FELLOW TRAVELER

SHORT STORY-FELLOW TRAVELLER When a new lady was appointed in our office, we all crowded around her during lunch time. She was fair and sturdy and spoke Hindi with difficulty. When I learned that she spoke Malayalam, I was happy. Where will you stay? I enquired. I shall be happy if I can stay as paying guest. Do you know any family here? I can invite you to be my lodger. I have a spare bed room. Oh! That will be wonderful. So we went to my house. To my maid’s inquisitive look, I replied: she is my friend and will stay here for some time. As we could speak in Malayalam, which the maid cannot understand, we had much freedom of expression. But we were careful, not to do anything, to arouse her suspicion. Previuosly, I was upset whenever she took leave, which was quite often. Now I prayed that she go away for good. I was careful not to misuse my freedom. When I see my face in the mirror, I am disappointed. My dark colour is not so discouraging as my eyes, which are lusterless and small. Only my teeth are prominent and white. I felt inferior to my partner She spent her leisure in browsing the net, while I preferred reading. In the absence of the maid, we both worked in the kitchen. She cooked well. Often we went on tour to places near Jamshedpur where we were working. As I was in the transport department of our Project, I could easily manage to have a vehicle, on nominal charges. I began loving her. Every lover is extremely shy to express in words, the feelings which come out in small talk or deeds. But here again, I was very cautious. I do not want to upset the juicy apple cart and regret for ever. One night, when the maid was away, she came and sat by my side, almost touching my side. I was reclining in my couch and turning the pages of a magazine which came that day. She began thus: have you ever liked a girl? Yes, when I was in the school. Then? She never even looked at me. Ha Ha You are very frank. Do you like me? Of course; for a man, his looks are secondary. It is the character that counts. She then took my hand in hers and pressed it gently. She continued: any one else would have raped me. She had only her petty coat and bra. Her breasts were medium size. I felt tempted to kiss them. We went on talking about our forth coming trip to dear Keralam. Now there is a through train to Allepy. She kissed me good night. I remained awake for a long time. Thereafter, we played in my bed all sorts of sexual games and took precaution to prevent pregnancy. One day a new chap came in our flat with a letter for my partner. He is a mechanical engineer from Pune and sought her assistance, as he is new to this place. He is to appear in an interview in our Project. Somehow, I became apprehensive about our love, without any reason. I remained silent and watched them. She seemed very happy in his presence. She didn’t come to my room in the night, though our free nights became infrequent, owing to the presence of the maid. I took all these as proof of her cooling off towards me. FRAILTY, THY NAME IS WOMAN! I made a plan to finish this new Engineer. I had been promoted as Chargeman in the Mechanical section. I have to stand in a cage and watch molten iron in huge buckets. When this new chap comes, during routine inspection, I will push him down. There will be no trace of the man! One night I heard voices from my partner’s room. I listened from outside. He was telling her: You love him. You should not betray him by marrying any one else. Your parents have no right to spoil your future. I wanted to thank them both; and Him for saving me from homicide. FREEDOM,LEAVE