Dr. Ajitesh began like this, ‘The two characters in the story are a couple married in the month of March in 1954.’ Subha abruptly stopped him and said, ‘so within two years the so-called-mishap happened. I was just a small boy then’, he exclaimed curiously. ‘Yes, Subha listen carefully, as you will not like it if you interrupt now and then out of excitement. The couple used to study at Presidency College at Calcutta. The name of the young man was Mrinal Dey an orphan like many others in our society and the lady was Mita Sanyal. After Mrinal completed his studies and got the job of a forest ranger, he went to Mita’s house and asked her hand in marriage from her father. Mita’s rich father had high hopes for her daughter and so likely objected to the marriage. Then one day, like the beginnings of many love stories she left her home forever with Mrinal with the desire of a life of her own and dictated by none. They got married in the forest ranger’s bungalow with a few college mates who were still with them. Let me tell you the nature of the characters, as far as I understand; Mrinal was a simple man who liked to socialize with people whenever possible and Mita was on the other hand conservative about two things - the first was of course her husband and the second one was the jewelry sets she got in her marriage. The first ten months of their conjugal life went on smoothly. One fine December afternoon, Mrinal had taken a casual leave from office and was resting on bed half asleep. His wife came and saw that the magazine was on his chest and the spectacles was still on his face. The specs might break, thinking this she came near him and slowly was taking the specs of his face, when Mrinal opened his eyes. ‘Did I wake you up’, said Mita. Mrinal quickly said, ‘No, no. Did any phone rang during this time?’ Mita was about to say something when the phone rang up. Before Mita could stand on her feet, Mrinal jumped out of bed and picked up the phone.
Mita went towards the kitchen and was busy with her work when she heard that Mrinal was talking in a somewhat different tone. Feeling something fishy she tiptoed towards the kitchen door adjacent to her bedroom and tried to eavesdrop. Mrinal was addressing some one on the other side of the phone as Umesh Bhai. She was a bit surprised as nobody till date was known to her by that name. Mrinal only replied in a Yes or No. Each time his voice seemed to tremble all the more. Mita was getting anxious as she could not make out the heads or tails of the phone call. He kept the phone down and with his head in deep thought he was walking towards the kitchen. His attention fell on his wife to which he smiled but his wife’s stare faded the smile away. His wife sat by his side and enquired about the matter. Mrinal gave a little heart laugh and trying to avoid the question suddenly gave an expression of surprise. “Oh God! I am getting forgetful everyday.” Mita was all the more surprised. He took out from his kurta pocket a small box. Mita opened the box with unknowings and suddenly her face brightened. In it contained a ring of gold with precious stones in it. For a few moment she was in the seventh heaven. “Happy birthday Mita, I love you more than anything else“. She was taken aback with joy and embraced her husband. She herself did not remember her birthday. When everything eased like the tide water, she pounced back with the same question, ‘Who was the person on phone talking harshly with you?’
Mita went towards the kitchen and was busy with her work when she heard that Mrinal was talking in a somewhat different tone. Feeling something fishy she tiptoed towards the kitchen door adjacent to her bedroom and tried to eavesdrop. Mrinal was addressing some one on the other side of the phone as Umesh Bhai. She was a bit surprised as nobody till date was known to her by that name. Mrinal only replied in a Yes or No. Each time his voice seemed to tremble all the more. Mita was getting anxious as she could not make out the heads or tails of the phone call. He kept the phone down and with his head in deep thought he was walking towards the kitchen. His attention fell on his wife to which he smiled but his wife’s stare faded the smile away. His wife sat by his side and enquired about the matter. Mrinal gave a little heart laugh and trying to avoid the question suddenly gave an expression of surprise. “Oh God! I am getting forgetful everyday.” Mita was all the more surprised. He took out from his kurta pocket a small box. Mita opened the box with unknowings and suddenly her face brightened. In it contained a ring of gold with precious stones in it. For a few moment she was in the seventh heaven. “Happy birthday Mita, I love you more than anything else“. She was taken aback with joy and embraced her husband. She herself did not remember her birthday. When everything eased like the tide water, she pounced back with the same question, ‘Who was the person on phone talking harshly with you?’
Contd...P/5
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