RAABTA

Abhaya was unsure of where they were going as Swadhin drove them towards Kashipur. It was at the break of dawn and although the sun was not yet visible on the horizon the sky was clearer and the birds chirped on the trees on either side of the road. The shadows of the night were slowly disappearing into the light of dawn. She eyed him, unsure of his driving skills but too intimidated by the seriousness of his face to question him. The car came to a halt at the mission as Abhaya read the board with a frown. Why were they here? Abhaya could not tell why she was scared. She watched Swadhin take his bag of equipment out and open her side of the door for her in silence. Abhaya stepped out of the car, drew the Ghomta over her head and followed him inside the premises. The sun was now a bright red ball in the horizon and she could see the school at a distance. He turned left and she followed him into a house with a courtyard in the middle and two storeys of rooms surrounding it. On the other...

Swadhin wiped the sweat off his forehead before it trickled down to his eyes and blurred his glasses. Marzi was holding up the kerosene light as he had instructed. Tumpa, the village woman, brought back boiling water in utensils to clean wounds and sterilise his equipment. Swadhin’s hand trembled a little as he cleaned the wound and carefully pulled out the scrap. He placed it on a tray and wiped his forehead again. His glasses were blurring with sweat. He stopped to wipe them with a handkerchief. Sharat groaned a little in his unconsciousness. “Tell Mohini we need more opium to keep him from feeling the pain.” He told the woman who rushed outside.  “I also need someone to bring me a new injection from the Dhaka Medical College. The Tetanus can save him. Since we don’t know how long ago the injury was, there is still hope. I will prescribe it. Along with some pills.” He bandaged the wound he had stitched carefully. Marzi nodded as he brought out his writing pad and scribbled down t...