Arundhati:- Ei wake up! It’s your phone!
Arindam:- Oh! Mom! What happened? Who is calling me in this dawn time?
Arundhati:- It is your friend, Bidisha.
Arindam:- Oh! Such a mad girl! She does not have any time sense.
Arundhati:- Yeah! You always have a time sense…better, you, at least don’t talk about that. Just talk to her. She is waiting for you on the line.
Arindam:- Hello! Key Bidisha…yeah tell me…what happened?
Bidisha:- Idiot! Whenever I will call you, something has to happen or what! I just called you to wish, ‘Subho Mahalaya’.
Arindam:- Oho! Taai toh…I completely forgot that today is Mahalaya. Subho Mahalaya to you also!
Bidisha:- Today, everyone wakes up early morning to watch the special program on Mahalaya, ‘Mahisasurmardini’ in TV and you are still sleeping.
Arindam:- Dhaath teri ki…already, my dad has switched on the radio. The program on radio on Mahalaya is far better than that on TV. After all, the voice of Birendra Kishore Bhadra has a unique brand value.
Bidisha:- For your kind information, even in the TV program, the background voice is of Birendra Kishore Bhadra. Just switch on the TV and watch it. After watching the program, you can again go to sleep till 11 AM…uuh.
Arindam:- Hmm…ok…ok…thanks for giving those instructions. Your BSNL telephone bill is increasing. How can I watch the program on TV if you keep on talking with me over the telephone?
Bidisha:- Uff…idiot! Ok, talk to you later regarding the program of Durga Puja days. Bye!
Arindam:- Yeah! Yeah! Bye! Bye!
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Chinmoy:- Jaah! Again it has started raining! The dark clouds are not giving us any opportunity to visit the puja pandals without any hurdle and headache.
Prakash:- Really! Pathetic condition! On Shasti and Saptami, it was a complete downpour. At least, on this Astami day, there was sunshine in the morning. That’s why; we made a plan and came out of our house. But, alas, from the afternoon, the heavy rain has started again. Already, some streets of North Kolkata are water-logged. A short-circuit has also happened in one of the famous pandals of North Kolkata. Overall, it is a hotch-potch situation. If we want to visit some pandals, then we have to take off our leather shoes and walk bare-footed on those water-logged streets.
Ganga:- Let us go back home after eating something in any eatery place.
Dolui:- Ki Ganga daa…now it is only 5.30 PM. What will you do after going back home?
Arindam:- Aah! Dolui! How can you forget Anjana? He he he…
Ganga:- Ha ha ha…that’s a good point! But, we are feeling bored while standing under this shed. The rain is not stopping also.
Tamang:- I know about one place, where we can easily spend 2-3 hours without feeling bored. It is in South Kolkata. Even if there is a heavy rain, there is no problem, because there are enough spaces to sit inside the big pandal. We can sit there and gossip. Side by side, all the hot girls of Kolkata always visit that place, especially on Astami day, with beautiful sarees.
Ganga:- Wait! Wait! Let me guess that place! Are you talking about Maddox Square?
Tamang:- Ha ha ha…after all, you are our Senior, that’s why; we call you Ganga daa. You are absolutely correct! So, can we proceed towards Maddox Square?
Nonigopal:- I am hearing that name for the first time. Where is it? Anyway, let us visit that new place.
Chinmoy:- We are already half-wet! The heaviness of the rain has reduced a little bit. In this rainy time, all the local buses will be overcrowded. I think that is will be feasible if we go to Maddox Square by taking a taxi.
Arindam:- 7 people in 1 ambassador! How is it possible?
Tamang:- Aah! Thoda dimaag lagao! 4 people will sit at the back seat by adjusting themselves. 1 person has to sit on the lap of someone. The other 2 persons will sit on the front seat. Don’t worry; it will be adjusted. Just stop a taxi.
Prakash:- Ei taxi! Taxi! Roko! Roko! Maddox Square jayega.
Taxi Driver:- Woh kidhar hain? Humko maloom nahi hain?
Ganga:- Arrey, we will guide you. You just keep on driving.
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Nonigopal:- Yeah! You were right, Tamang! There are so many beautiful girls out here in Maddox Square. The environment is really cool out here. The slow instrumental music at the background! Everyone is sitting on the chair with their groups and having pure addas.
Tamang:- Today is Astami. That’s why; you are seeing everyone with their traditional dresses. Boys are wearing Panjabi & Pajamas and girls are wearing sarees. Otherwise, on other days of the Durga Puja, you can see fashion show out here. Girls come with skin-tight T-shirts and Jeans and boys become Western Cowboys, he he he…
Dolui:- Accha, where is Arindam, Ganga daa and Chinmoy?
Prakash:- Oh! They are roaming here and there. Don’t worry; after feeling bored, they will come back and sit here only.
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Arindam:- Arrey, Ganga daa! What’s the matter! We were having a nice adda session there. Suddenly, you told us to have a walk with you!
Ganga daa:- Just look at that boy , wearing indigo colored Punjabi and black jeans. Can you recognize him?
Arindam:- Is he from our school?
Ganga daa:- Aah! Look carefully and then answer.
Arindam:- Arrey! He is Dibakar. Ha ha ha…your future saala. What is he doing here?
Chinmoy:- What! What! That guy is the elder brother of Ganga’s girlfriend. Wow! But, I think, he is with his girlfriend.
Arindam:- That girl is Jharna Jana. She has joined our school as a new Bengali teacher in the morning session.
Ganga:- How did you get so much information?
Arindam:- See, very simple! When we reach our school in the afternoon, the morning session students wait outside the school to board their respective school buses. One day, I saw, Bidisha is coming down from her school bus and this lady, Jharna Jana is boarding the bus. Later, I asked Bidisha about Jharna Jana. Bidisha gave me complete information about Jharna Jana by asking the bus conductor. She is currently doing distance course of M.A in Bengali.
Ganga:- Hmm…2-3 months back, I also had a doubt when I saw Dibakar with his 2-wheeler for 4-5 times outside our school main gate.
Chinmoy:- Taah…Ganga daa! You should now go and talk to Mr.Dibakar. After all; he is your future saala.
Ganga:- Yes, of course!
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Ganga:- Ki Dibakar daa…sab bhalo toh…Where is Anjana? I am not seeing her? She has not come?
Dibakar:- You! I mean! You are in Maddox Square at this age! Yeah! Anjana has not come!
Jharna:- Wow! Dibakar, how did she know your younger sister’s name? What’s your name?
Ganga:- My name is Ganga, madam! You will be surprised to know that I am a student of Saint Sebastian School, studying in Class VII now. I know you. You are a Bengali teacher of our school in the morning session.
Jharna:- Wow! That’s great! Nice to meet you! Hey Dibakar, you should have also brought Anjana here.
Dibakar:- Arrey babah! Every day, he sees my younger sister from his terrace. He stays in our co-operative society only.
Jharna:- O babah! Tumi toh dekchi besh dustu cheley…anyway, Ganga. I am going to visit Anjana’s house tomorrow. Hoping to see you there!
Ganga:- Sure! Sure! Why not! Dibakar daa…you have made a right choice. Both of you are made for each other.
Dibakar:- Ei chokhra! Barabari hocchey…anyway thanks! Tomorrow evening, amader barite choley asis…ek sathey thakur dekhte berobo…
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Tamang:- Ha ha ha…Ganga daa…congratz…now, the biggest thorn of your love is in your pocket.
Ganga:- arrey, I should thank to Arindam for those valuable information. I used those information to impress that lady, Jharna.
Arindam:- Oh! Then, you should give thanks to Bidisha. She gave me the real information.
Dolui:- Hmm…Bidisha will live for many years. You are talking about Bidisha and she is right here in Maddox Square.
Arindam:- What! Oh! No! Not again! Let me hide somewhere.
Prakash:- For your kind information, she has already spotted you and called you for 5-6 times. Maybe you are somewhat deaf! That’s why; she has now decided to walk straight towards you. She is coming, he he he...
Bidisha:- Boli tui ki kaane kaala…I am calling you for several times, can’t you hear me?
Arindam:- Oh! You were calling me. Actually, there are so many Arindam in this Maddox Square. I thought, maybe, some other girl is calling some other Arindam.
Bidisha:- I know all your tricks since childhood days. Don’t do acting now. Come on; now, we will go to Durga Baari. Accha, let me introduce you to my elder cousin brother. His name is Swarnabha. Swarnabha daa, this is my sweet friend, Arindam!
Chinmoy:- Sweet friend! Accha! Accha! Ganga daa! Are you getting some idea?
Ganga:- We have got all the correct signals. The problem is with Arindam’s Antenna. There is a signal problem.
Arindam:- No, no! I am not so sweet. I am just her friend.
Swarnabha:- Ok, ok, friends are always sweet. There is no doubt about that. Now, it is 6.30 PM. How many are you in total? 7 persons, right! Ok, 7+2=9. No, problem! I have parked my Tata Sumo outside, follow me. We will all go to Durga Baari.
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Arindam:- Ei, what is there in Durga Baari?
Bidisha:- Uff…in every step, you have to ask a question like a detective. Actually, my elder uncle (Jyathamoni), has become President of the ‘Durga Baari Puja Committee’ this year. That’s why; this year, he is performing the puja this year in a grand style. He told me to bring my friends also. That’s why; only. Now, we have reached the place. Let us get down from the Tata Sumo. Come on!
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Bibhuti Bhusan Bandopadhay:- Ki re! Bidisha! Bandhu der ke niye eli…baah baah besh besh…
Bidisha:- Guys! This is my great jyatha moni (elder uncle). Jyatha moni, these are my friends; Dolui, Chinmoy, Prakash, Ganga daa, Tamang, Nonigopal and Arindam.
Bibhuti Bhusan Bandopadhay:- Besh besh! Taah enjoy the puja. After half an hour, maayer bhog deoya hobe…(Prasad of the Astami Puja), sabai mayer bhog kheye jeo kintu…aajker diney oi sab haabi jaabi biriyani tiriyani khetey hobey naa. O sob kaal ke kheo kamon…
All school friends of Bidisha:- Yes, Jyatha Moni.
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Arindam:- No, no, I don’t eat so much papads. Don’t give.
Swarnali:- Aah! Take another one before the food gets served on the table.
Bidisha:- Cherey deh…give those papads to Tamang and Dolui. They like to eat the papads.
Arindam:- Who is this girl? Very aggressive in nature! I mean, she is more aggressive than you.
Bidisha:- Of course! She has to be! After all; she is my cousin sister. Her name is Swarnali. She is just 2 months younger than me. She studies at Loreto School. Swarnali, are u an aggressive girl? Arindam is saying so.
Swarnali:- Ha ha ha…Arindam, you have seen not even 10% of my aggression today. People of this locality sometimes call me as ‘Chota Phoolan Devi’.
Arindam:- Uff..babah…meye toh noy…jano kaanta taarer bera…
Chinmoy:- Ha ha ha…this is a dialogue of a Suchitra Sen starrer Bengali film…Ha ha ha…Oh! Arindam! You utilized that dialogue at the right time.
Swarnali:- Bidisha di, your this friend, Arindam is really something, uuh…sabai khetey jaabey chalo…the food has been served.
Bidisha:- Arindam, do you know what you are?
Arindam:- What?
Bidisha:- Idiot!
Arindam:- Ha ha ha…that’s a patent dialogue which I am hearing since class I, he he he…
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Bhanu:- Subho Bijaya! Come on; give me a hug, brother!
Jahar:- Yeah! Of course, brother! Subho Bijaya!
Raghav:- Accha, why you Bengali people always hug each other after the completion of Durga Puja. While hugging, you Bengali people start shouting with joy, ‘Subho Bijaya’.
Dolui:- Arrey…bhai, ekbaar gale milke toh dekh…you will also keep on hugging by saying ‘Subho Bijaya’.
Hardayal:- Bhaiye…Bengali girls should also do ‘Subho Bijaya’ with Bengali boys.
Arindam:- Don’t utter these things in class. You never know; Bidisha will come and start hugging me. Just keep your mouth shut.
Mainak:- Accha, listen everybody; today, I have a nice plan. Every year, we boys hug everyone except Raqeeb, because he is a Muslim. Today, everyone will hug him by saying ‘Subho Bijaya’. He will be completely surprised.
Students of Class VII:- Yeah! Yeah! Nice plan!
Girl Students of Class VII:- Even we will hug Fatima today.
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Mrs. Roy:- Hey, you all! What’s going on out here! My goodness! You people have started hugging competition or what!
Raqeeb:- See madam! Everyone is hugging me so tightly by saying ‘Subho Bijaya’.
Mrs. Roy:- Ha ha ha…well, it is good for you, as this exercise may help you to lose some weight, he he he…
Raqeeb:- Even the girls has not spared Fatima. Ask Fatima.
Fatima:- I am ok, madam. I have enjoyed the hugging from my girl-friends.
Raqeeb:- Ok, I will not leave each and every boy of this class during the Eid festival. I will hug them all tightly one by one.
Students of Class VII:- Ho ho ho….Ha ha ha…
Mrs. Roy:- Ok, ok, just settle down, now. Accha, wish you all; ‘Subho Bijaya’. At least, I cannot hug you people.
Ganga:- But, madam, one thing is pending. As per the rituals of Bijaya, students have to touch the feet of their teacher and the teacher has to give a treat of rasogollas.
Mrs. Roy:- Oh! No! So, you people have already planned to target me.
Bhanu:- Come on, guys! Let us go and touch the feet of our class teacher.
Mr. Roland (Passing by the classroom after a while):- What’s happening, Mrs. Roy! They are taking your blessings by touching your feet! Wow!
Mrs. Roy:- No, Sir! Actually, they are abiding by the rituals of ‘Subho Bijaya’.
Mr. Roland:- Yeah! Yeah! Mrs. Roy, we also used to do that when I was a student in this same school. He he he…but, at that time, our teachers used to give us a gala treat of sweets; Nalen Gurer Sandesh, Lyangcha, Paantua and Rasogolla.
Students of Class VII:- Sir, we also want to eat those sweets. We will also touch your feet.
Mr. Roland:- No, no..No…no….stay wherever you are. You don’t have to touch my feet. Let me wish you all; ‘Subho Bijaya’…and if you people want to eat sweets, then don’t worry; within half an hour, all the sweets packets will be distributed to all the students of our afternoon session. The most interesting thing is that all the sweets will be ordered from the ‘Durga Mistanna Bhandar’, ha ha ha…