She Won’t Reveal (32)
Nidhu
Bhusan Das
After lunch, at the request of Prafullada,
Anu left her room which he’d decorate for the party. She’s in bed clutching
Sujata in the adjoining room. They’re nostalgic about the days in Kolkata and
Prafullada and Angshu were busy giving the
room of the angel of the house the ambience of paradise. The large framed
pictures of the child and the young Anu with parents and grandma at home and
the one in which she’s seen being given the gold medallion and certificate of
the university by the Chancellor in the convocation held in 2012 were hung on
the wall. These three pictures were foregrounded with care, love and superb
aesthetic sense to dominate the adornments of the room. Bed sheet, bed cover,
pillow covers, table cloth and curtains were changed giving the room the aura
of a spring day in that part of the Assam Himalaya. The wardrobe was dusted. Flower
vases of different sizes and shapes were placed at four corners of the room on
stools covered with cloths of colours matching the colours of the flowers. At
the centre of the room was set a large round table whereon the cake would be
kept with 28 lit candles on it.Anu would blow out the candles and cut the cake.
When everything was tidied, Prafullada called Anu and Sujata, and Angshu went
down to call Professor Sanyal to see the arrangement. They came and appreciated
the taste and aesthetic sense of Prafullada and his ardent follower Angshu. Anu’s
overwhelmed and exclaimed,” What a profound and undefiled love you all have for
me!”
Below in the kitchen the cook and his
attendants from a caterer were busy. Professor Sanyal had decided, though a
private party, the catering service would be engaged, and they would all be
free for merriment on the occasion. After sunset Sujata’s busy dressing Anu and
herself. They bought for Anu a Tosha Silk saree, matching blouse, slipper and
nail polish among other accessories, also a French Old Spice Musk Deodorant.
This French brand of perfume’s to the liking of Anu. In her new dress, Anu
remembers the wedding ceremony of Arup and Mita.On that occasion she wore a
green kantha silk saree with floral motif embroidered on the edges. That’s a
day of resignation for her, and today she wanted to be reborn like a phoenix
leaving behind all the sad experiences. She would like to live in peace and joy
from now on. She’d had enough of bitter experience, mental turmoil and feeling
of isolation. Besides Thammi, she now felt for her papa and mom. She remembered
she’s no interaction with papa for about five years. Tears rolled down her
cheeks, and she’s now in the embrace of Sujata who heard her utter “I’m to
blame for all these…”
Sujata assured her,”No, dear, don’t think
that way. Life’s an experience and we learn from experience.”
“I’ve learnt, and I wouldn’t make any more
mistakes. Please help me.”
“We’re there with you, Anu, always.”
“Let’s go to papa,”Anu suggested.
A knock on the door.Anu opened it, and was
surprised to see the professor.”Papa, you! You’ll live long. We’re thinking of
going to you,” said Anu, exalted.
“Beti (Daughter) and Maa, both of you look
so elegant.”
“You’d now forget your Maa having the Beti,
won’t you, son?” enquired Sujata in a tone of mock complaint.
“My Beti’s your grand daughter, and you’re
Thammi, aren’t you?”
“That’s true, isn’t it Anu?” asked Sujata
embracing her tight.
“Now, when would you like to start the
ceremony?” the professor wanted to know.
“Papa, let’s talk a while,” suggested Anu.
Professor Sanyal took his Beti by the hand
and sat on the bed with his Maa beside.”Beti, why do you think I’m like your
papa? Your papa must be much superior to me,” he’s eager.
“My papa’s like you, a good man, but he’s a
professional to the core. All his emotion’s concentrated on his profession, not
an iota of it for us in the family. He knows I’m his daughter or he has a
daughter, but has never been able to find time for me, to understand my
emotional needs,” Anu’s elaborate.
“Have you ever tried to let him understand
that you need him, he’s important for your growth and happiness?”
“Isn’t it his duty, papa? You’ve come here
on your own out of affection and empathy. That’s like a father.”
“But you’ve the right to assert that you
deserve his care and attention.”
“That you can say, but he’d remain beyond
my reach, always.”
“Everyone is reachable if we try.”
“Okay, I’m really happy today that for the
first time my birthday’s being celebrated at the initiative of my papa.”
Professor Sanyal understood and smiled. The
girl’s the victim of a sense of not having the desired emotional care and
attention of her father who remains absorbed in his profession. He hoped he’d
be able to resolve the long standing problem once he’d talk to the father. He
also understood that the overwhelming sense of neglect led her to desperation.Sujata
should know the parents of Anu and it’s possible to contact them, even a face
to face communication with them, thought the professor. He wouldn’t take much
time to contact them once he’s back to Guwahati, decided the professor. He read
the time on his watch and said it’s time to begin the ceremony. They came into
the room where Prafullada and Angshu were waiting. Everything was ready. The
cake’s there on the table, and now the candles were lit. The chorus of ‘Happy
Birthday to you’ synchronized with Anu blowing out the candles and cutting the
cake. The room smiled. Anu spoon forked a piece of cake into the mouth of
everyone. Before that Professor Sanyal, Sujata, Prafullada and Angshu one by
one forked pieces of the cake for Anu to take in. The ceremony over, they began
talking about their birthdays, birth places and childhood days. They spent
about a couple of hours recalling the days left behind and yet they felt like
revisiting the past and sharing the moments that receded.
Midway through the session for reminiscing,
the phone of Sujata buzzed. She saw Anuradha’s name flashing on the monitor.
She took the call and said,”Hello, who’re you calling?” as if she didn’t know
who’s the caller. If fact, Sujata couldn’t as yet come to accept Anuradha as
someone welcome. Rather she thought the girl is a disturbance in the life of
her dearest chuck. The reply came prompt,”Anuradha, ma’am.” She couldn’t
understand she wasn’t quite acceptable to the friend of her ma’am.Or, she
wouldn’t mind being neglected since she knew she must endure to achieve her
goal.
“Well, what’s about you, have you decided?”
asked Sujata.
“Ma’am, Maqbool’s in Amlarem today,”
Anuradha informed.
“What! How do you know?” asked Sujata
harshly, the contours of her face reflecting worry.
“He telephoned me a few minutes ago,” she said.
“So, you’re in communication with him,”Sujata
uttered brassily.
“He told me he’s there to settle score with
Anu ma’am.”
“Anything more?”Sujata enquired.
“He may create a scene with Anu ma’am.”
“That we’ll see. Call me tomorrow at 6.30
a.m.” Sujata instructed.(to be continued on 25th December 2014 )
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