“Did he say something, Pronab? Why is he so upset? Why is he drinking non-stop?”

“Sit down, Piyali.”

“Pronab. Is something the matter?”

“You have often worried about your Baba, haven’t you? Who would look after him after you leave? And you have…”

“Mukundo Babu…”

“Yes. He would. He would look after your Baba. But what about Mukundo Babu himself, Piyali?”

“What do you mean? Is there something wrong…”

“Your Baba doesn’t even realize how much he is going to miss you. But Mukundo Babu does. He is already missing you…”

Tears ran down her cheeks. “He is suffering because of me…”

“Piyali. My relationships didn’t work out in past, because I wanted a magic in them. I saw it in you. But I was mistaken slightly. It wasn’t with me Piyali. It was with him.”

That alarmed her. “What are you talking about, Pronab? I accept that Mukundo Babu is… he is the most important person in my life. And would continue to be so. But there is nothing…”

“Nothing even remotely romantic or sexual about your relationship. I know. And yet – he has this all-consuming need for you. What you have… It would be a pity to destroy it for another romantic or sexual relationship.”

Piyali had an uncomprehending, stupefied look on her face.

Pronab had to continue explaining, “Let me guess what you are thinking. You think I have changed my mind and am now playing all these tricks with you to absolve myself of the responsibility. No. Piyali. I have not changed my mind. I am only giving you and him a chance to change your minds. And if you decide not to, I promise that the rest of our lives would go on like we never had this conversation. I do love you, and I will support in whatever you decide to do. For now, I think you should deal with him yourself.”

—

“Pishima. Have you seen, Mukundo Babu?”

“He was complaining of headache. I think he has gone home. Must be tired with all these preparations. Where are you going…”

But Piyali ran out without bothering to reply.

—

“You aren’t exactly her brother, are you?” Pronab’s words would not stop haunting him.

“She is learning to speak better every day. Soon, she wouldn’t tire of calling you by name – Mukundo Dada…” Debangi had remarked all those years ago.

“Why should she call me Dada?”

“What else would she call you?”

“Why? I have a name.”

“But you are elder to her… That would be disrespectful…”

“I am not her brother. She won’t call me Dada.”

“Oh! This is our little rebellious American,” his mother had interjected, “Let it go, Debangi. And who knows…”

But Debangi wasn’t going to let go either. Finally a compromise had been reached. She would call him Mukundo Babu.  It was respectful enough.

This wasn’t the day or situation in his mind when he had childishly fought about what Piyali would call him. But was it providence? What was his mother hinting at with her interrupted “Who knows…”

“Mukundo Babu!” Startled out of his thoughts, he spilled some of the drink from the glass he had again filled up for himself.

“Piyali. What are you doing here? You should be getting ready…”

“After all the love and care and protection you have given me for so long, this was the best I could give you? This pain… This desolation… These drinks…”

“What is your favorite color, Piyali?”

“Pink. Don’t you know?”

“And your favorite sweet dish?”

“The ice cream you make…”

“Have you had a boyfriend?”

“When I was in fourth standard…”

“The one with a running nose?”

“Shut up! Don’t insult him… He is a police officer now.”

“I should be scared, then. Is there anything about you that I don’t know, Piyali?”

“Nothing.”

“Yes. Now I even know what romantic tomfoolery you enjoy. And how beautiful a bride, and how lovely a wife you will make… But it’s too late…”

“Nobody will ever be more important than you in my life, Mukundo Babu. Wherever I am…”

“No. At least on that count your fiancé is right. That is not possible. And that will not be right for you or for him. He will be the most important person for you from now on. And that’s how it should be…”

“Why should it be like that?” Pronab’s voice rang in the library. He was standing at the door.

Piyali and Mukundo stared at him embarrassed. For how long he had been there?

“I am sorry, I could not help listening,” he explained, “Kakima sent me here to find you, Piyali. Why should it be like that? Things can change. We aren’t even engaged yet.”

“I appreciate your spirit of self-sacrifice, Pronab,” Mukundo spoke, “But please don’t do anything rash. It will only result in misery and scandal.”

“Mukundo Babu…”

“No. Listen to me. We are all under a lot of emotional stress. And yes – I will suffer. But all of us know that you two will be happy together. You have also accepted it, haven’t you? Don’t let go of that certainty for a very uncertain alternative possibility that we have here. Me and Piyali, we are not lovers. And nobody might accept us as such. Who knows how Kaku or Pishima will react? Everyone will be unhappy…”

“And what does Piyali think? You don’t think you can make a one-sided decision for Piyali, do you, Mukundo Babu?”

Piyali stood bewildered, looking from one to the other.

“Piyali. Don’t feel guilty. And don’t let your guilt cloud your decision. It’s unfounded. You are not giving me pain. Or desolation… All these years, you have anchored my life; made it worth-living. You deserve your happiness, my love. And I will be very happy, if you are happy. Trust me.”

He was quite unaware of the unusual expression he had used for address her – ‘my love’. But Piyali, and Pronab, noticed.

“Listen to your heart, Piyali,” Pronab said.

“Don’t send me away, Mukundo Babu,” Piyali spoke after a long, uncomfortable pause, “We don’t have to create a scandal. We don’t have to be lovers. I will just not get married. It is as simple as that.”

“But Piyali. Pronab…”

“I’d like to wander some more, Mukundo Babu. In search of that magic. Who knows…”

“The engagement. Guests have been invited…”

“Leave that to me to get it postponed. Without a scandal… I promise… You two go to Kakima. And you would do well to use a chewing gum, Mukundo Babu. I can smell alcohol even from here. I am going home. Mom and Dad are furious that I am here since morning.”

—

To be continued