Little Joys

 
Tute sapne sajayenge kaise neend phir urr gayi hai
Jo aya haathon mein haath tera

Aniruddha was in the living room, gathering the necessary papers for the day as he put them in his case files when Bondita placed the coffee down on the table. He looked up, acknowledged her, and kept his papers aside.

“Are you alright?” He asked as Bondita smiled faintly with a nod. “I will come back and take you to the doctor.” He cleared his throat. “Don’t even try to go alone.”

Bondita nodded, admiring his concerned face as he sipped the coffee and winched a little as it was piping hot. 

“It’s at four.” She said as he nodded. Bondita turned to leave. She had to get back to chores and books. She stopped at the threshold of the kitchen and turned.

“Barrister Babu?”

“Hmm?” He looked up, a little concerned.

“I want to keep studying. I want to be Barrister Bondita Roy Chowdhury and make you proud. But…” Bondita stopped, a little conscious as she breathed in deeply. “I also want to be a good mother.” Aniruddha’s concerned face gave way to a proud smile as he kept down the cup and approached her.

“You will be the best.” Aniruddha smiled faintly reassuring her, holding her shoulders with his hands. “I promise you, I will do whatever it takes to make sure you are both the best Barrister and the best mother.”

“You are not… upset anymore?” Bondita asked unsurely. “It is okay if you are.”

“Upset? I am scared to death.” Aniruddha kissed her forehead gently.

“So am I.” She nodded. “But… it is not what you wanted…” her face fell as he frowned.

“To start a family with you? Have a smaller version of you running around?” Aniruddha wiped away her teary eyes as he cupped her face “I envisioned that often.” He made her blush as she looked away.

“And, I have it all planned, Choto Malkin, don’t you worry. First thing first, we will see the doctor. Then I will go talk to your principal about missing classes just in case. And then, we call home.”

“Kakababu would want me back in Tulsipur.” Bondita suddenly looked worried again.

“Will you stop thinking? He will understand. We will make him. And whatever happens, promise me, you won’t keep me in the darkness ever?” Aniruddha asked as she nodded. “I promise.” He smiled as he picked up his things to leave.

“Be careful around the house, I hate to leave you alone.”

“I will be fine. I am not alone. There is Didi and Mohi around, and Mashima is here. And Sampoorna didi is also there if needed.” She reassured him.

“Anything else?” He asked, reluctant to leave. 

“The internship?” She asked unsurely.

“I will look for someone who will give you flexible hours. Leave that on me.” He reassured them as she sighed. “Everything is under control.”

“Barrister Babu…” She stopped as he suddenly took out a pen and paper and started scribbling something.

“What is that?”

“Just a list of things to buy, for me. And a routine to follow, for you!” He made her frown slightly “You need to sleep right, eat well and study with less stress. It is my responsibility, Ma’am.” He made her smile, a  little overwhelmed.

“Barrister Babu?” Bondita stopped him by holding him back with his hand. “I will be a Barrister, just like I dreamt to be. There can be hurdles but I won’t stop at the path of becoming who you envisioned me to be.” She said as he tightened his hand on hers. “That is a promise from Bondita Roy Chowdhury.” Aniruddha smiled proudly as he nodded. “I also promise to be more of a husband and less of a mentor when you need me.”

“See you in the evening.” Bondita let go of his hand as he nodded. “Dugga Dugga.”

Aniruddha had planned out his entire life ahead of him when he was in Britain. He had planned to help his countrymen and not be a slave of the British Imperial Court. What he hadn’t planned was to meet Bondita, or even remember her from their brief encounter of destiny. Bondita made him plan his life according to the dream he had for her. Yet again Aniruddha had planned out how his life would be, with Bondita, changing the world, one person at a time. Today, as he sat in the waiting room of the doctor’s chamber, waiting for their turn, in the crowd of pregnant women, and wailing babies, a scared Aniruddha realised he needed to plan his life all over again. Or perhaps stop planning it altogether. Had he imagined himself in the role of a father so soon? Batuk, over the phone, had insisted he was a natural. The family was overjoyed when he called home. Bina Pishi had visited. Even she reassured them that people learn to be parents with time. He had been quite “fatherly” to both his brothers, especially Batuk being a decade younger, he was reminded. 

He eyed Bondita fiddling with the string of her Botua, as she checked her wristwatch. He placed his hand gently on hers to stop her fiddling as she looked up at him. Aniruddha smiled a reassuring smile. These weekly doctor visits had now become a routine in life they didn’t quite expect. So had her changes, mood swings and cravings. Aniruddha had never imagined Bondita could be unreasonable. He had changed his mind. In the last few weeks, Bondita was more of a person he was discovering all over again.

After dinner, Aniruddha kept down his books to find Bondita missing from her side of the bed. Worried that she might be feeling pukish, Aniruddha walked up to the washroom, to find it empty. Alarmed he had looked around the dim-lit apartment to find the main door ajar. At the threshold he could see her silhouette, standing in the corridor, leaning against the open balcony, watching the stars. 

“Bondita?” Aniruddha spoke between his tired yawns. “Are you alright?”

“I can’t sleep.” She shrugged. 

“Why?” Aniruddha sounded alarmed “Are you feeling…”

“I am hungry.” She confessed sheepishly. He looked confused. They had dinner two hours ago after which he sat down to read after putting her in bed. 

“I am craving some Rashomalai.”

“Where do we find Rashomalai at this hour?” Aniruddha frowned. 

If someone told Barrister Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury that he would someday be making Rashomalai out of leftover milk and Rashogolla at midnight, he would have laughed. But here he was, listening to and following the instructions of his pregnant wife to reduce her cravings,

“I trouble you a lot, don’t I?” Bondita asked as they waited for the Rashomalai to cool down in the sitting room. 

“Yes, since the day I met you and you took me to be a dacoit” Aniruddha spoke, rubbing his sleepy eyes.

“That was not the day we met.” Bondita frowned, sounding a little upset.

“Oh, you mean when you spilt the sindoor all over the place?” Aniruddha smiled. “You irked me.” He realised soon enough that his wife was not in a mood to distinguish his sarcasm from fact as she looked upset.

“Come here.” He said cupping her face in between her hands. “Bondita Malkin, you know you taught me a lot of things, today was another lesson. How to make Rashomalai. If in case the Barristry fails we can open a sweet shop.” He made her chuckle.

“Now open your mouth and taste this!” He insisted. Bondita obliged.

Bondita always knew how caring Aniruddha was, but since the pregnancy advanced and her symptoms and troubles changed every week, she found him growing alert, worried and perhaps even scared. He barely talked about anything other than medicines, doctor’s visits and precautions. Longing for a proper normal conversation once, Bondita sighed and eyed her books.

"Do you want to help me study?" Bondita asked with a cheerful smile as Aniruddha looked up from his file, the cap of the fountain pen in his mouth, with a frown. He patted the seat on the couch for her to sit with the book, and Bondita let out a sigh, holding her waist as she sat down. 

"Are you in pain?" He asked, worried.

"A little sore on the waist." She nodded sheepishly as he got up in a hurry. 

"Aree, Barrister Babu. I can't have painkillers. The doctor told me not to." Bondita frowned as Aniruddha proceeded towards the kitchen. 

Before long, he was back with a small warm rice bag, to help ease her pain. Bondita sighed in relief, placing the warm bag between her waist and the couch. She then opened the book to parts she had marked for him to help her out with and listened eagerly as he explained. 

“The doctor advised you to rest,” Aniruddha spoke as they came back from the weekly visit.

“I think she told me to rest as much as I can, not all the time.” He shook his head at her word and pulled her onto the bed making her frown.

“I can't believe this.” Bondita shook her head. “I can move around.” She asked confused as Aniruddha tucked her into the bed and covered her with a blanket.

“It is hot and humid..” She shook her head “The blanket will make me feel sweaty.”

“Sorry.” Aniruddha shook his head and removed it. “Don’t move.”

“But…” She saw him enter the kitchen followed by a loud noise of clanking utensils.

“You will break things in there!”

“No, I won’t.” Aniruddha spoke “And I am hiring a maid. I won’t hear anything from you.” He glanced at her as she opened her mouth to protest.

“Here, have some fruits.” He was back with some apples and a knife cutting the fruit into slices.

“Don’t you have a case to attend to?” She asked, annoyed with the constant attention.

“I do. But I have my priorities.” Bondita shook her head as he sat down on the bed, feeding her a slice.

“You know I can do this myself.” She said, “I am not sick.”

“The doctor told you to rest as much as you could.”

“That is because I mentioned my busy schedule.” Bondita shrugged. “She didn’t tell me to lie down all day.”

“I will suggest you do, I will bring your books here and…” Bondita looked up at his face, making him stop.

“NO!” Aniruddha frowned as she got up “I am not listening to you.” She walked out of the room to the sitting area where the newspaper was laid down on the table. She picked it up.

“The war is turning serious. Do you think it will affect our examinations?” She thought aloud as he snatched the paper.

“You will only think of good things. No need to read about war and losses now.” He protested.

“Either you go to work, or I will throw you out.” Aniruddha’s brows shot up at her words.

“Throw me out?” He was surprised at Bondita’s blatant words. She nodded. 

“I am very serious.”

“Alright.” Aniruddha shook his head. “Latika boudi will bring your lunch. You don’t need to cook. I will eat somewhere, Just study and read good things. Listen to music on the radio if that…” He stopped at her stare. “I am leaving.” He shrugged as he picked up his coat.

The knock on the door made them look at each other cluelessly.

“Kakababu.” Bondita gasped, happy as she pulled the saree to cover her head. Bihari walked in, with trays of Sandesh, Naru and nuts. One of them had a new saree and jewellery.

“What is all this?” She asked a little wide-eyed as she tried to touch his feet and he stopped her.

“Don’t bend like that, be careful.” Trilochan sounded alarmed as Aniruddha touched his feet. 

“Are you off to work, leaving her all alone?” He retorted “What if she feels sick?” Bondita opened her mouth to protest as Aniruddha spoke.

“The neighbours here are…”

“We are Zamindars, Aniruddha. Use that luxury sometimes. You don’t need to go to work, I will send the money since you refuse to go back home… stay with her.”

“Jetha Moshai…” Aniruddha shook his head “The health facilities in Calcutta are better and she already has a doctor here. We will hire a maid…”

“Nonsense.” Trilochan shook his head. “I will send Koeli by, to stay with her throughout, reduce your social reforms, for now, will you?” He turned to Bondita who looked away.

“What are these?” She asked again. 

“Arree, I couldn’t come empty-handed to see you now, could I? You will miss your first Shadh but Mejo Bouma insisted I bring these.” He smiled as Bondita blushed slightly “These are such happy times. Aniruddha’s first heir…” He stopped as Aniruddha and Bondita shared disapproving glances. “Or a daughter would also do.” He added quickly.

“Sit down.” Bondita stared at the room “I am so sorry your nephew messed it up. I will make tea.”

“No, No No!” Trilochan protested. “Bihari will make tea. You come and sit with me.”

Bondita nodded. “I will show him around the kitchen.”

“I have a train to go back in the evening,” Trilochan spoke as Aniruddha frowned.

“You have come here for the first time, Jetha Moshai. You will stay the night. I will bring some fresh things from the market. We will have a good dinner. And you will tell us about Tulsipur.” Aniruddha spoke as he tied his shoes.

“Yes, Kakababu please stay.” Bondita agreed. “It's only a night.”

“Very well.” Trilochan smiled. 

Aniruddha had barely walked out of the door when Sarala Devi was at the door, curiously peeping inside with a few others with her. 

“Mashima, please come in.” Bondita made her smile awkwardly “Meet Kakababu.”

“Ki Soubhagya.” Sarala Devi folded her hands as Trilochan did the same. “A real Zamindar at my home. Is he staying, Bondita?” She nodded as Sarala Devi and the others sat down.

“I will open up my guest room for him then. You have only one room.” She offered.

“Oh no, you don’t need to bother.” Trilochan protested softly. He was aware of the curious eyes of the ladies eyeing the display on the table.

“Bouma, take this inside.” He said as they looked away and Bondita nodded, removing the things from the table, to lay the tea on.

“She is such a kind person.” Sarala spoke “She has become almost like a daughter to me here. You don’t need to worry about her at all. We are all here. We will take care of her.” She reassured him.

“That is kind of you,” Trilochan smiled. “I am happy she found friends away from home.” He looked up at Bondita approaching them “She is one in a million, you should see how the people back home love her.”

“Kakababu just loves to flaunt.” Bondita smiled awkwardly.

“He should.” Latika interrupted. “After all, you are all that.”

“Please have lunch at our home tomorrow before you leave. I know we probably won’t be serving the fresh things you are used to in the village but we will try our best.”

“That is so kind of you.” Trilochan folded his hands and got up as the ladies took the queue to leave.

As Bondita shut the door behind them Trilochan’s smile faded.

“They are just nosey neighbours.” He commented rather disapprovingly.

“Their hearts are in the right place Kakababu.” Bondita smiled. “ But their worlds are too small. It is not their fault.”

“Fine.” Trilochan stopped her. “Tell me how are your studies  going?” He sat down as Bondita took the chair.

“I'll after you tell me about Tulsipur.”

“Have you informed your mother?” Trilochan asked as Bondita offered him some more Chochchori and Lucchi.

Bondita nodded “She will come by at Tulsipur.” Trilochan nodded and eyed Aniruddha.

“You better bring Bouma by for the Sadhpuron and for the last few weeks she will be at Tulsipur.” Aniruddha stopped at his morsel to protest as Trilochan spoke “I am not asking you. I am telling you.” He snapped, making Aniruddha eye Bondita who smiled.

“The Roy Chowdhury heir won’t be born in Calcutta. If you want to, bring your doctor along, I will pay her double if she needs it.”

Bondita nodded. “I will be home Kakababu, don’t worry. After all, there is no place like home.”

“See, she is more intelligent than you.” Trilochan eyed Aniruddha as Bondita giggled.

“I never doubted that.” he shrugged. “Let her take the examinations and we will go.”

“Examinations?” Trilochan’s brows shot up “She will sit for hours and exert herself in this condition? Are you out of your mind?” He rebuked his nephew.

“Kakababu, I will take the examination. My doctor is aware of it, she approved.” Bondita reassured him. “It is fine.”

“These modern-day doctors,” Trilochan spoke under his breath. “They know nothing! 

Aniruddha looked at an amused Bondita helplessly as she smiled amused. 

READ ALL CHAPTERS