Part 2 Girl in the village

Arnav, Aman, and Shyam started to Shivshaktipur by train. Their tickets didn't get confirmed as they reserved the tickets only on the previous day. But by luck, they got seats in the general compartment. Of course, the journey was not so pleasant. As their compartment was at the end of the train, they didn't get anything to eat. They just shared bread and fruits which Arnav brought at the Delhi station.

They felt hesitation with Shyam who looked reserved. It's Arnav who compelled him to eat something.

They felt extreme hotness while traveling. But the climate started changing as they were nearing Mount Abu of Aravalli hills. The chilling breeze caressed their face. They inquired someone and got to know that they have to get down to the next station. They got ready, taking their luggage.

The train stopped for two minutes. Our team got down from the train. Arnav was shaken, as he felt something incomprehensible.... Kind of restlessness... kind of agitation... He couldn't realize why he is feeling like this which he never felt before.

He looked at Aman shockingly who uttered,

"I feel like this village is my motherland"

Why does Aman also feel like what he is feeling? What's all this? He closed his eyes and the same girl who disturbs his sleep shouted ARJUN inside his closed eyes. He opened his eyes jerking.

Aman shook Arnav.

"ASR.....are you alright?"

Arnav gulped because this is the first time he saw the dream in DAY time and he is not sleeping but in the full sense. Usually, he doesn't think about the dream once he wakes up from sleep. But, why today he is getting flashes of the girl?

Aman was looking at him, not understanding. Shyam also did the same. Arnav started walking not answering. What he answers, when he himself doesn't know?

They searched for auto but got only a bull cart. They like it as it was a new experience for them. The bull cart man inquired about their whole history except their horoscope details.

They reached the Sivshaktipur and people of the village gazed at them as if they are aliens. It was clearly visible that the village is not improved. Their traditional outfit is evidence of it.

Arnav asked about the president of the village and the president himself came towards them.

"I'm Ram Singh, president of this village. May I know who you people are?" he asked them.

Arnav handed over the order.

"Mr. Shivsankar got transferred to the next village. But you can meet his son."

He beckoned a boy and he rushed towards them.

"Go and bring NandKishor here"

The boy nodded OK and ran towards Nandkishor's house. A few more boys ran behind him.

"Before Nandkishore comes, I want to tell you something." The president started.

Arnav nodded yes.

"This village is totally in my control. People will not do anything against me. This village has many rules and regulations. Villagers knew it. You too should know them. You are our guests. You will be treated by our guests. You will get villagers to help to do your work. But, you shouldn't interfere in the village matters. You shouldn't roam inside the village unnecessarily. If we find you doing something unwanted, we won't mind sending you out of the village. No one could question us." he said strictly.

Arnav nodded yes.

"Can we get room to stay?" Aman asked.

"Yeah... I will arrange it for you. You should make arrangements for your food"

"We will eat in the hotel," Aman said

The villagers laughed.

"There is no hotel in this village" President Ram answered laughingly.

Aman horrified hearing that.

"Whaaaat? No hotels?"

He looked at Arnav and Shyam with the same expression.

That's when they saw a guy coming with the boys who were sent by the president. He wished the president. His eyes denied moving when he looked at Arnav. He shrunk his eyes thinking something deep. And Arnav noticed it.

"Nandkishore, your father requested the archeology department it seems. Here is the order"

Nandkishor read it.

"Hi, nice to meet you" he greeted them in English which made them delighted. He looked educated. After all, he is a teacher's son.

"I will take care of them," Nandkishor said to the president.

"They need room for their stay. What about your old house? Could you give them that?"

Nandkishore nodded yes.

"I will arrange for them. And I heard them asking about the hotel. I think we should arrange food for them until them staying in our village"

"As you said."

Nandkishore took them with him.

"My father is a history teacher. He is the one who called you here but he is not here as he got a transfer to the next village. He will be happy if he gets to know that his effort got succeeded."

"Shall I call you NK?" Aman asked.

"sure, in fact, my college friends used to call me like that only," he said looking at Arnav.

"Ohh are you a graduate?" Aman asked surprisingly.

"Why? Can't a villager be a graduate?" He asked smilingly.

"No no... I didn't mean it" Aman composed. In fact, he exactly meant the same.

Arnav stopped at a point, in front of a particular house as he felt the same in his heart like, when he stepped into the village. He looked here and there. He is coming to the village for the first time but he feels like the village is so familiar to him. He heard a woman's voice coming from the house, calling someone,

"KHUSHIIII"

He looked through the window. That's when his attention went to Aman who called him. He nodded yes and followed Aman.

They reached the small house which was located at the end of the village. NK opened it. The house looked so simple and old.

"You can ask me anything. Note my number down and call me if you want anything"

Aman saved NK's number on his mobile and dialed the number.

"This is my number" Said Aman.

"Which college did you study?" NK asked Arnav while saving Aman's number.

"St. Bishop College, Delhi"

"Ohh... it feels like I had seen you before. That's why I asked"

Arnav nodded yes. Arnav was not in the sense of thinking anything as he is fighting with his own feelings since he stepped into the village.

"You said you will make arrangements for our food. Thank you so much" Shyam said.

"I don't know whether you like Rajasthani food or not but you have no choice because you have to go ten kilometers for a hotel"

"God...." Aman sighed.

"Don't worry. I will arrange good food for you"

"Thank you so much"

"You should pay correctly," NK demanded.

"Sure, we will pay advance if needed," Arnav said.

"OK... I'm leaving. Don't hesitate to call me" said NK.

"Thank you so much" Shyam smiled.

Arnav came out with NK and Aman followed him.

"I would like to see the village," Arnav said.

"Why not....? You can... but keep your limit in your mind. This is a village. People won't understand your perception" He smiled.

Arnav nodded yes. That's when a small stone came towards NK from the opposite direction. He rubbed his forearm where the stone hit him. He looked in the direction and smiled.

"Who hit you?"

Arnav asked.

"Look there... a girl. I think she is his girlfriend" Aman teased.

"She is my father's student... and my friend... (looking at Aman)and you... mind your words. This type if teases may cause you problem."

Aman gulped grinning.

"I will just come"

NK went in the direction, from where the stone came. He came back within a few minutes, talking to the girl.

"She is the one who is going to cook for you. She is a good girl. Her mother is blind. The money you are going to pay will be helpful to her." NK stated her condition.

"Ohh," Arnav said.

"Doesn't the girl have a name?" Aman grinned.

NK rolled his eyes smilingly.

"I say the name doesn't mean you should call her"

Aman frowned like an idiot.

"Her name is KHUSHI"

Arnav jerked... didn't he hear the same name a few minutes ago?

Arnav looked in the direction, he saw the girl slightly peeping towards them. She blinked her eyes fast, seeing Arnav. She pulled her head and hid behind the broken wall. Though she pulled her head, Arnav was gazing at the same place, expecting her to look at him again. Don't know why he wanted to see the girl again. He was not ready to move from the place. He saw her running from there. The cloth which she is covering her head was flying in the air. She looked at him while running, keeping her shawl's edge in her mouth. Arnav gulped hard.... Though he is standing firmly his heart started running behind the girl unknowingly.

To be continued...