It was raining heavily today and I could not have been more thankful.

Both of us
like getting wet and we got drenched completely today when we travelled by train to
Bally, where I live. Chandrilota was to meet my family for the first time today and
I was a little apprehensive if truth be told. People readily notice the fact that
she is different from your average person. She's also not known to be a very social
being. My family is traditional (while she and I are not), so it was natural to
assume that such an interaction would not necessarily go well. We got on a rickshaw
from Bally station and made our way towards our house (the rickshaw did not have a
plastic sheet to protect us, so we had to sit and get wet).

I had told mother that she would be coming, so when we got off from the rickshaw, I
say mother waiting to greet her.

'Ma, this is Chandri, she has been dying to visit our house.'

'Hello, aunty. Bhalo acchen ?'

Mum smiled and welcomed her inside. Chandrilota unpacked her camera and started
clicking pictures of our Ganesh collection (my uncle collects them).

'Maitraya, this is rad,' she beamed.

I gestured at her to help herself. Chandrilota opened the shelf and started
examining the stone Ganeshes by hand. I helped myself to some tea.

Mum asked her if she would like to stay back.

'Na aunty, I'll leave after the bhashan is done.' She stopped. 'May I ?' she asked
Mum, looking at the coconut narus that Mum had kept on the table. Mum smiled and
gave her a few. She then went inside to prepare snacks for Chandrilota. I followed
her inside.

'Ma, what do you think ?'

'I like her,' she smiled and pinched my cheeks.

'Ma! Let go.'

She merely chucked and went out with a plate of snacks for Chandrilota. They talked
some more while I went out with father to buy sweets, muri and coconuts for the
after-bhashan snacks (it is customary for all present during the bhashan to have it
after they come back).

When we were back the dhunuchi naach had started in front of the idol. Asit kaku
was playing the dhak. Children were running around, while adults played sindoor
with each other. I try to avoid the sindoor khela as much as possible, so I always
arrive late. This year was no exception.

I found Mum and my aunts, al red faced and laughing with glee. To their side was a
small group going round in a circle. Jethu was performing acrobatics with the
dhunuchi in the background.

I inched closer. Put on my glasses.

'Oh, dear.'

Chandrilota was waring an off-white saree with a red paar. She was covered from
head to toe in sindoor and was playing with my nephews. Her laugh, never fails to
surprise me (to this day). How did she change into these clothes ? And who gave her
those bangles ? How was my social pariah of a partner enjoying herself so freely ?
And what was with so much sindoor ?

I knew the answer to all of these questions. It was Mum who must have convinced her
to change into a saree, wear her bangles and participate in the family festival. My
mother always has her way, as I know from experience.

I went close to her (while a bubbling volcano erupted in my stomach). I couldn't

manage more than one word.

'Hi.'

She was beaming. She took a pinch of sindoor, gently touching her fingers across my
cheek and ran.

'Hey, wait.'

I followed her (she was in splits but was still running) till she reached a closed
collapsible gate.

'Stay still.'

I then proceeded to make a red moustache on her face.

'Shuvo bijoya,' I smiled sheepishly.

She reciprocated.

I am a hopeless man and life at times can be exceptionally difficult. I am paired

with a greedy companion (who always eyes narus) who has an equally troublesome
life. Yet for some reason, this free spirit is my future. There's still hope.