Barrister Babu

Chapter 17: Not Talking

Anirudh drove the car quietly as Bondita was silent too. They were on their way to the court.

"So... from today, you will be in my office as my assistant lawyer. I hope you remember that," he started a conversation.

Bondita nodded.

"When you want to go home, inform me. I will drop you, okay?"

She nodded again.

"So how long will this continue?" Anirudh sighed. "I understood your words and now I am trying to work on it. Shotti."

The sincerity in his voice melted Bondita. She turned toward the window as a subtle smile appeared on her lips.

Hearing no response again, he continued, "Although, I didn't understand one thing last night. What did you mean by my brothers' safety?"

She sharply looked at him, her smile vanished. "You know what I meant."

Realizing that, he immediately shook his head. "No, Bondita, Mala isn't like that. If you are worried that she will lure any of my brothers for wealth, then you are wrong here."

"But we shouldn't take a risk. Besides, she's single and a widow—" she was instantly cut off by Anirudh.

"What's this, Bondita? Widow, widow, widow—why are you thinking so lowly of them? I believe Mala has the potential to be an independent woman like you." Anirudh was triggered by Bondita's constant complaint of being a widow.

Bondita gaped at him hearing the accusation. "I am thinking lowly? You didn't even hear me fully and jumped to conclusions." She crossed her arms against her chest and let out a humorless chuckle. "Since you are jumping to conclusions, what if I do the same?"

"What do you mean?" he asked, confused.

"You are saying Mala has the potential to be like me, is it just because I was a widow like her?"

Anirudh pulled the brakes and the car came to a stop instantly. He gritted his teeth. "When did I say that?"

"I jumped to a baseless conclusion like you did," she stated casually.

"Bondita," Anirudh leaned closer to her, still being a bit angry, "Listen to me. I don't want you to ever even remember that you were married before you got married to me. You only had one marriage that too with me. You don't even remember the first one."

Right, I was drugged, she reminded herself.

"And I am sorry for jumping to conclusions like that," his anger disappeared as he whispered slowly.

Bondita's breath hitched at the closeness.

"I am sorry too," she managed to let out. "But remember, I am not a child anymore that you can just impose the decisions on me."

He nodded as he caressed her cheeks. "I am aware of that, Barrister Babu," he muttered and glanced at her lips.

Their lips were just a few inches apart and Anirudh wanted to close the gap, but he wasn't sure whether Bondita wanted that or not.

Bondita's heart was racing hard. She wanted to feel his lips on hers.

Much to her disappointment, Anirudh moved away and started driving the car again.

Bondita's cheeks were flushed red as she glanced outside again.

"Patibabu," she spoke up, making Anirudh hum in response. Anirudh himself could still feel his fast heartbeats. "A widow does feel single after losing her husband recently and during that time, they might get attached to other men—married or not. Nowadays, many women woo men for money and I have seen the opposite too in London. I am worried that Barsha Kaki might end up like my mami and manipulate Mala. She is in a delicate phase so she can easily be manipulated. That's what I meant by what about your brothers' safety because what if she gets greedy? I am not saying she will be, it's just a small possibility."

Anirudh understood her point. He had to make sure that Mala and her mother got out of the RC territory before that slight possibility turned true.

"I understand, Bondita," he said and turned to her. A sly smile appeared on his lips as he uttered, "By the way, I missed hearing this since last night."

"Hearing what?" She arched an eyebrow, confused.

"Patibabu."

###

Chameli was walking in the hallway, on her way to her room.

All of a sudden, someone pulled her to one corner and caged her in between his arms.

"Keth Babu!" Chameli gasped while Keth admired her beauty. "Leave my hand! What are you doing? Someone will see us." Fear was evident in her eyes.

"Let them. I don't care. Why aren't you talking to me?" He leaned closer to her, pushing a few strands of her hair behind her ear.