Returning Home (Ghore Phera)

The cars in this metropolis are really fast. Though they seem to not be getting their ways clear to have a proper pickup during this hour of the evening, still they are rustling forward in every bend like they are in an endless race to get back... may be get back home. Pabitra was wondering if all these cars are running back home as he gets back ... every evening at this hour.




"Airport... airport" shouted the guy beside the driver. The guy must be a security guard .. "escort", they call. Pabitra thought to do the struggle to get in as the rest of guys and gals have started. The door is yet to be opened properly and the "Tata Sumo" became full. Well he will have to wait for his turn. He took out a cigarette from the packet, lit it and started waiting for another cab.

"I have had enough and like to leave." Swaranya said in her last conversation.
This was not new for Pabitra. Their lives are not in sync since the last three years Titli has been born.
"Well this kind of words doesn't suit you. " Answered Pabitra.

"Why? Because you are my husband? You are earning money, that's why? I was doing my job happily. After this pay commission it could have been near to you. " Swaranya became furious. She started throwing things here and there.

"That's not the way. You should calm down. You have high pressure". Pabitra murmured. He and his family had put a lot of pressure on Swaranya to leave her job when she was pregnant. Though the earning was very less as a lower-division-assistant in a government office, Swaranya was happy with her job and the freedom. But one has to sacrifice as he is sacrificing all his pleasures and hobbies for Titli now, Pabitra thought. All for keeping her life safe, smooth and secured.

"Stop this. Don't say any caring words. Who cares for this family? Do you really care? How long do you stay here? Do you know, Titli fell down today from a chair? She has bruishes on her forhead? Have you noticed? No. You haven't, for you live in Sector V all the time. During day and night. So live there and let us live our own lives. We are habituated not to be cared for and like to remain the same, please."

The other day the project manager has given a hint that if performance lags in the product he is working on, Pabitra may have to come to office on weekends as well. There will be no appraisal this year. This is the news from the HR section. And we are loosing clients so a slash in number of employees is likely to happen in every three months, has become the buzzword in the office. Everybody is trying to do their best to survive in this economic recession, so the race is on. This is a kind of musical chair in whole sector V, where chairs are being removed in every stop of music. And anybody may remain as the last person without chair at anytime. Some are directed to other city branches, in some cases, the pay is getting less. In this situation to continue everything in the same manner as today may really become tough tomorrow. So, Pabitra doesn't have the time to think of other things than his career right now. Not after having a rigorous hard working day which ended after 11 PM at night in sheer frustration of loosing one's job.


"Well that's true. I am and trying to live in the virtual world of learning and earning and not like to bother about the outer world. I must survive in this world." Pabitra thought, but said, "Why? Can you not take care of her? Should I hire somebody for Titli?".

"Oh! That's what you have in your minds. You want me to stay at home always, look after the baby and live on your instructions, forever. Right? You are no good than any typical middle class people. Sometimes you will come back home and order me to do the things in your ways, just to show me my position. You all men have the same minds. I shall get back to my parents with Titli immediately. I quit."

"Don't talk rubbish. I don't like to argue at this hour of the day. Go to sleep." Pabitra said. "And go to hell." he though in himself.


That was the last conversation they had. He even didn't see Titli awake the next morning. In the afternoon he came to know that Swaranya has gone to her parent's place with her.

For the last five days Pabitra is alone at his flat at DumDum. The first day seemed great, he enjoyed it in his own way never felt lonely. The second day he felt accustomed to this loneliness and felt happy. At least I can do my works at night and carry on the studies required as there is no one to nag for sleeping early and getting up early, he thought. But from the fourth day Pabitra realised that he is missing Titli more than her mother. On weekends he cannot work for Titli, she always try to remain in close proximity to Pabitra on holidays and doesn't let him work.

Therefore this weekend he is planning to do a lot of tasks together as Pabitra wants to utilize the remaining few days he is alone. He is sure that after the conversation he had with Swaranya and her parents, the things are settling down as the last 4 or 5 times and she will be back on next week end. Only thing is, Pabitra will have to bring her back, which he will gladly do as his purpose will be served in this weekend.

"At last", he though after sitting in the indica and "Aajo ache gopan... ferari mon..." the cell rang and Pabitra picked it up reluctantly. "Hello" ... the other side said "How do you do? Where are you now? Swapnil here." "Oh! How do you do? Sorry I am in a meeting." answered Pabitra in a very flat manner. "Oh! Sorry, call you later". He is not interested in talking to anyone any more today. He is disturbed, really disturbed.

He is realizing what he is missing. He is not caring, not really caring in everyday lives for his Swaranya and Titli and they are getting away. Pabitra has changed a lot. He cannot pay a surprise visit at this hour to Swaranya any more as he used to do on special occasions like in the marriage ceremoney of one of the friends of Swaranya. She became so happy.

The warmth of their mental and physical relationship is cooling everyday, and as a result they are moving away from each other as in the lines of "Mohiner Ghoraguli" "Aro dure... Aro dure... Tumi aar ami jai sore sore". He is missing Titli as he used to feel while taking Titli in his lap ... "feels like heaven" like the famous "Raymonds" ad.

Or, maybe he can. After getting off from the cab at the airport turn, he will have to go to DumDum station. Take the available train and head for "Naihati", Swaranya's place. He will do just that. Change the views of Swaranya towards him. Even if he can come back to attend office tomorrow, he will take a leave. He will move around in Naihati with his family, may be he can hire a boat and travel on river Ganga. That will be more of a "Ghare Fera (Returning Home)" for him. He felt exited. A cool breeze of pleasure went through his spine. Suddenly life started to feel much smoother to Pabitra. "Let me take you far away...Holiday " he started to sing in his mind.

"Bang...." went the tire of the cab and "screeeeeeeeeeech", the driver of the cab lost control and ....