“Rupali,” Asim spoke to Rupali alone before leaving, “I know that I startled you with the proposal of a wedding in Kolkata with me making the arrangements. I am sorry. My idea is not to impose myself on you. So, if you say no, I won’t mention it again. I had been thinking about it for a while. But had not been sure how to talk about it. It just came out on the dinner table,” he paused for a moment before continuing, “The reason I want to do it is…. selfish. It will make me really happy. I had wanted to be a father to you. I genuinely had. Unfortunately, the way the game of life played out, I didn’t get to do that. But that wish, that feeling never went away. You have no idea how I had leapt with joy when you called me after our accidental meeting at the concert. I couldn’t be a father to you in your growing up years. But all through those years, every time I thought about Mou, I also thought about you. In my obsessed mind, I had a daughter. Not that I could do anything for her, but I had her. If you would let me do this, arrange your wedding, it’d make me really happy. However, don’t feel any pressure to say ‘yes’. Do it only if it’d make you happy too, or if it doesn’t interfere with your happiness at least. Okay?”

Rupali’s eyes were moist at his honest declaration. “I am just the luckiest person in the world Mr. Sen, surrounded by so many people who care for me. But for this I’d need to consult Paritosh as well.”

“Of course.”

—

Paritosh hadn’t objected. The winter break had come and they had all flown to Kolkata. The wedding was lavish, arrangement impeccable and the concert was grand. Despite feeling extremely conscious Mouli had sung with Asim once. It was one of the songs she had written and composed herself all those years back. The song had received a cult following in Kolkata in those days. When Asim announced that Mouli was the songwriter, the applause refused to die down for several minutes. All her songs were credited in his albums. With the name “M. Chatterjee”. Nobody knew who that was. And most people did not look for the names of the lyricists.

The newlyweds were not sure about leaving Mouli alone for their honeymoon. But Asim promised to take care of her when they were gone. So, they went on a week-long trip to Mauritius. Mouli had stayed back in Kolkata for that period. She didn’t agree to stay at Asim’s house. But he made arrangements for someone to be always there with her in her hotel suite. Whenever he didn’t have any engagement, he stayed with her himself.

Paritosh and Rupali landed back in Kolkata. They were to go back to Mumbai after three days.

“Ma. You had to get your check-up done the day before. Did you…” Rupali started asking after Mouli’s health as soon as they entered her room.

“Yes Rupali,” Asim replied before Mouli could, “Relax. We got the recommendation for a local doctor from her doctor in Mumbai and we took her there. Everything is in control. No effect whatsoever of stress from the wedding.”

“What stress did I have that it should make a difference,” Mouli said with a smile, “Asim had made all arrangements. I was here like a guest.”

“Come on…”

“She is right Mr. Sen,” Paritosh interrupted with a smile, “That was true for both of us as well. But none of us are complaining. We enjoyed it thoroughly.”

Rupali noticed that Asim’s eyes betrayed more emotions and happiness than his smile or facial expressions did. He was really happy to have played that role.

But it happened that afternoon itself. Her breathing became laboured. “It’s a stroke,” Rupali screamed, “Ambulance. Let’s get an ambulance. And call the doctor for immediate help.”

They had managed to revive her for a while. But even the doctor was bewildered. Such severe blockage. It wasn’t there two days ago. How could it happen so soon? Another surgery wasn’t an option. Too risky.

“You will be all right, Mou,” Asim stroked her hand. She shook her head to the extent she could. “My songs were all I had ever given to you Asim. They are all I will leave you with. I stopped singing, but not writing. Rupa. Two diaries are there in the shelves with his albums. Hand them over to him.”

“Ma. You will do that yourself,” Rupali was having trouble holding her tears back.

“It was my fault Rupa that you grew up fatherless, when you could have had such a wonderful and responsible father. Now, I leave you in his care. Give him the respect you always gave me. Okay?”

Rupali just nodded. A lump had already formed in her throat and if she tried to speak, she would cry.

“Paritosh. You brought Asim back in my life. I can never thank you enough for that. I am dying happy and fulfilled. Try to find the happiness you deserve in Rupa. I have nothing else to give to you.”

“You have given me the family I had lost one by one. I don’t want to lose my family again. You are not going anywhere.”

A weak smile formed on Mouli’s lips, “That light there… It’s very bright. But it doesn’t feel hot. It is very soothing…”

Paritosh looked around. It was clear to all of them that she was hallucinating.

“Mrs. Banerjeee. Ma….” Paritosh tried to bring her back.

Mouli’s hands felt heavy in Asim’s and he looked at her face in shock. It was expressionless. The beautiful, ever smiling face had death’s whiteness all over it. “Nurse,” he shouted.

“I’m sorry,” the doctor said. Nurse had already told them this. But the doctor was needed to give an official confirmation, “She has passed away.”

Rupali’s silent tears became miserable sobs. Paritosh held her and tried to comfort her, his own eyes betraying his pain and loss. Asim walked to them and patted Rupali’s head, “She died a happy woman, Rupali. Don’t cry and distress her now. She’d be looking at you.”

—

‘Jiboner Jatra’ (life’s journey) became the new best-selling album for Asim Sen. In the beginning of the recording he had emotionally introduced Mouli as the lyricist and reminded people of the songs they had loved. Probably for the first time in the history, people bought the album not for the singer, but for the lyricist. The royalties were all going to Rupali. She had objected at first. But Asim had a reply ready, “You have a right over what you parents earn. You can’t just turn away from it.” He’d be recording more albums with Mouli’s songs.

Rupali sat down with Bengali-English dictionary every day for one hour and read her mother’s poetry. “I wish I knew Bengali better,” she lamented before Paritosh. “I wish I knew Bengali at all,” he laughed, “Why don’t you explain this poem to me in English or Hindi.”

“If the dictionary isn’t failing me, this one means

We are the product
Of our choices
Let’s not blame
Forced sacrifices.

Sacrifices too after all
Are our own choices
World is not responsible
Responsible are our inner voices.

Grow the roots
Or chase the sky?
Decide for yourself
To stay or to fly.

Happiness comes in
Different things.
In growing fruits,
And in growing wings.

You might not have
Both the things.
But you can savour
What one of them brings.

We are the product
Of our choices
Let’s not blame
Forced sacrifices.”

“Beautiful!” Paritosh exclaimed, “And it rhymed in English too.”

Rupali chuckled, “Born to a poetess, married to poet, I had to try it. Rhyming is awkward, but I am trying to translate them in English.”

“Wonderful idea. I’ll get them published.”

“Really?”

“Yes!” he said as he lied down, kept his head in her lap and shut her eyes. Knowing Mouli and having Rupali were the blessings he couldn’t thank God enough for. Rupali kept aside the notebook and dictionary and bent down to plant a kiss on Paritosh’ forehead. She could feel lucky anew everyday with this man!

– The End –