Adultery The Possession

[Henry]

today is sunday. Soma is cleaning the boys' study room. She took down the books from the shelf and started cleaning. A large bookcase besides the window on the left is stuffed with storybooks.Some books are from Subir's collection, some from Soma's collection. And there are include Santu-Antu's books also. While cleaning bookself, a piece of paper fell out from a book. Soma smiled seeing at the paper. Before marriage when Subir wanted to meet Soma then he sending such a note by her sister Tanima. She kept the note in its proper place.

Antu's voice was heard from the other side. Said---Mom, which city was built in the Nile basin?
Before Soma said, Santu said---Cairo.

This Sunday Soma completes all the work left over during the week. Just then, when the calling bell rang, she said---Look, Santu, who has come.
When the door was opened, Mr. Mitra was seen standing with a smile on his face. Santu said---Mitra Jethu (elder uncle) come in.
Soma said---Mitra da, why are you standing? sit down.

Mr. Mitra pulled the chair and sat down. Soma said---How are you? How is boudi?
----Well. When will be the result out of Santu?
---Department of Education has not announced yet. But you can assume within a month.
Mr. Mitra said---Mr. Mukherjee called me a few days ago.
---Santu's dad called you?
---Yes. You have a problem with that watchman. Said to fire him from job.

Soma was startled. Subir did not tell her the truth. Then Mr. Mitra said---I therefore fire him from work. But now finding a new watchman is a difficult. And those watchmen who are available from security agencies are not very sincere. Dawa Sherpa was a very hard working man. Please tell me what is the problem Soma?

Soma didn't know what to say. She is not even able to create something lie quickly. She said quietly for a while---Nothing, he is not dutiful. The postmaster came and returned many times without finding him.

---Oh, this little thing! But he takes our letters right from the postmaster. Soma, if this is the slightest problem I can definitely talk to him. He needs to be put back to work. We will not find such a good watchman easily in this Kolkata metropolitan.

Soma didn't know what to say. She just said----Is he in Kolkata?
---Yes, where he go? You know his house in that Darjeeling district. He can't go home if he wants to. Poor man are still in Kolkata looking for job. Soma, if you give your opinion, I can take him back.

---Mitra da, do what you think is best.
---Ok, there is no problem right? Then I bring him back.
---Have tea, Mitra da?
---No, Soma. Your boudi, you know she is Arthritis patients, when I go somewhere, she can't stay alone for long.


Antu said after Mr. Mitra left----Mom, Dawa uncle will come again?
Soma did not answer. She is very angry with Subir. Quickly called Subir.

Today is a holiday. Subir stays in the quarter. He picked up the phone and said---Say.
---Did you telephone Mr. Mitra?
Subir remained silent for a while and said---Yes, I did. Actually I will tell you...
Soma became angry---lies. Then that day when I said that the Dawa Sherpa had left, why did you still lie?
----Ah Soma! Why are you angry? It was you who told me to call Mr. Mitra to dismiss Daba from his job that day.
---I said. But you also said to wait for a day. If Dawa does not disturb...
---Cool Soma. Such lower class people should not be trusted. So I called.
---Then you will tell me a lie? Soma became emotional.
---Why? Tell me what happened?
---Mitra da came.
---What did he said?
---He was asking about our problem with Dawa Sherpa.
---What did you say?
---What to say him? I don't know what are you telling Mr. Mitra.
---I didn't say anything special. I said the Dawa Sherpa is not dutiful person. His behavior is also not good. So he needs to be replaced by a new watchman.
---Oh maa! And I told another lie. I said that the man does not take the letter from the peon on time etc.
Subir smiled, said----that's the same.
---Now Mr. Mitra is saying that he wants Dawa to rejoin watchman job again.
Subir showed a little anger and said---How can Mr. Mitra decide alone! are not we pay the watchman's salary?
--- Ah Subir. No need to worry anymore. Let the man be. As far as I know Dawa Sherpa, he will not cause any more problems.
---Are you so sure?
---The man is not that bad, Subir.
---A man who gives you a bad proposal, and you don't call him bad?
---Men are like that. When women talk a little better, they think a lot. Soma smiled.

Subir was a little surprised to hear Soma's words. Said---Soma if he is rude to you again.
---will not do.
---sure?
---Hmmm.
Subir jokingly said---Your boyfriend. Of course you know him well.
Soma smiled shyly and said--Dhat! There is a lot of work today. I am hanging up the phone.

After Soma hung up the phone, a complex thought arose in Subir's mind. He realizes that his wife has a passion for Dawa. Subir became curious and worried about how far her passion and emotion would go.


Soma feels like this summer noon has stopped. It is as if Soma is stuck alone on a still day. She often feels like this during the holidays. Two boys fell asleep after having lunch. Old days music was playing on the color screen of the TV. Soma picked up the newspaper from the tea table. News of political terror in various places from the beginning to the end; this group is beating that group and that group is beating this group. With this there is a war of words of colorful leaders across the country. Subir loves to read these political news. Soma does not understand this; specially politics. Sometimes, if She has any question, she asks Subir. The last page is about the sports. That section of the paper is Santu's favorite. Soma lost interest. She only read the story of the Sunday section. Prasar Bharti's recitation has started on Bengali channel. Soma used to recite well in school. She thought to teach her boys too. None of the boys got these qualities of singing and reciting like their mom's. Instead, Santu got the drawing talant like his dad. Antu is a shy but smart boy, he is still very young. In his twelve years he is still like a child to his mom. Still during his meal, Soma has to be separated fish from the fish bones. If he is late to eat in school times, Soma feeds him. But day by day they are both growing up. Soma feels more helpless when she thinks about these things. Especially how her chest felt empty on such a lonely summer afternoon.

Soma looked at the TV screen. But many things are playing in her mind. She have not found a person in her life with whom she will sit and talk a little, talk to her heart. No more contact with any of the college friends of her. Many got married and settled in Kolkata. Some are also doing jobs like Soma. But no communication with them anymore. Dawa Sherpa will be brought back, which has suddenly created an unwelcome impulse of joy in Soma. Soma thought to herself; How she is secretly getting excited at the thought of the return of the man whom she herself wanted to fire.

Soma is not sleeping now. She got up and saw what was necessary household items in the house is out of stock. The toothpaste, the body soap are less. She have to buy two pairs of socks for her elder son. She forgot even going to the mall that day.
She went to the balcony and stood. Some clothes were spread on the wall of the balcony to dry. Picked them up. The street is empty at noon. It is very sunny and heat outside. She closed the balcony door and switched off the TV. Two boys are sleeping. Soma went to her bedroom and sleep.