Anidita: Falling Apart

Better Part of Valor is discretion

Thus do I ever make my fool my purse,
For I mine own gained knowledge should profane
If I would time expend with such a snipe
But for my sport and profit.

Manorama's POV

"I know Bondita" I said restlessly "I am responsible for separating you from Anirudh....but trust me.....i never wanted this. My guilty conscience has uprooted my sleep since I heard about you and Anirudh the other day. Therefore, I wanted to meet you and clear all your misconceptions and reconcile you both. I know how much he loves you so please try to understand, what happened was quite unfortunate but it was necessary for executing my mission of killing Viceroy General and confiscating the weapons to liberate our country from british control.

Bondita (frowning, folding her arms across)- Manorama, my misconceptions are quite clear, it's just that I realized it quite late. But I separated from your husband 10 yrs ago. As of now, it was just an official formality. Nevertheless, It's good to see you and your husband progress at an equal pace as before and service back your conscience, renewing your sense of guilt that had long served as powerful weapons to confiscate faith of gullible people. But, Manorama you first tell me where were you all these years and how did you survive your own suicide bombing?

"So you wished me to die or what Bondita?" I shot back in frustration "I had left this state but returned few months ago to join a group of local revolutionaries here engaged with non-cooperation movement. But, I am sorry to say that despite becoming a barrister you still behave like a typical first wife, holding a grudge against her husband unreasonably for this long just because he forged a marriage with his female friend only for a month to restore his 12yr old wife's welfare and we never had any other intentions apart from helping each other in our respective missions.

"Barrister babu's Female Friend needs to know" Bondita frowned with a thoughtful gaze "that grudges cease to exist when intentions are evident before a 12yr child wife yet she cannot comprehend it untill her fate finally approves her to understand it. Besides, one needs to know if they are alive to wish someone's death Manorama. However, even if you were dead for real, then too I would not have claimed your husband for a month as mine.
(with adjoined palms and thanking god) Infact, I owe my gratitude to Dugga ma for protecting you or else Barrister babu would have to perform the funeral rites of his preferred forged wife shortly after their marriage.
His sitting with burning camphor on his palm impressed Dugga ma and she took good care of his heart's welfare and bright future. Or else, how tragic would it be for a newly married man to bereave from that huge irreparable loss had you succumbed to the blast!!
But, I suppose Manorama you are familiar of my curious nature so I was simply wondering how is it logically possible for a suicide bomber to return alive safely after blowing herself when her targeted victim and his security immediately died on spot?

"My companions protected me" I responded breathing heavily "But, Anirudh can burn his palms with a camphor for nobody other than you. He was feeling so guilty on our kaalratri. It's been 10 years please forgive me Bondita. Trust me Bondita.....I will never interfere in your life again. I urge you to leave the bitter past behind and understand Anirudh's perspective, return to him, and begin your life afresh again. "

Bondita (raising her eyebrows) - Manorama, a fresh life can never begin with a man of rotten character and burning his palms with camphor flames for my sake varies with his varying nature.
In the first year, he used the intense system of praying to save my life on several occasions. One of my favourite moment I mentioned to him on my convocation day was at the moment when I was unconscious after a series of traumatic events while rescuing Sampurna from burning in the pyre of Saurabh Jamai babu. Barrister babu's prayer was heard by Ma and I recovered, consuming water from his affectionate hands.