Chapter 5
The problem
Andy was somewhat excited that day because he had a change from daily routine. But Rani kept on glancing at him now and then. While eating breakfast Rani asked him whether everything was alright. He replied in affirmative, still there was a shadow of doubt in her eyes Andy noticed that. Then onwards he became cautious. He was waiting for the sunset and waiting to meet all other Senlings and know about their problem, but the time was not going fast enough for him. In the hot afternoon, Andy was lying flat thinking deeply on a mandap a shady place in the blazing afternoon Sun in the abandoned village.
"Those Senlings seemed to be very intelligent. Even the small Vika knows many things about galaxies, Suns and fuels. I am no match for them. Then why they chose me? Are they really harmless or are they pretending to be? Why would they pretend? No one is around here to watch over me or Rani. If they wanted to harm us, they would have done long back. They didn't do it. So, they must be really nice fellows. Coming to the part of help, In what way I could help them? I am a poor guide who wants to build a house. Maybe they want to build a house too. That must be the help they want. If it is so I am more than happy to help them. Maybe we can build houses side by side."
Without his knowledge he went into a deep slumber. Rani came in search of him and found him lying on top of the open mandap. She was scared, something had happened to Andy. Slowly she approached with the thudding heart and placed her hand on his chest. Yes! It was beating alright! He was sleeping! She kissed him on his forehead! Still Andy did not wake up. She felt his forehead. No fever. Rani thought lovingly about Andy. Poor chap. He was working too hard. This pandemic had made everyone poorer. By God's grace the vaccination had been invented. They say that everything would become normal but very slowly. We had lived here in hardship and misery for a long period of sixteen months. May be that was time to move back to Jaisalmer.
Something made Andy wake up. May be fragrance of his beloved Rani or her presence. He looked around, with a start he realized that it was dusk, and Rani was looking at him with so much of love and affection in her eyes. "What Rani? Why… Why are you here? Any problem?" asked Andy with concern.
Rani smiled sweetly and patted his shoulders, "Don't worry my brave soldier. Everything is alright. But you didn't return home for a long time. Why are you sleeping here?" rani asked in a worried voice.
Andy got down from the mandap and gave her a tight hug. "Oh come on Rani. The entire place belongs to us now. We can sleep wherever we want. Were you worried because of this?" asked Andy in a soft voice. They started walking towards their house hand in hand. Andy felt the urge to tell Rani about Senlings, Vika and Xezo. But he controlled himself on time. Why should he make her worry about unnecessary things? Let him find out what those Senlings want. May be later he could decide whether to tell Rani or not.
Slowly moon was coming up in the sky. Andy's heart leapt with anticipation and expectation. Today Andy insisted they ate their food inside their house. He did not want Rani to be alarmed or suspicious about anything.
"Why are you still sitting inside?" asked a soft voice in Andy's ears. He understood that Vika had come.
"Yeah I am coming. Give me sometime bro!" said Andy in a less audible voice. But Rani had seen his lips move.
"Are you trying to tell something to me? I saw your lips move but didn't hear a word" asked Rani panicking.
"Oomph! You are a jerk. I was just saying my evening prayers. Now a man can't do that too?" said Andy in a purposefully irritated voice. He heard a giggle in his ears.
"Oh! stop that Vika! I am losing here" said an irritated Andy.
"Again, evening prayers?" said Rani without even looking at him. She was busy clearing the dishes.
Andy was in a predicament. He should attend the meeting with Senlings, it might take longer time! What should he tell Rani? She already had doubts he should come with an acceptable reason for her to believe! Like a flash the reason came to his mind! He would tell Rani he had a stomach problem so he needed to be near the restrooms which close to the entrance. When he said that Rani looked at him quizzically and did not say a word. She simply nodded her head and went inside the house.
Andy felt very bad for lying to Rani. Now Vika was visible like a cotton candy. Sooner they leave the place the better. Without uttering a word or turning back Andy started walking towards the entrance. Vika followed him with giggles and antics.