Dustu Chakra

(Wicked Plan)

Doctor Suresh Rakshit said, “You must come once, Byomkesh babu. The patient is in a very bad state, if you don’t give him your assurance, the patient may not live through.

Doctor Suresh Rakshit is about forty years of age, he is of a very thin frame, these new and expensive western clothes don't suit him. But he seems very sharp and intelligent. Today morning he has come to meet Byomkesh and has put forward a weird proposal.

Needless to say, Byomkesh has no desire to visit the patient. He looked at the doctor Rakshit with half-closed eyes and said, “What is the disease?”

The doctor said, 'Paralysis. About three months ago he was diagnosed with paralysis. He managed to survive the first shock, though he is of sound mind, but his blood pressure is too high. He sent me if I could bring you to his abode. Please come once, if he gets your assurance and advice he may be saved from untimely death.

Byomkesh said, "are you treating him?”

The doctor said, "Yes yes. I am his tenant and reside on the ground floor of his house. I am his family physician as well. The man is very rich money lender. You may have heard of his name Bishu Pal." Byomkesh said, "What name did you say, Shishupal?

The doctor laughed, "Bishu Pal." But some people also call him Shishupal, I don't know why.

The man is a moneylender but not heartless. Especially in the last three months he

has

become

completely

helpless

due to paralysis. ”

Byomkesh said, “But what can I do? I am not a doctor.”

The doctor said, "Let me tell you the truth. Bishu Pal has a debtor named Abhay Ghosal. The man is a rogue. He borrowed a lot of money from Bishu Pal now he is not paying back. Bishu Pal pressurised him to get his money back, so Abhay Ghosal threatened to kill him if he ever asked for money. Bishu Pal had a stroke and has been bedridden for the last three months. Of course, there is no danger of life and if he gets good medical treatment then he may be able to walk again. But the real thing is not that, fear has crept into his soul that Abhay Ghosal will kill him, even if he waives-off the debt, he will kill him. You don’t need to give him medical treatment. Bishu Pal's wants to speak to you to combat his fear and if you may give some advice on staying safe.”

Byomkesh looked a little downhearted and said, "If someone is determined to kill Shishupal it is impossible for even Shiva to stop him. However, when the gentleman is so anxious for my company, I will go. Of course, one should maintain good relations with money lenders in this world and even the world beyond. What do you say, Ajit?

I replied, “Yes Indeed.”

The doctor stood up, smiling he said, “Thank you. Here is our address. When will you come?” He took out a card and handed it to Byomkesh.

Byomkesh looked at the card and handed it over to me. Bishu Pal's house is not far away, in an alley of Amherst Street. Byomkesh said, “today at five o'clock in the evening we shall visit him. Now you may go.” As the doctor left, Byomkesh said with a smile, “This is my first time to console a paralysed patient.”

The alley is spiral; It is flowing like a mountain river, bending here and there with sharp turns. The alley was lined on both sides with multi stories houses. No matter how narrow the alley is, I have never seen small houses on such alleys, the houses grow taller to compensate the lack of space.

We stopped in front of a three storied house after seeing the inscription of Dr. Suresh Rakshit. We understood that this is the house of moneylender Bishu pal.  The doctor, saw us through the window, came out, and said, "Please Come in.”

The house seems very old. On one side, a narrow verandah leads inside the house with a door on one side and two windows on the other side. The sparkling clean dispensary is visible through the door, but there is no rush of patients. A middle-aged compounder is standing near the door. Doctor Rakshit didn't take us to the dispensary, he said “we have to take the stairs, Bishu babu lives on the third floor.”

Byomkesh said, “That's fine. Do you live in this house or only have your dispensary here?”

The doctor said, “There are three rooms. I live in one and the rest two have been converted into a dispensary. I am single hence a single room is enough for me.”

There are Three rooms on the second floor as well. This is the office space meant for conducting the business of moneylending. The office does not have table or chairs instead it contains mattresses. It is like a Marwaris gaddi. Many clerks are sitting on these mattresses and managing accounts.

Byomkesh Asked, “What is this?

The doctor said, "Bishu babu's Office." It’s a huge business, many kings and rich people are debtors to him.

Byomkesh said nothing more. I thought to myself, Bishu Pal is not only Shishupal but also Jarasandha.

We walked up the stairs to the third floor. At the entry to the third floor stood a Gurkha dressed in battle uniform and seated on a stool with a rifle in hand. He stood up hearing our footsteps and glanced sideways at us. The doctor said, “It’s Okay.” Then the Gurkha saluted us and stood back.

After a few steps through the balcony, we found a closed door. The doctor knocked on the door, from inside came a female voice. “Who is it.”

The doctor said, "I am Doctor Rakshit. Please open the door.”

The door was slightly opened, I saw the pale and frightened eyes of an old