Excerpt of IN SEARCH OF LOVE from my book BEYOND THE LINE-SHORT STORIES(2nd edition)

Nandini and Arunava stayed in the same area of Kolkata. Nandini was 5 years younger than Arunava. They had met through a common friend. It was love at first sight. Initially, they met at various locations like the Metro or Lighthouse or New Empire movie halls. Going for a movie was kind of a normal activity for the two. Coming out of the theatre much before the movie ended was also a regular thing for the couple. They used to argue on so many issues like films, politics, sports, etc. Arunava had an interest in stage plays conducted by experimental theatre groups. These plays were based on the works of renowned theatre personalities like Brecht etc. Some plays were based on real life stories also. Some were on famous historical characters. Arunava loved watching plays of different production houses at Academy of Fine Arts. The messages communicated through these plays somehow touched Arunava. Many a times, he tried taking Nandini to these plays, but she had no interest at all. Therefore, going to see theatre almost stopped after a certain point of time. Nandini was more keen to watch the commercial potboilers. Arunava had no other option than to watch mindless movies just to give company to his sweetheart.

Nandini’s mother was supportive of their relationship. Her mother had started liking Arunava. In fact, Nandini’s mother knew Arunava’s mother much before the two got into a relationship. Of course it was not a very close association. In fact, Arunava’s mother never expressed any keen desire to be close. However, Nandini’s mother                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         encouraged the intimacy of Arunava with her daughter knowing fully well that this relationship might not be liked by his family. Arunava was a bright young handsome guy. Any mother of a young daughter would be interested in getting him as a son-in-law.

She allowed Nandini to go out with Arunava. Once Arunava and Nandini went to a restaurant. Arunava was completing his post-graduation and was not earning that time. He used to earn his pocket money from the few tuitions that he gave. Otherwise his mother was the only source of money for him. Arunava ordered quite a few dishes in consultation with Nandini. At the end of it when the bill arrived, Arunava found he didn’t have sufficient money to pay. Nandini too checked her purse, but even after combining both their money, it was not enough to pay the entire bill. It turned out to be a very embarrassing situation for the two. They had no idea how to deal with the situation. Suddenly, Nandini’s mother entered the restaurant out of nowhere. It was really a pleasant surprise for the distressed couple. She paid the entire bill. Finally, they left together in relief.

Actually, what happened was, Nandini’s mother didn’t let her daughter move freely. So, she followed the two from a distance and reached the restaurant. For the next couple of days, the restaurant fiasco became a butt of jokes for their family.

Gradually, Arunava started visiting Nandini’s residence. Her mother allowed them their privacy. In fact, at this stage, nobody was too keen in disclosing their relationship, especially Arunava, who was too scared of his mother. She was not aware of the relationship between Arunava and Nandini. Arunava never disclosed his relationship with Nandini to his mother.

Being the only child, he was virtually controlled by his mother. In fact, she was too dominating. Arunava’s mother was actually a pretty woman, but she was not keen to allow the young pretty girls to get closer with her son. Whenever she smelt of any relation of Arunava, she deliberately interfered to end it as soon as possible. It was a peculiar sense of insecurity for a possessive mother. She could not stand any close proximity of any beautiful girl with her son. Probably, at the back of her mind there was the fear that she might lose her son.

Nandini was a pretty girl with a good figure. She used to generally wear long skirts. Nandini was polite and down to earth. But she was also monitored by her mother too much. Her mother kept a close watch on her movements whenever she stepped out of the house. No young boy was allowed to come inside the house. Many boys tried to flirt with Nandini, but her mother played a spoilsport for any such misadventure.

It was a week day, but Arunava didn’t go to the university. He was alone at home, and keen to visit Nandini’s house. He called her on the phone, “Can I come to your place? I am missing you so much.”

“I miss you too, but Mom is at home. Anyway, it doesn’t matter as she likes you too,” Nandini said.

“Ok, I will be there in 10 minutes,” Arunava confirmed.

He reached Nandini’s house immediately after that. Like always, the first welcome was from her mother. 

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