The morning after the Chief Minister of the state attended the reception party, Binoy wrapped the newspaper that had just arrived at their threshold, eyeing the picture of him and Trilochon with the chief minister smiling proudly, made a mental note of framing it for his office in Siliguri and stepped out to see the car waiting for him in the entrance to take him to the station. He glanced over his shoulder at the house, still asleep and watched Bihari put his luggage in the back seat. Bihari had been with the Roy Chowdhury House since he was a teenager. He eyed Binoy as he lit his pipe and straightened his jacket when Bihari approached him.
“Boro Saheb, should I inform Kotta Moshai once?” Binoy eyed Bihari with a disapproving glance.
“If I wanted to tell him, I would have done so myself, Bihari. Where is the driver?” He checked his watch. Bihari sighed as he ran to check on the driver.
Bondita stopped on the gravelled path leading from the entrance to the main gate as she watched Binoy pacing, pipe in his mouth. He stopped as he noticed her coming towards the house, ready in her work attire: a white Kurti and a black coat, hair tied back into a braid. Binoy looked unsure as Bondita approached him. He asked her what she was doing there as a courtesy.
“You are leaving, Sir?” She asked with a faint smile as he nodded. Bondita was unsure whether to continue the chat as she inhaled. “Jyatha Moshai misses you a lot; he is getting older.”
“He has a lot of people who care for him, around him.” Binoy had a smile on the edge of his thin lips. Bondita nodded. “He still needs his brother sometimes, just like your sons…”
“Are you here to advocate for them to me?” Binoy shook his head and took the pipe out of his mouth. “You can be good at your job, but I don’t need this…”
“I understand you resent us, you think we are taking advantage of him…” Bondita nodded, “But I reassure you, my grandmother has the accounts for every favour taken, and it may take us a lifetime, but we will pay every single thing back. You won’t be at any loss because of us.”
“Look, girl, I have seen the world and people like you. I have seen big talk, big dreams, and kindness all my life. God forbid, my eldest is one. I don’t want you to pay back anything.” Bondita looked up at his words. “All I need is to be reassured that whatever my brother does with his good heart doesn’t hurt him.”
“Of course.” Bondita nodded. “I don’t remember much of my father, but I know who raised me.” She took a deep breath, “You will never regret…”
“ You should know I have nothing personal against you.” Binoy shook his head, making Bondita smile faintly.
“I find that hard to believe, Sir.” Bondita eyed him as he smiled.
“Well, you are a straight talker, I see.” Binoy put his pipe back in his mouth, “But I don’t like the kind in the villages who take advantage of people, deceiving them to think that they are simple and innocent. It has happened to my grandfather and father and…”
“Did you know my family when in Alamethi?” Bondita’s words made Binoy frown a little. Then, Binoy smiled.
“You are an intelligent woman, I give you that.” He shook his head. “Let's just say I don’t want my brother to get hurt. I have seen him at his worst, and I know it's like hell. I may not look like it, but I am overprotective of him, more than I have ever been of my late wife or my children.”
“Then let’s just say, I am equally concerned for the only family I have, my grandmother.” Bondita looked up at Binoy, who seemed to admire her way of diplomacy. “I agree with you, and I am territorial about my family, too. And my family includes…”
“I see what he sees in you now.” Binoy made her stop with her brows raised. “Jyatha Moshai?” Bondita saw the driver approach in a hurry from behind as Binoy opened the car door.
“No, Aniruddha. He may not say it, but he is like his mother, hard on the outside, soft on the inside. Barely says what he feels.” Bondita looked a little clueless as Binoy smiled faintly. “My hair has not greyed just like that. I observe people.” Bondita suddenly looked clueless at his words. “Take care of him to the best of your ability; I know we are a stubborn family of men.” He was about to get into the car when Bondita stammered, “Sir… I… It's not like that… I respect him.” Binoy lowered the glass as the ignition on the car made a noise. “So does he.” Before Bondita could speak, the car was out of the portico. The sound prompted Trilochon to step out of his room in his nightgown and frown as he watched Bondita walk in, still a little startled by what had happened.
“Did Aniruddha leave?” He asked, eyeing the clock on the wall. Bondita shook her head. “Your brother.”
“What?” Trilochon sighed. “There are still guests in the house.” He murmured almost to himself as he stomped up the stairs.
Bondita made her way to the study to tend to the day’s schedule.
It was Asha’s first day in the Roy Chowdhury house, and the cousins and their wives flocked around her all day. She was taken to the kitchen for the first time by Koeli, and Kalindi helped her make Shimai Payesh for everyone. While chatting in the kitchen, Asha came to know that Kalindi was well-read and often read books in the afternoon.
“I can bring books from the school library…” She offered, “Should I call you Thamma?”
“Of course, Somnath does.” Kalindi smiled. “Which subjects do you teach?”
“History and geography in the lower classes.” Asha watched Kalindi help her as she said, “I know how to cook.”
“Can I ask you something…” Kalindi looked unsure as Asha nodded.
“Are you alright with your … umm… husband taking over the political role from Trilochon Babu?” Asha paused while stirring the bowl and looked up at Kalindi. “Should I not be? I mean, I knew his background when I…”
“Yes, yes, of course.” Kalindi nodded.
“Does something bother you about it?” Asha asked. “If I were Bondita, you would say it.” Kalindi smiled faintly.
“It's just that I feel… sometimes they choose a bigger picture over people they care about.” Asha narrowed her brows at Kalindi a little and smiled.
“Well, as long as he is not doing something wrong…”
“Of course.”
Bondita watched the people from an NGO near Jugipara walk out of Aniruddha’s office as he shook hands, and she walked into the chambers.
“Where have you been?” He asked as she reached her desk.
“Oh, I was cross-checking something for the Mitra Property case, one of the documents…” She stopped as he eyed her with his hands in his pockets. He looked serious as Bondita asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Sit down, I need to talk to you about something.” He looked serious as she sat down on the couch, and he sat on the edge of the coffee table facing her.
Bondita’s heart raced. Sleepless for most of the previous night, she had overthought every single thing she did during the wedding. It alarmed her more that it was enough for Binoy to mention it to her. Binoy’s words rang like a warning bell in her head. If not for him, Bondita would have made herself believe she had imagined Aniruddha paying attention to her every move. She had stared back once or twice, hoping he would look away, but he smiled reassuringly instead, making her ears feel warm as she looked away.
What Binoy said in the morning worried her for more reasons than one. He was barely home, yet he seemed to hint at knowing Bondita’s secret. If he could, why wouldn’t Aniruddha? After all, most of her time in the day was spent with him. Bondita had wondered about him confronting her. What would she say? She remembered their conversation in Kolkata. If he did ask, she wouldn’t deny it. She would downplay it as something silly she felt in her teen years and reassure him that she was interested in the potential groom Jyatha Moshai sought. But what miffed her was that if he did know about it, he acted so well, even appearing amused or entertained. If he felt amused by her crush, was he trying to downplay it to make it less awkward for her, or was he simply not thinking it was anything remotely serious but a fleeting feeling during the wedding? Did he like the fact that he made her react? How cruel would that be! Bondita also made a mental note of not getting affected by it. She had also succeeded when he came downstairs with a sore throat, and she had pushed the honey Tulsi mix down his throat, scolding him. But now, he wanted to talk. Bondita eyed him sceptically.
“You see that NGO works at the Jugipara slum.” His words made her look a little clueless, and she nodded. “They came with information.”
A contractor had taken over the slum area with the promise to build a shopping mall, something quite common in Kolkata but unheard of here, and in return, the slum dwellers needed to be moved. They had approached the NGO to intervene in a negotiation, and since the contractor was the son-in-law of someone from the ruling political party, the NGO could not refuse. However, the issue was that the amount of money offered by the Contractor for relocation was not enough for the slum dwellers. However, he was using the men from the political party to scare the poor people out of their homes. Once the NGO intervened, they threatened to stop operations of the NGO. Now, all that was left for them to make sure the slum dwellers got their due, as if they took it up legally. Bondita exhaled, a little relieved that this was about work. She contemplated as he watched her think, then asked what he had told them.
“Well, I said I cannot get involved as Jethu works at the party, and I am family. But they insist on someone from this firm since they need to trust the lawyer would not sway or take a bribe…” Bondita nodded.
“I can do it.” Aniruddha was a little surprised at her words.
“I was about to ask whom you suggest I should give this to, but… You are too close to it, too.” He reminded her.
“I am not a Roy Chowdhury staying in the same house.” She shrugged, “Besides, I will visit the slum, hear them out and if I think I may be working on behalf of the NGO.”
“Will Jethu like that? Because I am sure if this goes legal, the contractor will approach him.” Aniruddha shook his head. “We can’t do something like that…”
“ We are not morally wrong; we are doing our job, and he will do his. He will understand.” Bondita’s words did not convince Aniruddha. “I will inform him before I say yes to the party, alright?” He nodded at her suggestion.
“If such cases go to court, we can have a humanitarian angle.” She murmured. Aniruddha decided to be quiet. He knew better than that in his years of experience. The ruling government always had favour with law and order. But that was a far-fetched idea, as of now.
Bondita stood up and searched her desk for the address of the NGO.
“Better I do this today.” He nodded as she picked up her bag and left.
Aniruddha knew that this was just a formality for Bondita; she had already decided that she would take the case. He was worried about how Jethu would react. But he eyed her determination to help the slum dwellers. He was immensely proud of the woman Bondita had become.
It was the weekend before Asha was to leave for her Ashtamangala when Bondita was summoned to her room after lunch. She had not yet discussed the slum case with Aniruddha nor informed Trilochon about it. Aniruddha was invited to a friend’s house that day, and Som had accompanied Trilochon to some meeting in Serampore, leaving Asha alone in the large house she was getting used to.
“I made this face pack.” Asha held out a bowl as Bondita placed the books Asha would love to read from the study in her room. “It makes the tiredness and tan vanish.” Bondita narrowed her eyes on her words.
“You are befriending Thamma, aren’t you, Boudi?” She smiled. Asha smiled sheepishly, admitting that Thamma lamented that Bondita was too busy at work to be persuaded to indulge in self-care. Asha had promised to step in.
“We will just apply this and keep it for 15-20 minutes, then wash it off.” Asha insisted. “We can read the magazines while it dries.” She pointed at the stack of fashion magazines she had brought from home. Bondita did not refuse. She knew Asha was missing home, and Som Dada was already busy. Perhaps she wanted to bond with Bondita because of that. She let Asha apply the thick mix of turmeric, Besan and other things and sat down on the chair in Asha’s room for it to dry. Asha was waving at her face with the magazine when the bell rang, and they both looked a little alarmed. It was 4 O’Clock, an odd time for someone to come uninvited. They heard Bihari answer the door and eventually heard Aniruddha’s voice. Asha was embarrassed by the idea of being seen with the Uptan in her face as she shut the door, and Bondita stood up.
“He may need something… You dry it, I will go.” Her words made Asha look confused. “Bihari is there, right?”
“He prefers it if I make the coffee.” Bondita took the wet towel and wiped her face. “I will just…”
Asha watched her leave and heard her enquiring if he wanted coffee in the hallway before going downstairs. When Asha opened the door of her room briefly, she watched Bondita knock on the door of his room and enter with the coffee cup in hand. She could also see him, change into a t-shirt, smile at her, and then proceed to tell her about the friends he met.
“How are Saikat Da and Boudi?” She chimed in, “Has their daughter started high school already?” Asha stood by the threshold of her room, hidden from view as she watched them closely. Bondita wiped her hand in her Kurti, making him scold her for her habit, as she, in return, asked if he had the Tulsi leaves that day. When he shook his head, she insisted on making a spoonful, to which he sulked. Bondita scolded him like she would scold a child in school. He eyed her with an amused smile.
“What’s that on your face?” He asked as she touched her earlobe.
“Oh, it's a face pack.” He appeared confused. “The kind you apply to make your skin glow.” He shook his head judgmentally at her, laughing.
“You remember once Mini made you do such stuff?” He asked, amused. She nodded. “She dressed me up, and you scolded us both. I cried that day.”
“She applied makeup on your face, you were a child.” He corrected her.
“I was thirteen, and she wanted to see if I would suit the role of a bride in the annual play.” She frowned. “You never let us explain.”
“Why should I? Why would you be interested in being a bride at thirteen?” He frowned. Bondita shook her head. “I was interested in getting selected for the role, but thanks to you…”
“What did I do? I just scolded about the makeup.” He looked confused. Bondita gasped.
“You tore the veil we made.” She shrugged. “Remember?”
He did not. She spent another five minutes explaining how the scene played out, from him entering Mini’s room and seeing her in the veil and makeup to him leaving her in tears with a torn veil in the study room after she followed him back there. Asha quietly stepped out of her room to go downstairs, and they both seemed too engrossed in the conversation to even notice her, even with the door wide open.
“You gave me your graduation cap that day, saying,' Put this on if you want to dress up as something.” Bondita giggled.
“You still have that?” He asked. She said she did.
“Have you thought about the case?” She heard him as she moved downstairs, and Bondita replied, “I will take it.”
Asha walked to the kitchen to find Koeli preparing for the evening snacks as she enquired, “Since when does Aniruddha Babu know Bondita?”
“He is the one who brought her here.” Koeli smiled. “She was in a village where he went for some welfare work.” This was new information to Asha; she always knew it was Trilochon who helped his fellow villagers in need.
“I see. How old was she?”
“She was too little, Boumoni, about ten.” Koeli smiled. “I still remember her running around the house in a frock, especially behind Malik and Choto Malik all day.”
“Then she left for Boarding school, right?” Asha asked as Koeli nodded. “I remember when I first met Som, he said he had a sister in boarding school.”
“Oh yes, she left quite abruptly.”
“Meaning?” Asha raised her brows as Koeli stopped cutting the vegetables.
“There were a lot of fights about her going to boarding school… Choto Malik wanted her to go, and she would not. But then one day she just left.”
“How old was she then?” Asha asked. “Fifteen perhaps…”
“Did Dadabhai take her to boarding?” Asha enquired as Koeli shook her head. “No, he was in Delhi. Everyone insisted she wait till he got back, but she did not.” Asha frowned at her words.
“What happened suddenly?” Koeli shrugged. She proceeded to tell more when not asked, like how upset Aniruddha was when he got back home. He asked Boro Malik where her boarding was, and he blamed Thamma for not stopping her. He refused to marry Mini Didi.
“Who is that?” Asha interrupted. Koeli said how everyone thought they would make a great pair, how his refusal soured his relationship with his father, and how he kept refusing to get married. “He seems to want some Apsara from heaven, Malik would say.”
“Since Bondita arrived, have there been Rakhi or Bhai Fota celebrations?” Asha asked. Koeli shook her head.
“Not really.” She attributed it to Binoy not approving of making new ties with them, Batuk not liking her initially, and Somnath being the only one she called Dada.
“What does she call Dadabhai then?” Koeli paused. She had to think a little. She had never really heard Bondita call him anything.
“Not even when she instructs you to take things to him?” Koeli shook her head. Asha finished her chores and walked upstairs to find Bondita still in his room. She said something, he mimicked her, she threw the rolled-up paper playfully at him, and he dodged. Then there was a roll of laughter she could hear from the bedroom. Asha wondered about what she saw. Was she overthinking, or did those two act like an old married couple? They oddly behaved like her parents. Was she seeing more to it because how was it possible that nobody else did? Should she ask Somnath? She shook that idea off, knowing what his reaction would be. He would laugh. She decided to observe them a little more before she talked to the one person who could answer her: Bondita.
