My Destination, My Bondita

126 - The Awkward Welcome of the Roy Choudharys

Trilochan Roy Choudhary had a look of guilt on his face as Kalindi asked him if he would say something. He was silent, too ashamed to say a word. The past floated in front of his eyes, and made him want to disappear on the spot.  

Thakumaa just laughed sarcastically at his silence and she said, "Zamindar Babu was very ill, and I took care of him. That's how we know each other."

Trilochan continued to look silently, his eyes unable to meet hers. 

Anirudh's arm was still around Bondita's shoulder, as they watched the interaction between Thakumaa and Kaka. 

"That's great that you two know each other from before," Anirudh said. 

"Yes! It means we don't need a lot of time to form a connection," Bondita added on. "We will be just like one family!"

At the idea of being one family with Kalindi, Trilochan winced. He had made many mistakes in the past, but Bondita's Thakumaa was an unforgiving person, a lady who held grudges, and truth be told, even Trilochan found her scary. 

"Jamai Babu, Zamindar Saab, please come inside," Thakumaa said, trying hard not to let the scars of her past show on her face, "Let us welcome you."

Bondita grinned, relieved that Thakumaa was welcoming Anirudh. Ever since Maa said that Thakumaa had a doubt about Anirudh's affair, she was worried that her Thakumaa wouldn't treat her Pati Babu properly. After all, she knew how much her Thakumaa loved her. She was extremely protective of her. 

Anirudh held Bondita's hand and followed Thakumaa inside the haveli. Trilochan followed behind the two of them, looking extremely uncomfortable. 

Thakumaa noticed Anirudh holding Bondita's hand and she inwardly scoffed. How much was he playing with her poor granddaughter's heart? He could hold her hand, but he wasn't interested in sleeping with her?

In the living room, Trilochan and Anirudh sat next to each other, as Thakumaa said something to one of the maidservants. Anirudh noticed that the maid was looking unwell. 

The maid came running in with a huge bowl filled with water.

"Let me wash your feet Jamai Babu," Thakumaa said. 

"No need for any of that," Anirudh replied, frowning.

"We must, it's our tradition," Thakumaa said, and sat on the floor in front of Anirudh. 

Feeling very uncomfortable, he stood up and moved beside Bondita. 

"I don't believe in any of that Thakumaa," Anirudh explained, "I don't believe that you have to give any special treatment to your Jamai Babu." 

"No Jamai Babu," Thakumaa refused, "Forgive me, but we are women. We have to bend down before men, especially our son-in-laws and their family members." 

When she said family members, she gave a silent, sarcastic look at Trilochan, and Trilochan looked down again, ashamed. 

Bondita frowned, also not agreeing with this tradition. 

"Thakumaa, if anyone should be washing someone's feet, I should be washing yours and Sumati Maa's," Anirudh told her with a smile, "You're the ones who gave birth to and raised Bondita. It's only because of you two that I have Bondita with me. You are the ones who trust me with your daughter." 

Trust? Thakumaa scoffed again inside. If she had a choice, she definitely wouldn't trust him, and if Bondita wasn't married to him, she would keep her miles away from him. He was her Jamai Babu, so she was forced to bow down to him.