The Unnaturals . Book 2

Part 15 Thakurma

Chapter 15

Thakurma

Back at the main house , the matriarch resided in the central wing of the sprawling mansion .

Since the first zamindar built this house over a 100 years ago , every subsequent generation had built their own additions creating a massive chaotic sprawl .

The central wing , deep ochre in color , had been built with Greek pillars which supported massive balconies running the entire length of the first floor . The balconies were shaded with wooden trellis and had shining red oxide flooring . There were marble statues next to every door and brass plant pots overflowing with verdant indoor plants .

Amola devi, Duke's grandmother , kept a hawk's eye over the upkeep of the house so every nook and cranny shone with love and care . In front of the room she had shared with her husband for 60 years , stood an enormous reclining chair . That chair belonged to her husband Adityanarayan. He would relax there with his feet up on the footstool and smoke his hookah pipe every evening . He would listen to the gramophone playing his favorite music and spend the evenings whistling tunelessly to them .

Now that chair lay empty but not neglected . On it lay a framed picture of her husband adorned with a garland of jasmine . Her habitual seat was next to him in a creaky teakwood rocking chair as enormous as her husband's seat . She sat there, most of her days , running the household as if she were conducting an orchestra . Her loud voice would harangue the servants , the cooks , the market goers and her daughter in laws with equal fervor .

When she was alone , she'd talk to the picture sitting next to her , as if her companion of 60 years was right there beside her . She could feel his quiet presence deep in her bones . There was no need for his physical being . Her husband was a part of her soul .

Duke dragged a scared Piku upstairs to his grandmother's domain . The matriarch was sitting on her creaky throne , swaying back and forth . When she saw the boys , she frowned deeply and looked away with a huff . 

Piku rushed forward and bent down . Touching both his hands on the old woman's feet , he touched his hands to his forehead doing the proper pranaam . He stood guiltily in front of her and with folded hands greeted her formally saying ,' Shubho Bijoya , Thakurma .'

Amola devi glared up at him . Now Piku squatted in front of her and took her in his arms and hugged her and spoke beseechingly .

'Please forgive me Thakurma, I didn't mean to hurt you . I completely forgot and this idiot didn't remind me on purpose so that I miss getting my present .'

The old woman let out  a hmp, 'Present? What present? Who's giving you a present. You're not getting anything, you monkey. Get out of my sight.'

Asharani had come up for something and stood nearby watching this scene . She advocated on Piku's behalf, 'please forgive him Ma , my poor innocent second son ! He never means to harm anyone . He's Duke's good luck charm you know ! Since the day they became friends , my Duke has stopped getting into those silly accidents .'

The boys exchanged a guilty glance. Asharani had no clue about their many misadventures .

'He's lucky for Duke and is my sweet sweet boy.' She added and came closer . She rubbed her hand on Piku's back and tweaked his chin .

'Hmp ! Sweet boy, my head ! Look at his size ! He's a giant. Only Madan is taller than him in this entire district.' Thakurma grumbled .

Piku stared her imploringly and melted her a little .

She grunted mock seriously and added ... 'Alright alright , fine , I forgive you but on one condition . You have to sit here and massage my legs .'

She was bound to relent anyway but planned to extract every ounce of attention she could gain out of these two now that she had a chance . Never could she stay angry at this dear boy, who'd grown into a man in front of her eyes.