Sunday Translation By Asim Bhattacharya (Original: Manas Sarkar)

Companion (translated by Asim Bhattacharya)

Original by: ‘সঙ্গী’ by Manas Sarkar

After returning home from the station, I’m feeling upset. For the first time, I started experiencing what loneliness is. The boy won’t be here for a long two years. His training at the Officers’ Training Academy in Bangalore, begins the day after tomorrow.

The cook won’t come today. I locked the door and sat on a sofa in the living room. The newspaper is lying on the centre table. There is no news in it as such and I’ve given up finding any. The newspaper’s supplement is also lying next to it. That contains an article of mine.

A portrait of Vineeta is hanging on the wall. She is a mere picture. For two years now. A wrong treatment has left each of us uncompanioned. The picture has turned blurry. Layers of dust gathered on it. How come this went unnoticed!

I’ve taken out the handkerchief from my kurta’s pocket. Oh, power-cut! The existence of each of us is very same in the darkness. I strive to stretch out to her photograph but in vain. I need to get a light. The matchbox is also missing. While groping forward I’ve collided with something heavy. A scary feeling is gripping me. An uncanny fear. Fear of getting lost in the dark. Still searching for something that can scatter light or a trustworthy hand coming forward.

After poising myself, I am carrying on while sweating profusely. This time something has come up in my hand. I realized, it is my pen that has kept Vineeta close to me for the last two years. And I need its company once again.

Despair descends upon the darkness. I hold on to the pen firmly. My loneliness begins to fade away.