Harsh Truth

Tu Jo chahe woh saza de

Kuch bhi na main kahungi.

"How could you let him go?" Binoy shouted, perplexed, "I am talking to you, Bondita." She lowered her gaze and stood in silence. 

"Why are you blaming her? This widow brainwashed her." Trilochan eyed Sampoorna. "Let Aniruddha come back. We will do what is needed, and she will be out of here. Enough is enough."

"You don't understand Dada. This will have adverse consequences. On our name, reputation, business, everything. One helping revolutionaries, another fighting for them. " Binoy shook his head.

"Every time Aniruddha lands in trouble because of this girl. I told you, didn't I?" He shook his head "She is not fit to be his wife. She has no qualities of a wife. "

"Binoy, calm down," Trilochan warned him. "We are all upset and scared. We didn't expect you to put us in such trouble, Bondita." Her eyes teared up at Trilochan's words. "You proved me wrong today. Daughters-in-law can never be daughters." Bondita broke down in tears, as Trilochan looked away. Asha tried to reach out to her, but Som stopped her. She stood fixed in her spot. A commotion outside grabbed their attention.

"Zamindar babu. Please come out. We are here to see you." The villagers spoke as Binoy and Trilochan walked out. 

"Don't dare come out in front of them," Binoy warned Bondita. 

"Zamindar Babu, what is happening here?"

"Are we not safe in Tulsipur?"

"Today, the police raided the Zamindar's house, accusing people. What if tomorrow it's us?"

"We don't feel safe anymore if you are not safe."

"Is it true that you support revolutionaries openly? The British can take away your rights over Tulsipur."

Binoy stretched his hand out to calm the crowd down. Trilochan cleared his throat and spoke. 

"Look, we are as clueless as you. I assure you none of us was or is involved in anything that will harm Tulsipur or us. You have had your faith in us for decades, and we have never let you down. Aniruddha indeed went to help that man…" A buzz went across the alarmed villagers. "But… I assure you that it is because of his profession. We are not involved. And nobody will dare harm you under my watch. You have my word. Go home, everyone."

The day passed by in silence as tension loomed. Aniruddha wasn't home yet. Bondita sat down on the floor of her room, scared. She was scared for the revolutionaries, Sampoorna didi, the house, and everyone, especially Aniruddha. She had not only been a bad wife to him but a deceiving partner. Something she was dead against. But what would she have done? Instead of being furious with her, he was out there helping the people whom she wanted to help. One protest from her and he knew what to do. He knew how to stand by her even when she never allowed him into this mess. How could she not love him? How could she put his life in trouble? What if Greenwood hurt him, too, like he hurt Jamai Babu? Bondita's hands trembled. She needed help. Who would help at this hour? She gulped. She knew who. She wasn't sure if Sampoorna would approve. She ran down the stairs into the sitting room, which was engulfed in the darkness of the night. She dialled Nikhil's number.

Bondita jolted awake as she had dozed off in her sitting position at the sound of footsteps. It was Trilochan. He was about to go pick flowers. 

"Let me." She said in a hurry. "I will go take a bath." Trilochan walked away as though she were invisible. Bondita's heart sank. She went to the kitchen, but Trilochan ordered Asha to cook. She wanted to serve them, but none took from her. She walked back into the Thakur dalan in tears. She sat down at the feet of the Durga idol and prayed. Tears streamed down her cheeks. She had no idea where Aniruddha was. There was no call from him. It was unusually quiet. She feared what Greenwood said. What if he puts him in jail? She let out a sob. 

"Boudi?" Batuk whispered from behind her, reassuringly. "Don't worry, Dada will be fine, and when he comes home, everyone will start being normal with you again." He smiled reassuringly.

"I know I made a mistake, Batuk. I shouldn't have lied to him." She sobbed. 

"Boudi?" She turned to the familiar voice at the threshold.  "Nikhil Thakurpo." She wiped her tears. "I didn't know who else to call."

"Where is Sampoorna?" He asked tensely. Bondita pointed at the room down the corridor. He dropped his luggage and ran to it. Bondita sighed. Was she doing the right thing?

Sampoorna sat on the floor holding onto a piece of cloth that belonged to Debaditya. She sniffed. In her mind, it still smelled of him. Her mind was running. Indeed, Debaditya mentioned that this man, Greenwood, was going around the village asking questions. Could he...Did he...tears swelled up in her eyes as she saw her own reflection in the mirror. She had not only been desperate enough to land in trouble, but she had also pulled Bondita and Aniruddha Babu right into it with her. She was sure in her mind that Debaditya would be disappointed with her if anything happened to the Roy Chowdhurys. He looked up at Aniruddha Babu. He loved Bondita like a sister. Moreover, whatever she heard today made her fear Bondita's future in the house. It was all her fault. Sampoorna's thoughts wandered to all the rebukes she had received from her own people. Kulakshini. Bad omen. Ill luck. Could she let herself believe that everyone she loved was in one way or another harmed because of her? She closed her eyes. She instantly saw a vision of Nikhil. A chill ran down her spine. How could she, while mourning her late husband, think of another man? She cursed herself under her breath and closed her eyes again. It was all in vain. The heart never listened. His shocked face staring right at her one last time became vivid in her mind. She let out a cry. The door to her room flung open.

Sampoorna thought she was still in a trance when Nikhil called out her name. 

"I am here. I… " he stopped from touching her shoulders as he knelt down before her. "Are you okay?" His face looked concerned. 

Sampoorna took a moment to wipe her tears and compose herself. Drawing the saree over her closely, she looked away. 

"What are you doing here?" She asked firmly.

"Bondita Boudi called. She said you are in trouble. I came as soon as I could." He stopped at her cold stare. She smiled faintly.

"Trouble? How does my trouble concern you?"

"Sampoorna. I know what happened in the…"

"Bondita is still young. She did the wrong thing by calling you. Instead of making her understand you have nothing to do with me, you are actually here. What do you expect?"

"I know Sampoorna. What I did was cowardly. I walked away. I know asking for forgiveness is the easy way out. I know..."

"This is not the time to talk about all that." Sampoorna said, "Aniruddha Babu is at the police station with Mahesh da. The rest of the men are hiding. There is tension. The police can come for me. I want Bondita to be safe."

"I won't let the police get to you. I will take you away with me. We will start life afresh in Calcutta. You will have a new name and identity." Nikhil folded his hands. "Let me do things right."

"Are you actually trying to compensate?" Sampoorna shook her head "For what?"

"For not being brave enough to tell you how I feel. For not being brave enough to stand against the world with you, like Dadabhai does with Boudi." Nikhil wiped away his tears. "I have a small rented place in Calcutta. I earn very modestly. I work hard. I don't promise you a better life, but a new one."

"What about your parents? Your family?" Sampoorna asked. 

"After we get married, their opinion doesn't matter. They love me. They will eventually accept us." He spoke. "Please, Sampoorna. Give me one more chance. I will not let you down. I know Debaditya was a man of his word. I can't match up to how great he was, but…"

"I don't want greatness," Sampoorna spoke almost in a whisper. "I want something simple. His greatness cost us so much." She looked up at Nikhil. "Can you do that?" Nikhil smiled at her words and nodded. "I can."

"Then, first seek permission from Aniruddha Babu. Help him out. He's alone. My husband left my responsibilities to him. He knows what is best for me." Nikhil nodded. 

Aniruddha was shocked to see Nikhil outside the police station as he brought Mahesh out on bail. 

"We should take him to a doctor," Nikhil said as Aniruddha gave him a disapproving glance. 

"What are you doing here?"

"Boudi called me. She was scared you would be in trouble." Aniruddha frowned at his words.

"I don't need your help."

"Please, Dadabhai, we can talk later. Let's take him to the hospital." Nikhil pleaded. Aniruddha nodded reluctantly. 

"There are a lot of things that happened after you were gone." Nikhil filled him in. "The villagers came. Everyone blamed Boudi. She is in much distress." Aniruddha looked perplexed at his words. How was Bondita doing?

"Are you sure you want to marry him?" Bondita asked as Sampoorna nodded reluctantly. "I am. I am tired of being in the middle of everything wrong. I am not running away, Bondita. I hope you understand that."

"I do, didi." Bondita placed her hand on Sampoorna's "Everyone deserves their share of happiness. Nobody gives it to you until you snatch it."

Sampoorna hugged her. Patting her head gently, Sampoorna spoke, "You deserve happiness too. I hope you know that."

"Everyone is upset with me." Bondita blinked her tears away.

"They are your family. You will know exactly how to talk to them and convince them." Sampoorna reassured her. 

"What about Barrister Babu didi? I broke his trust. He will never trust me again." Bondita broke down. 

Aniruddha stopped the car to see an anxious Trilochan and a worried Binoy rushing out. 

"Aniruddha. Are you okay?" Trilochan inspected him.

"I am fine. I got the man his bail." He smiled tiredly. Somnath and Batuk followed to greet him, but his eyes searched, making Trilochan look away. 

"You are not going to take up any such cases of freedom fighters anymore, Aniruddha." Binoy said, "It will harm our reputation and business in the eyes of the government."

"I can't promise something like that, Baba. I am a barrister. My job is to represent a client. I will do that." Binoy shook his head. 

"You and your wife. Do you even care about us? Our safety?" 

"Enough." Trilochan stopped him. "Go get fresh, Aniruddha. Eat something. We will talk later."

Aniruddha rushed up the stairs to his room and looked around. He checked the washroom. 

"Bihari. Bihari. Where is Bondita?" He asked, alarmed.

"She was with Sampoorna. Should I call her?" He asked. Aniruddha shook his head. "No, let her be."

Koeli rushed to inform Bondita he was there. Bondita looked pale. She walked up the back stairs towards his room and stopped. She couldn't face him. Instead, she walked back to her bedroom and shut the door. She couldn't face anyone after what she did.