"That Anirudh Roy Chawdhary... is long gone."
As soon as those words left Anirudh's mouth, the air between them shifted. Bondita stared at him, her breath caught in her throat. Disbelief clouded her eyes, and for a moment, she couldn't move. Couldn't speak. Couldn't even understand what she had just heard.
Gone? What did he even mean by that?
"Kya kaha aapne...?" she whispered, stepping toward him, her voice trembling. "Patibabu..."
Her hand reached out instinctively, fingers brushing his shoulder gently— hesitantly— as if trying to pull him back from the edge he was slipping off.
"No," she said, firmly now, her voice cracking with emotion. "Please don't say that. That Anirudh Roy Chawdhary can never be gone. He is always there. Main jaanti hoon."
But Anirudh turned away, his jaw tight, his eyes avoiding hers. The pain was evident, even if he tried to mask it behind stern words.
"No, Bondita," he said coldly. "I won't melt anymore. Don't even try. My gun... it does what my words could never do. It protects the people I love. That's all that matters now."
His words struck her like a slap. But she didn't flinch. She took a step closer instead.
"Your words brought revolutions, Patibabu. Your words brought changes this stupid gun can never bring. You changed lives. You changed me. This stupid gun... it might protect for a moment, but it will never change lives. You cannot stop being a barrister! That is you."
"I didn't stop being a barrister," he replied, his voice lower but no less steady. He finally looked at her, the fire in his eyes dulled by exhaustion. "It's just that... I'm focusing more on Baba's business now. And Kaka's zamindari. That's where I'm needed."
She shook her head, biting back the ache in her throat. "Don't do this. You never wanted that life. You never did. You only managed Sasurji's business because you needed a distraction... when I was away. But you were born to stand in that courtroom— not behind a desk with ledgers."
He looked away again.
His silence was louder than any protest.
Bondita exhaled slowly, her heart sinking but her resolve rising.
"Fine," she said after a pause, stepping back. "If you've decided to do what you want... then I'll do what I want too."
At that, Anirudh turned, confused. "What do you mean?"
She didn't answer. Instead, a soft, determined smile curved on her lips— one he couldn't read, but one he'd seen before. Long ago. When she had first stepped into the courtroom as a girl with fire in her heart.
Bondita met his gaze.
And in her heart, she vowed silently:
'Main lautaaungi apne Biristra Babu ko. Jo sapne unhone dikhaye the, unhe hum saath mein poora karenge. Chahe jitni der lage... main laaungi unhe wapas. Main bhi dekhungi ki aap kaabtak aise rahenge. Akhir aapki Bondita bhi kaam nahi hai.'
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"Maa, Mayank Dada kab aayenge Tulsipur?" Tara asked, her voice bright with curiosity as she followed her mother around the courtyard.
Jaya didn't even look up from where she was sorting grains. "Mujhe kya pata? Jab aana hoga, aa jayega. Ja, jaake chhat se kapde leke aa. Dhoop zyada ho gayi hai."
Tara frowned, lips turning downward in visible irritation. She dragged her feet as she turned toward the staircase.
Why is Dada not home yet? she thought with a pout. I have so many doubts about the notes he gave me... I can't even make sense of this new chapter!
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Barrister Babu
FanfictionBondita grew up to be a fine woman and returned to Tulsipur after getting her degree. Now, she has achieved her and Anirudh's dream-being the first female barrister. However, things are now crazier as Bondita has to focus on her career, manage the...
