| We were walking along the road, talking about the law | | | | you." |
| and order situation in the city, especially about the | | | | There was a festive mood at home. Mother made her |
| safety of elderly people. | | | | favourite fish curry. Neighbours came to participate in |
| I saw some one lying in the gutter. I wanted to see | | | | the rejoicings. |
| whether he is alive, but my friend held me back, saying | | | | Before I got this new work, I used to sell pornographic |
| it may be a case of murder even. Why attract the | | | | CDs and books to young men and women. I knew it |
| attention of the police? | | | | was illegal, but I got good response and easy money. |
| I heard some sound, as if coming from the man. I | | | | Many became very friendly with me. One girl with curly |
| came nearer and found that he was trying to show | | | | hair, was always hitting and kicking me, because I |
| something. He looked like a perfect gentleman in white | | | | refused to do her bidding, which somehow I didn't like. |
| shirt and pants. | | | | She is very fair and I do like her. |
| Yes, it was a packet in his pocket. I opened it. It looked | | | | One day she waylaid me by stopping her car just in |
| like sugar. | | | | front of me. She got out of the car and asked in an |
| My friend rushed towards us, took the packet and | | | | angry tone:" where are you these days? Don't you sell |
| emptied it into the old man's mouth. In a few seconds, | | | | CDs?" |
| he sat up. We helped him to walk and presently, he | | | | Both of us entered the back seat and she did |
| called a rickshaw and got into it, thanking us profusely. | | | | whatever she wanted. At last, when exhausted, she |
| We walked along side the rickshaw as we wanted to | | | | said:" they have fixed my marriage. Till then, I want you |
| make sure that he reached home safely. My friend | | | | here, every day." |
| explained to me that it was a simple case of diabetes. | | | | Then she dropped me at my friend's room. |
| Sometimes low sugar can even kill him. He was lucky | | | | My friend began asking questions about my sister's |
| we saw him. He was wearing a costly watch and had | | | | stay in the old man's house. "Where does she sleep? |
| a gold chain. | | | | Does the old man make advances towards her?" |
| His wife, so we assumed, came out to receive him, | | | | I told him she seems to be happy there. She will |
| abusing the poor man: "didn't I tell you not to go alone? | | | | always bring something delicious to eat. |
| One day you will die." | | | | I showed him the revolver, with proper license, given to |
| The man invited us to come in, but we declined, saying | | | | me by the old man. It was loaded and I practiced |
| we will come some other time. | | | | shooting at a stone in a lonely place. In a few days I |
| One day, car stopped suddenly, as it passed by me, in | | | | learned to shoot, with accurate aim. I shot a crow from |
| the traffic chaos of the road. The old man, whom we | | | | a distance of fifty metres. |
| had rescued, put his head out through the window and | | | | One day, I was escorting the old man to the bank. |
| asked me to get in. As I was about to get into the | | | | After our work was over, we returned to our car and |
| front seat, he said: sit by my side. | | | | the driver started the engine. I did not notice anything |
| When I was seated, he continued:" that day you two | | | | unusual. When we reached a lonely place, two armed |
| ran away. I could not even thank you properly. Tell me | | | | men suddenly came in front of the car, forcing the |
| who are you? What are you doing?" | | | | driver to stop the vehicle. Apprehending danger to my |
| "I came to work, as we are very poor people. My | | | | boss, I shot one and injured the other. The latter was |
| friend brought me. I stay in my room. That day we | | | | brought to a hospital and the police informed. |
| were returning home." | | | | I explained every detail, as I thought it my duty to serve |
| "What do you do?" | | | | the old man. |
| "I sell books and magazines." | | | | We returned home. |
| "Who are at home?" | | | | That night, the police came and took me away. They |
| "Mother and a sister. Two sisters are married." | | | | treated me well, but told me to sign a document, |
| "Father?" | | | | saying, if I signed it, they would try to save my life; |
| "He is no more." | | | | otherwise I would be hanged, as there was a perfect |
| We had reached his house which was very big. | | | | case against me. I signed it. |
| His wife came out. A fat, pot bellied woman, with an | | | | There were mosquitoes. The atmosphere was |
| evil look. | | | | gloomy. Some how, I was not unduly disturbed. If they |
| We went in and I was offered a chair. Seeing my | | | | hang me, my boss will take care of my sister, I knew. |
| hesitation, he said: "you saved my life. You are like God | | | | Next day, my boss came with a lawyer. They tried to |
| to me. Tell me, can you help me?" | | | | get me bail, but their efforts failed. |
| "Oh! Yes. I am ready. How can I help you?" | | | | In the evening, my friend, the curly haired blond, came |
| "See, I am alone. I have to go here and there. In the | | | | with another lawyer. She was very much upset and |
| evening, I go for a walk. You have to be with me; that | | | | worried. They did not allow her to come very near to |
| is all". | | | | me. |
| "OK." | | | | A few days passed. Then she, along with the lawyer, |
| "I will give you six thousand every month." | | | | met the magistrate and showed him some documents |
| I went to my friend and told him every thing. | | | | and video, to prove that we were married, and |
| With the advance salary he gave me, I went to our | | | | attended the reception at her town, on that fateful |
| village home. My mother could not believe me. | | | | night! |
| I said:" he wants my sister to assist in the kitchen." | | | | As prima facie, it was genuine, the magistrate ordered |
| After some reflection, she said:" then you take her with | | | | my release on bail. |