Previous day when Bondita is taken to Damini saas:
Damini had shown the medicines and explained how to feed her , how to clean her and shown her old bed ridden saas who is bed ridden . She looked very thin almost like a skeleton.
Her right hand, right leg and mouth are paralyzed and Damini took Bondita into her room she introduced latter to her saas and told that Ramani can't come in evening so this girl will take care.
Damini saas looked pale, held her bahu (Damini) hand with her left hand and shooked her head pointing to Bondita as no don't keep her as maid
Damini in her bitter tone: What Shashuri maa!? Don't you want her as your maid? Then who will do service to you? Do you want me only to do your service?
Damini saas is shooking her head with fear and sobbing. She looked angrily at her saas and commanded Bondita to go with Ramani and heat oil . You have to do oil massage to her.
Bondita nodded and went with Ramani dadi.
Damini with Disgusting face turned to her saas: You didn't let me take breathe for a second when I am young, you always made me run after you and follow your commands. Not even once I got time to speak with my Pati dev . Many of newly married days and nights have been passed in pressing your feet . Atleast have some mercy on me now and let me stay happily in this 40 years of my age.
Damini saas is sobbing when her bahu is accusing like that. She know that whatever her bahu is accusing is completely true. She only turned her soft natured bahu into a stone hearted person. Now she is facing her punishment, she deserves it.
Damini is continuing with her trembled voice: Be thankful that I am looking after you even after what all I have faced because of you.
Everyone thinks that I am stone hearted but is it not how you behaved with me when I am young and every servant? Atleast be happy that I am looking after you but for me who are there (she then recollected a couple in her mind leaving their house . She again told with tremendous voice:) for me and for your son no one will come to look after in Our old age. Stop throwing your tantrums on me'
When her screams are almost audible in kitchen Bondita slowly asked why is she shouting like that.
Ramani told: Because in young days Damini Malkin is tormented by her saas , now she is imitating and following her saas. Anyways Bondita, we are not supposed to speak about our owners. Let us do our work calmly but don't mingle in their family matters.
Bondita nodded and went to old woman's room with Ramani. Damini told Ramani to teach Bondita well about how to give massage and went from there and told that she will go into kitchen to cook.
Bondita came and took Damini saas blessings and told Nomoshkar badi Malkin.
Damini saas is trying to tell something but her words are coming in slur and vague voice and trying to tell Tha..Tha..Thak
Bondita looked at Ramani as if she is not understanding
Ramani told Bondita: Bondita! badi Malkin is telling you to call her as Thakuma, not badi Malkin.
Damini saas also nodded by looking at her affectionately.. Bondita looked at her cheerfully and recollected her Thakuma - Kalindi and recollected her (Das family) members and apologized them for coming away.
Ramani called her again and asked her to focus on work. She had shown Bondita how to give oil massage to Damini saas.
Bondita also had done and started speaking with her affectionately. She told that she will do all her works and looked around to see if Damini is there and found that she is not there. So she told that she will tell her stories and be friendly with her. you won't feel bad na that me a servant taking lenience
Damini saas recollected something and felt painful . Bondita wiped her tears with her pallu and shown her smile signature and asked her to smile. After many years old woman also smiled.
In the evening Ramani went back to hut
While leaving she thanked Bondita wholeheartedly. But she made sure that there is no work pressure on Bondita so that she can study after coming from school.
That evening Surendra came from school and told Bondita privately that he had spoken with management board members and her admission got confirmed.
Bondita felt happy and took his blessings. He brought the school uniform, school books and gave it to her. She looked at them and opened and thanked him
He then told her that her husband Anirudh Roy Chowdhary had come to school. Her smile is dropped and she asked him in worried tone: what, Patibabu..came . Sir ! What did he ask you? what did you tell him? I am so worried. I don't want to face him. Please don't send me with him. I don't want to go. (In thoughts: How did Patibabu know that I am here? I have torn the letter? Then how he had realised it? Who told him? Did sampoorna didi tell him or tried to instigate him against me or anyone had seen me..)
Surendra: Relax beta..you told me that you came through train isn't it? (She nodded) So he might have enquired about you or when I came to Tulsipur , moreover I also spoke with your principal at that time, may be your old principal might have told him about me enquiring about you.
Now it is not the point. When your husband enquired about you I told him that you have not come here and he told that he will stay in hotel and wait for few days.
(Bondita looked more worried and sad and guilty for him that he is worrying for her , he continued) all you have to do is make sure that you won't come infront of him. You come and go to school with me for few days. I will speak with Watchmen and peon and ask them not to reveal about you. That's it. After few days he will only go away from Siliguri.
Bondita also convinced and told: yes sir this will be fine. Please make sure that he won't find me. Else everyone will come for me and my goal will be spoiled. I can't achieve it by staying independently
Just then Damini is coming and Surender asked her to hide her books,
But before Bondita hides it Damini came and asked in bitter tone : what are you both hiding?
She grabbed the covers, looked at new books and asked him: That means you brought new books to our servant. Again charity? I won't agree if she join in school
Surendra told: No Damini.. these are not this girl's books..
Damini suspiciously looked at him and he said: These are my books . Now I have to take classes for 8th STD students also. What to do?
Hey you (pointing to Bondita as if he is doing authority on her) Go and keep this in my room. Ok you don't dare to touch it or read it. Don't go against your Malkin (Damini). She don't like girls studying in our house. (Damini recollected some girl studying and she is backlashing on her. One man came and shouted on her .: Maa please she has to study. Else how can she know what is correct and what is wrong. I don't like my wife also to be turned like stone hearted like you.
Another scene of they leaving her house leaving her in devastated state)
After Recollecting them her heart became bitter. Meanwhile surender signaled Bondita to speak as per her wish. Bondita nodded.
Surendra: Did you get my point, you girl?
Bondita: Haa malik I got your point. Malkin is like Goddess and folded hands infront of her. I won't disobey her.
Damini with pretending angry : ok...ok..don't keep more butter in your words. Stay in your limits. I prepared food. Go and feed badi Malkin and make her sleep soon.
Bondita nodded and Damini went inside. Surendra and Bondita smiled at each other
He told Damini: I want to tell you one thing
Damini: what is it?
Surendra: One lady peon is needed in school send this girl in morning time to our school
Damini: This girl..why?
Surendra: She will work there. Anyway morning time watchman Murli mother will be coming na.. you manage with her. From morning to evening this Bondita will work there. What will she do here? For me also money will be saved if I keep her in work I need not pay salary .
He thought in mind if I tell you straight forward that she will study there you will create ruckus. I was left with no option. Sorry Damini.
Damini excitingly: Haa ji. Very good idea. Atleast you understood me in this point.
She smiled and went away.
Surendra in thoughts: Damini when will you understand others. You have suffered a lot with my mother when you are young and she had shown somuch hatred on you. I agree but that doesn't mean that you will also spill the same poison on others.
He just sighed and went on his work
____
Anirudh reached school campus early in the morning and waiting for her. Murli had done with night duty and going back to home.
He asked : Who are you? Why did you come here to school?
Anirudh: I..I came on an important work , I am searching for a girl..
Murli: for whom are you searching for?
Anirudh didn't say anything , because he felt it as delicate matter and what if this man also made fun like peon and started looking around for Bondita but Murli told: Dekhiye if I know I will tell you na.. may be you are suspecting me. I also have a daughter and I know the value of girl's respect. Tell me whom you are searching for
Anirudh got belief and said : My ..my wife . I am searching for her. I got information that she is here or may come here as this is the only school here, she wants to study here. Please allow me to wait here.
Murli: Your wife? (His thoughts went on Bondita and thought: Is he talking about Bondita)
Anirudh: Haa my wife and opened his Wallet and shown Bondita's photo to him.
Murli is shocked to see Bondita's photo and he grasped that she lied to him. He looked at him suspiciously but recollected his mother's words previous day that Bondita is a nice girl, helping them by sharing his mother's job at night time and reduced their burden.
Murli in thoughts:
Just for giving little food and shelter for one night that girl Bondita is trying to favour them. That means she is a honest person and she might not lie to them. No girl in this country will lie about her husband. He is telling that he is her husband. what if he is really no where related to her or just searching for her to harm her . Because no wife will leave her husband and come out of house Even if he is related to her also if he found her and take her away then his family will be in trouble. He don't want to be selfish but right now Bondita's cooperation is highly required for them. She had to work in principal sir bungalow. Else Damini Malkin forces his mother and daughter to come and work for them . They also won't get money to manage pari marriage expenses . When Bondita herself is offering to help them why should they not take her help. So diverting this man is the only option best for him
When Murli is looking suspiciously and went in deep thoughts by glaring at photo and kept on exchanging glances between photo and him (Anirudh). Anirudh got doubt and asked eagerly by shooking Murli shoulders : Do you know who is she. Have you seen her..
Murli came into sense and told: No..I haven't seen her
Anirudh: Then why did you see her photo for a long time as if you have seen her already
Murli stammered and intentionally scratched his head and told : I have been trying to recollect if I had seen her but no..I haven't seen her here.
Anirudh felt disappointed and said ok. And thought it's better if I take police help here, I should not waste much time. What if she fell into any wrong person hands like last time she fell in trap of Tarabai.
He is moving to police station and Murli saw this and got frightened. Anirudh started speaking with constable there and asking if Inspector Saab is there Before constable answers Murli came running and stopped him panting hard .
Anirudh looked at him surprised and Murli is asking to come aside. Anirudh is not ready to come he told latter that he should give a police complaint that his wife is missing they will help him.
But Murli dragged him aside and said: are you crazy? Have you lost your mind? Why are you going to police to give complaint?
Anirudh: it's required else how can I get her back? Who are you to stop me? Why are you stopping me?
Murli: Saab, I am telling this for your welfare only. Giving police complaint about missing woman means you yourself is digging grave of your reputation and respect. Police, People in society will make fun of you.
Anirudh: This is the wrong thinking which everyone should change. Police department is there to help people. If we won't take their help then our problem will increase. What if my wife is in danger or in any trouble?
Murli: saab your wife is not in trouble
Anirudh: how do you know? How can you say that?
Murli in thoughts: Why is he asking questions as if he is a vakeel or barrister
Anirudh again insisted that how do you know and moreover why are you at my back. It's my problem
Murli: Saab Siliguri is a safest place. Giving police complaint is the biggest headache. These police will be at our back. I am telling this for your welfare. Later your wish.
Just then school principal vehicle is coming and Bondita is also there in car. He misleaded Anirudh by making him turn at other side. Their vehicle went straight into school.
Anirudh: who are you man? What are you trying to do? Don't waste my time.
Anirudh started moving away to police station. Murli ran into school and rushed to principal cabin where Bondita is also there flipping textbook pages ..
(Author's explanation: Ramani also told Murli that Bondita is supported and favoured by principal and she is coming to school)
Principal asked Murli: why did you come rushing Murli? As if toofan or pralay is coming
Murli panting hard: Pralay had already came sir
Surendra furrowed his eyebrows and asked : What !?
Murli: Pralay..I mean this girl (pointing to Bondita) husband has come Here.
Bondita stood from seat gasped out of shock. Murli to Bondita angrily: You girl? Why did you lie that your husband is in jail?
Bondita gulped hard and told that: kaka I didn't lie but I had hidden the truth. Dadi assumed it and I kept quiet. Because of my situations.
Surendra interrupted and told: Murli she already told me her story. You go and make sure that person (Anirudh) won't intrude in our school without my permission or enquire about Bondita.
Murli: Theeke sir (ok sir) and left from there
Surendra turned to Bondita: Bondita, your husband is very much worried about you. It's not fair to keep him in tension. Let him meet you and you clearly speak with him. If necessary I will also speak with him and send him back. But hiding from him is not correct. Moreover being a principal and teacher who teaches students to be truth and honest to upcoming citizens of our country I am feeling ashamed and guilty to lie him and hide the truth from him. We have to listen his version also.
Bondita painfully interrupted and told: Sir I know sir. I know the pain of guilty person who hides truth from their own people (recollecting brijwasi incident and going out of school to buy chamatkari sindur, hiding the truth that she is irregular to school from Patibabu)
But sir I know my patibabu stubbornness. He won't leave me or won't look after his own life. He will not even pretend or show off to anyone that he is suffering, spoiling his life because of me. But sir it is the truth that his life, his young days are passing away because of me. He won't get any happiness what he should get from his liable age wife and even I don't know what happiness should a wife give to husband. I can't give him any happiness. (Principal understood how naive she is)
When I can't give him any happiness why should I remain in his life as hindrance. If I am not visible may be he may search for few days and forget me. But if I stay infront of his eyes he won't move on . (Folding her hands) So please sir let him go away. Please keep my existence in secret.
I am sorry for keeping you in trouble but it's for his welfare only sir. None of us may stay happy if we unite. Please sir
Surendra nodded painfully with tears . He told Murli and other watchman, peons that no one should reveal Bondita identity to any outsider. He also managed teachers that she is a poor student and wants to create her own identity by studying well so her details are not to be shared to anyone else she will be in danger. Everyone in school agreed with surender.
Meanwhile Anirudh had given police complaint and searching in school area and surrounding areas for her, enquiring for her . He started posting her posters in every lane.
Murli also told his daughter and that area women not to share Bondita's details to anyone because he is a liar. . They all agreed.
Nearly 10 days have been passed.
Bondita is going and coming to school in saree and getting changed in washroom and while going out she is covering her head with pallu.
Trilochan had done enquiry using his influence but nowhere in school of Bangal is found.
Binoy also enquired through police that if she is kidnapped but in enquiry they found that she is not even kidnapped. Even though he is not so particularly interested about Bondita after knowing that she is Kalindi Das grand daughter but only for Anirudh sake he is enquiring. He doesn't want to see Anirudh suffering.
Kalindi from Krishnanagar also enquiring through her lawyer but Bondita is found nowhere. She and sumati are equally worried for her
In these 10 days Anirudh almost became a mad person but his stubbornness to trace her is increasing. Daily he is passing by school and waiting outside school (as that is the only school in Siliguri at that time) when students are going and coming but much to his dismay he is not able to find Bondita among them. Even students also told that they haven't seen her but looking ackwardly at Anirudh. He grasped that school students are gossiping at his back. But He didn't pay attention at that time to them.
In these 10 days Bondita is also misleading Anirudh with the help of Murli and going through back gate silently by wrapping a saree around her head.
At home she is doing her job and studying well till late night. She understood that Damini will be in cloud nine if she is praised to the core and treated as if she is goddess. So Bondita impressed her with her talkative skills.
Damini saas is also happy and cheerful at Bondita's company. She felt guilty for depending on young girl for her works but Bondita didn't feel ashamed to do her works.
On the 9th day Anirudh almost bumped into her way (she covered her face completely with pallu), tried to stop her and shown Bondita's photo and enquired about her. When he approached near her she felt so scared and highly emotional to stand infront of him. She immediately closed her hand which had tatoo. When he asked if she had seen his wife, She silently shooked her head . But in that moment both their hearts are beating fastly. He is feeling too disturbed and desparate as if the person who stood is known to him very much when he is trying to make conversation with her but much to his dismay Murli interrupted and sent Bondita away.
Whenever he is enquiring in that area either Murli or a 14- 15 years girl (pari) are trying to interrupt and this lead Anirudh to suspect that something is fishy and not correct here.
When he is enquiring why are they crossing his path everytime. . He almost shouted on Murli that why is he crossing his path all the time what is his problem. Murli also shouted that why is he wandering around this area from many days why can't he go back.
On the 10th day Bondita made a call to Tulsipur haveli with the help of Murli and made Trilochan to come into call
She said hesitatingly: Ksj..mein Bondita
Trilochan: Bahu where are you? What is this Bahu? Is this the way you behave? Here we all are worried about you and your Patibabu almost became mad and searching for you. And look at you .. you are behaving in an irresponsible way
Bondita is sobbing with trembled voice she interrupted and told: ksj whatever I have done is for Patibabu welfare. He had to get married to another person and stay happily. Here I am also studying well. I got good marks in recent test and all my teachers and principal are taking care of me well. I am staying in safest place. So either he or you need not worry for me. Please ask him to stop searching for me and get back
Trilochan: Bahu, Why are you making us outsiders with your words? Don't you want to see us? Do you know how is the condition of our family? Everyone are shattered here bahu. Your devars are sobbing for you daily and not taking food properly. Your Patibabu had gone mad. He is searching for you and promised that he won't return back unless you returns. He likes you alot. He can't stay without you. Tell me where you are we will start now itself and bring him back.
Bondita: No ksj sorry for troubling you all. I can't come back or tell where am I . Please forget me. I will speak with som dada and Bhatuk after few days. please ask Patibabu to come back to house, stop searching for me in different place and get married of his choice. Until I find his marriage news in paper I won't take food. I will starve here and disconnected the phone.
Trilochan shouted: Bahu..bahu.
He immediately made call to Siliguri hotel and informed Anirudh that Bondita had called him and narrated what all she told him.
Anirudh became furious by listening his kaka words. Why is Bondita being rigid to him. Why cant she allow him to meet him for once. Moreover she wants him to marry other girl . How painful it is to listen from her mouth!? Disgusting and feeling like stabbing his heart
He became silent and started recollecting everything.. something is not right . Is she hiding from him?
He again started searching for Bondita and this time Murli and the area women have surrounded him and shouted on him unnecessarily that Bondita is not around and don't waste your time here. He wandering around their area is bothering then alot and they suspect him as an eveteaser.
Murli recollected that Bondita Is becoming impatient that her husband is not leaving this place and going away. It is becoming difficult to hide under pallu day by day while going and coming to school. Her schoolmates are observing her and once they also asked her about this. She just lied them and asked him (Murli) to do something, break his heart with harsh and bitter words and make him leave this place and go away.
Anirudh got doubt that why all these people are rebuking on him. He then tried to connect dots that Murli is intruding all the time. Something is striking his mind. He just want to check if his intuition is correct or not.
He then started moving towards school campus and started waiting for her at gate stubbornly. Murli kept on shouting and shouting but Anirudh didn't respond.
It's evening time. All students left. Murli went and called Surendra and he too came there followed by Bondita but stayed at distant place and watching them . As per Bondita's request he also shouted and asked him to go away else he will give police complaint that you are an eve teaser wandering in this area.
Bondita apologized Patibabu in mind. Anirudh all of a sudden fainted on ground and making them shock. Bondita is worried and shivered to the core.
Murli went and sprinkled water but he is not opening his eyes. Bondita couldn't hold on herself she shouted Patibabu.. came running to him and sat on knees and trying to wake him up.
Surendra and Murli are worried. She requested Surendra that we shall take him to hospital. They agreed and asked her to move so that they lift him. When she is moving Anirudh held her hand and opened his eyes making everyone shock. He then sternly looked into her eyes with tears and asked: Why did you leave me and go away Bondita and he cuddled her .
Bondita is shocked and her mind went blank..
____
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