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 .”