This Is Not That Dawn: Jhootha Sach

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Authors: Yashpal
Tags: Fiction, General
of Puri.
    Aware of his own feelings towards Kanak, he would try to gauge how she felt for him. Then he would feel depressed and ashamed by his unemployment and the differences in their social and economic status. To be able to stand next to her and feel her equal, he needed the firm ground of employment beneath his feet.
    Two months had now passed since his release from prison. His sixth short story had been published, and had received attention and praise like his earlier works. Editors of magazines and newspapers would ask him for his writing, but not if he needed a job. How long can I wait to be asked? he thought. Going to Kanak’s house made his own family’s poor circumstances more unbearable.
    Feeling helpless, Puri went to Dr Prabhu Dayal, who lived across from him. The doctor had moved to Bhola Pandhe’s Gali just before Puri’s imprisonment. He had passed the MBBS examination in 1942. He could have easily found a good job in the army, but owing to his nationalist feelings, he was trying to set up an independent practice. He took part in the Congress party activities and worked as an assistant to Dr Radhey Behari; he was also helping the organization to prepare for the coming elections.
    Dr Radhey Behari had written a letter to the Rent Control Office, and in spite of the wartime housing shortage, a spacious house was allotted to Prabhu Dayal at a very low rent. Dr Radhey Behari was one of the main leaders of the Congress party, and an influential member of the Punjab Legislative Assembly. Ministers in Sir Khizr Hayat’s government sought his advice. His word was considered a command in the Hindu community.
    Puri went with Prabhu Dayal to Dr Radhey Behari’s office. Prabhu Dayal introduced Puri by mentioning his loyalty to the Congress party’s programme and how he had been sent to prison for taking part in the underground movement. He also talked about Puri’s standing as a writer, and his own concern about Puri’s economic troubles. Dr Radhey Behari heard all this, and said, ‘I’ll see what I can do.’
    Prabhu Dayal took Puri to Dr Radhey Behari’s house again one afternoon, when he was alone. He repeated what he had said about Puri’s work for the Congress party, the incident of his being sent to prison, and his literary reputation, and without mincing his words said, ‘Before going to jail, he was with the socialist faction. The elections are coming, and it’ll be better if he stayed with us. Why should others benefit from his skill?’
    Dr Radhey Behari was the chairman of the board of directors of
Pairokaar
newspaper. He dictated a letter to the typist for the chief editor of
Pairokaar
, Karam Chand Kashish.
    The editor of
Pairokaar
called Puri in as soon as his arrival was announced. In spite of the importance of his position and the difference in their ages, Kashish stood up to receive him and extended his arms in welcome. After shaking Puri’s hand, he held on to it for several seconds to show his affection and respect, saying, ‘Welcome! Welcome! Please have a seat.’ He made Puri sit down before settling back in his own chair. He offered him a cigarette from his cigarette case.
    Puri did not smoke, out of deference to his father and also because he had had no chance to learn the habit. He had only smoked a couple of times before now. He lit the cigarette without hesitation and blew out the smoke. The screen of smoke will help in talking to the shrewd editor, he thought.
    Kashish asked, ‘Mister Puri, your pleasure is my command. What will you have: tea, coffee or a cold drink?’
    Puri was a bit flustered. He was not accustomed to such fine treatment except at Kanak’s place.
    ‘Please don’t bother,’ he said, ‘I don’t want anything at the moment.’
    ‘How can that be!’ Kashish protested, repeating his offer with twice the vehemence. ‘A promising and talented writer like you honours us by coming to this office, and we can’t have the good fortune of serving him tea! Well,

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