Unwanted

“So you are confirmed that you will not marry Tanuja, you will marry Rekha?” Chandra asked her brother softly.

“Yes, I don’t like Tanuja, she is too drab, she does not even knows how to move around in society.” Pratim said.

“She knows it very well how to move around in society, but she is too soft and sophisticated for your taste.” Chandra said, “Its your life do what you want. But in future if you realize that Rekha does not wants Sushma sent her to me. I will bring her up.”

“She may not be second mother to Sush but she will bring her up all right.” Pratim said arrogantly. “Now if you will excuse me I will go to bed.”

He went upstairs, taking two steps at a time, leaving Chandra in the drawing room. Sushma was sleeping with Chandra, she loved her pishimoni a lot.

Pratim’s wife passed away during delivery. Chandra was living with them at that time, her husband worked on a ship and was out on his final voyage. He is to return next month and stay. He will be working in Kidderpore after that, in Kolkata office.

Sushma was now three years old. Chandra wanted her brother to marry her college friend Tanuja, she knew Tanuja has loved Pratim but never dared to express it, reason? She knew what Pratim thinks of her. Call it a sixth sense with which only lovers are blessed.

Rekha was Pratim’s sister in law, his in-laws too wanted him to marry her because they had greater faith on their own daughter than Chandra’s friend when it came to loving their grand-daughter.

Chandra’s only reason behind objection was she has noted how cold Rekha was to Sushma and all other children. She did not liked children much, she was one of those women who are more lover than a mother.

As for Tanuja she knew how much she doted after Pratim and she has seen deep affection in her eyes when they were around Sushma. To her she was a piece of him.




The marriage occurred after a month of the discussion between the siblings and Chandra shifted to her new flat a month after that. She took Sushma with her because Pratim was out on honeymoon trip.

She thought it would be best if Sushma stayed with her while Pratim and Rekha settle in their love nest after their return. She decided that she will send her to them when they ask for her.

She was surprised when a couple of months passed away after their return and none showing any interest to take Sushma home. Pratim visited her every day without break for at-least half an hour, that’s all.

Chandra and her husband Dhwanit were quite amused but they thought it better to not ask. It might not be the best for the child if she lands there as an eyesore. And they were quite happy that their own son, who was two years older than Sushma had a playmate.

“Ask Pratim if we can enroll Sushma in Arghya’s school.” Dhwanit asked Chandra. “She will get late if we delay it any further.”

“Do it for now, I will later transfer her to its Bhowanipore branch, once Rekha is settled in home. She is rearranging the whole flat. We may change the flat too, you know, somewhere near to our offices, so we can give more time to Sushma.” Pratim said.

Another six months passed away. That day Pratim came with a box of sweets. “Sushma is going to have a brother or sister.” He laughed merrily.

“In that case let her stay with us Pratim, Rekha will need rest. She will get exhausted with Sushma, she is a bundle of mischief.” Dhwanit said.

“Thanks dada.” Pratim clasped his hand.




The new member arrived seven months later. He was a boy. The nurses and doctors said he was carbon copy of Rekha. Chandra and Dhwanit entered the nursing home with a bouquet of flower and Sushma.

Pratim was waiting for them in the lobby. He was brimming with happiness. They entered the cabin, Rekha was sitting their, glowing like a morning rose. Holding and kissing the new born passionately.

She looked up at them and smiled. “We can bring Sushma back home now. Her little brother will have a playmate.”

“No, she will stay with Chandra.” Pratim said. “I think that will be the best for her.”