Barrister Babu

Chapter 4: Lifeless Haveli

"This is Chameli, my best friend," Bondita introduced Chameli to everyone. "And Chameli, this is my kakasasurji, Patibabu, and Batuk."

Chameli greeted them and took Ksj's blessings.

"Oh, Chameli? I have heard a lot about you from Bondita in her letters. Thank you for being there for her," said Anirudh.

"I should thank Bondita in fact. She was there for me all the time," said Chameli.

"Anyway, we should freshen up," suggested Bondita. "Come, Chameli, I will show you your room."

Bondita took Chameli to a guest room. "Here, you can stay here from now on."

"Bahuraniji," Bihari spoke from behind, carrying the luggage. "Where should I keep these?"

"There," she pointed at one corner.

Once he was done, Bondita and Bihari got out of the room and were walking in the hallway.

Bondita turned to Bihari. "Bhari babu, how are you? I couldn't talk much that time because Patibabu was busy treating my wounds."

"I am good, bahuraniji, and now that you are here, all will be even better," Bihari said with a smile.

"By the way, bahuraniji, where will I keep your belongings?"

"Obviously in my room," she said in an obvious tone.

"Not at all," Trilochan spoke from behind.

"Kakasasurji..."

"Bahu, you are an adult now. You and Anirudh should stay in one room now."

"But Patibabu won't agree," she said firmly.

"Areh... at least talk to him about it. Hear what he wishes to say," said Ksj.

Bondita nodded. "Okay, I will talk after freshening up. For now, keep my belongings in my room, Bhari Babu."

###

Bondita freshened up and wore a lavender-colored sari. She wore heavy jewelry and covered her head. She was finally looking like a Roy Chawdhary bahu—as her Ksj would say.

She filled her hairline with the vermillion. "I dream that one day you would fill my hairline like this, Patibabu but I know that day is way far away."

She covered her sadness with a smile and made her way to the kitchen. Koyeli was making dinner.

"Koyeli Didi, can I help?"

Koyeli was startled at the voice. "Bahuraniji, you scared me."

"Sorry, sorry." Bondita took some vegetables and started chopping them to help Koyeli.

"I am so happy you are back, bahuraniji. This haveli is lifeless without you."

"Accha?" Bondita was curious. "So what happened behind my back?"

"Bade Malik does puja alone. Every day he argues with Keth Malik to get married to someone," informed Koyeli.

"Does Keth Dada agree?"

Koyeli shook her head. "Keth Malik refuses all the time. Batuk Malik still does pranks and gets scolded by Barrister Babu. Somnath Malik is always busy studying."

"What about sasurji?"

"He barely comes home. Earlier he used to come during festivals but when you went away, he even lessened that."

"What about Patibabu?" She turned her head to look at Koyeli. "Does he get angry all the time and argue with Kakasasurji?"

"No. Barrister Babu is always busy with work. He has a lot of clients in court and when the office hour ends, other clients come to the haveli to make an appointment. He barely has time to rest. He is always engrossed in work."

Bondita's heart was wrenched at that. "Did he used to eat on time?"

Koyeli again shook her head. "He only drinks coffee all the time and one meal a day. Dinner is the only time he actually eats. Other times, I never saw him eating at home so I don't know."

"Koyeli, coffee!" Anirudh hollered.

"Ji, Barrister Babu!" Koyeli replied and was about to get up to make coffee but Bondita stopped her.

"I will make his coffee, Koyeli Didi, don't worry." Bondita handed the chopped vegetables to her. "Here, take these."

Koyeli continued doing her work.

Bondita made a hot cup of coffee and made her way to the study.

The study's door was closed so Bondita sucked in a deep breath.

"You got this, Bondita," she muttered and knocked on the door three times.

Anirudh knew who it was on the doorstep at that instant.

Precap:

"Then let's talk, Bondita."

"So you decided to never inform me about this?"

He gulped.

"So I can bother you but you can't? You are giving me my rights, but what about your rights?"