6. Chandra Naik prepares stick

CHAPTER 6

Chandra Naik prepares stick

Chandra Naik was a famous carpenter in that forest. When the agricultural season started, he had a lot of work to do. He prepared all the wooden implements used in ploughing the field.  Now the rainy season had started and hence Chandra Naik was free. He had planned to make a walking stick for the soldier.

The villagers were all proud of the soldier, who was fighting for the country at the border. They were ready to do anything to help him get cured as soon as possible. Chandra Naik was preparing the walking stick with great pleasure and excitement.

Rupali was his only daughter. She was now grown up and looked very beautiful. She was shocked to see her father spending so much time on preparing the stick for the soldier.

Rupali approached her father and said, “Ever since that soldier came, you have not been doing anything other than preparing this walking stick for him.”

Smiling with new spirit happily, Chandra said, “My dear isn’t it a great thing that he is protecting our country. Such soldiers are very dear to us tribals. You know very well why.”

Hearing this Rupali was determined to see the soldier. She requested, “You have all seen him. I too want to see, daddy. Will you take me just once?”

Smiling and teasing his grownup girl, Chandra said, “Just tell that fiancé of yours. Rupla Naik. He will make you stand in front of that soldier in minutes.”

Rupali felt shy hearing her fiancé’s name. Her face became red. Rupali knew Rupla from childhood. They grew up together in the forest. As they grew up, they fell in love. Chandra also liked the boy and had no objection to his daughter falling in love with him.

Rupla was a handsome guy. His family had plenty of land. He worked in the land day and night. Chandra knew that he loved Rupali very much and will look after her well after marriage. After his wife died, Chandra Naik did not get married again. Instead he spent all his time in bringing up his daughter Rupali. He felt happy that his daughter was marrying such a nice boy like Rupla. He kept teasing Rupali bringing up the boy’s name. But Rupali did not mind it. In fact she felt happy.

Now when her father was teasing her again, she felt shy. Her face turned red. Pretending to feel angry, she said, “You keep bringing up his name whenever I speak to you.”

Caressing daughter’s head, looking into her eyes, Chandra said, “But Rupali, I have been looking after you ever since your mother died when you are just three years old. Now after you get married he will be everything to you, isn’t it?”

Hearing this Rupla felt love for her father. She held his hands and looked at him with love. Suddenly, Rupla came and stood a bit away looking at the father and daughter.

Rupla called out loudly, “Eh Rupali, will you come with me? Let us go to the market.”

Chandra was happy to see Rupal. “Come here my boy. Take her hand and go.”

Rupal came running and held Rupali’s hands. He pulled at her hand. “Come, uncle had already given us permission to go.”

But Rupali refused to go. Pretending to be annoyed, trying to snatch her hand, Rupali said, “Let go of my hand first. You can hold my hand and go with me only after marriage.”

Removing sacred thread from his pocket, Rupla said, “I have kept mangalasutra ready. Just look for an auspicious day.” 

Chandra smiled. “You can tie the mangalasutra on the first auspicious day after the coming holi festival.” 

Rupla was very happy. Leaving her hand, Rupla whispered in Rupali’s ear, “Just wait till I tie the mangalasutra. I will not just touch your hand but squeeze your whole body too.”

Rupali smiled.

Chandra said, “Rupla, this girl wants to see that soldier. Take her there.”

Rupla nodded and looked at Rupali lovingly. He took her hand and left with her.