Chapter -31 (Akanksha Levels Up Unexpectedly)
Mrs. Sania, as she got off the chair and started collecting the empty plates, paused in the act and said: "I don't think you need to pay all the money. I'd rather suggest that you open an account with the local branch of the SBI and deposit the cheque there, Anu. Your Baba may have retired but he's still in control. So, don't worry, beta." She smiled at Anushka before adding hurriedly, "It's a nice thought though."
Mr. Rajan, who got back to the table having washed his hands in the basin at the corner, remarked in a voice filled with emotion, "I can't tell you, Anu, how deeply touched I am by your superlative thought. I wish I could have done the same at your age. Nothing satisfies a parent more than having a dutiful, responsible, caring daughter or son. And what counts at the end of the day… .. " He stopped here to look around at his wife and elder daughter before adding, " what counts is one's attitude to one's parents. With your attitude tonight, you have won me over, Anu Ma. God bless you."
As Mr. Rajan said and Anushka walked around to get to her father, he kept his hand over her head. Anushka looked up at her father. Her father had aged in the last few weeks. He often looked tired and week. Anushka then took his hand in hers and was leading him towards his room when Akanksha cried out from behind :
"I don't know what our parents want you to do, Anu, but I want a treat."
"That's not a big deal. But this time, it should be for the whole family. Why don't you check out on your mobile, whether there is any offer from any of the eateries tomorrow?" Anushka suggested.
"Great, But for that we've to wait till tomorrow. Hopefully, we may land up with something like " 3 Biryanis at the price of 2" from Arsanal or another place." Akanksha replied as she took out her mobile and started dialing a number.
Anushka led her father to his room, helped him to bed, having switched the fan on earlier at his request. She bade him "good night" and tiptoed out of the room. She saw her mother shutting the kitchen door and coming towards their room.
" Anu, Akku is still busy talking with Anurima on her phone. I'm on my way back as I want to go to bed early tonight. There is a guest invited to lunch tomorrow, remember? So, it's going to be another busy day," She said.
"I know, Ma, but bro Jishnu isn't a guest any more or is he? She asked her mother.
Mrs. Sania halted with one hand on the door knob and broke into a smile.
" You're right, dear. Jishnu, from the first day he came to our house, has been more of a family than anything else." She waved at her daughter before getting inside the room.
From her chair, Akanksha looked past Anushka at her mother stepping inside her bedroom, and spoke into the phone, " Sorry, bhai. I've to skip it tomorrow. Our HoD sent me some assignments. Just think over it, bhai! These days there is no respite on Sundays either! Anyway, be calling you later." She got up then finding Anu climbing up the stairs.
"Wait for me, Anu. Let's go back up to our room walking side by side." She shouted out to her sister. Anushka had climbed up a few steps by then, so she waited there while Akanksha put off the light and caught up with her sister. Once on the same step, she put her hand into Anu's and the sisters, holding their hands, started walking up to their room like they used to during their CPS days.
"So, uncle, how are you these days?" Jishnu asked Mr. Rajan in bed. He had a mild flu and Jishnu, bending over Mr. Rajan, held his (Mr.Rajan's) hand in his own to check his pulse, at Mrs. Sania's request.
Mr.Rajan opened his eyes to see his wife and Anushka on one side of the bed, and Akanksha and Jishnu on the other.
"You tell me, Doctor, how you find me as I don't find any difference from one day to the other!" He smiled at Jishnu feebly, trying to sit up:
"Please don't, uncle." He told him hurriedly.
Then letting go off Mr. Rajan's hand, Jishnu looked down, almost blushing. Somehow, he loved being addressed as "Doctor".He remembered his mom and the her last wish for a while. At the same time, when people like auntie Sania or uncle called him doctor, he felt shy.
"Nothing is wrong with you, yet you look weak. I was informed about your conditions by Anushka last Friday. So, I guess, the flue is due to the seasonal change. You'll get better within three days, uncle." He promised to the ailing man.
"That's the thing about you doctors. Jishnu. You know how to bring hope back to the sick and the ailing. I already feel better." He said as Akanksha helped him to lie down in the bed again.
Mrs. Sania then asked Mr. Rajan not to fall asleep as lunch was ready and Roma was out there waiting at the table, ready to serve them. They all then cane out of the room and walked down to the table. Soon they were chatting around the table as Anushka asked Jishnu to tell them about his shift to Delhi for the MBBS Course.
"It is a long story but to cut it short, I joined Maulana Azad Medical college in New Delhi after clearing the UG NEET conducted by NTA (National Testing Agency). It was purely based on my ranking in the test. So, I got admitted after a series of counselling sessions followed by the final interview. It was like a dream come true for me." Jishnu said in an emotional voice, looked around in time to find even auntie Sania stopping in the middle of putting some more mutton on his bowl. She seemed to be appraising him.
"No, Auntie, please don't give me any more. I'm already full." He pleaded.
"Come on, Jishnuda. This is the age for devouring. You know the common Bengali joke of " How much I used to eat at your age" that most of our elders share with us while trying to force food down our throats?" Akanksha cut in laughing, while the others joined her in the act.
"I'm happy to have studied at the second ranked college for the MBBS Course under DU as only 15% of total seats are filled through (AIQ), that is, All India Quota. The days spent at MAMC will always be the best days of my life along with the year of internship. Excuse me, " Jishnu concluded abruptly as he got up from his chair.
"Don't get up yet, Jishnu. You haven't even touched the icecream!" Mrs. Sania urged him hurriedly.
"Don't worry, Auntie. I won't leave any of these choicest stuff. I just want to wash my hand before picking up the crystal bowl of ice cream." He told her reassuringly.
"Auntie, how did you know about my favourite dishes? It is like after ages, I've had a hearty meal." On coming back and reoccupying his seat. Jishnu asked Mrs. Sania, in a voice choked with emotion,
All in all, it was a day when the house of The Banerjees was filled up with the sounds of laughter and fun after months.
As Jishnu was coming out of the house, Mrs. Sania asked Akanksha to reach him till the door. Akanksha reached him further till his brand new Volvo Wagner parked outside.
"Look at you, Jishnuda! You bought a new car and never mentioned a thing about it in there! " Akanksha uttered, pointing a finger towards her house.
"I'm sorry, I just forgot, " Jishnu replied most innocently.
"Apology accepted. But when is the party? " Akanksha asked mischieviously.
"Tell me any time you want it. Actually, I've two tickets to a movie called " Titanic" premiering at The Globe this Sunday. Would you like to join me? We can go to some quiet place afterwards and have a simple dinner party."
Akanksha was completely taken aback by the way he asked the question. A Dinner Party For Two? Was it just a simple invitation or a proposal for a romantic date? Akanksha couldn't stop wondering all the way back home.