Manhood

MARAD (MANHOOD) By Kousik G7uhathakurta Finally it was possible. All arrangements had been made by Mahaveer’s cousin at Kolkata. Mahaveer will now rule the streets of Kolkata as a cab driver. There was only one hitch-Manchi, Mahaveer’s Manchania. Mahaveer looked for a good pair of saris- she needs a good bribe! That he was a driver at Chhapra town gave Mahaveer a unique status in his village. Naturally, the village girls used to steal a glance at him when he used to be back at the weekends. All except one. She used to be standing alone with her head down. Mahaveer once jokingly asked her whether her heart was underground! She just raised her headthose eyes changed Mahaveer’s life forever. For weeks, their love grew in silence. One day Mahaveer picked up the courage to bring a pair of bangles for Manchi. But once he got there, he lost his nerve in front of Manchania’s father and left in a hurry leaving behind the bangles. The string of laughter that rang his ears made his heart beat faster. That night Manchania’s mother came with the proposal to Page 1 of 10

Mahaveer’s mother. The marriage took place without a hitch. Life after marriage was a dream come true for Manchania. Mahaveer’s status put her on top of others. She loved her man dearly as also the city cosmetics and the new movies at Chhapra that she now could watch .She never dreamt of her hero destroying her dream world. No amount of convincing on the part of Mahaveer was enough for her. She was dead sure that in Kolkata there are vamps in abundance who will rob her of her hero. Finally, with promises of presents galore Mahaveer left a sobbing Manchania landing one morning in search of his new address at the city of lost addresses.

“Beta, did you decide anything about Bahu, I mean she’s alone here, no children, her antics these days are also...”Asmani Chahi was full of complains. Not that Mahaveer took them seriously. But one thought disturbed him. Manchi was alone. That night as he proposed to Manchania to come over to Kolkata, Manchi broke down in tears. All the pent up emotions burst out and the night was spent in sweet dreams of great times ahead. Next room, Page 2 of 10

Asmani Chachi after a long time could sleep in peace.

Skeletons of buildings, bright lights of Park street, high rises, squadron of cars, beggars crowding the pavements, the vast expanse of Maidan, People thronging at Kali temple, slums beside open drain- the initial daze of diversity and contradiction over, Manchania slowly settled down. But soon the gloom of city life started eating her. As she began missing her open sky gradually she became withdrawn. Mahaveer saw everything – got her checked for fertility- there was no problem. Mahaveer did not know what to do. He was too busy driving, trying to save enough to buy a taxi for him. Just the Rasik arrived in their life. Rasiklal Karui- a sickly thin fellow. Worked in goldsmith shop. And their life changed. Rasik was full of life, became friends very soon. Mirth is infectious – soon Manchania started chattering. The snacks that Rasik brought, the jokes that he crackedManchania enjoyed all. One night as Mahaveer came back from work he heard Manchi singing. He was surprised- he never knew that Manchi could sing so well. The happiness that gripped Mahaveer Page 3 of 10

intiallly was soon beginning to evaporate. One evening he came back to find Manchania dressed in flowers, humming a cheap film song. Blood shot up to his head. He barked at Manchania. That night they slept separate. In his sleep Mahaveer cooled down. The day after he was going to buy his own taxi. He knew that this surprise was enough to melt his Manchi’s heart. Mahveer was driving his new taxi back home. Manchi you are a malkin now! As he rushed to his slum he was shell shocked by strings of joint laughter coming from his room. The moment he broke open the door Rasik jumped. The coward was trembling with fear, his pants in his hands. As Mahaveer started hitting the bastard Manchania went into a frenzy- “ So you’ve’ come to show your manhood, you impotent bastard!” Mahaveer felt like jumping in to a well. That night he spent outside. As he rushed back home in the morning he found his room empty. They had all arrangements made. They were supposed to flee that night itself. Mahaveer was always in the dark.

Seven days he spent like a dead man. At last his driver friends Page 4 of 10

managed to send him on the street. Today Mahaveer is again on the wheels. Heartbroken, he was not being able to shake off Manchi- how could she? Progenitor – is that the only definition of Man? The delay was disturbing his passenger. Naturally, Mahaveer thought. He was in Hurry to reach Sonagachhi- the biggest red light area in the city. He assured his passenger and drove on. Just as he was taking a little rest after dropping that passenger, Mahaveer heard some noise. That looks like a girl running in this direction. The girl almost stumbled on Mahaveer. - Hey you, where are off to? Stolen something? - Nno- I’m not a thief believe me! Please help me! - What?? Leave me alone- you bitch! You f*** whore go to your pimps!! The girl looked back, her eyes glared up- ‘So what if I’m a whore; if only you were man enough like the pimp Fatik!’ Fatik- Rasik! Mahaver’s head reeledeverything got mixed up. He grabbed the girl’s hand and threw her in to the cab. As he drove into the city streets the girl’s words did not enter his ears. Page 5 of 10

“Minooo, Minooo”- her mothers voice used to fill the air – she would be lying in the grass looking at the sky. She always wanted to fly, like a white stork. After Minoo, i.e., Minati’s father died her mother had no other option but to come to her father’s place with her only belongings‘Chinoo- Minoo’. Chinoo meaning Chinmoy, Minati’s big brother. Though Minoo’s maternal uncles did not really approve of their stay they did not dare take any step because of Chinmoy. Chinmoy was a political worker full of vigour and promise. Chinmoy always dreamt of marrying Minoo off. But one election changed their lives. Chinmoy was sacrificed in ‘holy war’ of politics. Minoo’s mother lost her words and sanity. Just then Nanda came to Minoo’s life. Minoo’s wings started fluttering again. As her mother lay motionless in one corner Minoo spread her wings. The village stork flew straight into the big city’s own birdcage. Every night the predators pounded on her. In this concrete jungle only Fatik looked different. He seemed to be her only hope!

The cab was running like a wild horse. Mahaveer broke the long silence –“ Hey you, your Rasik, I Page 6 of 10

mean Fatik, such a big man- is he your lover/” Minoo’s eyes flared for a moment. Then she turned her head and said, “ Big man? I don’t know- but if he was not there I would have died!” - This Fatik seems to be a messiah – but how did you escape? Minoo looked up and faintly smiled.

That day Asit had come to Minoo’s room. He was so drunk that he passed out soon. Minoo’s heart leapt. Her wings fluttered – she headed for the door. As she pushed open the door she found Fatik waiting for her. - Please Fatik, let me go! - You bitch, where do you think you ‘re off to? The predators are everywhere. - I don’t know just let me go Suddenly Fatik lifted a heavy metal candle stand and handed it to a baffled Minati. - Hit me with this you f*** whore, what do ya think, they’ll let me live if I let you go just like that/ hit me – you bitch! Minati slowly grabbed the candlestick and hypnotically lifted it.

Mahaveer looked up in the sky and laughed. What a world - there’s a Page 7 of 10

place for everybody- Rasik, Nanda and even Fatik. He took the cab near his slum. He asked Minoo to go inside his room and go to sleep. He will sleep in his car. Then early morning they will be off to somewhere before being spotted.

The streets lamps were still on when Mahaveer and Minoo were having tea at a local tea stall at Behala. As Mahaveer was pondering at the strange turn of events Minoo’s eyes were fixed on Mahaveer- full of disbelief and amazement. How can reality turn into a dream? Mahaveer’s mind was elsewhere. He was thinking of his plan to go to Asim’s place. Asim lived alone and respects Mahaveer a lot. Asim flared up once he heard everything. He advised Mahaveer to wash his hands off this ‘whore business’. Mahaveer suddenly raised his voice and said that he doesn’t want anything to do with someone who has no feelings for a battered woman. He was leaving. Asim quickly cooled down and told Mahaveer to cool down as well. While going in. Minati still looked in trance. Mahaveer woke up from his afternoon nap only to find Minati staring at her in the same way. She Page 8 of 10

quickly rushed inside and brought him some food. Mahaveer was amazed. In the evening, Mahaveer came back with a packet and told Minoo- “ Look, if you like it- I mean I don’t know much about saris..” Minati broke down in tears and fell to Mahaveer’s feet. Next evening Mahaveer again had an altercation with Asim regarding Minati and suddenly went out. When he came back rushing in, Asim had embraced Minoo from behind. Mahaveer gave a fierce look and barked – “ Minoo, come with me, I have a packet of Sindoor with me, you’ll live with me at my place. If some body asks tell you are my mew wife. If you don’t tell anything also, it doesn’t matter!” Asim was still gaping when Mahaveer got hold of bedazzled Minoo and went off.

That night inside his cab, Mahaveer could not sleep. At about midnight, he went inside to have some water. Suddenly his eyes fell on sleeping Minoo. Her full breasts and sensuous body were almost laughing at his ‘impotence’. He went near the bed. Minoo’s eyes opened. Mahaveer came to senses and was about to rise. Just then Minoo put her hands Page 9 of 10

on Mahaveer’s hands and pressed them.

Mahaveer woke up at the sudden knock at the door. Minoo was still lying in the bed, full of bliss. As he opened the door a woman fell on his feet and started crying-“ I did not understand you, you were a god, that bastard has ruined me- you kill me, I’m…” Mahaveer stepped aside and came outside. Nothing entered his head. Then suddenly he looked up to the sky and started laughing hysterically. Manchania stopped crying in surprise and stepped inside. Minoo turned over in sleep. Manchania could not speak. With her back at the wall she slowly sat down with a blank stare. Mahaveer was still laughing- two women are lying at his feet- is there anybody in this city more of a marad (man) than him?”

Malkin Beta Bahu Chachi

Owner (female) Son Daughter in Law Aunt

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