Skip to main content

Protidaan: Chapter Twenty Seven

The Chatujee house was first occupied when I was around six years old. I remember vaguely that both Dada and I were intrigued when they came to meet Thamma for the first time, the men of the house. Kedar Kaka, Lata’s father and Kusum Kaku didn’t look much like siblings. Where Kedar Kaka was dusky, tall and had sharp eyes, Kaku was a timid man, fair like he had anaemia, and spoke very less, often avoiding eye contact. What intrigued me most about them was that between themselves they often used a dialect we didn’t understand. I remember Kedar Kaka brought Thamma a white saree, the first Durga Puja they spend here. That surprised the old lady as he said almost pleadingly to her to accept the gift, for they who had lost their mother before moving here, had no other elders to bless them. Thamma took a liking to the man. Kedar Kaka was a knowledgeable man. He would often borrow books from our library and more than once I had heard Lata tell random information to Bibha or Ananta even later on in life, which she claimed were told by her father. 

I am not sure where he worked, but I would often find him seeking advice from Thamma on matters related to finance. He was always cheerful when we met, greeting all of us children with our nicknames rather than formally, and had the warm vibe Boro Kakima also had. When I was fourteen, about to sit for my annual examinations, he had one day shared with me his worries for Lata’s education. Her mother was uneducated, her brother was an infant and Kedar Kaka wanted Lata to study and get educated well. He had high hopes for her. Unlike many of our parent’s times, Perhaps even my own father, Kedar Kaka, never distinguished between his children because Lata was a girl child. He bought them the same kind of toys, emphasised her education and always said she was a blessing in his life. “She is intelligent.” He used to say it often, with a spark in his eyes. I don’t know how much of that Lata remembered, but her father was proud of her.

Kedar Kaka had changed a lot in the two months that we saw of him after Kakima passed. He was withdrawn, never smiled or greeted anyone and seemed to be quite aloof even among people. Perhaps he was thinking about leaving for a long time. I remember Baba telling my mother that he had perhaps lost his sanity. I had seen the mad old man who sat under a banyan tree on our way to school, throwing rocks at people. I was surprised. Kedar Kaka looked nothing like that, why would he say such a thing? The first day Lata came to my room after he left, I observed her, a little worried that she might have something to share. She spoke only of the doubts she had about her homework and left in a hurry. I had felt restless and wanted to know what was going on in her little head. Ma was there for her, thankfully, when that happened and perhaps that is why she became very close to my mother.

It was a few months before Indira Gandhi declared an Emergency that Police arrived at the Chattopadhyay house one morning. Kakima came running, agitated and scared, as Lata, who was attending to Thamma in her room, walked out with a questioning face. I was in the library and I heard her tell Lata, in her rather loud voice, that the police were looking for her. I intervened. Kakima informed them that they said it was about Kedar Kaka. We had heard his name from someone outside the family after nearly fifteen years. I frowned as Lata’s face turned a little pale at the mention of her father. She looked at me, and gulped, as I reassured her, walking over to their house, besides her when the Police talked to her. They had the description of a missing man that Kaku had reported some odd years back. They found a man that matched the description. Before Lata could speak, Kaku looked surprised and happy.
“That is such good news.” He gushed “He is found.” The Policeman shook his head. The man was dead, found in one of the Naxalite hideouts they had discovered recently. They were here, to check the house, and his belongings and ask questions. Kakima pulled the saree anchol over her mouth as she gasped.
“That can’t be.” It was Lata who said, “That is not my father. He would not…” Her words died on her lips as Kakima shook her head.
“I can’t believe he would put us through this… Are we in trouble?” She asked Kaku who now stood a little grim, silenced by the information. It was he who first suspected that his brother had become a rebel, but now it seemed as if he found it difficult to accept.
“Are you sure that is him?” It was I who spoke to the policeman next as he shook his head.
“You are?” The Policeman looked unsure at me.
“Her husband.” It was Kakima who spoke for me as the Policeman nodded.
“The description matches the missing person but… we need family members to identify him.” That was hope, as Kaku looked up and Kakima sighed.
“I will go.” To my surprise, Lata spoke before I could.
“You don’t have to do that, Kaku and I can…” She shook her head. “I want to go with you.” So we followed the Police Jeep, in my car, with Kaka in the back seat and Lata sitting beside me. I could sense she was tense but put up a brave face when Kaku lamented that his brother couldn’t leave his child for joining rebellions nor leave the world like that without answers. 

The very moment we entered the police mortuary, I wished I never would have to step inside another one ever again. It smelled of death. Lata pulled her anchol instinctively over her nose and eyed me. Even in her moment of tension and truth, she was instinctively concerned about me. Kaku and I left her at the door of the cold storage room and walked inside. The dead body was laid on a stretcher in front of us, with a sheet over it. The ward boy removed the sheet. The face of a dark-skinned man in his forties emerged. I had never seen the man in my life. Kaku cried in relief as he shook his head. Lata inhaled, trying to control her tears as he spoke.

That night, as I drew her closer in my arms, when we laid side by side on our bed, looking up at the whirling fan, Lata, for the first time wondered aloud where her father was. Was he even alive? Did he know how she was? Her sadness concerned me. I promised her that one day he would be found, she would have all her answers and he would be proud of who she was becoming. She stared at me, her eyes sparkling a little as she whispered that he would be happy to see us. I smiled faintly as I agreed, and kissed her forehead gently before we fell asleep in each other’s arms. We never found out anything about Kedar Kaku. Where he was, where he went and if he was alive, remains a mystery to us, even today.




Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Of Faith and Fate

Series Announcement! Historical Fictions are special, so here is one, short but special tale close to my heart after a really long time! This story is a special one because it is completely historical fiction with very little connection to the fan fiction I have written previously. However, I have maintained the sequence of events, reading history books on the context.  This is not a story of a man and a woman, their love and trust. This one is about the tests time often puts people through, forcing them to change. My protagonists in this one are hence, two princesses of the same age. Ajabdeh Punwar or Ajbante Kanwar Baisa, as she is locally called is the princess of a very significant district of Bijolia in Mewar. Bijolia lies in the seat of political events, at the border of Bundi and Mewar. Having her lineage from the mighty Chauhans, her forefathers once ruled Mewar. Her father is an officer in the army of Mewar under Rana Udai Singh and she is a lady of princip...

Preparation

It has been a tradition since time immemorial in the face of the earth that the men marched to war, seeking glory for their states and kings, adorning their bodies with bruises no less gaudy than the most precious gems of the land, while the women waited and prayed for their safe return. No war was easy or certain. At least that is what they grew up learning. But does it stop the war? Or the need for power? Absolutely not. The royal blood demands shedding it. Kumar Viraj could have left Maanwari as a child but Maanwari had not left his veins. That was perhaps why he was braver and more skilful than men his age. When Adhiraja Ishaan Dev offered him Neelambargarh’s mighty troops to capture Maanwari, he knew they would surely outnumber his uncle’s one by hundreds. But he made sure he refused Adhiraja's personal help. Battles made Ishaan Dev’s adrenaline rush. He wanted to lead Kumar Viraj to victory. But when Kumar Viraj said that it would only demean his claim to be ready for the thr...

Eternally Yours

Ajabde woke up to find neither the pillow nor the husband beside her. That was really unusual. Has she overslept? No, it was dark and the first birds were singing. She sat up to find that he had neatly arranged the pillows and made his side of the bed and put his blanket over her. She checked the changing room. No, he was not there, but unlike other days his clothes were not in a mess. She freshened up and reached the dressing table. His brooch was not there. Where is he? Has the war... Her heart skipped a beat. What if he had left and not even woken her up? " Daasi? Daasi?" She called as one of them walked in. " Ji Kuwaranisa?" " Where is Kunwarsa?" " He left early in the morning for Dangal and then a visit to the village. Do you need anything?" " No, You may go now." She put on the sindoor in a worry. Maybe something urgent has come up. She walked to the Puja room and was shocked. Her garlands were made, the Chandan was in place and ...

The New Capital

“Some dreams are once broken often come back as haunting nightmares.” The Padishah Begum received the news of the birth of a baby boy to Harka Bai at Sikri. She had arranged for a feast and celebration at Lahore and thanked the Almighty herself for this happiness. She prayed that the boy was safe. Hamida Banu had herself sent a messenger to the Padishah Begum at Lahore. The ladies celebrated for a week. The Padishah Begum had given away coins, and clothes to the needy and new clothes to the kin. The Emperor was on his way to Sikri as well. She had smiled at the happy faces savouring the wine and sweet dishes. She greeted and congratulated everyone around the Harem. The Timurid blood would be safe on the throne.   Jalal had visited once in the past few months, giving her the good news of Harka Bai conceiving again. He feared that people were conspiring at Agra. Hence, Harka Bai’s firstborns died, unnaturally. Ridiculous rumours were spread, about the Emperor killing his o...

What If...

Ajabdeh, played all night with the newfound puppy who was already keeping her on her toes. First, he jumps into the trolley bags and inspected her clothes, alarming Heer and making her laugh. He had fallen in love with a pink lingerie Ajabdeh tied to his head like a bow, laughing harder as he tried to open it, going in rounds. Heer saw her carefree laughter with a smile. She may not like the guy, but he did make her sister laugh. Heer shook her head. Something in her felt really awkward as she cleared her throat to ask "Jija??" "Hmm?" "Do you... umm... like Kunwar Pratap?" Heer looked scared to ask. "What?" She frowned and then smiled as the puppy licked her face. "Of course I like him! He is a friend." "Jija I meant..." "Good night Heeriye." She hugged her sister then picked the pup up and snuggled in her blanket as Heer stood watching. "Let's name you baby?" She heard Ajabdeh talk. "Umm...

Understandings

After counting days, Ajabde was happy that she was going to Bijolia. She knew how eager her mother and Ratan would be to know about her new life. She couldn't wait to hug her mother and feel like... Home. She was selecting gifts for her parents and her siblings as per Ranima's instructions. Then suddenly an idea struck her mind. Her new family welcomed her with so much love and support. Especially Ranima and Majhli Maa Sa. She wanted to give them something. Suddenly she remembered that Ranima had loved her embroidery work on dupattas back in Bijolia so she called a Dasi and ordered some plain Chunris and embroidery threads. She had a lot of work to finish in a day before leaving.   Kunwar Pratap came back into the room to see her on the floor, right in the middle of the room with red, green, yellow, and pink all sorts of dupattas scattered. " What's all this?" He asked not sure if he should be asking. " I am making gifts. For Ranima, Majhli ma, Rani Dheer Bai...

Neelambargarh

  The fort of Neelambargarh was named so because it stood on a cliff above the low-lying plains surrounding it as if it was ready to touch the sky. The fort was surrounded by hilly forestland on three sides and extensive plain lands used for agriculture on another. The road winding up to Neelambargarh was guarded by three gateways and a secret tunnel, known only to the Neelambargarh royal family, led down from the five-storey palace to the river in the forestland. The kingdom of Neelambargarh was known across the land beyond the Heemdevi Mountains for its art and architecture. True indeed, like the myths it held, the stone walls of the fort and the castles shone in the sun like fire swayed by the wind. The gateways had extensive architecture and tales of Neelambargarh’s rich past and kings, engraved in stones, alongside nymphs and the several forms of their chief deity, The Wind, and his tales of miracles. Above the gate in local scriptures was poetry written in honour of the past ...

Sadh Puron

  Rasmo ka mela yaha pe khel rahe hai saare Aaja shamil ho isme zara thoda muskura de Seven months into her pregnancy, Bondita realised, almost to her amusement, that there were certain prejudices that even Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury gave in to. Ever since Koeli arrived, to help her out, as instructed by Kakababu, to her utter surprise Aniruddha gave in to Koeli putting a kajal tika behind her ear every time she stepped out, to avoid bad omens. He even willingly gave up the bedroom at one phone call from Trilochan insisting that the woman needs her space during her pregnancy. He ended up having a makeshift mattress as a bed, in the middle of the living room in the apartment, and he was more than willing to sleep there while Koeli stayed with Bondita. Although she liked to have the entire bed to herself, she sometimes missed their pillow talks. Aniruddha also made sure the household never ran out of supplies of pickles and sweets. Koeli didn’t lose a turn to tease Bondita about how th...

Patralekha

Mujhse ye rishta jo, aa usse hai sawaare Chal sayane se thoda nadan bann ja tu Ashapurna walked out of the room with questioning eyes as Somnath shook his head. He had called Aniruddha as soon as Bondita complained of pain and uneasiness. He was already off to court and his house owner had reassured him that the news would reach him soon. He was supposed to come with the allopathic doctor. “I think it is time.” Ashapurna almost whispered to Somnath as Koeli rushed in with wet towels to comfort Bondita who appeared in a lot of pain. “Talk to Jetha Shoshur Moshai, please.” Somnath nodded and rushed downstairs where Batuk paced the room as Trilochan and Binoy sat on the couch. Ashapurna’s mother had taken Ashutosh with her for the day as soon as she heard.  “What do we do now?” Somnath broke the silence. “She was not due so soon.” Batuk frowned as his uncle gave him a disapproving stare making him stop. “Som, go and call Dai.” He insisted as Somnath remained frozen in his place. “We c...

Trouble In Paradise

Kyun na jaane teri chinta ho rahi hai mujhe Har ghadi ab kyun hai dhyan tera. "Eyes on the road." Aniruddha scolded almost in a reflex, putting his right hand vigilantly over the steering wheel. Bondita's painted hands were on the wheel but her eyes kept wandering to the cattle on either side of the road. "You can't be distracted while driving. You will kill someone." He said in a rather monotonous voice. His hand didn't leave the steering wheel nor did his eyes leave the road. But he made sure instinctively that his hands stayed furthest away from her touch. Bondita breathed in as the morning breeze hit her face. She had removed the saree from over her head when they had stopped by the road to exchange places.  "If you push the car into a tree again, it's your last lesson." He had warned while she giggled.  Bondita couldn't tell Aniruddha why she was distracted the last time. It was almost dusk and while he instructed her on the wheel,...