After our encounter I really felt better that means Raja won't be with her again. He said so may be it was because I saw them. I also saw one time Raja avoiding her completely even in front of others. The cook finally took the hint and never bothered him again. Life was finally starting to look hopeful no more disappointments. Raja always worked hard even starting to earn every one's good opinion. He was a great worker even my father admitted and he is very harsh with every body. Slowly he started getting more jobs and every body was like "Raja come do this. Raja help us please ". I was pleased by all this however something remained unchanged that was our relationship or lackoff. He carefully avoided me as he was avoiding the cook. It has really started to annoying me and decided it was high time he learned something about me. I was stubborn as hell if I wanted something there is no stopping me. Even my father couldn't do it so who was he?
I waited every one to sleep and sneaked off to the stable I saw Raja lying there on heap of hay. I Slowly went inside and went on to his area he was not sleeping but deep in thought. If he heard me he didn't look up. I took a hand full of horse shit I wasn't going to throw just needed to see a reaction. "God! what ever I did to you?" He looked at me with a hateful expression. it's not you did it's what you are still doing to me by simply existing. I now understand the psychology behind Othello a hateful story i studied in school. If you couldn't be mine you couldn't be of anyone. it was the same rage I was feeling which Othello once would have felt.
I simply said ," I'm bored entertain me or face consequences ".His face had the same expression he once had while treating a nasty wound with maggots on our old horse milli. His face turned and murmured "Go ahead I'm not going to dance to your tunes like others ". He turned away i threw it on the ground and decided to take a nice route for a change. I offered him some money what ever was left from Fanny's money. He looked at it suspiciously and uttered, ",You are something aren't you. You don't offer money to be someone's friend you have to earn it".
It made me mad I haven't worked for anything so far so not going to start today buddy not even for you. I decided to take the dark route instead I will get to keep money and also no trouble but a small voice inside me spoke for the first time I listened don't do it Ashu it said. I ignored that ofcourse and said "Or I could tell father about you and the cook".His face price less i snickered . "OK brat" he said. I smiled at myself it was easily done i have scored a friend unwilling one though but who cares?
"Meet me tomorrow early morning under that big tree of last time" I ordered and carefully slipped out.
I waited for a long time and he came ofcourse what choice had I left him. But I had brought something for him from home it was my favorite cream buns if this doesn't earn me forgiveness nothing else will. He first declined I insisted and so he took one. "I don't know what is your game but I'm only here to keep your mouth shut". It was slightly threatening which i chose to ignore and told, " I'm just bored so I wanted you to play with me". I was hopeful I know but I didn't know what else to say. My confidence was slowly going down. I got a small smile ,"My days of playing are over brat and if I wanted to eat I needed to work so you better get some one of your own age to play with". He walked away what was i supposed to say please don't go I love you instead I said ,"Go fuck some old house maid you are not ever going to be my friend even if you beg me. I know my temper was a major barrier between us. He could provoke me in a minute so he has to suffer the result. He paused for a second and my heart fluttered after hearing his words ,"come with me it's not safe to be here alone this early ". This was my chance I quickly followed him but he didn't look back not even once. I looked down disheartened and saw his foot steps in the mud I put my small foot on those imprints and walked to home.
I knew we are not friends but we were not enemies too. But there was an unknown truce between us now. We have reached a middle ground some where we could walk together without bickering.
If I look back how far we have come from being strangers to enemies to a sort of friends if I could call us that. I always knew he was a kind soul even if he let the world's bitterness get to him for a while but he fought it and came back to me like any prince Charmin his enemy was not a wicked guy but evil in himself. Not every time there is an outside person spoiling your relationship sometimes that person is within you. You have to fight it like how you fight the villain and then your victory will really mean something.
I felt very happy after so many days we are reaching some where I didn't know whether we will work or not but one thing I was sure I will not stop trying to save this relationship if you call it one. I'm still working at that it's not easy even if that person is your for ever.