"Wow Didun, this is so cool", Anu beamed on seeing the picture of Lal Kila from 1900, "although it is black and white, I can still feel the earthy red", She said in amusement. Sarala Devi gave a loving smile. "This was a gift I received from my professor for being his favourite student.Okay it's past 10 now. You can see the pictures tomorrow dear.I'm setting the table, have your dinner", Sarala Devi reminded Anu.
Anushka Banerjee r aka Anu aka Koyel was the daughter of Smita Sinha Banerjee and Anuran Banerjee. Her parents lived in London while she stayed in Kolkata with her Grandmother whom she called Didun. Anu never really got to spend much time with her parents who ran a high end legal firm in London. They have been there since the past 15 years, coming to India once in a year during Durga Puja but for the last 6 years they were unable to do that as well. Needless to say, Anu was the closest to her Didun. The other person with whom she was close was her childhood friend Madhuri aka Mini.She and Mini went to one of the most prestigious schools of Kolkata and had completed their class 12 board exams 3 days ago.
Anu was supposed to set off to England to complete her further studies, as planned by her parents. She was absolutely adamant at first about not going. But after a series of convincing by her Didun, parents and teachers, she finally agreed. Her Didun and Mini were the primary reasons why she wanted to stay.
Anu's Didun, Sarala Devi was a 70 year old woman who completed her studies from Presidency University, majoring in Social Studies. Anu admired and adored her Didun more than anybody else in the world. She also took active part in the revolution during India's freedom struggle.
In the evening before her flight to London, Anu asked Mini out of the blue, "Please don't replace me with Sahana. Anybody but her. She is so bitchy!!!!" while swaying her legs from the swing in her garden, which had been their hangout spot from the past 13 years.
Mini nodded. That whole week went strange. Their exams were over but their was no joy or excitement in their eyes. They would meet but would not speak. They would just sit quietly until the moon showed up and then Mini would leave.
At night while Sarala Devi was plaiting Anu's hair, Anu asked her in a voice that was significantly breaking," What are you gonna do when I'll not be there?"Sarala Devi said with a fake smile,"Watch some T.V., might read a few books, maybe bring home a cat, I don't know..... but I'm pretty sure I would not be missing the little devil."
Anu could not hold back anymore and started to cry. Sarala Devi tried to stop her but ended up crying as well.
TO BE CONTINUED......
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The Glorious Past
FanficThe biggest mystery that one can come across is life. You never know what would happen the next moment. Almost unbelievable incidents also turn out to be miraculous events. Something similar hapenned with Anu and Louis. They were two different peop...
