Barrister Babu

Chapter 38: Bhukkad Wife

It was almost time for dinner, but it seemed like nobody was hungry, except Keth and Mala.

"Bondita, won't dinner be served today?" Keth asked Bondita, who just got out of the kitchen.

"It's ready, Keth Dada. I was about to call everyone for dinner," she responded and looked at Mala, wearing Bondita's saree. "Kakasasurji will call the saree-wala tomorrow. You can have your own saree collection soon, don't worry," she informed her.

Mala nodded. "You call others and I will serve the food then."

Bondita nodded but Trilochan interrupted, making his way to them. "Mala bahu, you cannot step into the kitchen until your pehli rasoi, nor can Chameli bahu. Tomorrow both of you will have your pehli rasoi and only then you two can step inside."

"Then Bondita, you can serve the food while Mala goes to call everyone," Keth suggested and Bondita nodded.

Trilochan and Keth were sitting in the dining room, waiting for others as Bondita served food.

"Keth, now what will you do?" Trilochan inquired. "I mean, you have two wives so... how will you divide your time?"

"It's simple, Baba. Three days I will stay with Chameli and three days with Mala," Keth let out, nonchalantly. "They will have their individual rooms and when it's their time of the week, they will come to my room for those days only."

"What about the one extra day?" Trilochan asked again.

"It will depend on my mood."

Bondita scrunched her nose in disgust. She felt the conversation was downright disgusting. Her Keth Dada was literally thinking it was normal.

"I will go and wash my hand," Keth excused himself, leaving Bondita and Trilochan alone.

"Bahu..." Trilochan called and Bondita turned to him, waiting for him to continue. "I am sorry." He folded his hands in front of her.

Bondita's heart clenched at that. "Why are you apologizing?" She stopped Trilochan from folding his hands.

"I don't know, Bahu. I know that multiple marriages aren't wrong in our society, but I am feeling guilty. I am feeling that it's so wrong. But he is my son. What can I do?"

Bondita just shot a small smile at Trilochan, her heart melting at his words. If Trilochan was feeling what Keth did was wrong, it meant that he was accepting the changes. That's what Anirudh meant, right? Changes start from the family.

"It's okay, Kakasasurji. It's not your fault."

"How is Chameli bahu?"

"She is trying to be okay," she informed Trilochan.

On the other hand, Mala knocked on Batuk's room at first. Batuk asked, "Who is it?"

"Batuk..." hearing Mala's voice, Batuk became quiet.

Mala knocked a few times more until Batuk hollered, "Not interested!"

Sighing, Mala went to Som's room. Som initially was shocked hearing everything, but he knew there was nothing he could do. So he just accepted that, making a mental note to never be like Keth.

"I will be there in a minute, Mala Boudi," Som told her.

Boudi — Mala felt proud of that title. "Please call Batuk too. He didn't open his door for me." Mala made a mental note to complain to Keth about it to give an earful to Batuk.

Som nodded as Mala went to Chameli's room. She knocked and didn't hear a response so went inside either way.

Mala found Chameli sitting in front of the dressing table, brushing her hair mindlessly.