Sumita!
The babehood of Sumita and her brother Sourav was a nightmare for them. They were twins of three years. Their experience was much more bitter than their peers at that tender age. As the neonates opened their eyes into this vast world, hap turned its face away from the care of their mother because she had closed her eyes forever. Their father had no other way but remarrying; he wed a woman of loving nature. She had craved for recognition among her people but no result. Unlike the other stepmothers, this mother had created a folder of concern and saved the concerned needs of these young ones in her folder. The natal of her daughter made no change in her attitude to the little ones, may be she had to cross a series of bad luck in her life so far. Their paternal aunt, an embodiment of cruelty, always kept an upper hand in that family. Her hands signalled commanding gestures and controlled all the members in that family because she was the only one on job, so her pension amount had accomplished the purchase portfolio of that family.
Moreover, the aunt had the habit of attaching all the mishaps that had taken place in that residence to the duo: When you opened your eyes, gone your mother, ill-fated devils. The title-ill fated devils, always stayed on her tongue. The two tender hearts were pounding at the very sight of their aunt. The more she abused them, the more they became timid. They enjoyed the company of birds, blooms and small creatures. They played with the little beings in the soil, made them their friends, played with the kids of goats, and pampered the stray dog and these acts of theirs bagged them strokes with sticks from the aunt. And she wasted no chance to place in front of the father of Sumita, plates full of fault-findings of the young ones. He was keen to batter the little ones left and right without even listening to a word from his second wife or kids. As the leaves of calendars bade farewell to the wall, time added years to the age of children. Now, they attained ten, and hence the measure of rebukes and reproofs expanded.
Why is this aunt like this? We have not done any wrong: they lamented. One day, their painful brains advised them to jump into their pond and end their lives. The kids both jumped into their deep-water pond and started drowning. They struggled for breath, sinking and rising in the water. An elderly shepherd boy happened to see them; he shouted for help and jumped at once into the pond. Somehow, he managed to save both of them. At that time, the whole neighbourhood gathered, reprimanding the parents.
Time travelled fast; teenage dawned on children. The school-going girl was arrested by her aunt, furnishing the justification that girls should not learn much, which their father had put into force. Teenage was a tough age for them; it filled their minds with suffocation and confusion, and sleeplessness hindered their little brains. Again a few more years took leave of them.
The male youth was lucky enough to be employed in a school library as its librarian after he got graduated in 'Library Science’. He was a bit relieved from the torments, as he had a small amount of money he added to the expense for the family budget. The female youth yet had no discount in her torturing.
One day, Sourav came home after his office: Sumi, now I am in a job, no! After one or two years, we shall move from here and stay somewhere else.
She said: O, no, no good days in my fate. I may die of ill health. Heavy work and less food will kill me soon.
Don’t think so, Sumi. Our good days also will come: Sourav.
Our days, Damn it, what our days!: uttered Sumita, highly desperate words.
Sourav became a wee bit anxious as he read a sort of depression in words spoken by his sister: Will she show some foolery; we had done it earlier, once? That day also, things happened due to her urge only.
Whenever he was there at home, he kept a watchful eye on her.
Sumitha went to the kitchen, prepared tea for her brother and got engaged in her routine chores. Some unreadable profile loomed on her face, which her brother noticed; he could not understand:Is it confusion or frustration? 'Will she do some wrong’ echoed in his mind. He watched her whenever he was there at home. A couple more days rolled on their path without adding any accessories.
That evening when Sourav arrived home, his sibling was not seen anywhere there to make tea for him. He was in panik and started calling her loudly: Sumi, Sumie, Sumee, where are you? She is not anywhere . Sourav’s anxiety grew; he ran here and there, searched everywhere in the pond, well and bathroom, addressing her name loudly.
The other kinfolk also tried to locate her but were unable.
On their complaint, the police were on their toes to find her out. A small piece of paper, kept in one corner of the kitchen, fell into their sight.
With a shivering hand, Sourav took it and unfolded it: I am going away, I can’t suffer further. Our neighbour, Gopal, and I are going to marry. He was inviting me for about five years, I was afraid to go and did not want to leave you also. The torturing of aunt is too much now. Sourav, dear, don’t you be sad. I shall call you. With love, Sumi.
