Amit was returning home after a grueling day in office. It was evening and the sky was full of black clouds pregnant with monsoon rains. The drizzle has not stopped from the morning. The oppressive summer heat being dissolved by the sprinkle from the sky, it was a pleasant evening. He got down from the bus and started walking towards his home with an umbrella to protect him from getting wet. On the road he saw a teenager boy and a girl holding hand getting wet in the rain. It was a slow walk with a sense of fulfillment embedded with incessant teasing and joking. Amit reflected on the monsoon day in Durgapur when he and Soma got drenched in the rains after their mathematic tuition classes. The career of doctors and engineer were the most aspired for their child by the majority of the parents in the Ruhr of India. The mathematics and biology tutors were the most in demand. The private tuition classes in mathematics and biology used to be in batches and getting admission to the coveted tutelage of the famed tutors was the object of desire. Each batch compromised of 20-25 fertile and innovative brains whose medium of transport to the classes were mostly on bicycles. Arun Sir was the one of the most celebrated teacher in mathematics. He had helped numerous students and parents realize their dreams. Amit and Soma got admitted to the mathematics private tuition class of Arun Sir with a definitive mission to conquer the portals of engineering or medical college. The first day in the class was spent in mutual introduction and Arun Sir explained the modalities that would be adhered in the future to chisel out precious gems from a crude material. It was drizzling. After the class ended Soma had started her journey back home on the bicycle. With persistence drizzle falling on her face, she pedaled hard down the wet sodium vapour drenched road. On the way she felt a sudden jerk. She realized that her bicycle chain has got disengaged. She got down from the bicycle and had started inspecting the chain when she heard a voice from behind “May I help you madam?” It was Amit. Soma thought it would not be prudent to take help from an acquaintance of few hours. She said “I can do it. Any way thanks for offering to help.” Amit stood by the deserted road watching Soma getting into a tangle with the chain as he got wet by the spell of rain. Soma was desperate to mend the chain but it did not work out. In frustration she said to Amit “Can you help me? I have done it before many times but it would not happen today.” Amit obliged immediately. With the chain perfectly in place Soma thanked Amit as they cycled together in the rain till they reached a diversion which would take them to their individual home. The association between Soma and Amit slowly started emerging. The rendezvous before and after the tuition classes were on the upswing with passage of time. Sitting under the deciduous Sal trees in the A-Zone Park they would exchange notes on mathematics before attending the tuition class. After the class they would plan for their future tryst. The mutual desire to spend time together compelled them to bunk classes. It was an adventure for them to discover each other in different circumstances. In one of their sudden venture they had cycled down to Durgapur cinema to watch a film ‘Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak.” On arriving at Durgapur cinema they did not get tickets. “The black marketers are quoting Rs 100 per ticket. Let us go to the Troika Park and enjoy the toy train ride. We can spend the afternoon by going to the Deer Park and enjoy the beautiful atmosphere beside the lake.” said Amit. Soma pulled out her purse and said” I have Rs 150. Put in Rs 50 and get the tickets. We would watch the movie.” Amit looked at his purse and saw he had Rs 100. He took Rs 100 from Soma and bought the tickets. The romantic saga captured their mind. The ventures were innumerable where they would fret over decisions, suppress lingering doubts and ponder over as afterthought. During their expedition to the Durgapur Barrage during the monsoon Amit coaxed Soma to travel on bicycle. The voyage was memorable as both got doused by the down pour and had to chart out fables to convince their parent on the nature of activity carried out during their day long hiatus from home. The mounted parental suspicion on the amount of time spent outdoor would force them to be innovative in their appointment. They would undertake shorter endeavor during the evening to watch the musical fountain at Kumaramangalam Park as their heart yearned to spend longer time together. The vibrant and thrilling days of Amit and Soma in the steel city were put to testimony. Both did not qualify for any of the entrance exam for engineering and medical college or university. The dreams of their parents had fallen down like nine pins. Soma went on to study English literature at Banaras Hindu University while Amit went on study commerce at a prestigious college in Kolkata. They use to keep in touch by writing long letters and occasional phone calls. New environment with hard realities of building a career took over as priority. Distance acted as a catalyst. With time the frequency and the length of the letters came down. Phone calls became a rarity. Amit and Soma slowly started losing touch with each other. They went on to script individual successful stories with their career. Amit went on to become a chartered accounted and also picked up nuisances of software associated in his financial domain. He got employment in the software corporate world which would entitle him for travel around the world. Soma mastered in mass communication and did an additional course in journalism. She started her career with a leading news channel. Her pioneering stories on various façade of the society would bring in high TRP. On her journey of creating breaking news she got swept of her feet by a fellow colleague. They went through a whirlwind romance and married after dating for a year. But things did not fall in place. Two years of matrimony would be what Soma could endure. After separating from her husband Soma took up an assignment to be the overseas correspondent for the news channel as a part of the emotional healing process. She got a posting in Paris. Amit was advising a leading fashion house on financial restructuring. His consulting skills to make the business profitable on the growth path would impress his client. Paris, the global head quarter of the fashion giant would beckon him. During his assignment he got a ticket to witness the Spring/Summer Paris fashion week in Carrousel du Louvre. Soma has been covering the Paris fashion week for her news channel. Amit saw Soma from a distance and recognized her. Years of separation would put some doubt in his mind. With the receding hair line Amit thought that Soma would not recognize him. He went back to his hotel. His mind was overflowing with emotions as memories of Durgapur haunted him. Next day he did not hesitate to reveal his identity in front of lady he desired. Soma was astonished. She could not believe that Amit was standing in front of her. “What are doing in Paris?” Amit asked. Soma narrated all the flurry of activities that are associated with her occupation. Amit listened patiently. The week was spent discussing haute couture from all the famous brands on 99 Rue de Rivoli. They went to Louvre Museum after the fashion show getting a taste of the largest museum of the world. The work of art and sculpture would fascinate them as Soma would update Amit of the historical significance of the entities from her profound knowledge base acquired over the years in journalism. Amit was plagued with a desire to know about the unfolding of events in the life of Soma after their days in Durgapur. He could not pop up the question. After the Paris fashion week both got busy with their respective assignment. During the weekend Amit invited Soma for dinner. “We would have our dinner at Le Jules Verne, the second floor restaurant at Eiffel Tower.” said Amit over phone. A private elevator would take them up to the restaurant after a security check. Amit had reserved a window seat. The panoramic view of Champ de Mars with the sun setting and the lights coming into effect to illuminate the city accompanied by soft rains against the window created a sublime atmosphere. Amit requested Soma to order. The discussions of present and past events in their individual lifes were devoured along with gastronomical delicacies. It was an honest revelation which went on for more than two hours. “What do you like for dessert?” Amit asked. “Chocolate truffle “replied Soma. “ I would like a Chocolate soufflé” said Amit. As they relished their dessert Amit asked “Do you want to settle down in future?” Soma said “I do not know what the future holds for me.” On their way back Soma suggested “Why do not we take a cruise along the Seine?” Amit obliged. They stood on the terrace of the boat with unobstructed view of the illuminated riverside embellished with architecture, monuments, the iconic bridges and historic sites. The cruise finished at 10 P.M. They were not sure of the destiny to plan. Amit returned to Kolkata. Soma is located in Paris with her assignments for the news channel. She comes down to Kolkata during her vacations and stays with Amit in his apartment in an upper class housing complex. They make a trip to Durgapur whenever feasible and have been witness to the changing landscape. Amit on his overseas assignment returns to Kolkata with a stopover in Paris whenever possible. Engulfed in thought Amit reached his apartment. The precipitation has got heavier. He looked up and saw the teenager boy and the girl were holding hand moving forward.
Posted on: Fri, 09 Aug 2013 15:29:04 +0000