the red moon's loveUpdated at Sep 3, 2025, 19:07
---It was deep into the night. The city’s bustle had died down long ago. In one corner of a vast mansion-like three-storied house lay Titir’s room. The whole house seemed like a modern version of an old zamindar palace—high ceilings, marble floors, intricately carved doors and windows, and several verandas.Titir’s room was on the second floor, at the front, with a large veranda attached. A cool breeze drifted in through it, making the curtains sway gently. Outside, there was the light touch of winter in the air; trees whispered with the whooshing sound of the wind, and from afar came the occasional bark of dogs.Inside, there was a large white bed, a bookshelf on one side, and on the other, a table lamp glowing dimly. Beneath its light lay an open book. Moonlight streamed through the window, spreading across the floor like a soft silver sheet. From the veranda one could see an old tree, and above it, the reddish moon hanging there—almost as if it wanted to say something.Titir sat on the bed, speaking to someone you know.Through clenched teeth, Titir said,“I cannot stand him! When Uncle brought him home as a child, Ma always told me—‘Learn to be like him.’ And then what happened? After graduation, he went off to Canada, became a big businessman, and stayed there. That’s when life finally started to feel a little easier for me.But now, why on earth is he suddenly coming back after six years? He has so much money, he can easily book a hotel! Fine, let him come to India, but why does he have to stay in our house? I don’t understand anything.”Boiling with anger, Titir continued,“I simply cannot tolerate him! Listen, Meena, it’s like he’s snatched away everything from me since childhood. Ma and Baba’s love, affection, attention—everything somehow became his. And now after six years, is it all going to start again?”Meena chuckled softly,“Alright, alright, calm down. Control your emotions. Aren’t you overreacting a little too much?”Titir replied in a frustrated tone,“And what else am I supposed to do but react? You don’t know a thing. He’s taken everything away from me.”Meena, in a gentle voice, said,“It’s very late now, Titir. Just try to sleep. Don’t stress so much. You’re grown up now—this is nothing but childish sulking… childhood jealousy, that’s all. He hasn’t really done anything to you. Okay? Come on, sleep now. We’ll talk in the morning. Good night.”After Meena hung up, Titir sat for a while fuming, the phone still in her hand. Then slowly, she let her body sink into the bed. Her eyelids felt heavy—weighted with anger, sorrow, and all the unspoken words crowding inside her chest.She lay there silently.The moonlight fell across her face through the window. Titir shut her eyes, but one question kept circling in her mind—“Why is he coming back after six years?”Suddenly her heart throbbed with a strange rush. Titir knew, no matter how angry she was… her old feelings hadn’t completely died.