#seheritales

[mribabuni]

It has been ages since she made Baba check for monsters before going to bed. Fending off phantoms are easy. It's the fear of the monsters called humans that consume her everyday.

[mribabuni]

5 years old.

"I don't know, the touches did not seem nice."

-Let it go.

And she did.

10 years old.

"The way he brushed against me seemed intentional."

-Let it go.

And she did.

15 years old.

"I was groped."

-Let it go.

And she did.

20 years old.

"I didn't want to do it."

-Let it go.

And she did.

25 years old.

"Ei magi tor rate koto?"

-...

-..

She refused to let it go. She grabbed him by his collar and broke his nose single handedly. As she walked away she knew, she isn't letting it go; not for her, not for anyone in the world ever again.

[mribabuni]

Weeks. It's been weeks since she's had a sound sleep. She was sleepy, tired, cranky and longed for the comfort of lying down on her bed, cuddle with Bay and drift off to sleep. She still couldn't believe she left Bay behind.

The bell rang. She had a parcel and it was all paid for. It wasn't too heavy and had no names signed. Baffled she took the parcel and opened it. And there it was -her very battered, worn out throw pillow, Bay. She squealed in delight and hugged Bay close. It was almost good as being back home. She was about to call her mother when a little note fell out of the parcel.

"You chhagoler baccha, how are you an adult and can't live without a stupid pillow? And if it's so important HOW DO YOU LEAVE IT BEHIND? I can't believe mom considers you intelligent. I know you haven't had a decent sleep in two days. I spent half of my tuition money to get you this so I had better get that highlighter I've been eyeing. Miss you not, Nini.'

[mribabuni]

It was her favorite time of the day; she could snap her laptop close and go home. When she got out of the office, it was unusually bright. She suddenly realized days are becoming longer. Impulsively she took out her phone and texted her mom that she would be late.

~

She rang the doorbell and waited paitenly; she knew it will be a while that the door opened. Nanabhai was finallty at the door, fumbling with the keys. He saw her and his face lit up like a Christmas Tree. "Aree amar Bujan chole esheche!" he cried. Once she crossed the threshhold, she was overwhelmed by kisses and cuddles. All the comotion brought Bujan out from her Quran recitals as well. Bujan didn't do cuddles; all she got from her was scoffs that her granddaughter was too busy for her own good. They suddenly realized that she was there straight from work and together started fumbling to get her something to eat. Bujan was surly because if she had informed she could have had her favorite dishes.

"Why do I bother looking for love anywhere else?" she wondered as tears caressed down her cheeks.

[mribabuni]

In the wee hours of the morning, after a small meal she looked for his warmth. She remembered that he stopped 'feeling like' being with her-whatever that meant. She tapped into her neverending determination from the back of her mind, put the phone away and fell asleep.

[mribabuni]

You're the cure to my pain, aren't you?

You're the wind that raises my fire, aren't you?

You'll be there in my system in a few hours when I'm stuck dealing with mannerless idiots, won't you?

Dear coffee, please stay.

[mribabuni]

She woke with a start, ran towards the kitchen with the blanket wrapped around her legs. Maa was at the hospital; it didn't matter she didn't want seheri; Baba would fast without having anything if she didn't prepare everything on time.