His Inspiration

Poly was studying in Sub-division college, Sanskrit (Honours) final year.

She was young, simple looking and always dressed in traditional dresses.

Poly called mother, "Maa give me today two hundred rupees more while going to college."

"What so special today, Poly?" asked mother.

"Maa I shall go to market with my friends to buy bangles." "Durga Puja is coming, I want to start my shopping Maa."

"Wait let me talk to your father." "Listen your loving daughter wants more money as she wants to go to market."

"Give money as per her requirement." "She is an angel to us, from her birth my paddy fields are rich, mango trees are laden with fruit, coconuts are full and almost every winter season there is the profuse production of succulent date palm juice."

"I have planned to get her married before this Durga Puja," said Poly's father. "I have gone ahead with discussions.The bridegroom's with his father with their relatives will come to our house for setting the date of marriage, very soon."

Poly blushed and moved to the adjoining room, but kept on eavesdropping.

Amar Babu along with his brother and Naren visited Poly's home. They got introduced to Poly's parent's Nirmal Banerjee (Nirmal Babu) and Chaya Devi.

The marriage date was fixed. Everybody enjoyed the lunch.

Amar Babu along with his brother and Naren visited Poly's home. They got introduced to Poly's parent's Nirmal Banerjee (Nirmal Babu) and Chaya Devi.

The marriage date was fixed. Everybody enjoyed the lunch.

The wedding ceremony of Poly and Naren was celebrated as per the Bengali rituals. Naren in his bridegroom dress and looked jubilant. Poly in her bridal makeup was very beautiful.

Together to see them following the marriage mantras and performing the rituals were a sight to behold.

Due to an emergency situation, Narendra had to skip his leave and reported to his army station.

After a week when Naren had joined his regiment, there was a sudden attack of an enemy army at night on their sector.

Announcements were made through radio and newspapers that enemy has attacked the country and war was on. All civilians are to be on their vigil.

In such emergency, Naren had to leave immediately and Poly wasn't getting any message from Naren since his departure from home. She regularly read newspapers and followed the radio news. War followed for the tenth day.

Heavy bombing and shelling were reported from the Eastern sector. There was no sign to end the war.

In the radio news at 3.00pm, she heard that Prime Minister has requested all citizens to be united, be alert but keep their calm. There was a news flash and it announced that Lieutenant Naren Chatterjee died on the battlefield while fighting valiantly.

Poly was shocked to hear it. She couldn't believe her ears. She paid attention to the headlines ones again repeated at the end. Again it was repeated the valiant death of Lieutenant Naren Chatterjee, her husband. She wanted to pull down everything and cry aloud.

But she kept her calm, as she remembered her old father-in-law and her old parent's. She understood that they could not bear this shock and anything could happen to them.

Her husband was precious to her whom she will never meet in this life. But now she didn't want to lose other gems like her father-in-law, her parent's.

She also remembered Naren's baby now seeded in her womb. His jewel was with her.

As per Bengali culture after the death of husband, she was a widow. She had to dress and live like a widow.

But she sacrificed all her cultural norms and behaved normally like a married woman in all manners. Her dressing was of a married woman. Her food habits and other normal rituals remained unchanged.

All this sacrifice was to save the aged father-in-law and her parent's from grief and shock. She didn't want anybody them to know that Naren, her husband, was dead. They may suffer from mental shock or even die in grief.

"There was no news of Naren since he went from home," thought Amar Babu. Maybe he shall come home as soon as the war ends.

So he planned to visit Nirmal Babu. Amar Babu told Poly, "Come let us visit your father. Since several days passed you've not been there."

At Poly's home, Nirmal Babu offered them fresh jaggery. Then with great love in his voice, Nirmal Babu said, " I'm not going to export a drop of jaggery this year. All will be sent to you Poly. Make good sweets and serve to Naren when he comes home, very soon."

Poly understood all the love and shown by her father. However keeping her voice steady she told," Father do not falter on your export business. "One pitcher full of jaggery will serve our purpose." "Next occassion when your son-in-law comes, we all together will come here and relish sweets made my mother. "

Amar Babu told, "Poly very good idea, you may stay back help mother and make good sweets for Naren." " You can return tomorrow with the sweets and jaggery." " I shall leave for home after having lunch with you all.

Amar Babu returned home and sat at his study table checking the answer sheets.

The postman came and called,"Telegram." Amar Babu hurried to receive the telegram, he knew it was a message from Naren. So many days passed and no news from him.

He opened the telegram and was awe-stricken. The message read that " Lieutenant Naren Chatterjee had fought bravely and died for his motherland."

He lost his senses for some time. At this age who will give me the strength of a strong shoulder.

Suddenly he remembered Poly. How she shall feel. How can he tell the news to her. He controlled over his grief. He will not show any sorrow in front of Poly when she returns tomorrow. Slowly he slid the telegram to hide behind the radio.

Poly returned with his father the next day. She brought with her some sweets and a pitcher full of jaggery. Amar Babu received them cordially.

Poly went inside to make tea for them. On her way to the kitchen she went and switched on the radio for light music. Her hand touched a paper near the radio shelf and fell to the floor. She lifted it and read the telegram. She noticed the date of delivery was just yesterday evening.

Now she was sure that her father-in-law had come to know about the fact. So as to conceal the truth, he must have the hid the telegram paper under the radio shelf.

How bitterly he is hurt inside but still trying to pacify me. God, I thank you for giving me such a good father-in-law. I am a lucky woman.

Nirmal Babu left after tea.

Amar Babu couldn't face Poly. He said,"Poly this pitcher I am keeping here in dark cool place, take care."

Poly on her way to the room crossed the place where the pitcher was and by mistake struck the pitcher which jostled and liquid jaggery spilt. She felt guilty for her actions and tried to amend.

Amar Babu said, "Poly, let it be spilt," ""Today it has no value to me."

Poly said, " Why."

Amar Babu said," From wherever this liquid jaggery spilt can be replenished, but for whom it was meant cannot be replenished." his voice choked.

Poly said," Why do speak so weakly and in small rhymes." " Tell me what upsets you."

Amar Babu said," I don't want to hurt you but someday I have to tell you the truth."

Poly said, "Please tell me now."

Amar Babu said, "You cannot bear it."

Poly said,"Try."

Amar Babu said," My son Naren for whose good savoury, the date palm jaggery, and sweets, he will never come home. My Naren is dead. He died fighting for his motherland two days ago."

Poly said, "I heard it from radio news before you came to know. I had wept for him but when I remembered you, my old father and mother, I immediately checked my sorrow.

See how normally I have behaved with you'll." " I have lost a valiant husband but I cannot afford to lose everyone he knew and loved."

"Poly all the praises shall not be sufficient to express me for the greatness and the sacrifices you have shown," said Amar Babu.

"I bless you with my whole heart, may God be with you and give you bountiful of joy in your life."

Poly replied,"Your son has given us a heavenly gift."You are going to become a grandfather," she said.

"My grandchild, his inspiration, is amongst us," exclaimed Amar Chatterjee and rejoiced to wash away all the sardonic events from his life.