Winds Of Change - Paroma Bhattacharya(Dedicated to my paternal grandfather) (story read aloud TXT) 📗

responsible member. I am helping my father in his daily political activities and everyone is very happy at home.
I want you now in my life as soon as possible so that we can start our life together once more.
Love
Neel

Lona was nearly in tears. She read the letter again and again till it was dinnertime and she had to go otherwise the matron would summon her to her chambers. Lona was thinking constantly of how to convince her parents of her going to ashutosh college and not pune university. She thought for days on end and exchanged letters with Neel constantly during that time. They were becoming very close again and she was looking forward to meeting him again. Their Boards were looming and Lona was dividing her time between Neel and her all important exam preparations. Neel had come to meet her last month and they had the most romantic day out. She was now ready to tackle her parents come what may.on the issue of Neel. At home of course they were all thinking that she would be going to Pune University for B.Sc in environmental Science. Dona had come home that Christmas and spent a lot of time trying to guide her through the application process. Lona was feelin very guilty of having to deceive her parents and especially her sister. For a moment she even contemplated divulging the information of Neel to Dona but she knew she wouldn’t be able to think like her. Dona had recently broken her engagement with Robert Lahiri on the issue that she wouldn’t go to the states with him but would pursue her research in India. She wanted Robert to move to India not vice versa hence the break off. Lona knew Dona wouldn’t understand her.
Lona was planning to make her parents porivy to her plans only after the boards were over but unfortunately something happened. One fine morning just 2 weeks before her boards, the principal called Lona to her office. Lona thought it must be some standard talk that she would give to all the students one by one but she was surprised to find her parents in the room as well.
Mrs Roy looked livid and was throwing daggers at her as she entered the room. Mr Roy did not look too happy either.
“Please take a seat Lona”, the principal told Lona in a shrill voice.
“ How could you do this to us, you responsible child”, Said her mother.
“ Why did you not openly reveal everything to us in the first place?”, said her father
“ I don’t know what you are talking about”, replied Lona.
“ I will slap you right now before everyone if you continue this act, do you understand?, said Mrs Roy to Lona.
“ Its about Neel Sarkar, who else? And your plans to meet him in kolkata, answered Mr. Roy in a stern voice.
“ I was going to tell you everything in good time Ma believe me. You are not understanding the situation just like I anticipated”, replied Lona and shrugged her shoulders in a disparaged action.
“ What is there to understand? We have been told that our dearest daughter is trying to run away with a local thugs son. Kanti sarkar is a notorious guy in kolkata known for his dirty politics. His son may be more educated than him but from what we hear he is no different than his father. How could you disappoint us this way now when we are so close to seeing you shape a fabulous career for yourself. Are you going to ruin everything and take us down with you?, informed her mother
“ He is not even from our community”, replied her father shaking his head.
“ dad this is the 20th century! People are building the most sophisticated bridges and connecting people everywhere and you are talking of communities and Ma Kanti sarkar is not a thug but a renowned MLA”, replied a desperate Lona.
“ Lona don’t try to lecture us. There is no reason for us to endure more of this nonsense from you. You are still not an adult and we are your guardians and you will do exactly as we say”, replied Mrs roy in consternation.
“ Everything we have dreamed and struggled for will be done by you whether you like it or not. So now pack your bags immediately and come home with us. Don’t look at the principal , she has already given us her permission”, continued her mother.
“ I don’t understand, my final exams will begin soon and then my entrances for ashutosh college etc are also nearby, replied Lona in a shocked voice.
“ So what are you saying that you still think we are going to send you to kolkata? Your classes have anyway finished, you can study from home under my supervision and we will send you for the final exams escorted by either of us. Pune university entrances are still a month after your finals so you have lots of time. Dona will be home for a month then and she will help you in every way. We are all so concerned about you and this is how you pay us back. Shame on you!, replied Mrs Roy.
“ Dad please I don’t want to go to Pune. I will work very hard in kolkata please, replied Lona.
“ Shut up your nonsense Lona and do as your mother says otherwise a whole year will be wasted . Whatsoever way you will never meet Neel Sarkar again. So pack your bags sweetheart and come home with us” , Mr Roy commanded his daughter.
“ You have ruined my life “, shouted Lona to all of them and walked off from the room.
As she ran away one could hear her footsteps on the tiled floor. She had grown quite a bit in the last two years and her back looked gorgeous.

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Publication Date: 05-19-2011

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