Part 17: Sumati strict parenting, Bonditha realizing her feelings
Bonditha started preparing for her next academics and law entrance exam in holidays. Shomik came to take her to village, but Anirudh spoke with him personally about Kalindi and chandrachur plotting against them and especially Bondita. He advised to be careful if possible shift to city, but Shomik interrupted and told that Krishnanagar people are dependent on their medicines and so they can't leave their place, but he will take police help. Anirudh agreed and dropped them in station by telling many precautions to her, Shomik left to Krishnanagar with Bondita, assured of her safety to Anirudh.
Gagan got information about a person who came injured and took treatment privately with the help of an ayurvedic doctor. He went along with Anirudh and met him, confirmed that the person might be Chandrachur. Anirudh also found that chandrachur used to stay in back Street of Indrani house, but no one are unable to find out how exactly he looks like. Because he tricked house owners with a beard and as dumb person and was missing on the day since he abused Bondita in dark.
Chandrachur on the other hand, started staying in another house far to the city, thought initially to inform about his condition to Kalindi but later took back because she will reprimand him badly.
Bondita reached Krishnanagar village and all the family members are waiting for her. When she reached home late at night and embraced sumati, Kalindi realised from her back that she got menses and grabbed her from her mother's embrace, shouted on her that you got menses, came here from city alone and touching everyone.
Bondita asked 'What is the big deal in it. This is a regular problem. I will immediately take bath and change dress. Maa, please arrange food for me. I am so hungry.'
Kalindi rebuked ' What is this sumati! Have you not taught how to behave during periods time . Ok, I will teach her now.'
She dragged Bondita to dark room on the up stairs, kept inside and asked her to stay till her periods are completed.
Bondita is shouting 'Thakuma, what is this? I came here by doing long journey, want to take bath. Please allow me inside. I will be clean and take good care of hygiene. Please allow me.'
Thakuma sternly told: ' No way, you are not supposed to come inside until you finish your menses. You should not take bath, have food here only and use the pot in water kept inside.'
Bondita is surprised and asked what if I have to use washroom. She asked to use the pit there
She almost felt nausea, and everybody are leaving. She called sumati again to let her come out , but sumati told that 'we all used to stay here during this time. You should also get habituated. I will bring food to you.'
Bondita requested 'Maa, don't do this. It is suffocating here. I can't have food here because here only I have to use washroom. This is disgusting maa. Please allow me to come into home.'
Sumati with tears 'dont worry Bondita, slowly you will also get habituated here. It is sin to roam around during periods.'
Shomik tried to interrupt but Kalindi asked : "Today you will bring her inside because it is her mayka. What will you do when she got married and if she is in sasural? Will you go and convince them? Being a man, why are you interfering in ladies matter. Have some shame and maintain your dignity. Rimjhim! Explain to your husband."
Rimjhim pulled him aside and strictly asked him not to interfere in ladies matter.
Bondita didn't take any food that day and kept on remembering Anirudh, how he taught to not let anyone do injustice to you she took a decision.
Anirudh called late at night, initially sumati lifted the call so he disconnected. Later Shomik lifted and told that she is sleeping and assured that everything is fine. But still Anirudh is feeling some pain inside and thought that may be he is Missing her.
Next day early morning, Anirudh thought to leave to Krishnanagar for Bondita but Somnath, sampoorna and kids came to his house. He is surprised and asked 'How did you come unexpectedly?' Somnath replied that their children need to get vaccine for some diseases else it will be a problem in future and Trilochan assigned him (Anirudh) to finish some legal paper work regarding lands in next 3 days, else it will be a problem. He reluctantly agreed.
sampoorna asked ‘where is Bondita, her house is locked.’ Anirudh replied that she left to Krishnanagar and Indrani also went to take classes for nearby village children.
On the other side, sumati went to meet Bondita, she is surprised to see the door is broken. Bondita just came from stairs by taking bath outside with changed clothes and fresh look.
Sumati worried for daughter and asked 'What did you do. Why did you go out, Bondita?'
Kalindi also came and shouted, about to raise hand. But Bondita stopped her in middle, firmly told " Thakuma, I didn't do any mistake, so I will not let anyone raise hand on me without my mistake. I won't let anyone do injustice to me, anyone dominate and compress me. I will respect you as you are elder and you should also keep your respect infront of me. Menses is not any disease. In these days, women should maintain clean hygiene. So I have taken bath. There is nothing wrong in it. Don't make unnecessary drama."
Kalindi is dumbstruck for her rebellious nature. Even sumati tried to shout but she stopped sumati by showing her hand and told:
" This is not correct maa! I haven't told anything wrong. Menses is not any disease and women are not supposed to stay in dark rooms or in forests. I will respect all the elders, but at the same time elders should also keep their respect. Else respect will only come for namesake from me but not from my heart. Please remember it"
Kalindi found a new shade in Bondita, worried that how will Chandrachur can live with this jungli billi. Looks like she will even control her husband. Suddenly she got a thought and confronted Shomik " what is this Shomik. You told that we need not regret for allowing her to study in city. But see this girl. She turned into mannerless, shameless girl. Have you lied to us or haven't you seen her rebellious nature?"
Although worried, Shomik replied "Peshi, we all are thinking too much. Even she is also a human being, who came from distant place to see us. You have shouted on her like as if she is a slave. We have this big house and 2 bed rooms have washrooms attached. We could have spoken with her softly and asked her to use either of the rooms. When her problem is solved we can clean up everything with our servant. If we speak lovingly, she will also speak with love. Else children will rebuke one day and will be out of hands."
Sumati tried to apologise on bondita's behalf to kalindi.Latter whispered in sumati ears to control her immediately else she will be thrown away once again by her sasural in future, already she has become a laughing stock in our village and Tulsipur. If this continues she will not get good alliances. Tapur life will also be affected because of Bondita.
Sumati immediately reprimanded her badly: "If you don't go inside dark room, I will consider that you don't care for my words, have no respect on me. I can't live anymore by seeing your impulsive nature."
Still Bondita argued that not to reprimand or blackmail her for which there is no mistake from her side. But her mother took a knife from house and warned to harm herself for going against traditions.
Bondita is scared that her mother will harm herself and silently went inside. She endured hunger, abdominal pain but didn't take food. Tapur tried to help her, but Bondita refused. Kalindi strictly told not to melt, else she won’t listen to you. Later Tapur asked not to come to village till she become Barrister. In these 3 days, Anirudh is getting too restless for her. After 3 days, she came out , took bath but didn't have food from last 4days.
She packed her bags, took blessings from her mother, Thakuma, kaka, kaki and embraced Tapur. Sumati asked her to stay for few more days , as she didn't have food since you came. Bondita told by not looking into her face that "I will not die if I stay hungry. I have important classes and prepare for next academics. I will come later."
Sumati by carressing her head told "I spoke harshly for your welfare. Only with your thinking, society will not change easily. You should be obedient and listen to elders, follow all traditions."
Kalindi interrupted again "Why are you giving explanation to her Sumati! Women life is not easy. Pain and tears are lifelong companions for her. Parents should always be strict with their children else they will go out of hands.
Bondita! You will understand this when you become mother in future."
Thinking that if Sumati behaves harshly there Chandrachur will impress with his soft nature and Bonditha will fall for him, I will get them married soon.
Bondita replied " I don't agree with you Thakuma. Till few days before I felt that my mother's embrace will be solution to all my problems. But I didn't expect that she can turn into stone hearted for the sake of superstitious beliefs.
Women are always special, God has given special power to give life to the world. when God has not ill treated women, why we being women are ill treating ourselves. When we our selves don't believe in our power, how can men respect us . Traditions are made for healthy life style, not to give pain to anyone. It is because of ignorance we are not understanding what are proper traditions and what are superstitious beliefs. Anyway, you will think that I am arguing with you. I will take leave."
Her mother embraced her but she didn't respond, which sumati got disappointed . She came onto road.
As Kalindi indirectly spread news in Krishnanagar that Bondita has menses despite staying in dark room came roaming in village, she used ladies bathroom. Mob gathered at her back throwing tantrums and gossiping about her. She promised to herself that through her education one day she will make them realize their mistake.
Shomik eagerly went outside and made call to Anirudh and told him everything about her condition to Anirudh, to which latter rebuked with choked voice that how can sumati maa behave mercilessly to Bondita, she had went with much expectations from here. He found the train timings and left to station.
When train is arriving Calcutta, Bondita is getting unconscious for not having food. She fainted when reached station and mob gathered near her compartment. Anirudh noticed it, came to her rescue, lifted her and took her to near by hospital.
Bonditha is given saline and doctor scolded Anirudh for not giving proper food, told that complete fasting is not a method to be slim, the girl is already thin, she should be given healthy food. She slowly gained conscious, Saw Anirudh who is holding her hand with tears in his eyes. She felt delighted to see him and held her head on his shoulders and he comforted her.
After sometime, he took her to his house, she is delighted to see Somnath, sampoorna and kids, happily embraced sampoorna and Bondita ate food happily made by her sister from Anirudh's hands.
When she is sleeping peacefully in his house, Anirudh is extremely happy and shedding tears to see her back. He felt surprised for his restlessness in these few days for not seeing her and when his introspect is about to give a name for this feeling, he suddenly compressed it and went to somnath to talk to him. Much to his surprise, Somnath also acknowledged that how he became impatient in hospital when Bondita is unconscious, reminded him that she is only his responsibility. Anirudh kept silent and went to sleep.
Somnath felt that if we try to bring you both closer, you will run away from her. When everyone try to separate you both, then you both will come more closer .
As Bondita recovered and talking happily with sampoorna, latter explained how Anirudh felt lonely despite we being with him. He became desparate by seeing you unconscious in train .
Bondita asked sampoorna with hesitation about what is husband and wife relationship. Why did Anirudh make her away from him .
Sampoorna explained that "Bondita, husband and wife are the best friends throughout their life. When children are growing parents will be getting old and cannot take care of them like they used to do in young age. Every parent wish to leave the world before their child. So to fulfill the vaccum, parents get children married so that they both take care of each other like a parent, a friend, siblings, like lovers and loves each other unconditionally. (Bondita heartbeat skipped thinking of Anirudh and cannot stop herself from blushing in heart). They shouldn't have any secrets from each other and share each other pain, happiness,all feelings.
Anirudh felt that you may have feelings for other person when you come into teenage (Kishorawashta) and he may become obstacle for you . He want you to choose your life partner without any hesitations, confusion and pressure. So when you decided to get marry, take wise decision."
Bondita nodded looking at Anirudh who is playing in distance with kids. Sampoorna teased her for blushing and hiding face with hands.
She again expressed her doubt "with these kind of feelings, can I achieve my ambition?"
Sampoorna asked "Will Anirudh become obstacle in reaching your goal or will he become inspiration to reach your goal?"
Bondita replied "He is my Krishna who always show me the right path. He will always make a path to reach my goal."
Sampoorna smiled and felt that they will definitely unite one day. After 2 days Somnath, sampoorna left with kids to Tulsipur.
Bondita silently started preparing for law entrance and XII std subjects. Anirudh asked her to tell whats going on in her mind. Are you scared of sumati maa rigid behaviour and villagers taunts.
She replied that : "My stubbornness is increased and I want to study more and show them that their thinking is narrow minded. I want to prove my worth to everyone." He praised her "Bravo Bonditha”
On the other side, chandrachur is hatching a plan to impress Sumati and Bonditha at a time. He targeted Shomik and trapped him in an issue that due to his medicines patient got severe problem, later chandrachur saved the patient and apologized on shomik's behalf and impressed him. He introduced as Kalindi's grandson and spoke sensitively. Later came to Krishnanagar house impressed everyone with his decent behaviour and pretended himself as the most genuine person who respect women. He suggested Shomik that he will expand their medicines in Calcutta. Kalindi suggested to take Bondita help as she is intelligent in handling accounts. He agreed with a cunning smile.
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