Part 13: Binoy 2nd marriage, Bondita saved Ambika's marriage
After function, everyone left and Sampoorna is making kids to sleep, Somnath told that he got job offer in Kolkata, for sometime he cannot face Tulsipur people where his name is defamed by Sampoorna parents.
Just then, some Tulsipur villagers of 2 -3 men have came there. They are the main persons after Dhanunjay Dida who protested Bonditha’s education and also blamed Somnath on behalf of his in-laws (Sampoorna’s parents). They pleaded Somnath to comeback to village, as we understood that an educated doctor is necessary for our village.
But Somnath, taunted that ‘we are cheaters, educated fools. Then why do you need our service? I am not going comeback at any cost, do whatever you want. Infact I am not going to blame you completely. Whatever the insult I have done to my brother, the same insult happened with me. Jaisa karm waise phal. Even I should leave Tulsipur like my brother and work hard by living with my wife and kids in small house. You all can leave now.’
Anirudh Bonditha pacified him that a doctor is necessary to save lives. Finally he agreed. They also apologized Anirudh for their harsh behaviour. He asked if they really changed, he asked them to apologise Bondita, for which they bent their heads (ashamed to apologise a girl). Bondita told let it be Patibabu, I am not bothered of it. They left.
Just then Binoy came with a British woman named Catherine who is having middle age. They looked at him confusingly. He told that he had married her. This shocked them to the core.
Trilochan blames him that when you being elder cannot follow customs, what can you tell your sons to follow. Binoy causally told that he is suffering with loneliness all the time, this time he is staying away from family. Catherine also don’t have anyone, she is a widow, who doesn’t have children. She has become partner in our garments business, soon we became good friends and attached so much that we cannot live without each other. So we got married.
Trilochan fuming with anger, asked Sampoorna and Bonditha to follow rituals. They together brought aarti plate and does her aarti. He introduced all family members.
Somnath, Anirudh folded hands whereas Sampoorna, Bonditha took her blessings. She told ‘God bless you’, Sampoorna didn’t understand Bonditha told meaning to Sampoorna that ‘Bhagawan hamare raksha kare aur aashirwad dede’ . Later they all have food together. Catherine appreciated Bonditha’s culinary skills. She smiled.
While leaving, Trilochan asked Binoy to give Kolkata branch responsibilities to Anirudh. He is struggling to meet ends. Binoy told that ‘I have already sent an offer letter but he rejected my proposal keeping his insults of throwing out from family in view. I tried to say that we should keep professional and personal lives differently. He told that you all will later indirectly influence Bonditha to leave education. So with my hardwork I will make her educated, will not take your help in any form. So I kept quiet. Infact company is also lacking efficient people to work. But he will not listen to us.’ Trilochan told that we shall tell this to Bonditha and she will convince him. They agreed.
Bonditha is discussing about her education to Catherine, Trilochan, Binoy called her aside and told the matter. She told that she will convince him. She wore Barristry cap, went to him and told that she is going to argue for her client sasurji.
Anirudh is surprised, controlling his smile hardly and asked what is her case. Entire family including catherine are listening from other room. She told that my client wants to employ an efficient person to look after his business in Kolkata branch, but that person is not accepting. Anirudh like judge asked 'who is the person' she replied 'ARC has declined my client's offer.'
Trilochan who is listening from the other room, got irritated that bahu is taking her husband's name. Somnath asked him to keep quiet. Bondita will make Anirudh agree for the offer. Here, Anirudh became silent, about to answer but Bondita didn't give him a chance. ' Janab, my client is overloaded with work. His younger son is too young to take up responsibility. But elder son being efficient is not accepting the responsibility. My client cannot handle everything. So I request you to make the person accept the offer. Children are supposed to give support to elders. If ARC is too hesitant he will work like an employee and take salary, but my client request should be accepted.' Anirudh is silent for a while, and agreed with the offer. They all are happy including catherine. She said ' Dhanyawad janab'.
They both smiled and all are happy. Trilochan pretend to be angry with Bonditha as she took her husband’s name but immediately laughed and told that only Bonditha can convince Anirudh in any matter.
Binoy left with Catherine, while leaving told that from tomorrow you should join Kolkata branch and can keep office for Barristry practice there only in separate chamber. Anirudh agreed. After 2 days, everyone left to Tulsipur and insisted them to come in holidays, they will be waiting for which both of them agreed.
Bonditha teacher Indrani is arrested by britishers but got released due to Brahmo samaj influence who took Anirudh’s help in getting bail . They discussed about her, Anirudh told Bonditha (when kashiram family with Ambika is present) that women should be courageous like her. Ambika tried to humiliate but Anirudh stopped her, he lectured that she became teacher with her hardwork and dedication. She kept all her relationships in stake and chose the path of ambition to get education and give education to others. I suggest that everyone should follow her path.
Bonditha felt that ‘I should not allow my mind to listen to the words of Ambika, Sanghavi. I should also work hard like our teacher to reach the goal.’ Ambika who found Anirudh’s words similar to her husband Jagadish bursted that ‘Why you all want to be mahaan. One should only look after their family. Life is colorful and this age is beautiful. Will not come again in life. Why you all give preachings that do something for society. Is education that important? can’t we leave without education. Books contain heavy things like electricity, algebra, trigonometry, chemistry, biology. We should also do practicals, our ancestors women have lived happily without education. You all want to adopt English methods of women get educated. This year we are supposed to write board exams. This is highly disgusting.’
Kashiram asked her to keep quiet, it is her husband’s order to get her educated and you are supposed to listen him. Anirudh pacified kashiram and tried to explain Ambika the importance of education which gives knowledge, its a divine thing, this age is not only for colorful dreams but also to strive hard to get a colorful life..but Ambika stopped him immediately and told that ‘Anirudh Babu, now you also don’t start like my husband, there is already one person who keep on writing letters about education importance, doesn’t care About my desires, wishes.’
Bonditha tried to explain her but she left without saying a word. Anirudh got offended by Ambika’s behavior, but kashiram apologized him and asked not to keep her words in view. He nodded and left.
But still quiet at night, didn’t talk anything. Bonditha understood the reason and told all the lessons. She told that ‘Janab, my Patibabu is thinking that I will be influenced by Ambika words and he sat quietly without talking to me, making me feel guilty without my mistake. Then I will also sit quietly (Muh phulake).’ He immediately laughed, ‘I am happy that Barrister BRC know what is correct and wrong for her. I apologize her by holding my ears. Is she happy now?’ She immediately removed his hands from ears and told yes. They both laughed.
Kashiram insisted his daughter that she should combinedly study with Bonditha and should get good marks, else their image will get spoiled infront of their son in law Jagadish. Ambika fumed with anger, jealousy. He also requested Anirudh Bonditha to teach his daughter, they agreed.
Bonditha explained the topics in an interesting way like how Anirudh used to explain her, he listened it secretly and laughed at how she is imitating him, Bonditha is successful to some extent, Ambika could atleast remembered some basic points. Even Ambika tried to demotivate her when she got tough concepts in maths, social,etc. But Bonditha cleared all her doubts by Anirudh’s help and also through teachers.
She took vishnu help, who used to tease and instigate his sister that she is proving that girls cannot study, it isn't her cup of tea. Ambika took her brother's words seriously, even Bondita pretended angry on vishnu and challenged that I and Ambika will prove it that we can work hard. As directed by Anirudh, they divided the chapters, made a timetable and followed it. Whenever Ambika feels sleepy or lazy, vishnu used to come and pull her legs. So atleast to keep her pride, she took exams seriously and in this process she isn't able to meet the guy whom she used to talk secretly. Whenever class boys try to demotivate girls or rag them, Indrani reprimanded them and kept boys in control.
As Ambika started answering in class, Sanghavi took it as a challenge and she also started reading. Later she is also sent to combined studies with Bondita, Ambika. Anirudh used to serve tea for them. Indrani is highly impressed and praised infront of Anirudh that 'Bondita is a true leader, she is making the one to read who doesn't want to read.' He praised her in heart 'Bravo Bondita' and shown thums up to her.
Some boys tried to hide their hall tickets, but Indrani took strict precautions and made sure all the girls got hall tickets. Amidst of all this, they finally gave their board exams in different school and completed 10th standard. Bonditha And Yamini equally secured top marks of 99% and 98% respectively in complete WB state later followed by boys. Even Ambika scored upto 70%,where as Sanghavi scored upto 60%which is not even expected from them.
Anirudh is in cloud nine, he moved around by holding her hands that she successfully completed school education, out of joy even she embraced him.
On that day, kashiram couple are busy in decorating house, Vishala is sending Vishnu to bring the provisions so that she can make specials in lunch. Bonditha just came and asked what is the occasion. They told that their son in law is coming for lunch today. So we are arranging specials. You and Anirudh should also join us. She agreed. Vishala asked Bonditha to make Ambika get ready.
Bonditha asked why. Latter replied ‘Wife should always adorn when she is meeting her husband after long time.’ She felt bit shy went into Ambika’s room, but found Ambika is not in room. She asked Vishala where is Ambika. Vishala got confused and scolded her daughter that this girl will always wander here and there. But suddenly Bonditha found a letter, took it and read. It contains that she is not interested in her husband. Can’t stand with his ideologies, principles. I am leaving this world. Bonditha is tensed and told about letter to her parents. Anirudh also came, listened to it, but unable to believe that Ambika has gone to commit suicide. Just then Jagadish with his parents came and discovered the entire matter.
Bonditha shocked to see him that He is not the same person with whom Ambika is speaking secretly. Anirudh is consoling them, she took him aside and told the entire truth, asked to come with him. Jagadish also became dull, believed that she has committed suicide. She whispered that “I saw Ambika with a man, she used to talk to him, in the next side of street. I thought that he is her husband, she also confirmed that he is her husband, but now only I came to know that he is not Jagadish.” Anirudh is shocked and asked her to show the place.
They both went to the next street which contains a garden form an isolated and dilapidated house, they searched the place thoroughly and Bonditha found her anklets and confirmed it to Anirudh. Suddenly they heard some screams and both confirmed that she is Ambika for sure. They went into dilapidated house, which is dark. Hardly found some person in dark who is trying to molest her.
Anirudh came to her rescue. Saved her from the gunda. Bonditha made her adjust clothes, suddenly 2 more henchmen came and attacked Anirudh. Bonditha who always carry pepper powder in her pallu, thrown on them and beat them badly with the sticks. They ran Away, Anirudh is about to catch the main person, but he escaped and grabbed Bonditha. He tried to escape with Bondita but Anirudh had thrown stone at his head. He had escaped with his henchmen.
He comforted Bondita, the three went outside. He gave Bondita and Ambika water to drink He asked Ambika what is the matter, Are you interested in that guy. She cried and told 'It is my mistake to fall for that guy Bhushan last year when I am going to school, he used to meet me on the way. After some days, we used to talk, Bhushan took me to dramas, gave me kulfis, I fell for him. I have absconded many days to classes, so studies have become tougher My husband had never talked sweetly like he (Bhushan) used to do. So I thought he could be my ideal life partner, also he is only 4 years younger to me. But I didn't expect that he will take advantage of me." Saying so, she bursted into tears. Some mob tried to gather near them. But Anirudh, Bondita asked them to leave.
Bondita spoke "Ambika, the person who love us will always think of our welfare, will always try to give what is best and everlasting for us. Your husband is great, so he wanted to give you the best thing i.e. education as the precious gift for you. May be he is strict, but if you observe it you could have seen affection in his eyes, his words of how much he might have given freedom to you like my Patibabu used to comfort me.(Till that moment he is amazed to see Bondita who is talking as a matured person, but by this statement it is like a big shock, not knowing what to react, how to react, . But when she is praising him, he felt highly uncomfortable, unable to look at her). Let us go to house first, your husband has already came. Tell him the entire fact, so that your guilty will be reduced, don't fear of consequences. My Patibabu used to say one who apologise with true heart may suffer for some period but will not be defeated."
Bondita hold Ambika hands started walking followed by Anirudh who is only looking at Bondita and thinking about her.
They both reached home with Ambika. Her parents, in-laws, husband, brother everyone are delighted to see her as alive. Her mother embraced her and confronted her daughter ‘what is the need to commit suicide. You have got a wonderful husband, who always wish for your welfare. What is this madness.’ Ambika saas spoke with Jagadish ‘Are you happy Jagadish. You are always against her wishes, forced her to study, she has done much hardwork so that she is scared of life and decided to commit suicide.’ Ambika felt guilty, remembered Bonditha’s words and requested everyone by folding hands to let her talk.
She touched Jagadish feet, apologized him for her foolishness and told her truth infront of everyone. Jagadish became silent and frozen in his mind. Vishala lifted her daughter, kept on slapping her . Meanwhile her in laws also reprimanded her, and kashiram couple for her upbringing. Anirudh Bonditha tried to stop and pacify them. They are about to leave, Bondita stopped them and asked them to come inside and talk for sometime. Later they can take decision.
Jagadish and his parents sat in Kashiram portion. Ambika and her parents stood in tears. Bondita started "who did kanyadaan for Ambika." His father replied "what is this question, it is kashiram vishala." Later Bondita asked "I don't know about sastras. Please explain me the importance of kanyadaan."
Jagadish father told " Kanyadaan is the ritual that girl's hand will be offered to groom. From that minute onwards, her responsibility belongs to her in-laws. She will belong to their family completely."
Bondita made them understand that Ambika is their family member. Even you couple and Jagadish ji also promised that you will protect her. May be it is her ignorance. previously I was also stuck heeramandi , where girls are treated like animals. But my Patibabu kept his promise that he made on marriage that he will protect me throughout his life, came and rescued me. In fact I also hid one fact from him, that I used to meet brijwasi who used to deceive devotees and took advantage of my ignorance. But I myself went and accepted my fault. He gave me chance to rectify my mistake. From that minute, he didn’t perceive me as I am characterless and he kept on suspecting me for every minute thing. Can't you show your parenthood to daughter in law. Can't you forgive her for this blunder.
Jagadish ji, you could have explained your intentions clearly in a soft voice like my Patibabu always used to explain me (Anirudh is embarrassed to listen this). She could have understood you earlier only. Please give her a chance and Prove that in laws can become parents and husband can become a best friend and God to woman. Please 🙏" she emotionally spoke all those words by sitting on knees.
Ambika came and lifted Bondita told that she doesn't deserve her Patibabu (Jagadish). She will get chodi hui aurat tag. She deserves it. Saying so Ambika bursted into tears sitting on kneels.
Jagadish asked her to get ready that we shall leave today for our house. His father interrupted and said no. Tomorrow is auspicious day as we planned previously we will take her tomorrow. Everyone are delighted. Jagadish parents blessed Bondita and told Anirudh that you are very lucky to have her as your wife.
Kashiram couple about to touch her feet, she interrupted and told that you should only bless me. They asked her to come next day as it is Ambika's Bidaai. They are involved in preparations. Anirudh is staring at Bondita only continuously.
At that night, he is quiet and didn't talk well. She kept on insisting what is bothering him. He just made an excuse that he is feeling headache and want to sleep. He in his room thinking "why am I so much disturbed when Bondita is praising me. Why am I uncomfortable with her words. I should appreciate that she tactfully handled the chaos in Kashiram ji house. I am not getting what is bothering me."
He is in deep thoughts, unable to decode his uneasiness.
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