“Choto Babu Eshe Gechen”
Bihari rushed out to the portico, announcing Aniruddha’s arrival as Batuk rushed out behind him to welcome his brother. But he stopped at the threshold, realising that Dadabhai was not alone. Being an introvert, Batuk did not quite like guests, especially those he did not know. He knew the drill. Soon, his father or uncle would summon him to the living room and praise his piano skills until he was asked to play. The only song he knew was “We Shall Overcome”, and the blind pride of his family completely missed the disappointment in the guest's faces and false praises. But these guests looked different. As the driver opened the car's back door, a girl, about his age and height, jumped out wearing a pair of plastic slippers and a shabby dress, her hair oiled and braided, eyes wide in astonishment at the enormity of their house. Behind her came a reluctant woman, her hair in streaks of grey, wearing a dirty white saree, with nothing but a bead garland on her neck. She appeared more aware and reluctant. Who were these people, and why were they here? Batuk decided to dash back to his room, but it was too late. He was already noticed by Aniruddha, who called out to him.
“Batuk! Look, I brought you a friend…” He reluctantly stopped at the threshold and eyed the girl.
“Batuk, this is Bondita. She is a year older than you… And Bondita, this is my brother Batuk.” Batuk eyed the girl, smiling gleefully at him as he nodded in a rather snobbish way, making it clear that he believed she was dirty.
“Make sure she feels at home here. She doesn’t know anybody, thik ache?” Batuk groaned inwardly, although he nodded readily to Dadabhai’s words. Her smile had faded with his demeanour, and she was no fool. She narrowed her eyes observantly at him and then at the older woman.
“Thamma.” She went back down to the portico, trying to bring the woman up the stairs. Bihari, by now, had her bundle.
“Let me…” Kalindi offered, but Bihari refused.
“You are a guest.”
Guest… What that word implied to Kalindi Debi was that they would not stay here long. She had to find alternatives and not rely on Aniruddha Babu. For the entire way, she was lost in thought, ignoring Bondita’s constant chatter with Aniruddha, who seemed to indulge in her questions. Bondita almost interrogated him, to say the least. He was asked about his family, his neighbours, where they would be put up, if she could study, if Thamma would be fine in the city, and so on. From the conversation, Kalindi got to know that their house had been deprived of a woman ever since their mother’s untimely demise. She deduced that Trilochon never married, perhaps because he wanted to raise them. Most of the other questions were answered with a pending discussion with Trilochon to determine their fate. Kalindi felt uncomfortable with the idea. Not only would she meet him after so many years, but she was also at his mercy. If not for Bondita’s sake, she would not have even thought of… Footsteps were heard on the staircase as Kalindi looked up almost in a reflex, and Batuk chose this moment to walk away. Aniruddha smiled.
“Jethu, this is Bondita…” He pushed the girl a little as a gesture, and Bondita touched his feet. She had a rather odd resemblance to another ten-year-old girl he had met decades ago. “Thaak, Thaak Maa.” Trilochon did not think he would address her so affectionately so soon. In his mind, he had asked Kalindi a million questions, but he was not entitled to the answers. If she were her granddaughter, then what happened to her husband, her children and her family?
“Thamma, why are you still there? Come inside.” Aniruddha walked back down the stairs to bring Kalindi as Trilochon’s glance shifted from an innocent smile to an elderly grimace. Eyes met briefly as she folded her hands and looked away, rather reluctant to make conversation. Trilochon inhaled. He would not have recognised her, with her grey hair, shabby saree, and grim fragility, had they not met under such circumstances. Was she reluctant to recognise him in front of others? He decided to play along. He had to make sure she was not awkward anymore. He folded his hands, nodding. The odd silence was broken by Aniruddha.
“Thamma also grew up in Alamethi…” His words were met with silence as he narrowed his brows a little. Bondita yawned, making him shift his attention as he said, “Never mind, we have all the time to talk. Bihari, can you please take them to the guest room?” Bihari looked reluctantly at his master, for he had been instructed differently. Trilochon shook his head.
“Not the guest room.” Aniruddha frowned at his words. Where were they supposed to go then?
“I have arranged for them to stay more permanently…” He said, clearing his throat and addressing his nephew. Kalindi eyed him from the corner of her eye. Her heart thumped in her chest. She was not going to…
“There is a house within our property where my father’s old estate manager used to stay…” Trilochon reminded him.
“The Choto Bari?” Aniruddha looked pleased. “That will be perfect for them.”
“Yes, it is small, but it has two rooms, a kitchen, a balcony, and a living area, so I thought they would be entitled to more privacy. And since it's on the premises, it's not very far from the house…”
“But it was not used for years, Jethu. Can they…” The last thing Aniruddha wanted was Bondita or Thamma to feel like they were a liability.
“I have had the servants clean the place and put in furniture and utensils as soon as you called.” Trilochon smiled faintly. “They should have more permanency in life.” He eyed Kalindi as she looked away. “They are not guests.”
“Oh, thank you so much, Boro Babu.” It was Bondita who smiled, folding her hands, “We are ever so grateful…”
“We will repay your debts as soon as we can, Aniruddha Babu,” Kalindi spoke for the first time, her face turned away from them towards her granddaughter, who nodded. Trilochon eyed her briefly, remembering how different she used to sound. Aniruddha shook his head a little awkwardly.
“Please call me Jethu like they do, Maa.” Trilochon made Bondita smile. “And what debts? Families don’t have debts.” Kalindi’s jaws stiffened as she watched him pat Bondita’s head as she looked at the man in awe.
“Can I call you Jyatha Moshai?” Bondita asked. Trilochon seemed pleased.
“We…” Kalindi looked reluctant as all eyes turned to her. A flood of emotions reflected on Trilochon’s face as she looked up at him. “We will pay rent, please tell us the amount.” She said firmly. Her voice was cold, but at least she was addressing him. Trilochon smiled. So many years and Kalindi still had her self-esteem intact, the one thing that he admired most in her. Her voice was more mature, and she looked more poised, yet there was this familiarity that he did not miss.
“Very well, I will let the manager know.” Kalindi thought he would resist, but he did not.
Bondita looked troubled by her words as she whispered, “How can we…”
“I will manage,” Kalindi whispered back, holding Bondita’s hand firmly in hers.
Bihari led them to the house.
Bondita chose the bedroom to the left, looking over the lawn that led to the servant quarters. As soon as she opened the window, while a maid from the house set her mattress and made her bed, she could see the towering Roy Chowdhury house from it, the windows open, curtains fluttering. She eyed the desk and chair in the room, the mirror, and the cupboard and smiled. She tiptoed out to inspect Thakuma, who had opened the bundle, counting the cash she had.
“Are you sure we can pay rent?” Bondita asked, hugging her from behind.
“We will have to. We can’t live at others' mercy.” Kalindi drew her onto her lap as she spoke. “Remember, Bondita, whatever these people do for us is our debt. We need to repay them as soon as possible. They are not family. We are at their mercy till we repay them.” Bondita nodded.
The next morning, Bihari came by to tell Kalindi that Bondita had been summoned by Boro Malik. Kalindi made sure she was looking presentable before she ran off towards the main house. As soon as Bondita entered through the back door and courtyard, she encountered Batuk.
“We are forbidden to run inside the premises. Has nobody taught you manners?” He shook his head. Bondita looked a little startled at first, but quickly regained her composure. She eyed him in his half-pant and tucked shirt, his hair neatly brushed, wearing a watch indoors.
“So you never run around?” She asked, not hiding her astonishment. He shook his head.
“Is it because you are fat?” Bondita sneered, laughing, as Batuk fumed.
“How dare you, girl?”
“Bondita.”
“Whoever you are, Dadabhai should leave you where you came from.” Batuk looked upset. Bondita stopped laughing as soon as he said that and looked hurt.
“I am sorry, I…” Batuk inhaled as she looked like she was about to cry. Was it real or an act? He could not tell. “It's alright, go along. Don’t bother me.” He walked away as Bondita made her way to the study room. She had no idea that rich people had an entire room full of books and desks like a school library to study in. In her village, the boys' school had such a library, however small. The girls could go there occasionally, but were not entitled to take the books home. It was a charity library set up by the Pradhan. She looked around the room, observing every showpiece, painting and book in awe. Trilochon smiled at her eagerness.
“I have decided to enrol you at the girls’ school here. Aniruddha suggested the convent, but I believe you need to attend somewhere else before you jump the gun.”
“English school?” Bondita looked unsure as Trilochon nodded, straightening himself on the armchair, “Yes, he spoke highly of your intelligence; I have faith in you.” Although Bondita bravely agreed, a little part of her was scared, if not intimidated, by the idea. She was not wrong.
Not only was city life different from the village, but interacting with students who came from better backgrounds than hers made her feel inferior. Their spoken English, leisure activities and idea of fun were very different from her innocent village life. Here, she could barely speak her mind, raise her hand, or answer questions, and she struggled with her studies for the first time. Bondita tried hard to keep a brave face and continue. She would go to school in the same car as Batuk and had befriended him. Although she was a year older, she was enrolled in the same class and attended the private classes Batuk’s tutor gave. But she could see the clear bias he had toward his rich students rather than the poor ones. He could not say no to Trilochon’s suggestion of teaching her, and it bothered her. Bondita also tried hard not to bring the school bullying home. Her Thamma would be upset to know how the girls made fun of how she dressed, conducted herself, her dialect, her stories and even her opinions, let alone the bullying she faced because of her improper English. They made fun of her braided, oiled hair, her lack of use of snow powder and how she smelled. Every day, she came home and lied to Thamma and Jyatha Moshai that she was happy and grateful for the arrangements. Every night, she would lie alone in bed, crying, praying that she would fall sick the next day and could be excused from school. But she would wake up fit and fine, eat something simple Thamma made, usually starched rice, and make her way to school with a packet of biscuits for tiffin. Others would bring proper lunch boxes they shared, their mothers making delicious meals for them, and she would sit alone in a corner, watching them make jokes at her expense as she tried hard not to cry. She would come home, rest, do her homework, attend classes with Batuk, have the same dinner if Jyatha Moshai did not send something nice from the house for her, and let Thamma braid her hair as they talked about the village they missed, and eventually, she would be back in bed. On weekends, she would ask permission to take a book to read from the study and improve her English by making notes. She had no friends here, nowhere to play, and nobody to talk to. Perhaps Thamma understood that a little when she suggested taking a stroll by the Ganga. Even the river here looked unfamiliar as she missed the creeks and streams back home. After a few evening strolls with Batuk, which Bihari supervised by the Strand, she stopped because it made her miss home even more.
It was Batuk who noticed Bondita’s reluctance to talk about school. They were not the best of friends, but during their car rides, he would hear her chatter away about something or other. He could not help but notice Bondita getting quieter by the day. But who could he tell that to? Baba and Dada seemed to care very little about these new residents on the premises. He had even heard Baba arguing with Jethu about how the rent was minimal compared to all that was given away for free. Jethu was angrier than he had ever been before. He reminded Baba that most of the money that he so proudly showed off belonged to his in-laws and brother. Batuk did not quite understand what Jethu meant, but Baba stormed off, and Dada blamed the new girl for Baba’s humiliation. Batuk did not understand that either.
“But Dadabhai also scolds us all the time, and we don’t feel humiliated.” He made Somnath stare coldly at him, “How does Jethu scolding Baba humiliate him?”
“ You are a kid, you don’t know how adults talk.” Somnath retorted. He had no will to speak to Batuk about it. So the only person Batuk could go to with his worry for Bondita was Aniruddha.
Bondita was summoned to the house on Sunday morning before breakfast. It was unusual, and she hoped it was not the private tutor who complained to Jyatha Moshai about her. She found Aniruddha in the study instead. Ever since she had come here, she had barely seen him or spoken to him.
“Sit down, you are barely around…” He said with a smile as she took a seat on the chair, feet dangling. He noticed her wearing a frock Jyatha Moshai must have given her, her oiled hair braided on either side with ribbons. She also wore the earrings Jyatha Moshai had gifted her recently, after conferring with him that Thamma would not feel insulted by them. Aniruddha also knew that although Thamma did not inform him, Koeli, the househelp, saw her starting a business of quilt-making to earn the rent. Many of the residents around the area liked her work, and she felt useful. Hence, Aniruddha did not intervene. He understood her dilemma about staying on their premises from the beginning.
“I come almost every day.” Bondita frowned. “You are never home.” He smiled. That was the girl he knew.
“Yes,” he nodded, “I joined practice under a lawyer in the High Court of Calcutta.”
“You stay there now?” She looked astonished at the mention of Kolkata. Lately, Bondita had been giving quite some thought to her dream of making it in a big city. She was so intimidated by life here that reality seemed to be a harsh reminder that she could not survive city life. Yes, she was almost eleven, but would she be less intimidated a few years later? She was not sure. Aniruddha shook his head.
“No, I practise mainly on his matters here, district level. I am new, I need to gain experience before I take on big things…” He looked up from the file he was going through and sat down opposite Bondita across the desk. “You see, we need to take smaller, uncomfortable steps before going for bigger, intimidating things.” Bondita looked up at his choice of words like they were meant for her. She nodded reluctantly during the conversation. Aniruddha smiled, studying the worry on her face. All of ten, she knew how to keep her problems to herself. Not something anyone her age would think of.
“Have you made friends?” Aniruddha asked. She nodded reluctantly again. Aniruddha could now see the quietness Batuk talked about. “Besides Batuk?” She shook her head. “Does anyone bother you?” She shook her head again. Aniruddha felt a need to make her speak her mind. He walked across the desk to her chair and knelt before it. Bondita looked away, trying hard to control her tears. Nobody had ever asked her if she made friends. Everyone asked about her studies. “Are you alright, Bondita?” His question made her look up at his worried face briefly before she burst into tears, hiding her face with her palms. She could not let them see she was weak. Aniruddha put his hand gently on her head and patted her as if to soothe her.
“It's alright, let it out.” He said as she sobbed. “I know it must be tough.”
“They make fun of me… what did I do that makes them see me as a jester?” She sobbed. Aniruddha’s heart sank as she wiped away her tears and sobbed again. “Back home, nobody dared to even laugh at me. I made a terrible mistake.” She let out a sigh in a failed attempt to compose herself. “Everyone will be so disappointed with me. Jyatha Moshai… Thamma… I will fail my examinations.” Aniruddha let her speak, watching her regain composure before losing it again. He waited silently for her to cry her heart out and then offered her a handkerchief. She wiped her face and nose as he poured water from the jug into a glass and offered her. He watched her gulp the water down as he cleared his head again, kneeling before her chair as he spoke.
“Listen to me very carefully. People who don’t understand us often laugh at us because they are intimidated by us.” She did not look convinced as she eyed him. Aniruddha smiled faintly. “They bully to make you think they are superior when they feel inferior.” Bondita sniffed. “And I will tell you what, I will be your new friend. I will also help you study so that you don’t fail.”
“Will you tell Jyatha Moshai I said all this?” She sounded scared. Aniruddha shook his head firmly.
“I will never tell anyone whatever you confide in me, ever. I promise you, Bondita. That is what friends do. You helped me so much when I was out of place. This is my turn.”
“Aren’t friends supposed to be of the same age?” She asked hesitantly as Aniruddha smiled, holding her shoulders.
“No, friends can be all sorts of like-minded people.”
“But friends call each other by names.” Bondita frowned. Aniruddha nodded with a smile.
“Of course, you can call me Aniruddha, the way you call Batuk.”
“Dhyat!” Bondita dismissed the idea with half a smile, amused, “ That can’t be, you are so old!”
“So old?” He feigned shock as she giggled, amused. Aniruddha was glad she did. “Fine, call me whatever makes you feel comfortable.” She nodded. He asserted that he did not like being called Choto Malik or Choto Babu, especially by either her or Kalindi.
“And every day, no matter how busy I am, once I am home, I will summon you, and we can go over the next day’s homework.” He placed his finger over his lips in jest, “It will be our secret.” Bondita looked reluctant, “Will that not be a bother…”
“Not at all, just don’t tell Batuk, he will be angry because I refuse to help him.” He made her giggle again as she nodded, repeating his gesture: “This will be our secret.” Aniruddha patted her back, “Sabash, I know how brave you are. Soon you will excel here, and you can attend a boarding school just the way I did.”
“What is a boarding school?” Aniruddha was glad that her questioning curiosity was back. He was about to answer her when footsteps interrupted him, and he stood up. Bondita quickly wiped away her tears, assuming it was someone from the family.
Saudamini stomped into the room, hoping to find Aniruddha there. It had been a week since she was back, and although he was home, Aniruddha never had a conversation with her. The last she heard from the maid was that he brought with him a child and an older woman for some humanitarian bid.
“When are you going to find time for me?” Her eyes met Bondita’s as soon as she was in the room, and Saudamini looked embarrassed. “Who is this?” She managed to smile. Aniruddha smiled back, “Saudamini, meet Bondita, my new friend. Bondita, this is Mini Didi; she is our neighbour.”
“And his friend, too.” Saudamini frowned, eyeing him once before she walked up to Bondita. “Hello.” She gave Bondita her manicured hand, and Bondita took it reluctantly as she shook it. “Now you are my little friend too.” Saudamini smiled. “You are so pretty.” She made Bondita smile faintly. Aniruddha could see on her face that she did not quite like being talked to like a child. “I will be your friend too, alright?” Bondita nodded. Saudamini went further on to invite her home for some evening snacks before she announced to Aniruddha that she needed to speak to him. Bondita took that as her cue to leave, as she could not help but admire the beautiful curly hair, jewellery and saree of this woman.
“I finally got the assignment I went to Kolkata for.” She declared. Aniruddha smiled. “Wow, congratulations!”
“But we have a problem…” She shook her head. “Bapi seems reluctant.”
“I will see what I can do.” Aniruddha knew his role whenever Saudamini said this. He had to go convince her father with his “better judgment” and “view of the world” that she would be safe. Mr. Bhowmik would eventually listen to him like he always did. “But about Bondita… keep an eye on her; she feels out of place and lonely…”
“Oh, don’t you worry, I am so good with kids, they love me.” Saudamini gushed. “My Pishima says when I have children…” She eyed Aniruddha, lost in his thoughts, as she blushed, “I will be a good mother.”
“Bondita is not like other children, Saudamini.” Aniruddha seemed to have completely unheard her comment, “She doesn’t like being treated as a kid.”
“Relax, Aniruddha. You seem to be on edge about her.”
“I feel responsible,” he shrugged. “I brought her here, and it's up to me to have her best interest in mind when she…”
“She is fine, I heard your uncle helps them, too. They should be grateful.” Saudamini stopped when she realised that her last comment did not go down well with him. “I will make friends with her in the evening.” She reassured him. “When will you be going back?” Her question made him realise Mini was away when he argued with his father over staying back, and she did not know he had made a final decision.
“I am not…”
“What?” She frowned, a little displeased. “What do you mean?”
“I can’t leave. There is so much to do here…” He shook his head as she gasped.
“Are you out of your mind? You want to stay back… for her?” Aniruddha narrowed his brows at her condescending tone.
“I can stay back for whatever reason I want to; you can’t judge me for it.” He said, raising his eyebrows and clenching his jaw. Saudamini inhaled. There was no point in being in his bad books. He would probably be tired of life here and leave in a year or so anyway. “Alright, I am glad you are staying; I truly am.” She shrugged. Aniruddha nodded, going back to his files, a sign that she should leave him alone.
That evening, Saudamini had invited Bondita and Kalindi for tea. Her house was not as palatial as that of Roy Chowdhury, but it was large enough and well decorated.
“Do you study? In College?” Kalindi had asked, refusing the tea Saudamini offered her.
“Oh, I finished college. I am now thinking of working.” Kalindi raised her eyebrows involuntarily at her tone. Working and not getting married first? Even well-educated women marry first. This was different. She decided to keep her observation to herself so as to not come across as judgmental.
“Oh, you have been to college?” Bondita gushed while gorging on the Dimer Devil. “I want to go to college too.”
“Oh, of course you will. Aniruddha will make sure of that.” Saudamini gushed. Kalindi observed her blush as she mentioned his name.
“Now that you are my new friend, Bondita, do you want to see my room?” Bondita jumped up at her words. “Yes! Come by, and I will show you mine, too.” As soon as she said that, Bondita bit her lips and stared a little awkwardly at Kalindi, for she knew they could not afford to have guests. Saudamini could read her mind and smile. “For sure, we can go any time.” She reassured Bondita. Bondita took her hand and went indoors while Kalindi waited alone in the empty living room. It was then that she heard footsteps and stood up reluctantly, and Mr Bhowmik walked in with Trilochon. Mr Bhowmik knew that Saudamini had guests over, and he introduced himself to Kalindi before excusing himself for a while to ask the maid to serve Trilochon tea. He needed to talk to Trilochon about a charity gesture he wanted to do for his party in return for some favours.
The room was silent once again when Trilochon watched Kalindi rub her hands together nervously and look away at the decorated showpieces, and he smiled. Watching him smile, she looked confused.
“What is it?” Trilochon did not expect the question.
“You.” He said. “You have not changed one bit.”
“You don’t know me.” She retorted, looking away.
“Sure, I don’t. I know a stubborn Kalindi who never talked first after a fight.” Kalindi inhaled, for he sounded as annoying as he was when he tried to apologise after fights and could never utter the word sorry.
“ You are as childish as always.” She murmured.
“At least you recognise me now. It took three weeks to get there.” Kalindi gave him a cold stare that made him stop smiling. “And you can still intimidate people.”
“I never tried…” She replied drily.
“Well, I am a very powerful politician now…” he cleared his throat.
“I know who you are. I saw you in the village last time…” Kalindi stopped. She had no idea why she was speaking to him and why she said what she said.
“Did you?” Trilochon’s voice seemed warmer. “ Why did you not come and…”
“Bondita had a fever; she was unwell,” Kalindi stated.
“Is she…” Trilochon was hesitant “Your own… umm…”
“My brother’s eldest granddaughter. Her parents died when she was younger. Her Kaka has two daughters of his own, so I stepped in.” Kalindi had no reservations when it came to talking about Bondita. Trilochon was her official guardian in her school enrollment, and she knew that he only aided her granddaughter’s career. He was entitled to these answers.
“What about your own…” Trilochon could see a faint smile on her face.
“I lost him within a few years of marriage. He was sick…” Trilochon did not miss the fondness in her voice with which she spoke of her husband. Although it bothered him, he did not let it show.
“ I had no idea. I am sorry…” he inhaled.
“What happened to Aniruddha Babu’s mother?” Kalindi enquired. She regretted asking as he looked up at her face.
Trilochon smiled. “I think we have some catching up to do. I will come by for tea in the evening tomorrow.” Kalindi suddenly felt irked by the self-invitation, but it was his property, his time. What could she do?
“You can still make it, I suppose, with the masala and ginger the way I liked…”
“I don’t have masala.”
“I will send Koeli by…” Before she could protest, Mr Bhowmik came out, and she stood up to excuse herself, stating that Bondita was still in the house, but there was no hurry in sending her back.
