Gait to Destiny

"That new guy is a real pest. What does he think, he is Rajesh Khanna of Bawarchi? I hate such pseudo-altruists" Ketaki spewed. "I know, these guys think they are one-stop-shop for all problems - Any person, Any issue, Any time, Any where - Raghav the Great has the solution; doesn't matter whether you know him or you wish to seek his succor- Its always there, like the stray dogs on Madhopur's roads" Sudha buttressed.

There was some truth in this late afternoon grumble on the bank of the village pond. Raghav had recently moved in to the house next to Rashmi's, down the Banyan tree. With it, changed the life of Rashmi who was a young widow who till some time back never stepped out of her veiled melancholy. It was as though somebody had inadvertently pressed the 'Pause' button in her life. Every thing was so still and bland like the eroded boundary wall of her two room dwelling. You could sense the pain in the air, even the sparrows had deserted the Banyan tree in front of her house.

Some said, she was ill-fated, others believed she was a sorcerer who annihilated her husband's life. The men always sympathized with her and women never missed an opportunity to nail her. It was not that men of Madhopur were very cognizant and women cruel. Just that, men like all men were from Mars !! Eternally long-faced Rashmi was any day more alluring than the best of Madhopur's beauties, even Takur's city-returned daughter was not a match. Women were women, they abhorred the hushed flutter that Rashmi used to cause when she frequented Lalaji's Kirana shop every Tuesday of the week.

But all this was a full fourteen days back. Time had changed since then and so did Rashmi. From a loner who hardly spoke to herself, she had started music classes where seven kids would exercise their vocal chords thrice a week, week after week. Somebody had suddenly pressed 'Play' and also changed the Channel!!! You could now hear an occasional giggle, and yesterday she had even ventured into Somnath's 'Bombay Fancy store' hitherto a no-stray-zone.

All this was rightly attributed to Raghav and now a cheerful Rashmi had become 'threat numero-uno'. Sudha's husband had started coming home early and Ketaki's younger brother had got a new-found love for his niece and insisted on dropping her every time to the music class!!

The talk of Raghav's affair with Rashmi died a pre-mature death when daadi mai the mid-wife for three generations of Madhopur announced that Raghav was Rashmi's aunt's son- her brother. The women had suddenly lost ammunition to get even.

Rashmi's life was one of the several that Raghav had painted green in the past two weeks. He had fixed job in the city for Abbas, helped the school teacher enroll new students that saved three jobs, convinced Panditji to give his daughter's hand to her lover- the high school passed Kishen and promised ten thousand rupees for a new community well. Raghav had suddenly changed the feel of the place and the yeah with sparrows, even parrots had returned to the Banyan tree.

Every time somebody thanked Raghav, he would say "Life is of twenty days, if you are happy, I am happy". This had become a kind of new anthem. The un-attached girls were betting on their chances and the newly-married one's cursed their bad-luck for saying 'yes' a tad early. Raghav had suddenly become the cynosure. His rough looks, pale skin and lean built did not deter ogling eyes, beauty after all was truly, only skin deep.

But this was just one part of the story. Not everybody was happy with Raghav's homecoming. Rising popularity gave Netaji the Panchayat President, sleep-less nights and Bhiku made it a point to stoke the fire further. After all every additional bit of information was rewarded with a bottle of Tadi the country liquor. The elections were fast approaching and there was a talk of Raghav taking on Netaji. And if that happened, it would mean not only loss of face but missing out on a fortune. Netaji had plans to propose construction of a road and a bus stand on the barren land that he owned. That would make him a rich man for sure.

Being a true politician Netaji was biding his time to level scores, but when he saw Raghav encouraging his son Amit to get friendly with Rashmi, it was the last straw. The camel's back was broken and he had to act. Munna was called immediately.

"Hands, Legs or Ears?" That was Munna style. Whatever his sponsor asked for would be brought. After finishing his prey, he would keep one Ear with him and gift the other to his sponsor.

"Legs, I don’t want that scum bag to wear a shoe again. Reptiles are really beautiful" Netaji responded. Munna started shadowing Raghav but the very next day vanished from Madhopur. Couple of days later Netaji got a message from Munna, "Any other work, I'll be there. This is beyond me, Sorry".

Netaji tried pleading, threatening, goading, Amit into submission, but he would have nothing of it. "I will marry Rashmi" Amit had made it clear. Being left with no choice, Netaji went to the city and got Abdul langda involved. Next day Raghav's mutilated body was found floating in the village pond. The whole of Madhopur descended to Rashmi's house where Raghav was resting, the whole of Madhopur wailed but Rashmi was silent.

Netaji also came to pay his final respect camouflaging the demon within him with his Gandhi cap. Laying the trademark politician's wreath he wanted to slip away when he overheard Ganpath speaking in hush tones to a group.

"His real name is Raunak Singh, the notorious bandit of yester-years. He was in jail for the past six years when his case was going on. He was to face the gallows next week and was out on parole." Mohan lal continued "It is said that he had connections with many big leaders with whom he shared his loot, but when the verdict was announced, he did not even try for an appeal". "A bandit!!! and look at what he has done for us" Naseer said. "But why?".

"What do you do if you know the exact date of your death!!" Amit quized... 'Have you thought about it?"