Chapter 31: Ashram

                                    

                                          
The Haldi ceremony was fully concluded. 
"I am glad everything went smoothly. Thank you, Dugga Maa," Bondita prayed. "I just wish everything goes perfect tomorrow on the big day."
"Som, when will Keth Babu return today?" Chameli asked shyly, as Som and Batuk returned back after bringing the haldi used by Keth. They were all in Anirudh's study. 
"Ohoo... someone is already waiting eagerly for my Keth Dada," Batuk teased and Chameli's face turned a deep shade of red. 
Som smiled and said, "Keth Dada said that he would return tomorrow morning since the wedding is in the afternoon."
Chameli's face fell instantly. "Why so late?"
"Work comes first according to him," Som explained. 
Batuk slapped his forehead dramatically. "Why are my Dadas' all workaholics when they have beautiful wives? Do I also have to be a workaholic to get a beautiful wife?"
Bondita smiled at all their talks, but her eyes traveled to her Patibabu, who was standing in one corner of the study, looking outside the window. 
She approached him and placed a hand over his shoulder. "Is something wrong, Patibabu?"
Anirudh flinched at the sudden voice momentarily but then sighed. "Bondita..."
"Yes? What's bothering you?"
"I promised Kaka that I will send Mala and Mala's mother away from here before the wedding occurs. Kaka doesn't want any 'ill-omen' near his son's wedding at any cost."
"So where will you send them now?" she asked with concern.
"I will send them to the ashram outside Tulsipur. I have checked the place and even talked to them. They will ensure Mala and Barsha Kaki's safety. It is a good place."
"You have chosen it so it has to be really good. I know you will want to give the best facilities possible to them." Bondita smiled proudly.
Anirudh even smiled at that. 
"You think so highly of me, Bondita."
"I am my patibabu's devotee," she gave a cheeky grin. 
He pinched the tip of her nose slightly. "And I am my wife's devotee."
###
"Anirudh Babu, what brings you here?" Mala was happy that Anirudh finally had the time to meet her. 
"Barrister Babu, would you like to drink some water?" Barsha offered. "Please have a seat." 
"No need, Kaki," Anirudh humbly said. "I am here to tell you to pack your bags."
Mala froze in her place. 
Color drained away from Barsha's face. "Are you also leaving us alone, Barrister Babu?"
He shook his head instantly. "No, Kaki."
"Then why are you throwing us away?" Mala asked sharply. 
"I have no problem with you two staying here but we have a wedding tomorrow. So Kaka wants... you know the societal thinking..." he tried to explain. 
Mala pressed her lips as Barsha taunted, "So Barrister Babu, you are giving in to societal thinking."
Anirudh sighed. He was expecting to hear this. "Look, I cannot suddenly change their way of thinking. It takes time so I have to take it slow. Right, Mala?" He turned to her, hoping she would take his side. 
Mala nodded. She could agree to anything her Anirudh Babu said, without a second thought. "Anirudh Babu is right. So when shall we leave?"
He smiled. "Thank you for understanding, Mala. Tomorrow morning, my driver will drive you to the ashram just outside Tulsipur. I have checked the environment and arranged everything. You won't face any problem."
"Okay, thank you," Mala said with a smile. "For everything."
Barsha had the urge to roll her eyes but controlled as she put on a tight-lipped smile. "We will be indebted to you."
"I will always be there for you two, Kaki and Mala." He folded his hands in front of them. "I will take my leave now."
Anirudh left the outhouse. 
Barsha grabbed Mala's hair and pulled it tightly. 
"Oww, Maa!" She tried to free herself from the tight grip. 
"I told you! To go and impress a Roy Chawdhary! You failed miserably. Look, Barrister Babu is now sending us away!" Barsha left her and pushed her roughly on the ground. 
A wince escaped Mala's lips as tears poured from her eyes. 
"You had a chance to fix our lives. We could've led a luxurious life. Now we need to rot in some stupid ashram!" 
"I am sorry, Maa..." she managed to mumble. 
Barsha took a piece of wood and lit it on fire. Then she held the wood stick in front of Mala, whose eyes widened in fear. 
"Maa... please don't kill me... Maa..."
"If you don't fix this by tonight, I will burn you alive," Barsha threatened. 
Mala nodded rigorously, still crying. Her eyes fell on the red banarasi saree. 
###
Keth finished his work earlier and it was almost one in the morning. 
Binoy went to London for work after his haldi, so he was alone in Calcutta.
"I should go and surprise Chameli. She is expecting me to come after ten in the morning but I can leave for Tulsipur now." A smile appeared on his lips as Chameli's beautiful face was in his mind. "Yes, I should go."
He took his backpack and left. 
Meanwhile, Bondita finally made her way to the bedroom, fully exhausted. 
Anirudh was sitting on the couch with a file. "Bondita, we have a lot of cases lined up. But the irony is, a husband having multiple wives is really creating havoc in the society."
Bondita could barely hear him properly. All she wanted to do was lie in bed. 
"Bondita?"
"Hmm..." she hummed, slumping on the bed. 
"We—" he glanced at her, only to find her already asleep on the bed. 
"I admire the strength of women," he said, getting up from the couch. "They work all day without any complaints. They forget to take care of themselves. Moreover, I loaded my Bondita with more work by making her a Barrister. Now she has an office and a house to manage together."
He covered her with a blanket, caressing her hair with a warm smile. "You are my pride, my everything. I love you a lot." He planted a soft kiss on her forehead. 

A/N: Thank you for waiting! I was on a tour. Next update when the chapter reaches at least 10 comments.