24-04-2024, 12:33 PM
chapter 2
Radha adjusted her dress.
Radha: Uncle, how are you, and who is this?
Broker: Radha, I am fine, and I am here to assist you.
Radha: I don't understand, Uncle. What help?
Broker: Are you going to fire off questions, or may I sit and talk?
Radha bit her lip and apologized, "Sorry, Uncle, please sit. I'll bring you some water." The broker and Ashwin took seats in two chairs while Radha went to the bathroom to wash her hands and face, then passed by them to the kitchen to fetch water.
Ashwin: So, she is the owner of the land?
Broker: Yes, sir, she is.
Ashwin: How is she familiar to you?
Broker: Sir, her late father and I have been good friends since our childhood, and she is as close to my daughter as they were.
Ashwin: So you're a family friend, right?
Broker: Yes, that's correct.
Before they could finish their conversation, Radha fetched them some water.
Radha: "Here it is, take it, Uncle."
The broker and Ashwin took the glasses and drank. Ashwin was surprised by the taste and sweetness of the water.
Ashwin: "Wow, the water here is so tasty. Does the water from the land we see taste like this, Broker?"
Radha and the broker laughed loudly.
Broker: "Sir, this isn't normal water; it's a sweet drink."
Ashwin: "Sweet drink?"
Radha: "Yes, it's a sweet drink made by mixing cardamom, jaggery, lime, pepper, and so on. It will give you some energy since you both must be tired from your travels."
Ashwin: "Thank you, Madam."
Broker: Radha, let me be straightforward. This gentleman, Ashwin, is a chartered accountant and he's currently seeking land to establish a coir pith production unit in our village. I've shown him your land along the service road and he's quite impressed with it, which is why we're here. What do you think, Radha?
Radha: Uncle, the land isn't solely mine; Pooja also has a share in it, and I'm not interested in selling it.
Ashwin: Ma'am, I'm not in a position to purchase it right now, but I would like to lease it for 20 years, and I'm prepared to pay you for it.
Broker: "Radha, I understand your situation. You need to finance Pooja's education. You earn a good income from farming, but the market rates for farm produce are fluctuating. However, with this arrangement, you'll receive a steady income. If you can't lease the land, consider renting it to him; he will also pay you monthly. You're like my daughter; I would never deceive you. I only wish to help you."
Radha: Okay, uncle, I'll lease him my land for 18 years, and he'll pay me Rs -------. He can't damage my land, and the groundwater should not be polluted in the area.
Ashwin: So, we seal the deal, right madam? I'll prepare the papers and come to you tomorrow.
Radha: Not tomorrow. Come next Sunday; that's when my sister will be home from her hostel. She will read the papers thoroughly before we sign them.
Ashwin: Okay.
Broker: Sir, you've succeeded here. Please wait in your car, sir; I'll come and join you.
Ashwin exits the house with a smile.
Broker: Radha, I don't want any commission from you, but he is a good man, I guarantee that. Where is Sonu? Do you need to discuss this with him?
Radha: Thanks, uncle. This land is ours, so I'm not going to discuss it with him. He is now in heaven with his booze.
Broker: Leave him, Radha. Please think about your life too, because you don't have to spoil it with him. I want you and Pooja to be happy.
Radha: Okay, uncle.
Broker: Then I'll leave, Radha. Goodbye.
The broker and Radha exit the house, and Ashwin waits for them in the car. He starts the engine once the broker gets in. As the car moves, he glances at Radha in the side mirror. Radha turns her back to enter the house as the car moves away slowly, her figure reflected in the mirror, unnoticed by the broker.
Radha adjusted her dress.
Radha: Uncle, how are you, and who is this?
Broker: Radha, I am fine, and I am here to assist you.
Radha: I don't understand, Uncle. What help?
Broker: Are you going to fire off questions, or may I sit and talk?
Radha bit her lip and apologized, "Sorry, Uncle, please sit. I'll bring you some water." The broker and Ashwin took seats in two chairs while Radha went to the bathroom to wash her hands and face, then passed by them to the kitchen to fetch water.
Ashwin: So, she is the owner of the land?
Broker: Yes, sir, she is.
Ashwin: How is she familiar to you?
Broker: Sir, her late father and I have been good friends since our childhood, and she is as close to my daughter as they were.
Ashwin: So you're a family friend, right?
Broker: Yes, that's correct.
Before they could finish their conversation, Radha fetched them some water.
Radha: "Here it is, take it, Uncle."
The broker and Ashwin took the glasses and drank. Ashwin was surprised by the taste and sweetness of the water.
Ashwin: "Wow, the water here is so tasty. Does the water from the land we see taste like this, Broker?"
Radha and the broker laughed loudly.
Broker: "Sir, this isn't normal water; it's a sweet drink."
Ashwin: "Sweet drink?"
Radha: "Yes, it's a sweet drink made by mixing cardamom, jaggery, lime, pepper, and so on. It will give you some energy since you both must be tired from your travels."
Ashwin: "Thank you, Madam."
Broker: Radha, let me be straightforward. This gentleman, Ashwin, is a chartered accountant and he's currently seeking land to establish a coir pith production unit in our village. I've shown him your land along the service road and he's quite impressed with it, which is why we're here. What do you think, Radha?
Radha: Uncle, the land isn't solely mine; Pooja also has a share in it, and I'm not interested in selling it.
Ashwin: Ma'am, I'm not in a position to purchase it right now, but I would like to lease it for 20 years, and I'm prepared to pay you for it.
Broker: "Radha, I understand your situation. You need to finance Pooja's education. You earn a good income from farming, but the market rates for farm produce are fluctuating. However, with this arrangement, you'll receive a steady income. If you can't lease the land, consider renting it to him; he will also pay you monthly. You're like my daughter; I would never deceive you. I only wish to help you."
Radha: Okay, uncle, I'll lease him my land for 18 years, and he'll pay me Rs -------. He can't damage my land, and the groundwater should not be polluted in the area.
Ashwin: So, we seal the deal, right madam? I'll prepare the papers and come to you tomorrow.
Radha: Not tomorrow. Come next Sunday; that's when my sister will be home from her hostel. She will read the papers thoroughly before we sign them.
Ashwin: Okay.
Broker: Sir, you've succeeded here. Please wait in your car, sir; I'll come and join you.
Ashwin exits the house with a smile.
Broker: Radha, I don't want any commission from you, but he is a good man, I guarantee that. Where is Sonu? Do you need to discuss this with him?
Radha: Thanks, uncle. This land is ours, so I'm not going to discuss it with him. He is now in heaven with his booze.
Broker: Leave him, Radha. Please think about your life too, because you don't have to spoil it with him. I want you and Pooja to be happy.
Radha: Okay, uncle.
Broker: Then I'll leave, Radha. Goodbye.
The broker and Radha exit the house, and Ashwin waits for them in the car. He starts the engine once the broker gets in. As the car moves, he glances at Radha in the side mirror. Radha turns her back to enter the house as the car moves away slowly, her figure reflected in the mirror, unnoticed by the broker.