Adultery The Possession

[Henry]

Soma's college had summer vacation. Both boys are on holiday. They are restless with the joy of traveling. Dawa Sherpa bought four Darjeeling mail tickets. Soma is packing her bag since evening. Only one day left then will they go out on the way to Sandakphu. Dawa went to the market. Soma gave him money to buy clothes and fruits for his mother. The rain has come down quite a bit. At half past seven, the phone rang. Soma was opening the cupboard and arranging the sweaters. She heard the sound of the phone and said---Santu, your dad has called.

Santu was sitting on the sofa playing video games with his brother. He said--- Mom, you go and pick up the phone.

Soma widened her eyes and said angrily----No, you pick up the phone. And tell your dad about going for the tour.

When Santu picked up the phone, Subir said---What happend? Did not you sit down to study?

---No dad, college is on summer vacation.

---Will not study at home because of the summer vacation?

Santu said with a thick face---Dad, we are going for a tour. Now we don't like to study.

Subir was shocked. He said---Tour! Where to go? When?

---Sandakphu. Dawa uncle's house is there.

---What? What did your mother think? Go out with that third class man?

Santu was nervous. Seeing dad's anger, he called his mom. Soma realizes that Subir is definitely disagree. She grabbed the telephone and said in a hoarse voice---What happened?

----I am surprised to see your daring behavior Soma!

---You will be surprised. Have you ever taken us on a tour anywhere without your vacation? The fact that I'm going out alone without you is a hurt to your male ego, isn't it?

---So what is Soma? I told you, if you want, you can go out with the two boys for a few days without me. But with that third class watchman! Oh ho, that's right, I forgot, you're that man's mistress now. Go, make out with your philanderer. How much further degradation will you have, Soma?

---Yes, I will. Are you jealous?

---Do what you do. But do not take my sons I warned!

Soma laughed and said----Should I leave the two boys alone in the room? Will you come and look after them?

Hearing that Subir was silent, Soma said again---Why did you keep silent? tell me? Listen, let me tell you something straight today, I love Dawa Ji. You can divorce me if you want, I don't care. And the two sons will be with me.

--- Soma!

---What happened now? Are you surprised to hear the truth, Mr. Subir Mukherjee? It is not right; you are the one to call Dawa Ji as my 'boyfriend'. Now when really he is my...Look Subir, I'm not a caged bird anymore. Just because I love you, you can't hold me captive.

----Love? me? Subir laughed. Again he said---The word 'love' does not fit in the mouth of a slut woman like you.

---You called me a slut?

---The woman who sleeps in bed with a stranger, has sex, should I call her a noble lady?

--- Subir! If I didn't love you, I could give you an immediate divorce. I would not burden your family.

----Are you doing me a favor?

---No. Who am I to doing a favor to you? I have served your dying mother despite handling my college teaching job, taking care of the sons' college, tuition, raising them for what? After that Soma got a bit emotional and said again---When I wake up tired alone in the stormy night after day after day of hard work, I only want the touch of your manly hand, Subir. But you never thought about what I needed. Even at the age of forty, I never thought that I would get a man like Dawa Ji. The hand that you could not give after the whole day's fatigue, Dawa ji gave me his strong manly hand. You may be jealous. I'm still in love with you, But my body, mind is now only Dawa ji's

----Soma what do you want to say? Tell me clearly? Divorce?

---Just let me have the joy of a free bird, Subir. I want a taste of liberation not separation.

Subir remained silent. Soma cut the telephone from the other side. After a while, Subir saw through the window that it was raining in Delhi too. Holding a cigarette, he muttered, "I free you, Soma, the free bird of the eternal sky. I free you."

To be continued...