A BALLAD OF REMITTENT FEVER by Ashoke Mukhopadhyay

Author:Ashoke Mukhopadhyay
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Rupa & Co
Published: 2020-05-19T18:30:00+00:00

Kanchanamrito Botika: For all manners of fever.

Ananga Binod Ghrito: For anaemia, fatigue, and headaches.

Sanjiboni Shalsha: For syphilis, eczema, scabies.

Ishaneshshor Botika: For liver disease, constipation, urinary difficulties.

It was a very long list, which I did not have the patience to read till the end. ‘What is this laundry list for?’ I asked.

Madhu had not been aware of my presence in the room; she was startled when I spoke. Then she said, smiling, ‘Medicines that must be available at the charitable dispensary of the Kolkata Ayurbed Shawbha.’

‘In that case, a list must also be drawn up of the books that must be available in their libraries.’ I interrupted her.

‘You know that too?’ Madhu was surprised.

‘Yes, ever since my return to Calcutta I have been hearing…my Madhu kabiraj has made a name for herself…her teacher Bijoyratna Sen has been entrusted with the responsibility of drawing up the syllabus for the study of Ayurveda as decided thirteen years ago by the National Education Council as part of its Swadeshi programme… this I have long known. But now upon my return, I learn that the Kolkata Ayurbed Shawbha president Bijoyratna has with the help of my Madhu kabiraj created quite a furore.’

Madhu gripped my hand to stop me before I could continue further. I could see she was embarrassed, this beautiful woman in front of me. Her expression was bashful.

To change the subject I said, ‘I am told a great deal of spurious Ayurvedic medicines are being sold.’

‘Yes…you are right…but it began with allopathic medicine.’

‘Hmm. Cinchonidine with quinine, powdered camphor with iodoform, potash bromide with potash iodide…’

‘It is worse now…and doctors are also taking higher commissions from chemists…’ Madhu paused for breath but continued before I could speak. ‘You know, Bhoba, sometimes I feel this desire for extra income is our national disease. Some traders had begun adulterating ghee. One or two were punished but who is going to punish the doctors? And then in the case of ghee, a group of Bengalis had taken the initiative to catch the perpetrators in the act but no one cares to stop the adulteration of medicines because they are cheaper, and that is all that the buyer wants…there is no concern….’

It was an engrossing conversation, but suddenly I noticed that Madhu’s attire was a trifle dishevelled. She continued to talk, but my mind was no longer paying attention to what she was saying. I was completely consumed with desire for her…her glowing face, her swelling breasts… I noticed a trickle of sweat running down her cleavage. I could contain myself no longer. Jumping to my feet, I bent over and kissed her. My long-famished, arid lips claimed hers, and she responded too, with lips that, I realized, were moist.

But the enigma that she was, Madhu stopped me as I was about to kiss her a second time. Hurt, love, joy, pain, sunlight, clouds—all these expressions came and went on her face. Then she rushed out of the library, leaving me alone.

I remember spending all my pent-up desire that night on Labanya.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.