The winter morning was pleasant, especially when the sunshine hit the dewy grass on the lawn, and Bihari set down the porcelain cups for Trilochon and Kalindi to start their day. Kalindi had just taken up some orders to knit sweaters and mittens for some of the neighbourhood kids as she wrapped the thick brown shawl tightly around herself, on the chilly morning, as she sat down on the lawn chair with her needles, pin and colourful balls of wool, as she knit a pair of mittens while waiting for Trilochon to join her. Bondita hurried out of their place and stopped at the sight of her sitting alone, unsurely.
“Do you need something?” Kalindi raised her eyes briefly from the wool and asked as she shook her head.
“I was hoping to talk to Jyatha Moshai…” She shivered a little as Kalindi scolded her to find a sweater first. She rushed indoors as Kalindi spotted Trilochon in a thermal t-shirt, a pair of pants and a shawl walking towards her with the cane in hand. He stopped as he watched her knit and sat down, murmuring, “Do you still need to do this? Is Bondita not getting paid enough?”
“I do this for myself,” Kalindi said without raising her eyes to acknowledge him. “So that I am not dependent on anyone.” Trilochon eyed her. She stopped knitting and looked up at him.
“I gave Asha the keys, explained to her…” He shook his head as she stopped.
“It's too soon. She just got used to us; this is too much responsibility.” He made Kalindi frown. “We had a deal, I told you I would hand it over to her…”
“And I said not so soon. She seems too busy with her job and students to even bother…” Trilochon stopped as Kalindi eyed him, and a faint smile appeared on the edge of her lip on her wrinkled skin. She served the tea in both cups as he took his and noticed her stare.
“What?” He asked, sipping the tea.
“I always thought living in a city changes you.” She sighed as she took her cup up to her lips. “At least I saw Bondita change quite a bit… but you…” She eyed him. “You seem to be living in the last century still…” Trilochon looked visibly displeased at her remark as Kalindi slightly shifted in her chair to partially face him. She finished her cup and spoke.
“I guess hypocrisy comes with politics. If Bondita’s in-laws complained about her like that, you would…”
“What is your problem with Politics?” He interrupted. “It's the need for smooth administration of a country.”
“I have a problem with politicians. Their reckless crimes, false promises…”
Trilochon was about to say something when Bondita interrupted with a cheerful morning greeting.
“I needed to tell you something.” She eyed Kalindi as she spoke to Trilochon.
“ You know Biswanath Ghoshal, the contractor?” The name made Trilochon nod with narrowed brows at her.
“Yes, why?”
“He is making a shopping mall…”
“I am aware.”
“Well, the slum dwellers he is displacing came to me with certain complaints and sought legal help.” Kalindi eyed the duo as she listened to Bondita and watched Trilochon’s jaws tighten.
“What complaints?”
“I thought you would know when men from your party threatened poor people…” Kalindi smiled sarcastically at Bondita’s words. “I just came to tell you I am taking their case.” Kalindi stood up and turned towards Trilochon. “See what I mean.”
Trilochon stood up, abandoning his half-drunk tea. “Did Aniruddha put you up to this?” He was unsure.
“Absolutely not. He told me to stay away from taking sides here. But it's my moral obligation to…” Bondita stopped as Kalindi placed her hand on Bondita’s head lovingly.
“I am so proud of you.” Trilochon eyed the duo, exchanging smiles as he inhaled.
“Fine, just because we share a personal relationship doesn’t imply you should not stand for the poor. Besides, we always stand for the poor. If anyone threatened them under our banner…” Trilochon cleared his throat as his brows remained knitted.
“Save that lecture for a rally.” Kalindi interrupted as Bondita eyed her, amused. “Will you be willing to stand in court if she summons you?” Trilochon shook his head. “Bishwanath is Bapi’s son-in-law. I have no involvement in this.”
“Is it true that you cleared the pathways of the sewage problem under Som Dada’s name?” Bondita’s words made him nod. “Som has done it…”
“Then I guess I can summon him because you see, the contractor’s eyes fell on the slum within a week of your… or his… welfare work… that will come into consideration given his political…” That worked. Trilochon eyed Bondita and walked away silently, lost in thought. Bondita smiled to herself.
Bondita was in the office, going through some paperwork. It was midday, and although her stomach churned, she did not feel like taking a break for lunch. It's been almost a month since she thought of taking the case, yet there was no concrete proof in her hand to compel someone with political backing to pay the slum dwellers their due. Aniruddha barely helped with the case, but one of his messages did strike a chord with her. The case should not go to the trial court, allowing them to manipulate evidence. If they can prove that most of the slum dwellers were staying there illegally or had forged certain documents, they would be deprived of any compensation and harassed. In that case, they would be angry with her, too. She would make enemies on both sides. Bondita set out to investigate further into the case, which would give her leverage for an out-of-court settlement and stumbled upon this information. Not only did Som have no clue about the sewage issue problem he was attributed to helping with, but the man who did it for him was a friend of the contractor. That led Bondita to believe they hatched the plan to take over the property and make a shopping mall while working on the sewage maintenance. She was not sure how much of it Trilochon was involved with or aware of, but she knew for sure that Som’s name would be dragged if they went to trial. Something Trilochon would not want so early in his political career.
“I should inform Jyatha Moshai that I took this case in case I have to summon Som Dada.” She eyed Aniruddha for a reaction. His hand stopped on some paperwork as he looked up at her with questioning eyes.
“What does Som have to do with this…” He asked as Bondita shared her findings. Aniruddha paced the room.
“You should not be telling me all this. After all, I can warn them.” He made her smile.
“I think… I can trust you to keep personal and professional ethics separate.” Aniruddha smiled at her words.
“Tell me something, can you prove any legal loophole in the acquisition of the property on Ghoshal’s side?” She shook her head.
“I am sure once they were aware of the legal side, they covered their track.”
“Then you don’t want this in court because it's very tough to get a ruling against the governing party.” She agreed. “However…” He eyed her. Bondita’s eyes shone. “However, we can get them to settle if big names who don’t want controversy get involved.” She pumped her fist on the desk, excitedly, as he agreed.
Aniruddha walked into the dining area around eleven at night, expecting Bondita to be waiting to discuss the next day’s case. Usually, on the nights before any hearing, they would discuss strategy after she had her dinner and came by when he arrived back home. But to his surprise, Trilochon was sitting at the dining table. Aniruddha checked his watch.
“Are you alright?” He frowned. “Why are you awake?”
“Because you made sure I don’t sleep in peace.” Trilochon retorted.
“What makes you think that?” Aniruddha shrugged.
“Was it not your idea to let her drag us into the mall case?” Trilochon eyed him as Aniruddha smiled faintly.
“I am not involved in the case. Bondita and another lawyer are. They took the case by their choice.”
“Yet the idea seems to be oddly yours,” Trilochon murmured. “Ruining your brother’s political career before it starts is not a smart move.”
“Jethu,” Aniruddha spoke firmly. “I think you are giving me more credit than you should and giving Bondita less credit than she deserves.”
“Well, now Som needs a lawyer, so … represent him.” Aniruddha was a little taken aback by that. He expected a reprimand, but not this offer.
“Why does he need a lawyer? The case is not on trial yet.”
“And it will never be.” Trilochon stood up. “We have summoned Ghoshal and Bondita for a conference to settle it before the issue reaches the court or media. We need a lawyer to represent Som’s side there.”
“But when I said I won’t be choosing sides…” Aniruddha shook his head.
“It's your brother, your family. Not a choice between slum dwellers and contractors.” He sounded agitated as Aniruddha nodded. “Fine, I will sit for one conference and then if it doesn’t work, I will recommend you another lawyer.” Trilochon did not look pleased as he added, “Besides, you are accusing me of screwing him over. Can you trust me after that?” Trilochon did not respond.
Aniruddha watched him leave as he turned to see Bondita standing at the threshold with a file in her hand. She smiled faintly as he nodded reassuringly.
“Are you sure?” She asked, eyeing Trilochon at the top of the stairs.
Aniruddha nodded. “What are you worried about?”
“For one, standing in a conference with my demands against you.” Aniruddha seemed to bask in the glory of her praise as she narrowed her eyes at him, and they shared a soft laugh.
“I am the least of your problems, Advocate Bondita Das.” He reassured, “You need to be worried about Advocate Biswas. He is experienced enough to rattle you.” Bondita shook her head. “I can fight anyone in the world and not be intimidated except…” Eyes met as she looked away. “Let's discuss the case for tomorrow. I need to work on my case.” He nodded at her scolding tone, rolling up his sleeves. “Right, let’s do that first.” He turned towards the study and stopped as she did not move from her position. He glanced over his shoulder at her as she shook her head hopelessly. “I will warm up the food, go get changed, then, as you eat, I will explain tomorrow’s case.” Aniruddha gave in.
Aniruddha had a pen that his mother had gifted him the first time he came first in class. It was an ink pen from Sulekha that she had bought with her savings, and the only gift she gave him. Aniruddha always thought the pen was lucky for him. He had attended his final exams with that pen in his pocket, his first case with it, and never let even his brothers touch it. He cleaned it himself and kept it in the same box it came in almost two decades ago. He opened the box, took the pen out and examined it when Bondita came to the threshold. She had just taken a bath and was in her lounge pants and a t-shirt. He placed the pen back in the box and told her to look for his Jawahar coat. Bondita inhaled.
“You said it's urgent.” She shook her head as she took the keys from his drawer and opened the almirah. “It is urgent.” He shrugged. “I can’t find it; Bihari can’t find it. Then Koeli said that you took out everyone’s winter garments this year.”
“Yes, I did, because Jyatha Moshai asked Boudi to, and I thought it would be confusing for her the first time around to know whose is whose.” Aniruddha eyed her tiptoeing to check the top shelves.
“They are not kept where your hands can’t reach.” He made her stop.
“Why do you need it so urgently?” She asked with a frown.
“I don’t, Som does. For some…” Bondita stopped as she turned to face him, leaning slightly on the desk of his room, his hands in his track pants pocket as she asked softly, “Is he angry with me?” Aniruddha raised his brows as she looked worried. “I mean… can he take it as part of the job and…”
“Bondita.” Aniruddha straightened himself. “He is a grown man about to enter the world of politics; if he can’t take this, it's on him.”
“I know, but… He has not talked to me since. I don’t want my bond with Boudi to be affected by…” She bit her lip and stopped as Aniruddha approached her.
“Bondita.” He smiled faintly, “I think Asha is more mature than that. Besides, did you just not let her take credit for a chore you did?” Bondita looked up at his words, surprised. “How did you…”
“Oh, I heard Jethu praise her for the first time.” Aniruddha shrugged. “For the winter garments, you sorted and lost mine?”
“I did not lose your coat. It's here somewhere.” Bondita turned around as the droplets from her wet hair hit his face, and he stepped back, trying to find his sweater that matched his t-shirt. She looked for the coat for a good few minutes and found it under a blanket.
“It's not my fault. You put it there.” She pointed.
“I am not very good at organising.” He shrugged, admittingly, “It takes a lot of time and patience.”
“I can see that.” She shook her head.
“Do you mind…” Aniruddha gestured. Bondita knew she could refuse. She could say she was working on her strategies and case. But she did not. She shook her head at him and sat by the almirah, sorting his things. He sat down at the desk in a chair and started reading. Occasionally, he would eye her humming a tune as she worked, and the song would play in his head. If he hummed the same tune, she would stop, eye him briefly and switch to another song to hum.
“There. Better.” Bondita got up, pleased. “Now you won’t lose anything.”
“If I do, I will just call you. You will know where to find what I lost.” He murmured as he turned the page. Bondita looked up at his words, watching him read. She smiled faintly.
“Next time, when you say it's urgent, I hope it involves work-related issues.” She warned him as she turned to leave and stopped at the threshold.
“Did you have your medicines?” Aniruddha frowned. “I am better, I don’t have a cough.”
“Medicines have doses, genius.” Bondita made him look at her sternly as her smile faded. “Did you just… taunt my intelligence?”
“No…” Bondita looked intimidated. “I just…”
“Oh, see, I am getting old and forgetting things.” He shook his head. Bondita eyed him.
“Are you nervous about the case?” She looked up at his words. Could she admit that she was after she insisted on taking it? What if he thought she was not ready to handle cases herself? Aniruddha smiled as if he could read her mind. “Since when do you pause before answering me?” He picked up the pen as she eyed him. “Come here.”
She stood by the desk as he placed the pen on it.
“My mother gave this to me. I always carry it when I lack confidence or I have something very important.” Bondita nodded. She knew the pen was important, not that his mother had gifted it. “Take it.”
“What?” Bondita looked surprised. He did not even let Batuk touch the pen.
“Take it for tomorrow’s conference.” He pushed the pen into her hand. “Give it back if the conference is a success. Besides, you need it since your opponent is very intimidating.” A smile lingered on the edge of his lip as Bondita stared at the pen, unsurely.
“But…” she sounded serious. “I can’t take this.”
“Yes, you can. She would like that.” He reassured her. “She was always helping the poor and needy and doing what little she could to put some humanitarian morals in us.” He smiled.
“Did you take after her?” Bondita asked as he looked up at her. “I hope so.” Aniruddha watched Bondita touch the pen to her forehead as if it were a blessing. She stared at it for a moment before asking,
“Did she scold you? My mother scolded me a lot. I was so naughty.”
“I think Baba did that for us.” Aniruddha reminisced. “She was more understanding and asked why we did what we did before she judged.”
“I would often run over the pickles she kept out to dry and steal them. Ma would hit me with a stick, and Baba saved me. He made me sit on his lap, wiped my tears and brought me treats. Ma said he was spoiling me.” Aniruddha looked up at her, smiling, yet her eyes looked sad.
“Do you remember much of them?” He asked. She shook her head. “Bits and pieces. I was five.”
“I feel remembering is more painful.” He sighed. “Sometimes I feel Batuk is lucky that all he knows of her is pictures and stories. He did not have to live through her absence.”
“But he is living through your father’s absence.” Bondita eyed him. “Is it not the same for him?” Aniruddha nodded. “Maybe, he seems closer to him than I or Som ever were.”
“But he is closest to you.” Bondita smiled. “He always asks for you first as soon as he enters the house.”
“Oh, really? I thought he had more secrets with you.” Aniruddha looked surprised. Bondita smiled.
“I am his friend. You are someone he looks up to. I know the feeling of growing up with that.” Her smile faded as he stared at her.
“I feel the pressure of being someone he looks up to,” Aniruddha admitted. “I don’t want to disappoint anyone…”
“By being your true self?” Bondita shook her head. “You taught me to be unapologetically me.”
“Yes, but you don’t have people half your age claiming to idolise you.” He chuckled.
“So I can be freer and unhinged than you?” Bondita asked as he nodded.
“Those are rare, admirable qualities, don’t you think?” Before Bondita could ask whether he was complimenting her, Asha stopped at the threshold to find them at the desk, smiling at each other, and she looked awkward. Bondita straightened herself and smiled, “Boudi, Thamma was asking if you like Kuler Achar. She will make some.”
“You did not ask me.” Aniruddha frowned.
“Because I know you don’t like it. I don’t know if she does.” Bondita ignored his sulking.
“Still no manners.” He murmured as he looked up at Asha. “Did you need something?”
“I… “ She stared at them, waiting for her to speak. “I… forgot…” She turned and left in a hurry as they shared a confused glance.
