Barrister Babu

Chapter 3

Bondita sat cross-legged on the floor,she clutched a bag's handle and shook it lightly,"All packed now."
A giddy smile played on her lips as she looked around the room one last time.The room looked oddly big now-emptier somehow.
Bondita hugged the bag, resting her chin on top of it,'I should be thinking about what to say when I meet ma… but instead....i.....'Her cheeks flushed,"Uff! Bondita,tu vhi na.....".
She peeked toward the half-open door. From where she sat,she could hear her patibabu's voice faintly-he was speaking to Bhari babu,'One day at a time Bondita.One step, one change at a time.'

Bondita started checking everything-again,"Shoes-his black ones, his white shirt, my sarees, Ma's sweets...."
Her hands trembled slightly as she repacked his shirt with extra care, smoothing the fabric twice.
How strange that something so ordinary… feels sacred because it's his.

She snapped the bag shut, then stood and smoothed her sari.

Bihari knocked on the door,"bahuraniji,chote Malik said you should hurry."
Bondita turned, adjusting the pleats of her saree,"ah bhari Babu,I am done,take these bags downstairs and load them in the motorgari please."
Bihari:ji

Bondita claps her hands,"TITLIIIII,come here first."
Titli came running into her room,"Ji Malkin."

Bondita smiled fondly,"there you are, listen once I leave please make sure that everyone eats properly here,ok?koeli Didi went to her village so make sure to look after everyone.Kaka sasurji's health can't handle spice,and sasurji only drinks English tea every morning. Alright?"

Titli nodded.

Bondita:And Batuk has a tendency to avoid few vegetables,grind them into a paste and mix them in his sabji bowl,and keep his bowl separately so you don't mix it with others,ok?som dada eats midnight snacks,so keep few snacks in his room by evening.and..."

A soft laughter drifts in from the hallway.
"Bondita,we are just going away for one day,you do know that we will return tomorrow right?"

Bondita turned and looked him up and down,"Offo, patibabu,you didn't get ready yet,then why were you hurrying me?"

Anirudh leaned casually against the doorframe,"Cause I know it's you who will be late,and madam ji I am ready,I just have to wear my shoes"
Bondita walked over and poked a finger into his chest,"And that takes you half an hour."

Anirudh chuckled softly and nudged her lightly with his shoulder as he entered the room,"Tell that to yourself Bondita.You have packed like we are relocating the whole zamindari estate."

Bondita followed him,"Because someone forgets everything unless I do."
Anirudh turned and tapped the tip of her nose with his finger,"Well, then thank heavens for my ever-efficient secretary."
Bondita wrinkled her nose,"Efficient? I'm a miracle. And I should start charging miracles per hour."

Titli stood at a distance, her arms crossed tightly in front of her as she looked away,'again,why is it always me who has to suffer, can't they see me standing here,if they want to flirt why can't they do that alone,shiv shiv'

Bondita's sharp ears caught the faintest sigh from Titli. She turned towards her, tilting her head,"Did you say something, Titli?"
Titli quickly straightened up, "No, Malkin."
Bondita's eyes narrowed slightly, but she let it slide, focusing instead on her patibabu.Reaching for his arm, she guided him toward the stairs,"Come on, let's get those shoes on before you forget."

Anirudh let her drag him for a few steps before he stopped her with a hand on her wrist,"Bondita,if you take everyone's needs and likings in your small brain it will burst someday."
Bondita:It won't, there's no harm knowing how to keep one's family members happy.