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Dorothy, the retired mathematics teacher of a girl's school, passes away one fine morning. Her favourite students from the village in Junput--Aparna (Apu) and Preetam (Preet) come forward to organize an event in her memory. Years back, Apu and Preet had parted ways in the backdrop of a hostile situation. Many relationships were broken overnight. One of them was theirs. They chose different paths in life. Success and failure came their way in various shapes and forms. They had nothing in common, except the abandoned memories. The day Dorothy's solicitor, Mr Ray, read her will, the status quo of their broken relationship was challenged. Midlife is more vulnerable than teenage. Preet and Apu tried solving a new problem in their lives. Did Dorothy, their lifetime coach, teach them enough?
Read an Excerpt from The Broken Bridge
“Your wife is afraid.” The unknown fisherman laughed looking at her. “Take her to a safe place.” Saying so, he started walking. It had started raining. She held his hand and pulled him back to the car. She ensured it was all locked and was about to start the car when he said, “Stop”.
“Don’t you want to hear me sing?”
They looked at each other as lightning struck in the air. It was frightening. Nature was wild and the unrest in the minds were even greater. The brilliant flashes tempted them to burn out the unattended corner of their minds. There was no smoke, no ashes but the flames leaped in excitement that was unseen.
The hungry minds met their destiny walking in the rain together. They sat motionless in the closed car for an hour watching the dance of nature. And the storm passed by…
She broke the silence.
“Would you like to have some sandwich?”
“No. Have been in that state for long.” He said in a sarcastic tone. Happiness left him, but his wits stayed back!
The storm had settled and he slowly rolled down the windows of the car. Drops of water sprayed in and the car was full of wet, fresh air. It had the smell of unsaid love and indebted friendship. He started singing. Apu closed her eyes and kept hearing the lost voice. He sang an eternal love song that binds man and nature. That was his obituary to their coach. His rendition instilled hope. The harmony had just settled in the car. She was waiting for an opportune moment.
“Did you ask your wife why she mistrusts you?”
“Why do you want to spoil the mood?”
“You need to know, else you will never find back the melody in your life,” she stated boldly.
“She is looking for you!” he shared the secret.
“Me?” she was taken aback.
“Yes!”
“Why me?”
“The year I meet you in the hotel, some stories were created and scoops published. It had duly reached her. She had asked me who was it. I didn’t share.”
“But why?”
“Not sure, Apu.”
She looked at him with a strange look. “This is being unfair to her.” Beautiful Apu was visibly upset.
Her eyes had anger and anguish.
“Was it fair to me when my parents uprooted me to the city?”
“I am no one to judge.”
“Then why are you judging today?”
“It is disgraceful that I caused someone’s agony and for no valid reason!”
“Did you ever miss me, Apu?” The tough conversation collapsed.
“Why are you silent?”
“Anjali aunty was unhappy with me before she left the village. It would be very unfortunate if your
wife too suffered on account of me. I am devastated to know your wife is divorcing you for me!”
“That was not the answer. Did you ever miss me?” Preetam re-emphasized.
“Let’s leave for the city.” She ignored his request once more.
“No,” he protested.
“Forget what my wife thinks. You play your flute.”
He had to hold on to her hands to stop her. Her throat was dry and her mind was on fire. “I can’t play music with a troubled mind.”
“And I need you to play it for me to be out of this trouble in my mind.”
Nature around had calmed down. The rain was over. The wet sand looked at the partially clouded sky that was clearing up. She unzipped her bag and brought out a sleek flute box. He kept watching her. She breathed in and out to warm up. He felt the warmth in the closed door of the car.
It was a soft start. Harmony transformed into hypnotic bliss. She kept playing with no break. He closed his eyes as he drowned in the serenity. Her playing the flute was a therapy to unwind from
struggles of life. Her breath engulfed him in love and deep spirit within. It was nine when she finally ended. His eyes were closed and tears kept rolling. She took a long breath and looked at him with pain in her eyes. The thin line of kajal was still glowing in dark. Their feelings met in the confluence of music. They stood for some more time on the beach feeling the cold breeze. They listened to many unsaid words and celebrated in silence on the wet sand of Junput. And then finally she broke the silence.
“Take me to your wife. I will settle your differences,” she said in a choking voice.
“No Apu. I need some privacy in life that I hate to share.” Saying so he put his hand on hers and closed his eyes in gratitude to have kept her promises.
“Life tricked me!” He said with a sarcasm in his voice.
“Don’t judge your life on the basis of lost moments. Let’s trace our way back to the city,” she remarked in a calm voice.
She shifted the gear into drive and the car started rolling. She played a few soulful songs on her way
back. He lay in silence watching the dark sky which started glittering with stars after a while. He thought he would have many things to say—all that he failed to share years back. It was strange that melody of her flute had reminded him about the intelligent girl from the ashram and Sandy’s profound joy singing a duet with his father in the green valleys of the hill. She drove nonstop. Songs of renowned singers filled in the air to mend the broken bridges in the conditioned car.
About the Author:
Sonali Bhattacharya graduated from Jadavpur University, Kolkata, in 1994. She lives in the city of joy and presently works in an IT multinational company. Twenty-five years of work-life gave her exposure to many individuals and their lives. Influence of good teachers, and subsequently mentors, plays a key role in everyone’s life. Good coaches, who play the role of a teacher—and often a mentor—are rare. She firmly believes that as the complexities of worldly life are growing, we need more coaches who positively influence life—more so in midlife when complexities are of high order and there is dearth of a guiding star. Apart from writing, she is keen on coaching young and old to deal with the social changes that are rapidly engulfing our world. Assisting the older generation with nuances of digital world and exploring psychological needs of people around have been her special areas of interest in the last few years. She feels both are key skills to bridge the distance of human minds, in the world that we live in.
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