Barrister Babu

Chapter 72: When Batuk Left

"No, Bahu," Trilochan finally let out. "Batuk didn't actually leave on a good note."

Bondita was shocked at that revelation. "What do you mean, Kakasasurji?" Trilochan started walking to the mandir of the house and Bondita followed him. He sat on the stairs of the mandir and Bondita sat opposite to him, his silence confusing her further. "What happened? You are scaring me."

-FLASHBACK-

Batuk was in disbelief, looking at the letter.

Without a second thought, he ran to Anirudh, the only person who could save him from being sent away.

"Dada," he called out as he saw Anirudh was sitting next to Bondita, holding her hands as if his life was fully dependent on her. But she still wasn't opening her eyes. "Dada, can I... talk to you for a minute?"

Even though Batuk hated to disturb Anirudh's time, it was urgent. Anirudh didn't reply, blankly staring at his wife, hoping she would wake up.

Tears started to form on Batuk's eyes as he said, "Please, Dada, it's urgent. Please give me a few minutes."

Anirudh finally sighed and gave a curt nod as he got up, making his way to the study with Batuk trailing him. The study door was left open.

He turned to Batuk and said, "What is it, Batuk? Tell me what happened. What do you want to talk about?"

Batuk didn't know how to begin but before he could start, he spoke up again, "Hurry up, Batuk. What if my Bondita wakes up in my absence? If she doesn't find me next to her when she wakes up, she is going to panic and all and—"

"Dada... I don't want to go to Italy."

Anirudh became quiet after hearing that.

"I want to stay with you. I can't leave Boudi in this situation. I don't want to leave any of you," more tears started to pour from his eyes as he stated the truth.

"Italy?" Anirudh was a bit confused. "What do you mean?"

Batuk handed him the envelope.

'Ticket to Italy.'

'Admission to Arts and Business College, Italy.'

Anirudh read it and connected the dots that it was Binoy's doing. Obviously.

But it was actually nice that Binoy kept Batuk's dream in consideration. With the way things are going, Anirudh knew Bondita's accident wasn't an accident. Someone was definitely harming his family due to his profession and if they could reach his wife, they could reach his other family members within a minute. Moreover, sending Batuk away meant Chameli's crush also vanishing away.

So Anirudh saw no harm in this. For once, he supported his father's decision.

He handed the envelope back to Batuk and said, "I see no harm in this. I think you should pack your bags, Batuk."

Batuk felt the world slipping away from his feet. "Pack my bags? Are you serious, Dada? I came here to request you to stop Baba and now suddenly you are supporting him today out of all the days? Why?"

He felt betrayed by his own brother. He couldn't stop more tears streaming out of his eyes.

"Enough, Batuk!" Anirudh said aloud. He knew if he tried to explain things to him now, Batuk wouldn't understand. After all, he was only seventeen. So he had to use the harsh way. "This is all for your good future. So don't argue."

"But I never wanted to study busi—" he couldn't even complete his sentence as Anirudh walked out of the study, towards his Bondita.

"Dada, wait." Batuk walked behind but found Trilochan standing at the door. "Kaka... Kaka, please talk to Baba. I don't want to leave y'all."

Trilochan's heart clenched seeing his nephew like this. He nodded, patting his head gently. "Don't cry, beta. I will talk to Binoy. I won't let my son go away from here."

###

Soon, it was time for Batuk to leave for Italy.

Trilochan tried talking to Binoy, but failed as Binoy was adamant on sending Batuk away. Thinking of his safety, even Trilochan decided to send him. Because he was already on the verge of losing his daughter, now he didn't want to lose his nephew.

Meanwhile, Batuk's heart was filled with pure spite toward his family, except his boudi. Everyone showed their selfish trait and nobody was there to save him, because the one person who would aways protect him, was lying lifelessly almost on the bed.

When all the packing was done, Batuk went to Bondita's room and looked at his boudi, his eyes being watery. "Boudi... just because you are not here, everyone left me alone. They all abandoned me, Boudi." He gently caressed Bondita's head. "Chupalo mujhe apne iss anchal mein. Mujhe nahi jana yaha se."

"Maa ka pyaar bachpan se nahi mila mujhe. Lekin jabse aap ayi na humari zindagi mein, Maa ki tarha apne meri raksha ki hai. Lekin aaj..." he wiped a tear from his cheek. "Log sahi kehte hai, jaab Maa nahi rehti na, taab sir se chad chala jata hai. Ye log toh mujhe dur bhej rahe hai, inhe main sabak sikhaunga. Kisi se baat nahi karunga main, Boudi. Kabhi phone nahi karunga waha se. Ha, agar aap thik ho jayenge na, toh aap phone karlena. Apke liye ye Batuk hamesha hajir ho jayenga. I love you, Boudi. Jaldi thik ho jana, please. Apke Batuk ko zaroorat hai apki."

Sparing one last glance at Bondita, Batuk left the room.

He looked around the Roy Chawdhary house one last time. All the memories flashing in his mind — how he and Bondita used to play together, would go to school together, his boudi would protect him from being bullied in his family for being a chubby kid, how his boudi would always pack something delicious in tiffin for him, how his boudi would save him from his Dada's wrath, how his brothers used to tickle him, how his kaka would beat him with a stick and he would hide behind Bondita, how his kaka would cry after hitting him and his boudi would apply ointment to his wounds.

Today was the day, Batuk would start everything fresh and leave a place he called 'home' only to go and build a new home there.

"I am sorry for doing this Batuk, but just know your Dada loves you a lot," Anirudh mumbled as he watched Batuk leave for Italy from the balcony.

-END OF FLASHBACK-

Translation:

"Chupalo mujhe apne iss anchal mein. Mujhe nahi jana yaha se.": Hide me with this long side of your sari. I don't want to go away from here.

"Maa ka pyaar bachpan se nahi mila mujhe. Lekin jabse aap ayi na humari zindagi mein, Maa ki tarha apne meri raksha ki hai. Lekin aaj..." he wiped a tear from his cheek. "Log sahi kehte hai, jaab Maa nahi rehti na, taab sir se chad chala jata hai. Ye log toh mujhe dur bhej rahe hai, inhe main sabak sikhaunga. Kisi se baat nahi karunga main, Boudi. Kabhi phone nahi karunga waha se. Ha, agar aap thik ho jayenge na, toh aap phone karlena. Apke liye ye Batuk hamesha hajir ho jayenga. I love you, Boudi. Jaldi thik ho jana, please. Apke Batuk ko zaroorat hai apki.": I didn't get my mother's love from childhood. But eversince you have stepped into our lives, You have protected me like a mother. But today... People are right, when mother isn't there anymore, there is no roof above your head. These people are sending me away, but I will teach them a lesson. I won't talk to anyone, Boudi. I will never call them from there. Yes, but if you become fine, then you can call me. I will always be there for you. I love you, Boudi. Please get well soon. Your Batuk needs you.