A Ravi Day

"Get down at the first bus stand and ask for Toranagatti sir's home. Anyone will point you my home" said Sacchya. Ravi hung the phone, took a tempo. Extending a ten rupees note to the conductor, he said "One Neginahal" and had himself seated in a back seat. Both had been friends since a very long time but had never been to each other’s home. It was some kind of a ceremony in Sacchya's home and Ravi was in no position to deny his insistence. It was hardly half an hour journey. When Ravi got off at the bus stand, the day was approaching 1200hrs. There were shops around, a flag pole in the middle. Few people stood talking in the shade. A man, bright and shine, stood to wait for a bus near the flag pole. Around 40, brown, the white attire of his was quite an impression amidst the usual setting of the place. Ravi thought of asking him for the address. As he approached him, he could see a golden chain around the neck, that was clearly showcased to poke the eyes of people. The pomp of his patriotism was visible on his shirt pocket in the form of a tiny tricolor badge. Clear attributes of a landlord Ravi thought. In a decent tone, Ravi asked the person, "Sir, where's Toranagatti sir's home?" He took a good look at Ravi. Re-adjusted his buccal cavity; to gather some space for words amidst his beetle juice. "Just beside the overhead tank," he said pointing at a faint trail of a road. Ravi took the road. After he walked down for a short while, he saw Sacchya standing in front of a house. Sacchya took him inside saying 'no one is in the home’; everyone has gone to the temple. "Such a big house! What are you a landlord..? Must be having quite an acreage of land too?" Said Ravi in a funny yet awed tone. With a faint smile, Sacchya said "Some twenty-five to thirty acres I suppose". Rolling his eyes with a sigh, Ravi asked, ”All on the lease ?" As he knew Sacchya's father is a teacher. "My uncle used to manage it all. Now that he passed away last month...will have to see.." Sacchya said, looking at the front wall.... Following his gaze, Ravi was asking him about what happened to the uncle when Sacchya got up saying, "Wait, I'll bring tea..." Ravi was no more paying attention to Sacchya. His eyes were fixated on the wall. Specifically on a photo frame. There was a Garland around it. The gold chain....the tricolor badge... the white dress...the man.. Ravi had a stroke like an ache in his heart. He looked around, Sacchya was coming with a cup of tea. Instinctively, Ravi's gaze searched for Sacchya's feet..."Did he have six fingers all these times?" He said to himself. But that wasn’t the concern… he was feeling the presence of a third person.