The Central Market Yard—the thieves' market that thrived in the dark. With the partial sun shining sparingly upon the long, cluttered road with shackles and huts populated on both sides, a strange inactivity was cast upon the people as if the shadow of a doomed specter had kept them from active labor. All seemed taxed and spent. Spent were the beggarly clients who teetered the dingy lane looking for cheaper bargains. Spent were the sellers who lazily lounged upon the wooden cots full of scattered articles, bellowing out a lazy offer. Spent employees of the roaring rubber factory hardly worked, made dull and dismal by the daily measure of ashes they absorbed and appearing as if they had been roasted on the furnace that blazed inside. Tellers of loan offices slept at the counters. Keepers of phone booths slept in their cabins. Lane after lane, street after street, block after block, a dull air seemed to have prevailed, for all waited eagerly for the factory to shut up operations and darkness to cover them fully. And when the evening wore on, and the roaring of the factory terminated, a sudden uprising took shape upon these spent dimensions of the street. And the life that for so long had been abandoned to inactivity was restored to its usual hurry, for the doomed specter had departed, fearing what must now follow.
Soon, a change was hurled. Tellers left their windows and were at their cots. Booth owners abandoned their cabins and were at their cots. Factory workers left their furnaces and were at their cots. Buyers were charged up. Sellers were charged up. Idlers were charged up. Deceivers were charged up. People, who have long rested in their houses, emerged from their dungeons and were charged up. The market sped up, the buzz was restored, the tide of trade rolled back and forth, and forgery and deceit flourished. In no time, there was commotion and rampage, for the hour had arrived, and the thieves' market was open.
There was confusion and chaos all around. Bicycles, tempos, carriages, and rickshaws scraped and pressed each other, honked at each other, and dashed each other. People thronged in the narrow gallows and corners of the swollen street, walking atop each other and trampling little children on their way. Traders, woodworkers, porters, mechanics, grocers, and masons abandoned their businesses and opened their crafty eyes to spot a prey. And then, there were wailing and whispering, fright and fatigue, dread and delusions, sighs and cries. But to the people glancing down from their balconies and grinning black teeth at those who fell into the potholes and were forgotten thereafter, it was quite a sinister amusement for their roasted and rusty lives.
Made sufficiently black and disgusted, David and Ana walked the street hand in hand, being pushed this side and pulled that side, stumbling at vehicles and trampling on roadblocks, coughing at chilli and coriander, sneezing at spices and mint, and peering over men (dark like themselves) to look for the giant gate from under which to arrive at a cleaner side of the market. Having walked through the sea of common people, they found the giant gate before them. And with great trepidation, they crossed to the other side and arrived at a shop labelled 'Woodcraft.'
'Good day to you, Ravi Uncle,' Ana greeted the shop owner.
But the man did not respond, rendered cross and grumpy by his ferocious bellowing. He tapped his head madly as if to draw out a cheap tactic to lure people into his sale. With his vest pulled up tight at his loose belly, which almost fell over his thighs and being affixed somewhat unevenly to his stool with no legs, he went about his business, smashing his cane like a music conductor to draw customers. But, having learnt that no furious summons can bring forth a respectable trade and that people are only scared away by such undertakings, he turned his attention to the guests.
'Good day to you, Miss.' He said to Ana. 'I'm sorry for taking so long. It's been a rather busy day for us here. You've come a long way today. I'm seeing you after two long years.'
He beheld their clothes and drew in a long breadth.
'Reaching me must have been tough, for I see you are clothed with ashes. Ha ha. Tell me how you have been doing?'
'I do well, uncle.' Ana answered, coughing gently. 'I hope you do well, too.'
'Quite well,' he answered. 'In terms of business, I am still struggling. The trade is not quite like what I had at the Civic Center. Work is hard here, and I'm trying to get on. But I hope to see myself prosper in a few years. In terms of health, however,' he said with a flushed face, 'I've grown and become big, as you can see. And therefore, I don't mind the loss of business. I feel as healthy as any man with a flourishing business. What do you say? Am I not capable enough to charm anyone?'
'Rather,' answered Ana sharply. 'You look slim and weak. It seems you've been eating in moderation.'
'Moderation!' The man replied. 'Sorry, Miss. I do not possess such traits. I can't limit myself in matters of food. But yes, I confess to having gained some control over it. I've come down to only five full meals a day. And that helps. I feel lighter and healthier. So, then? What services can I offer you today? And whom do we have here? A boy with a blackened face?'
And when David had cleared his throat and coughed, he added,
'And perhaps also with a blackened lung? Ha ha.'
David was embarrassed, but he only offered a hesitant smile.
'But don't worry boy,' the man continued. 'Everyone who arrives here for the first time feels this way. But I can give you a remedy.' He drew close to him and whispered in his ears. 'A cigarette can greatly help, Sir. It can draw much of the black smoke out. I do it all the time. It keeps me quite charged for the whole day.'
As David began to consider the proposal simply because he was too new to have any suspicions about his ways, the man clarified that he said this only for good humor and that the suggestion was not to be taken seriously.
'It's all quite terrible,' said Ana after the man had settled. 'Why appoint yourself here, Uncle? There are many other places you can go to. Do you find enough customers?'
'Be sure I have many places, Annie,' returned the man. 'And I can walk any length to earn a healthy living. But this is the ideal place for me. As for finding customers, there are enough to promise me a handsome measure of grains every night. Besides, the kind of price I sell my things at, it's important that I keep myself away from my old challengers, lest they kill me for eating up their businesses. I'm lucky to have found this place. I have no competitors here. As you can see, I'm the only one selling furniture among spice-sellers. I propose my price as the base and add and reduce it as it befits me. I see no competition as a result. My business is safe, Miss. And in case I feel threatened,' he pointed at the group of idle men staring at them, 'they have their eyes on me. Those are my guardian angels. As long as I have them for my guards, nothing can go wrong with me here.'
'Why do you need them?' asked Ana.
'To take care of my enemies. A market is a place of more envy than friendship. But I've taken care of that. I should say I'm well protected from my adversaries.'
'Do you pay them?'
'A rather large sum, Miss,' he asserted with a proud smash of his stick. 'I pay them, and they protect me. They keep me safe, and I take care of their expenses. They mean gain, and I mean protection. All give and take. I don't ruin myself with charity, nor do they. They understand my needs, and I understand theirs. That's the rule. You either be a philanthropist or pay people and use them for your gains. I suggest the latter to be more useful. This is business, my girl. You must be prudent before anyone else is. So, Sir.' He turned to David. 'I see you cough less now. It means you have recovered, without a cigarette, of course. Ha ha.'
'I'm well, Sir.' David answered.
'I should think so, indeed. So, may I now know what purpose has brought you here? And how do you know her, the daughter of my oldest friend? Who is she to you?'
'A friend, Uncle,' returned Ana sharply.
'I quite see that,' he answered, immediately turning around to address a client in the same breadth.
'Stay there, Sir!' He said, smacking his table with his cane for a ferocious emphasis. 'Examine whether you want to buy, and only then set foot in.'
Threatened by his conduct, the customer darted away and never looked back.
'You see the real motive,' said the man, shifting the address back to Ana and David. 'He came not to buy, for he was in princely clothing. He only came to observe and leave. That's why I chased him away. These well-dressed people are useless to petty traders like me, for they are but silly deceivers. They either waste my time or bring me down to the lowest bargain, leaving me with little or no profits. He is a wretched, wealthy man. I often see him going from shop to shop every week. But he has never left with his bags full at dusk. Such men ought not to buy. They only bargain, find the rates, and leave us confused. In the end, no penny's worth of business is accomplished. That's why, Miss, I say to you. Don't be after them well-dressed. And this may apply to the world in general. The wealthy need more wealth but profit no one but themselves. It's the impoverished and badly off I seek to prey on. It's these people with low incomes that are to my profit. They earn, spend, save not, and have great dreams of luxury in their eyes. They are, therefore, easily tempted and deceived. It's this great want that ruins them. Pardon me for saying this. But that's the world we live in. But you must not concern yourself too much, for I know you are a sensible girl. I know how well Tony has taught you. Talking about him, I hope he does well.'
'Bettering,' Ana replied with a sad face.
'I'm glad to hear that,' answered the man. 'It's been ages since I spoke to him. He was a good friend to me. We had some great fun together.' He pointed at the far end of the street. 'Do you see that chamber there? That's where we used to spend the evening. I was a wretch then. Thankfully, I have no such missions now. What about him? I hope he is not as determined as he was earlier?'
'I'm afraid he still is, Uncle. And that's bothering me.'
'I'm saddened to hear that. I hope he recovers soon before it's too late.'
The mourning rendered Ana thoughtful. But it scarcely affected the man—the great whack of the cane and the fierce shriek at a lady hovering about his store proved that.
'Leave, Miss!' He issued. 'Off you go to never return. I've had my eyes on you for a long time. You've been going around the stores for quite a while. But you still haven't purchased an item worth a penny. It implies you have been sly in your movements and inspections as though you were a seller. Spare me, therefore, any trouble of assisting you. I have no room for such engagements, for I can never profit from them. I'd rather have my store shut down than discuss options at a loss.'
The address shifted back to Ana again, and the subject was reinstated.
'Sorry, my dear girl. It's a rather bad day for me. What were we speaking about?'
'Papa,' answered Ana.
'Indeed,' said the man. 'I feel sad that he lives his life the old way.'
'Yes, Uncle. But I can do little about it. He does not listen to me.'
'It's not your fault,' returned the man. 'Nor it is his, for I know what caused this. I was with him in his house on that cold evening. It was quite a terrible night. But let's not get into that. That's a different story and a rather painful one. For now, let's stick to the business at hand. So, this boy! The young man with darkened lungs! What can I do for you?'
'He comes to buy some furniture,' answered Ana.
'Of course,' said the man, delighted by the prospects. 'That's an ordeal to my benefit. I can't let go of it now. So, boy! What shall you have? Tell me what you have in mind. I assure you I will never leave you disappointed. But are there no stores in town that you come here?'
'No good options, Uncle,' answered David. 'I was nearly deceived. The salesman almost tricked me into buying stolen lots. He was a man of forgery.'
'To my heart!' exclaimed the man. 'To this have we arrived? I always knew the city walls hid a lot of filth. But forget that now. You are at the right place. Tell me the type and color. And I'll have my options ready for you. And do not be anxious. I always treat my customers well, saving when they rob my time with worthless bargains.'
With these words, he drew a long stick and pushed the glass door open. Then, pulling David by the shirt, he flung him inside the store. And he fell on his head like a lousy dart on a wooden lot of waste.
'Choose it to your liking.' He commanded, pulling the door shut. 'But, dare if you return with nothing chosen and only a bargain to offer. I prefer to keep my store shut than entertain such people. You've seen how I treat them. Dare if you arrive at nothing!'
After briefly examining and picking out the most slender, attractive, light, and reasonable of the lot—and threatened by the man's daunting display of affection by many smashes discharged outside—David drew forth a few items and began to examine them at length. He knocked on the wood, sprung on the cushions, and scratched the fabric. And while he was still confused, Ana walked in.
'Quite remarkable.' She said, pointing at the sofa. 'I have something similar in my house. I think this should suit your room's bright walls and red curtains. A black centre table would go perfectly with it.'
'But it looks quite expensive,' remarked David anxiously.
'It ought to be, Sir. He's here to make profits. But don't worry. He has known my father for years and is a trusted partner in our business. I'm sure he can make a reasonable bargain for you.'
Shortly afterward, the cabin doors were pushed open, and the man cried out.
'A choice made well, gentleman! A magnificent three-seat couch! That's Kendalwood, Sir, in case you're not aware. One of the best in the country. From chest to study tables—it is used for everything. Come out, and let's have a deal.'
Commanding them to clear away so he could see the chosen article, the man examined the couch and softly murmured something. Then drawing a booklet from under his seat and a pen from behind his ears, he started to scribble something.
'A three-seater holstered by a red velvet coverlet.' He mumbled to himself. 'And a spare cushion cover. That makes it….'
During his arithmetic, he often found space to address those who stopped by and exclaimed,
'Kendalwood, Sir! Just sold one out. Here's the lucky young man. Check it out once. He's done it, and so can you. Let this be an offer. Madam. Please have a look. You too, Sir. Wait. Don't leave just yet.'
In his earnestness, the man must have desired to start after his prospective clients. But disappointed by his fixed position, he could only do as much to return to his mathematics.
'I almost had them,' said the man, restoring his gaze to his calculations. 'They were perfect. They appeared beggarly and in want. But, I'm afraid,' he laughed, shaking his head, 'I'm too old for any chase. Ha ha. Here's your deal, Miss.' He gave the quotation to Ana. 'Be pleased by what you have been offered. Tell me the address. Let's hurry and close the deal before he changes his mind.'
But Ana studied the quotation and at once contested.
'This looks too high, Uncle. Can this not be reduced, please? We've been dealing with you for so many years. And we intend to remain committed to you. Besides, he's newly arrived and has hardly earned to spend this amount. He's just setting himself up.''
'Kendalwood, my child!' The man nodded his refusal with his eyes shut. 'Better than anything else these days. I'm compelled to charge him this amount. If I don't, I'd be at a great loss for the week. Besides, this is the best on offer these days. Look at the make and colour. The texture, too. Choice wood, I say. And Lo! What fragrance it has! This is sure to make your home colourful and lively. Besides, it does not rot like other furniture. I can guarantee it will outlive both of you by many years. All this for a mere eighteen thousand. Isn't it a fair deal? Think about it.'
'Understandable, Uncle,' protested Ana, undeterred. 'But, this is too high for us. Let our friendship and business benefit us today. Nine and a half is what I quote, Uncle. For our good relations?'
'Eleven and a half after discounts, Miss, for the same reason?' The man replied.
'Ten and a half, Uncle?'
'From eighteen to ten,' the man mumbled to himself. 'That's a rather heavy drop for a man who measures every relation by profits.'
Though he measured the loss in his mind and was dissatisfied, seeing the bleak prospects of the trade, he fiercely snatched the paper away from Ana and bent down over it to scribble something on it again.
'As you say,' said he, returning the tally. 'I've made adjustments for our sake and our posterity. Ten and a half for our relations and friendship. Not a penny less. Not a penny more. Be pleased. So, should this be your address?'
'Yes, Sir,' returned David cheerfully.
'Alright.' He replied, depositing the pen behind his ears. 'This is settled. We'll get this dispatched soon. Nothing more to be said.'
The declaration was accompanied by a fierce whip on the table as a sign that the trade was finally sealed.
'Always at your service, Miss,' said the man after Ana had thanked him. 'Come back again. And remember your promise. Bring me more of such lost men. I'd be glad to assist them. Do not worry about the price. And you,' he addressed David, 'my friend with a blackened lung. Speak to others about my generosity. Tell them what you've got and what I can offer you. Check the brochure I gave you. It has my details. Now you can go home peacefully while I arrange for the dispatch.
It was near evening after the successful commerce was executed. Walking past the gate along the black, dismal street, where the dread of another day seemed to have prevailed in the thick evening air, they were out on the main junction where the air was clean. Having teetered a few paces in silence upon the footpath, Ana said to David,
'When do you leave for your new office?'
'This weekend. I need to report on Monday. But I'm a bit nervous. It's a new place, and I'd be alone there. I couldn't settle well in the city, and now I must move to another home.'
'You'll do well.' She assured him, with a gentle nudge on his shoulders. 'It won't be easy at first. But you should do fine in a few days. I'm sure you have your colleagues there. Having a company can help.'
'That should not happen so soon.' David suggested, smirking at her. 'I don't think I can befriend people easily. You've got the charm. I don't. Of everything you've taught me, making quick acquaintances was the toughest to learn.'
She blushed at the remark and asked him about his return.
'Not immediately, I think,' he answered. 'It will be a long project. I expect myself to be there for at least two years.'
Having placidly walked ahead further in silence, David said to Ana,
'So, could you get your answers?'
Surprised by the discovery, she replied,
'So, you heard us?'
'You were too loud.' He smirked. 'Tell me how it was.'
'It's been a few years, and he could vaguely recollect what happened that night.'
'Any leads as to where she could be?'
'Nothing as of now. But I'm committed to finding her.'
'You should certainly,' said David. 'It should bring you great solace.'
'Quite right,' she returned. 'I'm quite eager to meet and see her. It's been five years. Besides, my father craves her and suffers alone. He often gives himself to drinking when troubled. He drinks this very evening as we speak. But I don't quite know where he is. He has not been back since afternoon.'
'Should I wait to look for him?' asked a concerned David.
'I thank you, David,' Ana replied. 'You can leave. I know how to handle this. It's not new to me. He does this all the time. I've nearly come of age with this.'
With these last words spoken, the long pavement ended, and they were in the parking lot. Sitting on his bike, David asked Ana if he could drop her home. But she insisted on returning to that dismal street.
'Anything forgotten?' He asked.
'Something vital to finish,' she answered, pointing at the spot of her interest and waving him goodbye.
Having walked the trail briefly, Ana broke off into a narrow, dingy byway and was immediately in front of a small wooden cabin with huge curtains and windows with blinders.
'You mean no business there, Miss, I hope?' cried David as she stood nervously looking about. 'What about this place?'
She half-turned to reply, 'Only checking if he's here. This is the dirty tavern Uncle was speaking about.''
Between the cabin's long roof, which, if extended a little more, would have touched the ground, and the door, hung a signboard bigger than any window of any house on that wretched lane. Pressed to the board was a script with dark prints of missing alphabets, while those still hanging somehow dangled and blinked red and green alternately. To those familiar with the spot, it was an easy guess. But to a stranger, nervous and anxious as Ana was, it was a script that required strained attention through the dazzling lights. She blinked her eyes, rubbed them, and read the script as 'The Proud Bar.'