The godowns and the government offices slowly went up in smoke. Creating big holes in the ground, mortar shells and canon balls had started to drop.

By the time the Chinese troops entered Walong, the place was completely deserted.

A group of Chinese soldiers kicked open the door of Chowdhury’s thatched hut, which had not yet been destroyed. They fired aimlessly and kicked his stove and utensils, scattering them all around. One of the soldiers spotted the small pocket-sized Bhagavad Gita that Chowdhury had left on his bed. The soldier tore it to shreds and flung it on the floor. Seething with hatred, he stamped on the scraps of paper and walked out.

Downhill from Walong, a chaotic retreat had begun.

Fifteen

Fifteen

Yiu Yi’s mother had come out of her house with a bag in hand.

The previous night, her elder daughter Yunlin had delivered a baby girl. She was going to Ledo to give the good news to Yunlin’s in-laws. Her family had asked her not to go without informing the police but she refused to listen.

‘How will the police get to know? I’ll travel by train. Yunlin’s in-laws will mind if we don’t give them the news. It’s only for men that the police have imposed restrictions. It’s alright for women to move about,’ she argued.

She couldn’t contain her excitement. This was her first grandchild.

She met Ahlin’s mother on her way.

‘I’m going to Ledo. Take care of Yunlin.’

‘Sure. Don’t worry. You’ll be back today, won’t you?’

‘I will.’

Before Ahlin’s mother could say anything, Thakur Prasad arrived on the scene.

‘Where are you off to at this early hour? To the Chinese government?’ His face was grave but his eyes were glittering with menace.

Ahlin’s mother flared up instantly.

‘What did you say? Say it again. Huh! What can you say, after all! You are nothing but a government informer.’

‘If I am a government informer, what are you? A Chinese spy?’

‘Yes. I’m a spy. What are you going to do? Beat me?’

‘I don’t have to; the government will take care of it.’

‘Now don’t pick a quarrel,’ Yiu Yi’s mother said softly.

It was morning and the Chinese residents of Cheenapatti were leaving for work on their bicycles. Though they feared going out, the people who worked in the tea gardens kept at it. The situation was not favourable. The Bihari fitters were jealous of them. Whenever they got a chance, they tried to engage their people and replace the Chinese.

Yiu Yi’s mother looked at the Chinese school. Cha Mu was sweeping the large compound. It was quiet now. The students who used to play under the shade of the trees were absent.