Naukadubi: The Boatwreck

Chapter 14

Jogendra, Annadababu's eldest son had returned home from the west early the next morning. Today, being Saturday, the talk of Hemnalini's wedding the following Sunday was in the air. However, as Jogendra approached their home, he sensed no aroma of the festive atmosphere. Jogendra imagined that by now, a garland of celestial flowers had begun to sway over the entrance of their home. Coming closer, he noticed no distinction between their dwelling and the adjacent desolate house.

Filled with fear, he hesitated, fearing someone within might be ailing or facing distress. Upon entering, he found their old manservant Anando, preparing refreshments at the tea table unmindfully.
Anandababu, his father, half-submerged in contemplation, kept a partially consumed teacup beside the saucer, engrossed in reading the newspaper.

Jogendra, upon entering, inquired,
"Baba... How is Hem?" 
Annadababu replied casually,
"Well."

"What's the matter with the wedding?  Jogendra asked, a little impatience lacing his tone, and Annada kept rye newspaper beside and answered,
"It will take place next Sunday, after this Sunday."

Jogendra asked again,
"And why?" 
Anandada let out a sigh and replied,
"Ask your friend." He looked away. "Ramesh has informed us that due to some urgent matter, the marriage must be postponed until the following Sunday."

Jogendra stood there speechless for a few moments, expressing his frustration with his helpless father, questioned,
"Baba, if I am not here, it seems calamities befall the family. Why does Ramesh need such special treatment? If there's any personal issue, let him speak; I see no hindrance in his openness. Why yield to Ramesh so easily?"

Annada retorted,
"Oh, come on! He's independent. If he has any specific need, let him express it. He has decided to postpone the wedding until next Sunday. Why press him for details?"

Jogendra however was not to be dominated. He paced the room a few times and spoke again.
"If he has any personal issue, he can reveal it. By letting Ramesh go so easily, you are making things complicated."

"Complicated? How?" Annada looked perplexed.

Jogendra didn't prolong this futile conversation with his father. He sipped the hot tea and immediately finished the cup.
Annadababu remarked, "Ah, Jogin, what's the rush? You didn't even eat what was served."

Ignoring Annadababu's words, Jogendra swiftly left and rushed to Ramesh's house the next door.
"Ramesh! Ramesh!" He called out several times, but no response. After thorough searching, his behara said,
"Ramesh Dadababu went out early in the morning."

"Any idea when he'd return? Jogendra enquired.
The behara informed thoughtfully, "Babu, he left in a hurry, carrying some clothes. He might take three to five days to return, maybe more. I don't know where he went." He began to scratch his head.

Jogendra, concerned, returned as hastily as he had gone out.
Annadababu asked,
"What happened?"
Annoyed, Jogendra said, "What else? Except for today, Ramesh has been with Hem all the time it seems. And now that the marriage is tomorrow, he's to be found nowhere.  Doesn't this bother you a bit Baba? His house is right next to yours!"

Annadababu stood up, surprised. He cleared his throat and said,
"But Ramesh was at his house last night." Jogendra, agitated, exclaimed,
"You don't know where he's going, and she, his would-be wife, doesn't know where he went too. What kind of hide-and-seek is this? I have no peace of mind. Baba, how are you so carefree?"

The situation had heated up without minutes, and Annadababu was trying his best to contemplate. With a grave expression, he finally said,
"Indeed, what's all this?"

Ramesh, oblivious to the impending storm, had only bid a casual farewell to Annadababu the night before. However, the weight of his unspoken words lingered within him, cloaked in the cryptic phrase "special need."
Ramesh's every thought had been laid bare before him, wrapped in nonchalance. Amidst all these, he had effortlessly secured his temporary farewell, seemingly unaffected in discharging his duties.

Jogendra, searching for Hemnalini, found her immersed in sorrow. Attempting to comfort her, he went upstairs, stating,
"Ramesh's peculiar behavior is causing great embarrassment; that's why he avoids meeting me perhaps."

Hem didn't raise her head to reply to her brother.

With compassion, Jogendra went up to Hemnalini. She, seated in solitude in the spacious room, hastily grabbed a book upon hearing Jogendra's footsteps. As he approached, he reassured Hemnalini with empathy.

Hemnalini, in distress, expressed, "He intended to tell me the reason. It was I who didn't feel the need to hear it."

Jogendra, pondering the depth of her emotions, suggested,
"Well, we can bring it out; I'll settle everything. Hem, did Ramesh give any reason for avoiding you? Us?"

Hemnalini struggled to answer.

Jogendra sensed Hemnalini's apprehension, contemplating the gravity of her pride and the authentic honesty in Ramesh's actions. He said, "Alright, I will go to him and bring everything to light."

Hemnalini, determined, proclaimed,
"No, brother, I won't allow it. I don't harbor any doubts about him. I won't let you confront him."

Jogendra realized her steadfastness, thinking that perhaps Hemnalini was as proud as Ramesh. He assured her, "Alright, you won't have to. I'll resolve everything. But, Hem, Ramesh must have some concerns."

As Jogendra was about to leave, Hemnalini rose, saying, "No, brother, I won't allow you to talk to him. Whatever doubts he has, let him keep them. If he ever feels the need, he will come to me."

Observing Hemnalini's unwavering determination, Jogendra reflected on the complexities of Ramesh's character. He muttered to himself, "Withdrawal of the 'reason' pledge is not an option. I will go to him again."

With this, Jogendra left, and Hemnalini resumed her quiet contemplation.

Jogendra, heading out, was met by Akshay who said, "Hey Jogin, you've heard it all, right? Now, what's on your mind?"

Jogendra, with myriad thoughts, fabricated falsehoods with all his suspicions, pondering, "What can be, in the delicate discourse at the tea table, discussing the subtleties of the mind?"

Akshay replied, "You know, delicate discourse isn't my style. Call it philosophy, call it perspective, call it poetry. I understand work; that's why I've come to talk about Ramesh. Where is he now?"

Akshay assured, "I can tell."

Jogendra questioned, "Where?"

Akshay replied, "I won't tell you now. At three o'clock, I'll arrange a meeting for you with Ramesh."

Jogendra inquired, "What does all these mean? Let me see if you're hiding anything. If you keep evading, I won't move."

Akshay, pleased, remarked, "I'm glad to hear that. Evading isn't my style. In a way, you've opened my unyielding cover. My sister avoids me, my father accuses me, and even Ramesh Babu doesn't get excited when he meets me. Now it's only you. I fear you, Jogendra – you're not a man of delicate discourse; the substantial task suits you easily. I'm telling you, I can't bear whatever you can't."

Jogendra retorted, "See, Akshay, I don't like your pretentious moves. Let's get to the point – what news do you have to share? Elaborate and let's settle it."

Akshay conceded, "Fine, if that's the case, let me be blunt – you don't know much. I'll make an earnest effort to increase your wisdom. Why? Because handling complicated matters comes naturally to you."

Jogendra responded, "Look, Akshay, your convoluted tactics don't sit well with me. Just tell me straightforwardly – what's the matter?"