Assam 2009 - AssamNet

3Maini MahantaBedabrata Kakoti shuns peoplethese days. Reclining in an easychair, he broods over his life,waiting to join friends Parag Bhuyan,Naba Dutta and Ranjan Bora who visithim every evening. Now that he isretired, solitary calm evenings botherKakoti. He hardly noticed a morningeveningvariation during the whirlwindof his working life. Incidentally Malayahad pleaded on one occasion that theysit together in the verandah to spendthe evenings together, a proposal whichKakoti apathetically dodged. Thosewere the boisterous days when Kakotipreferred loud friends and booze as hisevening companion. The booze habitpersists, though irregularly now due tomedical advice. Malaya appears for afew minutes in the verandah with thedhunadani in her hand and soon leavessilently. Kakoti misses his wife, but thenit is really too late to begin a new habitof sitting together as a couple on thesofa. The worried old man’s heart sinksat the sight of his neighbor, a retiredcollege teacher Arindam Chaudhurystrolling blissfully down the street in thearms of his wife. Relaxed couples,oblivious of the surrounding, evenKakoti’s grand residence!Kakoti’s son Rubul, wearing jeans anda baggy shirt and carrying a bundle ofnewspapers and magazines, opens thegate to make his way in. Rubul’s clothesannoy Kakoti. Kakoti cannotcomprehend the rejection by his son.A college graduate and a bookworm,Rubul refused to join the familybusiness and started working at a bankinstead as a junior officer. Malaya andRubul are attached to each other andthis close friendship agonizes Kakoti.Malaya with her ever-smiling face justturns a bitter Kakoti more jealous andvengeful. No, Kakoti can’t leave it likethat; for his own peace of mind, he mustreveal the deep secret of his life to hisunruffled wife. The disclosure wouldshock her and soothe Kakoti. KakotiYes, I know itfrantically searches for courage tospeak up.‘Hey, anything wrong Mr Kakoti?’As usual Naba Dutta is here on timewith his friends.‘Oh, no. It is alright.’The friends proceed to the first floorroom that Kakoti uses as his sleepingquarters. Parag Bhuyan, an engineerused to be a business associate ofKakoti. They used to work ongovernment contracts together, earninggood living. Tired of his roving eyes,Bhuyan’s wife deserted him and hismarried sons and daughters do not livewith him. Bhuyan is usually the lastperson to leave the game room. NabaDutta works in the educationdepartment of the state government.He picks up the pack of cards, shufflesthem in silence and continues to faceangry young men from whom he haddemanded bribe for jobs.‘Are you feeling OK, today, Mr. Kakoti?’‘Oh no, he is ok.’ Someone responds.Ranjan Bora is alert to Kakoti’s distress.After having made some Assamesefilms during his heydays, all he can donow is to attend occasional culturalprograms as an invitee. These fourelderly gentlemen are good old friendswho worked in divergent fields. Yetdrinks, gossip and scandals continue toobsess the old heroes and hold themtogether. It is no wonder that a dejectedBedabrata Kakoti, under duress fromfamily negligence, has lately begun toshow signs of fatigue. Till recently hewas leading a busy life at a spectacularpace with little care for his wife and son.He has built his fortune making him aproud possessor of a lot of land,buildings, several cars and a hefty bankbalance. Still unforeseen loneliness didnot spare him when one fine day Kakotidecided to call it a day. Ever sinceretirement Kakoti is entirely on his ownfor the whole day awaiting arrival ofthe three friends to cheer him up in theevening. A mental change accompaniedKakoti’s retirement. He fails to join hiswife and son when they walk in thegarden or chat in the backyard. Rubulhas all along been his mother’s son,staying away from a busy and unfeelingfather. Kakoti missed a chance to knowhis son. However Malaya clasped herson endearingly only to abandonKakoti in the long run. Malaya’s pleafor her husband’s time and concernusually ended up in bitter quarrels andweeps.-‘Kakoti, are you lost?’Kakoti’s neck and head droop.-‘My God, let us take him to bed.’ NabaDutta and Bhuyan help Kakoti to liedown on bed as Ranjan Bora rushesdownstairs to inform the family.-‘Kakoti, is it headache or –-‘Water please.’Naba Dutta pours water in a glass, givesit to Kakoti who gulps it down. Malayaand Rubul enter the room hastily.Malaya touches Kakoti’s forehead tosee if it is fever.-‘It is all right now. Nothing serious.’Kakoti protests his wife’s tender touch.Her fingertips carry a typical kitchenflavor. A passionate cook, Malaya triesto satisfy Kakoti’s taste for foodpersistently. But in her role as a caringwife, Malaya perpetually finds herselfat a confusing distance. After havinglived the life strictly on his own terms,it is for Kakoti now to lament themystifying gulf.-‘Would you like a cup of tea?’ Malayainquires. Kakoti nods, but he reallyknows it is not just a cup of tea butMalaya’s company that he needs now.He is growing more and more impatientto reveal the truth. Kakoti can’t bear itany more.Malaya and Rubul walk out of the roomat the same time. Oh, Rubul could havewaited. Malaya is coming again with thecup of tea and Kakoti prepares for thefinal showdown. Rubul is a decentyoung man who does not smoke ordrink; even as a child he used to hidehis father’s bottles of liquor andPOSOOWA • June 2009