The web

5.10.2009

She was sitting alone beside the window. another cigarette burning on her lip.. she impatiently snuffed it out and threw it out of the window.

A full moon was shining in the sky, its light was softly spreading on her face too, but she was least bothered about the beauty of the moon.

she impatiently got up and almost knocked down the small table on which her things were kept. she muttered some thing under her breath and went to the toilet to splash some water on her face.

Age was quickly catching up with her. For last few years she was feeling really, really lonely. Most of her time was spent on internet chatting, messaging friends all over the world. She has inherited immense wealth from her family.

Her sisters were all married and settled in and out of kolkata. She preferred her liberty so she stayed single but enjoyed life to the core.

She has long crossed her fifties, some stray white hair always popped up no matter how many times she visited the beauty parlour these days.

She came out of the toilet and sat down on the makeup stool.. after applying a quick makeup she went out of the spacious flat. On the way she grabbed her coat because it might get a little chilly when she will be on her way.

The liftman saluted her, “Good evening memsaab.” She preferred to ignore him. Just like him she also ignored the guard who saluted her briskly while she walked to the parking lot to get her car.

Her driver has gone home last week, taking only one day’s leave and was yet to show up…

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

She was a very tall woman, almost six, robustly built. A little fleshy but not plump. Her complexion was dark but her large eyes were gorgeous once.. a lot of young boys of her college days day-dreamed about those hazel eyes.. so many times she has found notes or heard poems from them gushing after those hazel eyes.. now they were a little puffy and bloodshot because of her life style. She did not wore specs, preferred contact lenses.

She turned on the AC and started the car. When she reached her club it was still early evening for her crowd.

They were coming in one by one, she sat down under an umbrella on the lawn, she only went inside during the monsoon or extreme cold.. which was a surprise for her in Kolkata because Rosemary has spent most of her life in hill station.. in her school and college, she returned to kolkata after crossing her thirties. Even now she runs away to the hills whenever she can.

The waiter reached her and stood beside her silently, waiting for her order. She ordered him her drinks and some thing to go with it and started to play with her cellphone. Waiting for her clubmates to show up.

She glanced at the driveway when another car pulled in, her face lit up instantly. She beckoned one of the waiters, “Tell Mr. Ghosh that Mary madam is in the lawn.” The waiter bowed and left.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The weather was really pleasant. She could see some of the couples dancing on the dance floor and others watching them from their seats.

Soon she saw Mr. Ghosh striding across the lawn towards her, he was an extremely handsome guy. Tall, well built and sophisticated in his appearance and behaviour. He was in his early forties. A pilot in a reputed airways.

He smiled at her when their eyes met, “The waiter told me that you were looking for me dear lady!”, he sat down with her permission.

She softly smiled, the smile illuminated her face and reached her eyes.

“So you are back to Kolkata, how was your trip?”, she asked, still smiling.

“As usual!!!!”, he replied with a smile. “You want another drink?”, he added after noting the waiter waiting patiently for his order.

She nodded in disagreement and he dismissed the waiter with his orders.

“So how did the charming lady spent her christmas vacation? Partying all night?”, he asked with a smile.

She smiled and shrugged in response.

“Rose, I want to ask you about some thing..something very special…”, he said with a little hesitation.

“Very personal actually..”, he added.

“Why don’t you come to my flat tomorrow? We will have dinner together and we can talk there..”, she said with a smile.

Before he could answer a sharp shower started to pour from the skies above and they both had to run inside the club.

When they left after an hour, the skies were still pouring down. The program of the dinner was fixed at Rosemary’s flat.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

When dawn peeped through heavy curtains of Mary’s windows she was still sleeping, fully relaxed in her double bed. She preferred a luxurious life. She has handpicked every single item she used personally, even looked at regularly. Like the cabinets of kitchen. They were all as best as she could afford.

Most of the things of her flat were not Indian, barring a few exceptions like herself..

She woke up a few hours later when the bell rang and her maid answered the door. She stretched, yawned and stepped out of bed and unlocked the bedroom door. The maid brought her bed tea and newspapers to her bed.

“Good morning, madam.” She wished her good morning in english.

Well Mary preferred people around her to be a little smart and english knowing, because a lot of her guests did not knew bengali or worse, knew but did not talked in it.


When Julie entered the room next time Mary was sifting through the pages of the newspaper, she was not a serious reader, just kept herself updated with the world around her.

“The breakfast and lunch menu madam…”, Julie politely asked after removing the trays from the bed side table and wiping it clean.

“Make the regular breakfast and lunch but there will be a special guest for the dinner, I will tell you the menu later.”, Mary said. “Make my appointment in the beauty parlour and tell me the exact time.” She added.

Julie left after opening the windows. Rose got up after a little while and went to the balcony and sat down with the papers on her lap. The balcony overlooked on a vast green space, full of trees and covered with luscious, well maintained lawns, given the look of a wavy green field artificially. Usually Mary ignored these things but today she was feeling really happy.

For the first time she noticed how beautiful the view was from her balcony, blue sky with scattered clouds, green grass covered land, bushes here and there, well maintained trees, some filled up with flowers. She could remember the name of some of them.

She listened to the call of the birds, felt the breeze and the fragrance that it brought, the fragrance of trees, flowers and early morning moisture.

Small children were playing in the ground happily, she hated their shouts and screams but their shouts were hardly reaching her ear, at her ninth floor balcony, so she watched their playing for a little while and left for the toilet.

When Julie came to make her bed she heard madam singing inside the toilet. She shook her head and went out.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mary had a busy day at the beauty parlour. She left Julie with the menu for the evening. Julie could see that the spider was spinning her web..

In the ten years which she has spent with her she has known her mistress too well. So she prepared the dinner as per the menu and made arrangements for her dinner in her room .. she usually had her dinner in the drawing room as Rose almost always had her dinner in the club.

But she had strictest orders to stay out of sight when the spider was busy in entrapment of her latest prey.

When Mr. Ghosh aka Moloy’s car pulled in the parking space he looked at the surroundings with admiration. No doubt his lady friend lived in one of the very best apartment houses.

The uniformed guard politely took his details, called up Rose to confirm, and told him the direction. He smiled and left for the lift. The liftman took him to her flat. He has already been directed to do so.

Rose was waiting outside her door. “Good evening.” She said with a beautiful smile.

He handed her the bouquet and chocolates he has brought for her.

He spent a few minutes simply adoring the way she has decorated the spacious flat. Every inch spoke the story of her fabulous taste. He showered her with compliments. She blushed like a teenager.

Julie could hear their melodious laughters from her room, she screwed up her face. Knowing that the prey has landed in the web.

Moloy left late at night.. it was only after reaching his flat he remembered he has left his briefcase at her home.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rosemary woke up in the morning, hours before her regular hour. She got up, unlocked the door of her bedroom and sat down on the swing in balcony.

It was early dawn, she took a deep breath and started to look around.

Dark rain clouds were hovering in the horizon, not a very welcome sign in January because it promised of damp, chilly weather. But it did not moved her. She could see the trees and luscious bushes below. Green and inviting.

Suddenly on an impulse she got up and got out of her bedroom, Julie was still sleeping, she went out of the flat went down and started to stroll in the garden.

Dew drops on green grasses and leaves were a thing she has stopped to notice ever since her return from her boarding school.

She ruefully thought that if she and Moloy were of same age ..last night she has seen the look full of admiration in his eyes.

It was true that she has seen it in many eyes before, desire far deeper than his. She has had her time but this time the thing was a little different to her.. she was getting attracted to him..

She knew very well that he will never want her for long. So she was both sad and happy. Happy to win his attraction even for the time being, sad because she knew that it wont last. For the first time in her life she was keen to make it last.

The chime of the doorbell woke Julie up. She collected the newspaper and milk, next she prepared the bed tea and left for her mistress’s bedroom. She was surprised to see the bed empty, toilet unlocked. She went to the balcony and to her utter surprise she saw her strolling in the garden below.Touching the flowers and leaves like a dreamy teenager. From ninth floor balcony she missed the sadness of her eyes and the dreamy, soft smile on her lips.

She returned to the bedroom, cleaned it up and went to kitchen.

She was still in the kitchen when she heard Rose entering the flat. Rose called out to her before sitting down in her living room.

“Julie, I wont take lunch, I will not be at home all day.” She said while Julie was placing her tea on the small table before her.

Morning sun was spreading its warmth through the almost transparent, white curtains of this room, the room had large windows and was situated in the eastern end of the flat.

A huge lake was sprawled in the distance, bordered by trees and bushes, this portion of the property was not meticulously maintained – deliberately, to give it a complete natural look without letting it go wild. So it was groomed but not too much.

The light of the sun was playing on the lake. The trees were swaying softly in the breeze that clouds have brought with them.

“Remove the curtains will you?”, Rose asked. “Place my tea on the table beside the window.”

This room was Mary’s dream room, she has decorated it inch by inch, it had a huge collection of books, CDs a music system, and the equipments of painting.

A room attached to it had her personal theatre, a room where only selected friends were invited. It was a home theatre of the best quality, which she could afford.

She was addicted to music and movies. Once upon a time she used to read a lot and paint but those habits have taken the back seat now..

“I will call you up in the evening and tell you the dinner menu. If someone calls for me, get the number and tell him that I will call him back later.” She added.

Julie left the room softly closing the door behind her.

Rose left within an hour. Julie was tidying up the flat when the door bell rang.

She went to answer it, the guard was standing on the door.

“Julie, this gentleman has left some thing… no one is picking up your phone or Rose madam’s phone, so I thought it will be better if I too come along and see if all is ok.”, the guy said with the widest grin possible. He rarely missed a chance to visit this flat.

Julie looked at his companion, she stared for a few minutes, she has seen her share of good looking men but this guy was some thing else. he had a pure, innocent face, chiselled features and body.

He in turn was staring at her with open admiration, a look she was too familiar with and sometimes it bored her, but this time she could feel a strange flutter inside her heart. Her eyes dropped down instantly.

“I am Moloy, I was here last night, I think I have left my briefcase.” The guy said.

His sonorous voice completed the spell, she blushed without any reason. “Do come in and see if you can identify it.”

He entered the flat and instantly located his briefcase.

“Will you like to have a cup of tea sir?”, her heart did not wanted him to walk away so soon.

“If it is not too much trouble.” He replied and sat down on the sofa.

The guard left after taking her permission. Julie prepared the tea and served it to him. He smiled at her, his eyes never left her face.

She is as beautiful as a pink rose, he thought inside, what a divine beauty and sweet behaviour.

The doorbell rang again, Julie walked toward it cursing the guard in her heart, she looked through the keyhole and saw Rose standing outside.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

She muttered a silent prayer before she opened the door.

“I forgot my credit card!” she said. “Hi Moloy!!!! What a pleasant surprise!” she added, the surprise was not very pleasant, only Julie could feel it.

Moloy was a little surprised by blanching of her face. She quickly collected the tray and went to the kitchen

Moloy stood up and smiled, “I left my briefcase here last night, it had my flying documents so I had to pick it up before leaving today…” he smiled. “It seems age is catching up on us.. you forgot your credit card and I forgot my briefcase, or may be we were destined to meet again.”, he laughed.

“I will be leaving now dear lady, will be out of the country for a while..”, he said standing up and stretching his hand toward her.

She clasped it casually and smiled.

Julie heard Moloy and Rose leaving the flat from the kitchen.

She called up one of her friends and asked her if she can refer her to some one. Her friend consented but was surprised because she has asked her again and again in past and she has refused. Telling she was comfortable here.

Moloy returned after a month. He came to the club and to his surprise he saw that Rose was not there. He went to her flat.

He rang the bell, the door was answered by a middle aged woman. “Is Rose madam home?”, he asked.

The woman nodded her consent and requested him to come inside and take a seat. Soon Rose appeared, a little tired and sleepy.

“Are you alright?” he stood up a little worried. “I have been to the club, you were not there, so I thought I should rather check on you.”

“I was a little feverish.”, she sat down on the sofa. “Sonam, bring some soda and snacks.”

“What happened to your earlier maid?” he asked sounding as much casual as possible.

“She left. Just after your visit.”, she answered equally casually.

Moloy got the answer he came looking for. He left after a little while, and after that their paths rarely crossed.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A few years have passed since then. Rose was sitting in her club seat, she was there to attend the marriage of a friend’s daughter when she saw a small child roaming around.

The girl was as beautiful as a china doll, wearing a pretty dress.

She smiled and called her, the girl shyly smiled and ran to her mother, who was a gorgeous creature. Suddenly the earth shook a little when Rose saw Moloy coming toward them with a smile, the girl ran to him and clung to his knees, “Papa I want icecream, please!!!!”

Moloy bowed and picked her up and held her against his heart, “Whatever my princess wishes!!!” his eyes were brimming with deep affection.

His wife screwed up her face at them lovingly.

Rose got up and walked toward them, “hi Moloy!!!! Its been ages since we last met.”

“Wont you introduce me to the gorgeous lady!” she asked with a smile when she noted the slight discomfort on his face.

“Oh come on!!!! My dear lady, how can I have the audacity? Meet my second soul Tripti and my darling Trina.” He laughed out after brushing away the slight hesitation.

He observed with growing discomfort the instant rapport which Rosemary created with Tripti. She was suave and charming and Tripti was a simple hearted woman. Theirs was an arranged marriage fixed by his parents.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

“When are we visiting Rosemary?”, Tripti asked while they were sitting in the bedroom at night. “She told me that she has some of your pictures in her album, some really interesting pictures, taken when you visited her home a couple of years back.”

Moloy did not answered, just looked at her. Praying heart and soul that she bluffed.

“She is a wonderful lady, so rich but so polite.”, Tripti added childishly. “She likes you a lot. I will really love it if you take me to her home when you come back, I will ask her to give me the copies of those photographs..” she doted after her handsome husband.

“We will see sweetheart. Let me come back first.” He smiled and hugged her with deep love.


Rose was sitting in her living room next morning when sonam came, “Madam, guard called up to ask if he will allow some Mr. Moloy Ghosh upstairs.”

Rose consented. “Make arrangements for special tea with snacks.”

Rose sent Sonam for shopping before inviting Moloy in. Rosemary knew very well if she did not sent her out she will lurk somewhere trying her level best to eavesdrop.


“What is this story of photographs which you told Tripti? I don’t recollect any pictures being taken when I visited your flat.” Moloy asked after exchange of casual formalities.


“Oh, I have surveillance camera installed in every room of the flat.” She said, sounding ominously calm. “I live alone, in case someone murders me, the cops will get the proof.”

“I have taken special care that they are hidden from eyes, even experts fail to locate them. Only my sister knows their exact position, so she will simply show them to the cops in case its needed” she said in a casual way.

He has already seen that her rooms were bare of all the luxury and extravaganza which was there when he visited last time.

He understood, she has gone bankrupt and have taken up to blackmailing.

“No, no! its not what you think!” she said, as if she could read his mind. “How can I blackmail you?”

“I just want a small favour, I want to get married, there is a small thorn in that path.” She said, “I wasted years to win the heart of a guy, who is this time my age and well to do enough to take care of our needs.” She added.

“Now that silly guy is in love with a woman of your age.. and she too worships him.” She added sadly. “I have tried to lure her away for years pretending as a man.”

“She just wont let that old guy go and go for a guy as handsome as you.” She chuckled. “sorry, I used your photographs without your permission to woo her.”

“Now if you will do me a favour, I will love you to meet her and I will love to see if she has the power of resisting your charms.” She said.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Give me a few days to think.” He said coldly.

“drink the tea, its getting cold.” She said, “I am in a little hurry, age and time are working against me.”

“I am leaving India today, will be back in a fortnight, you will get my answer on my return, will that be alright?” He asked coldly.

“Ok, I will have to accept it. I don’t have much choice, do I?” she said sounding disappointed.

“I will be leaving now.” He stood up.

“The tea? I had it made specially for you.” She called out to his back. He was already walking toward the door.

She followed him with a grim look on her face. “I hope I wont have to ask Tripti if you are back to India..”

“Please leave her out of your friend circle. She is not your type.” He said trying hard to control his rage and walked out of the door without looking back even once.

He was about to enter his car when he saw a strange thing, there was a tree just beside the drive way. There was a huge spider web in that. A glorious butterfly was caught in that web, fluttering helplessly. An ominous looking spider was smoothly moving toward it.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

He quickly reached the butterfly before the spider could and softly picked it up from the web. He removed the webs from its gorgeous wings and placed it on a flower far away from the web.

He was searching for a stick or something to remove the web when he heard a musical laughter right behind him.

He turned around, it was a small child, about Trina’s age. She straight went to the web and removed it by her hands.

“Naughty spider. I have to clean it up every day. You know uncle I saved a firefly from her last night?” she looked up at him with a pair of innocent eyes.

“Wash your hands sweetheart. With soap, ok?”, he said softly ruffling her curly hairs.

He entered his car and drove away.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tripti entered their flat with Trina after a few hours from then. She saw a huge bunch of roses on the drawing room table, a teddy bear and an envelope.

A soft smile illuminated her face, Trina picked up the teddy bear and hugged it. “Is it mine ma? Who gave it?”

Tripti laughed, “Who else but your dad.. you little fairy. Now go and change your dress darling.”

She could hardly wait to read the long letter which Moloy has written her, but she knew the little one was starving after all the running around in school. She arranged something for them to eat. There was still hours to go before lunch.

An hour or so later she was sitting on the balcony with the letter in her hand and Trina playing with her toys.

The letter was long, it told her every thing which Moloy has done before he married her…. It vowed that every thing has changed after marriage. He apologised that he should have said all this to her before marriage. Finally it said that her decision is the final decision.

She read it again and again. But could not feel any anger for Moloy. Deep in her heart she knew her husband is loyal to her, he dotes on both of them and she is lucky to have him in her life. She decided to trust her soul.

When Moloy reached his hotel after a few hours a huge bunch of white, yellow, pink and red roses was waiting for him with a fabulous card which said “I Love You.”

A few months later Moloy and Tripti were sitting side by side in the balcony.

Tripti handed him over an invitation card, “It came today. As we are not going I did not gave it to you earlier, but I think you may like to see it.”

The card said : YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO THE MARRIAGE RECEPTION OF ROSEMARY ROY AND DIPTIMOY BHATTACHARYYA.

They looked at each other. “Mr. Bhattacharyya is one of the most prominent businessment in Siliguri. He used to visit our club every time he came down to Kolkata. Seems Rosemary had other cards in her hand.” Moloy said grimly.

Tripti held his hand tightly. Moloy thanked Julie for giving him the hint about the dark nature of the gorgeous woman he was about to fall for.