Free This Is Not That Dawn: Jhootha Sach by Yashpal Page A

sum to help the girl, whom he should regard as his sister, gain some appreciation of literature?
    After he got a little acquainted with Kanak, the idea of being in her father’s pay became unpalatable to Puri. The bitter experience of tutoring Urmila was still fresh in his memory. His feeling of self-respect overrode his need for money. He agreed to tutor Kanak occasionally on the condition that no mention of money was ever made.
    Puri began going to Gwal Mandi to tutor Kanak nearly every other day. Panditji was respected both in political and publishing-literary circles. Puri was pleased to gain entry into a well-regarded family. But he took care that neither Kanak’s family, nor his own got to know anything about his financial situation. He would dress in his best trousers and shirt while visiting them. His shoes would be polished.
    Panditji’s press and warehouse were on Kele Wali Sarak, but his own office was on the ground floor of his residence in Sadhuram’s Gali. The family’s living room was next to his office. When he finished his office work around six and sat down for tea in the living room, he would call Kanak and his youngest daughter Kanchan to join him. Kanak’s mother was quiet and withdrawn, and seldom spoke more than two sentences at a time. If all the kitchen work were over, she would begin to wash clothes. When there were no dirty clothes, she would mend the washed clothes and sew on buttons. Or she would just pick and clean enough spices, lentils and grain for grinding to last the family a month. She always seemed busy. When she did not feel well, she would lie down in the aangan, cover herself and stay there until she felt better. She refused to join the rest of her family in the living room. She belonged to a different generation and was not willing to change.
    Puri tutored Kanak in the living room. Panditji had brought up his daughters Kanta, Kanak and Kanchan in liberal tradition. They did not shut up or feel embarrassed in the company of men. When other families hired a young man to tutor their girls, an older relative would sit beside the girl to keep her company, and more to keep an eye on the male tutor. No such thing happened at Panditji’s house.
    Puri began to visit Panditji’s house not as a paid tutor, but as someone of equal standing and status, and a welcome guest. He would turn up at five or later, if that suited him. Panditji had instructed that tea should be served to him. Sometimes Panditji would join Puri and Kanak, not to keep watch, but to enjoy poetry in the Brij dialect or the works of poets from other times. He would listen intently and say
wah wah
in appreciation. Sometimeshe would compare a couplet or the lines of a Hindi poem with an Urdu sher or lines from a ghazal. This would lead to a discussion on the finer points of literature, and from there on, to current political issues, Puri’s jail experience and many other topics. Sometimes Kanak would show Puri an article or short story she had written, and ask his advice.
    Puri had been tutoring Kanak for only two weeks when the thought of seeing her in the evening began to fill his days. The memory of Urmila and the rage in his heart against women were blown away by the cultured and sophisticated behaviour of Kanak, just as earth scorched by the blazing sun of May and June is turned green and fertile by the monsoon rains. It was not that Puri had not felt attracted towards any other girl before meeting Kanak, but her company washed away even the remnants of bitter memories as the rising sun dispels the lingering mist of early dawn.
    Was there any girl who did not appear attractive in the flower of her youth! But Kanak’s charm had a special appeal. She had a glowing, light tan complexion, a slim but developed figure that made her look tall. Her easy, unselfconscious manner left a lingering impression. The prestige and status of her family made her charm and elegance appear twice as attractive to the ambition-filled heart