The Tale of Smita and Swapan. My parents.

 The tale of Smita and Swapan. My parents.

A common love story which blossomed in the streets of Calcutta in early 70's with a unique and uncommon ending. All because...someone didnt want her Love and Faith to fail. It took undaunted courage and unwavering commitment to fulfill this Love.

Happy Anniversary to the eternal love birds. They have been celebrating "Togethernes" in Heaven for more than a decade now. A marriage hardly matures in eight years. It's too short a period. But me and my lil brother happened and that kept my mother going.

Their love bloomed during the tumultous Naxal Movement. A firebrand, charismatic, impulsive and very handsome young man found solace in a sensitive, dutiful, profound and passionate girl.

The 70's was the era of frugality. Turbulence brew which was followed by a tectonic shift in politics in Bengal. People were caught in quandary. It touched the young lovers too.

Swapan and Smita met quite often at the Coffee House in College Street. Paying for two cups of coffee was way too much so they shared a cup. Those hours were magical. The commotion of the Coffee House ebbed away as they remained engrossed in each other. She was the answer to his inner chaos and confusion.

Their relationship was wrought with impediments and complexity. All the drama around them eclipsed their love or so it seemed. Many a times they decided to trod different ways. But their paths crossed mysteriously and life converged at a point. They surmounted all hindrances and tied the nuptial knot on 17th April 1974.

But the Almighty has a puckish sense of humor and therefore a raging storm destroyed the newly settled nest...

With a six year old girl and a six month old boy, the young woman shouldered the responsibility of her in laws too who lost their only son. She juggled all the duties with equal elan and grace. Behind her quiet demeanor and composure lied grit and determination. After all, she had a promise to keep. She could not let her Love and Faith to fail.

Well some love stories have a different ending and this is one of them.