Romance The End of Restless Sleep- By Pinuram

[Rangushki]

Awesome

[ddey333]

Few days passed without much flutter. There were no changes in her behaviour. Her
cold smile haunted me more than ever. She used to confine herself in the bedroom,
seldom she came out of that place. Not much word was exchanged during dinner.

Silently she ate her food and then went back to recluse. She never took interest in
anything, always looking at us with blank vision. My patience was being tested.

On one evening, I returned home with her favourite flower, Rajanigandha. Instead of

retiring to her room, she looked at me. She gave me a faint smile, took those flowers
from my hand, and smelled. My soul was filled up with bliss on beholding her smile. I
felt that I had everything in the world. I said to her that that was her favourite flower.
For next few days, I brought her flowers to cheer her up. Slowly she was opening up
with me. Smiles were exchanged more frequently, yet she was far away from my touch.
I dared not touch her fathoming her mental condition. She used to stay with me in the
drawing room watching tv even after the maid left.

Aunt asked me to put her through the speech therapy. The doctor checked her and tried
to help her in speech. I took her to the doctor for the next few sessions.

One day she asked me as why I was taking such pain. I asked her whether she wants to
speak again or not. She asked me whether I had any problems if she was mute. I could
not find any answer to her. She gave me a painful look and quietly accompanied me to
the therapist that day.

That night, she remained very cold. She did not even eat her food properly. I asked her
as what has happened. Her eyes expressed that she wanted to be left alone and she
pushed me out of her room. I asked her as what she wants. She gave me a helpless look
and shook her head. I saw pain in her eyes. She expressed that she does not want to go
through the therapy it pains in her throat. I had to bow down to her on beholding her
depressed face.

Next evening after I returned, I found that she was preparing tea for me.I was surprised
and asked her, “What are you doing?”

[ddey333]

She asked me to sit in the drawing room. I asked her as where the maid was. She
answered that she send her away as there was not much to be done.

I told to myself that the day has come to unfurl some of her memoirs to her. I went
inside the bedroom to bring the suitcase that contained her belongings. I opened the
suitcase in front of her. She gave me an inquisitive look as if asking as what I was doing. I
showed her dresses and asked her does she remember these. She looked at the dresses
and shook her head.

She gestured at me, “Did I wore those?”

I nodded my head, “Yes dear.”

She pulled out one of her flimsy slips and held out with two fingers. She squeezed her
nose and asked me, “Did I wear this also?”

I laughed at her, “Yes dear, you looked really beautiful in that dress.”

She blushed and shied away her coy face. I was happy to see her blushes again. The lost
smile was returning on her lips. The pink tint was again on her cheeks. However, the
affection, the warmth was lacking in her touch.Then she asked me a query that I did not
have answer, “Where are the pictures of our wedding?”

I stooped in front of her and lied again, “They are not here Titli. They are at Dhanbad.”

She touched my chin with her index finger and pulled up my face. Her piercing eyes
fathomed my pretense. She only shook her head. I was unable to understand as what
she meant then.

I asked her, “Want to have dinner now? I don’t know what the maid has prepared.”

She nodded her head that she was hungry. I asked her whether I should feed her. She
blushed again and said that she can eat all by herself. Then she got up and walked to the
kitchen. I tried to stop her but she waved her hand at me and asked me to keep seated
there.

I felt a new breeze flowing in that dingy room all over again. Cold monsoon winds were
blowing outside creating a feeling of togetherness in me. I heard her footsteps and
looked back to find her standing with two dishes in her hand. My bereaved soul was
again drenched. I held her hand and helped her to sit.

[ddey333]

After dinner, she came in the drawing room and sat beside me. That was very unusual of
her. I asked her whether she was feeling sleepy or not. She gave a blank look outside the
window. Then she shook her head and said that the rain was creating some unknown
feelings within her soul.

I said to her, “I first met you in one such rainy night.”

She gave me a curious look and asked “Where?”

I said to her, “It was raining that night. We both were standing at a bus stand. You were
waiting for your brother to pick you up. He was late so you asked me whether I could
wait for you or not. You were feeling uneasy with lots of prying eyes lewdly devouring
your charms. You stood close to me and you said that you felt safe.”

Her eyes sparkled, “Really?”

I nodded my head, “Yes.”

Titli was getting better with each passing day. The cheekbones vanished under chubby
cheeks, health regained. Her big black eyes were expressive more than ever. Those were
smiling all over again. The roost saw their old queen in a new form. The gloomy
semblance of the flat was weathering.

Once again, she was taking interest in the household chores. She would anxiously wait
for my return. Every evening she used to ask me as what I did in office and I used to tell
her every minute of my whole day. Still my ears hankered to hear her sweet nonsense
and curses.

On one weekend, we were asked to visit her house. I took her to her house. Her parents
were very happy to find her there. She walked in that huge house along with aunt. Her
eyes were searching for answers as she was told that that was house. Aunt took her to
her room and asked her whether she was able to remember anything or not. She shook
her head and expressed that she was unable to recollect anything. I let out a deep
exhale, as I felt helpless as what to do. Titli gave me a helpless look and asked me to
take her home. I saw a writhing pain her mother’s eyes. I persuaded aunt that we should
not exert pressure on her as she was still recuperating.

[ddey333]

While returning, she was very upset with herself. I pulled up her face and said, “Don’t
worry. Let us forget as what happened with us. Let us start with a blank page. You are
not Titli and I am not Adi.”


Her eyes queried me, “Then who are we?”

I smiled at her and said, “You are Anoushka and I am Budhaditya.” I took her hand in
mine and said, “Glad to meet you, Anoushka.”

Her face gleamed with a beautiful smile. She gently nodded her head to express that she
was glad to meet a new Budhaditya.

“So go out for somewhere?” I asked her.

She gestured at me, “Where?”

I answered her, “May be a candlelight dinner.”

She blushed and said to me, “Not today. May be some other time.”

I asked her, “Why not today?”

She expressed her concern that the hour was late and I had to goto office next morning.
I felt like hugging her in my arms and kiss on her lips. She inferred from my facial
expression as what I meant to her. She smiled at me and touched my shoulder. I felt like
melting by her warm concerned touch. I refrained myself from kissing but express my
thanks for being so concerned about me.

I said to her, “So I owe you a candle light dinner.”

She gave a bashful smile and nodded her head, “Yes.” Her face was gleaming and there
was twinkle in her big black eyes.

Unfortunately, I was unable to take her out for dinner. Whenever I thought of taking her
out, some way or the other some pending works used to land on my desk.

[chellaporukki]

Nice update

[Deepak Sanjeev]

Great writing

[ddey333]

All hell broke loose one evening. I returned from office and found that she was waiting
for me with a gloomy face. I was unable to stand her clouded eyes and asked her the
reason. She expressed that she was bored within these walls. She wanted me to take
her out for shopping.

I felt that it would be opportune to take her out for dinner, “Would you like to go out for
dinner?”

“No” she shook her head “I want to go out for shopping.”

I asked her in return, “What do you want to buy? You tell me I will buy that for you. You
are not strong enough to walk in the crowd.”

She came near me and made a pleading face. I melted by beholding her pleas in her
eyes. I nodded and gave my consent that I would take her out for shopping.

The old answer came from her eyes, “Just be by my side.” I felt a gush of fresh air in my
lungs. I embraced her lightly and kissed her forehead after a long time. She felt little
awkward as I took her in my embrace but she did not resisted my actions.

For the whole time she walked closed to me clasping my arm. I patted her shoulder and
assured her that she won’t get lost in that huge crowd. She gave me a sweet smile in
return and rubbed her cheek on my upper arm. That was an overwhelming sensation to
feel her warm cheek all over again. We walked through the streets with hand in hand.
She looked at those windows of the shops. I asked her as what she was going to buy.
She shook her head and expressed that she was not going to buy anything, she just
wanted to stroll lazily alongside.

“Crazy girl.” I pointed to a beautiful blue saree hanging in one shop, “What about that
dress?”

She looked at that and then asked me whether I was joking with her or not.

I shook my head, “No dear. You just need to nod and that will be yours.”

She gestured at me, “But that is quiet expensive.”

I touched her nose with my index finger and looked deeply in her glistening eyes, “Not
that expensive than the precious smile on your lips.” She smiled at me and gave her
consent.

“Want to have some ice-cream?” I asked her. I was trying to revive her old habits may
be she could regain her lost memoirs by those actions.

[ddey333]

She shook her head, “No, I don’t like ice-creams.”


Her answer shocked me. There were many changes in Titli. She was a shopping freak but
on that day, she bought nothing. She used to like ice cream in any season and that girl
who was walking beside me does not like ice cream.

I asked her, “Are you sure?”

She gently nodded her head, “Yes.”

Suddenly thunderclaps roared in the sky. The black rain clouds started to rumble
overhead. She held my hand tightly and asked me to get into car.

I smiled at her and asked, “Tomorrow in holiday, therefore, what’s the hurry in going to
home. Let us get drenched in the rain.”

She gave me a curious look and asked, “Why?”

The expression in her eyes took me aback. The Titli I knew was very much fond of rain.
She loved to get drenched in drizzle. On that eventful night she was wearing my shirt
and was about to dance in rain. She loved to get drenched in drizzle. I was unable to
answer her query. I felt that it would be foolish to try to find old Titli in the girl next to
me. I should rather take her as she was.

She kept quiet for the rest of the time. After returning to home, I asked her to wear the
saree. She smiled at me and said that she would surprise me some other day.

I woke up by the splashing sound of rain on the windowpanes. I quietly entered the
bedroom to see whether Titli was sleeping properly or not. To my utter amazement, I
found her standing near the window wearing that same blue saree that I bought that
evening. She was staring at the dark sky and watching the crackling thunders.

[ddey333]

In those lightening dazzles, I saw that a drop of tear was shining on her cheek. I tiptoed
near her and touched her shoulder. She shivered as she felt my warm touch. She turned
towards me looked deeply at my face. Her hands came up my chest. I felt the same
shiver to run down my spine. I embraced her lightly and stooped down to touch her
forehead with my lips. She closed her eyes to savor my affectionate kiss. Her lips
flickered trying to say something. I took her face between my palms and wiped her
tears. She rubbed her cheeks on my palm to feel the warmth. She was melting in my
loving touches.


I whispered to her, “You are looking very beautiful, Anoushka.”

She convulsed and clasped my vest. Her nails dug in my chest muscle. Tears rolled down
her cheeks. I stooped to touch her quivering lips. She pushed herself on her toes to
meet my lips. Both the deprived soul stood still in that dark rainy night, frozen in each
other’s arms.

From the next morning, it was a new dawn for both of us. Titli was rejuvenated and full
of energy. She looked much mature and composed than ever before. She gave away all
her old clothes. Her dressing became more modest and suave. Distance narrowed
between us. Stealing glances and frequent kisses were exchanged. Hugs and caresses
turned warmer and affectionate. Yet few furlongs left to trot to capture her passionate
heart.

With the arrival of autumn, the dark monsoon clouds were also passing away. Both the
families were delighted to see a neoteric Anoushka. Dad asked us to spend the Puja
vacation with them at Dhanbad. Bappa was very happy that he would be able to meet
his Titli auntie. He scolded me, as I did not visit him for a long time. I assured him that
we all would spend a happy puja vacation at his place.

[Arul Pragasam]

Super

[ddey333]

One evening Nilanjana ma’am called. She sounded serious. I felt from her voice that she
was trying to hide her flowing emotions.

She asked me, “How are you doing, Budhaditya?”

Her soothing voice made me go weak. I grappled for words, “I am doing fine…. Very
fine.”

She said to me, “You have succeeded to bring out a new Anoushka out of Titli.”

“Yes ma’am…” I stammered, “Same as you. You succeeded to bring back my Dad.”

I heard her sobbing on the other side of the line, “I am really proud of you, Budhaditya.”
She paused for some time, “Can you give the phone to Titli?”

I was bit perplexed so I asked her, “Why?”

She sobbed, “I just want to hear her silent whispers.”


I handed the receiver to Titli. She gave me a perplexed look and asked me as who has
called. I told her that Nilanjana ma’am wants to talk to her. She took the receiver from
me. I looked at her; perhaps I would never come to know as what they spoke. I observed
that Titli was frequently wiping her eyes. I smiled and cared not to ask about that mute
affectionate conversation. For the first time I felt that, some words are best savored in
silence.

One evening, I sat at her foot with my head on her lap. She was massaging my head and

applying oil to my hair.

I joked at her, “Will you let me sleep with you?”

She slapped on the back of head and asked, “Why?”

I answered her, “Since you are my wife.”

She gave me a bashful smile, “Where is the proof?” and asked for the wedding
photographs. She knew very well that those were not with me. She pestered me that
until I show her the evidence she will not surrender in my final embrace.

I made a face at her, “This is wrong, Titli. I am tired of sleeping on the couch. I am having
restless sleep every day.”

She her eyes twinkled; gently she nodded her head, “Have some more till I get the
evidence.”

[ddey333]

Chapter 19: The End of Restless sleep.


The sky was cobalt blue and adorned with small tufts of white clouds. The sunrays were
quiet soothing and the air was fresh after the long monsoon. The trees were green with
new leaves. Waves flowed on the paddy field. The air was filled up with the fragrance of
festive season.

My slumber was cut short by a sweet aroma. I opened my eyes to find Titli by my side.
She had already bathed and was looking fresh as tulip drenched in dew. She nudged me
by my shoulder and asked me get up. I wrapped my arms around her thin waist and
pulled her over me. She gave me a sweet smile and patted gently on my cheeks. She
gestured that tea was ready.


I hugged her tightly in my arms and said, “I am not going to office today.”

“What? Why?” she asked me, “Are you feeling ok?”

I smiled at her and said, “No dear. I have a heart attack.”

“Come on get up you lazy bones. Get ready for office else you will be late.” She pulled
me up.

I said to her, “I will get up in one condition.”

“What?” she asked me.

I said to her, “No work and no office today. Let us go out for a drive in this beautiful
weather.”

She asked me, “Where to?”

I answered, “Nowhere in particular. Just you and me hit the road.”

She nodded her head and said, “Ok, but not in car. I want to ride in bike.”

I frowned by brows and asked, “Why in bike?”

“The car is quiet big and I have to sit beside you.” She gave me a bashful smile and said,
“I want to sit with you and hold you.”

“Hmmm….” I teased her, “I would love to feel your arms around me.”

She pulled me from the couch, “Sure I will hug you. But for that you have to get up and
get ready.”

[Sarran Raj]

Great update

[ddey333]

I rushed to the bathroom to have my shower. She was ready with the breakfast. Her
face was euphoric. There was twinkle in her big black eyes. I got ready and she asked me
to wait in the drawing room.

After quiet sometime, she came out dbangd in a baby pink saree and short-sleeved
blouse. My sight accentuate on her charms. She looked like a fairy descended from

autumn clouds. I held her by her shoulder and slowly turned her to appraise her finesse.
She gave me a bashful smile and asked me as how she looks. I answered that she was
few strokes more than Venus was. I stooped down to kiss her pink glossy lips. She
restrained me by putting her index finger on her lips. I felt that I had a heart attack by
her actions.

She held me tightly as I raced the bike on the road. The soothing autumn winds engulfed
us in a romantic bliss. I asked her as how she was feeling. She slapped gently on the back
of head and asked me to concentrate on the road.
Titli asked me as where we are. I smiled at her and asked her to enjoy the ride. My old
instinct drove me on the same road to the same place I proposed her. By afternoon, we
reached the same place Kakdwip. We took a boat and crossed the river to go to the
other side.

We walked hand in hand and reached the shore of the river. The line of demarcation
faded. The color of the sky was same as that of the river. We sat beside the river. Tiny
waves were crashing at our feet. Cold winds caressing us filling our heart with amorous
bliss.

Time was passing very fast. The sun was going down in the west. The orange sky painted
the river water with her red colour. She looked at the horizon where the endless river
met the sky. I looked at her dreamy thoughtful face. The sunrays painted her creamy
cheeks with her colours. She was very quiet and lost in her thoughts. She sat there still
as a stone effigy.

I nudged her gently by her shoulder and asked her, “What happened Titli, why are you
so quiet?”

She looked at me and shook her head, “Nothing.” Then she pointed to the horizon and
showed me something. I looked at the horizon as where she was pointing. I observed
that a flock of birds was flying in a line.

[ddey333]

I asked her, “Want to go home?”


She shook her head, “No not now.” She wanted to sit there for some more time soaking
in her thoughts. I took her in my arms and she rested her head on my shoulder. We sat
there watching the sun going down the horizon and only twilight left in the clouds.

I stood up, pulling her along with me. She stood infront of me with thousand queries in

her eyes. I gently placed my arms around her waist and pulled her towards me. She
flanked her arms around my neck and looked up my face. The reflection of the twilight
was glistening in her eyes.

I hugged her tightly with my arms and stooped down to touch her lips. She was
breathing heavily. I whispered the same old lines in her ears, “Will you let me kiss your
frowned lips as we grow old?”

She looked deeply in my eyes and her eyelids fluttered suddenly. She convulsed and
fainted in my arms. I was perplexed. I sat down on the grass with my arms around her. I
tried to wake her up by sprinkling water on her face.

After sometime, her lotus shaped big eyes unfurled it lids. She looked at me with
glistening eyes and her lips fluttered. It was the music of my life that came out of her
rosy lips.

“Aaaa Diii…… I love you…” she stammered. My heartbeat stopped as I heard my name
on her lips. “Adi, I kept my word, Adi.”

I could not control my tears and hugged her with all my might. My heart ruptured with
emotions. I kept on repeating, “Yes honey, I know. Why the hell you jumped?” I
showered millions of kisses of her lips and face.

She kept on crying, “Adi I kept my word……” tears were flowing from her eyes.

Time stood still. We froze there with our arms around each other crying and consoling
each other. I sat still with Titli lying on my lap. I was caressing her face and she held my
arms across her chest. The sky was becoming dark and the stars began to show
themselves. It was a night of thousand moons.

She cooed in my ears, “Honey, hold me tightly. I want to sleep peacefully in your arms.”

I nodded my head, “Yes baby, no one is going to take you away from me this time. You
close your eyes honey. I will guard you with my life.”

Every night from my hazy eyes,
It was not tears but blood and ice.
Your loving thoughts flooded at nights,
I kept tossing on bed as my heart fights.

I kept my word; Adi; I want to sleep,
Till the dawn on the east about to peep.
Hold me close, hold me tight
I do not want any sleepless night.

***************************************************************

[ddey333]

Night of Thousand moons.

--------------------------------

“Honey, what are you doing in this chilled night?”

“Oh! You. I thought you have slept already.”

“(Smile) Hmm... have I ever gone to bed without you?”

“No, baby. I noticed that you were tucking Bappa in the sleeping bag so I thought that
tonight also you will be not near me.”

“He won’t sleep till his Titli auntie tell him a story.”

“So the mischievous devil has slept already.”

“Yes he has slept and I have put him in Maam’s tent. (Laugh) Come on, am I smelling a
heart burn? He is just a cub. You should not be jealous of him.”

“Why not? (Smile) Since last four days he is sleeping between us like a huge barrier.”

“Today also Aurnavo and Bappa fought like tom and jerry.”

“What was the issue today?”

“(Laugh) Sleeping bag.”

“You are getting too much attached with Bappa. I fear, when he will return to Dhanbad
it will be painful for you and for him also.”

“Adi, I have something to say.”

“What?”


“What if, we keep Bappa with us?”

“(Exclaim) WHAT?”

“Just a thought, Adi. He will stay with us, complete collegeing and everything from
Kolkata.”

“Please Titli, I beg you. Don’t even think of that. I don’t want another Budhaditya in my
family, who is bereft of Mother’s love.”

“No Adi, you are getting me wrong. I love him with all my heart, I will love him like
Ma’am.”

“I know you love him very much, but you can’t be the substitute of Ma’am heart. Try to
understand Titli. I know what it is like not have a mother by your side when you need
most. He is safe and secure in Ma’am arms.”

“Sorry, Adi I didn’t mean to dig your pains now.”

“It is ok Titli, now I have everything. We do visit Dhanbad every weekend. What are
Ma’am and Aunt doing?”

“They are still awake, gossiping.”

[ddey333]

“And dad and uncle?”


“Today I asked Aurnavo to sleep in their tent. I observed that every night they were
boozing so I had to pull the reins.”

“You pulled the reins? What about Ma’am, she failed?”

“She was fed up with uncle so she asked me to handle the situation.”

“You are the real queen of the roost.”

“And you are the king of my heart.”

“You are looking too sexy in this jeans, baby. I am really happy that you are sexy again.”


“Ah! Don’t start in this cold night again. Remember I am queen so I have to be sexy.”

“(Laugh heartily) Yeah, baby. The king bows before his queen, my love.”

“Don’t forget that this queen also bows in front of queen mother. No one dares to cross
Ma’am decision, not even my dad or uncle.”

“Ah! Lady Hitler you mean.”

“No, she is not Hitler. She is Devi Durga, very dignified lady. She respects other’s
decision so everyone respect hers.”

“And you are hers Goddess Laksmi. Aurnavo is Ganesh and Bappa is his mouse. So many
deities surround me. (Laugh heartily.)”

“If I am Laksmi, then you are my owl.”

“I am happy to be that.”

“Ma’am is also looking very beautiful in jeans, is not it?”

“Thanks to this bitter cold and trekking that she wore jeans but Lady Hitler has killer
looks, she is ...”

“ADI, no more words. Do not start pulling her leg again. By the way what are you doing
with camera in this dead night?”

“I was trying to have some pictures of the Akash Ganga constellation.”

“Ummmm..... My darling photographer. So at last you have brought me at the end of
the road again.”

“(Laugh) Yes. Don’t you like this place?”

[ddey333]

“This place is out-of-the world, honey. I like the place but the twenty-two kilometres of
trekking from Gangotri to Bhojbasa has brought havoc on everyone. By the way, what
made you to choose such a place?”


“You wanted to goto a secluded place with family, and here it is in the heart of Himalaya
in the midst of the Gangotri glacier.”

“I wanted to goto a serene place, that is true but this is like, edge of the world. Why you
always take me to places like this? First, when you proposed me it was Kakdwip, end of
road by the banks of Ganges. Now, a family tour in Gaumukh, in the midst of high
Himalayas. You are totally insane.”

“It is not the end of the road, Titli. The man made roads ends there. I wanted to make a
new road together by taking a step further than that.”

“Ummm..... I love you for your insanity, honey.”

“Ma’am gave you option for Lucrene or Ireland for honeymoon. Your dad was ready for
Egypt. You could have opted any of those destinations.”

“(Smile) No dear. I always wanted that my darling hubby would take me to places. Those
places were too heavy for my hubby’s pocket. Place was never important for me, you
know that. All I wanted to be with you by my side.”

“That’s sweet, but Ma’am was hurt.”

“I managed them. See, Dad wanted to present you a car but was sceptical on expressing
his intention to you. I accepted his gift and assured him that I would convince you.”

“What, why didn’t you consult me?”
“I knew you would be furious but please don’t get angry, Adi. If you don’t accept, then
he will be in tears. Please, just for my sake.”

“Ok.”

“What is the plan tomorrow?”

“To the glacier and back here in Bhojbasa for night stay in tent. Tomorrow we will enjoy
the whole day in the sands of the source of Ganges. An experience of lifetime, is not it?”

“Yes. See, it is only nine and the night is so peaceful here.”


“Baby, because in this bank of Ganges, there is only a handful of breathing heart. So, are
you feeling sleepy, honey.”

“No, Dear. Just hold me tight.”

“Sure.”

Nilanjana Ma’am, “(Distant call) Hello, newlywed, Mister and Misses Ghosh, come inside
tent and goto sleep. It is very cold out there.”

“(Laugh) See, Lady Hitler’s command.”

“(Soft slap) You always make mockery of her. She is darling, idol. Let’s get into tent and
cuddle up.” “(Loud) Coming Ma’am.”


.....The End of Restless sleep, Beautiful Sleep, Peaceful Sleep for all. .....

[Blue Bull]

Thx...........