SAMUDI/4
Harshad was in Matriculation and Samudi might be of thirteen or fourteen of dark complexion. But to put into Shanta Aunty’s words: Mone sikko Haro (i.e. Quite symmetrical face.) To put into Harshad’s words ‘sweet face’. She had spirited glaring eyes, pulp of the eye dark so lovely that any would be attracted towards innocent oblong face but lack of discreetness. But there was poor girl’s bad impression in the village as if Samudi were a mischievous. (Samudi to Chotisa) This was due to Maniben only. Didn’t you know Maniben? Cine Queen? Earlier Samudi used to work as a teenager at Maniben’s place, she picked up worn out Lux soap which could be used only for a day so the calumniated her in the whole village – as ‘Choiti Choiti (i.e. Pilferess). Ofcourse, people of the village didn’t mind whosoever used to pick up mangoes. All could sense it positively Sokaran se to kerio laijay (i.e. Children would pickup mangoes.) Samu’s face was quite innocent. There cannot be second opinion. She had acqualaine nose slightly wide nostrils. As and when she used to laugh, it seemed to be well shaped by freehand. Her upper teeth not fairly shaped, lower lip thick, a triangle shape three brown dots on her chin-slim, glaring, symmetrical, five feet plaited long hair with polluted breast: Whenever Samudi used to keep on rinsing utensils, occasionally Harshad used to stare at the upper portion of her breasts which partly seemed to be a narrow vale. Whenever Samudi used to be washing clothes, she would raise up her petticoat upto knee, at that time Harshad used to observe her flashy loins. Samudi was fond of reading and writing. She used to learn something from Shanta Aunty after completion of her afternoon work. She was very fond of learning angreji (i.e. English) but Shanta Aunty did not know and Harshad would never teach. What could be done? Yet, she would pick up few words from these boys who used to have cramming. She would remember it all. Once Samudi was working and Harshad kept on starring at her for a long time. Then she Samudi said, ‘Chyam Harshadbhaee, Supervaisari Garo so? Koyan Vahan Chikano nai re’ (i.e. Harshadbhai are you supervising so that I may not keep utensils sticky.) Harshad laughed a great deal from where did she learn the word ‘Supervisory’? Samudi was betrothed only at the age of four. She began to grow faster after ten and she bought a mirror from the annual fair. (i.e. Satam… aatham) She would stand before the mirror when Shantafaiba used to go to buy vegetables. She would take some colyrium with her forefinger smear it in eyes then eyebrows, she would pick up a small forecaps to smear collyrum on eyelids. She used to apply some red-lead after combing her hair. She would put on Shantaaunty’s Sari (The Southern Style) She would stand before mirror to have a fairly big vorka (i.e. chanllo). She would observe protruding breasts and the very curve of her waist. Then she would keep on standing right leg as if she were to pose as the artisan Ajanta bride! She might have seen some film photo or a calendar or some advertisement of Komal Gutika in the newspaper. But she would run to bathroom or hearing the voice of Shanta Aunty. There used to be sharp delicate comb near the mirror, Samudi liked she would love to possess it. ‘Shonta faiba aa konshi nu lai jaoosoo’ (i.e. Shantaaunty, this comb I take away. ‘Why! Shantafaiba asked just for the sake of asking.’ ‘mee gaya Gokulatham melamathi lidhiti, par ee to moow valne adtig nahu, tamo’ (i.e. I bought it form the last Gokulashtami but it does not work for my hair at all.) Oh! It Samudi had something mere of lice, she would keep her loose hair and would rightfully ask Shantaaunty. ‘joo kadhi de Shantafaiba’ (i.e. Shantaaunty, please, help me to get rid of lice.) Shantafaiba very warmly used to help her. Samudi knew embroidery and knitting very well. Shantafaiba guided her to prepare plastic bags, pockets, oretic are of hollow glass. She used to bring plastic wire, hollow glass pipes and pearls too. Thus Samudi used to prepare plastic bags, pockets, Chandeliers. Shantaaunty used to sell it and even managed to get embroidery and knitting work also. Now Shanta aunty had helped Samudi to have a Bank Account and she used to deposit her money and even began to dream of interest also. Thereby, Samudi had good income so she gave up other people’s work accept Shanta aunty. Unknowingly Harshad said, why do you boast as you have learnt to prepare bags and decorative archs. On hearing such words, Samudi was upset. Even today, Harshad couldn’t forgive himself.