वामा

Summary

The narrator, a young man in his early twenties in May 2005, worked for a man named Sachish Kaviraj, selling talismans and medicines while dressed as a holy man. He was sent to Makhampur village to collect rent from Kaviraj's in-laws' property. On the way, he was warned by locals about a dangerous area with bandits who ambush and kill travelers. Despite the warnings, he continued and was stopped by an old, muscular man named Nafar Chandra Das, who insisted he stay the night at his home for safety. The narrator agreed and was given a separate room. While cooking his meal, a woman from the household, the middle daughter-in-law named Bama, repeatedly entered the room, acting suspiciously. She eventually warned him in a low voice that the family were murderous bandits who planned to kill him that night. Terrified, the narrator was told by Bama that escape was impossible as all routes were watched. She devised a plan: he must memorize her family details—her father's name, her village, her sister's name and married home—and then pretend to be a spiritual teacher connected to her father. He was to confront the old man, using Bama's name and asking about her marriage, to prove his connection. The narrator followed her instructions, cooking and eating to avoid suspicion. When the old man brought him a betel leaf, the narrator asked about his "disciple" from Kusumpur, Bama's father, and inquired about Bama's marriage. The old man was startled and confused. He quickly left and returned with Bama, his middle son, and his wife. Bama, acting convincingly, greeted the narrator as a revered teacher, touching his feet.