Parineeta Read online

Parineeta

  ****

  By Hiranya Borah

  Copyright 2016 Hiranya Borah

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  Preface

  Every time I see a couple on the street, in a party, in a meeting, at a mall, I want to know the age difference between husband and wife. If I observe huge age difference, I always want to know indirectly, is there any problem between them. In most of the cases, I fail to elicit any information on that account as nobody wants to tell about their private life. However in some cases, I was able to have some idea about the problem in mismatching the physical requirements. In this book, I want to peep into this problem.

  In Parineeta I tried to depict the agony of a young girl who had to marry a man double of her age. Her problem was manifested as she could not tell the person whom he loves, till her death. Her sacrifice for her sons were also not appreciated, rather ridiculed and condemned by her own sons. She had to surrender her body to her husband against her will and then she had to submit her body to a heartless animal for money and physical needs.

  My ‘Parineeta’ is not based on any real characters living or dead. Association of my name to Parineeta is just to make the story more realistic. I am no way fit into the character as such. Therefore, if any reader finds some similarity in character of Parineeta, it is pure coincidence only.

  The life of Parineeta is full of un-contended life of a young girl who grew up to face all nonsense of life and one day she died without any ripple in the minds of those for whom she lived with agony of selling her body and soul whom she never loved.

  In the whole book, as usual in other books of mine, I have avoided to give names of many characters to make the relations with universal similarity.

  Author

  Chapter I: The Lovely Girl

  I met this girl in 1981 as a student of my college. She was not extremely beautiful but she was one of the loveliest girls I used to interact regularly during my college days. She was three years junior to me and would have been a perfect match for me. But unfortunately, I was involved with another girl who happened to be her roommate of the hostel. When I left for Delhi for pursuing my higher studies, I did not have iota of doubt that young girl had to leave her studies midway to marry middle aged person who happened to be a colleague of her father. When during my holiday visit to my hometown, I was informed by a common acquaintance about her marriage, I was shocked, lest to say.

  About sixteen years back, when I met Parineeta in a departmental store, she looked like a typical middle aged lady though at that time she was hardly 35 or so. Probably I could not have recognized her, had she not approached me. ‘Hi, Hiranyada, how are you?’

  ‘Oh my God, what’s a pleasant surprise? How are you, Parineeta? Where is your family?’

  She introduced an old bald headed person as her husband and two teenagers as her sons. She introduced me to her husband as her senior in college. From facial expression of her husband, it was very clear that he was not happy to meet me. Her husband told with clear tone of displeasure, ‘Every day, I have to meet some seniors or friends of my wife, since last one year after my transfer to Guwahati.’

  Though I understood his displeasure, ignoring his dis-satisfactory tone I told him with a smile, ‘Yes, that is quite possible! There were some two thousand boys and girls in our college. So number of acquaintances of your wife would be not less than five hundred and at least two hundred of them are in Guwahati. Therefore in 365 days you have to meet 200 of her friends; 200/365 is tending to one. So far I am concerned, I seldom forget any beautiful lady whom I meet somewhere some day since I attained adulthood. So being a beautiful lady, she also had not gone away from my memory. Further, I was a secretary of the college and by virtue of that most of the students of that time know me. However, your wife was closed to me not because she was beautiful; but she was the roommate of my ex-girl friend.’

  The elderly fellow became very happy to hear that his wife was my girl friend’s roommate and his face became free of cloud of doubt. This time discarding the tone of displeasure, he said, ‘Where are you staying now? We are at our newly constructed house at Beltola.’

  Then he took my address and phone number of office (during those days the mobile network in Assam was in an infant stage and only selected few had residential phone connection). He also gave his residential address, office address and official and residential phone numbers.

  After one week Parineeta’s husband visited my office, located in the same locality (Beltola) and forcefully took me to their residence. While serving tea Parineeta told, ‘In last fifteen years, this the first time he invited a person who was known to me before my marriage, except of course my close relatives.’

  ‘He probably identified me as venom less snake as my girlfriend was your roommate!’ At my answer, she smiled beautifully. I noticed her smile was as beautiful as used to be in the college.

  In the next few months her husband visited my office many times and took to his residence to have tea. Parineeta also made some phone calls to me during office hours. During conversations with Parineeta I came to know, how suspicious her husband was. In the meantime I took a mobile phone and residential phone as well, though I did not share my numbers with them.

  After one year of our formal introduction, the husband of Parineeta retired. After his retirement, his visit to my office increased to my discomfort level due to obvious reason. However, I did not show any displeasure on those visits, as he used to take to their residence quite often to have a cup of tea. My regular visits gave Parineeta an open window to ventilate her frustration. I also started to like her accompany and started some loose talking. Though I am not sure, whenever I visit their residence, she appears to be at her best attire and looked better and better in my eyes on every visit of mine.

  Chapter II: Flirtation

  ‘If he is so suspicious about your classmates and college friends, what made me out of his suspect list?’ One day I asked her when she telephoned me.

  With her trademark giggle she said, ‘First of all, I was roommate of Ajita, your one of the many girlfriends! The second reason may be your matured look!’

  ‘First of all, let me clarify, I did not have many girl friends as you have claimed; after all you can count the names of all my girl friends on your finger tips, at least those who were my friend’s up to my graduation level. You can also certify my good character, as I never tried to woo you! However, for using the word mature instead of old hag, I am thankful to you!’ I always like to make fun of myself before the ladies.

  ‘Only a lady can certify who is old and who is not! Do not try to infringe that territory.’ Another round of giggle was heard.

  ‘Ok, I shall try to take a certificate from you one day.’ I told her in a lighter vein. There was pin drop silence on the other side. I thought, I should not have said like that. ‘Sorry, probably I hurt your modesty! I should not have crossed the limit!’

  ‘No, no, that is alright! In no way, you have hurt my sentiment or modesty. I have already opened up many things to you. I shall not mind if I open rest of the things to you which are still under the cover. I am only thinking, am I that lucky to provide a certificate to you!’

  It was an open invitation to me by a lady who is not my wife or a girl friend at any time. Then only I understood why an old husband is suspicious about his young wife. I changed the topic immediately.

  In another day, she rang me to tell that she was not well. Showing extra ordinary intere
st, I also asked her, ‘What happens? Have you taken medicine?’

  ‘I am suffering from severe headache. It may be a problem of migraine!’ With a painful voice she replied.

  ‘Have you taken medicine?’I repeated the same question.

  ‘Medicine will not help. After few hours it will go. Do not worry my dear friend!’ She said.

  ‘Why should I not? Can I be any help to you? Where is your husband?’ I asked her with some degree of artificial anxiety.

  She did not give any answer for some time, then she said, ‘You can, but I cannot request you to help me out right now. Who can help me out; he is not young enough to help me out!’

  I could not answer to such an indulging question immediately. ‘Are you serious what you are saying?’After few seconds I asked.

  ‘Any doubt? I am serious. I am not asking you to help me out today itself. Will you help me out some day when you are free and I am alone?’ She pleaded.

  ‘Hopefully, yes. I shall always be happy to make you happier. Anyway, are you feeling better now?’

  ‘Yes, far better! I know my medicine! You have given me the fragrance of the medicine! That is enough for today! Come one day for delivering the actual medicine!’She hung the phone after saying that.

  Am I doing the right thing or not? I have my own family and she has her own. She has problem in her family due to wide age difference between husband and wife, precisely 20 odd years. I have no problem today, but tomorrow I shall invite lot of problems if I involve seriously with Parineeta. So far I did not take Parineeta seriously; mostly I talk with her to get something spicy. But that day’s conversation took a serious turn.

  ‘I know, if I put my feet in quick sand once, I shall not be able to come out of that. This illicit relation will spoil my family, her family. Am I not betraying her husband who for the first time in his life believes someone who was known to his wife for more than twenty odd years?’All these questions engulfed my mind.

  Chapter III: Great Escape

  Most of you will agree, sometimes some problems are solved without any effort from your side. In my case also, I got a marching order from Guwahati after my serious conversation with Parineeta on that day. It was a bolt from the blue due to some other reasons. But I was relieved to be out the muddy field where I did not want to venture any more.

  When I informed Parineeta about my transfer, she started weeping and cursing her own luck. After composing herself after a minute or so she invited to their house for a lunch on a working day. Though I was very busy in packing my belongings to shift from Guwahati to Delhi, I could not avoid visiting their residence as Parineeta’s husband also insisted a visit before my departure to Delhi.

  On the designated day, Parineeta’s husband came to my office and took me to their residence at around 12-30 PM. I could see the sad look in the eyes of Parineeta while she was welcoming me at her door. ‘Can you not change the order?’ she asked with pleading voice.

  ‘That is not in my hand. I have to hand over my charge as soon as possible! I shall have to miss your tea and tasty snacks.’ I told her with a helpless tone.

  ‘Yes, both of us will miss your company. You are the only person who is known to Parineeta for years and became a friend of mine also.’ He told me with a genuine voice.

  Parineeta’s husband excused himself for few minutes to take his bath after taking a cup of tea with me.

  The sons of Parineeta went to their college during that time and taking advantage of absence of her husband, she embraced me tightly and said, ‘Why God is so rude to me! I saw some glimpse of happiness and before I get taste of that it was snatched away from me!’Before I could say something she started kissing on my lips and face like a mad woman. I must admit, I liked the taste her lips and I did not try to break away from her. I did not know how long we were in that position till I heard the sound of unlocking the door of the bath room. I pushed her away from me and sat on the nearest sofa.

  She also hurriedly went to the kitchen.

  After taking lunch I left their home with a mixed feeling. In one way, I was relieved from drowning at the pool of tantalizing quick sand of an illicit relation. On the other hand, I felt dejected at the nipping at the bud of a blooming relation.

  Chapter IV: My Evergreen Friend

  After saying her a final good bye over phone I took my train to Delhi. Since then I could not meet her again though I had visited Guwahati many times due to an unknown fear. Initially we used to talk on phone and over the time frequency of calls reduced. A time had come when I lost her contact completely.

  Anoop is one of my closest friends who are able to maintain his body and mind young to our envy. He is now holding good post where money flows like flood water. He is only my close friend who prowls after ladies like a black panther. He could not be noticed till the victim realises that there is no escape route. His choice of prey ranges from young to old, ugly to beautiful, poor to rich; in one word, anyone.

  During one of my visits to Guwahati recently, he invited me to his home for dinner. On that day he was alone and therefore we went back to our college days literally. He was praising my capacity to woo girls and for maintaining good relation with the ladies. In return, I said, ‘I was able to woo many ladies for a cup coffee or tea, but among us, only you have the capacity to visit bed rooms of many girls during our college days and I heard still you are able to keep that powers intact.’

  With a laugh he said, ‘You are a romantic man. Your love was always divine and my love for girls is always limited to their bodies. You love girls emotionally or intellectually or religiously where visiting bed room is not essential. Contrary to that, for me visiting to the bed room is the integral part of my love towards any woman. My only aim to woo a girl is to use her physically. I am a materialistic man. I am governed by physical desire and you are always governed by soul and empathy. But irony is that, having so many differences in our mindsets, still we are close friends.’

  I did not have any point to disagree to his statement and therefore I concentrated in my glass of scotch.

  But suddenly he started weeping and said, ‘Do you know today I am very sad? One of my girl friends died today at Apollo Hospital Madras (Chennai). You may also know that lady. She was three year junior to us in college and married to an old fellow before she completed her studies.’ He gulped whole glass of scotch in one go.

  My heart started beating with an accelerated speed. I asked, ‘who is she, hopefully she is not Parineeta?

  ‘Yes, she is Parineeta. Last few years we had lot of steamy sessions. I spent lot of money on her sons after death of her husband. I sent both the sons to the Engineering colleges of Chennai. Her family pension was not enough for capitation fees etc. for her sons’

  ‘What happened to her?’I tried my voice as normal as possible.

  ‘It is a case of severe depression. You might be aware that she was married to an old fellow. How long an old fellow can control his young wife? Ten years back when I met her in a get-together for the ex students for three years (1981-83) of our college, immediately I understood, she would be an easy prey for me. We had some fun time for about two years without her husband’s knowledge. But one day we were caught red handed. Then lot of tension brewed between them and finally the husband died of heart attack after a month or so. Then we became free to mingle. I wanted to get rid of her sons also. Therefore, with my own initiative, I sent both of them to Chennai for their engineering courses, spending more than Rs.5 lakh. Though, the sons came to know why I was spending so much on them, they pretended to not knowing anything. Now a days, children are extremely selfish. They did not mind to live lavishly on my money knowing fully, why I was spending on them. Finally once they passed out from the colleges and got jobs, they started criticising their mother and started pointing fingers on her character. A year back one of them told his mother that he did not care for sentiment of a prostitute. From that day onwards, her health started deteriorating. Last one year, she had to take
lot of medicines for one or other ailments. For taking lot of medicines, she became a prey of depression. To have a good medical check up I sent her to Apollo hospital, Chennai. I do not know, how her last has come; but the attendant telephoned me today morning that she had expired.’ He closed his eyes, probably he was crying. For the first time, I saw a predator crying for a prey.

  ‘Did you love her from your heart?’ I asked.

  ‘No, I did not love her, neither she loved me; but I have sympathy for her. My sympathy is like sympathy or liking for a good employee of the employer. She served me well against my payment. Now a days, getting good service after paying sufficiently is also rare. I have many ladies in my payroll; but she was the best among them. She was very clear about our relation. She told blatantly, she is going to give her body for physical needs and for money. She told in unambiguous terms that her heart was with someone else for last three decades and that would remain there.’ He sighed.

  My eyes also became moist thinking her mental agony for so many years, her sacrifice for her ungrateful sons and unreciprocated love for someone, probably whom I do not know. However, I thanked God for not being the cause of her husband’s death few years’ back. For Parineeta’s sons also, I could not have done anything as Anoop had done, simply because, I did not have any spare money after meeting the needs of my family. Now for death of Parineeta also, nobody can blame me nor I can blame myself! Therefore, I was relieved of any guilty feeling.

  Chapter V: The Letter

  After returning from Guwahati when I joined to my duties, I saw a private letter in my name along with a number of official letters. After disposing the official letters, I opened the personal letter. The letter was written in Assamese with very good hand writing. The letter is translated below for my readers:

  Dear, no! My dearest Hiranyada,

  When the letter will reach you, I shall not be in this world. What I am going to tell you today, it was kept in my heart for more than thirty years. I had always been introduced as the roommate of Hiranya Borah’s girl friend when I was in college. Nobody had ever asked me whether I was happy with that introduction or not. I always wondered why it was not other way round. Why she could not be introduced as she was the roommate of Hiranya Borah’s girl friend. I was always envious of that girl. Then when you left for Delhi for your masters, I was happy thinking that she would lose contact with you. My wish was fulfilled up to that extent. But God was not kind to me! My marriage was solemnized with a man more than 20 years old against my will. I cried a lot but nobody listened to me. I could not muster the courage to tell my parents that I love someone else as I did not know what would be your reaction if I would have said my parents that I love you and my parents asked you about your opinion.