It Burned For Three Days.....

The house at daand was abandoned in nineties for everyone had priorities elsewhere. The sole benefactor who was responsible for its upkeep until now and who had meticulously performed periodic rituals of relics lying there, the shaft of 'Kul Devata', Manyawar Diwakar roamed Garhwal in connection of his job while his family moved to Kotdwar to access better facilities, educational and otherwise for themselves and more importantly for children. No one lived in the house during this period on permanent basis, the house was at the mercy of elements with priceless books and manuscripts tucked away in its remote recesses... Despite his busy schedule and great demand on his time, Manyawar Diwakar would still make occasional calls at this historic dwelling to see if things were OK and make the necessary repairs etc.   


It was during this period, the appalling callousness of our own villagers came to light. The house burned for three days with laud crackling of wood boards, spewing bellowing smoke and flames leaping off like breath of an incensed dragon, seen miles through the valley but the villagers went about their business, which actually was no business just the idle gossip, immune to destruction of priceless wealth. Someone from adjacent village eventually informed Manyawar Diwakar after three days the house was afire and reduced to ashes. He rushed to village but alas in three days everything that could burn had reduced to ashes and the structure crumbled all over........A crestfallen Manyaver sat there amid the smoldering ruins 


When asked, the villagers replied shamelessly they did not see it burning...


You may call this callousness, I would say it was sadistic glee. Possibly they drove vicarious pleasure after setting it afire, drawing smoke from their smoldering hookah,  keeping their back all the time to the house and feeling no sin at all. 


Now I  know why I feel edgy standing at those ruins..