Chapter 14: The Last Night
That raat, as soon as andhera fell, Jitendra locked the courtyard gate.
He checked taale do baar—sab jaante hain, chori aur bhoot ki kahaniyan chalti rehti hain.
Gehun was cut, makka planted.
Kal, he’d leave for kaam.
It was garmi.
The pankha groaned; outside, kutte howled at trucks.
Jitendra felt bechain.
He bathed early, sat on the bed, watching Anjali—washing bartan, cleaning Bunty, tucking him in…
She straightened her saree, tucked a baal, kept glancing at Jitendra, a shy smile.
Jitendra waited, impatient.
Finally, sab ho gaya, Bunty so gaya. Jitendra quickly carried him to the next kamra.
Last night with his wife had to be special.
He wouldn’t return till Diwali.
Anjali fussed with the calendar, circling the date, "Dekho, jaldi aana, Diwali se pehle."
When all was set, Anjali, fragrant and smiling, came through the curtain.
Her face cream’s scent drifted over, making Jitendra jump up and pull her onto the bed. She half-resisted, laughing: “Itni jaldi! Lipstick toh lagane do.”
Her laughter echoed, mixing with the raat’s chup. For a second, all dukh seemed door.