Kerosene lamps burned lighting up the mansion as Sujata and Ratno chatted and prepared the evening meal. In the middle of sharing their personal histories Sujata said,
"I hope everything's alright with Jagat and the Trust; it's getting late in the evening."
"Jagat, he'll be fine, should be back any minute."
"You know after Uttam's death and Preeti Bhen's murder in the raullay I needed support, a man in my life and I want to tell you I leaned on Jagat. He's been good to me."
"I understand; he's told me about your closeness to him, his regular visits to the mansion and how he values it."
"And you don't have any questions about it .....?"
"Sujata Bhen I heard the car come in," said Ratno getting up, relieved for the excuse to avoid the interrogation by Sujata.
Sujata looked out and saw Jagat was still sitting in the car; the greenery of the yard pulled him; in darkness his eyes could make out the roses without having to contend with the thorns. If only it could be so in light and life, he thought, shook his head and exited the car.
"We shall win, won't we," stirring the daal on the chullah Sujata asked as Jagat entered.
He seated himself at the dining table and Ratno placed the pot of daal on the table close to him. He glanced at the table and then at Sujata who was bringing rotis to the table. The women sat opposite each other, near him and poured daal into the bowls. Ratno placed two rotis in each of the three thalis while Sujata placed some sliced onion drenched in homemade vinegar, garnished with black mineral salt in each thali. Ratno filled three glasses of water from the tap bringing them to the table. As Jagat gave them more details of his conversation with the lawyer Gobinda, Sujata asked, "You gave him ten thousand rupees from the trust as fee up front? I thought he had promised you free work if ever you needed it."
"He had promised gratis legal representation but he asked for the fee..."
"You sure he's an honest lawyer," asked Ratno.
"So far as I know; his home's name is 'Tera Ghar'."
A fast eater Jagat signaled the end of his dietary excursion with an obligatory burp and with that he hoped for the end of the inquisition by the women.
In the morning they placed an advertisement in the Daily Punjab Patrika for applications for the hostel. Since Sujata didn't read or write, the students' applications were to be received at the bungalow. Ratno would bring them to Zillapur to consult with Sujata. Together they would select the six students.
In two months two new rooms had been built next to Teg's old room and the mansion had been wired and had electricity. A young woman assistant and Sujata prepared meals for the students which they ate together at the long dining table. Every week Jagat came to Zillapur to check in; the hostel kept Sujata busy; the students filled the void of Teg's absence.
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