She Won't Reveal 30

                         She Won’t Reveal (30)

                      Nidhu Bhusan Das

Anu today saw the sunrise from the corridor of the bungalow for the second time. The first time she saw it about two years ago on the day that followed her entry into the house. That sunrise signified her hope for infinite and perpetual joy of living in her own abode which she would make her heaven to live in a state of bliss. The sunrise today left a different message for her; she felt the spectacle predicted for her:” Soon, dear maid, you would leave the house for the world of the enlightened ones.” Though her desire was to join the ranks of the enlightened, she wasn’t comfortable watching the rising sun and she went bright crimson. She said to herself,” The bungalow is so beautiful!”  

                 For Prafullada, now in the garden as usual, the rising sun, with all its splendour, spread blessing, and the house was going to be bathed in the holy rays of the star of the day. He hoped the reconciliation was afoot, and the house would shine again. He was pruning the plants and thought the sunshine would burn the impurities that had been plaguing the house for some time. Others in the house were still abed. They went to sleep uncertain. Anu went to the garden, thoughtful and sat on the chair. With the face cupped with the palms, she continued her gaze at the sun, unaware of the presence of Prafullada.She felt herself defeated.

                 In his Ashram 21 km away from the bungalow, Guruji was elated in the presence of Anu.One hundred and thirty-five years old Guruji, according to Anu, is the last one of his dynasty. He is always cheerful in the presence of his disciple Anu who has given in to him for tantric lessons. He had performed his morning worship of the sun for the first time with Anu to his left. He didn’t expect her to be with him so soon. She had told him she would be with him for ever after a month. So, he asked her what brought her so early.” Everything is settled there at home?” he asked Anu, eager.

“Settled perfectly,” said Anu, confident.

“Wonderful. Now you shall always be with me. You shall have to perform jaggas and other duties,” said Guruji, simpering.

In the garden of the bungalow the thoughts which were churning in Anu’s mind included her impending journey to theGuruji.She was really happy thinking of being with him soon.

In the Ashram, Anu told Guruji “I’m happy really that I could be with you earlier than expected and planned.”

Guruji now decided he won’t go visit the temple as with Anu beside him the Ashram had become a temple. A room was allotted to Anu and he coyly took her to the room.Anu expressed her gratitude to Guruji. A talk followed.

“Life is to live in joy. The highest joy is possible only when you are away from the family and in meditation,” said Guruji.

“Yes, Guruji.That’s why I’m with you quitting the job,” assured Anu.

“Could you erase Arup from your memory?” asked Guruji.meaningfully.

“I’ve none else in my mind except you,” asserted Anu so that he could rest assured.

                  At 8 a.m. the breakfast was ready. Anu asked Prafullada to call everybody to the table. Only Angshu was still asleep. Prafullada awakened him. Everyone was at the table within 15 minutes. The breakfast was served in elegant plates. In each plate were butter toasts, two poached eggs and crystallized fruits. Black coffee was ready. It is Anu’s favourite breakfast and, she remembered, her doctor parents would encourage her to have poached eggs for it is a low-calorie food.

Anu welcomed them all to the breakfast with a warm ‘Good Morning’ and a silence followed. Over the cup of coffee Professor Sanyal broke the silence: “So, auntie, may I rest assured the problem, whatsoever, is sorted out and all of you are reconciled?"

“Yes, I value your wisdom, son.I will go by your wishes,” said Anu.Her tone seemed sincere.

Prafullada was elated at the statement of Anu and said,” None can disturb and break our family.” He rose and said in glee,” I’m going out to collect flowers and twigs to make a giant bouquet for the birthday celebration of my dear sister.”Prof Sanyal nodded, Sujata and Anu smiled. When everyone was about to rise Anu’s phone buzzed, and she gave it to Sujata to answer. Sujata switched the speaker on and answered.

“Ma’am is busy. May I know who is calling?” Sujata asked though she saw the name of Anuradha on the screen.

“I’m Anuradha.I’m to talk to ma’am. It’s urgent.”

“Your ma’am has decided she wouldn’t attend any telephone call. You may leave your message with me and I may pass it over to her. I’m Sujata, her friend. From now on I will handle her communication.”

“Is it?” she asked in a wet voice.

“You may send an SMS right now to get it confirmed. Soon the cell phone will be switched off. I may give my number if you so desire.”

“No, it’s okay. I won’t be with Maqbool and will go by the advice of ma’am,” Anuradha staccatoed.

“You will have to talk on these matters to me only, if you please,” said Sujata categorically.

“I will ma’am,” Anuradha replied.

               Anu felt relieved. She had decided not to be involved in such matters any more. She was tired and would like to be free from troubles. “Enough is enough,” she said to herself. But she felt particularly lonely because Thammi had been out of reach since last midnight. She wouldn’t lose her tested friends for people like Maqbool and Anuradha.She is anxious about where Thammi could have gone. She shouldn’t be angry any more as Anu was acting as desired by her mentor. The sudden dematerialization of Thammi appeared to be tricky to her. She is unaware that Thammi had become the eidolic mate of her Guruji to keep him away from her. Absorbed in thought, Anu didn’t hear the conversation between Sujata and Anuradha, and she wasn’t interested either.

“Well, call me after a week. I allow you this as a cooling period. See if you can really leave Maqbool, which I think you will not be able to do,” said Sujata to Anuradha.

“I will never go with him, ma’am,” said Anuradha.

“Don’t call me ma’am. Call auntie, if you like,” Sujata said with an idea not to be shared now.

“Auntie, please rest assured, I will never be with Maqbool,”said Anuradha, defeated.

“Let’s see. One thing more, don’t try to communicate with Anu, I mean your ma’am.”

Anuradha was put out, but wouldn’t give up as she feared she would be lonely.

“I would communicate with you only, auntie,”she said, desperate.

“Only after the cooling period,”Sujata was straight forward, and the phone was switched off.

She reported to Anu the conversation and asked her not to switch on the phone for now and never to answer the call of the girl.Anu promised to follow her. She appeared to be sincere.

               Prof Sanyal and Sujata asked Anu to accompany them to the market. She said she would stay back at the house to look after the work of the cook, and suggested Angshu might go with them. Prof Sanyal didn’t insist, and accompanied by Angshu they set out to the market. ( continued on 11 December 2014)