
Vinita happily agreed and followed Kanchan to a room on the ground floor.
Kanchan said, “Oh! I forget to bring the broom, open the lock and I will be back.” She handed her the key and escaped.
Vinita opened the room and turned on the light button and suddenly room came alive with people they all sang, “Happy Birth Day to you.” She almost fainted with joy. Then Kanchan entered in the room.
Beside Roger, Rishi, Priest, Hermit, Hira Singh and his family there were three other ladies.
Roger walked to her, and handed her the card he made.
She looked at it and said in amazement, “Did you make this yourself.”
Roger nodded.
“Thanks Roger, this is very nice, the prettiest gift someone ever gave me.”
Rishi took card from her hand and looked at it. “This is great, hey Roger you are an artist.”
Suddenly Rishi had two cards in his hand. “Oh, Oh. There are two. Hey Vinita Roger made two cards.”
“They are two?”
“Yes, they were sticking together.”
Vinita jumped like a small kid and clapped, “Oh! There are two. This is even prettier. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Roger.”
Roger was embarrassed but he said, “It is a pleasure.”
“Hay Roger!” Rishi said, “seems like you worked like a beaver.”
Roger laughed.
Everybody took turn to look at the both cards.
Nobody else brought any other gift because they all arrived on a moment’s notice.
Priest announced, “Let’s do a small Puja.”
Kanchan went to her home and brought a brass plate with a small-brass-wicked-lamp, a small box of sindhoor, a pot containing cow’s butter oil, a new box of incense sticks and a roll of red and white thread.
“Where is the water from Ganga Ji?” Priest asked.
Hira Singh embarrassedly said, “Oh! I forget to bring water from the river.”
His wife yelled to him, “You didn’t forget to arrange your own water in the other room.” There was a burst of laughter. Hermit picked up a stainless steel glass and ran to the Holy River. He was chanting in the loud noise, “Jai-Ganga-Mai! Hur, Hur Gangae!”
They all sat on the floor with their shoes off. Hermit returned with the water from the holy river.
Priest performed a very short prayer.
As prayer finished, Hira Singh started pushing all men in the other room including Hermit and the Priest. Hira Singh’s wife compromised with the situation and refrained herself from creating the scene.
Hermit yelled to Roger, “You dare to touch the drink and I will break your both legs.”
Roger smiled and went to the other room, but there were all ladies so instantly he walked out.
Vinita saw him leaving she came after. “Hey Roger, Thanks again. I am touched with your gift.”
“You are always welcome.”
“It seems like they kicked you out of their room.”
Roger nodded.
“Oh! Poor Roger! I will have a walk with you. Give me some time. I can’t just walk away from the guests.”
Roger’s mood elated instantly. He replied, “OK, I am here.”

Hermit decided to drink after many years. He knew that his reputation was at stake because in the other room ladies would spread the news of his getting drunk, but he wanted to break all the barriers. Priest was not new to liquor but he was facing the same dilemma as Hermit. He never drank in public because people never expect him to drink and he didn’t want to lose any of his clientele. Hira Singh made a drink for everybody. Rishi handed a drink to Priest and he accepted it. Hira Singh gulped his drink in a single shot and waited for them to finish theirs but Rishi poured him another. Hermit drank after an era; he was struggling to control himself. He sat silently on a chair. After two drinks Priest excused them and left. Rishi made another drink for Hira Singh and himself but served only plain soda to Hermit. Hira Singh tried to make another drink for himself but Rishi closed the bottle and ordered him to help his wife serve the dinner to the guests. Kanchan was relieved to see him standing on his own feet.

Vinita found Roger waiting for her.
“Thanks for coming.” Roger said.
She smiled. They left hotel. Roger wanted to walk to Ghat because he was curious to check if the necklace was still there or got stolen but Vinita wanted to avoid the piercing eyes of a conservative small town’s inhabitants. A man and an unrelated woman walking together in a small town in India was a scandal. She took Roger in the direction of Inderavathi Bridge. They walked in the direction of the mountains and away from the city. He made an effort to propose her but words failed him. Knowing her better was his only achievement. She told him about her past poverty, then one day Rishi came in her life and her poverty vanished, from that day her purse was never empty. She told about her parents, cousins, work and more. He told her about his life and childhood. After a long walk they returned on the hotel terrace. Rishi and Hermit were sitting on the chairs and they joined them.
“So Rishi! Today you spoiled even a holy man,” Vinita said sarcastically.
She instantly regretted saying this. Hermit was still struggling to control himself and stayed quiet.
Rishi said, “A bad egg I am! A bad apple.”
Vinita didn’t see any humor in Rishi’s words but to control the situation she laughed.
Dinner was served and Hermit ate with them.
He rose to leave, “Rishi sahib, Jai-Ganga-Mai. I am going to my place.”
“Gangagiri, tonight you sleep with me.”
Before he could say a word, Rishi took him to his room and he fell on the bed.
For many years he was sleeping on the hard floor and this time he was on the soft bed.
Rishi came out and sat with Roger and Vinita.
He asked, “Who wants to have a walk.”
Both Roger and Vinita raised their hands.
They walked to the suspension footbridge. As they were on the Ghat, Roger saw the sparkles reflecting from the temple.
He smiled. Necklace is still here.
They walked down the stairs and sat near water, icy cold water was splashing over them.

10

Don just received the news that Sonny would deliver the money tomorrow. He was extremely happy, almost had a heart failure due to joy but a timely anti-anxiety medicine saved him. Now he was pacing in verandah and making an effort not to be so happy. First time in his life he realized that too much happiness can also be fetal.
He had to take care of many businesses that day. He asked Abdul to call Danny. This time he himself spoke with his brother. Money received from Sonny was to be immediately transferred to Nigeria through money laundry channels. His second instruction to Danny was to receive money at the Poppy’s place in the slum. He knew that Bishambar would accompany his son Sonny to deliver that money and they would never stay in the stench of the sewer to make sure that huge amount of money was counted and acknowledged. Later on in the same day, Poppy was to shake up more money from them by claiming that the money was short and also many large bills were found forged. That was Poppy’s share to keep.
His second call was to his Lebanese partner to pick up the money in Nigeria and hunt for more uncut diamonds in Liberia and then make arrangements to smuggle those diamonds to Mumbai.



End of Chapter 6.