"Second World War had just begun" "Mr Sanyal doesn't seem to be in a mood to emerge from the boss' office" "What's the matter, Latu ?" " Grave matter, serious, very very serious." " Meaning...?" "Meaning, finance." "Uncle Sen, is now in the business of trading in scrap iron" "But it'll take lots of money." " So what, he owns this bank and... for the rest, there are financiers." " Financiers ?" "The little gentlemen from the Pacific, who flaunt the flag of the rising Sun, the Japanese" "Mr Sanyal..." " Yes sir ?" "This file goes into the office vault." " Right, sir" "What news Latu ?" " The money has reached London" "Thank you" "Operator, dial my residence" "is Rathin around ?" " No, he isn't at home l see. inform him that the money has been deposited in London" "Ask him to be at home this evening." "I want to finalise his London trip" "That's great Dad, I'll tell him" "My brother is all set to go to London." " Really ?" "And congratulations on your Delhi trip." " Thanks, but I'm not too enthusiastic" "Why ?" " Out there, amongst strangers, away from home and you people..." " You mean, me...?" "But why worry, you're in Daddy's good books." " You're talk is always oblique lt's the age of obliqueness." "And I not beyond it's pale, Arun" "Let's go shopping." " Very well" "Hello Sanat, welcome." "What news ?" "Still nursing the rheumatism ?" " Refuses to let go of me" "Bless you" "Come upstairs" "Come and sit here" "Please make yourselves comfortable" "Why the summons ?" " For good reason" "Have you considered my proposal ?" " About your iron smelter ?" "Out of selling iron scrap to the Japanese, I'll enrich myself somewhat, but it won't enrich the country" "I believe, unless there is industry, no nation can grow I wish, you know, to lay the foundations of another industrial family, alike Tata" "Noble idea." " To which end, I'm taking on board, Arati and Rathin" "Since we're close, I'd like you and Latu on my board too." "What is your opinion ?" "Where's the question of opinion, uncle ?" "Whatever you wish, will be done" "Oh hi folks" "Hi Latu, when did you arrive ?" " A while ago" "What about your trip to London ?" " He's leaving in ten days or so" "Wonderful" "Your ship leaves in ten days." "I'm sending you ahead of time, so that you can be in London at least a month ahead of the session I'm all set, Dad" "It's only four years." "But you must acquire the specialisation in higher engineering lt's going to be fun for my brother." "Four years of England-America" "Why only me ?" "Dad will be travelling, to look up steel plants." "You can tag along" "Yes, it's been on my mind." "And by then, you will have acquired the masters' degree I'd like to take Arun along too, provided you agree, of course" "London bombed." "Countless dead, injured Several precincts reduced to rubble" "Dad, no letter from Rathin ?" " No." "This news of London air raids... is becoming a grave concern." " Why do men make war ?" "In 4000 years of human history only 1 70 years were free of war" "Which problem of humanity was resolved through war ?" "Yet, war is inevitable" "Against injustice, war must be raged." "Not going to war, would be a social crime" "What crime ?" "The victor is always absolved" "That has always been the outcome, from mythical battles to the First Great War" "But what use this debate ?" "It's a tough question, nowhere in the world has the answer been found" "Excuse me, Dad." " Where are you off to ?" "I'm going to see Sudha." " But you've hardly eaten I don't feel like it." " Strange" "Now what about your college ?" " l'll go to see Sudha after college" "But there are no classes at college today, we have union elections" "What for are you going to college then ?" "Last year, you got into a fight... didn't you ?" " That's over. I extracted an apology" "No good going to these union meetings." " l'm not going there to vote I'm going to pick up a book." " Make sure you're back afterwards" "Good morning." " Good morning, how are you ?" "Fine, you're back after a long while." " ls the principal in ?" "Yes" "Oh, is that you, the eternal Subroto." " Your captain's uniform had me startled" "Why ?" " l thought, police !" "Any reason to be afraid of the police ?" "So what are you doing here ?" " Supervising the college elections" "Still at it, so many years after quitting college ?" "It's become quite a habit, now I can't do without it" "And you...?" " l'm here to see the principal" "See you." " Bye" "Who's he ?" " Probir Chatterjee." "Two years my junior" "Principal's favourite." "Used to play centre-half on the college football team" "Listen, you hold fort here, don't you let slip a single vote" "Horidas Bagchi must poll cent percent votes" "Don't you worry about it." " See you" "Hey, take a look at that" "Lady Dragon arrives" "Wait, let's give her a try" "Hello and good morning." "So you're voting for Horidas Bagchi ?" "No, I'm not voting for anyone, certainly not for Horidas Bagchi, after last year's riot using hired goons." " You're right" "We won't let outsiders interfere in student politics" "Let's vote him out." " Vote for..." "Anish Sarkar" "I hope this will suffice." " Yes sir" "You're joining the army, no one in the family is objecting ?" "In the begining, my brother opposed." "Later, he conceded" "You cissies, it isn't so easy to pin down Lady Dragon" "But I know how to do it" "Listen..." "Are you talking to me ?" " Yes, are you staying here for long ?" "No, I'm only visiting the library." " You ought not to stay here for long" "Why do you say that ?" " l think they're planning to insult you" "Who's planning ?" " Do you know Subroto ?" "Subroto... yes I remember, the one who isn't a student here..." "and last year, he turned things nasty I'm ready for a face-off." " He's a dangerous sort" "Just tell me where to find him, I'll go and see him myself" "You were rusticated from this college and that was years ago" "Maybe that's why you don't know, my name is Arati Sen" "Everyday, I park myself in the restaurant across the college, just to observe you, your make-up, your shampooed hair drives me crazy" "Out of my way" "Not to express your agitation." " l shall scream" "Before your screams attract attention, I shall have professed my adoration, then I'll be gone." " Coward" "Then I shall not be gone." "Before all onlookers, I shall say, I adore you I am unafraid of violence" "Listen..." "He... is insulting me" "Shame on you, Subroto." "You haven't given up on vulgarism ?" "Probir, leave." "Between us, this is a personal affair" "I knew beforehand what's in your bag of tricks, so find me prepared" "Do not try to use force, my arms are very strong" "When I was a child, a mad fox bit me." "I remember breaking it's jaws" "I shall take you to the limits of pain so that it takes long for you to recover" "Please come with me" "Now we have a score to settle, Probir" "Will you object if I give you a lift ?" " No" "Please step inside lt's your home ?" " Yes" "Also Rathin Sens's residence and he's away in London ?" "Yes, my brother" "Do you know him ?" " Don't I know him, a year my senior" "We went to the same college." "Coincidence." " Let's keep coincidences for later." "Come" "Shall I...?" " A friend of my brother's and... I meet you in such dire circumstances, oh won't you come ?" "Shall we..." "Weren't you scared about grabbing the fox by the jaws ?" "My sense of fear was always liminal." " Did it leave you maimed ?" "Paid my price for bravado, 18 injections and arms bandaged for 3 months" "The wounds healed, but the scars remained" "Come" "Dad... he just saved me from a grave insult." " lnsult...?" "Be seated... what happened ?" "Nothing much" "A wastrel took the opportunity of the college elections to insult Ms Sen" "And he taught him a fitting lesson." " Was that so ?" "is that a military uniform ?" " University Technical Corps" "Oh I see..." " l've just graduated as an engineer" "Have you ?" " Yes. I went to the college... to meet the principal, Dr Chowdhury." "I happen to be an ex-student" "Dad, he also knows Rathin." " Really ?" "Yes, he was a year senior to us." " What's your name ?" "Probir Chatterjee" "Where do you live ?" "Once upon a time, we had a house in Burdwan, nothing remains now ls that so ?" " Both my father and grandfather... were in service." " What kind of service ?" "My father was an officer with the central government" "About a year ago, he died." " Oh... is your mother around ?" "No, my mother preceded my father" "But I have a brother." "He is a deputy secretary." "Posted in Delhi" "Then my theory is correct." "You know Probir, I have a theory" "Unless parents are well-educated, children don't get a good upbringing" "Though I don't say, there are no exceptions" "So after graduation, will you do an independent business, or is it a job ?" "I've decided to join the military." "I have applied for commissioning I think I will obtain a commission" "Will military life suit you ?" "You have a liking for it ?" "To me, life in military is the ideal life, a visit to the club after a day's work, followed by sound sleep." "Work in wartime looking at death in the face, amidst flying bullets, bursting shells, air raids, what bigger a thrill ?" "Building roads by the day, building bridges by the week, blasting up passes through mountains, ... I like it, I like it immensely" "May all be well with you, you possess the courage I am sure, you'll go far in life" "I should be on my way, now." " Leaving ?" "But do come if you find time" "Since you know Rothin, you are like a son to me" "Arati, do see him off" "Come" "Bye for now...?" " Do come again I shall." "Bye" "Welcome stranger, have you lost your way ?" "Somewhat so. I was passing by, thought I'd drop by, to give you some news." " News ?" "Graduation results have been announced" "And you have failed ?" " l expected to fail." "By some mistake, they gave me passing grades." " Really ?" "I am so delighted" "That's subject to proof." " Meaning...?" "Treat me to sweets or something I am to give you a treat ?" " Am I to, instead ?" "Indeed." " Wonderful I do all the hard work and I am to give the treat ?" "I relent." "Now come upstairs for your treat" "Please be seated, I'll be right back" "Lady... coffee is served." " Thanks" "Come" "What are you so engrossed in ?" "In you ln me ?" "I'm nothing exotic" "Beauty lies in all forms, waiting to be discovered by the eyes of the beholder" "Sweets" "Japan declares war on Allied Forces." "Pearl Harbour attacked" "Japanese air raids over Singapore." "Warships Prince of Wales and Repulse sunk" "Please calm down" "No one has any reason to worry, each man's account be settled" "You may proceed to the cash counters and take your monies lf need be, the bank will stay open all night." "Now calm down" "Have you something to say ?" "You've sold everything ?" "Yes, everything." "I value a trust over money I'll pay everyone back, even if it takes my last cent i won't be called a cheat, that I won't tolerate" "At least you could've kept the house ?" "No" "For the time being, about a year, I can live there." "Afterwards... afterwards, if I still can't find the means, then we've a property belonging to Arati's mother in the suburbs" "Some repairs might make it habitable" "Mr Chatterjee !" "Oh what am I to do now ?" "Why what happened ?" " l can't contact Dad" "You know, there's a run on our bank." " A run on your bank ?" "Why ?" "Because of our business interests with the Japanese." "Japan has gone to war" "People are scared, the government might say it's enemy property and seal the bank" "And knowing Dad, he won't rest until he has repaid every cent he owes" "Don't be worried, I'm going there." "I'll be with him until he returns" "Dad..." "Dad..." "Nothing's left to think about" "My life's work, all my dreams, everything is shattered" "Gone to waste, so many years of hard work" "Dad, let's not talk about all that." "Come, you should rest" "I am very embarrassed. I have done what Rathin would've done, if he was here" "In another lifetime, we were surely related I wouldn't know about other lifetimes, but to me, you are like a relative" "Arati..." "Dad !" "What happened, Dad ?" "Rathin is no more." " He's no more ?" "Died. ln London" "What's this ?" "What happened ?" "My brother is gone" "We've no one now... no one !" "Daddy !" "Talk to me" "Who..." "Mr Sen ?" "I'm coming" "How do you find him ?" "Coronary thrombosis" "Such a great shock in a time of such mental distress I can't say much before 12 hours" "But, I don't seem to know you...?" " l am Probir Chatterjee" "My brother's friend." "All of last night, he was by Dad's side I'll see you in the evening" "Ms Sen... I cannot believe this... this house is filled with memories of my brother" "I don't know what to do, I'm at such a loss..." "The act of balancing all accounts owed to life was named death." "Why grieve ?" "How is he keeping ?" " A bit better, now" "Thank God, I was so worried." "I picked a fight with my boss to get here I've asked for a transfer." "I think it'll be given I got to be back, who else will look after you now ?" "Let's look up your father" "By the way, I don't think I know the gentleman in the drawing room downstairs" "He's Probir" "Good day Mr Chatterjee, I'm here to make an acquaintance" "Good day." " l've heard about you from Arati ln this time of distress, were it not for you... I only did what a gentleman would do in a time like this" "You are...?" " My name is Arun Bose I'm close to this family in many ways, in particular, as Arati's friend" "Arati says, you've done what even a closest relative would do ln what words, do I speak my gratitude..." " Please don't speak about it" "Mr Chatterjee, if you don't mind, how far away do you live ?" "Quite far." " Far ?" "Then you should be on your way before nightfall" "Black outs at night and thanks to the tommies, there are just no taxis" "But Ms Sen would...?" " l'll inform her, I'm staying I'm not about to leave her, in this time of distress" "But problem is, Ms Sen seemed reassured when I said, I'll stay for the night" "So I thought, I'd rather ask..." "What a fearsome noise..." " Yes, the tempest is rising" "Could be a cyclone." " Cyclone...?" "This house is so old, it might crumble..." "Don't be afraid, Daddy, I'm right beside you" "Let me put you to sleep." " Yes" "He isn't coming...?" "Who..." "Arun...?" "No, that friend of Rathin's...?" "Probir ?" " Yes, won't he come ?" "How can he come, in this tempest ?" "Yes, that's true" "Isn't that the telephone ringing ?" " l'll see" "Hello Mr Arun, what news ?" "Oh so you can't make it in this storm ?" "That's fine" "Yes, I'll be careful" "You managed to come ?" " So I have, how's daddy ?" "Better." " End of my worries" "Take this" "What's in it ?" " Recipe for tonight" "What for ?" " Dinner" "Dinner ?" " Goulash, tonight's for goulash" "As if I wouldn't have given you goulash if you hadn't brought these ?" "The fishing, then the cooking it's all the more fun" "Shouldn't you get out of that outfit ?" " Yes, I'm drenched" "Will my Dad's size fit you ?" " Might..." "Try, come." " Let's go" "Some more ?" " You insist ?" "Well go on I didn't know you're a bon vivant" "All in good time, you know" "Like this courage of ours, the daring to face bullets... who'd have imagined it before August 1942 ?" "You heard ?" "The front porch crashed ?" "Now the rest of the house will crumble" "No, you needn't be afraid, that wasn't this house" "You didn't hear that crash ?" " Must be a tin roof." "You go to sleep" "Are you sure ?" " l'm telling you, as an engineer" "This kind of cyclone cannot damage this house I see..." " Go to sleep" "All right." " Lie down, Dad" "God, won't this storm die down ?" "You should eat your dinner and take some rest I'll stay here." " But you've hardly eaten" "Because I delight in food, I am to eat it all ?" "I've had my dinner." "You go on." " No, I'll stay here too" "You need not." "There's no point in both of us staying awake I'll awaken you at dawn" "Go" "Bye, I'll try to drop by in the evening." " You're leaving us in great debt" "Do you consider this to be a debt ?" "I consider you to be close, I like you ls that why you insist on being formal ?" " lsn't it mutual ?" "Not at all." "Today, I haven't addressed you formally ls that so ?" "You're one up on me ?" "Or was I also getting at it ?" " l don't believe that" "Trust me Arati, it's what I came to tell you" "Then why did you not say it ?" " Last night's storm, your dad's fears, it all left me with mixed-up feelings." " You ought to have spoken of it first" "You are the giver, I am the taker." " The taker is no less than the giver ln receiving, the one who gives away, ultimately triumphs over the giver" "Who can ever achieve that ?" " Seekers have been given" "And they were given all of mankind, like Buddha, like Christ" "Grand denouement." "But I didn't want to hear this" "When the feeling of love is genuine, the one who loves gives and takes, but doesn't do the book-keeping." "What woman can take from man... and man can receive from woman, is beyond measure" "Coming" "Letter for you" "On His Majesty's Service ?" "When must you leave ?" "Tonight" "When again do we meet ?" "Can't say for sure, a soldier's life is uncertain" "Words of love are too inadequate to explain my feelings" "So I won't put it to you in those words, rather, I'll wait for you, all my life" "The siren sounded, he rushed out of bed then he fell" "No... this can never be" "Chatterjee, why are you sitting alone ?" "What news ?" "I just got news, during the Calcutta bombing... a relative of mine, died of heart failure" "Was that so ?" "But what use grieving ?" "Don't be sad, cheer up" "Arati, are you sitting here all alone ?" "I'm not upto a conversation." " Left to yourself, you'll be morose I wish you'd cry your heart out." "Have you turned to stone ?" "Will you make her see reason, none of us are to peace for her sake" "Don't worry for me, I'm all right" "You've done so much for me, in this time of my ordeals... what would I have done without you ?" " Not again." "How could you imagine.." "we wouldn't come to stand beside you in your trying times ?" "I've even taken an extension of leave from work" "Here's someone from the medical store, he has a bill for 150 Rupees" "Shall I ask him to come back later ?" " There's money in my drawer I'll see" "Are we going home together ?" " Yes" "We'll be now." "My father is sick, he's suffering from arthritis" "Now please, don't be so morose I told you, move in with us, it won't be inconvenient at all" "But you keep refusing." " l'm fine where l am" "Fine." "We'll leave now" "But don't you worry a bit" "Bye Arati" "The flowers you wanted" "Probir, you've come !" "Every moment I wished you'd be here" "That's why I came to you" "Excuse me... this letter arrived by yesterday's evening post. I forgot to give it to you" "In joyous anticipation, I had opened your letter" "But news of your father's sudden demise leaves me stunned, sad" "My heart urges me to fly to you, but I am helpless, tied to martial law" "My training done, now is my turn to be on battlefields, I don't know where" "At 10:45am on Friday, be sure to come to the enquiry counter at Howrah station I'll seek out an opportunity to meet you, come what may" "Before entering into the twilight zone between life and death, I yearn to meet you, for once" "Make no mistake, 10.45am" "With love, Probir" "Let's go" "Where ?" " Howrah station, where else ?" "You don't remember ?" "My daddy didn't telephone ?" "But..." " Come on, the car is waiting" "Will you tell him please, not to mind." "I got a very important appointment" "But Daddy was hoping, he'd meet you." " lf you may please reason with him... and tell him that I'll make sure to come over for a holiday, very soon" "Very well, then..." "Hi Arun, at this hour...?" " Yes, to see Arati I see, so Arati is going out with you ?" "Go, she's waiting upstairs for you" "Excuse me, I must go to Howrah station" " To Howrah station ?" "Yes, the doctor has advised my father to take a change" "So I'm sending the whole family away for a holiday" "See you." " Bye" "is that Arun ?" "Come inside" "I tell you, today I am elated." " For what reason ?" "Despite my repeated requests, you steadfastly refused... to step outside these four walls." "What gives now, you're raring to go ?" "I've an important appointment." " Appointment ?" "When ?" "10.45am" "Why are you leaving so soon ?" " l want to go shopping" "Very good !" "Let's go" "You needn't take the trouble, I can manage on my own" "No trouble at all, I got my car l can even drop you wherever your appointment is supposed to be" "No thanks, you go on I'd rather not..." "Arati... you disapprove spending even the littlest moment in my company ?" "Very well, I'll leave" "Listen... lf it pleases you to go shopping with me and dropping me for my appointment... then I'll take a lift in your car." " Very well, come" "You seem to be dressed for some auspicious occassion" "Auspicious, yes you may say so." "A special friend is to embark upon on a voyage" "The uncle is an excuse ?" "Why are you stopping here ?" "Let's take a break for tea." " No time for tea, I'm getting late" "I'm late, will you please drive fast ?" " Not to worry, I'll drop you on time" "Aren't you coming ?" " Yes, I'll join you" "Very little time left" "What happened ?" " l don't know, maybe engine trouble." " What now..." "I've no time !" "Where are you going ?" "If that isn't that you, Mr Chatterjee !" " Oh, is that you ?" "I came to see off my father." " Has Arati come with you ?" "No. I went to her, but she was with Arun, she said she can't come to the station" "She left with Mr Arun ?" " Yes" "She said she can't come to the station ?" " Right" "Good day, Mr Chatterjee" "Arati, here's my final letter to you." "I wanted to see you at the station... notjust to bid you goodbye." "I had wished to tell you, before this farewell, let's give each other, enough to last a lifetime." "So that even if we're lost to each other, we won't miss each other, ever." "But if I have failed, it's because you did not tell me of your future commitment to Arun" "Why you chose not to tell me, you know best ln hearing of it from your cousin, all my pent-up enthusiasm has ebbed" "Now, it's all for the better." "I'm headed into war, fearless for life" "Why is it dark in here ?" "Arati, why are you so silent ?" "Are you sick, do you have a headache ?" "What a shame Arati, you aren't a child, don't be unreasonable" "What has happened, was inevitable, it's all destiny" "Sorrow invades every life, then is erased. lsn't that natural ?" "For what crime of mine, can I not be left alone even in my home ?" "Of course you may and you may exclude everyone, except me" "Siren..." "Arati, the siren !" "Come downstairs" "No." " Don't be childish, come down" "The bombing can begin anytime." " l won't go lf you're so afraid for your life, you may leave" "No, I cannot and you know why I can't" "All right !" "I'll sit here and I don't care what happens" "In pandering to your whims, I'm also doing an injustice to myself" "We got to resolve this !" "Now come downstairs" "No !" " Yes !" "I'm not going !" " You must !" "We're about 25 miles from enemy lines" "Sir, the maintenance guy is here." " l'm coming" "Got the vehicle fixed ?" "What's the trouble with it ?" " No trouble, sir, I've fixed it" "Will to try it out, sir ?" " No, you drive it" "Name ?" " Ratneshwar Bhattacharji." "Corporal, sir" "Move" "Who are you ?" " Corporal, sir" "What is your name ?" " Ratneshwar Bhattacharji, mechanic ls Captain Chatterjee your brother ?" " No" "The Major has called you" "Corporal, you may leave" "I thought I'd like to know you better." " Who, me sir ?" "You are a Bengali, I'm also a Bengali and we look alike" "Poeple are saying, we're relatives." " May I venture a remark, sir ?" "Yes, speak." " You're a Brahmin, I'm a Brahmin too" "Who knows, we may have common ancestors" "You were saying your prayers ?" " l'm from a family of priests" "At least once a day, I feel guilty unless I've chanted a few lines a day" "You know sir, my grandpa was a mystic." "He was said to have been enlightened" "Once upon a time, our family was revered but now, it's all gone. I went to school, but I couldn't pass school ;" "I'm a motor mechanic for a livelihood" "When I get the chance, I say a prayer to the gods, and also to great souls... like, Ramakrishna Paramahansa, Lord Chaitanya, Mahatma Gandhi, etc" "I can't say whether god exists, but do put in a word for me when you pray, for l am forsaken by gods and mortals." " What are you saying, man can forsake man, but God never forsakes us." "Who have you at home ?" "No one who matters much." "My parents died long ago" "Are you married..." "please don't mind that I won't, I haven't married" "Very well done sir, married men mustn't go to fight" "Sometimes I worry, should something happen to me..." "You're married ?" "So what ?" "Not everyone in a war ends up dead lf l am to die, my mother will go mad" "My mother can't see properly and I'm her only son" "She just wouldn't let me enlist." "So finally, I said," "Ma, I'm going with your blessings, I'll be back home without a scratch" "Then she said, all right, I swear I'll perform penance till you return" "And she chants the name of our goddess 3000 times a day" "That's why I pray that god saves my mother" "So Ratan, in whose care have you left your Ma ?" "In my wife's care." "She's a good girl, she hails from a good family." "She said, don't worry for your Ma, just go on, I'll take care of your mother" "You know what sir... no let it be" "No why let it be ?" "Go on, tell me I wish my wife had married someone rich." "With me, she lives in abject poverty" "That's why I came to this war." " What for ?" "To make it rich, so I can give to my wife a queen's life" "Look at her" "This is my wife's photo" "Tell me sir, can so simple a dress do justice to her beauty ?" "But sir, when is this devastating war going to end ?" "Ask your god" "I shall give my blood, my life" "You give me freedom, give me the right to live in dignity" "How can you live in a house like this, stacked to the rooftop with furniture ?" "Forget these olden ideas, this sentiment about the ancestral homestead is dated" "Coem home to live with us, your uncles aren't strangers to you" "This house belonged to my mother" "What are you looking for ?" "I'll be back" "Silly girl, if there's a letter addressed to you, it'll be delivered" "Don't lose hope, your wait won't go unrewarded." "Some day, he will return" "Get in, sir." "Infantry attack under way" "Where did you pick up the major ?" " He's a braveheart, got knocked out at the sound of bombs." "He was lying on the road. I picked him up" "After all, god made us all and why waste a life after all ?" "Where are we headed ?" "I can't say for sure, but yes, we're deserting" "What with the enemy surrounding us..." " The ones you call enemy... are ina soldiers, they're coming to liberate us" "Goodness !" " What happened ?" "What's up ?" " Breakdown, Brakes not working" "Give me life, give me fame, give me fortune, give me sons, deign to grant all my desires" "O'goddess of life and death, in Thee I seek absolution, give unto me, the righteous life" "America drops atom bombs on Japan." "Hiroshima, Nagasaki cities obliterated" "Second World War comes to an end" "Congress leaders freed from prison." "Freedom struggle renewed" "Ratan, see me when you're done" "Jinnah demands Pakistan, calls for Direct Action Day" "August 16, 1946" "Ratan'da, I just got news." "There's a riot in the suburbs" "The rioters have attacked a house." " Whose house ?" "The Sens at 5, Kapalitola Lane" "Hey, don't go there alone" "Where did the girl vanish ?" " Did she jump off the roof ?" "Forget her." "Let's go" "Get a stretcher, quickly" "Straight to the doctor" "Where to now ?" " The slums lt's bad out there." "Don't go, I'm warning you" "Never saw this kind of daring." " Soldier, doesn't care for his life" "Not what you feared." "She wasn't raped" "I hope you're feeling better ?" "Yes" "That was a big mistake." "You ought to have left the house well in advance I never expected such a thing to happen." " Thank god for your escape" "Do you have any relatives around ?" "Meaning, someone you may live with" "My uncle, in Ballygunge." "Can I find an escort ?" "Sure." "Tomorrow morning, Ratan will drop you" "Why the dark glasses ?" "Got ashes in my eyes last night." "My eyes are red from the exposure" "You got to drop last night's lady." "I needn't warn you, but mind your way" "Get in" "Don't be afraid, he'll drop you safely" "Go on, get in" "Get the address right." "205/13, Ballygunge Circular Road 205/13...?" " Right" "This house ?" "Now get off, I've more to do" "Who...?" "Arati, it's you... you've come !" "Thank god you're alive" "The last few days, we've been so anxious... come in" "Listen, Arati has come" "Ms Arati, is that you...?" "Welcome and sit down." "Are you all right ?" "I'll disturb you a bit." " What is the matter ?" "That Ratan, I mean the one..." " Yes, you wish to give him something ?" "If only he will accept" "All your life, you ought to be grateful to him I'm endlessly indebted." " Let me find out" "Madhab..." "Madhab, where can Ratan be found ?" " Ratan'da ?" "Hard to say... he hasn't come around today." "But his wife might know" "Wife...?" " Yes, he has a wife and a blind mother at home" "Wife and blind mother...?" "What's the address ?" " Number 7, Baburam Lane" "Number 7, Baburam Lane ?" " l can escort you there, if you wish" "That won't be needed." "I'll find it myself" "Who are you looking for ?" "One Ratan..." "Mr Ratan lives here ?" "Yes ls he at home ?" " l'm not sure, but there was a tragedy" "Last night, his mother died." "They may have returned after cremating her." "Wait, let me see..." "Ratan's wife..." "O'Ratan's wife... is Ratan at home ?" "Don't grieve, she was lucky, her son gave her the last rites" "Now look outside, there's a lady looking for Ratan" "Please come inside and wait, he should be coming anytime" "Where will you sit..." "well, sit on the bed" "This must be your husband's photo ?" " You recognise him ?" "Your favourite flowers ?" " Yes" "Why worship the portrait of the living ?" " l also worship him that way I also do it with flowers" "Makes you smile ?" "I'm not a modern lady, but anyway, you won't understand how it is between us" "Oh yes, I know, the husband is god." " Knowing is not the same as believing" "Even amongst men, once in many ages comes a man who is god-like" "When I was a child, I made a wish for a "god-like" husband" "My father explained what "god-like" is..." " l'd like to hear that lt's a wish for men who are exceptional" "But not every woman is lucky to find such exceptions" "And only exceptional women can find those exceptional men" "For the rest of us, it'll only remain an unfulfilled wish" "So, in the men who come into our lives, we seek those exceptional qualities" "We wish to be exceptional, but it's not easy to become it" "As for flowers and this worship of gods and heroes... what's wrong if I worship my husband ?" " Nothing wrong at all" "But in our times, such devotion is rare" "Also rare in this age, is such love ;" "maybe that's why you don't know... devotion, love are eternal themes, alive in my heart, in yours, waiting to be found" "I worship with flowers, some worship in tears" "Your words are strange I am a strange sort" "What's your name ?" "Name ?" "Are you shy of telling your name ?" "He came home after the war and he gave me a new name." "Rati" "What happened, sister ?" "Nothing" "Excuse me, I should be leaving." " Do visit us again" "Oh, so it's you... come" "Listen..." "What's happened, Rati ?" "Nothing" "Let's go" "Please sit" "You can be informal, just say, sit" "Better to maintain the formality" "The choice is yours" "But why did you refuse to recognise me, fear that your affair would be exposed ?" "Affair...?" " Not affair, grand affair" "On one hand, that sharing, that give-and-take in life," "and on the other..." "I still possess your letter" "You had forgotten me, now forget me completely" "Probir is dead." " No, beyond death... you have returned, a ghost." " Say what you wish, I won't mind" "Forget me, but what about them ?" "Why did you deceive them ?" "And that girl, she's so devout, why have you ruined her like this ?" "Out of lust" "You may imagine so" "And when her husband returns ?" " Her husband is never to return l saw him die" "You are so lowly, you're scum !" "I'm going to expose you" "You're tormenting yourself needlessly." "Sati knows everything" "She knows...?" "That means..." "oh what have you done !" "You've forsaken everything, even depraved yourself... for the sake of a pretty form ?" " The form, nonetheless, Ms Sen... is the embodiment of the divine." " Don't mention my name, you're unworthy" "You're damned in perpetual sin !" " Unacceptable." "Only God is my judge" "Never mind all that." "But would it seem so sinful if..." "Sati were to enter viduage first and thereafter, if I were to marry her...?" "Which is what you did not !" " Which is because, we share no physical relationship." " You expect me to believe that ?" "You have seen where we live, how we live and there, have you seen... any scope or sign of debauchery ?" "You may have seen the lone bed ?" "Ms Sen, I know our times and I have witnessed the limits of our modernism, in clubs, hotels, I have seen the most loyal, modern couples... and I have seen their divorces ;" "in comparison, we are saintly, we're happier, more at peace, more reconciled to life I see in Sati a goddess, she too is devoted to me" "Wait, I'm not finished ln battle, I come across Ratan, a motor mechanic attached to my unit, and we're look-alikes." "Then we're retreating, hiding in jungles" "And Ratan is wounded, it's a bad wound" "Have no fear, nothing to fear, the shrapnel has pierced your arm" "O'mother... mother" "Sir..." "Yes ?" "How will we find our way back, sir ?" "Here we are, in unknown jungles..." "Be firm" "Don't break down" "Unbearable pain, I think my body is becoming septic I don't think... I don't think I'll survive" "I know sir, I won't live" "Ratan !" "What's going on ?" "Why are you acting like this ?" "I can't bear it, sir..." "I can't" "Oh, what pain" "My mother said," ""Ratan, don't go." "You'll suffer." "Greed leads to sin, sin leads to..."" ""l've borne the loss of your father's death, but if you die..."" "Before our wedding, her name was Sita lt's said that if girls are named Sita, they suffer all their lives." "So... I changed her name to Sati" "Sir, you go ahead lf you can go to them, at least they will get some news" "I won't survive." " Stop worrying like this" "They're the ones who'll be left to worry, if I die, they will become destitutes" "Ratan please, be quiet" "Give me a promise, please." "After I'm dead... you'll inform my mother and wife ... yes sir ?" "Give me your word, sir" "Say it" "Ratan, you have my word, if I'm the one to be left alive, I'll make sure to inform your mother and sister" "And I'll also see to it that they do not suffer in any way" "May God bless you" "May God preserve you, sir" "Water... water..." "Ratan, take a drink" "Over here... this is the house" "Ratan's mother and wife left for Kolkata long ago" "They left for Kolkata ?" " Yes" "Can you give me the Kolkata address ?" " l haven't any address" "When is the next return train ?" " Return train ?" "Tomorrow morning" "Goodbye" "Put my luggage down" "Ratan died, then I was discharged from the army. lt was a long return journey, and I was in two minds." "Till today I can't forget Ratan's last words," ""My mother, my wife" Finding them was my prime duty" "And here I was, in an obscure village far from Kolkata, only to be told... driven by want, Ratan's mother and his wife had migrated to the city" "No way, I could've returned that night, so I took shelter in Ratan's house" "Give me a promise, please." "After I'm dead... you'll inform my mother and wife" "Say it" "Give me your word, sir" "I had no option but to accept my misfortune" "I returned to Kolkata, but I didn't visit you, for good reason ln my awareness about your relationship with Arun, my conscience was forbidding," "neither you nor I had anything to cherish, so in that state of indecision, I went about looking for Ratan's mother." "Tired and defeated, one afternoon, I ambled along the riviera, pausing, in idle curiosity, to watch a crowd" "And suddenly..." "Where are you gone, my child ?" "Come with me !" " Have you bought the flowers ?" "First, the fruit." " What are you saying ?" "Come... here's your son." " Son...?" "And here's your Ma." " My son..." "Ratan !" "My Ratan !" "God, for one look at my son, give me back my sight !" "Eight years it has been and there was no news and everyone said, you were dead" "But I knew, you'd return !" " But I'm not..." "What son are you, can't you once, utter the word Ma." "She's blind, just a word will soothe her heart, after so many years..." "Yes, he'd return !" "I knew he'd return, look at him, I said, my Ratan would come" "Now I will hear him call me mother, Ratan, oh my Ratan" "Go on, call her Ma" "Ma, I am..." "There !" "God be praised !" " God be praised !" "Thank you God, but I have nothing to offer You" "My poor dear, oh how you must've suffered... but I've lost my eyes" "Oh how I wish I could see you..." " Your son has become stern ?" "Let him be, at least he's back home." " ln hope that one day, you'd return, I've clung on to life, now I all wish is to leave your wife in your care" "Who... who are you ?" "You aren't him" "Forgive me, I've wronged you no end" "Believe me, I never had a chance" "Yes, we never gave you a chance." "I'd never know without a close look, the similarity is so striking." " Your husband said that too, we must've had a common ancestor, after all, we belong to the same caste" "Then you are...?" "Probir Chatterjee." " He wrote about you, in a letter" "I... I was bringing to you, news of your husband" "Then I know what news it is" "But now, I'm cast into a life of lies" "I think I should leave." "Any longer and... ls that you, Ratan ?" "Ratan...?" "Sati, see who's leaving." " Your son" "Ratan, that's you Ratan ?" "Where are you going, so late at night ?" "He came out to see if you've slept." " Ratan's Ma, are you gone senile ?" "How can your son's wife go to bed when the mother-in-law is sitting out ?" "Come, you can sleep in my room." " Oh how true, how could I miss it ?" "All right, I'll sleep in your room." " Don't worry for her, Sati" "You may not leave" "Why...?" " Tomorrow when it's made public, that the man I brought home tonight wasn't my husband, what shall I say ?" "Then I won't have another chance." " You can go away tomorrow" "And I'll drown myself in the river to absolve myself of suicide's sin" "And to abet it, let's stage a screaming match." "Then... no questions will arise, out of your leaving or my suicide" "But this old woman...?" "Oh God..." "You tell me Lord, what am I to do now ?" "Who...?" "Ratan...?" "No, this cannot be, this can never be impossible" "Open the door" "Open up, please" "Swollen eyes ?" "Did you hide your face in his bosom and weep all night ?" "Even odes to sorrow sung in joyous turns, sound sweet" "Ma, I'm taking your son for a bath in holy Ganges" "Then we'll go to the temple." " Yes, you must go together I'd be a bother, so you go along, the two of you, together" "Let's go" "Come" "Any later and there'll be a crowd of bathers, come" "No, I can't let this happen..." "What ?" "I can't be responsible for your death" "Have no fear, I'm not about to die right now" "First, I must hear everything from you" "Can't do that at home, the old woman is waiting to hear" "Let's sit by the Ganges, come" "So now you've heard, about our lives, Ratan's and mine" "Let's go now" "What happened ?" "What's on your mind ?" "At this moment, I could drown myself, but the old woman is my responsibility" "And how can I ask you to take the burden that's mine...?" "But you know, I must leave." " No !" "In your wake, she will go mad." "Last night, you saw how it is" "And to tell you the truth, I can't bear this any longer" "But what can I do ?" "For a few days, just stay on..." " You are making a mistake" "With me around, you must behave like, dress like, live like a married woman I know" "If I put up this facade, it will be no sin" "Even in my husband's death, I cannot become a widow" "What do you mean ?" " lt's was a secret" "My horoscope showed early widowhood." "So my father wedded me to an idol, and he said, I can't give you away to any mortal." "So I give you to... the One who is Eternal." "Never in your life, you'll become a widow" "And in the man you will some day marry, seek Him" "Only He can save you." "Else..." "Why don't you just live with us ?" " Pretending to be Ratan ?" "Yes, only as long as the old woman lives, let's only bide our time, like last night" "Oh, you look so familiar to me, it must be a bond beyond lifetimes" "To me he was God" "You are His reflection" "I have heard it said how sometimes, to please the ardent devotee..." "God appears, in human likeness ;" "He smiles, converses, even teases, but touch Him, you may not." "Come unto us in that likeness, to become one amongst us, save us and we shall also belong to you, in all except the physical self, we shall relate to each other" "You who has come unto our world, now becomes our God, to this one, who has no son, become as son, and be husband to one who has none" "Once human, now arise, become God, can you not...?" "But are you aware of your youth ?" " l'm here only to behold" "But I am of flesh, human." "What if I fail to pretend ?" "You are aware, as I am, how Arati stands between us" "Despite...?" " No, you will succeed. I shall help you" "You trust me so far ?" " l trust you more" "Come, let's bathe in the sacred waters" "So be it, unto the Ganges I shall yield my self, my belief, my custom" "Then let me see, if I can become Ratan" "In those first hours, I failed to denounce her, to speak of her fallacies" "And in inseparable ties of trust, love and affection, I entwined myself" "To her entreaties, I submitted" "Now where is my wrongdoing, my crime my sin, my deception ?" "Forgive me" "Please forgive me Probir, I've gotten you wrong" "But for once, say, what am I to do now ?" "If only you knew how I bided my time, my father, brother, all gone... oh how I pined to find you near me" "Have you finished the conversation ?" "I waited and waited and then I came" "Listen, a man has come to see you, he has a letter for you" "He said, it's urgent, I told him to wait for you I should go" "Go on, I'll give her company" "I know all about you, Arati" "And now you've heard it all I knew, he'd conceal nothing" "I hope you realise that I am not in your place I am only me" "I dangled between luck and love, then I lucked out, your lot is love" "To him, I am a catastrophe, you are his solace" "Can you not take Probir down... from the pedestal where you've put him ?" "I can." "After my bath, I'll take him down from the altar I should be going, it's time..." "You are the reflection of my God and I have been greatly blessed" "No blemish, no blame, no fault is yours" "Not of your own wish, you were sent to me by the god of love" "Life's trials even gods must suffer if they are cursed to live in mortal realm" "And joyless they live, until they have bided their time, then to return... to their heavens." "For the sake of those heavens, you performed penance, in being son to a bereaved mother, being husband to a destitute widow... you have succeeded in this extreme of tests." "But my time has come... to leave your protection." "In no more entreaties, I can bind you" "Unless I give up my physical being, Arati's penance will not bear fruit" "Now make good for her the long tearful wait that was hers I shall survive within the woman you love most" "Where did Sati go ?" " l didn't understand, she was speaking strange words, then she walked away" "Which way...?" " That way" "What happened ?" "Read it"