Barrister Babu

Chapter 25: Gondogol

"Bondita, are you ready? We need to go to the court," Anirudh announced as Bondita got out of the kitchen with Trilochan's jaggery tea, Anirudh's coffee, and Batuk's hot chocolate. They were in the living room.

Som already had breakfast and left for his college.

"Bondita, I could've helped you," Chameli approached her and tried to take the tray but Bondita shook her head with a smile.

"You will have plenty of time in the future to help me, so now relax," she said and handed a cup of tea to Chameli as well.

Bondita handed Batuk his drink and he whispered, "Boudi... the dean..."

She reassured him with her eyes and served Trilochan the jaggery tea.

"Actually, Patibabu, I don't want to come to the court today," Bondita started nervously as she gave him his coffee.

"Why is that?" He looked at her from head to toe; she was ready to go out it seemed.

"Actually, I will help Kakasasurji with the wedding arrangements today. We have a short time and the functions will start the day after tomorrow. At first, there will be mehendi, then sangeet, then haldi and then shaadi. So I can't stay at the court all day, now can I?"

Anirudh nodded, understanding the situation. "But you can take a leave from tomorrow until the wedding. Even I will take half day leaves. Why don't you come today and wrap up the new case I told you to assist me with?" he suggested.

"No, Dada, Boudi has a lot of work. Right, Kaka?" Batuk chimed in and shifted his gaze to Trilochan, who was enjoying his jaggery tea.

All eyes fell on him, so Trilochan stopped drinking and grumbled, "Nobody lets me enjoy my tea in peace." Then he glanced at Bondita, who requested him to support her with her eyes. "Yes, I need Bahu to help me. There's so many arrangements."

Anirudh noticed everything and found something suspicious. He agreed nonetheless. "Fine. I will go to the court then." He finished his coffee and walked to the study to grab some papers.

"Boudi, let's go before Dada asks more questions. Kaka, boudi will drop me to my college today," Batuk announced and Trilochan hummed in response as he enjoyed his jaggery tea in peace, or so he thought.

"Chameli, Patibabu's lunch is packed and kept on the table. Please hand it to him as he leaves, okay?" Bondita said as Batuk almost dragged her with him in a hurry.

As soon as they got out, Anirudh came to the living room. "Where is Batuk?" he inquired.

"He went to college, Dada," Chameli responded. "Your lunch is kept on the table. Shall I bring it for you?"

She stood up but Anirudh said, "No need. I am also not going to the court today."

Color drained away from Chameli's face. "You are not going?" If he wasn't going, he would figure out Bondita went to Batuk's college for a reason. Then he would erupt like a volcano in anger. So she ended up asking, "Why?"

He looked at her in amusement. "What do you mean by why? I figured out that since there are a lot of preparations to be done, so I might help as well."

"Barrister Babu!" Bihari rushed to Anirudh as he called his name.

"Bihari, careful. What's the rush?"

"Barrister Babu, there is a phone call from you. The caller said that he is Batuk Malik's den."

Anirudh furrowed his brows. "Den? Oh, you mean the dean? Why will he call me at this hour?" he wondered as he walked to the telephone.

Chameli just gulped in fear. "Bondita...Batuk...you two are dead."

###

Bondita got home with a chirpy Batuk.

"Thank you for requesting, Boudi. I promise, I will pass with flying colors in the next exam."

Bondita smiled at him but her heart was feeling uneasy. She had no idea why she was feeling that.

The RC haveli was awfully quiet. Wedding decorations were going on so it was supposed to be a chaotic environment.

"Koyeli didi, where is Kakasasurji?" Bondita inquired when he spotted Koyeli, who was keeping an eye on the decorations.

"Bahuraniji, Bade Malik went shopping with Bihari," she responded politely and continued her work.

"Chameli Boudi, why is your face not glowing much?" Batuk asked when he noticed Chameli sitting at one corner, tearing some flower petals, lost in thoughts. She was thinking about her past and how she would tell the truth to Keth.

Batuk's voice brought her out of her trance. "Batuk? Bondita? You two are back. Great!"

"Yes. All is sorted and the dean agreed to give Batuk another chance," Bondita chirped.

Chameli smiled widely but it fell from her face instantly. "Bondita, Anirudh Dada didn't go to the court today."

Bondita's face turned pale and so did Batuk's. "What?" both of them asked in unison.

"He wanted to help with the wedding preparation today and then he got a call from Batuk's dean."

Batuk felt that his soul left his body the moment Chameli said that.

Meanwhile, Bondita slapped her forehead. "Hogaya gondogol!" 

A/N: Next update when there's at least 10 comments.