Jalsaghar

Jane Anjane

Something hit Biren in the chest after listening to that name. BUKKU... He bent and kissed the baby's forehead... Biren's eyes filled with tears and he closed his eyes. It's been so long he heard that name spoken allowed. He has never encountered anyone else called by that name. It was like a sweet wound he carried with him in his soul for so long... that name Bukku.

Biren: Tum aur main...hum pukke Bondhu banne wale hai kyunki humari ek cheez common hai pata hai kya?

Bukku: Nai.. kya Bondhu?

Biren: Mera koi tha jo mujhe bhi Bukku kehke bulata tha... Mera naam bhi bukku tha. Par tumhe kon Bukku kehke bulata hai?

Bukku: Achha, mujhe meri Mimi... meli Mimi Bukku bulati hai. Aapko kon Bukku kehta hai?...

Biren: Mujhe meri Mrinu... meri Mrinu Bukku bulati hai...

Bukku: (smiled) Oh... Aap kya football khelte ho Bondhu?

Biren: (smiled) Haa khelta tha kabhi...

Bukku: Mimi kehti hai, jab main bada ho jaunga toh main bhi apne baba ki tarah football khelunga aur jeetunga bhi.

Abhi nahi khel sakta...(He said pensively)

Biren: Achha aisa kyun?

Bukku: Mimi ne mujhe abhi football leke nahi diya... aur mujhe khelna aata bhi nahi. Aur Mimi ko sikhana bhi nahi aata...

Biren: Bohot jald tum football kheloge. I promise...

Bukku: Sachchi...(he rounded his eyes like saucers) kaise?

Biren: Arey main tumhara Bondhu hu na... Main seekhaunga tumhe...

Bukku was so happy he lifted his arms, and Biren picked him up in his arms. Bukku kissed him on his cheeks and held him tightly. Biren noticed many things at that moment. The child belonged to some lower income family and he was also very lean. The parents must be struggling with this immense financial burden. He thought to ask around...

In Robi's office..

Biren: I want Bukku's medical file and also any other personal details. I mean about the family and their condition. He is so lean.

Robi: (Smiled at his friends concern, Biren had always been like this. Always ready with his every resource to help anybody know or unknown) Actualy Biren, we have only seen his mother. Mujhe laga that the lady might be in need of some help, because when I told her about the operation, the first thing she asked for is the amount needed. A very young lady to be a mother of three actually. But what can one say about someone's situation. But, I wanted your reassurance that your Mrinmayi Trust would help if she needed it.

She was so worried and lost, that I took the liberty to aske for your help even before she asked for. We can't delay the operation much... What do you think.

Biren: Naa, Robi he is too weak and lean to be able to cope with the operation. I need him more stable and healthy before he can be operated on.

Robi: Yes i agree with you but they have come from outstation. How will they cope with the extra expense of staying in this city, I don't know.

Biren: Oh you don't worry about that... I have a place in my mind. They can stay at my place...

Robi: You mean your Chattujje Sadan... Bas Choyonika teri jaan lelegi ab...

Biren: No I meant Rakhal kaka's house behind Chattujje Sadan... Just offer everything they need.. Tell them it will be all funded by Mrinu's trust, so they should not worry about anything.

In the Durga Temple...

Mrinu sat there like a stone after Shubhra left. Dread clouding her vision and worry destroying all hope. Her Bukku... She turned to look at maa Durga's Idol. and she thought.. " Raasta dikhao maa, aap toh jag janani ho, mera aap ke siwai aur koi nahi... samne ghup andhera hai maa, par mujhe toh aage badhna hai. Bukku ke ilaj ke liye main kuchh bhi karungi. Aap koi bhi tyag mangogi main peechhe nahi hatungi. Mujhe mera bachcha sehatmand chahiye Maa. Bas aap kaise karogi mujhe nahi pata par yeh mujhe chahiye. Aur isme main koi kami bardasht nahi kar paungi... Main andheron mein kadam badha rahi hu maa par mujhe dar nahi hai. Aap meri aur mere Bukku ki Raksha karengi yeh mujhe pata hai"

Mrinu got up from the temple stairs where she had touched her forehead and with tears driiping her eyes but fierce determination in her stride she walked towards the hospital.