The Unnaturals . Book 2

Part 30 Rajani's Saga

Rajani's saga

One day something happened back in Adityanarayanpur, that completely derailed Duke and Piku's tranquil routine.

Piku's beloved Didi, Rajani, ran away from home.

It was a completely unexpected jolt and the entire family felt paralyzed with shock. The situation had been brewing for over a year but had gone unnoticed by everybody.

It was Bhattacharjee moshai's fault. He'd introduced Rajani to someone who brought about this storm in her life.

It was the young, recently appointed post master.

Newly passed out with a MA degree from Calcutta University, he was appointed in the village post office. Seeing a young, educated fellow East Bengali living all by himself, Bhattacharjee moshai had invited him home for dinner. From then onwards, he was a regular feature in their household.

Bhattacharjee moshai welcomed his presence, it filled the gap left by Piku. He was tall, dark and sharp featured with a shocking set of beautiful black curly hair. He looked remarkably like Piku and behaved a little like him too.

Laughing at Bhattacharjee moshai's small jokes with a big booming voice, telling Riku and Tiku stories about his childhood in Dhaka, playing carom with them, complementing Uma's cooking, he quickly became a regular visitor who was always welcomed.

He would come whenever he was free and spend time chatting with Bhattacharjee moshai and drinking tea. Often, he'd end up staying for a meal. No one understood that there was an ulterior motive behind his regular visits.

The first indication of any trouble came when it was too late.

Early one morning the household woke up to see that there was no fire burning in the kitchen fireplace There was no tea on the dining room table. In its place was a letter addressed to Bhattacharjee moshai.

In it was written,

'I beg your forgiveness for what I have done. Please try to forgive me.

Please don't worry about me. This person will take care of me and always keep me safe.

I once again apologize for my selfishness.

With pranaam,

Rajani.'

The shock left her parents dumbfounded. They had no idea that underneath the quiet, soothing, smiling countenance of their dear daughter lay a boiling volcano ready to erupt. They didn't even know who it was that had caused the eruption. They sat together, that day, forgetting everything, just sitting on their bed remembering their beloved daughter and felt deeply frightened for her safety.

Who was this person she had referred to? Who did their daughter lay her trust upon? This grinding anxiety was tearing up their hearts and they felt utterly helpless.

The kitchen fire wasn't lit that day. Nobody bathed or ate. The entire household seemed to be frozen with shock. Riku and Tiku walked around disconsolately, asking for food and finally giving up, went off to their friend's house to be fed.

Two days later came a telegram from Lucknow. Ranadeb, shed some light to the situation.

He wrote to them that Rajani has arrived in Lucknow safely along with her escort and is staying with his family. They are not to worry. Letter to follow.

Finally, things started to fall into place. Their widowed daughter had run away from home to go to her uncle's house in Lucknow. Her parents could breathe a little.