Date: June 8, 2009Time: 6:45 PMLocation: Jadavpur, Kolkata
The streets of Jadavpur were alive with their usual evening rush. The smell of freshly fried samosas and hot tea lingered in the air as Aritra made his way toward Jadavpur Railway Station, walking past groups of students, office workers, and shopkeepers closing down for the day.His hands were deep in his pockets, his mind slightly preoccupied as he pulled out his phone and dialed his father's number.The call connected within seconds."You're still in Kolkata?" His father's voice came through, slightly rough from a long day of teaching."Yes," Aritra replied, glancing at the train schedule displayed on the digital board inside the station. "I wanted to finalize the rental agreement before heading back."There was silence on the other end for a moment before his father sighed. "Did you check the place properly?""Yes. It's a three-story house in a quiet residential area. Just a ten-minute walk from the university. The rent is ₹8,000 per month, and I've signed a six-month lease."His father exhaled in what seemed like quiet relief. "That's a fair deal. Hostels may be cheaper, but they're not safe these days."Aritra nodded, even though his father couldn't see him. "I thought the same. I don't want any distractions, and a private space will let me focus on my studies."There was another pause before his father spoke again, his voice softer this time. "It's good that you're thinking practically. But are you sure you can manage everything alone? Cooking, cleaning, expenses?"Aritra allowed a small smirk to form. If only his father knew. "I'll handle it. It's not like I'll be living in isolation. The area is filled with students, and I can always hire a part-time cook if needed."His father let out a small chuckle. "Well, that's a luxury. I never thought I'd hear my son casually talk about hiring help."Aritra shrugged. "Times change, Baba."His father's tone turned serious again. "Make sure to send me the landlord's number and a copy of the rental agreement when you get back.""Of course."The announcement for the Namkhana Local Express echoed through the station, signaling its arrival. Aritra glanced toward the platform, adjusting the strap of his bag."I'll be home in an hour," he said. "I'll talk to you then."His father gave a simple, "Alright, travel safe," before the call ended.Aritra slid his phone back into his pocket as he stepped onto the train.Time: 9:45 PMLocation: Naskar Household, Dakshin Barasat
The moment Aritra stepped inside the house, he was greeted by the familiar warmth of home—the soft glow of the overhead lights, the faint aroma of his mother's cooking, and the distant hum of the old ceiling fan in the living room.His mother looked up from where she was folding freshly washed clothes. "You're back earlier than I expected."Aritra set his bag on the dining table and nodded. "The train wasn't too crowded."His father was seated near the bookshelf, his glasses perched low on his nose as he flipped through a newspaper, but Aritra could tell he was only half-focused on reading."So?" His father set the paper aside and looked at him expectantly. "Everything sorted?"Aritra took a deep breath before answering. "Yes. I signed the lease, and the contract is valid for six months." He pulled out a printed copy of the agreement from his bag and handed it to his father. "Here's a copy. The landlord's number is listed at the bottom."His father scanned the document carefully, nodding slowly. "Seems in order. The rent is manageable, and you've chosen a decent location."His mother sat down beside them, a soft smile on her face. "Honestly, I'm just glad you're not staying in a hostel."Aritra raised an eyebrow. "I thought you'd want me to stay with other students."His mother shook her head. "No. You might have studied well there, but hostels aren't what they used to be. The ragging culture has only gotten worse."His father sighed, removing his glasses. "She's right. Back when we were students, ragging was mostly harmless jokes. Now, it's turned into a power game for seniors. Physical and mental torture in the name of tradition."Aritra listened quietly as his parents shared their concerns."I still remember a former colleague's son," his father continued. "He got into engineering, just like you, but within a few months, the ragging in his hostel broke his confidence completely. He quit college altogether."His mother's expression darkened. "I've heard stories from neighbors too. First-year students being forced to do humiliating things just to 'prove themselves.' Some even end up depressed, some…" She trailed off, shaking her head.Aritra knew what she meant.Suicides from ragging weren't uncommon.He had read the news, seen the cases—bright students being pushed to the edge because of toxic hostel cultures.His father set the contract down on the table and looked at him with an expression Aritra rarely saw—relief."I wasn't going to stop you from taking the hostel," his father admitted. "But if this is your decision, I'm glad you made it."His mother placed a gentle hand on Aritra's arm. "Now, at least, we'll have peace of mind."Aritra gave a small nod. "It was the right choice."And in that moment, he knew it was.Time: 11:30 PMLocation: Aritra's Bedroom
The ceiling fan spun lazily, casting rhythmic shadows across the room. Aritra lay on his bed, staring at the dim glow of the digital clock on his study table.His parents had gone to bed, and the house had fallen silent, but his mind was still active, processing everything from the day.It was strange, really.He had built a multi-million-dollar company, orchestrated trades that could shake financial markets, and developed cutting-edge technology—and yet, today, the most rewarding thing had been his parents' reaction.They thought he was just a hardworking student trying to make a practical choice.They had no idea that he owned the house, that he could afford far more than just a rented room.And yet, the contentment in their voices, the way his father breathed easier, the way his mother smiled without worry—it meant more than any financial victory.For them, his decision wasn't about money.It was about safety, about protecting their only son from the worst parts of student life.And for that reason alone, he had no regrets about keeping the truth from them.He turned to his side, exhaling softly.