Unfated

Chapter 1

'.... I told you several times! You don't have to go to the bank at this time of the day!' Mamma scolded Papa again. 'Moreover, you had Naina with you! Don't you know, this place is getting worse for girls day by day.' She almost cried at the last part.

'Nandu... relax! Nothing happened to us! There were several other people near the bank.' Papa tried to explain.

'Yes, mamma and tomorrow is the last date of deposition.' I explained.

Meanwhile, Dadi walked out of the Puja ghar with a tray of lit incense and some other things.

'Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare...' She chanted on her beads while sprinkling some holy water on me.

'Nandu is right, Suku. You have no idea that God had saved you from a big disaster.' Dadima said, now proceeding to Papa for the same rituals.

'Amma... why?' Papa said being defensive.

'You won't understand this but I do. There were definitely some dark clouds on the heads of you father-daughter and that's why this happened. We have to get the clouds off.' Dadima said.

Papa sighed and I chuckled.

'And what makes you laugh? Leave your father! Didn't you know the situation outside? Who asked you to get out at this hour?' Mamma now came to me with her argument.

'Mamma, nothing happened. See, we are fine.' I said getting up from the old wooden swing at our living room.

'Yes and that was for today. Who knows about tomorrow?' Mamma said. 'Maaji, you know I read in the newspaper the other day. That boy Rudra, the ruffian working for Vikrant Manchandani fired a bullet at the Children's park. People vacated the place immediately and at night, they found two people dead.' Mamma told Dadi.

I looked down unmindfully. I did hear of this news. It scared me. I didn't want to believe. But, I had no other option.

'Oh God!' Dadi exclaimed.

'Nandu, please don't spread panic.' Papa explained mamma. 'All the fights involve people from the political parties. Why would they attack us?'

'I don't want to understand anything.' Mamma said sharply. 'The election is just few weeks. None of us are going anywhere in these days, you understand?' Mamma set the rules. 'We will go out tomorrow morning and get the essentials for two months.'

I looked up in disbelief.

'Nandu, I thought the Covid situations were over.' Papa said. 'Why you're..?'

'Nandu is right, Suku!' Dadi interfered. 'The way things went during the central elections, who knows what they planned for the state ones? What if layman like us accidentally gets in between their fight and..'

'Dadi, you know I have few interviews in coming weeks, don't you?' I said.

'Forget the interviews. If it's in your fate, you will get a job.' Dadi said. 'And Nandu, I still don't understand why is she searching for jobs! She's 24 now and has completed her Messie.. '

'M.Sc..' I corrected.

'Whatever you call it..' Dadi said offended and turned to mamma. 'At this age, you were already married to Suku and I was the mother of three children. When will your daughter get married?' she turned to me again.

I gave her a look of annoyance. This fight was common between me and Dadi.

'After you get married again and I get an uncle or aunt to play with, Subarnarekha Devi.' I said, making her eyes widen.

'What? Hare Krishna.. Hare Krishna..' Dadi pulled my ears and I screamed while laughing out loud.

'Maji...I shall not interfere in this. It's between you two.' Mamma chuckled, leaving for the kitchen.

'Dadi, it hurts...!' I squealed, faking more pain.

'Suku, did you hear your daughter? She's git no filter between her brain and mouth.' Dadi asked Papa, who just smiled. I know. She's just like her grandmother.' he said, living for the bedroom.

'What? Who?' Dadi asked in annoyance.

I laughed hard, pulling my ears off her soft grip. 'Like my sweet and sour Dadi..' I hugged her from behind..'

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'No Shobhna..I don't think it's a good idea. May be it has worked for you but...' I explained my best friend who suggested me to meet MLA Vikrant Manchandani and ask for a job.

It worked for her. Her funda was simple and clever. Asking for something to a politician at the eve of an election won't be turned down by any means.

I disconnected the call.

Vikrant Manchandani. Never have I ever, since gaining my senses, heard anything good about that person. A number of murders, rapes and massacres are charged against him and his goons. But, due to the power-position dynamics, no justice is served.

No matter what happens, I'll never seek favor from that man.

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