by Shyamal Mukhopadhay

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An adaptive translated version of the story in Hindi ‘EK ADIM RATRI KI MEHAK’   by the late Phanishwar Nath Renu, one of the celebrated writers of Hindi literature.

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Karma was not able to close his eyes – it was nearly midnight. He as usual was lying over a sheet of packing material spread on the cement floor and Nayababu was on a charpoy close by. The smell of lime and mortar nauseated Karma as he was not used to sleeping in confined spaces, he had the habit of sleeping out in the open.

To his surprise, he found Nayababu also rolling over. Karma inquisitively asked, “Babuji, feeling uneasy with the whitewash smell?” “Hmm” came the reply.

Nayababu arrived a month ago as a relief goods clerk at this god-forsaken railway station near stone quarrying hills. Normally for such a category of stations where only three or four passenger trains have stoppages, only one booking clerk- cum- in -charge and one porter is posted. However, the loading of wagons with stone chips necessitated the posting of a Malbabu (goods clerk) at the upgraded Taldongri railway station. The goods clerk (Malbabu) Tiwariji had proceeded on a fortnight’s leave to his native village ‘Saharsa’ to bring his family and so a new Malbabu from headquarters was deputed as a temporary reliever in his place.

Tonight was the last night for Nayababu at Taldongri as tomorrow Tiwariji will be rejoining after completion of his leave. Karma and Nayababu decided to rest in a newly painted vacant quarter near the station to leave by next morning by passenger train to Headquarters.

Karma heard a matchstick being struck and then saw the flickering light followed by the sound of cigarette puffing by Nayababu. “Karma where is your native village? Santhal Pargana?” enquired Nayababu.  Karma felt uneasy and did not respond. “What happened, why this silence?’’Naya Babu asked impatiently. Karma was not aware of his native place nor did he have any inkling about his parents or siblings. Years ago the then Malbabu had chanced upon a tribal kid sleeping on the floor of a vacant wagon – the bewildered kid was unable to tell his name, nor could he recollect his boarding station. Karamchand, in short Karma, was the name given to the kid. The nickname Karma hung on permanently but occasionally the name Karamchand comes out of Karma`s lip with pride.

Tonight, it seemed sleep had decided to evade Karma. Old memories wafted in like billowing clouds and kept Karma busy and nostalgic. Suddenly Malbabu enquired “so which one is your real name- Karma ya  Karamchand ?”  After spending a week together and so many hours of giving each other company Karma was exasperated that Nayababu decided to ask such mundane questions about him at this hour.

 Still, Karma responded politely, “Nayababu, my name is Karma but everyone one twists the name as per their whims. Nitaibabu called me  Kurma,  Ghoshbabu shouted  Kareema,  Tiwariji called me Karam or sometimes mockingly- ‘Hai mera Karam’. So I have come to this realization that after all what`s in a name – call me as you please.”

“From where did you reach here?  Where is your native place?” Nayababu was relentless.

Like Gopalbabu, who found Karma, Nayababu also seemed a kind-hearted person. Karma heard a wheezing sound and thought – ‘it must be the bitch who liked to chew footwear’. Uttering slang he rose and whisked the bitch away.  The animal made a dash towards the exit door and sensing no further pursuit, coiled its body and was asleep in a matter of minutes.

 Karma enquired in the darkness, “Babuji, are you asleep?”  Karma was greeted with silence and the sound of snoring from Naya babu. Karma tried hard to catch up on sleep but his mind was bent upon drowning in memories – multitudes of them submerged deep down.

In his fitful sleep, he dreamt randomly of rail wagon-parallel railway track – sleepers in rows –the sound of platform bell –Karma getting squeezed in the tracks.  

Karma had never been a railway employee not even temporarily. For that matter, he had not been in service of anyone ever. If anyone enquired about his employer, Karma always retorted, “I assist Malbabu”.

Karma assisted Gopalbabu, his rescuer for five years at a stretch; thereafter so many Malbabus came to this goods office, Karma had lost count. In all these years Karma however never had spent a night under the same roof with any Malbabu as he was tonight. No other person so far,  except this  Naya babu and Gopalbabu had lent a sympathetic ear to his talk.   Karma had spent the best days of his life with Gopalbabu but after two happy years, Gopalbabu settled for married life. The initial few days went smoothly, Karma too was happy attending and assisting ‘Nayi Dulhan’ ( new bride ). A few weeks went by: Karma used to sleep at night outside on the open verandah of Gopalbabu’s quarter. One night, Karma was jolted out of his sleep due to screaming, scolding, and sobbing noise coming from the bedroom. The same midnight drama recurred for three consecutive nights. Finally, Karma could no more restrain himself; he knew he could not intervene so the only option left for him was to draw Gopalbabu’s attention elsewhere so he shouted, “Gopalbabu!  O! Gopalbabu, the pointsman  Ramdin is knocking at the outside gate to inform that the goods rake is approaching”.  Gopal Babu realizing Karma’s intention decided to hush up the raging fight. Karma’s ingenious way of breaking up the recurring fight between the couple failed and the lady of the house soon lost her cool with Karma. As a result, Karma got ousted from his night stay.

 Karma till this day felt for Gopalbabu and cursed ‘Nayi Dulhan’ for gradual fading of Gopalbabu`s health and mental well-being. So many goods clerks had come but Karma had remained detached until this Naya babu arrived.  Karma had started to sleep in the open under an old Simul tree-but tonight Karma had made an exception for Nayababu.

Yesterday, Karma after a long time had picked his hand-made angel and proceeded to a faraway village pond in anticipation of catching a rohu fish for cooking   –  Rohu curry was Naya babu`s favorite dish. Karma could catch one medium-sized fish and be rushing joyfully back through the winding village lanes whistling a merry tune.  He had to cross   Giridhari chacha`s jaunt and chacha while relaxing on the charpoy had enquired, “Ka babua, got fish (Hey boy, caught a fish)?”  Karma had nodded in the affirmative. While looking at chacha Karma caught a glimpse of a pair of kohled eyes peeping from the inner quarters – it was Munia, chacha`s unmarried daughter. Karma hesitantly was about to ask for a lota ( glass) of pot water but then decided against it and bid goodbye saying  – “RAM RAM  chacha”, and left for  Nayababu`s quarter instantly.

 Tonight those kohl-lined eyes kept flashing before Karma`s sleepy eyes. Karma wanted to sleep but those eyes deprived him of this simple pleasure. Karma could hear Nayababu’s snores as well as that of the dog. Tossing fitfully night-long Karma finally dozed off when the early morning breeze lulled him to sleep.  

 “Karma  e Karmu  get up” pointsman Ramdin kept jolting Karma. Karma hurriedly got up.  Nayababu had already finished his cup of morning tea.  Ramdin was sipping tea from a glass in his hand; he stretched his other hand holding another glass of tea to Karma.  After finishing tea, Karma washed the cup and both glasses, kept them in the kitchen that still smelled of fish that was fried yesterday.

Nayababu, meanwhile, picked up his bag to proceed toward the platform to board the incoming passenger train to headquarters. Karma and Ramdin followed Nayababu carrying the remaining baggage. Nayababu had asked Karma two days ago to accompany him to headquarters where he would manage a part-time peon’s job for Karma. Karma then consented to the proposal.  

As the train halted Nayababu got in a coach and Karma was busy arranging the baggage.  Karma heard the final whistle from the Guard sahib – suddenly as the train started moving, Karma jumped out of the coach stumbling but managed to get up without any bruises.

 Karma waved his hand to the now bewildered Nayababu and shouted at the fast retreating figure, “No, Nayababu, I won`t go, I am destined  to stay here.”  The train disappeared out of sight as Karma kept on looking vacantly.

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