The constant tapping of my feet were interrupted by emotionless greetings. Without paying much heed to their presence, I passed a Good Morning' monotonously before making my way towards my cabin.
"Good Morning Sir. A lady enthusiastically greeted with a wide smile.
"Mr. Bose is waiting for you, Sir. She informed rather happily. I quickened my pace; meeting him was a priority at the moment.
"You also have a meeting with Mr. Oberoi lined up at 4 P.M. today. She hesitantly added, fearing my reaction. I decided to keep my face blank, nothing mattered more than successfully dealing with Mr. Bose.
"And then you have a conference with the delegates from London. She changed her register to a more formal tone, emphasizing on the significance of the matter.
"Hm. I nodded curtly before swiftly moving into the Legal Department Office of our company.
"Dev Babu...Congratulations, your deal has been finalized! A healthy man in his mid-twenties spoke with pride in his voice. Fixing his glasses and excusing himself for a short laugh he added, "You know I can get you better deals than this, though. Look at this, saying, he pulled his phone out that displayed a majestic villa in his tiny phone screen, "What a magnificent bungalow, 4,500 square feet! He went on complimenting. I continued to gaze out of the gigantic window, eyes exploring each bit of the success we had achieved. If nothing else, he decided to play the popularity' card. "The direction of Piku occurred 5 meters from here...Shoojit Sircar...he too is a Bangali'! Mr. Bose spoke with pride lacing his voice. My face frowned before I smirked hysterically. Bose', of course a Bengali!
Before he could continue ranting about what he was getting paid for, I purposefully checked my watch, indicating my impatience, and intervened by asking, "Are the papers ready?
"Sir, I've checked the papers carefully, you may sign if you please. My Accounts Manager said while scanning through the legal documents one last time.
"Dev Babu...you're buying this property for a much higher rate than its actual worth. You can get a better deal for this sum, trust me. His constant attempts were starting to get on my nerves. Taking a huge breath, I faced him and countered, "A house, maybe, but not a home. And I've set out to buy a home, not a house. I finished with a victorious smile.
"You too are an emotional person, just like me. My words had apparently made him teary eyed. Emotional', a weakening emotion I despised!
He started with his love for movies once more, "Have you seen Parineeta? Addressing another Bengali director, he continued, "I cried a lot at its climax. Do you--
"Have some sweets. I offered as politely as I could. I did not want the creeping annoyance to dominate me, especially when I just cracked such a good deal.
"Thank you! He appreciated amidst laughs, taking one in each hand.
"The box is for you. I tried not to emphasize on each word, and accuse him of his middle class antics.
"Thank you...thank you so much! He expressed his gratefulness once more as my secretary handed the box filled with sweets.
"You seem to be a very peculiar person, Dev Babu. my eyes shot at him as he justified, "I mean, you've bought a seven crore property in a such a...
"Deserted place? I finished for him, a soft smile playing on my lips.
"Yes...I mean..if you don't mind me asking, why did you... He paused several times, trying to formulate an appropriate question.
"Because... I intervened, clarifying his doubts, "no matter how big a tree grows, it never leaves it roots, does it?
...
Jolting our way through the narrow road in the lavish car, I couldn't help ignoring the air conditioned luxury and scrolled my seat window. Tears brimmed as I tried to blink them away at observing my surroundings. People made their way through the chaotic paths, too busy to notice anything else. At a distant, I could hear the sizzles of warm and scrumptious Jalebis', the ones he used plead for. The ones I never had money for. A few tears slipped through my eyelids and paved their way to my face as I went down another painful memories. Those were the times filled with obstacles. The situations I never wanted my children to witness. The sacrifices I never wanted them to give. The burdens I never wanted them to take. Life had been very unfair to my innocent souls, and if not anyone else, it had definitely changed him. I managed to gulp a lump formed in my throat as I heard his concerned voice.
"You're crying? It seemed more of a statement than a question. He knew me too well.
"No... I answered, knowing I left him unconvinced. I knew he was silently cursing himself, he felt at fault for all the tears that uncontrollably poured down my face.
I unknowingly extended my arm towards him, eyes still fixed on the nostalgic view outside. Within a span of less than a second, I felt him placing a handkerchief, which I used to wipe the tears along with those painful memories. Or I tried to. Placing his clean and tidy handkerchief back into his hands, I clutched them in assurance.
"Are you happy? He asked, fear clearly evident in his voice.
"Are you happy? I repeated his question.
"Yes, I am. He nodded slightly.
"Then so am I. I broadened my smile.
"Then what are these for? He asked, referring to the wiped tears that had started to form once again.
"Our hearts get ecstatic when they are rewarded with so much happiness. This is reflected in the eyes. I explained.
"If only you're dad would've been alive today... I began before he objected,
"Wherever he is, he must be proud of you for the way you've handled your children's childhood and secured their future. No other could've done what you have.
I wanted to contradict, to say I wasn't special, but then decided to give in. Instead, I patted his shoulder with utmost tranquility, as I shifted my gaze back to the streets that were once my home.
"It's been so long, right? Everything has changed so much...it's hard to distinguish. There once used to be Hari Rana's shop here...followed by Nanku Halwai. I revisited those days, a satisfied smile plastered on my face. I was content...content being back to where I belonged.
"Come, let's offer our prayers in Bholenath's temple, please? He simply nodded before asking the driver to stop. I was about to make my way towards the steps of the temple, when my breathing hitched, and I got the biggest shock of my life.
...
I decided to wait outside, not because I wanted to disrespect my mother; who was my everything, but because she knew how much I really trusted God. I absolutely had not faith in Him, all because of what he did to me. I turned around to see her stiffen, alerting me. Her steps faltered, and as soon as she found her balance, she quickly turned towards me, regretting her decision of stopping by.
"Maa... I stopped her from proceeding any further. Cupping her face in my hands, I felt her ice-like skin.
"It's time to get even with him. I gritted through my teeth in rage. Since as long as I can remember, I've known that mysterious man to cause troubles for my mother. Gone were the days in despair, where we had no other option but to compromise and accept. Whatever I had achieved in the past years, was for my mother. And no longer would I tolerate anyone who would dare cause even the slightest hint of terror on her face. In anger I took a step forward, only to be stopped by two cold hands wrapped around my arm.
"No... She tried to sound like an order but it came out as a plead. I looked at her, shocked at her intervention. She was trying to stop me from the man who caused her nothing but harm?
"Why Maa..? I asked, "You only once said, that a son is his mother's lathi'. I reminded. "And lathis aren't just meant for support, but also for punishing others. My voice turned grave again.
"If a bitter almond comes in your mouth, then we should spit it out rather than chewing it. Her words always held so much wisdom, her life held so many experiences, that it was hard to not thank for such a great mother.
"We should do the same with bitter memories. She continued in a worried tone to which I gave an unreasonable look. Now when we had everything, why was she so adamant on compromising?
"By God's grace, we have everything we desired for, you've grown up to become such a successful man. She spoke while caressing my face. "Neha's getting married next month, everything is going so smoothly, then what's the point of igniting old wounds? Her eyebrows arched and eyes watered once more. Teary eyes were the last thing I would want. Reluctantly giving in, she smiled at ease.
She took heavy breaths, trying to calm her anxiousness as we settled in our seats.
"Who's house was this? She attempted to lighten the atmosphere around us. The silence was too suffocating.
"Savitri Aunt's... A slow grin formed on my face as I revisited those memories of which many were painful, but some worth cherishing.
"You've got such a great memory. She complimented.
"That's the point... My voice turned grim as I saw the same man outside my car window, "Remembering is easy, forgetting isn't.
" Have the kids reached home? She asked, already knowing the answer.
"I'm pretty sure yes, in fact, Nikki had probably created a ruckus out of excitement. We both giggled at my youngest sister's silly antics.
...
"Such a big house! I'm pretty sure going from one room to another would charge roaming! Nikki marveled at my brother's achievement as we danced throughout our new home.
"Have you seen Neha Di's room...resembles a dream room! She spoke dreamily.
"Hey, let's ask her for an exchange offer, imagine how perfect that room would be for taking pictures! Oh my God! I can get so many likes on Instagram and Snapchat and... Her rants continued as I observed the house. I was so proud of my brother, all his hard work did pay off. We all went through a lot, but Maa, Neha Di and Dev Bhai went through the most. Nikki and I were too young to understand the circumstances, but not them who suffered the most. Dev Bhai was my role model, for he redefined hard work in the best way possible.
"Di...are you even listening to what I'm saying? Her chirpy voice turned into a sarcastic tone as she quizzed.
"You can go if you want, I'm not coming along. I'm very pleased with the room Dev Bhai gave me!
"Oh God Riya Di! Do you ever want anything? My youngest sister complained, annoyed. "Ms. Santoshi Maa! She reprimanded.
"Anyways, She converted back to her chirpy self, "Time to take a first selfie! She beamed, excited.
We both posed to the phone facing us, making the cutest duck faces possible as a third person joined in.
"Listen, take a selfie of me too! Mamaji, our dearest uncle chirped in, making the funniest face possible.
"It's called a selfie Mamaji, it isn't clicked by anyone else. I tried to control my laughter.
"And, only teenaged people look good with such a pose, not people as old as you. Nikki gave a horrendous look. Knowing that clicking a selfie at the moment would be next to impossible, we listened to Mamaji continue,
"Look, any kind of picture in such a great house would look cute. Including me. He reasoned amidst smiles to which we laughed.
"Plus, this looks nothing less than a palace! What a house, Dev! What say, Radha Rani? He screamed, proud at his nephew's success.
...
The soft tinkling sounds of wind chimes made my heart flutter in excitement. After all the hardships I faced, if not happy, I was satisfied with what I got.
"Look at her room...the best one! Nikki barged in along with Riya, both equally charmed.
"Look at the number of butterflies surrounded in her room! Dev Bha Riya grinned at my purple room.
"What's so great about it, it's just an ordinary room. I simply shrugged.
"Oh please, Neha Di...don't crib about it when you know it is the best. Nikki reasoned.
"By the way, look, you'll be going in a month or so when you get married, and technically, this will become my room. So I'll get to do whatever I want to! She imagined dreamily, "like eating pizza and wiping my hands off the pretty white curtains you have, or applying oil and rubbing them on the lavender cushions you own, and..
"No. I objected curtly. "This room is mine and will always be. The only one good thing I had now was this room...what more did I own? They had been leading a comparatively luxurious life all this while, but I had to compromise at every situation. Life had been unfair to me...not to Dev Bhai, not to Maa, not to my sisters, but just me!
"You know, the only good thing about this room is this cupboard. I brushed away brought up thoughts and accusations, and focused on the only valuable thing in my room. An off white wardrobe covered with beautiful cutwork patterns, just like ancient architecture! As I struggled with opening it, I noticed a voice,
"We have to remove this, Madam. It came here by mistake. Which is when I noticed Riya and Nikki's absence. I looked bizarrely at the delivery person who had just entered.
" Let it be. I grew annoyed as I attempted to open it again.
"No Madam, we have to remove it. He intervened hesitantly.
"What do you mean? I said this will stay here! I contradicted sternly.
"Dev sir's order, Madam. This has to be removed. He finished. Great! The only one thing I liked and now that was gone too! Dev Bhai and his rules. No one ever cared about me! Is this what life had in store for me?
Hope you liked it...Do like, comment and express your views! 😃
INDEX
Vanshaj
Love Friendship Dating and Relationships
Udne Ki Aasha
CID
Hindi TV Shows
