Dur hai par tera saya hai mujhpe
Bharosa kyun jaane tujhpe
Bondita was excited at the thought of meeting her mother. She wore the blue and golden saree Trilochan had gifted her for Ashtamangala, and Koeli came in to help her with the jewellery.
"Zamindar Babu has instructed me to make sure you look as royal as a queen. He says that your family should see how Tulsipur knows how to treat their women right." Koeli spoke, helping her with her earrings.
"Koeli didi, can you make sure Baba has his medicines?"
"Don't worry, Choto Malkin, we will take care of everything." She smiled, helping her braid her hair. "You go spend some time with your mother. You don't know when you will meet her again."
Bondita sighed at her words.
Aniruddha walked out of the study to see baskets of fruits being heaped into the motor car. He frowned.
"What is all this Jetha Moshai?"
"Just some gifts for her family. It's tradition." Trilochan shook his head. "They also need to be aware that we are Roy Chowdhury." Aniruddha shook his head. The sound of anklets made them turn as Bondita walked down the stairs with Koeli carrying her luggage. She smiled at Trilochan.
"Ready to go meet your mother?" He asked with a smile as Bondita touched his feet.
"Don't scold Koeli if the food is sweet. It's just for two days." She narrowed her eyes as Trilochan looked taken aback.
"Who told…" he glared at Aniruddha ", You complained?" He shook his head. "I just said…"
"Promise me, Kakababu." She spoke again with a voice of authority as Trilochan nodded. "Come back soon." She smiled.
"And Aniruddha, don't wait long. Just drop her off. It's a long way back. The roads are not safe to drive after dusk alone." He nodded in agreement.
"Dugga Dugga." Trilochan placed his folded hands on his forehead as they drove off.
"What are these?" Bondita asked, staring alarmed at the back seat.
"You'd better ask Jetha Moshai." Aniruddha shrugged.
The open roof of the car made Bondita's saree fall over her head, and her stranded locks played in the wind.
"So...umm…" he tried to break the silence of the car ", Did you bring your books?"
Bondita frowned and shook her head.
"It's just two days. I have lots of people to meet and lots of things to do." She sounded excited.
"Two days… does that include today or…?" He glanced at her, staring at him. "I am just making sure when I have to go there." He stopped and concentrated on the road.
"Day after tomorrow." Bondita glanced at the fields on her side of the road. Don't forget it. We don't have telephones, you know?"
He shook his head. "Jetha Moshai won't let me forget it."
"Otherwise, you would have?" Bondita raised her eyebrows with a hint of surprise.
"I didn't say that." He shook his head.
"You meant it." She nodded.
"I just wanted to… Say…Err… if you wanted to stay a few more days, you could." He gathered, sounding a little unsure. A silence followed.
"I have a plan for Sumati Ma's problem." He spoke as her eyes lit up.
"Really, Barrister Babu? Can I know what it is?" He shook his head. "No. I will talk to her first." She frowned at his words. "I don't want you to force her into anything she wouldn't want, with your arguments."
Bondita looked disappointed and crossed her hands around her lap, and sat looking at the view.
"We need to stop in town for a while to let the engine cool down. Do you need to buy anything?" He asked with his eyes on the road. Bondita shook her head.
Aniruddha frowned at the lack of response.
"Bondita? I asked something."
"No. I shook my head." She said,
"How am I supposed to see that? I need my eyes on the road." Bondita glanced across at him. She didn't know why he seemed so fussy since morning.
They stopped in town as Aniruddha opened the bonnet of the car and poured water into the engine. Bondita pulled her saree back over her head and stepped out. ,
"How does the car work?" She asked.
"See these parts." He explained as she cupped her face with her painted hands and leaned in to observe.
"Can I drive?" She asked when he finished explaining.
"No. I need to get back home. I can't do so in a run-down car." He smiled, amused.
"That was my first attempt, okay?" She defended by pointing her forefinger at him. "Do you learn everything on the very first day?" She asked. Aniruddha shook his head. "How about you try when we get back?" She looked disappointed and turned her back on him. Aniruddha closed the bonnet shut and smiled.
"Bondita." He said almost in a whisper, "There are no tables to hide under here. So it's no use being angry." His voice had a hint of amusement.
"I am not angry." She stomped back to the car and sat down. As she closed the door and looked up, he wasn't there. Bondita looked around, worried, narrowing her eyes.
"Now, where did you go, Barrister Babu?" For a split second, Bondita was worried that she had angered him. Soon, she saw him approach from the crowd with something in his hand.
"Here." He extended his hand to her as she looked up with questioning eyes.
"Kulfi to cool you down." He smiled, taking a bite of his own.
"Kakababu says these are bad for your health." She spoke.
"And you obey him a lot, don't you?" He asked. A smile formed in her eyes, but didn't reach her lips."I try to." She pressed her lips and tasted the kulfi.
"Don't tell him." He warned. Bondita giggled. "Not that I am scared." He added. She nodded amusedly.
When the car reached the village, the children were running after it. Bondita looked back, waved and giggled.
"They will get hurt. Bondita, tell them to stop chasing." Aniruddha looked puzzled. "Stop chasing the car, you will get hurt." He spoke aloud to the children in vain. Bondita smiled, amused at his helplessness.
"You know, with children, if you tell them not to do something, they do it even more." She stated.
Aniruddha shot her a glance.
"What? It's true, Barrister Babu. I teach them. I know."
He shook his head.
"Don't say I am one." She warned.
"I didn't." He shook his head. An awkward silence followed as they approached her home. Bondita all of a sudden realised that he had stopped calling her a child ever since the day of the Jalsa. She stared at him while a bit lost in thought as he stopped the car.
Sumati walked out of the house, followed by Kaki, as Bondita got down from the car and ran to hug her mother. Aniruddha folded his hands as Kaki welcomed him.
"Wait here, both of you." Pishima stopped them at the threshold.
Kaki ran in to bring the aarti and welcomed them inside as her cousins flocked around.
Aniruddha sat down on a bench in the courtyard as Kaki introduced him to her daughter and son-in-law.
"They are here for the Ashtamangala too. As soon as she heard Bondita was coming, she delayed her coming here by a day too." Kaki smiled as Bondita went to hug her cousin. She felt relieved that her cousin seemed happy. Aniruddha eyed the man who folded his hands in courtesy, making him do the same. He was barely eighteen. He wore a gold chain and rings on his fingers, almost as if to show off. He also noticed how this young man was eyeing his car and his pantaloons.
"There are… a few gifts Kaka sent, in the car," Aniruddha spoke to nobody in particular as if to remind Bondita, who ran to it, followed by her cousins.
"Stop running. The saree is falling off your head. Are you not shy in front of your husband or Jamaibabu?" Aniruddha heard Pishima whisper after Bondita. He glanced over his shoulder and saw Pishima walk up to her and pull the saree over her head, as her newly married cousin followed in slow, measured steps. It made him smile faintly.
Sumati walked out with a plate of fruits and sweets for him and a glass of water. She sat down with the hand fan and called for Bondita.
"Bondita. Come here. Wave the fan. Jamaibabu is not used to the heat."
"Yes, you have electric fans, right?" Kaki gushed.
"We are planning to install some." The young man spoke out of turn.
"No, I am… It's okay…" he murmured as Bondita ran back to them, her saree again falling from her head as Pishima looked hopeless.
"Yes, give that to me." Bondita snatched the hand fan from Sumati and stared at his plate.
"Mangoes." She spoke delightedly, waving the fan right over his shoulder. "Did you get me some, too?"
"Such shamelessness," Pishima spoke under her breath. Sumati smiled. "Yes. I have kept it for the night. You like it with milk, don't you?" She nodded.
"Jamai babu." Bondita's Kaka folded his hands and looked around. "So many things Zamindar Babu has sent, this is a poor man's hut, we can only give you so little." He looked almost guilty.
"Yes, we are on the bride's side. Zamindar Babu should not have …" Pishima agreed.
"You are giving away your daughters. Isn't that enough?" Aniruddha stared at the groom intently. Intimidated by the same, he looked away. Bondita saw her cousin turn pale. There was an awkward silence she needed to break.
"Will you eat all of that?" A gasp escaped Kaki's lips as Aniruddha looked a bit taken aback by her words. "I mean it's a lot of…"
"Bondita!" Her mother scolded. "Let Jamai babu eat."
Pishima pulled her by her hand to face her, holding her wrist, making her stop fanning.
"What are you doing? Is that how you talk to him?" She snapped.
"What are you doing? Let go of her hand." Aniruddha stood up behind Bondita, making Pishima let go and look away.
" It's okay that she asked. I usually eat less. And it's between the two of us, she is my..." Bondita stared at his face, at his words. Aniruddha stopped and looked away.
"Ma, before I leave, can I speak to you in private?" Sumati nodded with a frown, leading Aniruddha away to the hut. Bondita sat down in his seat and waved the fan at herself.
"Now I get it." Pishima shook her head. "She speaks his mind, acts his words." Kaki eyed Bondita, who frowned at her.
"Ma. Both Bondita and I are concerned with your living here." Aniruddha spoke as soon as they were alone. Sumati lowered her eyes behind her veil and noticed her husband's ring on his finger. Her eyes were moist.
"It will be better if you come to live with us. I will talk to Jetha Moshai."
"No." Sumati shook her head. "I can't live in your house."
"Why not?" He asked, "Isn't it your daughter's house too?" Sumati looked up at his words.
"Jamai babu, I know both of you will have logical arguments I can't counter. But I live in a society with self-respect. I can't…" She looked scared of offending him.
"Okay. I will not force you." Aniruddha nodded. "But then you have to let me send you a monthly allowance."
"But Jamai babu, how can I…"
"Maa, I lost my mother in childhood. I could never give her anything. Let me be a son and give my mother a monthly allowance. Would you have refused if it were from your son?" He made her look at his face. "Am I not your son?"
"You are but…"
"Soon, your daughter will be independent enough to send you her hard-earned money." He smiled. "Then you won't need to take anything from me as well."
"Bondita?" Sumati looked up.
"Yes, Maa. She will study. She will get a degree. And she can work in any field she wants to. Just like Baba or me." Sumati folded her hands at his words.
"Jamai babu. I appreciate that you are teaching her and guiding her. But… working? Isn't it hard for a woman in a man's world?" She sounded scared.
Aniruddha shook his head. "And she is not alone. Am there with her. You don't need to worry about anything. She will fight her battles. She is brave and intelligent. More than you or me." Sumati looked up at him.
"You are a gem, Jamai Babu." She smiled. "Bondita is lucky to be your wife."
"No Maa. Our house is lucky she is there. It stops if she isn't." He smiled. "You should have seen how many times she had to reassure everyone today."
"You should start now. Otherwise, you can't reach by…" Bondita walked in, making them both look up at her.
"I… yes… " he nodded. "I'd better get going."
"Jamai babu. Will you keep one request of mine?" Sumati asked. Aniruddha looked up.
"Please tell me the order, not the request, Maa."
"Please stay over the night you come to take her home. It's tradition."
"But Maa, how can he…" Bondita opened her mouth to speak.
"I will. I'd better get going." He folded his hands and walked out.
"Bondita, see him off, my child," Sumati spoke as she nodded and followed him out.
"There is no electricity or beds here. You can't sleep on the floor." She spoke as soon as they crossed the threshold.
"It's just a night. She wants me to." He shook his head. "I can manage."
"Are you sure?" He nodded.
"What did you talk to her about?" She asked.
"She will take a monthly allowance from me. And it will stay between the three of us."
"She agreed?" Bondita asked, surprised.
"I also can make logical arguments if needed." He smiled. Bondita looked happy. They reached the car, and he opened the driver's side of the door with his back to her.
"Come early the day after tomorrow." She smiled. His hand stopped at the door as he stared back at her face. "Early?"
"Yes, in the morning." He nodded at her words with a faint smile. Eyes met briefly.
"Take care of yourself." He spoke.
"Please ask Kakababu not to lose his cool." She smiled.
"I will try." He nodded. Bondita felt his eyes on her face even when she lowered it.
" I should go." He spoke. She nodded again. He got into the driver's seat as she looked up at his face.
"Usually we say 'I should go and come back." He looked up at her words. "Go… is …. Incomplete." He smiled as she looked away.
"I'd be back." She looked at his face as he said it and started the car, giving her one last glance before he drove off. Bondita stood staring at the dust as the car disappeared into the horizon.
"Wow, Bondita." Her cousin grabbed her attention. "Jamai babu loves you so much, his eyes would not leave you." She gushed.
Bondita's cheeks grew warm.
"You are imagining things." She pushed her cousin away and walked inside.
"Am I?" She smirked. "Really?"
"It's nothing like that." She shook her head, sitting down as her cousins flocked around her.
"Tell us about your first night." One of the older girls gushed. Bondita found her newlywed cousin blushing at her words.
"Well, he really did love me a lot." She looked red.
"Did he hold your hand?" Someone asked.
"Cup your face?" Another smiled.
"Look into your eyes and say he loves you?" The girls giggled. Bondita looked away awkwardly.
" Yes." The girl smiled timidly. Bondita looked up at her words. "I was scared at first. It hurt. But he said it's how it is supposed to be. Everyone goes through it. It's a different feeling.`` She looked up at Bondita. "I could barely walk the next day."
"I am sure Bondita knows what I mean, right?" Bondita opened her mouth but couldn't speak. All of a sudden, she could remember his reassuring words and his hand on hers. All of a sudden, she felt blessed. She walked away from the girls into her mother's hut.
"Is it true he will allow you to study for a degree?" Sumati asked, making her look up and smile.
"He says he's nobody to allow me. It's my right." She sat down beside her mother.
"I am happy you agreed to take the allowance."
"How old was he when he lost his mother?" Sumati asked.
"About ten. Batuk was very small." She nodded. "Kakababu speaks of her the most."
"Bondita…" Sumati asked, unsure, "Did anything change at home?"
"What do you mean?" She frowned cluelessly.
"Ah… Nothing. How is your new room?" Sumati smiled.
"His room is bigger than my old one. And he has all kinds of books there, too. Kakababu asked me to shift my clothes there. But I still study in my old room. Helps me concentrate better." She smiled.
"And how is a regular day in the Roy Chowdhury House?"
"I wake up before everyone. Kakababu taught me to. Then I take a bath. Did you know his room has a tub? I don't need to go to the pond. He gets angry if I do." Sumati smiled at her words. "Then I usually help Koeli didi prepare for kakababu's morning puja. Usually, the bells and conch from our puja wake up the rest of the household. Except for Batuk. He sleeps like a log." Bondita giggled. "Then I help Bihari Babu with the menu for the day. We tell the cook. I help with breakfast. The cook can't make Barrister Babu's coffee or Baba's toast." She shook her head. "I can. Then I prepare lunch and give Som Dada and Batuk. Their tiffin and head to school. I teach children and older women. Barrister Babu takes our classes. Then, usually, he leaves for work. So does Baba. I sometimes help Kaka with accounting. Do my homework. Batuk comes home before lunch. After lunch, I read a novel. Then prepare for the sandhi puja. By the time that happens, I sometimes go sit with Sampoorna didi or Asha. After the Sandhi Puja, I serve them snacks and tea. Everyone comes home by then. Barrister Babu talks of the new cases he found interesting. Or I sit with Baba and sort out his medicines while he reads the news and asks my opinion. Som Dada often makes me do his project work." She giggled. "Then we prepare dinner. After dinner, Barrister Babu teaches me for my matriculation examination." Sumati smiled.
"You have quite a busy day." Bondita nodded.
"Som Dada is getting married in a month and a half. Once Asha comes, she will divide the work, and I can study more." Bondita smiled.
"Has Jamai Babu gotten used to having you around?" Sumati had a hint of amusement in her voice. Bondita looked away.
Aniruddha had taken a bath and came up to the dressing table to comb his hair. He couldn't find his washed pair of pyjamas in the wardrobe and frowned.
"Bondita? Bondita." He called only to realise she wasn't around.
"There you go. He can't find a thing. Go and check on him, Bihari." Trilochan shook his head.
"Boudi? Boudi?" Batuk stopped at his stare. "Oh no, she is not here. Who will help me with the project now?" He frowned as Trilochan smiled.
"Go ask your Dada to help."
"Aniruddha Dada?" Batuk asked, alarmed. "What if he scolds me?"
"Tell him boudi told him he will help." Trilochan smiled, amused. Batuk ran off.
Binoy came and sat down beside him.
"When will she be back?" He sighed.
"You want something, Choto Malik?" Bihari asked at the threshold. Aniruddha looked up at him.
"I can't find my washed clothes."
"I will bring them to Malik." He ran off as Aniruddha stood in his towel and wiped his head.
His eyes fell on the Sindoor Daani while picking up his musk, and he smiled faintly.
"Dada" Batuk startled him.
"You have to help me with the project tonight."
"What project?" He frowned. "No Batuk. I have work."
"Boudi said you will help." Batuk sulked.
"Did she?" Aniruddha asked. Batuk nodded. "Yes, Dada. Usually, she helps me and…"
"Okay, come by after dinner." He agreed.
Bondita drank the milk and savoured the mangoes to her heart's content and smiled.
"Tell me stories now, Maa." She said, putting her head on Sumati's lap.
"Stories?" Sumati smiled. "When you were a little girl, you used to sleep like this and…"
"No. Stories of Baba." Bondita smiled.
Aniruddha was losing his patience with Batuk. Whether it was because of his lack of communication or Batuk's lack of understanding, he couldn't tell. "I didn't tell you to do this." He shook his head the umpteenth time. "Do you not concentrate? Learn a bit from Bondita."
"Boudi is far better than you, Dada." Batuk retorted. "She doesn't yell. Your yelling is making me nervous."
"I am not yelling at you." Aniruddha shook his head as Batuk packed his things and left.
Bondita sat by the window, looking out as her mother slept soundly. She remembered her cousin's conversation. Her eyes travelled to her Shankhapola and painted hands, and she held her right wrist with her left one and smiled.
Aniruddha lay down on his side of the bed and twisted. He glanced over to her side. She had been there the night before, her hair falling all over the place. It tickled him in his sleep. He brushed off strands of her hair too many times in his sleep. He lay down on his back again and wondered. What was she doing?
The next day brought a heavy downpour all over the plains of Bengal. The children were out getting wet in the rain, and the girls made paper boats in puddles. The women complained about the wet clothes not drying, and the men about the mud on the way to work. The earth smelled of mud and soil. The falling droplets on the trees made music. Bondita sat staring out of the window at the leaves that swayed in the rain and wind. She remembered the rain on the roof of the Roy Chowdhury Mansion. And another rainy day that brought Barrister Babu home. She smiled faintly at the memories. How her letter had found him. But it's been a matter of months, and destiny has played its part.
"Bondita. Put a pail over here." Sumati spoke. "The water is dripping down the hay." Bondita got up to do what was told.
"Put in a stack of hay once he sends you some money." She spoke to her mother. She suddenly stopped remembering his words that day in the rain. He had promised she would never be alone in her battles. Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury was keeping his promises.
Aniruddha sat in the study looking out at the incessant pouring. The droplets trickled down the window pane, racing each other. Aniruddha remembered the day similar kinds of droplets raced down her neckline. He couldn't help his eyes from observe. He breathed in. Naive as she was, Bondita was busy enjoying the rain. She smiled at the drops and spread her arms out for them. He had watched her. She hadn't noticed him. He was glad she didn't. Aniruddha looked away from the rain to his writing desk. She needed to be focused on her Matriculation. Then her dreams. Their future could wait for sunnier days.
Bondita woke up to the first rays of sun hitting her face as she picked up a bucket and made her way to the pond. The ladies of the village greeted her there. She smiled faintly at their curious observations.
"Look, she is glowing." Someone smiled.
"Oh, she has to. Aniruddha Babu takes good care of her."
"Oh, he cares so much."
"He is such a gentleman."
"Bondita, you are lucky to have a husband who looks at you like that."
"Yes, he loves you clearly."
Bondita hurried with her chores amidst the chatter, changed into a semi-wet saree, tucked the wet one into the bucket and wrapped the dry piece of cloth on her hair to soak it. She then walked home.
The honk of a car almost made her jump as she glanced over to see him at the driving wheel.
"What are you doing so early in the morning?" She asked.
"You told me to come early, remember?" He frowned.
"I didn't mean this early." She frowned.
"What are you doing here? In these clothes?" He asked with a hint of displeasure. Bondita suddenly felt conscious. Although the road was empty and most of the windows shut around the huts, she had never felt this conscious returning from a pond. Her bare shoulder over which the saree was wrapped without a blouse suddenly felt exposed. She was quick to wrap the saree on it as Aniruddha looked away as if he could read her thoughts.
"I went to the pond." She murmured.
"Get into the car." It sounded more like a command. She did as she was told, placing the bucket with wet clothes on her lap.
"Your leather seats will get wet." He didn't seem to care.
"Get inside and change. Before anyone comes around," he spoke, stopping the car.
"Nobody usually…" She stopped at his stare and walked inside.
Aniruddha had eaten to his heart's content the simple meal that the Das' offered. But he was very awkward with the constant fanning Bondita did over his head.
"Enough now." He caught her wrist as he got up from lunch. "You will not feel your hands anymore." Bondita looked a little wide-eyed as her cousins looked amused, and the elders looked away. He let go of her hand.
"I mean, I can get used to the heat if the fanning stops." He shot her a glance.
"What if you fall sick?" She retorted.
"Yes, Jamai Babu. You are not used to this heat." Sumati nodded.
"I was born and brought up here. A few years out of the country doesn't make any change. I will adapt." He reassured them.
Pishima had arranged for them to stay the night in her hut because it had a bed. Although a lot smaller than the one at home, Aniruddha gathered that it was better than sleeping on the floor. Adapting to village life was easier said than done. Bondita noticed the size of the bed and hesitated.
"You should take the bed. I will sleep on the floor." She spoke, turning the hurricane to dim.
"Why? There is enough space." Aniruddha spoke in a reflex and looked awkward.
"I mean…"
"You are used to more space." Bondita shook her head.
"You are not used to the floor either." He said, "If you are sleeping on it, so am I, or else we share the space."
"Sometimes he's just stubborn," Bondita spoke under her breath, making the bed.
"Did you say something?" He asked with a frown.
"No." She shook her head, lying down on her side. "Happy?"
"We have to leave at dawn. We need to be there by midday." He spoke, taking the hand fan from her.
"Why?" She asked.
"Mukhopadhyay Babu will bring the priest to fix the dates for Som's nuptials." He spoke. Bondita smiled. "I was just telling Maa about Asha yesterday."
"And I was helping Batuk with his project." He said, lying down on his back. Bondita shifted to her other side, facing him.
"How did it go?" She asked.
"I think I scared him away." That made her giggle.
"Quite possible."
"What do you mean?" He glared, making her stop.
"That." She pointed, "Is that what I mean?"
He shook his head.
"Bondita," Aniruddha called in the middle of the night. "Bondita?" His voice was a little louder. Bondita shifted in her sleep but didn't wake up. Aniruddha sat up, slapping a mosquito that was humming at his ears.
"Bondita." He tapped her shoulder reluctantly.
"Huh?" She opened her eyes, sleepy, as she could see very little in the darkness.
"Mosquitoes." He slapped at one again.
Bondita sat up. "What?"
"Mosquitoes." He repeated. "How are you sleeping?"
"What can I do about it?" She shrugged. "Wait." She looked around in the darkness.
In the light of the stars, she found Dhunuchi.
"This will do." She smiled.
Aniruddha started coughing the minute the room filled up with the camphor smoke.
Alarmed, Bondita opened the doors and windows. She handed him a glass of water, and he still continued coughing.
"You will wake up the whole house." She looked alarmed.
"What will I do? The smoke…" he coughed.
"Is he okay?" Kaki called from outside. Bondita walked to the threshold to find her with Pishima and Sumati.
"He's fine. Just the mosquitoes and…" Aniruddha coughed louder. Bondita went back to him, alarmed and started patting his back.
"Sorry. Sorry. Sorry." She spoke, holding her ear with her left hand and patting his back with her right one.
"It's okay." He nodded. "Not your fault."
"What language was that?" Pishima frowned, sitting down in the open courtyard. "Sarry?"
"Must be the one the Sarkar speaks in." Kaki wondered. "What did it mean?"
"Must be some code word for the new lovebirds." Pishima chuckled, amused.
"Oho." Kaki smiled.
"They look very much in love, don't they?" Kaki asked Sumati, who nodded.
"By the grace of God, yes." She smiled.
