PEREGRINATION

(1)She was walking through the green path ; he was there beside her .She knew he loved her but she was unaware of her heart's wishes though she blushed as she tried to put her ' orna ' in its proper place which she had worn only because someone had said the day before that he likes girls in salwar and to be more precise , his words were , “ I would prefer to see my wife in a salwar “. Lots were to be revealed : the kiss on the hand, that sudden unknown happiness of that unknown feeling of being cared by someone, of being loved by someone, of belonging to someone … all at the same time when that someone meant that one and only person ,awaited for the time. And the world too waited for that time and he, Triborgo, also, patiently while she , Sourindhri could see herself in front of the mirror with a different identity.) (2) That cold winter morning had changed them. From best friends to lovers; no ...it did not happen in a single day ; it was a journey … a journey of knowing the souls, a journey of getting united with true love and they took the decision out of their own volition. And every journey had its obstacles. This one too had its own and situation prevented them from meeting yet it was the same situation that sang for their long awaited union. Friends were happy and their facebook accounts were over flooded with greetings and good wishes. (3) Sourindhri was with Triborgo celebrating their 1st month of courtship with their 1st movie together. Winter was in the city; love was in the air; university was closed and the two lovers were with each other. The perfect fairy tale romance !! It was just the way Sourindhri wanted it – her prince charming and just love … nothing to worry about . Those naiveté hearts were still to come across the hard reality. (4) The people of the city still share an unique life style. While most of the parents allowed their children to stay back after college, there were some families, highly conservative, who wanted their children home before evening sets in and nothing mattered to them except a gpa above 8.5 , a 1st class and a rank in the class. Sourindhri and Triborgo were dragged into the humdrum of their daily life and their romance followed with early morning hurries to reach university early, little bunks , proxy in lab, running away for lunch no sooner than the professor had left the class and waiting for each other till the other one was free and then walking home on lazy afternoons. Understanding grew and the flower was blooming to maturity revealing her variegated petals. Their world of professors , friends and their mothers accepted them “ together.” (5) Spring came with her iridescent demeanor letting the duo fly on Cupid's wings welcoming Saraswati puja in violet saree and golden punjabi , 14th February in the breeze of an isolated “ ghat “ ending with Sanskriti's last night under the dark, clear sky. Opus and onus were given their due importance and were shared equally. It was a careless life guarded by studies, parents, professors and friends and both of them , though aware of their upcoming separation , paid no heed knowing things won't matter much. Colors of holi made them blush. Spring manifested her gaiety and aura in the two lovers. (6) Summer came with the blast of heat rashes on Sourindhi's body. Baffled , she fell in a state of affliction and her cumbersome hands and body could only make her eyes lachrymose. The incident broached a new dimension in their courtship as Triborgo mollified her with his constant care, regular check ups and his constant support as he kissed her hand , giving her the strength , “ don't worry , you will be fine “ , bringing back her smile which faded every morning as Sourindhi would find herself scarred as she washed her face and looked at the mirror. Triborgo's patience , care and love kept her happy in those weeks and his beloved would chortle at his silly pranks and jokes. Yes, after the end of the second week, Sourindhri got back the beauty but it was not her beauty, it was the beauty of Triborgo's love, that manifested in her. (7) Birthday celebrations , Smirnoffs and Carlsbergs were followed by the exam stress , the vivas , project submissions, conferences and of course movie made its time too in them . Both of them carried an air of “ exam.. who cares “ yet they devoted less time to skype calls and a little more time to studies . But regular meetings would not stop and no matter what the exam was , no matter how much they knew about the syllabus, going out of the house for 1 hour was a daily routine . Addled by love, Sourindhri looked forward to see him everyday and he could not but had to be with her even before an hour of the exam and he waited for her till she would complete her paper and run into his arms. No matter what, they would not let anything to make them apart. (8) The 1 month summer holiday passed in a jiffy leaving Sourindri alone in the university campus to complete her masters while Triborgo had to join his job in a reputed multinational company. But till the last day, they were not about the storm that was coming. Summer ripened their fairy tale romance and it was all about movies, long summer dresses, lunches , idle walks , pranks … it was all about being together. The long drive was very special for them as Triborgo's expertise in driving entangled with his secret romantic nature that revealed itself in its full diorama wove an enchanting memory for them in the tunes of romantic songs that played in the car as he drove through the high way with his pretty Sourindhri beaming and blushing . Sourindhri felt his visceral presence and so he did hers and waited what awaited them with the trust and faith that they will always be together. (9) No sooner than Triborgo had joined his joined his job, it became impossible for Sourindhri to acclimate to the new situation and tears became her sole companions. It was soon she started visiting Triborgo's office during his lunch time and seeing him for 1 minute was enough an anodyne. The road was long and even though Sourindhri was unwonted to such long journeys, she would go and would walk in sun and rain employing more strength than one has to climb the acclivity and the thought of seeing her beloved would actuate her and a look at Triborgo's face, the touch of hands and the depth of eyes were the emollients of Sourindhri's distress. Rain came with her animosity as Sourindhri stood with her effusive tears as she watched Triborgo from his office , helpless and weak to break the barrier that prevented him to come out of his office building and hold her hand. Sourindhri did not know how to live with memories and it was impossible for her to live without him but within two weeks, he was transferred to construction site , out of state. (10) There was nothing to abate Sourindhri's pain against the inimical situation. These multinational companies take away a person's life by paying him money , buying him and making him their puppy, chained , providing a good kennel, good food and a place far away from his family, forcing him to work throughout day and night. Sourindhri became a living fossil of old memories, of good times and this contrived separation enervated her body and soul and she cried every moment with nothing to palliate. Triborgo tried to to manage time to talk but he was in fetters and the news that they would not be able to meet for months made the situation more harrowing.Sourindhri's only resort was her God, Lord Shiva, her trees and her skills to indite and her tears which did not stop ruining her psychologically and physically as she spent every moment in deep languor , moribund to see her beloved and to get to talk to him. (11) Lights were fading. The old couple were leaving the park accompanied by their sons and daughters, who had flown to them from different parts of the world to celebrate their 25th marriage anniversary . The party was to be held in one of the best hotels of Auckland and Sourindhri, even though she had grown enough had not loquacious nature but only projected it when she was alone with her husband. “ It has been a long time”, she said putting her head in his arms in the same fashion she used to do years back and Triborgo replied, “ yes , l-0-n-g time baby “ . They had been through all the pain , through all the hurdles stepping on the completion of their 25 years of “ togetherness “. (12) Then there was a lull. Sourindhri could see strokes of white light amidst darkness and a very known image started to appear in front of her.She felt her heart was leavened and the white image of Shiva Linga started taking shape in front of her . Behind that came a man wearing osseous ornaments with a crescent on his head , a snake around his neck and a trident on his hand with an imperturable aura. Sourindhri could hear nothing, could think nothing except the words, “ om namah Shivah “ and she felt she was at peace. (13) Suddenly her phone rang. Sourindhri opened her eyes, took the phone in her hands and saw that Triborgo was calling her. It was 11pm at night and the long awaited phone call. Phew !! Now she could open her heart out and tell him everything that she wanted to and he too had promised to her that once he was back in his guest house from office and was done with his work in his room, he would call her and talk to her and listen to her .. everything.. all that she had had saved throughout the day to tell him. And it was the time. Sourindhri picked up the call and from the other side of the line she heard Triborgo's somnolent voice , “ baby.. am extremely tired ..can we talk tomorrow please ? “ The smile disappeared from Sourindhri's face in that very moment and all that she could say was, “ oh.. okay.. good night.. love you”. There was no reply. Triborgo was too tired after his hectic day and had fallen asleep. Tears covered Sourindhri's eyes. She had lost to the situation. She was helpless. She cried and decided to go back to her meditation again.

Sati : a journey

Sati receited the panchali of Siva in a tone she learned from her mother decades ago when she was a child . “ mamma.. stop it.. please don't read so fast , “ protested Mahishasuramardini , her 6 year old daughter. Sati broke out into laughter and said , “ but it was you who wanted to know the story of Siva- Parvati and I am reading from this book on your wish madam “ , and she took up her child in her arms and in a teasing tone continued , “ so.. tell me what is wrong ? “ “ oh mamma , this is Bengali and your tone and I can't understand anything ..I am dumbfounded “ , protested the girl. “ you can't understand Bengali ? “ , Sati replied back in the same teasing tone .. “ some days you will get us both into trouble I tell you. Your father tries really hard to teach you Bengali after his office . Tiresome job he has . Respect that .” Her tone became serious and she continued , “ Mahishasuramardini Emilia Chakraborty .. I don't want you to be like me. I want you to know Bengali well like your father. If you claim that I am your best friend, then why can't you try and keep my request ?? “. Emilia hugged her mother and putting her head on her breasts, she said softly, “ mamma, I am trying but just could not follow. And besides you said today is Nil Shasthi. You can't make me sad today as you said you do it for me and my brother.. SO you have to tell me the story of Siva Parvati in prose version and slowly “ and she grinned. Sati smiled within herself and gave a deep sigh , “ like father, like daughter..sheyana kothakar .. and a few moments ago I was getting worried that you are becoming like me . Phew !! good for us !! “. “ hehehe “, Mahishasuramardini broke out into laughter.. “ now shoot or I will be late for my Spanish class and somebody is not going to like that “. Sati was now cornered. She closed the book bowed down and offered her prayers to the Siva linga, got up from her asana and handing over an apple to Emilia, she went towards the window. The weather was a little chilly in Auckland. She opened the window to breathe the fresh air ; taking a deep breath, she started saying , “ the story of siva parvati is about a journey of love, a journey of patience , a journey of sacrifice , a journey of understanding...” “ hey, wait a sec “, Emilia interrupted .” how can a journey of love be a journey of patience , of sacrifice ? “. ---“ because they are also a part of the journey “ . “ and does that mean Parvati loved siva ? And what about him? “ “ he loved her too “ “ then how come the point of journey comes? “ “ Siva was in kailash doig his job of protecting the universe. Parvati was miles away, a princess caged in a castle ; she used to come to kailasha secretly ; often she would not find Siva as he was busy and then after years of waiting she got united with her beloved and this union was blessed by everyone “ Mahishasuramardini listened with her mouth agape and with an air of excitement, she said , “ but mamma this is a myth.. right?? can it happen in real life ? “ “of course it does , “ Sati smiled back . “so do you know some story like that?? then tell me that one 1st “, Emilia blurted out. “hmm... I do “, Sati said in a deep voice. There was a pause . She looked at her silver watch. No ..it was not lunch time yet..She had taken a leave from her university that day for her 'brata ' and was waiting for her husband's call during lunch. Lots of memories clouded over her mind and she seemed to lose her thought process in them. “ mamma”...her lit tle girl shoted pulling the anchal of her saree. “ oho..yah the story”, replied the lady absentmindedly. “ yah .. tell the story mom.. I have to leave for my class in an hour” “ oh yah. The girl's name was Jita and the guy's name was Rup.” “ cooollll.. and then ?? “ “ achha, I will make luchis now and tell you while I do it “, Sati interrupted. “ uh okay “, Emilia said with a smile , “ but you said u are not going to have luchi now; you planned to eat in the evening na ? “ “ who said they are for me ?”, Sati blushed. “ oh , that means someone is going to get home made luchi and torkari in his office today “, Emilia grinned. “ stop teasing me .. “ , Sati complained and started making the luchis. “ so where were we ?” “ two lovers : Jita and Rup and then you started talking about lunch for you know whom” “ its your father “ “ nooo... it is your beloved..now about the lovers “. “ oh yah.. they were students of the same university; they were in love ; it was a fairy tale romance and their friends used to look up to them for their compatibility.Jita was in arts, a loner with strict parents who did not allow her to go out with friends and going out in the weekend was a big 'no no “ . She had to come back home everydy by 6pm . Rup meant everything to her. And yes she meant everything to him too. Even though he had a very close friend circle he would skip parties just to be with her. “ “ oh poor girl.. how can people be so strict with their children ?” “ in our times some were .. and then a week before the completion of their 8 months courtship, came the storm.Rup had completed his BE and he had to join his office, BOC while Jita had still 1 yr to finish her M.A. Rup tried his best to love his new job and awaited for his results of New Zealand. But Jita was too stubborn to accept that Rup was not with her. She cried every moment and prayed to God. Every nook and corner of her university, Jadavpur University , reminded me of the happy times we spent together. The canteen, the green zone, the gates, Blue Earth...just everything...She could not have her lunch while Rup was a fresher in his office and tried his very best to text her or call her. He was liking his new ambiance and he could divert his mind .That did not imply that he missed her.And... I became a living fossil of those happy days and strained my eyes to see him . Every moment I cried for him, I wanted to be with him.I could not was too carried away by sorrow to understand that he too missed me and cried every moment, whenever he called . 1st day passed in this way and Jita skipped her dinner waking up with the plan that she will meet him. She was determined. She can't live without seeing him and she had to find her way herself. On the 2nd day, she used eye liner on her eyes which Rup loved and told her father to pick her up from library around 7:30pm. She took a auto to Taratala and waited for 15 minutes. It was 6:15 pm and the place was not good for girls. So she managed to get a seat in the petrol pump there. But after 15 minutes, Rup informed her he won't be able to get out. He told her repeatedly not to come as he was uncertain.But she did not listen. Heartbroken she left and reached home crying desperately. It was suffocating. I felt like I could not breathe ;I cried in the washroom so that none could hear me; I cried by covering my face with the pillow. I just wanted to be with my Rup.I was addled by his absence . Rup felt extremely bad as he knew his Jita was upset. He was chained. He could not meet her. But he too was determined to see her soon. The next day Jita went during his lunch time. There were obstacles on the road, the rain, the traffic jam and the auto driver who was busy waiting to take passengers. And then after the struggle I was there...my Rup was standing outside his office. I could not believe it.He was there in formals. I could not believe I touched him. Though it was for 10 minutes, Jita was extremely happy. She came home smiling. 2 weeks passed like this. They could not meet everyday. But Rup tried and so did Jita. Often she would go and wait and come back without meeting him but there was always a next day. She started to concentrate in her studies. Rup was transferred to site outside their state and Jita waited to see him; sometimes days and sometimes months. And then Rup got through New Zealand and it was time to bid good bye to him. I was happy that he had to quit his stupid company... Oh how I hated it and how I cursed it .. these companies .. they make people work hard , stay away from their families and what are they making out of them? Machines.. nothing else. How can we expect a healthy generation if the fathers are always busy with their work? The employees were never completely happy. They were like Rup who had to earn and who had spouses waiting for them. Jita spent the months applying and this time too their love won and she got through Rup's university... and now they are happily married...” Sati gave a deep breath and tears rolled down her cheeks. “ OMG... this is so awesome “, Emilia said excitedly... “ mom, I always knew you are crazy for daddy but this is... yah.. it was a journey .. “ “ hey wait , “ Sati interrupted.. “ why are you talking about my relationship with your father??” “ mamma... cause you just told your story “. “ m..m,mmmy story? “ Sati tried her best to look confused as if Emilia had said something which is extremely strange. “ mamma... I kno that your nickname is Jita, you call daddy Rup and while telling the story you said ' I' and “ our “ instead of referring as ' her ' and ' their ' .. “ Emilia attacked her .. “ “ uh.. okay, “ Sati replied back...She was still dwindling in the memory line.. those tough days .. her husband always told her to be strong and promised her that a happy future awaited for them. He was right. She was given each and every happiness by her husband ; she was the mother of 2 loving kids and wife of an extremely caring and responsible husband . She waited patiently for him till he came to her hitler father and demanded her hand from him. She started packing the luchi , the french fries and aloo dum in tiffin carrier . Emilia had packed her bag and was going towards the door when her mom said ., “ wait.. I will drop you “. “ No ma,you go “, Emilia said pretending to be a grown up . “ or else you will be late for his lunch time and he will finish his lunch and nobody will be there to help you and daddy will only scold you if you cry.. So take my word and leave quickly . I will go now..” Sati was pleased by Emilia's maturity, Her daughter was becoming like her husband , the way she wanted it. “ yes baby .. and do bring Priyadarshan home with you. His mom , Shini is supposed to come by 4pm at our place .” “ sure.. and who else is coming? “ “ Das aunty “ “ and?? “ “ arey.. the mechanical monkeys .. you know them “, Sati laughed. “ you mean the husbands of your girl's gang “ , Emilia grinned. “ oi r ki ,... and your father too.. I just hope these luchis will make him come home early “ “ khete pele shute chaye “ “ now who taught you that??” “ Bengali lessons from daddy and I meant that mom.. bye .. “ Sati broke out into laughter. She dressed herself in a red saree, used eye liner and lipstick , took the keys and the tiffin box and drove towards her husband's office. If anyone could sit beside her he could hear her telling her husband over phone , “ Rup please wait... I will be there in 15 minutes .”