Anirudh- The Story Of A Misread Barrister

Chapter-103: Anirudh Saves Chandrachur

The auspicious time for our ashirbad ceremony was said to come exactly after a week, much to the displeasure of my kaka and thakuma who didn't want any more delay in our marriage. At some point they even thought of skipping the ashirbad ceremony altogether and directly plan for the wedding, if it was not for my father's wish to celebrate every existing ritual.

"I don't want my eldest son and daughter-in-law to miss out any fun.", declared my father, "We should conduct every single ritual that is associated with a Bengali wedding, such that Bengal remembers the union of the these two precious people for the generations to come. I see this wedding not merely as an observance of binding two people together in a matrimonial bond, but a roaring celebration of pure love. Anidita's story whenever recalled, must talk about the real meaning of love."

My father, the man who once understood nothing except money and profit, was now speaking about love. This shift in his personality was so welcoming that it only doubled my happiness. My gaze involuntarily shifted to Bondita, as she is the only one with whom I want to share every feeling of mine. I found that she was already trying to read the contentment on my face and the moment our eyes met, she gave an acknowledging smile. The smile was a testament to her understanding and a quiet attestation of her capability to read my mind thoroughly. In fact, her own face brimmed with cheerfulness which exactly reciprocated my mental state, asserting that she is my mirror, my shadow, an astounding replica of my own self.

The adults have been kind enough to let us meet until the ashirbad ceremony, after which, we weren't supposed to see each other till the wedding, the date of which was yet to be fixed. They even permitted Bondita to tag along with me to court for this week. I didn't know whether to feel happy or sad about the restriction, but pushed away the thought for later and decided to live in the moment.

...........

The first hearing of Chatterjee's case went well, almost confirming our victory. However, in the second hearing, something unexpected happened. Chatterjee's lawyer came with fabricated proofs that falsely accused Chandrachur of the whole scandal and also a murder. Although Chandrachur was not directly involved in the food poisoning, Mr. Chattterjee got the entire groundwork done through him which was now serving against him.

Tulsipur needs justice. The people wanted their culprit to be punished. Here the culprit is trying to escape punishment and trap an innocent. The victims might not bother to seek and support truth, as long as someone is punished- whether it is Chatterjee, Chandrachur or even an innocent Bondita who has nothing to do with anything that happened. Until yesterday they believed my story, today they might believe this new story as well. This is the harsh truth about mankind. But is justice really being served? Will justice win at this rate?

The victims of food poisoning were admitted in our hospital and none of them lost their lives. Somnath is the evidence. Then how did this murder pop up? Could there be someone who was not brought to the hospital in the first place? Or did they murder a new scapegoat to trap Chandrachur forever?

Chandrachur was no saint. He was a sinner; for hurting his wife and having eyes on another woman who is in the status of his sister. Shouldn't he get punished for the same? Yet, in this case he is innocent. This blame can cost him a lifetime of imprisonment or his life itself.

My mind was on the verge of bursting open with all these clogged thoughts and questions, especially due to the conflict of right and justice. Rightfully, Chadrachur needs punishment for his share of bad deeds. But trapping him for something which he didn't commit would be injustice. I sat at my table, removing the glasses and pinching the bridge of the nose to seek some relief from the headache.

"Headache?", came the sweetest voice that I love. "Chandrachur should undoubtedly be saved.", she declared, even before I put forth the problem.

To test her further, I said, "Why? His karma is paying off at last. Why interfere in nature's way of restoring justice?"