Sharod Utsav

Durga

Utsav woke up on the morning of Nabami (ninth day of Durga Puja) still reeling from the events of last night. At breakfast, it was just him and Shinjini.

"So, spill the beans! I wanna know every small detail!"

"You're too young for that."

"I'm literally an undergraduate now. C'mon, please!"

"Nope. Not a chance."

"You're the worst!"

"I know that pretty well", said Utsav smilingly.

It was around 1 pm when he texted Monica.

"Afternoon, sunshine. I wish I could relive every moment from last night except for the part where you were crying. I don't like that view. Thanks for bringing magic back into my life. Come over soon!"

There was no reply. He tried calling her but her phone was switched off. Around 4 pm, he went to Shin's room.

"Hey, sup?", said Shin without moving her eyes from her phone.

"Have you heard from Monica?"

"Oh..."

"What?"

"She called this morning."

"And?"

"She asked me not to tell you."

"I need to know if she's alright, Shin. Please."
"She's alright but-"

"-but what?"

"But jethu isn't. He's in the hospital and Moni di and jethima are with him."

"Shit. What hospital is he in?"

"I asked her but she said she'll let me once he gets better."

"What do you mean 'I asked her'? He's not just her dad but he's our jethu too! We need to make sure he's okay!"

"I asked her repeatedly but this was all she said."

"COULDN'T YOU INSIST? EMNI TOH ETO BOKISH AR KAAJ ER SHOMOY KICHU NA!" (COULDN'T YOU INSIST? USUALLY, YOU CAN'T SHUT YOUR TRAP AND WHEN NEEDED, NOTHING!)

"DON'T YOU DARE SHOUT AT ME!"

She pushed him out of the room and closed the door on his face. Utsav stood there feeling guilty. A minute later, he heard Shin sobbing.

"Shin, open the door. I'm sorry."

"GO AWAY!"

"Please, Shin. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have behaved that way. I'm really sorry."

After a while, Shin opened the door and on seeing Utsav, she hugged him and started crying hysterically.

"YOU THINK I DON'T CARE ABOUT HIM?!"

"Shh. It's okay. He'll be okay."

"Is there any way we can find him?"

"I have jethima's number, I think. I'll try calling her."

"Do it. Right. Now."

"Okay."

Utsav tried calling the number multiple times but it was switched off. He was pacing around the room while Shinjini sat on the bed, sobbing.

"We'll figure something out. Keep faith.", said Utsav as he hugged Shin tightly.

"You better do."

Throughout the day, Shin tried calling Monica several times but in vain. Chirantan and Utsav searched every hospital they could but to no end. At around 10 in the night, all three of them gathered in the living room.