The Purple Mountain

‘Maa this Puja I am going to stay in Kolkata ' replied Piyu, throwing her hands in the air and still in school uniform. The person on the other hand was a lady of mid forties, wearing a green cotton saree, the pallu tied round her waist - Priyangana, Piyu's mother. It was mid July, the sky was gloomy with gloomier clouds to decorate its body and rain pouring at odd intervals. Monsoon was about to say goodbye to Bengal, announcing the end of repeated showers and a promise of a sunny cloudless start. If one looked through the open window , one could find a grey curtain enveloping the sky. It was like the backdrop scene of an Agatha Christie play, where a murder has just happened and the whole atmosphere was tensed, sordid and suspicious.

Coming to the inside of the house, Piyu was still agitated, trying to negotiate with her mother. The root of all commotion and disagreement was the fact that, Priyangana and her husband Parimal had planned for a trip to Anurachal Pradesh in the coming September. But as it had to be like every other year,  the trip was during the Durga Puja - the prime festival for the Bengaleese. Parimal was Senior Manager of a private firm and it was only during the Puja, he was allowed (rather to say permitted) to take leave.

But our Piyu was in class 11, her face still having the glimpses of the childhood innocence that was about to retire and her eyes playing a mischievous glee of the upcoming youth. She had already planned with her friends in school that this Puja, they would roam about here and there and precisely of their own. Like almost all parents, Priyangana and Parimal had failed to understand the importance of this sudden found independence and the need to let their only daughter decide on the Puja plan. To them Piyu was still that little Piyu, who would start crying if anything was about to happen wrong or more elaborately if she was in prime role of doing that wrong.

 The morning was bright and sunny, an aura of enjoyment in the air and a feeling of 'everything is fine' around the corner. But Piyu was not happy. As she sat on the window sheet of half yellow half black taxi , she was almost like the little girl who was about to start on living in the hostel. No, none of the arguments or puffy face had worked for her, she was going to Arunachal Pradesh on the morning of Sasthi (the sixth day of the Puja). She was little bit of happy inside, she had seen pictures of purple mountains of Arunachal Pradesh and its countless waterfalls. She thought with a copy of 'Lucid Dream 1' in her hand, that may be it would be a wonderful trip and would surely compensate the fun that she was going to miss here. Little did she know, it would actually create a memory of lifetime to cherish, as well as in the same time, a nightmare that she would never forget.

 Piyu sat in the window seat of a car, this time a black Scorpio and the place being Tenzpur in the state of Assam. Currently the black cobra ( Piyu had named the car only the other day) moved with unsaid pride through the jungles of sal and segun, its tire leaving a lasted impression on the loamy soil.

Beside Piyu sat her father, reading the day's newspaper. On the other window seat, sat her mother, wrapped in a blue shawl and firing questions to the guide Sangmu, who sat in alert position in the front seat beside the driver Mohammad. Sangmu was trying to reason with Priyangana, that it was perfectly safe to travel on this road and its only luck to meet an accident.  And moreover Indian Army was always there to help the civilians in this place.

 Piyu had thought of finishing the story book, but the mesmerising beauty outside had taken away her breathe and had seized her attention. The picture in the net had not lied. It was almost heaven out here, the trees perfectly in line with each other, reflecting different shades of green, soothing her eyes. On the opposite sides were the purple mountains. No it was not really purple, but due to zero pollution environment, the sun reflected on the barren mountains and hence it was purple. This was at least what Piyu thought as a science student. The roads was bit unformed, the black cobra dancing now and then and threatening to bump down on the dangerous turn now and then. A constant sound of bells, they could hear all through their journey. When asked to Sangmu. He replied “Its ghanti poka bibiji" (an insect that makes sounds like a bell). The Bhareli River was flowing in its own defined path, increasing the beauty of its surroundings with its splendour and swiftness.

 It was almost 11 hours they are travelling now, only stopping for a tea break at Bhalukpong and a lunch at a roadside hut. The delicious chicken momo and the spicy chowmin had made their stomach happy and filled. For tonight they were to stay at Dirang, still 2 hours to go. Sun stays here quite late because this part is in the east. Piyu looked out of the window, could see the sun gradually leaning in the west after a long tiring day with a promise of a better tomorrow. A shadow was gradually casting over the entire picture, announcing the arrival of the silent night on the hills. Piyu shivered a little, her only fear was that a tiger would jump in front of their car at any moment. Sangmu had again assured them, no tiger lives here, let alone of their chance to come in front of the car.

 A little more of 2 kms from Bomdila and they came to a halt. They were already late by an hour and an hour delay in this remote place usually meant unwanted trouble. They could see two cars in front of them and an army truck in the front. Piyu has seen this kind of truck through the entire day and the last she counted was 26, after which she had lost interest. Mohammad came outside the car and had moved forward for a quick enquiry. As he returned, he said in an obvious tone “Sirji, a landslide had happened 1 km from here. The road is blocked'. In the meantime, one more car had come to standstill just behind the black cobra. After a minute or two, they were convinced that there was no chance of moving forward. The two cars in the front were from Assam Tourism, they have decided to go back to Bomdila, where Assam Tourism have a guest house. Parimal had asked them if a room could be available. The reply was expected and bad in the same time. Parimal had come of his own, so he would find it difficult to arrange a room all by himself.

 As they were counting on the options, Sangmu decided to talk to the army men as he knew by his experience, they could only do something in this scenario. The driver from the back car also joined Sangmu. Well his car also had a family just like that of Parimal's, who had no bookings or chance of a stay back in Bomdila.

 Piyu was almost on the verge of crying, child she was still within. Her mother could not do the same probably judging her age. But given a chance she would gladly join Piyu in this endeavour. After a few minutes of crying and sneezing, gloominess and uncertainty, they could see Parimal coming back, followed by Sangmu with a smile of battle won. As Piyu was trying to compose her, tears still rolling from her button eyes and wetting her chubby cheeks, she could see two army personals near their window.  In front of her stood a tall middle aged man, the tallest Piyu had ever seen in her 17 years of life. He wore a turban around his head, a large moustache covering his face. He was gathering information from Parimal and his gesture showed he was genuinely concerned.  The thing that next happened had made a lasting impression on Piyu's mind for ever. The army man assured them that he will arrange two rooms in the nearby bungalow for the two families and their safety is now theirs to think of. The only problem was that they had to walk to bungalow on foot, as there was no way for the cars to go. It was decided that the cars would be there and army patrol would ensure the safety of the cars.

 Piyu was sitting on the other side of the window, still unsure of the next proceedings. She could hear snippets of the conversation, not entirely convinced of the whole thing. She thought of coming out of the car and hear what lay on her fate. As she jumped out of the black cobra, her feet tired of sitting all day gave up, her sneaker made a twist like a bow and she fell forward. Somebody came in the right moment and held her. She leaned over the tall silhouette, her entire body weight almost on it. She thanked the tall army man presumably, before she decided to throw the rest leftover weight to him.

But the man held her in strong arms, one arm round her waist and other one holding her right hand. And at the moment, the surrounding stood still, the sky decorated with twinkling stars and the sound of crickets playing in the background. She could see a handsome face staring back to her, probing inside her soul not body. A calm and assured voice came by - “Angel, hope you are not hurt".

 Priyangana's voice came after. "Piyu baby are you fine". Piyu gradually stood up, but still holding the man's hand. No this was not the tall army uncle. As she was trying to gather who he was, the tall army man introduced the handsome man to them. "Meet Vikramjit Singh- Captain of Tawang Regiment 2"- answered Piyu's army uncle. Her heart skipped a beat hearing his name. He stood there, almost 6 feet in height, in army uniform, the name badge glittering in the darkness. Piyu felt suddenly shy and she looked down. The man did a formal namaste to her parents and replied in Hindi - “She must be a bit tired on this long journey ". She trembled, but he smiled in the most charming way.

 They started moving forward. Parimal and Priyangana following the elder army man. Piyu in behind still dragging her feet. Parimal held Priyangana's hand because the path was stiff, the handsome army man told them he would help Piyu with the steps.

 Confident and stubborn as was our Piyu, she decided to move of her own. But she bounced for the 2nd time in the evening, when the same hand came forward and hold her hand tight. Before she could say anything, he replied “Could you please show your confidence some other time, this part of the area is quite rocky and I don’t want to be blamed of killing a cute girl like you" and he smiled.

 They came to the bungalow. The rooms were to be allotted and hence they waited in the balcony. Captain Singh went inside the kitchen, came with a bucket full of hot water. He rolled his sleeves and sat on the floor near to Piyu's chair. Piyu was dumbfounded. She could not understand what the handsome man was trying to do. He replied “If you leave this by another half an hour, consider your tour to be halted in the bed and all not exciting. Do you want to miss the fun round here?". Was it a question or a command, God only knew? He dipped her leg on the bucket, scrutinizing the swollen area. The elder army man came back, confirming the room allotment. Seeing Captain Singh there on floor, he gave a loud laugh saying “Doctor Singh had found his patient". As all other stood confused, he declared “Vikram was a meritorious student in school, had a dream to join army as a doctor. But instead got selected in Army in defence and now is a Captain. But whenever he gets chance, he applies his passion on poor victim". Vikramjit stood up and replied " Sir is always after me on this, I was just trying to help her' and smiled politely.  They came to know of Vikramjit a little more. He did his schooling from Doon School, later joined National Defence Academy in Pune. He originally comes from Jalandhar, Punjab. Her father is an IAS officer and her mother and historian. He had one younger brother, who is in Class 9 and who dreams to marry Kate Winslet someday.

 As they decided to leave, Parimal went towards the bungalow gate to see them off. As they moved towards the gate, Vikramjit was still there. Priyangana had went inside to arrange for hot water. Piyu was waiting for her father to take her inside, as she was still unable to move properly. Captain Singh came near her and asked her “Hi cute girl, I have forgot to ask your sweet name". “I am Piyu and I am not a child. Do not call me girl. ". Vikramjit replied “Can I call you Angel?” He gave a smile and left without hearing the reply. Piyu was dumbfounded once again.

                                                                                                        -To Be Continued

I Donot You & You Donot Me

Time travels , so does Love.

Chaya was a lady of her dreams. A ' North Ki Kuri', as she likes to say sometimes, she was born in Shimla ,a land  amidst the snow and pine trees. At times, she wanted to believe , her grandpa must have thought of her name , while sitting in the shadow of the pine trees. Thanks to her convent education, her English was like running water as was her Hindi which was none the less the purest.
When her offer letter came from Tech Solutions, she was on cloud nine. She was the first from her gang to join a MNC. All her uncles and aunties were worried of her moving to a city which was far east. But for Chaya, it was a new challenge and moreover a city known for her joy and warmth would never disheartened her, she liked to think that way.

Jyoti Lingamurthy Adiga or fondly called JLA by his colleagues was the quietest person who could ever be born of this planet earth. It took real effort to make him speak in gatherings. Whatever words came out from his mouth was practically work related. It was like he was happy of being the silent type. Actually he was shy to the core. Hailing from a village Achattipura in southern Karnataka, he always acquired the first position in class. Debates and girls were two things he was really scared of. Debate because it needed talking to argue  and girls because it needed talking to socialize with them.
As it had to be and expected, he got a job offer after college in one of the reputed MNC of Chennai.
With his minimal talking but helping nature, he was able to make a mark to whoever knew him closely.His free time went to cricket and football and rest to his work.

It was Monday, mid of May, 4 years after he joined his company, when Jyoti was handed over a critical project in work. And was also briefed that he had to conduct a call everyday with the required stakeholders for this. Went away all the zeal and excitement about the work, Jyoti had nightmares of hosting calls all by himself. And when Vijay, his friend at work, told him that there is this girl called Chaya from the component team, he was almost on the verge of leaving the work. He heard this lady was a very good public speaker and her flow of questions in every minute in the call were equivalent to police questionings.  Even the always talkative Senoy was half scared of her, if she ever came to the call.

Chaya has arrived late in the office that day, thanks to the water leakage issue at her P.G. She was in a grumpy mood already and she had no preparation of the 2 pm call for the new project. But a good debater she always had been she had faith and confidence in herself. This was the very confidence which brought her an award in every single quarter.

And the much talked about call had started. Having no other options to run or quit, Jyoti with all his might joined the call. He was almost sure , questions were already fired from the other end and were just to reach him over the telephone line. Chaya on the other hand, shouted her name over the conference preparing to listen the details with apt attention. Jytoi started ' Good Afternoon All, welcome to this call.'. A plethora of welcome greetings came back making Jyoti to wait for the next turn. Jyoti continued ' We are here to discuss on this new project on a website on Woman Health Organization For Rural Areas. The project will have go live on 1st week of December. As already briefed by client, the details with the requirements have already been passed to the Project Manager. After the call, I will be sharing a draft details of the design plan from design team .And I am  Jyoti Lingamurthy Adiga, who would be in charge of this project from Development.'.Jyoti muted his phone in anticipation of the series of questions that are were in queue.
Chaya thought to herself , '  What a clear and concrete way of addressing a new project. I could never be able to put the details in so few words. Nobody came with a question, even when 5 minutes past. Jyoti thought in desperation ' Was I disconnected from the call? Do I had to repeat once again?'. He asked ' Hi all, let me know if you have any questions?'. And then the lady replied 'This is Chaya from Fusion Team. Is their any specification about how many requests would hit this website per day?'. 'Hi Chaya, expected volume is very low , as very few people  have the knowledge of  using the computer there.'. 'This should have come to me before I had asked such a question' Chaya thought but replied 'Ok. Thanks for answering the query'. 'My pleasure' came the reply from the other side.

The first meeting didn't create any out of the box scenario. It was a natural scene from any corporate house meeting. But what it did was it introduced two people who were meant to be together years after.

Days went by, Jyoti and Chaya now work together for long hours in conference room on either side , the only connection being an IP phone. First it started with strictly professional relation, welcome greetings and an end of the day goodnight. It was on a night sift day that this strictly professional behavior molded it to a lesser one. Chaya was travelling in office car, when she saw a call from an unknown number on her phone. As was her work nature, this was usual as she dealt with many people everyday. As she answered her call, it was Jyoti who spoke. 'Hi sorry for calling you late , tomorrow's call is cancelled. Since you have to join out of office hours , I thought better to inform you.'. Chaya giggled 'Yipee. I can leave early in the morning from office'.  'You in office now.'.'No I am just reaching.'. 'Ok happy working. And do keep the security informed'. 'Its the ghost I am still scared about'. 'Do ask the ghosts few questions'. 'What?'. 'Goodnight'.

Things became a little less strictly professional. Informal discussions started on the communicator about movies, places and people. Chaya from the very childhood was keen about knowing what someone from an entirely different background did. So she now fired these sets of non-technical questions to Jyoti along with her usual technical ones. Jyoti on the other hand were in awe of this girl who was so straightforward with all she did.

December was approaching. Chaya was asked to go to the Chennai counterpart of her office to deliver the project along with the Development and Delivery Team. She was glad she could finally see a new place. Meeting Jyoti was still not the prime thing. It was the sea which was more important. Being born in a hill station , the warmth of the sea always made Chaya happier.

Delivery was done all in perfect fashion. Client was happy. Chaya was due with her next award and Jyoti with his long dream. Jyoti had always dreamt of higher education. Now he was to join a foreign university for his Master Degree in London. He had already given his resignation and was waiting for this project to get delivered. Even to Chaya, he never told, thinking this would have little importance to her. But in all these months of working together, he had started liking this girl who was pole apart from him. To whom work meant life, to whom night was day and day was night. She always told him that she wanted to become a photographer and would quit her job in next few years to become one.She was always open up about everything about herself. And best part was it was she who knew many facts about Jyoti, which even Vijay didn't. Be it his passion to collect all cricketers' autograph or that he writes a diary every night.

Tomorrow Chaya would head to Kolkata to join back her office. She had convinced Jyoti to accompany her for shopping tomorrow. She had just come to know, Jyoti would leave his job in few weeks time to do Masters. She had congratulated him. She was not that sad but somehow not having a communicator conversation with Jyoti from now on about southern foods and festivals, she would probably missed that a lot. She could not phantom why she was sad about this. She works with new people every now and then but never had this kind of emotion growing inside her heart.

Chaya had already finalized sarees for her mother and aunties. She was not much of a saree kind. But that red with gold border kanjivaram saree had caught her attention. She had just put the saree on herself, when the shopkeeper told in perfect English ' Madam , it will look good on you in your wedding day'. Chaya  turned around to clarify when she heard 'Yes. That would definitely. But may be she will wear it in reception. In wedding, we will have a lehenga'. Chaya was dumbfounded and as she looked to the speaker, all her debating skills vanished and she could see Jyoti speaking.

It was winter in the hills as well in the sea. A lady sat knitting sweaters on an armchair and a man was walking with a stick in the front garden. The man replied, 'Do you know how to make Nalagree'. Replied Chaya, 'Are you kidding me. I have been married to a South Indian for 25 years and I will not know how to cook it'. Jyoti knew her wife's debating tone very well. He replied 'Had not my lead handed me the healthcare project, I would never get to eat Nalagree cooked by a North Indian chef.'.

Its raining, she's crying

Last few months were hot and humid outside and inside it was increasing state of restlessness and fear for unknown. A master in Chemistry, an avid reader and a classical singer she was her in law's personal favourite. And that is how her fate got attached to that of Subhro's - the highly educated least affected professor of Physics. His universe was surely that of atoms and neutrons and his passion - coin collection. Her fate was supposed to be sealed on 9 th day of July when she would be called married with the sign of red vermilion on her hair parting and the white red bangles on her wrist. She sometimes thought that may be she would be less Snehalata Sen and more of Snehalata Dutta -the charming youngest bride of Tollygunge er Dutta Bari. Currently it was late afternoon and she was busy finishing "Dahan" by Suchitra Bhattacharya -her favourite.She had this premonition that this would remain unfinished if not done before the D Day. Preparation was in full swing, her red benarasi saree resting on the decorated plate called the tatta.Her youngest paternal aunt was due to arrive first from the relative circle. From the time her fate was sealed, she was all exited to be the bride.Her elder cousins who were already married had shared their views and experiences,some even from overseas.But as time was nearing,she could feel a void , a sudden emptiness -a better phrase to make people understand. She will go to an unknown home, start leaving with people whose names would take a few months time to remember,let alone the different faces and the face within. Her entire routine would change in sync with a yet to know stranger.She often wander would it be the same as it was now.Or would it be entirely different. She would better be left in here. Well she thought, that's very childish isn't it. Her mother had taught her that every girl meets her final destinity in her husband's home.As she came to the balcony,the breeze fell over her face, the untamed strands of hair falling on her temple. In a few minutes, the much awaited rain came pouring on the earth.Outside it was raining, her eyes were too - with tears of unknown and unseen. She thought to herself with a smile - lets call Prof Subhro - the complete geek would know the other universe - the universe of sorrow and love.

The Chaitra Sale

Summer is at its best. Sun is suddenly all this interested to perform its role.Seems like appraisal on its way. This time of the year, apart from being the hatred part by public poll, brings a big smile in the face of Bengalis. Well its chaitra sale guys. For those who do not have the faintest idea what it is about ,well do not panic. Its that part of the year, when shopkeepers clear their stocks and customers add to their stock.Be it the red saree or the green T-shirt you are bang on for it. You could sense the euphoria and the enthusiasm in the air. You could see Mita aunty coming out from the crowd with a transparent packet containing her long desired jaipuri printed bedcover. You could see the same sign of pride and win when our beloved Dhoni make a winning strike for India. Soma has different desire.Bagging trendy shoes to match her everyday college attire. She having found one red sandal for 150 bucks is none less than the head scientist of a successful rocket mission. Avik is not behind as well. The sling bag for Piyu , he gets at 100. This means her fresh smile in this humid summer. As the last day of sale approaches, footpaths are flooded with black heads, all of them with energy matching the glowing sun. One the very last day, shopkeeper cheers for the stock clearance and customer like Soma,Avik and Mita waits for another year to fulfil their yet another desire of acquiring a treasure.
 

Chatterbox To Meterbox

Recently I have joined a MNC in Kolkata. I happen to travel in bus for almost two hours to reach there. Chatterbox that I am, has suddenly become a meterbox. I donot have any friends travelling along the same route and so I have to keep mum for those long two hours. I feel disgusted, irritated and I feel all those emotions related to keeping mum. A talkative person I am, had to sit and look outside or read books(my favourite pastime).But reading books is allowed if and only if I get a seat.
I seriously pray I get one person to talk with.Otherwise I am like that meterbox which only gives reading and keeps mum even when it catches fire. One word of caution to who so ever you are wasting two hours of a highly talkative person .:P

The Pain Of Taking DECISION

God, decision is one word that makes me tremble. Yes taking decision for me is like climbing Mount Everest. It is full of weird thoughts as in what will happen if my decision goes wrong. What will be its impact on the people related to me? In these few years (though I am quite big enough) whenever it was time for taking a decision it made me freak out. I still remember my decision of taking Computer Science in a bad college or any stream in good college was once such occasion of taking an immense important decision. And yes the decision was wrong. No job which led to a year of frustration and last of all an admission to post graduate which meant confinement with study for another two years. Its not that I only take wrong decision. Yes few of them taken by me are superb and will never ever regret them. Just want to tell God , please do not make our already damaged life hell by giving us ample opportunities of taking ample decisions. We are already messed up with career, future, health and family. So spare us from that. But yes off course we have to take decisions like which path to choose to reach college if we are late or more complicated ones.

The city of gardens

I happen to visit The City of Gardens a week ago. True to tell this city has something in it. The pace of working ,the serenity and the living like a king that's what describe Bengaluru. In the morning you see loads of people from different fields moving towards their destination in colorful scooties. You can find Oracle, Microsoft , Axis bank people all waiting for the traffic to get cleared. This time I did not go for any sightseeing so I happened to observe the people and the culture of this city closely. Within a span of just few hours you can see a mini India in front of your eyes. Be it the Bengali home delivery guy or the North Indian guy or the local waiter. Some have been living there for more than a decade but seemed that they had got with the city quite well. But it is the weather which make you believe its really an air-conditioned city. Cool breeze blow frequently making you forget the warmth of hot summer. Branded shops are there in every corner of the road as if the city allows them to be there like a milk shop. In short Bengaluru is welcoming telling you that it has opportunities and new hopes for everyone who comes here. Love you Bengaluru.