Teesta Review: A
Journal of Poetry, Volume 8, Number 1. May 2025. ISSN: 2581-7094
--- Navratra
With fervent zeal, he asked, "Tumi ki badam
khabe?"
I was taken aback by such lavish kindness, a
surprise to see
Who'd add a thousand-rupee kilo of almonds to a
ten-rupee jhalamuri?
"Yes, I love almonds!" I replied, my
astonishment hard to disguise
"Tumi bangla bojho naa?"
he queried with a knowing glance
Perhaps he understood my predicament, my Bangla
bereft of chance
"Ami bangla bhuji," I stammered,
trying to salvage the scene
But my words betrayed me, a linguistic facade, a
facade unseen
"Tumi kotha theke esecho?"
he asked, and I faltered, unsure
How to respond in Bangla, a language I'd failed to
endure
I should've learned from Mishti Maasi, a lesson
unheeded and cold
Now I regretted my ignorance, my words left untold
He gazed at me with seasoned eyes, a knowing, gentle
smile
"Sabai misti manusake bangali hote hobe naa,"
he said, all the while
His laughter echoed, contagious and free
I couldn't help but join in, my laughter a symphony
"Ei nao tomara jhalamuri,"
he said, handing me the treat
But wait, where were the almonds? Peanuts took their
seat
Yet, the jhalamuri was a delight, a flavorful, spicy
thrill
A culinary pleasure that made my senses stand still
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