31.10.2009
The twosome:
It was an early winter morning, the sunlight was yet to show up. But there were people out on the street already. Though too little in number but there were..
Mahesh opened the main door of his small flat and came out. He was a tall, fair a little plump guy. His wife Uma was as pretty as a painting. Tall, slim, brown eyed, her hair hung below her knees, it covered her whole back and a lot of her arms and chest when it was open, so she had to keep it in a tight bun most of the times. Mahesh loved playing with it when they were together.
Their union was the most blessed union in the world.. that’s what their friends, neighbours and relatives said. Two persons deeply loving each other for twenty years. Mahesh was twenty and Uma was barely fifteen years old when they married.
Every one present in that marriage said that God Shiva has come down to marry his Parvati. May be God wanted to deprive them of something, to save that blessed union from evil eyes..
Twenty years after their marriage they both know that they will never be blessed by a child of their own. Mahesh had some serious physical problems.
It did not changed Uma’s love for him an inch. She knew all the while that she was blessed to have him in her life. Whenever her friends used to share their agonies of being beaten up by their drunk husbands or their other amorous affairs she used to count her blessings and her love for her husband used to swell even more.
“You will be coming back for lunch?” she softly asked him. “Please do, I will prepare poori and gajar ka halwa for you.” She said, as if she was trying to lure a child. Her love for her husband was a purest blending of all types of love.
“I will certainly try to come, you know I cant eat unless you serve me with those lotus hands of yours…” Mahesh answered equally softly, none of them wanted the neighbours to hear their parting words, every one teased them for their undying love.
He started to climb down the stairs after soaking her with his gaze full of deep love. She closed the front door and started her chores one by one.
----------------------------------------------------------
The surprise:
Mahesh reached his parked taxi within five minutes. The sky has started to fade into grey. Birds were waking up one by one.
He dusted the taxi and opened the front door. He was about to turn on the ignition key after performing the puja when he heard something in the backseat. It was mewling of a kitten. He switched on the light and saw that he has left the window open last night.
“Oh God!!!!” he muttered as he descended and opened the back door to shoo the cat away.
He saw a small baby lying on the backseat, a beautiful girl dressed in neat and costly clothes. There was a gold chain in her neck and a letter requesting to keep the chain and leave the child to some decent orphanage.
He scooped up the child, locked the taxi carefully and rushed back home.
They contacted the local police station showed them every thing and requested them to let them have the girl. The girl was handed over to them officially. They adopted her and named her Esha.
Twenty five years have passed by. Esha was a young girl now. Studying in university, pursuing doctorate in Economics.
The weather was lovely that evening, Durgapuja was round the corner. The weather was pleasant, the sky was full of white, dazzling clouds. She came out of university and started to walk towards her home. It was hardly fifteen minute from her campus.
She was lost in her own world of young dreams when she heard the screeching of the car’s brake. She lifted her startled eyes and saw a car standing still a few metres away from her and the driver of the car following it cursing his heads off.
She saw a lady looking out at her from the window of the peassenger seat, staring would have been the correct word. She ignored her and went her way.
She reached her home and turned to check the traffic before crossing the road, just then she noted a car stopping near her. The same lady came out of the car and approached her with a slight hesitation.
“Do you live here?” she asked.
Esha did not feel any alarm because the lady was too sophisticated and motherly looking to be menacing in any sense. So she simply nodded.
“Are you looking for some one?” she asked politely.
“No, you look like someone I know. You have a very strong resemblance with him.” The lady said. “Would you mind telling me your father’s name?”
The lady handed her over her visiting card, which said she was the wife of one of the biggest industrialist of a nearby town.
Esha told her father’s name and bade goodbye to the lady. She turned to see before entering her flat, and as she has assumed the lady was standing and watching her.
She said everything to her parents and handed them over the card.
The parents:
Next evening when she returned from her college she saw that her father’s taxi was standing outside.
She was happy and worried. She took two stairs at a time and rang the bell a little breathless.
She was very childish even at this age, she hugged Mahesh and sat down beside him. “Are you okay baba? Ma I am famished, give me something to eat.”
Then she noticed an eery, uncomfortable silence. Her parents were sitting there silently and were visibly upset, almost morose.
“Whats wrong?” she asked.
“The lady you met last evening is your true mother.” Uma said softly.
“You are my true mother, you mean to say she is my biological mother.” Esha said. “From where has she appeared now after these years?”
Uma repeated the story told to her by Kaushalya, Esha’s biological mother. Esha was abandoned because she was a girl child.
Kaushalya was initially told that she was still born but later, years later her husband told her the truth.
They have shifted to USA just after abandoning Esha, they had another son, who is living in USA right now. They have returned because they were missing India.
Kaushalya saw Esha accidentally last evening, she is a replica of her brother Kaushik. The locality is also the same so she took her chance. They want her back to them.
“Okay, story finished, but I am still hungry ma.” Esha said. “When Kaushalya aunty comes next time tell her that if she wants to meet me she will have to come here.” Esha got up to change her dress.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
innocent love
31.10.2009
Rita was sitting on a chair, just beside the window. It was late at night, Animesh,her husband was again out of station. The soft moonlight illuminated her pained face. She did not even noticed the magic it was spreading outside.
She was a shortheighted, slim woman in her mid thirties. Her short hair looked cute on her childish face, which was wearing a deep frown right now.
She went to bed after a while, not to sleep, which she knew wont come to her easily….
She looked at the face of her tiny daughter Mahak, she was sleeping like an angel, with a soft smile on her lip. She laid down beside her and pulled her close to her.
Its been ten years since their marriage. She still remembers the first day they went out together. She fell in love with Animesh at the first sight. He was tall, dark and handsome. There was some magic in his huge eyes, which were full of patience, wisdom and kindness.
They were sitting in a park. Spring all around them and in Rita’s heart. She was watching the flowers, birds and her fiance’s face again and again.
“I want to tell you something Rita, before you make up your mind about me, our marriage.” He said in a very soft voice. “You know I am an orphan, I was born and brought up in Ramkrishna Mission.”
“I am not marrying you because I need someone in my life, I am marrying you to keep an oath. I promised someone that I will marry you.” He continued.
“I have a past which I cant share with you. Because someone else’s extremely personal life is involved in it.” he continued, “But that past will never effect our life together, all I will ask from you that I will have to go away from you atleast for ten days per month.”
“Whatever I will do during that period is completely honourable, and though I cant share it with you but I know if I could you would have loved me even more.” He said looking at her face sincerely.
“You can call off the engagement, it wont matter to me.” He concluded.
Well, she chose him and promised him that she will never ask a single thing about his past or any thing which he doesnot wants to tell her. Her heart told her to trust him.
The pain:
Mahak came to their life a couple of years later. She was the apple of their eyes.
During the first few years of their marriage Animesh used to go out for a week per month, then it started to get longer. Not only that the frequency too increased. By the time Mahak was seven years old it started to take its toll on their married life.
He has gone away on first of this month for ten days, now it was twenty first and he has again left. This time for five days.
Rita spent the night without a single minute of sleep, next day was Sunday, no school for Mahak. So she was sleeping but Rita got up with the chirping of the birds.
She decided that it was high time that she will speak with Animesh.
Animesh returned on fifth of next month. There was a dark line of tiredness under his eyes.
Rita made arrangements of his rest and took care that Mahak doesnot disturbs him.
Mahak was out playing with children when Animesh woke up. He got up and saw that Rita was sitting outside in the balcony. She looked up at him when he approached her.
Animesh was shocked by the look of her eyes. A deep pain has taken place of the happiness which used to reside there earlier.
He sat down beside her and took her hand in both of his hands, “I am sorry, I owe you an explanation.”
“Its ok, I have promised you when we married that I will never ask any thing which you don’t want to tell me.” Rita said, “Its just I miss you so much…” her voice trailed away as she turned her face away to avoid an eye contact with him.
“I want to share it with you.” He softly said. “Mahak’s Dussehera holidays are starting from tomorrow right? It’s a ten days holiday, lets take a short trip. Just a few hours journey from here.”
Revelation:
They left early next morning by train. Mahak was chirping like a little bird, chattering away endlessly with Rita. Animesh was sitting silently, speaking only when he was forced to speak.
They descended on a small station at the dusk. The evening sun was glowing in the western sky, spreading a pink hue over every thing, birds were returning to their nests chirping like Mahak.
The horizon was dotted with hills, some were near and some far. Some appeared quite high.
Animesh took a taxi and they started their journey. Another couple of hours later they reached a small hotel situated on a hill. They rented a room for ten days.
“Get fresh. We don’t have any thing to do tonight, we will be there tomorrow morning, at ten.” Animesh said.
When Rita woke up next morning Animesh was not in bed. She got up to look for him and saw him sitting on the balcony. Staring at the eastern horizon which was on a riot of colours.
The clear blue sky was scattered with clouds of various colour and the rising sun was pouring down colour on them with both hands. To enhance the beauty a luscious green carpet of grass was surrounding the hotel. Filled with various types of trees.
Animesh took her hand and pulled her beside him. She sat down beside him with her head resting on his shoulder.
Birds were singing all around them, some were invisible and some not.
“Wake Mahak up, get her ready and feed her something.” Animesh said after an hour or so. The sun was already up and the employees and other guests of the hotel were stirring now.
Some were taking walk in the garden below, some were making arrangements for leaving … and the employees were busy attending them.
The meeting:
Animesh called up the reception for a taxi at nine. They climbed the taxi, it winded its way down the hill to climb another.
It finally stopped near the top of the hill, there was a high boundary wall and a group of guards sitting in the guard room at the gate. They knew Animesh because they exchanged nodds.
Animesh asked the taxi driver to either wait for them or come back after four hours. The taxi driver promised he will be back there sharp at four and left.
They entered the hospital after taking the gate pass. Rita has already read the Signboard which she missed at the first glance.
It was as beautiful as picture, small white buildings were scattered among groves of trees and green lawns. Every where there were flower beds filled up with seasonal flowers, butterflies and bees busily flying around them.
“Let Mahak play here, its absolutely safe.” Animesh said. “she will be clearly visible to us.”
“sweetheart, don’t go out of this garden ok?” he told Mahak. “We are going to that room, if you feel scared you can come to that room and ask that aunty to call us. Whatever you do darling don’t shout.” He showed her a room and the nurse sitting outside it.
“Come.” He held Rita’s hand in his hands as they walked across the lawn towards the room.
“Hi Mr. Ghosh.” The nurse looked surprised. “You were here the day before yesterday, were not you?”
“Tandra is just as before, no improvement or deterioration.” She suppressed her surprise.
“Hi sister, meet my wife Rita, I brought her and my daughter Mahak to meet Tandra.” He introduced them and pointed out Mahak, who was playing in the garden. “Will you keep an eye on her?”
The nurse nodded as she smiled at Rita. They entered the room, it was a neat, clean, beautifully decorated room. With vases full of flower on tables and there was a picture of Animesh, Rita and Mahak on one of them. There was another picture too, Animesh, A gorgeous woman and another girl, who looked just like the woman.
Rita turned toward the patient on the bed, it was the same lady in the picture but she has transformed to almost a skeleton. She was either sleeping deeply or was unconscious.
“Come, lets go and sit outside.” Animesh said, “She is sleeping, wont wake up soon.”
The story:
“Sister, we are sitting there on the lawn, will you let me know if Tandra wakes up?” Animesh asked the nurse when they were outside. She softly smiled and nodded.
They sat down on the grass watching Mahak play.
“She is Tandra. My first love. She was my colleague in my first job.”
“I fell in love with her head over heels and she too reciprocated it.”
“We lived together in Bangalore. She was not very keen to marry and I was hoping she will change her mind with time.”
“Two years went by like dream. That morning she called me up and told me she was expecting.”
“I was ecstatic and proposed her again, this time she agreed and we went to the gynae.”
“It was hardly one month and she changed her mind. When I uttered the word marriage next time she bluntly and heartlessly refused me.”
“I begged her for hours but she did not gave in. That night I emptied a bottle of sleeping pill in a glass of juice and swallowed it.”
“when I woke up she was sitting there, holding my hand, her eyes were red and swollen.”
“That was the beginning of my nightmare, she told me that she is a patient of leukemia, and in the final stages, the gynae told her when she went to her.”
“I begged her for days to marry me and give her last years to me but she refused. She told me that if I don’t listen to her she will kill herself.”
“Then Mehul came, and her condition started to deteriorate further, she started to pester me to get married and she herself selected you and forced me to marry you.”
“She has been working in this hospital since last seven or eight years as a doctor, suddenly her condition deteriorated and she collapsed.”
“That’s when my frequency of visiting her increased. Earlier I used to come here see her and Mehul and return after a couple of days.”
“I have never broken the trust which you have laid on me, I don’t think Tandra would have allowed me either.” He said.
Rita firmly held his hand in both of her hands.
The child:
“Where is Mehul?” she asked.
“I have admitted her to a boarding school nearby. Run by a reputed missionary organisation.” Animesh said.
“She comes to visit Tandra once a week either with me or some nun.” He added.
Rita’s heart filled up with deep pain for the small child who will have to face this horrible loss so early.
“How old is she?” she asked.
“Eleven, her eleventh birthday was last month.” Animesh said.
“What were you planning to do with her if something happened to Tandra?” Rita asked him.
“The boarding school is up to twelfth. After that I would have got her enrolled in some good college.” Animesh said.
“I have some other plans for my elder daughter, I am planning to take her with us when we shift to our own home next month.” Rita said, “we will enroll her there and she will live with us like she is supposed to..”
Tandra did not woke up that day, so they left when the taxi came.
The family:
They headed straight for Mehul’s school. It was a small but prestigious looking school.
One of the nuns guided them to the visitor’s room. Animesh went out to the office with Mahak, Rita was sitting there alone when a beautiful girl entered the room. She was an exact replica of her mother.
Rita stood up and hugged her. “ Mehul?” She asked.
The girl nodded, “Who are you?”
Rita softly replied, “I am your mother, your sister is waiting outside with your father.”Mehul denied vehemently, “You cant be my mother, my mother is in hospital, I go to see her often with father or sister Rose.”Rita held her close and softly said, “When your mom fell sick she prayed to God to send her sister to take her place so she could take care of you, and God has sent me to take care of you.”Mehul innocently looked up at her and hugged her tightly.
They returned that day after clearing the formalities and Mehul was admitted in Mahak’s school.Mahak took her new friend and sister, who was only one year older than her with love and gratitude. She already knew the deep misfortune of her big sister. She regularly visited Sumi with everyone else and have seen the cold hostel in which her sister lived before she found a family in them.Under the caring, guiding eyes of Animesh and Rita two flowers started to bloom and spread their fragrance.
Rita was sitting on a chair, just beside the window. It was late at night, Animesh,her husband was again out of station. The soft moonlight illuminated her pained face. She did not even noticed the magic it was spreading outside.
She was a shortheighted, slim woman in her mid thirties. Her short hair looked cute on her childish face, which was wearing a deep frown right now.
She went to bed after a while, not to sleep, which she knew wont come to her easily….
She looked at the face of her tiny daughter Mahak, she was sleeping like an angel, with a soft smile on her lip. She laid down beside her and pulled her close to her.
Its been ten years since their marriage. She still remembers the first day they went out together. She fell in love with Animesh at the first sight. He was tall, dark and handsome. There was some magic in his huge eyes, which were full of patience, wisdom and kindness.
They were sitting in a park. Spring all around them and in Rita’s heart. She was watching the flowers, birds and her fiance’s face again and again.
“I want to tell you something Rita, before you make up your mind about me, our marriage.” He said in a very soft voice. “You know I am an orphan, I was born and brought up in Ramkrishna Mission.”
“I am not marrying you because I need someone in my life, I am marrying you to keep an oath. I promised someone that I will marry you.” He continued.
“I have a past which I cant share with you. Because someone else’s extremely personal life is involved in it.” he continued, “But that past will never effect our life together, all I will ask from you that I will have to go away from you atleast for ten days per month.”
“Whatever I will do during that period is completely honourable, and though I cant share it with you but I know if I could you would have loved me even more.” He said looking at her face sincerely.
“You can call off the engagement, it wont matter to me.” He concluded.
Well, she chose him and promised him that she will never ask a single thing about his past or any thing which he doesnot wants to tell her. Her heart told her to trust him.
The pain:
Mahak came to their life a couple of years later. She was the apple of their eyes.
During the first few years of their marriage Animesh used to go out for a week per month, then it started to get longer. Not only that the frequency too increased. By the time Mahak was seven years old it started to take its toll on their married life.
He has gone away on first of this month for ten days, now it was twenty first and he has again left. This time for five days.
Rita spent the night without a single minute of sleep, next day was Sunday, no school for Mahak. So she was sleeping but Rita got up with the chirping of the birds.
She decided that it was high time that she will speak with Animesh.
Animesh returned on fifth of next month. There was a dark line of tiredness under his eyes.
Rita made arrangements of his rest and took care that Mahak doesnot disturbs him.
Mahak was out playing with children when Animesh woke up. He got up and saw that Rita was sitting outside in the balcony. She looked up at him when he approached her.
Animesh was shocked by the look of her eyes. A deep pain has taken place of the happiness which used to reside there earlier.
He sat down beside her and took her hand in both of his hands, “I am sorry, I owe you an explanation.”
“Its ok, I have promised you when we married that I will never ask any thing which you don’t want to tell me.” Rita said, “Its just I miss you so much…” her voice trailed away as she turned her face away to avoid an eye contact with him.
“I want to share it with you.” He softly said. “Mahak’s Dussehera holidays are starting from tomorrow right? It’s a ten days holiday, lets take a short trip. Just a few hours journey from here.”
Revelation:
They left early next morning by train. Mahak was chirping like a little bird, chattering away endlessly with Rita. Animesh was sitting silently, speaking only when he was forced to speak.
They descended on a small station at the dusk. The evening sun was glowing in the western sky, spreading a pink hue over every thing, birds were returning to their nests chirping like Mahak.
The horizon was dotted with hills, some were near and some far. Some appeared quite high.
Animesh took a taxi and they started their journey. Another couple of hours later they reached a small hotel situated on a hill. They rented a room for ten days.
“Get fresh. We don’t have any thing to do tonight, we will be there tomorrow morning, at ten.” Animesh said.
When Rita woke up next morning Animesh was not in bed. She got up to look for him and saw him sitting on the balcony. Staring at the eastern horizon which was on a riot of colours.
The clear blue sky was scattered with clouds of various colour and the rising sun was pouring down colour on them with both hands. To enhance the beauty a luscious green carpet of grass was surrounding the hotel. Filled with various types of trees.
Animesh took her hand and pulled her beside him. She sat down beside him with her head resting on his shoulder.
Birds were singing all around them, some were invisible and some not.
“Wake Mahak up, get her ready and feed her something.” Animesh said after an hour or so. The sun was already up and the employees and other guests of the hotel were stirring now.
Some were taking walk in the garden below, some were making arrangements for leaving … and the employees were busy attending them.
The meeting:
Animesh called up the reception for a taxi at nine. They climbed the taxi, it winded its way down the hill to climb another.
It finally stopped near the top of the hill, there was a high boundary wall and a group of guards sitting in the guard room at the gate. They knew Animesh because they exchanged nodds.
Animesh asked the taxi driver to either wait for them or come back after four hours. The taxi driver promised he will be back there sharp at four and left.
They entered the hospital after taking the gate pass. Rita has already read the Signboard which she missed at the first glance.
It was as beautiful as picture, small white buildings were scattered among groves of trees and green lawns. Every where there were flower beds filled up with seasonal flowers, butterflies and bees busily flying around them.
“Let Mahak play here, its absolutely safe.” Animesh said. “she will be clearly visible to us.”
“sweetheart, don’t go out of this garden ok?” he told Mahak. “We are going to that room, if you feel scared you can come to that room and ask that aunty to call us. Whatever you do darling don’t shout.” He showed her a room and the nurse sitting outside it.
“Come.” He held Rita’s hand in his hands as they walked across the lawn towards the room.
“Hi Mr. Ghosh.” The nurse looked surprised. “You were here the day before yesterday, were not you?”
“Tandra is just as before, no improvement or deterioration.” She suppressed her surprise.
“Hi sister, meet my wife Rita, I brought her and my daughter Mahak to meet Tandra.” He introduced them and pointed out Mahak, who was playing in the garden. “Will you keep an eye on her?”
The nurse nodded as she smiled at Rita. They entered the room, it was a neat, clean, beautifully decorated room. With vases full of flower on tables and there was a picture of Animesh, Rita and Mahak on one of them. There was another picture too, Animesh, A gorgeous woman and another girl, who looked just like the woman.
Rita turned toward the patient on the bed, it was the same lady in the picture but she has transformed to almost a skeleton. She was either sleeping deeply or was unconscious.
“Come, lets go and sit outside.” Animesh said, “She is sleeping, wont wake up soon.”
The story:
“Sister, we are sitting there on the lawn, will you let me know if Tandra wakes up?” Animesh asked the nurse when they were outside. She softly smiled and nodded.
They sat down on the grass watching Mahak play.
“She is Tandra. My first love. She was my colleague in my first job.”
“I fell in love with her head over heels and she too reciprocated it.”
“We lived together in Bangalore. She was not very keen to marry and I was hoping she will change her mind with time.”
“Two years went by like dream. That morning she called me up and told me she was expecting.”
“I was ecstatic and proposed her again, this time she agreed and we went to the gynae.”
“It was hardly one month and she changed her mind. When I uttered the word marriage next time she bluntly and heartlessly refused me.”
“I begged her for hours but she did not gave in. That night I emptied a bottle of sleeping pill in a glass of juice and swallowed it.”
“when I woke up she was sitting there, holding my hand, her eyes were red and swollen.”
“That was the beginning of my nightmare, she told me that she is a patient of leukemia, and in the final stages, the gynae told her when she went to her.”
“I begged her for days to marry me and give her last years to me but she refused. She told me that if I don’t listen to her she will kill herself.”
“Then Mehul came, and her condition started to deteriorate further, she started to pester me to get married and she herself selected you and forced me to marry you.”
“She has been working in this hospital since last seven or eight years as a doctor, suddenly her condition deteriorated and she collapsed.”
“That’s when my frequency of visiting her increased. Earlier I used to come here see her and Mehul and return after a couple of days.”
“I have never broken the trust which you have laid on me, I don’t think Tandra would have allowed me either.” He said.
Rita firmly held his hand in both of her hands.
The child:
“Where is Mehul?” she asked.
“I have admitted her to a boarding school nearby. Run by a reputed missionary organisation.” Animesh said.
“She comes to visit Tandra once a week either with me or some nun.” He added.
Rita’s heart filled up with deep pain for the small child who will have to face this horrible loss so early.
“How old is she?” she asked.
“Eleven, her eleventh birthday was last month.” Animesh said.
“What were you planning to do with her if something happened to Tandra?” Rita asked him.
“The boarding school is up to twelfth. After that I would have got her enrolled in some good college.” Animesh said.
“I have some other plans for my elder daughter, I am planning to take her with us when we shift to our own home next month.” Rita said, “we will enroll her there and she will live with us like she is supposed to..”
Tandra did not woke up that day, so they left when the taxi came.
The family:
They headed straight for Mehul’s school. It was a small but prestigious looking school.
One of the nuns guided them to the visitor’s room. Animesh went out to the office with Mahak, Rita was sitting there alone when a beautiful girl entered the room. She was an exact replica of her mother.
Rita stood up and hugged her. “ Mehul?” She asked.
The girl nodded, “Who are you?”
Rita softly replied, “I am your mother, your sister is waiting outside with your father.”Mehul denied vehemently, “You cant be my mother, my mother is in hospital, I go to see her often with father or sister Rose.”Rita held her close and softly said, “When your mom fell sick she prayed to God to send her sister to take her place so she could take care of you, and God has sent me to take care of you.”Mehul innocently looked up at her and hugged her tightly.
They returned that day after clearing the formalities and Mehul was admitted in Mahak’s school.Mahak took her new friend and sister, who was only one year older than her with love and gratitude. She already knew the deep misfortune of her big sister. She regularly visited Sumi with everyone else and have seen the cold hostel in which her sister lived before she found a family in them.Under the caring, guiding eyes of Animesh and Rita two flowers started to bloom and spread their fragrance.
Light of love
31.10.2009
“Baba indra, wake up.” He could hear his mother’s voice outside his bedroom door.
He opened his eyes and looked at the clock on his bedside table it was six in the morning and it was Sunday.
“Indra, get up and brush your teeth and take a stroll in the park before it gets crowded.” He heard her again.
He got out of the bed and went to toilet. He dressed up and left for the park as ordered by his mother. Who was waiting outside his bedroom door with a glass of milk and biscuit.
He was thinking while strolling in the park about his mother Mitali. She got widowed at a very young age, Debendra was only five years old when his father passed away. She was still beautiful. She doted after debendra and she was very, very possessive about him.
Debendra was born with a small defect in one of his legs, which due to ignorance of the small town doctor resulted in a lifelong pain. Debendra’s leg was twisted from the calf, as a result he knew that he will never live normal life like other mens. And his physical helplessness shot up Mitali’s possessiveness on him. She was dead certain that every person is either aiming at her little boy’s neck or at his wallet.
She used to hover over his personal life like a watchful sentry, shooing away any one she had least doubt about. As a result Debendra grew up as a very shy man.
Then youth arrived. To add up to his past miseries whenever he made the mistake of befriending a lady, his mother used to play the girlfriend slayer. Openly telling her all his drawbacks, if the poor girl did not minded his physical problems she used to become over suspicious, and did not had enough tact to hide it. She had a firm belief that only money seekers will be chasing her little boy, and as a mother she has full right of protecting her son.
So he ended up as a very lonely man when it came to friends, forget about lovers.. Debendra started to teach in a school to forget his pain, he used to shower all his affection on the children and they used to dote on him.
Life was moving on in its usual monotonous pace. One day after another without any variation. Only spice in Debendra’s life was those hours spent with children, watching them living their life with unbridled joy.
He was just about to enter the gate when he heard a sweet voice, “Can you please show me the Principal’s room?”
He turned his face, it was a beautiful young lady. She smiled at him and Debendra could feel the perspiration forming on his forehead.
“Yes, sure, why not?” he mumbled. “Please come.”
He took her to the chamber.
“I am Mira, the new librarian.” She stretched out her hand to him before entering the chamber.
“I am Debendra.” He smiled.
Library was Debendra’s obsession, the school had a gem of a library. The earlier librarian Mr. Ghosh has retired just a month ago. He and Debendra was really close friends.
Mira soon became very close friend, she had a graceful way of presenting herself. She could coax any one to friendship.
Soon they both realized that they have too much in common and their friendship grew deeper with every passing day.
Soon it was summer vacation, this time Debendra was really sad, on one hand he was going to miss the kids on the other hand he was going to miss Mira. The only intimate friend he was blessed with.
He was sitting on the balcony watching the garden below. There was a spacious garden and lawn surrounding the housing. Straight roads connecting every block with four exits.
A sultry summer day has turned into a breezy, cloudy eveing. He noted a lady walking toward their block. She looked familiar and when she approached nearer he saw that it was Mira.
He was surprised, he never knew that she knew someone from their housing.
A few minutes later he heard their doorbell ring, Mitali answered the door.
“Indra someone has come to see you!” he counted five before he got up. It was Mira ofcourse and she was there to see him.
“Hi Deb! I was getting bored, so I thought it will be better if I bug you.” She smiled when she saw him.
“You remember that promise you gave me? You will teach me French?” she showed him some books and notebooks. “I have made the arrangements.”
“Oh yes!!” Debendra mumbled, he could see his mother standing and watching Mira like a hawk.
“Here goes another friend..” he thought inside.
“Ma, she is Mira, our librarian. She has joined a few months ago.” He introduced her to Mitali.
To his pleasant surprise he observed that Mitali soon got over her suspicions on Mira. To doubly relieve him Mira used to include Mitali with them and used to mix with her as freely as a family member.
The summer vacation just flew by. One week was left before the school was reopening.
Debendra was sitting on his favourite chair when Mitali came and sat down beside him.
“I like Mira”, she started unceremoniously, “She is a very nice girl.”
“I was asking her yesterday if she likes you.. I think she really loves you a lot.” Mitali continued. “She is an orphan. So there is no one to look after her.”
Debendra was staring at her with a bewildered look. A deep disappointment slowly sinking in his heart. His mind projecting the cold rejection which he will have to face when he next time talks with Mira.
“I asked her if she will marry you and she said that she will be honoured if a person like you becomes her life partner.” Mitali added triumphantly. “You should propose her.”
Love twists
31.10.2009
Maitreyee placed her bag on the table and went to the toilet to change. Its been a long day at office and the bus took too long to reach station, as a result she missed her usual train.
She went out after a while to the kitchen, her mother was fixing up her snacks. “Mitu, Amal’s parents came again today.” Tripti said when they were sitting together in the balcony.
Maitreyee was looking at the scene outside her home, the street lamps were spreading their yellowish light on the small road in front of her home.
People were returning home after working. Some chatting merrily with friends, some walking alone.
There was an environment of peace and relaxation every where.
“Mitu!!” Tripti insisted.
“Ma, how many times will I have to tell you that I don’t love Amal, I can never accept him as my husband?” she asked softly but there was a tinge of impatience in her voice.
Maitreyee knew Tripti and her father Prakash will be aghast. Amal was one of the most eligible bachelors in this town and he has become obsessed with her.
His family has asked her family again and again for her hand and she has been refusing their proposal for more than last two years.
He was handsome, rich and belonged to a good family. Maitreyee knew him since college days. They were friends then, and then Amal fell in love with her.
She still remembers that day, she was in the second year. They all have gone out for a picnic. Not the whole college only their group of friends. Amal was the main enthuciast of that group. He had a marvellous singing voice.
They selected a plot near damodar river, its sandy banks were ideal for picknickers. There were small, small groups scattered over all the place.
When everyone else expressed their desire for a dip in the river Maitreyee said she will look after the things.
She was sitting there alone, watching them frolicking in the water, splashing water at each other like children. “You did not went to bath with them?” she was startled and turned, it was Amal.
Broken spell:
“No, I am not very well today, otherwise I too would have loved joining them.” Maitreyee said softly.
Amal started to first hum and then clearly sing a song. He had a magical voice, one song preceded other and she sat mesmerized.
She was almost in love with him by the time the group returned to them famished.
The plates were quickly placed and everyone sat down.
Maitreyee noted shyly that he selected the place right beside her. A rush of hot blood ran up to her cheeks and she lowered her head.
Then he started to eat…… she watched him slurping, masticating and swallowing and felt she was sitting beside a oversized primate attired in human clothes. Who blissfully oblivious of the whole world was gorging up his food, like there is no tomorrow.
She nibbled her food and got up to wash her hand. She was sitting on the mat when the second shockwave hit her, he was washing his hands and mouth. She wouldnot have been surprised if it was audible from the other side of the river.. something churned in her stomach and it was not laughter, it was the food she has just eaten.
Those two shockwaves shattered away the sandcastle she has built on that ocean shore called love.
But Amal had no such reason, so to her horror and compassion he instantly became obsessed with her.
She tried every possible way to show him that they were not meant for each other, even tried rudeness but none worked.
Then he took the next step. His parents approached hers and her parents felt they were flying in the seventh sky.
The nests:
Maitreyee was sitting in the balcony. Listening to Kanika Bandhopadhyay. Her deep voice always added some extra peace to her mornings.
Tripti came out with two cups of tea. “Amal’s mother came yesterday when you were in office.”
“There is no need of frowning.” Tripti said when she noted that Maitreyee was about to open her mouth.
“She came to invite us to Amal’s marriage. She repeatedly said that Amal has requested you to attend the marriage.” Tripti handed a card to her.
Maitreyee certainly went there and happily. Amal’s wife Jyotsna was a piece of beauty. A gorgeous looking woman.
Amal welcomed her with over enthuciasm. He described every quality which Jyotsna possessed in long details. He got busy with a childish obsession of flaunting his love for Jyotsna.
Maitreyee could understand that Amal hated her, and his love or passion for her was so strong that he could not hide it, and was unable to hide his hatred now.
On his over eagerness to show his wife off to Maitreyee they became fast friends. Maitreyee and Jyotsna became almost inseparable.
Dusk was settling when Amal came home and sat down near his son sleeping in his cradle. Its been four years since Amal’s marriage, he was blessed with a beautiful son a few months ago.
Jyotsna entered the room with his snacks and tea. She handed him a card with a big smile on her face. It was Maitreyee’s Wedding Invitation.
“That snob finally found a man idiot enough to marry her?” Amal laughed.
Jyotsna did not responded to his taunting only glared at him.
“Its next month.” She said merrily. “I will be busy helping her.”
“Do you want to meet Deeptendu?” She asked, “I am going out for lunch with them next Sunday, you can come along too. I will manage.”
“Sure, I want to see that idiot.” Amal said.
Jyotsna and Amal reached first. They were waiting outside the restaurant when they noted Maitreyee coming towards them, a handsome, tall guy was walking with her.
Introduction over they sat down to have the lunch. Jyotsna was surprised to note that Deeptendu’s table manners were also quite horrible.
“Why did you refused my poor hubby?” Jyotsna grilled her friend when they were alone next time. “He still hates you for that.”
Jyotsna knew the reason why Maitreyee has refused to marry Amal.
“I don’t know myself, do we become more adjusting when we love or we are unkind towards the people we don’t love… “ Maitreyee mused.
“It was love at first sight. I saw Deeptendu and I fell in love. He is an angel, a pure hearted creature. He has his share of flaws but his qualities are too many and too much.” Maitreyee said.
“I fell in love with him just after your marriage, and he proposed to me next month. I have been mixing with him all this time to gauge the depth of my love. Well, I said yes after I became confident that I can love him with his flaws.”
“Love just happens. I believe God had better plans for Amal, that is why I rejected him.” she laughed.
“Not only for him, me too, I got you and Deeptendu.” She added.
“Marriage should occur only when two persons can respect and like each other whole heartedly. Then only they will be able to take the remaining hardships of life, which are bound to come. These waves are tackled by the oars of mutual love and respect, without which the boat will sink, no matter how costly or beautiful it is.” She muttered thoughtfully.
Maitreyee placed her bag on the table and went to the toilet to change. Its been a long day at office and the bus took too long to reach station, as a result she missed her usual train.
She went out after a while to the kitchen, her mother was fixing up her snacks. “Mitu, Amal’s parents came again today.” Tripti said when they were sitting together in the balcony.
Maitreyee was looking at the scene outside her home, the street lamps were spreading their yellowish light on the small road in front of her home.
People were returning home after working. Some chatting merrily with friends, some walking alone.
There was an environment of peace and relaxation every where.
“Mitu!!” Tripti insisted.
“Ma, how many times will I have to tell you that I don’t love Amal, I can never accept him as my husband?” she asked softly but there was a tinge of impatience in her voice.
Maitreyee knew Tripti and her father Prakash will be aghast. Amal was one of the most eligible bachelors in this town and he has become obsessed with her.
His family has asked her family again and again for her hand and she has been refusing their proposal for more than last two years.
He was handsome, rich and belonged to a good family. Maitreyee knew him since college days. They were friends then, and then Amal fell in love with her.
She still remembers that day, she was in the second year. They all have gone out for a picnic. Not the whole college only their group of friends. Amal was the main enthuciast of that group. He had a marvellous singing voice.
They selected a plot near damodar river, its sandy banks were ideal for picknickers. There were small, small groups scattered over all the place.
When everyone else expressed their desire for a dip in the river Maitreyee said she will look after the things.
She was sitting there alone, watching them frolicking in the water, splashing water at each other like children. “You did not went to bath with them?” she was startled and turned, it was Amal.
Broken spell:
“No, I am not very well today, otherwise I too would have loved joining them.” Maitreyee said softly.
Amal started to first hum and then clearly sing a song. He had a magical voice, one song preceded other and she sat mesmerized.
She was almost in love with him by the time the group returned to them famished.
The plates were quickly placed and everyone sat down.
Maitreyee noted shyly that he selected the place right beside her. A rush of hot blood ran up to her cheeks and she lowered her head.
Then he started to eat…… she watched him slurping, masticating and swallowing and felt she was sitting beside a oversized primate attired in human clothes. Who blissfully oblivious of the whole world was gorging up his food, like there is no tomorrow.
She nibbled her food and got up to wash her hand. She was sitting on the mat when the second shockwave hit her, he was washing his hands and mouth. She wouldnot have been surprised if it was audible from the other side of the river.. something churned in her stomach and it was not laughter, it was the food she has just eaten.
Those two shockwaves shattered away the sandcastle she has built on that ocean shore called love.
But Amal had no such reason, so to her horror and compassion he instantly became obsessed with her.
She tried every possible way to show him that they were not meant for each other, even tried rudeness but none worked.
Then he took the next step. His parents approached hers and her parents felt they were flying in the seventh sky.
The nests:
Maitreyee was sitting in the balcony. Listening to Kanika Bandhopadhyay. Her deep voice always added some extra peace to her mornings.
Tripti came out with two cups of tea. “Amal’s mother came yesterday when you were in office.”
“There is no need of frowning.” Tripti said when she noted that Maitreyee was about to open her mouth.
“She came to invite us to Amal’s marriage. She repeatedly said that Amal has requested you to attend the marriage.” Tripti handed a card to her.
Maitreyee certainly went there and happily. Amal’s wife Jyotsna was a piece of beauty. A gorgeous looking woman.
Amal welcomed her with over enthuciasm. He described every quality which Jyotsna possessed in long details. He got busy with a childish obsession of flaunting his love for Jyotsna.
Maitreyee could understand that Amal hated her, and his love or passion for her was so strong that he could not hide it, and was unable to hide his hatred now.
On his over eagerness to show his wife off to Maitreyee they became fast friends. Maitreyee and Jyotsna became almost inseparable.
Dusk was settling when Amal came home and sat down near his son sleeping in his cradle. Its been four years since Amal’s marriage, he was blessed with a beautiful son a few months ago.
Jyotsna entered the room with his snacks and tea. She handed him a card with a big smile on her face. It was Maitreyee’s Wedding Invitation.
“That snob finally found a man idiot enough to marry her?” Amal laughed.
Jyotsna did not responded to his taunting only glared at him.
“Its next month.” She said merrily. “I will be busy helping her.”
“Do you want to meet Deeptendu?” She asked, “I am going out for lunch with them next Sunday, you can come along too. I will manage.”
“Sure, I want to see that idiot.” Amal said.
Jyotsna and Amal reached first. They were waiting outside the restaurant when they noted Maitreyee coming towards them, a handsome, tall guy was walking with her.
Introduction over they sat down to have the lunch. Jyotsna was surprised to note that Deeptendu’s table manners were also quite horrible.
“Why did you refused my poor hubby?” Jyotsna grilled her friend when they were alone next time. “He still hates you for that.”
Jyotsna knew the reason why Maitreyee has refused to marry Amal.
“I don’t know myself, do we become more adjusting when we love or we are unkind towards the people we don’t love… “ Maitreyee mused.
“It was love at first sight. I saw Deeptendu and I fell in love. He is an angel, a pure hearted creature. He has his share of flaws but his qualities are too many and too much.” Maitreyee said.
“I fell in love with him just after your marriage, and he proposed to me next month. I have been mixing with him all this time to gauge the depth of my love. Well, I said yes after I became confident that I can love him with his flaws.”
“Love just happens. I believe God had better plans for Amal, that is why I rejected him.” she laughed.
“Not only for him, me too, I got you and Deeptendu.” She added.
“Marriage should occur only when two persons can respect and like each other whole heartedly. Then only they will be able to take the remaining hardships of life, which are bound to come. These waves are tackled by the oars of mutual love and respect, without which the boat will sink, no matter how costly or beautiful it is.” She muttered thoughtfully.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Mercy
I: 30.10.2009
It was his third round of walking through that compartment. Only one man has boarded the train, and he was sleeping.
Bhola has pointed him out from the window and Guddu started his operation. He went past the man three times to assure he was asleep. He even pulled out his broom and cleaned the compartment clean but the man never stirred.
One of his hands covered his eyes and he was stretched on the lower birth.
While he was cleaning the compartment Guddu checked his luggage, there was a big suitcase and a small bag. Bhola has seen some costly things inside that bag when that guy was putting the bottle of mineral water in the bag.
Guddu softly reached out his hands and grabbed the handle of the bag.
A chill ran down Guddu’s spine when he felt that his hand was caught by an iron grip. He blankly stared at the rigid face of the owner of the bag he was expertly fumbling, he did not even imagined that the guy was studying his every movement.
He was one of the dozens small boys hanging around the station in rags, he did not knew who his parent were, the older boys of his group told him that they have found him crying on the platform and have taken him in their gang.
All these small ones, their ages ranging from five to sixteen or seventeen year olds spent their days and nights in the platform, begging and stealing. Sometimes the railway police used to pick them up and after some boxing of ears they were let off again.
The older boys taught him the skills of begging and stealing. He has become an expert thief, but today his luck just betrayed.
Their eyes were interlocked. The guy was looking at him calmly and his eyes were filled up with horror.
“Give him a solid thrashing. Dirty thieves. Why do their parents breed them if they cant feed them.” a guy growled, he has just entered the compartment with his luggage.
Guddu shivered with fear. He knew very well what happens after being thrashed by public. A few months back one of their older boys was caught stealing, he did not even made it to the hospital.
II
The guy caught his hand and took him out of the train compartment. He started to walk toward the RPF office holding his hand firmly.
“Hi! I am Major R. Bose. This boy was trying to snatch my bag. Would you mind if I take him along with me? If his parents come searching for him send them to me.” He handed the inspector his card.
“I know him. he is an orphan. So his parents wont come looking for him.” The inspector said. “Do you want me to register a case?”
“No. if it can be avoided. I am taking him with me then.” The man smiled and left the office.
A few hours later Guddu was sitting with him in his drawing room. His wife and daughter were sitting in another sofa.
“I brought him home Kamalika, I just could not leave him there. So many times I have seen these urchins shrivelling up before their time.” The man was saying.
“You did the right thing darling.” She smiled.
Another hour later Guddu was wearing a clean set of dress and eating his lunch with them.
Thus he became a part of Major Raktim Bose’s family. Major Bose adopted him after an year. He started to bring him up with deep affection.
Major Bose’s daughter Chaiti was a few years younger than him.
Guddu was christened as Kamalesh, he was a very intelligent boy and shined like a diamond under Raktim and Kamalika’s care.
Years flew by. Kamalesh became a doctor and started his career in army. He lived with his parents, whereas Chaiti was married off to a NRI settled in New York.
III
Kamalesh fell in love with Reva, they got married soon. She was the only child of another army officer. A free willed girl.
A few months later frictions started to crop up, Reva was born and brought up in a reckless environment, both her parents were busy with themselves, she just grew up, without any guidance from them. she was absolutely habituated of having her ways whereas her inlaws were quite disciplined.
Her parents kept on insisting her to shift with them, they were feeling lonely without her.
She controlled her parents and thought she will be able to control Kamalesh too, well she was wrong. She tried all the weapons, even tried to brainwash him using his past but failed.
To Kamalesh they were his true parents, actually greater than them. So he made his stands clear to Reva and she too stopped banging her head on wall.
After trying for a few years she resigned. Then she did not had much choice either because their love has borne its fruit, a little angel was illuminating their world, their daughter tiyasa.
She was the sweetheart of the whole family and neighbours. A child beautiful like a doll. Talkative as a small brook rushing down a hill. Always talking, always running like her.
Every thing was perfect in that home; the disharmony crept in from blue sky. One morning they received a phone call from Chaiti’s in-laws.
Chaiti’s husband Dinesh has passed away in a horrible accident which has left Chaiti permanently disabled. She is in Mumbai with them.
They rushed to Mumbai and brought back Chaiti with them. Her in-laws gave in after seeing the devastated look on Kamalika’s face.
IIII
Chaiti started her therapies at army hospital but the therapist was not much optimist. He told Major Bose in discretion that chances were almost zero.
The girl who was full of happiness and joy transformed into a petulant woman. Kamalesh remembered her last visit, she and Tiasa have driven every one crazy. They used to sleep together at night; Tiasa has absolutely forgotten her own parents during her stay.
She tried to warm up to her pishimoni the moment she saw Chaiti but met cold refusal.
She was drowning in her misery and every one else was slowly giving in to her sorrow. The worst sufferer was Tiasa.
All of a sudden all her actions were under censored. She was forbidden from talking, running, playing….. the home became a cage for that little bird.
Reva was writing some letters in the front porch, Tiasa was running around in the lawn, screaming, shouting.
She turned her face at a sound and saw Chaiti passing by her in her wheel chair, her lips were firmly sealed together, resembling a thin line. She looked at Tiasa with irritation and wheeled toward the kitchen.
Reva got up and entered the lawn. Tiasa rushed towards her and hugged her tightly. “Ma catch a butterfly for me!!!! Please ma!!”
“Titi, you have to do one thing for me, will you do it darling?” she asked her.
“What ma?” she asked back, sitting firmly on her lap, wrapping her small arms around her neck.
“You used to sleep with pishimoni when she came here last year, you remember?” she asked. “Can you sleep with her again?”
“No ma! Pishimoni does not love me any more.” Tiasa said.
“She does titi, but she is sad that is why she does not plays with you anymore. You remember Moshai? A naughty ghost took him away and he comes to scare pishimoni at night.”
“If you sleep with her at the night the ghost will be scared to scare her and she will play with you again. But you have to promise me another thing; you will not tell pishimoni any thing. Promise?”
“Okay ma!!!” She answered wisely.
Reva went back to the house, Chaiti was sitting in her room. She was surprised to see Reva making arrangements of Tiasa’s sleeping in her room.
“Tiasa was begging to sleep with you like she did before.” Reva said and left the room before she could say any thing.
Next morning when Kamalika entered Chaiti’s room she was not there. She went out to the porch and saw her sitting on the lawn, Tiasa on her lap, both inspecting something which Tiasa was holding in her hand. She tiptoed back to the kitchen.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Rebels
21.10.2009
Rajnagar was a small kingdom. Situated in a hilly region. Tall mountains kissing the blue skies circled around the kingdom as sentries.
Luscious green fields and small groves of trees were scattered here and there. A picture of peace.
But it was not, since last few years the dacoity in the erstwhile peaceful country has shot up. Small groups of bandits roamed around the kindom in darkness.
The king was sitting on his throne. His palace was made of marble, different shades has been used to give the palace an exquisite look. It looked like a dream situated right in the middle of the green country.
His throne was made of ivory and gold, his robe was stiched with priceless jewels. His crown burnt on his head like a sun.
He was wearing a dark frown, “General!!! How can this happen every night? What is the army doing?”
His army general, a plump fellow was shaking nervously, fearing decapitation, “Your honour, they disappear like magic before army can reach them.”
“I think the citizens are in cahoot with them.” one of the ministers said.
“Even the spies can not trace them.” another chimed in.
“That only shows your unworthiness!!!!” the king roared. “I will have to look for some other way to controll it!”
“I am rearing a army of idiots in my Court!” he got up and left the Court.
It was a full moon night. There was a small garden near the palace, a brook flowed by it. Suddenly a man appeared almost out of nowhere in the garden.
He took a look around him and when he became confident that no one has seen him he started to walk toward the nearest village.
The village seemed asleep, but it was not. He saw a thin ray of light coming out of the window of a hut. He softly tiptoed towards it.
He could see that someone has tried his level best to not let a single ray of light slip out of that window but it did.
To his surprise he saw a gathering of people inside the hut. They all were common villagers, aptly listening to a group of young people.
He softly hid himself in the dark completely and started to listen. To his utter surprise he realized that the young boys and girls were teaching those villagers.
Suddenly he saw a group of people rushing toward the door of the hut soundlessly.
One of them reached out and knocked the door in a strange manner, a coded knock was exchanged a few times and the door opened. The whole group entered without a sound.
The watcher softly crept back to the slit in the window. He saw that the new group was piling up their loot on the floor.
“so the ministers were right.” He thought inside, “the villagers are in cahoot.”
The loot was distributed among the villagers. One of the new comers said, “This will ensure your food for next few months. Now we will go to the next village.”
“If and only if our King cared for us. We did not have to do it… “ he said sadly, “his men rob these things from you during the day hours, wearing his badges in their arms, and we rob these things from them in the night so you could have a piece of bread on your plate.”
“Our king is not a very bad person, but he is blind. And he is being guided by greedy monsters.” The man continued. “For centuries the kingdom has only taken from us, without giving us back any thing..”
“They did not let us get educated because they were afraid that we will know our rights.”
“They just extracted their rights, forgetting the bitter fact that kingdom too have some duties toward its citizens.”
A swift goodbye was exchanged and the group left as silently as it came and disappeared in the darkness. The watcher followed them in stealth.
22.10.2009
A fortnight later the whole kingdom woke up to witness a strange scene.
The whole army was combing each and every house of the kingdom and picking up men, and women from homes. They left for the palace with them.
They were sent to a special section of prison, highly guarded.
The kingdom became absolutely peaceful again.
A few months later the same watcher appeared again in the same garden. He started to walk toward the same village.
This time he saw that the board has been removed from the window of the hut in which he saw the mysterious happenings.
He crawled toward the open window to have a look. He saw a family of four huddled together near a small hearth.
“Baba I am hungry.” One of the children whined. She was ten or eleven years old wearing a rag.
“wait for a while. You ate in the morning, did not you?” the man said gruffly. “Let your mother come back.”
“That was only one bread.” The girl whined piteously.
The watcher heard some movement and levelled himself with the wall. Someone knocked at the hut door. The man opened it from inside. “You are back.” He said. “The children are driving me crazy.”
A woman as thin as a skeleton entered the hut. “Don’t whine.”, she said roughly to the children, “Let me cook the meal for you.”
The watcher stared at the MEAL, it was leaves plucked from some unknown tree or vine. The woman started to boil them and he stealthily left the place.
His next stop was at the window of one of the ministers. The minister was having his dinner with his family.
He stood there and watched their lavish lifestyle, their gala dinner and wastage and crept away from there.
Another fortnight later the king called his courtiers to a special court.
“Is there any famine going on in my country?” he asked solemnly.
“No My Lord!!!!” his cashier answered, “The vault is filled with money and the granary is filled with grain.”
“Are you sure?” the king repeated his question.
“Yes my Lord.” Was the answer.
23.10.2009
“Bring those prisoners to the Court.” The king ordered.
One by one the prisoners were brought in the Court. They stood solemnly waiting for the king’s verdict. Which they already knew.
The king looked at those hundred or so boys and girls, yes they were merely boys and girls. Their ages ranging from teenage to early thirties. Beautiful, fresh flowers a little dulled by six months in captivity.
His eyes zeroed on their leader. A tall, dark guy, with prominent tribal features and strong jaws. His jaws told that he was a man of determination. His age was somewhere near thirty five.
“Whats your name young man?” the king asked him.
“Rajen Tudu.” The guy answered. The king noted he answered him with due respect but slipped the “my lord” part.
He came down from his throne and headed towards him. “Do you know the punishment of showing disrespect to the king?” he asked. “and the punishment of rebelling against the kingdom, causing damage to the kingdom?”
“I know.” He answered. His face showed no fear.
24.10.2009
The king stood right in front of him. He was a few inches taller than Rajen, well built. His hair has all turned white but that increased his elegant charm.
“So you think that you are a Messiah, right?” he asked tauntingly, “Out there to help poor villagers from the evil clutches of king.”
“Lets see how much you can do when you are in power, or to be precise how much you will do when you are in power.” He laughed.
The guards removed the chains from each and every one of them at his instruction.
The courtiers gawked when a group of royal servants carried another throne and placed it just beside his throne.
The king removed his stole and wrapped it around Rajen’s shoulder.
“You were right that night, I have become blind, but that’s because I am too old to handle the kingdom. If I had a child he or she would have been older than you. So I would have been relieved of this duty years ago…” he said solemnly.
“From today onward my whole kingdom will treat you as my son. If you walk your talk, I will happily close my eyes after handing over the headache of kingdom to you.” The king smiled mischievously, as the rebels stood staring at him with moist eyes.
thats all folks (?).... :)
Rajnagar was a small kingdom. Situated in a hilly region. Tall mountains kissing the blue skies circled around the kingdom as sentries.
Luscious green fields and small groves of trees were scattered here and there. A picture of peace.
But it was not, since last few years the dacoity in the erstwhile peaceful country has shot up. Small groups of bandits roamed around the kindom in darkness.
The king was sitting on his throne. His palace was made of marble, different shades has been used to give the palace an exquisite look. It looked like a dream situated right in the middle of the green country.
His throne was made of ivory and gold, his robe was stiched with priceless jewels. His crown burnt on his head like a sun.
He was wearing a dark frown, “General!!! How can this happen every night? What is the army doing?”
His army general, a plump fellow was shaking nervously, fearing decapitation, “Your honour, they disappear like magic before army can reach them.”
“I think the citizens are in cahoot with them.” one of the ministers said.
“Even the spies can not trace them.” another chimed in.
“That only shows your unworthiness!!!!” the king roared. “I will have to look for some other way to controll it!”
“I am rearing a army of idiots in my Court!” he got up and left the Court.
It was a full moon night. There was a small garden near the palace, a brook flowed by it. Suddenly a man appeared almost out of nowhere in the garden.
He took a look around him and when he became confident that no one has seen him he started to walk toward the nearest village.
The village seemed asleep, but it was not. He saw a thin ray of light coming out of the window of a hut. He softly tiptoed towards it.
He could see that someone has tried his level best to not let a single ray of light slip out of that window but it did.
To his surprise he saw a gathering of people inside the hut. They all were common villagers, aptly listening to a group of young people.
He softly hid himself in the dark completely and started to listen. To his utter surprise he realized that the young boys and girls were teaching those villagers.
Suddenly he saw a group of people rushing toward the door of the hut soundlessly.
One of them reached out and knocked the door in a strange manner, a coded knock was exchanged a few times and the door opened. The whole group entered without a sound.
The watcher softly crept back to the slit in the window. He saw that the new group was piling up their loot on the floor.
“so the ministers were right.” He thought inside, “the villagers are in cahoot.”
The loot was distributed among the villagers. One of the new comers said, “This will ensure your food for next few months. Now we will go to the next village.”
“If and only if our King cared for us. We did not have to do it… “ he said sadly, “his men rob these things from you during the day hours, wearing his badges in their arms, and we rob these things from them in the night so you could have a piece of bread on your plate.”
“Our king is not a very bad person, but he is blind. And he is being guided by greedy monsters.” The man continued. “For centuries the kingdom has only taken from us, without giving us back any thing..”
“They did not let us get educated because they were afraid that we will know our rights.”
“They just extracted their rights, forgetting the bitter fact that kingdom too have some duties toward its citizens.”
A swift goodbye was exchanged and the group left as silently as it came and disappeared in the darkness. The watcher followed them in stealth.
22.10.2009
A fortnight later the whole kingdom woke up to witness a strange scene.
The whole army was combing each and every house of the kingdom and picking up men, and women from homes. They left for the palace with them.
They were sent to a special section of prison, highly guarded.
The kingdom became absolutely peaceful again.
A few months later the same watcher appeared again in the same garden. He started to walk toward the same village.
This time he saw that the board has been removed from the window of the hut in which he saw the mysterious happenings.
He crawled toward the open window to have a look. He saw a family of four huddled together near a small hearth.
“Baba I am hungry.” One of the children whined. She was ten or eleven years old wearing a rag.
“wait for a while. You ate in the morning, did not you?” the man said gruffly. “Let your mother come back.”
“That was only one bread.” The girl whined piteously.
The watcher heard some movement and levelled himself with the wall. Someone knocked at the hut door. The man opened it from inside. “You are back.” He said. “The children are driving me crazy.”
A woman as thin as a skeleton entered the hut. “Don’t whine.”, she said roughly to the children, “Let me cook the meal for you.”
The watcher stared at the MEAL, it was leaves plucked from some unknown tree or vine. The woman started to boil them and he stealthily left the place.
His next stop was at the window of one of the ministers. The minister was having his dinner with his family.
He stood there and watched their lavish lifestyle, their gala dinner and wastage and crept away from there.
Another fortnight later the king called his courtiers to a special court.
“Is there any famine going on in my country?” he asked solemnly.
“No My Lord!!!!” his cashier answered, “The vault is filled with money and the granary is filled with grain.”
“Are you sure?” the king repeated his question.
“Yes my Lord.” Was the answer.
23.10.2009
“Bring those prisoners to the Court.” The king ordered.
One by one the prisoners were brought in the Court. They stood solemnly waiting for the king’s verdict. Which they already knew.
The king looked at those hundred or so boys and girls, yes they were merely boys and girls. Their ages ranging from teenage to early thirties. Beautiful, fresh flowers a little dulled by six months in captivity.
His eyes zeroed on their leader. A tall, dark guy, with prominent tribal features and strong jaws. His jaws told that he was a man of determination. His age was somewhere near thirty five.
“Whats your name young man?” the king asked him.
“Rajen Tudu.” The guy answered. The king noted he answered him with due respect but slipped the “my lord” part.
He came down from his throne and headed towards him. “Do you know the punishment of showing disrespect to the king?” he asked. “and the punishment of rebelling against the kingdom, causing damage to the kingdom?”
“I know.” He answered. His face showed no fear.
24.10.2009
The king stood right in front of him. He was a few inches taller than Rajen, well built. His hair has all turned white but that increased his elegant charm.
“So you think that you are a Messiah, right?” he asked tauntingly, “Out there to help poor villagers from the evil clutches of king.”
“Lets see how much you can do when you are in power, or to be precise how much you will do when you are in power.” He laughed.
The guards removed the chains from each and every one of them at his instruction.
The courtiers gawked when a group of royal servants carried another throne and placed it just beside his throne.
The king removed his stole and wrapped it around Rajen’s shoulder.
“You were right that night, I have become blind, but that’s because I am too old to handle the kingdom. If I had a child he or she would have been older than you. So I would have been relieved of this duty years ago…” he said solemnly.
“From today onward my whole kingdom will treat you as my son. If you walk your talk, I will happily close my eyes after handing over the headache of kingdom to you.” The king smiled mischievously, as the rebels stood staring at him with moist eyes.
thats all folks (?).... :)
Friday, October 16, 2009
control
16.10.2009
Every thing was silent in the park, the summer morning was moving toward a scorching noon. The threesome were sitting side by side, watching the lake water glittering like a shawl stiched with diamonds in the sunshine.
A car stopped at the park gate, a driver came out of the car to fill a bucket with water from the lake. The passenger sat in the back seat. He turned away his face after seeing them sitting on the bench.
The threesome looked at him grimly, Mrs. Gupta softly said, “I sincerely hope that monster is finally happy that his control over his children and their life is proved.”
“Even the very thought of him fills me up with hatred, inching his own son toward suicide.” She added.
Her other two friends preferred silence. There was nothing to be said about this affair.
The car drove away after the driver poured the water in the radiator.
Mr. Singh was a rich industrialist, known all over the community for his arrogancy and greed for money. His wife was exactly the opposite, timid and God fearing. She passed away when their children were young, he did not married again. He did not lived the life of a saint but he thought it better to not marry and concentrated on his business and two children.
His paternal affection made him a control freak, he dictated every step his children will take.
His daughter revati was completely under his control, he married her off to a suitable boy when she was eighteen. He waited till then to avoid legal problems.
Lucky for Revati that her husband Supratik was a nice guy. Understanding and caring.
Problem cropped up with Lekh. He made it quite clear from his teenage.. his life is only his. No one else dictates it for him.
He ran away from home after being spanked once, police rescued him from a remote village, working in a tea shop. Since then Mr. Singh treated him with apprehensive acceptance.
They both avoided confrontation because Mr. Singh had some weakness for his boy child and Lekh did not enjoyed working in the tea shop at the least, so they both pranced at each other like two tigers in adjoining cages.
18.10.2009
Revati was sitting in her drawing room. Supratik was out of town. Her tiny son was playing in the garden.
“Ma, Ma mama has come with an aunty. She gave me this chocolate, can I eat it?” Ron clutched her hand. “Please ma.. can I?
“Please allow the tiny one to have the chocolate your excellency!! Sorry Sunita should have given it after taking your permission, but she is not much expert in handling children.” A sonorous voice sounded from door way.
She stood up happily, “Dada, when did you returned to kolkata?”
She looked at her brother. An extremely handsome man and noted a pretty looking girl was standing beside him. Fair and cute like a doll.
“Meet sunita, your would be sister in law.” He said with a soft smile, he doted after his little sister. “Sunita this is the light of my life and eyes, my little baby sister Revati.”
Sunita came forward and hugged her. Revati felt the warmth of her heart instantly.
She asked her brother in a subdued way, “Does dad knows it?”
“I have not informed him yet. I don’t know if I will inform him or simply marry.” He said after sitting down. “Now will you please give your bhabhi something to eat? Or you want her to gossip about your clumsiness for the rest of my life?”
19.10.2009
They gathered around the tea and snacks on the table. Chatting heartily.
“Dada, you should have told dad.” Revati said, “I know he is not the perfect father but he is our father.”
“We will talk about it later, right now you should be buttering your bhabhi, our future relationships depend on her. You know that don’t you?” Lekh smiled, Revati understood the unspoken words and became silent.
She did not let them go without having the dinner. Sunita called up her parents to tell them that she wont be home for dinner.
“Dada, can you drop by tomorrow morning?” Revati asked when she found him alone for a while. Lekh nodded.
Revati passed the night dreaming nightmares about a furore between her brother and father. She loved both of them.
She was too soft natured, hence she never resisted her father or her husband and in laws, so no bitterness cropped up inside her for anyone.
Lekh being independent minded clashed with his father again and again. As a result they rarely talked with each other now. Lekh spends his limited time in kolkata at his father’s home more out of sympathy for the old man than love.
20.10.2009
She woke up before dawn and went out to the garden with a cup of tea. Ron was still sleeping peacefully. She stood for a while looking at his peaceful, innocent face.
How lucky he is!!!! She thought. Supratik dotes after him, pampers him to no end. If he did what dada is going to do we will accept his wife happily.
She sat down in the garden chair watching the city slowly waking up.
It started with the paper boy and milk man. They both smiled at her. “good morning didi.” Every one liked her because of her soft nature.
Peace was far away from her heart. She knew very well what will happen when Lekh will tell dad or she will have to tell him.
She was looking at the trees, bushes and flowers around her, trying to divert her thoughts but nothing worked. She gulped down the tea and went inside.
Ron was still sleeping. She went to the kitchen and occupied herself with work.
A couple of hours she called Lekh and asked him to spend the day with them.
The bell rang at eleven. Ron was in school. “hi Revu, what is the menu for breakfast? I am starving.” Lekh beamed at her.
She observed with great happiness how much he has changed since Sunita came into his life. A thin shadow of sadness which always wrapped him was gone.. a warm happiness has taken its place.
“I am sick of Ramukaka’s horrible cooking.” He winked at her. “First give me a hot cup of coffee.” He said.
She felt guilty to discuss some thing unpleasant with him right at that moment.
They were sitting with the coffee cups in their hands when the bell rang again.
Revati was surprised. She got up and opened the door. Supratik was standing there. He was about to give her a hug but restrained himself when she giggled shyly.
“Its alright, its alright, I am looking the other way. If you want I can even close my eyes or pretend that I don’t exist here.” He heard the voice of his brother in law.
“You rogue!!!! How dare you enter my home without my permission?” he hugged him tightly.
They have become best of friends since Revati married Supratik.
21.10.2009
“Hmm!!!! That’s a great news. The best news I have heard since eternity.” Supratik winked at his brother in law.
“Don’t worry, I will try to pacify the dragon.” He laughed. He had a wonderful relationship with his father in law. “After all I am his only son in law.”
It took quite a long time. But Mr. Singh finally gave in and agreed to meet Sunita’s family.
Lekh was flying in the seventh sky. They went to see Sunita to her home to finalise the formalities.
It was a very ordinary home but beautifully decorated. Entire home was decorated with hand made things.. paintings, stich works..
There was not much to say, Mr. Singh kept mostly silent, then he was silent by nature. Sunita’s family was overwhelmed.
Lekh’s vacation was over, it was fixed that when he comes back in March, two months later they will get married. In the mean time the elders will fix a date and let him know.
A few weeks passed like dream. Revati was sitting in her drawing room. Supratik was in office, Ron in school. She has already finalized her dresses for her brother’s marriage, was finalising Ron and Supratik’s dresses since last few days.
The phone rang, she rushed to pick up. It was Supratik, “Revu, do you know Sunita’s family has called off the marriage?” he sounded distressed “I will be back home early, lets go and talk with them.”
Revati mumbled some thing.
“Please forgive us.” Sunita’s father folded his hands, “We thought it thoroughly, but we are no match for you.”
“A beggar shall not dream of a palace.” He added sincerely. “I have decided it after judging it from every angle. I wont change my mind.”
“We have already fixed Sunita’s marriage somewhere else. Next month.” He added. “Please come to bless the newlyweds, I will certainly send you a card.” His solemn expression said there was nothing to say.
“Can I see Sunita?” Revati asked pleadingly.
“Sorry child, she will be married next month. In our familly its strictly prohibited that a girl whose marriage date is fixed mixes with non relations.” He folded his hands. “Please forgive me, us, tradition is tradition.”
They came back shattered. None knowing how to break the news to Lekh.
Next morning the phone rang again early in the dawn, Supratik picked it up and placed it down within two minutes. His face has lost every colour, “Sunita has committed suicide last night.”
22.10.2009
“Pack necessary things we are leaving for Delhi by the next available flight.” Supratik said.
Revati heard him talking to his secretary and airways office. By evening they were with Lekh.
They were scared by his absolute silence. There was no expression of grief on his face. He was never talkative, now he has become absolutely silent.
Supratik came back leaving Revati and Ron with him. “I will meet dad and talk with him.” He said at the airport.
Revati could see that Lekh has taken the thing very badly but he refused to open up.
“Why don’t you do one thing?” Soha one of his colleagues asked. “There is a good temple nearby, where every evening a genuine class on spiritualism is held, these mahatmas help people in grief. I have seen them working wonder.”
Revati went there with Ron and was overwhelmed by the environment. It was absolutely peaceful. An orphanage run by the mission was attached to the ashram and temple. The swamijis, sadhvis and the orphanage dwellers took care of every thing.
She took Lekh there in the evening, when the arati was about to start. She could feel by his relaxed face that he too have been blessed by the peace of that place.
Since that day she took him and Ron there every morning and evening. She had to return to Kolkata a month later because of Ron’s school.
“Dada, if you ever feel lonely do come to kolkata or call me, either me or Supratik will catch the next flight.” She hugged her brother tightly.
“Don’t worry Revu. I will be alright.” He said calmly.
It was this calmness which scared Revati beyond words.
She hugged him tighter and boarded the plane with tears in her eyes. Which kept on rolling from her eyes till she met Supratik at airport and he firmly held her hand.
“Don’t worry Revu, I have talked with my secretary, from now on I will be handling North India and he will be handling South India.” He said gently hugging her, “That means I will be able to meet Lekh atleast once a month.”
“I will call him every day, you too do that. Make him talk, with you, with Ron.” He added.
“Dad has teken the thing quite calmly. I asked him if he wanted to meet Lekh and he said that he has talked with him. Lekh did not wanted to see anyone.” He said. “They are really not at all close to one another.”
“It must be his fault, he must have said something to Sunita’s dad.” Revati said. This was the first time in their married life Supratik heard her saying any thing against her father.
He softly ruffled her hair as she hid her face in his lap venting out her frustration by a torrent of tears.
23.10.2009
The next time Supratik came back from Delhi he was visibly disturbed.
“Revu, I don’t know if I am over-reacting but all his neighbours asked me to get him married asap. He is spending all his free time in that ashrama.” He said seriously.
“they are afraid that he will join them.” he added. “May be he needs some time to get over the immense pain. But very frankly, I too have the same suspicion.”
“You know dada. He will never agree to marry. No one can make him do any thing against his will.” Revati said softly. She knew her brother very well.
“I will try to pull him out of this state of mind. You can try to persuade him to get transferred to kolkata.” He said. The discussion stopped there but it left the undercurrent of worries in both hearts.
Six months have passed since the discussion between Revati and Supratik. Revati was sitting in the garden when a taxi stopped. She stood up and saw Lekh coming out of the taxi. She ran to him with a smile.
He hugged her and kissed her forehead. “How are you Revu?” he sounded calm and peaceful.
She smiled in return.
24.10.2009
They were sitting side by side in the drawing room sofa. Just enjoying the company of each other after such a long time when the door bell rang.
Revati opened the door, “Hi!! Amina. Come inside.”
Lekh looked up, a gorgeous girl was walking towards them. Hardly nine or ten years old.
“She is Ron’s classmate. They recently transferred here from Delhi.” Revati smiled. “Sit down beta. Ron will be back soon.”
Amina left with Ron after he returned from school and changed.
“They take tution together. Amina’s father passed away in an accident, her mother returned to her father’s home with Amina.” Revati said. “She is a very bright child and very well behaved.”
The bell rang again, Revati went to open the door, “Hi Neelofar, we were talking about you and Amina just now. Please come in.”
Lekh looked up and his eyes stayed there for a little while. He has rarely seen such a combination of beauty, sophistication and grace.
Neelofar folded her hands to him. “So you are Revati’s elder brother, both Ron and Revati dote after you.” She said with a sweet smile.
“They are the ones to be adored, not me. Where did you lived in Delhi? I live there.” Lekh smiled softly.
It was a mere coincidence that they lived in the same locality. That opened a stream of discussion, memories and experiences.
Neelofar left with Amina but not before inviting all of them for lunch next day.
They became wonderful friends within the next fortnight that Lekh spent in Kolkata.
Revati was happy to note the change of mood in Lekh. He was slowly getting back to his normal self.
26.10.2009
“Revu, I am coming back to kolkata next month.” It was Lekh on the other side of phone. “I have taken transfer to Kolkata office.”
Revati was happy and relieved beyond words. Lekh returned to kolkata after a month and started to live with his father.
Months started to glide by like dream. One year has passed by since his return to kolkata when Lekh showed up at Revati’s door.
Revati was sitting in the lawn, watching the winter flowers that has started to bloom one by one under the careful affection of her and Ron’s. Ron was now eleven years old. He was the one who deserved the main credit behind these beautiful flower beds.
“Revu!!!” she almost jumped up from her seat, “Did I scared my little sister?” Lekh laughed.
“Dada, I have told you a thousand times to not startle me like this.” She scowled at him.
“I love to see you jumping like that, you know that.” Lekh was still laughing, “Its my pet hobby.”
“Will you have a cup of tea? Or coffee?” Revati smiled.
“A little later, let Supratik come I will have something with him and tea or coffee and dinner…” Lekh smiled.
Revati’s eyes became moist when she saw the deep peace and happiness on her brother’s face. She was scared that he has lost that forever.
“Revu, I am in love with someone, and I want to marry her, and if I tell dad he will get a heart attack.” Lekh said softly.
“I know I am being a monster to you, but I could not help it. it was love at first sight, I tried to wipe it out but the more I tried to wipe it out, the stronger it became.” He continued a little sadly.
“Who is she? Do I know her?” Revati asked.
“Neelofar.” He replied looking keenly at her face.
27.10.2009
“You will get us all killed.” Supratik said grimly. “Dad will kill all of us and then kill himself if you tell him that you want to marry a muslim girl, that too a widow with one daughter.”
“I think you are right.” Lekh replied.
“I like Neelofar very much. Does she shares your views? Her family?” Revati’s comment came as a surprise to both of them.
“I have talked with Neelofar and her family. Amina’s father was Sikh.” Lekh replied.
“I will talk with dad.” Both Lekh and Supratik stared at her.
She talked with her father the very next day. Tried her best to soften his heart. Finally he gave in and asked for a few days.
She was sitting in her drawing room when her maid stopped by her before leaving.
“Didi, I was thinking about telling you some thing for long.” She was clearly hesitating.
“Sit down Ruposi.” Revati said.
Ruposi huddled close to her, as much possible. “I have full faith on you that you wont tell it to anyone, not even jamaibabu (brother in law- in this case supratik).” She looked at her with begging eyes. “But I just cant silent my conscience, its been bugging me since I heard that you are trying to get your brother married to Neelofardidi.”
“Why? Whats wrong in that?” Revati frowned. She was not much of a gossiper, but some thing in Ruposi’s body language told her she should better listen.
28.10.2009
“When you fixed your brother’s marriage earlier.. The girl who killed herself?” Ruposi started to say in a halting manners. “She killed herself because she did not wanted to marry anyone else.”
“But your father had her father threatened that he will not take any responsibility of her safety if she enters his household as a daughter in law.”
“My husband was one of them who went to scare her father.” She added. “I did not knew that girl, but I have seen Neelofardidi and amina, they both are very good.”
“I told you all these things because I know you wont tell anyone.” She looked at Revati with pleading eyes.
“I wont tell anyone, you can go home now.” Revati said.
They both jumped up when they heard a commotion at the door, which Ruposi has left open because she was about to leave.
Revati saw her brother disappearing outside the gate. She screamed out his name but he entered his car and sped away.
She ran for the phone, called his cell but it got disconnected. The next time she called the recorded voice informed her that its switched off.
She called up Supratik and Neelofar one by one and told them every thing and collapsed on the sofa.
29.10.2009
The whole night passed away like a nightmare, early next morning the police called. Lekh’s almost lifeless body has been found. The whole family huddled outside ICU.
Every time a doctor or nurse came out they will run to him or her to hear “we cant say any thing right now.”
It was well past next day’s afternoon when the doctors finally gave them the first signal of hope. “If he makes it through the night, we can be half sure that he will pull through it alive. But we will have to wait for his recovery to realize how much damage he has done to himself.”
The night passed away, the family took the first breath of relief.
Mr. Singh observed the grief on Neelofar’s face, her beautiful nature and behaviour. She never left them all through the trial.
Lekh slowly started to come to his senses. Fortunately none of the damages were irreparable.
He walked out of the hospital two months later with four boons.. a new life, a father, a wife and a daughter.
A month later the threesome were sitting in the same park, talking with each other.
“Sometimes people learn lessons from past. I am really happy that Mr. Singh learned his lessons and welcomed life.” Mrs. Gupta said.
“As a parent we should never forget that we don’t own our children. They are live beings, so they have every right to decide their fate.” Mrs. Ghosh said.
“Well, when one’s own nest is hit, even monsters start to act like human beings.” Mrs. Sinha said.
“Lets pray for the happiness of the family, especially Lekh.” Mrs. Gupta added with a smile.
happy ending :).....
Every thing was silent in the park, the summer morning was moving toward a scorching noon. The threesome were sitting side by side, watching the lake water glittering like a shawl stiched with diamonds in the sunshine.
A car stopped at the park gate, a driver came out of the car to fill a bucket with water from the lake. The passenger sat in the back seat. He turned away his face after seeing them sitting on the bench.
The threesome looked at him grimly, Mrs. Gupta softly said, “I sincerely hope that monster is finally happy that his control over his children and their life is proved.”
“Even the very thought of him fills me up with hatred, inching his own son toward suicide.” She added.
Her other two friends preferred silence. There was nothing to be said about this affair.
The car drove away after the driver poured the water in the radiator.
Mr. Singh was a rich industrialist, known all over the community for his arrogancy and greed for money. His wife was exactly the opposite, timid and God fearing. She passed away when their children were young, he did not married again. He did not lived the life of a saint but he thought it better to not marry and concentrated on his business and two children.
His paternal affection made him a control freak, he dictated every step his children will take.
His daughter revati was completely under his control, he married her off to a suitable boy when she was eighteen. He waited till then to avoid legal problems.
Lucky for Revati that her husband Supratik was a nice guy. Understanding and caring.
Problem cropped up with Lekh. He made it quite clear from his teenage.. his life is only his. No one else dictates it for him.
He ran away from home after being spanked once, police rescued him from a remote village, working in a tea shop. Since then Mr. Singh treated him with apprehensive acceptance.
They both avoided confrontation because Mr. Singh had some weakness for his boy child and Lekh did not enjoyed working in the tea shop at the least, so they both pranced at each other like two tigers in adjoining cages.
18.10.2009
Revati was sitting in her drawing room. Supratik was out of town. Her tiny son was playing in the garden.
“Ma, Ma mama has come with an aunty. She gave me this chocolate, can I eat it?” Ron clutched her hand. “Please ma.. can I?
“Please allow the tiny one to have the chocolate your excellency!! Sorry Sunita should have given it after taking your permission, but she is not much expert in handling children.” A sonorous voice sounded from door way.
She stood up happily, “Dada, when did you returned to kolkata?”
She looked at her brother. An extremely handsome man and noted a pretty looking girl was standing beside him. Fair and cute like a doll.
“Meet sunita, your would be sister in law.” He said with a soft smile, he doted after his little sister. “Sunita this is the light of my life and eyes, my little baby sister Revati.”
Sunita came forward and hugged her. Revati felt the warmth of her heart instantly.
She asked her brother in a subdued way, “Does dad knows it?”
“I have not informed him yet. I don’t know if I will inform him or simply marry.” He said after sitting down. “Now will you please give your bhabhi something to eat? Or you want her to gossip about your clumsiness for the rest of my life?”
19.10.2009
They gathered around the tea and snacks on the table. Chatting heartily.
“Dada, you should have told dad.” Revati said, “I know he is not the perfect father but he is our father.”
“We will talk about it later, right now you should be buttering your bhabhi, our future relationships depend on her. You know that don’t you?” Lekh smiled, Revati understood the unspoken words and became silent.
She did not let them go without having the dinner. Sunita called up her parents to tell them that she wont be home for dinner.
“Dada, can you drop by tomorrow morning?” Revati asked when she found him alone for a while. Lekh nodded.
Revati passed the night dreaming nightmares about a furore between her brother and father. She loved both of them.
She was too soft natured, hence she never resisted her father or her husband and in laws, so no bitterness cropped up inside her for anyone.
Lekh being independent minded clashed with his father again and again. As a result they rarely talked with each other now. Lekh spends his limited time in kolkata at his father’s home more out of sympathy for the old man than love.
20.10.2009
She woke up before dawn and went out to the garden with a cup of tea. Ron was still sleeping peacefully. She stood for a while looking at his peaceful, innocent face.
How lucky he is!!!! She thought. Supratik dotes after him, pampers him to no end. If he did what dada is going to do we will accept his wife happily.
She sat down in the garden chair watching the city slowly waking up.
It started with the paper boy and milk man. They both smiled at her. “good morning didi.” Every one liked her because of her soft nature.
Peace was far away from her heart. She knew very well what will happen when Lekh will tell dad or she will have to tell him.
She was looking at the trees, bushes and flowers around her, trying to divert her thoughts but nothing worked. She gulped down the tea and went inside.
Ron was still sleeping. She went to the kitchen and occupied herself with work.
A couple of hours she called Lekh and asked him to spend the day with them.
The bell rang at eleven. Ron was in school. “hi Revu, what is the menu for breakfast? I am starving.” Lekh beamed at her.
She observed with great happiness how much he has changed since Sunita came into his life. A thin shadow of sadness which always wrapped him was gone.. a warm happiness has taken its place.
“I am sick of Ramukaka’s horrible cooking.” He winked at her. “First give me a hot cup of coffee.” He said.
She felt guilty to discuss some thing unpleasant with him right at that moment.
They were sitting with the coffee cups in their hands when the bell rang again.
Revati was surprised. She got up and opened the door. Supratik was standing there. He was about to give her a hug but restrained himself when she giggled shyly.
“Its alright, its alright, I am looking the other way. If you want I can even close my eyes or pretend that I don’t exist here.” He heard the voice of his brother in law.
“You rogue!!!! How dare you enter my home without my permission?” he hugged him tightly.
They have become best of friends since Revati married Supratik.
21.10.2009
“Hmm!!!! That’s a great news. The best news I have heard since eternity.” Supratik winked at his brother in law.
“Don’t worry, I will try to pacify the dragon.” He laughed. He had a wonderful relationship with his father in law. “After all I am his only son in law.”
It took quite a long time. But Mr. Singh finally gave in and agreed to meet Sunita’s family.
Lekh was flying in the seventh sky. They went to see Sunita to her home to finalise the formalities.
It was a very ordinary home but beautifully decorated. Entire home was decorated with hand made things.. paintings, stich works..
There was not much to say, Mr. Singh kept mostly silent, then he was silent by nature. Sunita’s family was overwhelmed.
Lekh’s vacation was over, it was fixed that when he comes back in March, two months later they will get married. In the mean time the elders will fix a date and let him know.
A few weeks passed like dream. Revati was sitting in her drawing room. Supratik was in office, Ron in school. She has already finalized her dresses for her brother’s marriage, was finalising Ron and Supratik’s dresses since last few days.
The phone rang, she rushed to pick up. It was Supratik, “Revu, do you know Sunita’s family has called off the marriage?” he sounded distressed “I will be back home early, lets go and talk with them.”
Revati mumbled some thing.
“Please forgive us.” Sunita’s father folded his hands, “We thought it thoroughly, but we are no match for you.”
“A beggar shall not dream of a palace.” He added sincerely. “I have decided it after judging it from every angle. I wont change my mind.”
“We have already fixed Sunita’s marriage somewhere else. Next month.” He added. “Please come to bless the newlyweds, I will certainly send you a card.” His solemn expression said there was nothing to say.
“Can I see Sunita?” Revati asked pleadingly.
“Sorry child, she will be married next month. In our familly its strictly prohibited that a girl whose marriage date is fixed mixes with non relations.” He folded his hands. “Please forgive me, us, tradition is tradition.”
They came back shattered. None knowing how to break the news to Lekh.
Next morning the phone rang again early in the dawn, Supratik picked it up and placed it down within two minutes. His face has lost every colour, “Sunita has committed suicide last night.”
22.10.2009
“Pack necessary things we are leaving for Delhi by the next available flight.” Supratik said.
Revati heard him talking to his secretary and airways office. By evening they were with Lekh.
They were scared by his absolute silence. There was no expression of grief on his face. He was never talkative, now he has become absolutely silent.
Supratik came back leaving Revati and Ron with him. “I will meet dad and talk with him.” He said at the airport.
Revati could see that Lekh has taken the thing very badly but he refused to open up.
“Why don’t you do one thing?” Soha one of his colleagues asked. “There is a good temple nearby, where every evening a genuine class on spiritualism is held, these mahatmas help people in grief. I have seen them working wonder.”
Revati went there with Ron and was overwhelmed by the environment. It was absolutely peaceful. An orphanage run by the mission was attached to the ashram and temple. The swamijis, sadhvis and the orphanage dwellers took care of every thing.
She took Lekh there in the evening, when the arati was about to start. She could feel by his relaxed face that he too have been blessed by the peace of that place.
Since that day she took him and Ron there every morning and evening. She had to return to Kolkata a month later because of Ron’s school.
“Dada, if you ever feel lonely do come to kolkata or call me, either me or Supratik will catch the next flight.” She hugged her brother tightly.
“Don’t worry Revu. I will be alright.” He said calmly.
It was this calmness which scared Revati beyond words.
She hugged him tighter and boarded the plane with tears in her eyes. Which kept on rolling from her eyes till she met Supratik at airport and he firmly held her hand.
“Don’t worry Revu, I have talked with my secretary, from now on I will be handling North India and he will be handling South India.” He said gently hugging her, “That means I will be able to meet Lekh atleast once a month.”
“I will call him every day, you too do that. Make him talk, with you, with Ron.” He added.
“Dad has teken the thing quite calmly. I asked him if he wanted to meet Lekh and he said that he has talked with him. Lekh did not wanted to see anyone.” He said. “They are really not at all close to one another.”
“It must be his fault, he must have said something to Sunita’s dad.” Revati said. This was the first time in their married life Supratik heard her saying any thing against her father.
He softly ruffled her hair as she hid her face in his lap venting out her frustration by a torrent of tears.
23.10.2009
The next time Supratik came back from Delhi he was visibly disturbed.
“Revu, I don’t know if I am over-reacting but all his neighbours asked me to get him married asap. He is spending all his free time in that ashrama.” He said seriously.
“they are afraid that he will join them.” he added. “May be he needs some time to get over the immense pain. But very frankly, I too have the same suspicion.”
“You know dada. He will never agree to marry. No one can make him do any thing against his will.” Revati said softly. She knew her brother very well.
“I will try to pull him out of this state of mind. You can try to persuade him to get transferred to kolkata.” He said. The discussion stopped there but it left the undercurrent of worries in both hearts.
Six months have passed since the discussion between Revati and Supratik. Revati was sitting in the garden when a taxi stopped. She stood up and saw Lekh coming out of the taxi. She ran to him with a smile.
He hugged her and kissed her forehead. “How are you Revu?” he sounded calm and peaceful.
She smiled in return.
24.10.2009
They were sitting side by side in the drawing room sofa. Just enjoying the company of each other after such a long time when the door bell rang.
Revati opened the door, “Hi!! Amina. Come inside.”
Lekh looked up, a gorgeous girl was walking towards them. Hardly nine or ten years old.
“She is Ron’s classmate. They recently transferred here from Delhi.” Revati smiled. “Sit down beta. Ron will be back soon.”
Amina left with Ron after he returned from school and changed.
“They take tution together. Amina’s father passed away in an accident, her mother returned to her father’s home with Amina.” Revati said. “She is a very bright child and very well behaved.”
The bell rang again, Revati went to open the door, “Hi Neelofar, we were talking about you and Amina just now. Please come in.”
Lekh looked up and his eyes stayed there for a little while. He has rarely seen such a combination of beauty, sophistication and grace.
Neelofar folded her hands to him. “So you are Revati’s elder brother, both Ron and Revati dote after you.” She said with a sweet smile.
“They are the ones to be adored, not me. Where did you lived in Delhi? I live there.” Lekh smiled softly.
It was a mere coincidence that they lived in the same locality. That opened a stream of discussion, memories and experiences.
Neelofar left with Amina but not before inviting all of them for lunch next day.
They became wonderful friends within the next fortnight that Lekh spent in Kolkata.
Revati was happy to note the change of mood in Lekh. He was slowly getting back to his normal self.
26.10.2009
“Revu, I am coming back to kolkata next month.” It was Lekh on the other side of phone. “I have taken transfer to Kolkata office.”
Revati was happy and relieved beyond words. Lekh returned to kolkata after a month and started to live with his father.
Months started to glide by like dream. One year has passed by since his return to kolkata when Lekh showed up at Revati’s door.
Revati was sitting in the lawn, watching the winter flowers that has started to bloom one by one under the careful affection of her and Ron’s. Ron was now eleven years old. He was the one who deserved the main credit behind these beautiful flower beds.
“Revu!!!” she almost jumped up from her seat, “Did I scared my little sister?” Lekh laughed.
“Dada, I have told you a thousand times to not startle me like this.” She scowled at him.
“I love to see you jumping like that, you know that.” Lekh was still laughing, “Its my pet hobby.”
“Will you have a cup of tea? Or coffee?” Revati smiled.
“A little later, let Supratik come I will have something with him and tea or coffee and dinner…” Lekh smiled.
Revati’s eyes became moist when she saw the deep peace and happiness on her brother’s face. She was scared that he has lost that forever.
“Revu, I am in love with someone, and I want to marry her, and if I tell dad he will get a heart attack.” Lekh said softly.
“I know I am being a monster to you, but I could not help it. it was love at first sight, I tried to wipe it out but the more I tried to wipe it out, the stronger it became.” He continued a little sadly.
“Who is she? Do I know her?” Revati asked.
“Neelofar.” He replied looking keenly at her face.
27.10.2009
“You will get us all killed.” Supratik said grimly. “Dad will kill all of us and then kill himself if you tell him that you want to marry a muslim girl, that too a widow with one daughter.”
“I think you are right.” Lekh replied.
“I like Neelofar very much. Does she shares your views? Her family?” Revati’s comment came as a surprise to both of them.
“I have talked with Neelofar and her family. Amina’s father was Sikh.” Lekh replied.
“I will talk with dad.” Both Lekh and Supratik stared at her.
She talked with her father the very next day. Tried her best to soften his heart. Finally he gave in and asked for a few days.
She was sitting in her drawing room when her maid stopped by her before leaving.
“Didi, I was thinking about telling you some thing for long.” She was clearly hesitating.
“Sit down Ruposi.” Revati said.
Ruposi huddled close to her, as much possible. “I have full faith on you that you wont tell it to anyone, not even jamaibabu (brother in law- in this case supratik).” She looked at her with begging eyes. “But I just cant silent my conscience, its been bugging me since I heard that you are trying to get your brother married to Neelofardidi.”
“Why? Whats wrong in that?” Revati frowned. She was not much of a gossiper, but some thing in Ruposi’s body language told her she should better listen.
28.10.2009
“When you fixed your brother’s marriage earlier.. The girl who killed herself?” Ruposi started to say in a halting manners. “She killed herself because she did not wanted to marry anyone else.”
“But your father had her father threatened that he will not take any responsibility of her safety if she enters his household as a daughter in law.”
“My husband was one of them who went to scare her father.” She added. “I did not knew that girl, but I have seen Neelofardidi and amina, they both are very good.”
“I told you all these things because I know you wont tell anyone.” She looked at Revati with pleading eyes.
“I wont tell anyone, you can go home now.” Revati said.
They both jumped up when they heard a commotion at the door, which Ruposi has left open because she was about to leave.
Revati saw her brother disappearing outside the gate. She screamed out his name but he entered his car and sped away.
She ran for the phone, called his cell but it got disconnected. The next time she called the recorded voice informed her that its switched off.
She called up Supratik and Neelofar one by one and told them every thing and collapsed on the sofa.
29.10.2009
The whole night passed away like a nightmare, early next morning the police called. Lekh’s almost lifeless body has been found. The whole family huddled outside ICU.
Every time a doctor or nurse came out they will run to him or her to hear “we cant say any thing right now.”
It was well past next day’s afternoon when the doctors finally gave them the first signal of hope. “If he makes it through the night, we can be half sure that he will pull through it alive. But we will have to wait for his recovery to realize how much damage he has done to himself.”
The night passed away, the family took the first breath of relief.
Mr. Singh observed the grief on Neelofar’s face, her beautiful nature and behaviour. She never left them all through the trial.
Lekh slowly started to come to his senses. Fortunately none of the damages were irreparable.
He walked out of the hospital two months later with four boons.. a new life, a father, a wife and a daughter.
A month later the threesome were sitting in the same park, talking with each other.
“Sometimes people learn lessons from past. I am really happy that Mr. Singh learned his lessons and welcomed life.” Mrs. Gupta said.
“As a parent we should never forget that we don’t own our children. They are live beings, so they have every right to decide their fate.” Mrs. Ghosh said.
“Well, when one’s own nest is hit, even monsters start to act like human beings.” Mrs. Sinha said.
“Lets pray for the happiness of the family, especially Lekh.” Mrs. Gupta added with a smile.
happy ending :).....
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
life goes on..
14.10.2009
Smita looked out of window… she could see the dark outlines of the trees and bushes in the park just a little distance away.
The stars and moon were not visible in too illuminated kolkata night but crickets were singing their soothing song and a wonderful surprise.. some fireflies were flying in the darkness.
Seemed crickets and fireflies have adapted themselves to the pollution of the kolkata.
The doorbell rang, she heard her mother open the door and then she heard the pitter patter of tiny feets.. soon the owner of the feets appeared in her door way.
A tiny thing, as gorgeous as a porcelain doll, only difference was her huge dark eyes in place of their blue eyes.
She directly headed for her with the biggest grin on her face and climbed up on her lap, nestled up against her as if she has known her forever.
She looked out of window and spoke in her sweet voice, “do you know smita masi, those are fairies!”, she pointed out her chubby fingers at the fireflies, “They come to kiss the flowers good night!”
“Really? I did not knew that!”, Smita hugged her gently.
“Lekhamasi, she tells me about fairies and mermaids.” She beamed at her. “Do you know what mermaids are? Have you seen them?”
Smita feigned innocence and started to play with her curly hair. Soon Mishtu got tired of fairy tales and jumped down from her lap, she straight headed for her computer with Smita on her heel.
She sat down with her on her lap while she played with the mouse and keyboard.
They were fully engrossed in the computer. Both of them were startled when a voice rang right behind her, “I hope she is not bothering you!” she was surprised to hear a male voice and turned around.
He was a tall, dark and handsome guy. The most stunning thing in his feature were his eyes.. extremely beautiful but full of immense pain.
She saw her mother standing on the doorway, “Mishtu’s father Jayanta. He came to take her, its past her bed time.”, she explained.
Jayanta stretched his arms toward Mishtu who obediently went to him and smiled at her, “I will be back tomorrow aunty. Good night.”
Jayanta softly looked at her, and then looked at Smita, “don’t let her bother you.. she will drive you crazy.”
16.10.2009
Smita went to have her dinner after a while. Her parents were waiting for her there.
Her mother said casually, “If we think about the pain through which some people go through…”
“Mishtu’s mother Pronoti was a fairy without wings, Jayanta saw her in some marriage and married her. His family were happy beyond measure to have such a beautiful girl as their daughter in law.”
“They guessed it within a week of marriage but when Mishtu was coming to the world they realized that Pronoti’s parents have cheated them. she had severe psychological problems.”
“She spent the entire pregnancy under strict supervision of two nurses and spent next year in a psychiatric rehab centre.”
“Her family lodged a case against Jayanta, he was arrested, discharged after six months because it was proved that the problem was old.. since her teenage.”
“Pronoti passed away in the rehab centre while Jayanta was in jail.”
“Her parents are still harassing Jayanta and his family to no end for Mishtu, but this time law is on Jayanta’s side.”
18.10.2009
Smita was returning from her office next day. The day was wonderful, cloudy and breezy. On the way she saw a vendor selling some beautiful clay dolls, she picked up two of them.
Smita has just reached her flat door when Mishtu’s flat’s door opened. The little princess appeared on the doorway. She smiled happily at Smita, “You are home. Can I come with you? I have completed my homework.”
Smita restrained her laughter, Mishtu’s innocence was too heart warming. “Tell grandma to lock the door from inside and take her permission. You sure can come to us whenever you want darling.” She laughed a little.
Mishtu disappeared for a while, “she is bothering you too much is not she?” a very soft voice asked her.
She turned to see an elderly lady with shadows of tiredness under her eyes. She was very ordinary looking. She could assume that she was Mishtu’s grandmother.
“No aunty. She is an adorable child, very well behaved and sweet.” She said with a smile.
“Please come and have a cup of tea with us.” Smita’s mother said, who has opened the door.
Mita, Jayanta’s mother hesitated but gave in when Arunima, Smita’s mother insisted.
Smita changed her dress and ate something while Mishtu roamed around her room with childish curiosity.
“Are they toys?” she soon discovered the packet which Smita has left on table. “Can I see them Smitamasi?”
“Will you play with them? Can I play with you too?” she asked innocently.
Smita hugged her, “Which one do you like more my sweet princess?”
She kept the second one and gave her choice to her. “Now we both can play.”
She held her finger and went to the drawing room, she could see Arunima and Mita has already become good friends. “Ma, aunty I am taking Mishtu to the park below. Or else she will become a bird of cage.”
As they headed for the door Mita noted that Smita was limping.
She was about to say something but very softly spoken words from Arunima stopped her. “She had a birth defect, which completely ruined one of her legs. After years of therapy she has been able to get an ample amount of control on her legs.”
“This is why she is unmarried, we have tried quite a few times but you know our country.” Arunima hid the tears which were about to well in her eyes.
Mita softly clasped her hands.
20.10.2009
Smita was sitting on the grass, Mishtu was playing near her. Running behind the butterflies, scaring the birds, laughing….
Soft white clouds were sailing in the sky. Winter was about to come, the autumn crispness has not been able to penetrate the kolkata pollution but the weather has become quite pleasant.
“Smitamasi, do you cry?” Mishtu asked her. She has laid down on the grass with her head resting on her lap.
“No sweetheart, adults don’t cry.” Smita smiled, her fingers were playing with her curled hairs.
“Daddy cries, every night.” She said, “I have seen him crying, with mom’s photo in his hand.”
A deep pang formed in her heart. She could realize how much Jayanta loved Pronoti. She has seen her photographs. She was truly a fairy without wings.
“When someone dear to us goes away from us to live with God we miss them, and cry.” She softly said.
“Why did mom go away? Why did she left us?” Mishtu was about to pout.
“We don’t go sweetheart, God calls us and we have to go. Those who are very, very good God calls them to her very soon. Because she cant live away from them for long.” Smita said.
“Am I naughty?” Mishtu asked.
“No darling, God has left you behind to take care of dad, and dad to take care of you.” Smita bent down and kissed her forehead.
Her answers satisfied Mishtu and she demanded a story. “Smita masi tell me a fairy tale.”
“Smita masi will not tell you any thing. Get up little lady, its time to go home.” A male voice rang.
“baba!!!! You are home.” Mishtu jumped up and pounced on him.
21.10.2009
Smita smiled at Jayanta as he hugged Mishtu tightly. She could feel his deep love for his little doll. She was a gorgeous child. Simply adorable in and out.
“Baba, please don’t take me upstairs, please let me play a little more..” she implored and won.
She ran away chasing the poor birds who were looking for something to eat on the ground while Jayanta sat down near Smita.
They first started to talk casually and then got deeply immersed in talking both wondering how much they had in common.
Their spell was broken by Mita’s voice, “Its late, I am taking Mishtu home.”
“There is no need of your coming upstairs, you two can talk for a while.” She said, there was something in her eyes which stopped both of them from standing up and following her.
She took Mishtu by her hand and took her upstairs, “Smitamasi I will finish my homework and studies before you come upstairs, then I will listen to the story, ok?” Mishtu hugged and kissed both of them before leaving with Mita.
“soon she will pack her bag and start living with you.” Jayanta laughed out loud.
“she is an adorable child.” Smita softly said.
“And she has never tasted the affection of a mother. We all sometimes lose temper at her because she is full of energy. A thing which you never do. I should say you have some energy!!!!” he looked at her with admiration and gratitude.
“I love children, they are purest things on this world to me.” Smita smiled.
“Lets go upstairs now before Mishtu comes back looking for us.” Jayanta said after checking his watch, its been more than an hour they have been talking.
Evening has softly changed to night. The streetlamps were spreading their mysterious light around them. People were coming back home after spending the day in office.
“Will you join us to a picnic in Botanical Garden next Sunday? We are planning to spend the day there.” Jayanta asked Smita.
“All of us? Both famillies?” she asked.
“Yes. Ma has already asked your father and mother and they consented.” Jayanta replied.
“Then its ok. I will love to.” She softly said.
They started to mount the stairs side by side.
23.10.2009
That night Mishtu was lying near Jayanta. He was telling her a story.
“Mishtu, would you like it if Smitamasi comes to live with us?” he asked her.
“yes.” She instantly answered.
“If she stays with us in this room? Sleeps with us?” she grinned from ear to ear and shook her head.
A deep peace settled on Jayanta’s face. He went back to the story he was telling her.
the end :)
Smita looked out of window… she could see the dark outlines of the trees and bushes in the park just a little distance away.
The stars and moon were not visible in too illuminated kolkata night but crickets were singing their soothing song and a wonderful surprise.. some fireflies were flying in the darkness.
Seemed crickets and fireflies have adapted themselves to the pollution of the kolkata.
The doorbell rang, she heard her mother open the door and then she heard the pitter patter of tiny feets.. soon the owner of the feets appeared in her door way.
A tiny thing, as gorgeous as a porcelain doll, only difference was her huge dark eyes in place of their blue eyes.
She directly headed for her with the biggest grin on her face and climbed up on her lap, nestled up against her as if she has known her forever.
She looked out of window and spoke in her sweet voice, “do you know smita masi, those are fairies!”, she pointed out her chubby fingers at the fireflies, “They come to kiss the flowers good night!”
“Really? I did not knew that!”, Smita hugged her gently.
“Lekhamasi, she tells me about fairies and mermaids.” She beamed at her. “Do you know what mermaids are? Have you seen them?”
Smita feigned innocence and started to play with her curly hair. Soon Mishtu got tired of fairy tales and jumped down from her lap, she straight headed for her computer with Smita on her heel.
She sat down with her on her lap while she played with the mouse and keyboard.
They were fully engrossed in the computer. Both of them were startled when a voice rang right behind her, “I hope she is not bothering you!” she was surprised to hear a male voice and turned around.
He was a tall, dark and handsome guy. The most stunning thing in his feature were his eyes.. extremely beautiful but full of immense pain.
She saw her mother standing on the doorway, “Mishtu’s father Jayanta. He came to take her, its past her bed time.”, she explained.
Jayanta stretched his arms toward Mishtu who obediently went to him and smiled at her, “I will be back tomorrow aunty. Good night.”
Jayanta softly looked at her, and then looked at Smita, “don’t let her bother you.. she will drive you crazy.”
16.10.2009
Smita went to have her dinner after a while. Her parents were waiting for her there.
Her mother said casually, “If we think about the pain through which some people go through…”
“Mishtu’s mother Pronoti was a fairy without wings, Jayanta saw her in some marriage and married her. His family were happy beyond measure to have such a beautiful girl as their daughter in law.”
“They guessed it within a week of marriage but when Mishtu was coming to the world they realized that Pronoti’s parents have cheated them. she had severe psychological problems.”
“She spent the entire pregnancy under strict supervision of two nurses and spent next year in a psychiatric rehab centre.”
“Her family lodged a case against Jayanta, he was arrested, discharged after six months because it was proved that the problem was old.. since her teenage.”
“Pronoti passed away in the rehab centre while Jayanta was in jail.”
“Her parents are still harassing Jayanta and his family to no end for Mishtu, but this time law is on Jayanta’s side.”
18.10.2009
Smita was returning from her office next day. The day was wonderful, cloudy and breezy. On the way she saw a vendor selling some beautiful clay dolls, she picked up two of them.
Smita has just reached her flat door when Mishtu’s flat’s door opened. The little princess appeared on the doorway. She smiled happily at Smita, “You are home. Can I come with you? I have completed my homework.”
Smita restrained her laughter, Mishtu’s innocence was too heart warming. “Tell grandma to lock the door from inside and take her permission. You sure can come to us whenever you want darling.” She laughed a little.
Mishtu disappeared for a while, “she is bothering you too much is not she?” a very soft voice asked her.
She turned to see an elderly lady with shadows of tiredness under her eyes. She was very ordinary looking. She could assume that she was Mishtu’s grandmother.
“No aunty. She is an adorable child, very well behaved and sweet.” She said with a smile.
“Please come and have a cup of tea with us.” Smita’s mother said, who has opened the door.
Mita, Jayanta’s mother hesitated but gave in when Arunima, Smita’s mother insisted.
Smita changed her dress and ate something while Mishtu roamed around her room with childish curiosity.
“Are they toys?” she soon discovered the packet which Smita has left on table. “Can I see them Smitamasi?”
“Will you play with them? Can I play with you too?” she asked innocently.
Smita hugged her, “Which one do you like more my sweet princess?”
She kept the second one and gave her choice to her. “Now we both can play.”
She held her finger and went to the drawing room, she could see Arunima and Mita has already become good friends. “Ma, aunty I am taking Mishtu to the park below. Or else she will become a bird of cage.”
As they headed for the door Mita noted that Smita was limping.
She was about to say something but very softly spoken words from Arunima stopped her. “She had a birth defect, which completely ruined one of her legs. After years of therapy she has been able to get an ample amount of control on her legs.”
“This is why she is unmarried, we have tried quite a few times but you know our country.” Arunima hid the tears which were about to well in her eyes.
Mita softly clasped her hands.
20.10.2009
Smita was sitting on the grass, Mishtu was playing near her. Running behind the butterflies, scaring the birds, laughing….
Soft white clouds were sailing in the sky. Winter was about to come, the autumn crispness has not been able to penetrate the kolkata pollution but the weather has become quite pleasant.
“Smitamasi, do you cry?” Mishtu asked her. She has laid down on the grass with her head resting on her lap.
“No sweetheart, adults don’t cry.” Smita smiled, her fingers were playing with her curled hairs.
“Daddy cries, every night.” She said, “I have seen him crying, with mom’s photo in his hand.”
A deep pang formed in her heart. She could realize how much Jayanta loved Pronoti. She has seen her photographs. She was truly a fairy without wings.
“When someone dear to us goes away from us to live with God we miss them, and cry.” She softly said.
“Why did mom go away? Why did she left us?” Mishtu was about to pout.
“We don’t go sweetheart, God calls us and we have to go. Those who are very, very good God calls them to her very soon. Because she cant live away from them for long.” Smita said.
“Am I naughty?” Mishtu asked.
“No darling, God has left you behind to take care of dad, and dad to take care of you.” Smita bent down and kissed her forehead.
Her answers satisfied Mishtu and she demanded a story. “Smita masi tell me a fairy tale.”
“Smita masi will not tell you any thing. Get up little lady, its time to go home.” A male voice rang.
“baba!!!! You are home.” Mishtu jumped up and pounced on him.
21.10.2009
Smita smiled at Jayanta as he hugged Mishtu tightly. She could feel his deep love for his little doll. She was a gorgeous child. Simply adorable in and out.
“Baba, please don’t take me upstairs, please let me play a little more..” she implored and won.
She ran away chasing the poor birds who were looking for something to eat on the ground while Jayanta sat down near Smita.
They first started to talk casually and then got deeply immersed in talking both wondering how much they had in common.
Their spell was broken by Mita’s voice, “Its late, I am taking Mishtu home.”
“There is no need of your coming upstairs, you two can talk for a while.” She said, there was something in her eyes which stopped both of them from standing up and following her.
She took Mishtu by her hand and took her upstairs, “Smitamasi I will finish my homework and studies before you come upstairs, then I will listen to the story, ok?” Mishtu hugged and kissed both of them before leaving with Mita.
“soon she will pack her bag and start living with you.” Jayanta laughed out loud.
“she is an adorable child.” Smita softly said.
“And she has never tasted the affection of a mother. We all sometimes lose temper at her because she is full of energy. A thing which you never do. I should say you have some energy!!!!” he looked at her with admiration and gratitude.
“I love children, they are purest things on this world to me.” Smita smiled.
“Lets go upstairs now before Mishtu comes back looking for us.” Jayanta said after checking his watch, its been more than an hour they have been talking.
Evening has softly changed to night. The streetlamps were spreading their mysterious light around them. People were coming back home after spending the day in office.
“Will you join us to a picnic in Botanical Garden next Sunday? We are planning to spend the day there.” Jayanta asked Smita.
“All of us? Both famillies?” she asked.
“Yes. Ma has already asked your father and mother and they consented.” Jayanta replied.
“Then its ok. I will love to.” She softly said.
They started to mount the stairs side by side.
23.10.2009
That night Mishtu was lying near Jayanta. He was telling her a story.
“Mishtu, would you like it if Smitamasi comes to live with us?” he asked her.
“yes.” She instantly answered.
“If she stays with us in this room? Sleeps with us?” she grinned from ear to ear and shook her head.
A deep peace settled on Jayanta’s face. He went back to the story he was telling her.
the end :)
Monday, October 5, 2009
Wise young lady
They were sitting side by side on the park bench when Mrs. Gupta said, “Here they come!”, the remaining two turned their head and saw another trio taking a stroll in the park, two young men and a young lady.
“Life does puts us in strange dilemmas sometime, does not it?”, Mrs. Ghosh said in a low, thoughtful voice.
“You bet! I wonder what will be best for Maria, to stick to Dinesh or move on and accept Rajesh.”
Maria loved Dinesh, he had that type of personality that any girl will be attracted to him. A little hot tempered but very well mannered and possessed an extremely good character. To add on he was extremely good looking, not rich but amply well settled.
Maria was a little better than ordinary looking, very sophisticated and gentle girl. She was deeply in love with Dinesh, so much that she once approached him but he casually brushed away her feelings telling her that they are not compatible.
Rajesh was a very gentle, well mannered guy, whose lack in looks was compensated with a warm and loving heart. He was Dinesh’s colleague, and madly in love with Maria. He could not do any thing because of his loyalty to Dinesh and Maria’s love for Dinesh. He could neither propose to her, nor was he able to stay away from her.
He just used to join them due to two reasons, first they always insisted, and second was he loved Maria so much that being in her presence was enough to her. His love has reached the level of seeing his lover’s happiness before his own.
They looked at this trio and smiled before moving on to some secluded spot where they can sit down and chat for a long time before retiring to their homes.
Mrs. Dutta mused, “If I was Maria I would have tried my level best to make Dinesh change his mind. After all, nothing is impossible for a woman if she makes up her mind.”
“Its an exaggeration!”, Mrs. Ghosh said, “You cant make any one love you, you may tempt or attract him for a while, what if he gets bored after that?”
“If I was Maria I would have told goodbye to Dinesh and would have married Rajesh, because she is belongs to that category of woman who are loyal, devoted and affectionate. So with the amount of love Rajesh is eager to give her she will eagerly response.” Mrs. Gupta joined in.
“Have you ever seen how much eager he is to see her happy, and how much he relishes her childish, innocent and sometimes impractical things, which irks Dinesh.” Mrs. Gupta added.
A few months later Mrs. Ghosh informed the other two about the not very sweet progress in the life of the youngsters, Dinesh has fallen head over heel in love with a dazzling beauty and they are about to get married next month.
A deep pain heavied their hearts, they all knew how much Maria loved Dinesh. Then all of a sudden, like sun’s rays light up the earth after a dark night they saw Rajesh and Maria coming toward them. Their faces were shining, one with deep love and happiness and the other with deep respect, happiness and gratitude.
“Life does puts us in strange dilemmas sometime, does not it?”, Mrs. Ghosh said in a low, thoughtful voice.
“You bet! I wonder what will be best for Maria, to stick to Dinesh or move on and accept Rajesh.”
Maria loved Dinesh, he had that type of personality that any girl will be attracted to him. A little hot tempered but very well mannered and possessed an extremely good character. To add on he was extremely good looking, not rich but amply well settled.
Maria was a little better than ordinary looking, very sophisticated and gentle girl. She was deeply in love with Dinesh, so much that she once approached him but he casually brushed away her feelings telling her that they are not compatible.
Rajesh was a very gentle, well mannered guy, whose lack in looks was compensated with a warm and loving heart. He was Dinesh’s colleague, and madly in love with Maria. He could not do any thing because of his loyalty to Dinesh and Maria’s love for Dinesh. He could neither propose to her, nor was he able to stay away from her.
He just used to join them due to two reasons, first they always insisted, and second was he loved Maria so much that being in her presence was enough to her. His love has reached the level of seeing his lover’s happiness before his own.
They looked at this trio and smiled before moving on to some secluded spot where they can sit down and chat for a long time before retiring to their homes.
Mrs. Dutta mused, “If I was Maria I would have tried my level best to make Dinesh change his mind. After all, nothing is impossible for a woman if she makes up her mind.”
“Its an exaggeration!”, Mrs. Ghosh said, “You cant make any one love you, you may tempt or attract him for a while, what if he gets bored after that?”
“If I was Maria I would have told goodbye to Dinesh and would have married Rajesh, because she is belongs to that category of woman who are loyal, devoted and affectionate. So with the amount of love Rajesh is eager to give her she will eagerly response.” Mrs. Gupta joined in.
“Have you ever seen how much eager he is to see her happy, and how much he relishes her childish, innocent and sometimes impractical things, which irks Dinesh.” Mrs. Gupta added.
A few months later Mrs. Ghosh informed the other two about the not very sweet progress in the life of the youngsters, Dinesh has fallen head over heel in love with a dazzling beauty and they are about to get married next month.
A deep pain heavied their hearts, they all knew how much Maria loved Dinesh. Then all of a sudden, like sun’s rays light up the earth after a dark night they saw Rajesh and Maria coming toward them. Their faces were shining, one with deep love and happiness and the other with deep respect, happiness and gratitude.
now or never
Mrs. Gupta was sitting in her trademark bench waiting for Mrs. Ghosh and Mrs Sinha to join her when she saw Sophia walk by. Sophia smiled at her and just moved on. Her smile had a strange effect on any one who was on the receiving end. It filled up their mind with a strange warmth and light. Just like the golden sunrays after a thunderstorm.
Soon her chums joined her and they were about to start their gossip mongering when Mrs Sinha nudged Mrs Ghosh and they turned their faces to look at Ramesh. He was coming towards them, but they knew his destination, he will find out Sophia in the crowd of hundreds of people and silently sit somewhere nearby absorbing her presence with all his existence, and will leave after she has left. Without saying a single word, never trying to strike up a friendship. Not only that, they have seen Sophia trying to talk with him and his response was always the same silent stare.
Ramesh was not one of those so called good looking guys, he was dark, almost coal black with tribal features. He was a very gentle and well mannered guy liked by each and every person of the housing society and every one was waiting for the day when he will dare to propose Sophia and they will get married. Sophia’s friends have already told her about him, she said she was waiting for him to make the approach. Because if he loves her really deeply he will make the approach, or else she will wait and see if he moves on after his fascination withers away.
Just when Ramesh was about to cross them Mrs. Ghosh called out, Ramesh paused and they asked him to sit down for a while with them. He sat down with a disappointed look.
Mrs. Gupta directly faced him and asked him for how long will he shadow Sophia without letting her know his feelings.
Ramesh opened his mouth to say some thing but could not, he just stared at her for a few seconds and bowed down his head. He was too shy to discuss such things with elders.
Now it was Mrs. Ghosh’s turn, she said with a innocent expression that Sophia’s parents were desperate to get her married soon. She pretended as if she has not seen the way Ramesh flinched and continued to inform him that they are already being over-flooded with proposals.
Mrs. Sinha picked up the thread and told him that entire housing society knew about his true love for Sophia. Why does not he just proposes her so they can have the joy of attending their marriage.
Ramesh looked at them with deep pain in his eyes and said, “She will refuse me the moment I will propose to her, have you seen her looks and mine?”
He bowed down his head again and continued, “I will become a laughing stock of the entire society.”
Mrs. Gupta softly placed her palm on his hand and said, “Not every one goes by look, there are people who go by far more beautiful things than that, things like nature, character….”
Mrs. Ghosh added, “Being a man in Indian society Sophia will expect you to break the ice, to show interest, the eagerness of having her in your life, or else she may feel cheap, being a gentle girl herself she may feel she is chasing you.”
Mrs. Sinha joined, “Why don’t you buy a chocolate, a Greeting Card and write in it your feelings for her. Directly ask her consent for marriage, because I think you have known each other enough to marry each other. For last three years you have been following her like a shadow.”
They were still talking when Sophia passed by, Mrs. Gupta called her, Sophia came towards them with eyes lowered, so very unlike her nature. She was one of those who always looked directly at people. This was the first time they were seeing her blushing and shifting uneasily. She walked away after mumbling some silly words and the infamous trio attacked Ramesh, “How much more proof do you want?”, Mrs. Ghosh asked. “Do you want her to put up a billboard outside your window?”, Mrs. Gupta joined in. “You better should propose her tomorrow..”. Mrs. Sinha glared at him without saying any thing.
Ramesh stood up and asked for their permission to leave. He followed the path by which Sophia has walked away.
Next morning when the infamous trio met Mrs. Gupta asked the other two to follow her, they gently walked a few yards and saw Sophia and Ramesh sitting on the same bench silently. But there was a look of deep happiness and peace on both faces.
They softly came back to their trademark bench with moist eyes.
Soon her chums joined her and they were about to start their gossip mongering when Mrs Sinha nudged Mrs Ghosh and they turned their faces to look at Ramesh. He was coming towards them, but they knew his destination, he will find out Sophia in the crowd of hundreds of people and silently sit somewhere nearby absorbing her presence with all his existence, and will leave after she has left. Without saying a single word, never trying to strike up a friendship. Not only that, they have seen Sophia trying to talk with him and his response was always the same silent stare.
Ramesh was not one of those so called good looking guys, he was dark, almost coal black with tribal features. He was a very gentle and well mannered guy liked by each and every person of the housing society and every one was waiting for the day when he will dare to propose Sophia and they will get married. Sophia’s friends have already told her about him, she said she was waiting for him to make the approach. Because if he loves her really deeply he will make the approach, or else she will wait and see if he moves on after his fascination withers away.
Just when Ramesh was about to cross them Mrs. Ghosh called out, Ramesh paused and they asked him to sit down for a while with them. He sat down with a disappointed look.
Mrs. Gupta directly faced him and asked him for how long will he shadow Sophia without letting her know his feelings.
Ramesh opened his mouth to say some thing but could not, he just stared at her for a few seconds and bowed down his head. He was too shy to discuss such things with elders.
Now it was Mrs. Ghosh’s turn, she said with a innocent expression that Sophia’s parents were desperate to get her married soon. She pretended as if she has not seen the way Ramesh flinched and continued to inform him that they are already being over-flooded with proposals.
Mrs. Sinha picked up the thread and told him that entire housing society knew about his true love for Sophia. Why does not he just proposes her so they can have the joy of attending their marriage.
Ramesh looked at them with deep pain in his eyes and said, “She will refuse me the moment I will propose to her, have you seen her looks and mine?”
He bowed down his head again and continued, “I will become a laughing stock of the entire society.”
Mrs. Gupta softly placed her palm on his hand and said, “Not every one goes by look, there are people who go by far more beautiful things than that, things like nature, character….”
Mrs. Ghosh added, “Being a man in Indian society Sophia will expect you to break the ice, to show interest, the eagerness of having her in your life, or else she may feel cheap, being a gentle girl herself she may feel she is chasing you.”
Mrs. Sinha joined, “Why don’t you buy a chocolate, a Greeting Card and write in it your feelings for her. Directly ask her consent for marriage, because I think you have known each other enough to marry each other. For last three years you have been following her like a shadow.”
They were still talking when Sophia passed by, Mrs. Gupta called her, Sophia came towards them with eyes lowered, so very unlike her nature. She was one of those who always looked directly at people. This was the first time they were seeing her blushing and shifting uneasily. She walked away after mumbling some silly words and the infamous trio attacked Ramesh, “How much more proof do you want?”, Mrs. Ghosh asked. “Do you want her to put up a billboard outside your window?”, Mrs. Gupta joined in. “You better should propose her tomorrow..”. Mrs. Sinha glared at him without saying any thing.
Ramesh stood up and asked for their permission to leave. He followed the path by which Sophia has walked away.
Next morning when the infamous trio met Mrs. Gupta asked the other two to follow her, they gently walked a few yards and saw Sophia and Ramesh sitting on the same bench silently. But there was a look of deep happiness and peace on both faces.
They softly came back to their trademark bench with moist eyes.
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