The game

When sudakshina entered the queen’s chamber she was sitting on her favourite seat, a throne placed right beside the window, from which she could view the mountains spread around her small kingdom. Their icy peaks touching the crystal clear blue sky. Sometimes as clear as a blue mirror and sometimes covered with dark clouds or fleeting white fluffy clouds.

She turned her face at her footsteps; she was wearing an expression lingering in between annoyance and irony.

“Come here su, I have to show you something funny.” She called her.

“Sit down, it will take a while.” She said.

She was holding her magic globe in front of her. There was a scene, a boy and a girl sitting side by side. The girl was innocent and fully in love with the boy. But too modest and shy to be coquettish. The boy was absolutely bored with her. He left her and went for a coquette, who wanted good time.

Next she showed her another scene, in this a decent girl was married to a boy and he abused her to no end. He starved her and her children and showered the money on notch girls.

She showed her at least a dozen such scenes, all had only one story to say, human beings have forgotten to love decent human beings. They run after false jewelry leaving behind the gold ones, because false jewelries look more glitzy.

“They are so pathetic, are not they? These human beings?” Queen Indulekha pouted. A rosy tint touched her golden cheeks and then a star twinkled in each of her doe eyes.

“Shall we have some fun with them?” she giggled.

Sudakshina sat down at her feet with an eager expression on her face.

Fairy kingdom was a little boring sometimes, every one being good, perfectly saintly. So they often roamed among human beings in disguise to see them “do funny things”, that was Indulekha’s words.

“Call all the fairies; let’s play a game with human beings for a while. May be for a century or so…. let’s see if they become wiser or stay just like this.” Indulekha said.

Soon all the sahacharis of Indulekha crowded in her room. Their pretty faces pinkish with excitement. They dispersed after a few hours.

Scene 1:

Upasana has loved Rajeshwar for years, for in vain, Rajeshwar wanted someone glamorous in his life whereas Upasana was pretty but very sober girl. So Rajeshwar kept looking for his dream-mate while Upasana waited for him patiently.

He was walking down the road when a woman passed by him. She was awesome, brimming with seductiveness. He tried to draw her attention but she preferred playing coy. Noticing yet not noticing him she went her way, giving him enough bread crumbs to follow her home. He gawked when she entered Upasana’s home.

He stood outside for a while, thinking she will come out with Upasana and he will have a chance to meet her. But she did not, so he went inside preparing himself to give excuse for his visit.

He was met by Upasana and he realized that he has followed her home. She has transformed overnight. He sat there gawking at her for a while.

“You are looking gorgeous!” he said.

“Thanks!” she smiled coyly. “Everyone says so, Mohit, Somesh, Jayanta, Rajnish……” she chanted a huge list.

“Who are these men? I never heard their names before.” He asked jealously.

“Thanks sweetheart. Its because of you that I have realized this wonderful side of life. You kept on telling me that I am dull, boring so I thought may be I should try to become like the women you fancy. Now I have a lot of male friends and they all are crazy for me.” She smiled sweetly. “Now if you will excuse me I will have to leave, I have a meeting with Somesh in an hour.”

She got up and picked up her stylish purse from the side table. “Bye sweetheart. I will ask the maid to give you a cup of tea and some thing to eat.”

She waddled to the door, turned and blew him a kiss, “See you some times.” Then went out of the door, closing it behind her.

She had to share the stories with her friends in the fairy kingdom.

Scene 2:

It was well past midnight. He came home after spending some hours with Susie after office. His head was light, steps very unsteady.

He banged the door, it opened, almost making him fall.

He entered inside and shouted “Where are you? You lazy, good for nothing woman, how could you leave the door open at middle of the night?”

His shout went unanswered. He started to search for her in every room. Determined to give her a piece of mind when he met her. She was no where.

To add up, there was no food in the kitchen or dining table. Not only her, the children too have vanished.

He dragged his tired feet to the bed and fell asleep, too inebriated to think about any thing.

He woke up in the morning. Slowly the memories of previous night came to him. He got up and started to look around. She still was not there.

All her belongings have vanished. He saw an envelope lying on the dining table.

“Dear hubby,

I have been doing a lot of soul searching since last seven years, ever since the first day you came home drunk and touched my body without love.

I talked with your colleagues, friends, Susie and all the women you love. I have decided that its not possible for me to bring up the children with the meager amount you dole out to us.

So I have placed them in a boarding school and have rented the house right beside Susie.

Don’t try to do some thing undesirable because my guards are very efficient and two ferocious hounds sleep at my bed room floor or outside its door, depending on whether I am alone inside or not.

Once your wife,

Daya”

Scene 3:

She came home in an evil mood. It’s been four days since she has been asking that dumb man to buy her a few new dresses. But it seems he is trying to become too economical.

She trapped him and married him only because of money. Because of the luxuries which her parents could never provide her. She even lied to him that she was carrying his child, actually she was carrying a child but it was not his, it was his best friend Suman’s. They still meet every day after that idiot leaves for work.

They have two kids, the idiot thinks both of them are his and dotes after them. They too dote after him and as a result they have become her weapon to control him.

Whenever he shows slightest indications of disobedience she spends the day hitting them in rotation, at the minimum excuses. Her in laws inform him when he comes back and her wish is immediately granted to appease her.

She started to look for them; they were sitting in the attic, playing with toys.

“How dare you litter toys like this?” she screamed in her shrill voice. “You little devils.”

She grabbed a handful of hair of the girl, and then something happened.

The tiny three year old girl twisted her head in an impossible angle and bit her. She felt a horrible pain and saw ten holes in her wrist, blood dripping from them slowly, and gathering up speed. She ran downstairs screaming.

“Juhi bit you?” was Suman’s first question. “I have told you a million times to not hit the babies, it’s a sin.”

“That little girl can’t bite you like this; these are marks of animal bite.” He was looking at her weirdly.

“Okay lets see if she has all of a sudden mutated into a monster of some kind.” He pulled her up to take her to home.

The kids were still playing in the attic. Juhi ran to her when she saw her. She sprang behind Suman.

“Mama!!” Juhi hugged Suman’s legs, showing him her baby teeth. Dazzling like small pearls, all of them were not yet in place properly.

Scene 4:

He loved her so dearly. She was the cutest girl around and she too doted after him, at-least that is what he thought.

She was waiting for him in the park. He saw her sitting there. Wearing a baby pink dress, looking like an angel.

A sad angel.

“Mohit, my parents have fixed my marriage.” She said sadly. “I have told you in the very beginning that I can’t do any thing against their wishes.”

“But you told me just last week that you want to marry me next month.” He stammered.

He has bought a small house in her name just a week ago, a diamond ring and a huge amount of jewelries and gifts. He has showered money like rain on her for past five years. She has promised him again and again that she was his.

“You know dad is heart patient, he never told me that he has fixed my marriage in childhood.” She said. “That boy is back to the town and his parents want immediate marriage.”

“Dad told me all this last night.” She sniffed, “How will I accept anyone else as my husband?”

“I will have to leave now, please forget me and marry someone else.” She walked away from him, leaving him stunned and silent.

“She is not least sad. She is having the time of her life at your expense.” His sister said.

“Just ask any of her friends and they will tell you the gusto with which she is showing off that house and jewelries you bought for her, telling every one that her father bought them for her. Her dowry.”


The house was decked with flowers. The groom was yet to arrive. She was waiting decked up in a crimson sari and jewelries of flower and gold.

A letter arrived for her from her groom. She read it with a coy smile and fainted.

“Dear jezebel,

I was about to get trapped by you. I should say you know how to spin a web.

A little bird left me a mail this morning with all the evidence of how you have squeezed Mohit dry during last five years.

I must have done something good in my last birth that is why I was spared from you.

I am marrying but not you, Mohit’s sister. If you want you can attend the marriage from my side. The venue is very close to yours.

See you later sometimes,
Anant.”

The village:

 

A rosy dusk was settling on the village. It was an absolute image of peace and calm.

 

Small houses were lined in neat rows; each house had a small garden around it.

 

Children were playing in the parks and adults were busy in their own life.

 

“They look so happy with their kindred souls, don’t they Su?”  Indulekha asked Sudakshina. They both were sitting in her chamber with the globe in front of them.

 

“Let’s see what the leftovers do with their kindred souls.” Sudakshina giggled.

 

The fairy brigade has been on action in the town for last few months. Whenever they find out an abused person they bring him or her over to this village and erase their past memories. They are replaced by a fairy in the town and he or she leaves the town after teaching the abuser a lesson of lifetime.

 

“Let’s bet, whether or not the leftovers will learn to respect good things.” Indulekha giggled at Sudakshina.

 

(the end)

Glossary: Sahachari-paid companions/ maids /friends, mama : mother's brother.

The bored executive

He worked in a medical transcription firm. Their clients were mainly from US, so their works started after mid day, but he preferred coming to office early. To spend some time away from home, he has married a few years back but was yet to have any children.

Staying at home was never one of his favourite things. So he used to escape to office at the earliest possible time and kill his time on internet.

On cyber world he was a writer, a senior citizen, who has crossed his seventies, a widower with two married daughters, grandchildren.

Actually he has stolen this image from his own father in law, he used to use his image as his own only pretending as a South Indian Man instead of a Bengali, which his father in law was.

His wife Radha and her sister Sudha kept their father Harendhranath Das with them on rotation; his sister in law lived in Texas. His father in law did not need a single penny from them; his daughters coaxed him to stay with them because he was extremely lonely after his wife’s departure a few years ago. They have been together for forty years.

So Nagendra Ghosh used to become Nageswara Rao the moment he logged in his blogs. It had too many advantages. He could easily befriend women of his own age faking as a old, helpless, attention hungry man. These women used to shower all their attention on him thinking he was a darling old man. An image of their father may be.

He used to have a lot of fun prying out their personal stories under the veil of affection. Sometimes he went a little further too. If he particularly liked a woman he used to meet her pretending as himself, that is, the son in law of the famous blog writer Nageswara Rao. It was usually just one or two dinners or lunches together. Sometimes, it was a movie or concert together.

He has been mixing with this girl for more than six months now. She seemed quite an innocent type of girl. He had an idea that she was a beautiful girl. She was very, very charming in cyber world at least. She lived in Delhi, alone. The chance of meeting came all of a sudden. Nagendra had to go to Delhi for a official tour.

 

He went online after getting the news. Chanda came online after a few buzzes from him. He asked her if she could meet his son in law in Delhi. She consented. Asked him to introduce him to her. He introduced himself to her.

 

They met in a restaurant and he did what he had never done before. He fell in love with her and ended up in love bed. He woke up with remorse next morning but she coaxed him out of his remorse. Three days later he came back from Delhi.

 

He was about to get the taxi when his phone beeped, it was a sms from Chanda. “Missing you.”

 

It would have been a lie if he said that he fought tooth and nail to not give in, actually he just fell in her arms like a ripe fruit falls from tree.

 

From that day onward, whenever his company wanted someone to go north, he volunteered, and made a trip to delhi, even at his own expense.

 

A few years passed by, he got a little bored and started to look for new faces. Soon he started to make frequent trips to South. This time it was Shreemayee, from Chennai.

 

That night he came back home, his wife was sitting grimly at a sofa. He asked her if every thing was alright.

 

“Do you know a woman named Chanda?” she asked.

 

He felt as if the earth was moving under his feet. “No, why?”

 

“She called me up, asking about you, she is in kolkata and wants to meet me.” She said.

 

“Where is she staying?” he asked.

 

“She is staying in a hotel in Dalhousie. Here is the address…” she handed him over a slip.

 

“Let me first confirm who she is. Then we will decide if you can meet her. Okay honey?” he pecked her on the cheek.

 

He reached the hotel early next morning. The receptionist confirmed from her and gave him the direction to her room.

 

He knocked; she answered the door and hugged him, passionately kissing him on the lips. “What is this Chanda? Why did you call my home?” his words stopped in his mouth when he saw his wife and Shreemayee sitting there on the sofa.

 

His wife stood up, “I used to blog as Amrita Arora. The story writer you used to bully to no end. I was surprised to see someone so much similar to my father, so I started to pry and pandora’s box opened itself.”

 

Diptesh

I

 

“Dipteshda, Swamiji wants to see you.” One of the boys told him. He was about to enter his dormitory after spending long hours at the library.

 

He reached the door of Swamiji within a few minutes. He was an orphan, being born and brought up in an orphanage run by swamiji. Swamiji was a rich man, who did not married and devoted his wealth to bring up orphans.

 

He used to give them shelter, food, education and vocational training. After that, first foot-hold in the real world.

 

Diptesh entered his room after knocking the door and touched his feet.

 

“Sit down.” Swamiji looked at him with eyes full of tenderness. “Diptesh was one of his favourite kids.”

 

“You have finished your training with brilliant percentage. The campus recruiters have recruited you.” He said with a heavy heart. “You know the system of ashram, you will have to vacate your bed.”

 

“I have talked with one of my best friends, Mr. Lahiri, he will have a room in his home ready for you on Monday. You can stay with him as paying guest.”

 

“Your salary will be ten thousand per month; he will charge you four thousand for every thing. Will that be alright for you?”

 

“Try to save some money, and try to come to meet us once in a while.” He said with a forced smile, hiding his pain.

 

A part of his heart always rejoiced whenever one of his boys went out to live on their own another part missed them. Because he knew, just like any parent, that this might be the last goodbye. He did not had any thing to pull them back to him, other than the affection which he has given to them.

 

Diptesh bowed down to touch his feet and two drops of tear fell on his feet. Swamiji hugged him tightly. Diptesh was a boy of very few words; actually people teased him for talking so little.

II

He left for Mr. Lahiri’s home with Mr. Lahiri. Who has come to the ashram to take him. He was an elderly person with a dignified appearance. His very countenance spoke of noble character.

 

Mrs. Lahiri and their daughter Meghna was waiting for them in the verandah. It was a small two storied house. There were four rooms on first floor and four in ground floor, the whole house was surrounded by a spacious verandah in the ground floor and a balcony on the first floor.

 

The bedrooms were in the first floor. Mr. Lahiri took him upstairs to show him his room. It had a separate exit, a separate stair which came down to the drawing room. It was connected to the other rooms via the balcony.

 

It was a beautiful room, overlooking a small garden. “That belongs to Mr. Sensharma. He doesnot lives here, his family lives in USA, I will show you the house if I can manage. They were landlords of some place near Dhaka, had this house since then, shifted to west Bengal after partition.”

 

“Baba, ma is calling you two downstairs, the breakfast is served.” A soft sweet voice sounded at the doorway, it was Meghna. She smiled at him. Diptesh smiled stiffly. He was always uneasy with girls and Meghna was a gorgeous young lady. Both Mrs. Lahiri and Meghna were beautiful.

 

The typical Bengali beauties, wheatish gold complexioned, plump figure, rounded arms and wrists. Long, voluptuous hair.

 

They sat down to eat the delicious breakfast. Soon they were engrossed in chatting.

 

Diptesh joined office from the next day. His office was in Dalhousie, a few minutes walking distance from Meghna’s office. They both had the same timings, so they used to leave and return together. Meghna was a few years older than him. Soon she became his best friend.

 

She took him under her wings and made it her priority to introduce him to the real world. They soon realized that they shared almost all the tastes. Starting from music to foods they loved.

II

31.12.09

Diptesh soon became a dear part of the family. Somnath and Deepali treated him just like their own son, to Meghna he was a dear friend. She soon conquered his initial shyness and introduced him to all her friends. Still they remained the very best friends.

 

“Diptesh!” Meghna interrupted his dreamy trance. He was sitting alone in the balcony watching the rain fall on trees and plants of the huge garden of Mr. Sensharma. He has already visited their mansion. It was a very old, well maintained palace surrounded by a not too well kept garden. It was given a little deliberate liberty by the owners. So that nature does not loses her true beauty.

 

He just loved to watch that garden from the balcony. It was like an oasis in Kolkata’ S concrete jungle.

 

He turned his eyes to look at Meghna. She looked like some fairy that has lost her way and landed on the balcony beside him. She was wearing a white saree without border and a small bindi was shining on her forehead. A single pearl shining in each earlobe. Another was hanging from the gold chain around her neck. She never dressed up too much.

 

“We are going for a picnic tomorrow and everyone has insisted that you come along.” Meghna said. “I know you don’t know my office colleagues but I have talked so much about you that they want to see you. I too don’t want to go without you. You have become a habit I guess.” She softly laughed.

 

“Okay.” Was his short and to the point answer.

 

Meghna was quite habituated with his shyness by now. Being a reserved person she adored this shy and reserved guy. She sat down beside him and started to relish the rain silently.

 

“Megh, Deep come downstairs and have your lunch.” Deepali called a little later and they both went downstairs.

 

“Ma, Deep will be going to my office picnic along with me. That means you won’t have to cook our lunch tomorrow.” Meghna said.

 

“That looks really tasty. Ma, what will we do without you? Why don’t you too come along with us and fix us some goodies?” she laughed.

 

“What about your dad?” Deepali smiled back, serving them the lunch.

 

“Oh we will take along him too.” was Meghna’s reply.

 

“Sure why not, then he will spend the day running after you guys. Don’t go too far in the sea, don’t do this, don’t do that…” Deepali smiled fondly. She knew her husband and his overprotective nature.

III

 

The day passed like a beautiful dream. Every one liked Diptesh. He had a fabulous voice and sang one song after another at their request.

 

Meghna was sitting there, facing the river, Diptesh’s golden voice was pouring down her ears, soaking her very soul.

 

Someone sat down beside her, it was Rosie, one of the persons she truly liked and believed that the feeling was reciprocated.

 

“Megh, I think Diptesh loves you.” she whispered.

 

“You are insane. He is ten years junior than me and he knows that very well.” She whispered back, furiously.

 

“Five years? Ha!!! In today’s world age does not matters any more when it comes to love.”

 

“You can’t see him, but his eyes are almost always at you. He just can’t pull them away from you.” Rosie smiled. “He is really handsome and fabulous. Perfect for you.”

 

“Shut up! You wicked girl!” Meghna muttered and got up, she turned her face and her eyes met Diptesh’s. She blushed hard and turned away her face to steady her breath.

 

She instinctively withdrew from him. Natural shyness and social prejudices created a blockage in her easy flowing heart.

 

They returned in the evening, Diptesh noted with deep pain that Meghna was absolutely silent during the trip and even after returning home.

 

She mumbled some half hearted words and retired to her bed after nibbling a few pieces at the dinner table.

 

“Deep, did some thing go wrong in the picnic? Megh is so reserved that she wont utter a word to any one.” Deepali asked, sounding a little worried.

 

 

“No ma. I don’t know what happened to her, I don’t think any thing has happened to her at all. May be she is tired after spending all day there.” He excused himself and went to sleep. He has noted Rosie whispering to her and her expression thereafter.

 

He has madly fallen in love with her. A love which he did not dared to express, nor will he be able to express it ever.

 

Meghna came downstairs next morning, a little tired after spending a restless night, dreaming about Diptesh. Dreams which brought blush to her face after she woke up.

 

“Why was I dreaming about him? Heaven only knows. I never took him that way.” She was muttering to herself when Deepali called her in the kitchen. “Megh, Diptesh is not up yet, he will be late for office.”

 

She went upstairs, the door was bolted from inside. Diptesh was the earliest riser in the household. He woke up before the birds. She hesitantly knocked but it went un-answered. She knocked harder and heard something incoherent from inside.

 

Diptesh opened the door, his eyes were bloodshot. She reached out her palm to touch his forehead it was burning with fever.

 

IV

 

The doctor was called; Dr. Basu was their family physician. He has been treating them for years. Meghna’s grandparents were treated by his father.

 

 

“It must be because of all that river breeze which you two soaked yesterday. You are alright ma?” he asked after checking Diptesh and writing the prescription.

 

“He will be back on his feet within a week.” He left. He was wrong. The fever refused to go. A week turned into a fortnight.

 

“We should better take a second opinion.” Dr. Basu said.

 

All type of tests have been performed every thing was normal but the fever was not leaving him.

 

“I think its some psychological trauma he is facing. Let’s talk with Dr. Deb.”

 

Meghna was sitting on the roof; she came out because the psychiatrist was talking with Diptesh. She rarely left his bedside during day time. In the night her father slept in his room.

 

“Ma Megh!” It was Dr. Basu. She turned her surprised eyes at him.

 

“Yes uncle?”

 

“I have come to talk with you ma.” He sat down in the chair beside her.

 

“That boy is madly in love with you. He is unable to express it and that is causing him the fever.”

 

“Kaku, he is ten years junior than me. What will every one say?” she blurted out.

 

“So you too love him.” He rubbed his hands happily. “You two will make a perfect couple.”

 

“Don’t hurry, right now just accept his affection and tell him to think about it thoroughly. Wait for at-least an year before finalizing the commitment.” Dr. Basu laid his hands on her shoulder. Every one who came in touch with Meghna ended up doting after her. She was a unique girl.

 

“Your father and mother were there when Dr. Deb discussed the matter with me. They don’t seem much averse to the idea. I think they will be happy to have him as their son in law.” Dr. Basu smiled at her before going back downstairs.

 

Meghna got up and went to Diptesh’s room. He was lying there, his eyes were closed. She gently laid her palms on his forehead; he opened his eyes and looked at her.

 

She softly held his hand in both of her hands and smiled. “Go to sleep and don’t worry about any thing. Any woman will feel blessed to have your affection.”

 

He went to sleep almost instantly; the fever was gone next morning.

(end)

The great outing

15.12.2009

It’s been more than four years alak and nanda has married each other. Alak wanted a child and Nanda was not giving in. they both lived a very hectic life, hardly had any time to meet each other except on weekends and holidays.

When they both were able to manage a fortnight at the same time they felt like they have won half of the world.

They both settled in their seats of AC first class, planning to spend the fortnight in goa, just with each other.

They were already in the mood for their second, well earned honey moon when they heard a soft, sweet voice in the passage, the giggling of a child. Alak looked at Nanda with mystery in his eyes.. then the door to their cabin opened and a middle aged couple entered the cabin with six children aging from two year to 14 years.

A few minutes later an elderly lady apparently the grandmother of the kids walked in.

All of them settled in the seat opposite to them and the love struck couple found themselves under the intense scrutiny of 16 eyes, only the two year old spared them. She simply scampered out of her mother’s laps and landed herself on them. Her mother pulled her back with a proud smile and told them in English, “She is very friendly.”



Alak and Nanda had a look which made it impossible to guess their province. And this time they both decided without even consulting with each other that they won’t let the family know that they belong to the same province. Alak just shrugged at them and Nanda stared out of the window, Alak could guess she was trying to hide her hysterical giggle.

Well, soon their amusement vanished because the kids were out at vandalism. They forced their way to both the windows of the coupe. The entire coupe became a battlefield, one was screaming, the other one climbing to the upper berths, third one jumping down from the birth to show his acrobatic skills and the parents smugly smiling and watching them with great affection.



They looked with utter disgust at the scorn on the face of the poor couple when their precious ones were at rampage of things, regardless of owners.

Well the ticket collector came and the hapless couple got the information, two seats each of this coupe and the adjoining coupe has been reserved by their amicable co-passengers.

As the night settled in they gathered that the grandmother will sleep in their room with two of the older children and the couple will go to the next room with smaller ones.

Well, they retired to their coupe well past midnight, all the while keeping the coupe busy, bluntly ignoring the displeasure on the face of their co passengers.

The tired couple retired to their berths but could not sleep .. the children decided to chat the night through and climbing up and down the berth.

Finally peace settled just before the morning. They were deep in sleep when they were jolted out of sleep, someone was banging at the door like a maniac.

“Open the door now!!!” a shrill child voice pierced through the door. One of the kids scampered down to obey it. The moment the door opened two of the older ones scrambled inside the compartment.

“I will sit beside the window!!” everyone was shouting the same thing and tugging at each other while their grandmother sat watching them fondly.

“uncle, uncle please open the window!!! I want to see outside!” one of them started to tug at Alak’s sleeves.

He got up and opened the window, and went to brush his teeth in the toilet.

Nanda pulled her sheet up to her nose and thanked God that she has chosen the upper birth. But her happiness was short-lived, suddenly she felt something scurrying under her feet, she jumped up and saw one of the kids, sitting there, grinning from ear to ear at her surprise.

She folded the sheets, pillows and went down below, sat down on her seat with a look of exasperation on her face.

Suddenly she heard a commotion and to her surprise she heard Alak muttering in the passage, she went out and saw that one of the children has bumped into him, and the tea cups he was carrying were lying on the floor.

“Come inside, we will order when the caterers come.” She cooled him down with her sweetest smile.

He sat down beside her and handed her over one of the newspapers and started to read the second one.

“Uncle can I see the cartoons? Please uncle!!!” he heard a voice and gnashed his teeth this time.

“No you cant, not till we are finished, you go and watch outside the window till then.” Nanda said sweetly. Alak could see from the corner of his eyes that she was grinning like Cheshire cat.

“Sweets, it will so much fun if we have two of them as our children, wont it? He heard her voice.

Then she started to first giggle and then laugh hysterically. He was stunned for a while and then joined her.

Different hues of life

The dwellers
19.11.2009

“Don’t forget to send the car back after reaching office.” He heard her shrill voice ringing.

“Why does that witch uses phones to eat my brain, she can scream from here, I will be able to hear from esplanade.” He smirked inside.

“Masi, Masi!” her voice ranged out again. He smirked this time openly before pressing the lift button. The liftman saluted him and looked at him through the corner of his eyes.

The whole housing had deep sympathy for him. Some of them smirked at his back, calling it result of his greed but still had some pity for him deep in their soul.

He was born in a poor family. People say he was so poor that he did not knew what butter tasted like before he married Sunaina.

They were collegemates and Ajit got bewitched by the cars which used to pick and drop her. He and a lot of his collegemates used to gawk at those cars.. big and shiny.

None of them were interested in the sharp mouthed young girl who came out of those cars except Ajit.

He was tired of hand to mouth life. His poor father has toiled hard to collect his college fees and books. He knew that he will have to do something immediately after college.

When he saw Sunaina he decided his future plans. He did not had to work very hard. Sunaina’s parents passed away in a freak accident, as if to clear his path.

He won her heart while wiping away her tears. They got married and he realized that he has opened the gateway of hell for himself.


The dwelling:

In next ten years he bitterly regretted his decision of marrying her. He sometimes thought that he might have been better off in that one room set with his parents.

Who can say, he might have procured a decent job, but the alley he chose as a short cut turned out to be a blind alley. Now he is stuck in this darkness forever. Every time he thought about leaving her two tiny hands gripped his legs.. his daughter. He knew he will lose custody battle and Sunaina will torment the child to settle her scores with him. Even though she was her own born still she used her to keep Ajit under control.

A couple of hour later he was sitting in his chamber, it has been hardly a minute since he sat down. There was a massive rally in esplanade resulting in horrible harassment of poor office goers.. a divine experience of getting roasted in their vehicles or dragging themselves wearily under the scorching sun.. to reach office in time.

The phone rang and he picked up, “You were supposed to send the car back an hour ago.” A very familiar voice shrieked out of the phone.

He held the earpiece a little away from his ear and explained the reason behind delay then added, “ This is why I ask you to buy a personal car for yourself sunaina.”

“Who will give the money? You? First earn something on your own merit and then gift me a car with that money.” She snickered. “Send the car back now.”

“Its already on its way.” He answered and disconnected the phone.

“Wonderful way of starting a day in office.” He mused within. He was quite habituated of her poisonous tongue but still it sometimes succeeded in stinging him. because it was always looking for new ways..

“Good morning sir!” a soft voice sounded. It was his secretary entering the chamber. She smiled at him apologetically. “I had to walk from howrah bridge, there was a massive rally in esplanade today.”

“I know, I almost fell asleep in the car. waiting for it to pass.” He said. “There is no need to say sorry, I know you are always on time.”


The escapade:

“Daisy, I am leaving for couple of an hour, if madam calls tell her that I am out on a meeting.” Ajit said before leaving.

Just like any hen pecked man, who cant desert the hen Ajit had other ways to entertain himself. He used to go back home sharp at seven, unless he was stuck in traffic jam but was free as a bird 9 to 7, his huge business covering the whole state gave him ample amount of excuses.

He was not a man of easy morale, he was just tired of constant harassment, he had a friend he loved very much, Meeta. Who was just opposite to Sunaina, sweet natured and soothing. He used to spend regular time with her.

She was a decent girl, who attached herself to him to save herself from falling into black abyss. An orphan tricked out of orphanage on pretext of marriage.

Ajit had heard her story and felt nothing but deep pain for her and other girls like her. she was not beautiful, but was cute and attractive. A guy came to their orphanage and asked for her hand. Mother superior made cursory checks, he seemed perfectly fine.

They lived happily for a year. Then they left for his native place. He already had a wife. She but naturally threw her out of the house the moment she knew who she was. He begged for her forgivance and rented a room for her in the neighbouring town.

Soon his visits became rarer, especially after their first daughter was born. One day the child came under Ajit’s car and they became aware of each other’s presence in earth.

Though their relationship was completely platonic, Ajit often used to think about divorcing Sunaina and marrying her. He used to give her enough money so she could live decently with her daughter. She forbade him for spending any thing but that.


The wrath:

Roguishness and shamelessness walk hand in hands. Rogues are born with a deep confidence that they are always right, and they always justify their evil deeds to themselves.. perfectly.

The rogue who ruined Meeta was no exception. He used to plunder on the money which Ajit gave her, soon his greed started to shoot sky high. He spied on Ajit and found out who he was. Immediately he contacted Sunaina and told her every thing about Meeta. He collected his reward and vanished from the town.

Sunaina hired a detective who confirmed Ajit’s regular visit to her home. She had a showdown with Ajit who vehemently denied her charges about immoral acts.

She was now completely sanguine that he was ditching her. How we tend to forget after a few years of conjugal life that our spouses deserve and owe some quality time and love from us. Sunaina too did the same. She forgot aptly that she has forced Ajit to walk that way by taking his love for granted.

She had a secret meeting with some of her friends and one of them, who was quite jealous of her money concotted an outrageous scheme which sank deep in her vengeful heart.

She went through the photographs taken by the detective and made a few phone calls. A few weeks later a mysterious woman rented a flat in a housing just a few blocks away from Meeta’s flat.

Soon her neighbours find out that she lives a dual life, she comes to this flat after leaving her daughter to school for a few hours, entertains her clients and slips back to her respectable flat a few blocks away, her name on housing society’s register was Neeta.

Sunaina ruined the reputation of her rival by the sheer power of her money. She on one hand tracked her whereabouts, and whenever she was out of home Neeta used to pop up in public view in her shady little flat. She has found out a woman with stunning similarity to Meeta. She made arrangements with Meeta’s husband to show up there from time to time so that every one is convinced.

Her poor victim was at her wit’s end, never realizing what was going on, then she thought it must be because of her mixing with Ajit and she told him so. He proposed her to marry him but she refused saying she wont ruin a family. He walked away broken hearted.

He arranged for a job and flat for her in another place. Meeta naturally shared the information with her ex husband and he in his turn shared it with Sunaina, his new mistress, who was paying him a hefty sum of money every month to help her settle her vengenance.

So Neeta followed Meeta to her new town and the misery continued.

One day, when her ex husband was coming out of a bar fully loaded he had a terrible accident and both of his legs were amputated. He called up Meeta and Ajit and told them every thing.

A few months later Sunaina received divorce papers from her husband. “If you don’t sign them, I will furnish all the proofs of your malicious actions against Meeta. Her ex husband will testify to it.”

Six months later she received an invitation to Ajit and Meeta’s wedding who were now settled in an undisclosed place.

Tutul

30.10.2009

I


Pritha took a few breaths to steady herself before entering her cubicle.

Mou was sitting there, she looked at her with the corner of her eyes. Then shifted her attention back to her screen. “You have not forwarded me your daily report last evening.” She said.

“Sorry.” Pritha mumbled, “I must have forgotten to send it, I have made it and was about to send when some one asked for a book.”

“Don’t make it a habit, when shaila will ask me I will have to simply admit the truth, that you don’t send me the daily reports regularly.” Was Mou’s answer.

This was the first time that Pritha has forgotten to send it to her.

She really hated this office and its employees. Some of them were good but they were mute spectators of all the atrocities done by their vicious colleagues, those who ran the office.

She placed her bag in her cabinet and started the computer. Next she called up the reception, “Deepa are the newspapers there?”

“No”” Deepa answered, “Wait for a while Harun will be bringing them from the flat.”

Pritha wished that she could wait, she called up the Peon’s room and just as she has anticipated, Harun was there, filling up the bottles to be placed on every desk.

“Have you brought the newspapers Harun?” she asked.

“No madam. I will fetch them after I fill up the bottles.” Harun politely replied.

“Can you handover the bottle filling to Atish and go?” she asked and Harun consented.

So her day started. She had to go through these newspapers which her boss has read since early morning. There were articles, pieces of news marked under various categories. She had to handle all these categorywise and will have to key in the articles which were marked with the name of her colleagues and mail them those articles in word format before 11 AM.

Apart from this she had to handle their huge collection of books, magazines and CDs. This was an advertising firm which made its main moolah from printing annual reports of various reputed organizations.

---------------------------------------------------------

II


Shaila had some special fancy on her. unfortunately of course, because she was gifted with a very sharp tongue and spiteful nature.

All her colleagues said her husband Zakir was the mean guy around but he never mistreated Pritha, he was a man of few crisp words and Pritha simply adored it from her bosses. She believed in hierarchy. She always kept a distance from bosses. She believed in the old adage, its unwise to become friends with a king .. they can make and break you as per your mood.

Shaila never lost a chance to give her the taste of her acid tongue, a colleague of hers once told her, “You are not her favourite target, you are the only soft target available to her.”

Mou was there to help Shaila, somehow she had the complex that Pritha was appointed to take over her place, though Pritha never could guess why, because Mou was an expert manager. She had a wonderful way of handling and coordinating the whole process of publishing a report, starting from the scratch to the end.

The second reason Mou loved Pritha because Pritha was not a good actress and she just could not hide her displeasure at Mou’s coquettishness. She used to observe with great distaste how she loved to be fondled by male colleagues, she used to watch with distaste how easily their hands roamed over her body and her evident joy in the whole thing. Most probably that displeasure was reflected on her face too.. so she made a bad, powerful enemy who had full control over her acid tongued boss.


She was talking with Ramen, “This is the environment of Corporates. Either you become like Mou or quit. It’s a dog eats dog world, no place for humanity. Everyone knows that you are harassed without reason but no one will stand up for you, because no one will love to lose the huge pay packet they are being offerered.”

“I used to laugh a lot before I joined trizem, now I zip my mouth before entering the office and unzip it after reaching home. I don’t talk with colleagues unless its about work.” He said helpingly.

He was one of the staffs of that office who have tried to help her and have always been nice to her.

“You should better not talk any thing about Zakir or Shaila in the office, they mysteriously listen to every thing which is spoken about them, and they are very vindictive.” Another colleague of hers once subtly warned her.

This was one suspicion which Pritha had since long, but it was about Mou. That she somehow overhears the things said about her or someone spies on her behalf.

Then she guessed it herself, most of the big offices install spy cameras in rooms to check on the activities of their employees. As Trizem handled sensitive data it was quite probable that they have installed spycams, and who else but Mou can be trusted for the spying part. So she learnt to keep her mouth shut.



III

Unfortunately her docillity did not worked. The more docile she became the more abusive Shaila became. So she decided to leave the job.

Shaila was fully cooperative. That day she was really unwell, she went to office a little feverish, and used the toilet. Shaila entered the toilet when she was coming out, and instantly came out screaming, “If you cant clean up the mess after using the toilet call me from my chamber, I will do it for you.”

She was shocked but kept silent. She had been called all sort of names by her in the past, unadjusting, arrogant, querelous .. every thing but this one just crossed the limits. She just had enough of this woman. She submitted her resignation next day.

The last day in the office was one of her most memorable days. She handed over all her charges, and every thing which was in her hands but there was one thing pending… a drama, on the last day when she was about to leave the office she noted that the only door of the office was locked.

She asked the receptionist to open it, she was instructed to meet Shaila. Shaila in turn handed her over a huge list of jobs to be completed if she wanted her salary.

After going through that list she realized she will have to work another four months there to get her due salaries of two months. So she asked them to keep it and left the office.

Well, that day her colleagues proved Ramen was right. Everyone watched the drama, some of them were quite friendly with her. But everyone acted as if nothing has happened. She left the office with a mixed feeling of fury and satisfaction. Fury for being shamelessly cheated and satisfied that her humanity, dignity and backbone was not for sale.



IV


She was sitting in the park of her housing when she saw Ramen entering the park with a small child. She was a little surprised, because she thought he was single, in all these months he has never mentioned his wife.

She smiled and waved at him, “Hi!!!”

He smiled back and slowly approached her. Holding the hand of the child.

“How are you?” he asked. Its been a month since they have last met. A month since Pritha has left Trizem. “Got something new?”

“Not yet, looking for one. Have just started to send the c.v.s” she answered. “Your daughter?”

“No, my elder brother’s daughter. Her parents passed away in an accident, she was with us at that time.” Ramen said.

“Hi!!!!” Pritha smiled at the small one.

The little girl blankly stared at her. she was a really cute looking girl, hardly four or five years old.

“Tutul is autistic. Very slow to understand and takes a long time to mingle with anyone. That’s a good thing in today’s world. She howls like a wolf if a stranger tries to touch her.” Ramen said.

Pritha looked at her carefully and realized Ramen was right. There was a slight, very slight shadow of her autism on her face.

Suddenly Tutul giggled and stumbled toward Pritha. Who gently held her and pulled her close.

“Wow!!! That’s a miracle! Do you know magic?” Ramen laughed. “I have never seen her befriending someone on first date. Naughty girl.”

Pritha smiled, “It’s a God given blessing. I love children and somehow that love is almost always reciprocated, actually they love me more than I love them.”

They stayed together for an hour more and then left for homes, promising to meet next day.

That became a daily routine, slowly that extended out of the park and they became inseparable friends.

Pritha became extremely fond of Tutul. That small child with her absolutely unselfish and devoted love captured her heart. She started to dote after her.



Within a year they decided to share the rest of their lives together. Pritha was a little bored with office culture and the harshness brewing in them, so she decided to work from home.

Cursed Part 2

for the earlier part: Cursed Part 1 (october archive)
29.10.2009

After surrendering to seniority, white hair of Keshav uncle I promised to myself I will act just opposite to my nature and show his employees what attitude is all about…

I went to the office, Jhumamasi showed up within an hour. She took one of the girls of the office aside and asked her to call me up during lunch hour.

“Don’t take your lunch alone in your seat, join the girls.” She told me later. “Slowly it will break the ice and will keep the people who are bothering you silent.”

I too thought that and started to eat with them. Even though I could clearly see their coldness hidden under their politeness I practiced polite warmth. Because I knew they can afford to be rude to me, I cant, because it was my aunty’s office, and I was answerable to her.

Slowly their second skin started to fall off. I have been an avid reader of all sorts of detective books. I started to observe certain things in them and then used to test them under the wrap of innocence.

Sometimes my relatives from home used to call me up during office hours, as I did not had a phone at home.

I used to note that whenever a phone came one of the girls used to flitter around me, as if trying to understand the conversation which I was having with the person on the other side. Though they pretended they did not knew a single word of bengali.

I started my own game, I used to watch them keenly and say most offensive things in pure bengali about them to see how the colours of their faces changed. They used to look at my placid face keenly to note if I have guessed their games.

Though they were too sly to be caught red handed, I guessed that a lot of them can understand bengali but pretend that they don’t.

Next I started my experiments with the eavesdropping case. There also I started to play the same game, I used to raise my voice to various levels before getting abusive about the employees of blue star, mentioning their names… and soon I realized that most probably they have bugged the households.

My suspects were naturally Ritumasi and her sons.

31.10.2009

Soma became my shadow. Wherever I went she was sure to go (other than office) even when I visited Jhumamasi’s home she stayed there with me in place of going to her mother’s home. Even if she did, she used to return before my returning from office.

It seemed mystery was second name of Rajpur. Things started to disappear and come back on their own. I still remember the day when I first became aware of this disappearing and returning act. A bunch of letters arrived from my family, I was reading one of them when Sulata called me and I got busy with her.

I returned after half an hour and saw that the letters have vanished, I searched every where but could not locate them.

When I returned from office next day they were back, they were at a place where I always searched first… under my pillow.

That again convinced me someone is over curious about my personal life.. the only person who could smuggle those letters out was Soma. But to whom? Both Sharma and Jain family were hundred percent Marwaris.. though they knew Hindi well but none knew B of bengali.

My suspicion again reverted back to Ritumasi, it was not impossible for Soma to call them up and tell them that a bunch of mails have arrived for me, someone might have been waiting outside to fetch those mails. They might have been done it before without being caught.

As it happens, when an innocent person is forced to suspect, he or she starts to suspect every one.

I always had a feeling about Sulata that she was Bengali, and Abhishek though he claimed he was a Marwari born and brought up upto his college in Sawai Madhopur, looked like a typical bengali guy.

I still distinctly remember how I asked Rik if Sulata was bengali when I first saw her from the roof top, she was in the courtyard below doing something.

A deep suspicion started to form that they were living there with some other intention.

The thing which fuelled my suspicion most were the weird things Sulata used to say quite often.

Things which were often outrageous to my small town taste. She used to glorify the lifestyle and happiness of a friend of hers who became a mistress of a rich old man. I never had the taste of asking her if that man had another wife or not.

Or she used to do things which I have only seen sex workers doing on silver screen. The same gestures of body or eyes, which are trademark of these women.

I used to feel quite uneasy with these behaviours, even though I had deep sympathy for sex workers but I would have never loved it if someone thought her as one. So I one day blurted out some thing about these gestures and some offensive words about sex workers.

I saw the colour of her face changing. Though she recovered it instantly but for a second she lost her composure.

That one incident started a journey of nightmare for me I believe. Wise people say that if you call Jesus Christ evil he will forgive you, but if you call devil evil he will leave no stone unturned to destroy you, such is the fury of a guilty soul.

to be continued ...............

Love is not enough

21.10.2009


It was early morning. A soft veil of mist was lifting itself from the green luscious fields when Abhilash descended on the Railway Station.

He was tired after travelling for more than 48 hours but the moment he inhaled the pure cool morning air his body relaxed.

“Hey!!!! Here!!!!” He heard a shout and turned to face his friend Ashok. “the journey was comfortable I hope!”

“Sort of.. these days vendors enter even the Air conditioned coaches. They kept on disturbing through out the nights..” he muttered tiredly.

They were walking side by side. It was a very small station. Abhilash was the only passenger who descended this morning.

“Here, this one!” Ashok pointed to a sturdy jeep. The jeep looked worn out from outside but was quite comfortable inside.

The driver started the jeep, it started to move forward in the brick road. Jumping a little here and there. Every thing was new for Abhilash.

He noted that the road was not made of concrete, simply bricks were laid on the road and have powdered to dust by heavy vehicles like trucks and wooden wheels of bullock carts.

But some of them were still jutting out from the dust and making the jeep jump. Driving a four wheeler was a matter of ample control, he could see that. He wondered how the drivers of two wheelers managed to drive, especially in darkness. He could not see any signs of electricity any where.


the road:

“Some of these fields are ours, but most of our fields are on the other side of the village. I will show them to you.” Ashok said following his friend’s gaze full of admiration.

“They are gorgeous. I have never seen so much green from this close.” Abhilash gushed.

“You will soon get bored. Just wait.” He laughed. “The whole village goes to sleep at eight in the night.”

“No newspaper, magazines, television or radio.” He laughed. “All we have is a taperecorder and our own library.”

“I think it will be fun for a few days atleast.” Abhilash laughed at his expression. “You are forgetting one thing, I will have you to show me around the village.”

The single storeyed house was situated on the bank of the river damodar. The jeep pulled in the courtyard of the house, they both came down.

Ashok’s father was waiting for them in the courtyard. He hugged Abhilash as he touched his feet.

“Come inside, sit down for a while then go to toilet and have some thing to eat after you are fresh.” He said affectionately.

An hour later Abhilash was out on the village road again, this time on feet with Ashok. Ashok’s father Ramesh and Mother seeta has stuffed him up with breakfast.

“I want to take a long walk to digest it.” he laughed when he went to wash his hands outside.


the village:

“Lets visit the other beauty spots of my tiny village.”, Ashok nudged Abhilash in the afternoon.

They sat down under a banyan tree, the river was spread right in front of them.

Vast banks of white sand, and small streams of water running through them.

“There was a time when this river used to roar like a monster in monsoon, causing a flood every year.” Ashok said. “Things changed after DVC.”

Abhilash could not imagine the scene which it would have made. The roaring river in place of narrow streams of water which barely crossed knees.

“These sands can be very tricky. Sometimes they give away under the feet of careless people and drown them.” Ashok said. “Never venture in the river on your own.”

“I wont. I don’t have any intentions of dying.” Abhilash laughed.

He watched with dreamy eyes the sheer beauty of that rustic village. The other bank of damodar was visible quite clearly. It was outlined by trees and empty spaces.

White autumn clouds were scattered in the sky, white and dazzling like snow covered peaks in the rays of sun. the sun started to set in the western horizon slowly. It lingered on the horizon first as a red, and then as a pink ball for a long time, then bade goodbye.

The tree above them was full of chirping of birds. He has never heard so many birds together. They were busy in settling down for the night. Their chirping sounded sweeter than the sweetest music to his ears.

“Lets go home now.” Ashok patted him on the back. “Don’t worry the sun will set again tomorrow.”

They laughed and left for the house. They were about to enter the house when a young woman came out of the house. Abhilash stopped in his track. In his thirty years of life he has never seen a woman half as beautiful as her.

“Leela, which book today?” Ashok laughed at her.

“short stories” the girl smiled at him. When she noted Abhilash was staring at her she bowed her head and left.

“She is gorgeous, is not she?” Ashok said, he could feel his friend’s condition.


cupid:

She was. A creature fulfilling all the criterias of beauty. She was tall, slim, her skin was like molten gold, eyes huge and dark, with long eye lashes, soft ruby lips and long, very long hair, which reached her knees and was swaying like a snake with her movement.

“Who is she?” Abhilash asked.

“She is the daughter of one of the richest farmers here.” Ashok said. “Can you believe it, that girl has not studied in school?”

“She has learnt all these things from my mother.” He laughed. “Mom wanted her as daughter in law but her parents bluntly refused. They are brahman, we are kayasthas.”

“Mom was heart broken.” Ashok chuckled. “Don’t look at me like that bro, I was not. She is not my type. She is too rustic. I would rather prefer some one ordinary but sophisticated. Who wil share my dull life in this village and add some touch of brain here and there. More than that she will have to be soft speaking and sweet natured. Leela is gorgeous but her tongue is a sharp razor.”

Abhilash could feel the earnesty in his words. He knew different people have different priorities. He thanked Leela’s parents for refusing Ashok. And he thanked God because he was brahman.

They finally retired to bed late after chatting for hours.

One month later when Abhilash left the village he left his heart there and took Leela’s heart with him.

His parents came down a few weeks later to meet Leela’s parents. The marriage occurred within another couple of months.



dream journey:

Abhilash left Leela with his parents and went to Kolkata, to make arrangements for a flat where they will stay.

Soon he brought her over to kolkata. She was happy like a child, she has never been to kolkata before.

“Its such a huge place, is not it?” she beamed. “So many people, buses, cars, buildings…”

“Kolkata is biggest city in west bengal and one of the biggest cities in india.” He smiled at her innocent happiness.

“Is it our home?” she smiled shyly after entering the small flat.

“Yes, its our palace.” Abhilash hugged her.

They spent the day together like to birds building their love nest. Abhilash left for office the next morning with a huge lunch box and stuffed up tummy.

“Leela, we will have to invite my friends from office and housing.” He whispered into her ears when they were lying in the bed.

“when?” she asked.

“I have booked a small hall in the restaurant down the street for Sunday evening.” He said, “It will be handled entirely by the restaurant, all we will have to do is invite them and be present there.”

“We could have arranged it at home. Why did you invited them in a hotel?” she asked innocently. “They wont be able to bless our new home then.”

“My sweet darling, blessing doesnot counts much in Kolkata, formalities do.” Abhilash softly kissed her forehead, “It would have been too chaotic to invite them in home. Think about all the arrangement and cleaning.”

“I have done that at home.” Leela said.

“There were others to help you there sweetheart.” Abhilash answered. “Here you will have to do it all alone, I am not a good help in such cases.” He chuckled. “Shall we sleep now? I have to go to office tomorrow.”

first brush:



“will I have to go out with you to invite others?” Leela asked shyly. “I don’t know how to talk with strangers… I have only talked with other village folks, that too women or relatives when I was back at home.”

“That’s ok honey, you will just have to be with me. I will do the talking.” Abhilash winked. “Lets not fret about such things.. you will have to do a lot of things which you have not done before sweetheart.”

“Like? Speaking in english? Wearing jeans?” Leela giggled. “I wont be doing any of those things, you should have married a memsahab.”

“We will see.. “ Abhilash smiled and hugged her.

The next few days were occupied completely. Every extra minute out side Abhilash’s office was spent on inviting people. They had to visit and invite them personally.

For the first time since seeing Leela Abhilash noted that her choice of colours was very gaudy. He might not have noticed it, as men never do but the wives, or other female relations of his friends or colleagues pushed it down his throat.

Almost everyone confidently asserted from him that she was from village. He could realize that her gaudy make up and flashy colours showed it off too much.

“Darling!” he said next evening, “I have brought some new sarees for you, will you take a look at them.”

Leela jumped with joy, but her face hanged when she opened the boxes one by one.

“These cant be exchanged?” she asked. “Their colorus are so lifeless.. so faded, my mom wont wear them.”

“Honey, in kolkata these are the colours which women wear.” Abhilash said, hoping she will understand.

“I will look sixty years old in them.” Leela complained. “Its been only six months since our marriage. If I start wearing these faded colour sarees people will think that you don’t love me.”

“Wear what you want honey, we will exchange these dresses tomorrow.” Abhilash felt her sadness and gave in.

========================================================



Fading:

Just like it happens to almost every love story after a brief honerymoon, it started with them too.

The next day onward Abhilash became myopic, all he could see was the faults in the woman he once adored.

He kept on comparing her to her kolkata sisters endlessly through out the party. How loudly she laughed. How loudly she spoke. How noisily she ate… how limited was her field of conversation.

Every necklace has to face friction, friction of weather, brushing with skin.. the list is endless. A necklace made of gold only loses a little of its gold, returns to its original self after a polish, but a gold coated one chips off, showing off the bronze inside.

Abhilash married Leela without thinking about their vast differences, he got mesmerized by the gold outside, never bothered to test it, if he would love the ingredient inside that gold plate. Result came out soon..



He came back from office next evening a little early. Leela greeted him with a sweet smile.

“Lets go out for a while, eat out and will be back before late.” He smiled at her when she entered with his tea and snacks.

She was a marvellous cook and homemaker, she has decorated the entire flat with her own hands. The whole flat was filled up with her own handmade things, embroidered covers for every thing, small handmade dolls.. he was quite impressed by her skills with hand, a thing which he has not seen in any of his cousins or other female members of his family. They were all highly educated and too engrossed in their careers to spend too much time in kitchen, forget about preparing handmade things like a doll. He had cousins who did not even knew how to cook.

He took her to a nearby library and made her member of that library. It had quite a huge stock of books. Enough to keep her occupied for years.

They took a taxi and roamed around a little, then they stopped at a small restaurant cum bar. Abhilash wanted to have a small drink. He was not a regular drinker, but today he was feeling like having a peg or twon.

They sat down in the restaurant, Abhilash ordered the waiter. Whisky for himself and juice for Leela.

“What is that?” Leela asked when the waiter placed their beverages. “It looks beautiful, can I take a sip?”

Abhilash resisted his laughter, “No, you don’t want to sip it.”

“Why?” she asked innocently.

“Its whisky.” He explained her what it was.

“You drink?” a look of horror and repulsion twisted her beautiful face.

Abhilash was shocked by the look full of hatred she gave to his peg, “Once in a blue moon.”

“No one in my family has ever touched alcohol. What will I tell to my parents if they come to know you drink?” She almost sniffed.

“Please be quiet, lets eat and we will talk at home.” Abhilash turned red when he noted that the people of nearby tables were staring at them under the cover of politeness. Leela’s voice has reached almost all the ears nearby.

They both forced the food down their throats and left the restaurant, none exchanged a single word till they reached home.



“I don’t care what you have been doing till date, promise me you will never drink again, not even a sip.” Leela insisted when they were in the bed.

“Leela, its not possible in kolkata.” Abhilash tried to explain the way of life in kolkata to her, but her ethics were too strong.

She was born and brought up in an environment where smoking might have been allowed but drinking was something which only reckless scoundrells did.

Abhilash just could not convince her that it was alright in kolkata. No one will think him a rogue just because he occassionally drank a peg or two of hard drinks.

“Please don’t do it tonight.” She coldly said when he tried to pull her to him.

“Are you angry?” he asked, disappointed.

“Your breath is full of foul smell of alcohol.” She said.

They distanced themselves from each other for the first time after their marriage and went to sleep. Abhilash turning his back on her and Leela facing toward him.

A cold dawn dawned in their love nest. Leela’s face was sad like a lotus thrashed by merciless winter rain and Abhilash was blaming his own brain, which fell for Leela without thinking about any thing else but her gorgeous looks.

Leela was too strong on her ethics and Abhilash was habituated of this lifestyle to see any thing immoral in it. So a small difference of opinion took the place of a cold war.


Return to home:

Ashok was sitting on the roof, looking at the river glittering in moon light. It wax full moon night, the weather was quite cold but he loved to sit on the roof for a little before going to bed.

He just loved that river and its magical beauty. He was startled when someone touched his shoulder. He turned, it was his mother Seeta.

“Leela has come to her home last night. Her father went to fetch her for Durgapuja. She will stay for a month.” She said.

Knowing his mother Ashok knew that she has something further to say. So he turned to face her.

“Abhilash did not came with her. She is really miserable. Something is wrong with them. will you ask your friend if something is wrong?” Seeta really loved Leela.

Ashok shrugged. He thought it must have been lover’s tiff or something a little more serious.

He left for kolkata next morning because he had to do some shopping too, he went to meet Leela on his way.

When he reached their huge, spacious house he noted it was busy preparing for the upcoming puja. They held their own puja in home.

The first person who saw her was Leela’s sister in law Tapati. She smiled faintly at him and called him in. He was almost like a son to that family. Her faint smile confirmed Seeta’s words.

He was sitting in the courtyard when Leela came to him and touched his feet.

“Dada, how are you?” she asked, her eyes lowered as always.

“I am going to kolkata, do you have any thing to say to Abhilash?” he asked with a smile, trying to put her at ease.

She looked up at him and her eyes told every thing. Ashok decided to not bother her and ask Abhilash instead.



He reached Kolkata late at noon. He called Abhilash to announce his arrival who ordered him to immediately visit him.

They hugged each other tightly. It appeared as if Abhilash was waiting for a single prodding.. he tumbled out every thing to Ashok.

“Abhi, I told you to think before you marry her. Right?” Ashok asked him. “I told you that she is gorgeous but rustic.”

“She is a village girl, what do you expect her to do? Wear jeans, dance at a disco?”

“Or pour down drinks for you and your friends?” Ashok asked in a little impatient tone.

“You are a highly educated guy, if you cant accept her with all your education, how could you expect her to accept your modern lifestyle with her minimal education?”

“You forgot to think about these differences beforehand with your wisdom and knowledge, and you are expecting her to understand them?”

“Don’t lecture, if you cant suggest something let me think of a way out.” Abhilash said. “May be I will divorce her.”

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Mending:

“Abhi, I never expected this from you.” Ashok softly said, “Killing her will be better for her. Do you know the meaning of divorce to a village girl?”

“I will suggest you something only if you promise that you will think about it deeply.” Ashok said.

“shoot out.” Abhilash said curtly.

“You both are married now. Her only fault is her lack of sophistication and inability to adapt herself to modern lifestyle, you can try to slowly mould her. Or you can let her be and simply avoid the things which she hates.”

“For example, you can take your drinks when you are out with the boys.”

“You can simply invite your friends a few at a time during weekends instead of throwing parties.”

“You can enroll her in some grooming class, there are too many of them in kolkata these days.”

“Most of all, you can concentrate on her virtues in place of vices.”

“None of your urban friends will be able to decorate the home like this without taking a single penny from you, or pack such wonderful lunch for you at eight in the morning.”





“I can understand your condition, but you should have thought it before marrying, I even warned you.” Ashok added.

He softly held his friend’s hand in his hand, “Don’t write the death sentence for that innocent girl, try to accept her, you are the wiser and more matured person.”

“I will ask ma to teach her a little about city life, ma was a teacher, her teacher too, so I have a little faith on her wisdom.” Ashok laughed.

“Next time when you feel really upset call me I will send ma to masi’s home for a fortnight and you can drop Leela there, explain your problems to ma in private I believe she will manage perfectly.” Ashok patted his back.

Abhilash tightly gripped his hand in both of his hands.