Freedom

Tu hi rakshak Tu hi sathi mera

Bondita turned the leaf of the poetry book by Annada Sankar Roy as the children flocked around her in the study room.
Teler shishi bhanglo bole, khukur pore raag koro
Tomra je sob buro khoka bharot bhenge bhaag koro
Tar bela?
(You scold the girl child for breaking the oil container,
But you old men break up Bharat into pieces
What about that?)

“Malkin.” Bihari made her stop as the children frowned. It was their time with her.

“Choto Malik said some client is there to see you.”

“Now?” She frowned as she closed the book. “I will get back to this tonight, I promise.” The children looked unhappy.

“Let her go, I will read to you.” Sampoorna rushed to the study room, making Bondita smile.

“Tapan, bring me the Mahabharata.” She ordered her child.

“Baba tells it better,” Tapan spoke as the other children agreed.

“Well he is in Calcutta now, he can re-read it to you when he comes back before we go home,” Sampoorna reassured them.

Bondita gently kissed Poritosh’s fluffy cheek as he was nearest to her and walked up to the portico. She turned a corner and on the right side of the house was the newly added room, with a separate entrance where the board read:

“Barrister Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury.

Barrister Bondita Roy Chowdhury.”

She stopped at the threshold as Aniruddha appeared to be in conversation with a man.

“He is here to claim damages because of the partition.” Aniruddha briefed her as she walked in and folded her hands in a namaskar.

“You talk to him, I will go check on the ashram.” She nodded at his words.

Aniruddha walked across the grounds to the two-storey building just beside the school premises.

“ Tulsipur Orphanage and Welfare Society for Refugees Estd. 1948” The board read as he walked in to be greeted by Kalindi.

“I was expecting to see you, Aniruddha.”

“How can I help?” he asked.

“This is actually personal. Now that I have signed the adoption papers for the child… I decided to name her Debopriya. Since she was saved by God’s grace on that day, Somnath happened to be there.” Aniruddha nodded with a smile. “That is a good name.”

“I was thinking if she could enrol in the girls' school when the time comes.”

“That will not be an issue at all.” Aniruddha smiled “I will talk to the principal myself. But you can also send her to the convent school in the town where Lekha goes. I know it is far but…”

“Whatever you suggest.” Kalindi smiled. “Also, a few new people came in. They think their relatives are in Hooghly and want to look for them.” Aniruddha nodded.

“I will go speak to them.” Aniruddha stopped. “I wanted to thank you for volunteering to look after the orphanage.” he smiled.

“I need to be useful with something. When Trilochan suggested this for the children who lost families in the partition, how could I not help?” Kalindi smiled faintly. “I saw the horrors myself.” Aniruddha nodded understandingly.

Bondita walked into the house with a bunch of files and was immediately alerted by the sound of a baby’s cries.

“Not again.” She sighed as she ran to the study room to keep her files and hurried up the spiral staircase to the nursery. Ashapurna, who was visibly pregnant, and Koeli were trying in vain to calm the crying newborn who looked red by now.

“Make him stop.” Patralekha looked annoyed at her mother. Bondita sighed.

“Don’t speak like that, he is your brother.” Bondita reminded her as she took the baby from Koeli’s arms.

“He cries all day.” Patralekha looked displeased. “I like Poritosh better.”

“He will play with you when he grows up,” Ashapurna reassured as Patralekha didn’t look convinced at all.

“There, there,” Bondita whispered into his ears. “I am here. Hush.” She tried to pacify the child.

“Will you come to the village school on the second Independence Day celebration?” Patralekha asked in the middle as Bondita nodded.

“What is so special?” Ashapurna frowned. “Khoka has already asked me twice now you are nagging. Of course, we will go.”

“It's a surprise Kakima.” Patralekha smiled.

“Hush.” Bondita looked annoyed as she ran away.

“What will I do with her?” Bondita shook her head as Ashapurna smiled “She is just possessive of you hence jealous of Animesh.”

Bondita sighed and murmured, “She has taken after her father.”

Aniruddha had entered the study room and spotted Patralekha under the table. He sat down folding his knees beside her and asked “What is wrong?”

“Maa loves him more.” Aniruddha frowned.

“Whom?”

“That boy. Take him back where he came from.” Patralekha gave her father a cold glance as she puffed her cheeks. Aniruddha tried hard not to smile.

“She doesn’t love him any more than she loves you, but he is a baby. He can’t do all the things Lekha can do on her own so he needs Maa more.”

“All he does is cry all day.” She shook her head. Aniruddha took her tiny hand in his, “Yes, and hence he needs Maa. Once he is older, Lekha can take care of him and Maa can take care of Lekha.”

“Can’t he grow up like Ghototkoch did?” Patralekha made him laugh.

“I wish.” Aniruddha shook his head. “Okay, I have an idea, why don’t Lekha and Baba go have Kulfi while Maa calms him down?”

Her eyes lit up at the suggestion but she shook her head.

“I can’t. Not till Independence Day.” Aniruddha frowned at her words. Before he could enquire further she ran off as he still sat there.

“What are you doing on the floor?” Trilochan asked at the threshold of the study. “Binoy has left to fetch Batuk, he is coming home after so many years, go get some sweets.” Aniruddha shook his head.

“When everyone comes home they get more than I did when I came home, I am counting everything here.” He sulked as he took the car keys. Trilochan smiled.

“No wonder Lekha didimoni is jealous of Animesh.” He shook his head as Aniruddha frowned.

“Hurry up, we will miss the event. And if Lekha doesn’t see me there, she will hate me more.” Bondita folded up her cape and neckband as Aniruddha drove the car.

“We needed to be in Calcutta for the case yesterday. She will understand if we reach late and she doesn’t hate you.” Aniruddha shook his head as Bondita looked sad. They reached the school premises where the whole village had flocked and the tricolour flew high. The headmaster was up on the stage declaring something as they made their way through the crowd and towards the family in the front row.

“Now the children of the school will present a song. It is an honour that the children of the Zamindar bari have taught them this song and will join them for it.” Bondita smiled a little surprised at Aniruddha who shrugged as he took Animesh from Nikhil’s arms. Ashapurna, Somnath, Batuk, Sampoorna and Nikhil looked equally surprised. Binoy eyed Trilochan.

“You taught them, didn't you?” He asked as Trilochan shrugged. “I don’t know what you mean.” Kalindi smiled at his freighted surprise.

Ashutosh led Patralekha, Tapan and Poritosh up on the stage as the children of the school stood behind them. One of the teachers adjusted the mic while another played the harmonium.

Dhono Dhanne Pushpe Bhora, Amader ei basundhara

Tahar majhe ache desh ek sokol desher sera

Se je swapno diye toiri se desh

Smriti diye ghera...

Bondita smiled, blinking away her tears as she looked at Patralekha in the neatly worn blue saree, her hair braided, looking about her age when she had learnt the song. She felt Aniruddha’s gaze on her as she smiled at him. The song continued.

...Oma tomar choron duti bokkhe amar dhori,

Amar ei deshe te jonmo,

Jeno ei deshe te mori…

The children urged and everyone joined in.

Emon desh ti kothao khuje pabe na ko tumi

Sokol desher rani se je…

Amar jonmobhumi

Se je amar jonmobhumi,

Se je amar jonmobhumi.

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My Everything

Kunwar Pratap stormed into the Mahal at Gogunda. Happy faces of the chieftains and soldiers welcomed him as Rao Ramrakh and Rawatji stopped the ongoing Raj tilak. A visibly scared Kunwar Jagmal looked clueless at a visibly angry Kunwar Pratap. Rani Dheerbai Bhattiyani hadn't expected this son of Mewar to show up that too twenty-one days after his father's death. He was not informed as per Dheerbai's instructions. She looked at Rawat Ji. He must have gone to Raoji at Bijolia. No one except them knew where Kunwar Pratap was staying. It was for the safety of his family. " What are you doing Chotima?" A disappointed voice came. She could stoop down so low? " We were about to inform you..." She spoke up in her defence. " When Dheerbai ji?" Maharani Jaivanta Bai, clad in white entered the hall as people bowed before her. " After your son's coronation?" " I did nothing Badima I swear!" A low voice came from Jagmal. " Maha

His Wife

" Where is the Kesar, Rama? And the Kalash?" Ajabde looked visibly displeased at the daasi who ran. " They are at the fort gates and nothing is ready yet!" She exclaimed. She was clad in a red Jora and the jewellery she had inherited as the first Kunwarani of the crown prince. Little Amar ran down the hallway towards his mother. " Maa sa Maa sa... who is coming with Daajiraj?" His innocent question made her heart sink. " Bhanwar Ji." Sajja Bai called out to him. " Come here I will tell you." Amar rushed to his Majhli Dadisa. " Ajabde." She turned at Jaivanta Bai's call. "They are here." " M... My Aarti thali..." Ajabde looked lost like never before. Jaivanta Bai held her stone-cold hands, making her stop. She patted her head and gave her a hug. The hug gave her the comfort she was looking for as her racing heart calmed down. Jaivanta Bai left her alone with her thaal. " Maa sa!" Amar exclaimed

To Protect You

Kunwar Pratap was in court with Rana Udai Singh. The Mughals were conquering a huge part of the north courtesy of Bairam Khan and Mewar on their routes to the ports of Gujarat. " Dajiraj we need to secure the roads leading to Agra and also towards the west. The attack-prone areas should always be under surveillance." " Yes Ranaji. Baojiraj is right." Rawatji agreed. In the Rani Mahal, everyone was preparing for a grand lunch. Ajabde was making a sweet dish for the princes and princesses and in a hurry, she forgot to add the Kesar and Badam on top. As she served the smaller princes including Kunwar Jagmal, Dheerbai came to inspect her eldest son's food. " What is this? Who made this? Kokoiaji?" She stormed to the kitchen with a bowl of sweet dishes. " Kunwaranisa did." Came a scary answer, from Veer Bai. " Ajabde Baisa." Her words let out a silent gasp from the lesser queens who stood witness. Calm and composed, Ajabde walked up

Chapter Three: Pedigree

The Imperial Police work was a tough job. The family had no idea what Superintendent Animesh Kumar Mukhopadhyay went through to provide for his family and their luxurious lives. Abhaya’s father never failed to let his family know that. Every time he drank down his sins. Every time he came home drunk. Every time he beat his wife. Abhaya would often sit awake all night, her pillow pressed against her ears as she sobbed silently, hoping that her mother’s begging sobs and father’s lewd language would stop. One day she had opened the door of her room slightly and was about to step out when her sister-in-law intervened. Her face was dark as she coldly told Abhaya to return to her room. She would be punished if her elder brothers found out about her trying to get out of her chambers at night. Abhaya at twelve knew one truth greater than others. Men were like this, women had to tiptoe around them to serve them as they demanded. She was intimidated by the regular chores the women of the hous

Chapter Four: Imprisoned

Abhaya was thrown into a room without windows and the doors were chained shut. It was dark and damp and the walls smelled of gathered dust. She could sense the chains being locked as she heard voices outside. She tried to get up but her bruised knees and weak body failed her. She stumbled on the cold stone floor to notice the mattress on one side and a pot of water on the other. What were they going to do to her? Was she the only one here? Where were her parents? In the Summer heat also she felt a shiver in her body. She briefly remembered her house up in flames, the bottles of kerosene being thrown at the open windows. Torches around the house, chanting slogans. The screams of the women. The last time she saw her elder brothers was when they picked up the pistols and canes from around the house. She realised her father was not home when she ran down the corridor towards the chaos, her heart on her throat. The loud sound of the car burning and the screams of her mother made her freeze.

Understandings

After counting days, Ajabde was happy that she was going to Bijolia. She knew how eager her mother and Ratan would be to know about her new life. She couldn't wait to hug her mother and feel like... Home. She was selecting gifts for her parents and her siblings as per Ranima's instructions. Then suddenly an idea struck her mind. Her new family welcomed her with so much love and support. Especially Ranima and Majhli Maa Sa. She wanted to give them something. Suddenly she remembered that Ranima had loved her embroidery work on dupattas back in Bijolia so she called a Dasi and ordered some plain Chunris and embroidery threads. She had a lot of work to finish in a day before leaving. Kunwar Pratap came back into the room to see her on the floor, right in the middle of the room with red, green, yellow, and pink all sorts of dupattas scattered. " What's all this?" He asked not sure if he should be asking. " I am making gifts. For Ranima, Majhli ma, Rani Dheer Bai

Destiny

The war was almost won. A few of Marwar’s soldiers were left on the field along with Rao Maldeo Singh Rathore, their king and leader. He was thinking of retreating at the end of this day. As his sword clashed with one of the opponent generals as he eyed the opponent King now open and prone to attack. A little hope flickered in his mind as his eyes instructed his closest aide. The opponent was quite in a winning situation thanks to their new Senapati. He was just 16 yet his bravery and valour reflected his blood and upbringing. He mesmerised the opponents and even Rao Maldeo with his clever war strategies and sword skills. As Maldeo’s aide swung his sword at a taken aback Udai Singh, someone’s sword defended it as his body acted like a shield for the king. He killed the man in one go. “ Ranaji are you okay?” “ Haan Raoji.” He nodded gratefully. By half the day, the Marwar army had retreated as the air filled with “ Jai Mewar! Jai Eklingji!” From the triumphant soldiers. Rana Udai Si

Towards You

Kunwar Pratap and Ajabde were friends. He didn't feel awkward sharing his plans and thoughts with her anymore. She was more than happy to advise him on everything. She was happy he listened to her advice before taking or discarding them, be it on what to wear to Padmavati's Sagai or how to befriend the revolting Bhils. He loved the way Ajabde always used metaphors from Puranas and Ramayanas to explain the toughest things so easily. She expressed herself so well, so easily that it amazed him. The Afghans were now led by Mehmood Shah. They have made secret territories in the forests and waited to attack. Rawatji and his spies had confirmed the news and Udai Singh had warned Mehmood Shah to withdraw his troops from Mewar in vain. Now, it was time they declared war. Mehmood Shah had limited resources in Mewar. And his spies clearly suggested that in no way could he win, especially with Kunwar Pratap leading his troops. He was having second thoughts about the war. One of his aides

Friends?

Early morning, Ajabde walked into Saubhagyawati’s house as the Panditji looked relieved. “Baisa you are here now I don’t need to look after anything.” She walked into Saubhagyawati’s room and found her braiding her hair nervously. Her lehenga looked beautiful and only the maangtika was about to be put so Ajabde did the honours. Saubhagyawati held her hand and took a deep breath. “Ajabde have a confession.” “What is it Bhago?” She looked worried. “Are you scared?” “No no Ajabde it’s not that. I… met him… before…” “Whom?” “The one who is coming to see me.” She looked away scared. “What? How…” Ajabde looked at her with wide eyes. “woh… Both nights when I waited for you in the…” “Hai Bhagwan Bhago! What if he says that seeing you in front of your father?” Ajabde spoke up as Bhago looked shocked. Why didn’t she think that before? “What will we do now?” Bhago asked worriedly. Ajabde was lost in thoughts. No way could people know. The groom had arrived with

Struggles and Tests

Kunwar Pratap ran to hug his mother. Jaivanta Bai smiled pleased looking at him. Sajja Bai had accompanied her here with the Bhattiyani queen and had reached out to her sister in Marwar for shelter with the princesses until the war ended. She refused to stay like a commoner at Samant’s house. “Majhli Maasa.” Kunwar Pratap touched her feet and got a hug in return. “ Where is Chotima?” “She went to Mehrangarh.” Jaivanta Bai replied. Dressed simply in a blue lehenga and silver jewellery she still looked elegant. The sound of Payal made everyone turn as Hansa smiled at her daughter. “This is Ajabde. My eldest.” Ajabde stepped forward to touch the queen’s feet while Kunwar Pratap stepped back carefully watching the scene with a smile. Jaivanta Bai cupped her face and noticed her son’s reaction in silence. “Ajabde show them the guest rooms.” After the refreshments, Hansa Bai instructed her while Kunwar Pratap left in a hurry followed by Balwant who now kind of worshipped him.

RAABTA

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