Chorui Bhati Part 2 and the Appeal

Readers discretion: There are mentions of death in the chapter.

Anirudh and bondita along with the two other Roy Chowdhury's were panting breathlessly. The way, they had chased each other had made them create some new memories with their older brother that they never had. In their family, such things like chasing your siblings in pure joy was unheard of because all of them were busy in their own world most of the time.

Just as they were again going to fight for the hair pin of Bondita, Trilochon called them to stop behaving like monkeys.

"Arre nalayaks, what are you guys doing?"-Trilochon asked them after reaching the quartet.

He was glad to see them mingling happily but at the same time, he was a little irritated at Batuk and Som disturbing his beta-bahu's private time.

He wanted them to spend more private time together and hated the constant interruptions they were facing.

"Kaka, Woh...."-the four were tongue tied infront of the orthodox zamindar but it was Sampoorna's call for lunch that saved them.

Bondita was happily eating her food.

She was feeling quite lethargic. The adrenaline rush was leaving her veins and a sudden tiredness was engulfing her.

Anirudh saw her movements from the corner of his eyes as he was washing his hands.

Somnath had picked a few mangoes from the trees surrounding them. Batuk gave one to Bondita but she refused the offering due to feeling like, she had overfilled her stomach.

Binoy and Sampoorna went on a walk to see the haveli's other side, while Trilochon went to sit in front on the lake to have a little quiet time to himself.

Something, he didn't have in his daily life. His life was burdened with responsibilities and duty towards his family. He had taken over the role of zamindar (Landlord) as a teenager. And that had bound him in an eternal shackle.

The idea of marriage was presented to him many times as he was growing into a mature man. But he had always refused to think of it for some reason. Especially after the horrific incident that happened with his 'Pishima' (Paternal Aunt).

He had seen his 16 year old aunt committing suicide, after her husband had married for the second time. He had done the deed during her pregnancy. To a girl of his choice.

Someone, he couldn't marry the first time around due to his arrange marriage with Thakurani Neelambori Devi.

She had to arrange every single post marriage ritual for him and his new wife in her pregnancy.

Trilochon's grandparents and parents had advised her to accept everything and live like nothing had happened. But she couldn't tolerate polygamy.

The next morning, after the 'Fulsojja' (First night) of her husband, she had killed herself by drowning in the lake of the haveli.

Trilochon still remembered the wails of his family members and had hated polygamy and marriage since then.

He had developed a fear of Bondita doing the same, after seeing her forced to tolerate Manorama in the haveli.

Her tears had reminded him of his aunt's death.

He had faltered towards Manorama a little bit but had composed himself, after seeing Bondita wailing before that incident.

His biggest fear was seeing his Bahu's dead body hanging in the orchard due to Anirudh's actions.

Thankfully, his goddess had prevented that from happening.

"Shona"-Anirudh's tone dragged Bondita out of her Dreamland. She took a look at him and found him to be looking at her worriedly.

"Ji (Yes) patibabu,"-Anirudh gestured for her lie down in his lap for a short nap to get rid of her tiredness. But Bondita looked at him cluelessly.

Her brain couldn't understand it.

"We haven't brought any pillow and the mat would not provide to be the best for your back. So, I think you should lie in my lap."-Bondita looked at him and tried to remember the last time, she had done such a thing.

The last time, she had lied in his lap was after Manorama's death.

She had been feeling desolate after the accusations of her parents and the continuous guilt of not being able to stop Manorama was eating her alive.

Anirudh had found her crying silently in her room at night.

"Bondita, ki hoyeche Shona moni? Tumi kanna korcho keno? Keu Kichu boleche? Ma r kotha mone porche? (Bondita, What happened dear? Why are you crying? Did anyone say anything to you?Are you being reminded of your mother)?"-He had asked her frantically seeing her red eyes.

He was already feeling guilty of ruining her innocence by his act.

He was in immense guilt but the still coming accusations had made him even more guilty for accepting Manorama's offer.

He in his path of brightening her future had given her scars. His every act even after, Bondita forgiving him was hurting him more.

Somewhere in his heart, he knew a sinner like him couldn't be forgiven ever.

Especially since, Bondita didn't know of his feelings for Manorama before that day in the cliff side.

Bondita was startled by Anirudh's question. Her little mind was already getting chaotic by the words of her parents. Their accusations had been added with the guilt of ruining Anirudh's life.

For a twelve year old child, who was on the cusp of adolescence, it was getting very difficult for her to comprehend.

"Patibabu, Amar kharap lagche. Khub kharap lagche. Manush ei rokom keno hoy? Ato baje Kotha keno bole? (I am feeling bad. I am feeling very bad. Why are humans like this? Why do they utter such disgusting things)?"-Anirudh had concluded her words to be connected with Manorama's mother's words and had tried to sooth her wounds.

"Bondita, we can't be the hero in everyone's story. People say a lot in their grief that leaves a lasting effect on us. You are not a murderer nor a bad person just because she has said it to you. Your self worth shouldn't get low due to other's opinion of you. No one, not even me can make you feel undeserving."-Bondita wanted to chuckle bitterly at his words.

"Didn't you also hurt me in your fitoor, patibabu?"-Bondita had mumbled to herself. Which was missed by him thankfully.

Anirudh had then sat in her bed and made her sleep in his lap by singing a lullaby.

Bondita didn't refuse him that day. It was the last time, she had ever allowed Anirudh to pat her to sleep.

Bondita was reminded of that night and felt despondent.

"Patibabu, chi...how can I lie in your lap? There are so many people present. And kakasasur ji is also here."-Anirudh narrowed his eyes at her words.

Frustration rising in him.

"Bondita, there's nothing to be shameful here. A husband and wife has the right to comfort each other. I have the right to provide you a place to rest if you are tired. The people around us should not be our reason for refraining from our duties as a couple."-Bondita suddenly chuckled bitterly at the word "Duty".

"Bondita please, rest a little."-She nodded reluctantly. Not wanting to argue and laid in his lap.

Resisting the urge to puff her face.

Anirudh started patting her head and Bondita immediately chided him.

"Patibabu , I am not a child. You don't need to use such tactics to put me to sleep."-Anirudh smiled at her tone.

"You will be my little Bondita, no matter how old we get."-She didn't reply to him and closed her eyes.

Trying to ignore him.

Anirudh rested his head against the tree trunk and closed his own eyes. Resting for a while.

Batuk was playing mouth organ somewhere. The sound of it added to the charm of the lazy afternoon atmosphere.

"Som dada, did you enjoy today? I really want you to enjoy a little time without your medical books. You work too hard dada."-Anirudh smiled at the tone of Bondita.

The day had proved fruitful. Bondita's tone had a sense of rejuvenation.

Anirudh had fallen asleep, while patting her head. They both had woken up, after the loud chirping of the birds.

The nap in the greenery had rejuvenated them.

"Boudi, I enjoy study more than anything else. Everything pales for me in front of the smell of new books."-Anirudh shook his head from the driving seat.

He had offered to drive at the way back to give his brother a little respite. Bondita was sitting next to him. Whereas, Batuk and Somnath were in the back seat.

The conversation continued as the two exchange words back and forth to prove each other wrong. One was trying to prove his love for books and the other was trying to make him see that taking a break from books wasn't a bad thing.

It was a good day indeed for the family and for two.

"Chote Malik, apnar jonno court r kagoj esheche (Young master, these papers have arrived from court for you)."-Anirudh paused his yoga session to look at the papers and asked Bihari to send Bondita to the study.

Bondita was sliding the blue glass bangles on her wrists, when Bihari had told her about him calling her to the study. She nodded at his words but took her sweet time to finish getting ready for the day. It was another school holiday for her. Which is why, she was taking such an effort to look different from the other days.

She had unknowingly worn these glass bangles and the small earrings gifted from him. After the last day in that place, she was feeling a little less heavy hearted.

Her sense of being a tragic heroine or a miserable villainess of his life, who had come to take his every joy away was lessening a little bit. She wanted to enjoy the remaining time that she had with him. This was the moments, which felt forbidden and sinful to her but at the same time, she didn't want to stop living in them.

He was growing anxious and a little worried at her late arrival since she never used to be late.

"She probably hates me for those love poems..."-was constantly running in his mind.

He was feeling a little embarrassed at his own words of yesterday.

After 10 minutes of Bondita not showing up, Anirudh decided to head to their room himself.

Bondita was in the process of braiding her hairs, when she heard the knock on the door.

She thought the person to be Bihari or someone else and quickly covered her head with the loose ends of her saree. Not wanting anyone to witness her morning look.

Bihari had even spoken the words to her from out in the corridor. Not entering the room, respecting her privacy.

"Come in."-Anirudh entered the room, suppressing his smile as he saw Bondita relax a little before dropping the saree's end from her hair.

She sat down and continued to braid her long hairs in a fishnet braid and Anirudh looked at her putting on so much efforts for a braid that will be covered by saree pallu.

Bondita was trying to ignore Anirudh's gaze. She could see him looking at her continuously but for some reason, she didn't want to look at his eyes.

In fear or in shyness, she didn't know.

But something had changed between them after she had worn gifts from him. His gaze had changed after seeing her.

Their flirting in the car and the words, he had spoken to her in a hushed tone had increased their chemistry that was missing since that fateful night before Kolkata.

Anirudh saw Bondita applying sindoor (Vermilion) on her partition and got reminded of the time she had brought packets of 'Chamatkari sindoor' (Magical Vermilion) to save their relationship.

The girl didn't even know the true meaning of relationships back then. But now a days, he wonders whether Bondita would do the same back then if she was older.

Would he have ran away from her so much, if she actually understood the true relationship between husband and wife?

"Bondita, are you ignoring me?"-She looked at him from her dressing mirror and shook her head in denial. But the nervousness of her eyes couldn't be ignored by him.

"Bondita, I need to talk about something important with you."-His tone bad a seriousness in it. It was a tone that required attention.

Anirudh looked at her with satisfaction that Bondita gave him her full attention this time.

Standing up from the chair to look at him.

But Bondita's look was astonishing him. In a pale blue new saree she was looking like the personification of a goddess for him. Today, she had worn another very small golden hoop earrings in her ears.

Another gift of Anirudh. He had brought it from Rangpur from her. His earnings were still small back then. His clientele hadn't grown as good as it was now.

Anirudh had came back with a joyous smile with handi's of Roshogolla and a bag full of trinkets for Bondita.

Gifts for his family were in a separate bag.

"Bondita, dekho tomar jonno Rangpur r khub jonopriyo Roshogolla enechi. Sona moni, ki hoyeche tomar? Keu Kichu boleche tomake? School e kichu hoyeche? (Bondita see, I've brought Rangpur's very famous Roshogolla for you. Dear, what happened to you? Did anyone say anything to you? Has anything happened in school)?"- Anirudh's words had only made bondita cry like never before.

His words only made her feel more guilty. From that day onward, Roshogolla's had tasted like cardboards for her.

It had became a symbol of those bitter times.

"Patibabu, kono joruri kotha chilo (Did you need to talk to me about something important)?"-Anirudh straightend up at her words and signalled her to sit in the bed.

Bondita looked at him confusedly but sat down as she noticed the papers in his hand.

"Have they appealed?"-If Anirudh was shocked by her quick deduction, he didn't show it. Instead, he just nodded at her words and handed over the papers to her.

"Shoumik Das has filed a case of money laundering against your father by claiming that, he had taken money from the family business to buy the properties that is now in your name. He claims that the will is null and void as the money has came from the das family business of Ayurveda. He has also mentioned a specific point that giving his properties to his daughter is considered illegal according to the laws."

Anirudh had expected her to rage or scream at their cruel words for her father but her calmness made him scared for their opponents.

"Patibabu, can they do something like this? Is there any law that prevents me from inheriting?"-Anirudh took a deep breath before trying to think of what to say.

"Bondita, there are certain ways the will can be contested but the verdict will be on our side. Mr. Basu's law firm has the invoices and other documents that separates your father's business from the Das family's business. The money that he had earned on his own was his to use. However, he sees fit. Their arguments can be strong but it won't be enough to sway the judges."-Bondita looked at him keenly as it looked like, he already had an indication of how the case will go on.

His sudden confidence was making him seem like a stranger to her.

There was a dark glint in his eyes that reminded her of his status as a zamindar.

"How can you be so sure, patibabu? I don't trust them. They can use money and my gender against the case."-Anirudh pulled the study table's chair and sat in front of her.

This time face to face and not like he used to bend in front of her as a child.

"Judge Stevens going to be the judge of the case, if my sources are right. He is someone who believes in the females right to own property left by their father's or husband's. He has given his verdict in favor of females many times in his career. Both here and in London."-Bondita looked at Anirudh's face but couldn't feel confident yet.

Her fear was kalindi Das. Her so called thakuma.

She had seen the lengths of her power once. She didn't want to see her influence again.

"What if he gets swayed? You don't know her influence, patibabu."-Anirudh reassuringly smiled at her and held her hands that were clenching the bedsheets in anger and frustration.

"Your husband is the eldest son of the zamindar's 'Sona bou' (Dear wife), even without my background, I wield some power in the court of law. Trust me, the verdict will be in our favour. Besides, judge Stevens owes me a huge favour. I'll just remind him of it."-Bondita shivered a little. Which was unnoticed by Anirudh as he busy making plans.

She often forgot, how powerful her husband was. He was a barrister, who had made a big name for himself in a few years.

From trying to have a humble image in front of the other lawyers and receiving humiliation and taunts for his ideals in return only; he had shed his good boy image to become a feared barrister.

His reputation was pristine but there were rumours of his ruthlessness towards criminals and corrupt people, which had even reached Bondita's ears.

Trilochon had scolded him once for raising fear in the hearts of all. But Anirudh had scoffed and ruthlessly replied.

"Kaka, these people will only point their fingers at us, especially in my personal life if I don't do this. They had the guts to influence Bondita due to my nice boy attitude. They would again come to this haveli with moshal (Torch) the moment, I go against their 'Rudhivadi soch' (Orthodox thoughts). I will be nice to them. I will think of their well-being but I don't want to give them the chance to stick their noses into our personal lives. I am not a good zamindar like you Kaka."-He had said the last part sarcastically and Bondita and everyone else was stunned into submission that day in the living room.

"Don't be afraid, Bondita. Their case will be dismissed easily."-She smiled at his words this time in relief.

Before questioning him again.

"Will Mr. Basu fight the case?"-Anirudh nodded before explaining his reason of not doing so.

"He was as the appointed lawyer of your Baba. He had given him different instructions regarding what to do, if they contest the will. He had told me, a few days ago in a phone call. He wants me to stay only as your support because the opposition may use my status as a lawyer to weaken the case."-She nodded at his words as she knew her relatives will definitely provoke Anirudh by using cheap tactics if possible.

"They will try to provoke you, patibabu. I know them. She must have got you investigated and I am sure, she knows of your temper."-Anirudh grimaced at her words as he knew, he would have to remain calm for the sake of Bondita.

No matter what, he can't afford to lose his temper in this case.

"If I get angry, just hold my hands tightly and say patibabu. My anger will evaporate automatically."-Bondita blushed at his words and at his tone.

It was the same tone, he had used yesterday. The tone was enough to set her body in fire.

"Dhatt."-Her response made him smile and Anirudh felt his heart beat getting faster at her blush.

But quickly composed himself as they had more things to discuss.

"Bondita, do you want to press any charges against them?"-She looked at him cluelessly as the idea had never came to her mind.

"I can?"-Her incredulous answer made him nod at her.

Seeing his response, she confidently answered him.

"I want to file the charges of murder against her."-It didn't take Anirudh long to understand, who that person was.

"Reason."-Bondita found only curiosity in his face and no judgement from him. Any other male, would have been horrified at her words but he had shown no such thing.

It only made her glad to be 'His Responsibility'.

"Baba died of snake bite in his room. But the snakes are not that common in krishna Nagar a d in the haveli. Especially since, the Das haveli is protected by a large boundary wall. And Baba used to throw carbolic acid all around the haveli every week. How can he die from something that he always guarded against? Especially, right before our departure?"-Anirudh looked at Bondita in amazement.

Her method of deduction was no less than an experienced barrister.

Her points were all correct and her ideas behind the logic couldn't be argued against.

"Do you have faith in your logic?"-Bondita saw Anirudh looking at her. His eyes were not of a husband this time but of a 'Shikshak' (Teacher). Who was looking at his student.

She nodded confidently at him and Anirudh beamed at her answer.

"Sabaash Bondita, I am proud of you. You just proved to me, how powerful you will be as a barrister one day. I can't wait to see you in black coat."-She grinned back at his.

Her eyes tearing at his declaration.

"I'll go and inform Mr. Basu to prepare the charges from our side. We'll also use the letter of your Baba for the case."-He quickly walked towards his study to make the call and Bondita felt her heart swell in love for having Anirudh beside her at this time.

She didn't know, what she would do without him?

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Did you all like the chapter?

I want atleast a 100 votes and comments..

If there is any mistake about the legal terms, then sorry. I don't have a lot of knowledge about the legal terms.

I am asking this because the last four chapter's votes are less than the older ones. If there is any problem in the story, then you guys should let me know. Especially the silent readers. Your opinions matter as well.