When One Learns to Trust

By Indrani Sinha

Anup and Pia have been together for some time, while their friends Rahul and Poonam are just beginning to know each other. As the two young couples spend time together and navigate their relationship through others’ expectations, misunderstandings are bound to crop in. While the misunderstandings strengthen Anup and Pia’s bonds and prove their implicit faith in each other, will Rahul and Poonam learn to trust one another?

A refreshing tale of carefree, young love, set in the steel city of Jamshedpur in the seventies, exploring the lifestyle of that era.

• Language: English
• Publisher: One Point Six Technologies Pvt Ltd
• Release date: Jun 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9789356672963

Indrani Sinha

This is Indrani Sinha’s third novel. Earlier she has published Renee’s Treasure and Renee’s Triumph. She has taught in the primary section of a few schools and enjoyed the experience. She is fond of reading and likes travelling to see new places. She is a nature lover and outdoor enthusiast, who likes going for long walks and enjoys listening to her favourite songs from old Hindi films.

Book preview

1

Jamshedpur

Rahul Singh bent down to pull out his suitcase from beneath his seat in the compartment, as his train came to a halt at Tatanagar Junction. He had rolled up and tied his bedding at the previous station, called Chandil, as he knew he would reach his destination in half an hour. There were hot samosas and tea being sold on the Chandil platform and he decided to have some. He paid for two samosas which were handed over to him on a dried leaf cone across the metal bars of the compartment. A teenaged boy selling tea in clay kulhars, was walking down the compartment corridor, shouting loudly, Chai! Chai! Garam Chai! Rahul stepped out and silently beckoned him for a cup. Having given him the exact change, he settled back in his seat to enjoy the scenery as the train began to slowly move out of the station: he could see tiny villages flash past; there were small huts set amidst fields filled with lush crops and trees.

As soon as the train stopped at Tatanagar station, a coolie peered into Rahul’s compartment and asked, Coolie?

Yes, this is my luggage… said Rahul, standing and pointing towards his suitcase and bedding.

The coolie lifted the suitcase and deftly placed it on his head; with a swing, he hoisted the bedding on top of it and began moving towards the compartment door. There was chaos near the exit door as men, women and children jostled with each other to be the first to disembark. The people who had been waiting patiently on the platform, to catch their train, were beginning to get restless and trying desperately to get inside. The coolie expertly managed to move ahead, with Rahul following closely behind. As soon as the two of them had stepped on to the platform, the coolie began walking briskly towards the exit of the station. Better get a good look around this place, Rahul thought, as I may be spending the rest of my life here. When he had accepted his new job with the large Steel Company, he had weighed the advantages and disadvantages of living in Jamshedpur and decided in favour of it. It was a well-planned city, cleaner than others he had visited, with all the facilities and amenities available in a modern township.

Rahul Singh was twenty-four years old. He was of medium height with that special bronze tan which comes naturally to most Indian men. His regular features and firm and sinewy build gave him an attractive personality.

The coolie had stopped on the staircase of the main platform and Rahul was astonished to find the parking area almost empty. Only a few private vehicles and two wheelers were to be seen in the parking lot. What’s going on? he turned in surprise towards the coolie, Doesn’t Jamshedpur have taxis and rickshaws?

The coolie replied, "Didn’t you know saheb? There is a transport strike today."

Oh no! exclaimed Rahul in dismay. How will I reach my Guest House in Northern town?

The coolie placed Rahul’s luggage on the ground, as his hands were beginning to ache. I know a shopkeeper close by, whose brother will drive you into town on his motorcycle, for a payment.

Rahul was quick to take the offer: he had to report to the General Office in two hours for his first job appointment. Mr Seth would be waiting for him.

"Jaldi bhaiya!" he exclaimed, Call him immediately… I’ll pay whatever he asks for. Hurry!

Wait here, said the coolie, dashing to a small fruit shop at the edge of the main road. Rahul watched as the coolie gesticulated and pointed in his direction, all the while talking animatedly to the shop keeper. Many of the passengers had begun leaving the station as family members and friends had come to pick them up in privately owned cars and two wheelers. Some were beginning to walk the long journey home with the entire family pulling the luggage behind them. To his relief, he saw a young man start a motorbike, and come towards him with the coolie riding pillion.

They stopped in front of him and the coolie got off the bike; Rahul asked the driver if he would drop him at the Company Guest House on Hill View Road. He agreed at once, glad at the opportunity to make some quick money. Rahul paid the helpful coolie a little more than he asked for and sat down on the motorbike behind the driver. The ingenious coolie managed to fit the suitcase in between the two men and placed the bedding on top of it.

Hold on tightly to the luggage, saheb! Don’t let go! shouted the coolie, as the motorbike sped off towards the city. Rahul had never been in such a precarious situation earlier, as he held on tightly to the bedding, and kept the suitcase pressed with his knees. He could hear the sound of other vehicles around him as they drove towards Bistupur Main Road, but he dared not look around. There were no buses or rickshaws to be seen on the roads. Although the shops in Bistupur Main Market were all open, there were only a few customers, due to the sudden transport strike. Their motorcycle whizzed past the Bistupur roundabout, with the Regal Maidan to the left, and the Post Office building to the right. The bike turned sharply