Adultery The Possession

[Black Scorpion]

Almost three days passed. The summer heat has not decreased yet, but is increasing day by day. Subir's colleague Mr. Gupta said---Mr. Mukherjee, I hear it is very hot in Kolkata.
Subir smiled and said---I know what to say? I haven't gone home for the last one and a half months. How to know?
---If you talk to Bhabhi Ji, then you should know.
----Yes, she is talking. What can be felt in words? Then one could call Siberia and enjoy the cold.

Rajat Patnaik is one of the senior staff of the office. He has a good relationship with Subir in the office. He loves Subir like a younger brother. Apart from this central government job, he also made a name for himself in the literary world by writing science fiction stories in Oriya language. Rajat Patnayak said---Subir, one day such a technology will come. With which you can go to distant places at the speed of light.

Subir smiled and said---Rajat Biya, it would have been better if that was the case. What more leave did we need?

Gupta is a bit gomless. When he realized that they were talking about technology, he said---Rajat ji, has such a machine really come out? How much is the price?

Both Rajat Patnaik and Subir burst out laughing.

After Gupta left, Rajat and Subir started walking towards the office canteen. They went and smoked cigarettes. Rajat said---What's the matter Subir, I see you very worried for a few days?
Subir was still of a different mind. As soon as the words reached his ears, he said----Nothing, Rajat bhaiya!
---Hmm, you are hiding something. You can say it as an elder brother. Are your wife and Sons well at home?
Subir released the smoke of the cigarette and said---Yes, they are good.
---But why is the tension? Instead, you take a few days off and go home. The mind will be better. And your sons are so talented, You will give them my new collection of science fiction books. You will say that Rajat uncle gave it.

Subir smiled. He thought to himself, how long had he not gone home. The conflicts that are working in his mind, maybe that will disappear when he goes home.

Soma meets Mr. Mitra on the ground floor while returning from school. Seeing Soma, Mr. Mitra said---Soma?
---Yes Dada?
---That said, that watchman Dawa Sherpa is stubborn, He refuses to work here again. Tell me what to do now? Agarwal was angry with me, because why I fire Dawa from watchman job. And finding new Watchmen is also difficult now.

Soma was surprised. Dawa doesn't want to work here. Before saying anything, Mr. Mitra said again---Do you know, Soma, mountain people are very self-respecting. Especially that Dawa Sherpa. The man may be uneducated, but he is quite strong minded. His self-respect is strong.Never agreed to return to work.

Soma came to the living room and started thinking when she changing her saree. Dawa Sherpa is self-respecting. Soma feels sad that Dawa is not coming back, but at the same time, she likes this self-respecting character of Dawa. A man should not only be strong in body but also strong in heart. Soma already knew that in Dawa. She feels a little better. Maybe Soma will never have to face Dawa again. But Dawa's lion heart, lion body, an exceptional forest-centric character will remain like a pearl in her mind.


Before Subir told Soma the news of coming home, Soma told that Dawa is not willing to work here. He declined the offer to rejoin the work.
After getting the news Subir was happy in his heart. But the reason for his happiness, he himself is not able to settle. He thought to himself, was this worry about his Soma? Can a physically fit man like Dawa take advantage of Soma's loneliness? this insecurity created discomfort in Subir's mind? Subir can't deny that he really had these conflicts for the past few days.  

Again, he thought that after seventeen years of marriage, when they were both in their forties, there was no reason to entertain such thoughts. They are both of mature age. Both have freedom of thought, consciousness.

To be continued...

Thank you Mr Henry, posting a such a nice build up in the story.