The Comb..

Kaali turned the comb in her hand.. the design of the goldleaf inlay on the rim of thin smooth wood bristles.. shone.. under the yellow lamp light and bright daylight from through Window grill.. she turned it up in her hair again.. smoothing the long strands.. .. long to set braids with thick ribbons. She put the comb on the shelf beneath mirror .. snuffing out the flame.. and redid her hair in single heavy braid and tied up.. " so much smooth.. " she thought looking at the comb while turning ends of the braid.. as she remembered Shambhoo.. who had given her that comb .. one of the precious item from loot .. he always gave her expensive gifts saved from loot that his gang offered him being gangster leader.. knowing well about his interest in the precious items..

Puran: Kaali .. Shambhoo is coming tonight.. his man sent word...

Kaali: calm down..

Kaali shooed her walking to her near the door where she halted.. panting.. grabbing doorjamb and holding her daughter .. little Hirni in other hand .. and took the girl from her .. walking back towards the window.. near the cot.. setting the baby on putting a cameo to play with.. as the kid gurguled happily..

Puran: what will you do.. .. now.. you have decided not to be with him.. untill he agreed to marry you..

Puran spoke hesitantly.. catching a breath... she had run straight away from the fields to give message to Kaali as soon one of Shambhoo's men went away .. giving message..

Kaali: nothing..

Puran: do we have to prepare for a few days he might stay here..

Kaali looked at her friend.. clearly she was in favour of Shambhoo.. wanting to prepare for his arrival.. and few days of stay..

She continued slowly.. " it's said that he has never been to any other woman ever since he saw you eight years back.. ".. ..

Kaali felt a forbidding.. remembering the day her village was attacked by Shambhoo and his gang.. they have looted in village as well on fields.. took hostage of three young women including herself.. of which two of his men married later and made families leaving outlaw forever.. Shambhoo had arranged their Marriage and set them up to his farms in neighbouring villages... the days had passed swiftly as his hostage.. for six months and later he had given her this house and farm.. refusing to marry her .. he had gone away .. leaving her all alone.. and come after one and half year.. in last eight years he had seen her only few times.. yet.. everyone feared him so much.. hardly anyone ever bothered with her in his absence..

Kaali: it's least likely that .. as people talk about him.. being only intrested in me..

Puran: ask him yourself then..

She got to tidy up more specifically.. getting out to cupboard fetching embroidered curtains .. and new bedding..

Kaali set on with child playing beside..

Kaali: it's been seventeen months this time.. longest.. after since i asked him for marriage.. last once.. he might have forgotten me.. perhaps he is just coming in to some of work .. and might not even come see..

She whispered brokenly..

Puran: that's what you said first time he left you after six months.. many years back when. Ahh.. . that's what you always say..

Puran continued with reset for an hour.. i will be back earlier.. well before sunset.. and follow rest..

Kaali: leave little Hirni with me.. i will take care..

Puran left with a hurrumph..

Kaali: be back soon..

She set on the edge of cot .. trembling.. starring at the little girl playing cheerfully with jingle bells..