A Journal of Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya

sound coming from all the flats.
He had a strange frustration. Whenever
he used to go to Lajpat Nagar Market
or Connaught place with Saroj, he constantly
used to hear the same rumbling sound
coming out of the splendid shops and
show rooms. As if the sound had frozen
in his ears. Different from the din and
bustle of the traffic, that rumbling sound
of the machine-pump - it used to spin
around. Despite his desire, he was not
able to share his anguish and agony with
anybody. When he told Saroj, she averted
it. She said as always - ‘You are habituated
to the plant. You hear the same sounds
here in Delhi also. People use washing
machines, mixie and booster here. That
is all... can their sound be that loud?’
Suddenly Saluja entered his cabin. He
often comes from the site. Feigning a smile
on his face, he used to get cautious,
‘Welcome Saluja, when did you come?’
‘I have reached just now.’ Saluja said.
‘What is the matter? You are paying
regular visits to Delhi?’
‘Coming here is essential. I have come
straight to salute you. Brother, some
pleasantries without any investment.
Tomorrow you will become Director, then
you will have some consideration for smalltime
people like us.’ Saluja laughed with
a grin.
‘Why are you making fun.’ he said.
But he was happy within himself. ‘Tell
me, what is the news of the plant?’
‘You consider that it still remembers
you. One has to admit, you have made
a good impression there. People apart,
even the plant sings your praise. I am
an inept. I have left Delhi for the first
time. I don’t much understand the plant.
You assume that I am reaping the harvest
of your good deeds. You have managed
so well that there is no problem there.’
‘A flood of happiness had welled up
in him. He fixed his gaze on Saluja - perhaps
he was right. But he must not forget that
this juggler of words sitting in front is
his competitor. Can he himself praise Saluja
by saying with ease - Oh, Saluja, if you
become the Director by chance, then have
some consideration for me. Please register
my cornice in your court from now itself.
On coming home, he told Saroj, ‘Today
Saluja had come to the office. ‘
‘Well, what was he saying? He makes
trips of Delhi very often.’ Saroj said.
‘What can he d0, his family and home
are here.’
‘Then he must be trying his level best
to come back to Delhi.’
‘Who knows?’
‘You must be a cause of unease for
him very much. He had to go to the
site because of you. ‘
January-March 2012 :: 105