Before departing, Kalidas told me about his lackey's in the market as contact for future deals.
Revatibala gave me the directions for the marketplace, it was not far from where she lived.
Basically, on the borders of the jungle & city outskirt, Revatibala's house was situated.
"As you can see, I have came from a far away place. I need a place to stay."
She was listening to me patiently,
"I can rent a place or stay in some inn/hotel. But, I don't know who will try to stab me or what will happen next. Trusting you is a far better option than trusting someone totally unknown. Also, I need to get familiarized with this unknown land. So you can help me out on that too..."
She enquired, about my place of origin. Hey, I'm from the future couldn't be an answer. So, I had to make up an absurd name of my homeland.
A backstory was also necessary, so I had to cook up a story about my arrival here.
Hence, I told her about being an ex-soldier and then how I became a mercenary. About my going to a far away land on an assigned contract. On a stormy night how I had survived a ship wreck. Then, as a sole survivor I had to hike for such a long time to come up to this situation and to luckily meet her here.
I knew, she would belive my story. As she has no way, to verify about those made up places.
Secondly, that soldier & mercenary part was shown in action. The story had a very high percentage of success rate.
She, said "Sir, actually you are my guest, guests are god and you are also my saviour. I can't say no to you if you wan't to stay. But, I would still insist you to find some other place for your lodging."
I was taken aback with her words, why would she say no. Was she thinking that I may try to wrong her, when she's alone. But, she herself had said I was her saviour!
There is one point left, it may be the fear of gossips that can spoil her piousness. Obviously, she's a young & beautiful widow and I was a young man. Staying together under one roof at night may spread stories of debauchery.
"I understand what you mean Mrs, Revati. If I sleep here at night, people may spread slanders on your name. After all I'm a young man, you know me for an hour or so. Trust is also an issue..."
She looked at my face and said, "It is not like that Mr. Rahul. Staying at my place will get you ostracized from your caste."
"Sir, you said you are a warrior so you belong to the kshatriya varna, the upper caste. I belong in the lowest tier of the caste system, I'm an untouchable. My husband's tribe is one of the untouchable Onga tribe."
Her words stirred a ripple effect on my soul. These people have been like this in the ancient times and in my modern India, a ton of them were still harbouring the same hatred in their smart age lives.
Times have changed, Revatibala will become Roshni one day in time. But the hate, the barriers of illiteracy in hearts will remain the same. I knew that future, as once I lived there..
If I told Revatibala, that these things like casteism is still very rampant in future India too, she would have gone into shock and most probably think I'm a lunatic person.
I smiled a bit and said, "I don't have any issue with that. Let, them do what they wan't. I haven't had my breakfast I'll be going to the market for that, wanna join me."
She was again stunned at what I had to say as everything was written on her face.
She affirmatively nodded to my response.
-------------------------------
"Boss, are you thinking about that man..."
BHRR BHRR BHRR BHRR
Making a monotonous sound from his hookah and puffing some tobacco, Kalidas was really intrigued at that man's way of dressing, his haircut, his way of looking.
Everything was out of this world, he even took down four of the armed guards of local landlord. There conditions were so severe, it looked like a devil was playing with them at his pleasure.
This man was so confident in his abilities as he even dared to sold their bodies, weapons and that palanquin was for tax collection. It was empty, so he must have looted all that was within.
This man is really invincible or has a death wish. Else, he wouldn't have gone to such extent!
One thing that had made Kaildas so tensed up was that there was a blood trail going towards the city. So, this fellow has let one the guy go from this group go. He might face an incoming enemy attack, still he let that guy go without any fear.
While speaking to that guy Kalidas has seen no fear or remorse on his face about what has been done, or what may befall.
"Boss, are you listening..."
To interrupting his lackey's constant blabbering from breaking his thought waves, Kalidas replied, "Yes, I..."
And at that moment, another one of his lackey barged into his office room and informed him,
"Boss, about that peculiar man you said earlier, is now in the market. With that untouchable women. That widow..."
With a complex face Kalidas kept the hookah down and asked his lackey,
"What are they doing here?"
"They have entered the Haripada's restaurant to have food."
"Ohh..."
Kalidas scratched his head with his hand, ran his fingers through those curly hair. Why is that man accompanied by such a lowly women. He may be above her satus, that was for sure. Then why was that guy still with her... Everything's getting complicated.
"Boss, should I keep an watch on them?"
"Yes, but don't follow them around. If they came in range of your vision, try to observe what they are doing, where they are going. Don't do anything suspicious, try to get information without informing them. Got it."
"Yes, Boss."
The lackey nodded while responding and then he wen't out, on his duty.
This guy even paid me money for the horse cart in advance and haven't even came to take delivery of his good!
Kalidas again brought his hookah pipe infront of his face and got drowned in his thought.
------------------------------
While inside, Haripada's restaurant. There were specific zones divided for having food.
Categorised according to affordability, comfort and privacy.
A chubby looking young guy, wearing kurta and dhoti with a turban on his head all intricately designed with golden strings and adorned with flashy colours. A classic look, for the affluent class of old Indian era.
He smiled and said, "Welcome sir, welcome to Haripada's restaurant. I am Mr.Haripada Banik. Fresh foods and comfortable hospitality are our speciality, breakfast menu is available now. Sir, what would you like to have."
I chuckled and said, "I need some privacy and a comfortable place for breakfast."
"That would be the Maharaja cabin sir, a special cabin with privacy in abundance. 2 silver coins for one sitting sir and additional charges for food & beverages."
I gave him 2 silver coins in advance, he was going to ask one of his waiters to take me to the maharaja cabins...
Revatibala was some feets away from me. Almost, outside the shop like she was even afraid to keep her foot inside.
The owner was busy talking to me, so it took him a while to notice Revatibala. He enquired me,
"Sir, is that woman with you?"
"Yes. She is. Any problem?"
It looked like I had put him in a tough situation, in a hesitant tone he replied..
"Sir, you know how it is & how they are..."
If it was old me, I would have smacked that man's face in an instant. But, in a situation like these on an unfamiliar territory one should resort to violence as his last option.
So, I slid him 40 copper coins and asked him again,
"Is it enough to overlook now..."
With a smile on his chubby face he replied, "More than enough, our esteemed guests knows no bound of generosity. Please, take them to maharaja cabin with utmost care."
A waiter took us to the cabin, he really followed every words of his owner in terms of hospitability.
Truly money has no face, it is as unique as it is anonymous in nature. It can be the biggest deal breaker. It can even subdue prejudices.
Eyes filled with excitement and shock Revatibala was checking out the maharaja cabin and was trying to read me.
As starters the waiter served us coconut water and a buttermilk drink which was bit sweet and sour in taste. It, reminded me of grandma and mom as they made them at home. A very pleasant drink to rejuvenate the body durning summer times. For me it was a sip of nostalgia.
I was sipping in to these drinks. While Revatibala dranked her glass of buttermilk, in one take. She was really hungry, but didn't even make a fuss about it. She's truly something!
I guess, after mustering a lot of courage in a timid tone she asked,
"Is it truly necessary to bring me here? I could have had breakfast somewhere else, somewhere less costly. 2 silver coins plus those copper coins! You didn't had to spend so much..."
After drinking buttermilk some of it got stuck, in her upper section of the lips and it looked like a white mustache.
She was saying these things with a serious face and that white mustache made her look so cute and funny. I couldn't control my laughter, I had bursted out in laughter.
She got very annoyed, the way I reacted..
There was clothes for wiping the faces and hands after finishing meals. It was not just a name, it was truly a maharaja cabin.
After easing a bit from my laughter, I took a one piece of cloth, moved forward and wiped her lips from that remaining traces of buttermilk.
She understood what I did and she was red in shame. Moreover everything that was happening here was escalating at a supersonic speed.
We were frozen in that moment of raw exposure towards affection, definitely a director would have copied this situation into his movie scene. But, there was no director for us to say cut, we had our waiter...
With a fake cough, he mentioned his arrival which has been a few seconds ahead. But, he was street smart so he knew how to alert us without waiting anymore.
We both were ashamed at the situation and I wen't back to my seat.
The waiter with a sly grin on his face, came towards me and asked, "Sir, what would you be having for breakfast?"