The nights went in the same way for Tejas, but now he had something to think about, something to reveal for himself. He started making mental notes as to how he would get information about Rekha. In a week’s time, in got friendly with Vijay in office. Tejas made a point to reach in office early and would also leave office early.
He tried to spoof around Vijay to ask about Rekha. He thought of asking about her after office hours. He waited till the office to close and Vijay to get free. Usually he used to leave office early and Vijay used to close the office after some time. But today he wanted to wait Vijay to close the office. He pretended to be engrossed in some important work and was looking at the clock on the nearby wall.
After sometime, Vijay came in his cabin and asked, “Sahib, will you be working late today?” Tejas looked to Vijay and said, “No, you can close the office in some time?”, hearing the answer he turned back and went outside his cabin.
Outside sun was going to set and people have started winding the day’s work. Vijay also completed his pending work and was waiting for Tejas to come out from his cabin. After 10 minutes, Tejas came out of the cabin, He found everyone has left and only Vijay was waiting for him. His job is to switch off all the lights in the cabin and lock the cabin. When he saw Tejas to come out, he jumped from the stool and went to lock the cabin.
Tejas thought, it is the right time to ask him about Rekha and why the officer told him to keep a distance with her? He waited for Vijay outside the office. It was around 20 minutes, Vijay took to lock and come out of the office. His job is to be very careful and even watchful and to close down everything before he locks the front door. Vijay came out in hurry, and saw Tejas standing in a distance. Seeing him standing, made him nervous, but he was not getting why he is waiting for him.
He came close to Tejas. While he was coming, he could notice Tejas was deeply engrossed in his thoughts. Actually, he was framing the questions; he needed to ask to Vijay. Vijay came near him and asked, “Sahib, are you waiting for me?” Tejas nodded at once hearing the question. Vijay again asked, “Why?” This made Tejas, to look at him. His face was full of questions. Vijay noticed that.
Suddenly Vijay asked, “Sahib, are you living in house no. 20?, the one which is near to Sarpanch’s farm and well?”
“Yes, but why are you asking?” Tejas replied
“And you have someone named Rekha living near your house.” Vijay asked again
“Yes” Tejas replied, as he was now getting fuel for his questions.
“Beware of that lady” Vijay started walking after telling this.
“Wait” Tejas shouted. Hearing his voice, Vijay stopped at a distance.
“You tell me clearly, who is Rekha? And why everyone is telling me to keep a distance from her?” Tejas asked Vijay in surprise.
Vijay maintained a long pause and was thinking whether to tell him or not. Tejas was new to this village and was not aware of many things. He is living in a place, where people are scared, even going there in the day time and he is living there.
Vijay thought, “Sahib should know this, so that he can protect himself”
He turned back to face Tejas. Till this moment, Tejas reached him. Once he reached to Vijay, he asked him the same question. Vijay’s face lost its glow and was turning pale.
“Tell me, what the matter is?” Tejas asked irritatingly. With a low voice Vijay said “Do you believe in ghosts and curses?”
Hearing this, Tejas wanted to laugh. This remembered, this is the second time someone is asking about ghosts. He was from city and do not believe in anything which cannot be scientifically explained. He made sure, not to laugh in front of him and there are several beliefs and emotions attached to it.
“I don’t believe anything which cannot be explained” Tejas said in return.
Hearing this, a smile came on his face and he said, “You are like me, I also didn’t believe in all these things. But this village has made me realize that, there are many things above our belief and explanations, But no worries, since you are here, you will also start believing all these” Vijay paused after saying this.
Tejas was standing there and hearing what Vijay was telling. He found that full for fiction and was enjoying.
Then suddenly, Vijay asked “Are you scared of something?”
“Not scared but curious, everyone is telling me to keep a distance from Rekha and I don’t know why? Tejas tried to explain, but failed. Vijay standing there shook his head in approval, as if he understood what Tejas wanted to speak or explain.
“I understand, but can’t help. You have to help yourself by saving yourself from what is going to happen in future? What is can tell you is, your decision of coming in this village is what will make you repent” Vijay’s tone was sympathetic.
Tejas thought, this whole discussion is shifting from the main point. He quickly asked again, “Then who is Rekha?”
“Who Rekha?? There is no one called Rekha in this village” Vijay returned. Vijay’s recent statements blew Tejas from the place.
He shouted at Vijay, “but sometime back, you only told me to keep distance from her and now you are telling me there is no one living in this village with that name. Is it some kind of joke? “Vijay’s anger was seen on his face as his face was turning red.
Vijay was looking at Tejas , as if he was hearing all these things for the first time. His ignorant looks made Tejas more angry.
“Sahib, pls. believe me now only I came here and I found you talking with your own, how come I know, what and with whom you were talking? Vijay tried to explain.
Tejas was shocked and irritated. He was not getting that, from past 20 minutes, he was talking with him and now he is telling me that he came out of office now and didn’t knew what he was talking.
“What took you so long to lock the office?” Vijay frowned
“No sahib, I am on time, look its 5:00 PM” Tejas wanted to shout at Vijay for this. He looked at his watch, the ticked another minute and it was showing 5:01 PM. Now he was confused.
“Do you know anyone or anything about house no. 20 and Rekha” Tejas asked Vijay again.
“As of I know, there was a lady many years before called Rekha, but it’s being a long time she left this village with his family and from then there is no one called Rekha living in this village” Vijay explained
“How is it possible? She is having a shop just near my house and I met her many times, She also sends me meals every day” Tejas tried to explain.
“Do you live in house which is near to Sarpanch’s farm and the well?” Vijay queried
“yes” Tejas quickly agreed
“Save yourself then!!!” Vijay started moving after telling this.
Tejas was standing there confused, frustrated and evaluating the whole case. It was very hard for him to evaluate both the cases.
“Whom to believe? And with whom I was talking before. I never day dreamt in my life and how a dream can be so real. But again, whom to believe” Tejas asked himself
Sun was setting and the darkness of the night started to overpower the sunny appearance of the village. People who were out for work, had started coming back to their families. Tejas started moving towards his house. He saw Rekha in the shop smiling at him, he also smiled at her. He tried to think of the possibilities of claims of a person not living and present there so strongly and physically. Although, he has never touched her but her presence is so much physical that would make anyone think of her presence.
“What about the meals?” Tejas shook his head and started walking towards the house. Before entering the house he turned back to see her, but she was not there. There was no logic for him not to believe she is not there.
He smiled at his foolishness in wasting his time, thinking something irrational. He cleared is mind and went for a shower.
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