“You are one confounding person, Mukundo,” Debendra Banerjee was not happy about having to fly from Mumbai after Mukundo’s call, “What’s wrong with the government? What laws have changed in this godforsaken state that we have to sign land papers again?”

Mukundo had made a silly excuse to bring Piyali’s father to Kolkata quickly. They couldn’t talk about this on phone and after visiting the gynecologist, flying back to Mumbai with Piyali was ruled out. She needed stability and rest.

Mukundo did not look as agitated as Piyali, but he was equally nervous about it. And Piyali had insisted that her father must be told the reason for this proposal.

“But it’s not the reason, Piyali. I’d have married you even otherwise, if you had let me,” he had tried to convince her.

“You would have, but I wouldn’t have inflicted this on you if I could manage. And the baby will come when it has to, Mukundo Babu. It would be obvious why we hurried for the wedding. And then… Baba might think you to be responsible. I can’t possibly have him suspect you of something…” Piyali was ruthless with herself.

So, they had taken up the job of breaking multiple pieces of news to Debendra Banerjee and they had no clue how he would react to either of them. He was never happy with Ahwaan anyway. The idea of his daughter marrying some Ahwaan Sharma didn’t make sense to him.  Mukundo had to intervene in one of his trip to Mumbai.

“He is also a Brahmin, Kaka,” Mukundo had argued.

“But what culture! He is boisterous like… like some drunken Punjabis.”

“Seriously Kaka? Such stereotypes?”

“I am not stereotyping. He is not a Punjabi. He just happens to fit that stereotype perfectly.”

“You are not being fair. I was also here for dinner last night. He is a lively, spirited boy. Just like Piyali. You just don’t want it; so you are inventing issues, when there are none.”

Mr. Banerjee had sighed. He was of a generation that struggled between sticking to its roots and becoming liberal. Piyali had the most liberal upbringing, yet the idea of a son-in-law from another community terrified him deep down.

He had given in after Mukundo repeatedly assured him.  It was just a few months ago.

And today Mukundo was again standing in front of him. With similar, yet much harder mission.

“Mukundo?”

Mr. Banerjee’s voice brought Mukundo out of his reverie. He looked at Piyali who was a bundle of nervousness. That couldn’t be good for her. They had to get it over with quickly.

“Kaka. It isn’t about the land. I am sorry, I had to lie. It is about Piyali.”

“What! What about Piyali?” he asked worriedly and looked anxiously at Mukundo and Piyali.

“Piyali and Ahwaan have broken up.”

“Huh?”

“They won’t be getting married.”

“Why? After all the drama?”

“That isn’t important Kaka. It just didn’t work out.”

Mr. Banerjee looked at his daughter, unable to fathom the reason for her nervousness. She didn’t think he would be unhappy at the news, did she?

“And she couldn’t have told that to me Mumbai? You had to make me fly in such hurry for this?”

“No. There is something else…” Mukundo added and gulped hard.

“Don’t test my patience Mukundo. What are you up to? What is this girl up to? Do I have to give my consent for someone else now?”

“Actually yes, Kaka. But before that…”

“Yes?”

Mukundo looked at Piyali. She came forward and decided to break the news herself. “I am pregnant, Baba.”

For a moment it looked like he didn’t hear her at all. Then he looked up and asked incredulously, “What? What did you say?”

Piyali bit her lips so hard that it almost bled. Both Mukundo and Piyali remained silent in dreaded anticipation of how he would react.

Mr. Banerjee buried his head in his hands and sat completely still.

“Kaka,” Mukundo finally spoke, “It is not a big deal. We know…”

He looked up with murderous eyes, “Not a big deal? My daughter… Debendra Banerjee’s daughter has lost all sense of right and wrong and you are saying it is not a big deal…”

“Kaka. I want to marry her,” Mukundo blurted before his anger grew any further.

“What?”

“You must give your blessings Kaka. I want to marry her.”

“Why?”

“Because I love her.”

“Yes!” his anger was not debilitated, “You love her. You love her way too much. Protecting her for every mistake she makes. Covering for her if she wanted to miss the school, convincing me for that bastard who did this and then ran away, and now this! Marry her so that she doesn’t have to take responsibility for what she has done.”

“That’s not true, Kaka,” Mukundo was hurt. He had never tried to cover for her. “I have supported her only when I have believed she was right. Sometimes things go wrong. And she is taking full responsibility for what has happened…”

“You think the idea had never crossed my mind?” Mr. Banerjee was speaking in calmer, but still angry tone, “The two of you getting married? It would have been my dream. Your father was my best friend and his last wish was to see you settle down. But you would never accept any proposals. And when her turn came, you came marching to me advocating the case of Ahwaan. I agreed and see what has it come to. He gets her pregnant and then runs away. How can I saddle you with this mess now, Mukundo? What will I tell your father in the afterlife? That I could not find a single suitable girl for you and then I used you to clean up my mess. No Mukundo. It was my fault. It has been a fault in my upbringing. If you want to help, just find out about a doctor who can handle an abortion safely…”

“No! No Baba. Please,” Piyali cried out, “The baby is not at fault, Baba. I can’t kill the baby.”

“You should have thought about that before doing this, Piya,” he said in a chilly voice, “Now is not the time to get emotional. You can’t destroy your entire life and career because of this.”

“Kaka,” Mukundo spoke trying to keep his voice as firm and polite as possible, “So many women in the world have babies and still have a good career. Why do you think she can’t do it? The solution is right here, with us…”

“I am not interested in discussing it anymore, Mukundo,” Mr. Banerjee tried to dismiss him.

“How can you kill her baby? You, of all the people, Kaka? Remember the doctor had begged you and Kaki to abort the pregnancy when Piyali was to be born. But Kaki would not hear of it, and despite knowing what that meant, you had given in to her wishes. You never married again, brought her up on your own… How can you be so cruel to her and her baby now?” Mukundo’s words stunned both Mr. Banerjee and Piyali.

—

To be continued