Anu hadn’t been able to sleep all night. As soon as she tried to, her mind was racing with all sorts of worries and fears. Lying in bed, she listened to Anik snoring for a long time. Feeling annoyed, she quietly got out of bed and sat on the balcony. The worries wouldn’t leave her. To distract herself, she began to hum the song, “Who will take away the key to my broken house?”
Anu was completely immersed in singing. The silent, serene surroundings became her companion as her voice rose and fell. She didn’t realize that Anik had come and stood behind her. Anik stood silently for a long time, listening to his wife’s melodious voice. Anu had been blessed with such a beautiful voice. Anik thought to himself, ‘If she were an artist, she would surely have made a name for herself! Even without any musical training, there’s such a captivating quality in her voice!’
Anik chuckled and said, “I think you’re inviting some thief or robber over at this time of night.
Anu looked back mischievously and smiled. “I came here because of your suffering. And you’re already up, no more snoring!”
Anik was very surprised. “When did I ever cause you suffering? Do you have any proof that I snore?”
Anu shook her head. “No, I can’t prove it. If I could, would you make me tea now?”
Anik placed his hand on Anu’s shoulder. It was a hand of immense trust, a hand full of love. Anu felt like the strongest hand in the world had touched her shoulder. This hand was her companion for life.
Anik said, “If you want tea, just say so. Why are you falsely accusing me of snoring? Whispering close to Anu’s ear, he said, “Listen, I came here after filling the kettle with water as soon as I saw you on the balcony. I knew you’d want tea now. Now you be a good girl and bring two cups of tea. I’ll watch the night sky.”
In fact, Anik wanted to calm Anu down. Yesterday, she had an MRI scan, and she was very scared. Anik had never experienced an MRI himself, so he didn’t know how to alleviate Anu’s fear. He looked out absently.
Anu quickly returned with the tea. “If you drink tea this late, you won’t be able to sleep.” Anik felt that his sleep had been disturbed because Anu had gotten up from beside him.
Immediately, Anu’s tone turned resentful. She said, “Never mind, you don’t have to drink tea. I’ll finish it all myself. You go to sleep.
Anick, knowing the nuances of romance, understands the importance of keeping his wife happy. He wants to keep her spirits up. So, he takes a cup of tea from Anu and says, “Hey, silly, I love you. Can’t we indulge in a little romance on this dark night, just the two of us? I love it when you get upset. Your love then dances on your lips. You’ve taken so much trouble to make this tea, and I can’t not drink it! Why are you so angry, Anu? If only I could have your MRI done, I would have. And why are you so scared? It’s only thirty minutes. I’ll go with you.”
Drawing on stories he’s heard from his friends, Anick says, “You’ll close your eyes for half an hour and lose yourself in your imaginary world. You’ll wander through the boats of the past and future. During this time, you might hear various sounds. From trains to ambulances, you’ll hear all kinds of sounds, and the test will be over. There’s nothing to be afraid of. I even want to experience an MRI myself.”
Seeing Anick’s amusement, Anu says, “I know an MRI is nothing serious. But you know, I’m scared of that machine. Ever since I was a child, whenever I see an MRI advertisement, I feel like I can’t breathe. That machine swallows a whole person. That person then has nothing of their own. They have to lie lifeless inside the MRI machine. And the sound! I dream about this machine when I try to sleep. I can’t sleep. It feels like I’m being put in a coffin when I think about going inside that machine. It feels like the electric crematorium where people are cremated. You’ve never seen an electric crematorium, have you, where people are cremated? That crematorium also looks like this machine.”
Anick shakes his head. “No, I’ve never seen such a crematorium. And I’ve never had such thoughts. I always thought you were so brave. I didn’t know you were so scared.” Saying this, he tries to reassure Anu.
-Anik come today or we will spend without sleep. Before saying in the language of poetry – seeing me, you can spend thousands of years without sleeping! And today for sleep so restless!
– If you didn’t tell me all these things, who would listen to my snoring today! And Keiba would have tea at noon this night. Ok I won’t sleep Sahasr Rajni. I will not see the moon, stars or distant sky. Look, I’m looking at you. But you won’t laugh. Do not say – love!
Anu smiles and puts her head on Anik’s shoulder and says – Hey Anik, you really become a poet. How long have you not read me a poem?
-When will I read the poem to you! I live on the boss’s bush in the office and yours at home. Do you love me like before?
Anu’s face became heavy again. Says – do you think my love for you has decreased! This is that I am angry with you, insulted by words. Why do you say! I do this out of love. I wouldn’t do this to a neighbor. And I don’t care if they snore. right?
Anik laughs at his wife’s words.
Anuk patted Anu’s head and said – How long have you not listened to your music! See the moon is smiling at us like that dish in the sky. You will not hear a song!
Anu hugged Anik a little more. Then slowly started singing with all the emotion-
Those two hands of yours in this silver moon
I want to decorate it in the red color of henna.
Anuk listens to Anu’s song like mesmerized. The stillness of the night and the gentle breeze all seem to be listening to that song with awe. Anik is lost in his university days waiting like a pilgrim crow in front of Anur’s hall. In Ramana, Sorawardi and Chandrima Udyan on closed days. Here he spent hours holding Anu’s hand. Sitting here, he felt that life would remain incomplete without Anuk.
After the exam, he couldn’t wait for the job. Even though there is disagreement at home, they get married and have a family in a small sublet house. In the beginning, both of them tried to get a job along with running the family by tutoring. Although they lacked in the house, there was no lack of happiness.
Anik managed to catch a golden deer named Job by wearing the sole of his shoe. His dedicated work and integrity have led him to a high rank. Moved from sublet to apartment. But this job took time away from him.
There is no end to Anu’s complaints against Anuk as he cannot take leave from morning to ten at night or even on closed days. Today, sitting in the light of the moon, reminiscing about the old days, the love seems to double to Anu. The fear of MRI gradually disappeared from his mind.
Anu and Anik’s story started to pass the night. When Anu fell asleep with her head on Anik’s shoulder. Anik didn’t even notice it. Chirping of birds is coming from the jarul tree in front. Sambit gets Anik back. It is still ringing in my mind – whatever Paran wants, you go…
The light of dawn is shining all around. A new day begins with a new love.
Scarborough, Canada
