Shokha suddenly felt a pang of pain inside him. He had this realisation that Shokhi would soon be married and he won't have her around him. He never used to express but Shokhi understood. The fun, the fights, the arguments, the secret secret talks, gigglings, teasing testing each other, all this Shokha didn't want to loose. He and Shokhi now often talked to each other for hours together from their growing up to their present. Shokha was five years younger to his beloved sister but their amazing chemistry made that equal. Shokhi narrated him the incident of 1st January'77.
Manas left late for office that day. Their Babu Mama too left home for some work. It was Moni, Shokhi, Shokha only a year old, and Shokhi's heartthrob!! her grandmother. Winter afternoon it was. Dida (dadi) was in the balcony. Shokhi, Moni and Shokha were in the drawing room.
The door bell rang, Moni opened the door. A man was standing at the door. He said he was from the telephone department. Moni said, 'Our phone is fine.' He said he'd come to check the line.
Moni reluctantly allowed him. He entered and went towards the phone and suddenly took out a knife and attacked Moni. Moni shouted and with her right caught the knife. Shokhi started crying in terror. She called out to Dida. Initially Dida couldn't hear. The man then picked up little Shokha and placed the knife on him. Moni like lightning pulled out the knife with her left hand now. She started shouting and asked Shokhi to call Dida. Shokhi was freezed and couldn't move. Moni wanted Shokhi to move away as the man's next target was she. But Shokhi could not just move. The man somehow got panicked with Shokhi shouting. He ran towards the door and fled. Moni was in a pool of blood. Her left hand little finger and the ring finger were hanging loosely and right hand palm all red. Everyone was called back home. Moni uncontrable howling in pain. Shokhi held Shokha in her arms and cried bitterly. Moni had innumerable stiches. This was a nightmare for everyone. Shokhi while narrating it to Shokha still felt her spine shiver. She turned towards Moni, who was now so shattered in life but tough and brave. Shokha hugged Moni tightly and Moni had tears rolling down.
For Moni, her two angels were her life. Both Shokha and Shokhi knew how much she loved Manas. Shokha always changed Moni's mind with his wit and humour. But inside a rebel was developing in him.
Shokhi and Shokha talked about their hearthrob Dida. Their trips Lucknow with Moni. Mama Mami Dida and the little kid sister Runu. These were golden memories for them. Lucknow home was an old traditional house and fun, adventure and thrill to Shokhi and Shokha. Mama was an hardcore patang baaz. Shokhi and Shokha stuck on to him and watched him flying kites for hours together. Sleeping in the chaat ( roof) listening to stories by Dida.. watching her cook on the clay oven were exciting. Delhi to Lucknow life was a pleasurable change for both and they used look forward to these vacations. Mami used love them. Their kid sister Runu was a leash of fresh life. Moni used to be the happiest here. Lucknow breakfast khasta kachori was an all time favourite for all. Shokhi's trips to Aminabad market with Moni, Dida and Mami were memorable.
Shokhi and Shokha remembered these days quite often now.
Their childhood best days. Here Shokhi remembered two more Incidents which she narrated to Shokha and it took Shokha by surprise.
TO BE CONTINUED...

© Choitali