[ I AM TAKING LEAVE FROM YOU,MY FRIENDS,FOR A MONTH-TILL THEN NO FURTHER POST FROM ME-NOW ANOTHER STORY FOR YOU]

I was in the lounge of the Training center,reading newspapers,when a man from the reception called  loudly–Sir,a phone call for Mr.Mukherjee.I got up and asked-Did you ask? -Who is it?He said–One Ms.Nisha  wants to speak to you from Delhi.

I was overwhelmed . I  had written to her  earlier that I may visit Faridabad during this time of the year but I never thought she will remember it,as I had not given any immediate intimation prior to coming here.Oh!she is really such a sweet heart –I murmured. as I picked up the phone and said Hello, I heard her husky voice-Hi! Sidd!  how are you?I said-Fine,fine,more so after hearing you. She said in mock anger-Why you did not confirm your visit to me.You don’t want to meet me or what?

I said–Nisha,darling,how can you think of that?I thought I will call you after reaching here.I am too excited to meet you,soon.When are we meeting?She asked- What about tommorow around evening 6?I said–Ok,boss,at that old place?She said-Yah,at Whimpy’s at CP.It’s near my office.I said-Ok,fine,see you then,Have a lot to talk.she laughed- Is it special? I said-may be,if you allow me.She said -Sidd!you have not lost your naughty streak.I said-that’s the problem,you like many other girls,never take me seriously.She-Ok,ok,baba,see you then tommorow,then.

Nisha Mehera,I met her first at this  training center.On the very first day,I saw her in the Tea room,with some of our future batchmates.She was strikingly beautiful,tall,fair with a very impressive personality.I could not help thinking at that time-Yes,this is a girl ,one can fall for.It will be nice to have girlfriend like this one.I approached her.She was with another one -a short but sweet looking girl.she was married.I said-Hi!I am Siddhartha.She said -Oh!you are a Bong?I am Nisha,and this is Nilam.

Gradually over the time a deep friendship developed amongst all the batchmates,over various incidents like badminton and T.T  games,late night fun parties,pre class singing sessions and  pre & post class  faculty mocking excercises.Then there was weekly visit to Delhi for marketing and in weekdays,visiting local markets.Sometimes there used to be group visit to night show movies and entering the hostel by wriggling through a small space in iron gate.We all  became a family.Though there were other girls with us ,Nisha was most liked by the boys and was also feared as well.She used to control us when we boys used to go wild,with her tough posture and scoldings.I ,specially remember,one night when a few of us were having a loud dancing session in our room with only our undies on,Nisha with other girls, barged in anger and we had a tough time in  hiding ourselves.

Even after we joined in our posting places,we still kept in touch.Well,a soft corner always remained,which I could not  deny.

I reached Whimpy’s on the appointed day as planned.I was a little early.That  evening looked so romantic to me.I am for the first time in my life,waiting for a girl.It was a great kick for my  mind.She arrived with a broad smile.It was enough to light up the surroundings.She looked as beautiful as ever.I said-Hi!It’s so nice to see you after a long time.She smiled and said- You have changed Sidd.where is your French cut?i laughed –Well gone with the wind of time.Well ,I liked it-She said.Then it will come back again.-I assured her.–.what will you have?-I asked.she said-Coffee and French fries,but be carefull,you always spill the things.I went to bring the coffee and the fries,and as usual I spilled coffee while keeping the same on the table.She giggled.

She said– I have a surprise for you.I said-Yes,you wrote to me about it.what is it?She paused for a second and said with melting mood- I am in love.My heart started pounding fast. Is it ? Is it coming for me? I made a straight face with a lot of difficulty.I asked-Who is it ,lucky guy?She asked-You guess? I  said-May be me.She said-Oh! Sidd,don’t be impossible,Rajani has proposed me.Rajani Kanta Mishra,our batchmate -one of the most handsome boy in our batch and a ex-boxer.I said-That’s wonderful.your two will be such a nice couple.and,as for me ,well,I  can not fight with a boxer.She laughed.We spoke and spoke the entire time.Mostly she spoke and I  listened on about how their love blossomed.I was listening but mind was elsewhere.Why, when I like some girl,god think otherwise?Too bad.Then ultimately, it was time to go.I waived her bye and she faded in the crowd in CP.

How these moments went on?How it was supposed to be?A meeting in my life,to be remembered, in time? I was walking towards Regal. Hey,Mister-I  heard somebody calling me.I stopped to see a foreigner guy smiling at me.I asked-What is it ?He took out a glittering silver antique pocket watch-Russian made,from his pocket-Very cheap,Mister,100 rupiah-take! I smiled at him and asked-Does this go backward in time?He was surprised and said-No,no,Mister but good,very good,cheap.-I smiled and said -Then it’s of no use to me .

And I stepped  ahead.

———88888——–

Neel said-For a long time ,we didn’t go anywhere.Since Sidd is here for a short while,why not have a break? I said-Neel,you had enough, breakin in various book stalls.They are thinking of putting close circuit cameras.Even if you escape somewhere,you,the book thief ,will be caught.Manoj said-Arre,he needs a break from his usual mission,ha,ha.Neel retorted-I told you,theft of book,flower and heart is no sin.Sudip said-I know a good place where we can go.Neel asked-Where?I won’t go anywhere other than a jungle.Right place for you,can meet a lot of your types sitting and stealing fruits from trees-I said.Manoj gave a big gaffaow.Neel became serious and said– Don’t be silly. I asked-where is this place Sudip? Sudip,half closed his eyes and took a puff of smoke,and said-It is a forest indeed.At the top of Dalma Hills.Tata’s have a Rest House.My uncle is in a good position in Tisco.He can book it for us.It is a beautiful place.Have been there,once, long back.From the top,you can see the deep forests around and Dimna Lake,far below.—-This is an idea we all liked very much.

All arrangements are made in precision.We arrived one late autumn morning to Jamshedpur or Tatanagar, as it is known, by Steel Express.We went straight to Sudip’s uncle’s house.They were eagerly waiting for us.It was a great hospitality.Within a short time we became their family members.There was another attraction-Sudip’s cousin sister–Rini,a very jolly and sweet girl.Manoj was only looking at her.I whispered-Beta,behave yourself, if you do’t want to get thrown out by Sudip.Manoj whispered back-I am an worshipper of beautiful things.

After a nice afternoon nap we started for the hills.A jeep was arranged.Our driver-Subodh Mahato,is a local guy,who knows the ways like back of his hand.We purchased some ration from Mango.Neel bought some Hadiya,from a roadside local Haat,though Sudip already had a supply of Rum.Hadiya,is a country beer made from fermented rice and Mahua flower.we reached the Rest house almost at darkness.the area surrounding the Rest house was guarded by-Sal,Segun,Piyal,Sishu,Mahua,Eucalyptus etc. trees.The bunglow lawn was full of sweet smell of  Mahua and Hasnuhana flowers.

Budh Singh Oraon,was the Caretaker.A jolly man,who immediately started his preparations for the dinner,with  our rations.We gathered in the verandah.Sudip asked Budh Singh-Is there any jungli janwar,here?Budh Singh gave a wide smile and said-Bhalu,saab,kabhi,kabhi-Mahua khane aata hai.our kabhi,kabhi, Haathi bhi.Neel said -Ore baba!The slight chill of autumn night,as if increased a bit more.The darkness of the forest increased their shadows,with a lone cricket making sound constantly.

Neel started with his Hadiya.We started with Rum.Budh Singh placed a plate of salad and one plate of hot pakoras before us.Neel suddenly said -I  am missing Deepa,such a romantic place!I asked -why,you are not liking our company?He said-In a romantic place, girls are must.Manoj said -Arre,Sudip,you could have invited your cousin-Rini.Sudip said in mock anger-Do not pry on my sister.How many girls you will fall for?Already I know ,you had five  of them.Manoj said-I fall for their beauty.Then?-I asked.Then-I meet another one, even better,so, I can’t stop myself-Manoj lamented.Sudip said-Baba,I only stick to my love-Ronita,I can’t think of anybody.

Neel asked-sidd,what about you?You never tell us anything about you?I smiled-well,I think no girl has ever given any lift to me.They feel I can be good friend only.Manoj said -Thats a tragedy!well sort of-I laughed.Neel said-Boss,you are hiding.You will have to confess today.In such a romantic place!This place must be an witness to your story.

I thought for a moment and said-Well,frankly speaking I never proposed a girl.May be I lacked the courage.Closest I came was this girl,whom I liked and I think she liked me as well.Neel almost jumped-Now,come here guru,you are a Chupe Rustam,I  knew! I said-nothing, as you are imagining.We used to meet often and chat a lot.We used to stroll together beside the river,many evenings.She had beautiful eyes and hair.One day ,she told-Sidd ,now a days I feel like living,where as,in earlier days I thought of dying.I didn’t know what to say.She then asked-Can you pluck that lemon flower for me.I did for her.The smell of the flower in her hair, just hipnotised me.

Days were passing very nicely.One day suddenly she asked me-Sidd,why you did not opt for an Army job.I was taken aback.I said hesitantly-That army life is very tough,may not be suitable for me.After a few days I overheard my mom telling my dad-You know Runa-Chatterjee’s daughter,her marriage has been fixed-The boy is an Army Captain.

Sudip said-oh ho! how sad.what did you do? I said with a faint smile-what could I  have done?I  was then not earning.Emotions may overcome you but reality is reality.I did not want to meet her again.But I met her one day accidentally.She gave her news herself.I congratulated her.I don’t know for sure,but I think, I saw a gloom in her eyes.She pleaded -You must come to my marriage.I did not know what to say….

So,I went to her marriage,otherwise it would have looked odd to my parents,who were also invited.I was standing amongst the crowd.A little girl came running and called me-Dada,Runadidi ,is calling you.I went inside and there she was ,beautuful as a queen,surrounded by her friends and sisters.She smiled at me.I had a lump in my throat.She asked-Did you see him?I said-Yes,handsome like a Prince.She smiled sadly .

Neel said-Shala,your story dampened my nasha.Coward no-1.You can’t do anything in life.Sudip said- You are really worthless.Manoj said -Don’t worry,there are  a thousand girls available,try again.Yaar.

Neel is totally drunk now.Sudip was  half asleep and murmuring the name of Ronita at a gap.Manoj was  also in half sleep but humming a hindi love song.Dinner was served.I was  only awake.I told Budh Singh to eat and go home .In all around darkness, I wondered, whether the girls will ever imagine,  that they were being remembered here at a hilltop,so passionately by some crazy guys.

I was laughing suddenly—–well,I made up and told  them a nice story, after all. All for a romantic atmosphere in a forest night.

————–88888——–

A MOMENT COMES IN ONE’S LIFE WHEN YOU REMAIN DUMBFOUNDED.YOU WANT TO SPEAK BUT CAN NOT.IN THIS WORLD OF UNKNOWN KNOWN,I HAVE MADE SO MANY FRIENDS,WHOM I HAVE NOT SEEN.I DON’T KNOW WHETHER I WILL EVER SEE THEM.YET,SOME OF THEM HAVE REALLY TOUCHED MY HEART.IF THEY ARE DISTURBED ,I ALSO FEEL DISTURBED AND GENUINELY WANT THEM TO BE HAPPY.I ALSO NEVER WANT THAT THEY SHOULD LEAVE I LAND.

ONE OF MY SUCH FRIEND LEFT I LAND FOREVER.I NEVER GUESSED IT.SHE WAS MY FRIEND FOR NOT EVEN A MONTH.WHEN SHE TALKED ABOUT LEAVING I LAND,I THOUGHT IT WAS A TEMPORARY DECISION.I URGED HER TO STAY BACK WITH US.I NEVER KNEW THAT SHE IS A FLOWER WHICH GOD WANTED BADLY.

I HAVE SEEN MANY SITUATIONS IN LIFE,SOME MAY BECOME MY STORIES IN FUTURE.BUT THIS IS A SITUATION VERY HARD TO ACCEPT.VERY HARD TO FORGET. WHY IT HAPPENS,I DO NOT KNOW!WHY GOD DOES LIKE THIS? AS I WRITE THIS,MY SORROW TRANSFORMS INTO TINY DROPS OF WATER,IN MY EYES,AND A LUMP IS IN MY THROAT.

I REPRODUCE HER MAILS TO ME FOR YOU ALL–

thanks for adding me-SUSHI [6/10/07]

AFTER BECOMING MY FRIEND

u didnt like ma poem:(katti]-SUSHI  [15/10/07]

WHEN I DID NOT COMMENT ON HER POEM

thanks friend for ur kind mesg pl hv guddy tk cr-SUSHI [15/10/07]

WHEN I SAID I LIKED YOUR POEM,DON’T DO KATTIE PLEASE

pl let me go,i cnt tell why,but i will miss u,and all.tk cr god bless u-sushi [16/10/07]

WHEN SHE WROTE THAT SHE IS BIDDING ADIEU FOREVER IN HER BLOG,I WROTE TO HER ,SAYING -PLEASE STAY WITH US,DO’NT GO[I WAS NOT AWARE OF HER REASON].IN HER REPLY,YOU CAN FEEL HER PAIN AND TEARS…

THEN I SAW HER I LAND AFTER A FEW DAYS—-THIS WAS THERE

[PUBLISHED WITHOUT PERMISSION-ACTUALLY NO ONE TO PERMIT]

hello ilander friends of sushi.i am priya ,sushis cousin sister,u all must be thinking were this naughty girl has gone ,who had always spread smiles and love in all hearts.and gone that to instantly.since u all had come in her life she was more happy,in last 2 or 3 weeks the love she has received from u all 133 friends she had kept in her heart.sushi was a lovely charming girl,after she was hospitalized she had joined iland.and shared her innocent world with u all.sushi was suffering from brain tumour and today was her operation planned.but………………………..am sorry i cnt write more………..she has gone forever to god never to come back again,she is no more……………

she had asked me to put these lines for u if anything happens to her…………….,and requested u people to read her poems again and again as she used to be……………………….am still in hospital full with tears,but just to keep her final wish……………..

zindagi jeene ke liya hai

zindagi hasne ke liye hai

zindagi muskurane ke liye hai

zindagi ji bhar ke jeena doston

warna zindagi ki kimmat humse pucho

jinke paas zindagi bachi nahi hai……..’

I WRITE—

I SAY ADIEU TO YOU MY FRIEND,

I CAN STILL FEEL YOUR PULSATING HEART,

AMONG THE TWINKLING STARS,

ONE OF THEM MAY BE YOURS.

IN A DARK NIGHT,

I WILL LOOK UP TO FIND YOU,

WHEN THE FRAGRANCE

OF HASNUHANA,

ENGULFS  MY MIND.

WHEN DEWS SHALL DROP LIKE

WARMTH OF YOUR HEART.

WHEN THE WIND BLOWS,

I WILL HEAR YOUR WHISPER

EVERTYTIME.

I WILL KNOW,

THAT YOU HAVE NOT GONE

BUT YOU ARE THERE WITH ME.

MY LITTLE GIRL,SLEEP NOW

SINCE YOU HAVE NOT SLEPT

FOR LONG

AND LET THE HEAVEN’S  MUSIC PLAY… 

———-88888———-

Where to begin this story I don’t know.In one’s life,when actually a  story starts and ends,it is difficult to say.Let us begin on a winter evening,when hour of dusk painted  the sky pink at the horizon.We were walking side by side along the Tram line.

He,a young boy with unkempt hair,a soft beard covering his chin and dreamy eyes.with a kurta and jeans,a Shantiniketani bag on his shoulder.In our college lingo,we used to call this type as aantel,[a short form for french pronounciation of intelectual] denoting a pseudo intelectual .

I was a contrast to him.With my hereditory heavy and tall  body,I was somewhat odd amongst my student friends.Very unlike general Bong students.Temperamentally also we were completely different.He true to his aantlami[use of intelectuality],was a widely read man,high thinking,and I more of an ignorant type.Yet the friendship flourished.One reason may be that we used to stay nearby and loved books.

That eve of winter evening,weather was very pleasant and we were walking towards the Calcutta Book Fair in Maidaan.Neel was a great book lover,as I have said already.He was also a great book thief,may be one of the best that Bengal ever produced.There was no big book shop or foreign libraries in calcutta,which  had not suffered from Neel.Offcourse he had a principle–he never stole from Public ,Government,College and National libraries,because he felt that in these places, books will not be replaced easily,so common readers will suffer.He also never stole books from anybody’s house.

I onced asked him-Why do you steal books?Don’t you feel it’s wrong? He replied-The God has always  forgiven those,who steal Books,Flowers and Heart.There is no sin in these stealing.

In his house,his room was full of books, scattered all over.Every inch of it almost.I had asked him once–Why can’t you keep it properly in a book shelf. He had grinned sheepishly and said–The way these books came to me ,book shelf can not come that way.

While walking together with him inside the bookfair,I was quite apprehensive of the situation.I never wanted to come with him.Neel’s collections from earlier year’s BookFair was not small.He ,once showed a few volumes of Britanica Encyclopedia to me as his achievement.He almost dragged me here.

He suddenly said–Sidd, let us enter Rupa’s stall, first . The Rupa is a welknown publisher in Calcutta.I said– Neel,I am definitely not with you.He smiled like a hero and said -You coward!You have to do nothing but to give me cover, when I will pick up a book.

He almost pushed me inside.My heart was pounding heavily.I could imagine that we were caught and being handed over to the police.I could also see that my Daddy,with a grim face came to bail me out and I was  searching a fissure in the floor where I can hide myself.

The crowd was too much.I was not able to see the books properly.’Where is Neel ? ”I do not know and I  do not want to know’.Suddenly ,a few people started shouting-thief,thief.there was a great commotion,inside the stall.I paled.I was feeling weak at my knees and my mouth went dry.I was having a cold sweat.I literally struggled and came out of that stall,out  in the open air, without looking at anybody.I never wanted to recognise Neel,at that point of time,nor I wanted to give him that chance of calling me,when he is in trouble.

I was almost running out  to get out of the Fair.Suddenly,I saw………….before an ice cream stall……Neel,with   his now heavy bag on his shoulder, was having an ice cream with a girl in pink sareee.

The mikes of the fair was singing-Chukar mere  manko….kiya tune kiya ishara…. In the receeding light of the day,with a sea of crowd around me…..I saw the  book thief…… Neel stealing a heart from someone.

————88888————-

IT IS A VERY KNOWN STORY BUT THERE IS A LOVE STORY INSIDE,WHICH IS LITTLE UNKNOWN.THIS IS THE STORY OF A MAN WHO LOVED A WOMAN MADLY,THOUGH THE WOMAN LOVED ANOTHER MAN BLINDLY.IT’S A TRUE LOVE TRIANGLE.

THIS IS THE STORY OF DRAUPADI,ARJUN AND BHIM.DRAUPADI LOVED ARJUN.IT WAS LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT.BHIM LOVED DRAUPADI,IT WAS ALSO ALOVE AT FIRST SIGHT.ARJUN WAS A PLAYBOY-VERY HANDSOME,SMART,A VERY GOOD WARRIOR,A GOOD TALKER.GIRLS USEDTO FALL FOR HIM LIKE AS IF HE IS A MAGNET.EVEN MOST FAMOUS DANCER OF HEAVEN-URVASHI HAD FALLEN FOR HIM.

BHIM WAS NOT THAT GOOD LOOKING.HE WAS HAVING A HEAVY BODY ,MORE LIKE A PEHLWAN.HE WAS ROUGH AND TOUGH.HOT TEMPERED.HE WAS NOT A GOOD TALKER.HE WAS ALSO A GOOD WARRIOR,BUT THOSE DAYS THE MAN WHO CAN FIGHT WITH BOWS AND ARROWS WAS GENERALLY REVERED.

WHEN DRAUPADI HAD TO MARRY ALL THE FIVE BROTHERS,SINCE THEN IT WAS BHIM WHO USED TO GUARD HER MOST.HE WAS ALWAYS AT HER BECK AND CALL ,WHERE AS ARJUN WAS FLIRTING WITH OTHER GIRLS LIKE SHUBHADRA,CHITRANGADA ETC.ETC.

IT WAS BHIM WHO WAS ABOUT TO THRASH DURYODHAN,WHEN HE REMARKED ABUSIVELY TO DRAUPADI,DURING GAMBLING.ARJUN WAS SILENT.WHEN DURYODHAN SHOWED HIS NAKED THIGH TO DRAUPADI,IN FRONT OF ALL INCLUDING ELDERS,ARJUN STILL REMAINED SILENT BUT BHIM SHOUTED AND VOWED THAT HE WILL BREAK THAT THIGH ONE DAY.HE ULTIMATELY DID WHILE KILLING DURYODHAN IN KURUKSHETRA WAR.WHEN ,DUSHWASHAN ABUSED DRAUPADI OPENLY AND PULLED HER BY HER HAIR,IT WAS AGAIN BHIM WHO VOWED TO KILL HIM BY PIERCING HIS CHEST AND TO DRINK HIS BLOOD.WHEN DRAUPADI TOOK A VOW -NOT TO TIE HER HAIR UNLESS SHE HAVE A BATH WITH DUSHWASHAN’S BLOOD,IT WAS BHIM ,WHO PROMISED HER TO BRING THAT BLOOD TO HER.HE DID SO.IN THE BATTLE FIELD HE KILLED DUSHWASHAN AND DRANK HIS BLOOD AND BROUGHT THAT BLOOD FOR DRAUPADI AND SHE HAD HER BATH.ARJUN WAS A MERE SPECTETOR.

WHEN THEY WERE IN DISGIUSE IN BIRATNAGAR,THE BROTHER IN LAW OF THE KING WAS SEXUALLY HARASSING DRAUPADI AS SHE WAS WORKING AS A MAID IN KING’S PALACE.WHEN DRAUPADI COMPLAINED,IT WAS BHIM WHO KILLED THE MAN,WHEN HE WAS ABOUT TO RAPE DRAUPADI.HE ALSO BASHED  JAYODROTH,SON IN LAW OF DHRITRASTRA,AS HE HAD TARGETED TO KIDNAP DRAUPADI IN THE FOREST,DURING THEIR FOREST DAYS. 

SUCH SMALL SMALL INCIDENTS ARE NUMEROUS.BHIM KNEW THAT DRAUPADI ONLY LOVES ARJUN,YET HE COULD NOT STOP LOVING HER.IT WAS AN ONE SIDED LOVE.

AT THE END,WHILE CLIMBING SWARGAROHINI PEAK,THEY WERE DYING ONE BY ONE.DRAUPADI WAS WEAK AND HAD FALLEN ON SNOW,SHE WAS CRYING FOR ARJUN.ARJUN WAS EAGER TO REACH HEAVEN AND DID NOT HEAR OR LOOK BACK AT HER.BHIM HEARD THE CRY AND CAME BACK AS HE WAS A LITTLE AHEAD.HE TRIED TO CARRY  HER,BUT ULTIMATELY FAINTED WHILE DOING SO.BOTH OF THEM DIED,BHIM WAS HOLDING HIS BELOVED’S HAND TILL LAST BREATH.

A MAN,A LOVER,A SIMPLE HEARTED  BUT CRAZY FELLOW ,WHOSE LOVE STORY NOBODY REMEMBERS,WAS ONE OF THE GREAT LOVERS IN THIS WORLD-EQUIVALENT TO ROMEO,MAJNU,FARHAD AND MAHIWAL.YOU CAN KEEPASIDE A FEW DROPS OF TEAR FOR HIM.

—————————888888———————