Barrister Babu

Chapter 23: No Jinx

Anirudh and Som were chilling at the terrace, with some snacks.

"Shouldn't we call Batuk too?" Anirudh suggested.

"Dada, I don't think he will come. He would prefer to stay with Boudi and Chameli Didi and hear gossips. He thinks we only talk about stuff which are 'boring' according to him."

Anirudh laughed at Som's words. "Still, if we don't inform him once, he will create a drama in front of Bondita and make me get scolded."

Som chuckled. "Fine. Let me send Bihari to inform Batuk."

###

Chameli, Bondita, and Batuk were in Chameli's room.

"So finally, Kakasasurji agreed. You will be my jethani, Chameli," Bondita teased.

"And I will have another boudi!" Batuk chimed in. "Chameli Didi, please take my support like my boudi always, okay? You can scold me in private but in front of everyone else, take my stand."

Bondita slapped Batuk's head slightly. "How long will I keep defending you? When will you stop making mistakes, Batuk?"

Chameli looked at the boudi-devar duo in amusement.

"Uffo Boudi, I never make mistakes. It's just that everyone thinks what I do is wrong, especially Anirudh Dada."

"You are saying that Patibabu scolds you for no reason?" she asked sharply.

Batuk instantly shook his head. "No, no. I know Dada is right but he should be a bit soft to this young, poor, innocent, polite younger brother."

"He is soft to that brother—Som!" she teased and Batuk pouted, feeling offended.

Chameli ended up laughing. "You two have such a nice bond! But don't worry Batuk, I will take your side too."

"Yes!" He got happy at that, until something struck in his mind and he gulped, shifting his gaze to Bondita. "Boudi..."

Bondita narrowed her eyes. "What is it? What did you do?"

"Umm... my college dean wanted to meet you... tomorrow..."

"Batuk, this is not a school that teachers will call your guardian. What did you do?" she asked seriously. "Also, why does he want to meet me? Your Dada is your guardian."

"Umm... the dean knows you returned after getting your degree so he wants to meet the first lady barrister of Tulsipur?" he replied, more like he was trying to find a suitable response.

Bondita sighed and shook her head. "If you don't wish to tell me the entire truth, I will send your dada tomorrow."

Batuk's eyes grew as wide as saucers. "No, no, boudi, please. Don't send Dada! He will tell the dean to rusticate me from the college."

"Then just tell her the truth," Chameli uttered, fully listening to their conversation.

"I... failed the mid terms. So they want to meet someone from my family and discuss whether I should sit for the finals or drop a semester," he said, lowering his gaze in guilt. "I couldn't keep track of the syllabus and I had so much studying left. It was hard to cover up. I did try though, shotti."

Bondita felt bad for him, but she told him, "Why do you want to trap me, Batuk? Just tell your Dada honestly that you failed and let him handle this. If he learns I went without even informing him, he will get furious."

"Only you can save me from his wrath, Boudi. I will try my best and score a lot in the finals." He pinched his throat and said once again, "Shotti."

Feeling the sincerity, she said, "Fine. But I won't lie to your Dada." When Batuk's face fell again, Bondita patted his head saying, "However, I will save you from him. So now cheer up, Chote Zamindar!"

A wide grin appeared on his face.

Chameli realized by seeing them what Trilochan meant; Bondita had a really special position and there's no way she could take it. She wouldn't even try to. She promised to build her own position.

It was when Bihari came and said, "Barrister Babu called Batuk Malik on the terrace."

The color drained from Batuk's face as he looked at Bondita with fear. "Boudi, did the dean already call Dada and inform everything? Did Dada call me to the terrace so that he can just push me off the terrace as a punishment and end my chapter permanently?"

Bondita rolled her eyes. "It's nothing like that, Batuk. Patibabu might have called you for a random chat."

"No, Boudi, Dada's calls are like the call of the night spirits. When I respond to it, it never goes well."

Chameli chuckled. "Anirudh Babu is not like that at all. Am I right, Bondita?"

"Exactly," Bondita mumbled. "Now go to him. Nothing will happen."

"I won't go alone, Boudi. You come with me." Batuk glanced at Chameli. "Chameli Didi, you also come with me. Extra protection is always appreciated if by any chance Dada silences Boudi with an oath or something."

Bondita, knowing Batuk wouldn't listen, agreed to tag along and so did Chameli.

The three of them stepped into the terrace only to find Anirudh and Som chatting and enjoying themselves.

"So there's a party going on and we weren't even invited," Bondita teased as the two brothers glanced at them.

"Bondita, Chameli? You two are free to join." Anirudh noticed Batuk peeking from behind Bondita. "Batuk, why are you hiding behind your boudi? I called you here to chill with us, not to scold you."

Batuk instantly stood in front and smiled. "So I am here to not get an earful?"

Anirudh chuckled. "No. Unless, you did something to deserve that?"

He shook his head. "No, no, Dada. I did nothing."

"Boudis', please take a seat," Som said and Chameli sat next to Som, while Bondita sat between Anirudh and Batuk. "You don't mind if I already start calling you boudi, do you?" he asked Chameli.

"No, Som, I don't mind," she smiled warmly.

"That's great!" said Batuk. "I will call her boudi too then."

Anirudh pursed his lips. "Should I start calling Chameli boudi as well?"

A gasp escaped from Chameli's lips. "No, no, Anirudh Babu. Please call me Chameli. I am like your younger sister so please treat me like that. Not like a boudi."

"You tell me to treat you like a younger sister, yet you call me Anirudh Babu. How's that fair?" Anirudh pointed out.

"I am sorry, Anirudh Dada," Chameli corrected and everyone smiled.

Chameli already started blending in and she was happy that people were accepting her as a family member. She felt blessed and hoped nobody jinxed her happiness. 

A/N: Next update when there's at least 5 comments.