When Anirudh Roy Chowdhary, a twenty-one year old barrister, who is the eldest son of a rich family of landlords, returned to India abruptly after completing his graduation from London, for improving the conditions of women in India, to change the o...
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The next morning when Krishnanagar was still not fully ready for the day, I made my way towards Bondita's room in the Das haweli with a plate of her favourite masala pooris and a cup of hot tea. The corridor was filled with a pleasant sound whose source was later discovered to be the gramophone in Bondita's room. With every step I took, the sound became clearer and meaningful.
(O king of dance/ drama; the most handsome one; the one who has lifted the hill...
Radha Rani is looking for your arrival....)//
The chant repeated again and again, elevating my spirits, while also hinting at Bondita's mood.
"Your wait is over sakhi.", I spoke to the Bondita residing within me and knocked three times on the door of her room.
Bondita opened the door and glared at me from top to bottom with annoyance.
//Kishori praananathaya aanandakari...
Radha Rani, baat thake tihari....
(O the beloved of Radha, the cause of her happiness...
Radha Rani is waiting for your arrival....)//
"Who are you? And why did you knock the door three times?", she angrily questioned.
//Natnagar mohan giridhari.....
The lord of drama, the handsome one...//
I smiled as an answer, feeling elated for finally being able to see her after three days.
"What makes you smile?', she snapped at me, "Who are you?"
// Natnagar mohan giridhari...
Kishori praananathaya aanandakari...//
"Your beloved...", I replied, much to her annoyance.
Bondita did not feel like wasting another moment on me and decided to close the door only to be stopped by me.
"Madam, please don't close the doors on my face", I said, "I came from a long distance only for you."
"But I don't even know who you are!"
// Natnagar mohan giridhari...
Radha Rani baat thake tihari..//
"Let me come inside, will you?"
Bondita stepped aside, giving me way. I entered the room without wasting a minute and bolted the door behind me. A perplexed Bondita stood figuring out who this strange creature was.
