Batakrishna's pov

"You can come in front of this partition, to my side and have your way. I am anyways going to die soon." 

The same words kept ringing in my ears the whole night and I couldn't sleep. Usually I would have been very offended by such ridiculous allegations and would have sworn to never meet her again. But, her voice had such intense pain that, that small encounter had made me restless. 

She didn't fear anything, or anyone. Only one person can be this fearless, who had lost his everything. The screams of the nursing staff had caught my attention , and I enquired one of the nurse about her condition. The things I came to know after that pierced my heart. How can someone be so ruthless , so cruel and inhumane. I had seen enough pain and misery in last three years to make me slightly immune to the plight of the patients. For us patients were mere living bodies. Our only purpose was to free them of their pain. We could not let their pain mess with our minds. But , her misery had seared my heart. I couldn't control myself from going into her ward, even though I had to risk my special project at that moment. One slip, and I would be barred from the special surgery case I had come for in the hospital.

From outside, she pretends to be strong and unfazed, but deep down she is a pile of shattered shards of glass.

Next day, my feet automatically took me to the restricted area, praying only one thing.

Please don't be dead. Please don't be dead.

Entering the room, I found the familiar green curtain surrounding her. I felt relieved, and let out a breath I realised I was holding for too long. She might have heard my footsteps, because the moment I entered , I heard ruffling of sheets.

"Who?" She asked.

"Ahem.....I.....I came yesterday also , if you ...uhmm... remember."

"Ohhh..." Her voice sounded a bit relieved , or maybe I felt so.

"Uhm.... Thankyou."

"Thankyou? For?"

"For not ....not dying." What am I saying? I facepalmed.

She let out a dry  sarcastic laugh. " Why are you thankful for that?"

" Uhh...be-because----"
Why was I thankful?

"Anyways, don't be thankful so soon, I am bound by restraints  since yesterday. I can't even move from here."

"Ohhh... uhmm....."

"Why have you come here?"

"Please don't kill yourself." I said urgently.

" Who are you to tell me what I should do and what not?" She yelled in frustration.

A series of to and fro arguments broke between us, me coaxing to save her from herself and she giving me every reason she had to die.

"...... For how long , will you or these people will  keep surveillance on me. The moment I get my chance, I would be poofff..... finished." She said defiantly.

Now, only one thing remained. My last resort.

"How did you feel after what happened to you?" I asked, the question left a bad taste on my tongue.

"Whattt!!" Her voice had so much loathing, I could inhale the disgust in the air between us.

" Wait! Let me rephrase my question. Would you ever want someone else to feel the same way you felt or are feeling right now?"

"Never ever" Her reply was so fast, she didn't even need to think.

"But if you die, those men will do the same things to other women, and they would feel the same and they would also want to die, just like you. "

A long pause prevailed.

"If you still can die with the burden of the  knowledge of the aftermath of your death, then I won't stop you.  You have already given me enough reasons to die, no family, no memories , no motives nothing to live for. Then , who am I to stop you. Or for how long I or anyone in this world could stop you. "

A deafening silence prevailed between us, again.

" What will happen if I live?" Her voice had softened , the initial stubbornness was replaced by desperation, and helplessness. "What can I do stop them? I.....I..... don't even remember their faces, their names. Everything is blank. My mind is a  completely blank paper, only one black spot is there which continuously keeps my thoughts glued to it."

" You have temporary retrograde memory loss because of the injury on your head. It will improve in a few months, slowly as your condition will improve. I can't guarantee all but  memories will resurface. And , as per how to stop them, there is a person who can help you."

"Who?"

"Barrister Anirudh Roy Chowdhury."

Too much time has passed. Someone would surely notice my absence now. "I have to go now. Please think  about what I've said for once."
I retreated to go , but her next question stopped me.

"Who are you? What is your name?"

"Ba-" I hesitated to tell my name. If she asked anyone in this hospital about me, they will know I met her.

"What is your name?" She asked again with more curiosity this time.

"Krishna" I said and  walked away.

***
Shetukala's pov

The whole night ,I twisted in my bed thinking about him, just like the previous night. But the reason was different today.

He was like a new hope  in my life , like a colourful rainbow after a destructive rainstorm. His words rang in my ears like a never ending loop and with each passing moment, my will to live  started becoming stronger. I had written a new word on my blank page. "Justice"

Justice for me, my family and all those victims who had been or would be destroyed by those monsters in the time being.

My only aim was now to find out Barrister Anirudh Roy Chowdhury.

Krishna never came back, I asked each and every person I could find, about him, but all in vain. I couldn't find him. But his words  were always in my mind. Whenever I started losing hope, I would think what he would say to me. I would focus on his voice in my mind, and I would get my answers.

Months passed, my memories started coming back, but that night, it was still hazy still blur. No matter how much I pressed upon my mind , everything was foggy. Nightmares receded  in the back of my mind eventually.

Finding Anirudhh Roy Chowdhury was not a big task, he was indeed very famous. What was difficult was meeting him, and even  more difficult  was convincing him to fight my case. I had come for fifth time in his office.

" Miss, I had told you before also. The court has rejected your appeal thrice. How can we present a case when you don't even remember the details of the incident? On what basis we will fight, no statement, no faces , no names." He said very calmly. His demeanor was strong, very intimidating. But the moment he spoke, his voice had a certain warmth. His eyes were humble and honest.

" Barrister Babu, please. I....I will try more. Please....."

"Miss... I...I Can't..... Please try to understand."

" If not you, then who?"

This made him quiet enough to think over it.
I didn't want to give him space for any more arguments.

"  Please, you try to understand. You might fight and win hundreds of cases, but I....for me....this case is the sole motive of my life. I am breathing in hope for justice. If you deny me , I am left purposeless in my life. Just once, your one decision can save lives of many other women like me. They are hungry wolves  roaming in the open, outside , waiting to devour an innocent lamb, the very moment they get their opportunity. Please .... please.... Please Dada!" I joined my hands and pleaded.

His eyes met mine in am instant, at my informal adresss. Something shifted in his demeanor and he nodded. " Meet me tomorrow at sharp 9 am with all your medical reports amd previous case documents."

"Thankyou!  thankyou so much.....I.....I...." I joined my hands, and closed my wet eyes, too overwhelmed to speak and left his cabin.

***
Present day

The Roy Chowdhury haweli was decorated with twinkling lights and big chandeliers. The pillars and railings were decked with purplish orchid flowers, complemented by white and lilac curtains giving it a sophisticated look. The porch outside was occupied by a few imported cars and lavish carriages , signalling the arrival of elite guests of the famous Barrister on the occasion of his wedding anniversary.

Batakrishna was very worked up, all the preparations were  under his scrutiny, as he wanted the said couple to enjoy their day to their utmost and not exhaust it in the preparations of the party.

Shetukala had kept a considerable distance from him since she had arrived back, whether due to shyness or the hesitation in the familiar walls of the Roy Chowdhury Bungalow, was a riddle for him.

He had tried to talk to her, but she would just answer everything in curt replies, making him more desperate.

Two hours remained for the party to start, and she was nowhere in sight. He had to meet her before the party. After making sure, he was no longer needed in the party hall, he walked to her room. He knocked the door. Shetukala opened it.

"Da-daktar babu, you here." She said, poking only her head out of the door.

"Yes, I'm here. Won't you call me in?" He tried to look into the room but she blocked his view.

"Oh ....ye-yes. Wait a minute." She closed the door again. He was taken aback. Saying yes and then closing the door on his face? He waited for a while, before she opened the door again. "Come in."

He entered the room. Nothing suspicious. Everything was in its place.

"What were you doing?"

"N-nothing" She looked flustered, and sweat droplets lingered on her forehead.

"Sure? Nothing?" He asked with narrowed eyes.

"Ye-yes. Wh-what will I do? Wh-why did you come for?"

"Oh yes, I forgot. I came to return this." He showed her the nosering.

She smiled." Oh! I thought you were jealous of it. That's why not returning it." She blurted out. As soon as she realised her slip of tongue , her eyes widened. " No ......I.....I....mean you can keep it. No....not as a token of anything ...... just as .....a..... I...I mean....."

He laughed. " Relax, it's yours. I guess it's really important to you. So, keep it with you."
He placed it in her hand. " But yes, I am still jealous. " He smirked. " And that's why , I've brought you this." He took out a box from his pocket and opened it. In it was a nosepin, but smaller, just a round diamond stud. " It would touch much less of you than that one." He spoke with mischief in his eyes. She blushed.

"I....how can I....? It's very e-expensive. You don't need to do this." She hesitated.

"I want to do this for you, Shetu!"

He moved closer to her. She stepped back and was blocked by the wall. "May I?"

"Huh?"

He signalled with his eyes to the nosepin. She nodded bashfully.

He took the nosepin in his hand carefully and leaned towards her face, his  hot breath was tickling her lips. He pushed the curved wire of nosepin in the piercing slowly. " Tell me if it hurts."

"Hm." She said incoherently. The warmth of his body dispossessed her of her senses and she closed her eyes . She could feel  goosebumps on her skin ,as his cold fingers touched her nose, and lingered a bit longer than needed. She could feel as if her cheeks were on fire.

Everytime he comes close to her, he makes the first move, but this time he wanted her to initiate, to tell him that she also wanted him the way he wants her. To tell him that she craved for him as much he does for her. That whatever happened between them under the sky, under that hut, wasn't just a fleeting burst of hormones in the heat of the moment, but a deeply engraved common emotion. 

He stood close to her, their breaths mixing, and then he moved away and looked at her.

Shetukala was still standing touching the wall, her fists clutching her saree, eyes closed, and breaths heavy.

"Shetu!"

"Hnh"

"It's done." He pressed his lips tight trying to stop his snicker. She looked so delectable, her pink cheeks resembling a cotton candy, luring him to relish her. But...
Not this time Shetu!
This time , the well will have to approach the thirsty.

Shetu opened her eyes, looked at his smug expression and felt like melting in shame at the moment.
What was she expecting?
What was she waiting for?
He.....he.... doesn't want to.....
Neither do I. Yes, neither do I.

~Speak for yourself, because I do.

"Ahem!" He cleared his throat. "Okay, get ready on time. And remember , stay with a family member all the time. Although there will not be much guests, just a few colleagues and friends of Dada and Boudi. But still.... Okay."

She nodded looking downwards, not able to look into his eyes after her forward behaviour.
He surely would have gauged what she was thinking. His smirk said that.
She had embarassed herself enough  for today.
She won't even come near to him ,now.
That's final.

***
Batakrishna's eyes were glued to the entrance hall waiting for her to come. But she was taking a lot of time. The party had started. Like the responsible hosts  they were, Anirudh and Bondita were receiving guests along with  greetings and gifts, which joined the pile in his study arriving since morning.

Then she entered , along with Subhalaxmi, decked in royal blue saree. He gulped at her sight. Her flawless wrists were adorned by matching bangles. The nosepin on her nose shone under the twinkling of lights. Ditching her bengali style saree, she had worn it in the modern style accentuating her hourglass figure. The pleats of pallu were running in a small border on her right shoulder and the end left loose in air. She had worn a stitched blouse today, covering her shoulders and arms but the depth of the neck, was enough to
tease him with the slight peek of her cleavage. The light jewellery brought out the natural features of her face and Batakrishna's decision of not making the first move was falling weaker by each passing moment. 

"Didi, this.....this is .....I don't think....." Shetukala fidgeted with her bangles.

"Don't worry, Shetukala. You are looking beautiful. Sometimes a change is good. Good for others too." Subhalaxmi looked at Batakrishna and smirked.

Shetukala nodded and looked around, trying to absorb the completely unfamiliar and quite intimidating ambience. Her only solace was a few familiar faces, one being particular. Her eyes involuntarily started searching for him. As soon as her eyes landed on him, her breath hitched. There he was, standing all dressed up in a dark grey three piece suit. Didn't he look taller and more handsome than usual.  His usually messy hair were combed backwards in a perfect wave. He stood different even among  similarly dressed men, but more familiar , more amicable, with an aurra of empathy around him.

Get a grip on yourself, Shetu!
Remember what you had decided. Don't go near him, or what would he think.

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