She Won’t Reveal (48)
Nidhu
Bhusan Das
Amal Bose’s back on the stage. He’s a TV
journalist now. He’s undergone excruciating pain and been in melancholy for
months after Nilu left him, notwithstanding the fact he harbours a grudge
against Jerry and Nilu.He believes he can have his revenge against them,
particularly Jerry, being in the media.Anu spotted him among the journalist to
cover the media conference her papa called at Arunima this morning to announce
the launching of the charity ANIRBAN.The name represents perpetuity as well as
the pledge not to let those who’re in abject poverty and plagued with disease
lose their light of life and help them be back to the process of healthy life.
Two charities, one run by Dr.
Anirban in Kolkata and the other by Anu at Amlarem were brought together as
decided at a discussion on 30th March in the evening after they’re
back from the house of Sujata’s parents who’re invited to visit Arunima the
next day.Dr. Anirban introduced the topic of discussion.Meanwhile, he’d come to
know from Sujata Anu left LIC.He wouldn’t embarrass Anu.As if unaware of the
fact he said,” I mayn’t work hard any more, and my little Mom wouldn’t allow me
to go beyond her prescription.So,I suggest Anu quit LIC.”The preemptive move of
the papa relieved Anu beyond measure.
“I’m
for my children and fulfill their desires,” Anu said promptly like a sensitive
and sensible mother.
Sujata
smiled and said,” My good buddy!”
“I’ve
decided to launch a new charity amalgamating Anu’s and mine here,” Dr. Anirban
disclosed.
“And
Anu will be guiding force,” Anupama’s prompt.
“Sujata
and her son Prof. Sanyal will run the show in the north-east,” suggested the
doctor.
“Now
you two friends decide on the structure of the organization,” Dr. Anupama said.
“No,
you two decide, we’ll go by your decision,”Sujata’s overwhelmed and polite.
“You’re
more aware than we about the needs of the marginalized and poor people and
could be more active. You’re the right persons to decide,” said Dr. Anirban
with emphasis on ‘You’.
Anu
hesitated but Sujata came forward forthright and suggested,” Uncle’s the
Chairman and auntie Co-Chairperson, Anu Secretary General. Now Anu, you suggest
the other names and positions.”
“Okay,
I suggest Sujata’s son be another Co-Chairman,”Anu said in her characteristic
graciousness.
“No,
my son and I may be joint-secretaries in charge of the north-east,”Sujata said
in humility.
“But
your son’s a senior man,” Dr.Arindam broke in.
“That’s
no problem, uncle.My son’s obedient to me as you’re to Anu,” said Sujata with
an impish smile.
“May
we take Prafulla and Angshu on board?” Dr. Anupama suggested.
“We
should. They’ll take charge of the Amlarem office at Anu’s bungalow,” Sujata’s practical.
Everyone present agreed.
In the
hallroom below where Dr. Arindam runs his charity, gathered the journalists.
The media’s keen about the doctor and his philanthropy. The conference’s well
attended. The philanthropist sat between Dr.Anupama and Anu.Sujata’s beside Anu,
all beaming faces. A written statement about the motto and structure of the
charity’d been distributed among the attending media persons.Dr. Arindam
addressed the gathering and spelt out the objectives and programmes to be taken
up immediately besides the ongoing projects in Kolkata and Amlarem.
“Anu’s
with the LIC, in the north-east?” asked a TV man.
“She
quits to join the effort full time,”Dr.Arindam announced.
“Stays
with you?”
“Nope,
will co-ordinate and visit projects from time to time.
“It’s
my grandchild being the brainchild of my parents,”Anu broke in smiling.
“What’s
about your sadhana and….?”
“This
is also sadhana, devoted service to the people in need,” she retorted.
“I
mean your Tantra sadhana,” explained the media person.
“Don’t
you think service to needy people’s sadhana?” Anu countered tactfully and
smilingly. She understood Amal Bose might have poked the lady journalist and
thus steered clear of the situation handing over the microphone to her papa.
The media conference ended in a positive note.
Fuming coffee and snacks packets were distributed. Soon after the media persons
had left, Sujata took a call from Prafullada who informed,”Nilu and Jerry came
visit .They said Anu not returned. I not believed. But Angshu unhappy. When Anu
come?” Sujata shared the information with Anu and her parents. Dr. Arindam and
Anupama suggested Sujata should go immediately to Amlarem to control the
damage. Like an ace PR man, the doctor said,” They sought to create a crisis
and Anu won’t be able to tackle the situation that might have evolved. You
please manage the crisis. It’s important for us. Inform your son also. He might
have better suggestion.”
Sujata
understood and called her son,”Prafullada has just informed Nilu and Jerry are
out to create mischief at Anu’s bungalow. They visited. Son, please tell how to
defuse the situation.”
The
cool-headed professor said,” No problem, Maa. I’m going. Before sunset I hope
to reach. Everything will be okay, I hope. Don’t worry. How’re Anu auntie and
her parents? And when’re you coming?”
“Well,
you proceed. I’ll catch the morning flight tomorrow and join you at Amlarem
late afternoon.”
Anu
again turned pale. She thought how her indiscretion creates chains of
problems,” I’m to blame papa,” she cried hurling herself onto the frail doctor.
“No
Maa, it’s our fate. We’ll overcome. We’ve so nice people like Sujata Maa and
her son with us. Mischief will run away. This is part of life, Beti.Such things
happen. You cannot do good work without difficulties,” Dr. Anirban consoled Anu
though diffidence overwhelmed him.(continued on 22 May 2015)
