Nangla's Delhi

Slowly, through his mode of talking, his style of dressing, his ways and his mannerisms, he made a place in the heart of many in the dwelling. He would roam around the dwelling like a stranger. He could be seen anywhere. Wherever people would see him, they would say, “Bunty, do you want to eat something?” and he would reply, “No, I have already eaten with the amma there”. Children would chase behind him and tease him, and when this troubled him, Bunty would pick up in his arms any passing street dog and scare them with it. But as one of his hands was weak, the dog would slip out, and this is what frightened the kids the most. They would run away.

Bunty was very fond of dogs. One could often see him carry a little pup around with him. And when he would go to sleep at night – on some bench or raised ground in the dwelling – he would tie the pup up next to him. And in the morning he would walk around with him in his arms again.

He came to my lane one day and started talking to everyone. It was evening. Sunlight was receding, and there was no electricity. He came and sat down on a raised platform. People gathered around him. Everyone wanted to know more about him.

My father asked, very gently, “Son, tell me, where is your home?”

Bunty (very quietly): Uncle, in Bihar.

Papa: How did you come here?

Bunty: Uncle, I was playing inside a train with my friends. Suddenly the train started moving. All my friends hopped out. But I couldn't, because of my leg. And then I got off at Nizamuddin, and came to Nangla. Here I met this sister (he said this pointing to a middle aged woman I knew).

He kept chatting with everyone for some time. Then he ate at my home. He left our dwelling that day. People still remember him.