19.

DHARA

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'Come Dhara...Don't be shy!!!' Shobha Kaaki called me yet another time while I stood at the door of her bedroom. I was feeling a little hesitant. Subroto Kaaka had to let go off his comfort for this ritual. I insisted that I'd sleep seperately but they wouldn't let me. Apparently during our dinner time, I tried to convince them but they had a lot of orthodox beliefs. When I said I didn't believe in such things Beena Maa said 'You may not Dhara!!! But we do. You are a newly wedded beautiful bride and it's believed that evil forces always eye newly married beautiful brides. And you are so pretty Dhara' Shobha Kaaki said as she took a little kohl from the corner of her eyes and made a little dot behind my left ear warding off evil. I blushed.

She made me sit as she helped me get rid of my jewellery as she said 'Do you know why along with the sound of conch shells we make the UluluDhoni (a high pitched sound made by rolling tongue) during any auspicious functions or Pujo?' she asked and I shook my head. She smiled undoing my Choker necklace as she whispered saying 'To make sure no evil ever touched our dear ones'. I nodded with a smile. She was removing all my bangles but she left the red and white ones and another one which they called Loha. She smiled saying 'Dont remove them. They protect you from every evil' and I narrowed my eyebrows.

'Kaaki don't you think all this is too much superstition? I mean evil eye and all...do you believe in all of this? I was told you once worked as a chemistry professor at the prestigious Kolkata University! You are a person of science Kaaki and you are saying this?' when she chuckled saying 'I am a person of science Dhara. But I also believe that there's so much more in this universe that science isn't able to answer yet. There's more than science. Even some of the greatest scientists believed in God. So if there's god... there's also evil Dhara!!! Science calls it negative and positive energy...simple' she said and I smiled saying 'I don't know Kaaki. I believe there's no one and nothing beyond my Krishna. Even if there's any negative energy around me... they'll exist or co exist only if my Krishna permits them to. Everything in this universe happens according to his wish and will. So even if there's any negative energy around me or like you say evil...I announce!!! I'm not scared of it!!!' and the very next minute I hear a loud houling of a dog and an unprecedented uneasiness acquires me. Kaaki gulps nervously saying 'Go to bed Dhara!!! Tomorrow's going to be a long day. Ideally this should have been an entertaining and fun night for you both but with all the drama in the family, I hope you understand' she says and I nodded silently. She slowly tapped my cheek saying 'But I'm very happy Dhara. Parth is a gem. He's a unique one amongst our kids. Beena Didi almost went into depression after Dada cut him off our family. But thanks to you now everyone has accepted him in this family. It's like you are the key to his happiness. Thank you beta!!!' she said and I didn't know what to say. I just smiled.

Next day morning I was woken up early by Beena Maa for the rituals. I was asked to boil milk and make a sweet dish. This was a all woman's ritual. I decided to make the only Bengali dish I knew to make perfectly. Brought up in a Punjabi household, we called it Kheer but my curiosity to learn about my birth mother and adapt myself to my Bengali roots introduced me to the smoother version of it, called Payesh. I made this almost every Diwali at Rab Di Mehr.

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Everyone was at the breakfast table except Parth. I wondered where he was. He hadn't even joined everyone for dinner last night but because I was asked not to see him in person, I couldn't ask him. Maa and Kaaki didn't let me use my phone too.

'Dhara!!! What have you made as part of the Bou Baat ritual?' Dida asked and I slowly opened the lid of the vessel saying 'Payesh!!!' and she raised an eyebrow looking at me. That look made me nervous but she smiled saying 'Already learning the traditions and customs. Good!!! Now serve everyone!!!' she said when I asked 'Umm...Parth...isn't here!' and although she smirked a little her facial expressions changed again when Subroto Kaaka jokingly said 'Looks like your groom is more shyful than you Dhara' and I smiled when Beena Maa said 'Maa...he is probably hesitant. Sanjoy asked him not to join us for any meal that day-' but a sharp look from Sanjoy Baba almost tongue tied Maa.

When Dida said 'As a father Sanjoy was absolutely right. If not for his scoldings and that ignorance he would never have married today and would have still remained that stubborn boy with those stupid modern nonsensical thoughts. Huhhhh. Be glad we corrected your son from taking the wrong path' she said and my grip on the serving spoon tightened.

I didn't like the way they spoke to Maa but I hated the way they thought about Parth. He's not a robot to be controlled by them. They still think that they can modify Parth like he's some customisable object. I was still in my thoughts when Arindam Daadu cleared his throat saying 'Thats enough you both. Parth knows what's best for him. He doesn't need you both to tell him. He's a grown up man who understands his responsibilities. Dhara...go ask him to join us for breakfast' and I nodded.

I was walking away when I heard Sanjoy Baba saying 'Baba!!! You are right he is grown up and I hope now he learns to take up his responsibilities. In Oni's absence, I want Parth to rejoin business!!!' and I was shocked. What the hell? Parth has his own dance school. He hates business. How will he be able to handle both?

I slowly walked into his room when I noticed he was practicing Bharatnatyam. I had a small smile on his face seeing him practice each and every Mudra. His eyes, his expressions and the way his feet tapped against the beats co-ordinating with the Ghungroo left me mesmerized. How many of Indian classical dance forms did he know? How gracefully he performed them. I just couldn't take my eyes off him. Finally as he bowed to the beautiful idol of Lord Nataraj, I had a small smile on my face.

He noticed someone's presence and saw me standing at the door when he quickly started walking towards me with a smile. I smiled back wishing him a Good morning to which he replied politely saying 'A very Good morning to you too. Hope you slept well?' he asked and I nodded. There was a wierd feeling suddenly. An unspoken happiness. We only kept smiling looking at each other. It's only when I realised how embarassing it was I said 'Ummm breakfast. We are waiting for you!!!' and his smile dropped but he tried to fake one saying 'I....I'll have it later' but I shook my head saying 'I have made Payesh for you. As a part of my first cooking ritual. I want you down there with everyone' but he cleared his throat and turned around.

When I said 'Dida invited you' and he immediately turned around asking 'Thakuma???' and I nodded. The lost smile was back on his face. 'Are you sure?' I asked and although I wanted to tell him about what they had spoken downstairs I maintained a neutral face and nodded. In no time Parth was downstairs with everyone. Everyone spoke to him nicely excluding his father who although didn't ignore him, didn't say much either.

Post breakfast Dida asked us to get ready for a Durga Pujo that she had organised this afternoon as we had a reception party in the evening. I was asked to go to Parth's room to get ready while Parth was asked to join his father in the study. I hope his father doesn't force him into family business. He hates it. I hope he's not been dragged into it at the cost of his dreams.

I was taken to Parth's room. Although I had visited the living area of this floor where Parth practiced, this was practically the first time I was in his bedroom. It was a beautiful white and blue room with an open balcony. I loved the fact that it was bright and windy here. There was a house help named Shaamla who was dusting and cleaning the room. I saw my suitcase was already here. I slowly walked towards the balcony when my eyes fell on something I had never noticed before.

There stood a tall and a old school humongous building exactly opposite to the Chakraborty Mansion. I narrowed my eyebrows wondering why had I never seen this before? I peeped a little to notice the entrance to that villa was via the same small wooden gate which was barred by everyone to enter. I noticed the little Tulsi plant where we encountered that snake last night. Something felt off about that place. Something eery yet beautiful.

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"Boudi...Sheyi Baadite Ekti Dayani Bas Kore!!! (Sister... there's a witch who lives in that mansion!!!)" she said as she grabbed her little dusting cloth squeezing it in her little hands as she gulped nervously and I kept looking at her. I did not understand Bengali that clearly. In the last few months all I had learnt was to greet people, although looking at her expressions I could clearly tell she was scared. And then she slowly looked at the old mansion that stood tall and mysteriously beautiful yet scary even as the sun shone brightly.

It was indeed beautiful. The old school architectural charms that it carried always left me fascinated yet my grandmother-in-law had clearly asked me not to go there. I wonder why they abandoned such a beautiful home and moved into this concrete mansion. Of course this was all about modern architecture, oozing class and richness but that mansion out there just a few metres away in the same compound was hauntingly beautiful and attractive.

'Shaamla...Ki Korchish? (What are you doing) Stop gossiping and get back to work! Maa was asking for you. Go see her now!' saying Nibedita Di almost yelled at the poor girl who suddenly shivers as she fumbles to say something but one glare from Nibedita Di and she simply shakes her head and leaves from there.

Once Shaamla leaves Nibedita Di turns around and looks at me. Her anger gets replaced with a warm smile as she says 'You look ethereal in this attire! But really you don't need to wear a saree everyday darling! Feel at home. Chakraborties are really broad minded people!!! No one will mind anything' she said as she tried to help me with the Chokor (necklace) I was gifted by my grandmother-in-law as she wanted me to wear it for the Durga Pooja today. They had organised it as this was my first day here after my marriage.

'Di...if you don't mind...can I ask you something?' I asked her hesitantly when she smiled and nodded. Clearing my throat I asked her 'Di...why is everyone barred from going to that old mansion out there?'

Just the mention of that mansion brought an immediate discomfort on Nibedita Di's face although she tried to hide it with a smile as she said 'Uhhh it's nothing Dhara...It's just that...it's a very old house...not much of facilities-'

'Then why not renovate it? I mean it's beautiful and must be extremely valuable for-' but she immediately interrupted me saying 'Dhara!!! I think we must avoid this silly topic and maybe concentrate on getting you dressed. Maa and Dida (Grandmother) has clearly asked me to explain everything about the Pujo rituals to you, so you don't feel left out. She was hiding things. I could say. She smoothly diverted the topic and I didn't want to stress upon the same again. She was my sister in law. She was also my husband's elder sister and after all the drama that happened in the last few days in the name of "marriage" was enough of a headache to everyone. I didn't want to unnecessarily interfere into people's personal space, especially if they are trying to avoid it.

Once I was ready Nibedita Di explained to me about all the Pujo rituals as Mishka my husband's youngest sibling was here. She stood there in her funky jeans, crop top and her DSLR camera. She wanted to pursue photography as her career and my wedding was kind of her way to develop a portfolio so she could convince Arindam Daadu to get a go from him, so she could quit engineering and pursue photography. She was Farhaan from 3 Idiots in the opposite gender.

'Dhara Boudi...are you ready??? Please tell me you are...I really need to go click more pictures of Pujo. That'll be a great collection for my social media' saying she started looking into adjusting her camera lens when Nibedita Di playfully hits the back of her head making her yelp a 'Ouchhh Didu Don't!!!' when Nibedita Di playfully held her ear saying

'Until last month this stupid girl kept begging for being the official photographer at her brother's wedding and now she's throwing tantrums?' when she rolled her eyes saying 'Di you know how I wanted to click Dada (brother) at the wedding, he is such a big shot celebrity but then with whatever happened at the wedding... screwed up everything for me. By now I would have got like so many million views for one picture of his but then with all that drama that unfolded..I mean...I'm seriou-' she suddenly paused as she realised I was still sitting there as she bit her lower lip and she immediately kneeled down and held my hands saying

'Heyyy Boudi...I am sorry ...I just...I'm a fool...I didn't realise... I'm...I'm sorry Boudi...It's been so tough for you and here I am...Shit!!! How can I?' when I simply caressed her cheeks and shook my head.

'Its ok!!! I know you didn't mean to bring up the topic and it's really fine Mishka! I know whatever happened was unexpected and unbelievable too but then that's how life is... unpredictable and I've learnt to accept life!!! Relax!!!'

'Boudi...Believe me...this house...Dada... everyone will shower you with love! You will never regret choosing us as your family' she said so innocently that I couldn't help but pull her into a warm embrace as I whispered 'I know!!!'

Our emotional talks were interrupted by Nibedita Di as she asked me to immediately come to the Pujo Pandal once we were done clicking the bridal pictures. She also had to attend guests, so she left immediately while Mishka started clicking my pictures. My grandmother in law wanted an aesthetic picture to be hung besides the family portraits of all the daughter in law's on the main walls in the living area although I found it a little uncomfortable but I couldn't really deny her. Out of respect or out of fear? I don't really know. She was a caring yet strict old woman.

'Shall we click some in the garden area Boudi? It's a beautiful sunny day. The ample amount of light will give naturally aesthetic shots' she proposed and I smiled. My grandmother in law had asked me and my husband, not to step out of the house until the next one week as the family priest had warned her about some evil eyeing us. I don't believe in all this but being a new bride in this household and being a newbee in this city I really didn't know much so I didn't mind it so much. If someone said this to me in Chandigarh or Dhaulpur I would have laughed it off and did what I liked, but here I didn't feel the need to argue.

I liked the fact that everyone was really very caring and warm towards me although at times it feels like they are slightly controlling but then the next minute they make me feel loved and cared for. I love this family. They didn't leave my side even during the dirty circumstances that arose during my marriage. Especially my husband. I am proud of him. Somehow I didn't want to hurt anyone here.

I still remember Daarji's words "You need to really stop being so controlling Puttarji!!! Life is like the sea...and people are like sand...As you learn to float in the sea of life...don't try to hold onto sand tightly in your fists!!! Relationships and eventually people slip away as you try controlling them. Learn to let go. Learn to ease out. Please go a little easy on yourself and others!!!'. That's exactly what I am trying to do. Trying not to be in control.

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'Alright...A little to the left...chin up... beautiful!!! This one's my favourite' Mishka clicked a hundred different pictures as I was bored now but this girl was unstoppable but finally I said

'Enough na Mishku!!! I am bored!!!' saying I sat under a tree when she smiled and came sitting next to me as she said

'You know Boudi!!! You are so cute!!!' and I smiled as we sat there for a few minutes as this was a bright sunny day with a soft breeze around us. I smiled and embraced it all closing my eyes while Mishka kept looking into her camera doing something she knew best when I opened my eyes and at a distance there stood the beautiful old school architectural charm. The Puraani Baadi. That's what they call it. I don't know why they avoid it though.

'Hey Mishka. Can I ask you something?' I begin the conversation when she quips 'Ofcourse Boudi' and I clear my throat asking ' Whats up with this Puraani Baadi thing huh? Why does everybody avoid talking about it? Even Shaamla this morning was like-'

'Boudi!!!' Mishka interrupted me saying 'I suggest you avoid asking about it. Dida and Baba both don't like talking about it!!!' when I narrowed my eyebrows asking 'But why? I mean...what is it that everyone tries to shoo the topic like it's some ghost!!!' when suddenly Mishka looks at me and the look she gives me was indecipherable.

'Look Boudi!!! No one likes to talk about the Puraani Baadi. They kind of call it an unlucky house, the reason why everyone moved into this new house. I know Kolkata and its people, have a lot of stories around this mansion, you may also have read or seen it in the news but I believe it's all just cooked up shit. All I know is our family priest had said that the Vaastu of that house is not right. It could only bring poverty and bad omen to the family. Surrounding the same, Dadu and Baba saw a lot of decline in the family business. The Baadi one night caught fire, probably due to a short circuit and they obviously had to move out. I wasn't born back then I don't know much but that's all of it and then we moved into the now Chakraborty Mansion. Guess what...this was going to be just an outhouse but Dadu and Baba built this with all the modern architecture and comfort that this became home and that...there...a series of stupid stories on old magazines and blog pages lol!!!' she said when I smiled back although I had a hundred questions in my mind and I finally asked her.

'What stupid stories???' and her facial expressions changed. She was about to say something when her phone rang and she said 'Tchhh Boudi...It's Nibedita Di...let's go' and I nodded.

One last time I looked at the tall old dark building. That's when I noticed the black smokey marks on the rusty old off white walls of the building. Inspite of having caught fire, it was a beal mansion. They could have renovated it? Couldn't they?

My curiosity made me google about the Purani Baadi as I typed Chakraborty Purani Baadi, Alipore, Kolkata when there were several articles about the mansion with several stories. They all said different stories but one topic in common everywhere that brought chills down my spine as each one said that

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The Puraani Baadi was haunted!!!