Gradually Joseph's nature transforming to a bohemian one.Perhaps' nonconformist' should be the appropriate word to define the nature of Joseph.So we can consider Joseph as a nonconformist.And eventually turned to a typical nonconformist by his activities of roaming around and around.Other virtues of character if considered was pleasant and her mother rather had no complain against him.He was an intelligent boy with soft nature. He was neither orthodox too. He had a feelings of hatred towards any kind of addiction that many conformist possess.Joseph inherited these traits from her mother.He saw her mother wept for his father secretly even after long many years of his leave.
Joseph and Andrew were known to each other since their toddler stage.They used to live in two adjacent attached small house. Their fathers were not so well-off.Since the families were small in size,these two intelligent house making mothers could however manage the food,the clothings etc with their husbands' little earnings. These two children along with the other siblings used to play in the nearby park in summer.The mothers accompanied the children,kept themselves sitting on the chair of the park and chatted with each other.In the winter they often along with their other siblings visited house of each others and played happily together.
They grew quickly,passed their childhood days and entered the college.Joseph was very talented while Andrew just keeping on.Joseph used to cut highest numbers in class.So the teachers gave an extra attention to Joseph and specially Dr. Goodwin was very hopeful about him.But then already started the pulling up of the curtain of drama.
During a semester break Joseph and Andrew went out of the city to break the monotony.With little money that they could manage from the mothers they started from the local travel agency office. They enjoyed but quickly finished both the money and vacation like anything interesting and tasty that finishes very quickly.Joseph and Andrew returned home and again started their semester.Then the thing happened..
Joseph informed Andrew about the advertisement of a local tourist department .
Joseph said,'Look Andy.this office offering low price for going..'
Andrew:Yes its possible.Its a off season.But why you are so excited.
Joseph:Look so cheap!Possibly our monthly pocket money is enough for this small trip.
Andrew:Are you crazy! In the mid of the semester should we waste our valuable time?
Joseph became disappointed and with slow small steps he left the place.He knew Andrew was determined and would not swallow the bait.
Then last subsequent few days Joseph did not attended the classes.He was not found anywhere as if he was vanished.On a sunny Tuesday he was again discovered in the class by Andrew.And Andrew took his seat beside Joseph.With smiling face he asked 'What's up with you'?Joseph whispered ,'You really missed something'.Professor was in the class.
Andrew conceived Joseph could not escape from the bohemian trait of his father.
Lastly Joseph declared since he did not feel any interest he would discontinue the study.Rather he would start working in a local restaurant. He started to work and gave his mother the earnings as family expense.Every six months he started his regular venture of visiting new places.He however did not inherited the irresponsible behaviour of his father Mr Donald.Joseph became a ruck-sack tourist.
Other than shedding tears what more the mother could do!
After the end of each of his travel Joseph came to Andrew and loved to narrate the gathered experiences.While explaining Andrew perceived Josephs dazzling eyes. Andrew no doubt enjoyed all the delightful stories of Joseph.The friendship between these two young chaps remained as deep as before.Now we enter the main story.
Last autumn Joseph traveled France.It was not far from their place.Joseph liked to roam alone rather than with the group.He was fond of wandering the remote areas and be acquainted with local people, their culture and their food.He felt interested to know the life of aborigine people too.However that time he traveled remote villages of France.He described his experience of the visit to France.He started..
You know Andrew I like to travel alone.I enjoyed the trip. The villages were well away from the crowds. But all modern amenities were available there.This time I availed the opportunity to stay in an inn.It was a very cheap one and the cost was within my reach.Frequently I used to buy apple,bread and juice for my lunch. I used to take my lunch usually sitting on the fallen log under a tree,or near the bushes of wild flowers and simultaneous watching and enjoying the natural beauties.This way I could save some pounds too and included more villages in my visit plan.The farmers of the villages used to produce different crops like sugar,beet,wheat, maize and barley.They owned both large scale and middle range projects.Some were poor too. I mingled with them very closely. Their polite hospitality was remarkable. 'You did not find any problem in communicating?,Andrew interrupted. Oh come on Andrew! You had perhaps forgotten,once I enrolled French language as one of my subject. I did not find much difficulties in the interaction with the farmers.I even visited some farmers in their poultry and animal husbandry farm.
Those few days were not enough for exploring such
a vast area.My wallet also going to be emptied. So I had to start for the main town from where I can avail bus to reach my home.I walked and walked through the narrow road in between crop fields.It seemed that the path will never come to an end.I was feeling hungry.All the foods in my bag finished already few hours ago.There I could not even see a food store. Soon it became dark.'Lucky I am' I felt when soon the full moon crawled up in the sky.At least I could trace the path of my walking,but the wind was becoming cooler.I wished if I could see somebody for help.Any type of help,either it could be shelter for the night and food or a transport up to the city.
Then I came across a house- a fenced house.There in front of the house were bushes which I felt in the dark to be to be the flower plants.A car was standing in front of the house near the porch.Feeble light coming out through the lace curtained window.I hesitated for a while and then pushing back the gate entered inside the territory of the house.Soon a dog-perhaps a hound started barking .I stopped for a while and following the sound of howling tried to look for the dog.However I could not find it.
I proceeded towards the main entrance of the house.I shouted loudly,'Anybody home'.No body responded.I rang the door bell once..twice..thrice but again no answer.But slowly and quietly the door opened up widely.I waited but could not see any face on the other side of the door. Unethical but slowly I entered the house.In the big living room that I stepped several couches were placed here and there.There was a big dining table in one side of the room with the chairs in front.I stand still and after a while chose a single chair very near to the fire place.I was waiting for somebody to approach me.I felt drowsy. Only a matter of moments somebody will of course come to me!But instead soon I heard the low voice of many people.Also I felt the stepping sound of many people.I was astonished but considered tiredness and hunger were the causes of hallucination in me. I heard the sound of people's sitting on the chair. I also felt the very presence of many people in the room. But everything were invisible.
The flame in the fire place was low but enough to make my body warm.I kept waiting for the land lord or land lady.Soon I felt somebody crossed me and then a carriage full of food moved slowly as if somebody pushing it. It stopped and then saw plate full of food floating and coming down on the table and occupying precise place.People were talking with each other in low voices and passing papers to each other. Undoubtedly the noise of turn over of papers I heard!The foods from the plate I found floating at man's mouth height and then vanishing.Subsequently all the foods were finished. Watched the tossing of the wine glasses in air and listened the whispering of cheers.Without no confusion I heard quite clearly.
I was scared.I was trembling in fear and felt the flow of ice cool water down my back bone.I was panic struck and stood up.Somebody came to me and offered drink,'Please!' with whispering voice.Her coming I felt with the fragrance of a perfume.I saw two floating bright blue eyes and smiling lips staring at me. I knew nothing until next morning before I saw myself on unknown bed.
The land lord and land-lady entered with some chicken soup and bread.They wished me.I asked them what happened and how I came here.The land-lord described.He told he was driving to the city. In front of the haunted place his car went out of order.He came out of the car and mend it.But his dog was shouting and jumping as if it saw something unwanted or unknown.So he brought the dog out of the car.The dog started smelling and proceeding towards the abandoned place.He had the cross hanging from his neck to protect him from all evil things. He was not scared and followed the dog and saw me lying unconscious in the bush. And he brought me his home.He mentioned there was no house and no fence and no car.He also added long ago, during the Nazi regime,the Germans occupied the house there.It is said they used to live and often had their meeting in that house.But for some unknown reason one evening it was blasted.There is a hearsay the Nazis were holding an important secret meeting when it was blasted.There still remains some remnant of the house covered by bush.I was listening breathlessly and returned to my full sense ..I need to return.
I enjoyed the story of Joseph.This time I felt he was frightened and also I knew that cannot stop him of traveling.
After two months Joseph again had started for venture....
Monday 30 May 2016
Friday 27 May 2016
The quest
The two were waiting breathlessly in front of the laboratory.One is Saleha and the other Abdel..
Saleha used to keep on staring at the boy blinkless...Abdel observed it several times since he saw Saleha for the first time.He noticed a thirst in her eyes.Saleha tried to go very inside of the heart of Abdel.She was questing for the truth.She felt an urgent need to get the answer of the question of her heart.And this question ringing the bell continuously ..ding..dong..ding..dong.
Saleha khatun was then in Mumbai. For last one year frequently she had been coming this place with her ailing mother.Her seventy five years old mother was suffering long from a chronic disease.Being a retired person, as a part of her duty and also love Saleha routinely used to accompany the mother. They used to stay in the boarding house for the patient nearby in a walking distance of the hospital.
Every times she came she would invariably look for the man Abdel Malique.Abdel owned a share of the big boarding house. As a managing director of the boarding house he used to keep a close eye on everything.No boarder so far had any complain of mis management and facilities.Boarders checked in and out. Some even resided frequently.But for no boarder Abdel experienced any special feeling.Saleha's glance,attitude and interest towards him provoked Abdel. And in return Saleha enjoyed an extended extra care of Abdel for them.The man used to visit frequently the room of Saleha's mother. Who was that man, Saleha often asked herself?.The same lips,same eyes and even the smile similar.So many years passed but the memories were vivid as before.
How can she forget?She remembered it even after three decades.The memories she kept very carefully preserved. It was only her painful passion which no body could share.After such a long time everybody forgotten but not she.Every moment she felt the bleeding inside her.Is it possible to forget the love,the hug she received.Still she kept on feeling the kisses she enjoyed.Excessive adore sometimes made her annoyed.The obsession clutched her mind severely.
Surely this must be he, but then?she cannot sum up. She felt confused but her hope increasing day after day.She wanted to turn over all the possible stone .
One day Saleha went to the office room of Abdel.
'May I come in'?Saleha said.
Anxiously he stood up and welcomed her.He came forward and helped Saleha to take the seat. She sat down.Abdel said,'Any problem?'
Saleha:No,no problem at all.I came just ..just..
Abdel:Yes,any help?
Saleha:I have a question
Abdel:You can ask if possible I will answer.
Saleha kept quite for moments and then stood up
suddenly.She told that another day she would come.
Her dilemma forced her to went up.All the tests of her mother and other formalities with the doctor was completed and Saleha along with her mother checked out the boarding house and started for their own place.She sown some seeds of questions in the mind of Abdel.
The turmoil in Saleha's heart did not stop rather it was intensifying.Abdel also on the other hand had the continuous hankering.Hankering to explore thing unknown.That storm started in him when he perceived queries in the eyes of this enchanting lady.
Eventually the date for mother's check up coming closer.Heart of Saleha started dancing since she could see the man of her love.She was determined she would at least say Abdel about her feelings for him.Saleha was already sixty,the man may be at his age of thirty or above.It was not absurd to be..
How long she would wait!It might be he!Saleha was determined to excavate the truth.So this time when in Mumbai Saleha again meet the man.She asked Abdel directly who his parents were.She said,'Every time I see you my heart starts throbbing. Abdel interrupted,'Madam you want any drink'.Abdel was also thirsty.Thirst for a drink and thirst for..something else!Was Saleha running after the mirage!Who knows?
'For long one year since I saw you for the first time a turbulence l felt inside me.Saleha continued,'I want relief.I want the remedy.And my belief only you can save me. I cannot sleep and cannot eat either'. Abdel kept quiet for moments.Saleha hastily repeated,'you did not answer my question'.
Abdel felt to peep into his own past life.The memories of early life before five was very smoky.He kept on turn over the old pages of her life sketch.He took his time.Saleha was very excited and impatiently said, 'Mr Abdel you should understand only you can save me'.Abdel now apprised that Mr Bipin Lahiri and Mrs Uma Lahiri were his foster parents.They were still alive then Abdel added.
Saleha felt she could see little light of hope.She wanted to proceed some more and said,'If you do not mind can you narrate at least briefly how and from where they got you?Abdel himself felt very confused about everything happening since Saleha checked in the boarding house. Before he had been passing a very peaceful life without any disaster.Why that lady was so curious .Is not she trying to invade his privacy?But next moment soft hearted Abdel saw the very miserable face of the woman.That face shook his mind terribly that he could not deny. He told that he wanted to make himself ready to tell everything.He promised next morning he would try to clear all her questions.He observed two ponds of tear in Saleha's eye.
Whole night both Saleha and Abdel could not close their eyes. Saleha could anticipate a light of hope. She often used to dream a rescue ship far in the vast sea of her sorrows.She was over sure she was not wrong.Abdel could remember every thing of his life in Dubai.But before that the memory was very hazy he was very much puzzled about it.He only could remember he had parents..how they looked like and where they would live..no! nothing he can remember.He could remember only greeneries,a long road, a small boy may be his brother or neighbour,a school and a pond with ducks.
Saleha already established herself in the soft corner of his heart,Abdel felt.
Saleha guessed there could be a link between her sad part of life and that of Abdel's past which were in crying need of proper investigation.
The middle part of the story was very pathetic.Next day there was a long conversation between Saleha and Abdel.
Saleha started: who were your biological parents then?
Abdel:I do not know.I cannot remember.
Saleha:How and since when you are with the Lahiri family?
Abdel:Since long time. I do not remember the exact year and date.Baba Mr Lahiri brought me here from Dubai that I know.
Saleha: From Dubai? What you were then doing there?
Abdel;I was a jockey for camel race.Saleha was excited and sat erect and still and became breathless.
Abdel stopped and was lost in the memories of his past life.All these were only his memory munching.He did not express it to Saleha. Those were the nightmare of his life. But now in this crucial time he started chewing the cuds of those bad memories. He remained almost unfed and unwatered in Dubai.The younger and the low weighted a boy the more their owner liked.The whole day he was given only few biscuits and sometimes few very low grade dates.One day he got a chance to steal the food of camel,which were more nutritous, more healthy and perhaps more delicious consisting of milk,honey,dates,barley. While stealing he was caught red handed.The trainer beat him mercilessly and cut two of his toes as a reward of punishment.
Abdel continued telling that year Mr Lahiri as a journalist and a reporter associated with a world renowned social reformist visited the camel race and as well as the training camp and saw me.Along with some other children I was rescued by his team.
Saleha asked if his foster father tried to know his root.Abdel shook his head positively.Then baba posted news in different news paper with the pictures of us.Except few all were brought back by their relatives.Mr Lahiri gave me shelter in his house.He provided me food, shelter,education,better environment,livelihood every thing that human being needs.
'I think you are now satisfied,'Abdel said.
Saleha unhappily told that it could not be the end, there were something left .Something left to fill up the blank between the years in Dubai and those of before.lt could not solve her problem and relieve her mental agony however!
Knowing everything Mr Lahiri came forward to help Saleha. He enquired of everything.Saleha told that long ago may be almost twenty years or more,she lost two of his sons namely Sumon and Sohag when they were only five and three years old respectively.
Everyday they used to come to the office she used to work after the school.Their house and school was a mile apart from her house.During lunch break three of them used to return home together in rickshaw. Saleha used to drop them, fed them and left them in bed of home and returned to office. One day the children did not come..and never they came..they were lost.Since then..
The word 'Sumon' sparked in Abdel's brain.He then could hear a feeble calling of a female voice 'Abbu Sumon' from far!Instantly he turned his face towards Saleha.So far he was staring at Mr Lahiri.He stared at her as if he was searching something on the face of Saleha.He was shattered mentally all on a sudden.
There started the reverberation of the word 'Sumon'
Mr Lahiri asked if they tried to trace the boys.and he also asked where the husband was.Saleha cast down her eyes and told he left me only after few months of the incident.Saleha answered she tried all her best to trace the boys.
Mr Lahiri expressed his honest desire to help Saleha.He felt heartily the misery of this grief-stricken woman.Saleha brought out a picture of a toddler baby with herself and a young man.She mentioned the boy was his first child Sumon.
Mr Lahiri voiced,'If you want I can arrange the D.N.A test of you and Adel.Only this and this could give us the confirmatory solution.Without any time killing Saleha agreed, Abdel also not denied.
Then two days after they went to the laboratory let their blood be collected for the test.It took time and both Saleha and Abdel waiting anxiously and eagerly for the result..
May that could draw an end to Saleha's endless quest.We do not know.
Saleha used to keep on staring at the boy blinkless...Abdel observed it several times since he saw Saleha for the first time.He noticed a thirst in her eyes.Saleha tried to go very inside of the heart of Abdel.She was questing for the truth.She felt an urgent need to get the answer of the question of her heart.And this question ringing the bell continuously ..ding..dong..ding..dong.
Saleha khatun was then in Mumbai. For last one year frequently she had been coming this place with her ailing mother.Her seventy five years old mother was suffering long from a chronic disease.Being a retired person, as a part of her duty and also love Saleha routinely used to accompany the mother. They used to stay in the boarding house for the patient nearby in a walking distance of the hospital.
Every times she came she would invariably look for the man Abdel Malique.Abdel owned a share of the big boarding house. As a managing director of the boarding house he used to keep a close eye on everything.No boarder so far had any complain of mis management and facilities.Boarders checked in and out. Some even resided frequently.But for no boarder Abdel experienced any special feeling.Saleha's glance,attitude and interest towards him provoked Abdel. And in return Saleha enjoyed an extended extra care of Abdel for them.The man used to visit frequently the room of Saleha's mother. Who was that man, Saleha often asked herself?.The same lips,same eyes and even the smile similar.So many years passed but the memories were vivid as before.
How can she forget?She remembered it even after three decades.The memories she kept very carefully preserved. It was only her painful passion which no body could share.After such a long time everybody forgotten but not she.Every moment she felt the bleeding inside her.Is it possible to forget the love,the hug she received.Still she kept on feeling the kisses she enjoyed.Excessive adore sometimes made her annoyed.The obsession clutched her mind severely.
Surely this must be he, but then?she cannot sum up. She felt confused but her hope increasing day after day.She wanted to turn over all the possible stone .
One day Saleha went to the office room of Abdel.
'May I come in'?Saleha said.
Anxiously he stood up and welcomed her.He came forward and helped Saleha to take the seat. She sat down.Abdel said,'Any problem?'
Saleha:No,no problem at all.I came just ..just..
Abdel:Yes,any help?
Saleha:I have a question
Abdel:You can ask if possible I will answer.
Saleha kept quite for moments and then stood up
suddenly.She told that another day she would come.
Her dilemma forced her to went up.All the tests of her mother and other formalities with the doctor was completed and Saleha along with her mother checked out the boarding house and started for their own place.She sown some seeds of questions in the mind of Abdel.
The turmoil in Saleha's heart did not stop rather it was intensifying.Abdel also on the other hand had the continuous hankering.Hankering to explore thing unknown.That storm started in him when he perceived queries in the eyes of this enchanting lady.
Eventually the date for mother's check up coming closer.Heart of Saleha started dancing since she could see the man of her love.She was determined she would at least say Abdel about her feelings for him.Saleha was already sixty,the man may be at his age of thirty or above.It was not absurd to be..
How long she would wait!It might be he!Saleha was determined to excavate the truth.So this time when in Mumbai Saleha again meet the man.She asked Abdel directly who his parents were.She said,'Every time I see you my heart starts throbbing. Abdel interrupted,'Madam you want any drink'.Abdel was also thirsty.Thirst for a drink and thirst for..something else!Was Saleha running after the mirage!Who knows?
'For long one year since I saw you for the first time a turbulence l felt inside me.Saleha continued,'I want relief.I want the remedy.And my belief only you can save me. I cannot sleep and cannot eat either'. Abdel kept quiet for moments.Saleha hastily repeated,'you did not answer my question'.
Abdel felt to peep into his own past life.The memories of early life before five was very smoky.He kept on turn over the old pages of her life sketch.He took his time.Saleha was very excited and impatiently said, 'Mr Abdel you should understand only you can save me'.Abdel now apprised that Mr Bipin Lahiri and Mrs Uma Lahiri were his foster parents.They were still alive then Abdel added.
Saleha felt she could see little light of hope.She wanted to proceed some more and said,'If you do not mind can you narrate at least briefly how and from where they got you?Abdel himself felt very confused about everything happening since Saleha checked in the boarding house. Before he had been passing a very peaceful life without any disaster.Why that lady was so curious .Is not she trying to invade his privacy?But next moment soft hearted Abdel saw the very miserable face of the woman.That face shook his mind terribly that he could not deny. He told that he wanted to make himself ready to tell everything.He promised next morning he would try to clear all her questions.He observed two ponds of tear in Saleha's eye.
Whole night both Saleha and Abdel could not close their eyes. Saleha could anticipate a light of hope. She often used to dream a rescue ship far in the vast sea of her sorrows.She was over sure she was not wrong.Abdel could remember every thing of his life in Dubai.But before that the memory was very hazy he was very much puzzled about it.He only could remember he had parents..how they looked like and where they would live..no! nothing he can remember.He could remember only greeneries,a long road, a small boy may be his brother or neighbour,a school and a pond with ducks.
Saleha already established herself in the soft corner of his heart,Abdel felt.
Saleha guessed there could be a link between her sad part of life and that of Abdel's past which were in crying need of proper investigation.
The middle part of the story was very pathetic.Next day there was a long conversation between Saleha and Abdel.
Saleha started: who were your biological parents then?
Abdel:I do not know.I cannot remember.
Saleha:How and since when you are with the Lahiri family?
Abdel:Since long time. I do not remember the exact year and date.Baba Mr Lahiri brought me here from Dubai that I know.
Saleha: From Dubai? What you were then doing there?
Abdel;I was a jockey for camel race.Saleha was excited and sat erect and still and became breathless.
Abdel stopped and was lost in the memories of his past life.All these were only his memory munching.He did not express it to Saleha. Those were the nightmare of his life. But now in this crucial time he started chewing the cuds of those bad memories. He remained almost unfed and unwatered in Dubai.The younger and the low weighted a boy the more their owner liked.The whole day he was given only few biscuits and sometimes few very low grade dates.One day he got a chance to steal the food of camel,which were more nutritous, more healthy and perhaps more delicious consisting of milk,honey,dates,barley. While stealing he was caught red handed.The trainer beat him mercilessly and cut two of his toes as a reward of punishment.
Abdel continued telling that year Mr Lahiri as a journalist and a reporter associated with a world renowned social reformist visited the camel race and as well as the training camp and saw me.Along with some other children I was rescued by his team.
Saleha asked if his foster father tried to know his root.Abdel shook his head positively.Then baba posted news in different news paper with the pictures of us.Except few all were brought back by their relatives.Mr Lahiri gave me shelter in his house.He provided me food, shelter,education,better environment,livelihood every thing that human being needs.
'I think you are now satisfied,'Abdel said.
Saleha unhappily told that it could not be the end, there were something left .Something left to fill up the blank between the years in Dubai and those of before.lt could not solve her problem and relieve her mental agony however!
Knowing everything Mr Lahiri came forward to help Saleha. He enquired of everything.Saleha told that long ago may be almost twenty years or more,she lost two of his sons namely Sumon and Sohag when they were only five and three years old respectively.
Everyday they used to come to the office she used to work after the school.Their house and school was a mile apart from her house.During lunch break three of them used to return home together in rickshaw. Saleha used to drop them, fed them and left them in bed of home and returned to office. One day the children did not come..and never they came..they were lost.Since then..
The word 'Sumon' sparked in Abdel's brain.He then could hear a feeble calling of a female voice 'Abbu Sumon' from far!Instantly he turned his face towards Saleha.So far he was staring at Mr Lahiri.He stared at her as if he was searching something on the face of Saleha.He was shattered mentally all on a sudden.
There started the reverberation of the word 'Sumon'
Mr Lahiri asked if they tried to trace the boys.and he also asked where the husband was.Saleha cast down her eyes and told he left me only after few months of the incident.Saleha answered she tried all her best to trace the boys.
Mr Lahiri expressed his honest desire to help Saleha.He felt heartily the misery of this grief-stricken woman.Saleha brought out a picture of a toddler baby with herself and a young man.She mentioned the boy was his first child Sumon.
Mr Lahiri voiced,'If you want I can arrange the D.N.A test of you and Adel.Only this and this could give us the confirmatory solution.Without any time killing Saleha agreed, Abdel also not denied.
Then two days after they went to the laboratory let their blood be collected for the test.It took time and both Saleha and Abdel waiting anxiously and eagerly for the result..
May that could draw an end to Saleha's endless quest.We do not know.
Thursday 26 May 2016
হৃদয় ব্যবচ্ছেদ
তোমার চোখে আলো -আঁধারের রসময় খেলা।
রবি আর শশী খেলা করে বেলা- অবেলা।
পূর্নিমার নেই হিসাবের দিন-ক্ষণ
সর্বদা সেথা মধু-লগন.
সর্বদা সেথা মহামিলন,দেহে হিল্লোল,
চক্ষু বাঙ্ময় ঠোঁটে কলরোল।
মদির -সুধা সেথা নির্ভেজাল জলে।
প্রচন্ড ক্লান্তি সেথা নাকি ভোলা যায়
শ্রান্তি সেথা ধুয়ে মুছে আনে প্রশান্তি।
কিন্তু কেন.?
হয়ে ছিল কি কোনো রক্ত ক্ষরণ
সে হৃদয়ের ঘটেছিল কি কোন ব্যবচ্ছেদ !
বয়েছিল কি মধুমতি দুকুল ছাপিয়ে ।
ভাসিয়ে নিয়ে সব কূল ।
তবে কেন অভাজনে করো এত হেলা।
নাইবা ভাসালে কৌশলে, ছলে সে ভেলা।
রবি আর শশী খেলা করে বেলা- অবেলা।
পূর্নিমার নেই হিসাবের দিন-ক্ষণ
সর্বদা সেথা মধু-লগন.
সর্বদা সেথা মহামিলন,দেহে হিল্লোল,
চক্ষু বাঙ্ময় ঠোঁটে কলরোল।
মদির -সুধা সেথা নির্ভেজাল জলে।
প্রচন্ড ক্লান্তি সেথা নাকি ভোলা যায়
শ্রান্তি সেথা ধুয়ে মুছে আনে প্রশান্তি।
কিন্তু কেন.?
হয়ে ছিল কি কোনো রক্ত ক্ষরণ
সে হৃদয়ের ঘটেছিল কি কোন ব্যবচ্ছেদ !
বয়েছিল কি মধুমতি দুকুল ছাপিয়ে ।
ভাসিয়ে নিয়ে সব কূল ।
তবে কেন অভাজনে করো এত হেলা।
নাইবা ভাসালে কৌশলে, ছলে সে ভেলা।
Tuesday 24 May 2016
পরীর দেশে এনা এবং মিরা
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যাকে বলে আর কি! এনা সব সময় নিজের হাতের কচি মুঠোয় তার চেয়ে নরম মিরার মুঠিটা শক্ত করে ধরে রাখে।
যেখানেই যায় দু'বোন একসাথে যায়। একজনের হাসিতে আর একজন হাসতে হাসতে গড়িয়ে পড়ে। যখন কাঁদে তখন দু'জনই শুরু করে।
ওদের বাড়ির পাশেই থাকত ওদের এক চাচি। চাচির ঘরের দরজার পাশেই ছিল চমৎকার ঝোপালো একটা বেলি ফুলের গাছ। ছোট ছোট সাদা ফুলে ছেয়ে থাকত। আরও ছিলো সন্ধ্যামণি ফুল। গাঢ় গোলাপি রংএ শেষ বিকেল ঝলমলিয়ে হেসে উঠত। ওরা দুটি বোন অবাক বিস্ময়ে চেয়ে দেখত। কচি কচি সদ্য মেলা পদ্মআঁখি যা দেখে তাতেই চমৎকৃত হয়।
ওরা দু বোন প্রতি বিকেলে ফুল গাছগুলোর কাছে এসে দাঁড়ায়। সুরভিত হতে ওদের বেশ লাগে....
প্রতিদিন ওদের অবাক চোখে চেয়ে থাকা দেখে চাচির একটু রগড় করতে মন চাইল। চাচি বললেন, "তোমরা বুঝি ফুল খুব ভালোবাসো! বেশ একটূ বড় হও তোমাদের বাগান করা দেখিয়ে দেব। আচ্ছা, তোমরা কি কখনও পরী দেখেছ? জানো এই উঠোনে নিশুতি রাতে পরী আসে"
এনা প্রশ্ন করে ওঠে, "সত্যি!"
চাচি বলেন "সত্যি বৈকি। আর আজ তো পূর্নিমা ওরা তো আরো বেশি আসবে দলে দলে। তোমরা তোমাদের জানালায় বসে থেকে দেখতে পাবে।" হ্যাঁ সূচক মাথা নেড়ে এনা জানায় সে তাই করবে।
তারপর বিকেল গড়িয়ে সন্ধ্যা হলো। সন্ধ্যা গড়িয়ে রাত। ওদের মা ঘুমিয়ে পড়ল। কিন্তু ওরা দুজন বিছানায় অপেক্ষা করতে থাকলো কখন জানালা গলিয়ে চাঁদের আলো আসে বিছানার উপর। আস্তে আস্তে ওরা বিছানা ছেড়ে জানালায় গিয়ে বসলো। জানালার গরাদে হাত রেখে এনা বলল মীরা কে শুনতে পাচ্ছিস 'ওরা আসছে'! মীরা কি ছাই এত কিছু বোঝে! তবুও ওপরে নিচে দুবার মাথা নাড়ে।
সত্যি সত্যি একটা পরী এসে নাম চাচির উঠোনে। ওরা তো মহা খুশি। তারপর ওরা দুজনে পা টিপে টিপে দরজা খুলে বাইরে এসে গুটি গুটি পায়ে ফুল গাছের কাছে যেয়ে দাঁড়ালো। এক এক করে অনেক কজন পরী এসে নামল ফুল বাগানে। কি সুন্দর তারা দেখতে। সোনালী বা কালো লম্বা রেশমের মত ঢেউ খেলানো চুল। কারো চোখের রং নীল কারোর বা কালো। কি তাদের চেহারা। আর পাখা সে যে কত রঙের, আর কত বাহারি নকশার। একটা বাচ্চা পরী এনা দের কাছে এসে দাঁড়ালো। বলল, "এই তোমরা কারা গো এখানে দাড়িয়ে আছ?"
এনা বলল, আমি এনা আর এ আমার ছোট বোন মিরা। মিরা তো ততক্ষনে মুখ লুকিয়ে ফেলেছে এনার পেটের কাছে আর দুহাত দিয়ে বোন কে জড়িয়ে ধরেছে। পরী মেয়ে টি তার মাকে ডেকে বলল দেখো মা দুটি ফুটফুটে খুকী। ছোট এনা মাথা নেড়ে প্রবল আপত্তি জানালো। না না আমি মোটেই খুকি নই। আমি কত্ত বড় হয়ে গেছি, আমার ছোট বোন মিরা এখনো খুকি। পরী বললো তা যাই হোক চল আমরা এখন খেলি। পরীদের হাতে গলায় কানে সব ফুলের গয়না। কি সুন্দর তাদের তাদের রং আর কি সুন্দর গন্ধ। ওরা সবাই নাচছে, গাইছে, হাসছে লুটোপুটি খাচ্ছে। কি হাসি! কি আনন্দ তাদের! শিশু পরি দুটো ঘুমিয়ে পড়ল ফুল গাছের তলায়।
এনা আর মিরা ওদের সাথে খেললো গাইল, নাচলো।
এদিকে রাত গড়িয়ে সকাল হব হব করছে। চাঁদ মধ্য আকাশ থেকে একটু পশ্চিমে হেলেছে। পরীরা বলল চল এবার যাওয়া যাক। সুন্দরী মা পরী জিজ্ঞাসা করলো, 'এনা যাবে নাকি আমাদের সাথে আমাদের দেশে। এনা একটু ইতস্তত করলে মা পরি বলল ভয় কি আমি তো আছি!' মা পরীটা আরো বলল 'তোমাদের কে আমার খুব পছন্দ হযেছে, তাই বললাম। আমরাই নিয়ে যাব সাথে করে আবার সকাল হবার আগে মা জেগে ওঠার আগেই তোমাদের আবার নামিয়ে দিয়ে যাব। তোমাদের মত লক্ষ্মী মেয়ে আর হয়ই না। যাবে তো চল, রাত আবার পেরিয়ে যাচ্ছে।'
এনা মিরার দিকে চাইল। মিরার দু চোখে ভয়। এনা বোনকে সাহস যোগালো ভয় কি আমি আছি না! সত্যিই তো তাই ওর বোন আছে না! ওর কত সাহস মাকে ছেড়ে স্কুলে যায়। এনা পরীদের বলল 'তবে যাই চল, আমাদের আবার পৌছে দিতে হবে কিন্তু।'
দুটো মা পরী এনা আর মিরার হাত ধরল।
প্রথমে জোড়া পায়ের দুটো ছোট লাফ এর সাহায্যে একটু উপরে উঠলো। তারপর উড়তে উড়তে দূর আকাশের দিকে উড়ে যেতে থাকলো। নিচে তাকিয়ে এনা দেখল ওদের বাড়ি আস্তে আস্তে ছোট হয়ে যাচ্ছে। আবছা আবছা দেখতে পাওয়া মসজিদ, মন্দির, পুকুর একসময় এক্কেবারে মিলিয়ে গেল। মিরা জোরসে এনার হাতটা জড়িয়ে ধরল। এনার ও একটু ভয় করছিল বই কি। পরীরা ওকে সাহস যোগালো।
ওরা উড়ছে তো উড়ছেই.. এবার এলো ওরা মেঘের রাজ্যে। পেঁজা তুলোর চাইতেও নরম শীতল সে মেঘগুলো। ওদের মা যখন ওদের কপালে আলতো করে ঠোট ছোঁয়ান ঠিক তেমনি অনুভূতি।
পরী মা ওদের দুজনকে দু হাতে বসিয়ে নীল তারার দিকে উড়িয়ে নিয়ে চলল। মেঘএর ফাঁকে ফাঁকে ওরা এবার উড়ছে। এবার শুধুই নীল আকাশ। শেষে ওরা পৌছালো পরীদের রাজ্যে। কি সুন্দর! কি সুন্দর! ওদের দু বোনের চোখ ছানা বড়া হয়ে গেল। কি সুন্দর ঘর বাড়ি! পরীদের ঘর গুলো যেন কেমন কাঁচের মত স্বচ্ছ.. ফুল লতা পাতা আকা। একজায়গায় দেখল রংধনু তার সাতটি রং নিয়ে উপস্থিত। বাচ্চা একটা পরী বলল ওটা রাজবাড়ির তোরণ। পেছনেই আছে রাজপ্রাসাদ।
ওরা মা পরীর হাত থেকে নেমে পড়ল। দেখল শিশু পরীরা খেলে বেড়াচ্ছে। তারা প্রজাপতি আর ফড়িং এর সাথে লুকোচুরি খেলছে। হরিন ছানা ঘাস খাচ্ছে নির্ভয়ে। পুকুরে হাঁস চরছে আর পরীরা সাঁতার কাটছে। পরীরা ওদের মধু খেতে দিল পদ্ম পাতায় করে। এনার মন চাইছিল সেও একটু ওদের সাথে খেলা করে কিন্তু মা পরী বলল, 'এবার চল তোমাদের পৌঁছে দিয়ে আসি।' ওরা আবার উড়ে চলল।
খুব সকালে সূর্যের প্রথম কিরণ ঘরে ঢোকার সাথে সাথেই এনা আর মিরার মা বিছানায় উঠে বসলেন। চমকে উঠে লক্ষ্য করলেন এনা আর মিরা বিছানায় নেই। অবশেষে খোঁজাখুঁজির পর পাওয়া গেল ওদের খুব প্রিয় ফুল গাছের তলায়। হাত ধরা ধরি করে ওরা ঘুমুচ্ছে..
Sunday 22 May 2016
friendship with granddaughter
She is the younger of two of my grand daughter.She is only fourteen months old.I call her as 'Bulundi' and she responds.It is not the name that was used during her birth registration.So far 'Bulundi' is a meaningless word but to me it is a word fully moistened with the feelings of love. However my granddaughter responds as I call her by this name.
Everybody thinks she is a little bit late in talking.But she talks a lot with me.This kitty girl walks and I feel with each steps of her the lotus opens its petals.I smell the jasmine as she smiles with her only four cute small teeth.
As I wear new dress she admires,'Oh,Nina(granny)you look very beautiful.She comes to me with her little steps and say,'Please let me be in your lap'.She whispers,'You Nina! playing alone with plates and spoons and all other things on the dining table'? By the way she is also very fond of playing with utensils of ours rather than her toys.
Shoe is one of her favorite.Either bigger or correct size one pair she will put on and other two or three pairs she drags holding their lace.When she saw the large size shoe of her uncle for the first time her eyes became bigger to bigger.I could hear in my own ear,'Such a big shoe you own! where did you hide it?Now you are giving the cobbler for mending it!You never think of your niece how much she loves shoes!
She is a challenging type of baby and takes many things as challenges.When about to fall she tries her most and prevents falling.If somehow she fell down rather than crying she get up and starts again with heroic posture.
So many interesting conversation we two make.She is only fourteen months old!!They say she has not started talking.Baseless!she talks with me continuously every moment.
Everybody thinks she is a little bit late in talking.But she talks a lot with me.This kitty girl walks and I feel with each steps of her the lotus opens its petals.I smell the jasmine as she smiles with her only four cute small teeth.
As I wear new dress she admires,'Oh,Nina(granny)you look very beautiful.She comes to me with her little steps and say,'Please let me be in your lap'.She whispers,'You Nina! playing alone with plates and spoons and all other things on the dining table'? By the way she is also very fond of playing with utensils of ours rather than her toys.
Shoe is one of her favorite.Either bigger or correct size one pair she will put on and other two or three pairs she drags holding their lace.When she saw the large size shoe of her uncle for the first time her eyes became bigger to bigger.I could hear in my own ear,'Such a big shoe you own! where did you hide it?Now you are giving the cobbler for mending it!You never think of your niece how much she loves shoes!
She is a challenging type of baby and takes many things as challenges.When about to fall she tries her most and prevents falling.If somehow she fell down rather than crying she get up and starts again with heroic posture.
So many interesting conversation we two make.She is only fourteen months old!!They say she has not started talking.Baseless!she talks with me continuously every moment.
The invisible meeting
Gradually Joseph's nature transforming to a bohemian one. Perhaps' nonconformist' should be the appropriate word to define the nature of Joseph.So we can consider Joseph as a nonconformist.And eventually turned to a typical nonconformist by his activities of roaming around and around.Other virtues of character if considered was pleasant and her mother rather had no complain against him.He was an intelligent boy with soft nature. He was neither orthodox too. He had a feelings of hatred towards any kind of addiction that many conformist possess.Joseph inherited these traits from her mother.He saw her mother wept for his father secretly even after long many years of his leave.
Joseph and Andrew were known to each other since their toddler stage.They used to live in two adjacent attached small house. Their fathers were not so well-off.Since the families were small in size,these two intelligent house making mothers could however manage the food,the clothings etc with their husbands' little earnings. These two children along with the other siblings used to play in the nearby park in summer.The mothers accompanied the children,kept themselves sitting on the chair of the park and chatted with each other.In the winter they often along visited house of each others and played happily together.
They grew quickly,passed their childhood days and entered the college.Joseph was very talented while Andrew just keeping on.Joseph used to cut highest numbers in class.So the teachers gave an extra attention to Joseph and specially Dr. Goodwin was very hopeful about him.But then already started the pulling up of the curtain of drama.
During a semester break Joseph and Andrew went out of the city to break the monotony.With little money that they could manage from the mothers they started from the local travel agency office. They enjoyed but quickly finished both the money and vacation like anything interesting and tasty that finishes very quickly.Joseph and Andrew returned home and again started their semester.Then the thing happened..
Joseph informed Andrew about the advertisement of a local tourist department .
Joseph said,'Look Andy.this office offering low price for going..'
Andrew:Yes its possible.Its a off season.But why you are so excited.
Joseph:Look so cheap!Possibly our monthly pocket money is enough for this small trip.
Andrew:Are you crazy! In the mid of the semester should we waste our valuable time?
Joseph became disappointed and with slow small steps he left the place.He knew Andrew was determined and would not swallow the bait.
Then last subsequent few days Joseph did not attended the classes.He was not found anywhere as if he was vanished.On a sunny Tuesday he was again discovered in the class by Andrew.And Andrew took his seat beside Joseph.With smiling face he asked 'What's up with you'?Joseph whispered ,'You really missed something'.Professor was in the class.
Andrew conceived Joseph could not escape from the bohemian trait of his father.
Lastly Joseph declared since he did not feel any interest he would discontinue the study.Rather he would start working in a local restaurant. He started to work and gave his mother the earnings as family expense.Every six months he started his regular venture of visiting new places.He however did not inherited the irresponsible behaviour of his father Mr Donald.Joseph became a ruck-sack tourist.
Other than shedding tears what more the mother could do!
After the end of each of his travel Joseph came to Andrew and loved to narrate the gathered experiences.While explaining Andrew perceived Josephs dazzling eyes. Andrew no doubt enjoyed all the delightful stories of Joseph.The friendship between these two young chaps remained as deep as before.Now we enter the main story.
Last autumn Joseph traveled France.It was not far from their place.Joseph liked to roam alone.He was fond of wandering the remote areas and be acquainted with local people, their culture and their food.He felt interested to know the life of aborigine people too.However that time he traveled remote villages of France.He described his experience of the visit to France.He started..
You know Andrew I like to travel alone.I enjoyed the trip. The villages were well away from the crowds. But all modern amenities were available there.This time I availed the opportunity to stay in an inn.It was a very cheap one and the cost was within my reach.Frequently I used to buy apple,bread and juice for my lunch. I used to take my lunch usually sitting on the fallen log under a tree,or near the bushes of wild flowers and simultaneous watching and enjoying the natural beauties.This way I could save some pounds too and included more villages in my visit plan.The farmers of the villages used to produce different crops like sugar,beet,wheat, maize and barley.They owned both large scale and middle range projects.Some were poor too. I mingled with them very closely. Their polite hospitality was remarkable. 'You did not find any problem communicating,Andrew interrupted. Oh come on Andrew! You had perhaps forgotten Andrew, once I enrolled French language as one of my subject. I did not find much difficulties in the interaction with the farmers.I even visited some farmers in their poultry and animal husbandry farm.
Those few days were not enough for exploring such
a vast area.My wallet also going to be emptied. So I had to start for the main town from where I can avail bus to reach my place.I walked and walked through the narrow road in between crop fields.It seemed that the path will never come to an end.I was feeling hungry.All the foods in my bag finished already few hours ago.There I could not even see a food store. Soon it became dark.'Lucky I am' I felt when soon the full moon crawled up in the sky.At least I could trace the path of my walking,but the wind was becoming cooler.I wished if I could see somebody for help.Any type of help,either it could be shelter for the night and food or a transport up to the city.
Then I came across a house- a fenced house.There in front of the house were bushes which I felt in the dark to be to be the flower plants.A car was standing in front of the house near the porch.Feeble light coming out through the lace curtained window.I hesitated for a while and then pushing back the gate entered inside the territory of the house.Soon a dog-perhaps a hound started barking .I stopped for a while and following the sound of howling tried to look for the dog.However I could not find it.
I proceeded towards the main entrance of the house.I shouted loudly,'Anybody home'.No body responded.I rang the door bell once..twice..thrice but again no answer.But slowly and quietly the door opened.I waited but could not see any face on the other side of the door.Slowly I entered the house.In the big living room that I stepped several couches were placed here and there.There was a big dining table in one side of the room with the chairs in front.I stand still and after a while chose a single chair very near to the fire place.I was waiting for somebody to approach me.I felt drowsy. Only a matter of moments somebody will of course come to me!But instead soon I heard the low voice of many people.Also I felt the stepping sound of many people.I was astonished but thought may be tiredness and hunger causing this hallucination in me. I heard the sound of people's sitting on the chair. I also felt the very presence of many people in the room. But everything were invisible.
The flame in the fire place was low but enough to make my body warm.I kept waiting for the land lord or land lady.Soon I felt somebody crossed me and then a carriage full of food moved slowly as if somebody pushing it. It stopped and then saw plate full of food floating and coming down on the table and occupying precise place.People were talking with each other in low voices and passing papers to each other. Undoubtedly the noise of turn over of papers I heard!The foods from the plate I found floating at man's mouth height and then vanishing.Subsequently all the foods were finished. Watched the tossing of the wine glasses in air and listened the whispering of cheers.Without no confusion I heard quite clearly.
I was scared.I was trembling in fear and felt the flow of ice cool water down my back bone.I was panic struck and stood up.Somebody came to me and offered drink,'Please!' with whispering voice.Her coming I felt with the fragrance of a perfume.I saw two floating bright blue eyes and smiling lip staring at me. I knew nothing until next morning before I saw myself on unknown bed.
The land lord and land-lady entered with some chicken soup and bread.They wished me.I asked them what happened and how I came here.The land-lord described.He told he was driving to the city. In front of the haunted place his car went out of order.He came out of the car and mend it.But his dog was shouting and jumping as if it saw something unwanted or unknown.So he brought the dog out of the car.The dog started smelling and proceeding towards the abandoned place.He had the cross hanging from his neck to protect him from all evil things. He was not scared and followed the dog and saw me lying unconscious in the bush. And he brought me his home.He mentioned there was no house and no fence and no car.He also added long ago, during the Nazi regime,the Germans occupied the house there.It is said they used to live and often had their meeting in that house.But for some unknown reason one evening it was blasted.There is a hearsay the Nazis were holding an important secret meeting when it was blasted.There still remains some remnant of the house covered by bush.I was listening breathlessly and returned to my full sense ..I need to return.
I enjoyed the story of Joseph.This time I felt he was frightened and also I knew that cannot stop him of traveling.
After two months Joseph again had started for venture....
Joseph and Andrew were known to each other since their toddler stage.They used to live in two adjacent attached small house. Their fathers were not so well-off.Since the families were small in size,these two intelligent house making mothers could however manage the food,the clothings etc with their husbands' little earnings. These two children along with the other siblings used to play in the nearby park in summer.The mothers accompanied the children,kept themselves sitting on the chair of the park and chatted with each other.In the winter they often along visited house of each others and played happily together.
They grew quickly,passed their childhood days and entered the college.Joseph was very talented while Andrew just keeping on.Joseph used to cut highest numbers in class.So the teachers gave an extra attention to Joseph and specially Dr. Goodwin was very hopeful about him.But then already started the pulling up of the curtain of drama.
During a semester break Joseph and Andrew went out of the city to break the monotony.With little money that they could manage from the mothers they started from the local travel agency office. They enjoyed but quickly finished both the money and vacation like anything interesting and tasty that finishes very quickly.Joseph and Andrew returned home and again started their semester.Then the thing happened..
Joseph informed Andrew about the advertisement of a local tourist department .
Joseph said,'Look Andy.this office offering low price for going..'
Andrew:Yes its possible.Its a off season.But why you are so excited.
Joseph:Look so cheap!Possibly our monthly pocket money is enough for this small trip.
Andrew:Are you crazy! In the mid of the semester should we waste our valuable time?
Joseph became disappointed and with slow small steps he left the place.He knew Andrew was determined and would not swallow the bait.
Then last subsequent few days Joseph did not attended the classes.He was not found anywhere as if he was vanished.On a sunny Tuesday he was again discovered in the class by Andrew.And Andrew took his seat beside Joseph.With smiling face he asked 'What's up with you'?Joseph whispered ,'You really missed something'.Professor was in the class.
Andrew conceived Joseph could not escape from the bohemian trait of his father.
Lastly Joseph declared since he did not feel any interest he would discontinue the study.Rather he would start working in a local restaurant. He started to work and gave his mother the earnings as family expense.Every six months he started his regular venture of visiting new places.He however did not inherited the irresponsible behaviour of his father Mr Donald.Joseph became a ruck-sack tourist.
Other than shedding tears what more the mother could do!
After the end of each of his travel Joseph came to Andrew and loved to narrate the gathered experiences.While explaining Andrew perceived Josephs dazzling eyes. Andrew no doubt enjoyed all the delightful stories of Joseph.The friendship between these two young chaps remained as deep as before.Now we enter the main story.
Last autumn Joseph traveled France.It was not far from their place.Joseph liked to roam alone.He was fond of wandering the remote areas and be acquainted with local people, their culture and their food.He felt interested to know the life of aborigine people too.However that time he traveled remote villages of France.He described his experience of the visit to France.He started..
You know Andrew I like to travel alone.I enjoyed the trip. The villages were well away from the crowds. But all modern amenities were available there.This time I availed the opportunity to stay in an inn.It was a very cheap one and the cost was within my reach.Frequently I used to buy apple,bread and juice for my lunch. I used to take my lunch usually sitting on the fallen log under a tree,or near the bushes of wild flowers and simultaneous watching and enjoying the natural beauties.This way I could save some pounds too and included more villages in my visit plan.The farmers of the villages used to produce different crops like sugar,beet,wheat, maize and barley.They owned both large scale and middle range projects.Some were poor too. I mingled with them very closely. Their polite hospitality was remarkable. 'You did not find any problem communicating,Andrew interrupted. Oh come on Andrew! You had perhaps forgotten Andrew, once I enrolled French language as one of my subject. I did not find much difficulties in the interaction with the farmers.I even visited some farmers in their poultry and animal husbandry farm.
Those few days were not enough for exploring such
a vast area.My wallet also going to be emptied. So I had to start for the main town from where I can avail bus to reach my place.I walked and walked through the narrow road in between crop fields.It seemed that the path will never come to an end.I was feeling hungry.All the foods in my bag finished already few hours ago.There I could not even see a food store. Soon it became dark.'Lucky I am' I felt when soon the full moon crawled up in the sky.At least I could trace the path of my walking,but the wind was becoming cooler.I wished if I could see somebody for help.Any type of help,either it could be shelter for the night and food or a transport up to the city.
Then I came across a house- a fenced house.There in front of the house were bushes which I felt in the dark to be to be the flower plants.A car was standing in front of the house near the porch.Feeble light coming out through the lace curtained window.I hesitated for a while and then pushing back the gate entered inside the territory of the house.Soon a dog-perhaps a hound started barking .I stopped for a while and following the sound of howling tried to look for the dog.However I could not find it.
I proceeded towards the main entrance of the house.I shouted loudly,'Anybody home'.No body responded.I rang the door bell once..twice..thrice but again no answer.But slowly and quietly the door opened.I waited but could not see any face on the other side of the door.Slowly I entered the house.In the big living room that I stepped several couches were placed here and there.There was a big dining table in one side of the room with the chairs in front.I stand still and after a while chose a single chair very near to the fire place.I was waiting for somebody to approach me.I felt drowsy. Only a matter of moments somebody will of course come to me!But instead soon I heard the low voice of many people.Also I felt the stepping sound of many people.I was astonished but thought may be tiredness and hunger causing this hallucination in me. I heard the sound of people's sitting on the chair. I also felt the very presence of many people in the room. But everything were invisible.
The flame in the fire place was low but enough to make my body warm.I kept waiting for the land lord or land lady.Soon I felt somebody crossed me and then a carriage full of food moved slowly as if somebody pushing it. It stopped and then saw plate full of food floating and coming down on the table and occupying precise place.People were talking with each other in low voices and passing papers to each other. Undoubtedly the noise of turn over of papers I heard!The foods from the plate I found floating at man's mouth height and then vanishing.Subsequently all the foods were finished. Watched the tossing of the wine glasses in air and listened the whispering of cheers.Without no confusion I heard quite clearly.
I was scared.I was trembling in fear and felt the flow of ice cool water down my back bone.I was panic struck and stood up.Somebody came to me and offered drink,'Please!' with whispering voice.Her coming I felt with the fragrance of a perfume.I saw two floating bright blue eyes and smiling lip staring at me. I knew nothing until next morning before I saw myself on unknown bed.
The land lord and land-lady entered with some chicken soup and bread.They wished me.I asked them what happened and how I came here.The land-lord described.He told he was driving to the city. In front of the haunted place his car went out of order.He came out of the car and mend it.But his dog was shouting and jumping as if it saw something unwanted or unknown.So he brought the dog out of the car.The dog started smelling and proceeding towards the abandoned place.He had the cross hanging from his neck to protect him from all evil things. He was not scared and followed the dog and saw me lying unconscious in the bush. And he brought me his home.He mentioned there was no house and no fence and no car.He also added long ago, during the Nazi regime,the Germans occupied the house there.It is said they used to live and often had their meeting in that house.But for some unknown reason one evening it was blasted.There is a hearsay the Nazis were holding an important secret meeting when it was blasted.There still remains some remnant of the house covered by bush.I was listening breathlessly and returned to my full sense ..I need to return.
I enjoyed the story of Joseph.This time I felt he was frightened and also I knew that cannot stop him of traveling.
After two months Joseph again had started for venture....
Friday 6 May 2016
My Mother's Sweet Pancake Recipe
During our childhood my mother (Kulsum) very often used to prepare
“Dhabra-pitha”. It was one of our favorite dish for an afternoon break.
Blending smell of milk, egg, butter-oil (Ghee).. (excuse me if Ghee and Butter Oil is different) ... but anyway uhmm I can still
remember the fragrance and the taste.
As I write this I feel very nostalgic. Actually with each recipe of my mother there is an entanglement of sweet memories. This very simple and nutritious recipe is especially good for the children.
The simple recipe is mentioned below:
Kulsum”s "Dhabra Pitha (Flat Pancake)"
Ingredients:
Flour: 200gm
Milk : 50gm
Egg: 1
Sugar: 2 tb spoon
Salt: a pinch
Ghee: 2 tb spoon
Water: as required
Preparation:
Mix flour, sugar and salt throughly in a bowl. Beat the egg and mix with the dry mixture stated above. Now add a little water in such amount as the batter is neither too thick nor too thin. Now warm a flat (preferably a non sticky pan) brush a little Ghee (Butter Oil) on the top.
Pour down a little mixture in the pan quickly and spread it with the bottom of the spoon. Make it as big as possible. After a while, as you get the sweet baked smell of the batter, turn over and again and add half tea spoon Ghee (Butter Oil) on the top and the side of the pan cake. Increase the flame and after a while your cake is done.
Fold the cake and serve hot.
As I write this I feel very nostalgic. Actually with each recipe of my mother there is an entanglement of sweet memories. This very simple and nutritious recipe is especially good for the children.
The simple recipe is mentioned below:
Kulsum”s "Dhabra Pitha (Flat Pancake)"
Ingredients:
Flour: 200gm
Milk : 50gm
Egg: 1
Sugar: 2 tb spoon
Salt: a pinch
Ghee: 2 tb spoon
Water: as required
Preparation:
Mix flour, sugar and salt throughly in a bowl. Beat the egg and mix with the dry mixture stated above. Now add a little water in such amount as the batter is neither too thick nor too thin. Now warm a flat (preferably a non sticky pan) brush a little Ghee (Butter Oil) on the top.
Pour down a little mixture in the pan quickly and spread it with the bottom of the spoon. Make it as big as possible. After a while, as you get the sweet baked smell of the batter, turn over and again and add half tea spoon Ghee (Butter Oil) on the top and the side of the pan cake. Increase the flame and after a while your cake is done.
Fold the cake and serve hot.
Tuesday 3 May 2016
জয়তু মেধা.. জয়তু অধ্যবসায়
মেয়েটির নাম তারা। ওর নাম রেখেছিলো ওর মা। জন্মের সময় ও জন্মেছিলো ভূষুনডি কাকের মত কালো রং নিয়ে। তা নিয়ে কি আর সালমার কম দুঃখ ছিল। পোয়াতি সালমাকে তো কবেই তার স্বামী আর শাশুড়ি আরাম করার নামে পাঠিয়ে দিয়েছিল বাপের বাডি। তা সালমা বিয়ালো কিনা একটা কাউয়ার ছাও। জমিলা (সালমার মা) বলে,ওই সালু তোর মাইয়ারে আঁই ডাকতাম শেফালি করি। সালমা আঁতকে উঠে বলে, 'ন মা ন, আন্নে হেতিরে ডাকিয়েন নয়নতারা কই। আঁদাড়ে -পাঁদাড়ে জন্মায় কোন যতন লাগে ন। আঁর মাইয়া তো কিল-গুঁতা খাই বড় অইব হের লাগি হেই নামই ঠিক'।
তো সত্যি কিল-গুঁতা খেয়ে না হোক অভাব অনটনে নয়নতারা ওরফে তারা বড় হয়ে উঠতে থাকল এক বস্তিতে। জন্মসূত্রে যে ওর বাবা সে কোনদিন তাকে দেখতে পর্যন্ত আসেনি। এখনও সালমা আরাম করছে! মানুষ নয়নতারা, নয়নতারা ফুল গাছের মতই অভাব অনটনেও দিব্যি বেঁচেও থাকল আর বড় হয়ে উঠতে লাগল। সালমার দূরদর্শিতা বারবার প্রমানিত হতে লাগল। সালমা আর এখন মকবুলের সেই কলা বৌ টি হয়ে নেই! সে এখন এক সংগ্রামী নারী। তার অনুভবে তার স্বামী মকবুল কেন কোন মকবুলই আর অনুরণন তোলে না। কঠিন বাস্তবতার পেষণে জীবনের অন্য সব চাওয়া এখন গৌণ, মৃত। সালমার রঙ্গিন স্বপ্ন এখন পল্লবীত তার একমাত্র সন্তান নয়নতারাকে ঘিরে। নয়নতারা নিয়মিত ইস্কুলে যাচ্ছে। সালমার স্বপ্ন আর প্রতিজ্ঞার প্রতিফলন এখন নয়নতারায়। সালমার মুকুলিত ইচ্ছায় জল ঢালছে অবহেলিতা নয়নতারা।
সালমার মা গতায়ু। বেঁচে থাকলে সালমা বলতে পারত, 'আন্নে দেহেন মা, আঁই নয়নতারারে শেফালির লাহান ঝরি পড়তে দেই ন। হে বাঁচি রইছে নয়নতারা ফুলের লাহান। আ্ননের দুয়ায় আঁর তারা লেহা ফড়া হিখি তালগাছের হমান বড় হইব'।
নয়নতারা ইসকুলে সপ্তম শ্রেণীতে পড়ে। তার মা সালমা বাসায় কাজ করে। বেগম সাহেবা বলেন, 'সালমা তুই পুরোনো কাগজ আর শিশি বোতল গুলো লিয়ে যা তো। আর কোনো অসুবিধা হলে তারাকে নিয়ে এসিস, পড়া বুঝিয়ে দোবো'। কাগজগুলো খুপরি ঘরে নিয়ে এসে জমা করে সালমা। বেশ কিছু জমে গেলে সে গুলো বিকরি করে তারার খাতা পেনসিলের খরচ চালায়। মকবুল আর মকবুলের মায়ের অবজ্ঞা সালমাকে দিয়েছে প্রচন্ড গাত্রদাহ। সে কিছুতেই হার মানবে না। তা কাগজ আর মাগাজিন পেয়ে আরও একটা উপকার হয়েছে তাদের। অবসর সময় বসে মা-বেটিতে ওগুলো পড়ে আর ছবি দেখে। কখনও বা মুদির দোকানি জলিলের জন্য বানায় কিছু ঠোংগা। তাতেও দুটো পয়সা হয় বৈকি।
তারার মোটে দু প্রস্থ কাপড়। এই দুই প্রস্থ কাপড় সে পরিষ্কার করে ঘুরিয়ে ফিরিয়ে পরে। সেদিন সব জামা কাপড় ধুয়ে শুকোতে দিয়ে সে একটা ছেঁড়া ত্যানা পরে ঘরের কোণে লুকিয়ে বসেছিলো। আকাশে মেঘ জমেছে মা ফেরেনি যে কাপড়গুলো এনে দেয়। খবরের কাগজ আর বই পড়ায় বুদ্ধি তার এখন যেন ঝকঝকে তলোয়ার! সে অনেকগুলো খবরের কাগজ লম্বাটে করে ভাঁজ দিয়ে একটা দড়িতে সার সার করে সাজিয়ে কোমরের সাথে বেঁধে নিলো স্কার্টের মত। তারপর আর একটা কাগজে মাথা গলানোর মত করে কেটে, পরে নিয়ে কোমরের কাছে বেঁধে নিলো মাথার লাল ফিতে দিয়ে। জামবুরার খোসাটা মাথায় দিয়ে সে বেশ পরিশীলিত ভাষায় চীৎকার করে বললো, 'এই হনুফা দেখ কি পরেছি। তার বুদ্ধিদিয়ে সে তার দৈন্যতা আর সবার উপহাসকে বুড়ো আংগুল দেখাল। আর ঠিক তখনই রুকসানার চোখে পড়ে গেল তারা। রুকসানা এসেছিলো বস্তিতে কিছু সামাজিক কার্যক্রম নিয়ে। তিনি একটি নামকরা বিজ্ঞাপন সংস্থার মালিক। তিনি তারার ছবি নিলেন আর ছাপলেন 'অনিন্দিতায়'। খুব কাটতি হলো সাময়িকিটির। রুকসানা ঠকালেন না তারাকে। নিয়মিত তাকে কাজ দিলেন এবং পড়াশোনার খরচ দিয়ে তাকে গড়ে তুললেন। তারা আগিয়ে যাচ্ছে, সালমা আজ সফল। ওরা আজ সোচ্চার 'পৃথিবীতে মকবুল ছাড়াও বেঁচে থাকা যায়'। জয় তারা, জয় সালমা। জয়তূ মেধা, আর জয়তু অধ্যবসায়। বিজিতার কনক মুকুট আজ ওদের শিরে।
তো সত্যি কিল-গুঁতা খেয়ে না হোক অভাব অনটনে নয়নতারা ওরফে তারা বড় হয়ে উঠতে থাকল এক বস্তিতে। জন্মসূত্রে যে ওর বাবা সে কোনদিন তাকে দেখতে পর্যন্ত আসেনি। এখনও সালমা আরাম করছে! মানুষ নয়নতারা, নয়নতারা ফুল গাছের মতই অভাব অনটনেও দিব্যি বেঁচেও থাকল আর বড় হয়ে উঠতে লাগল। সালমার দূরদর্শিতা বারবার প্রমানিত হতে লাগল। সালমা আর এখন মকবুলের সেই কলা বৌ টি হয়ে নেই! সে এখন এক সংগ্রামী নারী। তার অনুভবে তার স্বামী মকবুল কেন কোন মকবুলই আর অনুরণন তোলে না। কঠিন বাস্তবতার পেষণে জীবনের অন্য সব চাওয়া এখন গৌণ, মৃত। সালমার রঙ্গিন স্বপ্ন এখন পল্লবীত তার একমাত্র সন্তান নয়নতারাকে ঘিরে। নয়নতারা নিয়মিত ইস্কুলে যাচ্ছে। সালমার স্বপ্ন আর প্রতিজ্ঞার প্রতিফলন এখন নয়নতারায়। সালমার মুকুলিত ইচ্ছায় জল ঢালছে অবহেলিতা নয়নতারা।
সালমার মা গতায়ু। বেঁচে থাকলে সালমা বলতে পারত, 'আন্নে দেহেন মা, আঁই নয়নতারারে শেফালির লাহান ঝরি পড়তে দেই ন। হে বাঁচি রইছে নয়নতারা ফুলের লাহান। আ্ননের দুয়ায় আঁর তারা লেহা ফড়া হিখি তালগাছের হমান বড় হইব'।
নয়নতারা ইসকুলে সপ্তম শ্রেণীতে পড়ে। তার মা সালমা বাসায় কাজ করে। বেগম সাহেবা বলেন, 'সালমা তুই পুরোনো কাগজ আর শিশি বোতল গুলো লিয়ে যা তো। আর কোনো অসুবিধা হলে তারাকে নিয়ে এসিস, পড়া বুঝিয়ে দোবো'। কাগজগুলো খুপরি ঘরে নিয়ে এসে জমা করে সালমা। বেশ কিছু জমে গেলে সে গুলো বিকরি করে তারার খাতা পেনসিলের খরচ চালায়। মকবুল আর মকবুলের মায়ের অবজ্ঞা সালমাকে দিয়েছে প্রচন্ড গাত্রদাহ। সে কিছুতেই হার মানবে না। তা কাগজ আর মাগাজিন পেয়ে আরও একটা উপকার হয়েছে তাদের। অবসর সময় বসে মা-বেটিতে ওগুলো পড়ে আর ছবি দেখে। কখনও বা মুদির দোকানি জলিলের জন্য বানায় কিছু ঠোংগা। তাতেও দুটো পয়সা হয় বৈকি।
তারার মোটে দু প্রস্থ কাপড়। এই দুই প্রস্থ কাপড় সে পরিষ্কার করে ঘুরিয়ে ফিরিয়ে পরে। সেদিন সব জামা কাপড় ধুয়ে শুকোতে দিয়ে সে একটা ছেঁড়া ত্যানা পরে ঘরের কোণে লুকিয়ে বসেছিলো। আকাশে মেঘ জমেছে মা ফেরেনি যে কাপড়গুলো এনে দেয়। খবরের কাগজ আর বই পড়ায় বুদ্ধি তার এখন যেন ঝকঝকে তলোয়ার! সে অনেকগুলো খবরের কাগজ লম্বাটে করে ভাঁজ দিয়ে একটা দড়িতে সার সার করে সাজিয়ে কোমরের সাথে বেঁধে নিলো স্কার্টের মত। তারপর আর একটা কাগজে মাথা গলানোর মত করে কেটে, পরে নিয়ে কোমরের কাছে বেঁধে নিলো মাথার লাল ফিতে দিয়ে। জামবুরার খোসাটা মাথায় দিয়ে সে বেশ পরিশীলিত ভাষায় চীৎকার করে বললো, 'এই হনুফা দেখ কি পরেছি। তার বুদ্ধিদিয়ে সে তার দৈন্যতা আর সবার উপহাসকে বুড়ো আংগুল দেখাল। আর ঠিক তখনই রুকসানার চোখে পড়ে গেল তারা। রুকসানা এসেছিলো বস্তিতে কিছু সামাজিক কার্যক্রম নিয়ে। তিনি একটি নামকরা বিজ্ঞাপন সংস্থার মালিক। তিনি তারার ছবি নিলেন আর ছাপলেন 'অনিন্দিতায়'। খুব কাটতি হলো সাময়িকিটির। রুকসানা ঠকালেন না তারাকে। নিয়মিত তাকে কাজ দিলেন এবং পড়াশোনার খরচ দিয়ে তাকে গড়ে তুললেন। তারা আগিয়ে যাচ্ছে, সালমা আজ সফল। ওরা আজ সোচ্চার 'পৃথিবীতে মকবুল ছাড়াও বেঁচে থাকা যায়'। জয় তারা, জয় সালমা। জয়তূ মেধা, আর জয়তু অধ্যবসায়। বিজিতার কনক মুকুট আজ ওদের শিরে।
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