The Weeping Stars

My Friend Runa

It was around 6:00 pm, when she reached Runa's house. It was a sprawling structure built by Runa's great-grandfather, who was the priest in the Jamindar's (feudal lord) temple. Runa told me that the plot along with a small agricultural land was a gift to the family from the Jamindar, Raghunath Banerjee, to her great-grandfather in recognition of his services to the family. The house was a two-storied structure with the courtyard opening on the road. The rest of the house was abutted by the lake on oneside and a mango garden on the other two. The parting rays of the sun that could penetrate the thick barried of trees, were making funny shapes on the wall. The yellow house looked like a leopard basking in the rays of the sun. Isha shakes her head in amusement. Her fancy always runs away with her.

Isha paid off the rickshaw and checked the door for any doorbell. Finding none, she knocked the chain that was hanging on frame, hoping it will withstand such a torture.

"Who is it?", a deep voice enquired.

How do you answer that. "It's me' is a silly reply, as almost everybody is actually a 'me'".

"I am a friend of Runa from...Kha..er..Kolkata. My name is Isha".

After a moment the door creaked open to reveal an old lady in a saree that has seen better days. Deciding that she must be the servant, Isha stepped on the threshold uncertainly.

A man in his late 60's was observing her from a distance. After an inimidating appraisal, he raised himself languidly from the chair.

"Do come inside, I am Runa's uncle. Take a seat while I fetch Runa. She is on the terrace with the rest of the family."

Isha debated on bringing in her luggage, but decided to wait for Runa. The courtyard opened to rows of doors on the three sides. A stairway was tucked inbetween two door on the far right. A detached building on the right side was obviously the kitchen, from where a faint glow of bulb was casting a weak shadow on a broad veranda in front of it. The noise suggested that dinner was being prepared. The rest of the house was dark as the sunrays could not reach over the walls into the dard rooms. All the rooms were connected by a broad veranda that ran alongsider full length of the courtyard. it was on this veranda that Isha sat.

Soon footsteps were heard on the stairs. Runa came racing across the courtyard, her eyes sparkling with pure joy. Runa  is a girl of medium build, with wheatish complexion and a generous smile. Her greatest strength was a thick mane of black hair that can rival the midnight sky.

"Oh, you finally came. I can't believe it. I am so happy", said Runa as she pulled Isha in a tight hug. Runa was closely followed by a beautiful woman in her late 40's. She was elegantly dressed in a saree and light golden jewellery. Isha bowed low to touch her feet.

"Welcome, my child. Runa has been expecting you all week. She has also cleared a part of her closet for you to put your things in, as you will be sharing her room. You must be pretty tired. Runa, show her to your room. You will meet the rest of the family during dinner."

"Thankyou Aunty", Isha murmered shyly. Although Isha has spend many weekends with the Mullicks, she has never been to their anchestral home. It was a coincidence that she good an appointment in the local school. However, it turned to be a blessing, as she will atleast have one familiar family in the neighbourhoo. Runa will be returning to her studies in Kolkata after a month, but her parents will stay back for the year.

"Oh, snap out of your daydreams and come along", said Runa impatiently as she picked up Isha's handbag and began pulling her toward the stairs. Nitin will bring in the rest of the luggage. Nitin is Runa's cousin.

 Runa and Isha had shared the same room in college dorm and that did not change in university. After university Isha sat for the school service exams while Runa decided to pursue her doctorate in Physics. This puja holidays is perhaps the last chance they will get to share a room. Both of them were determined to make most of it.

"This is my bed, and that's yours. Your's is next to the window. I hope that's allright?" Runa asked as she switched on the lights.

"That's fine, you know how I like to see the sky before closing my eyes'" This room is gigantic, thought Isha. The bed looked so inviting with its white covers and plum pillows. But sleep will have to wait, Isha reminded herself. First a shower.