Adultery The Possession

[Henry]

Kolkata is growing day by day. Many people are coming here. Flat houses are growing. Not even neighbors are know each other in this metrocity. No one lives in someone's trouble, either happiness or sadness. Subir Mukherjee's flat house is no exception. Kolkata is not Subir's native place even though he is from Kolkata. He came here as a student because of his father's transfareble job. His father did not agree to live here permanently because he was like to his native place. He wanted to return to his native land after retirement. Subir, however, remained here with his wife and children. At first he thought he would buy a land and build a house. His wife Soma also wanted to have a house of their own. Finally with the help of a friend they bought a 3bhk flat in Laketown. Their flat house has six floors. Car parking is available on the ground floor. Subir's have a small four-wheeler, but it is rarely driven. Soma often says 'What was the need to spend so much money on a car if you don't drive it?' In fact, Subir is not that good as a driver, moreover, Subir has to be out of work, where is the time to drive. Sometimes they take cars for short family trips, such as Diamond Harbour, Digha, Bakkhali etc.
Although the flat house has six floors, Subirs live on first floors above the ground floor. An elderly couple on the Second floor. whose only son are abroad. The third and fifth floors are empty. It's not sold yet. A non-Bengali Marwari business family resides on the fourth floor. Everyone lives here as their own. Like the character of Kolkata's Flat house, no one looks for the good or bad of anyone, nor does they get involved in trouble with others. As only three families live here, no problems arises. If any problems arises, or the incidental expenses of the flat are to be paid, then all the three families share equally. Since Subir and the head of the Marwari family, Bimal Aggarwal, are busy with their own work, so senior retired professor Amalendu Mitra of the second floor is in charge of all these. Mr. Mitra is a gentle man. He does not shy away from this responsibilities.


Subir woke up to his wife Soma's call.
---get up. It was 9 o'clock. How much more sleep?
This one habit of Soma will not let him sleep even on holidays. It's a lot of work at home. Subir got up and went straight to the bathroom. It is his eternal habit. Soma is messing around in the kitchen. Subir woke up to Soma's call. Santu's 10th class exam is just a few days later. His reading voice is heard from the reading room.

Subir came out wiping his face with a towel. Antu went to his mom in the kitchen and said--Mom, Algebra has given homework in school.
Soma poured tea into the cup and said in a loud voice to Subir--Where are you going, listen? You can't help Antu in math?
---can't you? Subir replied lazily and annoyed.
---Can't you see I'm working? Am I the devi Durga or the one who is walking around with ten arms?

Subir does not want to teach his son now. When he comes home on leave, he wants to sleep a little. But he understood Soma's sharp temper. She really manages everything in the family. So Subir without replying to wife, he said to his son---Come hear.

Subir and Soma's two sons are Santu and Antu. Santu read in class ten. Antu is class six. Not even a month left for Santu's 10th class exams to begin. Soma often asks Subir to come with the transfer. But is the transfer so easily available? Subir works in a engineer of Natural Gas sector is a Central govt undertaking. His job is transferable. He is now transferred and promoted to Delhi. Sometimes after two or three months, he comes home with a week's leave. He could have stayed there with his family if he wanted. But it was not possible for Soma's job. Soma also a School Teacher in Govt school. Her subject is Geography. So Soma has to do everything single handedly. All responsibilities of two sons, their school, tuition, drawing classes; Everything has to be done without any help.
Only she gets a little rest every evening. Even then she kept herself busy; Looking at her school student's exam books, doing small chores at home, also cooking at night. In fact, Soma is not an idle person.

Subir started reading the newspaper while sipping her tea. Antu is sitting next to his father and doing math. Antu is a student of South Point School, kolkata. Santu is of Bengali medium school. During Antu's admission to school, there was a dispute between them about whether to admit their son to an English or Bengali medium school. Soma thinks that language is not a problem, if they can give proper guidance to the boy in studies, then whatever the medium school is, it should not be a problem. Subir, however, is not confined to school and family like Soma. He keeps the news of the world. Language problems suggest that children may have trouble building their future. However, Soma's argument is not to be ignored. Their eldest son is getting good results by studying in Bengali medium, he can read and write English. But Finally, Subir got Soma's consent with the argument that while the elder son is studying in Bengali medium, the younger should be taught in English medium.

Before finishing the tea, Soma made a list. Soma has its weekly grocery market on regularly on weekends Sundays. But if Subir is at home, Soma sends him. Subir has a habit of forgetting again, so Soma makes the list.

Subir puts on his shirt and goes to call Soma without finding the scooter key in the drawer, suddenly the land phone rings. Soma washed the cup-plates in the sink and said, "Look who called again."