More than just Feluda (Fanfic)

In The Mitter House!

Mr Mitter was given discharge in evening the next day, and Sujata was going to start working at his place from the day after that. 

It was Sujata's first day at the Mitter bungalow today. She started from her quarters in time and found an autorikshaw. The Auto dropped her at Rajani Sen road and from there she started walking through the street, finding house no. 21. She couldn't help smiling when she remembered the conversation with Tapeshbabu that she had the previous day.

"I will tell Naren to send our address to you on mobile so you can come easily."

"Well, I won't really need the address if you haven't shifted anywhere else!"

Tapeshbabu smiled. "Yes, but I'll have it sent to you, just in case."

Coming back to the present, Sujata walked past no.18, then 19, then 20, and finally 21. She stood in front of the house. It was a 2-storey bungalow of old design, a small garden on the side and a wooden door on the front. She pressed on the doorbell. The door was opened by Naren. He led Sujata to the hall. Sujata looked around in excitement like a little kid, remembering all the times she had read scenes from the book taking place in this very hall!... But this wasn't exactly as she imagined, it was a bit less interesting, looking like a totally normal hall in a house; except for two  photo-frames. Both the frames had pictures of old couples in them, but one looked much older in black & white and the other was in colour. 

Must be Felu -errmmm, Mr Mitter's and Tapesh Babu's parents...

Sujata sat on the sofa and Naren went to bring water. Just then, Tapeshbabu came in and greeted her. His wife, Malini debi came in 5 minutes later, and met Sujata. She was a typical old indian woman. Slightly fat, hair white at the roots, glasses, and an old cotton saree. Naren ji had now brought tea and Sujata talked with them on general matters like the weather, the city, how cabs charge so much nowadays etc etc. But she wasn't really interested in all these conversations, she was eager to see her favourite childhood hero's room, hoping to see some interesting stuff there. 

She soon went up the stairs into Mr Mitter's room, and stood in the doorway with wide eyes. It was a room with old design and wooden furniture. From the door, there was a quite big window on the opposite wall, staring into the street. To the left of the window was a tall bookshelf full with books and.... And dark-blue diaries!! The same ones he had supposedly written notes for every case in!... This was so cool, Sujata wanted to grab one of them and see what every page looked like, what case it was about... She reminded herself that she had come here for work , and so decided to control her excitement. She looked the other way. On the right of the window, she saw a desk with some random papers and stuff scattered with a notepad, some pens and a magnifying glass. The wall left to the bookshelf had two cupboards (why two though? she thought) and the wall right to the desk had another door, probably having a washroom or something. Now she finally turned sideways. there was the bed on which Mr Mitter was sleeping. There were some photos above the bed which she couldn't see clearly from the door. Coming back down to the bed, there was a table on its other side. 

Sujata sat on a chair near Mr Mitter's bed and woke him up. She checked him and declared he was fine today. After checking, she took out a colourful diary and pen from her bag.

"What's this for?" Mr Mitter asked furrowing his eyebrows.

"I... Actually wanted your autograph. I'm a huge fan!..."

"I don't give autographs randomly. One time I had a fan visiting for autograph,-"

"-He broke into your hotel room, knocked you unconscious and fleed with the object that he stole. I know. I've read it in the books."

"So you really are a fan."

"Yes, I am. And I assure you I wouldn't harm you any more than a few bitter medicines. Can I please get an autograph now? Pleeeaaase?"

Mr Mitter slightly smiled. He took the diary and drew a signature with his shaky hands.

"Thank you so much! And... If you wouldn't mind...."

She took out her mobile and opened the camera. Mr Mitter guessed it quickly.

"Ay, I'm not getting any photos of myself, okay? Close that."

"But I just want a selfie with my favourite book character. Pleeaaase!"

"I already gave you a signature. That's enough. Turn that off now."

"Just ONE selfie, I promise!... I would never ever bother you after that. Please!.."

"I said no."

"I'm your fan. I don't deserve a no..."

"Close that mobile."

"Mitter Babu, please, just one!"

He froze for a moment, and Sujata quickly grabbed the opportunity to take a selfie.

"Thank you so very much!"

"Don't call me that."

"Call what? Mitter Babu?"

"Yes. Don't." His eyes shone differently once again like in the hospital, and she couldn't understand it once again. The next moment. It was all gone. He was normal like before once again. Sujata decided not to test his patience anymore. 

"Okay, I'm sorry. I'll remember."

The atmosphere was getting weird, so she quickly changed the subject to Mr Mitter's daily pills.

After her checking and work was over, Sujata went to the table besides Mr Mitter's bed to check his medicine-box. She took the box, but her eyes went to something else on the table. A small black & white photo in a frame, maybe just as big her hand.