Anirudh- The Story Of A Misread Barrister

Chapter-28: Protective Instincts

There were two more days left for Bondita's trip and I was gripped by an unknown fear. One part of my mind kept saying that such trips are necessary for Bondita's growth, while the other half was suggesting some imaginary dangers. I had always been over protective when it came to Bondita. The mother in me gets invoked at the very idea of having to part myself from her. With all the unnecessary thoughts clouded in my mind, I took a deep breath and left to office. Subbu who was already present there was surrounded by many clients. Yet, he somehow he managed to peek at me through the gaps between the people standing around him and raised his hand to greet me. I reciprocated his greetings and started going through my files when the air around me carried the word Mahabalipuram to my ears. That's all. That very moment I got an idea.

I don't know if Mahabalipuram kept ringing in my ears because I was continuously thinking about it or did I really hear someone saying it. Whatever, that was not my concern for the moment, but a way to put my idea into action. I patiently waited until Subbu got free and took a seat in front of his desk.

"What's the matter, Anirudh Babu? It seems you need some help from this friend.", Subbu asked raising his eyebrows.

"No...nothing...not a help exactly...", I stammered little nervously, trying to figure out how he would react if I tell him what was in my mind. Yet, do I have an option to get rid of my fears other than this? Seemingly no.

So, without any further ado, I asked him, "Do you have any clients from Mahabalipuram? I felt like I heard someone saying something about the place."

I noticed him smiling while typing something.

"No clients from that place. He was just narrating some incident that took place there.", declared Subramaniyam while his fingers busily hit the keys of the type writer.

"What incident was your client exactly talking about? Anything related to your case or just a casual talk?", I awkwardly put another question observing his face keenly. Again, what I got from him was a chuckle before the answer, "A casual talk".

"By the way, why are you so curious about Mahabalipuram? Did you get any case from there or something?", cross-examined my friend.

"Nothing of that sort actually. I thought we can extend some help in case if there is an issue there.", I stuttered.

"My dear barrister Anirudh Roy Chowdhary, oh sorry, Bondita's Biristera Babu, there is no need of a case or dispute for one to go to Mahabalipuram. You just need to have a few notes in your pocket.", smiled Subbu and raised his head to look at my face that had a bashful expression written all over it.

I got caught. My lawyer friend caught me red-handed. I smiled at him sheepishly.

"Aniruddha, if you want to go to Mahabalipuram with my sister, do you think I would judge you? I know your worries. It is hard for you to send Bondita alone. Although it is a little awkward on the part of parents and guardians to follow their kids to excursions, it is ultimately your choice, your life. It only shows how much you care for Bondita.", he declared.

"Even Sumati ma must not be this worried for Bondita but look at you, her sakha babu! I have been observing you since the last two days and you looked absolutely lost.", laughed Subbu.

"Sumati ma will also be tensed but not as much as I am, because, long ago she placed Bondita's hand in mine and transferred the responsibility to me. I willingly took it and promised her that I will always stay by Bondita's side, no matter what the circumstances might be." I stated and continued,

"I also want you to come along with me."

"You don't have to ask, because I have already decided on that. After all, you are my responsibility Anirudh. I promised your kaka that I will take good care of you as long as you are here.", he said with a beaming face.

I couldn't help but pull him into a tight hug. He reminded me of my Sourabh.

"Thanks a lot, dosth. However, please don't let Bondita know about this. Otherwise, she will never learn to be independent and all my efforts will go in vain. We shall follow her secretly.", I suggested, for which I received a dramatic reply, "As you like it, sir", from the other end.

Finally, the day of our tour has arrived. With much difficulty, we managed to get tickets to the only train that went to Mahabalipuram from Madras, on the same day when the students of St. George set out for an educational tour. It took two hours for us to reach the destination and throughout this time, my mind compelled me to check on Bondita. If my friend wasn't there to control me, I would have easily been caught by Bondita.

"Did she get a seat? Did the other children let her sit? What if they are attacking her racially? Is my Bondita able to answer back?", these questions kept troubling me while Subbu went on talking about our college days and the trip to Oxford when he was humiliated by some of our English classmates.

I tried my best to act as if I was paying attention to him but in vain. I understood that I was caught when he said, "You are not my friend anymore, Anirudh. You are entirely Bondita's sakha babu.", protruding his lower lip in a sulky pout.

"Can you even see the world beyond Bondita, or, is everything invisible to you except her?", he continued his rants.

I looked away from him nervously, embarrassed at the fact that I was badly caught. He wasn't wrong either. I should have asked that question to myself. However, what is the need to ask a question for which the entire world including me knows the answer? It is the ultimate truth that ever since Bondita came into my life, nothing is visible to me beyond her; not even my own self. 

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Can the Anirudh Roy Chowdhary who is so protective about Bondita, part ways with her? How will he live if he have to do that?

Precap: "I was mesmerized by every move of her." (Who is ARC referring to?)

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Hello dear lovely readers,

The next part is here. Mahadev ki kripa se, jagaran ke bahaane, I finally found time to update the next part.  Om namah shivaaya.

Normally, I write 2000-3000 words per chapter. In that case this is going to be a shorter one than my usual updates. However, no more strength to write now. Do read, comment and vote. 

Your response is a fuel to my writing. If the response is good, I will feel to update faster. Or else, I will have to unpublish the books. 

Okay then, see you'll in the next chapter. Happy reading :)