(part 7)
Chapter 4 The Hot Seat - II
(continued....from previous section)
.....Next morning, Parul woke up early and pulled her Diary kept near the pillow.
She decided to write down a few lines. She referred to some of those 'motivated killings' of the 20th century, say 1984 in Delhi and then 2002 in Gujarat and a few odd instances in 2016-17.
In April 2017 one Pehlu Khan and two his sons were allegedly lynched to death on the way between Jaipur and Delhi. It was one of those hate crimes. "It became a moment when I seriously started to question myself and my religion".
"Is this the country, is this the 'new India', we dreamt about," she wrote. The violence itself was horrific, and the worst still was that the wrongdoers showing the audacity to record the merciless killings and post the video.
Were they proud of what they did? Was there a sanction by certain quarters? - Parul noted.
Then she referred to the great silence of the Hindu middle class and partly the political leadership. This silence, she noted, displayed approval to the violent and merciless killing of three people.
Is this the way of Hindu assertion? Does Hindu need to do this to prove that the sacred land of Bharat Mata belongs to him? In brackets, she noted down: (Take suitably into short stories).
The same afternoon, finally it was decided that the final decision of the holiday trips would be taken that evening over 'cha'. In fact, the eldest daughter-in-law of the house, Geetanjali, made the announcement at lunch table. The younger daughter-in-law Shampa said, "But gentlemen should remember for a few days they would be without wives".
She appeared a bit shy when she knew her elder brother-in-law Mrityunjoy too was smiling at her remarks. Shampa's husband, Moloy, added his spice: "Bacha gelo....(Oh, thank our stars)".
There was a pause very briefly and then everyone laughed out loud.
Hiren took a quick afternoon nap that day. It may not be like that, but it appeared he was doing so in preparation of the evening 'cha-meeting'. He would be away from Parul for a while certainly, but the new idea of two separate groups traveling to two different destinations for holidays excited him nevertheless.
Before he fell asleep. His music system was on and there was an old Lata Mangeshkar number playing -"...bhashte manaa okule tor
dubte manaa tole,,,,,
What a song by Lata.....powerful lyrics......
"Urte manaa akashe tor
boshte manaa daal e
basha badhiteo manaa
ki ache kopaal e".
The powerful lyrics by Mukul Dutta for 1972 film 'Anandita' was dedicated to a bird and the English translation would be -
"....there is a ban on me to fly, they have outlawed me from sitting on a branch too....I am not supposed to build up a castle, what is left in my luck....??"
Meeting over Tea:
The much expected meeting over tea turned anti-climax yet again. Instead of discussing holiday discussions, they started with politics yet again. The fault line lay not with anyone in particular.
It all started as the television anchor screamed about a series of major blasts in Singapore. Such a thing never happened in Singapore in recent past.
There were all sorts of reports and analyses. Some said it was communal in nature, local Singaporean and outsiders issue, another channel linked it to Islamic radical elements. Yet another version was about a brawl and a huge dispute in a gamble den or a casino.
Shampa said things are scary at times. Even Singapore is facing these. Slowly the debate turned towards those issues.
Mrityunjoy said : "I was in Singapore for a corporate training and exposure for about two months. It's an interesting place. Singapore could turn out to be what it is due to several good qualities of the people there.
I think foremost of all there was a fine synthesis between democracy and discipline".
He knew Hiren had stayed there for a brief stint. Even Parul and their son Prasun stayed with them. So he asked Hiren : "What is your experience?"
Parul said: "Before he throws the expert opinion, I would say Dada; Singapore also had issues and challenges. But the people knew how to manage these".
Hiren almost cut her short: "Don't forget, it is also a fact that the population in Singapore has been always a manageable number. Indian population, the crowd these are not just manageable".
"To answer your question...," he said, turning towards Mrityunjoy. "My posting was at the right time in history. Things were changing and some of what had already changed. I should say, those were very interesting times".
"Lee Kuan Yew was a great leader. Very practical and visionary. I saw some period of his tenure. Subsequently, he was designated as Mentor. He used to say as the leader he was focused on his works; unlike many American leaders he never kept a diary. Lee said such an attempt to keep one eye on history and posterity and then work would have distracted him. I am his admirer, I tell you. I got this tag in my company also. But I think, Lee was a great leader".
Parul: "Yes, I remember the seminar, Hiren organised for Indian diaspora. It was a great success. He really got busy those days leaving entire family affairs to me. Child's education, he was hardly bothered. And what was that one liner you used Hiren...I used to remember it....bolbey ektu (Can you just recall that for us)?
Hiren was impressed. This was the old Parul - he knew. Supportive to his career. He ought to thank her with a smile; more than just a smile it was acknowledgement of a gratitude.
He said: "Thanks for remembering all that Parul. I needed your support those days, and I must thank your two brothers, their sister did not fail me on this count".
He smiled again and said - "Of course, there is no dispute. Lee did not fail. Otherwise, there would not be a Singapore".
Parul almost jumped at this notwithstanding her being handicap and physical inability.
"Yes, this is what he had said ....if Lee had failed, there would have been no Singapore; and I tell you dada, entire hall gave him a standing applause".
Geetanjali knew how to tease Parul: "Now, oh dear, did that episode not make you proud?"
Now it was Parul's turn to smile. Of course, she was proud of her husband.
"Tomake niye amar ekta chapa gorbo acchey (I have always nurtured a latent pride about you)" - this was how she had complimented Hiren Bhadra that night.
Parul still remembered, - that was a romantic evening and late night between the two. She had perhaps forgotten Jahar Sen that evening. Back in her mind, she was also thanking her father; may be.
Mrityunjoy face glowed in joy. "Oh dear Parul, you never shared this story...and what a story! A jampacked audience in Singapore clapping after Hiren had said something. This is no small thing. These things do not happen daily".
Hiren gestured his hand, somewhat embarrassed. Somehow, he never liked the idea that a meeting called to decide about holiday destinations should turn to be an occasion to felicitate him. He simply said- "Ki shuru holo (What have you all started?)".
Moloy also complimented Parul and Hiren jointly and said, "I tell you this is true Hiren. It was an acheievement and Parul, you should have told this to us long back".
Parul felt awkward. "Eto sab bhabhi ni. I did not think so much. But Hiren himself should have told you all. Why did not he share this obvious thing over drinks".
Both Hiren and Parul's brother Mrityunjoy understood the taunt.
Mrityunjoy made it appear light saying, "When we drink, generally we all men speak only good things about our ladies, and the entire evening passes off".
This was meant to make everyone laugh, and Mrityiunjoy was successful in his endeavour.
Moloy now made use of the occasion and said : "This is how we men display our love for women. Taa shey bon hi houk ba bou (Let it be our sister or two wives)".
Shampa felt shy. She knew Moloy's sense of humour would come to the fore only on these rare moments. Generally, he is quite dry.
Geetanjali chipped in. "Baa, it is great you display love like this. It's okay. But we do just the opposite. We women only criticise men, husbands and even brothers. Actually, we make use of time to share our hatred for each men".
Of course, these were also said in a lighter vein and so everyone giggled.
Shampa said: "I endorse Didibhai. But I also believe very strongly, there can be no hatred without love. You just cannot hate someone so bitterly, if you have no love for that person".
"Fantastic line, Chhoto Boudi !" - Hiren almost screamed.
Chapter 5
Do not edit your Soul
Like all saints have a past and sinners would have a future, Shampa too had a past. So did Moloy and the wedlock between Moloy and Shampa too had 'stories' and would have a future too.
Shampa was not a friend of Moloy initially. Moloy had grown close to Shampa's cousin Drishti and the bond between Moloy and Drishti had slowly matured into a well known Love story of their time in Durgapur.
Moloy and Drishti's meeting was somewhat accidental on the City College Fresher's Day.
Drishti had played a prank. Just when the meeting took place and Moloy complimented her on her bright blue sari; Drishti told Moloy: "Can you guess why the day is special for me ? It's not just Fresher's Social."
Moloy was a popular Left cadre and an active member of the student wing and so he was always accompanied by a few fellow class mates and cadres. So he had to answer Drishti. After all it was a sort of challenge from her and Moloy had to safe guard his prestige in the campus.
He responded trying to display a rare confidence while there was an added extra excitement in the eyes of Drishti.
"Of Course. I KNOW," Moloy stressed - "It is your birthday".
"How do you know? You are so right," responded Drishti showing agreement.
Like any young man would feel proud of his judgement, Moloy's eyes showed that kind of special satisfaction. "This world is better a mysterious place, and some of us can solve the mysteries", he responded.
On the other side, Drishti also seemed to enjoy the moment as she carried a mysterious smile on her face.
Then the day was spent in the campus. Moloy told Drishti at one point around evening just before the start of the Cultural programme,
"The most boring part of the day would starts now. Their will be singing and dancing. My advice is that kind of boring time should not be one's birthday".
Drishti had that her usual mysterious smile. "But what is the better option?"
Moloy again felt happy that he could pre-judge it well some of the thought process in Drishti.s mind.
He replied quickly: "Well, there can be a fantastic evening outside. A small cake party or even Rosogolla-Singara party as the Birthday girl would decide".
Drishti smiled and said- "You leave the campus first and wait for me at Dijen Da's Mishti Mukh".
Moloy: "Fine, but you do come or else I may develop all kinds of hatred for Rabindra Sangeet and Nazrul Geet".
Drishi responded - "Don't worry I will come".
The evening was later spent together at DijenDa' Mishti Mukh.
But like all smart young friends, they spent time on talking and opening up to each other. The focus was hardly on eating.
Slowly the friendship had blossomed into love affair and became talk of the town as Moloy would be generally busy on his bike and long drive. Even the student-politics was neglected.
Durgapur roads were always good; and the city always looked properly planned. They had good time in more ways than one.
Shampa came in Moloy's life much later. But her entry into Moloy's life was dramatic.
to be continued / ....
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