Debt

"Sarkar, I smell something fishy. Yesterday night Dhumi was found drunk, asleep in Shanti kaka's field." Choudhary's servant informed him.

"Dhumi? That old beggar" Choudhary barked in anger. He was half laid on a cot. With hukkah by his side.

"Ji Sarkar, last month he took 5000 rupees from you and last week 3000 rupees. We have already captured his goat. He has taken a loan of 4000 rupees from Shanti kaka. And there were news that he has taken loans of 10,000 rupees from other villages." Choudhary's servant waited for his master to speak.

"Bloody beggar. Trying to build empire on debt." Choudhary abused.

"Sarkar, villagers speak that he is taking loan after loan and living a lavish life." Choudhary's servant wetted his lips. "Earlier he was a promising labour working day in and day out to pay his debt. He has even worked for months in our field."

"And what happened now? Does he think Choudhary is a fool. You can pluck any amount of money from him." Choudhary took a puff of hukkah.

"Sarkar everyone says he is different now. He drinks a lot, visits frequently to the city and some people say he has bought a new mobile phone. There were gossips that he has won a lottery. But people don't understand why he isn't paying his debt."

"Because that bullshit needs to be taught a lesson. Who are his family members." Choudhary punched the edge of cot.

"His father died a year ago of starvation and his wife has been kidnapped just last week by Singh from other village."

Choudhary stood "This bloody scum! He has forgotten everything and dancing on alms. He would pay for this."

Choudhary went inside a room and came with gun wrapped around shoulder.

"Call others. He will be crippled today."

Choudhary with his loaded gun and a jeep full of village goons landed in Dhumi's alley. A crowd of woman with veils, children and curious men gathered to see. They knew Dhumi would be half dead today.

Choudhary kicked the door. It opened with a bang. In the verandah, Dhumi was hanging through a rope. He had committed suicide.