The Tale of Two Fishermen

A Story by Jgi

This story shows how series of adverse events can incise human character....

The Tale of Two Fishermen
It was dull and pale October evening in Khasi village in the mountains of Kumaun district in Uttrakhand. The dusk was on its way as two fishermen friends, Bir Singh and Mahesh Bisht, flung their fishing nets over their shoulders and set towards the river. Bir Singh, a fair colored, pleasant looking, able-bodied middle-aged man renowned for his rage in the village. Once, he was a successful and cunning apple merchant of the region. However, his lavish expending nature brought him down to the depths of poverty and was suppressed by the bricks of the loan when he first met Mahesh Bisht. People often wondered how did he able to make such a strong friendship with a man like Mahesh Bisht, completely at the opposite pole with him. Mahesh, a tall, slender, feebly built but with a wise head on his shoulders. Mahesh was one of those toads of the well. He had never stepped outside of the village in his whole life, neither did he ever venture. In spite becoming an orphan at the dollish age of twelve, he refused all aids from his agnates. His fishing skills garnered him loaf of bread.
Bir and Mahesh met for the first time ten years back. Mahesh was at local Tavern to hand down the order of fishes and circumstantially, Bir was there celebrating his bankruptcy. It was also supposed to be a pay-day for Mahesh, but the tavern keeper was out. Hence, the bartender requested Mahesh to wait. He handed abstainer Mahesh with a bottle of coke and a plate full of namkeen. With his both palms occupied, Mahesh turned around with vanity to see that all the seats were taken, with the only exception of one opposite to Bir Singh. That seat was empty because people were dodging the most consistent customer (fighter and brawler) of the tavern. Oblivious about the man’s reputation, he took the seat. There eyes did not fall on each other for almost fifteen minutes, at first. But then suddenly Bir Singh raised his head and asked with tottering tongue, “Hey friend, can I have your namkeen if you are not going to consume it.” Bir’s words wearing the scent of whiskey he was drinking and his drowsy red eyes, compelled Mahesh to smile. His grin soon turned into cackles as Bir amused him with his biographical stories while Bir himself munched on plate full of namkeen. Although Bir was swaying in whiskey’s euphoria but his manner mesmerized the man sitting opposite to him, especially the talks about his journeys as a rich merchant. He also felt sympathy with Bir for drooping into starveling state. They conversed for next one hour. That evening kick started their unwavering friendship. Soon after their first acquaintanceship, Bir bought a piece of land, just a few paces away from the house of Mahesh. Mahesh taught him the art of fishing and aided him in offloading more than half of the heavy bricks of loan from his head. He also assisted Bir in limiting his drinks. All such things only polished their friendship with time. Moreover, even their traits became complimentary to each other. Mahesh was intelligent but not so strong, whereas Bir Singh was like an ox, but was prone to troubles due to his rage and uncontrollable nature. With time, the only person who was able to control that untamed bull was Mahesh. Their fondness for each other only grew more and more with every passing day.
The same tavern that made them brothers from different mothers was the reason they were going for fishing in the season when river could demolish anything with its fury like a hurricane, and at the time, when it is ill-advised for fishing. The flow of the river was at its extreme, and the arriving dusk would only make their matter worse, even for such skillful fishermen.
A few hours back, they were in the tavern, rejoicing and celebrating their payday. Although, Mahesh himself never drank, but for the merriness of his friend, he used to give him company. Like every other payday, they were commemorating that occasion on the highest spirits possible. Suddenly, Purna Rana, the local landlord, barked, “Why the hell you fishing paupers making noise, without no reason.” ‘Purna Rana was the wealthiest person in the village who lend money at very high-interest rates. Half the village had taken money from him, at least once in their life. He was mean and brutal when it comes to squeezing interest from people. That is why, most of the people in the village were afraid of him, but he mistook that fear as a respect for himself.
Hearing the yell of Rana, everybody went still and quiet for few moments. Mahesh and Bir also went quiet, not because they were frightened or scared. It was just that they did not want to spoil their day, and for the sake of their good business relationship with the tavern lady. Rana also said nothing after observing no further noise and continued with his expensive bottle of ‘rum'. Bir Singh drank very little after that. A few minutes later, Mahesh noticed Rana leaving his table for washroom. and found it as right moment to leave, so he beckoned to Bir and Bir comprehended his friend’s gesture and obiliged. Both fishermen got up to leave.
“Already done paupers,” said Rana from behind, as they about to exit door.
“Yes, Mr. Rana,” replied Mahesh, turning towards the approaching Purna Rana.
“Why are you stealing your eyes from me,” Rana said arrogantly, in his fumbling husky voice. “Don’t worry; I am not going to pluck those scummy and avaricious eyes of yours.”
His words caught the attention of another drunk, Bir, who gave him a look of contempt but said nothing, as Mahesh pressed Bir’s hand as if to say, ‘keep your calm.'
“No, there is nothing like that,” Mahesh said grinning.
Seeing that cool attitude of Mahesh and quite tongue of Bir (whom he was trying to provoke), Rana lost temper and said loudly, “don’t you try to act cool in front of me. I am well aware of lechers like you.” He went back to his table, filled his glass with rum, gulped in one sip, and came back again with more fury. “Tell me one thing, you good for nothing idiots, Do you respect me or not.”
“We do, Mr. Rana,” answered Mahesh very calmly. He was unwilling to engage in quarrel or conflict.
“Then why are you leaving in my absence, huh?” Rana questioned. “No bow, no greetings. What do you two think of yourselves?” His lips were stuttering due to the effect of the rum. Mahesh noticed restlessness in the face of his friend. He knew pretty well that, for a moment, Bir could digest his own disrespect but would not tolerate anything against his friend. Bir considered Mahesh, not only his best friend but also a mentor, and a person who improved his life. In addition, Mahesh was aware of his friend’s rage and its consequences, so before Rana could utter anything, Mahesh bowed and also made Bir bow, and very subtly, he said, “have a very good day, Mr. Rana,” and grabbed Bir by his wrist and tried to slip away.
Rana felt contempt by that gesture of Mahesh, so in the heat of the moment and influence of the rum, he jested very loudly, “Do you know guys, his mother also used to run away like this, whenever I strived to grab her.” He looked around to every single creature of the tavern, and continued, “She never refused my grabbing, and maybe she liked that. I cannot tell you how much I miss those voluptuous and sensual hands of her. It was a shame that she chose his beggarly penniless father, instead of indulging in my love or being my mistress.”
Those words of disgrace flung towards Mahesh's mother brought the sudden halt to the steps of both men. Mahesh’s face complexion turned from fair to a crimson blood red. Bir, who was quiet until that moment due to Mahesh, felt like a beast liberated from its cage, turned and shouted, “Enough is enough you, b*****d. Utter one more syllable and see what will happen." Everybody got up from their seats. The tavern lady came running out anticipating a fight.
“Aww! Look friends Bir singh also got tongue in his mouth. Go pug go, and wiggle around as your impotent master orders you,” Rana said tauntingly to Bir. He was about to quote something, but before he did so, firm hands of Mahesh grabbed him by his collar and pegged him into the nearest wall sending shock across the whole tavern. Even Bir was taken back by his friend’s venture as he witnessed newest avatar of his friend.
“Now bark, you dog,” Mahesh roared. “Don’t you dare to defile my mother’s name from your ignominious tongue?”
“How dare… you?” Rana squeaked. Mahesh tightened his grip, like a python, and in one instance, Rana began wriggling for breath. Looking at the condition of Rana, the tavern lady screamed in fear, “Mahesh, let him go, or he will die. O God! Please save him or else my tavern will be doomed.” Her appeal kindled sense of guilt inside Bir Singh. He grabbed Mahesh by his back and pulled him aside and endeavoured to calm his friend as Rana attempted to get few breaths inside. It took Rana almost a minute to regain his senses; even then, the quivers had not subsided fully. He breathlessly yelled, "Hey you b*****d, come back here if you are a son of one father.” He spat on the ground, snorted, and continued with the same fury," But, I doubt that friends, considering his mother.” Once again, Rana’s words flared up Mahesh, but that time, Bir Singh was more fired up than Mahesh. Both of them sprang on Rana. Two-three people came forward to help Rana, but usually shy, timid, and puny looking Mahesh, got hold of all the rescuers. Meanwhile, Bir Singh grabbed Rana by his neck and struck two-three heavy blows to Rana’s face and said angrily,” don’t you challenge our courage? We are not your debtor, whom you can say anything you want. We know how to shut the mouth of the man like you. Remember this before uttering anything foul against my friend or else, next time I will kill you so badly that I could taste it." Saying that he showered Rana with few more blows, tossed him away like piece of trash. People came rushing for Rana’s aid; meanwhile both his annihilators left the tavern in between that commotion.
Bir Singh and Mahesh went straight back to Mahesh’s house and searched the house for Usha (Mahesh’s wife) to get bite to eat. There was no trace of her. They decided to do few extra hours at the river to calm their heads. Hence, they threw their nets on to their shoulders and marched towards the river. All the while rejoicing and cackling about the beating, they gave to Rana. The dusk was already catching its pace when they first flung their nets into the water. They went on fishing in their usual manner and that was, Mahesh at the shore, in the deep waters, whereas Bir at opposite shore, in shallow waters. There was a dim light of the half-moon, which was aiding them in viewing fishes as well as the path. Very skillfully and quietly, they went on fishing. It was mechanical, throwing the net into the water, wait for few seconds, pulling net back, check for the fish, and cast it again. In two hours time, they caught almost 4-5 kilograms of combined fish, which exceeded their expectations, given the season they were fishing. Therefore, they kept on fishing.
Suddenly, Bir noticed that water waves were splashing against log or something, few paces ahead of him. He went there, in curiosity, to inspect. It appeared like a piece of log, at first, but when got closer to it, it was no log. “Mahesh, Mahesh,” he yelled to Mahesh.
His tone was so alarming that Mahesh thought for a moment that turtle or water snake had bitten his friend. “What happened?” he asked hastily, putting the latest fish he caught into his fish bag. “What happened?” he asked again.
"Come here fast," he heard Bir's reply. He did not ask any further questions. He just flung his net across his shoulders and jumped into that cold icy water. He swam across and saw Bir inclined in front of something.
“Oye, what’s the matter,” he inquired, patting on to the shoulder of Bir.
“Look, here is a dead body of a man,” Bir answered trembling.
“So, what is the issue?” Mahesh said. This is a common thing with this river, especially in this season." He bent forward and turned that dead body to see the face of the man. The face was unrecognizable in that dim light of the moon. Therefore, he decided to take that body out of the river’s reach. He called Bir, “come here, help me to carry this corpse out of the water and see if this man is from our village or not,” Bir obliged, although he was shaking all over. Together they brought that body out and carefully put it on the chilling, cold sand of riverbed. Mahesh grabbed his bag, brought out a torch, and focused it on the face of carrion.
The moment that torchlight flashed on to the face of the man lying lifelessly in front of them, they were shocked. Bir cried, "It cannot be possible. How can it be?" Even Mahesh, who generally was as calm as a cucumber, flinched by what he saw? They could not believe their eyes, because it was none other than of Purna Rana, whom they had threatened, and annihilated, just a few hours back. They were paralyzed by that scene. Bir Singh was quivering and wiping perspirations from his forehead in that cold night as if it was a hot summer day.
“We are doomed Mahesh, we are doomed,” murmured Bir. Mahesh regained his senses by that time. “Don’t worry, nothing will happen,” he said calming Bir. Bir was in complete state of paranoia. He was not able to gulp his fear, as Mahesh did. “No Mahesh, you believe or not, but I know we are doomed for sure,” he repeated despairingly as if he did not hear Mahesh.
“But, why is that?” he questioned. “Are you out of your mind or what?”Bir
“Don’t you get it?” he Bir reacted. "Just a few hours back, we had a fight with this man, which everyone in tavern witnessed. They also saw how I threatened him. Now the very same man is lying dead in this cold sand.” Mahesh realized what was haunting his friend. He said suggesting, “Let’s go from here, and inform the police about this. Let’s go.”
“No, no,” Bir refused. We are not going to do that. My friend, people will not digest the fact, that we, who ruthlessly beat him, are the one who discovered his body.”
“They will,” said Mahesh, annoyed by his friend’s baseless fears. “But I guarantee you of one thing, if you keep on acting like a maniac, then they will definitely convict us for Rana’s murder.” However, as often with stubborn people, Bir repelled any words of wisdom. His cognitive abilities were absolutely shut by fear and anxiety.
"Look, Mahesh," Bir said appealingly. "I have always followed everything you ever said, but sorry my friend, we are not going to do what you are suggesting. No, we are not going tell nothing to anybody.” He scratched his head, and continued, “In fact, we are not going anywhere without taking care of this body.”
“No,” Mahesh declined. “Believe me, my friend, doing such thing means stepping into unknown waters, and it will drown us, let me tell you” He paused for a second or two, and continued, “Have faith in God. He is the one who has charmed us into this situation, and he knows we have not done anything, for which we should face consequences. So stop worrying, he will tide us across to safety.”
“I believe in God, more than you do, but you Mahesh, are a lamb and that to a very innocent one,” Bir said. “We two know that we have not done anything wrong, but what about the stupid creatures and police. They are exactly opposite to you. They are bloody hypocrites.”
“My heart doesn’t have the good feeling about this," he gave one last go to persuade his adamant friend. However, his friend was in no mood to listen to any of his pleads.
Bir said, “Look, my friend, my whole career I walked my whole life on the path, which my heart showed, and look where I am today. So don’t let your heart put us behind the bars. I entreat you, beg you to walk along on my suggestion, for this once only. I will never ask you for anything till I live.”
That plea made Mahesh reconsider. After considering for almost few moments, he made his mind, and he murmured, “okay then, what is your plan.” Bir grinned, and for the first time since they discovered Purna Rana, panic had subsided from his face. “Thank you,” he said appreciatively. “You really are a true friend. Now, as far as my plan goes, it consists of two parts.”
“What are they?”
"In the first part, we have to take care of this body, because if they find this body, then they will not take a moment to judge us as killers and you know pretty well how much wise and prudent, our police department is.” Mahesh did not quote a word he just nodded in approval. Bir paused for a minute, and looking at Mahesh, he continued, “the second part is bit tricky, but that will be our ace, in case they suspect us.”
“What is it,” Mahesh asked in curiosity.
“An alibi,” he said. “We will tell police that after leaving the tavern, we came straight back to your house, and never left it, till 10 p.m.”
“What are you talking about?” Mahesh said in confusion.
“Who can convict us, if we can prove that we never came near the river today,” Bir put his theory.
“How will we do that?” Mahesh questioned.
“Very easy,” Bir said snorting. “You will request Usha to testify our presence.”
“No, No,” Mahesh objected. “Don’t drag her into this. In addition, you know quite well that she is not good at lying, even to me, let alone the police.
“Don’t worry,” Bir said. “She will do it for your sake.”
“But…”
“Shhhhhh…, he hushed. “No more arguments. Let’s get on with our plan” Once again Mahesh’s protests did not stand against his friend’s fierce plan. Without any further ado in conversation, they grabbed the dead body of Rana and began walking towards the place, which Bir thought best to bury the dead body.
One hour later, they successfully executed the first part of the plan and went back to their respective homes. Back home, Mahesh called Usha and after wriggling his hands for minute or two, he told her the whole story and asked her to do what his friend asked him? Usha, like most of the obliging, devoted, dutiful wives, agreed without any demand for an explanation.
The night, which followed, was one of the lengthiest and prolonged nights, Mahesh observed in his whole life. It was even more dragging than the night when he waited for the arrival of his mother’s dead body from Delhi. He was restless, agitated and anxious for all those dark hours. He only lost his battle with sleep just before the daybreak, and as soon as he opened his eyes, he ran towards his friend's home. In a whole way, ugly thoughts were circling inside his head, as the large herd of dunnocks circle the black and grey skies, just before the arrival of rain. However, when he winded up breathlessly at his friend's place, everything was fine. He could clearly see from the window, in the first light of the morning that his friend was sleeping soundly. The lump in his throat subsided by that view. He went back and just threw himself into the bed. That time, to his surprise, the arrival of the nap was more hasty than the arrival of the flood in the rainy season.
Two-three hours later, vigorous knocking at his door suddenly broke his sound nap. He heard his wife shouting, “Can’t you guys wait for a moment.” He heard his wife opening the door, few footsteps entering in, and an old man’s voice asking in a precise manner, “Where is Mahesh Bisht?”
He did not wait for his wife's call and went out to check. There were four police officers standing, lead by an old, stout man, who introduced himself as ‘Inspector Samresh Sunar’. Mahesh’s heart flinched as he observed two eyes of an old man were gloating him from head to toe just like the tiger gloats at its prey before killing it. "Where were you yesterday evening, between six to ten," Inspector asked Mahesh, who was standing in front of him like a lamb to be slaughtered.
“I was here in my house with my wife,” he answered.
Inspector rubbed his chin and fired his next question, “Was Bir Singh with you?”
“Yes sir, he was.”
The old man grunted, cleared his throat and continued, "Are you sure about that?"
Mahesh nodded. Mahesh’s answer made inspector loose little complexion from his well fed chubby face. He beckoned one of his officers. That officer went out and when he returned, Bir Singh was with him. The old inspector was pacing back and forth, with his hands behind his back, when Bir arrived.
Once again, he rifled the same question, "Where were you two yesterday evening between six and ten.” Once again, he received the same answer. He decided to change the line of attack, he inquired, “and you had a fight with Purna Rana yesterday, Right?”
“Yes Sir,” Mahesh uttered. “But it was him who provoked at the first place.”
"So provoked that you two killed him," Inspector said suddenly. That quote sends chill down the spine of two friends as if they were whipped twice. Their faces lost their colors and they began searching for words to speak. "You killed him, isn't it?"
“No sir,” Mahesh refused the accusation. “We were here the whole evening yesterday. You can ask my wife,” he said pointing to his wife.
“Yes, yes,” said Usha fumblingly. “My husband and brother Bir were her…”
"Don't you think, we grown-up men should resolve our issues within us," inspector interjected with a grin. "Why drag this innocent fragile lady into this cold-blooded scenario. I suggest we should keep her out of this Men's business." His tone was precise and direct as if he knew what the truth was. "And I also advise you two to blurt out the whole truth or else your wife will only have tears, agony and a never-ending wait for the remainder of her life.”
Those words frightened Mahesh. He scratched his hairs and sighed heavily. He looked at Bir with stolen brows and said, “We have not killed him, sir. It is right that we had a fight with him at the tavern but we haven’t killed him.”
“Weren’t you two at the river yesterday evening,” said inspector, recursively gazing at the faces of two fishermen.
“No sir,” Bir replied nervously.
“Now you two are doomed,” inspector pounced. We got people who had seen you two at the place where we found the body. Your shoe marks can also testify your presence. I know what you two did but I want to hear it from your tongue.”
“We haven’t done anything,” Mahesh hastily pleaded their innocence. He glanced around and continued, “Actually what happened was…” and he narrated everything to the minute detail, from their fight with Rana to the discovery of Rana’s body, to their argument, and to the formulated plan. After hearing out his story, Inspector Samresh Sunar glared one by one at both men considerately. He did not utter a single syllable for next minute or so, just kept on gaping at his two suspects. Finally, he gave a long yawn and said, “That story of yours is good. No doubt, But I think you two underestimated me.”
He brought out a cigarette from his pocket; put it in between his lips, and lighting it, he continued, "There are too many loopholes in it. Again, I as your elder suggest you two to confess your crime and give the law a chance to be lenient on you."
“There is nothing to be confessed,” Bir murmured. “Mahesh has already told you an honest truth. I swear on my dead mother, we are telling you an unvarnished truth.”
“This is no good, boys” Inspector remarked. “Supplicating will only harm your chances. Just tell me this, are you going to admit or not?”
"No," replied Mahesh. "We already told you the entire story. We are innocent, and God can testify that."
“That is a complete farce. It is a c**k-and-bull story. I know that, you know that,” said the Inspector forcefully, blowing smoke rings towards the roof. “Now, let me tell you, what exactly happened yesterday. You can say this is my formulation, he-he-he. He cleared his throat and went on, “After leaving the tavern, you two waited for Purna, maybe hiding in nearby bushes or trees. When he came out, fully intoxicated, you two chased and waited for your chance to pounce as the tiger in jungle patiently awaits its prey to come into range. Just like that tiger, you ambushed him as soon as you got the chance. However, in my opinion, you did not kill him where you attacked because you want to avoid any unwanted suspicion. You carried him to the river in that drunken state. At the riverside, you waited for night to fall and then, very cold-bloodedly killed him…" He paused to check the expressions on the faces of his two suspects. "You buried the dead-body near the ridge and parted ways. You, Mahesh, came home and asked your wife to testify that you two were present at home at that time interval. This is the real story, isn’t it?” He threw his cigarette on the ground and trampling it, he continued, “Your plan was fine, but not your luck.”
Both the fishermen were puzzled. “Don’t worry; allow me to clear your confusion. While you two were busy putting Mr. Rana six feet under the ground, your movements caught the attention of few people across the river, and their mild suspicion aided us in such hasty recovery of the body."
“This is a complete absurdity,” said Bir Singh, almost beseechingly. “Yes, it is correct that we tried to hide that body, but it was just because we panicked. That is it and nothing more. We have done nothing else.”
“Ha-ha-ha,” inspector chuckled. “Nothing else, huh? If that were so, why would not you inform the police?
“You would not have believed us,” whispered Mahesh.
“Maybe we would have, but you didn’t because nothing you said happened,” said the Inspector. He looked around to one of his officers and said, “Constable, arrest and put this two fine fishermen inside the jeep.”
Both the anglers gazed at each other in despair, as constable cuffed them and wondered what would have happened if they had informed the police instead of trying to outsmarting them.