NEIGHBOURHOOD

DURGA PUJA 2008


Tring tring – my alarm bell rang. I woke up lazily. I had to get ready for office, so I dragged myself to the restroom and sprinkled some cold water on my face. It was spring in Johannesburg and autumn in Kolkata. I was missing autumn badly.


Autumn - the season of ‘Siuli’ a typical flower that spreads its aroma to announce the arrival of Durga Puja. Kolkata streets must be logged with bamboos and other decorative items by now. I was packing my bag for the Capetown trip. Suddenly, my ipod fell off my bag. My first Apple gadget bought in 2008. 2008 – the year when I was in love once again.


The Gupta’s celebrated Durga puja is a grand fashion. Our involvement in the festivity would begin from the day we brought the idol from Kumortuli to their house. Mrs. Gupta, my mom and Antara aunty would devote their day in making sweets for the deity for the upcoming festival. I was in charge of the food for the four days of festival. I knew that the third and the fourth day would be hectic as a lot of invitees would turn up on the third and the fourth day.


Catering was a passion of mine and I enjoyed every bit of it. I was fond of crafts and painting too. In order to make the shamiana more appealing, I decided to decorate it with my paintings and paper crafts. I needed a helping hand and it was overwhelming when Kuhu stepped forward to help me. Kuhu brought her team of enthusiastic kids along with her and the entire team was in full swing with me as the conductor of the band. A month before the Puja, I cut short my office hours to spend the evening at Kuhu’s house for the art and crafts. Soon I realized two things – first, I was getting attracted to Kuhu and secondly, I was living the kid in me once again. Days went by and Kuhu and I become close friends without us even realizing it.


“O Maa – this place looks so nice this year” – Mrs. Gupta was happy. So was her daughter-in-law.


“Avik since you are decorating the pandal this year please right the Nirghonto too.” – Mom didi, the daughter-in-law of the Gupta’s said in an affectionate voice.


Nirghonto is the daily Puja routine and I was not familiar in writing so much Bengali in a calligraphic way. But as always the smart thoughts struck me. I accepted the proposal thinking that I could spend some more time with Kuhu in the process of getting the Nirghonto written. Kuhu helped me in finishing the minor touches and the shamiana was one of its kinds on Panchami. The dhakis and the purohits were also amazed when they saw the newly decorated shamiana.


“Avik” – I was in the first day of the puja vacations and in no mood to wake up early. Lazily, I dragged myself towards the verandah to check out who was shouting out my name. Ah! It was Bibhuti, the cook. He has arrived in the venue was will cook for us for all the four days of Puja. I had to do the groceries, monitor him and serve people for the four days. He liked me very much as I took keen interest in his cuisines.


“Come on boy. Why are you sleeping so late? Its already 8am and we need to get the breakfasts ready.”


“Please give me half an hour. I am very tired. You get your groceries from Kakima, I will just take a bath and come. ”


Kuhu and I frequently text’d each other. She had free sms’s and I was happy to spend to reply her. My keypad was soon set to work. ‘Get up dumbo – its time to work’. I brushed my teeth, took a shower and dressed up in my favorite attire – t-shirt and shorts. Whistling, I went off my room and towards the main gate when I heard a cry.


“O Maa, what will happen to this boy when I am gone” – my mothers usual groan.


“What did I do now?” – I was puzzled.


“Can you please be in decent dress before you go out. You look like a ruffian.”


“Maa, look I have to do a lot of work and may even have to climb the bamboo structure to hung things. So this is the most comfortable wear for me. Now please stop groaning.” – I was getting annoyed.


“Seems as if you are hosting the Puja. Do whatever you want to.”


My Puja started in dismay. I could have gone on with the conversation but thought it would be best to walk off from home. I went past Kuhu’s house and peeped in to find out she was still sleeping.


“Disgusting” – I murmured as I went towards the shamiana. The mandap and the shamiana were on the opposite side of the street. I peeked into the mandap and saw that the Shasthi Puja has begun. Mom was late for the Puja and the morning song made me resistant to give her a call. I walked towards Bibhuti and sat in front of him looking at the dough being needed.


“See. You spent your day serving people and starving yourself. I am serving you some hot luchis; have them before the hungry troop flocks in here” – Bibhuti was concerned about my breakfast.


“Leave it. Am fine in the way I conduct proceedings. I am not hungry. Let me know once you are done. I will call everyone for the breakfast.”


I set myself to work. I called Lalu to help me in arranging the table and chairs. We arranged the dining place properly and placed the paper plates in each of the tables. After Bibhuti signaled us, Lalu went inside the mandap to call people for the breakfast. Kuhu’s cousin Apu was the first one to arrive.


Apu was fat, lazy and a meritorious boy. He ate in proportions to his marks in school exams. It was good to serve him as he would eat to his fullest on our request and then gasp for breath.


“Luchi” – Apu shouted out.


I was not an amateur with girls and knew that you reach Kuhu, Apu was the easiest route that I could take.


“Apu” I whispered “there are four luchis per head but I can serve you more if you co operate”


“I need more luchis” – Apu grinned.


“Where’s Kuhu? Is she coming for the breakfast or shall I carry it to her home?”


“Nope, she is coming with jethu. Why?”


“Apu sorry I already served you two extra luchis and can’t serve more. I will make up for it some other time”. I was in no mood to serve him extra.


Kuhu came for the breakfast with her dad. She always wanted her dad by her side just like the Raymonds ad. I wonderer at times if she was grown up enough to be proposed. Shasthi passed by and puja was in full swing in Saptami. I became very busy with the increasing number of diners. I did not notice Kuhu until Asthami evening when Kuhu was clad in saree. She looked beautiful in saree and her mother’s jewellery. I was mesmerized by her looks and in anticipation to that my heart beat faster.


Asthami evening was special for everyone. We gathered in the mandap and swayed our hips to the beats of dhaak. Our parents would also join us and the festival spirit would reach to zenith. The dance began in circle and like a sly and crafty womanizer; I crept and reached near Kuhu to hold her hands.


Dashami was knocking at the door and all of us were sad to call and end to the festival. The final aarti started at around 5pm. Women of the nearby houses gathered to bid farewell to the goddess. After the aarti was over it was time for us to start the final proceedings, the dashami dance. Kuntalda and I preferred to be drunk before the dance began to revitalize ourselves after four day’s of hard work. This year was no exception and we boozed and threw the Hayward’s bottles in the lake before making our way to the mandap. The dance started and soon I realized that I was dancing with Kuhu. My cousin acted smart and got photographs of me dancing with Kuhu. Durga Puja ended but our relationship bloomed. I started messaging her more often and got adequate replies to make me believe she was falling for me too.

NEIGHBOURHOOD

KALIKAPUR, COGNIZANT & LOST LOVE



“Dad cant we move after my semester exams.” – I enquired.


“No son, the landlord is least interested about your exams and so we have no other way than moving on. And in any case you are going to do well in the exams.” – Dad said with a confident voice. I never knew from where dad gathered so much confidence in me. The fifth semester was just a day away when we moved to our new house in Kalikapur. I was happy to have a room of my own but tensed because I was running short of my revision time. I imposed some self confidence in me and was ready to take the examinations. Mom needed some time to get the kitchen up and running. The aunt next door had invited us for the lunch but I needed a brunch. Antara aunty happily cooked it for me before I left for the exams. That was the first day when I saw Kuhu, Antara aunt’s daughter – a girl studying in first year of graduation with majors in Botany at the Lady Brabourne College.


You can take a boast in superstitions when they help you fetch good marks. I never shaved or cut my nails during the month of the semester exams. Being a consistent topper somehow made me feel that not only studies can help you reach there but also your superstitions have to play a part in them. Time went by and as the first candidate of my batch, I cracked the campus interview.


Cognizant – I wanted it like anything. I always had the zeal to join the software industry. The opportunities to travel abroad appealed a lot to me. Well I had my dreams accomplished; I was on the list of selected candidates – the first and the only one from my department. Happiness flooded my home and I became an element of observation in my class.


It is difficult to find girls in a engineering college, especially good looking girls apart from the Computer science department. Mine was Electrical, an engineering loaded with high voltage machines. Unlike to the characteristic of our stream, we had two beauties in our department. The first was our network theory teacher and the second – Piuli, my classmate. The boys in our class used to flock around Piuli in every single chance they got. Piuli never disappointed them and always had some means or the other to shorten the conversations. I felt that she was a snob and kept a safe distance from her. It was till the end of first year that we hardly spoke to each other.


“Hey Avik, we know that the topper takes pride in himself but that doesn’t mean that he keep distance from his classmates” – Piuli was furious. She had asked me to help her with a circuit theory problem but I ignored her completely.


“Well no; that’s not the case with me, you are getting me wrong. Actually I had a call from the classroom” – I defended my self.


“Hey buddies look at this Teacher’s boy of ours” – she pointed at me laughingly.


My rivals started to sneak into the opportunity of embarrassing me.


“Hey Piuli superb adjective man that why he gets good marks. Don’t you see that? Everyone knows that 40% of the marks are internal and that is where he scores”. I felt like dogs barking at me.


“Shut up you assholes – I didn’t mean that. He is damn good and that what fetches him marks. The only problem is that he is a snob and that what bothers me.” – The boys felt silent as the class never confronted Piuli.


“Me – a snob. Well I think the other way miss beauty” – I was astonished.


“Oh ok, but whatever may it be I am social”.


“Sorry mam lets sit with the problem. I am at your service” – I was in a hurry to end the show.


“As you wish sir” – Piuli winked at me.


Starting with the circuit theory problem, soon we began to share the problem of our lives. I still remember the day when I proposed to her. It was raining heavily and Kolkata was water logged. I walked all the way from college to her home nearly 10 kms through the water logged streets. I pressed the bell and prayed for her to open the door. Piuli opened the door and was surprised to see me drenched and shivering.


“Hey – what makes you come here like this?” – Piuli enquired


“Actually there are no busses running from college so I thought that I would better walk some distance and try my luck to board a bus from the bus stand at Sinthee” – I fumbled


“Mine mine that’s what has brought the man here. How lucky am I. Come in. It’s not good keeping guests waiting outside.” – Piuli smiled.


“Thank god that you are here. I was getting bored staying alone” – Piuli said.


Her parents went to their native place to attend a marriage ceremony and she was alone at home. She handed me her fathers Punjabi and Pajama and ironed my wet clothes.


“Piuli”


“Yes”


“I wanted to say something”


“Now I see, you won’t even talk your mother without a reason how come you be at my place, drenched, just for the sake of meeting me”


“That’s not the case”


“Is it so? Then don’t say anything”


“But Piuli” – I was desperate. I had set the perfect stage of proposing a girl just like I answered to the questions during exams. I couldn’t let it go.


“Come on Avik, say it”


“I have a crush on you” – Ah!! I was so relieved.


“What!!”


I was the sixth one in class to propose her and feared rejection like the other five. In addition to that, I feared of losing her as a friend. But I couldn’t stop my feelings and right now I felt that the ground beneath me was shaking.


“Piuli”


“Only a crush on me” – Piuli enquired raising her eyebrows. She was so calm in reacting.


“Actually I am in love with you. Will you be my girl?”


“I can certainly give a thought to it” – Piuli smiled


“Now go home and rest.”


I could hardly sleep that night waiting for Piuli’s answer. The next morning I called up Piuli – “Piuli what’s your answer”


“I am in hurry for the college. See you there”. She banged the phone.


Leaving my fantasies on the bed, I rushed towards the bus stop. I reached college and the classroom to find out that I was late for the first class. The teacher let me enter the class and I squeezed myself to my desk. I thought of having a glance at Piuli but restrained myself. As soon as the class was over Piuli walked up to my desk.


“Hey Stud can you please walk up to the library.”


I was too afraid to ask her the reason. The other students in the class gazed at us as I silently followed her to the library. She almost dragged me to an isolated corner and smiled – “Guess what?”


“Sixth rejection?” – All I could think of at that moment.


“Dumbo – first acceptance”


I could neither believe my luck nor my ears. I thanked her and rushed towards the classroom. Soon our relationship was evident to everyone and even the teachers knew about it. However, I did not had enough courage to disclose the relationship at home. Piuli was bold enough in everything she did. She loved me boldly and even was not afraid to disclose it to her parents.


For two years we shared food, lips and all other things that come after that. Tata Indicom offered free calls from Tata to Tata and hence we changed our service providers from Hutch (now Vodafone) to Tata as a cost cutting measure. Being a student and wanting to lead a luxurious life are just the opposite sides of a coin. My funds were cut short as soon as a well-wisher informed my parents about Piuli. Piuli was considerate on my part. She always paid for the food bill or taxi fare whenever we went for a date.


With a campus interview in your bag and being a blue eyed boy of the teachers, you can be rest assured of spending the final in leisure. The manly pride of mine was hurt every time Piuli paid our bills. So I decided to join the BPO industry. I was successful once again and joined Globsyn as a trainee. Spending the night in office and afternoons in college are not very soothing. I often dozed off in the bus and was a subject of regular complains. I had money at the end of the month and household quarrels as the desert after every dinner.


Life is not easy when you have to choose between staying with your mother and girlfriend. Mom left me with no other option when she developed an ischemic heart disease. I was forced to breakup with Piuli. People who are in love with their classmates know how difficult are the breakup days when you still have to continue a year sitting in the same class. Piuli developed a chronic breathing problem after our breakup. She cried every time I disconnected her call. Piuli was smart enough to make sure that her parents never knew she was crying and so she used to cover her face with pillows and gasp for breath. I came to know this from her friends, a year after we left college.


Piuli failed to crack the campus opportunities and ended her college in sheer disappointment. She never complained me of being too fast during our love making sessions but always said the same thing after we were done.


“Avik, there are more important things in life than having a great career” and then she would break down in tears. I knew exactly was needed to be done and did exactly by holding her cheeks and placing my lips on hers. I had the fantasy of a great career and with the job in my bag I just needed the wings to fly.


“Guys Welcome to the corporate world” – our training started and with increased pressure of performance, Piuli began to fade out of my life. I started working hard realizing that the ransom of being workaholic was huge. Soon, I got my first project and within a month I was a favorite of my manager; not only because I could do things in a proper and timely manner but also because I never complained working on weekends or late night.


I started getting addicted to smoking. I desperately wanted the late night calls, I desperately wanted to hear Piuli kiss me over the phone but alas our paths never crossed. Piuli managed to bag the post of junior engineer at NTPC and a boyfriend. Standing on the balcony, I looked at the stars. That was the distance between me and Piuli. Frustration was creeping up within me and finally on 23rd July at midnight I dialed Piuli’s number.


“Hello” – Piuli sounded husky and sexy as usual just like when she used to respond to my late night calls.


“Happy Birthday” – that was all I could say.


“Oh it’s you – thanks, at least you remember dates apart from your meetings”.


“Enjoy Piuli – Guess a lot of people are waiting eagerly to speak to you” – tears were edging my eyes.


“Well I can keep people waiting but guess what I do have someone waiting in the line who I would better not keep waiting. So - goodbye!!”.


My handkerchief helped me to soak the salty water drops.