Didimoni

GLOSSARY: DIDIMONI: ELDER SISTER, KAKABABU: UNCLE, KAKIMA: AUNTY. Pandal: a tent built for placing idols during pujas; Saraswati: Goddess of knowledge and art; Moorti: idol, Durgapuja: one of the greatest festival of Bengalis, Barokaka: elder-most uncle, Mahashashti: first day of Durgapuja.

“Haru, come to my home tomorrow and start thrashing the paddy. Its all stacked and waiting.” Kakababu said.

Haru’s father worked in Kakababu’s field. Kakababu was a very kind man. Not the landlords of Hindi movies Haru has seen. Actually all kakababu’s sons were well settled. He hardly ever enquired about the crops, instead of that he quite contently took in whatever was given to him and to add up helped them. Haru has been learning how to read from kakima. They live in the village to maintain the house and relax. Town is hardly an hour from here by car and kakababu possesses one. He sometimes takes Haru to town.

He arrived when it was still dark. The paddy was stacked in the courtyard. It was a strenuous job. He had to thrash it and after that collect the paddies and sift the dust. Once that done he had to store it in the granary.

He started working. Suddenly he felt that there was someone on the verandah. He stopped thrashing, the dust settled down and he saw a gorgeous girl. She was about her age. Eighteen or nineteen years old. She looked like a goddess, Haru has seen Saraswati moorti in pandal, she looked just like her. Her skin was white with a slight yellow glow, dark eyes, and beautiful face- not perfect but soft and adorable. She too was staring at him with eyes full of admiration.

She in turn saw a young guy with very best features and physique. He was wearing only his trousers, his shirt was hanging from a nearby tree. She could see his perfect structure and it was just like a Greek God’s statue, only difference was this statue was alive and jet black.

They both exchanged glances one too many times shyly. None spoke.

“She is my elder-most brother in law’s daughter Haimanti. She came to town last week and your kakababu brought her here for a few days.” Kakima told him in the afternoon when he was having his lunch. She too was sitting there on a chair, listening to her.

He dreamt of her in the night. She looked even more beautiful in her dreams.

When he reached her home it was still dark, he started his work and after a couple of hours she came out brushing her teeth. She smiled at him and his heart stopped.

He did not dare to smile back because he knew his place but that did not control his innocent heart. He kept on dreaming about all the movies he has seen in which a millionaire’s daughter marries a poor farm boy.

It became a routine. He thrashed the paddy and she sat there with a book watching him. Both admiring each other’s beauty.

Then that day came, he went to work there but she did not come out. A couple of hours passed and kakima came out, “You want some tea?”

“Where is Didimoni?” he gulped.

“She has left for town last evening.” Kakima said.

The tea became tasteless. He loved tea, it was an extravaganza at home but whenever he came here kakima always gave him a few cups.

Days passed to weeks, weeks turned into months.

“Haru, Barokaka will be coming to the Durgapuja this year with all his family.” Kakima said.

He felt as if he was flying in the sky. The whole world transformed. Every thing became beautiful. He eagerly started to count the days. Then Mahashashti came. He has been working there all week. A car stopped.

He softly came out of the main gate. A group of well dressed men, women and children spilled out of the gate. Haimanti was with them. She casually looked at him and went inside.

He stood there waiting for her to come out. Kakima came out after a little while. “Haru, will you send the barber woman in the afternoon on your way home?”

He nodded and went back to his work. He realized that the girl he has worshipped since first looking at her has absolutely forgotten him.

Duties

“You too have some duties towards him Tandra.” Her sister glared at her.

“I knew that, you too will take his side. He must have been telling you all types of stories with eyes full of tear. How mean I am. How querulous I am. How I treat him badly.” Tandra sniffed.

“You know very well that I care about your welfare first, then of someone else.” Chandra said. “Now wipe your face and sit near me, listen to what I have to say.”

“He is a boy born and brought up in a large town. He has not married you to have children or look after his home. For the second thing he could have appointed a maid.”

“For the first, as per Indian tradition, he of course needs a wife.”

“If you skulk in the home looking and acting like a witch, for how long can he suffer you?”

“He comes home tired after all day. You meet him with a huge list of complains and problems.”

“You don’t understand his passions, his tastes, his hobbies. Forget about sharing them. To add up you don’t let him go out with his friends. You want him at home all the time. When he is not in office of course.”

“In that case my kid sister, you will have to become his best friend. Can you become that?”

“If yes then all problem will be solved. If no, then let him have some friends of his own. Give him some independence and when he is with you treat him with love and understanding. With sweetness and compassion. After that, see the change.”

“Tell me if he does not change.”

“It’s not your fault; you have seen your mom busy with only you guys and household chores. Your father busy in fields, so you have grown up without the concept of soulmate.”

“If you can’t be his soulmate, be his best friend, if you can’t, be that either be his friend and lover.”

“I know you can do that. Now smile and go back to home. He is waiting for you eagerly.”