Page 101 - Train to Pakistan

at the policemen’s quarters. In the other cell, Malli and his companions lay
sprawled on the floor talking to each other. They got up as the head constable

and three policemen with rifles entered carrying handcuffs. Juggut Singh took no
notice of the policemen going into the adjoining cell. He thought that Malli was
probably being taken to court for a hearing.

Malli had been shaken by Juggut Singh’s outburst. He was frightened of
Juggut Singh and would sooner have made peace on the other’s terms than go
about in fear of violence—for Jugga was the most violent man in the district.

Juggut Singh’s abuse had made that impossible. Malli was the leader of his own
band and felt that after Jugga’s insults he had to say something to regain his
prestige in the eyes of his companions. He thought of several nasty things he

could have said, if he had known that Juggut Singh was going to return his offer
of friendship with abuse. He felt hurt and angry. If he got another chance he
would give it back to Jugga, abuse for abuse. Iron bars separated them and in

any case there were armed policemen about.
The policemen handcuffed Malli and his companions and linked all the
handcuffs to one long chain attached to a constable’s belt. The head constable

led them away. Two men armed with rifles kept the rear. As they emerged from
their cell, Jugga looked up at Malli and then looked away.
‘You forget old friends,’ said Malli with mock friendliness. ‘You don’t even

look at us and we pine away for you.’
His companions laughed. ‘Let him be. Let him be.’
Jugga sat still with his eyes fixed on the ground.

‘Why are you so angry, my dear? Why so sad? Is it somebody’s love that
torments your soul?’
‘Come along, keep moving,’ said the policemen reluctantly. They were

enjoying the scene.
‘Why can’t we say Sat Sri Akal to our old friend? Sat Sri Akal, Sardar Juggut
Singhji. Is there any message we can convey for you? A love message maybe?

To the weaver’s daughter?’
Jugga kept staring through the bars as if he had not heard. He turned pale with

anger. All the blood drained from his face. His hands tightened around the iron
bars.
Malli turned round to his smiling companions. ‘Sardar Juggut Singh seems a
little upset today. He will not answer our Sat Sri Akal. We do not mind. We will