She Won't Reveal 37

             She Won’t Reveal (37)

                      Nidhu Bhusan Das

 “Good Samaritan Hospitalized” is the headline on the front page of The Telegraph now on the parlour table in the bungalow. It’s a news-story with the photo of Dr. Arindam Chatterjee which has drawn the attention of Anu.The story runs: Dr. Arindam Chatterjee, Chief Cardiologist at Belle Vue Clinic, Kolkata, well-known also as a philanthropist was admitted at the clinic with severe chest pain last night. He felt the pain while visiting patients at the nursing home.His wife Dr. Anupama Chatterjee, a renowned paediatrician of the city said he has been in pain and gloom since their only daughter left for the north-east a couple of years ago to serve LIC as an officer. She said they feel so lonely. They run a charitable trust and a dispensary at home in Salt Lake. People crowd the visitors’ room of the clinic to know about the latest condition of Dr. Chatterjee, and medical bulletins are issued for the curious fans and beneficiaries of the cardiologist.”

        “Oh my God! “Anu cried. In the silence of the morning the piercing cry was heard by everybody in the house and all rushed to the parlour.”What Happened?” asked Sujata, shaken.Anu handed the newspaper and said,” See!” She wasn’t prepared for such news. The parents of Anu love her so much and she’s aware of their goodness and humanitarian services. She couldn’t understand why Anu felt neglected. “We should rush to Kolkata.Switch on your phone and make a call to auntie. She must have called you,” Sujata said, anxious and rang up Anu’s mother.” Hello Sujata, where’s Anu. Her phone’s switched off. Do you know what happened?” said Dr. Anupama in a breath.

“Yes auntie, just now we’ve seen in the Telegraph. I’m with Anu at her bungalow,”Sujata replied and said,”Anu’s so upset. She’s going to call you. We shall rush to you soon.”Anu called her mother and was sobbing,”Maa, we’re coming. Leaving for Guwahati and catch the available flight,” said Anu.A profound gloom enveloped the house.

          Professor Sanyal decided Anu and Sujata should rush to Kolkata immediately. He booked air tickets and called a taxi to rush to Guwahati.The flight was at 3 p.m.They’d go straight to Belle Vue from Dumdum Airport.

         Anu called Prafullada and Angshu.She apprised them of the situation and said that she’d to leave immediately for Kolkata. They shared her concern and volunteered to do whatever she wanted. She told them not to allow anybody in the bungalow except those who are beneficiaries of her charitable trust. Anu has a tribal welfare project under Arindam-Anupama Charitable Trust. None has cared for the nomenclature so far. The beneficiaries know only their sister Anu who cannot leave the place, among other reasons, because of the fact that they wouldn’t have her away.

      The taxi arrived.Anu, Sujata and Prof.Sanyal boarded it, all in gloom.Prafullada and Angshu bade them adieu wiping their tears. It appeared to Prafullada that the plants and flowers of the garden stooped in sadness and birds forgot to chirp in the morning which was unusual.Prafullada knows animals can foresee the impending calamity like earthquake.So,he began to think what could be the reason for the birds to become silent.” Is it that Anu won’t be able to come back to live in the bungalow?” he tried to understand.

       The taxi gathered speed as Anu looked back till the bungalow was in sight. She remembered how she thought of living in the bungalow till her last day and how fond she was of the garden she’d planned and Prafullada laid out with utmost care and emotional attachment. Her mother came, stayed with her in the bungalow and appreciated the garden, spent a lot of time sitting at the garden table reading and talking with Prafullada.Papa did never come to see how she lived away from him. She decided she’d never go back to Kolkata but now the news of her father’s illness has changed her, and the child Anu’s resurrected. Waking from a reverie she now rang up her mom:” Hello Maa how’s papa!”

“On ventilation. Don’t know what’s going to happen,” replied Dr.Anupama, her voice wet and tired.

“We’re on the way, Maa. Don’t worry. I’ll be with you by 5.30 p.m. if the flight isn’t late,” she tried to console her mother.

Anu’s still emotional, and the emotion’s positive. She’s responsive. In the journey of life turns come when turnaround occurs under the pressure of circumstances. She remembers during her short visit her mother never mentioned the past and told her to accompany her back to Kolkata.The mother wouldn’t intrude upon her daughter’s free thinking. The parents always acquiesced to her decision.” Was it because they dared not come in her way?” she tries to understand. Till date she’s enjoyed being free-wheeling. Now she feels it was her headstrong nature that deterred them.Anu’s in introspection as she goes back to his critically ill father. She never saw her father ill and he never looked angry.” I don’t know how he would react when I’ll be beside his bed, perhaps, rubbing his forehead with my hand,” she begins to think.” Will he smile in joy, or close his eyes, and tears will gush forth?” she isn’t sure.”Anu, see we’re near Guwahati 30 minutes away from the flat. It’s 11.30.a.m. We’ll have lunch and then rest. Start for the airport at1.30 p.m,”said Sujata taking her hand.” That will be the right thing to do, Beti,”Said the professor. So long they let Anu be alone and undisturbed in her spell of nostalgia.

“Papa, do you think my papa back home will smile when he sees me beside his bed?” Anu asked the professor, uncertain.

”Why not, Beti? He’ll be happy, and his joy will know no know bounds,” assured the professor.

” But I wasn’t good to him,”Anu confessed.

” But your papa mustn’t take note of that. He knows you are a child and, therefore, could be naughty. A naughty child is the most loved one of the parents, Beti,”explained the professor.

” I’ve been the cause of his agony, and he shouldn’t forget and forgive me,” she opined.

” You’ll find yourself wrong, Beti, once you’re with him. Your presence will be a healing touch for him, and he’ll recover rapidly when you’re beside him,” the professor was certain.

The taxi was now at the destination. They disembarked. Sujata took the hand of Anu and climbed the stairs slowly, the professor following.Sujata has never found Anu so much broken-down and gloomy.” Is it a sense of guilt has a crippling effect on her?” thought Sujata.The newspaper reported quoting her mother that her father had been in ‘pain and gloom’ since Anu left them two years from now. “This could have brought in her the realization that she’s the cause of his illness,” Sujata argued.

“Anu, dear, don’t be gloomy, everything will be okay. We’ll find uncle has come round. Let’s have dinner. My son has ordered by phone and it will come soon. Go wash, here’s the towel,”Sujata cajoled and handed her the towel.

“Are you sure papa will come round? I’ll never again be naughty with him, I promise,” Anu sobbed.

“He loves you. He knows in his heart you’re going to be with him. So, he will come round to see you happy,”Sujata predicted, meaningfully.

“I’m responsible for his illness, amn’t I?” Anu repented.

The three were together at lunch. The professor consoled Anu,”Beti, I’m sure your papa loves you so much and he will be so happy to see you. Stay back with him.” Anu acquiesced but didn’t know how the situation would evolve. ( continued on  29 January 2015)