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Chowdhury-babu didn’t give you any?”
“He did. But I gave it all away to his eldest daughter.”
“Don’t you want any?”
Parvati shook her head and dropped her gaze.
Now Devdas truly wanted to weep. He could well imagine the despair that would drive a woman to give away her ornaments.
Devdas stayed at home for six months after his father’s death, then he grew restless. Life seemed to drag on—there was no peace, no joy. Moreover he was constantly plagued with thoughts of Parvati. These days she came to mind ever so often. |
But held his tears in check and spoke slowly, “It’s all a lie, Paro. I do not love another woman and I have not given her any jewels.”
Parvati heaved a great sigh and said to herself, “I thought a much.”
They were both silent for many minutes. Finally Parvati said, “But promise me, you’ll never touch liquor again.”
“ I can’t do that. Could you promise never to think of me again?”
Parvati was quiet. Someone blew on the conch outside, heralding the dusk. Devdas glanced at the window anxiously and said, “It’s getting late, Paro, go home now.”
“I won’t go. Promise me first.”
“I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Not everyone can do everything.”
“I’m sure they can if they want to.”
“Really? Can you run away with me tonight?”
For split second Parvati’s heart forgot to beat. Bemused, she mumbled, “That’s impossible.”
Devdas edgd on the bed and commanded, “Paro, open the door.”
Parvati moved a little to cover the door with her back and said, “Promise me.”
Devdas stood up and spoke with calm deliberation,”Paro, is there any point in forcing a promise? Today’s promise may be broken tomorrow. Why would you have me marked faithless?”
Again, many minutes passed in utter silence. Suddenly a clock chimed somewhere, signaling nine o’clock. Devdas came to life at that. “Oh Paro, open the door quick—” he said.
Parvati didn’t speak.
“Paro……”
I won’t go, “Parvati broke down and fell to the ground. She wept bitterly.
It was pitch dark inside the room and nothing was visible. Devdas could merely guess that Parvati lay on the floor, weeping. He called softly, “Paro.”
Parvati sobbed, “Dev-da, I am miserable.”
Devdas edged closer. He too had tears in his eye, but his voice a still steady. “Don’t I know it?” he said softly.
“Dev-da, I feel like death. I could never get to take care of you—I always wanted to—”
In the dark, Devdas wiped his eyes. “There’s time yet for that,” he said.
“Then come home with me. There’s no one to look after you here.”
“If I go to your house, will you take real good care of me?”
“I have always wanted to. Dear God, please make this wish come true. After that, I wouldn’t even mind if I died.”
Now Devdas’s tears flowed.
Parvati spoke again, “Dev-da come with me.”
Devdas tried to wipe his tears away and said, All right, I will.”
“Will you? Swear on me?”
Devdas aimed somewhere at her feet and said, “I will never forget this promise: if it makes you happy to take care of me, I will come. If it’s the last thing I do, I’ll come to you.”
Devdas stayed at home for six months after his father’s death, then he grew restless. Life seemed to drag on—there was no peace, no joy. Moreover he was constantly plagued with thoughts of Parvati. These days she came to mind ever so often. His brother Dwijodas and his nagging wife made life even more difficult for him.
