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Flame Unfelt

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01 Jun, 20 06:33
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Arkaprava Das

Flame Unfelt

Her footsteps were falling on the ground under the showering radiances of Flames of the Forest.  This was her wedding day. Processed by a band of mates and kins, she was taken for the auspicious dip. Merry chants and rolls of laughter were buzzing around pounding her heartbeats. Neepa—a girl of seventeen was welcoming a new chapter of her life. Her marriage was settled with Deep Narayan Rudra, son of Shankar Narayan Rudra, a well known name amongst elites.
The ceremony ended well. Wedding knot was tied. Two eyes met and saw one another. One was cool and the other twinkling. In that celebrated moment, pieces of senses remained unsung. May be because they were abstract. They were easily carried to lush rosy marriage bed through a massively rhapsodic ritual. Neepa and Deep Narayan were elaborately titled as 'Married' by them whom they knew to be closest. Both of them began their first night together following their own sensations and that evidently conflicted in the first place. Still, they slept and spent the night ignoring their hidden questions. They consoled themselves in their own ways.

Neepa's life was changed. She was brought to an urban city. May be, she was destined for it. She never thought why, but she liked the sky that was blue and the road that was busy. She ignored the dark parts and it was useless to be surprised on that point. We may say it as her unwillingness to cross out norms. Rather Neepa got involved in her allotted household.  On the other side, Neepa's in-laws sat together one night after dinner to discuss how to launch her before the society. It was somewhat a lengthy debate that took place under shimmering light in the large hall where it was concluded to make Neepa precisely prepared. Of course, there were doubts over the possibility of becoming a silly topic of derision in case the matter went wrong, still it was finalized to showcase her as a statement. Discussion ended and indistinct baronial figures left the shadowy room. 
Neepa appeared in her first city gathering clad in priceless attire. She received a thorough rehearsal before the occasion which she obeyed with inherent diligence. She stunned everyone. No eyes escaped her. She looked around to meet eyes that sought her attention with visible desperation tearing the customary conventions of etiquette. 
“My-my, I never saw a swan in such an elegant peacock feathers before! From where you caught her?” A fellow asked Deep Narayan. 
“Her aunt approached us. I found her good....its like that,” Deep Narayan answered with a cool smile.

“On that point, introduce her to us. let's see how she talks,” the youth blinked.
“Sure....,” Deep Narayan made his way and came back with Neepa.
“Hello, Mrs Rudra. How do you do?” 
“Hi, we all are Deep's buddies. We wished to meet you. Hope you wont mind....”
Neepa was in the middle of them who wished her speak just a word. She was almost made to sit and offered with wine. She was prepared for all this. She spoke and she drank. And she won. Family was pleased to her. Deep Narayan appreciated her that night for her being nice to his friends. He loved her that night for the reason that Neepa never asked. She disposed herself silently. She entered her new society not knowing what to expect from it.

“I want you in the lead role. Never say NO,” said Mr Bipin Nath, renowned movie maker, a close person of Rudra family. By that time, Neepa was mother of a girl. She was totally occupied in home-making and never showed any inclination towards any unquoted acts. In that premise, the approach from Mr Nath was evidently a sudden event that was responded by Neepa with numb non-response. But her husband became overwhelmed. 
“Let me clap you Mr Bipin on this one thought! I must say, it is beyond my imagination to think her as a STAR,” Deep Narayan laughed aloud. 

“You never saw your wife properly then all these years. She has a face made for the screen,” said Nath. 
“I bet, she'll be a nervous bird for the show,” said Deep Narayan.
“Leave that to me. Now, Mrs Rudra, you're sitting silent. I need your consent. You're to say something,” Bipin Nath smiled and looked at Neepa.
“Are you really serious on whatever you're saying, Bipin Babu?” Neepa spoke.
“Yes, I'm. I need a fresh new face and I see a face in you. You'll be perfect for the role. And I'll be offering you a decent payment.”
“Neepa, now I'm saying you, don't say NO. Its going to be big. I'm sure of it. Since I know Mr Nath a lot more than you and trust me. He's good in his work. I wont let you skip this opportunity. She'll do it Mr Nath. Take my word as hers,” Deep Narayan spoke out very clearly.


“But, I don't want to. I'm sorry,” Said Neepa.
“What happened to you? It is fine, its a big chance and why on....,” Bipin Nath stopped Deep Narayan from his spontaneous outflow.
“But, why not!!” 
“It's not possible. Please don't request me anymore,” Neepa was unwilling to react on her husband's vibrance and Bipin's endeavour to ease the matter. She remained silent.
“There is no harm Mrs Rudra, I assure you. I think you've seen my films. I make them putting my own heart. Do you think one will be cruel to his own soul? I give you my word that you'll be honoured. Just do one shot for my sake. If you feel bad, I wont request you any more,” Bipin said with his maximum honesty.
“OK....,” admitted Neepa.

“Look up to him slowly and deeply as he holds you. Then, smile lightly,” instructed Bipin Nath. A garden scene was designed. Players were set on spot awaiting for the shooting. On final command they started their parts. The day ended as a disappointment. Bipin Nath was a person of firm attitude and he still showed no intention to change his mind, rather he made it very clear to Neepa that the work that he had offered her needed equal or more dedication than any others and she should be attentive if she wanted to go ahead with it. Neepa said nothing nor she refused. Bipin Nath gave her time to make herself prepared. Neepa left the studio with Deep Narayan.

“Tell me, my sweet wife, what do you think of yourself?...what are you?” asked Deep Narayan holding Neepa in his arms on their bed, curling her hair strands that night.
“You know, I never wanted to say you this, as its my dishonour to make you feel bad. I'm running through a very severe crisis that I need to cross anyway. Bipin is my friend and he has agreed to take you just because of me. I am in need of money, you know. So....tell me, are you going to help me in this or I've to ignore you from now? Take your time. You've this night to think. Tomorrow, you can tell me,” Deeply kissing Neepa, Deep Narayan left her and turned around to sleep. 
Neepa remained still. She was voiceless. Her eyes remained opened for long, may be throughout the night. Next morning, she got up and did all her daily tasks. She asked her husband to inform Mr Nath that she was prepared. Her husband did the same and mentioned Neepa when to be present in the studio again. “Its all right,” answered Neepa. 
Neepa's name was changed before the film was released. “Maalika”—Bipin Nath announced as he offered her the payment. She took it with a smile supported by an earnest reverence from her husband and she passed it to her husband as he drove back home.
“Thanks,” Deep Narayan happily put the sum inside his pocket.

World witnesses numerous spectacles and likewise Neepa's smile never faded away with a single sensational success. It grew and covered as much as possible or may be more. It is not necessary to devote in thinking how it all happened. People took surplus pleasure in dreaming her, talking about her and sketching her in a variety of ways. Deep Narayan dropped any other ideas of making money and industry eagerly wanted Neepa. She proved to be a mint. Neepa felt an unusual pleasure —with her fame, fans and family. Time passed with it. 

No words can say it why Neepa never showed any curious concern on what she was getting without her asking. Was it her devotion or aloofness—she never found time to explain that. She simply presented herself as was demanded and went on like that. Never she tried to curb the inevitable clashes that shattered her in so many ways while fulfilling these demands. She remained silent when the unbridgeable gap between her and Deep Narayan pushed them apart. She only went away without asking anything from him and never looked back. In her reckless fathomless chase, she never wished for any consolation, not even from her daughter. On another day, she kissed her daughter, took her hand in her own and sent her away from her too. Neepa never met her daughter's parting eyes or sought any response from her. Was it her weakness, authority or biggest blunder? It all remained unknown. And she went ahead exploiting herself—more and more.

“Love you SreeMaalika. Wish your eternity, always and ever,” said a voice to Neepa presenting her a box of jewel and roses. Neepa laughed and touched his hands. 
“I lose myself  with this name, 'SreeMaalika'. I wont be able to get myself back some day.”
“You're wrong. You'll always live as SreeMaalika. In my heart as I live and rule people's heart as Maalika,” 
“Can't I live without it? As Neepa. Will you accept me with that name?...In that form?”
“I'll.”
He left Neepa. She watched. She came back to her room and looked at the sky that was slowly getting darker through the window. She stood there till darkness spread everywhere removing everything. She watched it for long. Then she looked around. Neepa looked at the altar where the deity of her devotion was placed. She remained looking. 
“I never wished to be worshipped. Then, why are you playing with my life?” She began to laugh.
“Will you listen if I beg? Will you stop this or just finish my life? Will you listen or you've set it to go on,” Neepa laughed and came closer.
“People love to play with this doll but, I'm going to end this. Let people worship you, not me,” she leaned before the altar and went on laughing. Tears rolled down her eyes. Nothing else was there that she spoke. 

Then, Neepa went away. She was called many times but received no answer nor any indication came from her side wishing to know what the world said on her. She chose to erase herself one day and never came back to find what else remained for her. What to worry about? Human soul can live and go with their own core wishes. Nothing more is there to dig out and justify from the clutters of 'why', 'how' or 'whats'. 

Synopsis:
A simple woman's tale that leads her to quietly remould herself and act as desired from her without asking any question. Finally, she questions and leaves her own reply.

Author's Biodata


Arkaprava Das, Science Editor and Animation Script Writer for Educational Publishing by profession, has contributed several creative and technical contents of ecards, blogs, articles, for various clients whom she served in her career. Coming from Science and Multimedia background, she is involved in elearning and editing. As an amateur writer, Arkaprava Das has worked on many articles, poetries and short stories. Her creative thoughts explore various corners of world and even more. Personally, she is innovative and adventurous and through her works, she wishes to impart optimism to her readers, of all age groups.

Author's Residence: Delhi
Author's Email: das_sunshine@yahoo.co.uk


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