Bankimchandra Omnibus: Volume - 1: v. 1

by Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay

  ‘And you? Don’t you want to be happy?

  ‘My daughter’s happiness is all I want,’ she stated.

  ‘And the matchmaker’s fees?

  The gardener’s wife gave a sly smile. She said, ‘Shall I tell the truth, milady? My daughter doesn’t want to marry here.’

  ‘What! What does she say?’

  ‘Whenever the subject of this household comes up, she says why bother with a blind girl’s marriage?

  This was news to me. ‘And whenever Amarnath is mentioned?

  ‘Then she says, in his hands rests my life. I have to do his bidding.’

  ‘Well, what does it matter what the bride says? It is the parents opinion that counts.

  ‘Rajani is not a little girl and neither is she born to me. Besides, the inheritance is hers. If she sends us packing, what can we do? On the contrary, these days we are doing her bidding mostly,’ she argued.

  I gave it some thought and asked, ‘Does Rajani meet Amarnath often?’

  She said, ‘No. He doesn’t see her.

  ‘May I meet with Rajani once?’ I requested of her.

  ‘That is what I want too,’ she said. ‘If you could coax and convince her it would help—she really holds you in high esteem.

  ‘Well, I could try. But how can I see her? Could you send her over here tomorrow?

  ‘Why not, she has almost grown up in this house. But when a girl’s match is being talked of, it doesn’t look good for her to come to the same house at any odd hour of the day before the wedding.

  Oh damn! More work for me! With no other option left to me, I said, ‘Fine, if Rajani cannot come, could I come to your house once?’

  In disbelief she cried, ‘Oh my Lord, can we really have the good fortune of your hand knocking on our humble door?’

  ‘If the marriage happens, many other hands will come a-knocking. Why don’t you extend the invitation to me today?’

  Rajani’s mother seemed to find my eagerness to visit them a bit farfetched, for she asked dubiously, ‘But will the master agree to sending you to our home?’

  ‘What does he have to do with it? The woman’s word is always the man’s word, too.’

  The gardener’s wife invited me with folded hands and went away laughing.

  2

  Amarnath

  PERHAPS MANY OF YOU ARE SURPRISED TO HEAR THAT IN SPITE OF ALL MY efforts to retrieve Rajani’s inheritance, and in spite of the Mitras letting go of it without a struggle, it had not yet been claimed. I too was in the same boat. The property was not mine and I was not the one to claim it. It belonged to Rajani and if she did not claim it, no one could say anything. But she seemed totally averse to claiming it for herself. She kept postponing it by a day here, a day there and many other excuses. Far from claiming it, I was now trying to fathom why a poor woman would have so little interest in riches. Rajchandra and his wife too had entreated Rajani to this end, but she seemed most reluctant to claim what was rightfully hers. What was the sense in this? Why then had I laboured so hard?

  I went to see her, with the intention of thrashing things through to an end. Ever since the topic of my marriage to her had been broached, I had avoided going to see her, because these days she was very shy in my presence. But today it was imperative that I talked to her, so I went to meet her. The doors of that house were always open to me. I went looking for Rajani, but didn’t find her in her room. I was on my way back when I saw Rajani coming upstairs with another woman in tow. I could recognize the other woman instantly—I hadn’t seen her for some years, but I knew immediately, that indolent walk belonged to none other than Labangalata.

  Rajani had dressed in rags on purpose I think and she wasn’t talking properly to Labanga, perhaps out of embarrassment. But Labanga was laughing and bubbling with delight; her face bore no trace of ire or irritation.

  I hadn’t heard this laughter for many years. It was the same as ever—like the tiny waves on a full-moon ocean, like the sway of a spring creeper in blossom, dripping with exhilaration.

  I stood in stunned surprise, with a wildly beating heart, analysing the mental faculties of this unconventional woman. Labangalata was so hard to understand. She had fallen from immense riches to instant penury—yet the same delighted smile; she was stepping into Rajani’s house, conversing with that same woman who had brought about this state in her own life and yet—the delighted smile. I stood right before her, and yet—the delighted smile! But I knew for a fact that Labanga had not forgotten a single thing.

  I stepped into the next room. Labanga followed suit. Without a stroke of hesitation, like a commanding queen, she said, ‘Rajani, go away for some time, I need to speak to your groom. Don’t worry, he may be handsome, but my old husband still beats him hollow.’ Rajani looked embarrassed as she strolled away unmindfully.

  Labangalata crinkled her brows, donned the same sweet smile and took up position in front of me like the queen of all she surveyed. Except for that one instance long ago, no one had ever seen Amarnath bemused, lost for words. But now, once again, I forgot myself. Then too it was Lalitlabangalata, now too, it was Lalitlabangalata.

  Labanga smiled and said, ‘Why are you staring at my face? To gauge whether I have come to seize your acquired wealth? I could do that if I so desired.

  I said, ‘You can do many things, but not that. If you could, you wouldn’t have given away your wealth to Rajani and then cooked for your husband’s first wife every day with your own hands.’

  Labanga laughed aloud in glee, ‘Do you think that will pinch me? It is truly bothersome to have to cook for my husband’s other wife; but if I call the guards and hand you over to them now, I could once again employ five cooks.’

  I said, ‘The property belongs to Rajani. What’s the use of getting rid of me? The owner of the inheritance will continue to enjoy it.’

  Labanga said cunningly, ‘You have never really understood women. If they love someone, they’d give away their last cent to protect him.’

  ‘Meaning in order to save me, she’d bribe you with the property?’ ‘Exactly,’ replied Labanga.

  ‘So all these days you haven’t claimed that bribe because we weren’t married? And the moment we are, you’ll come and stake your claim?’ I asked incredulously.

  ‘How would a lowly vermin such as you ever know how we work? Thieves like you wouldn’t know that it’s a sin to keep what belongs to another. Even if I could, why would I keep Rajani’s inheritance?’

  I said, ‘If you were not like this, why would I have had such a bad idea at the time? If you have forgiven me so much, then I have one more request. If you haven’t confided what you know to anyone else, then don’t say it to Rajani either.’

  The haughty Labanga’s brows danced—what a graceful movement it was! She said, ‘Am I a cheat! Have I come here to cheat the woman who is to become your wife?’

  She laughed. I have never been able to make sense of her laughter. She was really quite angry. But her laughter washed her anger away. It was like the shadow of a cloud drifting away from the water’s surface and the laughter glinting on it like the unadorned full moon. I have never been able to fathom Labangalata.

  She smiled, ‘Then let me go to Rajani.’

  ‘Go.’

  Lalitlabangalata sashayed away like a graceful creeper, true to her name. A little later she sent for me. I went and found Labangalata standing and Rajani weeping at her feet. Labanga said to me, ‘Listen to what your future wife has to say—I refuse to hear such things unless you too hear them.’

  Astounded, I said, ‘What?

  Labangalata said to Rajani, ‘Go on, say it; your husband is here—’

  Rajani’s eyes were swimming with tears as she touched Labanga’s feet and pleaded, ‘I have just one request. All that I have acquired through the efforts of this gentleman here, I’d like to hand over to you with proper legal documents. Will you please do me the favour of accepting it?’

  Delight coursed through my entire being. I felt all my effo
rts, all the sacrifices I made on Rajani’s behalf were truly successful. I knew at the very outset, and now it was even more obvious, that amongst women on this earth the blind Rajani was a priceless gem. Even Labangalata’s scorching lustre was put to shame. I had, in the meantime, drowned myself in the sightless eyes of this woman—today I became her slave for free. I would illuminate my dark abode with this dazzling jewel and live my life in great joy. Would the gods allow me that fate?

  3

  Labangalata

  I HAD ENVISAGED AMARNATH HEARING RAJANI’S WORDS AND WITHERING like a banana leaf held over the fire. But no, that didn’t happen. His face, instead of wilting, actually grew more cheerful. Stunned and astonished, whatever be it, was only my expression.

  At first I took it for a joke. But Rajani’s insistence, tears and firmness finally convinced me that she was sincere. I said, ‘Rajani, you are indeed unique, there’s no one like you. But I cannot take your donation.’

  Rajani said, ‘If you refuse, I shall give it away to charity.’

  ‘What about Amarnath Babu?’ I asked.

  ‘Perhaps you do not know him very well. Even if I were to give it to him, he will not take it.’

  ‘What do you say, Amarnath Babu?’ I asked, hoping that he would refuse to marry Rajani in the event of the property slipping out of his reach.

  ‘I am not a part of this conversation, what can I say?’ he asked me in return.

  I was in a fix. Rajani’s eagerness to give away the inheritance was indeed surprising. But it was even more shocking that Amarnath, who had gone to such lengths to retrieve this property, for the lure of which he was even prepared to marry Rajani, was actually quite happy to see it whisked away and given to someone else. What was the matter here?

  I asked Amarnath to leave so that I could have a heart to heart talk with Rajani. He left instantly. Then I asked Rajani, ‘Do you really want to give away the wealth?’

  ‘Absolutely. I can swear by the sacred waters of the Ganga.’

  ‘I can take your charity if you take some of mine.’

  ‘I have taken enough,’ she said.

  ‘You have to take some more.’

  ‘You may give me a sari as a token,’ said Rajani with some reluctance.

  ‘Not that. You have to take whatever I give you.’

  ‘And what is that?’

  Here was my chance. ‘I have a son called Sachindra. I shall give him away to you. You must take him as your husband. If you accept him, I shall accept your wealth.’

  Rajani had been standing, but she sat down slowly and closed her sightless eyes. Then she began to weep silent tears, unending—they streamed down without a pause. I was in a real quandary. Rajani was silent, and weeping. I asked, ‘Why do you weep thus?’

  Rajani spoke through her tears, ‘That day, beside the Ganga, I had tried to drown myself. I did succeed, but people dragged me out. It was all for Sachindra. If you said to me, you are blind, I shall grant you sight, I’d have refused it and asked for Sachindra instead. I know nothing beyond him on this earth—my life is at his feet like the flowers at the feet of the idol of God. If I get a place at his feet, my life would be complete. Will you listen to this blind girl’s tale of misery?

  I was moved by her grief and said, ‘I will.’

  Then Rajani unburdened her heart even as she wept; she told me all. Sachindra’s voice, Sachindra’s touch, the blind girl’s desire, her escape, the drowning, her rescue—everything. Finally she said, ‘Ma’am, you are blessed with sight. Is it possible for those with eyes to adore so passionately?’

  To myself I murmured, ‘Ye blind one—what do you know of love’s hunger? You are a hundred times happier than Labangalata!’ But overtly I said, ‘No, Rajani, my husband is an old man and I do not know these things. So it is decided that you will marry Sachindra?

  She replied, ‘No.

  I was astounded. ‘What? Then what were you saying all this while, why did you weep so hard?

  ‘I wept because fate has denied me these pleasures.’

  ‘But why? I shall give you away.’

  But Rajani didn’t find it as simple as that. ‘You will fail. Amarnath has done everything for me. What he has done to retrieve my inheritance is something no one would ever do for a stranger. Even if I discount that, he has saved my life at his own risk.

  Rajani then narrated that incident to me and said, ‘I shall abide by whatever he says since I am thus indebted to him. Since he has had a wish to place me at his feet, I shall serve him and no one else.’

  Oh dear Lord, why did I get the hermit to cast his spell on my poor child! Even without a wedding, the property could have been recovered. Rajani was willing to hand it back anyway. But shame! How could I take Rajani’s cast-offs? I’d rather beg for a living! I have declared that if I didn’t make this marriage happen I am not a Kayastha woman! I shall see to it that my word is kept. I said to Rajani, ‘In that case I refuse to take your charity. You may give it away wherever you wish.’ I rose to leave.

  Rajani said, ‘Please sit down. I shall make my request once more through Amarnath Babu—let me get him.’

  I too wanted one more meeting with Amarnath. So I sat down. Rajani fetched him.

  Once he came in, I said to Rajani, ‘If Amarnath Babu really wants to make his case, will he be able to speak freely in your presence? Why do you want to listen to your own praise?’

  Rajani went away.

  4

  Labangalata

  I ASKED AMARNATH, ‘DO YOU WISH TO MARRY RAJANI?’

  ‘Yes—it’s decided,’ he said.

  ‘Is it now? Even though she is handing back her property to me?’

  ‘I shall marry Rajani, not her inheritance,’ he stated.

  ‘But you had wanted to marry Rajani for her wealth, isn’t it?’ I asked, not to be outdone.

  ‘Women have such vulgar minds!’

  ‘Since when have you hated us so much?’

  ‘Not hatred—or I wouldn’t be all set to marry,’ he said.

  ‘But why have you hand-picked a blind girl? That’s why I brought up the topic of inheritance,’ I explained.

  ‘Why have you hand-picked the geriatric?’

  ‘It is not good manners to call someone’s husband geriatric in her presence. Why are you picking on me? Aren’t you afraid of the vile tongue of the foul-mouthed woman?’

  (I did so want an argument.)

  Amarnath said, ‘Of course I fear it, and I haven’t said anything offensive. I love Rajani just as you love Mitra Babu.’

  ‘Is it her playful eyes?’

  ‘It’s the lack of artifice in them. You too would have been more beautiful if you were blind.’

  ‘I shall surely put that question to my husband, not to you. Lately I too have begun to love Rajani the way you love her.’

  ‘Do you also wish to marry her? he asked with veiled sarcasm.

  ‘Almost. Not personally, but I’d like to see her marry well. I shall not let her get married to you, I asserted.

  ‘I am a good match. Rajani is unlikely to find a better one.’

  ‘You are a bad match. I shall find her a good one.’

  ‘Why am I a bad match?’ he asked, genuinely puzzled.

  ‘Why don’t you take off your shirt and show me your back?

  Amarnath’s face crumpled as he spoke wretchedly, ‘Shame, Labanga!’ I too was upset, but I didn’t let his misery get to me. I said, ‘Shall I tell you a story?

  He thought I was changing the subject so he agreed. ‘Fine,’ he said.

  I began to speak, ‘When I was in the bloom of youth, people found me a striking—’

  Amarnath interrupted me, ‘If that’s fiction, what’s a fact?

  ‘Just hear me out,’ I said. ‘My beauty ensnared a thief in its grip. He stole his way into the room in my father’s home, where my maid and I slept.

  At this point, he broke out in a sweat and said, ‘Please forgive me.’

  I continued, ‘The thief broke
into my room. The lamp was burning and I recognized him. Scared, I woke the maid. She did not know the thief. So, I spoke to him politely and made him take a seat.’

  Amarnath said, ‘Forgive me, but I know all this.’

  ‘Still, I need to refresh your memory,’ I objected. ‘A little later, as per my signal, the maid left the room quietly and called the watchman. They stood at the mouth of the thief’s escape route. At the right moment, I too made an excuse and left by the only door to the room, locking it from without. Did I do it right?’

  ‘Why are you repeating all this to me?

  ‘Can you guess how the thief finally left the room? I called everyone in the area. The stronger men seized him. The thief covered his face in shame. I took pity on him and let that pass. But I took a heated iron rod and with my own hands I branded his back with the word thief. Amar Babu, do you ever take off your shirt even in the worst of summer days?’

  ‘No,’ Amarnath said in misery and defeat.

  ‘Labangalata’s handwriting is hard to erase. I had every intention of narrating this story to Rajani today. But I shall desist. You are not worthy of Rajani. Do not try to marry her. If you do not cease your efforts, I shall be forced to reveal all,’ I told Amarnath.

  He heard me and sat in silence for some time. Finally he spoke dejectedly, ‘You may do as you wish. Whatever you do I shall confess everything to Rajani today. After knowing all my flaws and virtues, she may accept or reject me—it is her choice. I shall not dupe her.’

  I must say I lost this round. In my heart, I gave a million thanks to Amarnath and went back home, feeling a mixture of sorrow and joy.

  5

  Sachindra

  SOME DAYS AFTER THE LOSS OF OUR WEALTH, I FELL ILL. I DO NOT KNOW IF it was a result of some anxiety about the sudden change of state from riches to poverty. But I can describe the symptoms to you.

  When the blatant heat of the sun had mellowed in the late afternoon, I sat on the terrace reading. I had been reading all day, trying to make some sense of the most complex mysteries of our existence, but I had failed miserably. Nothing seemed to make sense, but the yearning remained. The more I read, the more I wanted to read. Eventually I grew tired. I held the book in my hands, closed my eyes and began to ruminate. I was a little drowsy. It wasn’t as pleasant or gratifying as a real sleep. The book slipped from my tired hands. My eyes were open and all things visible, but if you asked me what I saw, I would not be able to tell you. Suddenly, in front of my eyes there was the restless, swirling waters of a river at dawn. It felt as if the first rays of the sun were just brightening the eastern sky. And on the banks of that Ganga stood Rajani! She was walking into the river! Slow, slow, ever so slow! Blind and yet frowning brows, disabled and yet composed, as serene and unruffled as that flowing river at dawn, yet as tumultuous and strong within as the same river. Slow, slow, ever so slow—there, she walked into the water! She was so beautiful! Like the fading fragrance of the flower dropping from the bough, like the last note of a concluding melody, Rajani was stepping into the water ever so slowly! Slow, Rajani, go slow! Let my eyes have their fill of you. Once I had not known your worth and I hadn’t spared you a glance. Now, let me look to my heart’s content.