Barrister Babu: One Shots- Until you Came.

Chapter 15: A Mother-in-law Found [Part 1]

Setting: If Anirudh's mother Shubhra Roy Choudhary were alive, how would little Bondita's life turn out to be?

(Anirudh had just saved Bondita from the Sati pratha, bringing her home after their nuptials)

Bondita's POV:-

Today, I got married!

Yes, I wasn't happy at first on learning that I would have to leave my mother in doing so, but now I won't have to!

After all, Pati Babu did accept my letter of those 2 conditions...

I wonder when Maa will come home!

[Rishta-tera-mera plays:-]

[Handiya se roshgulle khaye
Pedon pe imli chakhi
Ek patra me vivah ki do shartein likhi
Tay kar liya yeh
Maa bina doli na chadungi
Ladhna pada, toh duniya se
Ladh jaaungi, saath dega woh
Agar ho honsla mera...
Rishta tera mera...]

*car honks*

Oh Bondita, you were so lost in thought that you didn't even get out of the car!

Ab jaldi kar, varna Pati Babu naaraaz ho jaayenge!

*Bondita reaches the Haveli's threshold*

Wow. Such a magnificent sight.

Even the Sarpanch's house wasn't this large, nor did it have sooo many lights!

*sees Shubhra approaching*

"Pranaam, I am Bondita, Anirudh Babu's wife!" I said excitedly, with a cheerful smile on my face. A positive attitude always wins hearts! And my cuteness is just the cherry on top!

"Wife? What wife? What is this, Anirudh? And why is this random girl calling you her husband?" The woman in front of me said with a puzzled air about her. She looked almost angry, but her confusion was more evident.

Before I could ask her why she was behaving this way, Pati Babu spoke up.

Anirudh's POV:-

Oh God. How was I going to explain...whatever the hell I did out there?

Yes, I did it to save the girl...but at what cost?

My love?

My principles?

I vowed to free this country of social evils but look at the man that I've become.

I married a little girl.

A LITTLE GIRL.

What the f*ck was I thinking?

"Maa, it isn't like that...not exactly. Bondita, please go with Bihari. He'll guide you to your room." I said, averting my eyes from the little one who was now responsibility.

Then, I told Maa everything, whatever had transpired in the last few hours. The child marriage taking place along with Saurabh's, and my decision to save the girl when the old man, her husband-to-be apparently, died. I told my mother of the brutality of those monsters in skin, wishing curse upon a little girl of nine, a girl whose life hadn't even begun that were so willed to kill. I told her how my soul burned in anguish from thinking of the possible future of the girl had I not saved her, or rather, the lack of one.

I knew my mother would understand, and she did.

She also helped calm Kaka down, which was honestly the need of the hour.

I wasn't in the state of mind to explain to anyone what I did and why I did it, other than my mother.

Because I knew. They wouldn't understand. I knew.

Bondita's POV:-

Bhaari Babu was telling me about the different rooms and inhabitants of this huge mansion.

Kaka-sasur Ji, Sasur Ji, Saasu-Maa, Som Da, and Batuk!

I was so excited to get to know my new family members and introduce them to Maa!

As I was lost once again in a train of thought, gazing at the intricate decorations of the haveli, I was lead to a beautiful terrace with an even lovelier balcony.

There were balloons, roses, fairy lights and pretty colours that seemed to fill the air with joy.

But it all seemed so empty...as if...waiting for someone.

Was this all...for me?

Did Pati Babu arrange this beautiful sight for me?

I was delighted.

Maybe fitting in here won't be so hard after all, maybe I could live happily. A life with love, hope and joy. A life with a new family, and my mother.

Getting out of my mind, I noticed a delicious vanilla cake situated at the centre of the room on a table covered with white-laced, embroidered cloth.

I was so hungry too.

But I guess I had to wait for Pati Babu.

After all, he was the orchestrator of this whole grand welcome.

As if the Lord had heeded my call, I heard faint footsteps coming closer.

Then I saw Pati Babu enter the place.

He looked...devastated.

I wondered why.

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