“Why do you need me to say anything? When did you ever need me to say anything? You will do what you want to do regardless of what I say. You are just forcing me to accept your decision. Just like you always have.” Tupur’s voice reduced to almost a whisper as years of pain began resurfacing in her heart. Bondita shut her eyes tightly. She loved being barrister, the robe was her pride, but deep down she knew this robe, her dreams were stained, stained with the price she had to pay for her freedom, tainted with the cost of losing a sister. But she will fix it, she had to. She has given her sibling years of misery and suffering but now she will make sure that she removes all the thorns from Tupur’s road to happiness. But first, she has to make Tupur open her heart and realize that not only her, but every single woman deserved to be treated like a queen and enjoy a life filled with love without being clouded by the fear of her husband.
“Yes, you are right. I have sinned greatly and a mere apology will never be enough. You were the one who has suffered the greatest consequence of my actions. Whether you ever choose to forgive me or not will be completely your choice, just like in this matter too, only you will have the final say.” Bondita spoke, with regret.
“What do you mean?” Tupur was confused. “Have you read The Mahabharat?” Bondita looked at her with a faint smile. “Of course, I have” Tupur snapped back, now losing her patience. Bondita remained steady and spoke as gently as she could, “The Kauravs were sinners, they had imbalanced the cycle of life itself, considering themselves invincible. Krishna, who had every power to finish them, did nothing, not because he was incapable. But because it was not his prerogative to punish them. Just like Krishna, I too could press charges on Chandrachur for this, and the petition for your medical test which will prove that he was manhandling you will get easily accepted too as he has already been convicted of multiple crimes but I won’t do so. It is not right for me to do so. I can only be your Sarathi and show you what is wrong. Nevertheless, I cannot force the truth on you. I have already ruined your life once because of my obstinacy, I can’t do it again. So just like Arjun had the choice of whether or not he wanted to fight against his family, you too will have a choice. I have only lead your way towards justice, your way to the battlefield. Whether you pick up your bow or not against those who have wronged you, was and will always be your decision.”
Bondita, unable to face Tupur, had already turned to walk out with a sigh when she perceived her little sister’s sobs. Without a second thought, she rushed to Tupur’s side and engulfed her in her arms. “What if he hurts me after I confess, Bondita Didi? What if he punishes me for ruining his name? what…” “Shh,” Bondita stopped Tupur “Look me in the eyes, my sister,” she said, exhilarated after hearing Didi from Tupur after so long. “I, Bondita Das, swear in the name of Maa Durga, that if you deem that man guilty and no longer want him in your life, I will make sure that man never comes near you ever again. Hurting you is out of the picture; I will make sure that Chandrachur Basu never even gets to see the light of the day again.”
Tupur felt her breath getting stuck in her throat as she slowly made her way to the witness box after being summoned by the judge on Anirudh’s appeal. “So Mrs. Basu, was Chandrachur abusing you physically or mentally?” The judge questioned the moment she had sworn to say the truth. She looked up only to be met by Chandrachur’s glare from the opposite side. That glare had been the reason for those countless sleepless nights she spent in fear. That glare was all she had received for all the love she had given him. She reopened her eyes which she had shut in fear. Looking at the judge, she commenced “Yes, your honor. That man has mistreated, abused me, and beaten me, scarring both my body and soul. I made sure to never fail him as his wife. But he has always failed in being a husband. I have loved him, accepted him, and have forgiven him for all his sins but not anymore. I can’t seem to do it anymore, because now I know my love deserves better. I deserve better.”
The judge smiled, a woman speaking for what is wrong is so refreshing to the eye. He thought “This is the beginning of change and I, as a judge must play my part in it”. Thus he began “Kindly pass this paper to Mr. Basu” he requested the peon. “What are these?” Chandrachur thundered. “Divorce papers of you and your wife, submitted by Barrister Bondita and Barrister Anirudh earlier. The court orders you to sign them” he spoke, with authority before Chandrachur could disagree.
“Very well then,” the judge said as he received the paper after both Tupur and Chandrachur had signed it. “Henceforth, the marriage of Chandrachur Basu and Mrs. Basu is nullified. Now for the final verdict, the court finds Chandrachur Basu guilty of all charges pressed against him. The court has decided that on 31st October, five days from now, Chandrachur Basu will be hanged to death as his punishment. The court is adjourned” The judge concluded breaking the nib of the fountain pen he had been using in the case to mark the death penalty.
Tupur felt her knees giving way, as she heard the verdict. A loud wailing attracted her attention as she finally turned towards the audience. There was her ex-mother-in-law and father-in-law bellowing their eyes out seeing their son dragged out in handcuffs. Her Thakuma and Trilochan Roy Chowdhary seemed to be frozen, unable to understand anything. Barrister Anirudh seemed jubilant as he vigorously shook hands with people, who thanked him and Bondita for finally resolving the rivalry. Then her eyes met Bondita’s eyes who stood there, looking at her with pride and gave her a sweet smile when their eyes met.
Tupur regained her strength as she walked out of the witness box, with all her worries fading away. She will, finally have nothing to fear as someone had fulfilled her vow to protect her.
She will be alright. Not because Barrister Bondita das had said so, but because her Bondita Didi had vowed so.