Non-erotic The Scarface I Hated by Trambak

[Ramesh_Rocky]

Now, sitting alone in the living room I thought about the peculiar direction that my life was turning into. It worried me but I allowed time to take charge of the events that were unfolding. So, I did not interfere with Imran and Kiana's reunion. I did not know what they were talking about and how they would get hold of their complex lives in future. Would they reconcile and resolve their differences? I did not know. I just tried to do what I thought would work but life may have its own directions to move!

I had little idea as to where I was born but I was brought up in this city. We were in Bihar, in a small town made important by the number of coal mines that surrounded it. Located somewhere near Hazaribagh, this town had access to money and political power. On one hand, there were labourers working in the mines and on the other, there were the mine owners who were super rich and obnoxiously connected. Life in this town was strictly divided between haves and have-nots. Between hutments and lavish bungalows and clubs. Between dilapidated government-run colleges and swanky buildings where the children of the mine owners went for education. To support these two communities there was the middle class armed with their shops and businesses. All facilities that the rich preferred were available here. Money floated in the air and one had to be cunning enough to grab it.

Beyond the city limits, there was limitless darkness. Poverty, illness, politicians and their musclemen ruled the lives of all.

I had lost track of time till Sumitra came and sat with me. We sat for some more time though no words were exchanged. Then, I got up and walked to the bedroom. The door was open and both were sitting beside each other, silent. Kiana looked up and waved me to come near. She held my hand and made me sit with her. She continued to caress my hands tenderly, words unspoken, probably saying thanks in her own way.

I understood her emotions perfectly but decided to tease Imran a little. I said obliquely, "You have forgotten me since the time your mother is here. I am not liking this at all."

Imran swallowed hard but Kiana recovered her witty self and said, "Of course, he cannot afford to annoy you. Who knows you may leave him and come to stay with me!" Imran looked up in mock fear and offered a perfect impression of being petrified of losing me. That was well done, I agreed sullenly. After all, he was Kiana's son and Meherunissa's husband!!

The four people who were at home were bound by two common factors. First, the absence of melodrama. Sadness and happiness, both evoked subdued responses. Things could always be worse, thereby allowing a sad event bearable. On the other hand, happiness was treated with caution, lest it turns the other way. This made us appear a little indifferent to others who preferred to wail in sadness and exhibit extreme ecstasy when happy.

Secondly, we all were quiet persons unless the occasion demanded some obligatory speech. Therefore, the connect of the mind though not very obvious to an outsider, worked perfectly for us. So, I concluded that Imran and Kiana had reached some reconciliation though not many words had been spoken. Similarly, Kiana readily accepted Sumitra in our midst although no formal declaration to that effect was forthcoming.