02-12-2025, 07:05 PM
## Update 126: The City Girls and the Forbidden Book (Avi, Sweta Didi, Sital Didi, and Poonam Didi)
I hailed an auto-rickshaw. I showed the driver the address written on the slip of paper, and we were off toward Didi's place. Raj and I started looking out the window, mesmerized by the giant, imposing buildings of the city. Signal after signal flashed, and a relentless stream of cars rushed here and there. After about twenty minutes, the auto driver stopped the vehicle in front of a sprawling, walled society. We climbed out. The auto driver took the money and left immediately. I kept a firm grip on the luggage while Raj stood by my side, and I started asking a nearby man for the specific house address. The man pointed down the street. Didi's Bua's house was about ten or twelve houses down.
I took the luggage and started walking toward the address. Every person who walked past us—men and women—stared openly. Our village clothes, simple and coarse, stood out starkly against the city’s smooth, fashionable fabrics. We looked completely different from everyone else, and most people were barely concealing their amusement. We reached the correct house. The house was quite large, sprawling behind a high gate. Raj was standing nervously behind me, gripping my shirt. I knocked hard on the gate—I had not seen the electric doorbell.
After a moment, a girl opened the gate. She looked at me, taking in my appearance, and asked coolly who I wanted to meet. It was my first time here; I did not know anyone but Didi.
Raj quickly darted out from behind me and came forward. "Poonam Didi!" Raj called out, his face lighting up with recognition. The girl's expression instantly changed to a bright smile. She grabbed Raj's hand and pulled him inside. I picked up the luggage and followed her in.
"Sweta, Sital, look who is here!" Poonam Didi shouted toward the house, her voice echoing.
"Why are you shouting like that, Poonam?" Sweta Didi asked sharply from inside, stepping into the hallway.
Sweta Didi and Sital Didi immediately came out of an inner room.
"Raj, is that you? How did you manage to get here...?" Sweta Didi exclaimed, rushing forward and bending down.
Sweta Didi hugged Raj tightly. I knew this was Sweta Didi's father's sister's house—her Jyoti Bua's house. Jyoti Bua, Jyoti Bua's husband, and Jyoti Bua's daughter, Poonam Didi, lived here. Jyoti Bua's son had tragically died due to an illness two years ago. The house was huge, with four bedrooms: two upstairs and two downstairs. Upstairs were Poonam Didi's room and the room Sweta Didi and Sital Didi shared. Downstairs, one room was for Jyoti Bua and her husband, and the other belonged to her late son. That bedroom had been locked since his death.
Sweta Didi, Sital Didi, and Poonam Didi hugged Raj one by one, peppering him with questions. Hearing the commotion, Jyoti Bua came out of her room. Jyoti Bua also hugged Raj, but she quickly started crying, tears streaming down her face. It was clear she was thinking of her lost son, holding Raj tightly.
I was still standing near the entrance, holding all the luggage. Sital Didi finally looked up and noticed me.
"Hey, Avi, why are you standing there like a guard? Come in and sit down," Sital Didi motioned with her hand, smiling.
"Yes, Didi," I replied, setting down the heavy bags.
"Did only you two travel?" Sital Didi asked, walking closer to me.
"Yes, we both came to take you back with us," I explained, straightening my clothes.
"How was the long journey?" Sital Didi asked, looking sympathetic.
"It was good. Raj was sleeping the whole journey, thankfully," I said, rubbing the back of my neck.
"Avi, how is everyone back in the village?" Sweta Didi asked, her expression earnest, looking past Raj.
"Everyone is well. Everyone misses you two and sends their love," I relayed, passing on the good wishes.
Sital Didi quickly went and brought a tray with water glasses.
"Here, drink some water first," Sital Didi offered, pushing a glass into my hand.
"Hey, I didn't introduce you properly," Sweta Didi said, realizing her lapse, hitting her forehead lightly. "This is Jyoti Bua," she said, gesturing to the tearful woman. I immediately bent down and touched Bua's feet out of respect.
"And this is Poonam Didi; we study in the same college," Sweta Didi explained. (Poonam Didi was in the third year of B.Sc., while Sweta Didi was in the first; Sital Didi's exams were finished). I shook hands with Poonam Didi, nodding politely.
"Bua, this is Avi, my big uncle's son. He passed away six years ago. Avi now lives with my Chote Mama in the village," Sweta Didi explained my complicated history to Bua.
"Now, you must rest, then we'll talk properly. Bua, where will these two stay?" Sweta Didi asked, looking around the downstairs area.
"Poonam will sleep with me tonight," Jyoti Bua said quickly, wiping her eyes. "Raj and Avi will sleep in Poonam's room upstairs. Avi, go rest now, and please take the luggage upstairs to the room." *(Poonam Didi's father had a night duty, so Poonam Didi could sleep in Jyoti Bua's room without any trouble.)*
"Yes, Bua," I said, nodding, picking up the bags again.
Sital Didi showed me the room. She also gave me quick directions on how to use the modern shower in the bathroom—my first time bathing under a shower. I went to the bathroom to freshen up and wash off the road dust. When I came out, I saw Sital Didi sitting in the room, talking to Raj. But as I watched, Sital Didi paused the conversation and started looking through my bag.
I had foolishly kept the book with the fucking stories right on top, and it was now in Sital Didi's hand. As I stood in the doorway, I saw Sweta Didi, Poonam Didi, and Sital Didi all gathered, looking at the book with shock and curiosity. Raj was no longer in the room; Sital Didi must have sent him out to get some privacy.
"Avi, what in the world is this? Have you started reading such books now?" Sweta Didi asked, holding the small booklet up, her expression stern, her eyes narrowed.
I quickly lowered my head, my face burning with humiliation. I had absolutely no answer to Sweta Didi's accusation. **My blood felt cold and hot at the same time. A terrible knot tightened in my chest, making it hard to breathe. The shame was suffocating.**
"What good will lowering your head do now?" Sweta Didi pressed, her voice sharp.
"Didi, that... Didi, please forgive me this one time. This won't happen again," I stammered out, twisting my hands together nervously.
"Why did you even buy such a book, Avi?" Sweta Didi demanded, stepping closer.
"That... a man at the bus stop gave it to me forcibly," I lied, unable to look up, trying to hide my guilt.
"Nobody gives such a book forcibly, Avi. You must have bought it yourself out of curiosity," Sweta Didi countered, her voice laced with skepticism, shaking the book lightly.
"I truly didn't buy it. That man kept telling me to buy it until I took it," I insisted, sticking to the partial truth, pleading with my eyes.
"That means you don't need this book anymore, then. You don't want to read this book, right?" Sweta Didi asked, a strange light entering her eyes, a hint of a smile touching her lips. "Then it's fine. I'll just keep it with me." She flipped through the pages quickly. "By the way, the book is quite good. The stories in the book are very interesting."
I was completely shocked to hear Sweta Didi's casual words. My head shot up instantly, my mouth slightly open in surprise.
"Why are you looking at me like that, with your mouth open?" Sweta Didi asked, a smirk playing on her lips, enjoying my shock.
"Do you really want to read this book, Didi?" I asked, utterly confused by her sudden change in tone.
"Yes. Why? Can't I read it?" Sweta Didi challenged, folding her arms, raising an eyebrow at me. "By the way, one thing has become very clear to us today: you've definitely grown up while we were away."
"That means you're not angry with me for having it?" I asked, my relief warring with my shock, letting out a small breath.
"All this is completely common in the city, Avi. Most people read such books. But you shouldn't have kept such a book in the bag in this open manner," Sweta Didi scolded gently, her voice softer now. "What if Raj had seen it? Or Bua?"
"Let it go, Didi," Sital Didi intervened, waving her hand, trying to calm the situation. "Avi doesn't know much about city life yet, that's why he made a mistake reading such a book openly."
"Sweta, give me the book right now. I want to read it today, then you can read it tomorrow," Poonam Didi said, reaching for the booklet eagerly, her eyes bright with curiosity.
"No way, Didi! We'll read it together right now," Sweta Didi refused, pulling it out of Poonam Didi's reach quickly.
I just stood there, listening to the three of them argue over the book, a secret, relieved smile spreading across my face. The tension had fully left my body.
"Avi, you go rest now. Forget about this book for a while," Sweta Didi finally commanded, tucking the booklet into her own clothes, dismissing me gently.
After my shower and the overwhelming confrontation, I fell onto the bed and immediately fell asleep. It was an enormous relief that Sweta Didi had not yelled or punished me. The city was certainly a different world.
---
I hailed an auto-rickshaw. I showed the driver the address written on the slip of paper, and we were off toward Didi's place. Raj and I started looking out the window, mesmerized by the giant, imposing buildings of the city. Signal after signal flashed, and a relentless stream of cars rushed here and there. After about twenty minutes, the auto driver stopped the vehicle in front of a sprawling, walled society. We climbed out. The auto driver took the money and left immediately. I kept a firm grip on the luggage while Raj stood by my side, and I started asking a nearby man for the specific house address. The man pointed down the street. Didi's Bua's house was about ten or twelve houses down.
I took the luggage and started walking toward the address. Every person who walked past us—men and women—stared openly. Our village clothes, simple and coarse, stood out starkly against the city’s smooth, fashionable fabrics. We looked completely different from everyone else, and most people were barely concealing their amusement. We reached the correct house. The house was quite large, sprawling behind a high gate. Raj was standing nervously behind me, gripping my shirt. I knocked hard on the gate—I had not seen the electric doorbell.
After a moment, a girl opened the gate. She looked at me, taking in my appearance, and asked coolly who I wanted to meet. It was my first time here; I did not know anyone but Didi.
Raj quickly darted out from behind me and came forward. "Poonam Didi!" Raj called out, his face lighting up with recognition. The girl's expression instantly changed to a bright smile. She grabbed Raj's hand and pulled him inside. I picked up the luggage and followed her in.
"Sweta, Sital, look who is here!" Poonam Didi shouted toward the house, her voice echoing.
"Why are you shouting like that, Poonam?" Sweta Didi asked sharply from inside, stepping into the hallway.
Sweta Didi and Sital Didi immediately came out of an inner room.
"Raj, is that you? How did you manage to get here...?" Sweta Didi exclaimed, rushing forward and bending down.
Sweta Didi hugged Raj tightly. I knew this was Sweta Didi's father's sister's house—her Jyoti Bua's house. Jyoti Bua, Jyoti Bua's husband, and Jyoti Bua's daughter, Poonam Didi, lived here. Jyoti Bua's son had tragically died due to an illness two years ago. The house was huge, with four bedrooms: two upstairs and two downstairs. Upstairs were Poonam Didi's room and the room Sweta Didi and Sital Didi shared. Downstairs, one room was for Jyoti Bua and her husband, and the other belonged to her late son. That bedroom had been locked since his death.
Sweta Didi, Sital Didi, and Poonam Didi hugged Raj one by one, peppering him with questions. Hearing the commotion, Jyoti Bua came out of her room. Jyoti Bua also hugged Raj, but she quickly started crying, tears streaming down her face. It was clear she was thinking of her lost son, holding Raj tightly.
I was still standing near the entrance, holding all the luggage. Sital Didi finally looked up and noticed me.
"Hey, Avi, why are you standing there like a guard? Come in and sit down," Sital Didi motioned with her hand, smiling.
"Yes, Didi," I replied, setting down the heavy bags.
"Did only you two travel?" Sital Didi asked, walking closer to me.
"Yes, we both came to take you back with us," I explained, straightening my clothes.
"How was the long journey?" Sital Didi asked, looking sympathetic.
"It was good. Raj was sleeping the whole journey, thankfully," I said, rubbing the back of my neck.
"Avi, how is everyone back in the village?" Sweta Didi asked, her expression earnest, looking past Raj.
"Everyone is well. Everyone misses you two and sends their love," I relayed, passing on the good wishes.
Sital Didi quickly went and brought a tray with water glasses.
"Here, drink some water first," Sital Didi offered, pushing a glass into my hand.
"Hey, I didn't introduce you properly," Sweta Didi said, realizing her lapse, hitting her forehead lightly. "This is Jyoti Bua," she said, gesturing to the tearful woman. I immediately bent down and touched Bua's feet out of respect.
"And this is Poonam Didi; we study in the same college," Sweta Didi explained. (Poonam Didi was in the third year of B.Sc., while Sweta Didi was in the first; Sital Didi's exams were finished). I shook hands with Poonam Didi, nodding politely.
"Bua, this is Avi, my big uncle's son. He passed away six years ago. Avi now lives with my Chote Mama in the village," Sweta Didi explained my complicated history to Bua.
"Now, you must rest, then we'll talk properly. Bua, where will these two stay?" Sweta Didi asked, looking around the downstairs area.
"Poonam will sleep with me tonight," Jyoti Bua said quickly, wiping her eyes. "Raj and Avi will sleep in Poonam's room upstairs. Avi, go rest now, and please take the luggage upstairs to the room." *(Poonam Didi's father had a night duty, so Poonam Didi could sleep in Jyoti Bua's room without any trouble.)*
"Yes, Bua," I said, nodding, picking up the bags again.
Sital Didi showed me the room. She also gave me quick directions on how to use the modern shower in the bathroom—my first time bathing under a shower. I went to the bathroom to freshen up and wash off the road dust. When I came out, I saw Sital Didi sitting in the room, talking to Raj. But as I watched, Sital Didi paused the conversation and started looking through my bag.
I had foolishly kept the book with the fucking stories right on top, and it was now in Sital Didi's hand. As I stood in the doorway, I saw Sweta Didi, Poonam Didi, and Sital Didi all gathered, looking at the book with shock and curiosity. Raj was no longer in the room; Sital Didi must have sent him out to get some privacy.
"Avi, what in the world is this? Have you started reading such books now?" Sweta Didi asked, holding the small booklet up, her expression stern, her eyes narrowed.
I quickly lowered my head, my face burning with humiliation. I had absolutely no answer to Sweta Didi's accusation. **My blood felt cold and hot at the same time. A terrible knot tightened in my chest, making it hard to breathe. The shame was suffocating.**
"What good will lowering your head do now?" Sweta Didi pressed, her voice sharp.
"Didi, that... Didi, please forgive me this one time. This won't happen again," I stammered out, twisting my hands together nervously.
"Why did you even buy such a book, Avi?" Sweta Didi demanded, stepping closer.
"That... a man at the bus stop gave it to me forcibly," I lied, unable to look up, trying to hide my guilt.
"Nobody gives such a book forcibly, Avi. You must have bought it yourself out of curiosity," Sweta Didi countered, her voice laced with skepticism, shaking the book lightly.
"I truly didn't buy it. That man kept telling me to buy it until I took it," I insisted, sticking to the partial truth, pleading with my eyes.
"That means you don't need this book anymore, then. You don't want to read this book, right?" Sweta Didi asked, a strange light entering her eyes, a hint of a smile touching her lips. "Then it's fine. I'll just keep it with me." She flipped through the pages quickly. "By the way, the book is quite good. The stories in the book are very interesting."
I was completely shocked to hear Sweta Didi's casual words. My head shot up instantly, my mouth slightly open in surprise.
"Why are you looking at me like that, with your mouth open?" Sweta Didi asked, a smirk playing on her lips, enjoying my shock.
"Do you really want to read this book, Didi?" I asked, utterly confused by her sudden change in tone.
"Yes. Why? Can't I read it?" Sweta Didi challenged, folding her arms, raising an eyebrow at me. "By the way, one thing has become very clear to us today: you've definitely grown up while we were away."
"That means you're not angry with me for having it?" I asked, my relief warring with my shock, letting out a small breath.
"All this is completely common in the city, Avi. Most people read such books. But you shouldn't have kept such a book in the bag in this open manner," Sweta Didi scolded gently, her voice softer now. "What if Raj had seen it? Or Bua?"
"Let it go, Didi," Sital Didi intervened, waving her hand, trying to calm the situation. "Avi doesn't know much about city life yet, that's why he made a mistake reading such a book openly."
"Sweta, give me the book right now. I want to read it today, then you can read it tomorrow," Poonam Didi said, reaching for the booklet eagerly, her eyes bright with curiosity.
"No way, Didi! We'll read it together right now," Sweta Didi refused, pulling it out of Poonam Didi's reach quickly.
I just stood there, listening to the three of them argue over the book, a secret, relieved smile spreading across my face. The tension had fully left my body.
"Avi, you go rest now. Forget about this book for a while," Sweta Didi finally commanded, tucking the booklet into her own clothes, dismissing me gently.
After my shower and the overwhelming confrontation, I fell onto the bed and immediately fell asleep. It was an enormous relief that Sweta Didi had not yelled or punished me. The city was certainly a different world.
---
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