Barrister Babu

“What is this? How many times have I forbidden you, Devaditya?” Barrister Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, the Choto Malik of Tulsipur, said, feeling somewhat awkward as the Khajanchi's son Devaditya’s hand stopped on the briefcase at his stare. Aniruddha was now twenty-eight or twenty-nine, and though he was against the grandeur of the zamindars, his nobility and good nature reflected his pedigree. But like other privileged Bengalis, he did not support the Britishers. He was not hesitant to protest against any wrongs if need be.
"I...I mean, you hired me, Malik, so..." Devaditya had to stop at Aniruddha's glare. He knew this look well. He has seen with his own eyes what terrible things could happen when the Choto Zamindar Babu got angry.
“You are my childhood friend, Devaditya. You may work here, but that doesn't mean you will open my car door when I come home. You are my colleague, my childhood friend, no matter what anyone says, I respect you, don't you know that?"
"I know Aniruddha Babu, but..." Devaditya hesitated. The gardener, the doorman, and the servants were around; all of them were his neighbours. How could he suddenly consider himself equal to the Zamindar Babu?
"No ifs and buts. You know your Bouthan well, she will be very angry if she sees her Jamai Babu open the car door like that again." Aniruddha said with half a smile, picking up his foreign-made coat and gown, "Then you have to pacify her anger." Devaditya smiles faintly. Aniruddha climbed the stairs and went towards the inner courtyard of the Zamindar house.

To tell the truth, Devaditya never saw any of the anger, disappointment, happiness, or sorrow of this Bouthan whom Aniruddha talked about. On the day he saw Bondita closely, she had nothing in common with the fiery girl Sampurna often talked about. She was an almost lifeless, sleepy little bride whose husband, about sixty years her senior but rich, died of a heart attack on the day of the wedding. Perhaps God thought of the girl's welfare when he wrote that in her fate, but humans were cruel and stupid. How could they let the girl live? That too, one without a father or a husband, coming from such a poor family?

Devaditya never imagined he would remember the biggest day of his life like that. Who knew that on the day of his and Sampoorna's wedding, the recently returned Barrister Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, who was a guest and the groom's man, was going to bring a storm into his life in that way? Standing in front of the people of Debipur village, he wanted to save an eight-year-old child from the evil of Sati. He didn't know the price he would have to pay for it. When he promised to stay by her side in darkness more than in light, and would not back down to bring light to her life, the revolutionary mind of the clueless young rebel did not know that its cost was the vermilion on Bondita’s hairline. And was there no other way to save the innocent life of little Bondita? If there were, would Aniruddha not have chosen that path? How could he forget all the promises he made to his childhood friend Soudamini to bring down such an apocalypse on the lives of everyone around him? Even today, Devaditya's heart trembled when he thought about it. Most people would not do what Aniruddha did. But he was not the man to stop only at saving her. Bondita was taught to grow up with educated, independent thoughts by her Baristra Babu. He sent her to school by teaching her everything from the alphabet to compound interest, all by himself. Devaditya understood that people misunderstood his selfless friend. He was not insane, not a revolutionary, just a flesh-and-blood man, whose sense of humanity was more intact than theirs.

Aniruddha habitually entered the bedroom and saw his ironed Panjabi in one corner of the bed, the towel, shaving kit and perfume arranged right where he liked them. Just as he took out his purse unmindfully and placed it on the table, he heard the familiar sound of anklets in the hallway. It was approaching the room from the Verandah. Aniruddha was a little surprised. She was not supposed to be home. She had been waiting for that day for a long time, but what happened? Inquisitively, he looked up at the threshold to see Bondita appear, smiling with a glass of Sharbat in her hand.

"What happened? Didn't you go to Didi’s place?" asked Aniruddha, his tone somewhat doubtful. Bondita placed the glass down, wiping her hands in her Anchol and said, "I'm dressed like this because I went there; otherwise, when have you seen me dress so gaudily at home?"

"You can do that if you want to. Jethamoshai will be happy." Aniruddha avoided his wife's gaze, finished his Sharbat in one gulp and smiled.

"Are you taunting me in the middle of the afternoon?"

"Bah, Re, is there a proper time for taunts?" Bondita did not smile, took the glass from Aniruddha's hand and said, "Food is ready, Shoshur Moshai is waiting for you, come to the dining hall." She was about to turn and leave when Aniruddha suddenly blocked her path and said with utmost seriousness, "Tell me exactly, Bondita, what happened there that made you leave?"

"What would possibly happen there, Baristra Babu?" Bondita shook her head. "And would you not know if something did happen?"

"So, are you sick?" Aniruddha casually placed his hand on her forehead. Bondita did not shy away. She smiled, amused at his concern and said, “I learnt today that I have more wisdom than you. Understood? Now go to the bathroom, or shall I go and tell Jyathamoshai?”

"Now, who's snickering?" Aniruddha said anxiously. "I know you're smarter than me."

"You know?" Bondita raised her eyebrows in surprise and smiled, "Why didn't you say that until now?"

"Because you will become vain." Aniruddha shook his head, "Go and give me food, I am hungry."

"Oma, I was going, but you stopped me." Bondita was surprised at her husband's amused face, shook her head and walked away towards the kitchen.

Aniruddha began to take out some important papers from his pocket one by one and kept them on the table. Another thought ran through his mind. What was it that Bondita did not say? Suddenly, his eyes fell on a folded envelope. He had forgotten to read Soudamini's letter in the middle of his busy day.

My Everything

Kunwar Pratap stormed into the Mahal at Gogunda amidst uncertainty and chaos. Happy faces of the chieftains and soldiers welcomed him as Rawat Chundawat, and some other chieftains stopped the ongoing Raj Tilak. A visibly scared Kunwar Jagmal looked clueless at a visibly angry Kunwar Pratap. Rani Dheerbai Bhatiyani hadn't expected Kunwar Pratap to show up, that too, despite her conveying to him his father's last wish of crowning Kunwar Jagmal. Twenty-one days after Udai Singh's death, she was finally close to a dream she had dared to dream since Jagmal was born. He was not informed about the Raj Tilak as per Dheerbai's instructions. She eyed Rawat Ji. He must have assembled the chiefs to this revolt against her son, against the dead king. 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 was directed at her. She could stoop down so low? For the first time, an anger...

Towards You

The Afghans, after Sher Shah Suri's untimely demise, were at loggerheads for power. Their troops near Mewar were now led by Mehmood Shah. They secretly captured territories in the forests and waited to attack Mewari camps when the time was right. Rawat Chundawat and his spies had confirmed the news, and Udai Singh sent a warning to Mehmood Shah to withdraw his troops from Mewar in vain. Now that it was out in the open, it was time they declared war. Mehmood Shah had limited resources in Mewar. His internal rebellion against his commander did not help his cause. 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. It was then that one of his aides suggested a perfect plan. Maharani Jaivanta Bai had decided to go to the Mahakaleshwar Temple near the outskirts of Chittorgarh, in the forestlands of Bhilwara. They had travelled a long way and across the Gambhiri river that meandered during...

Purnota: Chapter Thirty Eight

Trilochon was so overwhelmed that Binoy came for the Pujo and Kirtan on Dol Purnima. Their neighbours, friends and acquaintances had all gathered in the Thakur Dalan, first for the pujo when the idol of Sree Radha and Sree Krishna were worshipped in the Dalan, and Horir Loot of Batasha and Naru were distributed. Unlike in the village, people here, especially children, did not fight over the Horir Loot . Bondita and Batuk took part in the ritual like they used to as kids, counting the number of Batasha each of them had, amusing the elders who reminisced about their childhood and how Batuk snatched Bondita’s share and ran as she chased after him, shouting. The Kirtan followed the pujo, the tales of Sree Krishna’s prowess, his Leela and Radha’s sacrifice were sung with the sounds of Dhol and Khanjani . It followed the devotional songs praising Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and his praises to Lord Krishna. Bondita not only liked the stories of Kirtan but also how the crowd joined in the singing and...

His Wife

" Where is the Kesar, Rama? And the Kalash?" Ajabdeh looked visibly displeased at the ladies who ran around. " They are at the fort gates, and nothing is ready yet!" She exclaimed. She was clad in a red lehenga and the jewellery she had inherited as the first Kunwarani of the crown prince. Little Amar ran down the hallway towards his mother. " Maasa Maasa... 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., " Ajabdeh." 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!" ...

Purnota: Chapter Forty One

Kalindi stood looking at the Ganga in the distance as Trilochon watched her. It was later in the night, and the stars were veiling the clear summer sky. A cool breeze blew from the Ganga, relaxing Kalindi’s restless heart as she took a stroll. Trilochon had spotted her in the garden from his balcony and walked up to her. She did not turn as he came up behind her and cleared his throat. “I apologise for storming off like that.” He was the first to speak. Kalindi inhaled. “Have you heard that she went to borrow a saree from Bouma to wear to some party?” Kalindi spoke rather monotonously. “Yes, Bouma said so.” Trilochon cleared his throat. He left out the part where Asha enthusiastically told him about Bondita blushing and her idea of telling Bondita to confess her feelings. Instead, Trilochon added, “The senior is very influential. He can have some good contacts for Bondita. Perhaps enough for her to get a job in Kolkata, like you wanted.” Kalindi could hear through his unconvincing...

Purnota: Chapter Forty Three

Trilochon and Kalindi were having tea in the morning in their living room when Binoy walked downstairs in his Pajama Panjabi, pipe in hand and found them. Watching him unusually in his home attire, Trilochon frowned. “Are you sick? I thought you had already left.” Binoy sat down on the single chaise chair beside the couch as Kalindi poured some tea for him. “ I told you, Dada, I am here to retire.” He said, putting his pipe in his pocket. “Today, Som is going alone. We will see how that goes.” Their conversation was interrupted by Asha coming into the house in a white and red saree, with a red sindoor Teep on her forehead. She had a basket with her, and Koeli was accompanying her as she offered them the sweets she had taken as Prasad. “Since it’s his first day at the new position, we went to the temple together.” Asha narrated to Kalindi. “He left for work from there.” “Do you not have school today?” Kalindi enquired as Asha shook her head. She smiled, eyeing Trilochon, who narra...

To Protect You

Kunwar Pratap was in the 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 Surat. " Daajiraj, 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. Ajabdeh was making a drink 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. " Ajabdeh Baisa." Her words let out a silent gasp from the lesser queens who stood witness. Calm and composed, Ajabdeh walke...

Eternally Yours

Ajabdeh woke up to find neither the pillow nor the husband beside her. That was really unusual. Has she overslept? No, it was dark, and the first birds were singing. She sat up to find that he had neatly arranged the pillows and made his side of the bed, and put his blanket over her. She checked the changing room. No, he was not there, but unlike other days, his clothes were not in a mess. She freshened up and reached the dressing table. His brooch was not there. Where is he? Has the war... Her heart skipped a beat. What if he had left and not even woken her up? " Daasi? Daasi?" She called out as one of them walked in. " Ji Kuwaranisa?" " Where is Kunwarsa?" " He left early in the morning for Dangal and then a visit to the village. Do you need anything?" " No, you may go now." She put on the sindoor in worry. Maybe something urgent has come up. She walked to the Puja room and was shocked. Her garlands were made, the Chandan was in plac...

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 in a winning situation thanks to their new Senapati. He was just sixteen, 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 ...

The Difficulties

“The best of our characters are often reflected in our children.” Kunwar Shakta had visited the court at Udaipur after a Turk marriage offer was turned down by Rana Udai Singh for the third time for one of his Princesses. The Ranimahal at Chittorgarh buzzed with rumours of him warning his father about the consequences of enemity with the Turks and also about the impending doom of Mewar. He had apparently irked Kunwar Partap by suggesting a peace alliance with the Timurids was beneficial to Mewar. Rana Udai Singh, in his anger, had banished him from his court. Kunwar Shakta had sworn not to be associated with the royal family any further and to join allies with the Turks. Rawat Chundawat was calm enough to pacify the angry prince and offer him to shift to Bassi and give his decision a second thought. However, Kunwar Partap had refused to abandon Chittor, defying his father’s orders for a shift to the newly founded capital with his Ranimahal. He wanted to stay at Chittorgarh, which...

RAABTA

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