ANIDITA : A Life For Revolution

CHAPTER 1 : Part 3

Bondita's p.o.v

I know how much he love his job. It pricks me every day – the fact that I was the one responsible for his disheartening decision. That evening is still very well clear in my mind. If only I knew the importance of that certificate then. Who would have thought the crooked Englishman would ask for the triumphant and infamous Barrister Anirudh Roy Chowdhary's degree certificate? And the level of humiliation he had to endure... all because of me. I still haven't forgiven myself for what I did and I don't think I'll ever be able to. But his decision from then, was indeed something I crave to change. He sacrificed his profession – his life – to save me from Sasur Ji's clutches. If only I could change what I did that day...

But now I do have a choice. I don't want Pati babu to return to London. All I want is to see him wearing that attire again and fighting in court. But he wouldn't hear me completely.

Taking KSJ and Sasur Ji's blessings after the morning aarti, I went to see my Pati babu. How can I write an exam heartily when he is in his sulking mode? Knocking on the door to announce my presence, I cleared my throat for him to hear. He suddenly froze - sitting in the chair - but didn't say anything.

"Mein apne Shikshak babu se milne aayi hoon. Ap jante hai na Bondita aj apni akhri pariksha de rahi hai? Apke ashirwaad ke bina ache se likh paogi Bondita?" I tried convincing him.

He didn't respond for some minutes but cleared his throat when he spotted me leaving.

"Um... Vidyarthi Bondita... Mera ashirwaad hamesha tumhare sath hoga"

A smile touched my lips. I turned and saw him standing in front of the table. Moving towards him, I bent down and took his blessings.

"Thoda... udas lag rahi hai meri vidhyarthi aj... Kya hua?" He enquired.

"Ab kya batayein Shikshak babu? Mere Pati babu na, meri baat hi nahi sunte"

"Ab kya kiya hai tumhare Pati babu?" he feigned interest.

"Wahi jo hamesha karte hai... Meri poori baat sunne se pehle hi apni raay mein pahunch jate hai aur phir mujhpar chillate hai"

His eyes widened at my comment but he continued his stance after a second.

"Main baat karoon Pati babu se?" he asked mockingly.

"Ji nahin! Mein chahti hoon woh khud meri baat sune" I said grimly.

He nodded. I turned to leave when I heard what I craved for.

"Bondita... Baat nahi karogi apne Pati babu se?"

I couldn't hold the wide smile on my face when I blurted out.

"Pati Babu mein nahi chahti thi ki hum London jaye. Mein sirf yahi chahti thi ki ap Barristry phir se shuru kare. Meri wajah se apko chodna pada tha na... Ap khush nahi hai... Janti hoon mein. Mein sirf apko khush dekhna chahti hoon. Hamein London jane ki koyi zaroorat nahi hai... Shotti" I pinched my throat.

"Bondita... Tumhe kisne bola ki mein khush nahi hoon? Janti ho Bondita? Mein aj bohot khush hoon... Pucho kyun?" he insisted.

"Kyun?" I obeyed.

"Kyunki aj meri Bondita apni school ke akhri pareeksha de rahi hai... Aur iske baad woh London chali jayegi... Barristry padhne. Ab tum hi batao, Anirudh Roy Chowdhary keliye isse khushi dene wali baat kuch ho sakti hai bhala?"

I couldn't help but flush at the pride and happiness his voice carries.

"Acha theek hai. Mann liya ap bohot khush hai... Lekin meri khushi ka kya?" I crossed my arms.

"Ab tumhe kya hogaya Bondita?" he quizzed, confused.

"Mera pati apna mann pasand naukri chodkar kuch aur kaam kare... woh bhi sirf aur sirf meri wajah se, mein kya -"

"Bondita, Bondita ruk jao... Dekho deri ho rahi hai. Ham iske bare mein zaroor baat karenge lekin ab nahi... Tum chalo aur haan, mein tumhe lene zaroor aunga"

I stamped in frustration and marched out of the study, only to hear a faint chuckle behind me.

...........................................

The paper was fine. I'm sure I will score well this time too. But my worries were regarding Laya. She hasn't turned up for today's exam as well. I wonder what is keeping her from attending them. My best friend has been my support system throughout my school days. I still remember how hard it was for me and Pati babu to convince her peasant father to send her to school. If it wasn't for her, I would have been the only girl passing out school this year. But why isn't she attending the exams?

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of our Motor Gaadi. Looking up, I can see Pati babu waving at me from the driver's seat. He did come! As always, my cheeks heated up at the sight of him and my lips quirked up in a shy smile. This is something I can't understand. I didn't have these issues until last year. Pati babu was no more the person whom I used to chat with and irritate freely but was rather intimidating and... I don't know... Is attractive the word? But what was happening to me? I had no idea.

"Pareeksha keisi thi Bondita?" he asked when I seated myself beside him.

"Achi thi... Pati babu kya ham Laya ke ghar ja sakte hai?"

"Haan... Kyun nahi? Lekin kya hua?"

"Woh aj bhi absent thi"

"Aj bhi?"

I nodded in reply.

"Ham dekhte hai tum chinta mat karo"

We reached Laya's shack only to see it locked up. Laya didn't tell me about going somewhere. It all seemed a bit misplaced. We asked their neighbour to know that they have left for her Kaka's home. She didn't tell me. Weird!

Coming back to haveli, Pati babu left me on the doorstep as he wanted to get back to the meeting he was having with a British officer regarding some paperwork related to Mahila Ghar. I made my way inside, only to see an agitated KSJ sitting on the sofa. Seeing me, his eyes blazed a bit more and I know something wrong is going to happen.