Adultery The Possession

[Henry]

They boarded the reservation compartment of the train from Kolkata station just before evening. Santu-Antu are very happy, they will go for a traveling again. However, they are a little sad because of the absence of their dad. Soma kept the light bag with her. Dawa Sherpa has taken the heavy two baga in his shoulders and hand. Soma found their berths according to the tickets. The train left at exactly 8:05 PM. The train has started running with increasing speed. The two boys started fighting to sit by the window. As Santu forced himself to sit on the seat by the window, Antu said--I came first, I will sit.
Soma and Dawa sit on either side of the seat. On the opposite side is an old non-Bengali couple.

Soma scolds both of them to shut up. Soma and Dawa now sit side by side. Other fellow passengers think they are husband-wife. Beside the tall, rough-looking masculine man of Dawa's yeollowish complexion, Soma, a fair, graceful forty-something woman, is considered by people to be the wife of him. Dawa is wearing a t-shirt and blue jeans, which is bought by Soma a few days ago. He put his traditional Nepali cap on his head. Soma is wearing maroon color silk saree with black color matching blouse. The color suits her fair skin. Dawa sat a little closer. He put his hand on Soma's shoulder. His hand started to caress her soft arm over the blouse. A soft shy smile on Soma's face. Santu-Antu are busy talking among themselves.

Wind is blowing through the windows of the train. Soma was pulled closer by the Dawa Sherpa. They are sitting very close. Just like a newly married honeymoon couple. Soma said---Who else do you have there in your villege?

Dawa looked at Soma and said---I have cousins. There is an elderly uncle. There are aunts. But everyone's home is far away. Our little village is all our relatives.

----If everyone asks who we are?

Dawa smiled and said---I will tell them, I have brought my wife and children from Calcutta.

Soma shyly said---Dhyat! I will say that We are your Sab ji's family. We came for a visit.

Dawa Sherpa was about to say something again, when the elderly woman from non-Bengali couple in front of said in Hindi---Aplok Nepali Hai?

Dawa replied---Ha, Mai Hu.

The old woman said---but your Biwi doesn't look Nepali.

Soma was startled. Dawa said---Mera Biwi Bangali Hai.

Soma or Dawa realized that the old woman was actually checking if they were husband and wife or not. Because Soma and Dawa seemed incompatible as a couple. Soma's highly educated, Bengali upper middle class impression is evident, Dawa Sherpa's lower class appearance is evident, his rough, stern monstrous ferocity not matching with Soma. On the other hand Santu-Antu calls Soma 'Mom' but they called Dawa as 'Uncle'.


By ten o'clock at night they finished dinner and slept in their respective berths. The ticket checker has already checked the tickets. The train is running at breakneck speed. The next day when they reached New Jalpaiguri, there was light rain. They took the car and headed towards Singlila range. Tunglu reached around noon. Dawa Sherpa started to unload the goods from the car. Soma came out and saw different weather than Calcutta, light fog here. But not as cold as last time. However, it is not so cold in April-May.
As Antu ran to the edge of the ditch, Soma shouted---Santu, catch your brother.

Santu brought Antu. Soma said---It is cold.

Dawa smiled and said---Not like winter, Soma. Come in winter to understand actually the meaning of cold. We do not feel anything in this cold.

A Nepali young man came forward and said---Dawa bhai? Abhee aaye?

---haan maadhav, main abhee yaheen hoon. Tera maa kaisee hai?

----maa theek hain.

Then the young man looked at Soma in wonder. Dawa, however, did not respond. After some time, another young man appeared. The face of this thin Nepali young man with a light mustache and beard has a sweet smile and simplicity. He looked at Soma and said---Madam Ji, did you recognize me?

Soma smiled politely, but she didn't recognize him. Dawa said---Can't you recognize, Soma? I heard last time he was your guide.

Soma was embarrassed. She recognized him now. She said---That's right. Now I remembered. I forgot your name bhai.

Dawa said---His name is Raju. My cousin.

Raju! Immediately Soma remembered the guide name was Raju. Soma laughed and said---Oh! Raju, sorry bhai. How are you?

---I am fine madam.