On a frosty night at 10.14 P.M., Mr. Rahul Banerjee, pressed the doorbell of his rented flat. Close to a minute later, his wife, Mrs. Piyu Banerjee opened the door. The individuals married for 35 years, were looking at each other without a blink of their eyelids. Their eyes were filled with tears and Mrs. Piyu couldn’t realize her husband is yet to enter the house. Unashamedly they hugged each other and gave a peck, while their daughter, in her twenties, witnessed from behind.
Mr. Rahul, a handsome, brown complexioned, six-footer, undoubtedly attracted many girls during his school and college days, more so he was polite and very good listener. In fact, quite a few attributes that a lady aspires for…. he had it in him. Mrs. Piyu was no exception and approved immediately when her parents showed his picture, and they had an arranged marriage. Obviously to the surprise of many his friends and relatives.
Mrs. Piyu, a typical Bengali beauty, fair complexioned and long thick hair with a million-dollar smile. She stood 5 ft.6 inches which in general is more than an average height of an Indian lady. She never had any flings, we believe so, but was quite a popular face in her school and college. She was equally good in her studies, as she was in her extra-curricular activities. She could sing, dance and was an excellent table tennis player. So obviously many boys and later men were eyeing to have her as their partner. She ignored all and went for arranged marriage.
Rahul worked in a manufacturing company, salary package was nothing great to begin considering his educational background, but being in Kolkata, affordable cost of living, was manageable. He too knew he need to start from a mediocre scale. Additionally, his wife, earnings helped to run the family decently. He was aware he must capture every little chance that comes on his way. He worked hard and did not find it necessary to change any company or maybe he lacked guts. Today, he retired as General Manager. But like his college days, in office too he was the most popular person. Girls of all age groups flirted because of his looks and mannerism were still the same, men always went to him for help because of his ever-approachable attitude. He was like an encyclopaedia and anything and everything an individual had issues; the buck used to stop at Rahul. More popular because he never showed his seniority and always remained humble. No doubt he won “Mr. Popular” award of the company 5 times and later his name was withdrawn for others to win.
Piyu, having a commerce background went for accounting job. Unlike Rahul, she kept changing jobs every 5 years. There was a time when her salary was more than Rahul. But none had an issue. She went on sabbatical leave when her daughter Ira was born in Spring. She had blessed in-laws who looked after their granddaughter, as usual pampered, but limits drawn. She had to quit her job when she lost her mother-in-law. She stopped working after being in the corporate world for 20 years. But nothing at that point of time could supersede, then to look after Ira who was 14 years old when she lost her grandma. Critical time and Piyu had no regrets having to stop work.
Assumingly, way of living had to be altered considering financially one man earning was the dependency. Both husband and wife were very clear they will not compromise anything for the sake of their daughter. Financial planning ensured everything went well but could not afford to go for a pompous living or invest in a new house. So, Banerjee family continued living in rented house and most essential needs being fulfilled.
Rahul and Piyu in their thirty plus years of journey complimented each other most of the times, except on few occasions, there were outbursts, but either one of them always initiated to dough the fire.
Today on his last day, the farewell was organized at the conference hall. Almost every member of the office was present, most likely expected for almost every individual sometime or the other have been benefitted by Rahul. There was some bursting in tears expressing their gratitude for having guided them for so many years, some sharing the humour side when with Rahul and many more for many instances. The MD & CEO who happened to join recently astonished everyone. The details he had gathered about Rahul and brilliantly assimilated, truly was the highlight. Rahul never expected such a wonderful emotional speech from the MD. Rahul at the end thanked profusely the ones who were there as well as not there currently in the company but helped him to grow. Encouraged every youngster joined to make maximum use of the good people in the organization for faster learning. Rahul always encouraged the young feet, for he truly believed they are the future and need to be nurtured.
Daughter gave a bear hug to her favourite man, and Rahul too with all the enthusiasm explained what happened in the farewell. Showed all the gifts, even what was given to wife and daughter from the company. Sitting on the sofa he loudly screamed “I am free man now!!!!”, “I will lead my life”. While daughter joined the scream doubling the decibels, Piyu maintained her composure and had a smile on her face.
A couple of months passed; Piyu calls for a discussion with Rahul after lunch when Ira was not in home. Rahul had no idea what discussion possibly in store. Piyu mildly but steadily expressed her point of concern. Rahul for a moment was speechless and felt his wife was inhuman. He asks his wife to excuse and steps out. While Piyu was continuously asking, he said not to worry he will be back. Piyu, waited for half an hour and decided to call Rahul, the mobile rang but to her surprise he has left the mobile at home. While worried but kept her composure and went to the balcony to have a look.
Ira came home around 7.00 P.M. and was in a fantastic mood and like mother she too was a gifted singer. The weather made her sing her favourite song. The dark clouds hovering low and can burst into heavy rains was quite evident. She enquired “where is daddy?”. Piyu in a calm voice responded he has stepped out will be coming anytime. Ira having not observed the anxious face of her mother went to have a shower. Piyu said to herself since Ira will take at least an hour, her dad will surely be back by then. To add to her worries as expected heavy downpour started. Piyu started walking up and down in the room in a fast pace, perhaps repenting she should have spoken in front of Ira. Piyu started recalling the fabulous times with Rahul, who was extremely romantic and some days she managed to control and some days she got succumbed. She started recalling how important Ira was to him, never a no for her demands. Obviously, it goes without saying Ira bondage with her daddy was firm and kept growing. Piyu started thinking something bad as well happening to Rahul but immediately putting off the thought. She was praying constantly, to get her husband back safe and sound.
Ira, nonchalantly, comes from behind and shouts “Mama”. Piyu screams as a reaction. Ira finds her to be pale and probably losing sense. “What happened Ma?”. “Where is Dad?”. Her mother bursts and narrates the ten minutes discussion post lunch and her dad walking out, stating he will be back and not uttering where he is going. Ira collapses on the sofa. She felt a thunderbolt has stuck her. She was extremely angry with her mother but knowing her state refrained to scream at her. Ira knew most of Dad’s friends. She gained composure and started calling from Dad’s mobile, ofcourse not showing any concern while talking to the uncles who knew her from her childhood. She went on calling and at small interval crying profusely having no results about her dad’s whereabouts. She didn’t look at her mother. Dad was her best friend, and she could confer to him everything and anything. Post her efforts nonstop for an hour, she got physically and mentally drained out. She noticed her mother in a bad shape. Ira ran to their small temple and started talking to God pleading to get her dad back. Incessant rain for 3 hours, and she could see in television waterlogging on streets. Electricity board for safety put power off. She felt the world has come to an end for her as well as her mother.
Both mother and daughter hugged each other waiting for God to hear their prayers and give them good news. Around 11.15 pm Piyu’s phone rings. Ira picks up instantly. The other side she could hear voice of a young lady asking is she talking to Piyu? The lady says, “I am Ipshita, I am with Rahul uncle”. She asks to send the address she will get him home. Of course, she states since it is raining, she may be late but will surely come with uncle. She also states Rahul uncle is fine, not to worry, they are sitting in a small restaurant.
There was sigh of relief for both mother and daughter. But the worry remains for an unknown girl meeting her dad, calling him uncle, Ira was happy but equally puzzled what could have happened. The time was ticking, and each minute passing was like an hour for both mom and daughter. Ipshita also said her mobile will discharge any time, and she has noted the address in her dairy. Ira guessed, Ipshita may be a working girl using her smartness to note down realizing cannot depend on mobile. Ira joined a month back a multinational company, having completed her MBA and was slowly understanding the corporate culture. Few days back she took her dad and mom for a lovely candlelight dinner on getting her first salary. She understood there is no sex discrimination as far as work in concerned and can stretch to late hours if there is requirement be it male or female or just joined.
The rain started dwindling and slowly phase wise power was being resumed. Time showed 1.15 exactly 2 hours before Ipshita had called. Ira tried calling Ipshita but was switched off. Worries started again but the way Ipshita voice sounded over phone somehow both had a complete faith, she will get their man. The tired legs made them to sit in their drawing room. Suddenly the Doorbell rings. Ira rushed to open. Saw her lanky dad and hugged him so tight and so long, she missed Ipshita standing beside her dad. She realized and gave a huge hug to Ipshita and got both to come inside. Piyu got the towels for both, and she started rubbing hair of dad with a lot of force could be made out in sheer anger and tears rolling from eyes. Ira too without hesitation started rubbing for Ipshita and was thinking her to be God sent. There was total silence and Ipshita expressed leaving for her home. Piyu screamed at her and dared her to step out. Ira could make out mom has taken control and better there be no questions asked. Requested Ipshita to call her house and she would talk to her mother. Ipshita obliged, and to everyone’s surprise, Piyu burst into tears over phone and requested Ipshita to be at home praising her like her own daughter and promised to take care and will send tomorrow morning. Undoubtedly all mothers are same and instantly Ipshita’s mother agreed.
Piyu did not talk to Rahul, but asked everyone to come for dinner and the time was 2.30 A.M. Incontestably every one of us sat on the dining table. Rahul hasn’t uttered a word yet, Piyu while extremely relieved inside, but outside appeared to be absolutely anguished. Ira knew not the right time to talk, Ipshita too understanding the gravity of the situation quietly had her dinner.
Deafening silence continued. Ira took Ipshita to her bedroom, Rahul feeling rather guilty hit the bed, being sure not to tamper Piyu now. Piyu chooses Sofa to sleep, feeling perhaps guilty too to have hurt Rahul with her concern.
Next day morning cloudy but chances of rain seem to be remote. Ipshita had her breakfast, while having Piyu kept standing beside her with her hand on Ipshita’s back and eyes filled with tears. Ipshita too was emotional but controlled and promised she will get her parents soon for lunch or dinner. Ipshita left asking Piyu aunty to say bye to Ira and Rahul uncle.
In a while Ira was down and feeling sad, she couldn’t say bye to Ipshita but for sure she added her in her most favourite list of buddies. On bed, they couldn’t chat much except she came to know they are of same age and Ipshita is working in IT and has done her engineering in computer science.
Ira enquired her mom “where is dad?”. Mom gave a hard tone reply, “why don’t you check?”. So, Ira understood mom is yet to soften for her dad. Ira in a wink, went to see dad. She was stunned to see her dad dressing up, as if going to office. She shrieked “Dad where are you going again?”. Rahul said “Sshhh”. Ira ran to her father; he made her sit on the bed and sat beside her. He slowly uttered, I am going for a new job from today. Ira reacted “what?”. Rahul said “chup chup...aaste aaste”. Ira said “why? I am earning, you have savings, mom has savings where is the issue?”. Rahul said, “yesterday your mother made me realize an important concern, not to burden you financially from now and support you till we are able to work”. “She was right, which I realized later, at first, I too was angry and just walked out of the house and missed to carry the mobile. I calmed down and started thinking who can give me a job, since I have retired, and post-retirement opportunities are rare”. “I called a company CEO, who was very good, and we had a lot of dealings with him in my previous organization for almost 2 decades”. He immediately picked up the phone and said “Namaskar Rahul Babu”. “While my hands were trembling, I requested him can I be taken in his company for any role”. The CEO immediately responded being a nice man he is and said, “Rahul Babu please come from tomorrow”. “So happy I was, I couldn’t control my excitement and walked here and there, eating fhuchka, having lebu cha, jhal mudi, etc. etc. Couldn’t realize how far I have gone in my excitement to enjoy the freedom for the last day, since tomorrow onwards I am back to work”. “Heavy downpour started, and I realized I am very far from home and no mobile with me as well. My happiness was at such pinnacle, I didn’t mind getting drenched and kept walking on the streets”. “Then I realized I need to take a shelter, for tomorrow onwards need to join an office. I got into a small restaurant, but inside I was shivering. Restaurant server comes and says politely meshomoshai cha khaan. I realized I didn’t even carry my wallet. The server promptly says lagbe na”. “I sat for almost an hour when this girl Ipshita too because of heavy downpour took shelter in the restaurant. She was known to the staff of the restaurant and could realize she is a regular visitor. She was almost in 10 minutes served without she even placing the order. She slowly approached me, as you know I am still handsome and winked his eye”. Ira without iota of doubt knew even now young girls will fall for him. “We got acquainted and then she called in your mother’s mobile and so on and so forth”.
Ira, couldn’t understand how to react, should she be angry with her mom for having irked dad or stop dad to go or wish him all the best for his new job. She was absolutely confused. Why is it required for dad to go and work when he had plans to freak out and do what he couldn’t his 60 years of life? While it was true to run the house we needed additional finance, the void to cover father having retired, but thought we can always manage why dad had to go back to work? Felt miserable and bloody guilty. While she was in deep thought she realized a handsome guy, dressed formally standing in front of her. She felt like going for a date though he was her dad. She meekly said, “All the Best Dad”.
Piyu had heard the entire conversation standing behind the door curtain. Absolutely crushed and finding herself helpless but had no choice but to be practical to raise the concern. She always believed, Ira should be self-sufficient and an independent lady having minimum liabilities and worries. Piyu knew the only liberty she had was on her husband whom she was authorized to say anything, and she did.
Rahul walked to the dining table to have his breakfast. While he was about to take, his hand was held by Piyu moved it aside and started serving, incidentally his favourite breakfast omelette, toast, and pineapple juice. Rahul saw her and smiled. She sat opposite to him, tears rolling and her hand on her mouth. Ira looking at the couple and realizing how they are made for each other. Mom finally spoke “how will you be going?”. He explained get into a bus, drop at metro station, hop in get down at other metro station and 5 minutes walking distance to office.
Rahul was leaving his house, saying bye. Piyu, stood with great difficulty smiling back to say bye, crushing her saree pallu edge absolutely feeling bad she had to push him back to work. Ira noticed, stood beside mom holding her tight to say bye to her dad.
Rahul in a filmy style turned back at the doorstep and with his killing smile, said Ira, mom heard everything no need to repeat and winked his eye his signatory style of saying bye started once again.
Piyu sat down and cried profusely, Ira didn’t add a word and kept holding her mother. Piyu in a while wiped her eyes, asked Ira “Let’s have breakfast you are getting late to office, and I am crying now for almost 10 hours”. Both had a hearty laugh with watery eyes.