This are two Short stories when Khushboo was MOTW. She wants to share it with people who may have not read it in the thread. So she asked me to do. Hope you guys enjoy it.
A Teardrop on the Cheek of Time
(Rabindranath Tagore)
Asheema sat on the large bed holding a sobbing girl in her arms. Asheema sighed and caressed her head trying to quieten her down, "Shonamoni, nahi rona...saab theek hoyajega..." The girl clung even tighter to her, "Asheema but I don't want to marry...I don't want to marry a man I haven't even met." More tears fell, Asheema shook her head, Banikumari was the one only daughter of the Maharajah of Abu. She had been her ayah since she was a week old. Her parents had raised her lovingly but had made sure she led a sheltered life. Her Shonamoni did not have the freedom which most of her friends had, she could not go anywhere freely, even for a visit to her friend there was always one bodyguard with her. Asheema loved her Shonamoni very much and it hurt her to see her crying. But there was nothing that could be done, the Maharajah had arranged his only daughter's marriage with his friend's son JaiVijkumar who had just returned from USA after finishing his schooling there.
Asheema thought what could see do to make her Shonamoni happy, she has to do something. After a while Asheema said, "Shonamoni do you want to go out and see the world, have a freedom for few days. I will help but you have to give promise…kasam…you will come in a week's time."
Banikumari suddenly stopped crying, "Asheema if I can go and experience the world for a week on my own, I promise I will come back…kasam se…" Her Shonamoni's face shone with happiness…yes she is will give her Shonamoni happiness for few days. "Listen where is one place in the world that you want to go?" Asheema asked.
Banikumari's eyes sparkled, "Taj mahal, Asheema I want to see Taj Mahal. I want to see the place where love lives…I want to see it in moonlight, they say it's the most beautiful at night."
Asheema's eyes went dreamy, "chander alo(moonlight)…bhalobasha(love.)" For a few moments both sat still lost in their little world. After a while Asheema came back with a little bag. She opened it and pulled wads of notes out and began counting them. "Taka(money), Fifty three thousand rupees. You will have to be…nijer kheyal rekho (careful). You can't go and stay at a fancy hotel or eat at fancy restaurant…understand. I will get tickets for you and then will figure out how to get you out of here."
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Bani sat in her air-conditioned seat on the train clutching her small bag. She stared outside as the train sped away, leaving Asheema crying on the station. She said, "Shabdhane thakbe ar nijer kheyal rekho" (please be careful and take care of yourself)
Bani must have dozed off because it was dark outside now. She stirred and stretched herself a bit. The passengers seating next to her were fast asleep, in fact the older woman was snoring lightly, her mouth wide open.
Bani took out a small packet from her bag and opened to see what Asheema had given her to eat. It was her favourite aloo puri. She carefully took out the puri and bit into it, even cold it tasted good. After finishing off the puri and taking few sips of the nimbupani she settled back, she wouldn't reach her destination until tomorrow morning. She took out a book that Asheema had given her, Gitanjali by Rabindranath Tagore, she struggled to read the Bengali text and gave up and read the translation.
Alo amar, alo ogo, alo bhubn bhra
alo neon dhoa amar, alo hride hara.
Nache alo nache, o bhai, amar praner kachhe --
baje alo baje, o bhai, hride binar majhe --
jage akash, chhote batash, hashe shkol dhra.
Alor srote pal tulechhe hajar projapoti.
Alor dheue uthlo mete mollika maloti.
Meghe meghe shona, o bhai, jae na manik gona --
patae patae hashi, o bhai, pulk rashi rashi.
Shuronodir kul bhorechhe shudha-nijhr-jhra.
-cholaeotn
(English Translation)
Light, my light, the world-filling light,
the eye-kissing light, heart-sweetening light!
Ah, the light dances, my darling,
at the centre of my life; the light strikes,
my darling, the chords of my love;
the sky opens, the wind runs wild,
laughter passes over the earth.
The butterflies spread their sails on the sea of light.
Lilies and jasmines surge up on the crest of the waves of light.
The light is shattered into gold on every cloud,
my darling, and it scatters gems in profusion.
Mirth spreads from leaf to leaf, my darling,
and gladness without measure.
The heaven's river has drowned its banks
and the flood of joy is abroad.
She drowned herself in the words, trying to grasp the meaning of the words…words sang in her heart of the sweet joy. When she awoke again it was because the conductor was shaking her, "uhthiyeji…hum Agra paunch gaye…train khali karne hai."
Bani quickly picked up her book and her bag and rushed out of the car. It was already hot outside and there were tons of people rushing around. She took out the name of the hotel that Ameesha had scribbled for her and walked out took a rickhshaw to the hotel.
The place was small and clean. Bani took a cold bath as hot water was not available and changed her grubby clothes. Feeling sleepy she decided on a short nap before going out exploring the city and she made a mental note to leave a message for Asheema to say she had arrived safely.
It was past three o'clock in the afternoon when Bani woke up. She had slept longer than she had wished for but at least she felt good. Freshening up, she took her small purse and stepped outside the hotel. For a few minutes she just walked down the road watching the traffic and people walking by. There were few dingy shops selling food, clothes, medicines and other items. Not sure of where she was going she pulled a rickshaw over and asked him to take her to the Taj Mahal. The guy looked at her clad in cheap cotton dress, hair braided and said, "50 rupees hoga?" Bani just nodded her head and partially covered her face with the dupatta to stop the dust from settling on her face.
The rickshaw stopped outside the limit set by the authority and told Bani she would have to walk rest of the way as cars and rickshaws are not allowed near the monument. Bani looked at the gleaming white structure, even this far it looked fabulous. She joined the line to get a ticket to go inside. While she was waiting she felt a prickle on her back, she felt as if someone was watching her. She looked around but no one seemed to be staring at her. A few minutes later she felt the same feeling again, this time she caught the eyes of guy, in worn out jeans and kurti looking at her. He smiled at her making Bani avert her head as she felt embarrassed. She stood scared to look again just in case he was still staring at her.
She started when a polite voice said, "Excuse me Miss but is it your first visit to the Taj?" Bani found herself staring into two black eyes which had a mischievous look in them. Bani nodded her head and said, "Ji."
"Would be interested in a guide? I am cheap and I can show you around the Taj, the fort, Fatehpur shikri and othe places."
Bani shook her head negatively, "No thank you. I don't need a guide."
The guy not giving up, "Please let me show you around. I promise to make the tour interesting. I know the whole history of this place. And I promise I will not take advantage of you. I know you might be thinking you are single girl and I am guy that you don't know anything about. But kasam se…I am only interested in giving you the best tour."
Bani looked at his face again. He was nice looking. Dark eyes, slightly long hair that fell over his forehead…wide mouth that is curled into a sexy smile…her mind said…no girl don't think like that…hell no…he is hot looking Bani, do you trust him? He could be tricking you. Remember what Asheema said… nijer kheyal rekho.
Bani said solemnly, "OK, I will let you show me around the Taj but I can't give you more than fifty rupees." The guy grinned and held his hand out, "Deal! By the way my name is Veejay."
Bani limply held his hand, "Bani."
He stood in line with her and soon they were walking inside the monument. Bani stood and gazed at the magnificent monument dwarfing her. It was beautiful, the four towers, the domes all looked perfect…perfect just like love between Shah Jahan and Mumtaz.
She followed Veejay, he seemed to know a lot as he gave details of how it was built, architecture, the engravings, the calligraphy and how long it took to build. He didn't rush her but let her take her time to look at the details. After nearly two hours of wandering around Bani looked shyly at Veejay and said "Thank you for the tour."
Veejay shrugged his shoulder, "It's ok. Glad you enjoyed it. So are planning to look around at the fort?"
Bani feeling at ease, "Yes, I am here for five days and would like to visit as many places as possible."
Veejay took out a piece of paper and scribbled his number on it, "My number in case you want me to be your guide again."
Bani took the paper and put it in her bag, "Thanks. I have to go now. See you."
Veejay watched her walk away down the road. He wanted to follow her. He liked her, he liked her from the moment he saw her. Even though he was used to seeing girls in western clothes, she looked perfect in the printed cotton salwar, her hair tied back and with just kohl on her eyes and a little lip colour. And unlike some of the girls he had dated she was shy…he could tell she was not used to guys giving her attention. He shook his head; he will just have to pray that she would call him tomorrow.
On the ride back to the hotel Bani couldn't help thinking about Veejay. After her initial hesitation she had found him easy to talk to. He had kept his distance when they had been looking around the Taj and talking only when she asked questions. Bani had never been out with a guy like this so feeling was new…so different.
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Next morning Bani was up with the rising sun. She showered, got ready and ordered breakfast. After breakfast she took out the book she had brought yesterday and looked at where she should go today, she settled on the fort and if time allowed then she would go to see the masjid. She took out the paper with Veejay's number and sat looking at it, wishing she should call or not. Giving in to the urge she went downstairs and called him from the booth and was happy when he answered and said he would be meet her outside in half an hour.
On dot he came with a taxi and they left to visit the Red fort. They spent the day looking at the fort, the Jama Masjid. They stopped to eat at a roadside dhabba, eating simple hot food that the local ate. Bani enjoyed herself, carefree to do what she wanted, enjoy the company of Veejay. In fact the next few days Veejay took her to Fatehpur Sikri, the tombs of the royals, the gardens and even shopping for souvenirs at the local craft shops away from the one's outside the tourist area. Before she knew it was time to return home. She felt sad that she was going to lose her new found friend. Veejay said he would take her out for dinner on her last night, but Bani insisted on seeing the Taj for the last time in the evening and so they settled for that.
It was a clear night, the moon bright, the sky like black velvet blanket. The white Taj gleamed and looked magic in against the sky. Bani's heart took a lurch as she stared at the sight. A tear fell from her eye; she could not help it, such a beautiful place. Veejay saw the tear and whispered, "You know how Rabindranath Tagore described the Taj, he said it was A Teardrop on the Cheek of Time."
He wiped away her tear, "You shouldn't cry Bani. Not in this beautiful place, at such a beautiful time of the day."
Bani shifted her gaze from the Taj and gazed at Veejay's face. For the first time she saw how serious he looked, how his eyes had turned into golden dark pool and his mouth was not curled up in a that easy smile. He too looked beautiful she thought in this moonlit night.
They said an awkward goodbye outside her hotel. Both of them not knowing what to say to each other.
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When Bani returned home, she had to face the music. Her father berated her for running away like and her mother though understanding could not help but tell her how worried she had been. Bani simply told them she had wanted to see the little of outside world by herself. She wanted for few days to be just an ordinary girl.
She and Asheema spent best part of the night talking about her escapade. Bani told her about Veejay and Asheema gazed at the happiness on her Shonamoni's face. She was glad she gave her Shonamoni this happiness.
Two days later Bani sat in her room while her mother fussed around her. She looked like beautiful in the red silk sari and wearing family heirlooms. She was nervous, she would be seeing her husband-to-be for the first time. Asheema reassured her everything would fine.
Bani's mother brought her down into the hall at the auspicious time. Bani would not look up, scared to see the strange face who was probably watching her. Even when her mother sat her down next to him, Bani kept her face down. It wasn't until she heard a familiar voice whisper, "Bani won't you look at me," that her head shot up and she looked bewildered at the face of Veejay smiling at her. Her heart fluttered and she pinched herself to make sure she wasn't dreaming. The ceremony went on in a daze as they exchanged rings and fed each other mithai. Later in the day Veejay took Bani out in the gardens away from everyone.
Bani stood looking at him in wonderment, "I don't understand why you are here. How did this happen? How can we meet and not know?"
Veejay took her hand and sat her down on the bench, "Bani I knew who you were. I had seen a photo of you. My parents had sent your photo to me while I was in US."
"But you never said anything." Bani whined.
"I came here to see you the day you ran away. It was Asheema. She made me promise I wouldn't tell your parents and only then she told me what you had done. She told me where you had gone and asked me go after you to make sure you were ok."
Tears fell down on Bani's cheek as the thoughtfulness of Asheema…she would miss her. Veejay upset at her tears asked, "Bani, are you not happy with the engagement? I can tell them to break it off you know."
Bani shook her head, "No, its Asheema, I am going to miss her like crazy."
Veejay laughed, "Is that so, she can come and stay with us you know. We have a huge home." Veejay gazed tenderly at Bani and said "Bani I want to tell you something. You know last night…at the Taj, I realized I had fallen in love with you."
Bani felt her face go red and she downed cast her eyes; she didn't know what to say, her heart was beating like mad. Veejay lifted her chin up, "You don't have to worry. I know you need time to get to know me. I had the unfair advantage of knowing who you were when we first met." Bani now feeling extremely shy hid her face in his chest and both of them sat like that for a while.
THE END.
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Duti Tara(Do Taare or two stars)
"Oweeeeeeeeeeeeeee" The small girl looked at each other and scremed. They turned away from each other as if they had seen a ghost. The other girls looked at the two and then one of them screamed, "Wow...are you two identical twins. You both look the same." The girls turned back and stared at each other and shook their head, "NO!" both of them said at the same time. The othe girls still looking at them, "No way...how come you two look so same...you must be sisters." The girls shook their head,one of them said,"my name is Krishna Walia." The other said, "my name is Ganga Dixit." One of other girls, "It must be a miracle...two girls are not sisters but the look the same."
Ganga and Krishna staring each other walked to their bunks which were next to each other. They dumped their backpacks down and sat down on the bed and stared at each other.
After few minutes, Ganga said, "Hi Krishna. Friends." She extended her hand. Krishna looking a bit shy, shook her hands, "Friends." The two of started unpacking their stuff, Ganga took out a picture of her and her mother and put it on table. Krishna also took out a picture of her and her dad put it on the side.
Krishna looking at Ganga's picture, "Ganga your mum is so pretty. What does our dad look like?"
Ganga looked sadly at Krishna's photo, "I don't know, my mom and dad are divorced. My mom says she doesn't have picture of my dad. Your dad looks nice."
Krishna looks at her dad in the photo, "Yeah, he is the best dad. My dad is divorced too and he doesn't have picture of my dad." After unpacking the two of talked about things they did their parents, school and the fun stuff they liked to do. Everybody at the camp thought they were twins and soon the two were always seen playing together, eating together and doing everything together. At night the two would snuggle in the bunk and then use their torch to look at each as they talked. Ganga would make Krishna laugh with funny stuff she liked to make about people. Krishna being shy could not do that.
When they called home each of them told their parents about their new friends. As the days passed one day Ganga sitting on the swing with Krishna said, "Krishna how about we swopped places with each other, you can pretend to me and you can pretend to be me. It would be fun…I get to know your papa and you can get to know my mom."
Krishna being little scared, "Don't you think they will find out Ganga? Your hair is short and my long, and I am don't talk as much as you."
Ganga hugging her, "Don't worry Krish, it will be fine. Look I will cut your hair and tell you everything I like to do, eat, wear. And you do the same for me. I will try to talk less. I think it will work."
Next two days Ganga and Krishna learnt as much about each other, school and parent as they could. Ganga cut Krishna's hair for which she got into trouble with the counsellor. The big day came for them to leave, Krishna was crying, she did not want to leave Ganga. Ganga kissed her and told her she would her everyday.
Krishna' home…….
Jai Walia looked at Krishna(Ganga), "Krishna, What did you do to your beautiful hair?"
Ganga, "don't you like it pap? I love it."
Jai Walia gave her a sad smile, "But darling you looked lovely with your long hair."
Ganga hugging him an extra long, "Papa it will grow. I missed you so much. Did you miss me?"
Jai surprised at her, "Yes I did baby, now let me go before you choke me. Get fresh we will go out for dinner."
Ganga running up the stairs, trying to remember where Krishna said her bedroom was. She found it and went inside and gasped. It was huge, pink with lots of toys and a bed like the one you saw in the fairytale book. All pink and lacy and big. She opened the wardrobe and gasped at the clothes hanging…wow so many clothes. She quickly got ready and went downstairs. "Where are we going papa?" she asked.
"To your favourite place, MacDonalds." Jai took her hand and walked out of the house.
Ganga's home…
Krishna gave masi a shy smile as she stepped into the house. Masi hugging her, "What happened beta, are you tired?"
Bani looked at Krishan, "Haan masi, she was very quiet on the bus. Go and wash your hands and face Ganga and we will have dinner then an early bed for you."
Krishna quickly freshened up and sat down on the floor to eat with masi and Bani. The house very small compared to hers. They ate on the table and Krishna found it uncomfortable to sit on the floor and eat. The food too was different than at home. At home she could ask to eat whatever she wanted. She slowly ate the rice, sabzi and dal that masi put in her plate. Bani noticed she wasn't eating much and asked, "Are you ok Ganga? If you don't feel that hungry its ok. Go and get changed and lie down on bed. I will come and see when I finished eating."
Later in the bed, Bani came and sat by Krishna, "Did you enjoy the camp Ganga? It was very quiet without you." She pressed a kiss on her Krishna's forehead.
Krishna holding her tight, "Mama I missed you so much. Don't ever want to go camp again." Bani lying next to her an holding her, "I missed you very much too beta."
Jai noticed small changes in his daughter Krishna(its really Ganga) and put it down to the camp. He liked that she talked a bit more now and wanted to know a lot about his job, but he didn't like that she kept on pressing him about her mother. He didn't want to talk about he messy divorce…he didn't want to tell her about splitting her and her twin sister.
Bani too noticed how Ganga(Krisna) had gone a little quieter and her appetite seemed to have changed. In fact Bani got the feeling that Krishna was unhappy. Krishna asked her a lot of question about her father which Bani tried to answer the best as she could…once Krishna even cried about missing her dad. Bani did not know what to make of this change in her little girl. The only time Krishna was happy when she talked to her best friend, Krishna. Bani would see her face light up as she told the girl on the phone about her day and then listened to the other one talking. Bani asked masi what she thought about this and masi tried to help her saying she is missing her fatherm, it happens as the girl is growing up.
Two months later Ganga and Krishna planned how to see other and may be get their parents to meet. Ganga said Jai would make a nice husband for her mom and then she and Krishna could be real sisters and not pretend.
Ganga pestered Jai about taking her to see her best friend, who lived on the otherside of Mumbai. She asked him to come and meet her saying she would like her. Several days of bugging finally Jai relented and drove Ganga to the address she gave. Krishna excitedly opened the door to see her dad. Jai looked bewildered as he looked from Ganga to Krishna…it was not possible that Krishna's best friend was her twin sister. Masi who came from the kitchen looked surprised to see Jai. "Jai Walia what are you doing here?" she said rather loudly.
"Masi, you here. Where is Bani? Is this Ganga?"
Krishna hugged her papa and said, "no I am Krishna pap. She is Ganga. And who is Bani papa?"
Jai turning pale. "Bani? Bani is your mother Krishna. How did you two meet?"
Ganga also hugging Jai, "Krishna and I met on the camp and decided to do a switch so I can get to know her papa. Are you really my papa?"
Jai felt sick. He nodded his head. His other daughter had been living with him for two months and all the while he thought it was Krishna. Masi made Jai sit. She looked at the two girls grinning at her and pinched their cheeks. "Duti tare…wait till your mother sees you."
The girls hugged masi, When Bani came she fainted to see two girls smiling at her. When she came around, she saw Jai sitting by her. "You! What are you doing in my house?" Bani shouted. Masi coming and trying to calm her, "Bani don't shout at Jai. If you want to shout then its your daughters who are to blame. You know they tricked you two."
Jai holding Bani's hand, "Bani Ganga and Krishna switched places when they returned from camp because they both wanted to know what it was like to have father and mother. I thought Ganga was Krishna. They look exactly the same except Ganga likes to talk too much."
Krishna and Ganga hugging Jai. "We have a papa and mama now."
Bani feeling uncomfortable, "Girls you don't understand. Your dad and I are divorced, we can't live together."
The girls together, "But mama can't you say sorry to dad, we want to live together all of us."
Jai, "Girls do you mind going away, "I have to talk with your mother."
The girls kissed his cheek and ran off.
"Now Bani. I think we should think about this seriously. I know we were pig headed, both of us. But I think for the girls sake we should try and start over again. I see you haven't married and I couldn't marry anyone else because no one was anywhere close to you. You spoiled me Bani. Let's date again and see where it can lead to."
Bani just looked at the man she had fought and left all those years ago. He was still handsome as ever but he was talking sensibly now. She nodded her head, "Right Jai. We will date and then I will decide if I want to risk being married to you again.
Six months later….
Krishna and Ganga jumped around Jai and Bani. "This is great mama and papa. We are going to have a baby brother or sister." Bani turned red at the girls talking while Jai laughed. Masi hugged her munna and munni saying "Hope its not another set of duti tare…do kafi hai."
THE END.
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