Barrister Babu

Chapter 39: A Chance, Right?

Mala returned to the dining table to find everyone there.

"Where is Anirudh? Did you not call him?" Keth asked Mala.

"Uh... I did, but he said he wasn't hungry," Mala responded.

Bondita and Chameli finished serving everyone.

"Boudi, you go and call him," Batuk urged but Bondita knew Anirudh didn't want to see Keth.

So she said, "Let it be, Batuk. I will take his food to him later."

"Haan, haan," Trilochan agreed. "Bahu, you sit."

Mala was about to sit next to Keth and so was Chameli, but Keth instantly let out, "Baba was telling Bondita, not you two."

Everyone became quiet in the dining room until Trilochan cleared his throat and said, "I was telling all of my bahus."

"No, Baba. Why will Mala and Chameli sit and eat with us? They are the daughter-in-laws of this house. Women should eat only after men," Keth pointed out.

Bondita clenched her fist but tried to remain calm. "Keth Dada, even I eat with you all. Does it mean I am not a daughter-in-law of this house?"

Keth sighed. "Look, Bondita, you are the daughter of this house. You are my sister. Besides, your husband has no problem with you sitting and eating with us, that's why you can. But I don't want my wives to break the societal traditions."

"That's double standards," Batuk couldn't help but mutter.

Keth squinted his eyes in anger. "How dare you, Batuk?!"

"Why are you scolding Batuk?" came Anirudh's voice as he stepped inside.

"He is talking back!" Keth complained to Anirudh.

"So what, Dada?" Anirudh shrugged.

"Talking back is bad manners," Keth grunted.

"Our law gives every individual their freedom of speech," Anirudh sharply announced and it silenced Keth.

Anirudh pulled a chair for Bondita. "Come and sit," he said to her.

Bondita hesitated as her eyes travelled to Chameli and Mala, who were standing in one corner. The food wouldn't even go down her throat at the thought that they were just gonna stand and watch everyone eat.

"Uh... Patibabu... I will eat later," she said softly.

Anirudh arched an eyebrow. "Why is that?" He missed the actual scene and only heard Keth and Batuk's argument.

"I will eat with Chameli and Mala," she told him and he finally glanced at Mala and Chameli standing.

"Why will they eat later? Why not just sit with us?" Anirudh inquired.

Batuk felt it was the perfect time for him to speak, so he said, "Because Keth Dada thinks his wives should eat only after he finished his meal."

Hearing Batuk's words, Anirudh's jaw clenched. "Why is that, Dada?" He turned to Keth, his eyes holding rage.

"Look, Anirudh. Our thinking is not alike. I want my wives to eat only after I eat. What's wrong with that?"

"What's wrong?" Anirudh let out a humorless chuckle. "If only you could see what's wrong, then maybe all of these wouldn't even have happened."

"Please, Anirudh. I am not in a mood to argue with you, unlike you, who is ready to argue all the time. Let me eat in peace," Keth muttered and continued eating.

"Fine," Anirudh said and got up.

"Where are you going, beta?" Trilochan asked.

"Unlike my beloved brother, I will eat only when my wife eats. So I will wait," Anirudh replied with a fake smile.