Barrister Babu

Chapter 18: Chandni

"You didn't even answer me after my confession. You just ran inside and ignored me since then," Keth complained.

Chameli tried to wriggle free from his grip. "Keth Babu, we can talk somewhere else about this. Please leave my hand."

"I need an answer, Chameli." He was adamant. "Today Pandit Moor will come and bring proposals for me. I need an answer from you before that."

Chameli looked into his eyes. "I don't know my answer yet. It's just too early."

Keth was displeased at her answer. "So you are saying you feel nothing for me?"

Chameli lowered her gaze shyly. "I didn't say that. It's just too soon to claim it as love."

"Marry me, Chameli," Keth urged. "You can take all the time in the world to fall in love with me after our marriage. I promise, I will respect and treat you as a wife deserves to be."

"But I have flaws so I cannot be a perfect wife, I fear," Chameli pointed out.

"I will even guide you to be a perfect wife, I promise, Chameli," he said with full determination. "If you don't know any household chores, that's fine too. Bondita will teach you. I just need you to marry me."

Chameli asked hesitantly, "You really mean it?"

He nodded. "I do."

"Will you love me like Anirudh Babu does to Bondita?"

He nodded once again.

"Then I am willing to marry you, Keth Babu."

###

Som just got out of the college and decided to take a stroll in the nearby park.

As he was walking, he heard someone humming a soothing song.

He turned to the direction from where the sound was coming from and saw a beautiful girl, singing with her eyes closed.

"Dada, if you like her singing so much, then go and tell her," Batuk whispered all of a sudden, startling Som.

"What the hell, Batuk? How come you are here?"

Batuk shrugged. "Kaka sent me to bring you home. He wants all of us to be there when Pandit Moor comes."

"Did Anirudh Dada agree?" Som arched an eyebrow.

"That's Boudi's responsibility," mumbled Batuk and turned to that singer girl. "She is pretty. Dada, go and compliment her."

"What?" Som asked in disbelief. "Have you gone crazy, Batuk?"

"Oh, please, Dada, if you don't go yourself then I will have to take the matter in my hands."

"No, no, Batuk, I won't g—"

Batuk pushed Som to that girl's direction, making Som bump into her.

The girl opened her eyes in surprise.

Som moved back and raised his hands in surrender. "I am so sorry. I just slipped and bumped with you. It wasn't intentional, shotti."

"Shotti?" the girl mumbled and he nodded like an obedient boy. ""That reminds me of someone. Do you know Bondita Roy Chawdhary by any chance?"

Som raised his eyebrows. "How do you know my Boudi?"

A big grin appeared on her face. "Boudi? My idol is your Boudi? Oh, my God. How is Bondita Didi? I heard she returned from London."

Som didn't expect the conversation to go that way at all nor did Batuk, who was secretly overhearing them.

"She is fine. I am glad to know that your idol is my boudi." His chest filled with pride. "She became a barrister like my Dada."

"That's great! Can you pass on a message to her on my behalf, please?" When he nodded, she further spoke, "Tell her that Chandni is finally going to give her final exams. She is thankful that due to Bondita Didi, her parents allowed her to finish school. Also, tell her to continue praying for me."

"Why don't you say that yourself?" Som inquired curiously.

Chandni's face fell instantly. "I would, but my exams will start from tomorrow so today is my last day of independence."

"You can meet her after your exams end then," he pointed out.

A small smile appeared on her lips. "I wish. My Baba and Maa fixed my marriage with a guy and just the day I finish my last exam, I will get married."

A frown appeared on his face. "If you aren't happy with this marriage, you can just break it off."

"No, I don't want to. My parents fulfilled my wish and gave me an education so it's my duty to fulfill their wish now." Chandni took a look at her wristwatch. "I should go home and study now. I got out on the excuse of buying a new book at the last minute."

She picked up the bag and walked away, leaving Som, who watched her.

"Dada, you didn't even give her the compliment!" Batuk grumbled, scaring Som again.

"Batuk, stop appearing out of nowhere!"

Batuk seemed unbothered. "Let's go home now otherwise Kaka will kill me."