Ektu Chuye Dekho by Samya Mondal [Hardcover]

As Nirmal Babu pushed his way through the crowded Platform No. 3 at Joynagar Station and finally managed to step onto the platform, he suddenly slapped his forehead. Oh no! He had absentmindedly left his expensive walking stick inside the compartment. The up Galloping Local was already whizzing past, just a breath away from him. Had he been younger, he would have leaped onto one of the moving coaches without a second thought. But now, having crossed seventy-two, neither the desire nor the ability remained for such recklessness. Ever since arthritis had weakened his right knee, he had developed a slight limp. Just a week ago, following his son's advice, he had started taking an old wooden walking stick from home whenever he stepped out. Clearly, the habit had not yet set in. This wasn’t the first time either - once, during his morning walk at the local park, he had lost his stick. Fortunately, someone familiar had returned it. But today, there was no hope of getting it back. When he reached home, he was sure to get scolded by his son and daughter-in-law for his forgetful nature. As he exited the station, his mobile phone suddenly rang. It was his daughter-in-law calling. "Hello, Baba. Did you both reach safely? Misti isn’t troubling you too much, is she? Please keep an eye on her.” The rest of her words didn’t quite register. Nirmal Babu’s head was spinning. His vision blurred. Misti—his seven-year-old granddaughter - had begged to come along when he was leaving home that morning. Despite his reluctance, he had given in and brought her. But for quite some time now, Misti was nowhere to be seen. Then… what had happened to her?