Kato was a poor farmer who could hardly make both ends meet. He had not been feeling well for a couple of days and so that day he decided to take off from going to the field and instead work in his small yard where he had planned to grow spinach. He was looking forward to earn some cash through this venture.
No sooner had he started his work, a convoy of vehicles with red and blue beacons echoing back and forth whizzed near his house. The police then immediately swarmed the entire area within no time. He thought to himself what he might have done that the police have come to arrest him. He literally had no idea what this fuss was all about. He started to sweat from head to toe out of fear. He remembered having a brawl with his friend the other night but this couldn’t be the reason, he thought.
Just then, a man well-clad in suits came out of the white SUV. Kato tried hard to remember the man’s face but he couldn’t. He was struck with awe and before he could say anything, the man threw open his arms and came forward to hug Kato. The man gave Kato a tight bear hug and introduced himself as his cousin ‘Bokavi’. As soon as Kato heard those words, his face turned pale. Bokavi was the local MLA and Kato hadn’t seen him for over 20 years. His cousin had changed so much that he could hardly recognize him. The last time he went to meet Bokavi was five years back. He had set out for hunting to kill some games for his cousin. He even made traps to catch fresh fish from the river. After getting everything in order, he set out to meet his cousin Bokavi who lived in the City. It took him two days to reach Bokavi’s house and after a painstaking journey, the luck didn’t favor him. He could not meet his Cousin. He was told that Bokavi had gone to Delhi to attend some important meeting and he wouldn’t be back for a month. Feeling frustrated, he sold the things he brought for his cousin in the market and returned home. Ever since he has not made any attempt to meet Bokavi.
There was complete silence for about a minute and then Bokavi broke the silence by saying,
“Areeee, ithazu (brother), won’t you invite me inside your house”?
“Oh, yes, please this way,” Kato remarked.
He led Bokavi to the Veranda where he called out to his wife Senti to bring two chairs. Their house had just one room which included their living room, bedroom, and a kitchen. This was the typical villager’s house. He had been thinking of making a separate kitchen but his savings were not enough so he had to temporarily keep aside this idea. Nevertheless, he had already set up the structure.
“So how has life been? It’s been a long time!” exclaimed Bokavi.
Yes, it’s been long. You know how village life is, Ithazu”, “This year, the harvest has not been good and we’re going through a hard time”.
“Well, you don’t have to worry anymore, I’m here to help you”. Bokavi responded.
Although I’ve not been able to visit you all personally, I keep myself updated about the well-being of my people. Now that I’m here, I’ll set things in order.
“I’m so glad you came to see me”, said, Kato feeling quite relieved.
Meanwhile, Kato’s wife Senti who was busy in the kitchen came out and served them tea. She was quite nervous. Never had she welcomed such big guest in her house. She arranged the tea on the table and went back into the kitchen.
By this time, the news had spread like wildfire that the MLA had come to their village and the Village Chief along with his two Council members also came to Kato’s house.
“Hello, Sir, it is a pleasure to meet you. Quite a surprise!” said the Village Chief in a loud tone and shook hands with the MLA.
Bokavi, replied back in a very depressing voice as was his 'wont'.
“Lately, I came to know that my people are facing some trouble, so I decided to come and meet you all. I was just about to visit you as well. But I’m glad you’ve come here”.
“So, tell me, how is the progress of the Village gate construction”? Bokavi enquired.
The villagers had recently embarked on building a new Village gate and Bokavi was funding most of the requirements. Bokavi was a man of great wit and he had started the conversation with the village elders by specifically choosing this topic to further his interest.
The Village Chief without wasting any time replied back,“Well, with your blessings, Sir, the construction is going in full swing”,“We owe you a lot”.
“Ahhh, that is my Job,” Bokavi said with a serious face, “And if you have any more problems, please do not hesitate to tell me”.
Kato interrupted by saying, “As I was saying Ithazu, this year, due to the poor harvest, the villagers are facing a lot of trouble”.
“Yeees, Sssiiir, weee’re reeaaaally heelpleees”, stammered one of the Council members.
Ok, I’ll definitely look into it”, said Bokavi with a grin on his face.
Interestingly, after the demonetization of Rs.500 and 1000 notes, Bokavi had been touring his constituency and offering help to the villagers by giving loan to the villagers without any interest. He had stashed large cash in his house and he had been thinking of ways to dispose them off when suddenly this thought came to his mind. By giving loans to the villagers in terms of some few thousand, he would eventually get them back in white money.
Bokavi pretended to have empathy for the villagers and continued...
“Hmmm, I can imagine how much the villagers are suffering, but I’m also in a fix due to the demonetisation of 500 and 1000 rupee notes. However, having vowed to look after my people, I cannot remain a mute spectator whilst my people are suffering. So, I will give loan to the villagers without any interest. But I’ll have to give you the cash in old notes”.
“But, Sir, the old notes are not in use anymore. What will we do with that? Said the Chief, who was quite surprised.
“Do you not watch news”? Exclaimed Bokavi.
“There is only a handful who have TV in our village and we hardly get time to watch TV” said Kato.
“Ok, no problem, I’ll explain everything in detail”, said Bokavi and he told them how much they can deposit in their account and how much they can withdraw in a day.
After a lengthy explanation, Bokavi asked the Village Chief if he is in favor of the proposal.
“Definitely, Sir,” said the Chief with a beaming face. “We’re so glad to have you as our MLA”.
“We’ll take your leave, Sir, I’ll make sure to inform the villagers about this great plan”.
The Village Chief and the council members stood up, shook hands with the MLA, thanked him for his generosity and left.
“Wow, Ithazu, you’re such a noble man”, said Kato who was too naive to understand politics.
“I’ve always thought otherwise of you, please forgive me”.
“Why are you saying like that? Ithazu", said Bokavi and comforted Kato by saying, “It’s actually my fault. Being the eldest, I have not been able to take good care of my family. But you know, once you’re into politics, life becomes very busy”.
“Yes, yes, I can understand that,” said Kato gleaming with joy.
Bokavi then stood up from his chair and told Kato that he would like to take a stroll around his house.
Kato pointing to his yard proudly showed Bokavi his yard where he had planned to grow spinach. Bokavi’s eyes gazed upon the incomplete Kitchen and enquired about it. Kato told him that he had not been able to complete it due to insufficient money.
“Consider it done. I’ll ensure it gets completed by this month” said Bokavi.
“Are you kidding me? Ithazu, Kato couldn’t believe what he just heard.
He hugged Bokavi and thanked him.
Just then, Bokavi’s Personal Secretary interrupted and told his boss that he had an important call to attend. Bokavi took Kato’s leave and attended the call. After some few minutes, Bokavi came back and told Kato that he had to leave for an emergency meeting. They both hugged each other, bid farewell and Bokavi left for the city. Before leaving, Bokavi promised to give One Lakh rupees to Kato and in return he had to monitor the loan process.
Kato and his wife waved goodbye to Bokavi. They thanked God for such immense blessings.
As the convoy left and the dust settled, Bokavi once again managed to befool the people through his cunning tactics and Kato and the ignorant villagers became victims of an unsuspecting criminal shrouded in sheep’s skin.
Disclaimer: The names used in the story are purely fictional and bears no relation to living persons.
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