Chapter 46: Dirty Politics

As soon as news of my return to the village began to circulate, a buzz of excitement and anticipation rippled through the community. Before I knew it, I found myself at the center of a whirlwind of attention, with politicians from the surrounding area jostling for a chance to bask in the glow of my recent cricketing triumphs.

Eager to seize upon any opportunity to boost their own popularity, they wasted no time in trying to capitalize on my success, eager to align themselves with a hometown hero who had achieved great things.

The following day, before the sun had even risen, a convoy of cars descended upon the village, their engines roaring to life and shattering the early morning silence. The vehicles came to an abrupt stop just outside the entrance, effectively blocking the road and preventing anyone from passing through.

Moments later, a group of people emerged from the cars, their faces stern and determined, followed closely by a team of policemen, who fanned out around them with a sense of purpose.

Despite the chaos and confusion caused by their sudden arrival, I quickly recognized the familiar faces of the village's political elite. It was none other than the Vidhayak of our District, a powerful and influential figure in the region, accompanied by the equally formidable Pradhan of our panchayat.

As I watched them approach, a sense of unease and foreboding washed over me, and I couldn't help but wonder what they could possibly want with me.

Soon, they arrived at our house. Though they took permission before entering but could we have declined them - Never. Politicians always get their way.

Before long, the entourage arrived at my family's humble abode. While they had asked for permission to enter, it was a mere formality, as declining such a request from powerful politicians like them was simply out of the question.

After all, in my experience, politicians almost always found a way to get what they wanted, no matter the cost. With a heavy heart, I braced myself for whatever was to come next, knowing that the wheels of village politics had already been set into motion.

"Ah, Vipin! I hear that you are here for your Class 12 exams," the Vidhayak remarked with a warm smile, attempting to break the ice. I simply nodded in response, too weary to offer a verbal reply.

"How are your studies going? We would never want anyone from our community to fail, now would we? Don't worry, I'll arrange some teachers for you. They'll help you in your studies. Though there aren't many days left, something is better than nothing," he continued, his concern for my well-being palpable.

"Thank you, that would be really helpful," I replied gratefully, feeling a glimmer of hope that I could still turn things around academically.

"Aree, what 'thank you'? Who else would we serve if not our people?" The Vidhayak responded with a chuckle, clearly pleased to be of assistance.

"Oh, Vipin, we're planning to organize a big rally in your locality tomorrow," another politician interjected. "We would be honored if you would come with us to the event. Your presence would be a huge boost for our campaign," the Vidhayak added, completing his colleague's sentence.

I hesitated, unsure if I wanted to get involved in their political machinations. However, it was clear that they had had their sights set on me from the beginning, and I knew that I couldn't refuse their request.

"You could use this as an opportunity to show your support for the village and our community," the Pradhan politician added. "Think about all the people who will get motivated by seeing you," he continued, trying to convince me to come.

With a newfound sense of confidence, I spoke up, "Don't worry, Vidhayak Ji. Today, I'll help you. Tomorrow, you'll help me. Isn't that how the world works?" I said with a smile, feeling emboldened by Vidhayak's offer to assist me with my studies.

The Vidhayak looked at me with a mixture of surprise and admiration, perhaps recognizing a glimmer of himself in me. "You're a smart one, Vipin. I like that," he said with a nod, impressed by my boldness.

In the end, I decided to go ahead with the rally, despite my reservations. As I stood in the open jeep with flower garlands around my shoulders, I couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation. The journey was long and tiring, taking us through all 12 villages in our panchayat, but the massive crowd following us kept me going.

As we approached my home, I noticed that the path was not lit, making it difficult to navigate in the dark. But to my surprise, the Vidhayak had instructed the Pradhan to install street lamps all the way to my house, making it easier and safer for everyone.

The entourage finally left me at my doorstep, and I was left with a feeling of mixed emotions. On one hand, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being used as a means to gain popularity, but on the other hand, I was grateful for the improvements that had been made to my village, and the teachers who had come to help me with my studies.

In the end, I realized that sometimes in life, we have to give a little to get a little. While the politicians may have had their own interests at heart, I had used the opportunity to make positive changes in my community. And as I looked back on that day, I felt a sense of pride in the small part that I had played in making my village a better place.