INTERVIEW :MOHAPATRA RAJENDRA PRASAD

The traffic constable softly replied "Had he done anything to you ?" "Arrey, first of all apprehend him, for after all he is a culprit. I will reward you with one hundred rupees if you do so. Surpisedly the traffic constable asked "Where is this alleged culprit from ?" She said "He belongs to the district of Ganjam".

Soon after the young lady spoke to the traffic constable, she immediately took out a newspaper from her vanity bag & showed the photograph of that rickshaw puller. If he is apprehended there is reward of one thousand rupees as announced. The traffic constable thought it unwise to delay be reading the newspaper; on the contrary he hurriedly set forth in his chase of the culprit. Having decided to apprehend the culprit he told the young lady, "If I delay then the culprit will run away too far for me to catch him, please come soon. There was a horse carriage close by. Both the traffic constable of the young lady boarded the horse-carriage. And, the horse-carriage driver, in his horse to catch the culprit, whip lashed the horse so that it would pull the carriage at a fast pace. The poor young rickshaws puller, having quite naturally panicked with terrible fear, just simply pulled his rickshaw very speedily way ahead of the horse-carriage. The rickshaw puller, having noticed the vicious look on the young lady's face, made a desperate bid to flee in under to escape being caught. After going a few furlong ahead the rickshaw puller looked back and saw the young lady holding seated near the red turbaned traffic constable, seated in the horse-carriage, he started trembling with great fear. Two hundred yards ahead, the young rickshaw puller kept on wondering as to how he could manage to save himself. He thought to himself, in utter desperation, asto how he could flee. A little ahead he spotted a turn on the road. Pulling the rickshaw he went and took the turn and suddenly pulled his rickshaw into one of the lanes. Suddenly, much to his relief, he very fortunately found a friend, namely Naga Bhai. He called out, "Naga Bhai".

Naga was 35 year old man, a fairly stout and study young man. Naga looked at Kumar and said in surprise, "Who, Kumar, why are you pulling your rickshaw so frantically and fearfully. Why this look of fear on your face" Kumar looked hither and thither and replied, Naga Bhai, a particular young lady and a constable are chasing me in a horse-carriage. These save me from their clutches". Naga surpisedly said, "Police constable and a young lady are after you, what for ? Okay, give me your rickshaw and go home immediately". Stout and sturdy Naga Sardar took over the pain of wooden handles of the rickshaw pulled it along slowly and came onto the main road.

Naga happened to be the Don of all goondas and pick pockets of the city. He was popularly known as Nagar Sardar. Naga was one of the most notorious pickpocketers of the city. Hearing his very name itself used to send the shivers down the spines of even the top brass police officers of the department. Seated on the horse-carriage the traffic constable & the young lady continued to follow/chase the rickshaw puller little knowing that it wasn't Kumar but Nagar Sardar no who was pulling the rickshaw. Because of the heavy traffic the rickshaw puller managed to escape leaving the horse-carriage far behind. "Come on, go fast," the traffic constable told the horse carriage driver. The horse-carriage driver gave the horse a strong whiplash and made it draw the carriage fast. The rickshaw puller too was going along at great speed. The traffic constable wondered asto how the rickshaw puller was managing such speed which seemed unbelievable. After all horses being stronger and faster, how come the rickshaw puller was perpetually outpacing them. The traffic constable told the horse carriage driver, "If you can take us very close to that rickshaw puller then you will be rewarded adequately by the government". After going a little further the rickshaw came to a standstill. The rickshaw puller being fatigued sat down near the rickshaw. The horse carriage driver, on seeing this, seemed to be overwhelmed with joy "Look Sir, where will he go ? He is seated then completely tired and exhausted, can you see ?" Within a fraction of a few minutes the horse carriage came near the rickshaw. The traffic constable alighted from the horse carriage and most delightedly alighted in order to apprehend the alleged culprit. The young lady seemed to be filled with a sense of glee and victory. She said "Catch him, so that he doesn't escape".

CHAPTER - II

As beautiful as a rose delicately softer he name is Phulla. She has become an adolescent, and being in the very prime of her youth she was looking astonishingly beautiful. Extremely fair complexioned her lissome figure is very attractive. Albeit being beautiful she did not have that look of happiness in her face. Always melancholic. But her simplicity makes her refrain from sharing her sorrows with anybody. She was extremely poor. She lived a midst daily wage labourers, rickshaw pullers and pickpockets that is in a slum area. Though she mingled with her neighbours, yet she was totally of a different culture which showed her good upbringing. Her house was neat and clear. Though her clothes were torn, yet they were clear. The utensils in her household were so spic and span that one could see his or her own image in their reflection. Phulla was busy cleaning the yard, in front of her house, with a broom. Well dropped in her saree she was wearing a lovely green blouse which not only matched her saree but also looked very good on her. Somebody was gradually opening the front door, and Phulla being unaware of the same unintentionally bumped into Kumar.

Suprisedly, Phulla looked up and exclaimed. "Arrey, you are Kumar ? Why are you coming in panting ? Your expression clearly indicate that you are in some sort of trouble." She had said all this with a smile on her face and kept standing looking at Kumar.

Kumar just kept looking at Phulla. His fear was yet to abandon him. He was till apprehensive of the young lady coming along with the traffic constable.

In a sorrowful state of mind he sat down on the mat. "I was a bit absent-minded that is why I bumped in. Hope you haven't been hunt Nua Bou ?" Why are you being so nervous, what's the matter ? Phulla said in a sympathetic tone "What to say, forget it " "You are day-by-day becoming rather effeminate. There is no point in being nervous, said Phulla by coming and sitting near Kumar. "Come on, muster up enough courage" With these comforting words of Phulla Kumar could regain his composure. At least, now, a wee but of a smile was discernible on Kumar's face.

"The matter isn't that nervous. Today Naga Bhai saved me, it is because of him that I am safe and sound" Kumar said this gently. "Where is he ? Where's your Naga Bhai gone ?"

Nagar sardar happened to be the husband of Phulla. As notorious was Naga, his wife Phulla was just the opposite. She was beautiful and possessed many virtuous qualities.
"Why, if Naga Bhai isn't around, you cannot concentrate" Kumar said this with a laugh. Phulla, in embarrassment and laughingly said "Why are you talking like this." Kumar smiled a little and queried, "What id you get angry Nua Bou ?" Rising up Phulla said, "Please relax, let me sweep the yard and come." "Arrey this isn't he, "Said the young lady. Both, the traffic constable and the young lad, discovered that the alleged culprit they wanted to apprehend had managed to give them the slip. This someone else's rickshaw very much resembled that which Kumar was pulling. The traffic constable after a while asked, "Is this rickshaw yours ?" Naga said, "Yes Sir, this is my rickshaw!" Then why were you running with the rickshaw!" "No, it isn't that. What is the reason for you to run away after seeing this young lady ?" "I swear in the name of Lord Jagannatha I have never seen her" After having said this Nagar Sardar stared at the young lady. He wanted to know as to what was so peculiar about this young lady for Kumar to have fled. Seeing the dreadful stare of this rickshaw puller the young lady was terrified. The young lady was wearing an expensive wrist watch. Naga Sardar having noticed her wrist watch had already planned his next move. Just at this moment a bit of paper slipped from the young lady hand and she immediately bent down to pick it up. Resultantly, the young lady's left hand touched Naga Sardar's hand. The young lady had not at all felt anything. All that the young lady thought was that the rickshaw puller had bent down to pick up and give her that bit of paper. Little did the young lady realise that Naga Sardar had already, in a flash of a second, relieved her of her expensive wrist watch which had already found its way into Naga Sardar's pocket. Just because of a slight carelessness on her part she lost her expensive wrist watch.

"Come on, let's go back. He has managed to hoodwink us and has successfully escaped," The young lady told the traffic constable "O.K. let's go", the traffic constable said in sheer desperation. In a mood of failure they went together and seated themselves in the horse carriage. The horse carriage retreated. Naga sardar remained serious until now. Yet Naga was still curious to know about the affair between the young lady and Kumar. Who was this young lady and what was her relationship with Kumar. Naga, in a thoughtful frame of mind followed the horse carriage Naga's curious intentions were to know the exact whereabouts about this young lady. Wide on narrow winding on turning the horse carriage continued traversing the roads. Pulling the empty rickshaw Nagar Sardar kept on following the horse carriage. The horse carriage came to a standstill in front of a big hotel. "Mohini Hotel" was a Posh hotel in the city. The young lady alighted and looking at the traffic constable said, "Now you may go."
"What about my baksheesh?" asked the traffic constable to the young lady. "I took a great deal of pains going along with you, so please give me something in return."
"O.K. take," She said and hastily showed a ten rupee note into the traffic constable's hand and hurriedly went into the hotels. The traffic constable went his way for his duty. Being at a distance Naga Sardar observed everything. Having come to know that this mysterious young lady was staying in this hotel he proceeded with his rickshaw. A few furlongs away stod the imposing college building. Naga Sardar parked the rickshaw and awaited for some passengers. After about a few minutes the College classes would end. The students would soon emerge from their college premises to go home. Nagar Sardar holding the handle of the rickshaw stood there and loudly called out. "Come, come I will take you in my rickshaw." But the pedestrians were not at all inclined to baord Nagar Sardar's rickshaw because he had a ferocious look on his face. Any one would be frightened after seeing Naga Sardar's face.
Bandana is a college student. She hailed from a reputed and very affluent family of CTC city. At present she is very young and beautiful. She had just stepped into her adolescence. Bandana was a highly popular and well known girl of the college. For a long time she watched Naga Sardar's but was hesitant to board his rickshaw. Probably seeing Nagar Sardar's ferocious looks Bandana did not dare to come anywhere near Naga Sardar. Yet she came close to Nagar Sardar. She very politely, queried, "Whose rickshaw is this ?"
"Madam, this is my rickshaw, by the blessings of Lord Jagannath. It had become Naga Sardar's diehard habit of taking Lord Jagannath that come even at the drop of a hat. "Where is Kumar ?" Bandana asked Naga Sardar "Oh, they you know him- a fine chap ! By Lord Jagannath's blessings, he isn't merely a man but as harmless as a cat. this is rickshaw.

Bandana developed a sense of belief in Naga Sardar. Badana appreciated Naga Sardar's approach and his way of talking amused her a great deal. She thought to herself that though this man seemed looked ferocious, yet she could will realise that this man [Nagar Sardar] had a clear conscience and a pure golden heart.
"O.K. could you please take me home." Saying this he instantly boarded Naga Sardar's rickshaw. Naga Sardar started pulling the rickshaw at a reasonably good speed right down the road.
"How come do you know Kumar ?", Nagar Sardar decelerated his rickshaw and asked Badana. "Yes, just like this, casually, I know hi. He comes here daily and takes me and leaves me home. Very nice fellow he is, "Bandana said this with effortless ease and spontaneity.
"Yes Mada, he isn't like any Tom, Dick and Harry; he can read and write will. Whenever at home, what he writes so much, different types of thoughts come to him daily he alone knows. By the blessing of Lord Jagannath Phulla[My wife] likes him very much. He is very much like a genuine brother of hers.
"Who is Phulla ?" asks Bandana suddenly. "She is my wife Madam, who is very quarrelsome by nature. But to be frank she cooks very well. Her curries spinach etc, are very, very tasty and highly pdatable."
"Do you stay near Kumar's house ?" "Yes Madam, but I am not a rickshaw puller by profession."
Bandana's destination home-hold come. Asking him to wait, she took out a one-rupee-note from her bag and extended it to Naga Sardar's hands said, "You must send Kumar tomorrow positively".
"Yest Madam, I assure you, I will send hi. When we have such a negligible distance, why are you paying me one rupee ?"
By this time Naga Sardar said this Bandana had already opened the gate and entered here palatial mansion.
"Mohini Hotel", according to the denizens of this city, is considered to be a post hostel. It has recently been inaugurate. Accommodation and food facilities, in this hotel is considered to be excellent. Apart from the higher middle class even the very highly affluent elite patronise this hotel.

The mysterious young lady entered this huge hotel. The interior decor of this hotel was highly impressive. The liveried waiters and staff of the hotel saluted her. Strange but true there not a single decent person was seen. The people who patronise this hotel speak in a vulgar manner - the like of Goondas - anti socials etc. All types liquor, in abundance, is available here and also this hotel encourages gambling. All types of unscrupulous activities takes place in this hotel.
Walking through the hall this young lady ascended a wooden staircase and then entered into a lavishly decorated suite. A man instantly came and entered the young lady's room and sat on the sofa. Soon these after a hotel boy entered the room and waited any room service orders.

The young lady said, "Bhairab, for your kind information kindly ensure that a part from our hotel staff, no one else should know that this hotel belongs to me.

Bhairab answered, "It it possible that before divulging how can anybody else recognise or know you as the wife of the well know wealthy man namely Dhanpat Seth of Berhampur ?"
The young lady in her landlady like fashion said -
         "Quiet, quiet don't be so loud. In case outsiders may hear. Yes, today I saw Kumar. He is in this city and pulling a rickshaw in a hidden manner. Today he managed to slip through my clutches. "
        "Escaped ! were he caught- then we would have got rid of our main stumbling block."
   "Where will he go ? He will ultimately get caught. Both looked at each other and laughed.

CHAPTER-III

"Should I enter the house Nua Bou ?" Kumar asked permission from outside. At that time Phulla was standing in front of a small mirror and admiring herself. She possessed luxuriant long hair. She was combing her hair with a plastic comb. Being clad with a thin blouse and her youthfulness had transported her mind into a totally different dreamy world of her own.
On hearing Kumar's voice she suddenly became surprised. The "Odhna's of her saree had slipped off from her head. She put the "Odhna's back in its right place and said, "Yes, please do come in." But she was blushing in embarrassment. She became rather self-conscious and seemed uncomfortable now with Kumar around. "O.K. let it be, I don't want to disturb you." Kumar was going back. "Hey, why don't you come in. You are in no way disturbing me. Ah!, you're getting peeved over trivial matters. Where did you learn these effeminate manners from. "Phula ran and brought Kumar into her house by pulling his hands. "I learnt these effeminate mannerisms from none other then you Nua Bou." Kumar, with a smiling face, asked, "What, Naga Bhai hasn't come home as yet ?" "He must be coming. You needn't at all worry about him for there can be no harm done to him."
"But, Nua Bou, you can do a lot of harm to hi. Naga Bhai fears none except you."
"Shut up, on else I shall smear all this snow on your face." Saying so she brought a little bit of snow with her fingers. "I simply cann't keep quiet Nua Bou. I shall smear all that snow on your face so as to make you look more beautiful." "You seem to be becoming more mischievous day by day. Just wait a while and see what I shall do !"
By the time Kumar had finished saying this Phulla had already advanced towards him. Kumar was going away. Phulla ran and lugged at Kumar's clothes. She smeared a handful of snow on his face. Kumar's face looked very messy. Kumar held both the hands of Phulla tightly and said, "Now where will you go ? It's now my turn."
Saying this, Kumar instantly got a handful of snow and smeered the same on Phulla's face. Just at this time Naga Sardar came into the house and said, "You'have done the right thing Phulla"
Kumar and Phulla were physically stuck to each other and kept on tugging at each other. On hearing Naga Sardar's voice both of them got surprised. When both of them looked, they looked Naga Sardar's ferocious face at the half open door. Noticing this Phulla set forth a distance away from Kumar. Kumar, in utter embarrassment, showed his nugget and shyness. He thought to himself, what have I done today ? What will Naga Bhai think of me ?
Instantaneously Naga Bhai detested these goings -on and greet hatred was conspicuous on his face. But very soon Naga Bhai forgot about all this and was back to his normal self. Laughingly he said, "You today gave Kumar the punishment that he deserved, isn't it ? Seeing Kumar's snow smeared face Naga Sardar had a hearty laugh.
Kumar clean his face in a Jiffy. Today, for the first time, Kumar was in an embarrassing situation. On account of Phulla's carelessness Kumar had to face such an embarrassing situation. Kumar felt rather ashamed of Phulla's act of indiscretion. Why, in the first place, did Phula most unnecessarily smear my face with snow. It's a shame !
Having their respective bodies in physical contact what would Naga Bhai thought of it ?
There was a lot of fun Kumar. I managed to cheat that traffic constable and young lady; they will remember it throughout their lives. That young lady seems to be quite cunning. Bu the blessing of Lord Jagannath. I enjoyed myself. Soon after saying this Naga Sardar put his hand into his pocket and took out a wrist watch and extended it to Kumar's hands and said "I've pinched this away from her." Then by looking at Phulla he casually narrated the entire episode.
Who's that young lady Kumar ?" Phulla asked. "Forget it Nua Bou, that young lady is a venomous serpent."
"Leave that topic Phulla, Kumar has never told us the truth nor will he ever. For last six months Kumar has been pulling a rickshaw by staying with us. By mistake even he has never said anything about himself. How do you expect him to speak out the truth/facts today ." Saying this Naga kept silent. "You've said the right thing." said Phulla and glanced at Kumar. Naga Sarkar looked at Phulla to know in what manner she was looking at Kumar. Always keeping his room door shut he writes so much, about what he never reveals. What songs he is composing or what drama he is writing. I am ignorant about it all. When asked he doesn't say anything." Naga Sarkar said "Further daily four to five letters come to him. Only if I knew to read and write then I could've read his letters and known about him" saying this suddenly rose in great joy and said, "By the blessing of Lord Jagannath I've also seen where that young lady stays. She is staying in a big hotel.
Pulla asked "Kumar, why are you so terribly scanned of that young lady ?" Phulla's eyes were as big as savers and had a mischievous glint to them, :Leave that matter alone. He is always afraid of women. That is why when you were smearing snow on his face he kept on retreating nervously.
Phulla's face changed colour Kumar started shivering with fright. Had Nua Bou seen all the going-on, then Phulla going and catching Kumar, Kumar retreating in fear and shyly, Phulla forcibly smearing Kumar's face with snow, Kumar holding the delicate hands of Phulla, and in that pulling and tugging both bodies coming in physical contact - hand Nua Bou seen all this ?
With great difficulty Kumar suppressed his quilt and gently said, "Now, for a few days, I will not stir out of home, Let us see what happens."
"No, no," Nua Bou interrupted and said, "You have to go out tomorrow. That girl has called for you. "Which girl ?" "That girl whom you take in your rickshaw from college & leave her home. If you forget like this will it do. I know everything. I couldn't ask her name, it's my fault." Nua Bou glared at Kumar in order to know his reactions. "Very beautiful, that girl who studied in College." "What, is she very beautiful to look at ?" Phulla asked. This point made Phulla very envious because she thought that she was the prettiest woman she thought that she was the prettiest woman on earth.
She was extremely proud of her good looks.
"Beautiful, Nua Bou, but not as pretty as you. "Kumar said this very spontaneously, but later thought to himself that he should have exercised restraint combined with judicious discretion to have spoken this in the presence of Naga Bhai.
On having praise being showered on her Phulla swelled with pride. laughingly she said, Arrey, Am I a paragon of beauty ?
      "By the blessing of Lord Jagannath you are very pretty" Naga said this laughingly. After a while she became serious having heard everybody, she tried to forget it all but she could not.
     It is a fact that Naga Sardar had great love and affection for others. As far as Phulla was concerned NagaBhai had divided loyalties. He was so fond of Phulla that he followed her, where ever she went, like a lamb. When in close proximity he never wants to have her alone. Being a brutal person Naga Sardar had destroyed many homes and people. As far as Kumar and Phulla were concerned he was very much like a clay-moulded toy.
   There is one incident, that has left and indelible scar in his memory. That is a strong of one incident. When one five day NagaSardar had pick-pocketed a wealthy merchant whose wallet had a lot of care. Suddenly he spotted a Youngman and most inexplicably he was attracted to this youth. Naga Sardar asked. The youth stood near by and asked, "Who are you ?" What he received in reply melted his heart. Sympathetically he said, you are helpless. Don't worry. I will provide you shelter. As long as I am around you need not worry. You seem to be an educated person and I will get you a good job. From that day onwards, the youth started staying with Naga Sardar. Despite trying for jobs, the quest was in vain. Day by day the condition became miserable. Naga Sardar invested and provided him a rickshaw. From that day the youth is pulling a rickshaw.
    That youth is none other that Kumar. Nagar Sardar could sacrifice his life for Kumar. Whatever may be the difficulties or pressures, under no circumstance would Naga Sardar abandon Kumar.