For the past few days, Mohidhar was busy searching for an important paper. Actually, he decided that he would resign from his job at the school. He submitted a letter regarding this to Sambit. He must finish now the most important work of his life - and that was to create the "Statue of Mother Earth". A lot of work had been done in this regard, but more time was needed, he had to concentrate on this work completely. So he took this decision. He was searching for a copy of that letter.
Just then Dharitri entered the room, watching Mohidhar for some time and then asked in a calm and solemn voice, "Are you very busy?" Mohidhar was startled to hear Dharitri's voice suddenly. He looked at her once and concentrated on searching. Dharitri said again, "Can't you hear my words? Why are you so busy? What are you searching for?" Mohidhar turned towards her. He understood that Dharitri entered this room to have a serious argument. She would leave this room only after she finished that. So he said in a dejected voice, "No, I'm not busy, why should I be? We are always saying that we are very busy. But I can never say that because whatever I may do, however serious that may be if I were not born in the Earth or if the Earth ceases to exist - then how would we be busy?"
"Shut up! Dharitri reprimanded him in a sharp voice, "Don't utter such big words in front of me. Earth, Earth, I love Mother Earth - these words of yours are complete lies. One who does not love his family, he will love the Earth!" Dharitri faced Mohidhar closely, suddenly grasped his shirt near the chest and said, "Why did you do this? How could you betray me like this?"
"What are you saying?" Surprised Mohidhar asked her. "Don't you understand what I am saying? Such treachery with the person living in the next room! You speak about loving the Earth, and keeping her healthy and beautiful! You will see that the Earth will betray you just like this."
Mohidhar said in a serious tone, "No Dharitri, you are wrong. I do not mean only human beings when I say "The Earth". What I mean by the Earth is the birthplace and habitation of millions of creatures, our Mother Earth surrounded by mountains, forests, and oceans. This Mother Earth is our benefactor from whom we get everything without asking. But we do not understand her or do not want to understand. We are continuously destroying her, yet she never ever betrays us."
Mohidhar took a deep breath and started again, "On the Earth where we live, the most powerful are not human beings or other creatures but it is the Earth. If she wants, she can devastate all of us at any time. Now about me - as I love myself, so I am able to think about loving the Earth and taking care of her. There are signs of love and grace in everything in the universe. Earth teaches us how to love, not to betray or destroy someone. That's why I have read the word treachery or betrayal in the books, but I don't have any relation with that."
"Is it so? Then what is this?" Dharitri opens up a letter in front of Mohidhar's eyes.
"This is; this is -"
"Well, you have recognized then - this is your letter expressing your desire to leave your job. Is this your wish?"
"But how did you get it?" A surprised Mohidhar said.
"You mean how did it come to me? Actually, everyone has not become a traitor like you, so Sambit instead of giving it to the School-Committee gave it in my hands and requested you to think again." "But I have already decided", Mohidhar said in a calm voice.
Dharitri lost her patience and shouted at him, "How can it be your decision? Didn't you promise at the time of our marriage that from that day onwards throughout your life you will take responsibility for me and my needs?" I have fulfilled my responsibility from the first day till now. All my dues from the school are transferred by me in your name. You will even receive my pension. This house is in your name. Therefore, I don't think you will face any ‘difficulty’.
"Oh, you have thought about all these! You have given me a charity! This will not happen - I shall not let you win. I shall not let you have the last laugh."
Mohidhar started to laugh looking at the furious Dharitri. He said, "You have again said something incorrect. Though we often express this kind of incorrect views it is nothing new. But if you contemplate a little, you will realize that not only you and I, no other human beings of the Earth have the right to have the last laugh. This right only belongs to our Mother Earth. We are born in the lap of Mother Earth. We live our life clutching Mother Earth and after our death, we take shelter in her lap again.
The period during the middle part of our life we spend time in happiness and sorrow, among laughter and tears. But when we arrive on the Earth for the first time, Mother Earth welcomes us warmly with a smiling face, and in the same way, on the day of our departure, she embraces us affectionately. In the meantime however hard we try to destroy her, she always plays the part of a genuine Mother. Therefore you may threaten me that you will never let me have the laugh, but your intimidation has no value because only our Mother Earth has the right to have the last laugh and no one else."
Dharitri got a little scared listening to Mohidhar's calm and powerful voice. She said, "Then what you will do?" Mohidhar said with a smile. "I have one work left, the most important work of my life."
Then without finishing his words he went and sat on his chair. He did not say anything else but took his diary and started to write.
Dharitri stood silently looking at Mohidhar.