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.