Anisha - The Long Lasting Flame
‘Oh, God, I beg of you,
I touch your feet time and again,
Next birth don't give me a daughter,
Give me Hell instead...’
--An old Folk Song from Uttar Pradesh
CHAPTER - ONE
Rajat kept on walking with his thoughts. Suddenly a man taped his shoulder and said,
CHAPTER - TWO
Somnath always gives priority to his family. His wife and two daughters, that’s the entire world for him. He never wants anything more than this small yet beautiful world of his. His wife, Urmila, may not support Somnath openly to pamper their daughters, but she also enjoys the same inside. Keya & Shreya these two daughters are very close to their parents. Keya got married last year and shifted to the Sates. Somnath initially was little reluctant towards the marriage, because he didn’t want to send Keya so far from him. Eventually he agreed and now happy too because Keya is happy there. As a father there is nothing more satisfactory than his daughter’s happily married life. A Daughter’s happy smile may be the most valuable lifelong earned wealth of any father. That day, it was one of pleasant Sunday morning of spring, Somnath just started reading the newspaper and looking for another round of tea and Shreya was roaming around here & there as a colorful butterfly.
Urmila called everyone at the dining table for Sunday breakfast. This is the one special day of the week where everybody sits and haves a lavish food and a long chat. Somnath has built this culture for a long time and it has always set a very positive tune for the entire day.
Today’s menu Somnath’s most favorite, Hot puffed Puri and light curry of white potato with black pepper. It reminds him of his childhood.
After giving sweets, showstopper of breakfast, in Shreya’s plate, Urmila suddenly asked,
“Shreya last Thursday you were riding a bike with a young boy, who is that boy?”
Shreya just coughed loudly and held the glass of water firmly & then took a sip slowly and then said,
“Nothing Mom, you are mixing me with some other girl. You are getting old now a days, you know.”
Urmila with a surprising tone said,
“What a rubbish, I saw it very clearly. You ask Tinka Masi, she was with me.”
Urmila finished the task at hand and came Infront of Shreya and looked directly to Shreya’s eyes and asked.
“Who is that boy? Tell me clearly. In so many years I have never seen you traveling in the backseat of any boy’s bike, so speak up”
With a very serious face Somnath said,
“Ah, Urmila I always wonder why you are wasting your talent in the kitchen, you should be in some police station. I am quite sure that a significant percentage of sates crime rate would be lower”
Both Shreya and Somnath broke into loud laughter.
Urmila turned to Somnath and said angrily,
“You know your blind love has encouraged her to do such kind of an act. You are spoiling their childhood.”
Somnath washed his hand in basin and then turned to Urmila and said calmly,
“You know Urmila, I have always provided them with their freedom with a sense of trust, that my daughter will never do anything which makes her father’s face hang down. This trust is also mutual. You know Urmila, every individual deserves respect irrespective to their gender, socioeconomic status or age. Your own children also deserve the same. If you don’t give respect to your own kids, then don’t expect them to reciprocate the same. One more thing, that if my daughter has chosen someone then she definitely believes that, they can walk together in the bumpy road of life. I respect that judgment of hers.”
Somnath then came and sat in front of Shreya and said,
“So, my dear butterfly, will you ask that bike rider to meet me up in coming Sunday for some discussion. Hope he won’t mind spending Sunday evening with his ‘may be’ future father in law.”
“I don’t know” Shreya just blushed and ran away from the room.
Somnath just laughed inside his mind then a little bit depressed. This little butterfly is also now ready to fly to her new nest. May be this is the bitter truth since her birth but knowing a truth and accepting the same has a hell lots of difference.
After a week Rajat and Somnath were sitting together in a small lawn owned by Somnath in south Kolkata.
Rajat was a little nervous, even Shreya told him many times that there is nothing to worry about. Somnath is a fun-loving person. He is very much approachable and friendly. So just be yourself and don’t be nervous. Now it seems that her advice didn’t work at all and he is very much nervous at this point of time.
After some dead long silence, Somnath started the conversation,
“So Rajat, you are in the Software industry, so why don’t you try to take up projects in some developed country and move there. As far as my limited understanding, I believe there are more better opportunities”
Rajat took the glass of water and drank half of it and then said,
“Actually uncle, my mother does not like, that I move out of Kolkata even. Earning money is not the key reason for my job. I loved the work that’s why I do it.”
“Well, it was just an advice. Leave it for the time being. Let’s me say something which you should know. I may not be a king but my daughter nothing less than a princess. I never regret of not having a son. My two daughters hold enough strength to boost me up when I needed. I don’t need a son. Their upbringing has been with a lot of love & care, So I can’t see their pain or tears in my lifetime.”
Somnath said firmly and looked straight towards Rajat.
Rajat smiled faintly and said,
“I understand Sir.” Rajat just murmured.
“So Rajat have you spoken about Shreya with your parents. Their opinion is also very much important in it. See Rajat maybe we belong to the same city and community still we have a huge difference in terms of our cultures & values. Most importantly you two have completely different upbringings. Hope you understand what I mean.”
“Yes uncle. I know, it wouldn’t be an easy task for Shreya to get adjusted in our family. I can only assure you that I will be there for her at any situation, always.”
“Then Rajat, you let me know once you have a word with your parents.”
“Yes Uncle. I will definitely talk to them very soon.”
Last few words Rajat just pretended to say to Somnath, but actually he was saying to himself. He desperately needed courage to talk about this girl & his own marriage with his parents, keeping in mind that these are against their century old family tradition.
Rajat knew that the first task in hand is to convey this piece of information to Nirmala, and which looks like climbing the mount Everest without an oxygen cylinder.
Even after Rajat left, Somnath kept on sitting inside the lawn for quite some long time. Evening turned in to dusk & eventually into a dark night. Somnath was deep inside in his own web of thoughts. He is a lawyer by profession and knows how to see a person up to his darkest corner of mind by tearing the mask of civilization. Somnath was putting the points one by one mentally about Rajat. Rajat is a good looking smart young man. He belongs to a renounced family, earning good amount of money to run his own family. However, one thing was striking Somnath, that Rajat have some issue with his own decision making. He was a bit confused in each of his answers. Somehow Somnath thought that, this boy is still dependent on someone else about his own life’s decision. Somnath’s so many years of practice added enough wisdom to know, that this kind of boys normally lives under someone else’s shadow or else they just change the source only. Somnath was really concerned for her younger daughter. This stupid girl didn’t know where she was heading for.
That night Somnath called Shreya & Urmila after dinner and then said,
“Are you sure Shreya about this boy and this relationship?”
“Yes Daddy, don’t you like him?” Shreya asked with little anxiety.
“No, not at all, I like him very much. He is a young bright man. But sweetheart unfortunately marriage is not only about two persons in this country, it is about two families and people surrounded as well. You will face a lot of hardship there. I am really worried for you. I am also afraid that you may have to fight a few battles of your own in future.”
“I don’t think so Daddy. You are over thinking.”
Somnath exhaled a long breath and said,
“I’ll pray that my prediction proved wrong in due course of time, my sweetheart.”
Suddenly Shreya’s phone rang, Shreya just looked at the screen and checked that an unknown number was floating there. With a little bit hesitation Shreya picked up the call and said,
“Hello”
Somnath was looking at his daughter’s face which turned completely pale and her eyes was full of fear. Her hands were shaking.
Somnath held Shreya tightly and asked,
“Shreya, what happened?”
Shreya was somehow holding back her tears and said,
“Daddy, Rajat has met with a severe accident and He is admitted to the hospital. They got my number from emergency contact list and informed me. What should I do now?”
The moment just got frozen; it was like entire world for Shreya has just stopped forever. Only a few indiscipline tears were rolling over her chicks, silently.
CHAPTER - THREE
CHAPTER - FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
Ranjan
was sitting alone on beach. Here sand was not golden, it was white like silver.
As far one’s vision could go, only waves after waves of crystal-clear blue water.
Far far away, in the horizon, a deep orange sun was trying to submerge in this
blue ocean. A pack of blustery wind was
sending everything away, Ranjan’s hair was becoming wild with each
blow. His white dress was also shining along
with silver sand. He could not remember how long he was sitting here but that
did not bother him. This moment was such a moment that keeping record of time became
irrelevant, he wished that he could live this moment for infinite. A little girl
was making castles with sand very close by of Ranjan. She would be around four
to five years old. Her hair
was dark brownish & curly, this wild wind playing with this in full swing.
Her eyes were full of life & curiosity and also had a unique colour. Her
pupil was complete dark, but iris was deep bluish grey. Suddenly she giggled, it sounded like, someone
just played a jal-tarnag in a swift hand. Suddenly from back she came
and cuddled Ranjan and said,
“I love you papa.”
Ranjan smiled and held her small
palm into his hand and said,
“I love you too.”
“Papa, never leave me alone.”
“I never will.”
Suddenly a big wave came and just broke
over them. It was enormous flow of ocean water. Due to the force of water
Ranjan and that girl got separated completely. When water flowed back to ocean,
Ranjan was madly searching that girl but not able to find anywhere; entire
beach was vacant & no one was there. Ranjan was suddenly startled looking
at his dress, entire dress was full of small red palm print made by blood stain.
Sun finally set into the ocean and entire blue ocean turned into red like a
pool of blood. A faint sound of a girl was slowly coming to his ears like it
was coming from too far.
Ranjan slowly opens his eyes. It is already
late afternoon. Shreya is calling him for his evening tea. Ranjan looks
straight to the eyes of Shreya, same dark pupil and deep bluish grey iris, she possesses.
Ranjan smiles and takes the teacup. Shreya asks politely,
“Baba, do you need anything?”
“Nothing Shreya. Thanks for this
lovely tea.”
Shreya smiles and leaves. Ranjan is
resting on his easy chair and watching that Shreya leaving; but actually, he is
lost in his own thoughts. This same dream he is experiencing for last thirty
years. He could not able to save his daughter. Till the time he had returned
from Delhi trip, all was over. Nirmala had already aborted that baby. He was in
such a shock and furious that day that no one could able to face him. He was
feeling like he lost everything. Lastly Damayanti forced to take charge and made
him calm down. From that day his relationship with Nirmala was changed, from a
true loving couple they became a decorative husband wife. Beneath that decoration
an abyss of emptiness exists for ever.
Ranjan never saw his daughter but
since that day he kept on meeting her in same dream years after years in
regular interval. So, when he saw Shreya first time in hospital, he was shaken
inside. How she has the same eyes as the girl in his dream. He puts lots of
thought over it, but nothing comes to conclusion, apart from a pure
coincidence.
After giving tea to Ranjan, Shreya
is returning to her room, she is very happy now a days. She never thought of that
being a mother is such an awful lovely feeling that all other feelings just
fade away. A life, just living inside her, not only a part of her body also a
part of her soul. Her very own personal possession.
She is still not clear why Rajat asks
not to share this good news with her family, she thinks maybe he personally
want to inform them. She smiles in her mind. She already makes one decision
that Rajat doesn’t know. She decides two names for the bay. If it is a boy,
then it should be Aansh & if it is a girl then Anisha. She is eagerly
waiting for Rajat to come home.
Rajat is on the way to his home, his
face is calm but internally he is having a huge conflict. How he can say all
these things to Shreya but in the same time he must do before anybody does. It is
such a pain that can’t express. It is burning him from inside. In that
irritation he has decided to tell Shreya everything today evening only. He presses
the accelerator of car; he wants to be at home as soon as possible. He needs to
remove this burning sensation as early as possible.
It
is almost six past quarter, eastern part of India at this period of year has
complete darkness all over. Streets lights are already on. Noise of vehicles
from nearby roads are still coming but not so loud. Shreya is walking slowly in
open terrace. Cold has not come yet, it will come after Diwali only, but a slight
chill feeling already in air. Shreya is actually enjoying this weather and the surrounding
environment. There is a sound of footsteps on the stairs. Shreya looks curiously,
it is Rajat. Shreya smiles at him and then says,
“Oh,
it is you. So, finally the latest updated software back to his old hardware.”
After saying that She breaks into loud laughter.
Rajat
smiles her back, but that smile does not have the touch of soul.
Shreya
continues,
“Hope
your day was great.”
She
does not wait for Rajat’s reply, she continues again,
“You
know, I want to tell you something for long. Thought today I should tell you
the same.”
“I
also want to tell you something today.”
Shreya
smiles and says,
“Then
let’s start with you only.”
Rajat
Knows that his topic will end all future discussion and Shreya will not share
her thoughts after that, so he says,
“No
darling, let me hear your thoughts first.”
Shreya
gladly agrees and says,
“You
know, I have so many plans for upcoming child, like what will be dress, where
to stay, what are the things we need to buy beforehand etc, but you know I have
decided names too.”
“So,
what are they?” Rajat says faintly.
Shreya
smiles and says,
“If
it is boy then Aansh & if
it is girl then Anisha. Do you like the names? by the way have you thought something?”
Rajat slowly moving towards the edge
of the roof terrace and holds the railing tightly. He can’t look at Shreya at this
moment. He knows that he will not able to say all these things to her if he
looks at her innocent happy eyes. So, he stares at the lighted skyline and
says,
“Shreya, whatever things I am going to
say now, I should have been said to you even much before you came to this house
as my wife. I was afraid. I didn’t want to lose you either then or now. I was
scared may be after listening these things you may leave me forever. I admit
that I did wrong being a selfish, I did injustice to you. I make things more
difficult for you.”
“What is this all about?” Shreya asks
casually.
Rajat starts telling her the century
old custom on childbirth and their history so far. How their family keeps the
rights of serving Kul Devta generation after generation. He tells
everything about it.
“we can only have boy child in our
family to keep moving forward our royal blood line.”
After finishing his last statement.
Rajat feels relief. His prolonged anxiety finally gone. But that is for a
single moment. The next moment a cold sensation flows though his spine which
nothing but a fear. He is just thinking how Shreya will react now.
Rajat slowly turns to Shreya and he
is perplexed.
Shreya was smiling happily. She manages
her hair from chilly wind and the says,
“You know Mr. Raychaudhuri you are
really too good. I was almost going to believe this joke. Your style of telling
this joke quite convincing. But you know at the end I am sure you can’t even
think such kind of nonsense for our own child. But I have one request please
don’t make such jokes for our child. Please.”
After saying that Shreya starts walking
towards stairs to go to her room. Rajat not able to understand what he should do.
He calls out her name,
“Shreya”
She turns her head and looks at
Rajat, she finally able to see the pain in Rajat’s Eyes. She is stunned, she tells
within her mind,
“Then it is true, but how such thing
exists in this current time. How they can obey such nonsense customs till now!
They all are well educated, and education always help human to choose between
right and wrong. Then how they still believe this kind of ritual is a sacred one.”
Her chain of thoughts breaks by a
cold touch over her hand. She suddenly realises that she is standing like a
lifeless statue in the middle of the terrace and Rajat just holds her hand. She
looks straight to Rajat’s eyes and says,
“This is total absurd. I cannot
believe this kind of utopian logic of rituals that you all are following for
generation after generation. Secondly How could you accept these things for our
own child. Can’t you protest on it?”
Rajat says hurriedly,
“Shreya it’s not yet decided that we
have to go through this - it can be a boy too, then all things will be over. We
will be a big happy family only.” Rajat tries to comfort her.
“But Rajat, it is not sex
determination illegal now? How can you say that we will determine that it’s a
boy or girl right now?”
Rajat smiles sarcastically and says,
“In India you need to have either
power or money to mould or break any law as per your wish.”
Shreya comes closure to Rajat, put
her fingers across his fingers and hold his hand and then says very
passionately,
“If it is a girl Rajat, will you not
stand with me to fight against this meaningless custom? Can’t we fight for our
own child?”
Rajat doesn’t say anything. He just
lowers his eyes & looks at the ground.
Shreya gets her answer. Slowly she
removes her hand from Rajat’s hold.
Almost seven days are passed after that
discussion. In between first ultra-sonography had been made as per Nirmala’s
instruction. Shreya had no choice apart from going with Nirmala for test to the
clinic. As Rajat said, money and power can do anything, they showed their true
colours there and before leaving clinic they both knew that it is a girl. Nirmala
did not utter a single word during the entire journey. After returning to home,
Rajat & Shreya is not talking much to each other. Shreya not in a mood to
talk and Rajat is running away to face her. Shreya is under very high stress;
she can’t absorb the same even after seven days. She is in some sort of mental
coma. How a civilised aristocrat family can follow such butcherly custom! She
is standing alone in the balcony. Few droplets of tears rolled over without her
knowledge. It is also not in her knowledge that Ranjan is watching her for
quite some time from far.
Ranjan understands what is going
inside her. He little hesitates but then clear his throat and says,
“Shreya maa, are you busy now? Can
you come to me for a second?”
Shreya wipes her eyes and answers,
“Yes baba, I am coming within five
minutes.”
Ranjan is just walking around in his
study room. He is looking for a way to comfort Shreya. He doesn’t know what
kind of speech can actually motivate a mother to kill her own child. He is so
helpless that can’t find any word to start the conversation. Shreya will come
any moment that makes him restless inside, so, he starts walking around the
room.
Shreya comes and says,
“Yes baba, you are looking for me.”
“Yes Shreya, can you please sit
here, I need to discuss something.”
Shreya go straight and sits on the
vacant chair of the study table. Ranjan also pulls his chair and places face to
face.
“Shreya, I am making it straight I
know it is a shocking information for you but just don’t break down. Please.”
Shreya does not reply anything, she
sits silently as a stone sculpture. Ranjan Continues,
“You know Shreya, since our ancient
time of evaluation all species have been experienced one thing common. Within
male & female who ever has superior physical strength, they dominate their
counterpart. In the world of Hyena, Killer whale or Elephant where nature makes
female is the stronger species, there they set the rules. In case of human male
has taken an advantage, so that they design our entire society as per their
convenience and make it in such a way that their beneficial position remains
for ever. So, as a woman in every step of life, you need to work more, walk
more, fight more & scream more to get same thing which a male can get without
any extra effort. May be most of the men will deny upfront that they actually
scare of a woman due to her immense potential, as a result they try to restrict
them from right to education to entering a temple.”
Ranjan’s excitement is overflowing
in his body language. The rage, which he has locked in his heart for so long,
seems it finds a way out. Ranjan continues with the flow,
“Most wise thing in this world is
nature. You see the paradox of male – Nature is always called a mother. They
never get the audacity to call her in different name in any civilisation. That
wise old mother nature always chooses a female to be a productive species, all
across. Why? Why not a male has been privileged to be a part of creating life,
the most amazing mystery which is not solved yet. I have my own theory Shreya,
that mother nature knows that creating life and carrying it for so many days
with your own body and tolerate that intolerable pain during the birth need lots
of core energy, patience and true affection. Male neither has it nor earns it. Male
knows that the secret source of power, which run the entire circle of life, is
always the female. That’s why god has been a woman since the beginning of time till
the starting of civilisation. In civilised time, we, all men start modified the
history and created the illusion, that male has all the superpowers.”
Talking so aggressively for quite
long, Ranjan gets exhausted, he puts some water in the glass and then gulps it
in one shot. He looks closely to Shreya; she is still sitting like a life less model.
Ranjan is not sure that Shreya listens his words or not, he comes close to
Shreya and puts his hand over Shreya’s Shoulder and says,
“Shreya, are you ok maa?”
Shreya can’t hold it anymore. A genuine
touch of affection melts her completely. She breaks into a loud cry. All pains
are now converting into salty water and flows through restlessly. Ranjan knows
that he needs to wait till the time these tears flow out from her.
After some time, Shreya able to calm
down and she eventually makes herself composed. Ranjan is quietly waiting till
then. Once he is sure that right time has come, he says,
“Shreya, I do not call you here to listen
a theoretical lecture of mine, I just want to tell you that you are not alone
here. I am with you. We will find out a solution to get this baby girl in this
mortal world.”
Shreya just looks at him with hope
and then says,
“How it can be possible baba? You
know maa never let that happen and Rajat does not have enough courage to stand
against her or this family tradition. I am not seeing any hope. I am dying
inside every second for this helpless situation”
“You don’t worry about all these.
Let me work out something on it. You need to take care of your health and be
cheerful. These two things are very important for upcoming baby girl. So, don’t
neglect all these. Leave the rest part on me”
After a very long time Shreya smiles
properly. It can be resembling with a ray of sunshine breaks through a dark
cloud. She is finally relaxed. She starts leaving the room but suddenly she
stops and returns to Ranjan. She touches his feet and seeks blessing from him.
Then Shreya says,
“I always have that doubt in my mind
but today I am confirmed.”
“What?” Ranjan asks in a surprising tone.
“You were definitely my own father
in my previous life.”
Shreya leaves the room after saying
the same. Ranjan’s hands are still trembling, how could she find it out. He
never shares with anybody about his dream. Does the connection of love exist
even next life? Ranjan does not know and he does not want to. He has a bigger
challenge in hand. To comfort & bring back Shreya into normal life temporarily
he commits that he will make things happen. But he knows he cannot, it is next
to impossible, get that girl safely. He is feeling guilt inside for cheating
Shreya, but he has to. He can’t see Shreya in that fashion anymore. Ranjan gets
up from chair and stands near the window.
Outside, it is late afternoon of early October. A blue sky with full of bright sunshine & white clouds are floating like a cotton wool. Nobody notices that from Ishanya angle a big dark cloud slowly approaching. A deadly storm on his way.
CHAPTER SIX
Someone is calling her name. Shreya is not able to hear it
properly. It is like she is floating within a deep blurred dark water. Those voices
are coming from above the water, from too far and too faint. She feels nothing
but she is in deep peace.
Shreya can’t answer her even she wants to. She is eventually
feeling that it is not a single person around her, there are bunch of people.
They are talking to each other, but she can’t understand that properly. Her
eyes are totally shut but she feels a bright sunlight reflecting over her eyelids.
She is slowly floating upwards of water level; she can now see the lights above
the blue water. After some unsuccessful attempt, she can open her eyes a little,
slowly the vision is coming back. She is standing in front of a large mirror. Her
entire body is covered with sea green colour algae. She is trying to remove this,
but she can’t move her hand at all.
Someone keeps on calling her name loudly and
repeatedly. Now it is more closure, now
she can understand the words,
“Shreya open your eyes. Shreya?”
Shreya now can hear properly; a lady is calling her name. She
opens her eyes but immediately squeezes it due to bright light. She can hear
now. Someone says,
“Please check the vitals.”
“All normal but pressure is falling not stabilised yet.”
“Saturation?”
“94%”
One lady asks again Shreya,
“Open your eyes Shreya?”
Shreya finally opens her eyes completely. She is getting her
senses back. She is lying over the operation theatre bed. In overhead some big
shining steel plates are hanging which reflect like a mirror. Her body is
covered with a sea green apron. She is here for her abortion and by now it is
done. She lost her Anisha. As the effect of anaesthesia is fading out from her
brain, more her heart getting burned. She just killed her own daughter, her own
Anisha. Anisha didn’t even know why she was forced to die before her birth.
What was her fault? Shreya says in her mind,
“Please forgive me Anisha. I am not eligible to be your
other. I could not save you, my daughter. Please forgive me. Forgive me please.”
This time Shreya does not cry, all the tears are already evaporated.
Her eyes are dry as a desert. Too much pain does not melt with tears, it becomes
a black hard stone and stays in our heart, for ever.
Shreya closes her eyes. Doctor starts the procedure to
transfer her to cabin from operation theater.
Fifteen days before
Shreya was feeling relived after
talking to Ranjan. In this entire turbulence he was the only shelter for her. But
one thing still was pinching in her mind, would Ranjan be able
to save Anisha? She had no doubt on Ranjan’s intent, but she could not able to
see the confidence in his eyes. His statement was more
or less like a casual one, lack of deeper conviction. Shreya was trying to
remove those thoughts from her mind, forcefully. That was the only & only
chance for her to save her child. She was also in some doubts. It was complete
chaotic confusion within her mind. Once she was thinking that might be the best
for all to follow the rule of family and lived peacefully, it was just one
abortion only. People now a days did it without any bindings and guilt. Things are changed
now, people aborted their child for silly reasons,
like job promotion, financial planning, didn’t feel to be a mother in this
phase of life etc. So why she could not. Once it was done, things would be back
in normal. Everything would be set as like before. Lots of cases people got
miscarriage for their first child, Shreya would also consider this in such a
way, what was the harm.
Shreya kept on thinking such things
in her head and reached their bedroom. She was absent minded, otherwise she
would be able see that weather outside was
changing very rapidly. No more golden shining sunlight, entire sky was covered with
deep dark clouds. Roaring thunderbolts were striking now and then. A splash of
strong cold wind brought Shreya back to reality. She slowly moved to near the window.
Storm already started, wind became wild and small piles of dust on the streets were
dancing randomly with it. It was visible that rain was approaching slowly
across the city skyline. Form far it was look like a white silk net eventually
cover the entire city from one end to other. After few minutes, it was raining
cats & dogs, the whole world outside became white and blurred.
Tiny splits of rain droplets were floating
with wind, which gave Shreya a chilling sensation. She was about to shut the window;
her eyes were caught by an unusual incident. Sewage drain, beside the road, flowed
like a young Himalayan river with a very strong current. A yellow cat was
trying to jump into that high flow of water which was against the basic nature
of whole cat family. Shreya looked curiously, what this cat was doing, violating
its basic instinct. After some time, she
realised that, this cat became mother of six babies few days back. She took shelter
below the window of the opposite side building. Probably a strong blow of wind pushed
one of her children from there into this drain. That mother cat was completely
focussed on the flow of water and completely indifferent about all the odds she
was facing there. Shreya’s heart was heavy, all most five or seven minutes
already passed. There was all most no chance that little life could survive.
Suddenly the mother cat jumped into the flow of water and stated swims very
swiftly, Shreya followed her direction and saw that baby was somehow managed to
hang with one broken drainpipe but slipping every moment dangerously. When the
mother cat was few inches far away that baby dropped into the flow of water, the
mother cat gave a deep drive and started swimming under water. Shreya held her
breath and looking for them eagerly, but only strong current of mud water was
visible. After few minutes, the mother cat float above the water but she was
not alone, she brought her child back this time. Destiny finally compelled to
bow in front of a mother’s fighting spirit.
Shreya shut the window. She took
her decision. Her face was drenched but might be rainwater were not solely
responsible for that, some of them were tears too.
Rajat just returned from office, he
was on the way to his room, at then Nirmala called him from the corridor,
“Rajat can you please come down to
my room. I need to discuss something urgently.”
“Do I need to come right now Maa or
should I freshen up and then come?”
“As per your wish Rajat, but its
urgent. Don’t delay so long.”
Rajat hesitated for some time and
then moved to Nirmala’s Room.
Nirmala was sitting over bed, Rajat
pulled the chair from corner and sat in front of her mother.
“Yes Maa, tell me.”
Nirmala came straight to the point
and said,
“What is going on this house?
Almost one week is gone after the clinics report,
why you have not taken next course of action?”
Rajat looked at the floor intensely.
Did not attempt to reply on it.
Due to the silence of Rajat,
Nirmala got irritated more. She said,
“You know all the rules then what
for you are still waiting.”
Rajat cleared his throat and said
faintly,
“Maa, Shreya is very upset. She is
mentally shattered. How could I ask her to abort the child at this mental
condition? If I do the same forcefully then maybe I lost her for ever. She
needs some time to stabilise herself.”
Nirmala could not suppress her
disgust, she said to Rajat in a hissing tone,
“This is totally your fault. I told
you before, that don’t get married with this girl. Get married as per our
choice, at least we should not face this kind of soap opera type daily drama in
this house. You know aristocrat family’s girls know that what are their
priority.”
Rajat Said firmly,
“Maa, it is not possible now. I
have to give some time to her.”
“Well, twenty third of October we
have the biggest Laxmi puja of the year, I want this should over before that.”
“Maa, can’t we keep this girl? How long we will continue this custom for the
sake of empty aristocracy?”
Nirmala didn’t say anything, she
just looked straight to Rajat’s eyes and gave a very cold look like before.
Rajat got up from chair and dragged himself out of the room. He knew what the
meaning of that look was. Since his childhood this one look evaporated his all
strength and now his left-over morality too.
Doctor Subrata Bakshi, a renounced
gynaecologist in the city, was busy on scanning a test report of a patient. His
concentration broke due to the noise of door opening. It was Rajat, his
childhood friend and classmate too. He kept the documents aside and asked Rajat
with a great smile,
“Hey man. What’s up? After a long
time, you are here. How is life?”
“All is okey.”
Subrata noticed that Rajat appeared
anxious and there was no sign of joy in his face for meeting his old friend
after long time. Subrata said empathetically,
“What happens my friend? I think
something goes terribly wrong in your life. Tell me, I may help you in
somewhere. Before that let me know, what would you like to drink? Tea or
coffee?”
Rajat held his hair tightly and
stretched backwards and said,
“Nothing.”
Subrata did not respond anything. He
was observing Rajat calmly.
Rajat said again,
“Coffee without sugar.”
Subrata placed order of two coffee
over intercom and then sat attentively. Rajat briefed him entire story and his helplessness.
After finishing the same Rajat Said,
“I don’t know Subrata, what should I
do now? I am really not able to find any solution in either way.”
Subrata said,
“Abortion is now a days a very
common matter. However, I personally don’t like this, but you know we are in
medical business so sometimes our own likes & dislikes do not get priority.
Any way my junior doctors basically handle these cases. So, if you want then,
that can be arranged.”
“Subrata arrange it as soon as
possible, let’s get it over. I can’t live in such tensed way all the time. I
need my life and Shreya back.”
Subrata checked the dates and then
said,
“Twenty second is the only date where
operation theater is vacant in morning session. We can do it that day.”
“That’s great.” Rajat said.
Subrata placed his hand on chin and
said thoughtfully,
“But Rajat You need to convince your
wife. We can’t operate without her concern.”
“That I will manage Subrata. You
booked the date.”
“Ok then, twenty second October is
final.”
Rajat Smiled and left the chamber.
Subrata waited for some time then picked up his mobile and dialled a number.
After two rings another end picked up, Subrata said,
“Hello. Yes, your prediction is correct.
Rajat just left my chamber.”
Subrata then started listening attentively
other end instructions. After some time, he said,
“Okay. No issue I will arrange
everything in orders so that it can be done flawlessly as per your
instruction.”
Rajat wanted to come out from
this situation desperately. He was not able to handle this dilemma, still he
believed that this abortion is a small incident only. But in his mind, someone
kept on saying that something grossly wrong somewhere in this total process. He
failed to find out the satisfactory peace of mind he was looking for,
even after finalisation of abortion date.
That night Rajat observed that Shreya
was behaving almost normal, he thought Shreya might finally accept
the truth and ready to follow this family’s custom. He was quite relieved, already
seven days passed after his discussion with Nirmala. He thought this is the
right time to discuss the same and informed her about the date he booked.
He initiated the conversation,
“Shreya, I was thinking something.”
Shreya replied normally,
“About what?”
“No, I was just thinking that, we
should complete the procedure as early as possible. More we delay it will be
more difficult for you.”
Shreya replied absentmindedly,
“What procedure you are talking
about.”
Rajat was little surprised but
still he wanted to make it clear, so, he said with irritation,
“I am talking about the abortion
Shreya, where is your attention now a days.”
Shreya didn’t reply anything. She
just sat and kept on folding the old cloths as she was doing earlier.
Before Rajat said something further,
servant came announced that dinner had been served. Raychaudhuri family always
had dinner in a fixed time and together.
It is an old but elegant six-seater
dining table, made by pure teak wood, they inherited. A bright but soothing
light with half dome was hanging over the table. They usually left vacant two
side chairs and sat face to face during the dinner.
However, Nirmala did not like too much talk during dinner
but still they spoke each other in general. That day Shreya sat opposite of
Ranjan instead of Rajat. It was nothing unusual, they rotated their positions as
per their choice and convenience of each day.
During the dinner
Rajat initiated the same topic in front of four of them,
“Maa, today I have visited the
clinic and twenty second will be the date. I think same day they can release
Shreya by evening.”
Ranjan & Shreya understood
about what Rajat was talking about. Shreya did not pay
any attention to his statement. She was continuing her dinner
as Rajat was talking about some general topic like, what the weather for
tomorrow would be.”
Nirmala observed Shreya very keenly
and then said,
“Well, then matter is settled. But
you know next day we have big Laxmi puja in home, so I could not go along with
Shreya. So, you may need to accompany her.”
Rajat nodded her head like an
obedient son.
Ranjan frowned his eyes and gave a
sarcastic look to Rajat.
Shreya suddenly asks,
“Maa, do you know a good kantha (one
sort of comforter for new-born baby with typical long stich, usually made by
old sarees) stitching person here? I have already sorted out the old cloths for
upcoming girl.”
Nirmala choked violently, Ranjan
put some water on the glass and helped Nirmala to settle down. Then Nirmala said,
“What are you talking about? We
already made the decision.”
“That’s all of you have decided on
behalf of me. But I have taken my decision, I will save this girl at any cost. So,
I will definitely give birth this girl. I am ready to take head on with any one
in this world to do this.” Shreya said it very firmly.
Rajat stood up and shouted,
“Are you become insane? What is this
nonsense you uttering? Let me clear one thing, if you want to stay as my wife
and daughter- in - law of this family then you must do it. Or else…” Rajat stopped
in midway & kept the sentence incomplete.
Shreya said,
“Or else what, I need to go out of
this house that you mean probably, well I will do that to save my girl. I can
sacrifice everything I have but can’t sacrifice my child. You have forgotten
one thing, a woman, first a mother then all other roles of life. I am leaving
this house tomorrow morning and leaves you too”
Nirmala smiled and said,
“Calm down Shreya, world
outside is not so nice for a single mother as it appeared to be. Let me tell
you a story which I got it from my mother-in-law & she got it form her
grand mother-in-law. The story about our seventh king of this family. He had
five queens & one of those queens got pregnant and not informed the king.
She gone to visit her mother’s house and stayed there till the time she gave
birth a girl child. Queen was frightened, if king got to know it’s a girl then
he would kill her. She moved with her child in a hidden place for immediate
safety. Then she made a secret escape plan from the reach of king and set
everything ready. When her family came to wish a good journey to her on next
day morning, they found both are dead. Moral of the story is that man of this
family can go to any extend to protect their honour and pride. Not only this
family, you might observe in newspaper that still honour killing exists
in our society. So be wise and act accordingly.”
Ranjan then said loudly,
“Will you please shut your mouth
Nirmala. Why are you making things so dirty?”
Then he looked at Shreya and said,
“Shreya, please don’t make this
difficult for all of us. Please go with Rajat as par schedule and get it done.
Please understand that this is the cost you must pay for getting married to
this cursed family. Please no more argument Shreya. This is the only way which
is better for each of us. You have to trust me.”
Its like earth had been shaken for
Shreya, even Ranjan was supporting them too. She was so alone in this fight.
Ranjan was her last hope. How could he cheat her such a way? Why he lighted the
lamp of hope in front of her that day? She was broken apart after Ranjan’s last
statement. She held her emotion and said,
“Well, baba, I will do as per your orders
only. But after this I will leave this house for ever. Nothing can hold me here
further.”
Then she poured water on her dinner
plate and walked away.
Shreya is in half conscious state,
it’s a mixed feeling of reality and dream. So, she is not sure that whatever she
observed or hear, those are her reality or imagination. She has been
transferred to cabin now. Rajat moves to Shreya’s cabin and says,
“Hi Doctor, when you will be going
to release her?”
Doctor Isha is writing the notes
for patience and giving relevant instruction to nurse. She turns to Rajat and
says,
“Mr. Raychaudhuri, you should have
been informed us prior hand that your wife has cardiac complications. We almost
lost her. We were not able to bring her in sense.”
Rajat looks to her foolishly. He
has no clue about it. After a certain pause he says,
“How is she now? Is she ok? Can I
take her home today evening?”
“No. You can’t. I need to keep her
in twenty-four hours observation. If everything be okay, then maybe I release
her tomorrow morning. Now please wait outside, patient needs rest.”
Next day morning, Shreya is looking
through her cabin’s window. Her vision is blank. Nothing is captured on those
beautiful eyes; only bluish tint of her eyes is metaphorically signifying the
pain inside which she is going through. She is completely indifferent to surroundings
or else she would notice that Rajat already makes five entries and exit to
complete the release procedure. Finally,
Rajat comes with broad smile & says,
“All done. Let’s go home, Shreya.”
Shreya replies absentmindedly,
“Hmm, where to go? Who’s home?”
“Our home Shreya. Please get ready
quickly.”
Shreya looks at Rajat’s smiling
happy face with a strange vision. Then she starts packing her things one by
one.
It almost afternoon when they reach
their house. Rajat is very happy today. Finally, he is out of this mess, family
tradition remains intact & Shreya is also back in life. He feels proud
about himself; he manages both the ends perfectly. He leaves alone Shreya in
her room; she needs rest for some time. He moves to puja room to check how the
preparation is going on.
In last two hours, Shreya packs her
all thigs in two big trolley bags. She scans the room; no, nothing left out
here all packed, except the memories of all shades.
She goes straight to Ranjan’s room.
Ranjan is reading a book which blocks his view. So, he does not know Shreya has
come until he feels the touch of her hand in his feet. He puts the book down
and place his hand over head. Then he says,
“ΔpadΔmΔpantΔ«nΔαΉ hito’pyΔyΔti
hetutΔm ।
mΔtαΉjaαΉ
ghΔ
hi vatsasya stambhΔ«bhavati bandhane ॥”
(When calamities befall, even a well-wisher becomes a cause of
them, it is the leg of the mother that serves as the pillar for tying the
calf.)
Few drops of tears fall on Shreya’s hand. She looks upwards.
Ranjan then says painfully,
“Maa Shreya, if possible, please forgive me for all of these.”
“Baba, I have no grievance against anybody. Bless me only one
thing that almighty makes me strong enough so that I can carry my duties
properly in future.”
Shreya left the room in small steps. Ranjan keeps standing silently,
alone.
In this entire house Nirmala’s favourite room is Puja room. This
room has been crafted very beautifully and with a long patience to make each
part of this room absolute perfect. The whole floor of this room was made by
two stones, marble & granite, in a shape of rhombus, placed alternatively.
In eastern corner of the room, a big throne made of ivory is situated which is
equally decorated with golden leaf. Three feet tall, two idols of Lord Narayan
& Devi Laxmi are placed perfectly within the throne. In front of idols two
big oil lamp stand which has five flame head in each of them.
Today is the biggest Laxmi Puja of the year, Nirmala wears a
white garod silk saree with a golden designed red border across it, a traditional
Bengali dress for puja. She finishes the chopping of different fruits and
vegetables which will be needed for todays puja. Rajat just informed that
Shreya has left the house for ever & he ran to find her. Nirmala does not
understand the nature of this girl, may be a generation gap. This is just an
abortion but the way this girl behaves before and after, its too much. She
never likes this girl, so if she left that’s good news. She will arrange a
remarriage of Rajat & this time in her choice. Nirmala suddenly feels happy
inside, finally she wins.
She washes her hand then sits in front of throne. The priest will
come any time. She starts singing her regular prayer of Devi Laxmi by closing
her eyes,
“Eso maa lakshmi bosho ghore.
Amar
e ghare thako alo kare.”
(Hey mother Laxmi, please come and
sit in my home. Stay in my home for ever as a divine light.)
Suddenly she
hears a baby girl giggling sound just near to her ear. She startles and starts
looking all around, but she is alone in this room, then she asks in a shivering
tone,
“Who is
talking? Who is there? Answer me now?”
That baby
girl voice again whispers to her ears,
“you are
praying for me for so long, but I came twice to you, but you killed me each
time, Maa”
Nirmala can’t
handle anymore, she falls on the floor unconsciously, the lamp stand also falls
with her. Fire is catching up all the things around it very fast. Fire makes a red
circle of flames around Nirmala and is slowly reducing his distance with Nirmala.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Flight attendant just announces that this flight is going to
land in Singapore within a half an hour. Passengers are requested to close all
electronic devices now. Rajat yawns lazily, then shuts down his laptop &
puts that in his side bag. Then he looks outside through the small oval shape
window of aircraft; flight is still flying above the clouds. It’s like a
magical world, in ninety degree angle a bright soft orange sun & below
there are cotton candy like, wet and orange tinted fields of clouds. Rajat can’t
take back his eyes from the window. Rajat’s life has changed a lot in last five
years. In literary terms that can be described as a paradigm shift. Rajat never
wanted to move outside of Kolkata. He was quite happy with his job and his small
own world within the by lane of north Kolkata. That Rajat merely spend four
months in Kolkata cumulatively in last five years. Last five years he
voluntarily approached to management for all on site offshore projects & was
moving across the globe. Not only that he starts working all the time. He makes
him all ways super busy in all the places, only work nothing else.
Rajat still can’t forget that Laxmi Puja’s day, five years
back. Everything changed in his life since that single day. He had no clue that
a cyclone of incidents was coming to his life and ruined everything. Even today
he can’t sleep properly in night, all those incident one after other haunts him
in forms of nightmares. He makes himself so busy in work and keeps himself away
from that city, still he could not escape his past. He always tries to run away
from his guilt, but he cannot. Whenever he sees any baby girl around his
vicinity, his feelings of guilt returns form nowhere. But this is not supposed to happen. This is
not what Rajat planned for. He was quite happy that day. He can visualise that day in detail even after
five years.
Rajat just dropped Shreya into her room and moved to puja
room to check how was the preparation going on for big Laxmi puja. He returned
to his room after roaming here & there for some time. He fell in his bed
& started thinking that all were passed well, why not he and Shreya planned
for a vacation. That could change Shreya’s mood also & he could repair
their relationships too. He said to himself in mind that day in dinner table he
behaved very rudely to Shreya which he should not.
His chains of thoughts were broken when he saw Shreya
entered the room. Rajat said very casually,
“You should have taken rest properly now, in the evening
there will be a lot of guest. Already you are tired and there is an effect of
medicines on you. Why you are roaming around just like that?”
Shreya didn’t bother to reply him. She brought two trolley
bags from wardrobe and got ready to leave. Rajat now observed that Shreya still
ware the same dress as it was in hospital. Then he noticed that two big bags in
front of Shreya. These all could not make any sense to him initially, but
suddenly it reminded him Shreya’s few lines of dinner table discussion. Did she
really mean those lines? He jumped on his feet and held Shreya’s hand and
asked,
“Hey, where are you going now?”
Shreya removed her hand from him and said,
“As agreed Rajat, you and your family want this abortion, so
I did it. Now I need to fulfil the commitment I made to myself. I am leaving
you and your family for ever. Please stay aside from my way.”
“What absurd things you are talking about. It can’t be true?
How you can leave me. We love each other. I love you.”
Shreya smiled sarcastically.
“Where was your all those loves, when I begged your support
to save our own daughter. When I asked you to let leave these worlds of pseudo
aristocracy, brutal family tradition and set our own small happy family of
three, somewhere else. Why did you step back then? Most importantly that night
you told me that either I do as you said or else leave this house. So, I am
doing the same; what is the problem with you now?”
“That night I told you those words in anger, did not mean it
really. I never want you to go out of this house. Please don’t do this,
please.”
“It’s already too late Rajat. I can’t stay a single minute
in this house anymore.”
Shreya pushed Rajat away and moved through the door. Rajat was
completely direction less what he would do next. He ran to Ranjan’s room and
screamed,
“Baba, Shreya is leaving. Please stop her. She will listen
your words. Baba please.”
Ranjan was sitting ideally looking at the celling blankly,
he turned his head and looked straight to Rajat and said,
“Let her go Rajat. Don’t hold her in this dirt further.”
“Baba, what are you saying. We need to stop her. I can’t let
her go, baba.”
“You can’t let her go but you actually murdered her that day
when you put her technically in a position, where no option left apart from kill
her own daughter. She left you that day my son. That same day.”
Rajat shrugged his shoulder in frustration and ran to
Nirmala, in puja room. She shouted at Nirmala,
“Maa, Shreya is leaving us for ever. Please stop her.”
Nirmala was cutting some fruits for puja. She stopped for a
moment and then again started the same.
Rajat again asked Nirmala impatiently,
“Maa?”
“What? Why you are so worried for such small issue? In
extreme scenario, she will go to the nearest bus stop or else in her father’s
house, after two or three days she will return automatically. If not, then you
visit once she will come with you gladly”
Rajat murmured,
“No Maa, you don’t know her; she would not”
Rajat again ran towards gate to stop her but she was not
there. He started looking for her in all possible nearby places, but she was
nowhere.
He was running like a mad from one place to another, in
between as the evening had started spreading her wings across, it was getting dark.
Rajat saw their head priest was running towards him by calling his name loudly.
Rajat also moved towards him, he thought that, might be Shreya returned to home
and priest was coming to inform the same.
Head priest was an old man and bulky in nature, so, running
made him completely exhausted. He was out of breath for some time then said,
“Choto Babu, please come home with me. A big mishap happened
in pooja room. Your mother….”
He stopped there with a hesitation.
Rajat asked impatiently,
“What happened to Maa, tell me now.”
“I came as per pooja time of today. Once I entered the pooja
room, I saw entire room was on fire and room completely chocked with dark
smoke. I was not able to breath even. I was initially not able to notice that
your mother was fallen there. I opened some windows and asked others to help too.
We bought some water and tried to bring down the fire under control. Your
mother had found senseless in front of throne. If we were little more late it
was difficult for her to survive.”
Rajat ran towards home kept the discussion incomplete. He
was worried for his mother.
Once Rajat came to home, Ranjan already left for hospital
along with Nirmala. Old servant of house informed him that Ranjan asked Rajat to
stay at home only, So, that he could inform the upcoming guests about this
incident and returned them with complete courtesy.
Rajat slowly entered the pooja room. It was all most completely
burned. Still some red radiance was coming from left-over fire from different
positions of the room. Those radiance and the smell of burning woods was creating
an eerie environment over there. Rajat looked at both the idols, in this low
red light and darkness, Devi Laxmi did not appear as an affectionate, caring
mother. She looks like a Devi Kali, the destroyer. Rajat closed his eyes in
fear.
Rajat opens his eyes due to a big jerk from ground. Flight
finally touches the tarmac of Changi airport. His connecting flight to Kolkata
is almost after six hours. He is returning home after one year approximately.
Now he is not sure that he should call that building as a home or not. After
that incident, Nirmala backed in senses after two days, but she completely lost
her mental balance. She could not recognise anyone of them. She was just kept
on saying repeatedly,
“Hey girl, just get out from here, don’t touch my saree. It
is too dirty.” And started cleaning her
saree with hand even there is no dirt at all. Sometimes she just screamed,
“No, I shall not listen your voice, your any word, get out from
my room, you little witch. I want to sleep. Why don’t you let me sleep?”
Rajat consulted lots of Doctors but they could not help Nirmala.
Majority of doctors believed that exposure for long time in smoke, oxygen
supply to her brain dropped to a lethal level. It was very adversely affected
her brain tissues, as a result, she lost her mental balance completely.
Now Nirmala stayed in mental asylum. There was no option
left for Rajat apart from putting her there. Ranjan every weekend visits her,
but she can’t recognise him even now.
Shreya didn’t pick up his call or responded to his thousands
of messages since she had left the house. Within all that chaos one fine
morning, Somnath appeared to their house but not as a father-in-law, as an advocate
of Shreya and handed over the divorce petition of Shreya. Rajat could not
believe the same, he initially thought that he would not sign it and give a
fight. However, Ranjan stopped him and convinced that mutual separation was the
best for both. Shreya was so adamant that she never appeared even in this
entire separation procedure. Her father handled all her part as an experienced advocate.
Rajat takes his bag and looks for a comfortable sitting cum
resting place, spending six hours in airport is always irritating for him. He
finally decides to go to the nearest lounge, at least crowd will be less there.
He chooses a corner seat of the lounge. He keeps his handbag there and moves to
buffet counter for some food. When Rajat returns; he sees an almost four-five
years old girl playing with her doll just beside his seat. She was not there
when he left the seat few minutes back.
Rajat always tries to avoid any interaction with kids in
general, because they all remind him the death of his own daughter. He can’t forgive
himself for that sin, yet. But this girl draws his attention automatically, because
she is speaking Bengali. Sitting in foreign airport if you hear someone
speaking in Bengali just beside you and that does not draw your attention
completely, then you are not a Bengali at all. Rajat concentrates what she is
saying, but she is actually not saying she is scolding her doll for not having
food properly. Rajat smiles after a long period from his heart.
Rajat says politely,
“Hi.”
She replies after some pause,
“Hi.” Then she continues,
“Are you a stranger? Mom told me not to have any chat with
stranger”
Rajat laughs loudly and then says,
“No, I am not a stranger. You tell me, any stranger ever
talks to you in Bengali.”
She puts her hand in chin and looks upward and pretends as
if she is thinking like a mature adult. Then after some time she says,
“Yes, you are correct, they all spoke to me in other
languages.”
Rajat then asks with a smiling face,
“So, may I know who this young intelligent lady is, whom I
am talking to?”
“Myself Gudiya, and this is my daughter Tozo.”
“Quite an adorable name your daughter has.” Rajat says with
a very serious face.
She frowns to him and looks sharply to judge
that he is mocking her or not. But looking at his innocent kind face she says,
“Yes, she is. But you know she is very naughty. She doesn’t
listen to any word of mine. I am so angry at her today.”
“So Gudiya, from where you are coming and where are you
going?”
“I am coming from my Dadu’s house which is in Kolkata and now
going to Sydney. I stay there. You know my vacation is over, so I need to
resume school from next week.” She says very sadly.
Rajat Laughs loudly and then said,
“It’s a very bad news indeed.”
Gudiya looks with a pseudo anger. Then she also breaks into
loud laughter.
Rajat and Gudiya keeps on talking and nobody can say that
they met just few hours back.
After some time Rajat asks Gudiya,
“Don’t you feel hungry by now?”
“Yes, little bit.”
“Tell me what you would like to have? I shall bring for
you?”
“Okay, then bring me some hot Gulab Jamun with vanilla ice
crΓ¨me.”
Rajat astonishes with this statement, because he also likes
this combination when he used to be very happy.
Rajat brings two plates of Gulab Jamun with vanilla ice
cream on top of it. It is not easy for him because getting Indian sweets in
Singapore airport is not a cake walk. Somehow, he manages to get both, but it
takes little more time than normal. He is feeling very enthusiastic to do this
nonsense job, running from one point to another to just make that girl happy.
However, it is very exciting for him to see the smile on her face, when he
presents her favourite dish. When Rajat finally reaches his seat, nobody is
here. Gudiya already left for her flight. He asks the gentleman, sitting
opposite her,
“Hi, have you seen that girl who was sitting near my seat?”
That man replies,
“Yes, she has gone few minutes ago with a woman.”
Rajat throws his body on the chair with full of lethargy, he
puts both the plates on side table reluctantly. He doesn’t have any appetite left.
He looks at his watch & surprises to see that three hours already passed
but he doesn’t even realise. Gudiya is a special girl, he thinks in his mind, her
parents will be so lucky and happy to have her. Even he does not want to
remember, but it comes to his mind that, if he could not kill her own daughter,
he would also be a proud father of a beautiful daughter like Gudiya. It is also
true Rajat never feels so closeness with any other children like he have it for
Gudiya. In few hours she has captured a lot of space of his mind.
Rajat slowly gets up to move for his designated departure gate
number. He just looks last time to Gudiya’s seat, then he realises a boarding
pass is hanging between arm rest and seat cushion, probably this one popped out
from her jacket and stick there. Rajat thinks if it is for current flight then
it will be a big problem for her, so, he picks it up and starts checking. No,
it is not current flight, this one for Kolkata to Singapore earlier flight.
Rajat just collapsed on his chair suddenly. There is a black
out for few minutes, he can’t believe, how this can be possible? But he is
still holding the truth in his hand. The name is written over boarding pass very
clearly, Miss. Anisha Raychaudhuri. Is this just a pure coincident? Rajat
thinks quickly and gets up hurriedly. He just checks the display board and find
the nearest time flights for Sydney and the gate no. he starts running towards that
gate, he needs to confirm one thing before it’s too late.
When Rajat reaches desired gate of departure, he is
completely exhausted and his face full of sweats. He asks the person who is
standing at gate,
“The flight for Sydney?”
“Sir, boarding has been closed. Flight is ready to take off.
Sorry sir, we can’t let in.”
“But I need to. It’s extremely important for me. Please help
me.” Rajat literally begs in front of that person.
“Sir, I am so sorry but fights already started take off
procedure. We can’t help you sir.”
Rajat thinks momentarily and then says,
“Then please help me in one case, I need to know details of two
passengers.”
“Sir, that’s confidential, I can’t provide the same.”
“Please. Its my life and death situation. Please help me.”
Rajat holds the hand of that person and request.
He says,
“Okay sir, I can only provide names, nothing else”
“That will be enough. Please let me know, is there any kid
traveling in this flight, called Anisha Raychaudhuri?”
After checking the computer monitor, he says,
“Yes Sir.”
“May I know the name of the other person who is traveling
along with her?”
Rajat asks the question by holding his breath. There is so
much adrenal rush right now in his blood, that he controls his excitement after
a lot of efforts. Every second seems to be as if it is a full year for Rajat.
Finally, the counter person says,
“Sir, it is Miss Shreya.”
Rajat just does not believes what he hears. He smiles faintly
and says,
“Thanks a lot.”
After that he starts walking slowly towards his designated
gate of departure to Kolkata. However, his mid is full of two things, the pure
happiness of knowing that his daughter is alive & more curiously how this
is happened?
Five years back:
twenty second October: Kolkata
Shreya was sitting on a chair near the window. She was
crushed inside. Loosing Anisha made Shreya completely empty. She was feeling so
lonely at that time which was unbearable. A winter evening was covering the
entire city like a dark cloak, outside. She
was thinking that how much pain Anisha took when she died, or she had just
slept peacefully. Tears were rolling over her eyes continuously.
There was a knock on the door, Shreya turned her head towards
door, it was Doctor Subrata Bakshi.
Subrata Said,
“May I disturb you madam for few minutes.”
Shreya wiped her eyes and said,
“Yes, Doctor please come in.”
Subrata pulled the chair near the window and sat in front of
Shreya. Before Subrata said anything, Shreya asked,
“I don’t feel any issue regarding my health then why you
have put me in observation?”
Subrata smiled and said,
“Yes, you are correct. You are absolutely okay and we could
release you in morning too. But we have strict instruction to retain you here
for today”
“Instruction? Why is such instruction for me? And who is that
person giving such instruction to me?”
Subrata kept hanging his smile and was enjoying the statement
of Shreya. He said,
“Madam, these instructions were given by Ranjan uncle.”
Shreya was completely perplexed. Why Ranjan gave such
ridiculous instruction to Subrata. What gain he would have by detaining Shreya
here. She could not think about anything. She looked at Subrata with an inquisitive
vision. Subrata clear his throat and said,
“Madam, I need to tell you something. Before Rajat came to
me for your abortion, Ranjan uncle called me and informed that Rajat might
visit me any day for this purpose. He also told me that the moment Rajat visited
me, I should inform him immediately. I did the same. Basically, he wanted to
save your child.”
Shreya released a long breath and said,
“It’s already over. She is dead. I could not save her.”
Shreya sobbed.
Subrata gave some time to Shreya to calm down. Then he said,
“Madam, I am here to inform you one thing that in the
morning we just did only anaesthesia to you, not the abortion. Your child is
completely safe and alive. We do it as per Ranjan uncle’s instruction only. He
gave me the instruction clearly and how to execute the same. Apart from me,
Ranjan Uncle and Doctor Isha only know it. Ranjan uncle also send a message to
you that, you should leave your in-laws’ house as early as possible for ever.
So that they never know that your child is alive. We detained you so that after
the effect of medicines are gone then we can explain the situation to you
properly”
Shreya was speechless. Her Anisha is alive. Nothing more she
required in this life. She looked up and prayed to the god for saving her
daughter with folded hands. Subrata left silently. Shreya picked up the phone
and dialled a number. It was Somnath.
Ranjan stands near the railing of balcony. Few times back
servant informs him that Rajat just comes home from airport. Ranjan is watching
those birds for quite some time, quietly. They are building their nest by
bringing very small parts of straw each time, piece by piece. There are two
birds, one male and another female. Ranjan is amazed by seeing their level of
coordination, dedication & patience to build their small home. Ranjan thinks
in his mind, if a creature who is gifted with flying ability can understand the
value of home and can spend so much time to build it, then why a human can’t
learn it from them. Why we can’t make harmony with our partners, can’t make a
small happy family with mutual understanding, cooperation, dedication & patience.
Ranjan does not know the answers yet but he is hopeful.
Ranjan’s phone vibrates. Notification for one message is
showing in the screen. Ranjan opens it.
“Baba, we reached Sydney safely. One
thing more yesterday I saw Rajat talking to Anisha. I didn’t reveal myself or
Anisha. But Baba am I doing wrong by keeping Anisha away from his father?”
Ranjan types,
“No Shreya, Rajat earns this punishment for himself by his
own actions. Unless he passes this test of fire Anisha should keep away from
him. Time has changed Shreya, no more women will do, now man has to prove his purity
of thoughts & soul by walking through the fire, time and time. God bless
you”
After sending the message. Ranjan looks at sky and starts
reciting,
ΔstΔαΉ tΔvadiyaαΉ
prasΕ«ti-samaye durvΔra-ΕΕ«la-vyathΔ
naairucyaαΉ
tanuΕoαΉ£aαΉaαΉ
malamayΔ« ΕayyΔ
ca sΔαΉvatsarΔ«
|
ΔkasyΔpi
na garbha-bhΔra-bharaαΉa-kleΕasya
yasyΔ: kαΉ£amo
dΔtuαΉ
niαΉ£kαΉtim-unnato’pi
tanaya: tasyai jananyai nama: ||
(The acute irrepressible pain endured by the mother at the
time of delivery, the distaste towards food and the resulting emaciation of the
body during pregnancy, the year-long period after delivery, during which the
bed was dirtied by the baby – let all these be. But the suffering that the
mother endures in carrying the weight of the foetus throughout pregnancy, can
never be compensated the least by a son, even if he is great and famous.
Salutations to that mother.)
Waiting of Chapter 2
ReplyDeleteVery Interesting Story
ReplyDeleteEagerly waiting for next chapter..
ReplyDeleteInteresting story!
ReplyDeleteVery intriguing!!
ReplyDeleteNice story.engaging..waiting for further chapters
ReplyDeleteNice concept.. Good attempt.. Let's see how new chapters unfold their story. Also, check on the grammar in the write ups.. Good luck.. ππ
ReplyDeleteVery Interesting Story!!! Waiting for more to come
ReplyDeleteA good read indeed. Waiting for more to come !
ReplyDeleteIntresting story eagerly waiting for the next chapter...☺️
ReplyDeleteWaiting for the next chapter ππ
ReplyDeleteChapter 3 sums up Chapter 1 & 2. Amazing Story ππ
ReplyDeleteIntresting story eagerly waiting for the next chapter...������
ReplyDeleteVery interesting, the flow of the story is going good
ReplyDeleteVery catchy and interesting
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting.
ReplyDeleteVery Amazing!! Well written.
ReplyDeleteVery articulate ππ»
ReplyDeleteBeautiful π❤
ReplyDeleteBeautiful
ReplyDeleteBeautiful
ReplyDeleteNice π
ReplyDeleteAmazing Story, waiting for next chapter.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting story, waiting for next chapter.
ReplyDeleteNice ..
ReplyDeleteNice.
ReplyDeleteNeed more chapter for read.
Nice
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteVery Amazing
ReplyDeleteChapter 4 is amazing
ReplyDeleteAmazing... Waiting for next chapter Sir.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting
ReplyDeleteNice!!
ReplyDeleteChapter 7 was indeed a very good Chapter written. Mainly the role played by Ranjan was amazing πππ
ReplyDeleteWow amazing.heart toughing storyπ❤️ππππ€°π€±π£πΉπππ
ReplyDeleteWell done sir ��
ReplyDelete