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“Hello?” Saudamini’s voice was heard on the other end of the telephone as Aniruddha breathed in.
“Mini, this is Aniruddha.”
“Oh, Ani, how are you? How is Bondita?” Her voice changed from doubtful to excited. Aniruddha was standing by the couch in the living room with a phone book on the coffee table and a sheet of paper with a guest list in his hand. The mention of Bondita made him involuntarily eye the visible corridor to the dining area, where he could hear her voice, instructing Koeli. Ever since the marriage, she seemed to have taken up the job of ordering everyone around the house like a true landlord, and even he was not spared from her occasional orders. That is exactly how he had landed on the couch with a phone book.
“Umm… she is good. Everyone’s good. I’m calling because…”
“Oh, do tell her I truly apologise for not attending the wedding. I know she was disappointed with me and thought it was some payback for her not attending mine.” An amused smile formed on Aniruddha’s lips at her words.
“What?” He chuckled. “She said that?”
“She did.” Mini let out a sigh, “My elder one is giving his board exams this year, so…”
“I’m sure she understands and is cooled down now,” Aniruddha spoke unsurely. Mini didn’t seem convinced as she lamented how Bondita did not pick up her call for a few days afterwards. “But it's been over six months, so I hope… anyway…. Where did you go on the honeymoon?” Mini teased. Aniruddha pressed his lips, cursing inwardly. He had forgotten how talkative Mini was before he picked up the phone.
“Umm, we went to Darjeeling for a few days. Since we had a welfare project in Puruliya right after, we didn’t have much time. We are planning a trip to Rajasthan during Pujo. She wants to see Feluda’s Sonar Kella. Batuk will come along.”
“How is he?” Mini asked, as he had anticipated.
“Speaking of him…” Aniruddha could finally feel relaxed as he directed the conversation the way he wanted to. “The reason I called is because he is getting married next year, in February.”
“Really? Oh! That’s such good news. Did he choose the girl?” Mini sounded excited. “God, they were kids. I can’t believe he is getting married.”
“Umm…no. For a change, Baba is extremely happy that he has allowed Jethu to look for a bride. She works in Kolkata, in an IT firm, and they will stay in Kolkata. Her native place is Krishnanagar.”
“Oh, then Jethu must be happy?” Mini smiled.
“Yes, very.” He nodded. “She is from our caste, her family has some reputed doctors in the line. Her father has a business. Anyway, enough about Srinjini. I called to invite you…”
“Oh, I'd better not miss it this time.” Mini sounded unsure. “But I am dreading seeing the ugly apartment coming up at our place.”
“It’s not that ugly,” Aniruddha reassured. “Let us know of your arrival, and we will send the car to the station, and you can stay at Thamma’s. Bondita’s old bedroom is open for you, she insists.” He eyed Bondita at the archway of the living room as he mentioned her and could feel her walking up to the phone, wiping her hands on her anchol. He stared at her a little disapprovingly at her action, as she smiled sheepishly, snatching the phone from his hand.
“Mini Didi, how are you?” She eyed him as he wore a frown, whispering, “I was talking…”
“Yes, yes. We will send you the card by mail. Can you spell out Jamai Babu’s name for me? Jetha Moshai will call him.” She eyed the coffee table for a pen and paper as Aniruddha brought them to her. She eyed him, heaving a sigh, adding, “No, I told him to ask that, as usual, he forgets instructions.” Aniruddha frowned at her words. When had he forgotten instructions?
“You'd better come this time, Didi or else I’m not speaking to you ever again.”
Bondita laughed at something Mini said before disconnecting the phone by putting the receiver down as she eyed Aniruddha.
“When have I not followed instructions?” He asked immediately.
“What did Baba say? Tell her that we will invite Jamai Babu directly.”
“I was going there. You snatched the receiver, Bondita.” He shrugged.
“And did you look at the hotels in Jaisalmer like Batuk told you to?” She arched her brows, putting her hands on her waist, as he observed the Teep in between her brows move up and shook his head.
“I… forgot… that!” He said awkwardly. “But only that…”
“And the ingredients Boudi hand-wrote for you, for the Biryani we will make on Sunday.” She reminded him, “Nikhil Da doesn’t come by often.” She stopped, lost in thought for a while. “Did you call Batuk to tell him to come home, or did you forget that, too?” Aniruddha shook his head. “He will be here tonight.” He reassured. Bondita heaved a sigh and looked around, “We have so much to do, so little time. Boudi has school on Saturday now. Dada is so clueless. How much will the elders do alone? And I can’t go around reminding you of everything twice.” She stopped as he eyed her with an amused smile.
“Relax, Choto Malkin.” He held her by her shoulder, making her stop. “Were you so much on your toes for our marriage?” He asked. Bondita frowned at him.
“We had more than a year to arrange everything. Besides, Baba entrusted me with overseeing certain details, and I can’t let him down.” Aniruddha frowned at her choice of words.
“ You will be fine, Choto Malkin.” He reassured her, holding her hands in his.
“Stop teasing me.” She looked displeased.
Aniruddha eyed her sweaty locks, messed-up braids, and the saree she wore throughout the day at home, even though Jethu said she could wear a Kurti, but Thamma insisted otherwise. The vermilion drawn on her hairline, something he had got used to for about eight months now. Aniruddha drew her into an embrace, surprising her by pulling her by her hands as he placed them on his back. Bondita stepped away, startled.
“What are you doing? Koeli…” She looked over her shoulder at the kitchen. Aniruddha sighed. “So you have time for everyone and everything, and not me?”
“I spend most of my time working with you. My weekends are supposed to be…” Bondita protested.
“Not the partner, Madam. The husband. Do you have no time for your husband at all?”
“Choto Malik.” Bondita copied his tone with a sarcastic smile. “All I know is that you have a list of numbers to call before Baba comes home and a list of things to buy before Boudi finds out you forgot.” She stepped back. “Now go.”
“You are a horrible Boss. I will not work for you, Choto Malkin,” he sulked as she smiled. “I quit.”
“Better luck in your next life, Barrister Babu. Now go.” Bondita pushed him gently away from her towards the phone as he picked up the receiver again. She waited for him to dial a number and hear it ring as he tapped his foot on the floor.
“Hello?” He said as soon as it stopped ringing. “Mashi?” Bondita stood there as he leaned in to check the number, and she eyed the empty corridors before she stepped forward and planted a kiss on his cheek. Aniruddha’s eyes widened as he watched her turn around almost instantly and run back to Koeli in the kitchen, and he found himself at a loss for words.
“Hello?” He could hear his Mashi on the other side as he took some time to find his voice again. She was going to be rewarded for her gesture in his own sweet time.
It seems my comments section is feeling a bit lonely lately. If you’re sneaking a peek at my stories, why not drop a quick comment and say hi? Coz, I have been wondering if anyone is at all reading the story.