An insight to Neel's perceptions and an account of his experiences...
....hope u like the journey...a fiction as strange as the truth...
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 1
"May I come in?" asked the girl. She was skinny,had a hair cut like a boy and her eyes were different,calm and beautiful with the depth of the Grand Canyon. My class teacher ,of standard 7, section C, Mrs.Bhattacharya gave her a look of approval and she stepped in. "Are you new?" asked our teacher.
"Yes",she said hesitantly,"the headmistress told me to join this section."
"Ok, please sit down."
She looked at me for the first time. Though I didnt start wearing an underwear then (didnt feel like I needed one!), neither trousers (shorts were enough to cover the zone!), yet I felt something. Now that I am 25,I can always say, "Neel, that was love at first sight!!" But it was beyond narrative description at that time. She sat right infront of me in between Sweta and Puja. She was not the prettiest nor an eye-candy one.She was different.
Time began to roll fast and 3 years passed pretty fast.We all were busy competing with each other to fetch some extra marks to have an edge over one another.But there was music, friendship and sports to nullify the burden of syllabus. Pijush and Abhisek-my best friends-came up to me one day and said they had something new!!I was half dressed busy revising my ever-dreaded history dates. 6 months to the board exams and the scoundrels are here to ruin my life!! But for that time(and forever till date) they were my topmost priority. I came out with an expression of "zero tolerance for bull-shits!!" Pijush was beaming with a thin book in his hand and Abhisek looked perplexed. They treated me as the guest of my own house and like responsible hosts, took me straight into my room, locked the door and whispered, "new edition Neel - go through it." Pijush tossed the book toward me and it was exactly what could have been the best distraction. I was spellbound. My blood was boiling. Pijush continued like a sexpert," They say erotic stories can be the best of stress-busters." After a while we all agreed to what "they say."
Well, my best friends need a bit of a different kind of introduction to be understood other than the way that I do! I mean in a formal way. I met them when I was in Class 1. Abhisek, the quietest of the 3 of us, is calm and have a decent "Mama's boy" look. But his remarks can make the heart of any "mama" stop working. He was average in his studies but the most sincere amongst us. Pijush has been a swimmer since the time it was difficult for him to walk. Since school and studies were things of land (and not water!), his interest for them was quite like my Grandma's interest for cricket! Priyanka used to be the brightest in our class and judging by the face Mukesh and many of his genre pretended to be the most intelligent ones. But yes, I still feel Ravi was genuinely amongst the promising ones. And as far as I am concerned, I never considered my study as something serious and a fair bit of my time was always for music.
So the apocalypse was approaching and I found out "things to do" were getting multiplied. I had no hope to fetch a good percentage in my first board exams. How on earth will I be able to show my face to Mrinalini if I didn't get more than her? How will I have the authority to propose to her? It has been four years of silent admiration (at least officially) and now it is high time to let her know and walk hand in hand (or ear to ear movie show). So this was my biggest motivation. And yes, there were other things too....
CHAPTER 2
The exam was over. Thanks to the suggestions of Sir Allapat, Pandey Sir and Anita mam. Everything went as expected. I was coming back from "Sound pad" - a workshop on music organised by the British Council. I was very happy to have experienced Richard Fredclark - a wonderful pianist from England. My piano teacher, Mr. Pradip Majumdar was on the phone and I was way too excited to narrate the whole day and especially Richard's approach of "no notations". I was waiting for my bus at the Shyambazar metro station and I realized amidst the buzz that I was being called upon by a not so familiar voice. It was Anindita. She was the prettiest of all my sister's friends and colleagues. She was 24 at that time - a good six years or so elder to me. She was junior to my sister by the same margin. When I was in class two, I fell for my sister's friend Rinku. She was the prettiest till she got married. When I was in class five, I was floored by one of my dad's colleague's daughter, Anindita. Well, this Anindita is prettier. She was 5 feet 8 inches tall, fair and optimum amount of flesh on special places (a rarity!). She was divorced. I heard that her husband used to doubt her and beat her up. That's all past though, I knew nothing more about her and nor am I supposed to except for the fact that she was fond of my style of playing the piano.
"Hey Neel, get under my umbrella, it's pouring hard!"
"If I get in both us would be wet. It's too heavy and an umbrella is not enough for this. You just be under that and I am gonna find myself a bus and I will run, you needn't worry."
"Shut up and get in."
I obliged.
We found a bus that was supposed to take us to her place and I would have to take another to reach mine. She was enthralled after hearing about my day and we conversed deeply until we got down at her stop. It was 9pm. The rain doubled it's intensity. I couldn't find a bus or an autorickshaw to my place. She insisted on my staying for the night at her place and her mom would have no trouble in preparing dinner for me. I never liked staying for the night at any other place (especially at my relatives' place since I was 12).
"Hello Maa? I am not getting anything to reach home. I am at Baranagar. Met Anindita Di at Shyambazar. She is suggesting that it won't be safe tonight and I should put up at her place. Kakima will arrange for the dinner."
"She is right. No need to push things. Come in the morning."
"But Maa, you know..."
Before I could complete she snatched the phone from my hand and hurried on, "Kakima, it is unsafe at this hour and he will be home by 9am tomorrow.....yes, I was saying so....not an issue, Neel doesn't know that my mom cooks as good as you..hahahaha...where is Piyali di? ok..sure..good night."
I could only hear her speak and I had no doubt that she convinced my mom. She gave a look of being victorious and pretending to be angry she said, "Can we walk faster now?" I obliged.
We saw a big lock hanging at the entrance. She called up her mom and moved away from me to talk to her. She came back after a few minutes and opened the door. We went inside and she asked me to freshen up. "What would you take for dinner?"
"Anything that Kakima makes, I have no problem."
"Well, it will be me who is going to prepare the food 'cause my mom is stuck in the rain at her sister's place. She couldn't find anything to reach here. It's pouring badly all over."
"That's ok, I won't mind anything you prepare."
When I was under the shower, for the first time I sensed that this is turning out to be a bit weird. My mom doesn't know that Kakima is not here. Probably Kakima is unaware of my unlikely presence here. They don't know each other. The only connection to my home is Anindita di. Is she wise enough not to reveal this to my mom? Do I need to tell her not to tell this to my sis? If I do tell her, will she think that I am thinking in the wrong direction about a pretty normal issue? I was at a loss.
I came out and saw her cooking in the kitchen. She was looking fresh after the bath or should I say she was looking too hot in wet hair. I couldn't help but stare. She was only 24. She was all a 16 year old boy could possibly fantasize. I felt a stir inside but the next moment it turned into an embarrassment when I was caught ogling at her. She didn't give any reaction.
Within 30 minutes, the food was ready and I helped her serving it on the table. It smelled good but I wasn't sure if it was the food or the cook!
"You are still putting on that wet tee? What will Kakima say if you catch a cold?"
"Anindita di, it is almost dry now and I am perfectly ok. You needn't worry. Let's start with the food."
"Shut up."
With noisy footsteps she marched towards her room and came back with a polo of hers.
"Quick, the food is getting cold."
I obliged yet again.
"This is wonderful Anindita di, seriously."
"Perhaps you are too hungry to be a judge now."
"No, I mean it. Well, do you have cold water?"
"In the fridge."
I was bending down and I couldn't make out the water amidst so many colored bottles of juice, sauce, vinegar and so on.
She got up and came up to the fridge. She leaned forward and with one hand pointed toward a bottle that probably would have contained water but I was staring at her. Water was dripping down her wet hair and her night gown was trying to be brave. She was silent too. She didn't move. After twenty seconds or so, she held the back of my neck and planted a kiss on my lips. For one moment I felt weightless. And then, it happened for the first time in my life. I obliged her one last time for that night. Or I should say we obliged each other. It was not something to be explained in words at that time. But now, I call it "magical". They say "first time" is very important for a guy and I must admit I had a lucky debut.
CHAPTER 3
I fell short by 3% to what I expected. But 2% more than Mrinalini. So, it was high time to let her know what feelings I had for her. And as always, every time I plan, God smiles above my head. My cousin sister, Prapti, visited me two days after the ICSE results. She wanted me to take admission in WWA Cossipore High school where she was.
"Neel, I even have the form with me, you know what reputation our school has!"
"You know what connection I have with my school, I have been here since nursery and I gave up my chance to join Don Bosco in class 3 even after clearing the test."
"Come on, the tag matters."
"I know, but I am already tagged."
It wasn't tough for me to get admission in Sunrise again. I took up science.
My dad's sister, Prapti's mom, had a friend named Kiran. She was into this businees of selling sarees. Her daughter Sonu was my cousin's best friend. My mom and sister were crazy about Kiran aunty's collection. They used to visit her house often and sometimes some discussions used to reach my ears.
"Lovely choice this lady has," my mom said to my sis.
"More importantly she has got outstanding behavior, and so has her daughter."
"Sonu is the most beautiful girl I have ever seen and whow! She speaks lovely bengali."
I have heard this a lot of times and it demands serious investigation when two ladies are praising the beauty of a girl, especially when you are single.
"Maa, Kiran aunty stays at Chiriamore right? I don't exactly remember, it has been 5 years since my only visit to her house."
My mom was cooking (or meditating!). She said,"Yes at Chiriamore."
"Where exactly?"
"Radiogali."
If I asked which house number, surely she would have made me one of the components of her menu. I called up my friend.
"Thomas, are you free in the evening."
"Yes Neel, but why?"
"I am thinking of visiting a friend of mine.Will you come with me?"
"Yes, but what's her name?"
"You are so intelligent, will let you know everything. 4-30pm at my place. Don't be late."
"Done."
It was almost 6pm when we got down from the bus at Chiriamore. We had no trouble in finding the street named Radiogali. The street had further divisions on both sides. I could faintly remember that Kiran aunty's house fell on one of the streets in the right side.
Decided to get inside the first street on the right side. A girl of the same age as ours came out.
"Is this Kiran aunty's house?"
"Yes, but may I know who are you?"
As she opened her mouth to speak, I could see the disappointment in Thomas' eyes for coming this far with the faith that Sonu will be beautiful. This girl was skinny, white skinned and her teeth seemed to have lacked any sort of symmetry.
"Are you Sonu?"
"Yes..but do I know you?"
"Sonu, I am Prapti's brother. Mina aunty's son, you remember?"
"Sorry, I don't know any of them."
"But you know my sister Piyali right?"
"I am afraid, no."
"My mom takes sarees from Kiran Aunty! You know her well as far as I know."
"Oh no, I get it now. You mean to say Kiran Agarwal who has a business of sarees right?"
"Ya, and she lives here as far as I know."
"Just go straight and take the last right. Her house is the last one on the right side."
She gave a new lifeline and we were relieved to know it was a pretty close match - the name Kiran and her daughter Sonu, everything matched except our perception of Sonu. Finally we reached. We were nervous. From the window we could see an old lady sitting on a chair. "Must be her Grandma," I said.
"Talk to her," Thomas couldn't wait longer.
"Dadi, I am Neel, Kiran aunty is home?"
"No, come tomorrow."
"Dadi, I am coming all the way to meet her, I am Prapti's brother."
"Get lost or I shall call the neighbors."
Thomas looked assured. "I am sure Sonu is beautiful."
"How can you say that?"
"Look at the way she is behaving, there must be boys coming everytime and asking about her. And she deals with them this way," Thomas was beaming.
"Dadi, I am Piyali's brother."
"What?"
Things turned upside down. My sis paved the way of my life.
"Come inside, so sorry I couldn't recognize. You know how people can be disturbing. Don't mind son, please come in," and then she raised her voice and called, "Sonu, see who has come, come quickly."
Perhaps the anxiety and excitement surpassed all the extremes of the past. And then I met her.
CHAPTER 4
So the apocalypse was approaching and I found out "things to do" were getting multiplied. I had no hope to fetch a good percentage in my first board exams. How on earth will I be able to show my face to Mrinalini if I didn't get more than her? How will I have the authority to propose to her? It has been four years of silent admiration (at least officially) and now it is high time to let her know and walk hand in hand (or ear to ear movie show). So this was my biggest motivation. And yes, there were other things too....
CHAPTER 2
The exam was over. Thanks to the suggestions of Sir Allapat, Pandey Sir and Anita mam. Everything went as expected. I was coming back from "Sound pad" - a workshop on music organised by the British Council. I was very happy to have experienced Richard Fredclark - a wonderful pianist from England. My piano teacher, Mr. Pradip Majumdar was on the phone and I was way too excited to narrate the whole day and especially Richard's approach of "no notations". I was waiting for my bus at the Shyambazar metro station and I realized amidst the buzz that I was being called upon by a not so familiar voice. It was Anindita. She was the prettiest of all my sister's friends and colleagues. She was 24 at that time - a good six years or so elder to me. She was junior to my sister by the same margin. When I was in class two, I fell for my sister's friend Rinku. She was the prettiest till she got married. When I was in class five, I was floored by one of my dad's colleague's daughter, Anindita. Well, this Anindita is prettier. She was 5 feet 8 inches tall, fair and optimum amount of flesh on special places (a rarity!). She was divorced. I heard that her husband used to doubt her and beat her up. That's all past though, I knew nothing more about her and nor am I supposed to except for the fact that she was fond of my style of playing the piano.
"Hey Neel, get under my umbrella, it's pouring hard!"
"If I get in both us would be wet. It's too heavy and an umbrella is not enough for this. You just be under that and I am gonna find myself a bus and I will run, you needn't worry."
"Shut up and get in."
I obliged.
We found a bus that was supposed to take us to her place and I would have to take another to reach mine. She was enthralled after hearing about my day and we conversed deeply until we got down at her stop. It was 9pm. The rain doubled it's intensity. I couldn't find a bus or an autorickshaw to my place. She insisted on my staying for the night at her place and her mom would have no trouble in preparing dinner for me. I never liked staying for the night at any other place (especially at my relatives' place since I was 12).
"Hello Maa? I am not getting anything to reach home. I am at Baranagar. Met Anindita Di at Shyambazar. She is suggesting that it won't be safe tonight and I should put up at her place. Kakima will arrange for the dinner."
"She is right. No need to push things. Come in the morning."
"But Maa, you know..."
Before I could complete she snatched the phone from my hand and hurried on, "Kakima, it is unsafe at this hour and he will be home by 9am tomorrow.....yes, I was saying so....not an issue, Neel doesn't know that my mom cooks as good as you..hahahaha...where is Piyali di? ok..sure..good night."
I could only hear her speak and I had no doubt that she convinced my mom. She gave a look of being victorious and pretending to be angry she said, "Can we walk faster now?" I obliged.
We saw a big lock hanging at the entrance. She called up her mom and moved away from me to talk to her. She came back after a few minutes and opened the door. We went inside and she asked me to freshen up. "What would you take for dinner?"
"Anything that Kakima makes, I have no problem."
"Well, it will be me who is going to prepare the food 'cause my mom is stuck in the rain at her sister's place. She couldn't find anything to reach here. It's pouring badly all over."
"That's ok, I won't mind anything you prepare."
When I was under the shower, for the first time I sensed that this is turning out to be a bit weird. My mom doesn't know that Kakima is not here. Probably Kakima is unaware of my unlikely presence here. They don't know each other. The only connection to my home is Anindita di. Is she wise enough not to reveal this to my mom? Do I need to tell her not to tell this to my sis? If I do tell her, will she think that I am thinking in the wrong direction about a pretty normal issue? I was at a loss.
I came out and saw her cooking in the kitchen. She was looking fresh after the bath or should I say she was looking too hot in wet hair. I couldn't help but stare. She was only 24. She was all a 16 year old boy could possibly fantasize. I felt a stir inside but the next moment it turned into an embarrassment when I was caught ogling at her. She didn't give any reaction.
Within 30 minutes, the food was ready and I helped her serving it on the table. It smelled good but I wasn't sure if it was the food or the cook!
"You are still putting on that wet tee? What will Kakima say if you catch a cold?"
"Anindita di, it is almost dry now and I am perfectly ok. You needn't worry. Let's start with the food."
"Shut up."
With noisy footsteps she marched towards her room and came back with a polo of hers.
"Quick, the food is getting cold."
I obliged yet again.
"This is wonderful Anindita di, seriously."
"Perhaps you are too hungry to be a judge now."
"No, I mean it. Well, do you have cold water?"
"In the fridge."
I was bending down and I couldn't make out the water amidst so many colored bottles of juice, sauce, vinegar and so on.
She got up and came up to the fridge. She leaned forward and with one hand pointed toward a bottle that probably would have contained water but I was staring at her. Water was dripping down her wet hair and her night gown was trying to be brave. She was silent too. She didn't move. After twenty seconds or so, she held the back of my neck and planted a kiss on my lips. For one moment I felt weightless. And then, it happened for the first time in my life. I obliged her one last time for that night. Or I should say we obliged each other. It was not something to be explained in words at that time. But now, I call it "magical". They say "first time" is very important for a guy and I must admit I had a lucky debut.
CHAPTER 3
I fell short by 3% to what I expected. But 2% more than Mrinalini. So, it was high time to let her know what feelings I had for her. And as always, every time I plan, God smiles above my head. My cousin sister, Prapti, visited me two days after the ICSE results. She wanted me to take admission in WWA Cossipore High school where she was.
"Neel, I even have the form with me, you know what reputation our school has!"
"You know what connection I have with my school, I have been here since nursery and I gave up my chance to join Don Bosco in class 3 even after clearing the test."
"Come on, the tag matters."
"I know, but I am already tagged."
It wasn't tough for me to get admission in Sunrise again. I took up science.
My dad's sister, Prapti's mom, had a friend named Kiran. She was into this businees of selling sarees. Her daughter Sonu was my cousin's best friend. My mom and sister were crazy about Kiran aunty's collection. They used to visit her house often and sometimes some discussions used to reach my ears.
"Lovely choice this lady has," my mom said to my sis.
"More importantly she has got outstanding behavior, and so has her daughter."
"Sonu is the most beautiful girl I have ever seen and whow! She speaks lovely bengali."
I have heard this a lot of times and it demands serious investigation when two ladies are praising the beauty of a girl, especially when you are single.
"Maa, Kiran aunty stays at Chiriamore right? I don't exactly remember, it has been 5 years since my only visit to her house."
My mom was cooking (or meditating!). She said,"Yes at Chiriamore."
"Where exactly?"
"Radiogali."
If I asked which house number, surely she would have made me one of the components of her menu. I called up my friend.
"Thomas, are you free in the evening."
"Yes Neel, but why?"
"I am thinking of visiting a friend of mine.Will you come with me?"
"Yes, but what's her name?"
"You are so intelligent, will let you know everything. 4-30pm at my place. Don't be late."
"Done."
It was almost 6pm when we got down from the bus at Chiriamore. We had no trouble in finding the street named Radiogali. The street had further divisions on both sides. I could faintly remember that Kiran aunty's house fell on one of the streets in the right side.
Decided to get inside the first street on the right side. A girl of the same age as ours came out.
"Is this Kiran aunty's house?"
"Yes, but may I know who are you?"
As she opened her mouth to speak, I could see the disappointment in Thomas' eyes for coming this far with the faith that Sonu will be beautiful. This girl was skinny, white skinned and her teeth seemed to have lacked any sort of symmetry.
"Are you Sonu?"
"Yes..but do I know you?"
"Sonu, I am Prapti's brother. Mina aunty's son, you remember?"
"Sorry, I don't know any of them."
"But you know my sister Piyali right?"
"I am afraid, no."
"My mom takes sarees from Kiran Aunty! You know her well as far as I know."
"Oh no, I get it now. You mean to say Kiran Agarwal who has a business of sarees right?"
"Ya, and she lives here as far as I know."
"Just go straight and take the last right. Her house is the last one on the right side."
She gave a new lifeline and we were relieved to know it was a pretty close match - the name Kiran and her daughter Sonu, everything matched except our perception of Sonu. Finally we reached. We were nervous. From the window we could see an old lady sitting on a chair. "Must be her Grandma," I said.
"Talk to her," Thomas couldn't wait longer.
"Dadi, I am Neel, Kiran aunty is home?"
"No, come tomorrow."
"Dadi, I am coming all the way to meet her, I am Prapti's brother."
"Get lost or I shall call the neighbors."
Thomas looked assured. "I am sure Sonu is beautiful."
"How can you say that?"
"Look at the way she is behaving, there must be boys coming everytime and asking about her. And she deals with them this way," Thomas was beaming.
"Dadi, I am Piyali's brother."
"What?"
Things turned upside down. My sis paved the way of my life.
"Come inside, so sorry I couldn't recognize. You know how people can be disturbing. Don't mind son, please come in," and then she raised her voice and called, "Sonu, see who has come, come quickly."
Perhaps the anxiety and excitement surpassed all the extremes of the past. And then I met her.
CHAPTER 4
No comments:
Post a Comment