Two years ago, Harry and Labani went out to have dinner with Judge Bernajee and his wife in the judge's house.Judge Bernajee met them at the main door. "Welcome, come in. Let's go straight to the dining hall. My wife has set a splendid feast for us."They entered a huge dining hall designed like a ballroom. Colored light splashed the long table from clear glass in the chandeliers above them, illuminated by a score of wax candles. The judge gave the principal seat to Harry and Labani sat at his right. The host couple sat opposite Labani. The dinner was apt to a foreign standard. After dinner, the men went to the study while the women to the drawing-room to entertain themselves with tea and sweets.Lady Bernajee chattered about her husbands' talks about politics and court proceedings, then dismissed it by saying, "It was utterly tiring to hear him talk to me about his work. I can't even take my beauty sleep in peace.""I think he just wants you to listen to him without interruptions or
The money was worth a hundred Lakh. It was a tremendous amount in those days. The officer went to Ninu Das' prison cell to understand the bribe he received. This kind of arrangement wasn't new to him, nor will be the last. He could either reject and bring home the money or do as he was told and leave the country.For years as a warden, he saw numerous innocent men died for lack of evidence and justice dictated by men of power. Saving one would help lessened his guilt a bit, he thought.There, he saw the accused Ninu silently praying on his knees. At that very moment, Fishal visited Ninu, and the officer heard their conversation. The officer didn't know who he was, though.Fishal stood by the cell door. "Ninu, is it really true that you poisoned Uncle Mithin?""I swear, I didn't kill him." He slapped the steel door with his palms. He bowed his head. "How can I kill my benefactor? You know me, Bhai. I'm not that kind of man.""But why did you deny an attorney?"Ninu looked up with a conf
In Shambadhila, Asha stared at the exact face of Ninu Das. She ran with great expectation that the man was her father. "Baba?" But this Ninu stepped backed, preventing her from embracing him."Miss, I'm sorry, but I don't know you. Please excuse me," and turned away.
The name tickled Ronjon's ears. 'Wow, what a coincidence.' Ronjon half bowed with his right palm on his chest. "It's an honor to meet you, Lady Ananya Dewan."She curtsied. "My honor as well." Then she stood up inelegantly. "Stop this nonsense. We're not royalty. You're treating Monojit as a family but you're treating me as an outsider." She squinted her eyes saying, "
Ronjon requested to talk to Rhidoy Dewan, the purpose of his unannounced visit. A man went to meet him and gave a cryptic phrase, "The wind blows from west to east. Which suits you then, west or east?"Ronjon understood. He was oriented what to respond. "The wind is colder from the north. I chose none from both.""I believe you brought something for my master."Ronjon gave the envelope and left without looking back. The man did the same and went to an exclusive garden. Ananya's father opened the parcel and found a letter. The date was set for a mass protest and other requests written for the goal of their country's Independence. Rhidoy gave it back to the man behind him, who burned them to ashes.. . . . .Abhik and Ninu had their tables and burners ready. All set for a battle of the two silently famed unique Chefs known to the anticipating audience. Asha, Labina, and Harry were to be the judges. The winner would get the special bag for spices brought by Labani from France.Ninu stared
This travel was a double headache for Ronjon. He traveled back to the Capital but wound-up in between military barricades. It was a tiring trip and he had to stop at the Ashaer Yatra for the night.However, he forgot his tiredness when a letter from Labani greeted him as he reached home.[Chef Ronjon Munshi,I am planning to leave for France to avoid the present civil unrest. Are you coming with us? No need to deny your relationship with Asha. You have to face me and someone important in her life if you wish a blessing for your betrothal and marriage.Sincerely,Chef Labani Gupta]"Yes! With Harry Gupta, the marriage certificate won't be hard." His laughter filled his house for hours.Ronjon was in bliss, his mind went adrift imagining Asha on their wedding day. He visualized the rituals and feasts and seeing her wearing the clothes he'll buy for her. His mind wandered on their first night as husband and wife, making his heart pumped faster as he fancied what would happen. Somehow, he
In the Capital, the British government heard of a mass protest planned by the religious leaders demanding the transfer of power to the nationals. There were two religions, Muslim and Hindu, gearing up to receive the transfer. The government wished for the unity of the country, but found the two groups adamant to have their own nations. Thus, the British Raj planned to appease and mark the country into two separate nations, but violence heightened between the two faiths before it could happen.Ronjon and Asha's wedding was set a month after. It could have been earlier, but they postponed it because the Council Members spent most of their time in the Council's Hall tackling one problem to another concerning the country's independence and land partition. Harry wished them to continue the wedding in his absence, but they insisted on his presence.They heard violence from one place to another. Somehow, their life in Shambadhila was peaceful. The preparations continued. The bride and groom
The newlyweds enjoyed their time, cherishing each moment as the day of Asha's scheduled travel was approaching. Though they wished for it to last longer, the day eventually came.Before the rooster made its morning calls, Ronjon's hands were full of her luggage while Asha clung on his waist. Her eyes were red as tears fell like stream wetting his shirt. "Please let me stay with you. Don't let me go without you. Please."Someone unburdened the bags from his hands and left them, giving him time to comfort his wife. He tightened his arms around her with the hope to soothe her. "We already talked about this the previous days. You have to go. Believe me, I'll follow.""I don't know but I'm afraid." Her hands clutched his back shirt, crumpling it in the process."Afraid of what?""Afraid I won't see you again. Please let me stay. Please."Her words squeezed Ronjon's chest. His eyes were starting to get watery. He sighed in desperation, thought of giving in to her request. Suddenly, the door
Asha blew air in exasperation. "Okay, Chef Ronjon Munshi.""Why is the chef title being inserted in this conversation?" Ronjon asked as one of his brows raised.
Both Asha and Ronjon went back in later. An hour more and the doctor came out from the operating room. All of them stood right away, aside from Asha, who slept, exhausted from crying."Who are the relatives of Shaheb Arup Mukherjee?"
Noontime came. The scenery was mesmerizing, but Rimas mind was not on it because the scorching heat of the sun was like burning coals roasting them alive. He tried lessening the soreness of the sunburns by covering his head with his shawl but held the cloth in his firm grasp, keeping the strong wind from blowing it away. Suddenly, someone yelled at his back. Everyone looked to where the shout came from and saw a woman pointing at a man who fell from the train. All the passengers on top of the roof were frightened to death. They might be next if they would not be careful.
Unknown to them, Rimas silently sat at a corner at the airport in the capital city. He tried to buy a ticket to flee the country but as Ronjon and Harry had predicted, all flights were sold out a long time ago and no more tickets were provided for the following months. Every family decided to find the best place suited for them to live. Somehow, the British Raj had not yet submitted any clear boundaries of the two countries, and there were only four months left before the set independence day.
Tarapati went back in and wakened Ninu and Arup."Ninu Bhai, your daughter is here. You better get up or something ugly will happen," Tarapati said while shaking Ninu.
Tarapati came out smiling to greet Asha, who stood in between Ronjon and Harry, but halted his steps when he saw the police cars escorting behind. He looked back at the two men sleeping in the living room, Arup and Ninu, and thought of waking them to clear up the situation to the unfriendly visitors.That night, when Ninu, Tarapati, and the rest arrived in the mansion,
Instead of being happy, Tarapati's mind boiled in rage against Ninu."Who are you playing with? Me? How dare you impersonate my late good friend?" Tarapati hollered right up to his lungs as he clenched his fist to strike Ninu on the face, but the latter calmly moved his head and shifted his hair to show Tarapati his hairy mole behind his left ear. Tarapati's hand tempo
While Tarapati was at it, he asked Ninu to allow him to talk with Sovhona alone. However, Sovhona was not at ease with the idea. She insisted on Ninu to stay with them. Hence, Tarapati had no choice but to ask Ninu for an oath of secrecy because he perceived him to be an outsider. He absolutely did not recognize this Ayoush's real identity even though they were close before.
Tarapati went to visit and talked with each of Rimas wives, aside from Sovhona, who he had no inkling of her where to find. The wives were in outrage after learning Rimas sold the house and their properties in secret. They couldn't even accept that he had the nerve to keep all the money to himself. With the fact that most of his acquired lands and business establishments were from their dowries, most of them wailed in agony and a few wished to sue him but with no power and money to do so.