On the auspicious day of Mahalaya, every face has a joyful smile as they believe that Maa Durga will take away all the pain & sorrow from their lives, by showering them with happiness and success. One week from now on, the Durga puja will be started but the preparation for the most prominent festival has been started from months. All the pandals have their own elegances and every Durga Murti have their uniqueness.

The Sengupta family has also started the preparation for the puja as it is a tradition in the family to arrange Durga puja in the Sengupta mansion every year. So there is a lot of hustle and bustle going around the mansion. The whole mansion is decorated with fine arts and crafts for the puja. Everyone is busy with their assigned works.

However, every little work needs to be verified by Thakur Maa Nayantara Sengupta herself, who is the head of the Sengupta family as her husband is no more. She is a strong believer in God so she doesn't tolerate any negligence in this type of chore. She doesn't spare anyone who does wrong with their responsibility. But she initially targets one person every time someone does any mistake, as she believes that for one particular person, every bad thing can happen.

Nayantara Devi has never taken a liking towards her eldest granddaughter Anupama. The word 'hate' can't be compared to the feelings she has for Anupama. In fact, she loathes the poor girl so much that she never wants to see Anupama's face first thing in the morning, because she believes that whoever sees her after waking up, will surely have a bad day. So every person except some people who live in the Sengupta mansion tries not to see Anupama's face first in the morning.

Today is not any exception. She has locked the poor girl in her room just because she doesn't want anyone to have any bad luck today. No one can deny her as Anupama's father Indrajit Sengupta has the same belief as her grandmother. Only her Kakai Mihir Sengupta and Mamoni Mausumi Sengupta acknowledge her importance in the Sengupta mansion. But they can't do anything as her Mamoni doesn't share a very decent relationship with her grandmother. Yet they both try to help the miserable girl as much as they can.

There is also another person who adores Anupama the most in the house after her uncle and aunt, he is none other than her cousin Subhodeep Ganguly but he is currently in Los Angeles to finish some projects. Anupama is like a ray of sunshine in his gloomy life so whenever he is home, no one dared to hurt her because they will have to face hell. After all, he is super protective of his little sister.

Though he tries to save her from every harm but his mother always sends him away for business purposes because she believes that Anupama doesn't deserve any sympathy as she is the reason why Indrajit's wife is no more.

Subhodeep's mother Kamini Ganguly is Nayantara Devi's only daughter and Indrajit Sengupta's beloved sister so she has the right to this mansion as much as others have. She also lives here with her paralyzed husband and two children, Subhodeep and Riya.

Whereas Subhodeep is very good and kind, Riya is the total opposite of him. She is mean, selfish, moody but most importantly she is very dangerous because if she wants something then she will have it at any cost. However, she is only interested in everything that should be Anupama's. She is the one for whom Anupama always gets in trouble for the things she never does. Riya is the apple of the eyes of Nayantara Devi and Indrajit Sengupta. For them, Riya is the ideal daughter who is shy, kind, responsible, and respectful towards others. No one knows her reality other than her mommy dearest who helped Riya to become the princess of the Sengupta family.

When everyone has smiles on their face, Anupama has endless tears in her eyes. She has accepted it as her fate that she can't have everyone's love in her family. She always hides her pain behind her bright smile and shy personality. She is the epitome of forgiveness, she has never been rude to anyone. She is not only beautiful outside but also she is a beauty inside. People say that her heart is made of Gold because of how caring she is towards others. She is a complete replica of her late mother Durga Sengupta and maybe that's why her father hates her so much. She has been craving for her father's love for ages but her father never recognizes her presence a little bit. In his eyes, she is the murderer of his late wife. He believes that if she was not born then maybe his wife would not be dead.

************

"Are you sure that you are not doing anything wrong by locking her in the room?" Mihir, Anupama's uncle asks Nayantara Devi.

"I know too well what you are trying to tell me Mihir but let me tell you one thing, I will not unlock her room at any cost. Today is such an important day for our family and you want me to spoil everything just for that disgrace. No, never." Nayantara Devi replies in a farm tone.

"But maa she never did anything to face such cruelty from her own family. You, Borda, Kamini always badmouth her but she never for once said anything rude in return. I know you all think that she is the reason why boro boudi is not with us anymore but how can she be the reason when she was just a few seconds old infant when her mother died? Whatever you are doing is not the right maa." Mihir says helplessly.

"Stop it Mihir. I am not going to back out of my decision for anything and out of all people you are telling me what to do? Don't forget what you have done. You have married a woman who is not from our caste and she is a barren woman who can't even bear a child for you. If it's not for Kamini I would have never accepted your wife as my daughter-in-law. So it would be better if you don't try to tell me what is right and wrong." Nayantara Devi answers with a sneer and went out of there.

Mihir Sengupta stands there helplessly because he knows he can never win against his mother's delusional thinking. His mother has never accepted his wife just because she is not able to give birth to a child and his sister never forgets to mention this in front of their mother just to provoke her. However, he is more worried about his niece Anupama who is like the daughter he never had. His wife Mausumi is the one who has raised Anupama since she was born so they are both like parents to Anupama.

Mihir reaches Anupama's room and knocks on the door.

"Doll are you awake?" Mihir asks.

"Yes, I am awake Kakai." Come a sweet voice from the room.

"I will not ask if you are okay or not because I know you will not tell me the truth. But you know right that your Kakai and Mamoni is always there for you? I have tried to tell Mother to unlock this door but you know how she is, she never listens to me." Mihir says while a tear drops from his eyes showing how weak he is feeling.

"Don't be sad Kakai, I am perfectly alright. I know whatever Thakurmaa doing is for the well-being of this family. A disgrace like me should not be seen on such a holy day of Mahalaya." Anupama replies in a soothing manner trying to ease her uncle's mind. However, her uncle is not a bit happy with the way Anupama talking so low about herself. Before he can reply a maid comes towards him and inform him that Nayantara Devi has ordered her to open Anupama's room and get her ready because some neighboring females have come to meet Anupama.

Mihir feels relief wash over him after hearing the maid's words. He knows his mother will never show her anger or hate towards Anupama in front of an outsider. He smiles at the maid and tells her to get Anupama ready as a princess and move out of there after bidding goodbye to Anupama. When the maid opens the door of the room she sees that Anupama is sitting near the window like she always does whenever she feels lonely. The maids of this house adore Anupama because of her caring nature.

"Anu didi, Thakurmaa told me to bring you with me to the living room." The maid name Soma informs Anupama. Anupama looks at Soma with a small smile and nods her head. She goes towards her almirah and pulls out a simple yet gorgeous Anarkali salwar suit to wear. It is a white cotton embroidered Anarkali gown with red silk dupatta. For jewelry, she pairs it with tiered gold earrings accented with the vibrance of a pink stone.

She has never been a fan of makeup so she only put Kajal on her doe-like eyes and a small bindi on her forehead. Satisfied with the way she is looking she goes out of her room with the maid. Her steps are cautious because she doesn't have any idea why her Grandmother suddenly asks for her presence. She always feels anxious to be in the same room as her grandmother. She can't help but smile politely when she sees all the ladies sitting in the living room. All of their face lit up seeing Anupama's smiling face. They are always looking forward to meet the elder daughter of Sengupta's because by being in her presence they feel like they are blessed with calmness.

"Namashkar Kakimaa." Anupama greets the ladies while folding her two palms together.

"Namashkar dear. Come sit with us." Says one of the ladies while petting her left side of the couch. Anupama looks at her grandmother for permission and Nayantara Devi nods her head so she sits beside the lady. All the ladies start to praise her for her simplicity and generosity. On the other hand, Nayantara Devi and her daughter Kamini are not one ounce happy with the way all the ladies are showering Anupama with so much love and admiration. But they can't say anything because no one knows what's going on in the Sengupta household other than family members.

"Anupama we are here with a request, I hope you will not disappoint us." One of the ladies says.

"I will try to fulfill your request Kakimaa." Anupama replies while looking skeptical.

"We want to hear a song in your voice. It's been so long you have sung something in front of us. Today is Mahalaya so we want you to sing a beautiful song and bless our souls with your soothing voice." Says the lady on her left side. Anupama is not sure if she can fulfill this request because she knows how much her Thakurmaa and Pishimaa dislike when she sings.

"Of course she will sing, won't you Anu?" Says Anupama's Mamoni and Mihir's wife Mausumi. She knows Anupama is very scared of Nayantara Devi and Kamini so she has to come to rescue her daughter like niece. She is the one who raised Anupama with a mother's love so she always tries to be there whenever Anupama needs her.

Before Nayantara Devi can oppose, one of the ladies put the Harmonium in front of Anupama while Mausumi encourages her to sing a song. Anupama closes her eyes and starts to play the Harmonium before starting to sing a beautiful song of Mahalaya.

"Bajlo tomar alor benu,

Matlo je bhubon,

Aaj probhate se sur shune,

Khule dinu mon.

Antore ja lukiye raje,

Arun binaye

Se sur baje.

Ei anondo jogge sobar,

Modhuro amontron.

Matlo je bhubon,

Bajlo tomar alor benu."

The flute of your light is on,

The Universe is up in ecstasies,

Today at dawn, my mind opens up,

Listening to the melodies.

One who hides in the soul,

The tune is played by the sun,

Everyone is invited to this

Celebration of happiness.

When Anupama completes the song and opens her eyes, she sees that everyone except her Thakurmaa and Pishimaa are looking at her in awe. The ladies that have come to hear her singing start to praise her for her excellence in everything. Soon they bid goodbye after eating some homemade Sondesh.

Just as the door of the mansion close Nayantara Devi goes near Anupama before slapping her hard. Everyone gets shocked beside Kamini who is smirking evilly while poor Anupama stands there holding her red chick with trembling hands.

"Who permitted you to sing? Why did you sing? Did you forget your position in this house?" Nayantara Devi asks Anupama with rage in her eyes. Anupama shakes her head unable to answer. Mausumi tries to say something but Kamini stops her by glaring at her.

"Maa has asked you something Anupama so answer it. Don't be rude to my mother." Kamini says mocking the shivering girl.

"I-am s-o-o-ry Tha-k-urm-aa" Anupama tries to say properly but she starts to stutter. Mausumi can't help but cry seeing Anupama in such misery.

"I don't want to hear your sorry. Just remember your place, you are nothing but a maid of this house. You may be a princess or elder daughter for an outsider but in reality, your place is nothing more than a maid. Try not to forget it or I have my ways to make you remember." Nayantara Devi's harsh words pierce Anupama's heart but she only nods her head.

When the mother-daughter duo goes out of there Anupama feels someone taking her in their arms. She hugs that person tightly knowing only a motherly hug can soothe her pain.

"Why am I so unlovable Mamoni?" Anupama asks Mausumi while staring at her with a tear-stained face.

"You are not unlovable dear. They are not capable of loving such a sweet soul. But don't worry your Kakai and your Mamoni is always here to give you a lot of love. Also, your Dadabhai is coming back tomorrow from his business trip so don't cry. You know right how much he hates to see tears in your beautiful eyes." Mausumi tries to cheer Anupama before wiping the fallen tears from the weeping girl's face.

Anupama smiles at her and goes to tidy up her Dadabhai's room. Mausumi looks at the way Anupama goes and heaved a sigh. She always prays to God that someone may help Anupama from the cruel hands of her grandmother and aunt.

Image

....................................................................