At Your Service

Kaise kahu kya lage tu meri

Tu saase meri parchayi meri

“I can’t wait to tell you everything, Sampoorna Didi.” Bondita hugged Sampoorna at the threshold of her and Nikhil’s humble home. 

“I have been waiting for you to come by since I heard you were in Calcutta.” Sampoorna smiled “He had written to Batuk Thakurpo, and he told...But you are so busy that it’s been over a month and now you have time to visit us.” Bondita bit her tongue and was about to give a suitable excuse for the delay when Nikhil interrupted.

“First let them in Sampoorna. You can scold her later.” Nikhil smiled.

“And you will get a scolding from me, Thakurpo.” Bondita frowned at him “You didn’t even call once since you got here. You forgot boudi completely.”

“I accept the charges, Ma’am.” Nikhil folded his hands “I know better than arguing with a soon-to-be Barrister.” He made Bondita smile sheepishly

Aniruddha smiled, handing the Bhar (earthen pot) of Rosogollas over to Sampoorna before Nikhil offered him a seat in the living room. The apartment was on the ground floor of a mansion and was very small compared to theirs. Bondita observed the common corridor and washrooms, while the apartment had only two rooms. The larger room had a makeshift kitchen in one corner while the smaller room she was led into by Sampoorna only had a bed and a trunk.

“Now tell me everything!” She smiled as Bondita sat down on the bed.

“The situations in Calcutta are getting serious now,” Nikhil spoke as Aniruddha’s eyes fell on a newspaper. “The Brahmo Samaj feels there can be a religious agitation on the way.”

“Hmm… even the movement has picked up pace since the Civil Disobedience. There are even talks of Subhas Babu’s fallout with the Congress.” Aniruddha added.

“Oh, those are just rumours.” Nikhil shook his head. “No way can he do something getting out of Congress.”

“I don’t know, Nikhil. The number of revolutionaries seeking bail pleas has increased a lot in the past few months. Only goes on to show that a lot of them seem to have more faith in Bose’s strategy than Cooperation with the Raj.” Aniruddha spoke, “Yesterday, I witnessed a man being prosecuted for damaging Government properties.”

“Anyway, leave all that. How is everyone back in Tulsipur?” Nikhil shook his head and smiled.

“Fine.” He observed Aniruddha’s face fall a bit as the topic came up.

“ Batuk contacted me. He told me everything.” Nikhil’s words made Aniruddha look up at him. “I know how it feels when your own people don’t understand you.” He smiled looking away. “I went home with Sampoorna one day, hoping things will ease down after months, and I was so wrong. Maa saw us and shut the main door in our faces. I called her to talk, but she refused to listen. Baba picked up once. He seemed calmer. He just said, once you have kids she will eventually allow you back home. Is that even fair, Dada?” Nikhil looked up at Aniruddha as he spoke. Aniruddha sighed.

“I don’t know what is fair. Bondita exchanges letters and phone calls back home, with Ashapurna and Jetha Moshai. Ashapurna cut off her family after the incident and blamed them for our decision to leave home. Not that I support that harshness towards her own parents, but I fail to understand if she can do that then what problem Baba or Somnath has with me still. Worse, I know Bondita won’t say it but none of them talked to her yet. She is in no way at fault.” Aniruddha shrugged.

“I am glad you came today, Dadabhai.” Nikhil spoke “Such things I can’t discuss with Sampoorna. She feels guilty that I miss my parents. She doesn’t even get the point.” Aniruddha nodded understandingly.

“I made a few good friends. There is Manorama, Moitrayee, Sudeshna, Anil, Subodh, and Ila.” Bondita smiled “The professors are very helpful. And unlike Tulsipur I don’t feel like the odd one out here. Most of them treat all students the same. Except a few.” Sampoorna smiled at her words.

“Funny, how these British people talk, there is this professor. I couldn’t understand a word of his lecture for about a week",  Sampoorna giggled hearing Bondita's narration of her experience."Manorama helped me. She had studied in a convent school and was accustomed to them.”

“I am glad you don’t feel lonely in this huge unknown place,” Sampoorna said with a sigh as Bondita’s smile faded. 

“Oh Didi, now that I am here, I will come to visit you and you can come by any time. I will leave you the address.” Bondita smiled.

“Now you can travel in the big city alone?” Sampoorna looked surprised. “The first time you were so scared, I remember how you described it.” She let out a chuckle. “Clinging on to your Barrister Babu.” Bondita narrowed her eyes at Sampoorna’s teasing tone.

“Now you are teasing me? Don’t forget, in relation, I am older than you.” She spoke pointing her finger as Sampoorna laughed.

“You have grown up I must say!” She smiled holding Bondita’s hand “I missed you.”

“I didn’t have a choice, did I? He used to take me to college because I couldn’t cross the busy road. But it was hampering his work. How many days would he show up late for me? So after a week and a half, I gathered the courage to tell him I will go alone.” Bondita remembered.

“He agreed that easily?” Sampoorna looked shocked.

“What do you think?” Bondita shook her head. “He agreed to my face, then followed me all the way to college to check on me.” Sampoorna laughed.

“Now that sounds like your Barrister Babu.”

“ And how is Nikhil da?” Bondita raised her eyebrows in the same tone in which Sampoorna teased her.

“I feel he misses his family a lot. I sometimes feel guilty…” Sampoorna stopped with a sigh.

“It was not your fault Didi. Bina Pishi will eventually accept you, give her time. For their generation, it is difficult to…” Bondita stopped.

“Accept a widow as your son’s wife, I know.” Sampoorna agreed.

“I feel guilty too. Baba and Som Dada still don’t talk to us.” Bondita spoke, “He came back home, leaving a life in Britain just to be with his family and now again he’s away from them.” Bondita shook her head. “I will make things right.”

“How will you do that?” Sampoorna frowned.

“Kakababu already told me we should be home during Durga Puja. I will convince him. Asha’s delivery date will be nearing too. Given what she did with her family for me, it is my responsibility to support her during that time. So I will go to Tulsipur during the vacation.”

“Has he agreed to that?” Sampoorna asked. 

“I haven’t talked to him yet, but I will convince him and once we are in that happy environment back home, I have hope that both Baba and Som Dada will mend their relationship with us.” Bondita smiled “And there is baby Roy Chowdhury on the way.”

Sampoorna smiled. “We have so many good things attached to Tulsipur. Perhaps even more than my own paternal home.”

“Why don’t you and Nikhilda come along too? I will ask Kakababu. Bina Pishi will be there, we can convince her too.” Bondita smiled.

“I am not sure, Bondita. Nikhil wouldn’t want yet another of our issues ruining your family festivities.”

“Come on didi, there is no yours and mine here. We are more or less on the same boat.” Bondita pressed her hands reassuringly over Sampoorna’s hand. “Anyway, how are your music lessons going?”

“Pretty good, I teach a few children as well.” Sampoorna smiled. “He alone can’t afford…”

“I know.” Bondita nodded “I wish my third term would come fast so that I can take up an internship for the last two years and help him as well.”

Spending the Sunday afternoon at Nikhil and Sampoorna’s home was a good idea. For the last three Sundays, they had been busy going to the market and buying every small thing for the house from curtains to candle stands and after weeks of hard work and no rest, seeing faces apart from each other and their neighbours was a relief. Bondita walked into the apartment and turned on the lights with a smile as Aniruddha sat down tired on the living room chair.

“Oh, Sampoorna Boudi cooks too well. I had more than I should have.” He spoke. “Monday seems to be around the corner already.” He let out a frustrated sigh. Bondita was inside and came out after changing her clothes, wiping her wet hands on her drape. 

“So what do I cook for dinner? Something light? Aniruddha frowned at her words and sat up straight.

“Mrs Bondita Roy Chowdhury! Do you realise going to college doesn’t imply only cooking at home? For the past few weeks, I have been noticing you are more concerned with cooking dinners than studying. You do know you need to make me proud still, right?” He raised his eyebrows as she sighed.

“What will happen to dinner then?”

“We will figure it out, right now, go and bring your books. You said no to tutors and I agreed but that doesn’t mean you ignore studies.” Aniruddha spoke sincerely “I am still your teacher and you better be scared of me.” Bondita rolled her eyes and brought out her books. She kept them down on the low table and sat down on the floor across from him. She opened her books and notebooks as he walked across the room and brought some of his files to work on.

“Is this a case of some revolutionary?” She asked excitedly only to meet his cold glance.

“Okay, I am studying.” She frowned, concentrating back on the book.

After a while Bondita looked up to realise he was gazing at her, observing her studying. Her braid fell to one side over her shoulder, while locks of her hair swayed gently beside her earrings, in the breeze and her face had a bright aura, as she studied. Aniruddha had slowly kept aside his file, and cupped his own face, resting his elbow on his thigh as he observed her study with concentration. Eyes met as Bondita raised her brows, a little conscious of his gaze.

“What?” She asked, narrowing her eyes at him as he shook his head in silence and she went back to her book. Bondita looked up again to find his gaze still fixated on her and this time he wore an amused smile.

“Barrister Babu!” She shook her head with a scolding tone.

“Bondita!” He repeated and maintained a straight face. “Study.”

She shook her head trying to avoid being cautious of his staring and a smile curved her lips as she blushed. Bondita was about to mark a part of her book when she searched for her pencil across the table. She frowned. It was there a moment ago. She looked up at him suspiciously.

“Give it back.”

“What?” he asked, frowning.

“My pencil, give it back.” She said, narrowing her eyes with a warning glance.

“I didn’t take it.” he shrugged.

“So who did? Ghosts?” She shook her head. Aniruddha looked rather amused as he got up from his chair and walked up to her. Bondita suddenly felt alert.

“What are you doing? You said I should study.” She said almost in a defenceless whisper as he sat down on the floor, kneeling beside her with a sly smile.

“Barrister Babu!” She looked a little wide-eyed.

“Aniruddha.” He said, taking the pencil out of her braid, leaning in, making her face flush. “My name is Aniruddha.”

“I know.” She said snatching the pencil, cursing herself for tucking it in her hair absentmindedly.

“Then stop calling me Barrister Babu.” She eyed him at his words like he was out of his mind.

“What do I call you then? Pati Parameshwar?” She sounded almost sarcastic. “Pati Babu?”

“Aniruddha. Like everyone else does.” He shrugged.

“You mean elders?” Bondita frowned. “The younger people call you dada.” She suddenly giggled. “Do you want me to call you Dada?” She stopped laughing as he held her wrist making the pencil fall and roll over under the table. 

“Everyone around me is Barrister Babu. How is that identity?” he frowned “Once you graduate I will start calling you Barrister Babu. Then it will be very confusing, as there will be two of us.”

“Why will you call me Barrister Babu? You call me Bondita.” She frowned.

“I can if I want to, So start calling me Aniruddha instead.”

“No way.” Bondita shook her head. “Kakababu will behead me.”

“Is he here? It's just us, we are equals. We are …” He stopped as Bondita got up.

“I am not even arguing on this. You are elder than me, you are my teacher. I will not take your name. That has nothing to do with the fact that I am married to you, Mister!” She walked away to the bedroom, with her books murmuring how he had lost his mind. Aniruddha shook his head and looked away. Sometimes being as adamant as they were could be conflicting.

No words were exchanged after that and Bondita cooked rice and fish curry which he had without a single word. Unlike other days, he didn’t serve her or even ask her to sit and eat with him as he finished his meal, washed his plate and went off to sleep. Bondita looked irked at this adamant behaviour that came across as childish to her. She didn’t try to convince him either. When she went to sleep, Aniruddha rolled over on his side, back to her as she laid down with her back to him. They both knew they were awake.

Bondita woke up in the morning with cramps in her lower abdomen as she walked over to the washroom feeling nauseated. She took out some rags from the trunk without waking him up and made them into sanitary pads and decided to skip college. She put the rice to cook and was chopping the vegetables when he walked into the kitchen to fill the jug and found her in her comfort clothes instead of the college ones she changed into after a bath.

“Aren’t you going to college?” His question was met with silence. “Bondita?” He walked up to her with a frown and checked her forehead.

“You don’t have a fever.”

“No, I don’t.” She shook her head. 

“Then what…” Aniruddha stopped as his eyes fell on the bags of rice she had made to soothe her cramps.

“Move,” he said, taking the spatula from her hand. 

“What? I…” She stopped at his stare.

“Go and lie down. That’s an order.” He said, “I will bring the rice bags.”

“You do know there is no Koeli here to do my work. I can’t rest five days every month.” She reasoned. “You don’t have Koeli to help, you have me. Now go.” Aniruddha spoke.

“You have to reach court.” She frowned.

“You reach college every day after cooking lunch, and I can do that for five days.” He didn’t wait for her reply as he dragged her by the hand into the bedroom and made her lie down.

“You are stubborn.” She sulked.

“I am.” He agreed “You knew that well. You chose this.” He put the heated rice bag behind her back and placed the Gamcha on his shoulder to wipe his hand in. 

“Did I?” Bondita suddenly looked amused. “Oh, this feels good.” She admitted.

“You will not get out of bed. I will keep your lunch here and a jug of water. I will boil some Saag, eating that will help you get stronger. You will sit and study on the bed. And don’t you dare step into the kitchen, I will come home and make dinner.” Bondita kept staring at him as he stopped and frowned. “Do you understand?” he asked as she nodded with a faint smile. He shook his head and resumed work.

Aniruddha placed lunch at her bedside and checked the room.

“Do you need more rags?” She shook her head.

“I will ask Latika Boudi to come by and check on you,” he spoke as he buttoned up his shirt.

“I am fine, I don’t need anyone to check on me.” Bondita frowned.

“I will decide that,” he said firmly. “Study well.” He said, picking up his files and leaning in to kiss her forehead as Bondita closed her eyes. “I will try to be back early.”

“Uff. There is no need.” She said as he walked away and she sat up, folding her hand to her head and murmuring “Dugga Dugga.”

Latika walked in, sometime in the afternoon, making Bondita look up from her book and smile. She was sitting on the living room couch with her legs up and reading a novel. 

“Didi.” She smiled and then remembered Aniruddha’s words. “I am so sorry if my husband told you to check on me. I am fine, he is just…”

“How lucky are you!” Latika gushed as she sat down smiling at Bondita “Mine knows I feel worse, yet needs his tea, lunch, pressed clothes, tiffins and everything on time. Don't even bother asking me how I am. Look at yours. Heard he cooked. I can send some food over if you like.”

“No No, Didi. I will manage. He is sometimes so adamant. Back home there was help who… He is used to that.” Latika nodded at her words.

“If he cares this much during your Maashik, imagine what he will do when you conceive.” Latika teased Bondita as she looked surprised. “Chokhe Harabe.” (He won’t lose sight of you.) Bondita looked away, and blushed, slightly uncomfortable at her words.

“I better go now. Mohi will be home from school. I will come back tomorrow.” Latika smiled.

“You should come for tea then.” Bondita offered as she smiled.

Bondita ran back to the bedroom as soon as she heard Aniruddha walk up the stairs in the evening. She laid down on the bed, eyes closed as he entered the apartment and dropped his things to come to check on her. His touch on her forehead made her open her eyes as he smiled.

“You alright?” He asked, sitting down on the edge of the bed, as she sat up.

“Yes, I feel absolutely fine.” She smiled.

“Hence you were running around the house?” He asked, raising his eyebrows as she frowned, surprised.

“How did you…”

“Just like you heard my footsteps I heard your nupur, Mrs Barrister Babu.” He shook his head “You can be smart but I know you a little more than you think I do.”

Bondita smiled amused and caught her ears.

“Sorry. I was bored so I went to the living room.” She made him smile. “Not the kitchen I swear. Shotti bolchi ."

“Good, let me get changed and I will start on dinner.” He said.

“And tell me about your day, I hate it if you don’t talk to me.” She complained. He nodded. Aniruddha was about to get up when she held him back by his hand and pulled him back to his sitting position. He looked surprised and shook his head questioningly. Bondita smiled as she hugged him, placing her head on his chest, hearing his heartbeat as she closed her eyes. A surprised Aniruddha placed his arm around her, and another on her head and asked 

“What’s wrong?” She shook her head in silence.

“When we have children, will you still care for me like you do?” Aniruddha’s eyes widened at her question. 

“We have what?” he asked surprised “Bondita?” He asked as she looked up at him and went back to hiding her face in his chest.

“I am just asking. I know we are concentrating on different dreams now.” She frowned. “I can still ask, right?”

“You can.” Aniruddha held her closer, patting her head. “And I will, always, be your Barrister Babu first, at your service Mrs Roy Chowdhury.” Bondita smiled hearing his heartbeat.