Ms Banerjee and her Dr Babu

Chapter 4

The festive air of Durga Puja buzzed around Chaitali like a million excited bees. The last day of the puja, the air thrummed with a bittersweet joy. Laughter and music spilled out from elaborately decorated pandals, their illuminations painting the night sky in a kaleidoscope of colors. Chaitali, dressed in a beautiful silk saree gifted by her Masi, walked hand-in-hand with her aunt, their smiles wide and infectious.

They weaved through the joyous crowd, stopping to admire the intricate idol of Durga Maa at each pandal. The aroma of incense and street food filled the air, a symphony of delicious smells that made Chaitali's stomach rumble. Masi, ever the indulgent one, bought her a piping hot plate of momos, the tangy explosion of flavors a burst of festivity on her tongue.

As they rounded a corner, they stumbled upon a particularly captivating sight. A young boy, no older than ten, stood mesmerized in front of a brightly lit pandal. He was dressed in worn clothes, his eyes wide with wonder as he gazed at the idol. In his hand, he clutched a small, crumpled rupee note, clearly all the money he possessed.

Chaitali noticed a flicker of sadness in the boy's eyes. He looked longingly at a stall selling colorful balloons, their helium strings tugging playfully at the breeze. Masi, following Chaitali's gaze, understood immediately.

With a wink, Masi nudged Chaitali forward. Chaitali approached the boy, a gentle smile on her face. "oyee" she greeted him softly.

The boy looked up, startled, confusion spread across his face. "huh!," he mumbled back.

Chaitali crouched down to his level. "ballons chahiye?" she asked, gesturing towards the stall. The boy's eyes widened, then darted down to the crumpled note in his hand.

Chaitali reached into her purse and pulled out a few notes. "niye ne "[take it] she said, extending the money towards him. "eta mayer kacha theke uphar hisabe mane niye ne."[take it as a gift from ma]

The boy's eyes welled up with tears. He shook his head, his voice barely a whisper. " na na ami eta nite parbo na eta apnaara taka, ami tomake sodha karaate parbo na" [No no, I can't take this. It's your money i cant repay you.]

Chaitali's heart melted. "eta thik ache niye ja cinta kori na "[It's okay don't worry about it] she insisted, placing the money in his hand. "Go on, pick a balloon. It's Puja, afterall"

The boy hesitated for a moment, then a grin broke out on his face. He thanked Chaitali profusely before racing towards the balloon stall, his eyes sparkling with delight. Chaitali watched him float a bright red balloon into the night sky, a symbol of his simple joy.

Masi wrapped her arm around Chaitali's shoulder, a proud smile on her face. "You have a kind heart, Chaitali," she said. "ekdom tore mayer moto"{just like your mother]

Chaitali beamed. In that moment, amidst the vibrant chaos of Durga Puja, she felt a warmth bloom in her chest. It wasn't just the festive lights or the delicious food; it was the simple act of kindness, the joy she had brought to a stranger's face. This was the true essence of Durga Puja, a celebration of good over evil, of light over darkness, and Chaitali knew, with a certainty that settled deep within her, that this was a memory she would cherish 

As dusk approached, they settled down near a particularly magnificent pandal. The idol, bathed in the soft glow of diyas, seemed to radiate an otherworldly power. Chaitali leaned against Pritha, a comfortable silence settling between them.

"Masi," Chaitali began, her voice a soft murmur, "remember that time you told me the story of how Durga Maa conquered Mahishasura?"

Pritha chuckled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Of course I do, silly girl. You wouldn't let me forget it for weeks!"