ornaments of Sheth’s deceased mother. There were some rings, bangles, necklaces, etc. He roughly estimated the weight of the purse, nearly a pound of gold. He slowly slid the purse into his pocket. He again put his hand deep into the drawer and found a plastic envelope inside. He took the envelope out and opened it eagerly. He saw that the envelope had three or four thick papers neatly folded. The papers appeared to be some important documents because there were signatures and stamps and official seals on them. What could be these documents? They looked like some official deeds. But Raghu who had barely gone up to 4th grade could not read English at all. He kept the envelope out and after closing the safe put the keys back into the drawer. Now he had to ascertain what amount the ornaments could fetch. He had to keep his wife Jaya out of this as she was ‘very loyal’ to the master and would not be able to keep a secret. He was curious to know what those documents were about. Raghu sneaked out of the house without telling anything to anyone. He had to go to the goldsmith’s shop to know the price the ornaments would fetch. On the way to the goldsmith’s shop, he passed by the house of his daughter Lata’s teacher. Raghu knocked at the door and went in. The teacher was surprised on seeing him. “Why here Raghu, so early in the morning?” he asked. I have some papers looking like documents. Please read them for me. They are in English and belong to my master Sheth. He left them inadvertently outside. I have to put them back. The teacher read the pages attentively. Then he said “This is your master Rustamji’s will. It has been written only last week. Sheth has written here that he had now become old and did not know how long he would live. In the event of his death, his house should go to his brother’s son. Raghu would have the two storied smaller house in the native village. He has appointed an advocate as the executor of his will. Sheth has mentioned here that he has inherited some of his mother’s gold jewellery and ornaments weighing about 500 gms. The jewellery shall remain in the advocate’s custody till Raghu’s daughter Lata who is now 15 years, attains the age of 18 or gets married. He will then handover the jewellery to her. This is Grandpa Rustam Sheth’s gift to little Lata. The teacher folded the papers neatly and handed them back to Raghu. Raghu’s hand was trembling as he took the papers. Putting them in the envelope, he quickly came out into the street. The teacher’s house was only five minutes’ walk from his house but today he felt it was several miles. Innumerable thoughts crossed his mind as he trudged back home. He thought “I am such a mean fellow. My master kept the ornaments to give to my daughter as her wedding gift and I stole them. This is not a theft of master’s jewellery. My daughter was going to get them after some time. So, I had in reality stolen my daughter’s ornaments.” UPAHAAR 2021 উপহার ১৪২৮ 14
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