Chapter 5 The dream

The sun was hot and the elderly man was working in the field brows furrowed and a scarf tied around his head. with which from time to time he wiped his sweaty face. I got out of the car and shut the door. he stopped and looked at us, as soon as he saw me the shock spread across his face. which was the same look Maqsood gave me at the train station. I looked at my hand and clothes, was something wrong with me?

"hello Dad-bakhsh I'm ashamed I hold out my hand to him, he looked at my hand surprise written all over his face his eyes wrinkled at the corners. he reluctantly shook my hand". I didn't point out his reaction toward me. he already seemed miserable working under the hot scorching sun.

" he's Amma Sai's grandson", said Anwar.

" Pardon me Sab, I didn't know it was someone from the Haveli", Dad-Baksh said apologetically.

"It's all right you don't have to be nervous or terrified of me, actually we're here for the payment', I assured him. he seemed petrified, "I know the time is due and I have to pay, and I'm already deep under debt. my daughter is getting married and I need money. I've been spending all the money on my daughter's expenses, I've no money whatsoever. Please ask Amma said to give me some time, I'll pay all the dues on time". he asked pleadingly.

I hated how I felt right now it was not my place to say something,'' how much money do you owe her and how much debt have you taken", I asked him, I just couldn't help myself from helping this man, he was too old to be doing such hard work in his field.

He seemed puzzled and looked at me gauging my reaction as if I was mocking him or something.

"20k plus usury, I know it's a lot of money but I need some time to pay it off. or else I won't have anything to feed my family". was this happening here? how could dado do something like this. she was taking usury from poor farmers because they couldn't pay for some reason. and after knowing the ridiculous price she paid them for the crops was beyond my comprehension. she was giving less than average money to them and taking a large portion of their crops. 20k was not a large sum of money but to these poor villagers, it seems like a lot I took out my wallet and gave him all the money I had with me.

" take this, and don't worry about Amma said I'll take care of her, and focus on your daughter's wedding". he seemed like he was about to cry, he dried his eyes with his scarf. '' I knew you would be just like your grandfather, after his death bad luck devoured us, our fields went dry there were no crops to harvest for three years. And Amma said didn't show any remorse she knew we didn't even have anything to eat, but she still increased the labor hour and gave us little money". I knew she was being unjust to them. God was she for real I thought she was changed after all these years, even my father didn't like her. being the only son he never came back after my mother left us. I said goodbye to him and left for Haveli, I asked Anwar not to mention anything about our interaction with Dad-bakhsh, and he promised he won't say anything.

Another round around the village was what awaken me to the problems people faced here, it was heartbreaking I knew my grandfather run this place well all these years. and was a very kind-hearted man everyone loved him. but his mysterious death left every single person in utter shock. everyone had a different story regarding his death, some said he was poisoned while some said he killed himself. but my grandmother never corrected the absurd assumptions people had. I don't know what was her motive but she for sure lacked in her only duty. which was looking after her people.

as we were passing by the village I saw a huge abandoned Haveli across the road, out of curiosity I asked Anwar about it.

" That Haveli is the only historical thing in this village, and not very famous too, he said smiling to himself. no one is concerned about it they don't have any interest other than their problems, there is no time for an old abandoned Haveli standing there God knows when. but only true historians would understand its significance, which we lack too no one knows the history behind it". I was suddenly very much intrigued by that old Haveli. it was like a hidden secret no one cared about, but had its own story and secrets hidden inside. I wanted to see it but it was getting dark and Anwar had a lot of things to do. so I let it go for this time.

by the time we reached Haveli, it got a lot darker and I felt the same pressure on my shoulders. shrugging, I ignored it and went inside. I asked Anwar to bring my dinner to my room it was late and dado was sleeping, I'm glad that she is asleep because after realizing she lacked in taking care of her people. I don't know if I could face her. and I've decided that I'll help these people in every way possible.

I went to my room took a quick shower and changed into comfortable clothes. I took out my phone to check some emails, I completely forget to use my phone here, it was like I was cut out from the real world. there was a knock on the door. I opened the door and took the tray of food from Anwar I thanked him and close the door.

after finishing my food I went to bed I hope I sleep well tonight. I was tired and after a few minutes, I was asleep.

** I was running towards the old Haveli, panting my heart hammering in my chest, the shadow was becoming thinner as I was getting closer to the Haveli. as I reached there the shadow disappeared completely. I stood there gasping for life**.

I jolted upright! it was a dream.