In the Shadow of a Dream by Sharad Keskar Read Free Book Online

base of the tree, rubbed his eyes, brushed his luxuriant, henna dyed moustache away from his full and sensuous lips, cleared his throat violently and spat. Then, looking about him with satisfaction, he stretched his arms and called out: ‘Asif! Listen, you and the boy. Keep watch. I’m resting.’ He hitched his dhoti above his knees, removed his white calico tunic, which he spread on a grassy patch under the tree and sat down on it, bare torso and cross-legged.
    Bal started to walk up to him, but Asif pulled him back violently and placed a warning finger on his lips. ‘Daadi said he’ll teach me to be a herdsman,’ Bal said sullenly. ‘If I don’t go up to him, how will I learn to…’
    ‘I’ll teach you. Remember what I said yesterday evening? How important it is not to get on the wrong side of Jaswant Singh. He never talks. Gives orders only. Yes. He doesn’t teach. I learned by watching. He treats boys like animals. Make one mistake and he’ll prod you with his stick. That hurts. Or, he’ll pull your ears. That hurts worse. There’s nothing to being a herdsman. Watch and copy. Use your eyes. Never show fear. I know how to deal with him. He can be kind, but that’s when he will try to touch you in a way you won’t like. Keep away. He won’t chase after you if you stay away. He is old and forgetful.’
    ‘Where’s the boy?’ Jaswant bawled suddenly.
    Asif pressed Bal down. ‘Keep low. Don’t answer. Don’t let him see you. If he asks again, I’ll speak.’ Jaswant did and Asif said: ‘I’m taking him to the gram field. I need help to keep the cattle away from destroying the crops.’
    ‘Good. You show him how.’
    ‘I will,’ Asif shouted back, ‘he’ll soon learn how. He’s a clever boy.’ Then he whispered to Bal. ‘Now watch! He’ll take his goolee , now . ’
    ‘What’s goolee ?’
    Asif unwrapped his small white turban, found the end of it, undid a knot and took out a rolled up pan leaf. He opened the leaf to reveal a sticky looking small ball, the colour of molasses. ‘It’s a mixture of ground tobacco and ganja . Ganja , makes you all groggy and sleepy. I tried some once.’ He spat. ‘I was very sick.’
    ‘Then why have you got it?’
    ‘For him. When he hasn’t got any, he asks me. I give it to him.’
    ‘Why?’
    ‘Because he likes it. I don’t care. It knocks him out and gives me two, three hours peace.’ Asif gave a triumphant smile and from the top pocket of his soiled and torn tunic, brought out a packet of bidis. ‘These are for me.’
    ‘You smoke? Where did you get that?’
    ‘The bidi shop. I work there, some evenings, rolling bidis . I get five annas and one packet of these free. The golee I nicked. Worth the risk. When baba ,’ he nodded towards old Jaswant, ‘doesn’t get his afternoon nap, he can be big trouble. He’ll call you and try to give you a chuma. A kiss.’
    ‘Now you’re frightening me.’
    ‘Don’t worry, I’ll protect you. He’s afraid of me. I shout at him: “Any funny tricks and I’ll tell the whole village you’re a gandoo !” That is someone who likes boys. He wouldn’t want that.’ Looking away, he added: ‘Do you think he heard me?’
    Bal shook his head. ‘No, he’s sitting very still. His eyes are shut.’
    ‘Hindus don’t like to be accused of doing dirty things to boys.’ Asif, who was sitting frog-like on his haunches, scratched his chest through a hole in his tunic. Then he put a leaf brown bidi between his teeth and lit it with a match that needed several strikes before it flared. ‘Why are you staring like that? Oh, look! He’s chewing his golee. ’
    ‘Can I have a bidi ?’ Bal asked, tapping Asif’s elbow.
    Asif stubbed his bidi in the earth and stood up. He shook his head. ‘No, Bal. I am supposed to take care of you. I promised Daadi. Smoking is bad.’ He sighed. ‘You know, I’ve said this before. You have beautiful eyes. When you look at me, like that, I could kiss you.’ Asif laughed.