Anirudh- The Story Of A Misread Barrister

Chapter-45: The Unexpected Guest

When I heard the main door being knocked thrice, my heart almost stopped. I just froze, not knowing what to do or how to react.

"Bondita.......", I uttered, as my lips curved into a smile. For a moment, I felt as if my world, my life had come back to me, until I heard kaka saying, "Hey boy, who are you?"

"Boy!?", I thought. In fact, I was so annoyed at his presence, whoever it was. He had raised my hopes severely and shattered them within seconds. So, I angrily walked towards the main entrance to look who that sinner was.

At the door, there stood a young boy who was bright enough to draw people towards him. It was quite evident that he was not the native of Tulsipur and I also couldn't remember seeing him anywhere in the surrounding areas, but strangely it felt like I have known him before. Although I was super angry with him, there was something about the young lad that attracted me. For a little while, I stood observing him keenly before he finally spoke in a not so manly voice, "Vanakkam Barrister Babu. I am Arjun."

Kaka looked at me to check if I knew him before. When I expressed my unawareness, he enquired once again, "Who are you, son?"

He then introduced himself saying, "I am barrister Arjun Gopinathan. I just came out of college and searching for an opportunity to work under a senior barrister. My brother Subramaniam Iyer recommended barrister babu and so I came here. Will you take me as your junior barrister babu?"

Being a little surprised at the whole thing, I interrogated, "Why did you come all the way from Madras to Tulsipur? You should have practiced under your brother. He is also a great lawyer."

"What to tell about my plight, sir. I finished my law two months ago. As soon as I decided to start practice at the Madras court, my father, Gopinathan, who has been serving the government as an account for many years now, got transferred to the governor general's office in Calcutta. When I went to the Calcutta court for a couple of days, I neither got any case nor did the other barristers welcome me warmly. They must have felt like I came all the way from the South to steal their meal or that's how they treat a newbie, may be. Above all, I don't know anyone here and that's when my brother gave your address. Even though the distance is more, I thought of giving it a try. If you don't want me too, I will go..."

Before he could finish off his sentence, I said, "I am going to take you as my junior. I will train you."

"Well done, Anirudh; you are doing a good thing. Otherwise what can we answer to the Iyers who are like family to us?", supported kaka and welcomed Arjun saying, "Come in, son. Assume this as your own family and make yourself comfortable."

Arjun's eyes gleamed with happiness. The moisture in them didn't go unnoticed by me. Although I thought of asking him about the same, I let it go, assuming him to a very emotional person. As soon as he stepped inside the house, he fell on my kaka's feet to take his blessings. That one act of his, made my kaka go crazy about him that he started praising the young boy like anything.

Arjun even tried to touch my feet but I opposed the idea. He then shook hands with me. Later, he started looking all around the house and inquired about my family.

I felt irritated once again and cried out, "Are you going to start your training or will you continue having the family time?"

"Coming, coming.", he said and followed me to the study room which was also my home office.

"Close the door.", I ordered before allowing him to sit on the chair placed for clients, before my table.

Once he sat down, I went and stood near him, leaning against the table. With a piercing gaze I looked into his eyes and unleashed my anger, "Why did you knock the door thrice?"