Anju Masi - a Bengali Novel

One day after lunch at the University, I came down and watched more closely that ping pong playing girl, wearing a blue skirt and a green top. I looked at her face - quite familiar to me – no one else but AnjuMasi.

After the game, she told me that she had started M.Sc. in the University. When she started from home she was wearing a saree over her skirt, so that no one at home or on the road took her to be none other than a very domestic house-wife- Anju. After reaching the university, she took off her saree and packed that in her bag.

*

As AnjuMasi’s husband had already left for work, I had to call a taxi and take her to the hospital. A daughter was born to AnjuMasi, Her husband and her mother-in-law were not happy that a girl was born to her. But the newborn was a piece of joy for AnjuMasi.

*

I was selected for a job in Delhi. Then came my last day at Bhowanipore, the evening of my last dinner and farewell party at the house, where I had lived as a tenant’s son for last 24 years.

After the farewell dinner at Pari-Dida’s place, I came home and went to bed. I woke up after a dream of my childhood days. I pushed the blanket off and found a woman, lying beside me. Was I still in a dream, another different dream? I looked at the woman; I had never seen before any woman with no clothes on. Is the face known to me? Yes, it is AnjuMasi’s. ‘I’ll go Delhi with you’, she said.

*

I started meditating. I must accomplish what needs be done before the train reaches Delhi at 9am. So long, I have adored AnjuMasi as my Goddess. But this morning has changed everything and I can’t show my face to many relatives, especially to her husband. But, I am also to blame; I didn't ask for her consent. But why was she hiding in my bed? Let her get off at any station and get lost.

But I can't leave her like that. A woman can be robbed off just for sexual pleasure.