Dawn at Midnight.
Book 1: Transmigration. Chapter 6: Reeling stone
Does the life end if a person goes away? Pubali passed away, but her parents lived. Arundhuti lived. I also made up my mind and consoled my soul “It is fate that has to be blamed. Fate brought us together only to bring pain in our life. We have to overcome that pain and life doesn’t end there.”
Days passed. I tried hard to rebuild my soul. But my heart and soul always reminded me the pain of separation.
I lost weight and that was noticed by ChotoMa and Babu.
One Sunday morning Babu asked me---“What happened to you? You are not having your food properly and you are losing weight? This is not a good sign Paree.”
ChotoMa also voiced the same and I was taken to a doctor. But medicines didn’t helped that much.
After the winter break the classes started as usual. I drowned myself in studies and books.
ChotoMa noticed that I was very quiet; I lost all the old composure that I used to have. My free spirit, frolic nature was gone.
She asked me one day---“You have to be strong and forget the past. A whole new life is waiting ahead of you.”
I looked at her face and said---“You want me to forget as what has happened? Tell me how.”
She held my hands in hers and said---“I am a mother. I have sacrificed so why can’t you?”
I gave a painful smile---“I have drowned myself in books and studies. I will try to rebuild my old composure. But you have lost your son what about that?”
She let out a deep breath from her chest---“Probably he will understand someday.”
Slowly I freed my hand from her clutch---“Can I be alone for some time? Please.”
I closed the door after she left my room. ChotoMa’s soul was also bearing the pain but she was adamant about her prestige that we can’t be together. Did she know that her son has gone out of India? I didn’t know then.
My guardians sensed that I had totally doused myself in my studies and books. They felt some freedom should be given to me.
Winter was passing away. One year has passed after that beautiful trip to Chitkul.
It was third week of February. One day after the college, we all friends were walking towards the Medical College.
Debobroto asked me---“You took away the letter, why?”
I smiled at him---“Suprotim Da, to whom the letter was addressed, was not in Delhi. He has shifted to Bangalore.”
---“Can I ask as what was so important in that letter? You seemed to be very desperate then.”
I hide my pains behind a smile---“No you can’t. That’s all a ladies talk between two friends.”
---“So have you contacted him after that to talk to your friend?”
---“Yes I have contacted. Now there is no need.”
What he understood I didn’t know. But Teesta and Delisha looked at us while we were talking.
Teesta teased me---“Am I sensing some smoke between you two?”
Debobroto patted on the back of her head and said---“Don’t think everyone like you at least.”
Delisha nodded her head---“Hmmmm…… too much possessive about her.”
---“Hey, I am not Tirthankar and she is not Teesta. So you two better keep your mouth shut.”
I sensed that I was the centre of their discussion which could turn ugly.
So I said to at all of them---“We are friends, so let it be as a friendship. No more words. I am fine with what I have.”
He said to all of the people---“Want to enjoy a movie.”
Rajat, Pushpanjali, Sankho and every one nodded their head in accordance.
I kept quiet as I was not in mood that day to watch any movie.
Debobroto looked at me and asked---“What about you?”
I shook my head---“Not today. May be some other day.”
“Sunday?” he asked me. At that time I was skeptical about ChotoMa’s permission.
I said to him---“I would try.”
---“Good then. Sunday at Globe.”
Rajat and Pushpanjali said in chorus voice---“So for one person we are going to postpone our movie?”
Teesta came to my rescue---“No, no. I was also thinking of Sunday. Tirthankar would also come then.”
Delisha also voiced---“Then Danish can also be with us. It will be very good gathering.”
We all settled for the movie on Sunday.
On Saturday evening I asked ChotoMa for permitting me to enjoy a movie with my friends. She gave the permission to enjoy with my friends but cautioned me to return before night fall. That was the first outing with my friends after I was chained in an ivory cage.
I sensed the air of freedom. But that breeze of freedom was a stench one.
I wore a pink and red salwar and dressed myself very simple. Not much of make ups or anything. Only the lock danced on my right cheek.
On Sunday morning, Teesta called---“We are coming to pick you up. Actually Tirthankar has got his car with him.”
Tirthankar, I noticed his eyes hovered over my torso as we met for the first time. Then I felt awkward. I thought to decline her help and then I thought “Let me face and see what he can do?”
I waited at the bus-stand for them to pick me up. He came in a blue Maruti Alto with Teesta in tow.
Teesta greeted me with open arms---“You are looking beautiful even in this simple salwar.”
She wore a white silhouette hugging navy blue top and a faded pairs of jeans. I looked at Tirthankar; he waved his hand and asked me to sit on the back seat.
Teesta also sat with me in the back seat and slapped Tirthankar’s head---“Now drive and don’t look back you naughty fellah.”
He smiled at us and started to drive---“It is hard to drive if such two beauties are seated on the backseat.”
I knew that that was for me, but I didn’t spoke a word.
All the way to the Esplanade, Teesta babbled various nonsense’s most of which I didn’t pay any attention.
She asked me---“Why have you become so quiet?”
I shook my head---“Nothing, that’s my nature.”
---“But you were a different type when we first met. You were more jovial and puerile. Something has happened in between.”
I waved my hand and smiled at her---“Nothing, dear. Change is evitable in every person as the person matures. Quantum Mechanics!”
We both laughed as she heard me talking about physics.
As we reached the Globe Theatre, we found Delisha and Danish. It was first time I was meeting Danish. He was tall, probably six feet, fair and handsome guy. He looked dashing in his faded blue jeans and blue and pink check shirt. I looked at Delisha, who gave a bear hug to me and complimented.
“You are not going to change. You will always dress simple but elegant” Delisha said to me.
I looked at Danish and joined my palms to express courtesy. He looked at me and the look was very different from all males. Those eyes contained glimmer of affection, stripes of pain.
He looked at me and smiled---“No need to do that Apa."
I couldn’t understand as what he addressed to me and I asked Delisha as what he has told.
Danish came near me and said---“My elder sister is in Dubai. I have not met her for a long time. You reminded me of her so I was looking at you like that.”
His words made my sight little hazy, which he and Delisha noticed.
Delisha rubbed me shoulders---“Come on enjoy the movie.”
I smiled at Delisha and said---“Danish is very handsome and good person. Heaven has made you two with ultimate perfection.”
---“Come on. You are too much emotional.”
That amorous beautiful pair, reminded me of him, for one second. I shook my head involuntarily, when I thought of the “Schindler’s list” movie incident.
Pushpanjali and Sankho reached together, but our leader Debobroto was nowhere in the scene.
I looked at the poster it was screening “Cliffhanger” of Sylvester Stallone.
Teesta looked at Sankho and teased him---“Is Pushpanjali is with you?”
He was a quiet timid guy so he smiled and blushed---“Actually she lives near my house so we came together.”
I asked Pushpanjali as where was Rajat. She shook her head---“How can I know?”
Delisha whispered in my ears---“Don’t tell; they had a huge fight yesterday.”
I looked at her---“What, were they seeing each other?” I didn’t know that an undercurrent of love was flowing between Rajat and Pushpanjali.
After sometime, Debobroto came along with Rajat in tow. They were smoking cigarette.
As soon as he saw Danish and Tirthankar, he screamed---“Hey, today brother-in-laws are going to give us the treat. Come on.”
We all laughed. Danish bought the tickets.
We took our seats. Teesta was on my right and Pushpanjali was on my left. On Pushpanjali’s left it was Debobroto instead of Rajat. On Teesta’s right, Tirthankar was seated. The movie started.
As the scenes progressed I felt someone touching my back, the exposed upper back, beneath my bun. I looked back in anger and I was totally taken aback to find Tirthankar was grazing his fingers on my exposed skin.
My ears burnt and I clenched my jaws. I felt being molested with that touch. That shameless devious person was caressing my exposed back while his girlfriend was sitting next to him with her arms on his chest. I leaned forward.
Pushpanjali noticed that and asked me as what has happened. I shook my head to say her that nothing has happened.
After sometime I looked back. His hand was not there, so I leaned back on the seat again. As soon as I leaned back, I felt those lewd fingers on my bun again. I was furious by his gestures. I leaned forward again and that time Debobroto noticed me.
He looked back on the seat and he clenched his jaws. He outstretched his arms behind Pushpanjali’s back and rested on my seat.
I sensed that some fight would start now, as I knew Debobroto was hot headed. Same time I was smiling inside.
As I expected so it happened. Tirthankar’s finger touched Debobroto’s palm and he clutched his hand.
Book 1: Transmigration. Chapter 6: Reeling stone
Does the life end if a person goes away? Pubali passed away, but her parents lived. Arundhuti lived. I also made up my mind and consoled my soul “It is fate that has to be blamed. Fate brought us together only to bring pain in our life. We have to overcome that pain and life doesn’t end there.”
Days passed. I tried hard to rebuild my soul. But my heart and soul always reminded me the pain of separation.
I lost weight and that was noticed by ChotoMa and Babu.
One Sunday morning Babu asked me---“What happened to you? You are not having your food properly and you are losing weight? This is not a good sign Paree.”
ChotoMa also voiced the same and I was taken to a doctor. But medicines didn’t helped that much.
After the winter break the classes started as usual. I drowned myself in studies and books.
ChotoMa noticed that I was very quiet; I lost all the old composure that I used to have. My free spirit, frolic nature was gone.
She asked me one day---“You have to be strong and forget the past. A whole new life is waiting ahead of you.”
I looked at her face and said---“You want me to forget as what has happened? Tell me how.”
She held my hands in hers and said---“I am a mother. I have sacrificed so why can’t you?”
I gave a painful smile---“I have drowned myself in books and studies. I will try to rebuild my old composure. But you have lost your son what about that?”
She let out a deep breath from her chest---“Probably he will understand someday.”
Slowly I freed my hand from her clutch---“Can I be alone for some time? Please.”
I closed the door after she left my room. ChotoMa’s soul was also bearing the pain but she was adamant about her prestige that we can’t be together. Did she know that her son has gone out of India? I didn’t know then.
My guardians sensed that I had totally doused myself in my studies and books. They felt some freedom should be given to me.
Winter was passing away. One year has passed after that beautiful trip to Chitkul.
It was third week of February. One day after the college, we all friends were walking towards the Medical College.
Debobroto asked me---“You took away the letter, why?”
I smiled at him---“Suprotim Da, to whom the letter was addressed, was not in Delhi. He has shifted to Bangalore.”
---“Can I ask as what was so important in that letter? You seemed to be very desperate then.”
I hide my pains behind a smile---“No you can’t. That’s all a ladies talk between two friends.”
---“So have you contacted him after that to talk to your friend?”
---“Yes I have contacted. Now there is no need.”
What he understood I didn’t know. But Teesta and Delisha looked at us while we were talking.
Teesta teased me---“Am I sensing some smoke between you two?”
Debobroto patted on the back of her head and said---“Don’t think everyone like you at least.”
Delisha nodded her head---“Hmmmm…… too much possessive about her.”
---“Hey, I am not Tirthankar and she is not Teesta. So you two better keep your mouth shut.”
I sensed that I was the centre of their discussion which could turn ugly.
So I said to at all of them---“We are friends, so let it be as a friendship. No more words. I am fine with what I have.”
He said to all of the people---“Want to enjoy a movie.”
Rajat, Pushpanjali, Sankho and every one nodded their head in accordance.
I kept quiet as I was not in mood that day to watch any movie.
Debobroto looked at me and asked---“What about you?”
I shook my head---“Not today. May be some other day.”
“Sunday?” he asked me. At that time I was skeptical about ChotoMa’s permission.
I said to him---“I would try.”
---“Good then. Sunday at Globe.”
Rajat and Pushpanjali said in chorus voice---“So for one person we are going to postpone our movie?”
Teesta came to my rescue---“No, no. I was also thinking of Sunday. Tirthankar would also come then.”
Delisha also voiced---“Then Danish can also be with us. It will be very good gathering.”
We all settled for the movie on Sunday.
On Saturday evening I asked ChotoMa for permitting me to enjoy a movie with my friends. She gave the permission to enjoy with my friends but cautioned me to return before night fall. That was the first outing with my friends after I was chained in an ivory cage.
I sensed the air of freedom. But that breeze of freedom was a stench one.
I wore a pink and red salwar and dressed myself very simple. Not much of make ups or anything. Only the lock danced on my right cheek.
On Sunday morning, Teesta called---“We are coming to pick you up. Actually Tirthankar has got his car with him.”
Tirthankar, I noticed his eyes hovered over my torso as we met for the first time. Then I felt awkward. I thought to decline her help and then I thought “Let me face and see what he can do?”
I waited at the bus-stand for them to pick me up. He came in a blue Maruti Alto with Teesta in tow.
Teesta greeted me with open arms---“You are looking beautiful even in this simple salwar.”
She wore a white silhouette hugging navy blue top and a faded pairs of jeans. I looked at Tirthankar; he waved his hand and asked me to sit on the back seat.
Teesta also sat with me in the back seat and slapped Tirthankar’s head---“Now drive and don’t look back you naughty fellah.”
He smiled at us and started to drive---“It is hard to drive if such two beauties are seated on the backseat.”
I knew that that was for me, but I didn’t spoke a word.
All the way to the Esplanade, Teesta babbled various nonsense’s most of which I didn’t pay any attention.
She asked me---“Why have you become so quiet?”
I shook my head---“Nothing, that’s my nature.”
---“But you were a different type when we first met. You were more jovial and puerile. Something has happened in between.”
I waved my hand and smiled at her---“Nothing, dear. Change is evitable in every person as the person matures. Quantum Mechanics!”
We both laughed as she heard me talking about physics.
As we reached the Globe Theatre, we found Delisha and Danish. It was first time I was meeting Danish. He was tall, probably six feet, fair and handsome guy. He looked dashing in his faded blue jeans and blue and pink check shirt. I looked at Delisha, who gave a bear hug to me and complimented.
“You are not going to change. You will always dress simple but elegant” Delisha said to me.
I looked at Danish and joined my palms to express courtesy. He looked at me and the look was very different from all males. Those eyes contained glimmer of affection, stripes of pain.
He looked at me and smiled---“No need to do that Apa."
I couldn’t understand as what he addressed to me and I asked Delisha as what he has told.
Danish came near me and said---“My elder sister is in Dubai. I have not met her for a long time. You reminded me of her so I was looking at you like that.”
His words made my sight little hazy, which he and Delisha noticed.
Delisha rubbed me shoulders---“Come on enjoy the movie.”
I smiled at Delisha and said---“Danish is very handsome and good person. Heaven has made you two with ultimate perfection.”
---“Come on. You are too much emotional.”
That amorous beautiful pair, reminded me of him, for one second. I shook my head involuntarily, when I thought of the “Schindler’s list” movie incident.
Pushpanjali and Sankho reached together, but our leader Debobroto was nowhere in the scene.
I looked at the poster it was screening “Cliffhanger” of Sylvester Stallone.
Teesta looked at Sankho and teased him---“Is Pushpanjali is with you?”
He was a quiet timid guy so he smiled and blushed---“Actually she lives near my house so we came together.”
I asked Pushpanjali as where was Rajat. She shook her head---“How can I know?”
Delisha whispered in my ears---“Don’t tell; they had a huge fight yesterday.”
I looked at her---“What, were they seeing each other?” I didn’t know that an undercurrent of love was flowing between Rajat and Pushpanjali.
After sometime, Debobroto came along with Rajat in tow. They were smoking cigarette.
As soon as he saw Danish and Tirthankar, he screamed---“Hey, today brother-in-laws are going to give us the treat. Come on.”
We all laughed. Danish bought the tickets.
We took our seats. Teesta was on my right and Pushpanjali was on my left. On Pushpanjali’s left it was Debobroto instead of Rajat. On Teesta’s right, Tirthankar was seated. The movie started.
As the scenes progressed I felt someone touching my back, the exposed upper back, beneath my bun. I looked back in anger and I was totally taken aback to find Tirthankar was grazing his fingers on my exposed skin.
My ears burnt and I clenched my jaws. I felt being molested with that touch. That shameless devious person was caressing my exposed back while his girlfriend was sitting next to him with her arms on his chest. I leaned forward.
Pushpanjali noticed that and asked me as what has happened. I shook my head to say her that nothing has happened.
After sometime I looked back. His hand was not there, so I leaned back on the seat again. As soon as I leaned back, I felt those lewd fingers on my bun again. I was furious by his gestures. I leaned forward again and that time Debobroto noticed me.
He looked back on the seat and he clenched his jaws. He outstretched his arms behind Pushpanjali’s back and rested on my seat.
I sensed that some fight would start now, as I knew Debobroto was hot headed. Same time I was smiling inside.
As I expected so it happened. Tirthankar’s finger touched Debobroto’s palm and he clutched his hand.