The Adventures of a Dumb Detective and his Wily Mate.

Untitled Part 6

Chapter 6

Ani carried the tea pot and the snacks into his Ma's room. His face looked distorted thanks to the swelling. Animesh's wife had beaten him and slapped him across the face today for forgetting to bring her a glass of water.

Hiranmayi stared at him for a long silent moment and then looked away. She heaved a deep sigh and said, 'come here' beckoning him to her bedside. She pulled out her homemade pain reducing salve and gently applied it to his face.

'I fell down the stairs.' Ani muttered sullenly, without any prodding for an excuse.

Hiranmayi glanced up at his reddened eyes and focused on his wounded face.

'Uhm, Ma, can I keep this tub of medicine with me? You can make more, can't you? I mean, I need it sometimes for small cuts and burns.' He said and petered off into silence looking at his Ma's unblinking stare at his face.

They ate quietly and Ani got up to leave while the older lady sat near her window in broody silence.

As he was about to leave, she said, 'ask your mejo boudi to visit me for a minute dear.'

Ani nodded and left.

'Ani, come here.' It was the eldest, Rishikesh's voice.

Ani froze. His feet halted and heart stopped. He looked back at Animesh's room but his door was shut. Ma's door was ajar but that was in the other end of the corridor. But what could he possibly say to her?

Make your eldest son stop tormenting me? Your beloved eldest is molesting me? How would he even word such an accusation. It sounded ridiculous even to his own self.

'Ani!!!' The voice was louder this time. Ani walked into the study knowing fully what was in store for him.

A man in his early thirties was seated across the desk. He looked up and said, 'bring me some water.'

Ani wordlessly walked over to the jug and poured out a glass of water. He walked up to him and stretching his hand out, put the glass near him without going too close to his person.

Rishikesh picked up the glass and drank the water down. His eyes stayed focused on Ani's face without blinking.

'Take it away.' he said, pointing at the glass and Ani released the breath he was holding unconsciously.

He picked up the glass and wordlessly left the room. With his heart beating a rapid drumbeat, he ran all the way to the kitchen. The radio was on in the living room and there was a cheerful chatter coming from it. The family were all in there, waiting for dinner.

Ani got busy with the cook . Dinner ready, he served it downstairs first and then carried Ma and Baba's tray upstairs. They were talking quietly about their eldest, Rishikesh's recent visit to Benaras.

The old man said, 'Price of silk is going up too fast. Maybe we could buy some Chinese silk.'

Hiranmayi shook her head in disagreement. 'Na, na, that's too heavy, not suitable for our weather and they're too gaudy. Not our Bengali taste. Benarasi silks are forever. I'm keeping my wedding Benarasi for Ani's wife. She can wear it for her wedding night.'

Ani turned pink. 'If it's for me then give it to me! I'll make a nice sherwani out of it! I love the colour .. such a magnificent purple!'

Hiranmayi said, 'Look at this spoilt brat! He's already planning to cut up my wedding saree! Fine, you can have it for your birthday. Now, have you packed your Baba's bag?'

Ani nodded. 'I did that in the evening. Only Baba's slippers are left.' He walked across the room and lifted a heavy leather bag and plonked it in front of the older people. 'Baba, look through it once. I've put enough for two nights.'