Fire And Ice

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 time 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. Also, Ira is getting educated in a Missionary school." Trilochan looked up at his words. "How old is she?"

"About thirteen, I guess." Binoy thought a little.

"Yes, she is younger than I am." Batuk agreed.

"Bondita." Trilochan made her walk up to him. "Make sure the guest room beside Batuk is open and cleaned. Prabhavati was Shubhra Boudi's favourite sister. She is family." Bondita nodded. 

Bondita was about to ask when they were arriving since she was intrigued by the fact that someone who went to missionary school when Sadhana Debi summoned her.

"Bouma. Bouma." She ran up the stairs, pulling her saree over her face. 

"The food tastes like a disaster." She pushed the plate away, looking disgusted. "I'd better starve."

"But… you told me to boil the vegetables without any salt or spices. How can it taste…"

"How dare you answer me back?" Sadhana Debi looked agitated. "I have been eating this food since I was nine. Don't teach me how it tastes. Taste doesn't come from spices. It comes from the love and care with which the food is cooked. Clearly, nobody taught you that." Bondita fell short of words. She stood at the threshold, clueless about what to do next. She had to defuse the situation, but she was by now sure that Thakuma was not an easy person to please with gestures.

"Don't just stand there. Get me some Muri and Batasha." She nodded. As Bondita turned to leave the room she heard the old lady grumble. 

"Trilochan has no choice. This girl is not fit to be the Roy Chowdhury Daughter in law, this house is a disaster."

Bondita was hungry. But before she could eat, Thakuma called her into the room again. Tired and frustrated, she appeared at the threshold to find her checking the saree and jewellery Bondita had ordered for Ashapurna while Trilochan sat on a chair with his cane.

"I am just showing her what we will give the bride." He smiled as Bondita nodded.

"Bouma. Get some oil heated and massage my legs." She spoke looking up at Bondita. "Old age takes a toll on them."

"Now?" Bondita almost murmured.

"Yes now." She snapped. "Otherwise why will I tell you now?" She nodded. 

Bondita sat down on the floor, keeping the old lady's feet up on her lap as she massaged her toes. 

"How horrible is this colour?" Sadhana Debi wrinkled her nose in disgust. "Tri, if you give this to your new daughter-in-law, be prepared to be shamed by relatives."

"But I…" Bondita looked up. 

"Oh, let me guess. Of course, she chose it. Pedigree matters after all. Her eyes will never be as good in these things as those of our clan or caste." Bondita looked away. Trilochan shook his head.

"No, Pishima. She chose what Ashapurna would like. They are friends."

"Friends?" Sadhana let out an almost amused chuckle. "The daughters-in-law never get along. Mark my words. A few good months and all of this will fly out of the window." Bondita sighed. She was too drained. It was like this old lady sucked out all her energy.

"Bondita? Bondita." Aniruddha's call rang through the corridor. He had waited for a way past their usual hours for her study lessons and she was not even in the room yet. Alarmed Bondita stared at Trilochan who shook his head.

"He must have lost something again. Hehe." He gave an awkward laugh.

"Bonditaaa," Aniruddha called again.

"Yes. Looks like he lost her in the crowd. Go and see what your husband needs, girl." Sadhana pushed away Bondita's hand. She got up rather awkwardly to leave.

"These newly married ones." She heard Sadhana say. "always look for their wives after a certain hour." 

Bondita's face flushed. She ran across the hall to the bedroom before he could call again.

Her face appeared sweaty from staying with Thakuma, who only waved her hand fan at herself and Trilochan. Her eyes looked tired. What Aniruddha didn't see was that Bondita was hungry too. She hadn't eaten anything since lunch.

"Yes, Barrister Babu?" She asked almost breathlessly. 

"What is wrong with you?" He asked, folding his arms across his chest. 

"What?" She seemed clueless.

"It's way past your usual time. You promised me you won't hamper your studies." He shook his head.

"I won't. I just…" she stammered.

"Lies." He opened the copy. "Where is the homework? You are trying to tell me that in the last twenty-four hours, you had no time to study? Then you are late now."

"Let me explain." She insisted calmly.

"No. I don't want to hear your tall stories. I want to see work. And you are clearly more engrossed in enjoying the frenzy than your education."

"That is so not true." She retorted.

"Now you are not only lying but defending it too." He shook his head. "I am so disappointed with you today."

Bondita breathed in. The Roy Chowdhury men were stubborn when angry. Arguing won't help. She wiped her face with the corner of her saree and sat down on the chair. 

"I am doing it now. Tell me what we will study today."

"Choto Malkin?" It was Koeli, who was waiting in the kitchen with her dinner, who called this time. Frustrated, Aniruddha closed his book.

"You know what?" He said rather rudely, " You go and do your duties. All this is not meant for you."

Bondita's jaws tightened.

"You think it is easy…"

"Hush." He put his hand on his lips, making her stop. "I don't want to argue."

"Neither do I." Bondita frowned.

"Choto Malkin?" Koeli called again, making Bondita exhale. Aniruddha walked away to the bed and lay down on the pillow.

"Turn the lights off when you go out." He spoke as she stopped at the threshold.

"But I will study…" she frowned.

"No. I will sleep." He turned his back to her as she turned off the light and walked away.

Aniruddha woke up in the wee hours of the morning when the birds started singing, but the sky was still dark. He frowned as he found her missing from his side. He looked up at the table. The table lamp was still turned on. Bondita had fallen asleep on the chair. He got up from bed, shook his head and tiptoed to her. Hesitatingly, he put his palm over her head. She stirred. His eyes fell on the copy beside her. He opened it. Not only had she completed the homework, but she had also gone ahead and studied the next chapter all by herself. A smile curved his lips. He watched her sleeping figure with a sense of guilt. He might have overreacted. Surely, everyone knew how tedious Thakuma could be. Bondita was balancing it all. He patted her gently as she jolted awake. 

"I was...I…" 

"It's okay." He reassured her.  "Go and sleep."

Bondita looked up at him with a hint of disappointment, closed her copy and walked away to the bed. Before he could reach his side, she lay down on hers, with her back to him. Aniruddha sighed.

Bondita was taken aback by the hug she received from Prabhavati. She had touched her feet. But she didn't expect a hug. It was informal and certainly not something she got from a lot of older women. Prabhavati was in her forties. She was tall, dark-skinned and had the exact face of Shubhra she had seen in pictures. She wore the saree differently, putting her Aachol at the back and not the front. Bondita had seen only Pari didi wear it that way. Her saree was a Paithani. Her blouse was ruffled. Something Bondita saw the first time. Ira was a little shorter than her and wore an English-style dress. Her hair was tied on either side with silky ribbons. Prabhavati's smile made Bondita feel at ease. 

"You look so beautiful." Prabhavati gushed. "Trilochan da, I must say. Bondita is it?" She nodded. "She is very smart."

Trilochan smiled. "And this must be Ira. How she has grown!"

"Yes, they grow up so fast. Don't they?" She smiled sitting down on the couch beside Binoy. "See yours. Aniruddha and now Som. I still remember them so little. Running around."

"And you ran after them." Binoy smiled. "You know, Bondita, most of the time, she was the cause of all the trouble Som or Aniruddha got into. She gave them ideas." Bondita smiled.

"Don't blame me Jamai babu. Aniruddha used to ask so many questions." She made Bondita look surprised. "You remember?" Trilochan agreed. "Does he still do that?"

"Oh, he answers questions now. Right, Boudi?" Somnath walked past Bondita, who narrowed her eyes at him and hugged his Mashi.

"Oh, does he?" Prabhavati looked amused. "Where is Batuk? Aniruddha?" She asked.

"I will go check. Do you want tea, Mashima?" Bondita offered.

"Oh, please. Call me Mashi. You are like my daughter. And no, child, I have developed this bad habit of having only coffee."

"I can make you that." Bondita smiled.

"You can?" Prabhavati looked impressed. "That would be lovely. Where did you learn?"

"I… Barrister Babu doesn't like tea either." Bondita smiled sheepishly.

"Who?" Prabhavati looked a bit clueless. "Oh, you call him Barrister Babu? How cute." She let out a small laugh as Bondita looked away.

"Can you do me another favour, Bondita?" She nodded. "Get Ira some milk and Badam." 

"Surely." She smiled at Ira. "Do you want to come with me? See your room?" Bondita offered.

"Can I, Maa? Go with her?" Ira asked softly. 

"Sure. To us, Boudis used to be like friends. Right?" Trilochan nodded. "So are Bondita and Batuk. They keep fighting." He smiled.

"I will go call Batuk and Dada." Som walked away as Ira followed Bondita inside.

"Bouma. Bouma." Bondita rolled her eyes as Ira looked surprised.

"Who is that?" She asked.

"Thakuma."

"Who is she calling?" Ira asked.

"Me." Bondita shook her head. "I will be back."

Aniruddha smiled as Prabhavati hugged him.

"My goodness. Jamai Babu. I must say. He outdid you. So handsome." She gushed. Aniruddha shook his head. 

"And me?" Batuk hugged Prabhavati.

"You are the cutest." She pinched his cheek.

"Mashi, I have grown up. Stop doing that." Batuk made her smile.

"Your coffee." Aniruddha looked up at Bondita offering Mashi coffee, as Ira ran to hug him and Batuk.

"Wah. Bondita. I must say. This tastes really good." Prabhavati sipped from her cup.

"Our Bondita is such a quick learner." Trilochan gushed, making her smile. "Roope Lokkhi Gun e Saraswati."

"Is that so?" Prabhavati smiled. "Aniruddha, you are very lucky indeed." Aniruddha was busy asking Ira about her studies when he looked up at Prabhavati's words, and his eyes travelled to Bondita's who looked away. She had been avoiding him since breakfast.

"I need to go," Aniruddha said to nobody in particular. "I will take your shopping list along Jetha Moshai, I will stop by town. Does anyone else need anything?" 

"Oh, Dada, get me some coloured papers. I need them for school." Batuk spoke. Aniruddha nodded, took the shopping list and stood there checking it. 

"You can check it on the road. Go along." Trilochan spoke.

"I will be back by lunch." He said and walked away.

"You heard that, Bondita?" Prabhavati smiled. "Reminds me of my initial marital days. He always used to talk like this to me in front of people." She smiled. Trilochan shook his head.

Binoy smiled. "Prabhavati, aren't you a Sashuri? Act like one." Bondita blushed a little and walked away, followed by Ira in tow to show her the room. 

Prabhavati was settled in her room as Bondita allotted one of the house help to help her unpack. She came by with a jug of water to check on them.

"Bondita." Prabhavati made her stop. "Come here. I got you something." She took out a sleek gold pendant from a box. "This is a wedding gift."

"I… Mashi…" Bondita looked awkward.

"Take it. It's a blessing." Prabhavati cupped her face. "Tell me, do you know how to read and write?" Bondita nodded, a little unsure.

"Homeschooling?" She nodded again. 

"Who teaches you?" 

"Umm… actually … there used to be someone… Then…."

"Aniruddha does?" She stopped as Prabhavati smiled. "I must say he is a good husband, isn't he?" Bondita was quiet. "You two look perfect together. '' Prabhavati patted her shoulder.

When Aniruddha came home for lunch, Bondita had already made friends with Ira. She ran about following her with "Boudi… Boudi…" not missing from her lips. And it gave her even more reason to avoid him. He tried to make her talk. Ask for salt or some rice. Each time, either Koeli or Prabhavati helped him. He looked up at her, hoping she would look back at him in vain. He needed to apologise. 

After lunch, Aniruddha paced his room, waiting for her to finish her chores and come upstairs so that he could talk. He frowned as it was almost evening and she wasn't there yet. Aniruddha walked downstairs and scanned the rooms. The study room, sitting area, Thakur dalan, courtyards, and dining hall. He stopped hearing voices from the kitchen. He walked up to the threshold to find Bondita and Ira on the floor with Prabhavati as she taught them to make achar. Bondita's back was to him, and Prabhavati spotted him first.

"Aniruddha." She made Bondita raise her eyebrows and glance over her shoulder.

"What are you doing in the kitchen?"

"I… Umm…" He opened his mouth as his eyes travelled to Bondita, who looked away. 

"Do you want to learn how to make achar?" Prabhavati asked, making Ira giggle. 

"No. No." Aniruddha shook his head sheepishly. "Maybe some other time. I… was here for water." He looked around. 

Bondita promptly got up and handed him a jug. She carefully avoided his hands and looked away as he tried to gesture something at her, and stopped at Prabhavati's stare. 

"Have you two been fighting?" Prabhavati asked, amused.

"No." Came an answer in unison as Aniruddha snatched the jug and walked away.

"Umm ...What do we do next, Mashi?" Bondita asked, sitting down again.

"Are you sure he wasn't here to call you?" Prabhavati smiled. 

"I…No...I study at night." She smiled faintly. 

"Oh, he lets you?" Prabhavati sounded amused "Like I said, my nephew is a good husband."

Bondita looked pale.

"Why, Ma?" Ira asked, making Bondita look a little wide-eyed.

"Your Dadabhai teaches boudi to study." She smiled. "That's why."

"Is he a teacher?" Ira asked.

"No, he's her Barrister Babu." Prabhavati placed her hand on Bondita's with a smile.

Aniruddha stared at the clock as he appeared busy at his writing desk. She wasn't in the room still. He frowned. The lights around the house were turned off. Where did she go? He walked out of his room looked around and found her in her old bedroom, studying. He stood at the threshold as Bondita dismissed his presence. He walked in almost stomping his feet and cleared his throat. Nothing made her look up from her work. 

The coconut phone was placed on the table as Bondita eyed it.

"Tring tring tring tring." She shut her ears with her hands. "Tring tring tring tring tring."

"Uff." She glared at him. He rolled his eyes towards the coconut phone with a smile.

"Hello." She said in a grumbling tone.

"Mrs Bondita Roy Chowdhury?" He raised his eyebrows as she glared at him.

"Yes." She nodded.

"I have a message from your Barrister Babu."

Bondita shook her head "I don't want to know."

"But Madam, it is my duty to give you the message. Or else I will lose my job." He made her smile. "I am a poor man with a family to feed."

"Oh, are you?" She shook her head. "Okay fine. Tell me."

"He says he's sorry for yesterday. He might have overreacted." He held his ear with his left hand and pouted while holding the coconut phone with his right hand. 

"He might have?" Bondita looked displeased. "That doesn't look like an apology."

"Okay. He overreacted. He apologises." He was quick to agree.

"And he didn't let me finish on my side." He nodded in agreement.

"I didn't even eat my dinner when I came to study. He knows how my brain doesn't work when hungry." Bondita looked sad.  "And he scolded me." 

"He will do anything to make up for it," Aniruddha assured. 

"Anything?" She asked. 

"Yes, anything." As soon as Aniruddha said it, the smile on her face made it evident that he was going to regret his words.

"Okay, Bondita will think of something." Her eyes sparkled. Aniruddha reluctantly agreed.

"Can he now get back to teaching Bondita now that she isn't angry?" He asked. Bondita kept down the coconut phone. "Yes. Today we have geography lessons."