The Last Laugh
by Bhargavi
Chatterjea Bhattacharyya
Shekhar and
Anjan were chatting in the college canteen.
Shekhar is plump, while Anjan has aquiline
features and enjoys a lot of attention from girls.
Sekhar: Anjan, why are you so popular with the
girls?
Anjan: Well, I am charming.
Sekhar: No, no you are kidding me.
Anjan (laughing): Well, I am rich.
Shekhar did not buy it fully. “But that
might be a factor,” he thought to himself.
Sekhar: When do you plan to get hitched?
Anjan: Well I went out with Radha yesterday. We
ordered cold drinks. When the bill came, I said,
‘Ladies first’. Radha paid the bill.
When the waiter came back with the change, I
pocketed it.
Sekhar: You are incorrigible.
Anjan grinned from ear to ear.
......
Fast forward
sixty years. Anjan and Shekhar were relaxing in
the club lounge. Shekhar is widowed, while Anjan
never married. Shekhar’s children are
settled in the United States.
Shekhar: Anjan, you didn’t marry. Don’t
you feel lonely?
Anjan: No. I am not lonely at all. When I was
younger, I wanted to enjoy life, have a drink too
many, and enjoy the company of pretty girls. No
wife would stand that. I am still doing what I
have always enjoyed, drinking more than I should
and talking to pretty girls.
Shekhar: Pretty girls! At your age!
Anjan: “I have three girls lined up, I am
never lonely.
.....
Nandita called.
“Hi Anjan Uncle how are you?” “I
am perfect Nandu, how are you?”
“We are good. But, we haven't met for ages.
Please come to our house for dinner tomorrow.
Your nephew and the boys will be overjoyed.”
“Invitation accepted,” said Anjan.
Just a couple of days after this, Sreeparna
called. “Anjan Uncle, you visited Nandita's
house. She was bragging about it. She is a lousy
cook. Wait till you taste my cooking! Please come
to our house tomorrow. We will have lobsters and
mutton. “Invitation accepted,” said
Anjan graciously. Not to be outdone, Manjari rang
after a few days. “Anjan Uncle, we are going
to Darjeeling. Why don't you join us? We can
relax and see the beautiful Kanchenjunga. Anjan
gladly said, “Yes.”
Nandita called up again. “Anjan Uncle, I
heard that you went to Darjeeling. We are going
to Puri. Please come with us.”
Shekhar said “I don't understand. My
children often forget to make calls, and they
rarely visit. And you are enjoying so much
attention! “You will have to wait till
my death to find that out,” Anjan replied.
He gave a small envelope to Shekhar. “Give
it to the girls after my death.”
A few days after this Anjan died in his sleep.
Shekhar felt very sad. Dutifully, he took out the
envelope and handed it over to the nieces. The
excitement was almost palpable. Who is the heir
in his Will? Anjan had loads of money.
Manjari read out the small handwritten note.
“I have not made any will. Go girls, fight
it out! Best of luck to all three of you.”
Shekhar looked at Anjan's photo on the wall. He
was grinning from ear to ear.
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