Stench: Chapter I

Mr. Dasgupta is getting a stink since the past few days, or probably, past few weeks or even months. As if something’s been rotting for quite some time. It is not the kind of stench that arises from any organic matter; he being a teacher of Chemistry for a long time, he is sure of that. At times it’s very sharp and suffocating. It is not the foul smell from a decomposed pest. Geetali, Mr. Dasgupta’s daughter, though a busy software professional, is very meticulous about hygiene at her 1200 sq ft. residence. So, is Sumit, Mr. Dasgupta‘s son-in- law and Ringo, his grandson. At least that’s what he has known in his eight month long stay at Geetali’s Rajarhat-Newtown apartment.

It was Geetali’s idea to bring him here. She being the only child of her parents did not want her widower father to live in his Behala house, all alone, especially after his retirement. Mr. Dasgupta tried resisting initially, but when both his son-in- law and grandson joined her, he could not turn down their joint plea. Now he knows his decision to live with them is far from being a mistake. He is not a lonesome old man depending upon his daughter for age and ailment but, an active partaker in their glad and glum times.

But, what about the stench? Where the hell is it coming from? And why is not anybody else, other than Mr. Dasgupta getting it?

When he could not find an answer to his questions, he asked his daughter. She was astonished. “Stench? What stench? “Then after some quick thinking, she asked him, “Is it the new room freshener that you find offensive? Well, then I’ll tell Ringo not to use it in your room. He’s the one who’s after this kinda stuff…”

“No, Geetu, “he corrected her,” It’s not the room freshener. Don’t scold him. It’s something else.”

What is it then? Later he spoke to Sumit about it and then to his grandson. But nobody had any clue regarding the stench. Some hours of pondering, then they gave up and eventually got back to their individual chores.