Finding the Unseen

by Taj63622

  Chapter 21

  Jahanara is the only sister-in-law of Sabina’s mother-in-law, Rabia, therefore being Shabul Miah’s only paternal aunt. She also received Shah and his two cousin nieces at her maternal home, where Rabia invited him to lunch. She was eager to set a glimpse on her future son-in-law, Shah Abeel.

  This was the first time she met him. The live picture did not disappoint. Her thorough inspection found him to be very agreeable. His appearance and positive manners reflected well that he kept a commendable lifestyle in London. He was tall, of lean built, an independent earner, and most importantly, a Londoner. He must be of a healthy income if he could gift them the expensive clothes and perfumes. She was rest assured with the decision she took for her daughter's goodwill. By marrying Tanni, to a Londoner, she will forever secure her daughter’s future. The whole neighbourhood will be envious, when they come to learn that her daughter will also be Londoner. But the news must remain quiet until after Sabina and Shabul's wedding. Not even Shah knows that his mother had accepted Tanni as his wife.

  The truth is that a poor Londoner will always outshine a wealthy Bangladeshi. The appeal of the western country is such. Despite belonging to a financially gifted family, who had a respectable position in society, she desired her daughter to marry a western bred Bengali. When she heard that her brother and sister-in-law had arranged their son’s marriage with a girl, whose brother was a Londoner, she began to make her own enquiries. Imagine her excitement when she heard that Shah was yet a bachelor. Although her sister-in-law did not mention the reasons openly, she knew well of Rabia’s intention in agreeing her son’s marriage with a girl who was of no particular beauty. She played on this knowledge to her full advantage. The bride’s mother had quite easily agreed to arrange for Shabul’s work permit and residency in London, but the mouth has no fixed seal. Promises are so often easily broken. There was no guarantee that Shah will make the necessary arrangements for Shabul’s hopes for London. They need to strengthen their ties with the groom’s family, and most importantly with Shah Abeel. She convinced Rabia to forward another marriage proposal, and Rabia played her part well to convince Shah’s mother to agree his marriage with Tanni. His mother has given her word. If she should retract from them, then they have the advantage of having Sabina as a daughter-in-law.

  ‘Where’s my food?’ her aging mother moans from the next room. ‘No one tends to me,’ she whimpers. ‘It’s because I’m old. No one likes the old in these modern times!’

  The doctor has put her mother on doctor’s orders to refrain from eating oily food due to an on-going gall bladder complaint. The boiled and bland vegetable and rice was perhaps favouring her gall bladder, but the harsh treatment was provoking a mental insanity. The strict restrictions had reduced the patient to search for opportunities to indulge her taste buds. The appetising smell of spices and sweets enticed her to try her luck today. Of course, the family was too aware of her intentions to surrender to her demands.

  Shah stifles a strong desire to laugh at her childish complaints. The old woman was disabled. A car accident in her childhood had snatched from her the use of her legs. It is very rare to find girls of disability married in the country, but her husband married her despite the immobility of her legs. He must have been an honest man to overlook the silly conceptions of the wider society that a disabled girl can never be a wife or a mother. This will be the sixth year since her husband has passed away. Between them, they had three children, two sons Nazrul and Azad, and a daughter, Jahanara. Each of them had children of their own. They lived contentedly in an extended family, giving him the much-needed reassurance that his sister will be amongst caring and affectionate people. Their hospitality towards him was but a mere reflection of their positive characters. He shook his head disbelievingly at himself. Of course, they would be attentive towards him. He is their guest. The careful examination of their characters was just another attempt to console his heart that this family will be his sister's new family. He was taking great pains to convince himself that his sister will fit in comfortably with them.

  Lunch finished, Rabia served him, and the rest of the male party, tea and desserts next. Shabul’s father being a councillor began a conversation about the political state of the country. Another railway workers’ strike was becoming imminent. This will be second one in seven months. Every now and then, he offered his opinion, and only got some relief from the subject, when a telephone call had redirected the councillor's attention. Finding the opportunity most convenient, he gathers some sweetmeats on a saucer and smuggles it to the old woman’s room. Her face lit up when she saw the goods he placed to her offer, appraisingly patting his shoulder for his thoughtful gesture.

  He was aware of her health complaints. Therefore, he offered her just enough sweetmeats as not to endanger her health too much. The occasion was a joyous one for all. He could not leave the old woman out.

  When Jahanara entered the living room with the betel nut tray, she could not find Shah. A sudden eruption of giggles requests her to seek the source. It was coming from her mother’s quarter. Standing by the door, she took a quick glance into the room. She found Shah sat on a chair beside the bed, upon which her mother spends the majority of her day. To her greater surprise yet, she witnesses a startling exchange between him and her mother. The mischievous boy gave her mother a collection of sweetmeats. Shah desperately entreats her to contain her giggles lest someone should catch them and confiscate the sweets. Her mother sensibly follows his advice, and quietly devours the sweets, for another such opportunity seemed far away, not until Shabul’s wedding at least. At length, Shah notices her by the door. He starts and reddens with guilt, but she merely shook her head smilingly at the boy and walks away.

  It was an encouraging sight, and she felt at great ease. If there was any possibility of failing to persuade Shah to marry her daughter, then they have perished upon seeing the boy’s sensitive side. By agreement, they will keep him unknown to these proceedings until after his sister’s marriage. His anger will be a natural reaction, when he eventually comes to learn of it, but she realised today how effortless it will be to pacify the boy. He had a tender heart, filled with compassion. When he could demonstrate such compassion towards her mother, whom he never met before, then she can only imagine the affection he has for his little sister. The greater the affection, the more one is willing to sacrifice their own choices. His sister, Sabina, was a valuable commodity in her schemes. For no one else perhaps, but for the sake of his little sister, he will marry Tanni. Her daughter will have the fortunes to live in London.

  As he expected, his mother was the only other person still awake, waiting for his return home. An expression of relief overcomes her upon seeing him. She takes from his hand the bags of sweetmeats, which Jahanara had gifted to his family, and efficiently puts them away in the fridge. As she does, she enquires after his verdict of Sabina’s in-laws and their house. He replied positively, including the particular hospitality he received from Jahanara.

  Shumi started at Jahanara’s mention. She suspected the woman to have used black magic upon her son to brainwash him. Before he left, she ordered Shah to recite a special prayer before eating and drinking anything. Of course, not believing in any of this nonsense, Shah voiced the needlessness to do so.

  These precautions will bring little effect now. She has already given her word. With or without back magic, the marriage between Shah and Tanni is a fixed agreement, from which retraction can result in ruining her own daughter’s happiness.

  ‘Amma?’ Shah reaches for her attention.

  Ever since his return from London, he has been noticing that his mother frequently sank into deep thoughts and silences. Some matter was clearly troubling her. She starts at his voice, her face almost mirroring her worrying thoughts.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ he enquires, concernedly reading his mother’s face.

  In a desperate effort to conceal her thoughts from him, she looks away abruptly.


  ‘Nothing,’ she confirms, struggling to recompose herself. ‘It’s been a long day,’ she says turning around and looking at him, ‘and there is still so much work to do for the wedding. You should go to bed now.’

  The reasons his mother gave were enough to remove his worry. The day certainly has been very hectic, and this chaos was unlikely to end until the wedding was over. Wishing his mother good night, he heads for his room, knowing that after a very long time, he can retire to bed tonight with a consoled heart.

  There was no peace in her heart.

  Nargis noticed Mayah’s quiet uneasiness. Despite voicing no complains about muscle fatigue or of any unbearable aches, Mayah took to the needless task of massaging her legs. There was a pensive look about the girl’s face, and her eyes have not blinked once since her hands have set to their current exercise.

  The mosquito nets have been hanging all day today in the preventative measure to allow her a comfortable night’s sleep. Yet, she anticipated her struggles to sleep tonight. Whenever she was anxious, she would suffer the same haunting dream. She would ascend flight after flight of stairs, endlessly journeying the increasing length of stairs. There was someone up there, calling her, teasing her, playing hide-and-seek. Who was it? Against this wild eagerness to discover this person, her pace neglected her to see anything. Everything was a blur. The person would teasingly call her again, and she would look up with hopeful eyes, but the caller would hide again, deliberately inciting her curiosity. Not seeing where she was going, she would lose her footing, and it would be at this point that she would wake up with a start.

  The girl was disturbed. Nargis had first established that when Mayah arrived home. She suspected some incident must have occurred throughout Mayah’s trip to displace her moods. Mayah’s quietness was voice to her heavy heart. Where her granddaughter withheld from sharing, she approached Iqbal for an explanation. He recounted the unusual events they encountered today.

  The massage she received was Mayah’s customary approach to alleviate her unspoken distress. She did not encourage the girl either to disburden her heart and mind, knowing very well that Mayah will initiate the conversation, when she felt at ease.

  They were merely guests in the country. The reality of its people need not concern them. She only prayed that Jameel locates her brother quickly. Once her heart is satisfied that her brother has forgiven her, she and Mayah can return to their own home, bidding the harsh reality of the country. Jameel and Shuhel will be leaving for Dhaka tomorrow. They will be staying at a relative’s house for the duration of their visit. The reconciliation of a forty-seven year estranged relation between a brother and sister now depended upon the five-hour journey. She inclines her head against the headboard, her mind disappearing into distant thoughts.

  Her heart and mind in slight ease, Mayah cuddles up to Dhadhi, resting her head comfortably on Dhadhi’s chest, listening to the rhythmic beats of Dhadhi’s heart, gently putting her to sleep.