Ornamental Memories

Misunderstanding

No one ever paid much attention to her missing shots. Today also she and her wishes are never given importance in this so- called holy house because Kartama's daughter went against aunt’s decision and got married. She cries silently everyday but does not let anyone understand. Her youngest daughter committed suicide, she is still in agony. While coming out of the room, one day Palak noticed a prescription kept hidden beside the table. She quickly took it out and was shocked to see that. Seeing that, she ran away from the room crying out aloud in her mind and tears on her cheeks. Deepak fortunately noticed it, “Don’t go, listen to me.” He tightly hugged her. Kartama’s brother’s marital life has been ignored by her only because his wife belonged to other religion and caste. But they were innocent, they also neglected and kept no contact with the family for ten years or more. They were restricted to keep any contact with his family and their happenings. As the family were Unaware of the truth, his wife had been insulted and pushed and sent outside always. He had been staying in foreign and had grown to be a successful businessman, the family had got their news sometimes. Their ego had separated the bonding of a joint family. Kartama's grandson always came before the house once to see it but never dared to enter the house. There were again problems, the distance weren’t seen between Deepak and Palak.

Deepak's mother, ”Haven't I warned you before not to marry in such a hurry, but you were so happy that I had to get off. Just think about the girl once, what is she going through". Deepak, ”Nothing happened between us, I want to give her time, she will be alright".

Deepak, "Its alright, she will be normal within a few days. And I want to tell you a thing about Pradip."

Deepak's mother, "Yes tell but....."

Deepak started telling by interrupting her words, "Pradip and Sneha genuinely love each other".

Deepak's mother, "I can't accept it like this, I need to talk to Pradip once".

Deepak, "Again you started the same?"

Deepak's mother, "I understand your point, but did I ever tell you that I will not accept their relationship?"

Deepak was happy and hoped for the good.

Now the month of December finally came and it was the time when Pradip’s older sister comes every year to visit this family.

But the shocking fact about the family was Pradip was adopted by Deepak's mother, he is not of their blood, but still he is the second son of the family. He has got a family, a house and a happy life. But Pradip was unaware of the fact.

Debi lives in Mumbai for her work, she was born and brought up in England and she is a famous singer, she previously always used to stay in the hotel whenever she came to Kolkata but this time she wanted to come to this house. Nobody knew how she behaved, how she lives, her styles nothing.....Everyone was worried. But nobody expected Debi to turn out like this. She touched the feet of grandparents, uncle and aunt. Her eyes glittered in excitement to explore the house which She had never seen before. She went through the corridors which were decorated with lights, small plants, one wall each in the north and south were painted with drawing of Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam. She crossed the corridor and came in the drawing room where there was a very beautiful chandelier, portraits of ancestors of this family and wooden furniture.

She crossed the balcony and came into her grandparents room, she was so overwhelmed to see her grandmother was knitting a sweater and winter was about to come after Kali puja. Both became engaged with a happy conversation. Debi wanted to know so many stories about North Kolkata lanes and this house. Debi didn't know the hard truth that she never belonged to this house and was never a part. She went to her brothers they were so very joyful to be with their small sister after so many years. The three became nostalgic narrating about childhood and how everything had changed. Sneha was hiding behind Pradip, suddenly she popped up with a childish smile, "You people, forgot about me, that's not done". They decide to play Cricket, badminton and have so much enjoyment.

Slowly the in-laws started accepting that their daughter-in-law could go out to work. Palak had set a barrier in her mind for some reason, she had a wish in her mind that she would stand beside her husband by teaching the students at home, accidentally she liked this job. The next morning suddenly her sister-in-law appeared infront of her to inform her that she would help her find a job for some days and had to find it as the head of the family was very excited about it more than bringing a child for the family, if such tough situations would come, they would manage to adopt a child. Palak could not understand how within two days their mother had become so advanced. Another daughter-in-law had a dream of opening a parlour, till that moment nothing was decided for it. Their whole house had to be painted and renovated. Palak cracked the interview and now was continuing the job with the responsibility of the house of what to bring, the everyday items that are needed, it is never too late to start anything new and specially what becomes a wish for you. There was a critical moment at the time of operation whether the mother or the child would survive or not. There was an argument between Palak and Deepak about taking a child, but Palak wanted to make her career, fulfill all her dreams and Deepak told if both would work who would take care of their child. She repeated again that the family members would look after their child, after she came back she would give time. Deepak couldn't agree. He told that it is only the parents responsibility and nobody should interfere in it. Or else it was her final statement that the child would never come. She had thought he would understand a bit. Deepak's mother made him understand about their decision, a child could be adopted and raised. But he had doubts in his mind whether questions would arise or not when their child would be an adult whether he or she could accept them or not as parents. Nothing could be done if their child betrayed them. Palak told she was not at all mentally prepared for this, she was good at making jewelleries on her hand, so she had decided to start a business and she knew a relative in her village who was good at weaving Sarees, she had also thought to take her help for this great start. She was ready to make the arrangements, Deepak came home from the office, she was excited to share all this but he didn't want to hear a single word. Their conversation turned into an argument, he added to this by forcing her mentally for the child desperately, it reached to such a point that he was about to do something which they both didn't expect.

Palak was so frightened by his actions and of the sight, she immediately walked out of the room and told she would never return here. Pradeep and Sneha tried to convince both of them but ego had come in between.

His mother told that it is easy to break relations in a second.

After both of them separated, she came to her grandaunt’s house to stay with her. Just a friendship had started to grow between Palak and Suman. Suman would listen to her problems very patiently and would suggest her right decisions. And he knew about her past. Once Palak had forgot an important file in the office, Suman came all the way to her house to return it to her, she was not present at that time. Her grandaunt took it from him. Palak’s grandaunt and Deepak’s Pisima were very good companions. As the grandaunt was sitting idly, she thought to call her friend. She was unaware of how Pisima actually was. In the middle of some conversations, as and when she came to know who had come to drop Palak at home, give her file back, after knowing the innocent truth also Pisima made a plan how to insult her infront of everyone in order to take revenge because she thinks Deepak had insulted her long ago just because of that girl. She went to Deepak's mother's room and told her about it. His mother wasn't ready to believe when she heard all these. But she saw it was of no use, she told to Deepak, he couldn't hold his anger back and visited Palak’s house to talk to her. When they were talking normally, he pulled Palak by her hands on the verandah. He asked what exact relation she has with that colleague, she couldn't think he was so mean minded. The grandaunt was very disappointed because of the situation. Even she tried to explain that Suman was just her good friend, he didn't want to listen once again, their relationship became so strained that she finally decided as she was independent she was going to leave her husband by filing the divorce petition in the court. Their ways had become separated now. Pradeep and Sneha were tired of all this, they also began engaging so much in their work that they started forgetting to spend some time for themselves, but they promised each other the same thing wouldn't happen in their lives. They had seen separation and distance that led to divorce and ended a relationship. Palak went to depression, always shut down herself in a room after coming from office. She felt all light had gone from her life. She called Deepak for the last time asking him to meet her, she told, “Maybe you had Aishwarya in your mind from the very beginning and that thought became true today, Do one thing, marry her, she would be very happy and have her wish fulfilled, I had a doubt whether you really loved me or not. I had seen changes in you right after our marriage, you promised something else before and now see the condition". ". Deepak, "All these paper works doesn't matter in a true relationship, the heart doesn't want it". Palak, "You behaved rudely, everytime ignored me, and you want me to understand after all this? I too have my self respect and its greater than anything else. The girl you knew before and the one you are talking to now is totally different". Deepak, "You cared for me more than enough but yes it was my fault I couldn't understand at the right time". Palak, "It's too late now! I will start a new life in the city itself and that too with my qualifications". Deepak, “Where are you staying now?" Palak,"Its none of your business". Deepak, "yes, of course." She became very frustrated. Pradeep and Sneha were trying very hard to give time to each other. sometimes it feels what's the use of being in this state. at the beginning of the sunset, there are full colours all over but when the sun decides to hide itself, Pradeep doesn't like the fading sky with its grey light. in some spaces, the vibrant mixture of orange and yellow between the leaves of trees seems beautiful like sketch on the canvas. It seems so natural. Palak, "You have grown aggressive these days, your ego is creating problems." Deepak, “You can't put a hold on my anger. When I wanted you beside me, standing at this moment of life, you are neglecting me".