Barrister Babu

Chapter 49: Who Hurt Bondita?

"Are you comfortable?" Som asked Chandni after they got into their cabin on the train.

"Yes, Bondita Didi's Devar." Chandni was sitting on one bed, while Som sat on the bed opposite hers. She glanced at him, only to find him lost in some thoughts.

"She will be alright, don't worry," her words brought him out of the trance.

"Huh?" he asked, confused.

She smiled at him. "Bondita Didi. You are worried about her, aren't you?"

He was astonished as to how she could guess his inner thoughts. She was definitely a smart woman. That's why his Anirudh Dada was right — education makes women even stronger than they already are.

"Anirudh Dada went to her. So why are you tense now?" she inquired.

Som inhaled a deep breath and sighed. "You are right. Boudi will be okay. But..."

"But what?"

"I am worried about Dada."

Chandni furrowed her brows in confusion. What was there to worry about Anirudh Dada, after all? She didn't know.

"Anyway," Som let out, not wanting to bother her with his thoughts anymore, "so how are you feeling now? You are on level one on the way to fulfill your dream."

"I am very excited!" Chandni said, her eyes glinting in excitement. "Do you know? I am already picturing myself being a famous singer. I just can't wait. In fact, I am glad that I was born in this era, the era of the great Barrister Anirudh and Barrister Bondita Roy Chawdhary! If I had been born before them, I would've been stuck with the typical life of a woman in our society."

A gentle smile formed on his lips, watching her talk so admiringly about his Dada and Boudi. Why was this girl so adorable? He had no idea.

So Chandni kept talking for hours, while Som listened intently. He had no idea she could talk this much — not that he was complaining.

However, in his heart, he was hoping his Dada and Boudi were alright.

###

"How dare you all?!" Anirudh yelled, clenching his fist in anger.

"Anirudh," Trilochan heaved a sigh in relief, seeing him.

The villagers became quiet as Bondita ran to him.

"Patibabu, if you are here, then who's with—"

"Som," he managed to say and took a look at his beloved wife's face. That was when he saw the blood on Bondita's forehead. "Bondita... how..."

He gently touched her forehead, only to see her wince in pain. But she was silent and her watery eyes were only looking into his concerned ones.

The tears in her eyes... That was it.

Anirudh connected the dots.

"I will ask this one damn time," he said coldly, turning to the villagers. "Who hurt my wife?" His chilling voice sent shivers down everybody's spines.

Nobody said anything. All averted their gazes. No matter what, nobody wanted to face the wrath of Barrister Babu.

Jaswant finally decided to change the topic and said, "Barrister Babu, where is my daughter?"

Anirudh shot him a sharp glare. "So this is what all this fiasco is about, right?" He took a step toward Jaswant. "I will answer all your questions if you tell me who hurt my wife."

Jaswant looked at the woman who was the first one to throw a stone. The woman covered her face with her pallu and shook her head slightly, requesting Jaswant not to mention her name.

"I don't know, Barrister Babu," Jaswant let out.

"Acha?" Anirudh arched an eyebrow, looking as cold as ever. "Then I don't know where your daughter is either." He entwined his hand with Bondita's. "Chalo, Bondita."

The moment they were about to enter the haveli, they were stopped by Jaswant's words.

"Barrister Babu, you cannot do this!" Jaswant finally said. "Please tell me where my beloved daughter is!"

"Did you tell me who hurt my wife?" Anirudh let out a humorless chuckle. "I offered you a deal, Jaswant Kaka. You didn't fulfill your end, so I won't either. Keep searching for your daughter blindly."

"Now where are those villagers who were pointing fingers at my family? Why are you all quiet now?" Batuk burst out.

"It seems everyone became quiet once Anirudh appeared," Keth spoke up. "What is this double standard? If you have a problem, speak now."

"Yes," Trilochan chimed in. "Anirudh is here. You all wanted my Anirudh, right? Now, talk."

"If anyone wants to say anything, come to my office tomorrow," Anirudh said to the villagers. "I will sort everything out. But now, I have to attend to my injured wife."

Bondita was surprised enough that no words left her mouth. What happened to her patibabu? Why was he behaving so calmly even though he seemed angry?

Meanwhile, Mala was watching everything with confusion. It was the first time she was seeing Barrister Babu so worked up. Did seeing Bondita injured a bit trigger him so much?

Chameli was still crying at the fiasco. Crowds scared her and the way Anirudh was screaming also made her jump in fear.

"This woman, Barrister Babu!" Jaswant pointed to the woman who threw the first stone on Bondita. "She was the one who started throwing stones at Bondita Malkin."

The woman gulped in fear as Anirudh looked at her, leaving Bondita's hand.

"Barrister Babu, I..." she couldn't even speak further as Anirudh called out.

"Bihari!"

Bihari dashed out in a second. "Ji, Barrister Babu?"

"Bring the gun." 

A/N: Thank you for reading! Next update when there's atleast 20 comments.