Forbidden Desire, Ritesh Prasad [chrysanthemum read aloud .TXT] 📗

auto, I am on my way, will reached there in 5 minutes” there was a voice from the other end. He was my childhood friend Kaushik.

 

I had come to Kolkata after completing my graduation in search of job and to continue my further studies as well. I belonged from a small town in Assam where there are only few schools and colleges, with very few job opportunities. I was new to this city and didn’t know anyone here, except Kaushik. He moved to Kolkata few years back and was working in a Private firm as senior executive, he stayed here with his relatives. He had promised me that he would help me with my relocation and also help me to find a job here.

 

I came out from the station and waited for him near the auto stand. I looked around; the streets were overcrowded with people, rickshaw, autos, and buses. Everyone was just rushing, a full chaotic impression. I thought to myself this is what metro cities are all about? People here are so confined to themselves; the life here was so different compare to my small town, where I had spent 22 years of my life, my place Silchar. "This was a new beginning, a new chapter in my life, “Best of luck!!!!!” I said to myself.

 

Welcome to the city of joy Kolkatta………

 

I lit one cigarette from the packet and started looking around again to keep myself busy till the time he comes.

 

One of the auto drivers asked me, “Kuthai jaben Dada???”

I didn’t understand what he said, Bengali the local language of Kolkata, but knew what he was up to from his gesture, I ignored his call.

 

After 10 minutes Kaushik was there, he came and hugged me, “Welcome to Kolkata my friend,” I too responded him with a smile and hug.

 

“It’s very hot here,” I said wiping sweat from my forehead.

 

“Yeah it is, its peak summer time dude,” He replied, and we got into a taxi.

 

“Lake Town” He said to the driver.

 

It was more hot and humid inside the taxi, my small town is much better compare to this place; uncomfortable weather, loud noise, pollution, over crowded streets, I thought to myself. But I can’t spend my entire life in that small town sitting idle and need to do something to earn my living. So I decided to come to Kolkata, the nearest big city from my place, otherwise I would have opted for some more developed cities like, Delhi or Bangalore. I thought to myself it was just the stepping-stone to my new life; let’s see where I find myself down the years. It was not a bad idea to start with Kolkata, beside I had Kaushik to help me to get accommodate to this place. The struggle would be less painful, at least I had someone to guide me, I thought to myself.

 

“Where are we going?” I enquired.

 

“To my Uncle’s place, he stays in Lake Town”

 

“Okay, but what about my room.”

 

“You will stay with us for the time being, till I find an affordable room for you.”

 

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” I said in hesitant manner.

 

“Don’t worry, I have already told my Uncle that you are my childhood friend and would be staying with us for few days till I find accommodation for you”. He said while looking out from the taxi window.

 

“Can’t we directly go to some lodge or hotel?”

 

“Why lodge? When I am here, you are my guest, don’t feel shy.” He smiled.

 

“I would have been okay, if it was your house, at your Uncle’s place, I won’t be comfortable.” I insisted.

 

“Don’t worry my Uncle-Aunty are nice person, in fact they insisted me that I should bring you home.”

 

“It’s a new place and you too will feel homely.”

 

“But only for today” I asserted. “Tomorrow I want to shift to my own room. Look for a Paying Guest service, if possible”

 

“It’s not that easy, but I will try to make it as soon as possible, till the time you will stay with us that’s an order from my Uncle.” He said.

 

I wanted to say something further but he interrupted me and said, “No more discussion and shut up.” I became quiet and started looking outside. The taxi was moving at its speed I felt little better the cool breeze made me feel good.

 

“How long will it take to reach?” I enquired being irritated with the humid environment.

 

“10 minutes more and we will reach.” He replied.

 

“So how’s life there, it has been almost 5 years, we haven’t seen each other.”

 

“Yeah, you didn’t have time to keep in touch with old friends, you hardly come to Silchar.” I said taking my face near the window to cool myself.

 

“Who has the leisure, I am very busy with my job.”

 

“Married?” I asked further.

 

“No such plans atleast for next 5 years for me.”

 

“Girlfriend?” I enquired again.

 

“No, I am not that fortunate, beside that didn’t have time for all these stuff.” He said.

 

“So how was your exam?”

 

“Good, expecting to score good grades,”

 

“So will you continue to study further?”

 

“Yeah, planning to do so, but on my own, don’t want to burden my family anymore”

 

“You know about our financial crisis.” I added further.

 

“Yeah I know, don’t worry I will help you to find a decent job as well.” He said.

 

“Left turn,” He signaled to the driver. We are about to reach. The taxi entered left to a small lane leaving behind the main road. “Now right” He told the driver. After few turnings the taxi halted near a five storey green color building. I could see at the center of the building it was written “Diamond Apartments” in big letters. He paid the taxi driver and we entered the gate.

 

We took the stairs instead of lift. My baggage was heavy one suitcase and two large bags, one was taken by him. “Just first floor,” He said looking at me, could have sensed my mind, that’s why he answered before I questioned him. He pressed the door bell and after few seconds it was open by a little boy around 10 years.

 

“He is Raju,” My cousin brother, he said.

 

“Hi Raju! I smiled looking at the little boy. He smiled and ran away.

 

We entered the drawing room, he asked me to keep the luggage there and we sat on the nearby sofa. By the time a middle-aged women wearing blue color sari came to us with a tray in her hand with orange juice. He pointed towards me and said, “He is Rohit, my childhood friend, whom I was talking about.”

 

“Namaste Aunty!” I greeted.

 

“Namaste!” She smiled and handed me a glass of orange juice.

 

“How was your journey?” She enquired.

 

“Overall good” I said.

 

“Make yourself comfortable and feel at home.” She replied.

 

“Thank you!!”

 

I was looking around the drawing room, though it was small but beautifully decorated.

 

“Come I will show you our home,” he said. I followed him, “This is my Uncle Auntie’s room,” He said while we enter the room straight from the drawing hall, and on the left is the room of my cousin sister and brother, Raju. “Okay,” I said without looking much around.

 

“On the right is my room which now I will share with you,” He said while we entered the third room.

 

“It’s a 3 bhk decent flat,” he said while coming out of the room. “Come I will show you the balcony.” He said as we moved sideways from the hall to the balcony. It was nice view with a small children’s park in the front.

 

“Liked our apartment?” He said as we came back to the drawing hall.

 

“Yeah its good and beautifully decorated.” I said looking at the large perfectly framed wallpaper of a woman holding a burning candle in her hand, her face was glowing in the candle light and she was looking gorgeous.

 

“Nice wallpaper,” I said admiring the beauty of the woman.

 

“Ohh this one,” he said looking at the wallpaper, “My cousin sister Sakshi, bought this wallpaper from the market, she loves decorating rooms with all those stuff.”

 

“Okay,” I said while still gazing at the woman.

 

“She has gone to school and will come back around afternoon, She will appear for her 12th standard board exams next year.”

 

“And Uncle?” I enquired while following him.

 

“Has gone to office, he works in five-star hotel as supervisor, will be back only after 10:00 pm” He said.

 

“We will talk later, go and get yourself freshen first, bathroom is attached to our room.” He pointed while resting on bed.

 

“Okay”, I said and started unpacking my bags. I needed a shower badly, could not bear this sweat anymore, so I went straight to the bathroom.

 

Later we sat at the dining table for breakfast.

 

“Alu Parantha” Aunty said placing it on my plate, hope you like it.

 

“Yeah Aunty,” I smiled.

 

“Don’t feel shy and make yourself comfortable, you are like my son, so don’t hesitate, if you need anything.”

 

“Okay Aunty,” our great Indian hospitality, it’s in our blood to treat guest as God. We Indian feel proud about this.

 

“Have one more Parantha,” She said placing it on my plate. Before I could react it was there on my plate.

 

“I am done,” I said

 

“What done? Have two more, don’t feel shy.” She said.

 

“No Aunty, I am really full.”

 

“Will you say the same thing to your Mom as well?” She said filling water in my glass.

 

“I am full, thanks Aunty, I can’t have anymore.”

 

“Didn’t you like it, shall I prepare something else?” She enquired.

 

“No Aunty, Paranthas were really very delicious like made in my home, but I am full.”

 

“Never say, thank you to me, I am like your Mom.” She said.

 

“Okay Aunty” I replied promptly.

 

After breakfast, we went to the hall and enjoyed TV for a while and then came to our room and chatted for a while. “I need to leave for office.” Kaushik said wearing his formal attire for office.

 

“You take rest and I will be back by evening around 6:00 pm, then we will go for a walk in the Para (Bengali word for locality).” He said and waved bye to me.           

 

I was feeling tired because of the journey, so decide to take a quick nap. By the time Aunty came to our room and enquired do I need something, I said no, thank you, I am fine. The little boy was sitting by my side looking at me like stranger; yes I was a stranger to him.

 

“Mamma who is he?” He asked her.

 

“He’s your Kaushik Dada’s friend.” I smiled at him.

 

“Come let’s play carom,” He said grabbing my hand.

 

I was tired and not in mood for anything, just wanted a good sleep.

 

“No beta, her Mom protested, let Dada rest for a while now, he might be tired, and you play with him in the evening.”

 

“You take rest, I will wake you up in the afternoon for lunch.” She said taking Raju with her. I felt a relief, the boy was pulling me so hard, now I can rest peacefully, I said to myself, and rested myself straight on the bed.

 

Around 2:00 pm my peace was rattled by the loud noise of the television coming from the hallway. I got up from the bed to check who was watching TV at such loud volume. While stepping near the hall, I saw a young girl wearing pink color rounded neck T-shirt and black track pant relaxing on the sofa with TV remote in her hand. She was busy in her own and didn’t notice me. Her face was beautiful and was looking endearing with those neatly tied up pony tail hair. “She must be Sakshi,” I thought at the back of my mind and went back quietly to my room and got flatten on the bed again.

 

After some time Aunty came to my room, “finding difficult to sleep?” She enquired. “The loud noise of the TV must have woke you up… right?” She said shouting at Sakshi to lower the TV volume.

 

“This girl is just impossible.” She murmured.

 

“No Aunty, its fine I was about to get up” I said getting up from the bed.

 

“Shall I serve you the lunch?” She