Kolkata, West Bengal
Nini's family moved to a new place after leaving their old rented house. The name of the village is Amodpur. However, this is not the same remote village from twenty years ago; it is a newly developed, tidy area. The surroundings are beautifully arranged, with lush green nature. The roads are clean, there are new houses, schools, markets, and parks. In short, Nini loves it very much.
Even so, it’s still the same rented house. Her father is a bank manager and has a transferable job. It’s possible that before the year ends, they will have to leave this place and move somewhere else. That’s fine; at this age, Nini has realized that life is like this. Of course, there is a unique thrill in this life of moving houses. So many kinds of experiences happen. Therefore, Nini does not mind it much. Wherever she goes, new relatives form in the neighbourhood, and new friends develop at school.
The house that Nini's family has rented has a very good environment, communication, and friendly people around. As soon as they arrived in this village, everything seemed familiar. The house is located about five minutes' walk from the main road, quite secluded. Still, it takes some time to get acquainted with everything and to adjust in a new place. However, due to her father’s transferable job, Nini has learned to adjust quite well. Besides, how much time is left; she is only in eighth grade. A long life still lies ahead.
Nini has enrolled in a school named Bokulbala Girls’ School, which is up to the tenth grade. The distance from their rented house to the school is one and a half kilometers. Nini travels by the school bus every day. Still, her parents always have some worries. A new place. A new bus driver. Although the drivers and conductors of school buses are usually quite responsible, it takes about a month for them to stop worrying about certain issues. At first, Nini's mother used to wait a long time until Nini was dropped off by the school bus and got off safely. Now she is somewhat relieved in that regard. But even if she travels safely on the bus, there remains a nagging feeling in her mind during the time she walks from the school gate to the bus stop. Moreover, it's a girls' school. There are some shady youths hanging around the street corner, which causes an ominous concern everywhere.
2.
Several months had passed. During this time, Nini made many friends, not just at school or on the bus, but also in the neighbourhood. Many people from the neighbourhood where Nini lives attend their school. They travel together on the same bus. Everyone is very nice, especially Jiniya, Piya, Fatema, Pratanu, Pratip, and Yasin, all of whom have found a place on Nini’s list of favorite friends. If Nini doesn’t go to school one day or if she somehow loses sight of them, they come straight to her house the next day to check on her. Nini loves them very much. Seeing this, Nini’s parents are completely at ease. They are very happy. Finding good friends is a matter of fortune. Nowadays, friendships among children often do not extend beyond that. If needed, they would go to great lengths for their friends. Friendship is a selfless and pure relationship that will never be ruined, even in a lifetime.
As soon as Nini’s mother came to this new rented house, she filled her head with a few words like a bird in a cage --- “Listen, Nini my dear, be careful when you go out on the street. Keep your eyes and ears open. Don’t think that all places are the same. If a stranger calls you, do not go near them. Don’t take anything from anyone. Walk in such a way that no one can tell that you are new here or unsmart.” Nini follows all of her mother’s words to the letter. Besides, she has gained enough wisdom by now. She can recognize good and bad people. However, Nini is a very soft-hearted girl. She easily melts at the sight of a needy person. When she sees a beggar, she quickly pulls out five or ten rupees from her bag even before they spread their hands. She shares all this with her mother when she gets home. Her mother feels very proud of her daughter’s humanitarian qualities.
For some time now, Nini has been observing something very closely. Initially, she used to come out of the school gate with four or five friends after school, walking straight to their school bus and sitting in their seats to wait for the bus to leave without looking around. However, in the meantime, she would glance at both sides of the gate and the street in front. Moreover, her mother has told her to keep her eyes and ears open. So, when Nini and her friends come out of the school gate, they notice an elderly man wearing shabby clothes sitting on the cement bench next to the Shimul tree on the left side of the gate. Nini has been observing this matter for several days but hasn’t told any of her friends, not even her mother at home. Nini thinks maybe the old man’s relative studies at the school, and he comes every day to wait for them at the gate. But that’s not the case. One day, Nini deliberately kept a little distance behind her friends while coming out of the gate and was keeping an eye on the elderly man’s movements. Eventually, she saw that the old man had been targeting her all this time. Suddenly, he came close and said---
“Wait, I’ll hold your hand and help you cross the road to the school bus. Don’t you see how fast the cars are moving on the road?” Nini was taken aback! She said---
“It's okay, grandpa, no worries, I can cross the road by myself. Look, my friends are right there.”
By that time, Nini's friends had turned around and saw this scene, and they shouted loudly---
“Who are you talking to? Come here!” Nini felt a bit of sympathy for the old man. His body was bent forward under the weight of age. He looked at her with a sort of helpless gaze, as if he hadn't seen her in ages or as if Nini had been known to him for many years. Then Nini said, “Grandpa, our bus will leave. Please cross the road carefully. I’ll make it to our school bus just fine.” Just as Nini took a step forward, the old man blocked her way. Tears began to stream down from his hollow eyes—
“I’ve been looking for you for so long. After getting lost, I believed I would find you again someday; that’s why I sit here at this school gate every day.” This made the situation even more mysterious for Nini. She said, “I don’t understand, Grandpa. It’s okay; we’ll talk again tomorrow. Then I’ll hear everything. Bye for now.” Saying this, Nini moved towards their bus. By that time, her friends from other classes hadn’t arrived yet, so the bus was waiting. The bus left five minutes after Nini arrived. Through the window, she saw the old man gazing blankly at their bus. Nini didn’t tell her friends or even her mother about this incident when she got home. From the time she got in the bus, she spent the whole night pondering one question—
“What does ‘after getting lost’ mean?”
In her mind, Nini decided she had to find out the real truth, and then she would tell her mother everything. From the next day, whenever Nini would come out of the school gate alone, she noticed a group of unruly boys on the opposite side of the street with strangely styled hair. Immediately, the old man would stand in front of her. Pulling a Cadbury from his shoulder bag, he said—
“Trust me, I’m not a bad person. Don’t you see those boys over there? They’re very mischievous. But don’t worry; I’m here. The real danger is from the busy traffic on this road.” While speaking, the old man began to cry uncontrollably. Nini asked, “Why are you crying, Grandpa? Where do you live? Who’s at your house?” The old man replied, “You will know everything. I just want to say that I’ve found the one I had lost.” Nini was astonished—
“I don’t understand what you mean, Grandpa. Please—let’s talk another day.” As Nini quickly walked towards their bus, the old man suddenly grabbed her hand and helped her cross the road. Nini said “Thanks” as she got into the bus. By then, she noticed the boys on the opposite side were staring at them. Nini felt a swirl of confused thoughts in her mind. Again, she did not share this matter with her friends or her mother. However, she could guess that there was something amiss in the old man’s mind, which is why he was speaking such random things. And there must be a reason for that. Nini, being a girl of this era, is very advanced despite her young age.
3.
From that day on, Nini could not go a single day without seeing her old grandpa after school. Regardless of the weather, the old man would wait for Nini at the gate. This routine was not new for him; it had been going on for a long time, although Nini might not have known about it. Now Nini doesn’t wait for her friends after school; she walks out of the gate alone. Every day, her grandpa would bring her new candies, biscuits, and toffees. Sometimes he would bring a box of colored pencils for drawing or drawing paper. Even though Nini would hesitate to take these, her grandpa insisted. Nini felt compelled to accept them, thinking that her grandpa would feel sad otherwise. Sometimes she would say,
“I have plenty of these at home. I don’t need to tell my dad anything; he keeps everything ready beforehand. You should take these instead.” In an instant, her grandpa's face would fall. Nini understood that her words hurt him. But she didn’t want to hurt her grandpa or anyone else. Thus, she reluctantly accepted them. As soon as she did, her grandpa’s face would light up with joy. He would then gently touch Nini's cheeks with both hands and say with affection—
“Isn’t this my little Nini?” This continued day after day. Nini’s friends gradually learned about the old man. Some of them said, “Why does Grandpa love you so much, Nini? But don’t think we’re jealous. Still, Grandpa has a very kind heart.” Nini could no longer stay silent—
“You’re right. Besides, I’ve never seen my grandfather or grandmother. My grandmother passed away just a few days after I was born. My grandfather died five years before that. I’ve painted a picture of him in my mind from the stories my dad has told me. Then, when I met this grandpa, it was like that picture came to life. Since then, I can’t avoid him; what can I do?” Nini’s friends understood the real situation from her words. They said—
“Okay, he’s not just your grandpa; he’s ours too.” Nini felt very happy hearing this. She also shared this with her grandpa. Then one day, Grandpa treated everyone to Cadbury chocolates and showed them affection. As a result, Nini no longer wanted to keep these feelings hidden, fearing that her friends would tell her mother about it. So, she gradually revealed everything that had happened. Hearing this, Nini’s mother felt very happy. But she didn’t forget to say, “Let’s hope he’s not a child snatcher!” Nini had heard about child snatchers from her mother when she was little, but it was the first time she heard about a girl snatcher. To convince her mother, she said, “No, Mom—this grandpa is very good. If you don’t believe me, ask my friends; they’ll say the same thing. Sometimes, I even feel like my grandfather has come to meet me.” Upon hearing this, her mother’s feelings changed. Though she had unwavering faith in Nini, when she mentioned the grandfather, Nini’s father became extremely happy. With an emotionally charged voice, he exclaimed—
“I’ve heard everything, Nini, and I know that the pain of not being able to see your grandfather is in your heart. Don’t I feel pain for my father too? If you can see my father, your grandfather, in your old grandpa, then I will also be very happy. One day, we can all go to meet your grandpa together.” Saying this, he hugged Nini and kissed her cheeks with affection. Nini couldn’t help but notice that when her father spoke of her grandfather, his eyes shimmered with joyful tears.
4.
Since Nini shared about the old grandpa at home, she felt very happy inside. Since there was no rule to go out of the school gate during lunchtime, she thought that in those four to five minutes after school, if she could see and talk to someone who made her happy, what harm would it do?
Just like Nini, the old grandpa also remembered the school holidays, so on those days, he surely would be at home. However, he could also go out if necessary.
After two consecutive days of school holidays, Nini and her friends returned to school today. So, there was no doubt that Grandpa would be waiting at the school gate, just like every day. But no, after school, Nini was surprised! Grandpa hadn’t come today. But why? Nini kept questioning herself. She looked around carefully, but there was no sign of Grandpa. Nini knew very well that if he came, he would meet her himself. Not even a minute would pass, as their school bus had a specific time to leave, and she had to reach the bus before that. Nini didn’t ask anyone near the gate anything because even if there were a couple of vendors selling snacks, they were not permanent; they were just passing by. Every day, different vendors came with their carts and then left. With a heavy heart, Nini sat in her usual seat on the school bus, looking around to see if she could spot Grandpa.
When she got home, freshened up, and sat down to eat her lunch, her mother noticed Nini’s gloomy mood and asked what was wrong. Nini told her that Grandpa hadn’t come today. Nini’s mother said, “I’m sure something must have come up. Why worry about it? This happens to you too, Nini.” Nini agreed that her mother had a point. She told her father about it at night, and he had the same response. But Nini’s mind was filled with troubling thoughts.
The next day, after school, there was still no sign of Grandpa by the gate. Nini’s anxiety intensified. There were only a few minutes left before the school bus would leave. Nini was desperately asking anyone she could find if Grandpa had come. But no one knew anything. Finally, just as she was about to head towards the school bus, an ice cream vendor appeared, wheeling his cart toward her. Before Nini could say anything, he exclaimed—
“I know the person you’re looking for, little one. But he’s in great trouble. He might be dead.” Hearing this, Nini’s eyes widened in shock—
“You know Grandpa, uncle? What happened to him?” The man replied—
“Do you see that tea shop across the street? A group of rowdy boys were hanging out there, and they beat him up badly the other day. They hit him so hard that blood was dripping from his forehead. Even though the old man shouted ‘Help! Help!’ no one came forward. They claimed he was a child snatcher. Every day after school, he would lure a girl with candies and lead her towards those buses. It was said that one day he would get rid of the girl. We couldn’t muster the courage to say anything; we have to earn our living. Just then, a four-wheeler stopped, and as some people got out, those boys ran away. Then those men took the old man to the hospital. I don’t know what happened after that. But the man is good; you see that alley over there? It goes down from the main road, curves, and heads left—he lives somewhere down that way. I’ve seen him coming from there for many days.” Saying this, the ice cream vendor left, and Nini quickly got on their school bus.
Nini kept wondering why her grandfather had gone out on a holiday. All day, even after returning home at night, one question lingered in her mind---
Why did he hit that old man? So, her grandfather must have been right when he said those boys were very naughty. Nini, crying, told her mother everything. Even her father. From her mother’s mind, the suspicion that had been there for a few months seemed to resurface now---
“So, I was right to be suspicious, the old man is a child snatcher.” Nini interrupted her mother and said---
“Absolutely not, believe me, he’s not a child snatcher. Those boys lied about the old grandfather out of jealousy. We don’t even look at them. And grandfather always used to drop me off at the school bus.” Nini’s mother realized there was a mystery behind this matter. Nini was right. Just then, Nini’s father arrived---
“Yes, Nini is right, the old man is not a bad person. Alright, Nini, we will go look for your grandfather. You stay calm.” Nini felt reassured by her father’s words.
Seeing Nini’s mental state, her father didn’t delay even for a day. The next day, they decided to go look for Nini’s grandfather. Nini wouldn’t go to school. She also wouldn’t go to the office. Who knows where the old man lives? So, early in the morning, right at office time, Nini, her mother, and her father set out in their own four-wheeler. This time, her father didn’t hire a driver; he drove himself. With Nini’s directions like an ice cream vendor, they twisted and turned through many narrow lanes, asking one person after another until they finally reached the old man’s place. It was indeed a place. A dilapidated hut with a roof made of tiles on crumbling walls that had lost their bricks long ago. Weeds grew all around. It was clear that no household had lived there for a long time. Anyway, after knocking on the rusty tin door a few times, an old man with a haggard face and bent glasses opened the door with great effort from inside. Yes, this is Nini’s grandfather. He seemed a little startled to see them suddenly like this. With his forehead bandaged in a cloth, he couldn’t understand who they were. In a moment, Nini spoke up with an emotional voice—
“You don’t recognize me, grandfather; I am Nini. Along with me are my mother and father. We came to see you after hearing about your troubles.” Even during the day, the room was dim. Now, grandfather collected himself and said---
“Greetings. I haven’t been able to see for some time. I just returned from the door of death. I can’t explain how much pain it has caused me not to see Nini.”
Nini’s father said----
“I’ve heard everything. Nini told us about you a long time ago. So, do you live here alone?” Now it seemed the old man was caught off guard by the difficult question. He suddenly burst into tears like a simple child—
“Yes, my son, I have no one in this world. Those who were with me have all gone one by one.
--- I didn’t quite understand the matter, please explain. The old man’s voice became heavier. With a voice choked with tears, he said,
--- Yes, I had a son, a daughter-in-law, and a granddaughter. But God took two of them away from me.
--- Two means?
--- I’m telling you.
The old man’s voice got stuck at his throat. Nini’s father’s voice soothed him,
--- Speak, you are like my father. Nini sees you just like she sees her grandfather.
At that moment, the old man seemed to regain a bit of his strength and said,
--- Yes, the boy suffered from an unknown disease that even the best doctors couldn’t diagnose. His body shriveled away day by day; he couldn’t eat anything. Finally, one day he just left us.
At that point, Nini’s mother spoke up,
--- But what about your daughter-in-law?
--- What can I say about her? Without saying anything, she left one day, leaving behind a five-year-old daughter, and hasn’t returned to this day. She was still young.
Nini’s mother understood what she needed to understand and said,
--- But the girl?
Realizing the old man could no longer speak, Nini’s father stopped him with a hand. He said,
--- Drink some water. Don’t cry, we are here.
The old man, feeling somewhat composed, tried to stand up. He said,
--- Come into this room.
In the middle of the same room, in a small area separated by tin fencing, as the three entered, the old man started crying again. On a small broken cot, books, notebooks, colored pencils, and pens were scattered everywhere.
Nini’s mother said,
--- Is your granddaughter studying in this room? But where is she now?
The old man could no longer hold back; the pain in his chest poured out like a dam bursting. Pointing towards the dilapidated brick wall, he showed them,
--- There, there is my granddaughter Jhumpa.
Nini, Nini’s father, and mother took no time to understand what he meant. Still, to find out the real story, Nini’s mother became anxious,
--- I understand that is your granddaughter, but...
--- She is no longer in this world. I had enrolled her in that Bakulbala Girls' School in the fifth grade. Every day, I would drop her off at school myself. During recess, I would go to that same spot to wait for her to bring her back. But suddenly, one day, after school, as she stepped out of the school gate, a scooter came out of nowhere, hit her, and in that moment, everything ended. I became guilty in my own eyes. If her mother comes to look for her one day, what will I say? That fear haunts me every moment. And since then, I cannot stay at home for a moment. I search for her everywhere, on every street and corner. Every day, at the school’s recess time, I wait by the gate in hopes that Jhumpa will come. In this way, one day I found her in Nini. She resembles her quite a bit, doesn’t she, Nini ma?
While saying many things together, the old man seemed to tire. After so long, Nini’s father and mother got all their questions answered. Nini also understood why her grandfather loved her so much without being so fond of any of her friends.
Indeed, the man was very lonely and helpless in this world. Meanwhile, evening had fallen. Darkness seemed to be rapidly thickening around the house. Now it was time to go back home. Nini’s father also felt a certain affection for the old man. He said,
--- Don’t worry at all. Don’t think of yourself as alone. We are here. We will check on you from time to time. And please bless Nini so that she can fulfill your dreams.
Tears welled up in the corners of Nini’s eyes. She said,
--- Yes, grandfather, you will always be happy. You must come to our house on my birthday. You know, grandfather, I love you very much, just like you love me.
In an instant, a bright spark of joy seemed to play across the old man’s face, as he realized he at least had a refuge in this world, a refuge of the heart, which was Nini. At once, he hugged Nini and kissed her affectionately on both cheeks. After that, Nini and her family got into their four-wheeler. In that dimly lit atmosphere, through the car’s window, Nini saw her grandfather still standing at the door, waving goodbye with his right hand!