ANIDITA : A Life For Revolution

CHAPTER 1 : Part 6

Bondita's p.o.v

A sudden wave of silence surrounded us when Pati babu announced his decision. We weren't expecting this to happen. Abesh babu left the haveli in rage, cursing under his breath while all the others stood in shock, not able to believe what we heard.

Sasur Ji was in seventh heaven, knowing that finally, his son has come out of his trance and is all set to resume from where he left off two years ago while on the other hand, KSJ found his hopes of transferring his Zamindari to Pati Babu shattered. Both my devars were happy for their brother's decision. In my case, I don't know what I felt. How am I supposed to feel something when I'm not even ready to believe what I heard in the first place? I was in the exact thoughts while sitting with PB in study too, not able to concentrate on his ongoing lecture. He cleared his throat for the hundredth time, making me come out of my train of thoughts.

"Batao Bondita Newton's third law ka significance kya hai?"

"Um... Significance? ... Newton's third law? ... Woh Pati babu..."

I struggled to keep my eyes hooked to his.

"Nahi suna?"

I shook my head in acceptance, eyes down.

"Theek hai. Human body mein kitne haddiyan hote hai?"

"Ah... Sau?"

"Sau?"

"Nahi nahi... Hazaar"

"Hazaar?"

"Nahi nahi nahi... Um... Pachas?"

He leaned back to his chair, not taking his eyes off mine during the entire process. I squirmed under his steady and intimidating gaze, knowing I've messed it up today.

"Ek baat batao Bondita tumhare liye abhi bhi tadpole bachu mendhak hi hai kya?"

He asked with his deathly stare, referring to my stupid answer which I gave him four years ago during another one of his questioning sessions. For a reason I can't quite place, I found this comment of him amusing and I burst out in front of him. When I didn't receive similar action from the other side, I understood he didn't mean anything humorously. I stopped my outburst and kept my eyes down.

"Dhyaan kaha hai tumhara Bondita? Aj yeh kitni baar hogaya? Kya hua hai tumhe?"

"Mein kya karoon Pati Babu? Aj ghar mein itna sab kuch hua ki..."

"Ismein ghabranewali kaunsi baat hai Bondita?"

"Mein apse baat karna nahi chahti!" I crossed my arms.

His eyes narrowed and he blurted out almost immediately.

"Kyun?"

"Mujhe apne Pati babu se baat karni hai"

"Acha... Toh phir kar lo baat"

I grinned at his change of mood and took complete advantage of the situation. It's hard to get him in a good mood.

"Pati babu apne toh keh diya Abesh babu ko ki Laya apne upar huyi naainsaafi se ladhegi... Lekin shayad ap samajh nahi rahe hai ki woh in sab keliye tayaar nahi hai... Darr gayi hai woh... Meri samajh nahi aaraha mein keise ummeed jagaun uske andar... Aise kya karoon jisse uska hosla bade?"

His eyes softened all of a sudden and a ghost of a smile flashed on his face, which immediately rather mysteriously soothed my nerve.

"Bondita... Bhau-bhau yaad hai tumhe?"

I grinned at recognition and replied enthusiastically.

"Kyun nahi yaad rahegi?"

"Toh yeh batao Bhau-bhau tumhe kis haalat mein mila tha?"