Chapter 3: The Man in Room No. 20
"Madam ji tea".
Komol had brought piping hot tea for me. A sip and it won me over. No wonder, people say then Assam or Asom pronounced Ahom, has one of the best tea in the world.
"Thanks Komol. Tell me who all live here."
"Madam ji you will soon find out," said Komol and before I could utter another word he ran out of my sight.
I went and closed the door while musing over the strangeness of the incident. Unable to resist the tempting comforts of the bed and the tiredness felt as an after effect of the long journey, I lied down for a short nap.
"Madam ji saab ji is calling you."
Komol's sudden shout made me jump and I almost fell off the bed. I thought I was dreaming. I heard him shout again. I washed my face, tied my hair and opened the door. I was irritated beyond words.
"Stop pacing up and down! What is the matter Komol? Why are you shouting?"
"Madam ji saab ji is calling you. He is waiting in Room No.20.
I looked across towards Room No. 20 and saw a person, probably from North East India, sitting on a cane swing.
"Your saab?" I asked Komol.
"No no madam ji, that is Saapy saab ji. mallu saab ji is calling you. Stop asking questions madam ji. Hurry up or else you have had it."
There was something in Komol's voice at that moment which prevented me from asking further questions. Signalling him to close my room, I walked towards Room No. 20.
"Good evening Sir. I have been asked to report to you."
"So...you are the newbie around here. What is your name?"
"Sir I am..."
Without even waiting for a reply, he turned towards the room and said aloud.
"Hey Mallu she has come. What is to be done???"
"Ask her to sit," a voice bellowed from inside.
"Sit."
I sat on the charpoy opposite the swing mentally imagining what kind of a person Mallu was. Saapy took this opportunity to ask me questions in rapid succession.
"What is your qualification?
"What are your hobbies?"
"What kind of books do you read?
Each time I opened my mouth to reply I saw Saapy's eyes grow wide. It was as if he was watching an alien uttering gibberish. After my reply to the third question, there was complete silence. Saapy kept swinging and I....I kept waiting.
After what seemed like eternity I heard footsteps from inside. He emerged. A (not so) tall, yet clean shaven, sour faced, dark complexioned guy. Seeing him materialize Saapy straightened up and I stood up.
"So, young lady, you do not have the courtesy to tell me you are coming," he growled.
'Who was he, King Solomon or Mark Anthony to be informed,' I thought to myself arrogantly (Yes, I am a bit of a snob but a harmless one at that!!!). Better sense prevailed.
"Sir I had already informed my immediate boss."
"Ho ho ho....her royal highness thinks herself to be a Cleopatra. Let me tell you one thing straight. I am no Cassandra and you should thank your stars that you have managed to escape my wrath for occupying a room without my permission."
Taken aback by his brazen reply like a mind reader with his reference to Cleopatra, I kept quiet not knowing what to say.
"Have you lost your tongue young lady? Go and get paper- pen to write out an application seeking accommodation here. Go on, what are you waiting for? Should I hand out paper and pen because Her Highness has come unprepared!!!!"
"I never am unprepared sir. May I go and get my stationery or should I draft my application and bring it here?"
I tried matching his sarcasm with my politeness. For a second I thought I saw his eyes brighten up, but one movement by his hand sent me scampering to my room.
Komol was right. I really was in a big soup at that point. I realized that this was only a tip of the iceberg. There certainly was more to come. Mallu or the Man in Room No 20 was in no way a friendly person. He was the Hawk waiting for an opportune moment to prance on harmless people like me!!!!
