RAABTA

  Main nasamajh gyani hai tu Main dhool hu aasmaan tu. "But why can't I go?" Bondita frowned as Binoy and Trilochan looked at each other. "I must go. I can't miss Asha's wedding." "You know women don't go to weddings, right?" Trilochan shook his head, taking the glass of Haldi milk Bondita had brought for him. "They wait at home to welcome the bride." "I can come back early." She reasoned. "And I have so many reasons why you should let me go." "I know you do." Trilochan shrugged. "And they will as usually be logical. But…" "Dada, let her come along if she wants to." Binoy interrupted. "What's the big deal? It's just across the village." "It's not about how we feel, Binoy. We are going as guests to the Kutumb bari. They also must have rules. And there will be guests. Ours and theirs. They will judge us."  Bondita frowned at his words, disappointed.  ...

 Tu woh guriya mom si hai Jo dhoop seh na paaye. "Are you sure Sampoorna didi?" Bondita sat across Sampoorna on a mat, in her humble hut with an unsure face. Sampoorna nodded, pulling her white cloth over her head. They were cutting out coloured papers Bondita wanted in the school, with scissors as they spoke. "I met the men from the Anushilan Samiti. They think our village is strategically strong in position. But what Tulsipur lacks is participation." She said rather intendedly. "Maheshdada is in charge here. He wanted me in. After all, my husband did the same. I couldn't help him in life. Maybe now." Sampoorna wiped her tears as Bondita placed her hand in hers. " I was hoping perhaps you could help us." "Me? How?" Bondita asked.  "You have the voice we need to convince people. You can give a speech on the importance of freedom in the lives of women and that can indirectly grow a sense of duty  towards their motherland." ...

Kyu na jaane teri chinta ho rahi hai mujhe Har ghadi ab kyun hai dhyan tera. Prabhavati sipped on her morning coffee as Bondita rushed to set the breakfast table for everyone. She was running late. "Bouma. Bouma." Sadhana's voice gave away the displeasure on her face. Prabhavati smiled. "She has been a pleasure, hasn't she?" "I… Mashi… What bothers me more is that she said she has lived like this since she was nine. Can we even blame her for being harsh?" Prabhavati looked up at her words. "You seem more mature than your age. How old are you?" "Sixteen probably. I am not sure. Maa says I was born on Durga Navami."  "Ah. Really?" Prabhavati smiled. She nodded. "Good Morning." Somnath walked there as Bondita laid down his plate. "So she started chattering early in the morning? Regained your energy? Slept well, Boudi?" He teased her. "Yes, unlike you I am not spending sleepless nights daydreaming,...

Kuch Khafa Hoon, Kuch Dukhi Hoon Narazgi Hai Tujhse. Fir bhi koi Dor hai Jo Bandhe huye hai Tujhse. Bondita was about to serve Aniruddha dinner when he took the serving himself. Frowning slightly she went on to serve Trilochan, Binoy and Batuk. She noticed him avoiding her.  "So Mashi called. She will be here tomorrow." Aniruddha smiled at Somnath's words. "She and Ira are coming over early as Mesho is leaving for a business trip." "Prabhavati is coming tomorrow?" Binoy smiled. "Very well. It's been a long since I last met her on my last trip to Bombay."  "They still stay there?" Trilochan asked.  "Yes, Dada. They sold off their ancestral property in Chandannagar and shifted there completely. Chattopadhyay Babu works for shipping companies now. So Bombay is a good place to be at. Also, Ira is getting educated in a Missionary school." Trilochan looked up at his words. "How old is she?" "About thirteen I g...

Kyun na jaane teri chinta ho rahi hai mujhe Har ghadi ab kyun hai dhyan tera. "Eyes on the road." Aniruddha scolded almost in a reflex, putting his right hand vigilantly over the steering wheel. Bondita's painted hands were on the wheel but her eyes kept wandering to the cattle on either side of the road. "You can't be distracted while driving. You will kill someone." He said in a rather monotonous voice. His hand didn't leave the steering wheel nor did his eyes leave the road. But he made sure instinctively that his hands stayed furthest away from her touch. Bondita breathed in as the morning breeze hit her face. She had removed the saree from over her head when they had stopped by the road to exchange places.  "If you push the car into a tree again, it's your last lesson." He had warned while she giggled.  Bondita couldn't tell Aniruddha why she was distracted the last time. It was almost dusk and while he instructed her on the wheel,...