Bondita's p.o.v
"Bholi?"
She was sweating hard and panting heavily, her right hand on her chest and her left on her hips trying hard to level her uneven breathing. She tried talking to us between her pants. It's obvious that she's been running.
"Mahi... Mahila Ghar..."
"Kya hua Mahila Ghar mein? Sab log theek hai na?" I panicked and went near her to take her hand in mine, ignoring the protest of my burned feet.
"Police... Police aagayi hai!" she informed.
"Police? Kyun?" Barrister babu questioned.
She seemed guilty before speaking up.
"Woh... Unhe..." she hesitated.
"Bholi... Baat kya hai?" I insisted sternly.
"Unhe humare bhandagaar se kuch hathiyar aur... vispotak mile hai" she replied without looking up.
"Hathiyar?" Barrister babu whispered to himself before straightening his shoulders and giving her a stern look "Humare bhandagaar mein woh sab keise aagaye?"
Her eyes jolted up to meet his and she responded almost immediately.
"Humein nahi pata Sir babu! Hum sab khud hairan hai"
"Ap sabko jane bina woh cheezein bhandar mein keise aa sakti hai Bholi?!" Barrister babu seethed, showing his hands and eyes at her.
"Sir babu..." she fiddled with her hands and turned to me "Bondita yakeen karo humein nahi pata woh sab humare bhandagaar mein keise aaye"
"Dada... yeh mamla bohot hi gambhir lag raha hai... Yaad hai na, pichle hafte Governor ke office mein vispot huyi thi" Rudhira reasoned and her own eyes widened at her words.
"Anirudh" Baba adjusted his spectacle "Yeh Greenwood ka agla chal bhi toh ho sakta hai na?" Sasur Ji thought out loud.
"Hey Dugga Maa, pata nahi kya takleef hai iss angrez afsar ko! Jeena mushkil karke rakha hai humara!" KSJ shouted to himself.
Barrister babu seemed like thinking over Sasur Ji's words. Greenwood promised he wouldn't stoop that low again. Will he break his promise? Well, you can't trust an English officer but still...
"Bholi tum chalo mere sath" Barrister babu gestured and started walking towards the doorframe.
Bholi and I nodded at each other before I fisted my hands to bear my pain and prepared myself for walking when he interrupted.
"Bondita" he turned to pin me with an intimidating glare "Tum nahi aaogi"
"Kyun?" I narrowed my eyes.
"Tumhara pair jal gaya hai Bondita" he screamed and softened a little seeing my obvious disappointment "Tum theek se chal nahi sakte isiliye tum yahi rahoge... Pareshan mat ho, mein sambhalunga sab kuch"
With that, he nodded at Laya to keep an eye on me before turning to leave. I huffed and stamped my foot, wincing a little when it hurt.
"Bholi! Mein chalungi tumhare sath! Mujhe kahan jana hai kahan nahi jana hai, yeh faisla mein lungi!"
Announcing that, I straightened my shoulders and tried not to let my face show the protest of my burned leg. Being careful to not wince or even twitch my face, I started walking out confidently. When I passed him, he gave a frustrated sigh and ran a hand through his hair. The next thing I knew, I was up in the air holding to his shoulder for my dear life. He swept me up bridal style and stalked out of the house to the car. I was too surprised to even protest. When he kept me down beside the driver's seat, I made sure to give him a deadly glare. He stared at me for a second before replying.
"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"
"Mere bachne ki chinta mat karo Greenwood... Agar mujhe ismein tumhare shaamil hone ka ek bhi saboot mila na, toh mein tumhara bachna mushkil kar dunga! Tumhari apni government ko tumhare virudh khada kar dunga... Phir mera nahi, tumhara bachna namumkin ho jayega dushman babu"
Greenwood chuckled before replying.
"Dekhte hai... Kaun phasega aur kaun bachega"
He stuck out a hand which the other took without much thinking.
"Court mein dekhte hai"
----------------<>----------------
When we were back from Mahila Ghar after a long speech of consolation and a hunt for evidence collection, Tapas was waiting for us in the living room of haveli. After that night, I haven't seen him until now. It was as though he was trying to avoid any chance of our meeting. But I'm not complaining. Even I'm not interested in talking to him after knowing everything. He eyed both of us warily and gave a warming smile in Barrister babu's direction. The gesture was given back and they immediately went for a chit-chat. I ignored both and walked towards my room.
Not after long, a knock came on my door. I looked up to see Tapas smiling down at me – guilt and confusion aligning his features. I cleared my throat and resumed with my clothes, folding and discarding them a tad self-consciously.
"Yeh kya baat huyi Barrister babu?! Tumhara dosth apne ghar wapas ja raha hai aur tum aise muh phulake apne kamre mein beidhi ho?"
He entered with his dramatic self. Wait, he's leaving? My eyes met his for a second but retreated quickly. He sighed and continued.
"Apne dosth ko ek goodbye bhi nahi dogi?"
"Dosth?" I scoffed "Meine bhi vilayat se padhayi ki hai Tapas. Isiliye mein janti hoon na wahan aur na yahan ek dosth apne doosre dosth ko dhoka deta hai"
"Arre madam sahiba, sorry!" he folded his hands "Aur haan, mein tumhe dhoka nahi diya hai! Itna bhari shabdon ka istemal mat kiya karo mere dosth"
"Acha? Toh phir tumne jo kiya, woh kya tha?" I crossed my hands and eyed him challengingly.
"Madad" he answered nonchalantly.
I raised an eyebrow.
"Madad kiya hai tum donon ki... Tumhare Pati ko tumhare prati unke feelings samjha di aur tumhe, tumhe ek heart attack milne se bacha liya"
I raised a hand and glared daggers at him.
"Iss se pehle bohot baar tumne meri ummeedon ko badha diya tha Tapas. Phir se aisa karne ki himmath mat karna! Tumhari bath mankar meine bohot baar apna dil tod diya lekin ab aur nahi... Mujhe baksh do, please"
I turned away from him, forcing all those dreadful memories to a dark corner of my mind. I heard a sigh before I heard him speak again.
"Theek hai. Ab mein nahi balki Senior khud aakar tumhe samjhayenge... Weise bhi tumhara bharosa nahi hona bhi jayas hai na? Khair, mein yahan apni maafi lene aaya hoon... Kya mujhe woh milegi?"
I kept mum, not even bothering to present him with a look. He rounded to my front and faced me with his overdramatic demeanor.
"Tum itne kadhor dil ke keise ho sakti hai Bondita?! Bechara tumhara dosth kayi dinon keliye apne ghar wapas ja raha hai aur tum hai ki use alvida tak nahi de rahi?" he kept a hand on his chest "Tumhe andaza bhi hai mujhe kitna dard ho raha hai? Iss zakhm bhari dil ke sath mein Madras tak keise jaunga? Hayeee meri kismat" he replaced the hand to his forehead, inclining his face to his right a little higher.
I beat down my urge to laugh and straightened my shoulders.
"Ek baat batao. Mujhe manane ka itna khatiya yojana tumhare Jamai ne diya tha tumhe?"
He raised a single eyebrow and eyed me curiously.
"Tumhe keise pata?"
I scoffed before replying.
"Itni nautanki bhari maafi Chote Zamindar ke khate se hi aati hai. Tumhe sach mein koyi aur nahi mila sujhav keliye Tappu?" I shook my head and took the set of clothes.
May be hearing Tappu from me again, his eyes lit up and his lips quirked up in a smile.
"Baaki sab busy the... Aur weise bhi log Barrister Tapas Chakraborty ke paas sujhav keliye aate hai mein unke paas nahi jata"
Keeping the set inside my cupboard, I turned to give a look to him while locking it. He winked at me and sat down on the bed.
"Toh boliye Barrister babu Bondita... Kya mujhe maafi mili? Are we fine again?"
Though his tone was comical, his eyes kind of pleaded for it. With an air of attitude, I replied.
"Haan, Barrister Tapas Chakraborty is granted pardon"
We both laughed at that. He continued after sometime.
"I'm really sorry Barrister babu... Tumhara mujhse gussa hona jayas hai lekin mere paas iske alawa -"
"Tappu" I interrupted him "Mein tumse naraz nahi tha. Haan, mujhe bura zaroor laga lekin gussa... nahi" I shook my head and turned to walk towards the window "Naraz mein tumse ya parivarwalon se nahi, Barrister babu se hoon. Isiliye kyunki unhone tum donon ki baat par bharosa rakha. Tum mujhe bas kuch maheenon se jante hai na? Lekin woh... Humara rishta toh saalon ka hai. Mujhe uss raat tak laga tha ki iss duniya mein agar koyi mujhe poora samajhte hai toh woh sirf mere Pati... Barrister babu hai. Lekin dekho na kya hua..." I scoffed "Unhone yeh keise maan liya ki mein unke alawa kisi aur ke bare mein soch bhi sakti hoon? Woh aj tak kyun nahi samajh paya ki mera parivar, meri duniya, mera sansaar sab kuch... sab kuch woh aur yeh parivar hai? Woh kyun nahi samajh paya ki mera ghar yeh hai, Roy Chowdhary haveli hai, aur iske andar hi meri saari khushiyan hai?" I wiped a lone tear when I felt a hand on my shoulder.
I turned to face him with a smile.
"Mein bhi na" I facepalmed "Tumhe deri ho rahi hogi na? Chalo, chalte hai"
"Barrister babu"
"Tappu!" I warned "Mein iss bare mein aur baat karna nahi chahti... Chalo"
I dragged him out to the living room where everybody else was waiting for him. After giving goodbyes to everyone present, he turned to Rudhira. Rudhira hugged him hard while he tried comforting her. Pulling back and caressing her cheek, he whispered to her.
"Ro kyun rahi ho tum? Apne aaspas dekho Hira. Tumhe mujhse zyada pyaar aur support dene wale log khade hai... Tumhare apne parivarwale khade hai... Yeh rona dhona band karo, chalo" he wiped her tears with both his hands and reminded "Kuch dinon baad toh tum mujhe bhul bhi jaogi. Koyi baat nahi, mein tumhe yaad ho na ho bas itna yaad rakhna... You're a gem. So never lose your shine"
Rudhi straightened her shoulders and nodded at him. He turned to Batuk for a bone crushing hug and murmured so that only the ones close to them could hear.
"Meri zindagi ki sabse precious gem, meri Hira ko tumhare hath saumpke ja raha hoon... Uska khayal rakhna"
Batuk circled his hand around Rudhi's shoulder and gave a reassuring blink to Tappu. Tappu smiled and turned to his Senior. Both hi-fied in air and settled for a long hug. Breaking free, Tapas muttered.
"Senior, apna promise yaad hai na?"
"Tumhara Senior apna vada kabhi nahi bhulta"
"Theek hai, phir milte hai"
With that, Tapas Chakraborty descended the stairs of Roy Chowdhary haveli. We don't know when he'll be back but we do know that we all will miss him. Within the short span of time he's been here, he had successfully carved out a place for him in everyone's heart here. We'll miss him... My Tappu, his Senior's Junior, Rudhi's Da, Batuk and Somu dada's best friend, Sasur Ji's right hand, KSJ's guptpurn ladka turned Tapas beta, Laya's elder brother and Bhari babu and Koyli didi's Tapas Malik.
"Kya zaroorat thi use itni jaldi wapas jane ki? Thoda din aur rehte toh kya ho jata?" KSJ muttered to no one in particular.
"Woh Madras ke jane mane Barrister hai Da. Sirf mere kehne par sab kuch chod chadke aagaya tha woh. Bechare ko bohot kaam pade honge wahan" Sasur Ji adjusted his spectacle while replying.
That somehow brought me back to the reality and I started to walk away when he interrupted.
"Bondita!"
The whole room fell into an uncomfortable silence when all the eyes landed on us. Sensing the tension and excitement around, Barrister babu inspected around and stuck out his hands.
"Kya dekh rahe ho? Meine Bondita ko bulaya hai. Ap sab Bondita hai?"
With that, Sasur Ji adjusted his spectacle and turned to the telephone, KSJ sat on his sofa and started his jaap, Laya dragged Rudhi to somewhere I don't know and Batuk and Somu dada suddenly got interested in an animated conversation – all occasionally stealing glances at both of us, even KSJ peeking up from his jaap.
"Bondita tum mere sath study mein chalo. Humein Suraiyya se milne se pehle kuch loose ends dhundne honge"
I nodded and gave out a professional look. For Suraiyya, Bondita!
----------------<>----------------
By the time we finished with the FIR copy and other pieces of evidence we collected till then, we knew one thing – this wasn't an easy task to win. All the evidences were against us, everything zeroed in because of the single fact that the materials were retrieved from our Mahila Ghar. Since none of us knew from where these materials came from, we didn't have any other choice but to nod in affirmation to every accusation laid upon us. We don't even know from where to start. The officials didn't allow us to inspect the warehouse after them sealing it off. We'll have to get a court order for the same. Now when I look at it, I feel our only chances of proving our innocence lies inside that warehouse. We should get something or the other, a slightest piece of evidence for a slightest ray of hope.
When I finished with the last report on my hand, I gave out a long sigh – a really long sigh – and stretched my hands sitting on the chair. Thunder rumbled outside and that's when I noticed the change in whether. It's going to rain! It feels like years since I last drenched in a rain! Oh wait. Is it right to steal some time away from working hours for enjoying the rain? Well, I did finish with my reports but still... Suraiyya's in jail and the others are having a hard time coping up. No Bondita! May be later...
"Bondita! Bondita!!!"
Barrister babu's rambling brought me out of my thoughts and I looked in his direction to see his chair empty. Where did he go? And when did he go out? I don't remember seeing him going out...
"Bonditaaa"
I rolled my eyes. What does he want? And where the hell is he?
"Bonditaaa"
I facepalmed and got up irritated. Huffing to myself, I went in the direction of his sound to find myself standing on the terrace. But he wasn't there anywhere. In fact, his rambling has come to a stop. It's raining cats and dogs and the only sound I can hear is the pitter-patter of raindrops hitting the ground. I narrowed my brows and thought to myself but soon screamed when someone pushed me into the open, making me drench in the downpour. I looked back to see a full soaked Barrister babu smirking back at me with his hands on hips. What the hell?
"Yeh kya kar rahe hai ap?" I shouted back at him.
He walked towards me with his eyes fixed nowhere but at me and leaned closer to whisper.
"Apna vada poora kar raha hoon Bondita..." he pointed a finger at the sky "Mausam ki pehli baarish" he stuck out his hands to his sides and tipped his head backwards, closing his eyes "Sath mein bheegna hai na humein?"
I shook my head to dismiss the memory that has the power to blackmail me emotionally. No Bondita! Do not go there! Without a word, I stepped back from him and made my way inside when he caught my wrist. Though my heart skipped a beat at that, I willed myself to turn and give him a deathly glare.
"Kya hua? Andar kyun jana hai tumhe?" he asked innocently.
So much for his innocence!
"Apse matlab?"
His grip on my wrist loosened, only to get much tighter after. The gesture had my heart drooling over him. It somehow made me feel wanted. It was as though he was screaming to never leave him. But I knew better. I've been fooled more than enough times to believe that!
"Bondita... tum mujhse naraz ho, theek hai. Meri wajah se apni khushi ki kurbani mat do. Tum bheego mein... mein -"
"Chale jaoge yahan se?" I questioned.
He shook in a no and I raised an eyebrow. He chuckled before looking me in the eye.
"Tumhare ya mere bheegne se kya hoga... Vada toh meine humare sath mein bheegne ka diya tha"
It was as though he was probing through my eyes, trying to get even a slightest of compassion or love for him in them. Though my insides are filled with only those, I've been shattered and hurt enough to master the art of masking them. But now, when we were standing in the middle of the rain and he was pinning me with that inquisitive stare, I somehow felt exposed. And I feared my disguised avatar will break free encountering the power of his probing eyes. I turned immediately to avoid them and rescuing myself.
"Mein bheeg gayi hoon... Ap bhi bheeg gaye hai... Mamla khatam" I seethed.
He didn't respond. But something in the back of my head kept on giving me an intuition. I couldn't place my finger on it but something was up. I almost jumped when I felt his hand snaking around my waist. I froze to the spot and breathed heavily, my cheeks gaining the darkest shade of red for sure. He forced me closer to him, my back pressed close against his front. His breath fanned my neck and I almost lost my breath. I took quick respires to take hold of myself but all went in vain. His proximity was zeroing down my protesting abilities and with a whisper of my name from his mouth, my knees went weak.
"Please... Ruk jao na Bondita" he whispered in my right ear.
I didn't respond. I couldn't respond. His grip on me tightened and I felt myself losing onto him. If it wasn't for his hold on me, I guess I would've touched the ground within seconds. The fingers of his left hand glided down my left upper arm. When they reached my elbow after taking their own sweet time, it forced my arm up on its trail down to my forearms and then widened my palm above his. The raindrops splashed above our joined palms and he cooed inside my ear.
"Mujhe tumhare sath bheegna hai"
Suddenly courage washed over me from nowhere. I wanted to know certain things!
"Kyun?" My voice was barely audible.
But I think he heard it as he immediately gave a chuckle before turning me to face him. My gaze was fixed on his torso. Probably he wanted me to look deep into his orbs because he tipped my chin up and smiled down at me. His eyes were filled with that something I always dreamt of seeing inside them. I gasped at my dream come true sight. It can't be! No, this isn't true!
"Tum janna chahti ho kyun?" he murmured.
I shook my head slowly, lost in his black pools. I realize that emotion burning inside them. I couldn't believe it's the same thing I wanted to see and feel from him. But soon enough, the familiar fear caught me. Don't you realize what is happening Bondita? You're going behind the same trial you went all those years. You know what the result would be. Why don't you learn from your mistakes?! Wasn't the pain of rejection you endured enough to make you choose the right path the next time?! Why do you fall for the same path again and again?! Why do you prefer going in circles?! Pull yourself back, girl! This is a losing game... and you've always lost it, remember!
"Kyunki..." his hands circled around my waist again and he pulled me closer and closer.
Get hold of yourself, Bondita!
"Mein..." my head touched his chest, his one hand caressing my cheek "Tumse -"
I pushed him back before I register anything. He stumbled away in shock while I tried to decipher what I did myself.
"Bondita? Bondita tum theek ho na?" he enquired in panic.
I showed a finger and seethed.
"Mere paas mat aana" I breathed hardly.
"Bondita..."
"Mujhe sapne dikhana band kijiye Barrister babu!" I shouted.
"Bondita tum galat -"
"Bas!!!" I shrieked "Mujhe kuch nahi sunna! Apne mujhe marammat se pare tod diya hai, Barrister babu! Mere toote dil ko wapas jodne ki himmath mat karna... Kyunki apke hi hath se woh phir se toot jayegi! Phir use wapas jodna apkeliye namumkin hoga. Isiliye ise aise hi rehne dijiye... Mein aise hi theek hoon"
I stormed past an astonished and heartbroken Barrister babu. The tears in his eyes were unnerving. They were now searching for a hint of his Bondita in my lifeless orbs – the same way I searched for my Pati babu inside him once. But I won't balk! I won't please! And I won't surrender! My mind will keep on chanting those words to freeze my melting heart – not again Bondita! Not again!
---------------------------------
Jaanus! That's another update!
Ik I'm being late with updates and making you all wait. I'm so sorry. But if you haven't noticed, the updates are much longer actually. Every part now has 3000 - 4000 [sometimes 4000+] words... So its taking more time to write and well, I've been lazy lately too.
Hey, how's the new cover? I kept that pic in the middle according to all your wishes. Well, I love that pic too... It's a bit reddish isn't it? Idk why but I like AALFR's cover more. I'm more of a dark lover, uk [winks]
Today's GG question :-
1. What do you think is this new case on Mahila Ghar about? Who do you think is behind all this?
Please don't shy away from participating. Pour in your wildest guesses. This game is meant for communication and fun. You don't necessarily need to be right but I love it when I see different views and guesses. And tbh, sometimes I take clues and points from your guesses too, lmao [winks]. So stop shying and bang on the comment section Jaanus! We're BBians! We don't balk from a challenge!
I Mann Ka Rishta you all
Z,
MS