Translated Fiction: Freedom (Final Part)
My rifle roared. Deuta hated shooting for the heck of it. That day I defied his teaching and killed the hunting eagle for my own amusement. I jumped up, clapping my hands in glee. My whole body shook with excitement. I shouted in delight as I hit the target. The bird fell on the ground with a thud.
Translated Fiction: Freedom (Part II)
One Christmas day, someone brought two socks filled with gifts from Philip koka’s house. I found them by my pillow. In the morning, I saw Ma crying. I saw Deuta busy but sad too. In the afternoon, a person lifted Philip koka from the bed and put him in a long wooden box and then pulled down the lid. From my mother’s lap, I looked on, astonished at the scene.
Translated Fiction: Freedom (Part I)
The day I ran after the Keteki, Deuta was not at home. But when I approached the big peepal tree I saw a rather dull-looking bird. Ah! Was it my elusive Keteki? I ran very fast but the bird flew away by the time I reached the spot.
Translated Fiction: Art
Their father could not afford to give a facelift to the house. Moreover, he could not muster enough enthusiasm to even attempt it. He must have concluded that spending on the repairs was a waste of good money. In his time he could buy a ‘mound’ of rice with that money. Life’s experience had taught him that in this world the most important thing was rice. Life could go on without other paraphernalia, but rice?
Translated Fiction: The Medal
Rameswar felt as if Dutta had slapped him. He was not ready for this betrayal. He felt his uniform ready to slip away from his body; the artificial leg seemed heavier too. Dutta could not bear his dumb-founded look for long. He slunk away.
Translated Fiction: Doiboki (Final Episode)
There was a huge lock hanging from the iron- filigreed door. Through the intricate wall she could see the raised platform for the Lord’s seat. A beautifully woven gamosa with flowers covered it .
Translated Fiction: Doiboki (Part II)
In that sudden light she saw a yellow and black striped Bakraj snake slowly crossing the path. Suddenly, three army trucks broke through the darkness. Doiboki stood aside, hiding. She saw from her position that the truck in the middle of the convoy ran over the snake, smashing it to pieces. Thunderclaps resounded through the air; the lightning was getting more frequent. As she looked at the carcass of the snake in the light of the streaking lightning, somehow even she, who was never known to have fear for anything, shook with apprehension
Translated Fiction: Doiboki (Part I)
The darkness around the bazaar was thickening. Doiboki felt as if something heavy was sitting on her chest. Had she consented to leave the basket of fish with the vendor, by now she would have had dinner and be in bed.