Bondita's hungry stomach and idle mind couldn't think beyond what Kalindi had filled in her mind. She replayed the scenes again and again in her mind when Parboti used to sit beside Anirudh and smile, not that she minded at that moment, but what after her pati babu told her about being gazed at eerily, was spinning her mind.

She wanted to confront him , tell him that he could not give her rights to just anyone else.

No matter how young a wife is, no matter how widely polygamy is sprawled in the society and how normal it is considered , even a teenage, boy or girl knew what it feels to  share the only person they are betrothed to.

The thought of sharing her pati babu with someone else even if she was her sister , was not putting her at any ease. This intense feel burned in her heart more than she had imagined.

The fact that he didn't feel her the same way crushed her.

Was she going to lose him ?

Would someone else have the right to hold him? To touch him?

To kiss him????

Ohhh Duggaaa!! No !!! No no no no no!

Someone else would be calling him pati babu too, not just her?

Someone else would be the one he would declare to love and have kids with and not her, just like Rimjhim and Aashalata's relationship.

Jealousy simmered in her veins like hot molten lava and she felt an unbearable burning in her heart.

Why pati babu? Am I not enough?

Why was Kakasasurji not stopping him?

How would maa react to it?

Would she have to share her maa also to someone else, who would call her shona, feed her with her hands, and sing lullabies , who would scold her pati babu for scolding her.

Will she have to share her share of ek badam  roshogullas too with her.  Would he take her ride on his bicycle? To fair? To have kulfi?

And the worst.......

Would he share his dreams with her too? Motivate her to become a barrister and go with them to London?

NOOOOOO!!!

A big , big noooo!

She will have to do something , something big....that leaves no chance for him to stray....just like Thakuma had said.

***
Anirudhh dressed as a woman reached to the front of Haweli . Aashalata was pressing Kalindi's legs after dinner while she was sitting on an incliner wooden chair, with her eyes closed enjoying the cool breeze of the night.

" Nomoshkar Thakumaa!" Said Anirudhh in a high pitched voice.

Kalindi opened her eyes and saw the silhouette of a tall woman standing in  front of her and squinted . " Who?"

" Thakumaa, Ami  Bimla Didi's  nanad. She has sent me here to work in her place."

"Bimla's sister in law? What happened to her?"

" She has been suffering from loose motions since the afternoon. I guess she ate too much. She was so worried that you would scold her , so she sent me."

" Oh! But Bimla has been working in our house for years, what would you understand about our haweli? We haven't opened training classes here. Tell her to pack her bags and leave and not come back again. We'll hire someone else. We don't have a lack of servants anyways."

Oh no! If Thakumaa throws away this woman , I don't know how long it would take for another maid to come. Till then she will make me do everything. She won't care whether I'm pregnant or not. I already have the burden of marriage of two daughters in my house , one of which is uncertain. Oh dugga! I've to do something.  Rimjhim thought.

"Uhhh...... Thakumaa. Household chores can be managed but now we have one more problem in our house." Kalindi glared at her. " I.... I mean Thakumaa, you don't know these low caste servants , if we kick on their stomach they might snitch whatever is going on in the haweli." She whispered in her ear.

" As if she would snitch and then remain unscathed."

" She might not go unscathed but so will our respect too, Thakumaa. Tupur's marriage is on our head, and now Parbo---" She paused when Thakuma shot her a Don't-mess-with-me look.

Kalindi thought for a moment. She then asked, " What is your name?"

" An-----aaaa.... " Anirudh stammered realising his foolishness. He had not thought of a name yet.

"What? Don't even remember your name?"Kalindi frowned.

" No, uhmm... actually my husband calls me with so many endearments , shona , sweetheart , mishti , that I sometimes forget what my real name is." Said Anirudhh cringing inside.

Thakumaa raised her eyebrow and looked at her. "Asha bahu! Bring the laalten."

Kalindi took the lantern from Ashalata and brought it in alignment with Anirudh's face. He stiffened as he feared she would recognise her.  "Hmm you indeed are beautiful." She smirked. " Looks like your husband is too besotted by you." She laughed.

Ashalata said in between to save the situation. " I know right, you are indeed a beauty. It's hard to find such roopvati (beautiful) women in your caste." She emphasised on the word.

Anirudhh pretentiously bit the pallu between her teeth and blushed. " You are correct, Malkin.  I don't even remember what name my parents kept for me because my husband changed it to so many endearments but the most he prefers is Roopa owing to my golden coloured body. " He said, squirming in true shame this time.

Kalindi let out a laugh, that was more of a sad chuckle. "If your husband loves you so much, then why is he sending you here to work. Who all are there in your home? "

" Do lalla, ek lalli, aur ek bimar pati.
(Two boys, one girl and a sick husband.) My husband is very sick , Thakumaa. Otherwise a woman's correct place is in kitchen only."

"Ohhh, you have got two sons." Said Rimjhim. " Lucky woman , I must say." Anirudh frowned at her words but let it slip and nodded.

" I'm sure you might know all the household chores if you have come to work in Das haweli. We don't take in newbies. We need experienced people."

" Of course, thakuma. I've worked in various villages before."

"Acha , as in?"

" Tulsi---" Anirudh bit his tongue at his stupidity. " Uhmm.... "

" Tell me , why are you hesitating? Did you work in tulsipur?"

" Ye-yes. Thakumaa. Tulsipur, Krishnanagar, Chandan nagar, Deenpur. So many places. "

" What about Tulsipur? Upto what I remember there are not many influential people in Tulsipur apart from Roy Chowdhurys and Britishers, and if you had worked for Britishers then, you will have to go back empty handed . I don't take in people who are habitual of licking boots of those fair skinned black hearted people." She said haughtily.

" No no..... I .... I didn't work for any Britishers. They are not safe to work with. They don't understand the limits of a married woman or otherwise. It is my helplessness or being a woman , I would never have kept my foot outside my kitchen. I used to work for Roy Chowdhurys before but I left soon."

" Why?"

" Sorry , Thakumaa. I can't snitch upon them. I've eaten their salt. I can't betray them no matter how they were."

Kalindi nodded reluctantly. "No, I'm not telling you to snitch or criticize them. Actually my one granddaughter is already married in that household, and the other is going to. So I wanted to know if I should allow this alliance. I don't want my other granddaughter's life to ruin like the former one. She has been so brainwashed. What do I tell you?"

Anirudhh felt fury generating in his heart.
" I agree, Thakumaa. That family is indeed weird. You should think twice before marrying her there. If your one granddaughter isn't happy, then what is the guarantee the other one would not meet the same fate? Anyways, the men of that house seem too good to be true." Said Anirudhh as he observed Thakumaa isn't really fond of men as a gender in general. A certain loathe is felt in her words when she talks about them. He thought maybe this could prevent her stubbornness to marry Parboti to him.

"Yes, yes. I agree. But now the alliance is almost joined. Severing it would bring us and her disrespect. My Parboti is very beautiful and a perfect housewife type. I'm sure she will make her place in the hearts of those people. And even if not, within one to two years, her child would bring her the respect she deserves."

Anirudhh could feel bile rising his throat at Kalindi's insinuation and covered his mouth with his pallu to prevent the gagging reflex.

" Since you know them, I think we have a good reason to keep you here. Come, I'll tell you about the most important job of Bimla here. Rest all are just secondary for the time being." She walked up and threw open the door of the storeroom.

Anirudhh saw Bondita lying on the floor, her right leg exposed till her knees, where it was scraped and formed dry blood chips. His eyes watered at her condition and his hands fisted in anger.

When Thakuma looked at him, he gave a forceful smile.

" Ae, Bondita. Wake up." She took a glass of water and threw it on her face. Bondita woke up with a jerk gasping and coughing as water entered her nostrils.

Anirudhh swallowed  a painful lump in his throat. She looked so pale, her hairs were dishevelled. Her cheeks were tainted with Kohl marked tear trails and her eyes red and swollen. She must have cried a lot.

"Who is she , thakumaa?" Bondita looked at Roopa and asked in a hoarse voice , due to her continuous crying and screaming.

Kalindi was surprised that she didn't recognise Roopa.
"You don't know her? She used to work for Roy Chowdhurys na." Bondita focussed her eyes at Anirudhh, who was fervently praying inside that she herself doesn't blew off his ruse. 

"She looks familiar though. But I can't make it out. " Said Bondita.

" Bondita Malkin! How would you recognise me? It was about two years back. And it is not that Roy Chowdhurys have a dearth of servants. Many servants come and go. How many would you remember? "

Kalindi nodded while Bondita kept looking at her Roopa suspiciously.

"Roopa, now listen. Just give her water and no food today. For the next two days ,give her only one luchi, if still her Pati babu doesn't mend his ways." She ordered.

"Thakumaa, please take me out of here. I'm very scared." Bondita pleaded as fresh tears formed in her eyes. " Take me to my pati babu. Or call maa here. Please thakumaa. Please."

Anirudh's throat was choking with guilt as he considered himself the reason for her misery.

" Your so-called maa is the root cause of all this conundrum. Had she not interfered in matters of husband -wife, I would not have to play her role. She is such a —"

"Thakumaa, what … what was I saying?" He interrupts her as he didn't believe if he could control himself after listening to anything against Shubhra.

"What?"

"Uhhmm….. I know first hand how Shubhra malkin is. Very strong headed I must say. Even her brother in law fears from her . And Bondita Malkin is so rogue …..uhmm…i mean mischievous , because of her only."

" No, no rogue is the correct word for her." She glanced at Bondita.

" Do you know that once she tricked her own husband and her devar? She hasn't spared her Kakasasurji too in her mischief. " He smiled inwardly at the nostalgic feeling. " I don't think your men would be able to guard her from outside. Plus see, there are so many wooden and iron things kept here. What if she hits one of them and runs away? Plus Thakuma, it isn't safe to leave a woman in another man's company. What reputation will be left of Das family and Roy Chowdhurys together. I would keep my mouth shut but even walls have ears."

Kalindi thought for a moment and then said," Yes , Roopa. You are right. It is not safe for her to stay here in the company of these men. But in no condition , I would let her leave from here. Who knows what that Anirudh Roy Chowdhury might do , if he gets hold of her. I don't have an iota of doubt that he might be planning to run away from here along with her."

"Thakumaa, if you… .only  only only only if you allow, I can stay with her and keep a scrutinous eye on her. Take my word, Thakumaa. Bimla didi explained me everything. I won't let her husband in front of her at any cost until I'm alive. That clever Anirudh Roy Chowdhury would not be able to take a single glimpse of her. " He said defiantly.

Thakuma looked at Roopa and was amazed. " Really? You would do that ? But this place is not very suitable for sleeping." She looked around the shabby room and pinched her nose as a pungent smell of herbs was wafting in the air.

Still you are keeping a small girl here in these inhuman conditions thakumaa. Thought Anirudhh.

"This is my duty, Thakuma. Nothing beyond my duty." He smiled as sincerely as he could.

"Ohkay. Don't disappoint me Roopa. Bimla is my oldest retainer. If she has sent you here, I'm sure you are as trustworthy as hers. But believe me , the moment I feel anything fishy, it's your temple and my gun." She threatened.

" Ji, Thakuma. Don't worry. I won't disappoint you." He promised with the most sincere face as he could muster. She nodded  and left the place.

The guards were outside for extra safety, as a paranoid Thakumaa could not take any chances . However sincere Roopa seemed, she had learned the hard way not to trust anyone.

As soon as Thakumaa left, guards closed the door. Anirudhh hurried and locked the door from inside too. Then he turned to Bondita and smiled.

But his smile didn't stay for long, as immediately he was tackled to the ground as she pounced on him straddling him and before he could say anything, small but firm fists flew on his face. " What were you saying to Thakumaa about my Pati babu? Huh?" Anirudh shook his head in negation, holding her wrists.

"Don't pretend, I heard everything. If you think you can keep us separated for long , then you are wrong." Anirudhh smiled at her and loosened his grip , but Bondita took the chance and tugged at his wig furiously.

" How dare you say bad things about my maa? I would kill you, you evil fox." She scratched and pulled his wig. Anirudhh tried to remove her from his abdomen, but was afraid that he would hurt in the process. He kept his hands on his wig.

But Bondita tugged hard pulling his real hair too and he let out a shriek in pain leaving his wig, and the next moment Roopa's hair was in Bondita's hands.

Bondita looked at the wig in horror and then at Anirudh. "Pa-pati Babu." She whispered.

Anirudhh winced at the pain in his jaw rubbing it and nodded smiling. "Uff ! Bondita! You hit so hard."

He tried to lift himself up , only to be tackled on the ground again by her but this time by a hug.

" Pati Babu!" Bondita hugged him tightly, throwing her hands around his neck. "Pati babu! You came. Thank you. Thank you so much. I can't tell you how happy I am to see you. I… .i… .. you came… .. you… .. " Anirudh felt her crying as she wet his neck with tears.

" Bondita! Bondita! Bondita! Look at me." Anirudhh rubbed her back lying on the ground. He lifted himself up in a sitting position along with her, and tried to put her down gently by her waist , but she resisted, still crying in the crook of his neck.

"Bondita! Stop crying. Now your pati babu has come . Right? " She nodded. "Then , why are you crying?"

He pulled her back by grabbing the back of her neck. "Look at me. Look at me."

"Pa-pati Babu. You… .. you are so… so bad… .. whaaa-why di-did… .. you… "she sobbed breathlessly.

He removed her from his lap and took out a bottle from his potli and made her drink water. " Shhhh…shhh… shh… .stop crying. Stop crying. Drink this." Bondita eagerly drank the water as she was thirsty since evening.

Anirudh poured some water on the pallu of his saree and cleaned Bondita's face with cool water. " Relax , Bondita. I'm here now. Nobody will do any harm to my Shona. Just don't cry. Haina?"

She nodded, taking deep breaths and drank more water. He combed her hair from her face with his fingers, tugging them behind her ear.

"Pati babu! I….." Bondita swayed as her head felt dizzy with the daylong fasting. Anirudh held her shoulders. "Bondita, Bondita. What happened?"

"My head….it rotates, Pati babu." She said, clutching her head.

" Oh God! I'm such a fool. You haven't eaten since morning and I didn't even give you the food I've brought." He held her with left arm wounding in her front to clutch her right shoulder and took out the tiffin box from the potli with the right hand. 

"See, I've brought luchi and alurdom for you. You would be absolutely fine." She smiled tiredly.  He sat down holding Bondita against him as her head rested on his shoulder and her back against his arm.

"Bondita, open your mouth." He said bringing the morsel to her mouth but she shook her head in negation.

"What happened, Bondita? Aren't you hungry?" She didn't say anything , but sniffed.
"Bondita, please don't torture your pati babu. You will get sick. You are already on the verge of fainting. Please eat it. " She denied. He kept the morsel back in the tiffin and kept his chin on her right shoulder.

" What happened, Bondita? Why are you not eating? Are you mad at me? Because of me you are stuck here?" She shook her head but purses her lips silent. " Then what?"

" Why did you…." She fidgeted her fingers in her lap.

"Hmm, why did you …what?"

"Why did you agree to marry Parboti didi?" She said as a fat  tear rolled on her cheek. Anirudhh wiped it with his pallu as his hand was smudged with chilly of the alurdom.

" Bondita! What are you saying? I never agreed." He lifted his chin from her shoulder and looked at her in horror.

"Don't lie. Thakumaa said it. And also that you were feeding her food. Your real, one and only " She lifted her index finger to show the sign of one , "wife was sitting here starving and you were busy shoving luchis in her mouth?" She looked at him with angry hot tears, surprising him, and then pulled herself away, only to sway and be held back again by Anirudh.

"Where are you going? Come here. Sit straight."  He held her tightly to him, wrapping his arm around her shoulder from front. "And for your kind information , I didn't agree nor did I shove luchi in anyone's mouth. But I would surely do it in your mouth if you don't eat."

She looked at him, turning her face. " Shotti? " She asked with her doe-like big, glistening eyes.

Anirudhh's heart broke at the pain that was visible in them. How much does she understand about this marriage that she is so affected by a lie? He thought.

"Shotti shotti shotti. Akdom shotti." Said Anirudhh pinching the front of his neck. She gave a sincere watery smile which tugged at his heart. He looked away feeling strange.

"Ahem… .now eat it. Do you know that even I didn't eat anything today?" He pouted.

" What? You should—"

He pushed the morsel in his mouth quickly. " How much do you talk? Eat quietly." He scolded her in fake anger. She pouted and chewed nonetheless.

After a few morsels, she took the food in her hand and fed him sitting in front of him cross legged. They both ate silently.

"Pati babu!"

"Hmm."

"Let me tell you one thing." She said in a bossy tone crossing ber hands in front of chest. " If you agreed to marry Parboti didi, or any other woman in future... then you see."

Anirudh smiled bemused. " Acha, what would you do?"

"I..... I......"

"Yes , what would you do? " He smirked. He was enjoying this new attention from her. Is she jealous? Like he used to feel from...... No, no he wasn't jealous. He pushed the thought away.

"I will also remarry. " she said defiantly.

Anirudhh choked on his morsel and started coughing. Bondita rubbed his back and made him drink water.

" What did you just say?" He looked at her incredulously, whisper -shouting. He didn't care if anyone listens to him at this moment.

"I said I would remarry." She said nonchalantly.

" What? Why?"

" What, what why? If you would bring my 'sautan' , then so will I."

" Sautan?" His eyes widened in shock.

" Yes."

" And who would that be? Care to share? "

" You already know him." She gave a smug smile.

" Bondita! No!" He threaten.

"Yes, yes yes." She smirked. " Waise bhi, Aditya once told me that he would have surely married me had I not been your wife already." Anirudh's eyes almost popped out of his sockets.

"You wouldn't do that !" He threatened showing her his index finger.

" Acha, dare you marry again and then watch me give you the taste of your medicine. " She hooked her index finger with his and matched his glare.

When Anirudh's face lost color, Bondita fought a smile and lost and burst into a cascade of laughter and giggles, rolling on the floor. " Ohh....ohh my.....oh my god....pati babu.....look at your face. You look so....." She couldn't complete as another fit of giggles overcame her.

Anirudhh pulled her back  from the floor in seated position.  
"You ! Badmash Bondita! So cruel you are. " He teased her pinching her cheeks and shaking her head.

"And you! Badmash pati babu!" She pinched his nose and laughed.
" By the way , you look so beautiful being a woman."

"Oh God! Not again. I never got these many compliments dressed as a man that I got as a woman." Both laughed as Bondita helped him out the wig back again on him.

" Pati babu! What will we do about this Parboti thing? Why does Thakumaa wants her to get married to you, I don't understand? Why is Kakasasurji not doing anything? Tell me na, Pati babu."

Anirudh took a deep sigh. "Because everyone saw us in one room together. "

"So? I don't understand."

" You are small Bondita. You won't understand these things."

" I will , Pati babu. You atleast try to explain."

" Ok Bondita, listen." He said.

Hey everyone. Do tell how the chapter was.

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