Page:Broken Ties and Other Stories.pdf/110

 Satish looked round and saw Damini. ‘Why are you here?’ he cried.

‘I have brought you something to eat,’ said Damini.

‘I want nothing,’ said Satish.

‘It is very late ventured Damini.

‘Nothing at all,’ repeated Satish.

‘Let me then wait a little,’ suggested Damini. ‘Perhaps later on?’

‘Oh, why will you’ burst out Satish, but as his glance fell on Damini’s face he stopped short.

Damini said nothing further. Tray in hand she retraced her steps through the sand, which glared round her like the eye of a tiger in the dark.

Tears had always been rarer in Damini’s eyes than lightning flashes. But when I saw her that evening,—seated on the floor, her feet stretched out before her,—she was weeping. When she saw me her tears seemed to burst through some obstruction and showered forth in torrents. I cannot tell what it felt like within my breast. I came near and sat down on one side.

When she had calmed herself a little I inquired: ‘Why does Satish’s health make you so anxious?’