Chapter 12 Sharing Memories

It's been 2 years since Awnirudh had seen his Vandita. The foreign postal service in India was still developing and it took a really long time for a letter to reach either sides.

The most difficult part was the anticipation and wait... But this was exactly what Anirudh had chosen, hadn't he? This was exactly what his uncle had warned him about!

In the meantime, he had received two telegrams from Lenny. In one, she wrote how Vandita has topped her class and the second one seeking permission for her to be involved in social work. Awnirudh had replied to both. But what he longed for was a letter from Vandita.

Days in London seems shorter than nights. He would work the entire day on various cases relentlessly. However, the nights were unbearable. Thoughts of Vandita's whereabouts won't let him close his eyes. At times, he would simply lie down thinking about the night he had spent with Vandita. He would imagine her face, her eyes, her red quivering lips... slightly parted, waiting for him to come and fill in. His body would stiffen at the thought of Vandita's soft smooth skin... How he had touched her bare back, how he had ran his fingers down her spine, how she had shivered and gripped his shirt...! Awnirudh would remember every bit of it. At times, he would almost feel Vandita's lips on his neck.. her tongue rolling around his collarbone, and sucking his shoulders gently... He would touch his own neck to recreate her touch, and then he would run his hands down his chest until he had reached his stiffened manhood. He would gasp.. he would pant.. But the release was always sweet, with him crying out Vandita's name before falling into a state of exhilarated exhaustion.

..............

It was early November when Awnirudh received Vandita's letter. He was overjoyed. His happiness knew no bound when he opened the envelope...

Three Polaroid Photographs!!!

Vandita has kept his request.

He hurriedly went to his penthouse bedroom and opened the letter.

"My Dear Barrister babu,

Thank you so much for the camera. I absolutely loved it! How are you Barrister babu? How is your health? How is the weather in London? My friend Brenda says it's very cold in London.. Please wear warm clothes at all times.

Ms. Lenny informed me about her telegrams to you. I'm trying to do as much justice to my studies as possible. I hope my report cards would not disappoint you. I have also taken up a voluntary service of teaching the local women and children about basic hygiene and sanitation. You were right Barrister Babu, they need me. And there are hundreds of them in Tulsipur who would need me as well.

Thank you for trusting me.

Also, to let you know, I'll be visiting Tulsipur during the upcoming Durga Puja. Batuk has promised to help me campaign for women education during the festival. Your uncle is extremely elated with the news. I wish you were there! I'll ask Batuk to click a few photographs so that I could send you.

Bless me Barrister babu, I'll need it.

PS: I'm sending you 4 photographs. The first two landscapes were clicked by me. However, Kshitija, my friend (an extremely bad photographer) clicked the remaining two. And yes, I forgot to add an 'A' to her name in my last letter. Ms. Lenny won't allow any boys to be in the premises, and even if she would... I won't be interested.

Take my sincere regards,

Vandita.."

...........

Awnirudh received the letter with a broad smile. He blushed and re-read the lines, countless times, and he saw the photographs too. The landscapes were breathtaking. However, the in the two portrait polaroids Vandita's entire face wasn't visible prominently. One showed her head and long flowing hair, with her holding a book to her face, and the other reflected her playing with two white calves, radiating joy and tranquility. Her overall demeanor looked ethereal... pristine!

"Dear Vandita,

Is that you I saw in those pictures? Unbelievable!! You really have grown up fast. I'm extremely elated to receive your letter. It's lonely in London during winters. The only good part is the snowfall. You would love it!

I'm aware of all the good work that you have been doing. Bravo Vandita! Batuk has already intimated me the action plan that you have chalked out with him, and I'm absolutely certain that you both will be able to win a lot of support from everyone around.

Glad to see you are doing justice to the Polaroid camera. Excellent photography Vandita. Keep it up. And yes, good to see you are not wearing sindoor!!

Anyway, belated happy 17th Vandita. May God bless you.

PS: Kshitija is indeed a horrible photographer. She desperately needs mentoring. Tell me, is she engaged? (Read my Laughter here)

Yours truly,

Awnirudh Roy Chowdhury"

Awnirudh finished writing the letter and gave it to the bearer to post it.

He longed to go back home... to his Vandita. But will she accept him?

...............

The following autumn was memorable for Vandita in every way. After 3 long years, she visited Tulsipur to see her family, Awnirudh's family to be precise. Her arrival added few extra layers of happiness and grandeur to their Durga Puja celebrations. Uncle Trilochan, Batuk and Koeli... everyone was beaming with elation at Vandita's arrival.

On the first day of the puja before the guests started pouring in, Awnirudh's uncle pulled her aside and said,

"Vandita beta, you are my daughter. I'm absolutely aware of the mistakes that Awnirudh has made. He is immature. I'm begging your forgiveness for his juvenile behaviour."

"Kaka Sasurji...." Vandita had jumped up. "What are you doing? You have done nothing wrong that you will have to seek my forgiveness. Tell me what's in your mind Kaka Sasurji. Please." Vandita requested.

"Beta, I don't want the villagers to gossip about you. I don't want them to defame you and our family. I understand, you have chosen not to wear sindoor and sankha pola... renounce all signs of your married identity and I completely respect your decision. But beta, for all our sake, if you could wear those during the puja days..."

Kaka stopped mid-sentence and looked at Vandita expectantly.

"I know Barrister babu doesn't want me. But I'm still a part of this family and I legally have one year left, haven't I? He can't take that away from me..." Vandita took a deep breath as her voice suddenly choked in emotions.

"I'll wear them. Please don't worry."

..............

The next four days were full of hustle bustle, fun and a whole lot of work. Starting from attending guests to arranging Prasad's, it was a grand affair.

And ofcourse, Batuk. Batuk has crossed 17 too, and was a splitting image of his elder brother Awnirudh, only a few inches shorter. He had become Vandita's shadow the past few days.

'Boudi this... Boudi that...' and every time Vandita would look at him, an image of another man would flash in her mind's eye.

"Boudi... Subho Astami.." Batuk had wished her on the third day. "You look splendid! I wish Dada was here." He sighed.

"Here, let me take a photograph of yours. Boudi... Turn this side please..."

Vandita had stopped Batuk.

"Batuk stop...! One more year. Then I'm sure your Dada will get a new Boudi for you. Try calling me Vandita Devi instead." She winked at him.

Batuk immediately clicked a photograph.

"Batukk..." Vandita screamed at him playfully.

"Don't Batuk me! I just have one boudi, my Vandu boudi. She is of my age but scolds me like a grandmother." He teased her.

Vandita laughed too.

"And yes Vandita Devi... I'm tired of this duel between the two of you. Both would pine and die for each other and still won't share a word!! Durga Maa should give the two of you some sense."

Batuk turned around and was about to leave when Vandita stopped him. She thoughtfully leaned against a terrace wall and asked, "How do you know your Dada is pinning for me?"

Batuk smiled and said, "Hold!" and clicked another photograph.

"Simple... He asked me to click as many photographs of you as possible and telegram it to him." His innocent wink was enough to make Vandita laugh again.

"Is that so! " She snatched the camera back from his brother-in-law.

"Batuk... you know what... I'll send them to London." She wink with a sense of command and in reply Batuk just picked up an apple from a Puja Thali and shrugged.

"Lovers, I tell you! "