Skip to main content

Change of Heart: Kabir's Journey

This Outtake from Protibimbo is written as a background story for Kabir, which was edited out of the original novel because I later thought it was unnecessary. You can read it after Chapter One, or for better understanding, after the novel is over. Enjoy!

The day Kabir got off the train at Sealdah Station with his brother, he was intimidated by the crowd and the pace of the city. Everyone seemed to be in a hurry. His brother was working as a daily wager in the streets of Calcutta for almost a decade almost and now that Kabir had passed his matriculation, his brother felt it was time for him to study in the city and earn his living. There was no better place to start a labour job than the streets of Sealdah. With that in mind, Kabir packed his very few belongings, greeted his Bhabhi, and kissed his nephew goodbye as he made his way to the big city. His brother was a member of the newly formed Labour Union and had already talked to his superiors about an odd job for Kabir. Learning that he was also going to be a student at the University of Calcutta, the considerate man suggested that a waiter job at College Street would be convenient for his hours. So Kabir started working in the Indian Coffee House and managed to pay for his rented shared room as well as his fees with it. Initially, his brother used to come by once in a while to the Coffee House to check on him. The manager was a bald old man with an unfriendly face, but he knew of Kabir’s connection to the union and to not mess with him. Kabir started going to college and soon found out that he was made fun of by the city boys coming in their father’s expensive cars or even by those whose fathers were teachers and bankers, for Kabir looked Geyo. The more Kabir failed to make friends in college, the more he became close to the colleagues who worked with him. Life was like that for two years, with occasional visits back home on vacations, when one day his brother came to see him.
“I am joining the Congress.” His words made Kabir frown a little cluelessly. 
“You will still be working in the city, right?” He asked, unsurely. The moment his brother lectured him about the nation needing young blood and him going away for some time, Kabir viewed him as an escapist. Someone who was running away from his responsibilities towards his family like a coward.

Kabir became more responsible towards his nephew and began sending home money after his brother was gone. The occasional letters that arrived from him let Kabir know two things: one, he was alive, and two, he was constantly moving from one place to another. In the middle of the next summer, the Police came to the Indian Coffee House and sought out Kabir to ask some questions about his brother. It scared him to know that the police had even been to the village looking for him. The Manager felt Kabir was also involved in something illegal that would harm the business, and let him go.


Kabir was clueless for a while as to what he could do when his roommate suggested trying as a daily wager in the station area. For some weeks, Kabir was taking sacks of cargo to the railway yards and managing to earn enough for his fees. Most days, he would eat less to save up, but it left him with very little time to study. It was no shock to him when he failed to clear his honours finals and had to take the degree without it. On the day of the result, Kabir was taken to the Metia Bruz Baiji Bari by his roommate for a celebration. Although Kabir was unsure of it, he did not want to refuse. The glittering world of the lanes was a different universe to him. He somehow managed to befriend Mohini Bai, one of the young dancers whom he spotted in a corner reading a book. They talked about the book for a while, and Mohini invited Kabir to come the next evening to watch her perform. Kabir was not someone who understood art. His hands were rough from odd jobs, and any entertainment was a luxury for him. But something in Mohini Bai intrigued him. She was very young, almost a teen. He did not wish to say no. He thought it was going to be one day, but then he met some interesting people at the Mehfil. Bonomali was about his age and was working in La’at Saheb’s office. Hearing of Kabir’s plight, he offered Kabir a job at his place. Kabir was more than happy to work for Bonomali’s family. They were a posh, reputable family staying in the heart of the city, and his job was to assist his old father with odd things. Reading the newspaper or writing a letter. Kabir, however, did not stop going to the lanes of Metia Bruz. Soon, he was debating politics with Bonomali and a few others. He strongly believed that what his brother believed in was wrong. No amount of a round table conference could bring freedom. Freedom was to be fought for. With blood, sweat and tears. Babus with their pleated Dhuti and Khaddar Panjabis could not bring freedom, sitting in their luxurious living rooms. 


Bonomali seemed to disagree. The debate went on for long hours into the morning. Then Kabir was about to leave to report to the job when Bonomali stopped him. He wanted Kabir to meet someone. “You are ready,” he said.

“Ready for what?” Kabir looked perplexed at Bonomali. That night, Bonomali took him to one of the rooms in the back of the Kothi and introduced him to Upendra Gangopadhyay. Kabir was unsure and reluctant. Bonomali made him believe he would do the same odd jobs he did now, only with his eyes and ears open. There was no risk involved. Kabir agreed, more because they were paying him well and he needed the money now that his nephew had gone to school. Kabir did not know when he had started taking risks, eagerly, to gather more information and help the group. He had no idea what the group did with the information or how many people, except Bonomali, Upendra or Sharat, were involved. The group majorly worked on a need-to-know basis, and Kabir did not mind. He did not want to get into trouble.


But one day changed everything for him. He was walking down College Street, running some chores, when he saw a protest group outside the Presidency College. He could read their placards and their demand for equal rights for Indians in comparison to British citizens in India. A police car came by, then two. There was a commotion among the protestors. Shots were fired. As everyone ran helter-skelter, Kabir noticed a bloody body on the road. He was one of the protestors. Was asking if someone’s basic rights are worth being killed over? His blood boiled. He could not sleep for the next three nights and waited for his meeting with Upendra. When he finally met Master Moshai, he asked for riskier jobs. He wanted to drive the British hooligans out of the country for good.


Kabir was doing the same job with a different zeal now. He was extra risky but extra careful. Kabir often thought of his brother abandoning his family. A letter or two every few months was not worth it. That made Kabir decide he had chosen this life, and he would not ruin another by marriage and vows he could not keep. He had no time to fall in love, no time to spend at home. Kabir’s plan was foolproof. He would see India on its independence day dawn and then find a job with the newly formed native government. He looked forward to it. But then Adhir and the others decided that they were doing the same thing they were against, and it could not go on this way. Kabir was appointed at the house of the Magistrate as his cook. He had been training under the cook at Bonomali’s house for it in secret. He was ready for his job, unaware that he was not alone in the mission. Meera was introduced to him by Sharat. It was not the first time she was working undercover, but her first time in Barishal and her first time with a partner. At first, they were awkward and unsure. Playing with strangers was easy. But then Kabir slowly found a friend in Meera. In between their few assignments in disguise, Meera and Kabir discovered that despite their separate backgrounds and separate journeys, they had both seen enough of the world not to be fooled by it. They both had no home to return to and a past they never discussed. The air of mystery in their friendship attracted Kabir. He had never had a friend in his life who was truly there for the sake of a friendship without ulterior motives. 


Meera was younger than him but wiser. He learnt much about life from her reactions and was grateful for it. But he was unsure whether someone like Meera would feel the same for him. Kabir was glad that their intel helped bomb the Magistrate successfully. But it meant that they had to stay under cover and not meet Meera for some time. That was when Kabir realised he missed Meera. At first, he assumed it was because of a habit he had developed, but soon his wise heart realised it was more than that. He feared that his emotions would hinder his mission and ruin their friendship. He decided not to express himself to her in any way that would affect what they had built on a foundation of respect and trust. Little did Kabir know that life had other plans.







Popular posts from this blog

Purnota: Chapter Sixteen

It had been a month since Bondita had started working in the firm. With Somnath’s wedding date being set for winter, many things were keeping Trilochon and Kalindi busy as they took charge of the smooth running of things leading up to the wedding. They needed to shop for everyone, buy gifts and choose jewellery and sarees for the bride. Despite his attempts, Trilochon found Binoy reluctant to participate in his son’s wedding arrangements. Somnath took him and Kalindi to places they wanted to go, especially Kolkata for shopping, and Trilochon made arrangements to make sure that the first wedding of the generation was grand enough. Bondita tried to help as much as she could as she noticed Aniruddha being oddly aloof from the entire thing. She assumed it was due to Trilochon’s reactions to his lack of interest in marriage. Trilochon kept pestering her to enquire into his reasons while she kept stalling him with excuses. Bondita also failed to know more about Kalindi and Trilochon’s past, ...

My Everything

Kunwar Pratap stormed into the Mahal at Gogunda amidst uncertainty and chaos. Happy faces of the chieftains and soldiers welcomed him as Rawat Chundawat, and some other chieftains stopped the ongoing Raj Tilak. A visibly scared Kunwar Jagmal looked clueless at a visibly angry Kunwar Pratap. Rani Dheerbai Bhatiyani hadn't expected Kunwar Pratap to show up, that too, despite her conveying to him his father's last wish of crowning Kunwar Jagmal. Twenty-one days after Udai Singh's death, she was finally close to a dream she had dared to dream since Jagmal was born. He was not informed about the Raj Tilak as per Dheerbai's instructions. She eyed Rawat Ji. He must have assembled the chiefs to this revolt against her son, against the dead king. No one except them knew where Kunwar Pratap was staying. It was for the safety of his family. " What are you doing, Chotima?" A disappointed voice was directed at her. She could stoop down so low? For the first time, an anger...

Towards You

The Afghans, after Sher Shah Suri's untimely demise, were at loggerheads for power. Their troops near Mewar were now led by Mehmood Shah. They secretly captured territories in the forests and waited to attack Mewari camps when the time was right. Rawat Chundawat and his spies had confirmed the news, and Udai Singh sent a warning to Mehmood Shah to withdraw his troops from Mewar in vain. Now that it was out in the open, it was time they declared war. Mehmood Shah had limited resources in Mewar. His internal rebellion against his commander did not help his cause. His spies clearly suggested that in no way could he win, especially with Kunwar Pratap leading his troops. He was having second thoughts about the war. It was then that one of his aides suggested a perfect plan. Maharani Jaivanta Bai had decided to go to the Mahakaleshwar Temple near the outskirts of Chittorgarh, in the forestlands of Bhilwara. They had travelled a long way and across the Gambhiri river that meandered during...

Purnota: Chapter Seventeen

Bondita opened the curtains of her room at The Park to find the view of Stephen Court and the street below going towards the Maidan. She eyed the double bed and placed her things on one side while lying down on the empty side. The soft bed made her yawn as she sat up, staring at the clock. She needed to change for a quick dinner. They had an early matter at the High Court, and the client’s car was supposed to pick them up around 9 AM. As she changed into a full-sleeve black top and jeans, removed her earrings and adjusted her smudged Kajal, she heard a knock on her door. She opened it to find Aniruddha standing in a pair of jeans and a grey polo-necked T-shirt, his hair brushed back, as he cleaned his thin-rimmed glasses with the edge of his T-shirt.  “Are you ready for dinner?” He asked, putting the glasses back on. As she nodded, she grabbed her handbag. They walked into The Bridge, and Bondita was a little conscious of her environment. Many foreign guests, businessmen and even s...

Purnota: Chapter Twenty One

The morning after the Chief Minister of the state attended the reception party, Binoy wrapped the newspaper that had just arrived at their threshold, eyeing the picture of him and Trilochon with the chief minister smiling proudly, made a mental note of framing it for his office in Siliguri and stepped out to see the car waiting for him in the entrance to take him to the station. He glanced over his shoulder at the house, still asleep and watched Bihari put his luggage in the back seat. Bihari had been with the Roy Chowdhury House since he was a teenager. He eyed Binoy as he lit his pipe and straightened his jacket when Bihari approached him. “Boro Saheb, should I inform Kotta Moshai once?” Binoy eyed Bihari with a disapproving glance.  “If I wanted to tell him, I would have done so myself, Bihari. Where is the driver?” He checked his watch. Bihari sighed as he ran to check on the driver. Bondita stopped on the gravelled path leading from the entrance to the main gate as she watched...

Purnota: Chapter Twenty Two

The winter morning was pleasant, especially when the sunshine hit the dewy grass on the lawn, and Bihari set down the porcelain cups for Trilochon and Kalindi to start their day. Kalindi had just taken up some orders to knit sweaters and mittens for some of the neighbourhood kids as she wrapped the thick brown shawl tightly around herself, on the chilly morning as she sat down on the lawn chair with her needles, pin and colourful balls of wool, as she knit a pair of mittens while waiting for Trilochon to join her. Bondita hurried out of their place and stopped at the sight of her sitting alone, unsurely. “Do you need something?” Kalindi raised her eyes briefly from the wool and asked as she shook her head. “I was hoping to talk to Jyatha Moshai…” She shivered a little as Kalindi scolded her to find a sweater first. She rushed indoors as Kalindi spotted Trilochon in a thermal t-shirt, a pair of pants and a shawl walking towards her with the cane in hand. He stopped as he watched her kni...

Purnota: Chapter Twenty

Trilochon’s only desire for Som’s wedding was for it to be so grand that the entire Chandannagar remembered it for the longest time. He had also invited the leaders of the opposition, ministers and even the CM, and if rumours were to be believed, he would accept the invitation. That meant trying to impress him for a ticket to the next Lok Sabha elections. He knew the only way to do so was also to showcase Som as a prodigy. Their family name was enough to earn votes for the party in the area. “Perhaps you could tell him about Somnath Babu’s involvement in some of the projects here. Like the slum area where water was flooding the pathways…” Poritosh had suggested. “But it was done by…” Bapi Da had stopped as Trilochon shook his head, “How does it matter who did it? What matters is that we say Som did it.” They agreed. “Jyatha Moshai.” Bondita walked into his room, not expecting the elderly men from the Party office to be there. “ Bolo, Maa. ” “The Gaye Holud is here.” She smiled. “How a...

Purnota: Chapter Fifteen

A week was all it took for Bondita to get used to work and the new routine. She would wake up early and hurry through her chores, helping Kalindi prepare a tiffin of either Chirer Polao or bread jam and then proceeding to the Roy Chowdhury house. She would arrange the day’s paperwork before Aniruddha arrived at the study room. Occasionally, she would hear him call out to Koeli for breakfast and pack her things, knowing he was almost ready to leave. He would walk into the chamber, check his list, and they would go to work. She would follow him from courtroom to courtroom. She would be sitting in the audience and learning. She would follow him to conferences and client meetings and take notes. They would discuss complicated cases. She would share the tiffin she brought from home. He would at first take a reluctant bite, then eat more than her. She often gave him her share of food discreetly. They usually stayed back after everyone was gone and ordered food for dinner. Some days, he woul...

Purnota: Chapter Twenty Three

“So the question is, do the slum dwellers get their dues to relocate, or do they protest on the road, grabbing media attention? If one of them mentions the sewage project where all this started, we can’t guarantee not dragging certain names then. It will be beyond our control.” Bondita breathed in as she eyed everyone at the table. The conference hall of ARC & Associates had an oval table with a whiteboard, projector and podium and sitting around the table were a stenographer, Bondita’s secondary attorney, Debashish Ghosal, the contractor and his attorney Biswas, the representative of the NGO with the Union leader of the slum, Trilochon, Somnath and Aniruddha. The people of the NGO appreciated her strategy with a nod. Ghoshal looked perplexed as his lawyer whispered something in his ear. Somnath did not look up from the table as Aniruddha passed a note to Trilochon in writing.  “Now the decision is yours.” Bondita continued. “We are keen on out-of-court settlement if our basic ...

Purnota: Chapter Nineteen

“Wake up, wake up!” Bondita smiled, amused at Aniruddha and Batuk sleeping on his bed, hugging each other like children. She removed the curtains, and the room was flooded in daylight. “Urgh.” Batuk stirred as Aniruddha sat up. “What is wrong with you?” Batuk threw the pillow Bondita caught before it hit the floor. Her wet hair shone in the sunlight, with droplets of water lingering on its tips as she adjusted her well-pleated orange saree with a blue border and opened the window. A gust of cold breeze blew in from the Ganges, prompting Batuk to pull his blanket over his face. “Let me sleep, Daini !” He murmured. “Is it not enough that you all gave away my room to guests?” Aniruddha was stretching and yawning as Bondita chuckled, amused, pulling her wet hair to the side of her shoulder. “Why are you dressed up?” Aniruddha asked, suppressing a yawn. “Oh, you should be, too. Jyatha Moshai said We are going to Kalighat.” She raised her brows, amused. “Oh shit,” Aniruddha murmured, hitting...