Salim Zabed
MBC | M.Ed. (1st Semester) | Roll No.: 23
Priyanka Ma’am’s child read at the same private school where she herself was a class teacher. Samir Babu was, then, an assistant professor at a nearby private college. He had to catch any Malancha-bound auto-rikshaw to reach the bridge. One day he recognised Priyanka Ma’am in an auto-rikshaw while returning home. Madam was very happy to see him after a year. Samir Babu’s only offspring Raj was, then, in class-IV. They each enquired of the health and education of the other’s child. Forty minutes’ gossip was over in the blink of an eye. Actually they both taught English subject at their respective institutions. It was that very subject which had aroused their interest for each other one year ago. The relation between them was that of respect and affection. However, this time they became so excited that they even forgot about the disturbance their gossip entailed among other passengers inside the auto. Madam paid Samir Babu’s fares in spite of the latter’s protest. The story did not end there.
Priyanka Ma’am is a 24-year-old charming lady. Five years ago she had a love marriage with her much trusted boyfriend Ramesh. Pritam was born one year later. Ramesh has to remain busy with his works throughout the week. Madam looks after everyone else in her family with so much care and responsibility. Ramesh is, therefore, very proud of her. Theirs is a happy family. However, smart Pritam is the main source of their stronger family bond and happiness.
Samir Babu’s spouse Chumki is a typical Bengali housewife. She has full sense of duty for her husband and in-laws. She does all the household chores alone sans any domestic help. She looks after Raj’s education. She does not have even the slightest doubt about Samir Babu’s character. Chumki was just a college pass-out when Samir Babu wedded her. Theirs was, however, an arranged marriage. It is Chumki who plays the pivotal role in retaining their family peace in their long twelve-year old conjugal life. It is not that Samir Babu is a bad guy. Actually he lives in his own world of literature and fancy. And Chumki’s uninterest in English is something which causes a little discomfort in his mind from time to time. He, however, does not want to avoid Chumki’s blind love for him.
The forty minutes’ gossip between the two English-hungry teachers brought about something strange. Priyanka Ma’am took Samir Babu to the other side of the road and handed him a piece of cake which she strongly recommended for Raj. A Basirhat-bound bus came and Samir Babu boarded it. Seconds later, WhatsApp messages were exchanged between them. Normalcy came half an hour later. “The cake will be relished by Raj,” thought Samir Babu, “The interaction will be diminished in Priyanka’s memory soon”. But how would Samir Babu forget the voluptuous touch he had unintentionally while taking the poly bag containing Raj’s cake, from the immortal fingers of Priyanka, and the simultaneous naughty eye contact? Impossible!