Chapter 16 : Vrishali mother
"Yes, that is how it is," I said with a smile.
I looked up at the Sun in the sky. Judging by its position, I estimated that it must be around 4:00 PM by 21st-century standards.
I looked at Vrishali. "Vrishali, evening is approaching. Shouldn't you be heading home?"
"Yes," Vrishali replied. "Lost in conversation with you, I didn't realize how quickly time flew by. But... I am scared to go back alone. Can you come with me?"
Vrishali looked at me with a nervous expression. I, too, did not consider it proper to let a girl walk back alone at this hour, so I agreed to her request.
She was delighted by my agreement. During this conversation, we had finished eating all the fried fish. Only the dirty utensils remained, which I decided I would wash later.
Asking Vrishali to wait there for a moment, I gathered the utensils, the coal formed from the burnt wood, and everything else I had brought. I went back into my house, deposited them in the storeroom, and returned.
"Alright, let's go. We should head toward your home now—but where exactly do you live?"
I got ready, signaled Vrishali to start walking, and asked for directions to her house.
We began to walk. As we went, Vrishali spoke up, "Karna, as I mentioned earlier about my caste being Shudra—I come from a family of charioteers. I live in a settlement where the Sutas (charioteers) and blacksmiths live together. You can think of it as a small village."
Vrishali finished her explanation, and I nodded in understanding. Together, we continued on our way.
...
Vrishali and I came to a halt as we arrived at the settlement.
Just as Vrishali had described, this was not merely a small settlement but more like a proper village. If one were to count, there were easily no fewer than a thousand houses here.
"Why have you stopped here? Since you have come this far, you must meet my father and mother before you leave," Vrishali said with a smile.
I was about to refuse and say that I should get going, but Vrishali didn't listen to a word. She grabbed my hand and started dragging me along. I gave up resisting and allowed myself to be led by her.
Hay and fodder were scattered across most of the roads, which was to be expected. After all, this was a settlement of Sutas (charioteers), and raising horses was their livelihood. Many people could be seen leading horses around.
Since night had fallen, a torch burned in front of every house. Because of this, despite the darkness, people could see clearly and navigate the streets with ease.
"Hey Vrishali, who have you brought with you?"
Two boys, around ten years old, approached us and asked the question. One was quite thin, while the other was on the chubby side.
"Meet him, this is my new friend, Karna. And Karna, meet these two. They are part of my 'platoon,' and I am their leader. The thin one is Niru, and the chubby one is Golu."
Vrishali introduced everyone to one another.
Niru leaned in close to me and whispered softly, "Hello, friend. How on earth did you become her friend? We live here, so Vrishali forced us to become her friends and drafted us into her platoon against our will."
"Niru, what is so bad about Vrishali? Sure, she is a little arrogant, a bit mischievous, never admits her mistakes, and has a quick temper..."
Niru looked at me in astonishment and whispered back, "Hey Karna, you figured out all her 'qualities' so quickly, and you're still asking what's bad about her?"
We were whispering back and forth, but Vrishali was grinding her teeth.
"Niru and Karna, you two are badmouthing me right behind my back so freely? Hmph! I'll deal with both of you later!"
Vrishali and I continued walking, while Niru and Golu bade us farewell and headed toward their own homes.
A short while later, Vrishali and I stopped in front of a house. This house was unlike the others in the settlement; it was two stories high.
Vrishali stepped forward, opened the door, and beckoned me to follow her.
I realized this was Vrishali's home. Her father must hold a high position in this village, which explained why they owned a two-story house.
Vrishali and I entered the house and removed our slippers to the side.
"I am home!"
After announcing her arrival, she led me into a room, and I took a seat on a chair.
"Mom, come here! I want to introduce you to my new friend."
Vrishali was in high spirits as she called out to her mother. From a room that appeared to be the kitchen, a woman's voice responded; it was soft and gentle.
"So, our daughter has made yet another new friend?"
A woman emerged from the kitchen. She was dressed in a lovely blue saree and adorned with some jewelry.
"Hello, Auntie. My name is Karna. It is a pleasure to meet you."
I bowed my head respectfully in greeting.
"What a well-mannered child! He knows how to speak so politely. Learn something from him, Vrishali."
Vrishali's mother praised me and scolded her daughter, telling her to adopt my good qualities. Hearing this, Vrishali puffed out her cheeks in annoyance.
"Mom, I am not talking to you!"
Vrishali declared, giving her mother the cold shoulder. Vrishali's mother, however, paid her no mind and turned her attention to me.
"By the way, son, where do you live? You do not seem to be from around here."
"Auntie, I live in a wooden house situated on the banks of the river Ganga, near the forest," I replied.
"What a brave child you are! You live near the forest? Are you not afraid of wild animals?" Vrishali's mother asked in astonishment.
Fear? Those animals should be the ones staying away from me. They are not a threat to me; I am a threat to them.
I thought this to myself, but outwardly, I simply said, "No."
"What is there to fear? I live there all alone. You won't believe it, but I can scare the wild animals so much that they wet themselves."
I had spoken the truth, but anyone hearing such words from a ten-year-old boy would consider it mere boasting. That is exactly what Vrishali's mother thought.
"From what you say... do you live alone? Do you not have a father or mother?" she asked gently.
"Yes, I do, but they are very far away."
I gave her the same answer I had given Vrishali. Just like her daughter, she too assumed that I was an orphan. I decided not to clarify; it was better to keep up the pretense of being an orphan.
To be continued...