Bondita held a cranky Lekha in her arms trying to soothe her as Aniruddha came into the apartment in a hurry. She looked up at him with questioning eyes. The ear-deafening, earth-shattering sound of the bombs was still ringing in her ears. She held Lekha close whenever she could. Fear loomed everywhere. Somewhere down in the streets was a protest march in full swing.
"Ingrez Bharat Charo, Bharat Charo Bharat charo."
Aniruddha walked up to the window and closed it shut to speak.
“I called home.” He said as he kissed Lekha and took her in his arms. “It is not safe here, we are going home.”
“What about your work?” She asked. "My internship?"
“The Courts are all on stand still, I don’t think anything will happen before they manage to drive the Japanese out.” He shook his head. “Pack your bags, take the bare minimum things. We are catching the afternoon train.”
“So soon?” Bondita raised her eyebrows. Aniruddha nodded. He didn’t say more, but he was scared and concerned.
“Don’t worry, the apartment will be kept just the way it is, for you, when you decide to come back.” Sarala Devi kissed Lekha’s hands as she blessed a teary-eyed Bondita. “You must hurry to catch the train.” She nodded, as Aniruddha took Patralekha and handed her the luggage bag.
Bondita had never seen the train station as crowded as she did that day. People piled up around the reservation counters, and some even boarded without a ticket. Most of them carried luggage. Soldiers were looking out and checking trains. They were armed and alarmed. The air around the city had changed overnight. Aniruddha knew someone in the Railways who had managed to get them two seats on the train that would reach Tulsipur in the evening. All through the journey, the only discussion Bondita witnessed was that of the bombing, the loss and the aftermath of such war.
“Gandhi Ji said freedom is not far.”
“What is Subhas Bose doing in Germany while we die here? Did he abandon us?”
“Did you see the damage of the Pearl Harbour attack? Do you think something bigger will happen?”
“What can be bigger than that?” The crowd was full of opinions.
Bondita held Patralekha close to her chest, intimidated by the uncertainties of the time.
“We forgot to get something for the baby.” Aniruddha looked up from the newspaper at her words with a frown.
“What?” he asked, a little clueless.
“Khoka’s little brother.” Bondita frowned. “We will see him for the first time and…” Aniruddha’s glance stopped her. She knew what he was thinking. A lot more important things were happening around them. But Bondita wanted to concentrate on the people who mattered. Uncertainty taught her that.
As soon as they got down at the station, Bihari Babu rushed towards them pushing through the crowd.
“Malik is very worried ever since the bomb attack,” he said taking the luggage from Aniruddha in a hurry. “He has sent the car, Choto Malik. Come. Khukimoni, come with me.” Bondita had smiled faintly, handing Patralekha over to Bihari as they followed him to the car.
They drove through the town towards Tulsipur as in places around the town they heard revolutionaries with placards raising slogans. “Inquilab Zindabad.”
"Angrez Bharat Charo!"
“Vande Mataram!”
“This is a good opportunity to agitate the British in India,” Aniruddha commented as he observed the placards. “They are in trouble outside it too. Rashbehari Bose wants to ally with the Axis power governments to help raise Indian Prisoners of war into an army against the British. Bose is with him.”
“Our own army to fight our own war?” He nodded as Bondita smiled hopefully. This could be the beginning.
Trilochan Roy Chowdhury was relieved when he saw his granddaughter smiling at him. Bondita came to touch his feet as he looked at Aniruddha and spoke. “Enough of your stubbornness. I will not let you go till it is safe to be in Calcutta again.”
“Jetha Moshai I am equally concerned with the safety of my family as you are.” Aniruddha shrugged as Bondita glanced over her shoulder to make him stop.
“Let’s go see your brother, Lekha.” Bondita smiled at Binoy and Somnath. Somnath directed her to the nursery, “Asha will be back soon. She had gone to the temple early in the morning to pray for your safe arrival.” His words made her smile as she placed Patralekha down in the nursery room which now had two small beds and a cot. Ashutosh, who was playing with the young maid who acted as his nanny, stood up and ran to hug Patralekha who was intimidated.
“Dada.” Bondita reminded her as Ashutosh smiled.
“Bonu.” He hugged her again, and this time Patralekha hugged him back.
“Let’s see the Choto Nawab now!” Bondita smiled as she approached the cot. The baby was asleep. She touched his head gently and took out a one-rupee note from her purse. “Till I manage to get something more for him.” She placed the money down in the cot as Somnath took it with a smile.
“Did you name him?” Her question was met with a nod. “Asha wanted to wait for you, but Jetha Moshai named him, saying it was an ill omen to wait beyond three months.” Bondita smiled.
“I am sorry we should have been here sooner.” Somnath shook his head.
“Was it scary, Boudi? The bomb?” He asked unsurely. She nodded.
“The deafening sound still rings in my ear. We were asleep and it literally shook us. Like an earthquake. The windows rattled. Some people's houses were damaged and windows were even broken. Lekha was so terrified. We spent three nights in the darkness just praying." She sighed. "I feel anxious every time I hear an aeroplane. But we saw nothing. Didn’t dare go near the areas.” She nodded as Somnath shook his head “I am glad you are here now.” Bondita smiled. “So are we. Tell me, what is his name?”
“Paritosh.” He smiled as Bondita eyed the children. Ashutosh was sharing his toys with Patralekha.
“Batuk?” She asked as Somnath nodded.
“He received his graduation certificate yesterday, he was going to try for ASI but Baba called him back home. Bombay could be a target for its ports. He will reach tomorrow.”
“It is better to have everyone together at home during such times.” Bondita agreed. “I even offered Bina Pishima, Nikhilda and Didi to come by, but they refused to leave Calcutta. Pishemoshai insisted they are safe." She shrugged. Somnath nodded. “Not everyone is privileged enough to afford a living without working either.” Bondita continued “The neighbours back in Calcutta, most have houses in villages but they can’t leave work and come back home like us.” Somnath nodded.
“Didibhai,” Ashapurna exclaimed at the threshold as she ran to hug Bondita. Somnath stepped out of the room, as she sobbed and Bondita patted her reassuringly “We are fine, everything is fine.”
“I was so scared Didibhai.”
“So was I.” Bondita agreed.
"How is Sampoorna boudi?" Ashapurna asked eagerly.
"After the miscarriage, she was very upset. They are seeing a good doctor. Such things are so common…" Bondita shook her head "Nobody realises something can be wrong or need treatment."
"Good that Nikhil Thakurpo is different then." Ashapurna made her agree.
"How are you?" Bondita asked as Ashapurna smiled faintly.
"I like being a mother as much as I like being a housewife." Bondita nodded.
"Then I am happy for you."
Batuk had arrived just in time for lunch the next day, and the first thing he did was to spoil his nephews and niece with toys he had bought from Bombay. Happy to have their new favourite Kaku around, the children hovered around him, as he cradled Poritish and Patralekha and Ashutosh sat close to him, listening to stories and hearing about how their mothers had fun when they were children. Much to Ashapurna and Bondita's annoyance he filled their little heads with ideas.
Aniruddha inspected his graduation certificate as Batuk smiled standing in front of the desk in the study. Somnath leaned in to read it.
"Ira got enrolled for a geography course at Bombay University," Batuk spoke as he savoured homemade delicacies. "She scored well."
“So what is your plan?” Somnath asked as Aniruddha nodded as if he was about to ask the same.
“I will apply for a job with the ASI, if not, there are several foreign companies that take in archaeologists on a contractual basis based in Egypt and South America.”
Trilochan, who had just walked in with Binoy, looked alarmed at his words.
“You are not going that far away.” He said firmly.
“Why not, Jetha Moshai?” Aniruddha frowned. “You allowed me.”
“You went to study. This is different. He won’t come back.” He shook his head “And just so you know I didn’t let you go willingly.” He eyed Binoy who shook his head.
“Do what is best for your career,” Binoy told his son as Batuk smiled happily at his father’s support. Trilochan looked perplexed.
Bondita had just finished her Sondhi Pujo when she was summoned to Trilochan’s chambers. Being home meant she didn’t need to worry about Patralekha, give her company or keep an eye on her. There were people around and Patralekha was with her cousins. She pulled the ghomta over her head some more and walked up to the room. Trilochan sat in the armchair, lost in thoughts, as he twisted the golden chain holding his glasses together, as the sound of her nupur made him look up at her. Ashapurna arrived right behind her asking “You called me?” making her share a clueless look with Bondita as Trilochan nodded and gestured at them to sit down. The two of them stood in front of his armchair waiting for him to speak up.
“Whatever I am telling you, shall not leave the room, and not even reach your husbands, understood?” He spoke as the two of them nodded.
“I want you two to take some responsibility.” He spoke as Bondita smiled faintly.
“Order us, Kakababu.”
“Find a bride for Batuk.” He made Bondita and Ashapurna look wide-eyed at each other. “And find one before he goes off to Mishor or wherever he said he would.” He shook his head. “The last thing I want is a bideshi Bouma.” Bondita inhaled.
“But should we not ask Batuk…”
“Ask him what?” Trilochan rebuked. “Nobody asked Somnath. Aniruddha was stubborn but…” He looked up at Bondita “ I chose you. Binoy chose Mejo Bouma. Nobody asks a man if he wants to get married. Elders decide that. You two are his boudis. It is your responsibility to choose a bride worthy of this house.” Ashapurna nodded.
“And don’t let your husbands know. The last thing I need is an in-house rebellion over this. There are enough rebels outside.” He eyed Bondita who nodded.
“What will we do now, Didibhai?” Ashapurna asked cluelessly. “Talk to Ghotok Thakur?”
“No.” Bondita shook her head, “Talk to Batuk.”
“But he said…” Bondita stopped Ashapurna with a nod.
“I know what Kakababu said but it is his life, besides we need to know if he has someone in mind.”
Ashapurna agreed.
Batuk was reading a book when Bondita tiptoed to his threshold followed by Ashapurna. She walked in, unnoticed behind him and snatched the book, startling Batuk as he stood up from the bed.
“What is this?” Bondita smiled amused “A love story?” She turned to Ashapurna. “Hmmm. What’s going on here, Asha?” she smiled as Ashapurna giggled.
“Boudi.” Batuk frowned, a little embarrassed.
“Looks like our Batuk is daydreaming about prem,” Ashapurna added.
“Choto Boudi.” Batuk shook his head as he tried to snatch the book from Bondita who ran to the other side of the room. “Give me back my book, Boudi.”
“Or perhaps we should get him married.” Bondita smiled while leafing through the novel. “Isn’t that what Kakababu wants?”
“What?” Batuk’s voice was louder than usual. Bondita smiled. “Quickly tell us if you are eyeing someone or if we need to find you a girl.”
“Boudi, I am not even… I am looking for a job.”
“So?” Ashapurna shrugged. “You are a Zamindar, Batuk.”
“I don’t…” He turned a little red.
“Do you like someone or not?” Bondita spoke, narrowing her eyes at him.
“What? No. I would have told you two if I…”
“Good!” Bondita handed him back the book and turned to Ashapurna “Leave it on us then. No need to fear.” She walked out followed by a giggling Ashapurna in toe.
“Exactly what I am worried about.” Batuk shook his head “Where did marriage come from?” he frowned, sitting down on the edge of the bed.
Aniruddha was studying a file when Bondita walked into the study room with his coffee. She placed it down on the table and took a file to study it. Aniruddha eyed her once and concentrated back on his file. Soon, Bondita was humming as she placed some books back into the racks.
“What are you happy about?” His words made her stop humming as she smiled excitedly.
“I am not supposed to tell you.” Aniruddha frowned at her words.
“Are you going to do something I won’t approve of?” He asked rather suspiciously. Bondita shook her head.
“You know how scared Kakababu is of your nature?” She asked as Aniruddha put down his file.
“I am not in a mood for riddles Bondita, tell me.”
“He asked us to look for a bride for Batuk.” Aniruddha raised his brows at her words. “And Batuk was so embarrassed. But he agreed. Asha and I will meet Ghotok Thakur tomorrow.” Bondita almost jumped in excitement as the ghomta slipped from her head. “I can’t tell you how happy I am.”
“Isn’t it a bit of a responsibility, to choose someone else’s partner?” He frowned unsure as Bondita’s smile faded.
“Batuk doesn’t like anyone. Let the Ghatak Thakur bring some references at least.” She shrugged. “Kakababu wants him married before he leaves the country.”
“Or else he will get a Bideshini Bou?” Aniruddha smiled amused, leaning back in his chair.
“How do you know that?” Bondita asked, a little surprised.
“Let’s just say the seventeen-year-old Aniruddha once got an hour-long lecture on this before he left home.” He shrugged. Bondita smiled. "But don't tell Kakababu what I told you."
Aniruddha placed his finger on his lip and acted like he sealed it making her smile as she did the same gesture.
“Well, all the best, finding Batuk a match.” He shook his head.
“It is going to be fun,” Bondita reassured him as they resumed work.
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