The quest for the jewel

The city of Dilli was in turmoil. The magnificent Red Fort was in shambles. The treasury was empty and the Badshah had a broken crown to his name. The only name on everyone’s lips was Mangal Pandey, the hero of Barrackpore. The one who refused to bow down before the British Commander. The soldiers were angry and restless. The idea of freedom was a spark which had ignited their souls. The Badshah sat terror stricken in his empty court.

 

Asfaq, Usman and Noorul sat under the stairs leading to the ghats of Yamuna. They had come here early in the morning to pick out lilies to sell at the market. Noorul’s sister, Reshma Appa was a skilled florist. Her bouquets and garlands of fragrant flowers were always the first ones to be sold out. In the hazy dark of dawn, they saw a boat slide silently over the quiet Yamuna. Huddled figures on the boat leapt into action as the boat scraped the bank. The three kids were struck dumb at the sight of the beefy swarthy figures. They were dressed in the red coat of the soldiers and carried swords and rifles. One of them whispered, “Look, we are not safe here in the open. Let’s get to Phani Ram ki Havelli. We will make our plans there.”

The three kids hid under the darkened step and watched as the soldiers lifted out a bloody bundle of clothes. Noorul stiffled a scream when he saw a lifeless hand slide out of the bundle. The kids were terrified. What would happen if these soldiers saw them or heard them? Asfaq, Noorul and Usman were scared but thankfully, the soldiers heard nothing. They picked up their rifles, the bloody bundle and few other sacks from the boat. "Take the boat to the middle of the river and drown it. Don't let anyone see you. After that go to the market and find out the news. Then come to the haveli. We will discuss our plans further. Also, get medicines and first aid from the Vaid and something to eat. Do you have money? Be careful." The leader clasped the boatman to him and, "We will meet soon, God willing. Jai Bhavani."

The Soldiers moved ahead with their bundles and the boatman rowed the boat away. The three kids stood up silently. "What was all that?" whispered Noorul. "Are these soldiers from Kanpur? My baba said that the Sipahis were angry and Mangal Pandey refused to shoot with the gun. He was taken away to prison and his friends shot all the Gora officers.", said Usman. Asfaq said,"I heard my Abba say that the Goras are hunting these soldiers. He said, they have disobeyed the command so the afsar log will catch them and hang them but fighting for freedom is not wrong." "Hmmm," said Noorul thoughtfully, "I hope they get to safety soon. Let's go and give these flowers to Appa. It will be morning soon. Just keep your ears and eyes open. Let's see if we can find out more about these sipahis."

CHAPTER 2

Reshma was there at the market, setting up her stall. She lifted her eyebrow and looked enquiringly at the three as they rushed in with the baskets of flowers. "What happened? Why do you all look so scared and jumpy?". Noorul put the basket down and squatted , "We saw something, Appa but this is not the place to tell about it. I promise, I will tell you at home. I am going back home with my friends. Is there anything to eat? We are all quite hungry."

Reshma had already started braiding the flowers, "Go home. I had made Khichda in the morning. You all can have it. Take some rest and thank you for the lilies, my brother. I will be back before you know it." Noorul rubbed his fingers over her arm,"Don't worry appa. We are fine. We will be back to help you close shop." Then they left, taking the wet sacks with them. Ashfaq looked around the market, "Look guys, isn't that the boatman? There, near Khan Chacha's kebab stall." "Should we follow him and find out more about those people?", asked Usman. "Let's go. Be careful. Ashfaq, get some fruits from Manju Amma. We will eat on the way", said Noorul.

The children followed the boatman through the crowded market. The boatman went from stall to stall picking up things to eat and finally vended his way out of the market with the three still on his trail. After walking for some time, the man veered left into a narrow alley. The three dashed across the street, dodging the tongas and other shoppers. By the time, they reached the alley, the boatman was at the far end. The three quickly ran after the disappearing person but it was to no avail. The boatman had vanished and the alley stopped at a wall. The kids ran parallel to the wall searching for an opening and soon they found a place where the wall had caved in. They scrambled in and found themselves in a dark, gloomy, unkempt, overgrown garden. 

The house at the far end of the garden did not look inhabited. It's wide verandahs and jaali windows looked soulless and empty. The kids ran fast through the knee length grass and climbed up the verandah. They slithered forward keeping to the shadows. There was a door at the far end of the verandah. The children tiptoed to it and nudged it open. The room looked like a small drawing room or baithak. There were old, mouldy cushions and gaddas on the floor and long circular pillows, masnad. The lacy curtains on the windows were frayed and dull. This house had seen better days but was now reeling under bad times. No one was there but a groan startled the children. They quickly ran forward on soft toes and peered in at the room beyond. 

There on the old bed, lay someone. Someone who was bandaged up and bundled in a heavy quilt. The man looked poorly. He was awake and staring at the kids. He motioned them to come forward and rasped,"Who are you? Why are you here? This is no place for children. Go away,before they find you in here." Asfaq looked at the man, "We know you are sipahis. We saw you come in but we have not told anyone about you . Why are you here? Who injured you? What are you planning to do? Will you avenge Mangal Pandey? We will help you." Noorul