Sharma Mansion, Ballygaunge

"It's Dr. Bannerjee's webinar and you are telling me now?" Sushant sprung to his feet and cried out in pain suddenly. The next moment he fell back to the sofa, clutching his right foot.

"What happened?" Rahul leaned forward.

"Got cut. Must be some scattered glass pieces." Sushant's facial muscles tightened in a pinched expression.

"How deep? Let me see!" Nishant hurried to his brother. But Sushant denied. "You go turn on the laptop first! I can't miss Banerjee Sir's book launch!"

Nodding, Nishant opened the laptop on the table and brought medicine for Sushant. While applying the same on his wounds, Sushant fixed his eyes on the screen, along with the other two.

***

Book launch webinar of Dr. Amitabha Banerjee, Bangalore

"Good evening to all of our viewers!" The host gave a warm welcoming smile to her audience.

"Today we are fortunate to have the honourable award-winning author Dr. Amitabha Banerjee with us! A personality like him doesn't even need an introduction. You all know that he is not just a researcher on The Mahabharat, but also one of the most celebrated bestselling authors of India who has already bagged five literary awards for his previous books."

Camera focused on a forty-five years old Amitabha's smiling face. Sushant felt as if his pain had reduced. He could not say how, but this celebrity author seemed to have a cosmic connection with him.

"We're happy to host the official launch of the most awaited sequel of his new series 'The Jaya Chronicles'." The host continued, "On this occasion we would like to ask Dr. Banerjee about this series and the new book."

"Good evening all!" Amitabha joined his hands to the camera. A formal smile played on his wrinkled face.

"My current series, "The Jaya Chronicles", is basically a way to retell the epic story from the modern point of view. Since ages we have been brainwashed to see the epic as a religious piece, thus covering everything under divinity. But I think we now need to think in a more liberal and scientific way. I hope my readers will appreciate this rational perspective."

"That's indeed a great initiative, Sir!" The host commented with a nod, "I'm sure our viewers want to know more about this perspective. So if you could tell us a little more!"

"Sure. So basically if you look at Mahabharat with a human perspective, you'll find that there's nothing perfect in the story. All characters are grey, all relationships are bitter at some point. And most importantly, it's a political story describing power game between two groups. In my series I try to show the authentic Mahabharat only, but just from such a perspective."

"Wonderful!" The host exclaimed with a wide smile, "Thank you for sharing this with us, Sir! Your fans would also like to know how did you get this idea to make Duryodhan your protagonist?"

"I always felt that Suyodhan... Well let me call him that because that's his real name, so I felt that he is the most misunderstood and underrated hero of the epic. We have been just taught to see him as a negative character. But no one is born as a villain. There is a huge story behind what made him so!"

"So I guess that's the story of your new book, 'Suyodhan : The Unsung Hero'?"

"Precisely." Amitabha nodded, "This is the answer of how Suyodhan actually was, and who all made him a villain in their story."

"Thanks for telling us, Sir. I remember you said this in previous book's launch also that Suyodhan's positive sides are very much overlooked. So can you tell us more about his positives?"

"That's a question really close to my heart." Amitabha smiled. "You will find a complete human in Suyodhan. He was a good son, good brother, good husband who followed monogamy that was so rare in that era. Above all, he was a great ruler who did his best to prevent outsiders to overpower his motherland."

He looked at the camera and added, "Well, this is just a few. No more revealing here. Rest, my readers will find out."

"Thank you so much Sir! So no more suspense for your fans. We're proceeding to the launch program..."

***

Sharma Mansion, Ballygaunge

"Yay!" Sushant jumped out of the sofa.

"Watch out, Sush!" Rahul warned, "Your foot..."

"Arre leave it. My all pain has vanished. Finally, a book on my favourite character! And that too from the bestselling author Dr. Banerjee!"

"No doubt it's a great initiative to glorify Duryodhan." Rahul remarked. "And nothing to say about Dr. Bannerjee's extraordinary writing skill. I still remember his debut novel, 'Unseen pain of Karna' that left me in goosebumps."

"I need to grab his signed copy first! Nish, bring my phone!" Sushant was excited.

***

Indralok Apartment, Salt Lake

"Priya!"

Priyanshu kept his eyes closed for a while just to cherish that loving call of his eldest brother. That voice of Kinshuk was something for which he could even give up his life. A perfect mix of affection, delight and concern, - that always made him feel special. Even from a distance as huge as this.

"How was today's paper?" Kinshuk's question brought him back to the reality.

"Excellent! All was common!" Priyanshu grinned, "Thank you so much for the last minutes suggestion Dadabhai!"

"Don't say last minutes. That was the only suggestion you actually followed." Devanshu rolled his eyes. Laughing, Priyanshu moved his phone to bring his twin's face on the screen.

"Really Dadabhai! Priya doesn't even touch his books unless you send him questions." Devanshu complained, looking at their eldest.

"Achcha ok, you don't have to act as Dadabhai's spy all the time! Gharshatru Vibhishan!" Priyanshu glared hard at Devanshu.

"Leave it, Dev! He won't listen to any of us in this regard. Only..." Kinshuk's lips curved into a smile that's very rare on his face, "only one person can make him study and that's Akansha!"

Priyanshu bit his tongue and was about to turn away from the camera. Devanshu grabbed him quickly and made him face the screen again, while the other three brothers laughed out, with the youngest Devanshu joining in. Embarrassed, Priyanshu glared again at his laughing twin.

"See Dadabhai, your little boy is getting shy now on someone's name!" Anshuman commented, winking.

"Chorda!" Priyanshu pouted, "This is not fair!"

"What's not fair? You mean to say Dadabhai is not right?" Anshuman crossed his arms in mock anger. "Don't forget that Akansha has a major role behind your class 12's decent result."

"Seriously!" Himanshu supported, "At a time we have been certain that you won't pass in maths. It's Akansha alone who pushed you for studying with her and solving problems."

"Aha, did I deny that, Mejda?" Priyanshu still looked embarrassed, "But you all will love her more than me, this I can't tolerate!" His voice had a strong protest. "This is hight of injustice to me."

Another round of laughter followed. "Now you're getting jealous too, Priya?" Himanshu shook his head fondly at his little brother. "Have you talked to her after going there?"

"Don't even ask, Mejda." Devanshu sighed, "Priya keeps talking to her all the time, leaving everything else."

"Not at all!" Priyanshu protested, "Akansha never lets me ignore my studies. She doesn't even pick up my call if I do."

Kinshuk chuckled. "I know that, Priya. That's why she is the perfect guardian you need. I just hope these years pass sooner so that we can bring her to your life permanently."

"There's much time for that, Dadabhai. " Priyanshu leaned back on his chair. "First you do your own part and find our Boudi." His bright eyes sparkled in mischief. "Otherwise nothing is possible."

"Wait you come home once!" Kinshuk grimaced, "Your ears have been spared since months!"

"OMG what did I do?" Priyanshu shrugged, and the next moment slapped on Devanshu's back who was trying to suppress a laughter.

"Nothing. One paper is still left. Go study!"

Priyanshu sighed. How could Dadabhai remember his time table so flawlessly, that was beyond his understanding. Earlier he had even tried to fake exam dates but got caught every time. 

"That's an additional paper Dadabhai. No one studies that!" Priyanshu tried to make an innocent face.

"You will! No supplementary is allowed in your home! Go!"

An unwilling Priyanshu rose and sat with his Mass Communication book's volume one, making a dejected face.

"I'm also going Dadabhai." Devanshu said, "Tomorrow is my last exam. Need to do some final revision."

"Arre Dadabhai is not at all worried for you Dev." Anshuman remarked, "You are like me after all!"

"So what do you mean? Priya is like me?" Himanshu narrowed his eyes.

"Well, I don't want to say that." Anshuman shrugged, "You yourself think how you ignore your exam preparation just like Priya does!"

"Peace!" Kinshuk intervened. "Let them come home first after exams. You will have plenty of time to continue this."

Devanshu laughed and waved at them. "Okay Dadabhai I'm cutting the call now." Good night."

"All the best for tomorrow Dev!" The three elder brothers smiled.
________________________________________

Glossary of Bengali terms:

Gharshatru Vibhishan: A famous Bengali idiom which means, Vibhishana, the enemy of his own house. It's commonly used to refer someone who is against one's own family/loved ones.

Chorda: The brother who is the youngest among all elder brothers.

Mejda: Middle brother.

Boudi: Elder sister-in-law/Bhabhi

So how was the entry of new characters? Especially Dr. Amitabha Banerjee?

What do you think will happen next?

Please vote and comment if you like 🙏