17-03-2019, 06:23 PM
Chapter-5: The Man in White
The day passed on. Sumitra after her initial discomfiture turned out to be pleasant company. However, she appeared to be pulled back by some apprehensive force that I failed to measure. She had that immense capacity to run a conversation while working. I too got caught up in work, unknowingly.
She showed interest in my college duties and asked whether I planned to pursue my job. I wasn't sure so I sidestepped the answer. On my part I was still searching for the equation between Sumitra and Imran. It was baffling. I was trying to find out what she was in the household. Was she a maid or was she a relative (that was unlikely). Why was she staying here? Wasn't she scared of the society? Meanwhile, I found that Sumitra was studying in a college that made her only a couple of years younger to me. This was a big revelation and I grudgingly viewed her with more interest and some admiration.
I realised that my initial assessment was correct. The house had space because there were very little domestic items. But thanks to Sumitra the everyday administration appeared efficient. Things were happening with clockwork precision. On my appreciation Sumitra said that henceforth I would be required to take over but once she recognized my awkwardness, she didn't press further. Despite discussions on myriad nature I steadfastly avoided any mention of Imran but Sumitra by habit brought him in midst.
Time passed and Sumitra insisted that I take rest and I agreed. I needed time to think, to reflect and ponder. What would I do? I could think of nothing and I let it rest. There was no point in contemplating unknown boundaries. Lack of sleep brought to the verge and I fell asleep. This time it was much more relaxing. I woke up only near lunch. Again, Sumitra had prepared a satisfying fare. I was grateful.
I was curious to know about the people who were likely to visit and somehow, I was detecting the disquiet both in me and Sumitra. She was not as forthcoming this time and so was I.
Around 4.30 pm Imran came back and he waited at the window, looking towards the street. There was an uneasy silence pervading the air. At around 5.00 pm, one gentleman in white along with some more similarly dressed persons entered the house. The gentleman in white appeared self-assured and in control. Rest were only following him. He came directly to Imran and embraced him and looked towards me. Imran called him "Bhavaniji" and introduced me. He brought both his hands to a namaskar and spoke with a greatly subdued voice congratulating me. He then brought out a small box, opened it and offered it to me. I hesitated and looked at Imran who imperceptibly nodded his head. It was a silver coin with Laxmi embossed on it. Once I accepted the gift he looked behind. I now realised that my uncle too was there with the group and so was Suresh.
Bhavaniji as Imran called him summoned Suresh and asked him to be at my beck and call, whenever I required. He didn't talk to my uncle. Finally, he went near Imran and with great gentleness caressed his scar, turned sharply and moved out. The rest went with him. Me and Imran kept standing. I now realised that Sumitra all through this had stayed indoors. The visit had lasted barely five minutes.
Never in my life did I witness anything so short but so overpowering. Who was this man? He appeared to be a person of great authority and influence. How did Imran know him? Who were these people with him? Why was my uncle there? And finally, why was he so gentle with Imran? I had so many questions but not privy to any answers.
I went in and to my great shock found Sumitra weeping and shaking in fright. Before I could say something, Imran bypassed me and embraced Sumitra as if trying to protect her from all calamities. Sumitra continued to sob and held on to Imran. Embarrassed, I moved out. It took quite some time for Sumitra to normalise and recover herself despite Imran comforting her.
The evening passed in a state of bewilderment for me. I couldn't connect anything. Things were moving haywire and I wasn't in control. Suresh came back and sat with us. Quietly. He kept on glancing at Sumitra and appeared to be greatly disturbed himself. There was very little conversation going on. All of us were in a way captive of that 5 minutes of the visit by that man wearing white. He left behind him a trail of chaotic insights.
Dinner came and went but none were hungry.
In a way, it was funny. Each one of us were affected by the tribulations and evils of life that doctored our destinies. In my view, I was an outright victim. But others had their own stories shrouded in mysteries and obscurities. All were hesitant to admit that they were a bunch of normal people leading normal lives. The face of my uncle in the crowd had surprised me. Who knows what were his compulsions and obligations. Suddenly, it appeared to me that we were all a cast in a dark play, puppets whose strings were attached elsewhere, unknown to each other.
It did not frighten me anymore. I wanted to laugh out loud. I was not alone. There was hope amidst futility.
Today Suresh was quiet, immeasurably so. He sat with Sumitra, both bound together by lack of speech. Then, he left, leaving behind uneasiness and fatigue. Although, there was hardly any physical exertion, I felt tired. Weariness encompassed all round. I was grateful to sleep. Imran, as usual slept on the other side of the bed. He was letting me off the hook yet again.
Funnily, today his scar looked a little less intimidating.
I was exhausted from trying to be stronger than I felt. I didn't believe everything I thought.
Chapter-6: Amaya and Ardeshir
The next morning was like the first except that Imran had not left for work. But, he was out of his bed sitting with Sumitra in the kitchen. As I entered, both looked up simultaneously and Sumitra hurriedly went to get my cup of tea. Me and Imran were alone.
The day passed on. Sumitra after her initial discomfiture turned out to be pleasant company. However, she appeared to be pulled back by some apprehensive force that I failed to measure. She had that immense capacity to run a conversation while working. I too got caught up in work, unknowingly.
She showed interest in my college duties and asked whether I planned to pursue my job. I wasn't sure so I sidestepped the answer. On my part I was still searching for the equation between Sumitra and Imran. It was baffling. I was trying to find out what she was in the household. Was she a maid or was she a relative (that was unlikely). Why was she staying here? Wasn't she scared of the society? Meanwhile, I found that Sumitra was studying in a college that made her only a couple of years younger to me. This was a big revelation and I grudgingly viewed her with more interest and some admiration.
I realised that my initial assessment was correct. The house had space because there were very little domestic items. But thanks to Sumitra the everyday administration appeared efficient. Things were happening with clockwork precision. On my appreciation Sumitra said that henceforth I would be required to take over but once she recognized my awkwardness, she didn't press further. Despite discussions on myriad nature I steadfastly avoided any mention of Imran but Sumitra by habit brought him in midst.
Time passed and Sumitra insisted that I take rest and I agreed. I needed time to think, to reflect and ponder. What would I do? I could think of nothing and I let it rest. There was no point in contemplating unknown boundaries. Lack of sleep brought to the verge and I fell asleep. This time it was much more relaxing. I woke up only near lunch. Again, Sumitra had prepared a satisfying fare. I was grateful.
I was curious to know about the people who were likely to visit and somehow, I was detecting the disquiet both in me and Sumitra. She was not as forthcoming this time and so was I.
Around 4.30 pm Imran came back and he waited at the window, looking towards the street. There was an uneasy silence pervading the air. At around 5.00 pm, one gentleman in white along with some more similarly dressed persons entered the house. The gentleman in white appeared self-assured and in control. Rest were only following him. He came directly to Imran and embraced him and looked towards me. Imran called him "Bhavaniji" and introduced me. He brought both his hands to a namaskar and spoke with a greatly subdued voice congratulating me. He then brought out a small box, opened it and offered it to me. I hesitated and looked at Imran who imperceptibly nodded his head. It was a silver coin with Laxmi embossed on it. Once I accepted the gift he looked behind. I now realised that my uncle too was there with the group and so was Suresh.
Bhavaniji as Imran called him summoned Suresh and asked him to be at my beck and call, whenever I required. He didn't talk to my uncle. Finally, he went near Imran and with great gentleness caressed his scar, turned sharply and moved out. The rest went with him. Me and Imran kept standing. I now realised that Sumitra all through this had stayed indoors. The visit had lasted barely five minutes.
Never in my life did I witness anything so short but so overpowering. Who was this man? He appeared to be a person of great authority and influence. How did Imran know him? Who were these people with him? Why was my uncle there? And finally, why was he so gentle with Imran? I had so many questions but not privy to any answers.
I went in and to my great shock found Sumitra weeping and shaking in fright. Before I could say something, Imran bypassed me and embraced Sumitra as if trying to protect her from all calamities. Sumitra continued to sob and held on to Imran. Embarrassed, I moved out. It took quite some time for Sumitra to normalise and recover herself despite Imran comforting her.
The evening passed in a state of bewilderment for me. I couldn't connect anything. Things were moving haywire and I wasn't in control. Suresh came back and sat with us. Quietly. He kept on glancing at Sumitra and appeared to be greatly disturbed himself. There was very little conversation going on. All of us were in a way captive of that 5 minutes of the visit by that man wearing white. He left behind him a trail of chaotic insights.
Dinner came and went but none were hungry.
In a way, it was funny. Each one of us were affected by the tribulations and evils of life that doctored our destinies. In my view, I was an outright victim. But others had their own stories shrouded in mysteries and obscurities. All were hesitant to admit that they were a bunch of normal people leading normal lives. The face of my uncle in the crowd had surprised me. Who knows what were his compulsions and obligations. Suddenly, it appeared to me that we were all a cast in a dark play, puppets whose strings were attached elsewhere, unknown to each other.
It did not frighten me anymore. I wanted to laugh out loud. I was not alone. There was hope amidst futility.
Today Suresh was quiet, immeasurably so. He sat with Sumitra, both bound together by lack of speech. Then, he left, leaving behind uneasiness and fatigue. Although, there was hardly any physical exertion, I felt tired. Weariness encompassed all round. I was grateful to sleep. Imran, as usual slept on the other side of the bed. He was letting me off the hook yet again.
Funnily, today his scar looked a little less intimidating.
I was exhausted from trying to be stronger than I felt. I didn't believe everything I thought.
Chapter-6: Amaya and Ardeshir
The next morning was like the first except that Imran had not left for work. But, he was out of his bed sitting with Sumitra in the kitchen. As I entered, both looked up simultaneously and Sumitra hurriedly went to get my cup of tea. Me and Imran were alone.
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