Amar Boisko Maa er Chodon Lila - অধ্যায় ৬৮

Purono shob kotha bhabte bhabte kheyal kori ni, je grilled pomfret gulo thanda hoye jache. Ami Microwave ta preheat kore, tar modhe abar pomfret gulo dhukiye, Microwave ta bondho kore dilam, oi jaa preheat hoyeche, tatei besh onek khun gorom thakbe, but jehetu microwave switched off, tai ar beshi grilled hobe na. Maa dinning'er chair'e boshe bollo, "shono, Abir ashle, tumi aag bariye kono shahajjo korte jabe na. Ar O jodi kono taka poisa chai tomar theke, directly bole debe, tumi to ar job koro na, tai tomar kache kono taka poisa nei". Maa ki chai ami Abir da'r kache choto hoye jai naki, ami jiggesh korlam, "acha kotha gulo oke help na korar jonno bolle, naki ami job kori na bole bolle ?". Maa chair theke uthe eshe kitchen'e dhuke amar pichon'e dariye amake pichon theke joriye dhore bollo, "tumi raag koro keno amar upor choto choto kothai ? Ami to tomar bhalor jonnoi bolechi, tomar Baba joto din benche chilen, Abir ke haat khule taka diyeche, kintu ekhon Abir keo bujhte hobe, or shongshar, O ki bhabe chalabe tar jonno amader kache haat pata jabe na. Ar tumi job koro na, kintu tumi to share market'e taka khatao, tai ami tomake choto korar jonno kichu boli ni[bole amake chepe dhore amar pithe tshirt'er upor diyei kiss korlo, tar por ki holo jani na, hotat amake chere amar pithe ekta chor mere amar shamne eshe dariye bollo]. Sudhu tomar oi gach bikri korar nam'e poisa nosto kora bondho koro. Ektao gach bikri korecho ekhono ? Khali gach gulo kine kine poisa nosto korcho, eto gach joma kore ki hobe ? Kobe bujhbe tumi ?". Bole kemon amake choto bacha'der jemon bojhai, sei bhabe bojhache Maa. AMi ektu henshe fele bollam, "Maa, ami ki bacha, je oi bhabe bojhacho ?", Maa nirupai hoye bollo, "ta ar ki korbo, tumi eto din'e 4-5 lakh taka gach'er pichon'e nosto korecho, business'i jodi korte hoi, bhalo to koro na, tate loss holeo ami kichu bolbo na, karon business'e loss howa ta normal. Ar starting'e to loss'i hobe. Kintu tumi gach gulo kine, local nursery te fele nosto korcho. Tomar mone ache, Sukanto mara jaowar age, tumi Muchisha gechile, gach'er delivery nite[se ar gelam koi, bari eshe to Maa ar Avi'r chodon dekhlam, tarpor theke ektar por ekta kando hoche, kokhon ar kothai jabo], tarpor ekbaro gecho dekhte, je gach gulo beche ache kina, ba oi nursery'r malik nije ogulo bikri kore taka kamache kina ? Tumi shob kaje eto responsible, kintu gach'er bepar elei, tumi jeno shob bhule jao, chad'e gele, bonsai gulo niye raat obdi boshe thako. Ekbar jao na oi nursery tate, ektu khoj nao, je oi gach gulo benche ache na more gache. Ar tomar aro to ki shob bairer gach ashar chilo, corona te atke ache bolle, tar ki hobe ?". Shit, eta to ekdom Maa theek boleche, amar ekta international shipment ashar chilo ek week agei, ota te 6 ta 'Japanese Red Maple' bonsai ache, each costing around Rs. 15,000 in Indian currency plus shipping charges of 17,300, plus freight and octroi separate and Insurance of Rs. 12000 for all 6 plants, total around Rs. 1,35,000 - 1,40,000 kharcha hoyeche. Ami to oi shipment'er ar kono khoj khobor'i ni ni. Ar Muchisha'o jachi na onek din holo, Maa amar theke bhalo bojhe ei shob hisheber bepar. Ami chup kore bhabchi dekhe Maa abar bollo, "ki holo, theek bolchi to ami, age tumi oi gach'er khoj nebe, nahole ami tomai ar gach pala kinte debo na kintu". Ami Maa ke assure kore bollam, "tumi ekdom correct shona, ami ekdom bhule gechilam ei shob, ashole ektar por ekta jhamela jachilo eto din, tai matha theke beriye gache, ami ektu porei call kore shob khobor nichi. THank you so much, amake mone koriye dile". Maa bollo, "thak thak", bas omni barir calling bell ta bajlo dubar, ke jane ke elo. Maa bollo, "tumi haat dhuye ektu bosho, ami dekhchi ke elo", bole chair theke uthe door khulte gelo. AMi kitchen ta arekbar check kore nilam, kichu miss korchi ki na, tarpor haat dhute dhute Maa'er gola pelam, kake jeno bolche, "arey beta, tum aa gyi, aao andar aao, kitni pyari lag rahi ho aaj", ami bujhte parlam ACP Tulsi esheche nischoi. Ami haat ta dhuye, kitchen'er baire aste giye wall clock'e dekhi almost 1pm, bapre eto khun dhore ami kitchen'e chilam. Kitchen theke beriye ektu agiye astei dekhi Maa ar ACP Tulsi dinning'er dike asche. Wow, Tulsi ke aaj khub sundor lagche, ei na na, ami ki bhabchi, ACP Tulsi amar keu na, onar shate beshi friendly hole, ulte Maa'er ar Avi'r bepare jana jani hoye jaowar chance ache. Tobe shotti aaj ACP Tulsi ke sundor lagche, uni aaj ekta white background'e te baby pink ar violet floral print'er saree pore eshechen ar ekta yellow full sleeve blouse, blouse ta round neck, ek minute. Ota blouse na, full sleeve Tshirt, bujhte parlam karon saree ta bodhoi silk'er, ektu transparent ar onar breast'er kache[ami kintu stare kori ni, but chokh'e porlo aaj, keno jani na], ekta white Panda'r mukh oi blouse tate. AMi saree blouse bhalo chini na, but eta sure, kono blouse'er breast'er kache Panda draw kora thakbe na, ar blouse'er neck nischoi Tshirt'er neck'er moton tight hobe na, ar blouse'e to button ba hook thake, kintu seta to dekha jache na. Bapre, ACP Tulsi to puro indo-western fusion dress pore esheche, kintu oke maniyeche khub bhalo, Or mukhosri'r sathe khub bhalo lagche. Amake dekhe ACP Tulsi nijer mask ta khule, ekta mishti smile dilo, wow ACP Tulsi to aaj besh make up kore esheche, gaal duto pinkish lagche, ar lipstick tao baby pink color'er, saree'er sathe matching. Ami haan kore takiye achi dekhe, ACP Tulsi hotat kore ektu henshe amar dike takiye wink korei bollo, "Hi Chef". Na na ami bhul dekhchi, ACP Tulsi amake chokh marbe keno, kintu ami onar chokh marate ektu chomkei gechilam, tai confused hoye bollam, "Ha ha, Hi hi hi". Maa amar kando dekhe nijei ektu michke hanslo ar bollo, "hoyeche, shoro meye take ektu boshte dao". Ami shore daralam, Ora dinning table'er kache giye chair duto tene boshlo. Maa nijei amake bollo, "ki go, meye ta eto dur theke elo, ektu jol dao[ami shotti bujhte parchina, aaj amar sathe ki hoche, ACP TUlsi eto sheje guje ekhane keno esheche, ar amake chokh marlo keno, ar ami to onar theke chokh shorate parchi na aaj, bepar ta ki, abar kono notun gondogol na to], ei, ki go, dariye dariye chokh khule chopno dekhcho naki[ami nijer mone bhabchi dekhe Maa amake abar daklo, but ebar ami shune shara dilam]". AMi Maa'er dike ghure bollam, "haan bolo, ki bolchile ?". Maa bollo, "tomar kaan kharap hoye gache, bollam Meye ta eto dur theke elo, oke ektu jol dao[tarpor ACP Tulsi'r dike ghure bollo]. Beta, tum thanda pani logi, ke normal ?". Eto khun ACP Tulsi ar chokhe amar dikei takiye chilo, ami kheyal korechi, kintu jei Maa oke jol'er kotha jiggesh korlo, emon ghar ghuriye takalo, jeno O amar dike takahilo'i na, O Maa ke bollo, "bahar bahut dhoop hai Ma[bolei nijer chokh ta chepe bondho korei, jeeb tao kamre fello, bujhlam iche kore amar Maa ke 'Maa' bole ni, bhul kore beriye gache, tarpor nijei bollo]. Sorry Rajesh[bole amar dike takalo ekta korun chokh kore, jake bole 'puppy eyes', tarpor Maa'er dike fire bollo], Sorry aunty[bole nijer ekta kaan alto kore dhore Maa'er theke khoma chailo, na na uni bhul kore bole felechen, onake dekhe amar'i kharap lagche, ei ami ki abol tabol bhabchi, onar ei obostha dekhe amar kharap lagche keno, na na be strong Rajesh]. Aunty wo muh se nikal gya. I'm sorry Aunty". Maa or dike takiye, or mathai haat buliye bollo, "arey beta, koi baat nahi, mein ne to tumhe pehlei kaha tha, tum mujhe 'Maa' bula sakti ho. Mujhe bura nahi, balki acha laga ga, aise choti choti baaton ke liye maafi nai mangte beta. Ab batao thanda pani ya normal ?". ACP Tulsi ekbar amar dike takiye chokh kuchke isharai amake arekbar sorry bollo, ami bujhte perechi, tarpor Maa'er dike ghure bollo, "theek hai aunty, wo mein keh rahi thi, bahar kafi dhoop hai na, to thanda nai, normal pani theek rahega". Maa'er amake ACP Tulsi'r kotha relay korar age, ami nijei kitchen'e dhuke onar jonno normal jol ekta glass'e kore ene, onake dilam. Glass ta amar haat theke niye, ekta mishti hanshi diye, "Thank You" bollo amake ACP Tulsi. Uni jol ta aste aste kha-chilen ar ami bhabchilam, uni aaj eto sheje guje eshechen, kintu unar sathe to ar kauke dekhchi na, mane ACP TUlsi to bolechilo onar puro team asbe AVi der barite, oi stolen jewellery khujte. Ar on duty Officer to shajte pare na, tahole bepar ta ki. Ek minute, ACP TUlsi bari dhukei amake 'Hi Chef' bollo, kintu O janlo ki kore ami aaj ranna korechi, Maa'er gola to pelam, kintu ei kotha ta to Maa bole ni. ACP Tulsi glass ta mukh theke namatei arekta odbhut jinish kheyal korlam, glass'er kanai[edge] kono lipstick lege nei, wow tar mane oi advertisement'e ki shob water proof na ki shob bole, tai lagiye esheche, dhur ami ki shob kheyal korchi, onake ami jiggesh korlam, "If you don't mind, how'd you know I was cooking today ?". ACP Tulsi ekta michke hanshi diye bollo, "huh, I'm a cop, sung ke bata sakti hoon kon kya hai[bole nijei henshe fello], heeeee heeeeee", or pashe Maa'o hansche. Ami ektu serious hoye jiggesh korlam, "Oh hello, yahan koi saah bahu ka serial nahi chal rha, jo tum dialogue de rahi ho, saaf saaf batao, tumhe kaise pata mein ne aaj khana banaya ?". Maa ektu shoja hoye boshe, mukh'e haat chapa diye hanslo, Maa jane amar ei shob'e khub raag hoi, kintu tao korche. ACP Tulsi hanste hanstei amake bollo, "acha to agar hum[bole nijer ar Maa'er dike angul dekhiye bollo], saas bahu hain, to tum kya hue ?", Fuck shit, ki bolche ei shob, O ki mean korte chaiche, ami totally flabbergasted hoye chair thele uthe dariye porechi, Maa amar condition bujhte pereo hanschilo, ar odike ACP TUlsi altu faltu kotha bolche. Ko-ek second pore Maa amar mukh'er dike takiye hanshi thamiye bollo, "uff baba, tumi ektu thatta bojho na, Tulsi to yarki korche. Ami oke shokale bolechi je aaj tumi ranna korecho shob kichu, tomar Didi'r call ta cut howar pore, Tulsi'r whatsapp elo je ki ranna hoche aaj, tai ami bollam. Ete emon ki khoti hoye gelo, tumi aaj kaal ektu beshi over-react kore felo". Ami Maa ke bollam, "tomar Onake eto kichu bolar ki ache[ACP Tulsi amar dike takiye ache, bujhte parche ami onar bepare kichu ekta bolchi, but ki bolchi seta uni bujhte parchen na]". Maa ektu regei bollo ebar, "bolechi to ki hoyeche, Or sathe kotha bolte amar bhalo lage, khub mishti meye O. Haan kore to takiye chile or dike[boltei abar amar nojor porlo ACP TUlsi'r dike, shotti khub sundor lagche onake aaj, Maa abar bollo], oi je abar dekhcho, ek baro to bolle na, Meye take kemon lagche, bechari ki shundor kore sheje che aaj". Arey amar Maa ACP Tulsi'r team'er hoye fielding korche keno, ar ami keno onake bolbo je onake koto ta sundor lagche, na mane sundor lagche ki na, uni amar ke hon, du din age alap hoyeche, du din pore abar uni nijer state'e fire jabe, beshi alap kore ki hobe. Ami nijer mathai ei shob notun tension dhokate chai na, ar odike ACP Tulsi ektu confused hoye ekbar Maa'er dike ar ekbar amar dike takache, tai ektu regei Maa ke bollam, "Maa tumi bara bari ta ektu bondho koro, ar uni ekjon security officer officer, uni to ekhane duty te esheche, sheje guje ghure berache keno ? Uni ki biye barite te esheche, uni amader keu hon na, tai ami onar make-up er bepar'e comment korar o keu noi, tumi ar baje kotha bariyo na. Tar theke", amar kotha'r majh khanei ACP Tulsi chair thele uthe dariye porlo tai ami theme gelam, uthe dariye amar dike takatei dekhlam, onar chokh bhorti jol, chol chol korche, ekhono goriye pore ni, kintu je kono shomai porbe, amar dike takiye'i ACP Tulsi Maa ke bollo, "aunty mujhe thora washroom use karna hai", shit ebar nirghat kende felbe meye ta ar Maa amai dosh debe, Maa'o bollo, "haan beta, udhar hai, tumhe to pata hai na, tum jao". Uni matro ek second amar dike takiye, mukh ghuriye nilo Maa'er ulto side diye, ar shonge shonge amader ground floor'er bathroom'e dhuke gelo. Uni je oi ek second amar dike takalo, tate amar kache shob ta clear hoye gelo, uni amar ar Maa'er kotha bujhte perechen, ar amar kothai clearly koshto peyechen. ACP TUlsi bathroom'e dhuke door ta bondho kortei Maa'o uthe dariye amake bokte shuru korlo, "hoyeche shanti, meye take koshto na dilei hochilo na, ami bhablam tumar hoito oke dekhe aaj bhalo legeche, kintu na, amar'i bhul. TOmake kotha gulo na bollei bhalo hoto, bangla bojhe na bolo, kintu tomar kotha bujhteo pereche, ar koshto'o peyeche. Haa go, ki sukh pao ei meye take koshto diye, ageo dubar tumi amar shamnei oke insult korecho, koto koshte boro hoyeche meye ta tomar kono dharona ache", hotat kore bathroom'er door ta khultei Maa theme gelo ar ghure oi dike takalo, amio takalam, dekhi ACP Tulsi berolo, onar haat'e ekta handkerchief, seta diye kopal ta muche nilo, tarpor ota nijer handbag'e dhukiye nilo, handbag niye bathroom'e kokhon dhulo, kheyal kori ni to. ACP Tulsi ektu egiye astei porishkar dekhte pelam, O nijer gaal'er oi pinkish make-up ta dhuye ba puche feleche, ar onar thot'e oi baby pink lipstick tao nei ar, shit amar kothai koshto peye, kintu ami to onno bhabe bollam kotha ta. Maa'er kache dariye ACP Tulsi bollo, "aunty mujhe jana parega, ek report file karna tha, mein bhul gyi thi. Bahut important hai wo, Please aap mind mat kariye". Maa or kandh'e haat diye bollo, "nai nai beta, tum khana khao aur thori der rest karo yahan, fir kahi jana, aise kaise chali jaogi, abhi to ai ho". ACP Tulsi constant Maa'er dike takiyei kotha bolche, amar dike ek baro takache na, bepar ta bhalo hoche na. ACP TUlsi Maa ke aro request kore bollo, "please aunty aap bura maat manna, bahut jaroori kaam hai wo, mujhe jana hoga[bole Maa'er haat duto dhore request korlo], please aunty[Maa'er haat dhore request korte korte eibar amar dike takalo ACP Tulsi, or chokh chol chol korche, jol'e bhorti, abar na kende fele, nischoi bathroom'e dhuke kendeche]". Maa nirupai hoye or haat duto dhore bollo, "bache bare ho jate hai, to parents ki baatein sunte kahan hai. Theek hai beta, tum yahan uncomfortable feel kar rahi ho, to mein tumhe rokungi nahi. Par yahan pe sirf wo nahi hai[bole amar dike angul dekhiye bollo], mein bhi hoon. Kabhi maan kare to aana jarur, mujhse milne". Maa or sathe kotha bolche, kintu ACP Tulsi ek bhabe amar dike takiye ache. Maa'er kotha sesh hotei, O ghure giye, ground floor'er main door'er dike egiye gelo, Maa ekbar ghar ghuriye amar dike takiye, kemon ekta aowaj kore matha nichu kore naralao, Maa'o amar opor disappointed aaj. Ami dekhte pachi, ACP Tulsi ground floor'er main door ta cross kore, siri'r kache nijer juto ta porte jache. Ami jhop kore Maa'er pash theke egiye eshe, ground floor'er main door tar baire eshe dekhi ACP Tulsi ek haat nichu kore nijer ekta juto porte jache, ami onar oi haat ta chepe dhore onake jiggesh korlam, "do you trust me Tulsi ?". AMi oi bhabe achomka onar haat dhorechi, tai hoito uni ektu shocked, amar kothar uttor na diye matha tule shoja hoye dariye, age ekbar amar dike takalo, dekhlam onar baan chokh theke ek fota jol goriye, onar baan gaal'er kache asche, ami amar arek haat diye, oi jol ta onar gaal theke puche dilam. Jei onar gaal'e ami haat dilam, ACP Tulsi'r chokh gulo aro boro boro hoye gelo, uni ghar ghuriye ekbar Maa'e dike dekhlo, Maa'o bujhte parche na ami ki korchi. Ami abar onake jiggesh korlam, "do you trust me TUlsi ?". ACP Tulsi ekbar Maa'er dike takiye, amar dike ghure bollo, "mera haat choro Rajesh, you are hurting me". Ami onar haat ta chepe dhorechi theek'i kintu eto ta jore dhori ni je uni koshto paben, ar uni koshto pele eto khun'e amar har gor bhenge diten, uni martial arts janen, kintu tao ekbar'er jonno, nijer haat ta chariye neowar chestao korchen na, sudhu mukhe bolchen. Maa egiye eshe bollo, "abar ki holo, eto kotha shonale Meye take, chole jachilo to, atkale keno, ar ki bolar ache tomar ? Amar kothai Meye ta aaj saree pore elo ar tumi ki bhabe bolle". AMi Maa'er dike ghure bollam, "ami onake koshto deowar jonno kotha gulo boli ni Maa, seta onar jana'r dorkar ache, ar er ageo ami onake iche kore insult korini. Kintu aaj uni shotti onek koshto peyeche, tai ami shob kichu clear korte chai onar shate, ami onake chad'e niye giye kotha bolchi, tomar kono apotti ache Maa ?". Maa hoito kichu bujhte pereche, je ami hoito Maa'er shamne sorry bolte lojja pachi, tai hoito chad'e niye giye kotha bolte chaichi alada kore, tai Maa ektu egiye eshe ground floor'er main door'er shamne eshe bollo, "na amar kono appoti nei, sudhu meye take ar kono kotha shuniyo na, tomra kotha bole esho, kintu boddo rod upore, taratari niche esho, lunch korte hobe, meye ta kichu khai ni to", dekhlam Maa ektu normal hoye amar sathe kotha gulo bollo. Ami ACP Tulsi'r dike takiye bollam, "I think, we need to clear out a few misunderstandings. Please, come with me". ACP Tulsi amar dike takiye bollo, "No Rajesh, please let me go, I have to go, I have important work, I want to go. Leave my hand", ami shotti bujhte parlam na keno, kintu ami ACP Tulsi'r haat ta arektu chepe dhore, oke tene siri diye upore uthlam. Maa okhan dariyei bollo, "ei shono, aste otho, or lege jabe, Ki korcho, ei". Ami Maa'er kothai kono patta na diye, ACP Tulsi'r haat dhore tene upore uth te thaklam, ACP Tulsi'o bolche, "Rajesh, don't be a kid, leg go of my hand, Rajiv, ufff you're hurting me Rajesh", ami jani, ami or haat ta khub jore chepe dhore oke tene niye jachi, but ota na korle, O theek chole jeto. Ami chad'e uthe, ACP Tulsi'r haat ta chere diye pichon ghure Tulsi'r face to face daralam, dekhi O kandche, ar or haat ta je khan ta ami dhorechilam chepe, sekhan ta laal hoye gache, ar Tulsi oi jaiga tate haat bolache, ar or chokh diye jol porche. Ami jani ami ektu emotional hoye or upor jor kore felechi, but ami aaj or theke kichu shotti kotha jante chai, ar amar kichu kotha oke bolteo chai. AMi bollam, "Tulsi, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you, but there are certain things that I want to clear with you today". Tulsi amar dike takiye, nijer haat'er oi jaiga ta jekhan ta ami chepe dhorechi, sekhan ta te ghoshe jache, amar angul'er daag hoye gache or haat'e, ar Tulsi'r chokhe jol, kintu kichu bolche na amake. Ami ektu egiye giye, amar du haat diye, or matha ta dhore, amar duto buro angul[thumb] diye or du chokh'er jol puche dilam. Tulsi shonge shonge amar haat duto or gaal theke shoriye diye bollo, "don't touch me Rajesh, bolo mujhe yahan kyun laye ? I will listen to you, and then I'll leave". Ami bujhte parchi, amar behaviour'e Tulsi khub hurt hoyeche, both physically and mentally. AMi bollam, "Tulsi, I didn't mean to insult you, or hurt you down there, I was talking to my mother about you. I won't deny that, but there's a reason for that, You shouldn't have washed off your make up like that, you were looking gorgeous today, I couldn't take my eyes off you". Tulsi amar kotha gulo shune prothome ektu shocked laglo, atleast or facial expression to tai bollo, but ek second porei O mone holo ektu rege ache, amar kotha sesh hotei bollo, "mein bachi nai hu Rajesh, mujhe bengali nahi ati, but itna samjhti hu, you didn't like me dress up like this or put up make up. Yeh tum agar mujhe directly bol dete, to atleast bura nai lagta, par mere samne aapne Maa par chilla rahe the, tumhe laga mujhe samjh nai ayega. I see, Aunty ne tumhe mere background ke bare mein sab kuch bata diya hoga, isiliye you're acting like this. I understand now[ami jani na O ki bolche, Maa amai ki bolbe or background'er bepare, ami or dike ektu egiye jachilam, Tulsi amar dike ekta haat tule amake thamte ishara kore bollo], bas Rajesh, bahut dikhava kar liya. I thought you'd be different, atleast you seemed so uptil now, but I was wrong. All men are same", bole kandte kandte pichon fire, chad'er door'er dike jachilo, bodhoi chole jete chaichilo. Kintu ekhon to ami puro confused, ami ki bolte daklam oke upore, ar O ki bole chole gelo, eto puro oi rokom holo, je Maths'er syllabus prepare kore exam dite boshe dekhi History'r question paper. Ami ektu taratari paa chaliye Tulsi'r pichon'e giye or ekta kandh'e dhore oke atkate gelam, Tulsi jhop kore ki rokom ekta martial arts'er move kore, amar haat ta palm theke khop kore chepe dhore ghure gelo amar mukheo mukhi hoye, I swear arektu jore dhorle amar hath ta bhnge jeto, karon I can already feel the pain. Tarpor amar dike takiye kandte kandte bollo, "agar koi aur hota, to yeh haat ab tak tod chuki hoti mein", bole amar haat ta jore thele dilo amar dike, tarpor abar pichon fire chad'er door'er ekdom kacha kachi chole gelo. AMi chute giye, Tulsi ke pichon theke hug kore dhorlam, hug korini, but oi bhabe oke chepe dhorechi ar or pet'er kache nijer haat duto niye shokto kore dhore, pichon theke or ghar'er kache mukh niye giye bollam, "Tulsi, I'm sorry, please give me a chance to say something, all I want is to clear everything between us[Tulsi nije ke charanor jonno, kemon chot fot korchilo, matha narachilo, tai ami bollam]. Please calm down, I'm sorry I'm touching you like this, but I had no other option, you would have left by now, If I hadn't. And I don't want you to leave[Tulsi ghar ghuriye chokh boro boro kore amar mukh'er dike takiye chot fot kora bondho kore dilo]. Now please don't stare at me like that, I know you know martial arts, and you can easily break my nose with your head or kick my balls to hallelujah and free yourself, but trust me, I wouldn't look any better disfigured[Tulsi ektu henshe fello amar kothai, ami amar grip ta ektu loose kore, amar haat duto or pet'er kach theke chere diye, oke amar mukho mukhi turn koriye, or chokh'er jol ta puch'e dilam, ar oke bollam]. I humbly apologise for my behaviour. And I don't lie, atleast to people I care about. So I mean it when I say, I won't stop you once I'm done talking to you. Please hear me out, but first please tell me, what this background of yours is, that you were talking about". Tulsi amar haat duto shoriye, abar kemon jeno serious hoye gelo ar chad'er majha majhi chole giye, dariye pore, amar dike ghure bollo, "tum isiliye aaj mujhe avoid kar rahe the na Rajesh kyun ki tumhe pata lag gya hai ke mein ek SC hoon ?", I see, tahole Tulsi Schedule Caste'er meye, but tate ki, ami keno ei shob faltu reason'er jonno or sathe kharap behave korbo, kintu or mood khub khrap, ektu light korte hobe, ami ki bolbo bujhte na pere sudhu, "SC mane Supreme court ya Super Cop", bole or mood ta ektu light korte chailam, Tulsi hensheo fello, tarpor'i abar bollo, "its Ok Rajesh, I'm a big girl, I can handle myself. You don't have to cheer me up. Now tell me honestly, Aunty ne tumhe sab kuch bata diya right ? Thats why you're acting different around me. And you want me to believe that you don't know SC stands for Scheduled Caste ?". Ami bujhte parlam na, Tulsi SC tate kar ki, mane tai jene ami keno kharap behave korbo or sathe, bolte ki chai meye ta, ar Maa or bepare amake to kichu bole ni. AMi puro confused hoye jiggesh korlam Oke, "I honestly didn't know you belong to Scheduled Caste, and my Mother havn't told me anything regarding this, she just teases me a bit about you, thats all. And whats so wrong about SC, I mean I don't know, can you enlighten me ? And why would I behave differently knowing you're an SC ?". Ebar Tulsi ektu confused holo moneholo, amake jiggesh korlo, "so you didn't know I was a SC ? Aunty hasn't told you anything ?". Ami abar oke bollam, "nope, and I don't give a rats ass about your being an SC. I respect you and care about you because of who you are, you've accomplished so much at such early age, you'er an inspiration to all women of your age. Everything else is horse shit, please pardon my profanity". Tulsi amar dike ektu egiye elo, or chok theke abar jol porche, or mukh tao kemon jeno sad laglo, O bollo, "par mein itni galat kaise samajh sakti hoon, I felt something everytime I was close to you. I saw the way you look at me everytime, see even now[ami shotti or dike haa kore takiye chilam]. I, I[bole okhane dariyei kandte shuru korlo]", fuck shit, e abar kandche keno. Ami ektu egiye giye bollam, "Tulsi its very hot up here, wanna come down to my room, we can talk there ? Please". Tulsi tokhon'o kandche, ami or haat dhorte giyeo dhorlam na, ager bar daag kore diyechi, na na haat dhorbo na. Or ekta kandh'e haat diye oke abar bollam, "niche chale, bahut garmi hai yahan, ao", bole oke chad'er door'er shamne ene mone porlo, or haat'e legeche, ar laal hoye ache. Ami oke chad'er door er kache dar koriye, ek chute amar chad'e aloe vera gach'er theke ekta mota lomba aloe leaf bhenge niye, abar oke niye niche amar room'e gelam. Amar room'e dhuke oke amar bed'er pashe ekta chair'e boshte bollam, O dariye roilo, ami bollam, "please sit, Oh let me switch on the fans[bole fan'er switch on kore abar or kache eshe bollam], hey, why are you crying till now ? Is your hand hurting badly". Tulsi amar dike mukh tule bollo, "I was a fool, I thought you[bole theme gelo, ar fel fel kore amar chokh'er dike takiye roilo]". AMi bepar ta bujhte perechi, tai or haat ta dhore tene oke amar bichanai boshte bollam, "come on, sit on my bed, show me your hand". O kichu tei boshte chaichilo na, ki mone holo jani na, hotat kore Tulsi amai bollo, "no no Rajesh, I must go now, please". Ami or kandh ta dhore bollam, "why, are you uncomforatble in my presence ?". O amar haat ta or kandh theke shoriye, bed'er kach'e egiye giye amar dike pichon kore matha nichu kore bollo, "its not that, I've made a fool of myself today. You're a good person Rajesh, a very kind one too, and I mistook that for something else. I understand now, you genuinely don't like me, thats ok. I understand. All my life I have understood". Ami egiye giye, aloe leaf ta bed'e chure, Tulsi'r kandh ta aste kore dhore bollam, "Yes you understand everything Super Cop, now get on the bed and show me your hand". Tulsi ghure amar mukho mukhi dariye bollo, "whats the point in all of this Rajesh, I don't want any consolation. We're both adults, we both understand what I wanted to say but couldn't[ami or kotha shune henshe fellam ektu, o seta kheyal kore kemon shur kore bollo]. Now why are you laughing ?". AMi bichanai uthe boshe bollam, "you've told me almost everything, but why are you so sensitive about people knowing you're SC, you tell me that and you're free to go, but first get on the bed and show me your hand". O birokto hoye bed'e uthe amar mukho mukhi boshe amake or haat ta birokto mukh kore dekhiye bollo, "yeh rha mera haat, dekh liya, ab mein jau ?". AMi Tulsi'r barano haat'er angul gulo dhore bollam, "whats the rush ?, mein cab book kar dunga, don't worry". Bole Tulsi'r haat ta chere, du haat diye aloe leaf ta vertically split korlam ar or antiseptic gel ta bar kore, abar Tulsi'r haat ta niye, tate je khan ta te amar angul'er laal daag pore gache, sei jaigai aloe gel ta alto kore lagalam, Aloe gel ta or skin'e touch kortei Tulsi kemon chomke uthlo, tai ami jiggesh korlam, "zyada dard ho rha hai, wait is gel se thora aram milega, I have homeopathy pain relief meds, I'll give you, wo koi bhi le sakta hai. I'm sorry Tulsi, I was a bit emotional and got carried away. But you haven't told me yet about yourself, why you're so sensitive to being SC ?". Tulsi amar dike takiye bed'e uthe boshe ache, or choke jol chol chol korche, O bollo, "Mere Papa aur Maa ki shadi ek love marriage thi, Maa Schedule caste ki thi, to mere papa ke family unke shadi ke liye nai mane, aur jab papa ne Maa se bhag ke shadi ki, to papa ke parents aur relatives ne unse sab relations tod diye. My maternal uncle and Aunty, who has raised me, are both Scheduled Caste people, but trust me Rajesh, they are so humble. I've studied in a girls school and when my friends invited me to their birthday parties, their parents would treat me and my uncle and aunt badly, just because we were Schedule Caste people, it continued for years, slowly slowly I understood, that I wasn't welcomed anywhere. In college, I made a few friends at first, but I never told them I was an Schedule Caste, but eventually they found out and again I was alone, a few boys took interest in me but that was for different reasons all together[eta boltei ami gel ta lagano bondho kore dilam, shotti Maa theek'i bolchilo, meye ta onek koshto shojhyo koreche, Tulsi continuously kende jache, ami ki bole oke console korbo bujhte parchi na, amader society prochondo kharap], I'm ok Rajesh[ami shotti etai jiggesh korte chaichilam oke, but amar jiggesh korar agei o bujhe giye answer korlo, amar Maa ar Tulsi'r modhe koto similarity ache na]. Since then, mera koi dost nai hai, professional collegues hai, but only in office. Tumse milke kuch alag laga, tumhari dost ban ke I felt good, but I was afraid that if you knew about me being SC, you'd go away as well. But you're a good person Rajesh, jo bhi ladki tumhare life mein ayegi, bahut lucky hogi[or chok theke jol porei jache, ami bujhe gechi Tulsi amake bhalobashe, I had a hunch. O amar haat theke or haat ta shoriye niye, nijer chokh puch te puch te bollo]. Rajesh bahut late ho gya, mujhe nikalna chahiye. Goodbye Rajesh[bole amar mukh'er dike ek drishti te takiye roilo kichu khun]". Tar por Tulsi bed theke namte jachilo, ami bollam, "I see, to tum confirm ho, that I don't like you[O bed theke namte giyeo namlo na, abar ghure boshlo amar dike] Aaah, so all women are same, so inquisitive[bole ami ektu hanslam, Tulsi'r mukh ta dekha'r moton, total confusion, jodiyo ami serokom confident noi je oke kotha gulo bolbo kina, kintu amar jonno oke koshto pete debo na, ar jai hok na keno]. You're an ACP, you should've noticed this way sooner, I was spellbound today after seeing you, I froze there for quite sometime, you were looking gorgeous with that make up and this indo western fusion dress is mind blowing. I have only considered my mother to be the most beautiful woman in my life so far, but today you gave her a tuff competition", Tulsi ar chup kore thakte parlo na, bollo, "matlab ? to fir tum aunty pe chilla kyun rhe the about my make up ?". Ami ektu henshe bollam, "because everytime I'm around you, you seem to grow on me. You are a beautiful distraction[bole ektu hanslam, Tulsi'r ekta sundor smile dilo eto khun pore], I can't focus much when you're around, didn't you notice that. See, that smile, that can make a gay become a lesbian[Tulsi kemon chokh boro boro kore amar dike takalo, shit ami abar ekta bhul bhal example diye diyechi], sorry sorry, I screwed up. I meant, you'r smile is dangerous, it screws up my grey matter at times. You see, I don't trust modern day women, present company excluded offcourse, but since you've shared your deepest darkest secrets with me, its only fair, I share mine with you[Tulsi matha nariye na bolche]", tarpor O bollo, "nai mujhe tumhare past ke bare me nai jan na, but jo tumne bola, I understood, but why can't you directly tell me anything ?". AMi bollam, "mere past ke bare mein jab tak tumhe pata nai chalega, how would you know, why I dislike modern day women. You see, right since 1st year of my college, I was in a relationship with a girl, for several years, I thought she loved me, she said so everyday, but after few years, I first caught her cheating, but I was a fool, I forgave her, and she repeated the same thing again, then in the end she confessed, she never loved me. It was all a farce, so that I give her things, money and everything she ever wanted. She told me several things as well, like I wasn't good looking, so no one would ever love me and all and its true, I don't look that good. Since then, I've never had a woman in my life, not even a female friend, you're the first one in so many years. THis is the reason I won't share my feelings with you. Also I have another condition for my prospective future, any woman who comes in my life, be it anyone in future, she won't be my top priority. My mother is everything for me, she's my 1st priority, everyone comes after that". Tulsi mon diye amar kotha sune bollo, "you're talking about future someone, but you won't say who it is[O michke hansche kotha ta bole]", ami bollam, "nope, I won't. Because its not time yet, my prospective future someone doesn't know me well enough, she needs more time and I don't know shit about her, so I need way more time. I'm a bit slow in these things, you see. So right now, we're friends, very close ones at that. Rest, is future, which none of us know of". Tulsi amar kotha bujhte pereche, O ar kandche na, boron choto ekta smile diche, hotat amar phone ta bajlo, bar kore dekhi Maa call koreche. AMi phone ta receive kore 'Hello' bollam, Maa bollo, "ki go tomra ki ghumiye porecho, naki rod'e ube gecho, sei kokhon chad'e gecho, eto rod'e ebar thanda gorom hobe du joner, ami kokhon theke boshe achi, just khabar gorom korlam, dupur 2 to beje gache, khabe esho dujon'e, meye takeo niye esho, na khaiye ami ei dupure oke charbo na". Ami phone ta speaker'e diye kotha bolchilam, Tulsi Maa'er gola sunte pelo, besh relaxed lagche ekhon oke. Ami Maa ke bollam, "aschi Maa, ar Tulsi to amar shamnei ache, tumi nijei oke bolo khete, amar kotha to abar or pochondo hoi na". Maa bollo, "beta, tum uske sath niche ao, 2 baj gaye, lunch kab karogi, niche ao. Khana kha ke jitni baatein karni ho karo, par abhi aa ke kha lo". Tulsi bollo, "ji aunty, abhi ai[Tulsi'r gola ta besh excited shonalo, jak ager theke meye ta ektu better feel korche]". Maa call ta cut kore dilo, Tulsi bichana theke niche namte jachilo, ami oke bollam, "agar tum chaho, to meri Maa ko tum 'Maa' bula sakti ho, unko bhi acha lagega aur tumhe bhi. I don't have any objection to it. And I don't hide anything from my mother, I tell her everything". Tulsi amar dike takiye ek laf'e bed theke neme, nijer chokh ta puch niye, ektu henshe amai bollo, "chalo fir, sath me lunch karte hai, tumne mere liye aaj khana banaya hai na, let me taste it, kaisa banta hai tumhare haat ka khana". Ami oke bollam, "ji nahi madam, mein ne tumhare pure team ke liye khana banaya tha, tumhare akele ke liye nahi[bole ekta smile dilam]", Tulsi amar dike takiye kemon chokh choto kore, bhuru kuchke nak ta upore tule, ekta odbhut smile dilo, ke jane ki bhablo.