Several years passed by. Harnath kept paying varying amounts towards interest on Gomati's funds to Chaudhary, but evaded repayment of the principal on one pretext or the other . All attempts by Chaudhary to get the principal amount back failed even though Harnath's business seemed to be doing well.
Finally Chaudhary served an ultimatum on his son, "I want my money back by the end of this month. I don't care how it is going to affect your business." Harnath pleaded hard with him but Chaudhary didn't budge. He refused to accept any of the excuses offered by Harnath.
His voice quivering with rage, Harnath made one last attempt, "Alright, I will give your money back to you. But surely you could give me a couple of months' time! I would be able to sell off some of the stocks within this time."
Chaudhary remained firm and hardened his stand, "Two months will never come to an end for you. Nor will you ever be able to get the right deal for selling your stock. I want my money back right now."
Harnath turned red with rage and walked away. He soon came back with a wad of cash in his hand and dropped it in front of his father with a thud.
Chaudhary said with some embarrassment in his voice, "So you did have cash with you, didn't you!"
Harnath retorted, "How else could I run my business? One can't last in business without liquid cash."
Chaudhary said in a conciliatory tone, "Well, let me keep only five hundred rupees. After all, the whole of it will not get spent in a day. You keep the rest and return it to me after two months."
Harnath peevishly responded, "It is your money and you may do whatever you like with it. I will have nothing to do with it. Why should I suffer this indignity at your hands? There is no dearth of moneylenders in this world."
Chaudhary suddenly appeared to have lost all enthusiasm for constructing the well and adding embellishments and conveniences to it. He listlessly picked up the money and placed it on an open shelf in the wall.
For Harnath this wasn't the end of the transaction. He had a plan up his sleeves. In the dead of the night he quietly entered Chaudhary's room. Chaudhary was fast asleep. Harnath moved towards the shelf very quietly. Just as he was about to pick up the cash, Gomati suddenly appeared out of nowhere. She was clutching the cash in both her hands.
Harnath stopped dead in his tracks. He reasoned to himself that he must be seeing things. As he extended his hand a second time, he again saw Gomati. This time her eyes were red and her face bore a fierce expression. Harnath turned about and ran out of the room. As he got into the verandah, he fainted and fell on the ground.
To be continued ...
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