Bondita went to sleep on floor at that night in watchman Murli house. Dadi is thinking by looking at Bondita's suhagan symbols and started her enquiry about Bondita and that too in a soft voice only
Bondita replied that she came to join in school .
Dadi asked her suspiciously: Did your husband agree to study? Why did you come here all alone? Where is your husband?
Bondita is in a fix, thought for a while, she should have imagined that these kind of questions will come. Suddenly a fear crept up in mind what if they come to know that she left her husband and came, will they humiliate her? She recollected the days when Patibabu misunderstood her and sent her back to Devipur.
Dadi is speaking lovingly only but what if she doesn't like the fact that she left her husband and came. Moreover if neighbours here come to know then it will be a problem. What to do? Her tears started forming in eyes.
Dadi immediately asked: Did he leave you and go away?
Bondita immediately covered and told: No no dadi. He is a freedom fighter, reformist.. He is fighting for change in society he actually..
Before Bondita replies dadi asked: Oh that means these angrezi people had put him in jail , isn't it?
Bondita felt that as reasonable one because no one will bother her and won't taunt her anymore. She bent her head neither said yes nor said no and dadi patted her head lovingly with concern. She told that those angrezi had done the same thing to many great people you don't worry bachi he will come back for you.
She thought in mind : He will never come back dadi. Sorry for not telling the truth to you.
Pari came and asked her dadi to let her sleep. She then offered blanket to Bondita and told that as it's rainy season it will be very cool in this place and Bondita thanked her and covered it .
Here Bondita inside the blanket and other side Anirudh in train are remembering eachother and shedding tears. They both told themselves: Mann ka haar hi haar aur mann ka Jeet hi jeet
They both joined their hands which they used it for victory symbol when they faced quiz competition with Suraiah, Ramaiah and other girls against boys to get admission in school.
They slept late night.
In Tulsipur haveli Trilochan is left alone. His heart is burning with grief, angst. It looks like haveli has lost its glow. He started walking to his room to sleep but he stopped listening his brother's and his wife's giggles coming out loudly and audible to him. By those sounds he understood that his brother and sampoorna are having...
He sighed and went inside his room. Binoy is always like this. He is never worried about children and always looks after his own pleasures.
Next day morning,...
Bondita woke up and looked after surroundings. Dadi already woke up and told her that there is only one common washroom in this area where entire people use it . If she want she can use it but there might be a queue or can go far there is an isolated place where she can use for sanitation purpose.
Bondita sighed and went to use washroom, nearly 3 people are waiting. She also finished her needs and then went to ladies snaan Ghar where women are going. They enquired about her and she told that she came here to study. As usual they asked about her husband and she replied that he is a freedom fighter and taken by Britishers will come soon
She then came back and got ready, done with her saree and single plait worried about admission and how to earn for living. What will principal say to her, will he contact Patibabu to inform that I am here. He should not know this.
She then prayed to Durga maa: Hey Durga maa, please give me job and shelter in safe place. I will work and study hard . But please Patibabu should not know this.
Anirudh came out of station and landed in Siliguri town. He prayed to Durga maa to let him reach Bondita, let him apologise her and take her back with him.
He hired a rickshaw and asked him to take him to a hotel nearby. Rickshaw wala asked him to sit and when he sat he then started.
When Bondita is in thoughts watchman came to hut and asked have you got sleep well.
Bondita replied with a smile: Dhanyawad kaka aashray Dene keliye (Thankyou kaka for giving me shelter)
Watchman Murli told her: I don't want thanks. Its my weakness that I can't see anyone starving infront of me..
Bondita smiled watchman told again frowning: But it doesn't mean that you take advantage of my humanity. You got ready na.
Bondita nodded. He said : Now you go where you want to go . Again don't sit outside of school campus. My job will be in risk , because of you
Bondita: I want to meet St. John's school principal Surender Chatterjee babu.
Watchman: He will come by 9 am to school.
Dadi came and reminded him: Did you forget Murli? How will he come today? His mother's care taker left the job and went away.
Murli: Again!? I think this is 10th person in this month.
Dadi: who can withstand his wife Damni Malkin harrasment and dictatorship? She always talks bitterly. Whenever their servants go away they will call me as an alternative. Yesterday evening she sent a message to come to work again.
Bondita is looking on.
Murli: If that's the case then demand more salary and keep condition that you won't stay after evening. Because pari will be alone.
Dadi nodded and said I will go to bungalow now.
Murli told: Ok take that girl also with you and introduce her to Surendra malik. However pari is going to get married soon so demand more salary which will be helpful in managing expenses of marriage
Dadi nodded and started with Bondita to bungalow. She asked Bondita to cover her head with pallu else Damni Malkin may think that your husband left you. She agreed and came with pallu on her head.
______
Anirudh reached hotel , got ready and went to school. Children are coming. His eyes are looking around for Bondita. Peon Came and asked him what's the matter.
He told that he came to meet principal. Peon told that he may come late today because his mother is not feeling well. Anirudh immediately opened his wallet and shown Bondita's photo and asked if he had seen her coming here.
Peon shooked his head and Anirudh asked him to inform to him if she comes here. Peon looked suspiciously and asked: who is she? What is she to you?
Anirudh replied: She is my wife. She came here to join in this school.
Peon tried to advise that you should slap her and keep her in house locked. Then she may listen to you.
Anirudh shouted ; Enough.. she is not an object to be kept locked.
Peon looked at him shocked, Anirudh took some money and gave it to him and asked him to do as he said.
He nodded and Anirudh told that he will wait to meet principal here.
He is thinking: please forgive me Bondita, forgive me for one last time. I won't hurt you in any way. Please come back to me.
I am a fool , a biggest fool I thought that I can send you to Dalhousie for your better future but when you yourself went away I am unable to take this.
Punish me by hitting me, scolding me or slapping me, but please don't give this kind of separation pain .. until I meet you and convince you I won't go anywhere. From now onwards I will stay near to you till the end of my life. Even if I want to send you to foreign for studies I will accompany you.
He is looking at surroundings with a hope to get glance of Bondita and waiting for principal.
_____
Bondita came with Dadi to principal bungalow. Bondita prayed to Durga maa in mind to save her from all difficulties and accompany her in this new journey.
When entering into bungalow she heard a woman screaming on top of lungs : Hey Durga, what to do with this old woman? Why are you not taking her away from this world? My back is hurting by doing continuous service to her. By doing this service may be I will become bed ridden one day ..
Dadi whispered near to Bondita that it's Damini Malkin voice.
They then heard a male voice telling: Bas Damini, if you won't do let it be. You can go out from this room.
Dadi went eagerly inside; I came Malkin. I came. I will look after badi Malkin works.
Damini with a harsh voice : So now you came maharani. Go ....go inside Ramani (Author's explanation: Dadi - Murli mother name is Ramani) and clean her. She had done everything in clothes. (Keeping a disgusting face)
Dadi went inside and Damini gaze fell on Bondita.
She came with Disgusting face and asked: who are you? Are you also granddaughter to Ramani?
Bondita immediately bent and took her blessing. Damini looked pleased and told: Theeke.theeke..stay happy. Get up.
Damini: what's your name?
Bondita: Ji my name is Bondita..
Damini: what is your surname?
Bondita is about to tell Roy Chowdhary but stopped herself.
Damini is insisting to tell her surname and her husband's name just then Surendra came out asking his wife: Again on whom are you shouting Damini? Can't you stay peacefully for a while?
Damini turned to her husband and taunted him with bitter words: when I am young, your mother used to scream on me and other's with much louder than this. This entire Siliguri used to listen her voice. That time you didn't raise your voice to support me. Now with little harsh words only you are unable to take it. You are always partial to me.
Surendra: Shaant Damini.. I am able to control my entire school but when it comes to you, I became helpless. Why do you remember past bitter experience?
Damini: Do I have left with any sweet nothings in my married life? Anyway I am talking to the girl who came with Ramani.
Surendra saw Bondita and pointed his finger to her and tried to recollect who is she.
Bondita: Nomoshkar principal sir I am Bondita.. we met in Tulsipur in inter school quiz competition.
Surendra widened his eyebrows and said: Haa.Bondita.. from Tulsipur school, right!?
Bondita came forward and took his blessings. He blessed her and she stood.
He asked: on what work you came here?
Bondita hesitatingly said: Sir I came to join in your school..
Damini turned her mouth and sighed and taunted her bitterly: I thought that you are a new servant that Ramani brought. But you are a student.. hey you girl! You want to study? Aren't you ashamed? You look like married and after marriage who will study? Go..go from here. There are no one to do charity here
Bondita is looking disappointed whereas
Surendra asked his wife to go inside . She is going inside and while going she taunted her husband audible to Bondita: he always does charity and doesn't even think how to make money..
Surendra turned to Bondita: You told that you don't want to leave your husband and go to distant place for study. Then what made you to change opinion?
Bondita: Sir at that time I didn't realise the worth of studies. I apologise for my behaviour. I am a fool but now I realised my mistake, I want to study well and want to become barrister.
Surendra: The one who realise their mistake should always be given chance. But right now it's not possible Mrs. Bondita. You came in middle of academic year. So come in next year. By the way did you come alone or with any family member. Why did you come with our school watchman Murli mother?
Bondita: Sir I will be truthful to you. I left my family and came here. My family members doesn't know where am I?
Surendra raised from seat and asked: What..(he raised his voice and said) you came all alone from Tulsipur to Siliguri without even informing in your family? Not even to your husband did you inform?
Bondita folded hands and said: Sir.please. I request you to give me an opportunity to explain my situation to you. Please sir. Getting admission in this school and studying hard is more important for me. Please give me one chance to explain my situation.
Surendra:Ok. but not even a lie. I won't tolerate. Is that fine?
Bondita: yes sir.
Surendra again sat in his chair and Bondita narrated her story that how her Patibabu saved her from sati and Married her out of compulsion, how he educated her and at one stage she realised that because of her his happiness is ruined and so she left everyone and came back.
Surendra is not convinced but Bondita had argued that she wants to become independent and willing to study in his school by working hard.
If he send her away she won't return to her home but will go to another place. She will keep on trying and struggling but won't accept defeat and won't step back at any cost.
Surendra is stunned to listen confidence in her voice. It also impressed him alot.
He told that : I can convince school management board members because I am also an important member but the problem is there is no hostel for girls here. Because only few girls study here . So I am sorry beta for not arranging accommodation to you.
She is requesting him to show her work and some safe place. He is in dilemma. She is so young and like his child. What work can he offer her? He can't even keep her in his house because his wife is an illiterate, moron and behaves like a monster. She won't even let her breathe
Before he reacts just then a glass broken sound came from inside followed by Damini is shouting on top of her lungs on Ramani and latter stood quivering .
Surendra and Bondita both went inside and saw the situation. Damini is reprimanding Ramani that when she can't stay here day and night and do service to her saas why did she want increase in her salary? Moreover you will eat in my house only na.
Ramani is shivering and replied: Malkin, I can do service in morning but at night time I need to go because my granddaughter pari will be there. After few months her marriage will be done and then later I can stay here and do service.
Damini: Then bring your granddaughter and stay here. Who denied you? If you want I can give stale food. But no hike in salary. Is that fine?
Ramani with tears : Have some mercy Malkin even I am also elder person but still I am working hard to earn expenses to my grand daughter's marriage.
Moreover I can't bring her and stay here. Because my grand daughter's sasural won't like it. Moreover after I finish my work here we should go home and also look after marriage works
Damini is not agreeing and making fun of their lives despite of surender warning her to hold control on tongue. Damini is reminding him that his mother is more harsh than her and she was being tormented alot when she is young and thus making him keep quiet. Ramani is pleading by falling on Damini and surender feet.
By seeing this Bondita got an idea. She came forward and told that she will look after old woman from evening to morning by staying here .
Surendra and Ramani are stunned but Damini felt very happy. Surendra took her aside and asked : what is this Bondita? You are a student and you came here to study. You should not be doing these cheap things.
He told that he will pay her fees and speak with any one of girl's student parents and arrange accommodation for her. But Bondita rejected and told him that : My Patibabu told me that there is no point of cheap work and decent work in this world. Every work is divine. I don't feel ashamed to do service to your mother. Will I leave if my mother or Thakuma are there in her condition? No na. That's why please let me do this as a small return favour.
Surendra is moved away and told: I don't expect return favour beta. All you need to do is study hard and bring good name to school. That's it
Bondita: Sir I will do that. Please let me do this sir. Moreover Ramani dadi and her grand daughter pari had given me shelter to me yesterday. Else I would have been at school gate throughout the night. So please let me help them sir. I will be more happy if I am helpful to needy people.
Surendra patted her head. Just then Damini came and spoke bitterly to her husband: you always used to taunt me that I don't know how to maintain servants and now you yourself want to throw away this new servant.
Surendra shouted and told: She is not a servant. She is my student . It is her greatness and maturity (badappan) that she herself came to work under you. So atleast have some kind nature towards this girl and behave properly with her. Else I won't spare you.
She made her face and called Bondita inside so that she wants to give instructions. Surendra told Damini to give her food first and then tell her work. She didn't say anything but Bondita told that she will wait upto afternoon and asked Damini to give hrt instructions. Before that she wants to request principal sir one thing
Damini told not to bargain about salary behind her. Bondita told it's not about salary Malkin.
Damini is impressed that Bondita is calling Malkin and went inside. Surendra told it's not necessary to call like that. Bondita told that she doesn't mind and she had only one request. He asked her to tell.
She told that not to send her back with family members if anyone comes in search of her. If possible please tell them that there is no Bondita here. I don't want anyone know about my existence here.
He agreed and told her that he will take her tomorrow to school meanwhile he will speak with management board members and convince them for admitting her in school. She nodded. He left to school.
____
As soon as Surendra reached school and went into cabin peon came and informed him that a person named Anirudh Roy Chowdhary had come from Tulsipur this early morning before school starts and waiting for you.
Surendra is surprised and suspected that If he came for Bondita. He asked peon to send him inside.
Later Anirudh came and wished him. Surendra asked what's the matter. Anirudh showed Bondita photo from wallet and asked if she came here to join this school.
Surendra recollected Bondita's words and told that no this girl I think her name is Bondita, right. Why will she come here when she is Tulsipur school student?
Anirudh: Do you remember her?
Surendra: Ofcourse I met her in Tulsipur school. Very sharp girl. I offered her seat but she denied my offer.
Anirudh felt disappointed and asked if any new admissions are there in your school. He said no, in the middle of academic year we won't take any new admissions.
He gave surendra his hotel phone number and asked him to call if she comes here.
Surendra is worried and asked: That means you will stay here. I told you na we won't take any new admissions.
Anirudh: Sir excuse me. We both know it, But Bondita may not know it na.. because so far she hadn't come here. So there are many chances that she will come here. I want to meet her and take her with me. Meanwhile if she comes here please call me. Her name is Bondita.
Bondita Anirudh Roy Chowdhary.
Surendra nodded and Anirudh took leave and going away from school campus.
He came out and is worrying: where are you Bondita? Where should I find you?
He then made a call in hotel to Somnath and asked him: Som did you go and see her?
Somnath on the other side: Dada I went to Calcutta school and she didn't come here. She might have forgotten the route. We should give police complaint.
Anirudh thought for a while and told that : First let me confirm here in Siliguri. Meanwhile ask kaka to speak with Deenpur area police officers
Som: how can you be sure dada that boudi will come there?
Anirudh: her letter shows her dedication towards her ambition. Right now she badly wants an opportunity to prove herself. And this Siliguri school principal is the only principal who had offered her seat which she also mentioned in letter. So I truly believe that she will come here..
Somnath: ok dada you take care.
Anirudh: you take care of yourself and also about Bhatuk and kaka.
Anirudh in thoughts: Bondita please come back to me. Please Bondita..
Hey Durga maa please show me the way.
Just then telephone rings and his kaka tells him that two days before Bondita took midnight train to Siliguri, it's confirmed by Deenpur station master.
Anirudh felt happy and thanked his kaka and thanked Durga maa. He decided to go and wait for Bondita at school campus only. Meanwhile he is also in doubt that Bondita should have reached before to him then where she is . He went to railway station to enquire.
He is enquiring all the persons near by and asked the Rickshaw wala about Bondita. Rickshaw wala is scared and told that did she send you to arrest me?
Anirudh is surprised and asked: what? What are you telling?
Rickshaw wala: Angrezi people had hired this girl in police department. She almost tried to hit me two days before.
Anirudh eyes got widened and asked shaking his shoulders that means you know her. Rickshaw wala : Haa I know her. I dropped her in police station near St. John's school and she asked me to run away from there.
Anirudh deciphered that Bondita is in Siliguri and reached St. John's school before him.
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