The Sheep
- Part 3 -

By Nameirakpam Bobo Meitei *

After a prolonged struggle the words come out ' Yes! Yes! What makes you doubt that?'

'What makes you think you have the right to deny people of food and medical supplies? Why would you snatch others' things?

They aren't yours, they belong to them and looting is a crime.

What did you get from your new faith? You talked highly of that and according to what I know the revealed faith doesn't talk about stealing, starving people to death, stealing and dragging people like hounds, instead it talks about practical compassion and sharing what you have with others.

I'm not a religious man but I find reading all kinds of book interesting. I have read both the Old and New testaments. I take interest in other faiths as well. I just want to understand, you know.'

When I have stopped his face is completely red and the tremor over his body is seen.

After another cigarette he says he wants to sit on the floor of the train. So, we sit and this time I ask him what he is going to do if the Chief doesn't want him to work with him since armed people are always full of suspicion.

He tries to defend the Chief and before he has finished he has been ditched by his words, perhaps the words are no match to the charismatic Chief or perhaps his mental faculty has failed him.

He talks again, but about his life as though the big thing about the Chief has all of sudden become a remote thing , 'I really have to find a way out, don't want to be stuck here.'

'Where do you want to go?' I put to him.

'May be the States or Belfast, you know my friends who were with me in school went to study theology and I went to some sh@tty city to study political science. They all are in the States working for various churches, and look at me am here on this shitty train. I'll speak to some influential priests, they will surely help me.'

His face shines with a glow as though the future he desires is waiting for him.

'Why migrate to another country? You could be at home helping your people. What do you think?' I ask.

'Money talks, brother. You work there for some years and return home they will treat you like God.'

He chuckles 'Who are this 'they'? The unified people? What would you be doing there? Picking tomatoes or working in a fast-food restaurant?'

I want him to tell me what he exactly has got in his mind. 'No! No! Do I look like the kind of person who will pick up a job like that? I'll surely be a first-rater there, man. You don't know me. I want to do a job wearing nice suit and going to church every day after work. I know only those North Indians who migrate to the West always end up like that. Not me, brother.'

He displays the desire to explain what he could be doing in the West but he hasn't been able to describe the life in big cities, what he has half-described is what he has picked up from films and magazines.

When the train stops at his station he says I should pay him a visit in his city, he says 'Our family live in a castle-like house. If you come you would have a swanky bedroom to yourself with couple of maids. This is my number, call me when you want to come. If you come by plane I'll have you chauffeured from the airport.'

Few months later I check whether I could fly to his city. There is one bus terminal and a military helipad.

My call is answered by a lady and said I should call back in the evening because the man's family live in another village and she has to send a messenger to tell him that someone called.

I recall him vividly.

*** Concluded.....: