Bulti And The Paaner Dibba

Bulti heard Basanti Mashi loudly complaining about something once again. She had been doing it quite frequently—each time about her missing paaner dibba. Bulti, who had just woken up from the afternoon nap, tried to fathom if it was for the same reason. It had been more than one year since the adventure of the Dooars. Once they came back, the novel virus had struck paralyzing the entire world. The plans to renew the restaurant business of her father also suffered. "Who would want to come to a newly opened restaurant during the lockdown?" Ashok babu, cautious from his first experience, reasoned with Girish babu, Riasha’s father who was funding this venture. But Girish babu remained calm, reassuring, and encouraging; and after many months of planning, discussion, and preparation, the business was finally taking shape. A space had been rented in Gariahat and Ashok babu would spend most of the time trying to manage the restaurant's aspects.

Meanwhile, Mira Devi, Bulti's mother, had taken up the onus of running the household as her husband was busy with their startup. With the primary school in their neighbourhood remaining closed for a long time and the salary being withheld for the teachers until further order, she had been busy offering tuition online and in small batches in their home. Mira Devi had become a popular teacher during the lockdown. The youngsters found her to be very patient and dedicated, not getting tired or annoyed of repeating the same lessons and instructions again and again till the children followed it perfectly. The parents also loved her gentle demeanour and her reasonable rates. Although it took a little time for Bulti's mother to get habituated to the online platform and the digital technology but she adapted to the situation quickly and surprisingly managed to emerge as a small-scale edupreneur in the pandemic. She was infact earning a lot more than her regular job. Basanti Mashi had moved in with them during the lockdown. Otherwise, she would have been stranded alone in her small home. Her home-delivery business was also flourishing, especially with the elderly crowd. Still, with Ashok babu's restaurant coming up in a few months, Basanti Mashi professed that she would leave it and join the restaurant as the head chef soon.

Luckily for them, everything was on track despite the wide-scale death and disaster in the outside world, except for Kulfi, who, like Bulti, had grown a year older and turned eight but openly complained and despised this eighth year of her life. She was now quite capable of articulating her feelings and expressed them vehemently. "What a way to spend time. Sitting idle day after day, as if we have been punished and we have to sit in the house looking at the wall." If Bulti tried to explain the situation to her, she would get more annoyed "Didibhai, don't tell me all these things about this Covid-19! I know enough from the TV already." If Basanti Mashi tried to offer the food that she liked, such as homemade singara, egg roll, or chicken noodles, she would surprisingly refuse them, sometimes arguing that she was not a child anymore and cannot be appeased merely with food. Although both the sisters were headstrong from an early age, Kulfi was becoming what one would call an ill-behaved child. She would talk back to her parents and often throw tantrums demanding to go outside for a stroll or play. Their apartment was being painted from the outside, and she would argue with her parents if the workers engaged can be doing their work, why can't she go to her school? She insisted so much that their parents had to call the Principal Madam to dissuade her from doing so.

Bulti's parents were getting worried. But Bulti, who had turned eleven and perhaps a bit wiser, knew nothing was wrong with her little sister. It was just the drastic change in their lives—the indefinite confinement at home, the long hours of sitting in front of the computer to follow the classes where often Bulti and Kulfi's parents would accompany them despite their busy schedules, and the endless monotony of life in general. If you switched on the TV, Covid was all over the news where they kept on repeating the horrific damages it was causing to the human civilization. Bulti knew that Kulfi would cease to be a little monster and come back to her ordinary self if life itself became ordinary once again. However, her parents were anxious and thought of starting a suitable counseling therapy for her. With their online classes primarily being held in the morning, both the sisters had developed the habit of taking a long nap in the afternoon. Basanti Mashi would come tottering to wake them up at around 5 pm, but Kulfi would be very displeased with the intrusion, and Basanti Mashi would go away quickly, fearing her tantrums. Bulti would coax her to get up one hour later, alluring her with a cup of hot chocolate and some scrumptious snacks like French fries, pizza, or tacos. Now, the children had access to more updated gadgets like smartphones and a recently bought laptop, with all the family members becoming digitally engaged in the Covid-19. Kulfi would murmur in her sleep, "Didibhai, order the pepperoni pizza today." Bulti, now well versed with the online food delivery app, knew that an exciting snack would keep Kulfi happy, and to be honest, she did not mind a share of it as well. Her mother or Basanti Mashi would pay for these with silent disapproval. "The children are behaving weirdly. Let them eat these fatty foods if they feel happy." Basanti Mashi, secretly heartbroken with the sisters choosing fast food over her homemade culinary delights that had been served to them since childhood, would put up a brave front and console Mira Devi. "But have you noticed, they are becoming so obese? We should stop these immediately." Mira Devi would protest but in a soft voice so that the girls would not hear her clearly. If their father were around, he would also join the whispering delegation. "This is just a phase. Let the rules become a little less strict. I will take the children out for exercise. Then, they will lose weight and again become active."

On occasionally overhearing these discussions of the conspiring adults, Bulti would feel guilty munching on the cheese burst pepperoni pizza, but Kulfi, oblivious, would eat happily and perhaps excessively for an eight-year-old child. Bulti also realized that their relative affluence did not add any happiness to their life. She missed going to the school and felt that it was much better to put up with Anwesha, the bully, than sitting at home and looking at the screen where she could only catch a glimpse of the familiar faces of her friends and teachers and could occasionally speak to Tiasa or Bhaskar who were equally bored and confused about the situation.

Kulfi thankfully attended the online classes but did not show much enthusiasm in speaking to her friends despite her parents' efforts. She, however, spoke to Bulti when she felt like chatting, and both of them recollected their adventure in the Dooars again and again. "Do you remember Raisha didi? And Pradipnarayan? The manager? How much fun they must be having in Murti. I am sure they can move around and meet each other." Bulti thought of explaining that perhaps Raisha, if still a specter, can go anywhere unrestricted by the Covid-19 guidelines. However, on thinking harder, Bulti could recollect that Raisha was confined only to the upper storeys of the resort and possibly had left for the heavenly abode after getting the justice she required. But the human beings were confined to their homes, just like them. However, she did not pursue the reminiscences along those lines instead talked about their stay last year in the magnificent resort, their safari in the forest, the exciting escape of Bulti from the clutches of the villains, and the delightful food they had, including the grand buffet organized by Raisha's parents. While recollecting these tales of adventure, the sisters would sigh and feel miserable.

Today, while Basanti Mashi's loud complaining reached Bulti, she was once again silently contemplating these issues. However, on hearing her, Bulti became worried. This was recurring now. Basanti Mashi's paaner dibba, the box where she kept her priced betel leaves, was getting lost quite frequently now. "Stolen!" Basanti Mashi would regularly accuse, but since the household contained only the family members, the accusation seemed to be hitting the dead end. Basanti Mashi would be suspicious if the girls were doing it as some form of mischief in normal circumstances. But since the lockdown, they had lost all the zeal to be playful. Basanti Mashi, in fact, would have been glad had the girls been involved, but she was sure it was not the case. "Who is stealing my paaner dibba?" she would complain loudly and bitterly, nonetheless. Bulti was concerned too. This was very unbecoming and inexplicable unless some other ghost wanted to make her presence felt. Although Bulti had been in touch with one last year in the Dooars, she refused to believe that spirits are in abundance and have assembled in their home to get in touch with them. "So, who could it be?"

She gave Kulfi a push. Kulfi was awake too.                                   

"Look Basanti Mashi's paaner dibba is gone once again," Bulti told her sister.

"Maybe she is keeping them somewhere and forgetting about it." Kulfi sounded dismissive. "No." Bulti insisted. "Mashi has a sharp memory. And she loves paaner dibba so much that she will not lose it on her own at any cost." She gave Kulfi a harder push.

"Get up. It's time to look into the matter." Bulti stood up and started going towards Basanti Mashi's room quickly. Kulfi followed her reluctantly. Despite her apathy, she was also curious, like her big sister, about the fate of Mashi's beloved possessions.

As they reached, they saw Basanti Mashi was sitting sprawled on the bed with arms on her forehead. Bulti felt sad that they had ignored the matter so far.

"This is the fourth time it is gone in a month, isn't it?"

"Fifth." Basanti Mashi corrected her. She sounded desponded.

"Okay." Bulti looked around intently. Kulfi had also come and asked her, "What are you looking at Didbhai? No one's here. Could it be Raisha didi once again?"

"No, Kulfi. Raisha would have come to me at least and talked instead of being so clandestine. This is not her style. And besides, I think she is gone now."

Basanti Mashi added, "No Raisha baby would not be so mean. To torment an old lady in such a way!" She spoke with watery eyes.

"Don't worry Mashi. Today, we are going to find out the culprit, I promise." Bulti felt her support to Basnati Mashi's cause was long due, and the problem needed an urgent solution. Besides she was intrigued herself. It must be somewhere; she had thought the last few times when the paaner dibba went missing, but how can it get systematically lost for five times in a row?

She looked outside the window. Nothing could be seen for a long distance except the mango tree that overlooked their apartment building. Bulti closed her eyes and tried to remember the plan of their home. The main door leads to the living room. When one enters the living room, the bathroom is on the left-hand side, and taking a few steps, one can enter the kitchen on the left-hand side. The balcony is adjacent to the living room. Two bedrooms on the left hand side of the living room. And one small study room is attached to the balcony where Basanti Mashi was staying at present. So, for someone to enter the house, they will have to come through the main door. Otherwise, there is no other way.

Of course, there are several windows, but Bulti's parents had installed mosquito and insect nets on them. So, it would be very difficult for human beings or animals to enter stealthily without causing an alarm or at least some form of disturbance. And why would anyone target the paaner dibba unless someone has some personal score to settle with Basanti Mashi? Bulti strolled to the living room and sat on the sofa, deeply lost in thoughts. Kulfi came along and asked, "What are you thinking? Who could it be?"

Bulti remained quiet. She was thinking intently. She went to the balcony and looked down. The railing was not dusted today as their kajer mashi would come on alternate days and clean the house. Bulti looked at the railing and then the drain pipes that ran beside their balcony.

She suddenly raised her voice and asked, "Basanti Mashi, when did you last use the paaner dibba?"

Basanti Mashi answered from her room, "Just a little before. I eat a paan every day before taking my afternoon nap, you know na."

"Yes, I know." Bulti contemplated. Then she suddenly became alert "Kulfi wear your mask quickly and come with me." Bulti rushed to get her mask, wore it, and opened the door to go down to their apartment compound. Kulfi hesitated for a few moments but also immediately followed her big sister.

"Why are you running?" Kulfi enquired, almost gasping for breath as she followed Bulti dashing down the stairs.

"We may still catch the culprit and save its life," Bulti answered.

As they reached the compound, Bulti went straight in front of the building and pointed to the second floor. "Look, Kulfi, can you see the thief?"

Kulfi looked carefully, nodded her head to imply a "no," but suddenly let out a shrill exclamation, "Oh! This is the thief! Who would have thought that it can do such a thing?"

A cat was perched on the sunshade of the second-floor flat, looking piteously below. It was probably too scared even to utter some sounds. Some object shone beside it as the parting rays of the sun fell. "Wow!" Kulfi said. "The paaner dibba looks nice from here."

"It sure does." Bulti smiled. "But how to get it down? I mean both the cat and the dibba." she asked her sister.

"Caretaker uncle has gone to the village, I heard baba saying it today." Kulfi informed.

"I think, usually, at least for the last four times, the cat would take the ladders fitted here for painting our apartment to easily climb up to the sunshade below our home and leap through the balcony to Basanti Mashi's room that is just beside it. Why was it targeting the paaner dibba? It beats me."

"Maybe it found it attractive." Kulfi said.

"Maybe," Bulti said. "Some cats have the habit of hoarding things. Some cats like chewing on leaves. But whatever may be the cause, this little thief would cautiously come inside our flat through the convenient route, take the stuff as all of us would be sleeping in the afternoon, and Maa would be teaching in our parents' room with the door closed."

"But why is it stuck on the sunshade today?" Kulfi asked.

Bulti answered, "Well, I think it climbed up the drain pipes to our apartment today. But since the painting of our apartment is complete, the ladders have been taken away. Our kittie friend got confused about how to go down and managed to climb down only one floor and got stuck in the second-floor sunshade."

"Yes, that must be the case. But how did you know it was there? Could you see it from our balcony?" Kulfi enquired once again.

"Not entirely. I could just see its ears peeping out. But more importantly, since the railing bars have not been dusted today, I could see the print of its paws on them in our balcony. That sealed the deal."

"Didibhai, you solved one more case." Kulfi sounded elated. "If you had looked intently earlier, some of Basanti Mashi's dibbas might have been saved."

"Yes, we should be a little more involved with our family from now onwards. Our parents are worried about us. And Basanti Mashi cannot be her usual self as she is anxious that she might upset us. This is not right. We should behave. Our elders are helpless. They can't change the situation even if they try very hard."

Kulfi nodded her head sagaciously. A gentle breeze was blowing, and it caressed their hair. Kulfi looked wistful and said, "I know I am being a nuisance, but I can't help it all the time. Maybe in the evening, all of us can go out for a walk. That is allowed, isn't it?"

"Yes," Bulti affirmed loudly. "We are fortunate to have our family with us. Not everyone is so lucky now."

A few minutes passed. Kulfi suddenly realized that cat was still up there looking at them dolefully. "But how do we bring kitty down?" she said impatiently.

 "Let me see if I can climb up this tree," Bulti said, pointing at the mango tree beside their apartment, the one that was visible from the window of Basanti Mashi's room. "If I can convince the kitty to jump to the tree, then both of us can climb down together. The tree is very much accessible from the sunshade." 

"Didibhai, this is a big tree. You can fall and hurt yourself. You don't even know how to climb a tree." Kulfi sounded alarmed.

"Don't worry. I have climbed almirahs before. Remember?" The sisters shared a knowing smile.

But Kulfi suddenly said, "You were fitter a year ago. Now, both of us are so slow. How we were panting while rushing down the stairs!"

"True." Bulti also looked concerned. "But still, let me try. The kitty needs to come down, and this seems to be the only way."

Bulti opened her sandals and tried to find her foothold on a protruding lower part of the trunk. She managed to pull herself up but realized that she weighed so much more than the last year. True, she was growing, but still, the weight she had gained was disproportionate. This annoyed her. She somehow managed to stand on the tree and signaled the cat to jump on a higher branch. The cat looked surprised and did not move.

"Bulti!!! What are you doing now?" Bulti was startled by the shrill, loud voice of Basanti Mashi, who had come to the balcony and lost the decorum that she tried to maintain so far as she perceived that Bulti was cooking up some trouble for herself once again.

"Come down!" she commanded vociferously. But instead of Bulti, the cat seemed to have been affected by the stern direction. Alarmed, it jumped directly from the second floor on the ground. It had no problem landing on its feet safely. It paused for a few seconds and sprinted away at lightning speed.

This quick turn of events spellbound the sisters. When Kulfi realized a little later what had just happened, she started laughing loudly. Basanti Mashi was only able to see a cat jumping from a considerable height and running away. She was dumbfounded for a few minutes and again started complaining loudly, "Now, you two girls. You will not go out while we coax you. And now you suddenly start climbing trees! What is up with you? Come up quickly…." And so on.

Bulti was still perched on the tree while Basanti Mashi's uncontrollable tirade continued, equally matched by Kulfi's relentless laughter. Bulti tried once to feebly draw the attention of Basanti Mashi to the paaner dibba still shining brightly on the sunshade but failed miserably. However, she felt warm inside. It seemed that the ice had broken, and things, hopefully, would become normal very soon for all of them.