Comic Story
Panel 1
The neon signs of Sonagachi cast a lurid glow. Despair and hope intertwine in the narrow alleyways.
Panel 2
"No, no, I didn't come for that," Biplab stammered, his voice barely a whisper. "I'm looking for my wife!"
Panel 3
"Meaning?" Swapna questioned, her eyes narrowing with distrust. The stench of the alley filled the air.
Panel 4
"We were shopping late when four men attacked us...", Biplab recounted, his voice trembling. "They used a chloroform rag."
Panel 5
He continued, "I woke up in a hospital, she was gone. I've searched everywhere...". The weight of his despair was palpable.
Panel 6
"And suddenly, tonight, you seek your wife in Sonagachi?", Swapna challenged him, her tone laced with sarcasm.
Panel 7
"No! Please, listen. Twenty-six days later, she called. 'Sonagachi... Nishi... come get me.'", Biplab pleaded.
Panel 8
"It was only five seconds. The call disconnected. I haven't reached her since.", Biplab's voice cracked.
Panel 9
"I know finding her is impossible alone. I need a friend to bring her back from this hell.", Biplab begged.
Panel 10
"What I need... I'll tell you later. But can you take your wife back, knowing everything?", Swapna questioned skeptically.
Panel 11
"Why not? I'm not buying Nishi the prostitute, I'm rescuing Uttara, my wife!", Biplab declared with conviction.
Panel 12
"You know the pimps, the madams... Please, bring back my Uttara!", Biplab pleaded once more, hope flickering in his eyes.
Panel 13
"Give me your number. I'll let you know as soon as possible, I promise.", Swapna conceded, her face softening.
Panel 14
(Three days later, Swapna calls Biplab). "I have news about Nishi... Number 3 on the right in my building."
Panel 15
"She's new here, without a phone. She might have used a client's phone to call you.", Swapna explained.
Panel 16
"Go get your Nishi!", Swapna said softly into the phone. The weight of her words hung in the air.
Panel 17
(Biplab, with the police, rescues Nishi, his wife Uttara. Afterward, he visits Swapna). "How can I thank you?"
Panel 18
"I don't know what to say... What do you want?", Biplab asks, his voice full of gratitude.
Panel 19
"I don't need money. You gave me something far greater.", Swapna replied, her eyes filled with a profound sadness.
Panel 20
"What do you mean? I don't understand...", Biplab replied, confused by her words. He looked at her questioningly.
Panel 21
"Three years ago, I eloped with a boy I loved. My parents disowned me.", Swapna started to explain her past.
Panel 22
"Nineteen days later, he sold me into this hell for thirteen thousand rupees.", Swapna revealed, her voice trembling.
Panel 23
"I had chances to escape, but where would I go? My parents? The streets?", Swapna said, her voice heavy with pain.
Panel 24
"At least here, I can eat and live. I stopped trusting men...". Swapna continued, her voice barely audible.
Panel 25
"Until you. You shattered my belief that all men are the same.", Swapna concluded, tears welling in her eyes.
Panel 26
"A man can sell his wife, but another can rescue her from Sonagachi.", Swapna said, a small smile gracing her lips.