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Facets Of Romance

Literature & Fiction | 7 Chapters

Author: Bijit Chakraborty

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An anthology of romance stories that explore relationships in different shades of love. Paths of love could be different but it is a renaissance of wonder that thrills our souls and makes us complete. We all fall in love some way or the other. A few touching stories from everyday life ...

MELODY OF TEARS

It was a sultry summer morning and a long queue was waiting at the bus stand. Ratan took out his guitar and sat down in a corner of the shade of the bus stand. He was lean with untidy hair and short unshaven beard. He was oblivious of his surroundings and immersed himself into his music. He started playing a soulful tune. There was a placard in front of him which said ‘My mother is sick. Please help’. He was a street performer. He was evicted by the traffic police several times but he came back again and again till they gave up and started ignoring him. As his fingers touched the string, the magic of melody cast a spell on the small audience. It was a welcome respite to the tired passengers who were waiting for hours for their bus. A few kind souls threw coins on the guitar bag placed in front of him. He played the entire afternoon in the sweltering heat and went home with one hundred and fifty rupees. He did not have lunch.

“How was your day?” asked his mother. She was weak and lying down on her bed.

“Great. The people at the studio are very kind. They said they will soon raise my pay.”

His mother smiled and asked, “Did you have lunch?”

“Yes. I brought some rice and lentils for you.” He placed the food on the plate and fed his mother.

In another part of the city...

Manoshi and her friends who were selected for a multinational company in the campus recruitment had planned for a grand lunch at a posh Park Street restaurant. Vishal was overexcited and said he would sponsor the lunch. He was the son of a big shot in the construction business and had big dreams of working abroad.

“I’ll pay half the bill. Otherwise, I’m not going,” insisted Manoshi. She too belonged to a rich business family. Her father was a business tycoon in the diamond business.

“Alright senorita, your wish is my command.” The rest of the gang were mostly from middle class families and they were glad that they would not have to part with their pocket money. They cheered for themselves and congratulated each other.

Manoshi had been dating Vishal for a while now. They were neighbours and both the families were well aware of their relationship and they were happy about it. There was a bright prospect of two businesses merging together as a group of companies and becoming one of the richest families in Kolkata.

As they sat across the table, Vishal kicked Manoshi and winked at her.

“What?” asked Manoshi in an irritated voice.

Vishal produced an exquisite watch from his pocket and put it on the table. “Rolex,” he said. “Only for you.”

Manoshi smiled and accepted the gift. “Thanks. It’s very beautiful.” Then she remarked sternly, “Don’t waste any more of your father’s money on me.”

“It’s difficult to impress you.”

“That depends on how you are trying to impress me.”

“I’ll give you a Porsche when I settle abroad.”

“Why don’t you look after your father’s business here?”

“My brother will do that. I want to see the world. We’ll travel the world together.”

“Time will tell,” said Manoshi as she sipped on her lemonade.

Soon, premium whiskey was served and the gang gulped down as much as they could.

“I’m...what I mean is...I really love you Manoshi,” said Vishal in a drowsy voice.

“Why? What’s so special in me?” said Manoshi. Three pegs did not seem to have any effect on her.

“You are beautiful...and...lovely...and...,” Vishal was at a loss for words.

“And rich?”

“No, no. I didn’t mean that. I feel that you were made only for me.”

“You are drunk.”

“I am. But I am telling you the truth.”

The conversation was soon drowned by loud groovy music. The gang roared in applause. They could hardly hear each other. They shouted and said whatever came to their minds. Words became unimportant. They were having a nice time.

Manoshi somehow managed to push Vishal inside the taxi as they headed home. Vishal was mumbling something which Manoshi could not understand. She had a difficult time trying to keep him awake. To add to her trouble, the taxi broke down in the middle of the road near a bus stand.

“What the hell?” said Vishal.

Manoshi talked to the driver and asked him to arrange for another taxi. Till then they were stuck near the S9 bus stand. It was late and very few people were around. Manoshi felt extremely uncomfortable and scared. All of a sudden, out of nowhere, she could hear the melody of guitar coming from under the shade of the bus stand. A clumsy lonesome figure was playing guitar. He was totally immersed in his music. Manoshi was in a trance for a moment. She came back to her senses when Vishal started vomiting. She felt helpless. She tried to wipe his face with her handkerchief.

“Take this,” said a voice.

Manoshi looked up and saw the guitarist. His handsome face has become rugged and untidy due to malnourishment and excessive exhaustion.

“Thanks,” said Manoshi as she took the bottle of water and poured it on Vishal’s head.

“I think your taxi has come,” said the guitarist as he helped Vishal stand on his feet.

“Thanks,” said Manoshi.

As the taxi started moving, Manoshi peered out of the window and shouted, “What is your name?”

“Ratan,” he said as he waved his hands.

The next day, Manoshi called Vishal.

“How are you feeling now?”

“Better. Sorry for the trouble. You know, sometimes it happens.”

“Can you take me to S9 stand tomorrow evening?” asked Manoshi.

“Where?” Vishal was surprised.

“The bus stand where our taxi broke down last night.”

“Sure. Why?”

“I need to repay somebody.”

Manoshi handed a five hundred rupee note to Ratan and thanked him for his help last night. Ratan was shy and reluctant but accepted the money. He was in dire need of money and cannot afford unnecessary formalities. Vishal looked at Manoshi quizzically. He was about to say something when the guitar came to life with a melodious melancholy tune.

“Let’s go,” insisted Vishal.

“Have some decency. Wait till the performance is over,” said Manoshi sternly.

The melody enthralled the small crowd that gathered around him. When the performance was over, Manoshi clapped her hands in appreciation.

“Let’s go now,” said Vishal.

Manoshi looked at Ratan and said, “That was amazing. Bye.” Ratan bowed slightly in acknowledgement.

When they boarded the taxi Vishal was furious. “Why did you pay him so much money?” he shouted.

“He deserved it. Besides, do you have any idea how much you paid yesterday to get drunk?”

“No one can win a battle of words against you. But understand this; there is a value for everything. We paid what the whiskey was worth.”

“I paid him what he was worth.”

“Come on.”

“End of discussion. Anyways, are we going to the movie theatre tomorrow?”

“Of course dear,” Vishal’s voice softened. “I have booked the corner couple seat.”

Manoshi pulled his cheeks and smiled. They held hands and sat close to each other as the taxi sped towards Salt Lake.

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Literature & Fiction | 7 Chapters

Author: Bijit Chakraborty

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Facets of Romance

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