RAABTA

Do you want something to eat?” Bondita was startled out of her thoughts by Aniruddha’s question. His eyes were on the road as the radio played the same advertisement for the hundredth time. He lowered the volume, assuming she did not hear him speak, when he repeated the question. At first, Bondita shook her head unmindfully, staring at him through the corner of her eyes. He kept a stubble; that was new. What else? The glasses were new. She was unsure if they were power glasses or just for show, an attempt to look serious. She noticed the expensive watch under his rolled-up sleeves. That was not new. She had seen that before. A gift from his father for graduation, he had once told her. His repetition of the question prompted her to utter “No.” She added a “Thank you.” That made him smile. He looked amused as she narrowed her brows, wondering at his amusement. He shook his head as he eyed her briefly before his eyes were back on the road. “This Bondita is new. The old one could not dream...

“ Choto Babu Eshe Gechen ”  Bihari rushed out to the portico, announcing Aniruddha’s arrival as Batuk rushed out behind him to welcome his brother. But he stopped at the threshold, realising that Dadabhai was not alone. Being an introvert, Batuk did not quite like guests, especially those he did not know. He knew the drill. Soon, his father or uncle would summon him to the living room and praise his piano skills until he was asked to play. The only song he knew was “We Shall Overcome”, and the blind pride of his family completely missed the disappointment in the guest's faces and false praises. But these guests looked different. As the driver opened the car's back door, a girl, about his age and height, jumped out wearing a pair of plastic slippers and a shabby dress, her hair oiled and braided, eyes wide in astonishment at the enormity of their house. Behind her came a reluctant woman, her hair in streaks of grey, wearing a dirty white saree, with nothing but a bead garland on...