That day, when I stepped in the library, I saw Bhanumati at my desk, holding a novel titled 'A Half-baked Love Story' written by Anurag Garg. As usual, I took the 'Indian Express' paper and begun analysing and noting down all that I deemed important. Bhanumati was in dilemma. But she said nothing.
The editorials were my favourites. They helped me with general understanding, logical reasoning and aptitude within the sphere of current topics being discussed. The writers had in-depth knowledge of the impacts of the respective subjects the society is bearing. Moreover, their procrastination were also matters of consideration.
My writing practice was improving dad-by-day in terms of speed and speech. Around an hour later, Bhanumati couldn't control and waved me "Hi". I responded "Hello" in the same way. She was agitated. I had no idea how a person, met a few days back, had so much importance in her eyes. I kept on revising the schedules, the parts and the articles of the constitution. "Figuring out the largest constitution in the world is not a one-day task. Even the makers took 2 years, 11 months and 18 days." I made a relieving statement to myself.
Bhanumati: (handing me a note) I am going out for coffee. I want you to join me.
She left. I followed her.
At the restaurant:
Bhanumati: Did you confirm the Chess Competition participation?
Me: Umm..yeah..I did it yesterday!
Bhanumati: Exactly..yesterday.. where were you? I waited for 3 hours and even today, you didn't even gesture me!
(She scolded me as if she had possession over me.I felt cheery inside.)
Me: (low voice) Shall we have coffee first? We shall discuss it there.
She puffed.
Me: One of my uncles, Uncle Dhan lal's business partner Mr. Ashtanga had to send funds he had managed. His mom was ill thus, he couldn't go then. So, I had been to 'Raogarh' to get those funds and transfer the amount. (I gave her a complete clarification in fear of her queries.)
She was pleased.
Bhanumati: I apologize for my accent. Sorry!
Me: (curious) Why were you waiting for me?
Bhanunati: (loquacious) I am also preparing for CLAT exams. I wanted a partner. So, when I met you, I felt you are a better partner. (Shy)
The coffee is over. I should leave now. Shall meet you tomorrow. Bye.
And she went back.
The following days, we both spent one and half hour analysing the journals and later one and half hour, we discussed on topics related to laws and their amendments, cases, politics, human behaviour, et al. We discussed all those on a coffee date.
And one day, Bhanumati asked me if I was practising chess with anybody. She used to practise it with Shubham regularly. I didn't.
Bhanumati: If you have none to play with, come home, we will practice together.
Me: (straightforward) Sorry Bhanu. I can't come to your home. It's better to keep a certain distance. I think we are getting too close. And so far chess is concerned, I am playing it my way!
Bhanumati: Okay! Calm down! I just had a concern.
Me: No thanks!
Bhanumati: (upset) Agastya, am I bothering you?
I got up and turned around to leave.
Me: When things turn blurred as we near, one should take distance and look around everything. When the right angle is discovered where everything is clear, then get close to it.
I didn't meet her the next three days when actually on the fourth day, a Sunday morning, I met her at 'Durga Temple' premises. Actually, I was chanting 'Aigiri Nandini' stotram when she came and sat behind me in a posture of praying the goddess. Listening to the chants, she eagerly approached to know who was the one. The priest also appreciated the way I chanted. As I completed, I came to know Bhanu was there and that made me happy.
Even Soumya had arrived there at the moment.
Soumya: Mamu, I heard you singing the last verse of the stotram. It was awesome. (She applauded)
Me: Thank you my heart!
Bhanumati did not say a word but her expressions were divine.
Soumya: (waving) Hi, Bhanu di!
Bhanu, lost in senses, didn't respond. When Soumya touched her, she woke up.
Bhanumati: Hello Soumya. How are you?
Soumya: Fine! Where were you lost?
Bhanumati: (to Soumya) Is Agastya your mama?
(I had already left. But Bhanu and Soumya had long conversation about me. I stayed up at Soumya's house and waited for her. She came around half an hour later.)
Soumya: Mamu, Bhanu is pretty much impressed with you. Hahaha!
I blushed hearing her.
The day when we had done with the papers and discussion, I asked Bhanu about her family. She told me her dad worked in an export-import business. He was a CA by profession, too. Two years earlier had her mom shifted to live with her dad in Gandhinagar. She and Shubham lived with their grandparents and uncle. Shubham was pursuing CMA and he was preparing for his Intermediate level Group II exams. Her uncle ran a hardware shop.
She didn't ask about my family. Rather she asked me what I considered a family is.
Me: Do you truly wish to know my views? (I assured her curiosity)
Bhanumati: (on a serious note) So far I have come to know about you, I am too eager to know you more everyday. I have never even heard about a guy like you. A family is what one wishes to have all his/her lifelong. But what a family is, has become a question now. Please help me get clarity on this. I think you can!
Me: A family is all about feeling home wherever you are.
Where the experiences and notions developed by the ancestors form the base;
where the wind gushes forth realising the worth of customs and traditions;
where the mighty pillars signify the efforts of people taking charge, made in pursuit of human welfare;
where the walls strongly built signify the morals and ethics;
where there are openings to let one view the changes, accept, analyse and transform;
where vitality of life is preserved and energized by the foods prepared with love;
where all the diversified talents converge on a common goal;
where the spring echoes its ecstasy in the territory;
where any visitor enters with honour and respect towards the host; and
where the discrete mindsets have a way out to let them build their own castles,
I believe that's an appropriate family, dear Bhanu.
Is it good enough?
(I wanted her assent.)
Bhanumati grinned. She seemed to be poetically impressed. Her expressions implied she was lost. I hummed a song that distracted her. "Beautiful!" she said in acceptance.
Bhanumati: So concisely, a family is an organization!
Me: Yes, but what contrasts between a family and an organization, in general understanding, is that an organization is run by laws and logics but a family is run by principle of self-realisation and love. So far, I have figured it out.
Bhanumati: Hmm..hmm!
(She had a call from Shubham and she left.)
The next day when I entered the library, Bhanu had not arrived. However, I did my job. The papers read that climate change and evolution of new endemics and sporadic diseases had become threat to the world. However some people emphasized the topic and initiated programmes to preserve the ecological beings at smaller-scale, a larger network had been synchronised to work here as in a laboratory. Actually, in the name of evolution of science and technology, the scientists and the doctors had presumed they were the Lords and the rest of the people were living in a purgatory. The generals in their greed of fortune crossed their limits repeatedly for decades and until now. I pondered on the topic and deciphered the challenges on all levels. Understanding the problems is half-way to their solutions. Had I heard some individuals implemented their ideas but they stopped making impact after a limited growth, I promised myself to prepare a theses on it.
I didn't know both Shubham and Bhanumati were sitting besides me. They said they had arrived 10 minutes earlier. It was 3:45 p.m. Then we moved to the restaurant.
Shubham: Only three days left for chess competition. I am sure you will win. (He tried to provoke me probably.)
Me: Facing you will be tough for me instead.
Bhanumati: Are you prepared?
Me: It's not an examination. We don't know about the opponents. I just know how to play the chess game. Keep it simple.
Bhanumati: See bro, he is a cool guy. I am quite nervous. I don't know how to keep things so simple, Agastya! (She exclaimed her anxiety.)
Shubham: Winners create history. If you wish to be called a champion, you have to win anyway you like.
I feared of this mentality for many reasons. But I kept quiet.