The more deeply Rama became entangled in Zohra's net of love, the more the police officials lost their doubts about him. The restrictions imposed upon him gradually began to loosen. One day, when the deputy sahib went out for an evening drive, he even took Rama along in the motorcar. When the motorcar passed in front of Devi Din's shop, Rama drew his head so far inside that no one could see him. He was extremely curious to know whether Jalpa was there or had left, but he could not bring himself to stick his head out. In his heart he still felt that the path he had chosen was not a very good one, but even knowing this, he did not want to abandon it. Whenever he saw Devi Din, his head automatically bowed in shame; he could not justify his conduct by any argument. He thought that the best course for him was to stop meeting and associating with these people. In that city, apart from three people, he knew no one whose criticism or contempt he feared.
The motorcar was driving around toward Howrah Bridge when suddenly Rama saw a woman coming up from the ghats with a vessel of Ganges water balanced on her head. Her clothes were very dirty, and she was so thin that the weight of the vessel seemed to press down her neck. Her walk seemed somewhat like Jalpa's. He thought, "What would Jalpa be doing here?" But in a moment the car moved farther forward, and Rama saw the woman's face. His heart gave a start. It was Jalpa herself. He hid his head beside the window and looked carefully. There was no doubt—it was Jalpa. But how weak she had become! As though she were an old, orphaned woman. There was none of that radiance, none of that beauty, none of that liveliness, none of that pride. Rama was not heartless. His eyes filled with tears. Jalpa in this condition, while I am still alive! Surely Devi Din must have driven her out, and she must be earning her living as a wandering worker. No, Devi Din was not so hard-hearted. Jalpa herself must have refused to remain dependent on him. She was proud by nature. How could he know what had happened?
The motorcar had already gone far away. All Rama's restlessness and love of pleasure had disappeared. The image of the sorrowful Jalpa, clad in dirty clothes, stood before his eyes. Whom could he tell? What could he say? Who was there that belonged to him? If he merely mentioned Jalpa's name, everyone would be startled, and then they would stop him from leaving the house altogether. Oh! How deep the shadow of grief had been upon Jalpa's face, how much despair in her eyes! Ah, in those narrowed eyes, how many sighs seemed to be beating their heads against the bars, rising from a burning heart, as though laughter had never touched them, as though the bud had withered before it could ever bloom. After some time Zohra came, strutting, smiling, swaying, but today Rama remained withdrawn even from her.
Zohra asked, "Are you thinking of someone today?" Saying this, she put her soft, round, butter-like arm around his neck and drew him toward her. Rama made no resistance at all. He laid his head against her breast, as though this were now his only refuge. In a voice steeped in tenderness, Zohra asked, "Tell me truly, why are you so sad today? Are you angry with me about something?"
Rama said in a trembling, impassioned voice, "No, Zohra—you have shown me so much kindness, I will always remain grateful to you. You supported me at a time when the broken boat of my life was being tossed about and sinking; those days are the happiest days of my life, and I will always cherish their memory in my heart. But misfortune draws unfortunate people toward itself again and again! Even the bond of love cannot prevent them from being drawn in that direction. The condition in which I saw Jalpa is piercing my heart like spears. Today she was wearing torn, dirty clothes and carrying a vessel of Ganges water on her head. Seeing her in that condition broke my heart into pieces. I have never felt such sorrow in my life. Zohra, I cannot even say what she must be going through."
Zohra asked, "She was staying at that old wealthy butcher's house, wasn't she?"
Ramanath said, "Yes, she was, but I cannot say why she left. The inspector sahib was with me. I could not even ask her anything in front of him. I know that if she had seen me, she would have turned her face away and perhaps considered me contemptible, but at least I would have learned why she is in this condition now. Zohra, whatever you may think of me in your heart, I am comforted by the thought that you love me. And from those who love us, we expect at least some sympathy. There is not a single person here to whom I can tell anything of what is in my heart. You too were sent here to bring me back onto the right path, but you took pity on me. Perhaps you did not think it right to kick a fallen man. If you and I were to quarrel for some reason today, would you tomorrow, seeing me in trouble, not feel even the slightest sympathy for me? If you saw me starving, would you treat me no better than a person treats a dog? I do not expect that from you. Where love has once taken root, indifference and detachment may arise, but the feeling of violence cannot arise. Would you have no sympathy for me at all, Zohra? If you wish, you can find out everything about Jalpa—where she is, what she is doing, what she thinks of me, why she does not go home, how long she intends to stay here. If somehow you can persuade Jalpa to go to Prayag, Zohra, I will remain your slave for life. I cannot bear to see her in this condition. Perhaps I will run away from here tonight. I am not afraid at all of what may happen to me. I am not brave; I am a very weak man. Whenever danger stands before me, my courage always fails. But even my shamelessness cannot bear this wound."
Zohra was a courtesan; she had encountered all kinds of men, good and bad. Her eyes were experienced in judging men. She saw a great difference between this young stranger and other men. At first she too had come here as a slave to money, but within two or four days her heart had begun to feel drawn toward Rama. Mature women cannot disregard affection. Rama had many faults, but he did possess affection. In this life, this was the first man Zohra had met who had opened his heart before her, who had kept nothing hidden from her. She did not want to lose such a jewel of affection. His words aroused not the slightest jealousy in her; rather, a selfish sympathy arose in her heart. She could please this young man, who was so guileless in matters of love, and make him her slave forever. She had no fear of Jalpa. However beautiful Jalpa might be, Zohra could make her seem pale beside her through her artistry, her gestures, and her skill. She had previously reduced many great beauties to tears; then what was Jalpa compared with them?
To encourage him, Zohra said, "Then why do you grieve so much over this, dear? Zohra is ready to do everything for you. Tomorrow itself I will find out where Jalpa is, and if she wishes to remain here, I will arrange everything for her comfort. If she wants to go, I will send her by train."
Rama said very humbly, "If only I could meet her once, the burden on my heart would be lifted."
Zohra said anxiously, "That will be difficult, dear! Who will let you leave here?"
Ramanath said, "Think of some way."
Zohra said, "I will have her stand in the park. You go there with the deputy sahib and meet her on some pretext. I cannot think of anything else."
Rama was just about to say something when the daroga called out, "May I too have permission to enter this private chamber?"
The two straightened themselves and opened the door. The daroga came in smiling, sat beside Zohra, and said, "Why is it so quiet here today! Is the treasury empty today? Zohra, fill a glass for me with your henna-colored hand."
Ramanath said, "Brother, don't be angry." He added somewhat sharply, "Please leave it for now, Daroga Sahib. You look as though you have already been drinking."
The daroga took Zohra's hand and said, "Just one glass, Zohra—and one more thing: accept my hospitality today!"
Rama changed his expression and said, "Daroga Sahib, leave this place now. I cannot tolerate this."
The daroga looked at him with intoxicated eyes and said, "Have you obtained a deed for the place?"
Rama said sharply, "Yes, I have obtained a deed!"
The daroga said, "Then your deed is cancelled!"
Ramanath said, "I am telling you, leave this place."
The daroga said, "Oh! Now even a frog has caught a cold! Why wouldn't it? Come, Zohra—let him keep babbling here."
Saying this, he took Zohra by the hand and tried to get her up. Rama jerked his hand away and said, "I have already told you, leave this place. Zohra cannot leave at this moment. If she goes, I will drink the blood of both you and her. Zohra is mine, and as long as I am alive, no one can even raise his eyes toward her."
Saying this, he seized the daroga by the hand, pushed him outside the door, and shut it firmly, sliding the bolt into place. The daroga was a powerful man, but at that moment intoxication had made him weak. Standing outside in the veranda, he began hurling abuses and kicking at the door.
Rama said, "If you say so, shall I go and throw the wretch down from the veranda? The son of a devil!"
Zohra said, "Let him abuse you. He will go away on his own."
Ramanath said, "He's gone."
Zohra said delightedly, "You did very well to throw that pig out. He would have taken me away and caused trouble. Would you really have killed him?"
Ramanath said, "I would have taken his life. I was not myself at that moment. I do not know where such strength came from in me then."
Zohra said, "And what if he does not let me come here from tomorrow?"
Ramanath said, "Who? If he causes even the slightest trouble in the meantime, I will shoot him. Look, there is a pistol lying on the shelf. You are mine now, Zohra! I have sacrificed everything I possess at your feet, and I can be satisfied only by possessing everything that is yours. You are mine, and I am yours. No third woman or man has any right to come between us as long as I am alive."
Zohra's eyes were shining. She put her arms around Rama's neck and said, "Don't say such a thing, dear!"