Surangi, The Child Bride

Part 40

The excitement of having spent the night next to Madhav for the first time was doubled as Surangi, her face well- scrubbed and her hair done up as neatly as she could manage, stared at the skyline of Bombay. She had visualised the city only in her dreams. The view before the children, who were hanging close to the rail was imposing. None of them had been to Bombay before and they could not wait to disembark and set their foot on firm ground after having spent a day out at sea.

"Vahini, what if he does not show up to receive us? What if he has forgotten me completely? Why don't you ask Bhau and confirm if he will be there?" Chandri whispered her apprehension in Surangi's ear. 

"Why don't you ask him yourself? You know Shivram personally, I don't!" Surangi explained her position to Chandri.

"Please Vahini, if I ask about Shivu, Madhav Bhau will be suspicious! Maybe you can ask about him indirectly!" Chandri implored. 

"Fine. Let me try!" Surangi assured her.

"Aho, who is coming to receive us at the pier? What if there is nobody standing by to meet us?" Surangi asked Madhav.

"Someone will surely be there. If there isn't then Narhari kaka will accompany us to Vidya Tai's. You girls need not worry." Madhav looked rather self-assured. Surangi turned to Chandri disappointed. Chandri's face fell. Madhav, who was quick to notice the change in her expression, smiled to himself. He was aware of Chandri's eagerness to meet Shivram. Some girls were quick to mature physically and emotionally; Chandri was one of those. His wondered how long it would be before Surangi felt the same longing. He had slept rather fitfully the previous night in his attempt to keep away from her. Somehow she was always rolling over to his side and had even hitched her foot over his twice. He had to shift it back gently, taking care not to wake her up.

Madhav counted the pieces of their luggage and assembled them in a secure spot to prevent confusion at the time of disembarking. The distance between the vessel and the pier reduced gradually. The children watched with rapt attention as the ship's crew threw over the heaving lines ashore. Dockworkers caught them expertly and pulled in the heavy mooring ropes tied to them, placing them on bollards. The mooring ropes secured the ship's head and the stern firmly to the bollards, preventing the vessel from drifting off the pier. As soon as the gangplank was lowered the passengers began disembarking with their possessions in tow. 

Narhari and Madhav waited till much of the crowd had receded before heading toward the gangplank, armed with the heavier pieces of luggage. The two girls followed them, each carrying their own bundles of clothing. Chandri's eyes scanned around eagerly till they came to rest upon the person they were seeking. Shivu looked taller than she could remember. His attire was different, probably influenced by the city living. 

Chandri's face lit up like a lamp in darkness and she nudged Surangi, who followed her directions to notice Shivram. Surangi smiled to see Chandri's enthusiasm. The girls hastened after Narhari and Madhav. As soon as he noticed Madhav, Shivram rushed forth to meet him and took the luggage from his hands. He was seventeen years old, stood about five feet and seven inches tall, was of medium built and had a friendly face. Moving to the city had done him a lot of good. He appeared confident and was comfortable within his urban surroundings.

Surangi cast a last glance at the vessel that had brought them to the city before the party headed off to find a taxicab. Having safely deposited the two girls and Madhav into trusted hands Narhari bid them farewell and began walking toward the nearest railway station so that he could board a train to Dadar where he lived. Surangi noticed that the people walking on the streets of Bombay seemed to be in a rush, as if they running late. There were concrete buildings and shops everywhere.