Suddenly on the Phone

: I heard... you've taken up smoking lately?
: If you've heard it, then maybe I have.
: Tell me, do you simply not know how to speak plainly? Or do you deliberately not? Or do you know how, but just not with me? Which is it?
: Ha ha ha... Simple things don't go simply when you try to say them! Don't you know?
: No.
: What are you saying! Your beloved poet said it himself! And you claim you don't know! How can that be!
: Hmm, I don't know.
: Your Ravi would be so hurt to know this.
: But you're evading me.
: About what, tell me?
: What I just asked you.
: What did you ask? Say it again, I can't remember!
: Don't pretend.
: Where am I pretending! How troublesome! Do I really suit pretense and posturing, beloved!
: No no, you're quite the handsome man! A cruel, heartless handsome man! These things hardly suit you! And yes, I'm no one's beloved. Don't call me such things.
: Hmm. Quite the handsome man indeed!
: There, you understand now... wonderful! I see you've learned to grasp everything at once these days! Good, good!
: The little girl has grown up before my eyes!
: She's a young woman now, isn't that so?
: I don't know. So, why aren't you anyone's beloved?
: You don't know, do you!
: No! Tell me what happened, in some detail?
: Do you really have time to hear anything! You never did before! At least never for me! In twenty-four hours, you couldn't spare even one hour for me! I asked you for a little time once, and what didn't you say to me, write to me... don't you remember?
: I said that? And wrote it too! Good heavens! Then I've done wrong! So, what punishment will you give me, Judge Madam?
: Death sentence!
: Oh! Death sentence just for not giving a little time! Then how will I commit the rest of my crimes! What a cruel judge you are!
: Hmm... good. That's exactly what I am!
: Oh my! Must you be like this? Haven't you read... that thing... when the punisher weeps with the punished... no... what was it... something like that! I can't remember. Tell me? I read it ages ago... you read it just a few days back, tell me?
: I don't remember. I remember the essence.
: Hmm, of course you wouldn't remember! You won't study anymore. Just thinking of me will suffice? You should remember books too, shouldn't you! What a shirker you are!
: I don't think of you anymore.
: Oh! I see.
: What?
: No no, nothing. So you didn't tell me how you became such a renunciant without being anyone's beloved?
: Very funny, no? Does it feel good making me into such an amusing object to talk to? You don't take any of my words seriously!
: What are you saying! Can I ever not take your words seriously? You tell me! Don't misunderstand, please!
: I can never understand you!
: Ha ha ha! If you understood everything right now, what would you do with the rest of your life, hmm? Silly girl!
: Yes, I know, I'm silly. Otherwise what else...
: Otherwise? Otherwise... what?
: Nothing.
: Hmm! I understand. Now give me the answer.
: What answer! It's not unknown to you! Why do you want to know again! My beloved has gone away!
: Oh please! To be a beloved, must there be a lover!
: You've changed the subject again. You still haven't said why you're smoking!
: Oh! Who told you I smoke with other people's money? If I smoke with my own money, should that be anyone's problem, tell me!
: Why suddenly smoking! You never used to smoke before!
: Just because I didn't smoke doesn't mean I never will or can't, right!
: What I heard, does that mean it's true?
: Who knows! What's right, what's wrong, I know nothing! There's no right or wrong in this world.
: Why are you like this?
: Like what!
: You always do this with me, I don't like it. Why do you smoke? What good does it do besides harm? And what's all this suffering about! You got everything you wanted! Now I'm not even here, I don't bother you anymore, you should be much happier now. With such a beautiful life, what sorrow made you pick up a cigarette?
: Suffering and happiness have different definitions, you know? Always, what appears isn't true. Always, what's true doesn't show. Always, what seems like happiness isn't really happiness. Grow up a little more. Let your mind mature, you'll understand everything. You're still young, I was the same at your age.
: I don't understand so much. Don't want to either. I don't speak in circles like you. I say things straight.
: Fine. Say it straight then. Now tell me... after all this time, you called for just this one reason? Or is there another reason too?
: What other reason could there be!
: No, before you'd make excuses and call about this and that! You couldn't stay without me! Now surely you can!
: Hmm, very well. Just because I couldn't before doesn't mean I can't now, why do you think that? Can only you manage everything!
: I understand. So someone new has come? I'm sure they're not a bad person like me. They love you very much, give you time, take care of you, keep you happy... exactly what you wanted!
: I never wanted anything from you! And what I did want, you could never give, because you never understood it.
: I was asking about the new person.
: Why do you need to know? What will you do knowing? Does it matter to you at all whether someone keeps me happy or not, whether I'm well or not? You have peace! At least you have no obligation to keep me well! You're free! This is what you wanted!
: Ha ha ha! Yes, such peace! Boundless peace! You've given me freedom, I've become a free bird, what unrest could I have now!
: You're wrong. I didn't give you freedom, you forced me to give it. This is what you wanted, yes?
: That's what happened! You give, and I want, in reality it's all freedom!
: Good.
: Hmm.
: Give up the cigarettes if you can.
: Why? Why should I give them up? You're saying this? Just a while ago when I told you to let me go, you said so much, now you're telling me to give up something? Won't it feel bad?
: I only asked you to give up cigarettes.
: That's exactly what I said too.
: What good does smoking do? What benefit is there, tell me? Besides harm?
: Wonderful! When did I say I was keeping accounts of benefits!
: But you have opened an account of harm!
: Ha ha ha...
: Don't laugh. I didn't say anything funny.
: Oh dear! Even laughing is forbidden!
: As if you listen to everything I say when I forbid something?
: Which thing didn't I listen to, tell me?
: Is that so? Then I wouldn't have to talk like this at this time about such a matter in this way today!
: Maybe!

It could be on some street,
in some hooded rickshaw,
me standing with a blue umbrella,
you didn't see me.

This sun-burnt Romeo face,
you didn't understand my gestures,
when the heart said to stop,
you didn't stop.

Your Juliet smile smiling,
if she called out lovingly,
I couldn't find the courage
to look into your eyes.

My listless body stirs
with your breath’s gentle touch,
Love, or madness—I cannot tell.
Let people call me mad, call me drunk, I
will not leave your side,
will not leave your side.
…Have you heard the song? Just came out a few days ago.
: Yes, I’ve heard it.
: Isn’t it beautiful?
: Yes.
: Have you read “Sudden Encounter”?
: Haven’t read it, but I’ve heard it. When you hear it in Soumitra Chattopadhyay’s voice, it feels like—ah, like touching heaven!
: The days that have gone from us
have they gone completely,
is nothing left behind?
: All the stars of night remain
deep within the daylight.
: I keep faith in desire, I keep faith in longing,
I keep faith in my stubborn rebellion of wanting you.
: In this loveless time I tell you I love you,
in this darkness let us call the fireflies to us.
…I love you! Have you heard the song? Kabir Suman!
: Yes.
I have found you, so I keep death’s call at bay,
the fireflies’ light burns bright, let this night be ours.
: Alright. I’ve wasted so much of your time!
: Yes, quite a lot!
: Yes, I know.
: Take very good care of yourself.
: You don’t need to worry about you and me. Quit smoking.
: Why? What would happen if I quit? Would you come back?
: You never wanted that anyway.
: Oh! That’s right! Then how can I possibly quit…cigarettes!
: Good. If there’s any harm, it’ll be yours, not mine!
: If nothing happens, that’s good for everyone!
: I’m not as generous as you! You can think of everyone’s good, I can’t!
: Hmm. Someone or other had to be thought of…tell me!
: Be well. Be very happy with someone who suits your heart and deserves you.
: Ha ha ha. You crazy girl! Alright. Whatever you wish…
: Nothing has ever happened according to my wishes. Better not to talk such nonsense!
: Hmm. Alright then. I won’t say anymore. Hang up now then. Let me get some sleep. I have to go to work early in the morning again. You have classes too, don’t you?
: You remember all this? Ah, I’m blessed!
: Ha ha ha…! You crazy girl! If talking to me makes you happy, I have no problem with it. I gladly accept, madam!
: I only said what’s true.
: Yes yes, daughter of righteousness like Yudhishthira! Ha ha ha…!
: Good. At least I’m not a liar like you.
: I’m a liar!
: A cheat!
: Fine. So be it!
: What else would you do anyway!
: I’m helpless!
: Don’t make me angrier with your nonsense.
: Does anything feel as good as making you angry! What can be done, tell me? What’s the way out now?
: Your head!
: Yes. Chew it up and devour it!
: I feel like hitting your head and cracking it open!
: Go ahead and fulfill that! Don’t leave any desires unfulfilled!
: I’m going to sleep. Hanging up. Don’t want to ruin my sleep with all this nonsense.
: Hmm. Smart girl!
: Good night!
: May your coming morning be inauspicious!
: Just because you said so?
: Won’t it be? Ah! How wonderful it would be if it were!
: I’m falling asleep. Take care.
: Hmm. Since you said so, I’ll have to be well then! You take care too.
: Bye bye…

…call ended.