Tolte rishta jo chal unhe bata de
zid kya hoti hai zid karke ye bata de.
The Roy Chowdhury house was decked up like it was Durga Pujo before the festivities. The entire village knew why. The soul of Roy Chowdhury's house, Bondita Roy Chowdhury was finally returning home.
“She called yesterday.” Ashapurna smiled, sitting down on the couch after offering Trilochan Roy Chowdhury his morning tea. “ I told her you have gone to the station to pick up Bina Pishi. The examinations went really well. She was nervous, but once the papers started, she was, as usual, her challenging self.” She had a hint of pride in her voice. Trilochan smiled. “Did Batuk say when he is arriving?” Ashapurna shook her head. “He didn’t inform us, but he did write to Didibhai that he might not be able to come before Shosti. They don't have Pujo recess there.” Asha shrugged. Trilochan frowned. He spotted Binoy and Somnath all dressed up and ready to leave for work when they came down for breakfast and narrowed his eyes on them.
“You do know Bondita and Aniruddha are arriving by midday, I want the whole family to be there.”
“I have work Dada, besides, they are going to stay, they are not guests.” Binoy shook his head. “There have been some issues in the business that need to be dealt with.”
“Anything serious?” Trilochan asked. Somnath answered.
“Just some paperwork, Jetha moshai. We hired an English barrister…”
He stopped at Binoy’s stare. He might have overshared.
“Why a British man?” Trilochan spoke in rebuke, “When your own son is a barrister?”
“He is coming for the holidays, why bother him?” Binoy got up, picking up the English newspaper.
“Or are you egoistic enough not to ask your own son for help?” Trilochan’s words went unanswered as Somnath nodded for his permission and left with Binoy in a hurry.
“Bihari!” Trilochan shouted agitatedly. “Bihari?”
“He has gone to the station, Malik.” It was Koeli who bowed. “Should I do something for you?” Trilochan shook his head, dismissing her.
Bina was sitting with moist eyes and hands folded at the Thakur dalan watching the craftsmen putting the finishing touches of colour and cloth on the idols, bringing them alive. She wiped away her tears hearing footsteps behind her.
“Bina?” Trilochan asked, “What are you doing here? You didn’t come for breakfast.”
“I was not hungry, Dada.” Trilochan sat down beside her on the steps of the Thakur dalan, holding his cane firmly as Bina looked away.
“Bina, our fathers were siblings. They were very close to each other, and even their age difference didn’t stop them from being friends. I always considered you and Subimol to be my friends, too. Tell me what is wrong.”
“Dada, what should I say? Where should I start?” She sobbed, “It's all my fate.” Trilochan placed his hand gently on her head as she continued sobbing.
“After my father's death, Dada decided to move away from here, and I was too young. The more we stayed away from Tulsipur, the more Calcutta became home. Coming back here feels like I am a guest.” She wiped her tears “When I have so many good childhood memories here, I used to call this place home.”
“That is why you come back home on Durga Puja, right?” Trilochan reassured looking up at the idol “Like She returns to hers, here among us.”
“But Dada, everyone seems to be returning home, except my child. My only child.” She sobbed, “What did I do to deserve this?” She shook her head “That widow must have cast some spell on him! She snatched him away.” Trilochan sighed. “And you of all people said that the marriage was valid.” She rebuked.
“Bina.” Trilochan shook his head “I had my reasons. I hope someday I can tell you.” Bina looked away. “Did he never try to reach out?” He asked. Bina nodded.
“He did. He called and talked to his father. He appears calmer in all this, I don’t know how!” She shrugged. “He came home one day, spoke to my Shashuri and asked for forgiveness.”
“Did you talk to him then?” Trilochan asked. She shook her head.
“I didn’t see his face.”
“Bina, I may not be the best person to advise a parent about her child, but…” Trilochan cleared his throat as Bina looked up.
“Don’t say that, Dada, ever since Shubhra Boudi passed away, you have been a parent to all three children.” Bina spoke genuinely, wiping her tears with her anchol, “You raised them well.”
“And Bondita,” Trilochan added. “Perhaps I have been a parent to her, more than I ever was to Aniruddha or Somnath.” Bina looked up at his words.
“You see, Bina.” Trilochan spoke genuinely “Ever since they left home, I realised something. No society, prejudice, preconceived notions in our mind, or even our beliefs come before the happiness and dreams of our children. Yes, they are young and bound to make mistakes. Instead of abandoning them, we should guide them, and forgive them. We are the elders.” Trilochan looked at Bina hopefully as she stood up.
“I apologise Dada. I don’t know what influence Bondita or Aniruddha’s thoughts have on you, I refuse to believe my only son didn’t deserve better than someone else’s ill-fated widow.” Bina walked away as Trilochan sighed.
“Bihari Babu!” Bondita’s happiness was reflected in her voice as Bihari spotted them in the crowd at the platform. Bondita was in a bright yellow saree with a red border that she wore in a modern fashion, with the anchol across her front and pleated, and Aniruddha was in a white Panjabi.
Bihari was all smiles seeing them as he rushed to help them with their suitcases. He walked up to them rather excited but his smile soon vanished when he spotted Sampoorna and Nikhil with them. They were awkward as Bihari bowed, taking their luggage. He couldn’t help musing to himself about what kind of drama would unfold at the house upon their arrival.
The car was at the border of Tulsipur when Aniruddha couldn’t help but notice the board with “Tulsipur” written on it. A welcome change on their arrival, it seemed.
“Didi, tomorrow you should come with me and we will check the school. How it has progressed in the hands of the Government. I have heard good things from Asha.” Bondita broke the silence with her cheerful voice.
“If we stay till tomorrow.” Nikhil’s words made Sampoorna look a little pale as Bondita held her cold hand reassuringly.
They zoomed past the tree under which the Gram Panchayat sat and found a signboard there as well.
The sound of the car made Trilochan rush out with Ashapurna in tow. They frowned a little to see that Binoy and Somnath were back. Seeing the disappointment on their faces, Binoy shook his head.
“It is not who you assumed it is,” he said.
“You are back before they came.” Trilochan suddenly gushed. “You said…”
“Just to clarify, Dada, I am not here for them. I left some files and… now that we are here, we will stay for lunch.” Binoy’s words made Ashapurna stare suspiciously at Somnath, who added, “ I came for lunch too.”
“Of course you did.” Trilochan nodded as he shared an amused glance with Ashapurna and the two men walked inside hurriedly.
Bondita was pleasantly surprised at how the house was decorated with garlands of marigolds and alpona on the porch. She glanced over her shoulders at Aniruddha, who was helping Bihari take out the luggage, much to Bihari’s awkwardness as he ran to call other house helpers. Aniruddha stopped, seeing Bondita smile as her eyes shone a little and nodded. He didn’t regret coming home, especially for her. He told Nikhil and Sampoorna to stay in the car as they talked to Trilochan inside first and walked up the steps with Bondita, who pulled the drape over her head.
Trilochan was standing at the threshold in happy tears as Ashapurna instructed Koeli to welcome them.
“My Grihalakshmi is home.” Trilochan smiled as Bondita and Aniruddha touched his feet. Trilochan hugged Aniruddha, Bondita smiled and proceeded to hug Ashapurna and touch her visible baby bump gently with an anticipating smile.
“When are you due?” She asked in a whisper.
“Dai said a week after Pujo, so near Lokkhi pujo.” Ashapurna blushed.
“Go take Binoy’s blessings.” Trilochan urged as Bondita exchanged glances with an unsure Aniruddha, who looked away.
“Baba.” She proceeded to initiate it by touching Binoy’s feet as he gently placed his hand on her head. “How are you?”
“I am fine, how are your studies proceeding?” Aniruddha looked up at Binoy and smiled at Bondita. She nodded and glanced at Somnath.
“How are you, Dada?” Somnath nodded with a faint smile.
Trilochan pushed Aniruddha, who reluctantly tried to touch Binoy’s feet as he shook his head.
“It’s okay.” he stopped his firstborn. “Bouma, we are late for work, check if lunch is made?” Ashapurna nodded at his words.
“I will check.” Bondita interrupted, “Now that I am here, Asha will rest.” She reassured, tucking her anchol from behind her to her waist.
“But first…” Aniruddha spoke as Trilochan interrupted.
“Now that you are here, tell me what gift you want? Saree? Jewellery? Books?” Trilochan smiled as Bondita’s face lit up.
“Will you give me anything I want?” She asked as Trilochan nodded “Of course. I am so happy today.” Bondita glanced over at Aniruddha.
Sampoorna stood at the threshold of the Roy Chowdhury house, unsure and scared, alongside Nikhil, whose emotions were hard to decipher. Bondita placed the bowl of Alta and milk in front of her feet.
“Put your feet in this didi, and walk in with your right foot first.” Sampoorna dared to look up from behind her veiled face to see Trilochan, Binoy and Somnath standing with rather grim faces. She didn’t know how Bondita convinced them, but they didn’t look pleased. She was unsure.
“Come on didi.” Ashapurna came to her side and urged. She glanced over at her husband who looked away. Nikhil looked up at Aniruddha who nodded reassuringly to him.
Sampoorna put her feet in the bowl and proceeded to walk over the piece of cloth laid down for her. Her eyes filled up, and her vision blurred. She remembered the exact same moment, eight years ago, when she similarly entered another homer fashion, with eyes full of dreams. At the moment, she couldn’t help but remember Devaditya’s happy face every time he served this mansion. She blinked away the tears.
“What is happening here?” Bina’s voice made Sampoorna freeze as she looked up at her disappointed face. “Dada?” She looked betrayed, “Is this what you called me for?” She shook her head and turned to walk back upstairs.
“Maa.” She heard Nikhil call out as she closed the door of the guest bedroom noisily.
Bondita led Sampoorna and Nikhil to seek blessings from Trilochan and Binoy.
“Go talk to your mother.” Trilochan’s words made Nikhil look up. “I think you need to.” Nikhil nodded at his words and glanced over at Sampoorna’s pale face.
“I will take Didi to the allotted room,” Bondita reassured him. Trilochan nodded.
“Bihari, open up the other guest room and keep Aniruddha’s luggage in it,” Trilochan said.
“I have something to talk to you about.” Aniruddha nodded as Trilochan led him to the study. Instructing Koeli to serve lunch to Binoy and Somnath, Bondita proceeded to lead Sampoorna to the guest bedroom, reassuring her of the situation and accompanying Asha back to her chambers.
“I have so much to talk about and share.” Bondita smiled.
“Me too.” Ashapurna held her hand “We will sit in the afternoon.” Bondita nodded.
“Maa.” Nikhil pushed open the door as Bina stood with her back to him, looking out of the window. “Maa?” He asked again, a little unsure as he stepped over the threshold.
Bina inhaled. Nikhil walked up to her and stood behind her, gently placing his hand on her shoulder, a little unsure.
“Won’t you look at me?” He asked. Bina shook her head, teary-eyed.
“You have become an adult. Adult enough not to think of your mother. Why do you care?”
“Maa, I did try to reach out, apologise, but…” Nikhil sighed. “I don’t want to apologise for choosing Sampoorna. She makes me happy. If you give her one chance at…”
“ You expect me to accept someone’s widow. Who was abandoned by her own family?” She frowned. “I am not as educated or modern as you are, then.”
“Fine, but will you be indifferent towards your grandchild, too? Punish him or her for what we did?” Bina stared back at Nikhil, a little wide-eyed. He nodded.
“Sampoorna didn’t want to tell anyone yet. She didn’t want you to be compelled to accept her. But from where I see it, you should know that I have a life, a family and a home, and she makes me very happy. The rest is your choice, and I will honour it. We will leave tomorrow morning if you…”
“Where is she?” Bina asked, wiping her tears away and composing herself. “What were you thinking? You can’t put an expecting woman through such an emotional ordeal! It can harm the child.” Bina stopped at Nikhil’s faint smile as he hugged her.
“I want you to attend the Panchayat with me tomorrow,” Trilochan said. Making Aniruddha frown.
“But Jetha Moshai, the last time…”
“Things are changing around here, Aniruddha.” He sounded concerned. “The government interventions are leading to uprisings. I feel in an environment where Binoy chooses to side with the colonisers, it will be wise if we show our support to the youth and reassure them that we are supportive of their ideas…” Aniruddha frowned.
“But you never wanted to openly….” Trilochan nodded.
“Hence I want you there, everyone knows you help the revolutionaries, it may ease them to open up to me about their activities, especially the youth.”
Aniruddha nodded. “I am not sure how much help I can be off but if you want I will come.” he smiled.
Trilochan left him in the study as he looked around the room, and sighed. He was home. As much as he hated to admit it, Bondita was right to make the decision to cox him to come along. He heard the sounds of nupur and looked up in a reflex at the spiral staircase as Bondita came down.
“Happy?” He asked as she nodded with a smile.
“Me too.” He said, opening his arms as her eyes widened a little and she stared at the open door of the study room.
He frowned at her stare and shook his head as she walked into his embrace, putting her head on his chest, where his heartbeat was and closing her eyes. Aniruddha placed his hand on her vermilion-clad head and his chin over her hairline as he smiled. At that moment, they remembered the very first time, under very different circumstances, they had shared a hug, and a journey that transpired thereafter changed their lives forever. Aniruddha and Bondita were finally home again.
