Anidita : The Flaming Flambeau

CHAPTER 1 : Part 3

"Mein tumhe dard mein nahi dekh sakta Bondita... Tumhe humare sath chalna hai na? Chalte hai"

With that, he slammed the door shut and trotted towards the driver's seat. Bholi is already sitting behind. Barrister babu started the engine and we drove in the direction of Mahila Ghar. When we reached the place, a crowd had gathered around the building. Police officials were lurking in and out – engrossed in their work. Before getting out, Barrister babu ordered.

"Bondita tum Gaadi se bahar nahi niklegi" he showed me a finger and I opened my mouth to protest when he continued "Tumhe yahan aana tha aur aagayi tum. Ab aur nahi!" his tone strictly meant this topic was not open for discussion.

Without another word, he stormed out of the car and vanished into the crowd. Bholi stalked behind him but only after giving me an apologetic smile. I huffed and crossed my arms in defiance. Who does he think he is?!

"Agar yeh log keh rahe hai inhe nahi pata toh nahi pata!"

A shout snapped me out of my thoughts not after long. I know that sound. Oh great! If he's going to sort it out before sorting out his anger, this is all going to go downhill. I better get there and take control of the situation. Without much thought, I stormed towards the centre of the crowd at my maximum speed.

In the middle of the crowd, Barrister babu's eyes were glaring daggers into the calm and composed eyes of Greenwood. Greenwood has his usual smirk pinned to his lips. But he also had a glint of confidence in his amused eyes.

"Mr Roy Chowdhary! Humein yeh explosives aur weapons iss Mahila Ghar ke warehouse se hi mile hai. Apke paas aise kya saboot hai yeh prove karne keliye ki in ladkiyon ko in sab se koyi matlab nahi hai?" Greenwood questioned.

"Abhi nahi hai! Lekin mein tumhe Suraiyya ko giraftar karne bhi nahi dunga!" Barrister babu seethed back.

That's when I noticed an angry Suraiyya restrained with handcuffs beside some British officials.

"Toh phir Miss Suraiyya keliye ap jail jayenge?"

"Jab humne koyi galti kiya hi nahi hai toh hum mein se koyi kyun jaye jail?"

"Ap logon ke jane bina yeh sab yahan keise aaye Barrister Roy Chowdhary?" Greenwood leaned in.

Barrister babu just glowered back at him, fisting his hands on his sides. I immediately interrupted.

"Abhi humein nahi pata... Lekin bohot jald humein pata chalega Mr Greenwood"

Both of them glanced back at me and Barrister babu's brows narrowed in frustration. He's obviously scolding me mentally. I ignored his accusing stare and walked towards Suraiyya. Taking her handcuffed hands in mine, I murmured.

"Mein vada karti hoon Suraiyya... Ek hafte ke andar tumhe aur Mahila Ghar ko iss mamle se muqt kar denge hum, shotti!" I pinched my throat and we both giggled a little.

"Darna mat... Hum sab tumhare sath hai" I continued.

"Mujhe koyi darr nahi hai Bondita... Jab tak ap donon zinda hai, tab tal humein aur Mahila Ghar ko kuch nahi hoga... mein janti hoon" she smiled back at me.

Greenwood gave a nod to the officer in charge and they took Suraiyya to the van. When I turned to face the two men still glaring daggers at each other, I heard Greenwood murmuring smugly.

"Jante hai na, Anirudh? Government ke khilaf kuch bardash nahi karenge administration. Mere Office mein huyi bombing ko bohot seriously liya hai humne... Iss bar tumhari ladayi sirf mere khilaf nahi balki poore British government ke khilaf hai. Tumhari aur tumhari Patni ki kranti ki charcha toh yahan se Madras tak mashhoor hai. Iss bar bachna mushkil hi nahi, namumkin hai dushman babu"