Anisha Dutta, Poetry 2022 Longlist

GIBBOUS MOON

An elusive scene had arisen.
Ghostly gibbous Moon to glisten.
Pulses of heart beats to listen
dancing rhythmic in delight.

Me, walking mad and mesmerized,

Wobbling Moon not stabilized

horrified and hypnotized,

bewildered and polarized

on frantic lunatic plight.

Cumulus cloud in platoon
floating passing maroon Moon.
trying to hide it later or soon.
At last Moon winked being polite.

Anisha Dutta, Short Story 2022 Shortlist

Spectrum 

I am running in seventies. During long journey of life I have acquired lots of experience as natural happenstances, sometimes miracles and few incidents to be called mysterious or super natural.

Now I am going to narrate about the event most queer and completely unexplained. Then I was only ten years old. On my tenth birthday my Mom declared ' Now you are no longer a kid but a grown up girl, quite intelligent and more or less take care of yourself.’ And onward I got the permission to go to the nearby park without any escort and also to go to my friend’s house with other friends. The compulsory restriction of going out only with parents was lifted.

We were three siblings. My twin brothers were four years younger than me. So long I was the only child, I was the princess of the house. But debut of my brothers shook my unique position. I was feeling jealous but soon I discovered that I have been benefited as parents got more attentive to my brothers and I was getting more scope to enjoy freedom.

My Mom was a school teacher and Dad an advocate. We had a Nanny Miss Laura to look after three siblings and to manage household chores. So while going out in absence of parents gradually I got habituated just to inform Miss Laura. There was no need to take her permission.

* *

Basically I was introvert and own small group of friends among my classmates. In the class regarding sitting arrangement each desk was designed for two students to sit side by side. Mostly two seats are occupied in each desk and few were used by single student. Incidentally I was enjoying a desk alone. My adjacent seat was vacant.

In mid session a new girl named Indigo took admission in our class and eventually she chose the seat beside me. On the very first day I liked the girl much. Indigo told about her family. She had an older sister named Violet and an younger brother named Blue. She had a pair of rabbits whom she had named as Green and Yellow. I was highly amused and suggested that she should get another pets as a puppy or kitten to name them as Orange and Red. She laughed and said “ Sure. I should follow your advice!. For your information. My Mom is an Artist and runs an Art School. Off and on she arranges Art Exhibition in our hall. Lots of painting are sold at good price.”

I got excited and told “ Both my parents are Art Lovers and Mom holds a hobby to draw and paint in her off time. My Mom will love to meet your Mom.”

Indigo promptly replied coming Saturday is my Birthday Party. But that’s a children party! You please attend and my Mom will invite your Mom next week.”

My nature was not of free mixing type. So I hesitated “ Indigo, in your house I will not feel comfortable among unfamiliar group of children. May be I have a feeling of an intruder attending party.”

“Why? A stupid analysis. Okay I will also invite your group of friends.”

I felt embarrassed and said “ So kind of You. But you need not take trouble. You are a new student and not at all well acquainted with class mates. But if they refuse! They also don’t know you. Better forget!.”

“No. I won’t. You must come. I am assuring that you will have lots of fun. Listen Maria, you should train yourself to meet new people to interact free in unknown zone.”

“ Okay Miss Teacher. I will take permission from my Mom.”

“ That sounds like a smart girl.” Both of us gave a loud laughter. It echoed. We were chatting in tiffin break. Few students were in the classroom but those few got startled.

“Tomorrow is holiday and next day is my birthday. So we will meet straight at my birthday party.”

“ But you have not given your address. Also I need directions.”

“ Why? My Mom will take all responsibility. She will take you from home and reach you timely.”


* *



Being back from school I narrated tit bits of our conversation to Mom and asked her permission to attend the birthday party. Mom told “ Where do they stay? Me or your Dad will drop and pick you up.” Promptly I interrupted “ No need to worry! Mom of Indigo will pick and drop me.”

“ Ok. Fine. By what time you will leave?”

‘They will come around 5-00 pm. Mom, You will be in your school. No problem. Laura will be in the house. .After dinner they will reach me within 9-00 pm.”

I was too much excited as I liked Indigo very much and was feeling a strong emotional bond. Basically I discovered a sweet girl of my age holding a compassionate generous heart. On scheduled date before leaving for school my Mom gave me a box of chocolates as her Birthday Gift.

Generally on holiday I took a nap. But on excitement of coming party I did not sleep but feeling drowsy. At sharp 5 -00 pm calling bell at main gate rang. I peeped through window and got surprised to notice a vintage car at the gate. In the car Indigo was sitting in the back seat and a beautiful lady surely her Mom was on the seat of the driver. I rushed downstairs and told Laura “ Car is waiting at door step.”

Laura was curious “ How do you know?”

I got annoyed,” Have you not heard the calling bell? I have also seen through the window. Bye Laura.”

But I remembered, on hurry I have left the chocolate box in my bed room. So again I rushed upstairs to get the box. Then I came down and didn’t see Laura. But I didn’t wait for Laura to bid buy as horn of the waiting car was blown.

I went out and boarded the car to take seat beside Indigo. Mom of Indigo was a nice lady. She came out of the car and hugged me. Being back to driver-seat she started the car. I was amused to board a vintage car for the first time. Soon we followed the solitary road leading to suburbs.

Natural scenery on road side began to change. Appeared vine yards and cornfields. We passed a horse driven cart loaded with bundles of sugar cane. Up above sky, flocks of egrets were eager to fly fast making V-shaped garland. It seemed to me as if I was watching a movie of last century. It was an amazing experience.

Sun was slipping down slowly to touch horizon. Twilight got scope to display colour patches at random on azure sky . Mostly crimson and reddish orange hues were painted on sky album. Suddenly we saw a prominent rainbow carved as clear semi- circular arch pasted neatly.

Indigo told, “ Maria, I will show you a masterpiece picture with caption ‘Rainbow’ hung on our hall where my birthday party will be going to be celebrated.” We reached our destination. It was a huge house of bunglow type. At the entrance gate the name of the house was inscribed as SPECTRUM on a marble tablet.

One Banyan tree and other Peepal tree stood at two sides of the gate like Sentry. Peepal tree sheltered a colony of parrots all chirping in high pitch. Banyan tree was accommodating varieties of birds returning to nests tweeting loud probably exchanging day long experiences.

Her Mom entered through gate and drove the car on the path leading to main building. On one side of the inside road neatly mowed lawn with glossy mossy dense green grass welcomed me. On other side array of sunflowers and series of cosmos nodded to greet us.

Entering the hall I got astounded to look at the large photograph of Twilight with splendid panorama and a neat semi circular arch of Rainbow. I exclaimed “ Excellent photograph.”

Indigo laughed loud “ It is not a photograph but an oil painting done by Mom. I could not hide that I was simply overwhelmed. Spontaneously I spoke “ I will definitely show this picture to my Mom. She will love it. Also Mom must be too eager to meet your Mom. ”

All the children played in the lawn for sometime and as Twilight faded and evening merged all of us entered the hall. We had lots of fun. Additional charm appeared when her elder sister Violet showed few magic. Over and above her Mom arranged interesting games and all of us had won prizes. Party ended with sumptuous food and wonderful drinks. Indigo cut her Birthday Cake baked by her Mom. The big wall clock was showing half past eight. So her Mom told “ Come Maria, now I will drop you at home.” So both Indigo and her Mom reached me at my home.

*. *

I was too tired and as it was almost nine. None was seen in the hall. I felt terribly sleepy and straight went to bed in my room.

Next day was Sunday. I woke up late. Coming down I met every body in the break fast table. “ Good morning Maria!” Dad addressed and asked “ How was the Birthday party?”

“ Oh! Dad. It was fantastic. I enjoyed beyond my expectations. They will invite you and Mom to show the paintings made by Mom of Indigo. You couldn’t imagine those looked like photographs not hand painted. Oh! Mom, I enjoyed so much. It’s a beautiful memorable day.”

Mom told “ Last night you went to bed early. Coming from school I couldn’t meet you. Today your Dad will be going to an Auction sale of precious old oil paintings. I have some urgent work to finish, I am unable to accompany him. If you wish you can come with your Dad.”

“ Thanks Mom. But today I will have to finish my home work as yesterday I have done nothing .”

“ Okay my child. Complete your lessons.”

Laura was serving breakfast. Without any context she spoke, “ Maria! I didn’t notice you neither to leave nor to be back. About to nine I went upstairs and discovered you asleep in your room. You are a magician. When your parents came you were in deep sleep.”

I didn’t like the comments of Laura. I told Mom, “ You will be surprised to know, Mom of Indigo is a great painter. I saw a masterpiece paining of Rainbow painted by her. She runs an Art School. She has named her house ‘Spectrum’. You will love to meet her.”

“Sure. I must meet her. Tomorrow you can bring your friend to our house. When Me or your Dad will go to pick up you from school, she can come with you. We will drop her back to her house.”

I was delighted and nodded cheerfully.

* *

Next day Indigo didn’t come in the School and as she didn’t turn up for the whole week I was really worried. As I inquired whether other classmates had any information none could even remember her. On other hand they told they had not seen any new girl named Indigo. I couldn’t convince them that she attended class for three days and occupied the seat next to me. Also, I had gone to her house to enjoy her Birthday party.


* *

One week had passed. Next Sunday after breakfast Mom asked my Dad to bring the Painting bought last Sunday. Whole week went so busy Dad didn’t have time to unwrap the painting. Mom and I were eagerly waiting . Unwrapping, Dad put the painting on the table and I was spell bound.

I yelled ” it’s the same painting “ Rainbow” painted by Mom of Indigo and was hung on the wall of the hall where I attended the Birthday party of Indigo. Mom, just look at the right corner at bottom of the picture. It is written Sonia, Spectrum. Sonia is the name of Mom of Indigo and ‘Spectrum’ the name of their house. I told you that day.”

Instantaneously Dad drew our attention “ See, the date of the painting written: March , 1925.” Immediately my Mom reacted “ Oh ! Sonia! Sonia was the name of my Great Grandma. She was an Artist. My Mom used to tell that she had re-incarnated through me and that’s why I have special knack in drawing and painting.”

I felt scared “ Then? Had I attended Ghosh party boarding a vintage car? I gifted her chocolate box and she returned the box by filling with raisins brought from their farm. I am showing you. I rushed to my room and got the box. It was sealed. Mom opened. There was no raisins but all chocolates!.

Mom told “ So! Box was not opened at all. Maria, I think your attendance in Birthday party was not real but virtual. Your experience was true as this painting is real . You were neither aware of ‘Sonia’ nor about the house named ‘Spectrum’ beforehand yet you had witnessed! Might be in dream or in your wishful imagination.

“ Was Indigo a ghost? Why was she interested about me ?”

“ Not necessarily. I don’t believe in ghost but I believe in ‘Soul’ or ‘Consciousness’ which is immortal. It’s a self realisation not to be explained with proof. So far my realisation and knowledge acquired from researchers or experiences of others, I think on journey of life, small part of conscious energy is manifested through physical existence. Major part is stored somehow and can be manifested through virtual existence in other places.”

“ So! Part of Consciousness of soul of Indigo has interacted me as I have that experience which can’t be denied! I visited the house Spectrum, enjoyed party and saw the same painting made by Sonia How was that possible ? Why soul of Indigo wanted to interact ?”

“ Quite possible both you and Indigo own parts of same soul. Think, nobody has seen you to board a car to go out. Laura specifically told that. She had not seen you to re-enter in the house. She holds the idea that you were tired and slept early. The chocolate box remained intact. Might be all happened in your dream. Remember you told you were feeling drowsy at the prime time of your departure. Or you had a virtual venture to Spectrum guided by super natural power of your soul. Because your experiences revealed some facts that can’t be ignored.”

“ But why Indigo had chosen me to be close. Is it true we own fragments of some soul ?” “ Another explanation can be concluded. Might Indigo be re-incarnated through you! Some super natural power has allowed you to visit a day of your past life.”

I inquired “Then? Was Indigo your Grand mother?”

“ No. Violet was the name of my Grandmother.”

Dad smiled and told “ We have shifted to this new house last year . Let’s name it SPECTRUM .”

He called Mason to put a marble tablet at entrance gate with inscription SPECTRUM.

Anisha Dutta, Prose 500 2021 Longlist

A Letter to My Motherland INDIA                              

Dear Motherland,

Please treat my letter as an ode to you following my appeal.

I bow to thee my motherland INDIA. I am grateful to my destiny to born in this holy heaven. You are lapped by Great Himalayan Range wearing highest peak Mt. Everest as crown. Great Indian Ocean is washing your feet thrashing, splashing and surfing frolic foam.

Frigid fountains from rigid mountains cascading in opulence are rendering rich rivers like Ganges, Yamuna, Sutlej, Brahmaputra, Kaveri, Godavari etc. with abundant tributaries. Your trove of treasures is full of natural resources like forests, fields, flora, fauna, ores, minerals. Indians are blessed with peerless gifts of Nature.

I breathe in your atmosphere where Great Preacher Lord Buddha, Saint Swami Vivekananda, Great Philosopher and Poet Rabindra Nath Tagore, Eminent Scientists Sir Jagadish Candra Bose and Chandra Sekhar Venkat Raman, Great Leader Mahatma Gandhi, Freedom Fighter Subhash Ch. Bose, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Jawahar Lal Nehru, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Educationist Sarbapalli Radhakrishnan etc. so many great personalities carrying charisma took breath.

My emotions harmonize with your gorgeous greenery, rustle of leaves, murmur of breeze, little brittle ripples of stream dancing and propagating waves. I enjoy your display of seasons through summer gust, crowd of clouds, thunderbolts, rain showers, autumn flame, spring flowers, winter mist. My mind flies free with kaleidoscope of butterflies among abloom flowers. My muse flaunts with flying egrets in your cerulean sky. My senses resonate with sunshine, moonlight, sparkling stars in your amazing ambient. I feel delighted sinking in your charm and discovering myself rooted in your sacred soil.

   Your traditional Vedic culture since ancient age sends errand of peace and love as holy heritage. Your divine spirit never tried to overpower other nations or countries, rather you met on non-violence against foreign invasions. Power-loving intruders were compelled to bow to your greatness and generosity merging in unity.

    You believe in integrity. ‘Service above self’ is your motto. You always teach to give not to snatch. Your elegance honours humanity irrespective of race and religion.

  Your tricolour National Flag exhibits universal moral values. Three colours Saffron, White, Green and Blue Wheel Asoka Chakra on mid-strip White represent different morals and inspirations.

 Top saffron stands for Self- esteem and Sacrifice. White shows Truth, Purity and Perfect Peace. Green goes on courage, zeal, vigour and fertility. Spikes of wheel are symbols of activities. Twenty-four spikes present twenty-four hours dynamism on creativity.

   In near or far future whole world will pay tribute to you: My Great motherland INDIA the largest Democratic Country. 

       Our past Golden Era is to be re-established by our future generations. Globalization is mandatory but, now modern trend is showing that best cream of our society has developed tendency to settle abroad. This can only be prevented if brilliance and competence could be properly recognized so that none to be tempted to migrate leaving motherland. Exchange of knowledge, science and technology is always desirable. That is the concept of perfect globalization initiated by Great Philosopher Tagore. Knowledge acquired in each field locally or globally must be implemented primarily on progress of motherland. Charity always begins at home. Automatically it will spread and serve the universe. 

    Now chaos and indiscipline has been spread all over you. Crimes like rape, murder, child abuse, stalking, lynching are increasing day by day throwing dirt on your chastity.  You will feel happy to know reasonable moves regarding ‘Swachh Bharat’ means ‘Clean India’ and ‘Sachha   Bharat’ means ‘Sacred India’ are going on with full effort.

           Yet, garbage from housing, hospitals, factories are not treated properly owing to unawareness of public, negligence of municipality and irresponsibility of authority. Another nuisance is the street hawkers to pile refuses on street. I think those will be controlled gradually. 

But the pavement dwellers and slum habitants are helpless to make city unclean not getting minimum facility of proper sanitation. Their rehabilitation claims prime importance. I have no idea that how much fund is needed. My common sense assures that wastage of money on Puja craze at least in West Bengal throughout year is enough to meet expenses of rehabilitation of slum, shanty and pavement dwellers in this state. Then major nuisances will be solved to accelerate the project of Swachh Bharat.

     Secularism in India means equal treatment of all religions. Why different religions? Dear Mother land! Is there any religion superior to human religion? Why state holidays or national holidays will be observed on different religious celebrations? When only one religion namely Human Religion will rule the universe, perfect civilization will glorify human race. Can you be the preacher to spread human religion throughout world?

Next comes your chastity. News of molestation, rape, child abuse is flashed every day on newspaper, but hardly news of conviction of the accused come up. The rapists or molesters or tormentors easily get bail. The victim (if survived) gets threat to withdraw case. When brutality reaches extreme ending in murder, it takes long seven years to declare punishment. Even if the crime be obvious demanding no proof, long drama in court played by lawyers and witnesses continues causing harassment of victim year after year. Corruption in police department can’t be ignored also. Off and on police force turns tormentors with lathi charges and unnecessary firing on innocent mob.

    Most condemned crimes like child abuse, outraging modesty of women and rape will never be stopped until and unless rigorous punishment be activated prompt on basis of non-bailable warrant. I am neither politician nor administrator but mere an educationist holding no power. I pray to teach morals to all with my appeal to educate every MALE to respect and protect FEMALE. Then and then only Sachha Bharat or Sacred India will glare in grace and glory.

     Warmest Regards

         Me Anisha Dutta a humble woman.

 

Short Story 2018 Longlist, Anisha Dutta

Destined Silence                                                

Preparation leave prior to Examination on Masters’ Degree started for long six months. Parents of Arianna suggested her to spend the period in Uncle’s place on remote suburb. The place is solitary calm devoid of noises and city disturbances. It is prime time to avail of long leave for examination preparation. She should not lose the opportunity to concentrate exclusively on study.

Arianna instantly realized that actually she is shifted away from companionship of Maroon. Maroon is a nice well behaved young chap, brilliant in career. Yet her conservative parents do not like Maroon. Nothing wrong goes with Maroon. Only objection is that, Arianna has developed a fascination for him. Arianna has not yet been adult. She is in the last year of her teen age period. So she did not go on confrontation but surrendered. She prepared herself to leave.

She packed her stuffs and took lots of postal envelopes. There will be no connection with Maroon in this period except exchange of letters. So, at last Arianna reached uncle’s bungalow. She was too lucky to occupy a single room with attached south facing balcony. Over and above she chanced to own a study table just in front of the window. Uncle has recently joined a new College in Suburb where township has just started to develop with most modern facilities. She loves greenery and nature. She arrived in evening. At night so much excitement was waiting for her, she couldn’t imagine even in her dream. At the dining table she was relishing good food with uncle, aunt and her two cousins Shiny and Pearly. Shiny is ten years younger than Arianna. She is in the fourth standard. Pearly is a little girl of three and is very much attached to Arianna from her babyhood.

Suddenly a weird croaking sound in few seconds interval coming from the garden alerted everybody. Listening attentively uncle identified that this is the typical groan of a frog caught by a snake. All rushed to the balcony and uncle flashed the torch. Really a snake was slipping away with a frog half being already in its mouth.

As dawn broke and Arianna stood on the balcony, the paddy field just on opposite side crossing the road welcomed her. Green crops are swaying their soft branches with the flowing breeze. Cultivation is running so close to her room. She is overwhelmed to get this bonus in this visit. Day was Sunday, a rest day. After breakfast Ariana just walks out to see the college premises under guidance of Shiny and Pearly. Shiny advised Arianna to take some rice grains. Few peacocks and deer are still found in the neighboring forest just encircling the college premises. At first they started to take a round in the residential area of the staff. The open fields contain flowery plants at random. Almost every owner of the quarters allotted to them are maintaining small garden fenced with hedges. Temporary bamboo gates are covered with creepers. She was so delighted to have looks on plenty flowery plants. She collected seeds of an unknown flowery creeper and decided to sow the seed just in front of her balcony to raise it on the brick work by the side of the railing.

They are about to cross an open barren field. The ripen crops are already cut. Only a loner cotton plant stands spreading branches almost totally covered by fully blossom dark red flowers. She lifted her head high gazing at the charming beauty of the dazzling flowers in full bloom on tips of the branches of the tree. Instantly she was frightened to see snake just lying and enjoying sunshine. She is about to yell and stepped behind owing to reflex action. Shiny laughed and cleared that is not a snake just the old skin of the snake released and left by the creature on natural norm. She is relieved and the three entered the forest. It is a forest not a scary jungle inhibited by wild animals. Various kinds of trees, plants, bushes, attract her eyes. There is no regular path to follow. They are intruding pushing bushes and making their own way. Her dress was once caught by thorns of a creeper. She needed Shiny’s help to release herself. She was very much astonished to notice most of the strong and tall trees are coiled by creepers. Perhaps when the creepers were young having soft stem, they needed the support of the tree to climb. 

But now the stems are turned hard and seemed to be equally strong and hard as the trees. The scenario reveals that trees are captivated and trapped by the creepers. They reached a spot where three medium sized rocks have reserved their seats amidst wild grasses. One big peacock with spectacular tails spread is sitting on one of the rocks. The two peahens are just leisurely walking slowly and picking up soil particles with their beaks. Shiny reminded Arianna to throw rice grains on ground in front of the birds. But too enthusiastic Arianna put some grains on her palm and started calling the birds in welcoming voice. Her hand is forwarded to the birds. The peahens may be scared to respond. But the dare devil peacock jumped from the rock and smartly stepped forward. Now Arianna is scared, but pretended to be brave in presence of two younger sisters. The Peacock pecked its sharp beak on her palm. Arianna yelled and stepped back. Grains are scattered on the ground. Shiny gave a loud laugh and Pearly clapped. Not even a full day is passed, but Arianna has gained lot of experience. Returning the bungalow, she sowed the seeds.

The bungalow has two wings. Uncle and aunt use the eastern wing. The kitchen, drawing room and Arianna’s bedroom is in the western wing. So she is also favored by her own privacy. Next morning, she unpacked her stuff and arranged the study table. Shiny has her fixed school hours. Pearly has not yet been admitted to school. She shares her little world with Arianna. Aunt makes herself busy in household chores. Uncle lives in his own academic world. Next morning, she met Ocean in her teen age curiosity.

One week is passed. Arianna received a letter from Maroon. Immediately she replied with detailed narration of her enchanted experiences focusing each tit-bit. She did not forget to mention about her single separate room with own private balcony, the horrified event of witnessing slow swallow of frog by the snake, the exciting scene of agriculture just within a few yards, her stupidity to be scared looking at the abandoned skin of snake, her visit to the forest with the cousins meeting the birds and pecking of peacock on her palm, collecting the seeds of a beautiful flowery creeper. Above all she is overwhelmed with sublime solitude of nature.
Uncle is the departmental head. Ocean is the junior most. Eventually they have to face each other several times, but no interaction occurred. College hours start with a siren break. The staff members follow the road in vicinity of uncle’s house approaching the college. Arianna spotted Ocean, while engaging in watering plants on the pots. Ocean comes to collect keys of the department. He is too shy even to lift his eyes to Arianna. Arianna drops the keys lightly on his palm even without a little bit of smile. Ocean is too hasty to flee on his way. At the right bending of the road where pair of tall eucalyptus plants sways their slender branches, he definitely turns back. Just allowing momentary pause he casts a glance through the gaps of network of leaves to check presence of Arianna on the balcony.

At lunch break, staffs are on their way back. This time also siren break alerts Arianna. She watches through window from her room. If Ocean be shown along with other inmates, she does not show her up. But as soon as he is noticed coming alone, she stands leisurely, posing herself totally disinterested.

Three weeks are passed. Second letter from Maroon reached Arianna. He has written ‘You study in science stream. I was not at all aware of your deep emotion regarding flora and fauna. Also I am much impressed with your keen literary sense in writing. Really I appreciate and admire. But as I have gone through the letter from top to bottom just in searching one sentence “Maroon, I am missing you’’. It is not there. I am disappointed. It is good to know that you are enjoying your stay there. Also, you are glad even being far away from me. I am getting jealous. No, no Just I am kidding. Enjoy and be happy.’ Arianna put the letter in the envelope and left aside.

She is alerted by the siren break at four in the evening. College hour is over by four. Now Arianna is confident that as rush of returning crowd will be totally over, Ocean appears. Normal time to cross the road is no more than two minutes. Ocean takes five minutes by slow walk playing with the bunch of keys throwing and catching. At the same time Arianna gets busy caring the plants. Is this daily event just a coincidence or a wishful approach from both sides? Daily schedule of Arianna to appear on balcony is tuned with timings of passage of Ocean to and back from college. Any way her planted creeper is growing rapid and buds have started to appear. Next week the creeper becomes covered with full blooming flowers.
She volunteered to accompany Shiny to board school bus. Aunt is pleased and Arianna is benefited. The same road passing the college leads to the bus stop. Workshops buildings are to be crossed. On her way she chanced to locate Ocean as Instructor to Engineering students in the field work. It is much better to exchange glances within shorter distance than remote visibility from balcony.

Two young hearts came close to each other. The seed of love sprouted bearing a tiny plant of desire. The soft stem of emotion produced two tender leaves of passion. The intense hard root pierced the heart of Arianna in deep dolor. One afternoon, it was already four thirty. No trace of Ocean is visible. Arianna became impatient. Watering the plants was over. She now started to pick up the withered flowers and clean up the dried leaves. Suddenly she felt somebody’s intense look pinching her. Instant reflex action made her alert. She noticed with simultaneous rejoice and surprise that Ocean just reached directly on the front road of her balcony crossing a diagonal narrow path through the field. Next day onward, that diagonal path leading directly in front of Arianna’s balcony was chosen by Ocean.

Two months are passed. Third month is going on. Arianna received third letter from Maroon. She felt no urge to reply prompt. After two days she wrote that now she is very busy in study. She may be excused from writing letter frequently. She wrote about alarming siren break four times the day. But she did not mention that her daily scheduled has been tuned with these siren breaks.

Arianna can’t study for whole day. Also she has no friends here to interact or chat. In the afternoon Shiny is out to play. Arianna must relax. So she started to take little Pearly in the nearby park in the afternoon. Pearly enjoys swing. Arianna pushes the swing to cheer up her. Soon Ocean is noticed to walk on the adjacent road. But no verbal interaction occurred; neither was needed to quench the thirst of the silent lovers. Only several exchanges of glance are occurring every day. Six months almost passed. Arianna’s final examination is ahead. Last day before her departure dawned. In usual course morning turned into noon. In the last afternoon Arianna is wandering in the park. Ocean is walking on adjacent road. Gloomy afternoon approached sad evening turning dark lamented night. All left the park. Arianna is walking aimlessly. Ocean is moving with a slow simple harmonic motion swinging like a pendulum. Suddenly most timid, ever-silent Ocean became courageous. He rushed to have a hasty entrance to the park and stood in front of Arianna face to face. Arianna had not hidden her glances. She looked straight to the eyes of Ocean. But Ocean failed to voice his emotion. None uttered a single syllable. Arianna left next morning.
*     *
Ten years are passed. Arianna has again come to her uncle’s place with her little one-year baby. This time it is a stop gap to shift to new place where her husband Maroon has recently been transferred. Within one or two months’ new flats will be arranged. Immediately he will come to take his wife and baby. The long gap of ten years has changed the scenario of Uncle’s family. Shiny is now a sophomore in City College. Pearly is grown up and studies in ninth standard. She is allotted the same room with same romantic balcony exclusively for her personal use. Being hesitant she could not inquire about Ocean. But within two or three days she came to know that he is still an employee. But she dared not to ask whether he is a family man or still single. She thought, if Ocean be married, it will be a shock to her. If he be still unmarried, then her conscience will make her guilty. Better let it be in dark. She does not want to know.
Ten years back, when she first came here, college was just born. All the departments started with two or three teaching staffs. Only the First Year students got admitted. Now the college has turned into a big institution the roll strength exceeding thousand. Five student hostels are running. Number of departments has also been increased. Total staffs including academic and non- teaching section is also high. Obviously large number of families crowded whole college campus. She could not find the calm quiet attractive beauty of the place as she experienced ten years earlier.

The paddy fields are removed. New college buildings, workshops are built on that area. So that narrow familiar diagonal path has left no remnants. All the tall trees are cut down. Wild bushes and grasses, complex creepers are cleaned. Nice Forest has been totally vanished with peacocks and deer. Arianna is shocked to notice that the favorite flowery creeper of Arianna might have been withered up. That place is now occupied by money plant of aunt’s choice.

But the college is still following traditional rule. The opening and closing college hours are alerted with siren break. The front roads are so much crowded particularly at the scheduled hours of starting and closing, it is impossible to stand or walk freely on the balcony ignoring the curious gaze of the passer by. Arianna tried to watch the road to spot at Ocean at least behind window staying inside the room. But no positive outcome is received. One week is passed, she failed to trace Ocean. The bearer of the department daily comes in the morning to collect the keys. On every dawn break Arianna perishes an expectation of Ocean if chanced to get the keys. But it does not happen.

Most of her time is now occupied by her little angel. Yet so emptiness prevails all around. Dull days are just suffocating Arianna. She could not come out of the dolor of losing something most precious. Leaving her baby under aunt’s care, one afternoon she was out in search of the seeds of that special flowery plant which was once growing with her passion in full vigor yielding nice flowers of emotion. Astonishingly she found and planted on the same place beside brickwork. One corner of that memorable park is visible from her balcony. Shiny is too old to be pushed on the swing. Also now she has her own friend circle. If she wished, she could have easily follow routine of daily evening walk in the park. But crowded park did not attract her. So, she abandoned the idea to have a visit there.

Dawn breaks and day begins to fade in the evening merging in night. A full dull disappointing day is over. One morning just at the siren break, the door- bell rang. Arianna opened the door casually with the bunch of keys to hand over to the bearer. She looked at the eighth wonder of the world. Ocean is standing straight in front of her just in the same style with erect neck slightly turned on his left. She found no remarkable changes in appearance, bright energetic and blooming. Arianna tried in vain to smile a little. Ocean extended his open palm and Arianna just dropped the bunch of keys on his palm.

Following his old practice, he almost fled on rapid speed. Arianna hurried to the balcony. She was sure that Ocean must turn his head at the right bend of road where that pair of eucalyptus trees still stood as old witnesses of their romance. And he did. The past ten years of Arianna’s life is instantly deleted. Eternal time itself made a pause. Marvelous moment clicked the snaps of the two cores of heart.

Her baby cried in the room and she rushed to reality. Then onward Arianna occasionally is getting the scope to hand over the bunch of keys to Ocean. Yet none of them is interacting as if both are dumb. Meanwhile Maroon’s letter reached with the information that family accommodation is arranged. But it seemed to be difficult to get leave from new job. Can’t Arianna manage to come with the baby alone? Uncle objected. Ariana might face trouble on thirty-six hours’ train journey with the little baby. Uncle suggested ‘I am asking Ocean to reach you.’ Arianna could not utter a single syllable. She just nodded showing her consent. Her heart was whirled in vortex of passion. She was flooded in emotional tide. Would this miracle really happen!

Uncle arranged for their railway tickets and reservation scheduled on the coming week. So! At last they will interact. By nature, Ocean may be extremely introvert. But it is practically impossible to spend thirty-six hours, sitting side by side without any interaction. Ocean can no more remain silent. He must speak. Arianna herself is a talkative personality. She won’t allow Ocean keeping mum. Definitely they will not talk about any serious issue. Neither any past topic nor any future commitment will be discussed. They will not repent over past days. They will not dream for any upcoming expectation. They will agree to forget of any passion or romance even it still exists in the core of their hearts. Arianna just wants to talk. Any useless talk, unimportant gossip, stupid chatting anything is permitted. Only silence won’t be allowed.
At last the day just prior to their departure dawned. Arianna welcomed the morning with a cheerful mood. The doo- bell rang. Arianna opened the door to face Ocean. She could neither smile nor speak but hurriedly went inside the room to get the bunch of the keys and dropped on his palm as usual. Ocean did not show any special response, but left following his natural fast speed. As he left, Arianna became too annoyed on herself! Why she is so shaky till today? Tomorrow night they are going to travel together for long thirty-six hours. Should she not show a little interest to greet with soft smile! Any way spontaneously she pacified herself. It is just a matter to wait for another thirty-six hours. Then they will be free to talk lots.

It is about eleven at night. Arianna has packed everything. She is very particular in this context contrary to habits of Maroon. She does not leave anything for the last moment. Being totally satisfied, she is just going to retire in bed. Most surprisingly, the door-bell sounded. Who is in the urgency on such late night? Arianna immediately concluded, sure it is Ocean. Her sixth sense predicted so. He is the proud chap to come to change his decision at the last minute. Definitely he will tell that it is not possible for him to accompany Arianna. Any lame excuse can easily be shown. Angrily she opened the door. Maroon is at the door step. Dutiful husband has personally come to take his beloved wife and baby.

The most unexpected event probably turned Arianna silent for forever. Uncle has also come out of his bedroom. He is too delighted to declare ‘‘Thank God! You are so lucky. Obligation from Ocean is no longer needed. Maroon will use the ticket bought for Ocean.’