Revati with an anxious face, sat infront of me.
A face which was filled with disbelief, mistrust & on the other hand she wanted to belive me the most.
It was the most complicated situation of the universe which we have all faced, once or twice in our lives.
I can understand her troubled heart, as the narrative of my story & the action parts don't gel with each other properly most of the times.
I told her about the hotel, restaurant's new owner was Revati herself & the problem began from there.
She was not ready for such a surprise & neither was me. As, this whole thing about the contract of acquisition was coincidental as well as the magnanimous amount of money that I had acquired to buy the enterprise was also too much.
Then I blasted another bomb on her, that I was leaving tomorrow in the morning.
She was all teary,
"Why do you have to leave, I don't wan't to be the owner of any hotel ot anything. You just stay with me like this..."
"Like this forever."
I completed my sentence in a sense to make her blush a bit, that cute face was all red.
It was all intentional to divert her mind.
There was a big pause, then I spoke again.
"As you know, I am going to the zamindars (local landlord's) palace. He want's to see me."
"I guess he needs me to do some job for him. Or else he wouldn't shower me with gifts."
"If he tries to harm you, as he has more of his men in his palace."
She spoke in a worrisome tone, knowing the reality.
I eased her,
"I have killed almost 11 of his men in exact, without taking any serious damage & even slaughtered an apex predator [the sloth]."
"So it's not easy to finish me off."
Revati put her slender fingers on my mouth to stop me from sprouting words of ill omen.
I kissed her fingers when they were on my lips. I was truly enjoying these fleeting moments of mischief.
Revati again got ashamed at my deed, she removed her hand with a blushing face.
She enquired a bit more about my arrival from the journey.
I couldn't say anything clearly as I was not sure myself about it.
A letter would be written by me whenever I get some time; a promise was made to her.
***
The next morning was totally gloomy, as I was breaking my habbit; leaving the comfort zone & moving towards another uncertainty.
Mr. Prabin Chandra Roy was on time.
The market was as usual bustling with crowd, the vendors were hoarding there stuffs. People were moving on with there lives.
Amongst all of these, there were some poeple standing infront of a carriage.
Kalidas came to visit me while I was leaving, Revati was still sad, even after that big hug. The epitome of grief was very much prominent in her face.
I asked Kalidas to help her out in this business if she needs some assistance.
While giving him 1000 gold coins in advance for his services; he was more than happy to be of help.
Kalidas said,
"Sir, what about the brick house that we completed according to your order."
I literally forgot about the brick house that was made when that old thatched hut of Revati was burned down.
"Do one thing, handover the keys to Revati. She's the owner of that new house."
Kalidas nodded in response.
Before leaving, I held Revati's hand & took her into a corner some distance away from the carriage.
Mr. Roy looked to this scene with an open mouth; I was touching an untouchable. In normal days he would have kicked me or done sone horrendous stuff if I ever get close to him after touching an untouchable. But, this was a different time. He was under his lordships order to complete his mission. So, he literally swallowed his disgust.
While in the corner,
"Look, I am going somewhere unknown to do some job; most probably. I may earn some fame & fortune too on the way. If nothing works out then I can atleast start anew from this business enterprise."
"There is nothing to worry, I have asked Kalidas to help you out if anything goes wrong & the construction of the brick house is complete, you can check it out."
"And finally, I would wan't my women to be strong & head steady in this game of life. Can I trust her to be my backup in need!"
Revati was moved through my words, she steadied her shoulders & said
"Yes, I can & I will."
After some secs she realised something,
"But.. you said"
I knew what she mean't but I continued my teasing.
"I said what..."
She rolled her eyes and said,
"You know what I mean."
"I know what."
She was getting bit angry now.
Stomping her feet she said,
"That women part."
"Ohh that."
"Yeah you are mine, are you not..."
She again blushed.
Before she could say anything.
"I'll know your answer when I come back. Right now gotta go. Goodbye my dear."
She just smiled and waved her hands to me.
***
With a harsh whip the horses started moving, bringing pace to the wheels & we were en route to our destination.
The carriage wen't through localities for sometimes then it wen't through jungle roads.
This cycle wen't on for days...
At night fall we would find a suitable place to make bonfires, for meals & slumber.
In this whole journey I tried to speak to Mr. Prabin Chandra but he was a man of few words. Mostly, he spoke in one word or none. Was he introvert or maintaining some secrecy; future would answer that.
After five days of rough journey, we finally reached the interior section of the city. The place where the local landlord resided.
The roads here were not as muddy as the outskirts, they were better. The houses were not that shabby in comparison from the place I came.
The livelihood must be tad better in these parts of the city in par with the outskirts.
After taking some turns here & there the carriage reached the palace of the local landlord.
The outer walls of the residence were big & far stretched. The walls were made with a combination of brick, limestone & some other stuffs. It would simply cost a lot to make these kinds of walls, bricks costed a lot.
The gate was huge; made of complete iron. Two adjacent watch towers to the gate & two more in the perimeter of the walls; manned by mounted archers & musketeers as guards.
The pathway towards the main residence was laid with gravel stones.
On both sides of the road there was beautiful garden, eye catching fountains & various decorative sculptures which made the place more attractive for the eye of the beholder.
It was a total scenicgasm with a breath of fresh air & oxygen. Birds were flying around, there were couple of parrots, sparrows, koels (asian cuckoo); birds of some unknown origins were there too. Having meals from the freshly ripened fruit trees off the garden.
Small squirrel, rabbits, guinea pigs were playing around. There was even a small waterbody where two or three tortoises were playing peekaboo with humans.
Mangoes, litchis, coconut trees & all varieties of fruit trees from my city was available here. While walking towards the residence, I was relishing these moments of nostalgia.
It was all that I had read in novels, about lords & lordships residences & it was all very true. I was witnessing this cinematic view.
After checking out the whole place properly, a final statement came in my mind; it was not exactly a palace but moreover it can be called a grand residence.
We were almost half way there...
Two guards came towards us. One of them was checking me out very frequently. Later, I came to remember the guy that I had spared from last conflict.
Mr Roy came to me after having a private conversation with both of them.
"It was not meant to happen, but who can defy a kings order; I'm very sorry sir."
"Our lordship has wen't to the kings palace for an urgent meeting. It would almost take a week to return, in the mean time; sir as our lord's esteemed guest do enjoy our hospitality."
So, I have almost another weeks time. I could check out the locality without restriction plus to locate that bar; I need to move.
"No, I would be accommodating myself some place else & I have some stuffs to do."
Mr. Roy's face shrinked down.
"Don't worry, I'm a man of my word. I won't leave without meeting lordship."
"Ok, then atleast take some footmen as guards for your safety."
We both knew that I needed no security; the guards would be some watch dogs to keep a tab on me.
With a wink I replied,
"No need of that, I'll suffice."
My words surely demotivated Mr. Roy.
With an uneasy tone he replied,
"Ok then. As you wish..."
***