SUNITA MA

[Jemsbond]

Akash in Kolkata -
Mr. Subhas and Mrs. Smritikana would go to Palakkad. It was a very long journey. From Kolkata to Chennai by Coromondal express, at that time the journey was for 34 hours. Then from Chennai to Palakkad by another train – journey time 12 hours. They would start on 9th august (1985), Friday. They would reach Chennai on Sunday morning. Rajan, with the help of one of his friends booked in a Hotel Peninsula in T-Nagar. They would do some shopping in Chennai. On Monday morning they would visit one hospital for some check up of Mrs. Smriti. On Monday night they would take Aleppy Express. They would reach Palakkad on Tuesday morning. Rajan had booked Hotel Casino for them. Rajan also would book their return ticket.
Akash thought he was lucky to get Sunita as wife, as well, he was lucky to get Rajan as a friend. Whenever he needed support Rajan did it even before requesting. He just called up Rajan and told him the plan of his parents. In next two days Rajan did all these arrangement on his own.

Many of us would think how Akash was so lucky. The mystery behind his luck was his attitude. What I get back from others always depend up on what I give to others.

Akash was much calm now. He used to think about Sunita but not depressed as earlier. In fact the nature of human nose and mind are similar. If we live in the perfume factory we cannot understand the odor, when our nose smells the same odor it stops sensing it. If we live in distress for some time our mind also gets habituated. So both Akash and Sunita were in that state – they got habituated with the pain of separation. Every night Akash used to see Sunita in his dream. Every night he used to meet her in different place and use to love her in different ways. Every morning he used to wake up differently. One morning he kissed on the wall thinking it was Sunita; one morning he was playing with his pillow thinking it was her favorite dove. Chandrika was also continued to do her mischievous acts with his dada.

While in office Akash was very much attentive in his work. In which ever equipment he was trained, he became master. His work was with medical equipments like ECG machines and other equipments of Intensive Cardiac Care Unit. He used to visit most of the hospitals and nursing homes in Kolkata. One evening he was talking lot of time to set right one Defibrillator. As it was a life saving equipment he needed to deliver the same in the next morning. He was sitting late in office with that machine. Sugandhi was also present in the office for preparing some report. Other that those two there was only one person, the janitor cum guard of their office sitting at the front gate.

Even after the work was finished Sugandhi was not leaving. Few times she went to talk to Akash but he had not given much attention to her. Then at last she went and embraced him from his back. Akash jumped up on her touch. Sugandhi asked him, “Don’t you like soft touch of my breasts on you?”

Akash – Many times I told you friend, that I would never do any such thing with you. Why you are not leaving me?

Sugandhi – But I also want you Akash.

Akash – That is never possible. Whatever I had, everything I have given to Sunita. There is nothing remaining for you.

Sugandhi – I know you have given your mind to Sunita. I am not asking that from you. But at least give me your physical love to me.

Akash – No dear that is also not possible. That would be cheating my innocent

Sunita. And you know I do not believe in physical relation.
Sugandhi – Give me for once. Please love me once. I will be happy with your love of one evening.

Akash – My dear friend, I love you a lot as a colleague. But why are you behind an impossible!

Sugandhi – Sunita and you had made love on the open veranda of the hotel, is not it?

Aksh – Yes we did, So!

Sugandhi – Many people saw you nude.

Akash – Yes many people saw us nude and watched us making love. But why are you telling that now!

Sugandhi – when so many people had seen you nude, why cannot you show it to me once? Please allow me to caress them once only.

Akash – We have not shown them. They saw on their own. And no one had touched us.

Sugandhi – Can’t you leave all your principles for one evening just for me?

Akash – No dear, it’s not possible. I cannot give what you are asking. There are so many boys and men in our office who would be happy to caress you. You ask Polash Da, he would be very happy on doing all those acts with you.

Sugandhi (excitedly) – What have you thought of me? Am I a prostitute, that whoever wants I will fuck him! I only want you no one else.

Akash – I understand you really love me but dear you are late to express your love. Now it is not possible. Now please go home, it’s already very late.

Sugandhi – You are refusing me. I am not happy but I am neither angry on you. I have started envying innocent Sunita. On hearing from you I also have started loving that girl. I would never want any harm for her. Let her come to Kolkata with her baby. I will ask you for one night from Sunita. At that time please do not say no to me.

Akash could realize that Sugandhi also started loving him dearly. But he was helpless. He had only one chamber in her mind and that was already occupied by Sunita. He did not have any other place for Sugandhi. Still to console her, he had embraced her and planted a kiss on her lips with real affection. He also told, “As of now I cannot give you more that this kiss. Please forgive me.”

[Jemsbond]

Sunita in Palkkad –

Sunita was also passing her days quiet smoothly. There was only three more weeks left for the arrival of Akash’s parents. She was very much sure that they would accept her in their family. Still she had some doubts in her mind, if they do not like her or did not like some particular aspect of her. She was worried about those ifs and buts. Every morning she used to pray to sun god that she should be able to win his parents.

With help of Dibya her study was going on smoothly. And with help of Rajan her Bengali learning was also progressing well. She went twice to her doctor for routine check up and everything was normal. She had very low hemoglobin count in her blood. And the doctor had given iron tablet as cure.

Many times she thinks of Akash. Remembering some of their memory sometime she laughs and sometime she cries. Her mother and brother thought that she was going insane. But later on they could understand that it was only the reflection of her mind. By reading Akash’s letters she had drawn a picture of Akash’s home. She had imaginary photos of his family members in her mind. During her sleep, in her dream she roams around in that home with her baby. But she can never understand her baby was a boy or girl. Every morning she used to think that in next dream she would try to notice the sex of her baby but while dreaming she never remembered it. One morning she noticed that it was 9th august. In the evening Rajan informed that Akash called up and his parents had boarded the train.

Akash in Kolkata –

After seeing off his parents he called up Rajan from a public booth informing the same. Then he prayed to sun god wishing everything should end smoothly. On returning home he said to his sister that for the first time he had asked something from sun god. Chandrika replied him not to worry and everything would be fine.
In that night in dream Akash saw that he was roaming in the ground of Victoria Memorial along with Sunita and their baby girl. Suddenly from somewhere Sugandhi appeared. Sugandhi started shouting on Sunita that she had taken his Akash from her. Sunita also started shouting that Akash was her life and she would never allow anyone else to take him away. Then Sugandhi snatched their daughter and started running away. Both Sunita and Akash started shouting. Akash woke up from his dream. Chandrika also reached hearing his shout.

Akash sat with his hands on her head. Chandrika understood he saw some bad dream. Akash said that he saw their daughter in dream and evil spirit was snatching her away. Chandrika again consoled him that their sun god would never allow any such incident.

Journey of Subhas and Smriti

After a long gap Mr. Subhas and Mrs. Smriti went out together alone. Mr. Subhas remembered around twenty five years ago they went out together to Ghatsila, a romantic spot in Bihar (now in Jharkhand). In the year 1963 no one was acquainted with the term ‘Honeymoon’ but they went out together after their marriage. The kind of freedom and togetherness they had enjoyed in the hillock of Fuldungri and on the banks of the river Subornarekha was still cleaming in their mind. They reached Chennai in time. After checking-in in the hotel Mr. Subhas said, “We should give a great thanks to our Akash for creating an opportunity for us to leave home together. Please come and sit beside me dear.”

Mrs. Smriti went near to him and asked, “Yes dear tell me please.”

Mr. Subhas – Nothing much, just feel like caressing you a little. Our days of Ghatsila is coming in to light in my mind.

Mrs. Smriti – How come so much romance at this old age!

Mr. Subhas – Why you are telling about today and our age. I always love you very much.

Mrs. Smriti – It’s alright dear, you know that I also love you. But now take bath and get ready. We need to go for shopping. We are going to see our Lakshmi(the goddess of prosperity) for the first time. We should not reach empty handed.
Both of they went to T-Nagar market. From the shop Nelly’s they purchased a Kanjibharam saree for Sunita and a Pachampally saree for her mother. Then they were roaming around like kids in wonderland. Mrs. Smriti lamost became an insane after seeing the piling stock of steel utensils in the shop of Saravana Stores (one of the biggest steel utensil shop in the world). She wanted to purchase hundreds of items. Mr. Subhas controlled him saying that while returning they would buy whatever was required. Next day they went to the hospital. Health of Mrs. Smriti was perfect. On Monday evening they boarded the train for Palakkad.

They had reached Palakkad around nine in the Tuesday morning. Rajan could identify them just after they were out in the platform as there were no other Bengalis present. Rajan took them to the Hotel and requested them to get freshened up. He went to office and informed Akash about arrival of his parents. After two hours he returned to the hotel and took Mr. Subhas and Mrs. Smriti to Sunita’s house.

Rajan took them by car till whatever distance car can go. Then they walked to her house. Rajan saw Sunita was standing in a deep blue skirt below the Mahogany tree. As soon as they reached near her, Sunita bowed down and touched their feet. Then by touching feet of Mrs. Smriti she speaks in clear Bengali, “Maa please give me shelter at your feet.”

[Jemsbond]

Sunita in Palakkad

Mrs. Smriti took Sunita to her heart and said, “Ohh my god! This girl speaks clear Bengali. You have space reserved in my heart dear. Please come to my heart. Thanks a lot god, for rewarding me with such a nice daughter-in-law. May god bless you for all prosperity and happiness.”

Mr. Subhas assumed that Sunita would be a blackish girl like all other so called Madrasis. It’s not that he had any disliking to the blackish girls but seeing Sunita he was surprised. He was enthralled with the innocent beauty of Sunita. She was looking like a Saraswati (goddess of art and education) idol made in Kumartuli (The most famous earthen craft place of Kolkata). He had blessed his baby touching her head. By that time Sunita’s parents came out. They invited all of them in their home.

For them conversing each other was of little trouble. Let’s have look that among our characters who knows which languages.

Sunita – Malayalam, English (quiet comfortable after spend so much time with Akash) and Bengali (just learned)
Sunita’s Father – Malayalam, Hindi
Sunita’s Mother – Only Malayalam
Mr. Subhas – Bengali, English, Hindi (manageable)
Mrs. Smriti – Only Bengali
Rajan – Malayalam and English
Meena - Malayalam and English

Sunita was the main interpreter among them, as she knew both Malayalam and Bengali. In absence of Sunita conversation between Sunita’s mother and Mrs. Smriti was very difficult. But they managed with interpreting the interpretation. Where there is will there is way.

Mrs. Smriti took her to her room and sat with her alone. She asked her why she loved Akash. Sunita knew that Akash told them everything but still she wanted to learn from Sunita. Therefore Sunita also told her everything since beginning. She told about Malampuzha dam, Mahogany tree and the book. Mr. Subhas walked in and asked about the conversation between the mother and daughter.

Mrs. Smriti reacted, “Why the hell you are here. You go and talk to her father.”

Mr. Subhas left quietly. Sunita could understand who has the cane in Akash’s home. Sunita spoke, “Maa, I do not know if I will be able to live in your home. I am not sure whether you will accept me or not. I know only your son. He is everything for me. I will never be able to live without him. Please do not ask me to leave him. He is my Lord Siva. I do not do anything before performing his puja.

Mrs. Smriti – Are you an insane girl! When I told you that you have leave Akash! You are goddess Lakshmi of our home. We will take you to our home as soon as it’s possible.

Sunita – When you will return maa? Please take me with you. I cannot live without my lord. You certainly are thinking that I am a shameless girl, but I do not have any shame for my Akash.

Mrs. Smriti – I can feel your mind dear. But in your present condition it would not be possible for you to do such long train journey. You need to wait till your baby is born.

Sunita – Maa you please talk to the doctor. On your assurance she may approve my journey.

Mrs. Smriti – OK dear me and your father would talk to the doctor for it.

Mr. Subhas was talking to others in both Hindi and English. Meena was helping in interpretation. Mr. Subhas told them that he had complete faith in Akash. So whatever he has done is perfectly all right with them. The day doctor approves they would take Sunita to Kolkata as Lakshmi for their home. Mrs. Smriti came out and joined the team. All four of them discussed about the love and marriage of Sunita and Akash. Mr. Subhas told that there in Palakkad everyone knew about marriage of Sunita and Akash. But as no one in Kolkata knew anything about Sunita they would arrange a small function in Kolkata. The couple would exchange garlands only at that time and Mr. Subhas would throw a gala party on that occasion. He had requested that in that function all of Sunita’s parents, brother and friends should be present.

In lunch all the food were as per Keralian tradition. Rice cake, sambar, rasam and aviel were cooked. Sunita cooked fish curry – Karimin fish in mustard sauce. Karimin fish is available mainly in back water of Kerala and in look and taste it is almost like Bengali Telapia fish. During lunch Mrs. Smriti said that she was not able to understand how a girl can learn Bengali language, culture and cooking within a span of just six months. Mr. Subhas remarked, “It is a magic of love.”

After lunch Mr. Subhas asked, “How is choice of Akash? How much you have liked this innocent Sunita?”

Mrs. Smriti – Sunita is a very good girl indeed. Initially I was very much afraid of the consequences. But today I am confirming you that in place of Akash if I saw this girl earlier, I would have ask you all to make her our daughter-in-law.

Mr. Subhas – This girl can do anything for our son. She is mad in love for Akash. Today you have witnessed only love can make everything possible. We all do our duties; we do not notice how much love is present in our duties. This little girl performs everything for her love. Our Akash is so lucky that he got Sunita as life partner.

Mrs. Smriti – This is the first time you have realized the truth so easily.
In the evening Mr. Subhas and Mrs. Smriti returned to their hotel. They had asked to arrange their return ticket for Sunday. He also told that next day they would like to visit the doctor.

Next day at 11-00 am they went to the doctor. The doctor opined that at that state it was not possible to send Sunita to Kolkata. She should wait for three more months. Then she would check her again and decide. After coming out from doctor’s chamber Mr. Subhas called up Akash and informed him everything. Akash talked to his mother and and asked how she liked his Sunita. Mrs. Smriti replied that Sunita was a very good girl, exactly as he had described.

[Jemsbond]

Akash in Kolkata –

When Mrs. Smriti told Akash that she liked his Sunita he started boiling with joy. He literally went mad. At that time Sugandhi was standing beside him. Without thinking anything he embraced her and started dancing. Sugandhi was astonished but did not say anything. After Akash calmed down and left her she asked for the reason of his joy.

Akash – My parents have liked and approved Sunita.

Sugandhi – Then you should give us a party.

Akash – I will entertain all of you with a grand party, the day Sunita arrives in Kolkata.

Sugandhi – But give me something as a token of your joy.

Akash – What can I give you dear?

Sugandhi – You can give me so many things to me. You can give me my world. The problem is you do not want to make me happy.

Akash – I cannot give you my body, not even for once, not even if Sunita agrees.

Sugandhi – I already knew this answer of yours. I will come to you in the evening after preparing the reports. Please wait for me. Then, I will ask my gift.
Intentionally Sugandhi came late to Akash. Except that janitor no one else was there in the office. She said, “Dear give me my gift.”

Akash – Tell me what you want.

Sugandhi – Give me few more kisses. You agreed to give me kisses.

Akash – OK, I will kiss you if you want.

Akash stood up and planted few kisses on her lips. Sugandhi asked for two more kisses. Immediately on asking she pulled down her blouse and bra exposing her enormous breasts and asked Akash to kiss her there.

Akash was puzzled, on seeing those pair of electrifying beauties in front of his eyes, he lost his control. Slowly he kissed her both the nipples and immediately ran out of office after collecting his bag.

BROKEN MIRROR -

Sunita in Palakkad –

After Mr. Subhas and Mrs. Smriti left Sunita started dancing. Actually she wanted to dance but could not dance because of her restrictions. No more tension in her life. It was one of her most happy days. Once Dibya and Latha came to meet her, she excitedly described all her in laws said. It was evening 7:00 pm, she told her friends to wait she would return after offering puja rituals. She did not notice the water in front of the bathroom door. She was in hurry and she slipped and she fell down on her face. She fell down on the brick pieces. She shouted and cried, Maaaaa and fainted.

Everyone rushed to her. They lifted her and brought to her bed. Her mother started sprinkling water on her face but she did not open her eyes. Dibya ran out to call Rajan. The two boys of the next room went to the factory to call her father. Sunita’s mother noticed that Sunita started bleeding. She asked Rajan to arrange to take her to the hospital. Rajan immediately arranged for the car and with much effort they rushed to the hospital.

The doctor took Sunita to the emergency room. After around thirty minutes she came out and informed everyone the fetus was no more living. Rajan immediately went to the hotel. Mr. Subhas and Mrs. Smriti came to the hospital without any delay. Till then Sunita had not get back her sense. The doctor informed that it would take at least four more hours to complete their treatment. Rajan arranged for all the medicine. Mr. Subhas said that he would spend whatever is to be done. Sunita was his daughter-in-law and therefore it was all his responsibility. He also confirmed if required he can arrange for more money within one day.

At around night twelve Sunita became normal. Everyone wanted to talk to her but doctor did not allow talking. She told them to wait till next morning as there was nothing to worry in night. Mr. Subhas and his wife went back to the hotel. Sunita’s parents also went back to their home. Dibya and Rajan stayed back in the hospital. The happy situation turned sad due to the carelessness of one second.

In Kolkata -
Next day at nine in the morning Akash reached office. After few minutes Mr. Subhas called in his office and described everything. While listening, his eyes became wet and slowly tears started rolling down. Whoever was around him could understand something very bad had happened. Mr. Subhas asked to him to start for Palakkad by that evening train. He informed everything to his boss Mr. Jayanta Bose. Mr. Bose asked him to go home and came back after preparing for his Palakkad visit. Mr. Bose arranged for tickets in emergency quota through his contacts.

In Palakkad -
Next day at morning 10:00 am everyone reached the hospital. Sunita recovered and was well in her sense. She had cried a lot. The doctor said that apparently there were few wounds on her belly as she fell on bricks. It would take some more time to check and understand if there were any internal injuries or not. However it may be difficult for Sunita to become a mother. Everyone entered the room and went near to Sunita. She again broke down in tears. Everyone except Mrs. Smriti consoled her. At noon the doctor discharged Sunita from hospital. Mrs. Smriti did not want to go to Sunita’s home. Mr. Subhas dropped her in the hotel and later on he went to Sunita’s house.

[Jemsbond]

Akash in Palkkad –
On 17th August, Saturday Akash reached Palakkad. He went directly to Sunita’s house. Sunita was in her bed. At that time Sunita’s mother and Mr. Subhas was there with her. As soon as they saw exhausted Akash both of them stood up and asked him to sit.

Akash – I want to see my Sunita first. I want to talk to her.

Mr. Subhas told him that Sunita was fine and there was nothing to worry at that time.

Akash – Still I want to talk to Sunita now.

He entered her room and went near her. He kissed on her forehead. On seeing Akash Sunita broke down totally and spoke, “Please forgive me my lord. I could not keep your boon with me. I am a sinner and please do not forgive me.”

Akash held her hands in his hands. He wiped off her tears and slowly said, “You have not done any sin, whatever has happened it was due to my sin. That evening exactly at that moment I attempted to do the sin, you fell down on bricks. All these are caused due to my sin. My dear, please forgive me. It was me who did the sin, but our sun god has given punishment to you. I am giving you my words; I will never do any such sin in my life,

Sunita and Akash both of them embraced each other. Both of them said, “Please do not cry”. But both of them cried.

No one tried to stop them. Sunita’s mother and Mr. Subhas went out to allow them little privacy. After some more crying once they stopped. They looked at each other for some time. Then Akash asked what had happened hat evening.

Sunita replied in Bengali – At that time after acceptance of your parents I was too happy. I was so happy that I forgot to be careful. Our sun god has given me punishment. I fell down over the bricks after slipping onto a poodle of water.

Akash – At that evening exactly at that time one girl of my office was instigating me to do sin. For some time I was provoked by her naked breast. I mistook her pair as my doves. But immediately after kissing I got back my senses. Immediately I left that place and the girl. But I sinned and our god given punishment to you. Please forgive me my dear.

Sunita – You were provoked to do sin but you have not done any sin at all. Kissing another girl after provocation is not real sin. You were going to do sin, but actually no sin was performed by you.

Akash – Going to do a sin is also a sin.

Sunita – It was your mistake and not sin.

Akash – Please dear do not remain sad anymore. As both my parents approved our marriage, I will take you to Kolkata. I will talk to the doctor and will arrange everything soon. If you are there with me I will never do any mistake or sin.
After a long time Sunita smiled. She kissed Akash with much affection. Akash told her, “You have learned Bengali and can speak very well. I am very happy. Let me speak to my father now.”

Akash came out and saw Rajan was waiting. Both the friends embraced. Akash wanted to talk but Rajan insisted him to get freshened up first. Akash went to take bath and came back after some time. He held Rajan’s hands and told him that although he never believes in giving thanks but without Rajan’s support many things in his and Sunita’s life would have been much more difficult. He wished that both of them would remain friends for entire life. He also expressed his willingness to take Sunita to Kolkata.

Akash asked his father, “How are you? Where is mother?”

Mr. Subhas replied that his mother was in the hotel. He also told him that he would talk later on about his mother. Akash could smell some problem was waiting for him. Till noon he was with Sunita only. After lunch he went to their hotel with his father. On the way they did not have any words between them. On reaching hotel Akash asked, “How are you mom?”