Free The Deadly Conch by Mahtab Narsimhan Page B

said that you should have more sense than to bring a shell indoors — it’s bad luck. Mother told me to throw it out immediately, but it was so beautiful that I decided to put it next to my peepul tree. Good idea, no?”
    Tara smiled. “ Very good idea, Suraj. A friend gave me this special shell. I’m so happy we found it.”
    â€œWhich friend?”
    â€œYou wouldn’t know him.”
    â€œWhat’s his name?”
    â€œI told you, Suraj, you don’t know him. I — er — I met him when I wandering around in the forest the time I thought you were … gone.”
    â€œAt least tell me his name.”
    â€œUm … Amay,” she said, watching him closely to see if he would figure it out.
    Suraj scrunched up his face, then shook his head.
    â€œNo, don’t know him.”
    â€œTold you,” said Tara. “Thanks for helping me find this. Now you better go back inside. It’s almost morning. I’ll give Mother a surprise and clean up the courtyard.” What she really wanted to do was to clean up the shell and try it out. It was the one thought that burned inside her, but she dared not do it in front of Suraj or anyone else.
    â€œI’ll help, too,” said Suraj. “I’m not sleepy. Should I get water from the well?”
    Tara shook her head. “Can’t go there, remember? Today we’ll have to walk all the way to Pinjaur for water.”
    Suraj’s face became serious. “Everyone will hate walking so far. And it’s so hot.”
    Tara nodded. As of this morning when people replenished their stock of drinking water, the hardship would start and they would all be blaming her, hating her. It was more important than ever that she get rid of Layla fast, before she spread any more lies or did any more damage.
    Their neighbour stepped out into her courtyard, balancing a pot on her head. Another rested against her hip.
    â€œGood morning, Poonamji,” Tara called out. “You’re up very early.”
    The only answer they got was the tinkling of Poonam’s anklets as she walked away. She did not even look in their direction when just a couple of days ago she had leaned over the low mud wall that separated their houses and passed over a steaming aloo-paratha for them to sample. She had even supported Tara when Raka had read out her punishment for desecrating the temple.
    â€œArre, Poonamji,” said Suraj running up to the wall. “Did we do something to make you mad?”
    Poonam had reached the edge of the courtyard. She looked back, glared at both of them, and walked away.
    Tara sighed as Suraj returned, his shoulders slumped. “Why won’t she talk to me? What have I done?”
    Tara looked at Suraj’s white expression and her heart ached for him. He was suffering because of her. Soon it would be the entire family.
    â€œLayla started all this,” said Suraj. “I hate her. I want her to go away and never come back.”
    For once Tara did not correct or chide him. Instead, she hugged him. “I know, Suraj. And I’m going to do something about her. Don’t you worry.”
    â€œWhat are the two of you up to?” said Parvati. She stood by the back door, stifling a yawn.
    â€œWe were looking …” Suraj started to say and Tara nudged him.
    â€œAt the sunrise,” she completed.
    Parvati looked shrewdly from one to the other. “ Sunrise ?”
    Tara casually slipped the conch into her pocket and nodded.
    â€œAnd you, too?” she asked, her eyes shifting to Suraj.
    Suraj nodded vigorously.
    Parvati raised an eyebrow. “Well if you both have finished admiring the sunrise, I suggest you come in and have breakfast. Then you’ll both have to get water from the next village. I’ll go with your father to see how best we can clean up our own well.”
    As soon as she was gone, Tara knelt in front of Suraj. “Tell no one about this conch.