The year was 1917 and Calcutta was the Capital for the British Raj in India. For all the fruits that locals bore for the East India Company, the local government gave the local crowd of Calcutta complete anonymity on the activities that prevailed in the Ever-famous Sonagachi. Named after a Sufi saint Sona Ghazi whose tomb is located in the locality; the activities that thrived in the area would be branded anything other than saintly. A lot of non-natives visited the area which bought the local economy quite a few jobs. But no one complained. How could they? The local activities bought them money which they could earn to survive, live or thrive in the environment that was pre-independent India. A time where being an Indian was fraught with difficulty and pain just to survive. Morals thrive at a time of economic wellbeing and self-actualization in society. India, at that time, didn’t have those morals anymore.
Elliot Wellick was a soldier who passed by the areas in his past time. A soldier for the British East Indian Company and an orphan, he had no time to find any other passions in life. Destiny was not favourable to him, he was left all alone and had no linkages in life, be it, friends or family. With no one to relate or spend time with, he made the most of it in his local regiment and visited Sonagachi on a regular basis. And since he was white, he was treated as a god. No one ever gave him so much love and attention than the local residents here. They were the only connection to a family or associate he ever had.
“Ek Meetha Paan, Baabu Mosai. (One Sweet Paan, Gentleman)” Said the drunk Britisher.
“Haan, Sahib. Namoskar. (Yes, Lord. Greetings.) “the old paanwala Bakshi replied and start to make the paan to the frequent visitor. “ So Sahib. How you are to do today?” he said in broken English. Elliot was Bakshi’s regular customer, and why wouldn’t he be. Bakshi was one of the few who he could talk to in English. Who cared that his English was as broken as splintered glass; it was fun conversing with him especially if one was high on the spirit.
“Me? I ……….. am …….. Bhaloooo , Very , Very Bhalo (Fine). Hahahaha “Elliot replied in his mildly euphoric state. The blond tall soldier still had it in him to walk straight but his lack of care gave a different impression to those around him. Constantly sidelined in the British Army, Elliot has only a few interests in Life, women and wine. One always wondered how he could afford both in a tidy
“So Sahib, tonight who is lovely lady you take? “ the old man quipped with a smile. Sex is always an interesting discussion between men, young and old; Especially, if it involves sex between a woman with no name.
“Oh Bakshi, My old Uncle. Ami Jana nai . (I don’t know). I never plan or decide on life. Life decides for me. Last week was amazing and today will be too.“ said the smiling Elliot.
Bakshi gave him his paan. “Yes, it will be amaz….ama……..ama………good. Bhalo!!!”
Elliot ate his sweet paan and laughed with the old man. He paid him the money before Bakshi tugged his shirt. “Change, Saheb. And one thing. Ameeeee Janeee Na. I dunno……… Amee Jani Na.” Elliot shook his head nonchalantly. “Don’t fuck our Bengali like you fuck an old woman. Hahahahaaha”
Both men laughed as Eliott departs “Bhalo. Bhalo…….” Walking towards is the destination for the night, Elliot quips silently “Don’t fuck Bengali like we fuck our women. You bloody Indians should stop fucking with the English Language like you fuck your cows and donkeys. Heh-heh.”
Known as the largest red-light district in India at that time, Sonagachi hosted an array of adult entertainment for the average male. From half-naked women dancing to your favorite tunes to simple gratuitous sex, all was provided for everyone and all for a simple fee. All you had to do was be a paying customer, treat the women as they were and get out ; no problems. At least that was the case with the middle and higher -class brothels located up ahead in Sonagachi.
Elliot passed by a house marked as "
??" which means, "This is a gentleman's house". He smirked. A very common site an area like this. People, be it a prostitute or a person not involved in the sex business, stayed side by side. Not by choice but out of compulsion. The mark was to deter any customer who would confuse and enter such a place demanding sex with the women inside. Elliot turned toward his right and saw with his eyes amused as a family threw utensil at 2 men. Hooligans, they could be. And they were. Those who didn’t care about the sign marked outside their house but still would pester innocent families just as a joke. They ran away not before giving the mother a glimpse of his tiny manhood dangling away as he pulled his dhoti down.
Barely 200 meters away past the road which shared his name, was his paradise. A cluster of 3 brothels he visited frequently where spending nights meant his only chance of being in Heaven. At least his version of Heaven. Elliot walked by into the middle of the open spaces where the girls stood there picking customers. And Like an only star in the night sky, everyone saw Elliot; the white man in their brothel.
Elliot loved the gazes he got whenever he entered the spot. This was the most attention he got and this love was what bought him here night after night. Even though the brothel was busy with the local customers, most girls always wanted a bit of the white man. Each had their own fantasy of Elliot as he was so different from the local Indian Middle-class men with his pinkish skin, long blond hair, blue eyes and tall structure. As always, Elliot paid his wishes first to the ring leader of the brothel, the queen of the whores as she was branded; Paoli.
Paoli commanded a lot of power and respect in Sonagachi, especially in the high circles. She supplied women to the right kind of people for adult purposes and her girls were well protected. In her 50’s, she still dressed like a young Nautch Girl in her 20’s or 30’s. Draped in her traditional saree with a small twist, her top showed her ageing bosom to one and all in a deep cleavage. This was her common signature dress, traditionally classy to show where she came from but also shameless to show what the world thought off her. To her loyal followers, she was friendly and kind and to those she bred ill-will … less said about them the better. Such was her position of this woman and a blind one at that.
Paoli loved Elliot’s company. It was not every day she got to converse with a white man, especially as one so polite yet hopeless if not lost as Elliot. Elliot too was fond of Paoli. She was wise as she was witty and surprisingly spoke fluent English as her Bengali was. Such a learned lady in such a place was a bit of a mystery to him. And Paoli was always protective of him, especially since he was from the British Army and a well-paying customer.
“Good Evening, Madam Paoli. Elliot here. How are you doing today?” Elliot greeted her.
“Ah, my prince has returned. Elliot Babu. Good, Good. It seems today get brighter and better as the night falls. So how can I be of service to you or should I say who can I provide you to be serviced? Hahahaha!!” Paoli replied as both laughed.
“Well, truth be told. Its been long since my last adventure here. So I was interested in a bit of tasty fruit I noticed the last time around. Was wondering If I could perhaps spend tonight with her. Kal…….Kalk……..sorry. I forgot her name.” Elliot said as he tried to remember.
“Fruit? Naughty boy!! Her name is Kalki. And from what I know she is more meaty than fruity. Haha. I will ask someone to fetch her for you.” Paoli quipped as she spoke in Bengali to her servant to get Kalki.
Elliot looked back astonished “ How did you know she is ……Erm……Meaty?”
“I am the queen here, my boy. “ Paoli smiled “ I have to know things. Just because I a blind does not mean I can't see things and know things for what they are. “
While most of the girls look at the exotic Elliot, Yagna looks on seeing her opportunity to bed the handsome soldier. Draped in a white sheet, she was about to get ready to scout for customers. Then again, the white man was right in front of her and she was naked inside and ready to be sexed for the night. Biting her lip, she stepped forward to claim him.
“M?, ?mi ki t?k? p?t? p?ri? ?mi man? kari n? kalki t?k? s?mal?t? p?r?. (Mother, Can I have him? I don't think Kalki can handle him.)” Yagna blushed.
Paoli smiled and turned to Elliot “It seems that you have attracted a lot of attention, My Elliot. Would she suffice your hunger for tonight or would you still prefer Kalki?”
Elliot smiled “ Well, your generosity holds no bounds, Maam. I am in 2 minds on this”. He was checking Yagna’s body. She was similar to Kalki, curvy at best.
Before Elliot could say anything a loud cry appeared from the side “HEYYYYYYYY!!!! ?m?ra l?ka curi bandha karuna, ?pani du?caritr?. S? ?m?ra s?th? th?k?. (Stop stealing my man, you bitch. He stays with me.)” A wet curvy woman rushed towards to confront Yagna and Elliot. Drenched and just a white saree cloth to cover whatever was necessary, Kalki stomped away to claim her job for the night.
“Ph?ka bandha, ?pani m??? b??y?!! (Fuck off, you fat whore!!)” Yagna shot back as the 2 women squabbled over a slightly inebriated Elliot who was looking in amusement.
“BANDHA!! (STOP)” Paoli Shouted. “It seems we face quite a predicament, Elliot. 2 women out for one job and that is you. I am sure you wouldn’t mind paying for both but……… I don’t think they will share. These 2 never share.”
“I see we are in quite a predicament, Maan.” Elliot replied as he sat on the floor.
Smiling hearing the drunk man talk, “Speak for yourself, Boy. I will settle this myself. We haven’t had much entertainment for long. This should be interesting” Paoli said as she got up ad spoke in the following In Bengali.
“Ladies, I see what you want. But I also see what you don’t want to share. I also see there is something brewing…….. not only between you and him but ……………between the both of you.
So let’s settle this. Like it or not, you are tonight’s entertainment. Come on and all. For you will see something special tonight. 2 women battle for one man. YAGNA …….. AND …KALKI…… Shower your money and stake your claim. Winner gets him (Pointing towards Elliot) and the loser………… well, I would let the winning couple decide what to do with her. ”
Sitting Down she spoke to Elliot , “ Boy, Payment!! And be Generous”
Elliot removes 2 coins from his pocket and gave it to Paoli who inspected it and smiled “2 Rupiya. . la??'i??ra jan'ya bija??ra jan'ya ?ka?i ?ba? bija??ra jan'ya ?ka?i ?ja r?t?ra k?ja ???a karat?.?ka?i (2 rupees, One for the winner for the fight and One for the winner to complete her job tonight.). Hahaahahaha”
Everyone roared and chanted hearing this. Kalki and Yagna winced their teeth as they stared at each other with hate in their eyes. They had a history and it would be squared off tonight. The men started to lay bets as money exchanged hands to bet on who would win this battle. At least 100 men and women alike laid their bets to see who would win as both women entered the centre on the courtyard. NO one in between them and just the soft clay floor. and slowly and to everyone's amusement, a slow chant began to erupt to get the women geared up for their battle. A battle of egos, battle for sex, a battle to settle who was better, battle for 2 rupees.
To Be continued..... 
