The Joke

Sundarbabu’s appearance at Jayanta’s house occurred well before evening.

Jayanta smiled a little and said, “All set for the battle?”

-“Hm!”

-“What does your Hm mean in this context, Sundarbabu? Affirmative?”

-“Hm! Yes, exactly that. All set. Two dozen red turbans* are keeping a watch on that mess from every nook and cranny. There’s no room to scarper. What’s this? Why have you hung these black drapes on the windows facing the street, Jayanta?”

(*red turbans : informal term for the Sikh constabulary of the period)

-“Because I want to stay hidden from the prying eyes of the enemy. Today an arrow has entered this room; tomorrow it might be a bullet.”

-“Well said! We are in the grip of a deadly enemy. The devils were in a bid to disperse me to the five elements with an explosive. Fine, boys, just wait a little. I’ll settle it once and for all today!”

Jayanta shook his head and said, “Sundarbabu, what if Tarapada alias Biren and his gang don’t open the door of their so-called association?”

-“Why won’t they?”

-“They must be aware that we landed up to investigate their place because we suspect them.”

-“But that is mere suspicion! Birendralal is an old hand at this, he knows that there’s no proof against him. If we make a complaint saying, ‘an arrow bearing a threatening message has been thrown from the mess window’, he can barefacedly say, ‘this is a lie. No arrow has been thrown from there.’ We can provide no evidence showing that our word is the truth. And he certainly won’t be able to suspect that we know Tarapada and Birendralal are one and the same.”

Jayanta said in a soft voice, “The biggest stupidity is to assume the enemy is stupider than ourselves.”

Sundarbabu said in a slightly heated tone, “Well, we shall see! For now, let us give this conversation a rest. Now, if you can call on your Lord Madhusudhan, I’ll be grateful for some tea and accompaniments.”

Jayanta shouted, “Madhu! Madhusudan!”

The old retainer’s voice floated in from the adjoining room, “Yes sir.”

-“Sundarbabu’s thirsty.”

Sundarbabu hollered, “It’s not just thirst Madhu, there’s considerable hunger as well.”

The reply came, “Yes sir, I understand. Just a little patience.”

-“I am patient, Madhu, I am patient. Everything comes to him who waits.”

Tea and accompaniments arrived in no time. And as tea finished, the looming dusk's pall fell gloomily over the world.

Sundarbabu wiped his mouth with a napkin, and leaving the chair, stood by one of the windows. Then, pulling the drape slightly to one side, exulted, “My dear Jayanta, it is your conjecture that is wrong.”

Jayanta only said, “Is that so?”

“Yes, a hundred times yes. A light just went on in the National Service Association room. Several associates have arrived together.

-“I am happy to hear that.”

Sundarbabu peeked once again and said, “Not just the male associates, I see two women associates as well.”

-“Do you? Perhaps one of those two came over at our place this morning and bluffed Madhu. Madhu, Madhusudan!”

Madhu entered and said, “Yes sir.”

“Just go to the window once and take a peek; and see if you can recognize any of the two women on the first floor of the mess.”

Madhu took a look and said, “No, I don’t know either of the two madams.”

-“Off you go.”

Madhu exited. A few minutes passed.

Jayanta asked, “How is it going?”

Sundarbabu said, “Associate after associate is arriving. The room is filled with the coiled smoke flying from many cigarettes. A man is standing up beside the table. Perhaps he wishes to give a speech.”

-“Really? Perhaps everyone has arrived then. Why should we wait here either?”

Sundarbabu left his spot by the window and said in a grave voice, “Then let our sojourn begin!”

Manik stood up with mock seriousness, cocked an ironic salute in the military style at Sundarbabu and said, “As the General commands!”

*

(to be continued)

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