GOURAHARI & THE STORY OF FISH .

Sanjay Bhatt 

That day was Sunday. I was saving my beard at my home,suddenly the mobile phone rang with a sweet voice. I kept my beard cut in half and picked up the mobile phone. Doctor Baniram was called me. Baniram babu is a doctor and another identity of Baniram is a contemporary fiction writer. He works as a  doctor in Rayagada district. His family lives in Bhubaneswar. Doctor Baniram  is 2 years younger than me, but he respects me a lot. Doctor Baniram is an innocent man. Slow, steady and simple. Doctor Baniram easily impresses the people in front of him in his performance.

My mobile was ringing like this...., I picked up the mobile phone, say yes.

Doctor Baniram told, Obeisance brother, I am standing near your house, at the " ginger tea  shop" where  I am drinking, let'scome drink some ginger tea with me ,said Doctor Baniram.

I said it will take me 10 minutes to reach you.When I reached the tea shop telling my wife that I was going to get meat, Doctor Baniram was standing there talking to someone on the phone.We drank tea at the tea shop. While we were drinking tea, from  shaqti mohanty's poem to Ashish kumar Gardnayak's short story, from Tarunkanti Mishra's novel to Devdas chotraya's lyrics and screenplay, among other literature discussions . Suddenly Doctor Baniram said, "My short story cannot come out in the literary magazine BAAKYA.? I said send the that story to the magazine.Then what's the problem..?

Didn't I sent , brother..?  I am sending this  since six months, over and over again! But not publish yet. I know somewhere  If you are not familiar with Gourahari Baabu , he does not publish the short story in his magazine.

Talk to Gaurahari , the editor of baakya magazine. I know he is very close to you.

I gave the last kiss to the tea cup and smiled and look at him . 

Do you smoke cigarettes bro..? Doctor Baniram said.

Yes, bring two menthol cigarettes. The tea was already finished.Let's light the cigarette.

Doctor baaniram said call gourahari Sir now. I looked at him sharply and thought that maybe the doctor Baniram thinks how close is gaurhari with me.   Doctor Baniram  wants to point a gun at my shoulder . I was calling the phone on Gaurahari.

Gaurahari picked up the phone. I said hello big brother. Can you give me five minutes..?  yes, told Gaurahari.

A friend of mine, Doctor Baniram, is a good storyteller. He wanted to publish a short story in baakya magazine.   He had also received the rising color award of your bakya magazine.He is a big fan of yours.
  
Gaurahari  said after clearing his throat, it is fine, how about Sanjay if we sit together and discuss this in our house for a while....!! I told okay.Then gourahari said Well is your friend  financiaaly stable?? I smiled a little and said yes yes. Tell him to spend something. I immediately said ok bro..the phone hung up that side . As I hung up my phone then doctor baaniram asked me  what did he say brother..?

I got a bit serious and said ,Do you really want your article  appear in the Baakya magazine??

yes bro...!! Said Doctor Baniram.

There is a small way. Can you go that side.??? 

Yes bro... , Doctor Baniram said.

We have to please Gaurahari .He is a bit of fish favourite.  It can be done both ways.Your short story needs to be powerful and you need to make him happy. If these two things are combined, your story can come out.

Next Sunday I will go with a big  fish to gourahari's house . I will strongly introduce you to him there.

On the next day, early in the morning, Doctor baniram arrived at our house in his scooty. I was waiting for him. We went from there and reached the roadside fish market near O.u.a.t.

The fish market was crowded that day. We searched and bought live fish weighing more than 4 kg. The fish fresh, live and dancing. Doctor Baniram gave the money , then  sat behind my bike and put the live fish in lace sack. The cbz bike went towards Gauhari Babu's house.

As Gourahari gazed upon the fluttering fish, a mischievous glint danced in his eyes. With a smirk curling on his lips, he turned to me and quipped, "Why, Sanjay, did you feel compelled to bring this fish here?" I quickly denied any involvement, but Gourahari's knowing smile betrayed his amusement. Snatching the hefty 4-kilogram fish from the bustling OUAT square, Gourahari's grin widened, revealing his gleaming white teeth against his dark complexion. "Why didn't you just slice it up?" he teased, his voice dripping with playful sarcasm. "Truly, our Baaniraam is such a good lad," he added with a chuckle, relishing in the absurdity of the situation.

In Gourahari's garage, amidst the clatter of tools, a fish found itself out of water, flopping desperately. With swift precision, Doctor Baaniram scooped it up and contained its wriggles within a bag, his laughter echoing off the walls. Gourahari's face radiated joy, mirroring the crescent grin of the moon. Meanwhile, I observed in quiet amusement, contemplating Doctor Baaniraam's antics destined for "BAAKYA" magazine, with a smirk.

Breaking the silence, Gourahari's voice rang out, commanding me to fetch the fish for an impromptu feast at his place. Excitedly, I agreed, sensing fortune smiling upon us. With a roar, I kick-started the bike, Doctor Baaniraam clutching the bag tightly as the fish continued its frantic dance within.

Our journey took us to the bustling fish market of Baramunda market, where time seemed to hold its breath at the stroke of eleven. Negotiating with a skilled vendor, I secured a deal to have the fish expertly prepared for a mere hundred rupees. Ensuring the fish's integrity remained intact, I supervised the process, emphasizing the importance of preserving its entirety.

As we made our way back to Gourahari's abode, Doctor Baaniraam's mischievous inquiry about Goura Baabu's drinking habits elicited a knowing smile from me. Gourahari's household, a haven of indulgence, awaited us with promises of wine, meat, and the company of charming companions.

Arriving at our destination, we were greeted by the sight of Gourahari tending to his vintage automobile, his house maid emerging with youthful grace to assist. With instructions issued and preparations underway, we departed, Gourahari's reminder punctuating the air with the anticipation of a shared meal.

At the stroke of 2 p.m., Doctor Baniram graced our doorstep, clad in impeccable attire, emanating the fragrance of a costly perfume. Despite the disappointment of Gourahari babu's refusal, I reassured Doctor Baniram with a promise of a delightful lunch together. Over the meal, Doctor Baniram pondered Gourahari's sudden change, perplexed by the shift in demeanor. I could only offer a knowing smile, for Gourahari's complexities were beyond easy explanation.

Amidst our conversation, I made a silent vow to Doctor Baniram – his short story would find its way into the prestigious pages of "BAAKYA" magazine. As our lunch concluded, we ventured outside, where a chance encounter altered the course of our day. A beggar, downtrodden and hungry, crossed our path, stirring a chord of compassion within me.

In a spontaneous act of kindness, I reached for the sweet packet Doctor Baniram had brought, passing it to the beggar with a heartfelt wish for divine blessings. At the end I told Doctor Baniram I gave that sweet to a Good person which is a right step ever.