Oh Calcutta!

The Day-Out

Next day, exactly at 12 noon, Emraan went to the same brothel. This time he did not hesitate to enter. He swiftly opened the door, went past the passage and finally reached the hall. He saw all women were busy. Some were cooking, some cleaning and moping, and some were busy in making Saritaa wear a Saree and putting on make up. Saritaa was dressed vibriantly. Almost plausible she was not a normal girl.

Emraan felt a sharp pain in his heart. He felt extremely inconsolable to think about a young girl's fate. Saritaa asked Emraan, "Which Hotel are you going to take me? Or is it a party of friends?" Emraan did not utter a word.

Emraan and Saritaa left the brothel. Emraan made Saritaa enter into his car. Emraan took the driver's seat.

"You look like an angel!", exclaimed Emraan as he started his car.

"An Angel who can fulfill all your dreams.", said Saritaa. She did not want to have used that sexual innuendo, but it was part of her job.

Emraan did not say a thing. They just drove through the flyovers of Kolkata. Last time Saritaa has seen a flyover was when she first came to Kolkata.

It was almost evening when they reached infront of Victoria Memorial. Saritaa was confused.

Emraan bought tickets for two and sat on the smooth green grass of the splendour. Saritaa sat beside him.

Emraan asked, " Do You Know the name of this place?"

Saritaa said, " Yes I do. It is Victoria Memorial. I have always wanted to come here since I came to Kolkata."

Emraan asked," Where did you stay before?"

Saritaa had a painful flashback of her childhood and said nothing.

They sat there till the sun had set. Saritaa was now  really confused and was thinking about what Emraan will do to her. From the first day, Emraan has not touched her once.

Emraan stood up, smiled at her, told her to follow him to the car. Saritaa thought it was the end of such a beautiful day and now it was the time to offer her service to Emraan. She was sure that Emraan will now take her to a hotel or a nightstay where she will have to please Emraan with all her body. Saritaa felt shivers down her spine. She does not know why, but she had developed an odd reverence for him. She feels respect for a client! She was disturbed by this absurd thought of hers.

Emraan indeed took Saritaa to a big hotel, but instead of booking a suite of room, Emraan procceded to the diner. Saritaa has only seen such places on the hazy television screen in Praveen's room. The dim yellow light and soft music has created a ambience which made Saritaa feel awkward in such a high profile place.

They took a seat.

Emraan and Saritaa started their dinner. Emraan noticed she was struggling to use spoon and knife to eat. Emraan gave an assuring smile and said her that it is Okay if she uses her hand to eat. Saritaa was releived. She put aside her knife and started eating with her hands. People on other tables gave Saritaa a disgusted look.

"Look, she is using hands to eat."

"She must be some illiterate who has never been to such a place"

"But look at her dress? Is that her husband? I hear these Muslims have young girls as wives"

"What if, she is just an escort and that old guy has just brought her to this hotel to... you know...."

"Yikes... that old man is filthy paedophilie."

Emraan heard pieces of these conversation and felt how easily people judge others. People assume things more quicker than time's pinions flow through. Saritaa did not hear anything as she was engrossed in such a grand meal. Emraan did not care what those people said about him or her, Emraan just felt a great satisfaction just to see Saritaa eat her meal with such relished expression. She had two ice creams!

They left the place. They were again in their car. Emraan turned on the radio. Saritaa sang along with some latest tracks. Saritaa has now become more flexible in front of Emraan. Emraan smiled a little.

Saritaa started saying, " This is the Kolkata, I always dreamed about when I stayed at Kalyani."

Emraan did not say a word.

Saritaa continued, "My Mother was a home maker and my father was a gambler, whose only job was to drink and play poker, one day, when dad was more drunk than he usually was. He and mom had a heated argument. This conflict rose to such a extent that my devil dad killed off my mom with a machete. I saw her bleed to death...I saw my closest human die with pain and anguish."

Her voice shivered as she spoke. Emraan listened quietly and felt more pity for Saritaa.

Saritaa continued,"My father had fleed Kalyani and my uncle took me off to Krishnanagar, I loved my uncle, he is a great man. But my aunt was a witch. She could have swallowed every person with her gaze. She hated me. She abused me physically every now and then; finally she sold me off to Praveen and here I am now."

Emraan said in a voice of consolation, "Why did not your uncle say anything?"

Saritaa answered with a sad smile, " He did not have the authority to do so."

Saritaa did not notice that they had reached infront of the brothel. She got off the car and came infront of the window of the driver's seat.

Emraan noticed tears rolling Saritaa's cheeks. He  wiped them with his hands and smiled and said, "It is not your fault child."

Saritaa made her lips make a broken smile and said, "This was the best day of my life. Thank You Sir."

Emraan put his hands on her head and swayed his hands through her hair.

He said, "I will come again this Sunday."