Barrister Babu

Chapter 2: No Entry?

Bondita watched the Roy Chawdhary haveli from the outside and her eyes started getting watery.

"This is my home, Chameli," she said proudly.

Chameli gasped seeing the mansion. "This is where you live?"

"Yes and where you will live too, with me. The two of us will have a lot of fun!"

"Bondita," Chameli looked unsure, "will it really be okay if I live at your house? I am feeling awkward. Shall I go to my distant kaki and—" she cut her off.

"Not at all. You will live here. I will talk to Patibabu and Kakasasurji. They will listen and understand. Don't worry."

Bondita walked to the RC gate but the guards stopped her. Guards? We didn't have any before! she thought.

"Who are you?" asked one of the guards. "Who do you want to meet?"

"Definitely, Barrister Babu," answered another guard before Bondita could answer. "Do you have an appointment?"

Bondita raised her eyebrows. "Barrister Babu meets clients at home?"

"Yes. He is very busy so a lot of clients come to meet him here when they cannot meet him at the court," answered a guard.

He must be so busy with work, she thought. "I am Bondita Roy Chawdhary, wife of Anirudh Roy Chawdhary," she said with pride.

The guards looked at each other blankly and then chuckled.

"She is another one of those women who wish to be the wife of Barrister Babu." The guard shook his head while laughing.

Bondita placed her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean? I am his wife!"

"His wife is in London," another guard responded. "When his wife will come, Barrister Babu will inform us. So we cannot let you in."

Chameli was watching everything quizzically.

Bondita understood the security was tight but what bothered her was, that maybe other women also came here and claimed to be her Patibabu's wife. She didn't like that at all.

"Okay, if I can't go then you go inside and say that Bondita is waiting. Whoever is in the house, they will come here," she said calmly.

"No, we don't have time for your play. Please go away," announced the guards.

Bondita sighed and her eyes traveled to the garden she could see through the gate. As expected, Batuk was there, trying to make a sculpture with clay.

"Batuk!" Bondita hollered and Batuk instantly turned his head toward the gate.

"What are you doing? Stop disturbing our Malik!" the guard slightly pushed Bondita by her shoulder. She lost her balance and fell to the ground.

Chameli got scared watching this.

"Bondita!" Chameli yelled in fear.

Anirudh, who was in his study, suddenly felt a pang in his chest. "Bondita?"

Chameli helped Bondita stand up and saw that she had scratches on her elbows. It even started to bleed a little. It scared her more. She started crying as she hollered again, "Bondita, you are bleeding!"

As soon as Anirudh heard that sound faintly coming from outside, he stood up and rushed outside. Batuk also ran toward the gate.

The guards noticed Barrister Babu and bowed their heads to greet him. But Anirudh's eyes were glued to the woman in front of him.

Anirudh and Bondita had an eye contact.

Bondita's eyes were filled with happy tears seeing him, as she softly let out, "Patibabu..."