My Destination, My Bondita

123 - Thakumaa Kalindi Das and Her Intentions

Note: This is the second update for today. Don't miss the last one!

Her Thakumaa was a woman who behaved like royalty. She held her head high in pride and confidence. She could be sweet like sugar, or bitter as a strong cup of coffee, but not many knew of the wounds that Thakumaa had to hide in order to gather this strength she had today. 

When Thakumaa let Bondita escape her grip, she gently cupped Bondita's face and said, "How have you been Bondita? Your eyes are swollen and you look like you have been crying. Why are you sad my dear?" 

She was crying because she had to separate from her Pati Babu, but she didn't want to make her Thakumaa feel like she didn't want to come to see her, so Bondita just forced a smile and said, "I'm not sad Thakumaa. But what happened to your health?" 

Thakumaa let go of her cheeks and walked further into the haveli. Bondita followed her. 

"My internal energy is weak. I have been taking medicines. No matter what, I couldn't bear to get out of bed on some days. Everything felt grim and sad," Thakumaa was saying. "But now that you're here, I feel a boost already." 

Bondita didn't understand what the illness was, but she also didn't know much about medical science. Maybe her Somnath Dada would be able to explain it better. 

"Did you see the doctor Thakumaa?" Bondita asked. "I know you're a Vaid, but maybe a doctor would help..." 

"Your Kaka took me to a doctor, but they're useless," Thakumaa said with a sigh, "They said it's an illness of the mind, not the body. Can you believe that they said such a useless thing?" 

"An illness of the mind?" Bondita inquired. 

"They said that being overly sad is an illness of the mind," Thakumaa informed, "But I believe now that you're here, I will be cured. Your energy always did wonders to me in the past too Bondita."

Bondita smiled, and said, "Yes Thakumaa, now that I'm here I will take care of you!" 

"Good," Thakumaa said simply, leading her into the living room where the rest of the family members were. 

Shoumik Kaka was sitting on the sofa there and Rimjhim Kaki was serving him a cup of tea. Her Shoumik Kaka had always been like a father figure to her along with her dad, but she didn't know why she had to leave the haveli when her Baba died, and why he never contacted her since. Did he not care about her? 

Rimjhim Kaki was dressed up as always, wearing her makeup and looking like she hadn't aged a day. 

"Bondita!" Shoumik Kaka greeted, placing the tea on the table and standing up to greet her. 

Bondita went to touch Shoumik Kaka's and Rimjhim Kaki's feet. 

Rimjhim Kaki just nodded and smiled, but her smile didn't quite reach her eyes. "Stay happy," she blessed, almost like it was forced. 

"Tupur and Tapur?" Bondita asked. "And Maa? Where are they?" 

Thakumaa yelled, "TUPUR! TAPUR! SUMATI!" 

The two girls came running in. Tupur was standing off to the side, watching Bondita with an envious expression, and Tapur just ran up to her and grabbed Bondita's forearm, admiring the expensive looking bangles on her wrists. 

"Be careful Tapur, she's a Roy Choudhary," Thakumaa said sarcastically. "The Roy Choudharys should be treated like royalty. They are zamindars after all." 

"Thakumaa, if I'm in this house, I want to be treated like your daughter. Just like how you treated me in the past," Bondita said with a smile. 

That was when Sumati entered the room and she smiled with relief that Bondita had made it there safely. She went to stand beside Thakumaa.