At the age of twelve, Ananda, having conquered the bicycle, spends his entire day wandering the fields with the boys from the neighborhood. In the soft dust of the afternoon and the flow of the bill's stream, he flies a kite; sometimes he explores the nests for bird eggs, bringing them home to place in the hen's nest and try to hatch.
For him, education is the most challenging task on Earth. At night, he builds strong bonds with the monkeys of the neighborhood, creating friendships. Despite everyone else learning, the one well in the school remains dry. I suggested, "If things continue like this, the boy might not fare well in academics."
Bimal responds with a philosophical tone, "Everything will happen as it is meant to be. I know everything, but what can I do? The world runs its own course. Ha, Ishwar (Oh God)."
Ananda's mother, Archna, dreams a thousand dreams for her son. She envisions him becoming a doctor, forming connections with prominent families, gaining respect in society, and elevating their status. However, if the son deviates from this path, Archna wonders how to fulfill her aspirations. In the midst of these thoughts, Ananda's father, Bimal, a humble worker, goes about his daily routine. When Archna expresses concern about their son's future, Bimal responds with confidence, assuring her that everything will be fine. He acknowledges the uncertainties of life but trusts that their family will continue to persevere.
One morning when Ananda brought four pear blossoms (unripen and not ready to eat) in both hands and placed them near the doorstep. Archna exclaims to the husband, "Look! Look at your son's rebellion." He turns his face away within the tears, resembling the dark bud of a hibiscus.Without uttering a word, they silently stand near the corner of the doorstep, and Archna's burning worry hasn't subsided.
She continues, "Did you bring the learning deity's blessings into our home? Did you convey the message that Kshanti Pishi wanted to meet me? You didn't say anything! I would have known. She is distant, not in front of me."
Bimal: "Why scold the boy? After all, he comes after his father, takes a bath, and enjoys some chit-chat."
Ananda: "Okay, Baba."
If this continues, the sapling of his essence, rooted in Archna's words, may wither. On the 17th day of the month of Boishakh, it was a Sunday. On that day, Kshanti Pishi came to bid farewell to the Ananda family, bringing a ripe coconut and a pot of curd. Around 9 or 10 in the morning, a three-wheeled vehicle stood by the door to take her away. Like the last time, Archna brought a basil leaf in a plate. Then, she recited the deity's name and went to Kshanti Pishi.
Saying their goodbyes, Ananda got into the vehicle with her. Bimal, carrying a tin box, got on the vehicle last. As the vehicle started moving, Kshanti Pishi raised both hands to her forehead and shouted, "Dugga! Dugga!" Seeing Ananda, his companions playing by the side of the road, he sighed. Inside his heart, only one tune played – "What else can I regain on this playground?"
Before nightfall, they reach the riverside. In a small one-story house with a veranda, they spend the night. Tired Ananda eats coconut sweets and curd with puffed rice and falls asleep. In the morning, Ananda goes to the veranda and stands there. Surrounded by iron bars, the veranda only reveals the neighboring house's wall, and the sky remains hidden from Ananda's view. In an instant, his eyes feel heavy; he rushes back, embraces his mother, and says, "Ma, I want to go home. Where can I play here? Where is my playground?"
It was a Saturday. On his way back from school, Ananda notices a mature banyan tree by the path and decides to leave his book with his friend and climb the tree. As he reaches the end of the banyan branches, a bug enters his eye. Ananda's attention shifts from his feet to his eyes, causing him to fall from the tree to the ground.
It has been three days since Ananda came home. Due to the injury on his foot, he is not allowed to walk for several weeks, as suggested by the doctor who set his foot in a cast. Archna, in her daily routine, chants the name of the deity: vowing to offer a seven-step walk at the Thakur's feet. She has bowed her head at every temple in the village. Due to her son's condition, she is restless and later goes to the courtyard, covering her face with a veil, shedding tears.
In front of Ananda, Archna doesn't want to release the statue of her affection and control to ensure her son returns to being disciplined and calm. On Thursday night, when Ananda is asleep, Archna tells Bimal, "Okay, arrange something quickly. See what has happened to our son. If it continues like this, he won't be able to manage himself as a human being." Bimal, finishing his shower, responds, "Alright, let me see what can be done. It's all up to the deities."
Archna takes him back to the village the next day. There, Ananda first runs on the field but soon returns to the same spot. Like an aquarium fish released into the ocean for the first time, the fish initially struggles in an unnatural state, swiftly darting in various directions, and eventually settles in a corner, becoming still for a moment – a state Ananda shares.
Mechanical life and the reality of fish have taken Ananda further away from the joyous childhood days. Despite the need to distance himself bit by bit, Ananda continues to carry the joy from his childhood.
Soon after, it's the time of the Basanti Puja for Ananda and his friends. They have a lot of fun together—playing marbles, flying kites, and engaging in various other games. Besides, they prepare for plucking lotus flowers, make tools for playing danguli, and even craft large fishnets for fishing. On the day of Basanti Puja, in the morning, Archna sits on the veranda arranging the puja tray, with Ananda sitting beside her. Ananda's father, with a cheerful face, says to Archna, "Let him be as he is. A father should support his son's happiness."
If this continues, carrying the sapling of his essence, Ananda may blossom into a distant flower, unaffected by the external pressures but surely bloom with full fledge; Archana the mother is always there for him. He is Archana's Dream!
With💙
©chrysanthemum