"R a Bondita... " exclaimed thakuma "you didn't inform that you are comming..."
"Why? Will I now need to take appointment before comming to my own home also?" Bondita replied roughly
"What kind of accent is this Bondita... where is Jamai babu?"

"Kuliiii.... kuliiiiii kuuuulllliiiiii" Batuk came in with Bondita's luggage over his head.
"Who's he?" Asked thakuma
"Idiot.." Bondita made an akward face.

Sumati came out hearing the choas.

Batuk trew the luggage from his head.
"Why you throw my luggage like that?" Shouted Bondita
"Why did you call me Idiot?" Batuk gave a counter.
"Because you are... "
"Then what are you hypertensive kiddo.."
"What?! Hypertensive?"
" Why? Don't you take tension and go hyper always?"
Bondita got confused by the logic.

"Bonditaaaa" called Sumati "What's the matter??"
"She quarreled with Dada Aunty... this time it was no cat war but tiger war so he left and she left" informed Batuk
"Do you think this is a joke?" Asked Bondita angrily
"Yes it is... because after sometime either he'll come to apologise or you'll sent pink cupcakes..." replied Batuk
"Pink cupcakes?!"
"Yes... you can think Batuk is an idiot but he'll a very efficient observer... "

"You quarreled with Jamai babu?" Asked thakuma
"Yes I did... "
"And made me her kuli... her luggage is soo heavy... what did you take?? Your marriage Benarasi?" Complained Batuk
"Will you please stop?"
"No I'll not... I demand justice"
"Go to court then"
"I've no money"
"Then earn it"
"Now you don't give your Pattiii babu's dialogue"
"Don't take his name"
"Oh is his name Pattii babu?"

Thakuma put her hand on her head. "Bondita... will you stop quarreling and tell what the matter is?"
"He brought a house at Calcutta"
"That's great" exclaimed thakuma
"Without consulting me.."
"So what? He did it for you too.."
"You are also taking his for?! Don't I have a opinion..."

Thakuma understood Bondita is in full feminism mood.
"Ok alright... go inside and get fresh... you also come... ahh"
"He's Batuk... my youngest Dewar.."
"Ohh I see... last time when I saw him he was a kid.."

"He he... so was she" Batuk pointed at Bondita

Thakuma gave an akward smile.

*********
Anirudh arrived to his new "Home". Some work was done.. some were yet to be done. Anirudh ordered to complete the work as quickly as possible. His room was ready. He got inside it... the room looked so fabulous.. he sighed.

*********
At night
"Bondita... it's your duty to stay in per with your husband" Sumati patts on Bondita's head.
"Please ma... please go... leave me alone"

At Calcutta
"Babu... will you have only Sandwich for dinner..." asked the servant.
"Yes... do you have any problem?"
"No Babu... I just asked..."

**********

Bondita came and threw the file on her desk. It's ridiculous. The taunts are getting severe now.. she feels like running away from this place and the name.

                            *******************

"Excuse me"
"Yes"
"Which place is this?"
"It's Krishnanagar"
"Well... accha... can I get a good lawyer here?"
"Lawyer?"
"Yes"

The man was neutral enough so he told all the lawyers name along with Bondita.
"Bondi... a lady?!"
"Yes... she's staying here nowadays"
"I see..."

The man went to everyone but all refused to take such a complicated and useless case.So atlast he choose to go to Bondita

"Yes..." enquired thakuma
"Ji I want to meet Barrister Bondita"
"Bondita... well wait.. let me see if she's ready to meet"

Bondita agreed to meet the man.

"Yes... please be sitted... tell me what your problem is..." said Bondita
"Yes ji actually... it's a property case... against my brother... but the problem is the Dalil of this property is with my brother... I never knew he will betray me..."
Bondita gave a look at the papers
"Hmmmm.... the case is under process already and the order at lower court made it more complicated"
"Yes Bondita ji"
"What about your previous lawyer?"
"He left when my brother employed a big Barrister in High Court..."
"Who's he?"
"I've no idea... but it seemed everyone fears him..."
Bondita gave a sarcastic smile. She thought it'll be better to take a break and go to High Court. If she is proved to be efficient over that fearful Barrister then it'll be a answer on those trollers face.

"Ok Mukherjee babu... so you say your brother stole the Dalil and took away the property"
"Yes beti... and he is now giving me only that room at the corner to stay with my family... he says he need money to marry off his daughter... now I also have a young daughter... don't I too need money?!"
"Is money only needed to marry off daughters?"
"No... actually... I'm sighting an example"

Bondita took the case.

*************

"Thakuma, I took Mukherjee Babu's case... please arrange me some rental room in Calcutta... near High Court" said Bondita during dinner
"What?! You'll stay alone in that big city?!" Exclaimed Thakuma
"Why? Didn't I live in London for 8 years... ALONE?"

Thakuma had no reply to give. She sent men to arrange a good rental for a married lady.

********

"Amol arrange the files"
"Yes Sir..."
"When is the hearing date for Mukherjee's case?"
"This Friday Sir... and you know sir the opponent lawyer fled fearing your arguments" smiled Amol
"What? Then who is fighting on their behalf?" asked Anirudh
"I don't know Sir..."

Anirudh has arranged this small mansion in his own way. He have 4 juniors working under him. But he realises it every moment that no one can be a better assistant to him than his dear Bondita.

**********

Bondita got off the rickshaw in front on a house. A relatively old house of traditional Bengali architecture.
Bondita knocked at the door. An old man opened the door.
"Yess..."
"Namaskar Meshobabu " (a term to adress unrelated elders, literally "mesho" stands for husband of mother's sister. The term is used as a warm gesture to unrelated elders here)
"Namaskar... you are?"
"I'm Bondita... granddaughter of Kalindi Das... she talked to you about the rental thing..."
"Ohh yes yes... please come in..."

Bondita went into the house. Its a pretty big one.. not as gorgeous as her thamuka's or in-laws but is quite decently furnished.

The old man, Deepak Pramanik, got her meet with his son who is a clerk at the High Court and to his grandchildren.
Beena his Granddaughter, is a school student. His grandson is Bikash, a college student and an aspiring Doctor. His Son, the High Court Clerk, Bimal took her to his wife Sumita. After the meeting session Sumita showed Bondita her room. Much to her surprise it had an attached bath too. She liked the room very much. It's in the first floor adjacent to Beena's room. The backyard garden can be seen from her room. Though Bondita wanted a rent but for her safety Thakuma arranged for a paying guest facility.

Bondita had her bath and went to the dining area.

"So.. you are a Barrister " Asked Deepak Babu
"Yes..."
"And.... your... husban..."
"You are a barrister?!" Beena asked with shiny eyes.
"Yess" Bondita replied with a smile
"Baba says Barristers come from London... you came from London?"
"Yess"
"Who stayed with you there? Your Baba? Ma??"
"No... no one.. I were alone"
"Alone for 5 years?" Asked Bimal
"No... 8.. 8 years"
Bimal was astonished. He looked at Sumita.
"You must be brave?!" Asked Beena
"Yes... that I am... no boy in my village dared to pinch me.. in London too... everyone were afraid of me.."
"You beat them?"
"Sometimes.."
"Wowww"

"Hogeya.. now she'll beat me in trial" whispered Bikash.

"This is your first time in High Court?" Asked Deepak babu
"Yes Meshobabu"
"Against whom are you fighting?"
"I don't know exactly"

That evening Siddheswar Mukherjee, Bondita's client came at the house. They have arranged for a room as her chamber. She called Bimal Babu for a little help in typing the Vakalatnama as she can't handle so many work alone. Bimal babu enthusiastically agreed to help her.

"Bondita ji I got to know of the opponent lawyer" informed Mukherjee
"Who? I don't know if I will know him but...."
"His name is Anirudh Roy Choudhury"
Bondita was shocked. She looked up at him. Her hands trembled.

"Anirudh Roy Choudhury?!" Exclaimed Bimal "He is a very strong Barrister.... no one dares to..."

Bondita looked at Bimal.
"I mean..." Bimal continued "he'll be a tough fight... by the way Bondita ji... your full name.. I forgot to ask.."
Bondita looked at the table and sighed, then gulped to gather strength.
"Bondita DAS.... BARRISTER BONDITA DAS..."
"Mrs. right? Very silly question I know"
"BARRISTER BONDITA DAS" insisted Bondita.
Bimal got shocked "yes... ok... alright...."

***************
At the High Court,
"Sir, who do you think will handle the plaintiff side?"
"How do I know Amol .. it's not a football match.. so do your work."

Anirudh got ready for his move.
"Sir Sir..." Sahadeb came running
"What?"
"It's a lady"
"You fell for a lady?"
"R a... na na sir... it's a Lady Barrister"

Anirudh's heart skipped a beat. Siddheswar babu entered... Anirudh's heart beated faster... there may be other lady barristers too.. she's not the first one.. Bondita entered behind him. Her head was held up, the way she entered the courtroom blew up Anirudh's mind. A light breeze flew over his head. Her attitude... my God.. he can stare at her forever. She came and stood infront of him. Eye in eye. Now this eye in eye is not new to him but... her stare is not lovely.. it seems like she'll smash his head. Wait! It's the courtroom... and... and.. and she's his opponent?!

The romantic dreamland of Anirudh broke down. He came back to reality. It's she... it's really she... she fighting against him. What can be of more pride to a mentor than this. Not only mentor... ahemmm... he can lie down infront of her too... love is blind you know.

"Your Honour" Started Bondita "I'm Barrister Bondita DAS"
Anirudh looked shockingly at her. When did this happen?! Or his ears rang.
"...and I'll fight the case on behalf of Plaintiff Siddheswar Mukherjee"
Bondita put forward the Vakalatnama.

Anirudh's heart started shrinking.
"Amol"
"Yes Sir"
"Her name?"
"Bondita Das Sir"
Anirudh's heart became a total vaccum. He knows he did a mistake but this... this is unexpected. He became stone cold.

As further hearing continued Anirudh put forward the arguments in a cold harsh way. Bondita is no kid she too competed well with him. Anirudh wanted to press her down but every time she pushed Anirudh.

Barrister Banerjee came at the middle of the hearing and got shocked to hear the arguement. He felt like firing will start at anytime. Judge was too at the edge of his chair. He wandered how he will give order if arguement goes on like this. Bondita have proofs... Anirudh is giving counter logics to proof it wrong but Bondita have her own logics which no one can deny.

Court was adjourned. Anirudh moved fast and came near Bondita.
"You didn't do this well Bondita" he whispered.
Siddheswar babu looked at him. He wanted to say something but Bondita stopped
"You aren't doing it well either... you are with the wrong side... and you yourself very well know that"
Bondita didn't whisper but spoke it loud enough for everyone to hear.
She went out with the same attitude as she came in.
Anirudh's face went red. Barrister Banerjee patted his back.

*********

Back home, Anirudh relaxed on his easy chair wandering Bondita's attitude. A cool breeze was blowing. The servant brought in some lime sorbet. He sipped in the cool liquid and sighed. He took a deep breathe recalling the memories he had with Bondita when she was a child.
"She has not grown up.." smiled Anirudh "I was silly that I grew angry on her... I need to make her understand... but how?! She isn't ready to hear... "

He rested his back on the chair and closed his eyes. Bondita is not a kid anymore. She's a matured lady. She choose him... yes it was she who choose him.. but she's just 20... at that age he too did many crazy things... well meeting Bondita was a part of his crazyness only... but now time has passed... Bondita can grow up but she is still the same person... but.... but.. she threw out his name from her's?! Why?! She used to be proud to use that name but today?!

"Babu...." a servant called from the doorway
"Yes..."
"What to cook for dinner?"
"Sandwich"
"Babu... I know I'm a servant... but.. if you eat like this you'll fall sick...."
"Do as I said"
"Ji Babu..."

The servant left. Anirudh felt a dizziness in his head. He drank the whole sorbet and sighed.

*********

Bondita sat on her bed. Something whirlpooled in her heart. She tried to be strong but she broke down. She hugged the pillow and cried.
"Why Patibabu why! Why your name is a curse to me now....why people judge me by your name and not by who I am.... you didn't look back at me for once..."
Bondita got up and wipped her tears..
"Yes... he didn't look back at me for once... why I'm crying.. Bondita will not cry... Bondita will fight and show who she is..."