‘Have you had a peg too many? Or has somebody cracked a joke on you? I have not written you any letter. Get out of my way!’
But Chakradhar was still labouring under the delusion that his beloved was role-playing. He tried to hold her hand. By now she had lost her composure. She gave him a tight slap across his face and said sharply, ‘Idiot! Get out of my way or else I will send for the police constable!’
Poor Chakradhar was still smarting under the shock of Lucy’s slap but she had already disappeared. He sat down right there and began recalling all the incidents sanctified to memory. Gradually it dawned upon him that his college buddies had probably pawned him to their travesties. In fact, he was sure they had! Else there was no reason for her to be so livid. Uff! The nasty fellows have heaped such dishonour on me! They have certainly deceived me! No wonder they look at me and smirk.
Seething with anger, he walked up to Naim and said, ‘You are a dreadfully callous, exceptionally mischievous, deceitful, ill-begotten and fraudulent man. You will suffer for this. You will die a dog’s death.’
‘Will you say something or merely curse me?’
Girdhar put in, ‘What is the matter? I hope you haven’t said anything to Lucy?’
‘I spoke to her. She slapped me. I feel utterly humiliated and disgraced. The two of you put your heads together to pull the wool over my eyes! I will have my revenge!’
‘What did you say to her?’
‘What did I say? I confessed my love! She turned around and slapped me so hard that I am still smarting up to the ears with pain. The ruthless lady has hands of steel!’
‘How disastrous!’ said Girdhar. ‘You are such a fool! Now we will have to suffer the consequences along with you. If she lodges a complaint with the principal, we will be left high and dry and if she informs an Englishman, we may find ourselves in dire straits. You are so stupid! Couldn’t you judge for yourself that all these were mere light-hearted gags?’
‘They must have been mere light-hearted gags for you. For me it is akin to dying. You people have cheated me to the tune of five hundred rupees! I will not pass the examination this year either. Even my reputation has been vilified. These were light-hearted gags! Indeed, these were mere light-hearted gags! I will get even with the two of you—and if I don’t, to be sure, God will punish both of you!’
Naim said, ‘Indeed, you have much time at hand to be angry with us. You can vent your anger at leisure. Now tell us what will happen if Miss Lucy informs the principal? All three of us will get suspension orders. We will also lose our jobs.’
‘I will confess the whole account, without holding back anything.’
‘Why, buddy, is this what friendship means to you?’ mocked Girdhar.
The poetic symposium continued all night. Naim and Girdhar pondered over a way out of their quandary. They would be in deep trouble if the principal was apprised about their prank. After all, the involvement of an Anglo-Indian could elicit the execution of tough measures against them. After much deliberation, it was decided that early the next morning, Naim and Girdhar would present themselves before Miss Lucy, apologize for their misdemeanour and admit whatever compensation she demanded.
Girdhar said, ‘I will not pay a penny.’
Naim remarked, ‘I do not have a penny to pay for my shroud.’
‘Then there is no point in going up to her. She will not accept our apology without compensation.’
Naim sounded apologetic. ‘Brother Chakradhar, for God’s sake, do not be obstinate at this point of time, or the three of us will have to pay dearly. Excuse all that has happened. The past cannot be altered. Think about the future.’
‘At the most we will be expelled, isn’t it? I will set up a shop. The two of you are doomed. You will suffer the consequences of your mischief. Uff! How you have cheated me!’
After a great deal of pleading and a lot of cajoling, Chakradhar finally agreed. Early in the morning, Naim went to Miss Lucy’s residence. On requesting an audience with her, he was informed that she was at the principal’s residence. Naim was in a mess. If the principal got to know of their pranks, he would no doubt, penalize them. All because of the wretched Chakradhar, they had got into such serious trouble. What did the coarse and uncouth fellow have in mind when he poured his heart out to Miss Lucy? Despite his hideous appearance, he harbours an aspiration to court the most gorgeous-looking person! The injustice of it all is that he has brought trouble upon us too. If I manage to meet Lucy on the way, perhaps she may not complain if I plead our case with her. If she is already at the principal’s house we have no hope. He got on to his bicycle and rode speedily towards the principal’s house. He rode at such a high speed that had he met with an accident, his chances of survival would have been negligible. Alas! He did not come across Lucy on the way. Having covered approximately half the distance, he began to feel disheartened. Nevertheless, he rode on. All of a sudden, he saw her as she was about to enter the portico of the principal’s residence. His heart skipped a beat. Loudly, he called out, ‘Miss Turner! Please wait.’
Lucy turned around and looked. Recognizing Naim, she stopped and asked him suspiciously, ‘I hope you have not come to plead on the pandit’s behalf! I am going to complain to the principal about his misconduct.’
‘In that case, you must first take a shot at me and Girdhar! Then you can do as you please.’
‘What have you done to injure me? That pandit has insulted me in a most despicable manner!’
‘Lucy, it is
