Betrayal
Sapan Banerjee lived in a small neighborhood near Raniganj in West Bengal , India . His wife died a couple of years ago .He had only a daughter Dola .Dola was married and well settled with her husband in the USA . Sapan was popularly known as Sapan Da in the neighborhood .He was working with a private contractor of the Raniganj coalfields . Even while he was just in his 50s , he left the job after some dispute with the contractor about his wages .
Sapan Da had frequent trouble with his stomach , sometimes pain or burning or gas etc. Dola invited him to visit the USA . Sapan Da went to the USA . He could hardly live there for a couple of months . He was never comfortable there . He missed his favorite Bengali Pan , Mishti Doi and Rasgullas. Above all he missed the company of like minded friendly people . He said to Dola “ I want to go to India . I am unable to adjust to the American lifestyle . “
“ Baba , I can understand your problem. I won’t stop you but you must make permanent arrangements for home cooked food. You are having issues with your stomach .Hotel foods at this age are bad for you .”
“ I will hire a new cook , don't worry .”
Before he left India his maid had left her job and settled in her native village . He managed to get his meals from a roadside hotel near his house . For breakfast he used to go to a tea stall near his house . He used to take his favorite breakfast Kachori , Sabji , Jalebi and tea there .
One day a lady in 40s came to the same stall and asked the shopkeeper “ If you happen to know about someone in need of domestic help , please let me know . “
“ Okay , I will tell you . “
After the lady left, Sapan Da asked the shopkeeper “ Who was that lady ? “
“ She is Sabita , a maid and cook . She is in search of a job .”
“ Do you know her well ? How is the lady? “
“ She worked in my shop for a year but she was a regular absentee . She abruptly used to leave for a couple of weeks and then returned to work . So I fired her . Otherwise she is good by nature and a helping one .”
“ Next time when she comes , send her to my house . I need a cook urgently . “
“ Okay she comes almost daily in search of a job . I will send her to you . “
Next day Sabita came to Sapan Da and said “ The owner of the tea stall has sent me to you .I understand you need domestic help. “
“ Yes , I need but you are a frequent absentee . If you remain absent frequently then I can’t keep you . If you assure me that you will be here regularly then only it’s okay for me .”
“ Yes sir , I will be here regularly for your service . “
He asked her to join her assignment the same day and Sabita happily agreed . In the beginning she used to come in the morning and cook breakfast , lunch and dinner in the morning itself . Sapan Da had to microwave his lunch and dinner . His daughter asked him to raise the wages of the cook and ask her to look after all his house chores and also to make fresh chapatis for dinner .
When he asked Sabita to come late in the afternoon to cook dinner , she said “ I am working in other houses also . I can’t live with income from your house only . I have to work in another house also . “
“ I will pay you double wages but you have to come again . “
“ I can be here for the whole day and do all other work like washing clothes etc. if you pay slightly more than double .”
Sapan Da agreed and Sabita practically took over charge of all of his household works . . She used to come in the morning before 8 am and leave in the evening around 6 pm . Sabita discharged her duties honestly to the full satisfaction of Sapan Da . He was very happy with her and Sabita was able to win his confidence . Within a year she even used to handle all his daily expenses on groceries , vegetables etc. and bill payments . Sapan Da had frequent stomach trouble . He was taking medicines as advised by local doctors . He got temporary relief also but his trouble used to recur .
One day Sapan Da was not well . Sabit said “ Why don’t you go to a big hospital for treatment ?
“ Those hospitals charge huge amounts .I don’t have much money .”
“ Don’t worry about money . I have some contacts in some metro cities . I am sure they will treat you at minimum cost . They will provide you boarding and lodging also . “
Sapan Da didn’t pay much attention to her advice for two weeks . After Sabita’s repeated insistence he agreed .Both went to a multispeciality hospital in a metro . There Sapan Da was lodged in a star hotel . He was not prepared to live in a costly hotel , he said “ Let’s move to a budget hotel. or a lodge , I can’t spend so much .”
Sabita replied “ Don’t worry about money . Everything is arranged by a charity . You will get the best treatment also . “
Next a couple of days Sapan Da underwent a series of tests and screening after which he was hospitalized . Doctors gave him regular medications so his stomach problem was also under control during those days .
Dola called him to enquire about her father’s health and asked “ How are you doing Papa ? Are you feeling better ? “
He said “ You needn’t worry as I am getting the best treatment . Sabita has come like an angel in my life . She has arranged everything .She is a very good woman . She can be anybody’s sweetheart . “
“ If so , why can’t she be your sweetheart ? “
“ I have never thought about that . “
“ Okay first you get well then think about that . “
Sapan Da underwent surgery . Sabita was with him all the time . Besides the hospital nurses she was taking all care of him . She remained with him for twenty four hours, always in a special room . He was very impressed with her selfless service . One day he asked “ Are you living alone ? “
“ Yes , my husband died 10 years ago . I am a poor homeless woman so I have to work and earn a living .”
“ Why didn’t you marry again ? “
Nobody will like me ,I know . “
“ No , it’s not true . You are a good woman . I like you . “
“ That’s your greatness , thanks . First recover well then we will go back to your home .”
He remained in hospital for 10 days . After that he was discharged . He was advised to continue with medicines and follow up after six months or even earlier , if needed .
Both returned to Kolkata by flight . As soon as Sabita disembarked from the flight she was nabbed by the police . Sapan Da was surprised and shocked to see this . He said to the police “ She is a very nice lady . She has helped me a lot . She got me treated at one of the best hospitals in Hyderabad . “
A doctor was also available with the police team. Sabita was taken into custody for further enquiry . Sapan Da was examined by the doctor . Sapan Da asked “ What is all this going on ? The lady helped me in resolving my stomach problem “
The doctor said “ No she didn’t help you, rather she cheated on you . She stole one of your kidneys . “
“ What are you talking about ? “
“ I am telling the truth . Sabita is an illegal immigrant from a neighboring country . She is one of the pimps rather one of the kingpins in kidney theft . Police were looking for her for the last three years but she used to change her location . She trapped any lone ailing aged person and used to win his confidence . Then she lured him for affordable good treatment through some charity . She took them to such a hospital dealing with illegal kidney sales and transplant . The hospital where you went is one of them . Patients from abroad including UAE visit there for kidney transplant .She used to get a handsome amount in commission or reward for this service . “
Sapan Da was looking sad and serious . The doctor said “ You are fine with one kidney .But you have to be careful in future about your kidney health . Follow your doctor’s advice .”
Sapan Da called Dola in the USA and explained the whole story . She said “ It’s very unfortunate . But forget it . I will come there next week and you will be with us for at least six months . When your health stabilizes then you can go back to India . I will arrange for a nurse for you in India to take care of you . “
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Note - This story is a pure fiction with no connection with any character or event or place of happening .
