Barrister Babu

Chapter 26: Jumping to Conclusions

Bondita stepped inside the study with Batuk following her—more like trying to hide.

"Patibabu..." she uttered softly.

Anirudh was engrossed in reading a file. "Yes, Bondita? Did you need something?" he asked, not even sparing a glance at her.

"Umm... I wanted to talk to you about something." He stayed silent so she sucked in a deep breath and said, "Patibabu, today I went to Batuk's college to meet his dean. He—" she was cut off by Anirudh, who closed the file and stood up.

"You thought you would handle this all alone and then tell me as if it's a damn bedtime story?" he spat out as he took large steps toward them. "If the dean didn't even call me, would you have ever told me the actual truth?"

"I would have, Patibabu. I—"

"Lies!" he shouted, making Batuk jump in fear. "And you! Why are you hiding behind your boudi? If you commit a crime, have the courage to admit it!" he taunted Batuk.

This time, Bondita said, "Patibabu, he is guilty. He couldn't keep up the pace. He tried and ended up failing. But he promised me he would give his best this time."

Anirudh let out a humorless chuckle. "Is his promise the same as yours when you promised to never lie to me after that Brijwasi incident?"

Bondita felt a sharp pain in her chest at his words. "You are comparing this with Brijwasi?" hurt lingered in her voice.

Anirudh closed his eyes and let out, "You lied at that time too and it led you to hiramandi."

"Dada..." Batuk stopped hiding and stepped up. "Please, don't say that to Boudi. It wasn't her fault that day nor it is today."

"Leave it, Batuk," Bondita said as her eyes became watery. She walked to Anirudh. "You know what led me to hiramandi? It was because you didn't let me explain myself that day and the same thing is what you are doing today."

This time, Anirudh's heart clenched. He hated seeing tears in her eyes, but he was angry at her. "You should've informed me about it, Bondita, instead of going behind my back. I deserved to know this! I am his guardian!"

"And I am his boudi!" she argued back.

"You made a mistake so you should admit it, Bondita. You are playing the reverse card here?" he asked in disbelief. "You are also covering up for him. Is that why you became a barrister? To save the criminals?"

Bondita felt offended at his words. She clenched her fist. "Batuk is not a criminal! You cannot question my profession like that just because I secretly went to his college. He didn't commit a crime. He just failed an exam. It can happen to anyone!"

"Not to anyone! It happens to those who don't study properly and that is what Batuk did. He didn't study!" He turned to Batuk. "Why didn't you study, Batuk? How could you fail?!" Anirudh yelled at him, making Batuk jump in fear slightly again.

"Dada...I..." he gulped in fear. He felt like he could cry at that moment.

"Patibabu..." Bondita got silent with the glare she received from him.

"Just because you think we have money, you can enjoy your college life and not study at all?" he started scolding Batuk. "Just try to earn money once and you will realize how hard it is. If you don't study, how can you get a degree and do a respectable job? Look at Som! He is studying to be a doctor so sincerely! Can't you learn something from him?"

Batuk lowered his gaze at the comparison as he clenched his fist. Again! Comparison with Som Dada! He hated that.

"If you don't want to study, just tell me now. I don't want our money to be wasted on YOUR education an—"

"Enough, Patibabu!" Bondita spoke up. She shifted her gaze to Batuk. "Go to your room, Batuk."

Without a word, Batuk dashed out of the study.

"What is this, Bondita? Why do you always save him?" Anirudh argued. "It's due to you that he takes nothing seriously. You spoiled him!"

"Acha? I spoiled him? You are the one always demotivating him!"

"If he does such things, what do you expect me to say? 'Shabash, Batuk, I am proud of you. Keep it up?' Is this what I should say?"

Bondita chuckled humorlessly. "When have you ever said that to him?" This time, Anirudh became silent. "You never appreciated him. He has talents. He makes sculptures—really beautiful ones. But everyone compelled him to study business. When have you ever asked what he wishes? You think he doesn't know what he wants to do with his life, but he does. He wants to become a sculptor," a tear slid through her eyes.

"He never told me," he breathed out.

"That's because he didn't get the courage. Everyone forced him to study business. I told Batuk to talk to you but he was scared. Do you know why? Because you never appreciated him and always scolded him."

Anirudh felt guilty at that.

She continued, "I told him that I would talk to you but he stopped me because I wasn't there to protect him from your wrath as I was away. What if you scolded him in my absence after learning the truth?"

"He should've just told me," Anirudh mumbled. "But there's still time. It's only the first year of college. He can get a degree in Arts."

"It's up to you now. I did my part." Bondita wiped her tears and he noticed now that she was crying. "Also, Patibabu, I wanted to tell you everything last night but I fell asleep and today I didn't want to ruin your mood in the early morning. I had no intention to hide this. Shotti." She pinched her throat with her watery eyes.

"Bondita..." He reached out to cup her face but she took a step backward.

"Some things never change. You never listen to the full story from me and jump to conclusions. This is what hurts me the most," with that, Bondita ran out of the study.

"Bondita!" he called out but it was futile.

He just banged his hand on the table. "Why do I end up hurting her?" He banged his hand again.

A/N: Next update when there's at least 15 comments.