Rebeka

 

Short story

                Rebeka 

Author -;Prof. Dr.Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya, WBMES (Retired) Ex Retired Professor,and Head Dept. of Pathology department, Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine, 108,C.R.Avenue, Kolkata -700073, West Bengal, indiaDepartment of Health and Family Welfare (WBMES wing), Government of West Bengal। Equivalent officiating Rank ,he was retired -: "Special Secretary " to the Government of West Be

Post retirement posts he served -:Ex- Principal / Dean of JMN Medical College, JMN Educational and Research Foundation, UttarPanchpota, Chakdaha, District- Ranaghat ,West Bengal, India, pin 741222 (now under 1rst LOI of NMC New Delhi ; affiliation with WBUHS)

 Ex Professor and Head of Pathology Department JIS School of Medical Sciences and Research ( under JIS University , Nilgange, Agarpara, 24 parganas North ) jagacha santragachi, Howrah District, West Bengal pin 7111302( under 1rst LOP of recognition of NMC, New Delhi)

At present ( since 19.12.2023 to till date) Present Principal / Dean of Krishnanagar Institute of Medical Sciences , Bhatjangla, Palpara more , Krishnanagar, District -Nadia, West Bengal , India 741101( a upcoming UG private company Medical College under WBUHS affiliation) 

Email profpkb@yahoo.co.in

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The warm summer breeze carried the scent of jasmine as Rebeka, 38 , married, housewife , mother of two boys (12 and 08) stepped out of her modest home, situated in the heart of Baidyabati village of Howrah district ,West Bengal. It was a typical afternoon in this small, close-knit sub urban community, where everyone knew everyone else's business. Rebeka, a typical bengali middle socioeconomic class housewife fair fatty forty trapped her entire life after her love marriage with Abani and being mother of two children, between her all household duties from morning 6am to night 11pm her children, I'll health husband ( cancer lung patient for last one year) and her hidden inner desires in life as liked almost all women have , sighed as she made her way to the nearby market for groceries shopping of her family .Reba has a higher school leaving certificate before she married Abani her once private teacher 

 _"Reba di, you're looking lost in some thoughts today, is that true?," Sima, her closest friend, greeted her with a warm smile. How is Abani da today?I hope to be a little better with targeted immuno medicine. They had been friends since their childhood, sharing all secrets and supporting each other through life's trials and struggle .Sima felt sorry for her when Abani was diagnosed with lung cancer a year back . She knows the fate. Reba also prepared mentally and adjusted her for outcome 

 Rebeka ( Reba ) however managed a faint smile on her lips, her thoughts drifting to the very recent events, happened suddenly in a wedding ceremony house they went to as invitee and spent there a sinful midnight, that had unsettled her tough , yet unfulfilling, life since that happened. "Sima, I need to talk seriously to you about something... Very private."Rebeka spoke hesitantly 

 Sima's eyes widened with her curiosity. "Of course, of course, come, let's get some tea and biscuits at my flat . I am free now. Pallav is on tour for next three days,Bubai in hostel and alone I am"

 As they walked on the road, Reba's mind raced. “Could I share this very secret in my life ? Should I at all tell her ? What would people say if they knew about it ?

 Sipping the steaming tea, Reba began, her voice low and much hesitant , trembling with some kind of fear_ "You know Rishav, nephew , in laws house… you saw him of course severals , he came in our home support his treatment our family and you talked also"

 _"The handsome young ? newly passed electronic engineer from IIT ? He also ranked in the Board exam ,didn't he? He got a good job in TCS you told me a year ago , helps yours a lot economically for Abani das treatment, you also told me that . What's about him?" Sima's interest was piqued.

 "I... I think I've fallen for him. It's absurd,Sima I know it…I know it …but I couldn't control myself that night, believe me we did that . I love Abani no doubt in it, but I can't deny my feelings also anymore for him too" Reba's voice cracked, revealing her inner turmoil.

 Sima's eyes widened further, almost popping out of their sockets. "Rebadi ! This is... scandalous! Ridiculous। You could find out some other man for you. He's your nephew! Mind it Much younger and you did that ? Are you crazy?"

 "I know it Sima, I know ! It happened . Reba sneezed and it happened somehow . But it's not like he's a child now. He's a grown man of 24, and I saw that... I can't help but feel this way. He's so charming, so handsome, so different from the boys here." Reba's words tumbled out, her embarrassment momentarily forgotten in her rush to confess what happened that night.

 "Oh, Rebadi , be very careful be shsmefull. These feelings , they can be dangerous for your family and for you too . You have a good family, a reputation to uphold."

 "I know, that's why I'm tormented by Sima. I still love Abani my hubby, we had a love marriage too. but he's been unwell for so many years. His lung cancer,asthma and COPD with diabetes, they've taken a toll on our... intimate life. He is unable..He will not live long I know it. Maximum a year more and I shall be lone with two kids then " Reba's voice lowered, her cheeks flushing. Tears in her eyes vocal cords choked 

 Sima reached out and squeezed her hand. "I understand, truly I do. But Rishav, he's involved with Mausumi, remember that? That girl from his college.She also came sometime in your house"

"I know, and that's another complication. But I saw how he looked at me at the wedding ceremony house we attended two weeks ago . There was something there, I could feel it."

 "And then what of Mausumi? She adores him. Though, I heard her mother, Arati Devi, has some issues with the match."

 Reba sighed, her heart heavy. "I knew too much about their Sima, and yet, I'm powerless to change any of it. I just... I just needed to tell someone."

 The women sat in silence for a while, the only sound the gentle clinking of their tea cups.

 ……….

A few days later, at the bustling office of TCS Kolkata, Rishav sat at his desk, deep in concentration, working on a complex engineering design.

 ,_"Hey, Rishav!" Pankaj, his colleague, waved a stack of files. "Let's grab lunch. I need your advice on this new project."

 Rishav looked up, his mind elsewhere. "Sure, give me a sec."

 As they walked to the cafeteria, Pankaj noticed Rishav's distraction. "Everything okay, man? You seem a million miles away."

 Rishav hesitated, then decided to confide in his friend. "It's complicated pankaj. There's this woman..."

 "Oho! A woman! Details, my friend, details!" Pankaj's eyes lit up with mischief.

 "It's not like that. She's my aunt, Rebeka . I think she... has a peculiar feeling for me. and that's for her family's security questions I understand for two kids "

 Pankaj's jaw dropped. "Your aunt? Whoa, that's a tricky one. How do you feel about her?"

 Risav sighed, his heart was heavy. "I of course care for them , but not in that way. I mean, she's family. And I love Mausumi. But ever since that night at the wedding, things had been somewhat different."

 "Wait, what happened on the wedding night?" Pankaj's curiosity was piqued.

 Rishav lowered his voice, "I... I kissed her. It was a moment of weakness for me, and I immediately regretted it to her, touching her feet as I came back to my senses. I drank a bit no doubt . But interestingly she responded, believe me pankaj, she herself responded and seduced me on her own in darkness,I could not believe in her arousal and ecstasy with me ,wanted to be escaped but surrendered and I felt... guilty, yet excited."

_"Whoa! And Mausumi, does she know about it?"

_"No pankaj, and I don't plan on telling her. I do care for my uncle's family, but I love Mausumi too.I know uncle has now numbered days . He is in stage iv cancer, spreading to the liver even. Immunotherapy didn't work very well to bring miracles as told . She spent all their savings for costly targeted monoclonal biologics prescribed for him . Her family is in an economic crisis. I just wish I could make things right with Reba aunt after the demise of my uncle, without hurting anyone."

 ...

 Back in Baidyabati house, at a quiet dinner table, Abani coughed violently, his frail body was shaking. Reba rushed to his side, her heart aching at the sight of her suffering husband in cancer lung. He need now aminophylline injection iv to get relief 

 "Abani, listen! should I call the doctor?" Reba's voice trembled in fear of dying Abani now . Almost one year passed he is on biologics a costly targeted therapy that ended their all savings and made heavy toll from Abanis Bank 

 "No, no, my love. It's just a stubborn cough. I'll be fine soon " Abani managed a weak smile, his eyes filled with affection and tears .He knows his days are being numbered 

 Reba caressed his cheek, tears welling up. "I'm so worried, Abani. I can't bear to see you like this more."

 "Shh... my strong Reba. We'll get through this. Remember, we have Rishav now with us , he's doing well at his job. He'll take care of yours even if I am not in the world." I rest assure you. Abani's voice was reassuring, yet it carried an underlying sadness and pain .

 Reba nodded, her mind flashing back to the moments of passion she was with Rishav. *How could I do that to my husband?* How could I do it with Rishav? She felt torn, her guilt overwhelming.

 ...

 The following weeks, at a cozy café in Kolkata, Rishav and Mausumi sat across from each other, their hands gently touching over the table.

 "Rishav, I've been meaning to talk to you," Mausumi's voice was soft, yet determined. "It's about your aunt, Reba ."

 Rishav's heart skipped a beat. "What about her Mausumi ?"

 "I sense there's something going on between you two. I can see it in the way she looks at you, and the ways you react to her. Rishav, listen I love you, but I won't be second best and can't be generous enough to share your salary more with her family even if your uncle is gone." Mausumi's eyes pleaded for understanding.

 Rishav felt the blood drain from his face. "Mausumi, I... I can explain it all. She's my aunt, nothing more to me, believe me"

 "Don't lie to me, Rishav. I know what I see. And I won't be in a relationship without trust." Mausumi's voice quivered, her eyes filling with tears love and hate 

 Risav reached for her hand, his heart breaking. "Mausumi, please, I love you. Let me talk to Reba to clear the air. I'll fix this, I promise."

 ………

 After nine months , one evening, at Reba's house, the family gathered for dinner. Abani, Rishav, and Reba sat around the table, the air thick with unspoken Abani feeling very bad

 "Risav, I wanted to talk to you about your work," Abani began, his voice feeble raspy.

 "Yes, uncle," Rishav replied, his throat was dry.

 As Abani spoke, Reba's eyes darted between the two men, her heart pounding. What is happening here?

 "I'm proud of you, Rishav. Your success gives me peace, knowing that my family will remain secured.even I am not here more" Abani's voice broke, and he coughed violently.

 "Uncle please, take care of yourself," Rishav pleaded, his eyes filling with tears.

 In that moment, Reba knew. She understood the unspoken words, the sacrifice her nephew was making for them . Her heart broke for him, for herself, for the love they couldn't express ever.

 "I love you, Rishav ," Abani whispered his last words, his eyes closing as his breath left him, his final words a declaration of love and gratitude.

 "Uncle" Risav screamed, his grief raw and powerful.

 Reba rushed to Abani's side, her hands trembling as she checked his pulse, knowing deep within that he was gone. "No, Abani, please..." she moaned, her tears falling freely.

 Rishav's cries filled the room, his grief echoing through the house.

 

In the days that followed, Rishav and Reba grieved together, their shared loss bringing them further closer. They never spoke of their hidden desires, but the unspoken understanding between them deepened and Rishav is now their guardian.

 As time passed, Rishav's love for Mausumi grew stronger, and he found the courage to speak to her again, rebuilding their trust.

 Reba, in her quiet moments, reflected on her life, her love for Abani, and the fleeting passions with Risav. She realized that sometimes, passion love takes unexpected turns, and it's the strength of family that sees us through.

                The end.