I
“We all told you again and again to forget about Kankana and propose her but you were smitten by Kankana, to you she was the ultimate stunner. A woman dreamt about by every one. You were so blind that you could not see that she was not dreamt about; she was lusted after by men, that too because of her coquettishness. Now, when she has ditched you, you want to go back to Ratri.”
“We told you again and again that she was not the type to be content with one man.”
“When we told you that she will marry a clumsy man like you either for your wallet or for social security you thought we were jealous of her. She is so gorgeous that your own mother and sister is jealous of her and wants you to marry a dull creature.”
You went ahead on your own, made your separate accommodation because mom refused to allow her in home.”
“Before you could realize what she is you became father. She stayed at home only when her physical condition did not allow her to go out.”
“Within two years of marriage she resumed her old life style, leaving Paula with ayah.”
“Initially you accompanied her to her parties and get-togethers, but soon you got tired of late night parties every alternate day. You started to make excuses for not going and gallantly gave her freedom to enjoy herself.”
“Never even thinking that if she loved you two she would have spent nights or evenings at home with you two, not in some discotheque or hotel.”
“Now when her real colours are showing out you want to divorce her and marry Ratri.”
“You invited your own destruction, even though you were warned again and again by everyone, your friends, family and well wishers.”
“Why do you think that people think again and again before marrying? Any way, I can only understand one thing, that is, you are a horribly bad judge of human beings.”
“Ratri, as far as I know is in love with someone. She has showed me her photo too. He is not yet ready to settle down, the love is one sided again. I hope that it works out for her this time.”
II
“There is the problem.” Akash said.
“The person she thinks she is in love with is married. It’s all Kankana’s game. She used a man’s photo and help of one of her boyfriends to spy on Ratri and keep her away from me. She knew that Ratri loved me a lot and may not mind marrying me if I divorce Kankana.”
“I have checked her cell-phone messages.”
“The photograph she used was of her married cousins, she fooled him into believing that Ratri is having an affair with me. He met her, the game was blown, and he gave her a piece of mind then left for Australia, where he lives. He does not even have a clue of what is going on here.”
“Kankana usually exchanges smses with Ratri, and when she calls she gives the phone to her boyfriend who is also her colleague. She has convinced this idiot too that Ratri is having an affair with me and she wants his help to catch her red handed.”
“I believe men are really idiots when it comes to judging us women.” Chandra said ruefully.
“We can so easily make a dumb fool of you men, have been doing it for centuries, yet you keep on repeating yourselves.”
“You leave decent girls and hound women who will use and throw you away. Then you complain and whine. Sometimes they are too smart but mostly they are too coquettish. You are not outwitted by them; you are simply seduced by them.”
“And when you get a decent woman in your life you get bored by her simplicity.”
“Whereas look at us women. We always settle down with decent men. Not only that, the greatest flirts always hand-pick the most virtuous men, trap them, marry them and then ruin them.”
“I think you men should sometimes apply your brains, or marry late, really late when no one will be able to seduce you into a marriage.”
“I really pity you, no sympathy though. Because you were warned one too many times.”
“But after knowing the whole story you have my moral supports. If you want to divorce Kankana you can. But will Ratri marry you? I have doubts.”
“Any way, whatever you do, you should do after thinking thoroughly. And if you approach Ratri, then do it with decency. First divorce Kankana and then propose her. As for Kankana, I think you will be better off without her in your life.”
III
“Sometimes we make mistake, we pick up the worst specimens in this world as spouses but that does not means we have to drag them along for the rest of our life.”
“People like us marry for a lifetime but that does not means we will let others take advantage of that mindset. You should act a little dignifiedly and gather evidences of her way of life sue her and divorce her.”
“If she tricks the judge into believing that she will mend her ways… well, you know, the judge will ask you to forgive and accept her for the sake of Paula.”
“But if you gather evidences of what she has been doing with Ratri that may give the judge a clearer insight of her nature.”
“With her true nature exposed it may get easier for you to divorce her. Because you never had any thing to do with Ratri. Nothing at all. Even then, you know how seriously marriage is treated in India and with a child….”
“But you can do one thing, stop acting as her bank. Stop giving her money to indulge in her promiscuous activities.”
“You know big brother, sometimes we ignore truth shoved on our faces. You ignored one too many of them and unfortunately you realized truth after marriage. Your case somehow reminds me about Of Human Bondage by Maugham; there the hero was saved because Mildred did not want to marry him. Had a bit of conscience I guess the thing which Kankana lacked.”
“I don’t know how you will come out of this mess, but if you do and marry Ratri or some other decent girl I will be really happy.”
“When we are in love, we should go by our heart and soul but we should not be deaf to the suggestions of others.”
“When we are taking the most important decision of our life, we should always assess all the aspects. The opinions of others, the facts, every thing. Or else we will end up bitter and remorseful.”
“Finally it should be our own decision but that should not be a blind decision, instead of that, it should be a well thought decision.”
“A decision taken in very clear light and with the strength of taking the consequences thereof.”
“This is very, very bitter in your case!”
IV
“I think you should take a second attempt of living like a human being. You are yet to cross your forties and your future seems bleak.”
“Just think, what if she does not changes? What will happen to Paula when she grows up a little more?”
“Shake away your timidity and confront her, talk with her and tell her what you want from your wife.”
“Timidity won’t work with her.”
“A woman who can deliberately trap a man to marry him will chew him alive if she sniffs the least timidity.”
“Treat her like you will treat a wild cat.”
“Cats know only one thing, their own pleasure and comfort. They won’t mind deserting their own kittens if they are too much for them.”
“They wont mind stealing, killing or clawing the rightful owner of their food.”
“So handle her with an iron glove.”
“Best of luck is all I can say to you.”
Showing posts with label society. Show all posts
Showing posts with label society. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Fake pearls
I
“Do you really think you will be able to do it? Take her place?”
“Give me some time, I will try and win.” She said with confidence.
“Okay. Then lets start trying.” Her mother in law said. She was a rich woman, very rich and was habituated of having her ways. Her only son fell in love with a poor girl.
She had other plans. She wanted him to get married to her friend’s daughter, after an exchange of a hefty sum of dowry.
She chalked her plan. Hired some goons to scare the family of the girl off the marriage and got her son married to the girl of her choice.
These two girls were as different as day and light. That was perfectly fine for Mrs. Majumdar but not for her son. He simply rejected her as soulmate but fulfilled his duties as husband.
Shyama complained to her mother and mother in law. It was not acceptable to any young woman that her husband will reject her as soulmate.
A weird idea popped out of the twisted mind of the woman.
She contacted her goons again, they contacted the girl’s family,”We have a request for you. You can keep it or leave it, it’s up to you.”
“Our client’s son is refusing to accept his wife as soulmate because of your daughter.”
“She gave us an assignment to kill her but we will not do that, we will give you a fair deal. We will give you an address, you have to keep your daughter there, and we will tell you for how long. Our client’s daughter in law will try to learn her ways. To become like her, as much possible.”
“We guarantee her safety if you listen to us, nothing if you don’t.”
II
Her parents have knocked every police station when she was threatened first time but they received only two things, by name lecture and sniggering.
The reputation and life of their daughter was intimately involved so they surrendered their weapons and let them had their way. The girl was sent to that house with her older brother.
Then the woman started her real game. She on one hand made the life of the girl insufferable, praying deep in her heart that she will commit suicide on the other hand her daughter in law tried to mimic her as much as she could.
Watching her through her window, using a binocular, and placing a small listening device in her room, listening to every thing that was uttered in that room.
One year passed, two years passed. Slowly the girl’s family started to lose their cool.
Whenever they asked about getting their daughter back, all they heard was “wait.”
Finally it got on their nerves and they contacted the man whose love’s price she was paying. He promised stealth and soon accidentally entered the room when his wife was snooping, he saw and heard both.
“Shyama, I can forgive you because you are from an unsophisticated, rustic background, so you don’t even realize how disgusting it is to snoop on a person. Not only that, it is illegal too.”
“What will I do with my own mother? She can’t give your excuses.”
“Listen, you will never be my soul-mate, you just don’t have those materials in you. If you are not happy with being my wife you can walk out any day.”
“I have collected enough proof of your and mother’s deeds, if she is not released from that house immediately I will send you both to jail.”
“If any thing accidental ever happens to her, you both will meet me in Court.”
“If you apologize to her and me I will take you with me to my new home. But you will have to snap all ties with your and rest of my family forever.”
He walked out of the room.
to be continued.........
“Do you really think you will be able to do it? Take her place?”
“Give me some time, I will try and win.” She said with confidence.
“Okay. Then lets start trying.” Her mother in law said. She was a rich woman, very rich and was habituated of having her ways. Her only son fell in love with a poor girl.
She had other plans. She wanted him to get married to her friend’s daughter, after an exchange of a hefty sum of dowry.
She chalked her plan. Hired some goons to scare the family of the girl off the marriage and got her son married to the girl of her choice.
These two girls were as different as day and light. That was perfectly fine for Mrs. Majumdar but not for her son. He simply rejected her as soulmate but fulfilled his duties as husband.
Shyama complained to her mother and mother in law. It was not acceptable to any young woman that her husband will reject her as soulmate.
A weird idea popped out of the twisted mind of the woman.
She contacted her goons again, they contacted the girl’s family,”We have a request for you. You can keep it or leave it, it’s up to you.”
“Our client’s son is refusing to accept his wife as soulmate because of your daughter.”
“She gave us an assignment to kill her but we will not do that, we will give you a fair deal. We will give you an address, you have to keep your daughter there, and we will tell you for how long. Our client’s daughter in law will try to learn her ways. To become like her, as much possible.”
“We guarantee her safety if you listen to us, nothing if you don’t.”
II
Her parents have knocked every police station when she was threatened first time but they received only two things, by name lecture and sniggering.
The reputation and life of their daughter was intimately involved so they surrendered their weapons and let them had their way. The girl was sent to that house with her older brother.
Then the woman started her real game. She on one hand made the life of the girl insufferable, praying deep in her heart that she will commit suicide on the other hand her daughter in law tried to mimic her as much as she could.
Watching her through her window, using a binocular, and placing a small listening device in her room, listening to every thing that was uttered in that room.
One year passed, two years passed. Slowly the girl’s family started to lose their cool.
Whenever they asked about getting their daughter back, all they heard was “wait.”
Finally it got on their nerves and they contacted the man whose love’s price she was paying. He promised stealth and soon accidentally entered the room when his wife was snooping, he saw and heard both.
“Shyama, I can forgive you because you are from an unsophisticated, rustic background, so you don’t even realize how disgusting it is to snoop on a person. Not only that, it is illegal too.”
“What will I do with my own mother? She can’t give your excuses.”
“Listen, you will never be my soul-mate, you just don’t have those materials in you. If you are not happy with being my wife you can walk out any day.”
“I have collected enough proof of your and mother’s deeds, if she is not released from that house immediately I will send you both to jail.”
“If any thing accidental ever happens to her, you both will meet me in Court.”
“If you apologize to her and me I will take you with me to my new home. But you will have to snap all ties with your and rest of my family forever.”
He walked out of the room.
to be continued.........
Monday, January 18, 2010
Nightmare in suburbia
He was an ex police officer. Still had extremely good connection with cops and local powerful people.
He used his years in police to collect heads. They were his boys and girls. Who have fallen in his vicious clutches due to no fault of theirs. The social pariahs, who have committed the social sin of loving someone of same gender and that too with proof. Proof collected carefully by the monster. So he could use them like puppets. The best type of puppets, who have no where to run.
Story 1:
Tamanna was scared; her soft beautiful face was flushed.
Sohail gently held her hand. “Don’t be scared jaanu. We will reach Kolkata and hide in my parent’s home.”
His parents showed him the door. Good that Tamanna did not have to face that insult. She was waiting in the taxi to be escorted by her mother in law. But Sohail came back sad and distraught.
He rented a small flat. A week passed away like dream. They decorated every inch of that flat.
“Jaan, I don’t know how to tell this to you, but would you mind joining my office? The expenses are too high for me to meet alone. I never thought my parents will shut their door on me.” Sohail asked her timidly.
“Why not? It’s my duty to help you. Is not it? She smiled sweetly.
“My boss is looking for a secretary. He will pay ten thousand to the girl. I believe that will be a great help for us.”
“Let’s see him tomorrow and see if he appoints me.”
He did. He was a very generous man. He helped them in getting a better flat, even arranged for a loan. Quite a hefty amount of loan which he arranged to deduct from their salary.
It was well past midnight. Sohail has left to deposit the money in bank, so they could buy things later.
Tamanna was pacing in the balcony, worried to death. Slowly night turned into dawn but Sohail did not showed up.
She contacted her neighbours, who contacted the police and searched the hospitals but he was nowhere.
She could not contact her family; there was no one there but her step mother and sisters. Sohail has saved her from their clutches. She has been serving them as slave since her father passed away fifteen years ago.
There was no question of contacting them. Then she thought about Mr. Sisodia, Sohail’s boss.
“Pack your things and come here. Stay with us and we will try to locate Sohail.” Mr. Sisodia said, “My car will pick you up in half an hour.”
His car came with his manager. He paid the flat’s rent and cleared the dues.
He took her to Mr. Sisodia’s bungalow. It was situated in outskirts of Kolkata.
She felt uneasy when she noticed that there was no woman visible. No sign of any family was there.
“My family lives in Ballygunge Place. I have made arrangements of your staying here.”
“You can stay and work from here if you want, that will not be required though, till you clear my dues. The loan which you took from me. All the papers were signed by you and it amounts to five lakh.”
All of a sudden he transformed into a wolf right in front of her eyes.
Years later when Tamanna looked back at that day, the darkest day of her life she realized, a smart girl would have become suspicious when Mr. Jain cleared the dues in such a hurry.
Story 2:
“Mom, dad I am leaving for that trip I told you. Do I have a budget for expenditure?” Jeevesh asked.
“Jeev, I can earn thousands time more in a day than you can spend in a month.” His father retorted, “Now go and enjoy yourself boy, don’t forget that you are the only son of a millionaire.”
“I will be back after twenty days. Will be calling you in between.” He waved at them and sped away in his car.
His car crossed the borders of Kolkata and headed for a small village. He was planning a big surprise for his parents. He was about to come back with a bride.
He met her on orkut. She is a beauty queen. Studies in Kolkata. She belongs to a hand to mouth family. But that does not matter to him. And he hopes his parents will too accept Lata. He has arranged his own marriage, though with the help of his in-laws. He has financed for every thing. Tonight is his wedding night.
His car entered the dusty road of the village. After a few turns he reached Lata’s house.
The house was deserted. It did not appear that there was any body in that house. He searched every room but they were locked.
He tried to knock the door of the next hut but it too was deserted. He walked a little bit and located another hut. A woman came out after hearing him. “Nobody lives in that hut.” She answered.
“I know babu, the hut on the bank of the pond. No one lives there.” She repeated impatiently.
She even accompanied him to confirm her words.
“This hut is empty for years. I will go now. I have to cook.” She left him bewildered.
“You want to say that you handed over Lakhs of rupees to strangers?” the Police Officer simply gawked at him.
“Do you have any photo of the girl?” he asked. Still looking at him with a deep amusement.
“No.” he gulped. “We have met just two months ago and we thought there was no need of keeping a photo before we were going to marry.” Jeevesh said.
The Police Officer felt pity at the embarrassed boy sitting on the chair. Sweating profusely. He was hardly as old as his own son.
“Do you think you will be able to drive back home on your own?” he asked. “Don’t hope for any thing at all but I will try.”
“Go home now young man.” He said kindly.
Sohail and Lata were sitting in front of Mr. Sisodia. Collecting the details of their next assignment. Hoping in their heart that soon Mr. Sisodia will release them after making enough amount of money out of them.
Their liberty was completely dependent on Mr. Sisodia’s mercy. A flicker of disobedience from their end or annoyance from his end will result in their living death.
He used his years in police to collect heads. They were his boys and girls. Who have fallen in his vicious clutches due to no fault of theirs. The social pariahs, who have committed the social sin of loving someone of same gender and that too with proof. Proof collected carefully by the monster. So he could use them like puppets. The best type of puppets, who have no where to run.
Story 1:
Tamanna was scared; her soft beautiful face was flushed.
Sohail gently held her hand. “Don’t be scared jaanu. We will reach Kolkata and hide in my parent’s home.”
His parents showed him the door. Good that Tamanna did not have to face that insult. She was waiting in the taxi to be escorted by her mother in law. But Sohail came back sad and distraught.
He rented a small flat. A week passed away like dream. They decorated every inch of that flat.
“Jaan, I don’t know how to tell this to you, but would you mind joining my office? The expenses are too high for me to meet alone. I never thought my parents will shut their door on me.” Sohail asked her timidly.
“Why not? It’s my duty to help you. Is not it? She smiled sweetly.
“My boss is looking for a secretary. He will pay ten thousand to the girl. I believe that will be a great help for us.”
“Let’s see him tomorrow and see if he appoints me.”
He did. He was a very generous man. He helped them in getting a better flat, even arranged for a loan. Quite a hefty amount of loan which he arranged to deduct from their salary.
It was well past midnight. Sohail has left to deposit the money in bank, so they could buy things later.
Tamanna was pacing in the balcony, worried to death. Slowly night turned into dawn but Sohail did not showed up.
She contacted her neighbours, who contacted the police and searched the hospitals but he was nowhere.
She could not contact her family; there was no one there but her step mother and sisters. Sohail has saved her from their clutches. She has been serving them as slave since her father passed away fifteen years ago.
There was no question of contacting them. Then she thought about Mr. Sisodia, Sohail’s boss.
“Pack your things and come here. Stay with us and we will try to locate Sohail.” Mr. Sisodia said, “My car will pick you up in half an hour.”
His car came with his manager. He paid the flat’s rent and cleared the dues.
He took her to Mr. Sisodia’s bungalow. It was situated in outskirts of Kolkata.
She felt uneasy when she noticed that there was no woman visible. No sign of any family was there.
“My family lives in Ballygunge Place. I have made arrangements of your staying here.”
“You can stay and work from here if you want, that will not be required though, till you clear my dues. The loan which you took from me. All the papers were signed by you and it amounts to five lakh.”
All of a sudden he transformed into a wolf right in front of her eyes.
Years later when Tamanna looked back at that day, the darkest day of her life she realized, a smart girl would have become suspicious when Mr. Jain cleared the dues in such a hurry.
Story 2:
“Mom, dad I am leaving for that trip I told you. Do I have a budget for expenditure?” Jeevesh asked.
“Jeev, I can earn thousands time more in a day than you can spend in a month.” His father retorted, “Now go and enjoy yourself boy, don’t forget that you are the only son of a millionaire.”
“I will be back after twenty days. Will be calling you in between.” He waved at them and sped away in his car.
His car crossed the borders of Kolkata and headed for a small village. He was planning a big surprise for his parents. He was about to come back with a bride.
He met her on orkut. She is a beauty queen. Studies in Kolkata. She belongs to a hand to mouth family. But that does not matter to him. And he hopes his parents will too accept Lata. He has arranged his own marriage, though with the help of his in-laws. He has financed for every thing. Tonight is his wedding night.
His car entered the dusty road of the village. After a few turns he reached Lata’s house.
The house was deserted. It did not appear that there was any body in that house. He searched every room but they were locked.
He tried to knock the door of the next hut but it too was deserted. He walked a little bit and located another hut. A woman came out after hearing him. “Nobody lives in that hut.” She answered.
“I know babu, the hut on the bank of the pond. No one lives there.” She repeated impatiently.
She even accompanied him to confirm her words.
“This hut is empty for years. I will go now. I have to cook.” She left him bewildered.
“You want to say that you handed over Lakhs of rupees to strangers?” the Police Officer simply gawked at him.
“Do you have any photo of the girl?” he asked. Still looking at him with a deep amusement.
“No.” he gulped. “We have met just two months ago and we thought there was no need of keeping a photo before we were going to marry.” Jeevesh said.
The Police Officer felt pity at the embarrassed boy sitting on the chair. Sweating profusely. He was hardly as old as his own son.
“Do you think you will be able to drive back home on your own?” he asked. “Don’t hope for any thing at all but I will try.”
“Go home now young man.” He said kindly.
Sohail and Lata were sitting in front of Mr. Sisodia. Collecting the details of their next assignment. Hoping in their heart that soon Mr. Sisodia will release them after making enough amount of money out of them.
Their liberty was completely dependent on Mr. Sisodia’s mercy. A flicker of disobedience from their end or annoyance from his end will result in their living death.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Poisonous mind
I
It was a warm summer evening, the day has dragged endlessly, it has turned into a sultry afternoon. Then a quick spell of rain changed every thing. The weather changed dramatically and a cool wind started to blow from east.
The infamous trio was sitting on the park bench facing the lake. Watching people rowing their boats in the lake. Sometimes boating alone, sometimes a pair, and sometimes family members or friends. All enjoying the fresh air which was blowing and the cool serene water after a scorching summer day.
They were famous in the whole housing society because of their friendship, which has started with their shifting to the housing as brides about half a century ago. No one and no thing can come in between them. Wherever they were, they were to meet in the park in the afternoon. Their world started and ended with the housing and its people. They knew almost every one by name.
Mrs. Gupta first noticed Jane sitting in a bench little distance away from them. She was sitting there with her laptop as usual, and a sketch book and bag. The trademark jhola of artists and intellectuals.
Mrs. Gupta muttered, “I have never seen eyes as innocent as hers, even though you can’t call them gorgeous, or doe eyes but the purity that drops from them makes them so divine that one will love to sit beside her and see them.”
Mrs. Sinha chimed in, “That’s why she is bothered so much in life, one look at that face and every one will know that she does not have venom enough to hit back when hurt.”
Mrs. Ghosh joined them a little bitterly, “In this world of crows, and vultures the gentle souls suffer immensely, after all, virtue is more persecuted by evil than it is adored by good people.”
Then she added, “In this world of shoving, pushing, and bullying people like her are a treasure, who know how to live life and how to let others live.”
Mrs. Gupta softly said, “How could people like John Shah had the audacity of thinking that she will cast a single glance at them is a wonder, they just made that poor soul miserable. Don’t they know they are as different as black is from white, as mud from sandal?” her voice was laced with sarcasm.
“It’s good to see that she recovered from the entire thing without losing her heart or peace of mind.” Mrs. Sinha softly said.
II
Jane was unmarried; she never thought marriage as essence but was ready to settle down with a person she could love, trust and respect.
She has been friends with a guy from
Deepak often expressed his affection to her but she could not reciprocate, because falling in love with some one without seeing him was impossible for her.
Then Deepak came to Kolkata on a tour and they met, she instantly fell in love with him because he had an out of the world innocence and purity in him. He returned to
A new friend has suddenly popped up just after Deepak’s visit to Kolkata, Mahesh. He has been her friends ever since Deepak became her friend but maintained a low profile. He was also a member of the same website which made Deepak her friend.
He used to exchange only mails, then all of a sudden, he became over friendly. But she maintained a distance because he was married.
Her friendship with Deepak has become a see-saw, Deepak started to act in a strange manner. It appeared that he was hell bent to ruin even the friendship they had. All of a sudden he became very abusive, she consoled herself by thinking that he has stopped liking her after seeing her.
Suddenly truth came out when Deepak came to visit her again. The person who has been sending her those mails and smses faking as Deepak was not actually Deepak, he was John. He worked in her company’s
She despised him because there was nothing in him which she could tolerate, forget about admiring. He in return was obsessed with her and snooped on her.
He used to visit Jane’s office more than once a month and was quite popular among some of her colleagues. What Jane did not know was he used to work in Deepak’s office as a part timer. Two hours each day.
III
He easily befriended Deepak, who did not even imagined that he was obsessed with Jane. He became his play thing and he convinced him easily that Jane was flirt.
It was John who impersonated as Mahesh and befriended her. His sole intention was to tarnish her image in Deepak’s eyes.
He told Deepak that he is having an affair with Jane. Who is crazy for him, even though he has lied to her that he is married with children.
She is running after him because she thinks he is a millionaire.
To convince him he used to send her dozens of smses, Jane used to answer them, which is quite normal. He used to call her up and disconnect the phone after talking with her for a while. Taking cautions that no one catches him doing that.
After disconnecting the phone he used to talk sweet nothings into the dead phone for long long time. On other times, he used to pretend as a saint to her, a friend who doted after her. As a result she was all praises for him.
Deepak became confident that she was having an affair with him and walked away from her. He got married soon thereafter.
After clearing his path John thought that he will be able to woo Jane but she rudely refused him. That brought out the beast in him and he decided to settle his scores.
It was his sheer dumb luck that Deepak surrendered his old number; he instantly got hold of it, and kept the number secret from every one.
John has often eaves dropped her conversation with Deepak, from both ends, her and Deepak’s office. He used it in impersonating as Deepak. Their voices had a slight similarity, rest he blamed on changed handset.
Encashing his access to her office he installed some spy ware in her office p.c. which used to send a copy of her mails to his computer, so he could keep a track of her mails and play the game perfectly without being caught.
IV
Heaven only knows for how long he would have played this game. It was only luck that Deepak came to visit Jane again and the game was up.
He was simply settling his scores by hitting her impersonating as her loved one. Every time she refused him as John he used to immediately insult her faking as Deepak. With sadistic pleasure.
Love has gone out of his heart a long ago, all there was left was vengefulness. All he wanted was to destroy the woman who has refused him again and again.
Mrs. Gupta added, “If only that dirty scoundrel John had seen his own face in mirror, and seen Deepak’s he would have known why a person who likes Deepak can’t like him, forget about loving him.
His face, behaviour is so reflective of his dirty character that ordinary people like us will shrink back from him with hatred, forget about spiritual-minded women like Jane. And he did ultimately show his real face and proved that she was right in loathing her. The level to which that monster went; he should be shot like a mad dog.”
Mrs. Sinha added, “What a repulsive creature, its really ridiculous that filthy beasts like him could dream about a girl like her. These people are tarnish to humanity, trust and love. They try to show off their dirty obsession as love, where as it is lust in its crudest form, even the thought of him and his ways makes me sick.“
[END]
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
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.
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
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
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
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
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
“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.”
Friday, October 30, 2009
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.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
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 ...............
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 ...............
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
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.”
--------------------------------------------------------
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.
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.”
--------------------------------------------------------
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.
Distant dreams
The wedding:
21.10.2009
Promit stopped his bike at the gate. The house was getting painted. Fragrance of fresh paint was spread all around. He loved this smell. It always filled him up with energy.
He crossed the small lawn and entered the house. He was a tall, well build handsome man nearing his mid twenties.
“Promit!!!! Come here son, see these things, are they okay?” a middle aged lady called him.
She was Mina, his best friend’s mother. His best friend Swarna was getting married. The whole household was busy and so was he. He has been more like a son to this family for years.
He went inside after giving his approval to them, he was instantly captured by Swarna’s father. “Baba, have you decided the menu?”
“Lets all sit down together and decide these things one by one kaku.” He said. “It is not very wise to go solo on these things. Call Swarna too, where is that lazy girl?”
“I am here Mr. busy guy!!” a voice brimming with laughter said. He looked up and his eyes softened. He doted after her.
She was a very beautiful girl. Tall, slim and pretty. His friends were aghast that he did not proposed to her. He never looked at her that way. His feelings for her were absolutely platonic.
Her parents trusted him blindly, so did Swarna.
Swarna’s would be groom was any girl’s dream come true. Promit has seen Sanjay a couple of times. He was handsome, rich and only child of his parents.
The whole family was settled in UK. Swarna’s passport was already made. She will be on her way to UK after honeymoon in Goa.
“Swarna will forget us within one month of meeting her prince charming.” He laughed with a pang of sadness in his heart.
“We will shift to our village home after she leaves for UK.” Swarna’s father Mohan said. “We don’t have any thing to do here any more, that house needs us more than this rented house.”
“That’s miles away uncle. I will not be able to meet you then.” Promit said sadly.
“This is what life is all about son. People come and people go. Atleast we both will know that the other one is happy.” Mina said. “You can come down to visit us whenever you feel like.”
The marriage was over like a dream. Every one was charmed by Swarna’s inlaws. Only Sanjay and his parents could come down for the marriage. All their relations lived in UK and USA.
“We will have to hold the party there.” Mrs. Rastogi said. “In both places, in London and Miami.”
Senior Mr. and Mrs. Rastogi lived in Miami. They had their own homes in London and Miami. For the time being they will stay with Swarna in UK, and will leave for Miami when she is settled down in the new country.
Sanjay really was a handsome prince, they made a gorgeous couple. Every one was gushing at them.
For the first time since he has known Swarna Promit felt a deep regret. He realized the harsh truth after losing her that his friends were right. She was the love of his life.
He kept watching her smiling and blushing. Sanjay seemed obsessed with her beauty. His eyes never left her face for long.
“Thanks buddy.” He drawled in US accent, “You did not fell in love with her that is why I could have her.”
“It’s a miracle that you two spend years with each other and did not married or even had an affair.” He laughed. They were standing side by side on the balcony after the marriage reception was over.
Their marriage was performed in pure bengali way. “We don’t have any relatives here, so we can marry as per Swarna’s desire.” Mrs. Rastogi said. “If we can welcome a bengali girl as our daughter in law, why shall we not welcome her way of life?”
They left for Mumbai next day and left for UK after a month from there.
Promit accompanied Mohan and Mina to and from Mumbai.
He noted with a deep pang that one month with Sanjay has transformed Swarna into a beautiful dream.
He immersed himself in his career after returning from Mumbai. Mohan and Mina shifted to their village home within a few month. Leaving him lonelier.
Time flies by:
Years flew by like dream. Promit has joined Indian Army as a doctor. He was stationed in a small town. A very peaceful town situated on the bank of river Ganga.
He has not married, his parents have passed away years ago, so there was no one to bug him for that, he preferred the liberty of single life.
He used to often take a stroll on a road beside the river, which joined their barracks to the railway station.
After working all day in the hospital it was a great relaxation for mind. To watch civillians and feel the soothing breeze of the river.
He was walking toward the station as usual, he noted a woman coming toward him from a distance. She was alone, and it was apparent from her dress and accessories that she was returning from office. He noted her because he saw that a group of scoundrells were following her quite closely.
Snatching was a common phenomenon on this road, especially after dusk, so he started to watch her keenly. Suddenly he recognized her. “Swarna?” he asked, when she was about to cross him.
The woman froze in her tracks and stared at him, trying hard to concentrate then a ghost of a smile came to her lip, “Promit!!!”
“What are you doing here? You never told me that you are coming back to India.” He was surprised beyond words.
“I have been living here for last two years. Ma and baba are also with me.” She said softly. “Come to my home, we will talk there.”
Promit started to walk with her. To his irritation he noted that those scoundrels were still stalking them. He was a little surprised, because usually these creeps disperse when they see that their prey has found company.
Promit was surprised when Swarna lead him to a house just a few blocks away from his barrack.
“come!” she opened the gate of a small single storeyed house. There was a small lawn surrounded by flower beds, which were not visible in the semi darkness.
He looked back before entering the house, that group was loitering under the shadows of a nearby house.
The house was neat, clean and properly decorated but he missed the marks of elegance and beauty which were Swarna and Mina’s second nature.
“Baba, ma.. see who has come!!” Swarna called out and Mina and Mohan came out from two rooms almost together.
“Promit!!!!” they hugged him tightly as he bowed down to touch their feets one by one.
Swarna has disappeared inside to change her clothes. He sat down with them.
“When did you shifted here from village?” he could hardly hide his utter surprise, “Why did not you informed me? You always had my address.”
“When and why did Swarna returned to India, where is her husband” he continued. Suddenly he noted the embarassed silence of Swarna’s parents and looked at their faces deeply.
Suddenly a truth dawned on him. The thing which was missing from his best friend’s family and her was their life. They were a very happy family, always laughing, joking and enjoying the life. The three people who are in front of him now have forgotten to live. Their faces were tired and gloomy. As if their ages have shot up mysteriously and they have become old within five years.
“We don’t know where Sanjay and his family are.” Mohan answered. He was about to continue when Swarna entered the room with a tray.
“You are taking your dinner with us, call your wife and tell her to not cook dinner; you will be picking her up within an hour.” Swarna said.
“I will happily have my dinner with you, I will have to first marry to get a wife, then only can I call her..” he smiled.
“You are still single?” Mina asked. “What a boy!!!! This is what happens when parents pass away too early.” She grumbled. She really loved this young boy.
Then they all clustered around the drawing room table and started to chat. An hour later Mina and Swarna left for the kitchen and Mohan and Sanjay went out to the garden.
Ganga was clearly visible from their garden. It was looking gorgeous after darkness. The lights on both sides illuminating the water. A soft breeze was blowing from the river, soothing the very soul.
“Uncle, what happened with Sanjay?” he asked, he was dying to know what tragedy has struck his dearest friend, a friend who has become a piece of his soul.
“He has simply vanished with Swarna’s only child.” Mohan started to cry silently.
He gathered his nerves and shared a strange story with Promit –
The story:
Swarna was in seventh sky when they landed in London. She was not a very smart girl so she preferred staying indoors before she could understand the new country.
Their neighbours were mostly British, that prevented her from mixing with them too much. His parents had to leave after three months to attend some urgent business in Miami. She was left alone there, well partly. Sanjay was there but he had to tour a lot, sometimes for weeks.
Hardly a month has passed since Mr. and Mrs. Rastogi left for Miami Sanjay returned home with a sad expression on his face.
“Sweetheart, I have good news, and one bad news!” he said.
“I am promoted but I will have to go for a three months training in Belfast.” He said after a little pause.
“I have talked with a woman, she will come here every day and stay with you all day and will help you with every thing you need.” He said.
She hugged him happily and sadly but showed him only her smiles, hiding the fear.
He left, time passed away slowly, too slowly. She was not much surprised when she missed her first period, but she got alarmed when she missed the second one. She was thinking about consulting the woman who helped her, Ms. Singh, but Sanjay returned after his training that very day.
She felt her world crumbling down when she came to know that she was two month pregnant. Sanjay was shocked beyond words.
She told him that she did not know how it happened but he naturally did not believed her and coldness started to creep in between them.
Those months passed like a nightmare, Sanjay asked her to pass last few months in a rented home so that his parents don’t get the real picture.
They rented a house in a nearby place for six months. She does not know what he told his parents. The baby was born in a small nursing home there, run by an Indian doctor; the baby was boy, still born.
“Let’s forget the past and start life again. We all make mistakes.” Sanjay softly said, holding her hands in his hands.
She hugged him tightly, feeling an overwhelming gratitude for his kindness.
Life fell back to old routine, Mr. and Mrs. Rastogi could not make it back to London because their business was in trouble.
A few months later Sanjay left for Holland on an official trip, for three months again. Ms. Singh was again appointed.
This time Swarna was super cautious, she used to check doors and windows after her leaving the house. But she noted a strange thing, she was a very light sleeper. She used to spend her nights in a very light sleep. But ever since Sanjay went away she was sleeping like a log. She used to go to bed early and wake up late…. That too at one go. Never waking up for a single time in the whole night. Not even to turn.
Then the history repeated itself. She became pregnant again. This time Sanjay said its over. They will part their ways after the delivery, she can go back to India, he will make the arrangements.
Swarna knew she did not had any choice. She will just have to do that. If she tells any one what has happened to her they will think that she is a dumb adulterous woman. Who is lusty enough to have extra martial flings but does not know how to avoid pregnancy.
The same arrangement was made again, Sanjay told her they should make the arrangement of divorce before the baby is born. They will file the suit on mutual consent. So that she can go back to India asap.
The child was born, a boy again, a lovely boy with deep black eyes and curly hair.
Her ticket was booked after divorce. Sanjay asked her to pack her things and left for office. The baby was sleeping in cot. When Swarna went to check him after a couple of hours the cot was empty.
She tried to reach Sanjay on his cell but it was switched off. She went out of the flat and knocked the next door. A middle aged lady came out, after listening to her she said that she will call the police and send someone to her flat.
A few minutes later the bell rang and a Bengali woman was standing outside the door. She lived just below them.
Then the worms started to tumble out of the can one by one. This flat was not owned by Sanjay, his family leased it for two years just before their marriage. No one has seen Sanjay or his family before. The Bengali lady has been living in this housing for last fourteen years.
Swarna came back with a horrible awakening. The thing which she could gather from the police and the Bengali lady Jayabati Datta was she fell in the net of some sick creature, who has disappeared after swallowing her jewellery, the cash and her children. Jayabati said that there are high chances he had sold them, and the first child was alive, not still born. They have connection with these nursing homes. They sell babies to childless couples lying to them that the mother knows it and is willingly giving away the baby.
The end:
“After her return to India we realized that we have fallen into the net of a vicious spider, and its spread vastly, strongly. Their comrades followed Swarna to here, and have expertly branded her as a woman of easy virtue.”
“They always keep her under watch. Most probably they are scared that if people start to believe her their business in UK and other countries will end. The police will start to watch over such activities more keenly. So they are terrorizing and branding Swarna as a strumpet and liar.” Mohan finished speaking and reached out for a glass of water.
Promit nibbled with the food and left after a while. He has hardly turned a corner when those men approached him.
“Dada! That family is not good!” one of them said.
“That woman goes to kolkata every day on pretext of working but people see her coming out of seedy hotels.” The second one joined.
“We know you are an army doctor, stay away from those leeches, they will suck you dry before you will realize.” The third one said in a preachy tone.
“Thanks for the information.” Promit said and left for his barrack taking long strides.
“It’s a bizarre story! But in today’s world, when educated people are willingly involved in all sorts of crime nothing is impossible.” His best friend Major Ghatak said.
“They must have used date drug on her. And who can say, may be it is Sanjay who slinked back to the rooms after she was asleep, using duplicate keys.” He added.
“It seems your friend has been picked up by a strong racket, so they must have strong camaraderie with the local administration too, as her kids are still in their hands its no use trying to fight them.”
“If you really trust and love her, marry her, bring her within the walls of our cantonment, no one will dare to cross those walls.” He said after patting Promit’s shoulder.
Next day was a Sunday, Promit reached Swarna’s home early in the morning. Mohan was sitting in the lawn, reading newspaper.
“I will take the lunch and dinner here.” He said after touching his feet.
“Ma, bring some breakfast and tea for Promit” Mohan requested Swarna who was approaching them with a cup of tea in her hands.
“Tell your mother that Promit will stay with us today.” He added.
Promit sat down beside him. “Baba, I want to marry Swarna immediately. And we all will live in my quarter after that.” He said.
“I have thought about the whole thing for a while then I decided that I cant leave Swarna in this condition, I have always adored her and you all.” He blushed a little. “I cant throw Sanjay and his family to jail but I can take care of my family.”
“But .. Swarna ..” Mohan was not very sure.
“That’s my department, I want your promise and blessings.” Promit said confidently.
21.10.2009
Promit stopped his bike at the gate. The house was getting painted. Fragrance of fresh paint was spread all around. He loved this smell. It always filled him up with energy.
He crossed the small lawn and entered the house. He was a tall, well build handsome man nearing his mid twenties.
“Promit!!!! Come here son, see these things, are they okay?” a middle aged lady called him.
She was Mina, his best friend’s mother. His best friend Swarna was getting married. The whole household was busy and so was he. He has been more like a son to this family for years.
He went inside after giving his approval to them, he was instantly captured by Swarna’s father. “Baba, have you decided the menu?”
“Lets all sit down together and decide these things one by one kaku.” He said. “It is not very wise to go solo on these things. Call Swarna too, where is that lazy girl?”
“I am here Mr. busy guy!!” a voice brimming with laughter said. He looked up and his eyes softened. He doted after her.
She was a very beautiful girl. Tall, slim and pretty. His friends were aghast that he did not proposed to her. He never looked at her that way. His feelings for her were absolutely platonic.
Her parents trusted him blindly, so did Swarna.
Swarna’s would be groom was any girl’s dream come true. Promit has seen Sanjay a couple of times. He was handsome, rich and only child of his parents.
The whole family was settled in UK. Swarna’s passport was already made. She will be on her way to UK after honeymoon in Goa.
“Swarna will forget us within one month of meeting her prince charming.” He laughed with a pang of sadness in his heart.
“We will shift to our village home after she leaves for UK.” Swarna’s father Mohan said. “We don’t have any thing to do here any more, that house needs us more than this rented house.”
“That’s miles away uncle. I will not be able to meet you then.” Promit said sadly.
“This is what life is all about son. People come and people go. Atleast we both will know that the other one is happy.” Mina said. “You can come down to visit us whenever you feel like.”
The marriage was over like a dream. Every one was charmed by Swarna’s inlaws. Only Sanjay and his parents could come down for the marriage. All their relations lived in UK and USA.
“We will have to hold the party there.” Mrs. Rastogi said. “In both places, in London and Miami.”
Senior Mr. and Mrs. Rastogi lived in Miami. They had their own homes in London and Miami. For the time being they will stay with Swarna in UK, and will leave for Miami when she is settled down in the new country.
Sanjay really was a handsome prince, they made a gorgeous couple. Every one was gushing at them.
For the first time since he has known Swarna Promit felt a deep regret. He realized the harsh truth after losing her that his friends were right. She was the love of his life.
He kept watching her smiling and blushing. Sanjay seemed obsessed with her beauty. His eyes never left her face for long.
“Thanks buddy.” He drawled in US accent, “You did not fell in love with her that is why I could have her.”
“It’s a miracle that you two spend years with each other and did not married or even had an affair.” He laughed. They were standing side by side on the balcony after the marriage reception was over.
Their marriage was performed in pure bengali way. “We don’t have any relatives here, so we can marry as per Swarna’s desire.” Mrs. Rastogi said. “If we can welcome a bengali girl as our daughter in law, why shall we not welcome her way of life?”
They left for Mumbai next day and left for UK after a month from there.
Promit accompanied Mohan and Mina to and from Mumbai.
He noted with a deep pang that one month with Sanjay has transformed Swarna into a beautiful dream.
He immersed himself in his career after returning from Mumbai. Mohan and Mina shifted to their village home within a few month. Leaving him lonelier.
Time flies by:
Years flew by like dream. Promit has joined Indian Army as a doctor. He was stationed in a small town. A very peaceful town situated on the bank of river Ganga.
He has not married, his parents have passed away years ago, so there was no one to bug him for that, he preferred the liberty of single life.
He used to often take a stroll on a road beside the river, which joined their barracks to the railway station.
After working all day in the hospital it was a great relaxation for mind. To watch civillians and feel the soothing breeze of the river.
He was walking toward the station as usual, he noted a woman coming toward him from a distance. She was alone, and it was apparent from her dress and accessories that she was returning from office. He noted her because he saw that a group of scoundrells were following her quite closely.
Snatching was a common phenomenon on this road, especially after dusk, so he started to watch her keenly. Suddenly he recognized her. “Swarna?” he asked, when she was about to cross him.
The woman froze in her tracks and stared at him, trying hard to concentrate then a ghost of a smile came to her lip, “Promit!!!”
“What are you doing here? You never told me that you are coming back to India.” He was surprised beyond words.
“I have been living here for last two years. Ma and baba are also with me.” She said softly. “Come to my home, we will talk there.”
Promit started to walk with her. To his irritation he noted that those scoundrels were still stalking them. He was a little surprised, because usually these creeps disperse when they see that their prey has found company.
Promit was surprised when Swarna lead him to a house just a few blocks away from his barrack.
“come!” she opened the gate of a small single storeyed house. There was a small lawn surrounded by flower beds, which were not visible in the semi darkness.
He looked back before entering the house, that group was loitering under the shadows of a nearby house.
The house was neat, clean and properly decorated but he missed the marks of elegance and beauty which were Swarna and Mina’s second nature.
“Baba, ma.. see who has come!!” Swarna called out and Mina and Mohan came out from two rooms almost together.
“Promit!!!!” they hugged him tightly as he bowed down to touch their feets one by one.
Swarna has disappeared inside to change her clothes. He sat down with them.
“When did you shifted here from village?” he could hardly hide his utter surprise, “Why did not you informed me? You always had my address.”
“When and why did Swarna returned to India, where is her husband” he continued. Suddenly he noted the embarassed silence of Swarna’s parents and looked at their faces deeply.
Suddenly a truth dawned on him. The thing which was missing from his best friend’s family and her was their life. They were a very happy family, always laughing, joking and enjoying the life. The three people who are in front of him now have forgotten to live. Their faces were tired and gloomy. As if their ages have shot up mysteriously and they have become old within five years.
“We don’t know where Sanjay and his family are.” Mohan answered. He was about to continue when Swarna entered the room with a tray.
“You are taking your dinner with us, call your wife and tell her to not cook dinner; you will be picking her up within an hour.” Swarna said.
“I will happily have my dinner with you, I will have to first marry to get a wife, then only can I call her..” he smiled.
“You are still single?” Mina asked. “What a boy!!!! This is what happens when parents pass away too early.” She grumbled. She really loved this young boy.
Then they all clustered around the drawing room table and started to chat. An hour later Mina and Swarna left for the kitchen and Mohan and Sanjay went out to the garden.
Ganga was clearly visible from their garden. It was looking gorgeous after darkness. The lights on both sides illuminating the water. A soft breeze was blowing from the river, soothing the very soul.
“Uncle, what happened with Sanjay?” he asked, he was dying to know what tragedy has struck his dearest friend, a friend who has become a piece of his soul.
“He has simply vanished with Swarna’s only child.” Mohan started to cry silently.
He gathered his nerves and shared a strange story with Promit –
The story:
Swarna was in seventh sky when they landed in London. She was not a very smart girl so she preferred staying indoors before she could understand the new country.
Their neighbours were mostly British, that prevented her from mixing with them too much. His parents had to leave after three months to attend some urgent business in Miami. She was left alone there, well partly. Sanjay was there but he had to tour a lot, sometimes for weeks.
Hardly a month has passed since Mr. and Mrs. Rastogi left for Miami Sanjay returned home with a sad expression on his face.
“Sweetheart, I have good news, and one bad news!” he said.
“I am promoted but I will have to go for a three months training in Belfast.” He said after a little pause.
“I have talked with a woman, she will come here every day and stay with you all day and will help you with every thing you need.” He said.
She hugged him happily and sadly but showed him only her smiles, hiding the fear.
He left, time passed away slowly, too slowly. She was not much surprised when she missed her first period, but she got alarmed when she missed the second one. She was thinking about consulting the woman who helped her, Ms. Singh, but Sanjay returned after his training that very day.
She felt her world crumbling down when she came to know that she was two month pregnant. Sanjay was shocked beyond words.
She told him that she did not know how it happened but he naturally did not believed her and coldness started to creep in between them.
Those months passed like a nightmare, Sanjay asked her to pass last few months in a rented home so that his parents don’t get the real picture.
They rented a house in a nearby place for six months. She does not know what he told his parents. The baby was born in a small nursing home there, run by an Indian doctor; the baby was boy, still born.
“Let’s forget the past and start life again. We all make mistakes.” Sanjay softly said, holding her hands in his hands.
She hugged him tightly, feeling an overwhelming gratitude for his kindness.
Life fell back to old routine, Mr. and Mrs. Rastogi could not make it back to London because their business was in trouble.
A few months later Sanjay left for Holland on an official trip, for three months again. Ms. Singh was again appointed.
This time Swarna was super cautious, she used to check doors and windows after her leaving the house. But she noted a strange thing, she was a very light sleeper. She used to spend her nights in a very light sleep. But ever since Sanjay went away she was sleeping like a log. She used to go to bed early and wake up late…. That too at one go. Never waking up for a single time in the whole night. Not even to turn.
Then the history repeated itself. She became pregnant again. This time Sanjay said its over. They will part their ways after the delivery, she can go back to India, he will make the arrangements.
Swarna knew she did not had any choice. She will just have to do that. If she tells any one what has happened to her they will think that she is a dumb adulterous woman. Who is lusty enough to have extra martial flings but does not know how to avoid pregnancy.
The same arrangement was made again, Sanjay told her they should make the arrangement of divorce before the baby is born. They will file the suit on mutual consent. So that she can go back to India asap.
The child was born, a boy again, a lovely boy with deep black eyes and curly hair.
Her ticket was booked after divorce. Sanjay asked her to pack her things and left for office. The baby was sleeping in cot. When Swarna went to check him after a couple of hours the cot was empty.
She tried to reach Sanjay on his cell but it was switched off. She went out of the flat and knocked the next door. A middle aged lady came out, after listening to her she said that she will call the police and send someone to her flat.
A few minutes later the bell rang and a Bengali woman was standing outside the door. She lived just below them.
Then the worms started to tumble out of the can one by one. This flat was not owned by Sanjay, his family leased it for two years just before their marriage. No one has seen Sanjay or his family before. The Bengali lady has been living in this housing for last fourteen years.
Swarna came back with a horrible awakening. The thing which she could gather from the police and the Bengali lady Jayabati Datta was she fell in the net of some sick creature, who has disappeared after swallowing her jewellery, the cash and her children. Jayabati said that there are high chances he had sold them, and the first child was alive, not still born. They have connection with these nursing homes. They sell babies to childless couples lying to them that the mother knows it and is willingly giving away the baby.
The end:
“After her return to India we realized that we have fallen into the net of a vicious spider, and its spread vastly, strongly. Their comrades followed Swarna to here, and have expertly branded her as a woman of easy virtue.”
“They always keep her under watch. Most probably they are scared that if people start to believe her their business in UK and other countries will end. The police will start to watch over such activities more keenly. So they are terrorizing and branding Swarna as a strumpet and liar.” Mohan finished speaking and reached out for a glass of water.
Promit nibbled with the food and left after a while. He has hardly turned a corner when those men approached him.
“Dada! That family is not good!” one of them said.
“That woman goes to kolkata every day on pretext of working but people see her coming out of seedy hotels.” The second one joined.
“We know you are an army doctor, stay away from those leeches, they will suck you dry before you will realize.” The third one said in a preachy tone.
“Thanks for the information.” Promit said and left for his barrack taking long strides.
“It’s a bizarre story! But in today’s world, when educated people are willingly involved in all sorts of crime nothing is impossible.” His best friend Major Ghatak said.
“They must have used date drug on her. And who can say, may be it is Sanjay who slinked back to the rooms after she was asleep, using duplicate keys.” He added.
“It seems your friend has been picked up by a strong racket, so they must have strong camaraderie with the local administration too, as her kids are still in their hands its no use trying to fight them.”
“If you really trust and love her, marry her, bring her within the walls of our cantonment, no one will dare to cross those walls.” He said after patting Promit’s shoulder.
Next day was a Sunday, Promit reached Swarna’s home early in the morning. Mohan was sitting in the lawn, reading newspaper.
“I will take the lunch and dinner here.” He said after touching his feet.
“Ma, bring some breakfast and tea for Promit” Mohan requested Swarna who was approaching them with a cup of tea in her hands.
“Tell your mother that Promit will stay with us today.” He added.
Promit sat down beside him. “Baba, I want to marry Swarna immediately. And we all will live in my quarter after that.” He said.
“I have thought about the whole thing for a while then I decided that I cant leave Swarna in this condition, I have always adored her and you all.” He blushed a little. “I cant throw Sanjay and his family to jail but I can take care of my family.”
“But .. Swarna ..” Mohan was not very sure.
“That’s my department, I want your promise and blessings.” Promit said confidently.
Monday, October 19, 2009
The Phoenyx
19.10.2009
“Its easy for the person who does the wrong to forget it. especially if he is under the illusion that he has ruined his victim beyond repair. He has crushed him to the ground, and he will never be able to raise his head.” Robin said.
“When Ravana touched Sita’s hand he never thought that he was inviting his own destruction. He thought he was abducting the wife of a poor sage.”
“He was sealing his own doom, such is the power of dignity and purity.”
“You can reduce it to ashes and it will rise out of it as a phoenyx.”
He was speaking to a small group of friends.
“Nothing in her threatened Kanai when he was chasing her for years.” He continued.
She was a small town girl. Heaven only knows what attracted a demon towards her. They did not had any similarities. She was from a educated, honourable family. His family had generations of criminal background.
She was not even good looking. Forget about being beautiful. May be it was the strength of her goodness and purity that attracted him to her. And he decided to snub that light so he could swallow her.
21.10.2009
It was her sheer misfortune that their paths crossed. She was a very shy, introvert girl, engrossed in her studies and college life.
Her neighbour was kanai aka kanu’s girlfriend. He used to spend his nights in her home often and used to see the girl in her home. The home had a high boundary wall, but was visible from the first floor window.
Kanu used to watch her in stealth while she spent hours in the garden. Sometimes studying and sometimes just relaxing. Her childish innocent ways were most probably irresistable to his twisted mind.
The mind which only looked for the darkness all of a sudden found a ray of light. He got so obsessed by the light that he forgot that to get that light he will have to get rid of his heart and soul’s darkness.
He started to crave for that light even at the cost of snuffing it out. Such is the reasoning of passion.
Lo!!!! They want the light but without the light, never even thinking that the moment light will stop being light it will become darkness.. so what was it that they actually wanted?
He first requested his girlfriend, then insisted and finally forced her to make arrangements of getting him married to the girl.
“She will never marry you. Her parents wont agree either.” She pouted. “They are not that type of persons kanu. Specially the girl.”
“You are her neighbour, If you want you will be able to find out a way.” He hissed. “If you cant do this little for me I will stop coming here from tomorrow.”
25.10.2009
Kanu left after issuing his order. His girlfriend spent the day fuming. She knew that if she ignores Kanu she will have to pack her bags, leaving behind every thing. He had that power on the town. He was the law there.
On the other hand listening to him meant she will lose access on her monthly instalments. He sure will not entertain her after marrying.
She dressed up and went to Sujata’s home. “Hi Jababhabhi, how are you?” Sujata smiled at her.
“Where is aunty?” Jaba smiled back.
“She is in the kitchen.” Sujata said. She went back to her studies.
“Come Jaba! What brought you here?” Ruma Sujata’s mother was genuinely surprised to see her rich neighbour visit her.
Jaba sat down at the chair which was offered to her, “You know aunty, I cant visit any one because I stay engrossed in my own work.”
“That doesnot means I don’t care about you.” She continued. “I have something important to tell you. But you will have to promise me that you wont tell it to any one else.”
“One of my friends, Kanai Dey has seen Sujata, and he wants to marry her.” Jaba said, sounding as casual as possible.
“The right hand of local MLA?” Ruma asked, hiding her shock.
“Yes, he, is not it a great news?” Jaba said.
“I will have to consult with Sujata’s father about that.” Ruma said. “Please have some tea.” She added seeing Jaba standing up.
“No aunty, I will be back tomorrow, Kanu I mean, Kanai is eager to know the answer.” Jaba said, walking toward the door.
27.10.2009
Ruma started to wait for Sujata’s father Tanmay to come home eagerly.
“Jaba gave me a surprise visit today.” She told him when they were alone in the night. “She was asking Sujata’s hand for Kanai Dey.”
Tanmay clenched his teeth. “That ……. I will rather strangle her myself.”
“Otherwise she will kill herself. But what can we do? We cant let her die or let him touch her.” Ruma asked in a frightened tone.
“When that … comes tomorrow buy some days from her, give her any excuse, but keep her at bay. I will find out some solution within a month.” Tanmay said.
As Ruma has anticipated, Jaba came the very next morning. “Hi aunty. Did you talked with uncle?” was her first sentence after sitting down, “Kanai is getting on my nerves.”
“He was happy beyond words. But he requested one thing, earnestly. Sujata’s final exams are six months later. He has asked me to beg you to keep Kanai waiting till then.” Ruma replied.
“If Sujata gets the air that her marriage is fixed she will go slack on studies and he always wanted that her daughter comes out of her college in flying colours.” Ruma added in an imploring tone.
She could see that the hammer has struck the nail, there was nothing to be suspicious in this request. Every guardian will want that their daughter performs the very best, especially if they have sacrificed a lot after her studies.
“Don’t worry, I will convince Kanai.” Jaba answered, “I can understand you.”
Jaba left happily, she too got six month time to woo him back to her again, while Sujata studies.
29.10.09
A couple of months passed by, to Jaba’s deep anguish, Kanai started to skip his visits to her home. Whenever he needed to talk to her she was invited to his office, during office hours.
Well, there was only one topic.. Whats going on with Sujata.
A month later Jaba noted something was wrong with her neighbours. Sujata did not came out with her books for the third day in row.
She paid them a visit, she went to the kitchen uninterrupted, “Aunty, how are you?” she asked Ruma.
Ruma smiled faintly and asked her to sit down.
“Where is Sujata? I have not seen her in the garden since Wednesday?” she asked, “Is she unwell?”
Ruma blanched, “Well, she has gone to visit her aunty, your uncle’s sister in Delhi.” She said after gulping hard.
Jaba could see that she was lying, so she started to dig deep. Ruma could not fight her grilling for long, “That evil girl has eloped.” She started to sob.
“I think she guessed that her marriage has been fixed with Kanai and she eloped with one of her college mates. We don’t know where she is right now. She did not even called us once since Wednesday.”
Jaba said some consolatory words to her and excused herself before her face betrayed her happiness.
“Kanai, Sujata has eloped with a friend.” She was sitting in his office.
Kanai looked at her with his beady eyes, trying to gauge the truth behind her words, and if she was happy or sad.. but Jaba was a good actress.
“Lets see..” he sounded really ominous. “You can go now.”
She did not, she went outside his office and slithered back to his toilet through a back route which she has frequently used.
“Tanmoy Roy’s daughter has eloped with some boy, I don’t know his name, I will give you her photograph. I want to know about that girl within a month.” She could hear kanai hissing like a snake.
“Dada, it will be really tough for us to find out. Why don’t you ask your friend, Chatterjeebabu, the police officer?” she heard the voice of one of his henchmen.
She softly slunk out of the toilet, with the realization that Kanai wants that girl at any cost.
31.10.2009
“Dada, I will have to lose my job if these things get exposed.” Chatterjeebabu said pleadingly.
“Don’t worry, we will frame that girl falsely. I will get you half a dozen evidences who will say that they have seen Jaba’s handbag in her hands.”
“Try to keep the FIR secret, and conduct your searching in secret. In case things are exposed then only show that FIR.” Kanai said.
A false case was charged in her name, she has stolen Jaba’s handbag which Jaba has left at her home by mistake. More than half a dozen people have seen her using it.
Jaba has registered the case late because she came to know about the loss just a few days ago. She has been thinking all the while that she has stuffed it somewhere.
“I will suggest you one more thing dada, Chatterjeebabu said, I know a very good private detective. You can take his help too. But his rates are quite high.”
He was quite surprised by the way Kanu was chasing the girl. He has himself seen the girl, she used to pass the police station on her way to college.
Well he failed to realize one thing which Jaba instantly realized, vengefulness has taken over lust. Kanu was absolutely furious that the girl had the audacity of refusing him and selecting some one else.
She felt immense pity for the girl, because she knew with his power and vengefulness Kanu will sooner or later track her down.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LAST PIECE OF UPDATION ON: 15,12.09
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The python:
I
Kanu appointed his men to keep a round-a-clock watch on Roy household and some of Sujata’s most intimate friends. It did not took him long to find out that Sujata was still within his clutches. Her parents have hidden her somewhere in Kolkata.
He tried his level best but could not get the address. Then Tanmay and Ruma were killed, by a burglar. Sujata came back for the funeral and last rites.
Kanu wanted to see her, he planned to visit her with Jaba, so he called her up, the phone was switched off. He went to her home, the home was locked. Neighbours said she has left without leaving any explanations last night.
His hopes of meeting Sujata was gone with her. He asked Chatterjeebabu to talk with Sujata’s uncle and ask him if he will get Sujata married to him.
Her uncle, as he lived in Kolkata and had his own position in the society bluntly said what Tanmay could not say.
“Really?” he hissed at Chatterjeebabu, “I will turn that girl into a criminal, and then I will see that she ends up into jail for the rest of her life.”
He married immediately after that incident, brought a beautiful bride from a distant state, whose parents did not had a roof over their head. He arranged a palace for them so they give their daughter away to him forever. And, in future, if she realizes the real source of Kanu’s income she just stays put.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONCLUDING STORY POSTED ON 17.12.09
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
II
Sujata’s uncle and aunty were normal people like you and me, they thought that taking her away from there solved the whole problem. They were not very much aware of the dark side of human nature.
A year passed, Sujata joined college. Just like all girls she made friends, quite a few of them, not too many in numbers because she was introvert and serious natured.
One of them was Suparna, she was from a very poor family, her father ran a small tea stall. Her brother was a duffer, who stopped studying after class ten and utilized all his time in local clubs. Highly active in political field hoping that will earn him a well paying job.
Sujata used to visit Suparna regularly because she borrowed her notes. She was a girl of huge heart; she happily shared her notes, even her self prepared notes with Suparna. Slowly a deep friendship formed within them and Sujata started to spend her free evenings at her home, they lived nearby.
Sujata had a very big flaw, her curiosity level was extremely low, so she never got curious about certain things, like why the girls who mix so freely with her don’t mix with Suparna or why none but her visit her home.
Soon she started to see that a lot of boys and girls, especially who were from the nearby areas were avoiding her though they were her good friends before she became Suparna’s friend. But again she did not paid any attention to these things and concentrated on her only close friend.
Suparna’s father and brother used to be present at home often when she went there. Slowly, with a little uneasiness she started to observe that she was hearing “one too many” nasty remarks in the street. She thought it might have some connection with her karate classes or wearing jeans. None of which are normal affairs in kolkata till date. People still prefer “girls acting like girls”.
Later when she looked back at those days, she wished that her parents had taught her a little worldly wisdom. Then again, they never thought that devil’s eyes will fall on her or they will pass away all of a sudden and she will end up with her uncle.
Sujata’s uncle Tarumay and aunty Tanima were very soft natured people, they simply did not had least experience with the evil or nasty type. They lived in their self made Shangri-La of literature and literary minded friends. They loved Sujata a lot though they were not rich but they were happy to share their bread with her.
But sweetest fruits become fondest home of worms, there only son Parth was a money hungry young man. He was in his early thirties. Working in Railways as a junior clerk but that was not enough to satisfy his greed, because he wanted to have every thing in the world. Before stretching out his hands for a thing he never bothered to ask the price, that wounded his ego, as a result he has formed huge debts.
III
Parth got married the very year Sujata completed her graduation, his wife Mithu was nice to only one person in the whole home… her husband. But she was too cunning to show her true nature to anyone, even her husband.
From the very first day she started to give all hints that Sujata was a burden on the family. She did not had any right to live there and share their bread.
Sujata became desperate to get a job and soon landed in one, its been hardly a few weeks since her joining she saw that her boss’s behaviour has drastically changed. He has become so mean and abusive that she had to change the job. It started to happen everywhere, no one it seemed wanted to keep her more than a few months, and every where she went she was sure to meet a colleague, a female colleague glorifying the lives of women of easy virtue, who make the moolah these days.
Slowly she started to lose her faith on life, at home Mithu was always ready to get on her nerves and out on street some people always popped up from thin air to crack nasty comments at her.
She discussed her problems with some of her friends but they said that she was imagining things.
One of them referred her to an office of his cousin, a detective and she joined him as computer operator. He was a very nice guy. A few months passed there and to her utter surprise she noted that no one was disturbing her here.
A few months more passed and her boss proposed to her. “I have loved you since your college days, you have never noticed me but I used to have my office right opposite your college that time.”
“I asked Garbito to give you my office address when he told me about the problems you were facing.”
“One month after you joined, two men came to meet me, local political hotshots, they said that you have a case against you in your hometown, of theft and the local police suspects that you have terrorist links.”
“They said that they will send one of their cadres to keep an eye on you, because that’s necessary.”
“I told them to get going and never mess with me. Then I asked some of my men to find out the story.”
“They gave me the story a few months back, I asked them to collect some photographs. They did.”
“Mr. demon had his eyes on you since you were a kid, he approached your parents for your hand but they arranged your staying with your uncle, instead of giving in to him.”
“That freaked him out and he started to search you, finally he saw you with your uncle and asked him again to give your hand to him. This time he received blunt refusal and he decided to ruin you.”
“Your cousin sister in law is one of his pet beauties, so was your college mate Suparna, thats why your other friends avoided her, your cousin owed Mithu's father a huge sum of money. That money was transferred to Kanubabu’s hand and your cousin became his slave.”
“She used to inform him about your whereabouts and his beauties and beasts used to stalk you. Apart from her, the tea stall which opened after your return from your hometown was opened by none other but Kanubabu.”
“So you were under his constant vigilance. Neither you nor your poor uncles imagined any thing such twisted, that gave him greater advantage.
“Now do you want that filthy rat to be punished or forget the past? He is the one behind your parent’s accident, my men are almost sanguine but we don’t have any proof for that. But I have proof for some other things which are really fantastic. But before we do that you will have to leave India with your only well wishers, your uncle and aunty.”
“I am basically from USA, I came to India to settle down but it seems I came here to meet and marry you.” He laughed.
“So if you give me green signal, we will get married next month, after that we will go to USA and my men will do the rest.”
Three months later Kanu went to his office and saw the door was locked.
“Dada, Sir has asked you to meet him before joining office.” His peon said.
He entered the chamber of the local leader of his party. He was sitting in his chamber.
“Your political career is gone I believe!” he said on seeing him, “The party will have to suspend you at-least for now.”
“These leaflets have been distributed to every house last night, even the jhuggis have not been spared.”
That was a small book, to be precise, full of colourful pictures of him with multiple women, in not very sweet positions and the rest of the book contained the proofs of most of his dark deeds.
He felt faint, he returned home. His wife was not there, nor was his baby son.
“Boudi left after you left for office.” His servant said. She never returned. Her parents said she has not come to them either.
“Its easy for the person who does the wrong to forget it. especially if he is under the illusion that he has ruined his victim beyond repair. He has crushed him to the ground, and he will never be able to raise his head.” Robin said.
“When Ravana touched Sita’s hand he never thought that he was inviting his own destruction. He thought he was abducting the wife of a poor sage.”
“He was sealing his own doom, such is the power of dignity and purity.”
“You can reduce it to ashes and it will rise out of it as a phoenyx.”
He was speaking to a small group of friends.
“Nothing in her threatened Kanai when he was chasing her for years.” He continued.
She was a small town girl. Heaven only knows what attracted a demon towards her. They did not had any similarities. She was from a educated, honourable family. His family had generations of criminal background.
She was not even good looking. Forget about being beautiful. May be it was the strength of her goodness and purity that attracted him to her. And he decided to snub that light so he could swallow her.
21.10.2009
It was her sheer misfortune that their paths crossed. She was a very shy, introvert girl, engrossed in her studies and college life.
Her neighbour was kanai aka kanu’s girlfriend. He used to spend his nights in her home often and used to see the girl in her home. The home had a high boundary wall, but was visible from the first floor window.
Kanu used to watch her in stealth while she spent hours in the garden. Sometimes studying and sometimes just relaxing. Her childish innocent ways were most probably irresistable to his twisted mind.
The mind which only looked for the darkness all of a sudden found a ray of light. He got so obsessed by the light that he forgot that to get that light he will have to get rid of his heart and soul’s darkness.
He started to crave for that light even at the cost of snuffing it out. Such is the reasoning of passion.
Lo!!!! They want the light but without the light, never even thinking that the moment light will stop being light it will become darkness.. so what was it that they actually wanted?
He first requested his girlfriend, then insisted and finally forced her to make arrangements of getting him married to the girl.
“She will never marry you. Her parents wont agree either.” She pouted. “They are not that type of persons kanu. Specially the girl.”
“You are her neighbour, If you want you will be able to find out a way.” He hissed. “If you cant do this little for me I will stop coming here from tomorrow.”
25.10.2009
Kanu left after issuing his order. His girlfriend spent the day fuming. She knew that if she ignores Kanu she will have to pack her bags, leaving behind every thing. He had that power on the town. He was the law there.
On the other hand listening to him meant she will lose access on her monthly instalments. He sure will not entertain her after marrying.
She dressed up and went to Sujata’s home. “Hi Jababhabhi, how are you?” Sujata smiled at her.
“Where is aunty?” Jaba smiled back.
“She is in the kitchen.” Sujata said. She went back to her studies.
“Come Jaba! What brought you here?” Ruma Sujata’s mother was genuinely surprised to see her rich neighbour visit her.
Jaba sat down at the chair which was offered to her, “You know aunty, I cant visit any one because I stay engrossed in my own work.”
“That doesnot means I don’t care about you.” She continued. “I have something important to tell you. But you will have to promise me that you wont tell it to any one else.”
“One of my friends, Kanai Dey has seen Sujata, and he wants to marry her.” Jaba said, sounding as casual as possible.
“The right hand of local MLA?” Ruma asked, hiding her shock.
“Yes, he, is not it a great news?” Jaba said.
“I will have to consult with Sujata’s father about that.” Ruma said. “Please have some tea.” She added seeing Jaba standing up.
“No aunty, I will be back tomorrow, Kanu I mean, Kanai is eager to know the answer.” Jaba said, walking toward the door.
27.10.2009
Ruma started to wait for Sujata’s father Tanmay to come home eagerly.
“Jaba gave me a surprise visit today.” She told him when they were alone in the night. “She was asking Sujata’s hand for Kanai Dey.”
Tanmay clenched his teeth. “That ……. I will rather strangle her myself.”
“Otherwise she will kill herself. But what can we do? We cant let her die or let him touch her.” Ruma asked in a frightened tone.
“When that … comes tomorrow buy some days from her, give her any excuse, but keep her at bay. I will find out some solution within a month.” Tanmay said.
As Ruma has anticipated, Jaba came the very next morning. “Hi aunty. Did you talked with uncle?” was her first sentence after sitting down, “Kanai is getting on my nerves.”
“He was happy beyond words. But he requested one thing, earnestly. Sujata’s final exams are six months later. He has asked me to beg you to keep Kanai waiting till then.” Ruma replied.
“If Sujata gets the air that her marriage is fixed she will go slack on studies and he always wanted that her daughter comes out of her college in flying colours.” Ruma added in an imploring tone.
She could see that the hammer has struck the nail, there was nothing to be suspicious in this request. Every guardian will want that their daughter performs the very best, especially if they have sacrificed a lot after her studies.
“Don’t worry, I will convince Kanai.” Jaba answered, “I can understand you.”
Jaba left happily, she too got six month time to woo him back to her again, while Sujata studies.
29.10.09
A couple of months passed by, to Jaba’s deep anguish, Kanai started to skip his visits to her home. Whenever he needed to talk to her she was invited to his office, during office hours.
Well, there was only one topic.. Whats going on with Sujata.
A month later Jaba noted something was wrong with her neighbours. Sujata did not came out with her books for the third day in row.
She paid them a visit, she went to the kitchen uninterrupted, “Aunty, how are you?” she asked Ruma.
Ruma smiled faintly and asked her to sit down.
“Where is Sujata? I have not seen her in the garden since Wednesday?” she asked, “Is she unwell?”
Ruma blanched, “Well, she has gone to visit her aunty, your uncle’s sister in Delhi.” She said after gulping hard.
Jaba could see that she was lying, so she started to dig deep. Ruma could not fight her grilling for long, “That evil girl has eloped.” She started to sob.
“I think she guessed that her marriage has been fixed with Kanai and she eloped with one of her college mates. We don’t know where she is right now. She did not even called us once since Wednesday.”
Jaba said some consolatory words to her and excused herself before her face betrayed her happiness.
“Kanai, Sujata has eloped with a friend.” She was sitting in his office.
Kanai looked at her with his beady eyes, trying to gauge the truth behind her words, and if she was happy or sad.. but Jaba was a good actress.
“Lets see..” he sounded really ominous. “You can go now.”
She did not, she went outside his office and slithered back to his toilet through a back route which she has frequently used.
“Tanmoy Roy’s daughter has eloped with some boy, I don’t know his name, I will give you her photograph. I want to know about that girl within a month.” She could hear kanai hissing like a snake.
“Dada, it will be really tough for us to find out. Why don’t you ask your friend, Chatterjeebabu, the police officer?” she heard the voice of one of his henchmen.
She softly slunk out of the toilet, with the realization that Kanai wants that girl at any cost.
31.10.2009
“Dada, I will have to lose my job if these things get exposed.” Chatterjeebabu said pleadingly.
“Don’t worry, we will frame that girl falsely. I will get you half a dozen evidences who will say that they have seen Jaba’s handbag in her hands.”
“Try to keep the FIR secret, and conduct your searching in secret. In case things are exposed then only show that FIR.” Kanai said.
A false case was charged in her name, she has stolen Jaba’s handbag which Jaba has left at her home by mistake. More than half a dozen people have seen her using it.
Jaba has registered the case late because she came to know about the loss just a few days ago. She has been thinking all the while that she has stuffed it somewhere.
“I will suggest you one more thing dada, Chatterjeebabu said, I know a very good private detective. You can take his help too. But his rates are quite high.”
He was quite surprised by the way Kanu was chasing the girl. He has himself seen the girl, she used to pass the police station on her way to college.
Well he failed to realize one thing which Jaba instantly realized, vengefulness has taken over lust. Kanu was absolutely furious that the girl had the audacity of refusing him and selecting some one else.
She felt immense pity for the girl, because she knew with his power and vengefulness Kanu will sooner or later track her down.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LAST PIECE OF UPDATION ON: 15,12.09
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The python:
I
Kanu appointed his men to keep a round-a-clock watch on Roy household and some of Sujata’s most intimate friends. It did not took him long to find out that Sujata was still within his clutches. Her parents have hidden her somewhere in Kolkata.
He tried his level best but could not get the address. Then Tanmay and Ruma were killed, by a burglar. Sujata came back for the funeral and last rites.
Kanu wanted to see her, he planned to visit her with Jaba, so he called her up, the phone was switched off. He went to her home, the home was locked. Neighbours said she has left without leaving any explanations last night.
His hopes of meeting Sujata was gone with her. He asked Chatterjeebabu to talk with Sujata’s uncle and ask him if he will get Sujata married to him.
Her uncle, as he lived in Kolkata and had his own position in the society bluntly said what Tanmay could not say.
“Really?” he hissed at Chatterjeebabu, “I will turn that girl into a criminal, and then I will see that she ends up into jail for the rest of her life.”
He married immediately after that incident, brought a beautiful bride from a distant state, whose parents did not had a roof over their head. He arranged a palace for them so they give their daughter away to him forever. And, in future, if she realizes the real source of Kanu’s income she just stays put.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONCLUDING STORY POSTED ON 17.12.09
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
II
Sujata’s uncle and aunty were normal people like you and me, they thought that taking her away from there solved the whole problem. They were not very much aware of the dark side of human nature.
A year passed, Sujata joined college. Just like all girls she made friends, quite a few of them, not too many in numbers because she was introvert and serious natured.
One of them was Suparna, she was from a very poor family, her father ran a small tea stall. Her brother was a duffer, who stopped studying after class ten and utilized all his time in local clubs. Highly active in political field hoping that will earn him a well paying job.
Sujata used to visit Suparna regularly because she borrowed her notes. She was a girl of huge heart; she happily shared her notes, even her self prepared notes with Suparna. Slowly a deep friendship formed within them and Sujata started to spend her free evenings at her home, they lived nearby.
Sujata had a very big flaw, her curiosity level was extremely low, so she never got curious about certain things, like why the girls who mix so freely with her don’t mix with Suparna or why none but her visit her home.
Soon she started to see that a lot of boys and girls, especially who were from the nearby areas were avoiding her though they were her good friends before she became Suparna’s friend. But again she did not paid any attention to these things and concentrated on her only close friend.
Suparna’s father and brother used to be present at home often when she went there. Slowly, with a little uneasiness she started to observe that she was hearing “one too many” nasty remarks in the street. She thought it might have some connection with her karate classes or wearing jeans. None of which are normal affairs in kolkata till date. People still prefer “girls acting like girls”.
Later when she looked back at those days, she wished that her parents had taught her a little worldly wisdom. Then again, they never thought that devil’s eyes will fall on her or they will pass away all of a sudden and she will end up with her uncle.
Sujata’s uncle Tarumay and aunty Tanima were very soft natured people, they simply did not had least experience with the evil or nasty type. They lived in their self made Shangri-La of literature and literary minded friends. They loved Sujata a lot though they were not rich but they were happy to share their bread with her.
But sweetest fruits become fondest home of worms, there only son Parth was a money hungry young man. He was in his early thirties. Working in Railways as a junior clerk but that was not enough to satisfy his greed, because he wanted to have every thing in the world. Before stretching out his hands for a thing he never bothered to ask the price, that wounded his ego, as a result he has formed huge debts.
III
Parth got married the very year Sujata completed her graduation, his wife Mithu was nice to only one person in the whole home… her husband. But she was too cunning to show her true nature to anyone, even her husband.
From the very first day she started to give all hints that Sujata was a burden on the family. She did not had any right to live there and share their bread.
Sujata became desperate to get a job and soon landed in one, its been hardly a few weeks since her joining she saw that her boss’s behaviour has drastically changed. He has become so mean and abusive that she had to change the job. It started to happen everywhere, no one it seemed wanted to keep her more than a few months, and every where she went she was sure to meet a colleague, a female colleague glorifying the lives of women of easy virtue, who make the moolah these days.
Slowly she started to lose her faith on life, at home Mithu was always ready to get on her nerves and out on street some people always popped up from thin air to crack nasty comments at her.
She discussed her problems with some of her friends but they said that she was imagining things.
One of them referred her to an office of his cousin, a detective and she joined him as computer operator. He was a very nice guy. A few months passed there and to her utter surprise she noted that no one was disturbing her here.
A few months more passed and her boss proposed to her. “I have loved you since your college days, you have never noticed me but I used to have my office right opposite your college that time.”
“I asked Garbito to give you my office address when he told me about the problems you were facing.”
“One month after you joined, two men came to meet me, local political hotshots, they said that you have a case against you in your hometown, of theft and the local police suspects that you have terrorist links.”
“They said that they will send one of their cadres to keep an eye on you, because that’s necessary.”
“I told them to get going and never mess with me. Then I asked some of my men to find out the story.”
“They gave me the story a few months back, I asked them to collect some photographs. They did.”
“Mr. demon had his eyes on you since you were a kid, he approached your parents for your hand but they arranged your staying with your uncle, instead of giving in to him.”
“That freaked him out and he started to search you, finally he saw you with your uncle and asked him again to give your hand to him. This time he received blunt refusal and he decided to ruin you.”
“Your cousin sister in law is one of his pet beauties, so was your college mate Suparna, thats why your other friends avoided her, your cousin owed Mithu's father a huge sum of money. That money was transferred to Kanubabu’s hand and your cousin became his slave.”
“She used to inform him about your whereabouts and his beauties and beasts used to stalk you. Apart from her, the tea stall which opened after your return from your hometown was opened by none other but Kanubabu.”
“So you were under his constant vigilance. Neither you nor your poor uncles imagined any thing such twisted, that gave him greater advantage.
“Now do you want that filthy rat to be punished or forget the past? He is the one behind your parent’s accident, my men are almost sanguine but we don’t have any proof for that. But I have proof for some other things which are really fantastic. But before we do that you will have to leave India with your only well wishers, your uncle and aunty.”
“I am basically from USA, I came to India to settle down but it seems I came here to meet and marry you.” He laughed.
“So if you give me green signal, we will get married next month, after that we will go to USA and my men will do the rest.”
Three months later Kanu went to his office and saw the door was locked.
“Dada, Sir has asked you to meet him before joining office.” His peon said.
He entered the chamber of the local leader of his party. He was sitting in his chamber.
“Your political career is gone I believe!” he said on seeing him, “The party will have to suspend you at-least for now.”
“These leaflets have been distributed to every house last night, even the jhuggis have not been spared.”
That was a small book, to be precise, full of colourful pictures of him with multiple women, in not very sweet positions and the rest of the book contained the proofs of most of his dark deeds.
He felt faint, he returned home. His wife was not there, nor was his baby son.
“Boudi left after you left for office.” His servant said. She never returned. Her parents said she has not come to them either.
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