RAABTA

“ 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...

Trilochon was surprised by Aniruddha’s urgent call. He knew that the village and surrounding areas did not have telephone lines, and he would have to travel miles to find a PCO booth. What could be so urgent? “There is a girl…” Made his heart skip a beat. Then the story put his worry to rest. He was proud of Aniruddha’s humanitarian side, which he always worried Binoy and Somnath lacked. “Of course, we need to help her; child marriage is illegal, and we can inform the police…” “No, I want to take her with me.” Aniruddha’s voice made him frown. “Take her?” Where?” he sounded alarmed. “Aniruddha, you can’t just pick up someone’s child without their consent and… that’s kidnapping.” “No, her parents are dead. Her Thakuma wants to come along; she is her legal guardian. I have the legality sorted. I just want you to send the car and arrange for them to stay temporarily…” Aniruddha sounded unsure. “Don’t worry about that, but… are you sure you want to do this? Villagers don’t forget such thin...

Kalindi waited outside the hut, on the torn mat they usually slept on, using the hand fan to drive away mosquitoes as she stared at the empty path leading out of the house, the path Bondita had taken some time back. It was almost an hour. Did the foolish girl escape or land in trouble? To her relief, she could hear her nephew snoring away indoors, reassuring her that they were at least not caught by the villagers till now. She was sure Bondita would return empty-handed and hurt, and that she would have no other way than to accept the proposal from the Pradhan. That morning, her Kaka would accompany Sarkar Moshai to the adjacent village to talk to a family friend of the Sarkars. They were looking for a bride for their sixteen-year-old eldest son, who worked as a labourer in Sealdah. Kalindi had tears in her eyes. Not much had changed in these years; not much of women’s fate was different, wasn't it? Kalindi was about ten years old when her father took her to the Roy Chowdhury house ...