Story Characters:
Sarmistha Jana (Artist)
Manoj Banerjee (Auto driver)
Like any other ordinary day, today began in the same way. From early morning, everyone in the house was busy with their own work. Sarmistha was hurrying to leave for college. She is a teacher at the 'Kolkata Art College'. Her skill in painting is exceptionally good.
She has loved drawing since childhood. In this regard, Abanindranath Tagore has been her special inspiration. His painting "Bharat Mata" is her favorite. She got this job at the age of 25, and now she is 35 years old.
•Now Sarmistha sits down to eat before leaving for college. Her father cooks the food, because her mother passed away at the time of her birth. Since then, her father has been everything to her. From raising her in his arms to taking care of all responsibilities, he has done everything. He used to work in a private company and is now retired.
After eating quickly, Sarmistha leaves home and looks at her wristwatch, murmuring to herself, "Oh! I'm very late today."
College starts at 11:00 AM, and now it is already 10:00 AM.
Though it does not take much time to reach Howrah Bus Stand from their home near Sandhya Bazaar, and from there she can take a bus that stops right in front of the college.
So, as usual, she takes a bus and reaches Howrah Bus Stand. But upon reaching there, she faces another problem. The sky was cloudy that day, and just as she got off the bus, it started drizzling. Many buses to the college had already left. Not knowing what to do, she bought a cup of tea from a nearby tea stall and, sipping it thoughtfully, began walking along the roadside near Howrah Bridge. She does not actually mind walking this road during rain; she has done it once or twice before.
She thinks 'what she do Now '?
Suddenly, an auto-rickshaw comes from behind and hits her. The cup of tea falls from her hand. However, since the driver applied the brakes in time, she did not suffer any major injury. Still, she received a minor injury on her leg, and her hand got scraped when she fell. She shouted, "Can't you drive properly?"
A tall and well-built man gets out of the auto. He is fair and neatly built,There is a serious look on his face.
Sarmistha also notices a female passenger sitting inside the auto. The driver comes toward her and asks, "Are you badly hurt?" At first, Sarmistha is surprised, but then she composes herself. The female passenger also gets out and becomes concerned. By then, a crowd has gathered on the road, and everyone starts blaming the auto driver. The driver apologizes and takes Sarmistha to a nearby hospital, asking the female passenger to leave by bus.
On the way to the hospital, the driver keeps talking, but Sarmistha does not pay much attention. She is only thinking that she will not be able to go to college today.
At the hospital, the doctor begins her treatment and asks the driver how the incident happened.
He explains everything and introduces himself. His name is Manoj Banerjee. He drives an auto in Kolkata to earn his living. They continue talking for some time. Listening to Manoj, Sarmistha feels quite impressed. She thinks he seems educated—his manner of speaking and his clear English pronunciation are truly surprising. She wonders how an ordinary auto driver can speak such clear English.
After that, they leave the hospital around 11:30 AM. And when she sit in the auto she can't stop thinking about Manoj.She feel so curious...
To be continued…