RAABTA

It took three weeks and consistent persuasion from the widowed elderly lady at the mission for Kalyani to shed her Thaan and start dressing in a Tant white saree with a black border just like them. She had no access to Thaan Kapor easily and the Mission only provided these uniforms on a mass scale for free. The little money she saved and the little Sharat gave her let her buy her share of rice and vegetables that she boiled on earthen pots. She struck a chord with one of the village women who came to help around the place now and then. She was one of the untouchables . But in the mission, she was never treated like that. However, Kalyani talked to her politely only from a distance making sure her shadow did not linger on to her and curse her lineage. Tumpa understood her prejudice but she was happy that Kalyani at least did not treat her inhumanly like the rest of the village. One morning Kalyani stared at her reflection in the water of the pond and realised her hair was growing back...

The boat docked across the Kirtonkhola River. The Leader got out followed by the four men. The others exchanged puzzled looks as the Leader flagged down a carriage already waiting at the Ghat. “Where are we going?” This time Jatin asked. He was the youngest in the group.  “Jessore.” The Leader said in between his teeth. “We are setting up new hideouts.” “Jessore will be the intermediate between Calcutta and Dhaka.” Jatin nodded. “But so is Khulna.” “Khulna is already under their watchful eyes.” The Leader shook his head. “Will we be abandoning the old one?” Another asked. “But that is closer to home.” “Exactly.” The man got into the carriage followed by the others.  It was almost noon by the position of the sun in the sky. After some hours when the sun was about to set they reached another riverside. Here no other humans could be seen except a boatman with a boat. He bowed to the Leader and without any words exchanged he rowed the boat up steam through the dense mangrove and o...

The first streak of light hit Abhaya’s face and blinded her vision. She could not remember the last day she stepped outside in the sun. Swadhin was walking beside her, guiding her through the forest towards the water body. He had got a mug for her from somewhere and in a very subtle way showed her that he was armed and if she did anything stupid he would use it. Abhaya stared at him briefly in disbelief. Could he use it or was he trying to intimidate her? But then again she knew nothing about this man or his father anymore. She reassured him that all she wanted was to take a bath. He handed her a saree and she looked surprised. “I took it from Ma’s belongings. She doesn’t wear such bright colours anymore. It is as good as new.” Swadhin tried to sound normal. “You can wear it.” Abhaya felt a lump in her throat. That was a glimpse of the Swadhin Da she assumed she knew. She quickly brushed off the feeling of overwhelm as her hands trembled on the clean saree. It was then that she noticed...