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Dogged chase
Even after so many years, my uncle Mr H, a retired Class I officer, shudders to recollect the chase he was given by two dogs in Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh.
- By Lalit Raizada, Special to Gulf News
- Published: 00:45 February 27, 2008
Even after so many years, my uncle Mr H, a retired Class I officer, shudders to recollect the chase he was given by two dogs in Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh.
Honestly, the dogs were not to be blamed. It was my uncle's timid disposition that made him entertain unfounded fears and imagine the worst. Otherwise, Mr H has a charming and magnetic personality, remains cheerful and does not offend anybody. He is straightforward and a disciplinarian.
These aspects of his persona were amply manifest when he was transferred to Jabalpur. The new posting entailed search for a suitable rented accommodation. After a big hunt, he succeeded in locating one for his family in a predominantly middle class locality.
The rooms were on the first floor. The old-fashioned house was built in such a way that the tenant could see the goings-on in the landlord's portion on the ground floor.
But the landlord would not know what was happening upstairs. Nevertheless, after making his own assessment he was convinced that he would have no problem from the newcomers.
The landlord was a mediocre businessman who would go out in the morning to return late in the night. The only other member of his family was his mentally deficient wife. After the rent was negotiated and the two sides agreed on all the terms, the house owner paused for a while.
Vegetarians
Then he suddenly blurted out, "There is only one condition. We are strict vegetarians and I can not allow cooking of any non veg stuff, not even eggs."
My uncle and aunt were nonplussed because they and in particular their children were voracious meat eaters. They looked at each other in suspense but did not respond. Their worrisome silence prompted the landlord to ask, "Do you people eat meat?"
The exigency of the desperate situation, forced my uncle to declare, "No. Not at all." Somewhat stammering, my aunt added, "In fact, we have never tasted it".
"O.K. That is good", replied the landlord. He left with a great sense of satisfaction leaving for my uncle and aunty a big poser to ponder over. The family moved into the first floor portion. As ordained, the family abstained from cooking mutton for about two months.
The kids were getting restive not knowing why their mother could not have cooked mutton. Caught between the devil and the deep sea, my uncle took a bold decision defying his public image of being a timid person.
Mutton was brought and cooked quietly on the first floor, assured that the aroma would go up in the air without being noticed.
The kids lapped up the long overdue dish stealthily, admiring it in hushed tones. The dinner was over.
My uncle wrapped up all the leftover bones in a sheet of old newspaper, ensuring that no trace was left behind. Nothing should suggest that the forbidden stuff was ever cooked and consumed there.
He virtually tiptoed down the staircase to throw the packet far away from the house in the darkness of the late evening. All the time haunted by the fear of getting noticed by the landlord or some other person in the conservative locality, my uncle literally cat pawed his way to the garbage den.
Yet, he was noticed - not by the landlord but by a couple of street dogs. Using their uncanny smelling power, the dogs decided that the wrapped up stuff rightfully belonged to them and uncle should leave it for them.
But he could not have done it. As the dogs followed, uncle clutched the packet tight, close to his chest. He walked a bit faster but that made the dogs doubt my uncle's credentials. By now, all the three had accelerated their speed.
Overtaken by nervousness, he made a u-turn and dashed back home. The dog chase continued. Just as he started climbing up the flight of staircase, he tripped.
Profusely perspiring, he called out aunty - "Kammo, Kammo". The packet had got unwrapped much to the delight of the two dogs who started consuming the leftover right at the common entrance to the house.
To soothe his nerves, my aunty administered him Glucose. The commotion brought the landlord out who menacingly asked her about the forbidden stuff. With a bold face, she told him, "The dogs must have brought it from elsewhere...Remember we told you we have never tasted it?"
Lalit Raizada is a journalist based in India.
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