Chapter 6: Building a Community

Next morning, Chunni had boiled water, set a lota by my bed. With new supplies, life improved.

Today’s task—road construction for the carts.

Everyone, strong from rice and meat, worked hard. With iron tools, the cave was accessible in a week.

For safety, Ramesh advised three entrances—two fake, one real, with obstacles. Bhaiya, a bamboo expert, built houses, beds, cups. Privacy was now possible.

In spare moments, Bhaiya made a fish trap. I was itching to see the lake.

Next day, I took Nandu, Chunni, and Ramesh. We reached a shimmering lake framed by green hills, water clear as a temple tank.

I grinned. “Tairna aata hai?” Both shook their heads, nervous.

I stripped to my vest and jumped in, water cool, not biting. I floated, dived, making them laugh.

Suddenly, a fish nipped my leg—hungry lot! I jumped out, loaded a C set in the trap, tossed it in.

Within seconds, fish thrashed inside. We pulled out the big ones, strings drying in the sun.

Back at camp, someone smoked fish—perfect rations. That night, I grilled a fish, sprinkled salt, and savoured my first real meal since transmigration. Chunni nudged Nandu, “Didn’t you say baba doesn’t like meat?”

Nandu shrugged, “Mood ka hai, I guess.”

A month passed. We trapped wild boar, made sukha meat, fish jerky, dried rice. Four men, with knives and tokens, went to Rajpur for families.

I worried about food. One reassured, “Baba, ab sukha meat, machhli, chawal sab hai. Nahi toh jangli saag bhi mil jayega.”

I fussed, sent them with blessings.