Epilogue:
"Come to West Bengal, she said", the American grumbled, lugging his suitcase along in the sweltering heat, sunglasses perched precariously on his head, "It'll be fun, she said."
When had ever listening to Pritha yielded good things? Other than studying for the tests at college, that is.
Speaking of Pritha, where was she?
She turned up half an hour later, smiling so happily, that Alfred couldn't find it in his heart to yell at her.
"I'm so sorry I'm late! Ma sat me down with the others to talk about the foreigner coming to stay in our house." She nudged Alfred playfully.
Alfred harrumphed. She rolled her eyes and stole his sunglasses from his head.
The streets of Kolkata reminded him of how London was before the Great Fire of 1666. People, cars disregarding the people and stray dogs disregarding the cars and people. There was the smell of asphalt, car fumes and food overwhelming his nose.
He mentioned it to Pritha, who laughed it off. "Same here", she said happily. "It was so disorienting, but you actually get used to it."
Pritha's mother was a perpetually happy woman and twinkling eyes. It seemed that the genes for everlasting smiles ran in the family. Her father, a strict-looking man with glasses, had a penchant for dark humor that made Pritha laugh and her mother-her name was Samita he later learnt- cluck and flap at him with the day's newspaper.
"Ashobo! Abhodro kothabatta!"
Pritha leant over and whispered the meaning in his ear. "She's telling him to shut up."
"Don't translate that!" Her mom cried.
"Too late, Ma."
The food was spicy and the gossip channel on the television that even spicier. The hot sunlight streamed in through the big windows and yet, the house was cold.
When the hubbub had died down and Pritha's family napping, they went to the huge lake close by.
Alfred noticed her eyeing the water longingly. 'Don't."
She grumped. "Fine."
When they had circuited the lake, they sat down on a bench overlooking the water, a tree shading them.
"How's is it all?" she asked, much more pensive and quiet.
"Pretty much the same, Pritha."
"Are they still fighting?"
"Yeah."
"Are you still seeing those…things?"
"Things that go bump in the night don't disappear easily, you know."
"I know. Love life?"
"Nonexistent as usual."
"That's cause you push people away."
"Pritha, I'd date you, but you're like this annoying older sister and incest is illegal."
Pritha looked torn between horror and laughter.
"Aw, hell. That's cute, but really, really, really weird. Seriously, though, aren't things working out well?"
"Kid, I've spent the last five years all over the world with this job of mine. I decided to spend my holiday with you, since your puppy eyes are practically irresistible.
"Oh, really?" Alfred did not like the way she grinned. "Remind me of that when I drag you to Gariahat tomorrow. The shopping center of Kolkata, Alfred."
He pushed her into the water.
Another five years later, he called her.
"Hey, Pritha?"
"Listening, dude."
"Name a place in Kolkata where I can buy a big house that's full of shady trees and nature."
"Yes!" He could see her in her room right now, pumping her fists.
"I know the perfect place, Alfred…but…-why ?"
"It's time to stop running away from my fears."
A happy sigh.
"Hop on the next plane, bro. I promise I won't be late this time."
"I've learnt Bengali."
"Dammit! Now you'll be able to figure out when I call you a shitbag."
"Whhaaaat?"
"Just come over, you ass."