Barrister Babu

Chapter 75: The Push

Bondita came back to the haveli, without having lunch as expected.

"Areh Bahu... where were you?" Trilochan inquired, noticing her stepping inside.

"Kakasasurji, I went to kacheri."

"What?" color drained from his face. He figured out that Bondita knew everything now. "Bahu... was Anirudh there?"

"He wasn't there at first, but came afterward," she replied, not wanting to stress Trilochan further. "Don't worry, Kakasasurji, everything is fine. I will make your jaggery tea, okay?"

He nodded and Bondita went to the kitchen.

Mala was already there, chopping vegetables.

Bondita furrowed her brows. "Mala, why are you cutting these vegetables? Where is Koyeli Didi?"

"Koyeli is with Badi Patni," came her timid response.

"Why? Is Chameli okay?"

Mala nodded meekily and continued chopping the vegetables.

"I should check on Chameli," Bondita muttered under her breath and put the jaggery tea on the stove. "Mala, can you please keep an eye on it? I will be back."

Mala nodded again and Bondita left to go to Chameli.

She knocked on Chameli's door.

"Come in," came Chameli's reply.

Bondita went inside, only to find Chameli comfortably sitting on a couch as Koyeli was massaging her foot.

"What's wrong, Bondita?" Chameli asked, not bothering that much once she noticed it was her.

"Why is Koyeli Didi massaging your feet? Did you injure yourself?" she didn't want to jump into conclusions so wanted to be sure.

"Nahi," said Chameli. "I wanted a massage. That's it."

Bondita noticed Chameli's tone and she hated the rude vibe she was giving. "Koyeli Didi, can you leave this for a while and go to the kitchen and help Mala with the vegetables?"

Koyeli nodded and got up instantly. She left in a jiffy, internally thankful to her bahuraniji for saving her.

Chameli didn't like it. Still, she put on a small smile and said, "Bondita, come and sit here."

"Chameli, are you okay?" Bondita asked, finally sitting next to her.

"Yes. Why are you asking me that?"

"You changed. You are different." Chameli turned quiet. "Look, I know this isn't the real you. You weren't the type who would treat servants like that. Koyeli Didi is our family and you are treating her like a gulam. Let's say it's okay if she is massaging your feet, but in the kitchen, Mala is chopping the vegetables all alone. And—"

"Oh please, Bondita. Stop giving your speech." As soon as Chameli said that, Bondita looked at her as if she had grown two heads.

"Speech? What?"

"Yes. I am happy with my life now, Bondita. I am the badi bahu of the Roy Chawdhary. I deserve to live like a royalty. And about Mala? She should suffer. She is getting her punishment for what her Maa did."

"What did Barsha Kaki do?"

"Her mother was the one who caused your minor accident when you were going to submit the polygamy petition. She mixed something in your kheer and she confessed it by mistake one day. Since then, my husband and everyone kinda ignores Mala. I am the only one who properly talks to her. So she is obeying me only by being grateful," Chameli let out.