Bondita's POV
I was standing near the window pane.
It was mid afternoon. The warm wind was gushing speedily while I was busy going through a case file.
Sudipta bose
Age : 15
Daughter of abha and samar bose.
Missing since two months,last seen on July 25th at her school
Saint Mary's Convent inter college at sharp 2 pm when her school dismissed.
According to the statements given by her mother Mrs Abha Bose her daughter is been kidnapped as stated in the FIR they filed at police station.
But her father's statements were completely contradictory.
He flatly refused his wife statements.
"Since quite a few days I was keeping a check on her because I found out her secret I came to know that she was having an affair with shubroneil
banerjee , son of niruttam banerjee , president of an elite political party of Calcutta.
She has eloped with him "
For a while his remarks about his daughter infuriated me.
How could a father be so ruthless and ugly that he without giving a thought of his daughter's reputation would give such statement to the police .
But I knew I have to cool down.
Even before being taught in London law school, my pati babu taught me
the core or I should rather say the most important trait to be a essentially a successful barrister; that is maintaining neutrality in one 's behavior while handling with people regarding a case.
How could I know that which side is the accused and which one is victim?
What if I end up supporting the criminal and not victim?
I still remembered how I had bombarded him with my questions when we were trying to solve a mystery of a case mutually at his study.
Unlike other adolescents who were engrossed in reading Romeo And Juliet, As You Like it ; nothing but pure romance , I was happy in our mock court sessions at home.
His eyes glistened when he saw me in that barrister coat and graduation hat.
Honestly I never faced a situation of being caught red handed reading a romantic novel, by him.
And even if he would have, I know him he would have not scolded me or punished me.
But we shared a mutual and deep understanding . Things and thoughts, approval and disapproval went without saying, conversations flowed as freely as air.
But that doesn't mean our opinions were divided on matters.
We both gave each other a tough time.
Our mock court sessions weren't less exhaustive than real hearings at the court.
Julius Caesar is one of our favorite novel personally.
Doesn't it happens with everyone, you try to imitate your idol, your guru.
When you love someone you eventually start to love everything about them, their likes become your favourites!
You grunt at their dislikes too.
Yes however I came to this realisation much later but today as I look back I realise that I have started loving him much earlier, been a teen I was struggling with my feelings and then I had to leave for London for studies but he was always there in my heart and soul , in my consciousness.
I chuckled at my thoughts sipping the coffee in my hand.
I liked to keep it strong.
Coffee has become my sole support on which I rely, reading heavy case files is so exhaustive and tiring to read sometimes you see!
This was my second cup of coffee!
If some years ago pati babu would have seen me he would have literally lashed at me for having too much coffee.
He never allowed me, when I asked for a sip of coffee from his cup.
And when I argued giving a valid reason that I want to have it to study at night for exams.
Still he didn't agreed!
Tum apne tark apne paas hi rakho!
A smile crept on my face , a memory crossed my mind.
But now he never stops me for anything neither he lashes at me occasionally.
We have reached a mature stage of our relationship scoldings and
Abashment is not at all necessary at this point of time.
But somewhere unconsciously I crave for his scoldings, the hidden form of love they emphasised !
A warm gush of dry wave of loo, thrashed my face as a slap.
Indeed it was tight slap on my face , the fate signalling me to have a look of harsh reality of my life.
Mam!
I turned back hearing rituja.
She entered my cabin.
Mam hope I didn't disturb you it's lunch time already!
She smiled at me.
She had a lunch box in her hand.
Mam!
May you have it?
She offered me the food, forwarding her lunch box to me.
No it's ok, you have your lunch rituja,
I shook my head in a no to which she frowned.
Riju! I said looking at her.
I don't feel like eating something!
I said to her placing one of my hand on her shoulder.
Mam you have had two cups of coffee already!
Who would feel like having something after suppressing her hunger deliberately!
She said looking straight into my eyes.
Well that's nice, now everyone knows about my addiction to coffee and my newly appointed intern too is taunting me for the same!
That's great Bondita!
What impression have you created in minds of interns!
I sighed.
Riju are you taunting me for the same?
I raised an eyebrow at her.
Not at all, mam it was just that I was a little concerned for you.
I know you leave for lunch at your home everyday.
But I thought you are busy with a case already .
J just wanted to say that if you leave office right now it would take much time and you won't be able to return soon and there is lot of work already
So you know mam..
She said at a stretch.
I couldn't help myself bursting out in laughter.
Riju ! I rolled my eyes at her.
I was just joking.
I said looking at her nervous expressions.
She smiled sheepishly at me.
You know na!
I don't have lunch alone!
Pati babu would be waiting for me at home.
I said to her.
I took a small bite from her lunch, a small morsel of lucchi from her lunch .
She grinned at my gesture immediately.
Sometimes I thought I was too frank with my associates and it would hinder professionalism but the impact was completely opposite.
My juniors never disobeyed my orders, never took an undue advantage of my leniency.
But rather extended support to me.
It's true that authority and responsibility always go hand in hand but dealing with my colleagues I think I hardly used authoritative tone, there wast need for it.
I and riju shared a relationship of friendship more than of a boss and an intern.
I had found a very close friend in her.
But what has made me more impressed about her is that she never crossed her line of respect.
Never tried to intrude in my personal life as such.
Nor asked me anything about my life.
However I sometimes ironically I really wanted to vent out , tell her about the mess in my life, the phase I was going through , sometimes I even felt like yelling on top of my voice telling everyone about everything.
My pain, my sorrow the adversities I was going through.
But I can't.
There were two reasons.
First being it's true that I shared a cordial relationship with her.
But at the end of the day she was my intern.
I had some professional limits which I knew I must adhere to in every sense.
And who knows if she didn't wish to listen to my rants I don't want to make her uncomfortable.
We have to work together.
Second and the more obvious fact it was truth that the pain inside was pricking my heart as a piece of a broken glass shatters someone's skin.
But I can't express I can't neither tell people.
Because I don't want anyone to victimize me.
Bondita Aniruddh Roy Chaudary has been a victor always.
I could accept the hatred or resentment visible in people's eyes but not pity.
Not at any cost!
I inhaled deeply trying to shrug off those thoughts.
Riju had left already.
Perhaps she understood my state of mind.
However she was right, there was a lot of work already piled up at office today.
And I can't afford to leave off for an hour even.
It would take almost two and half hours leaving for home and coming back.
Huh!
I won't be leaving!
I made up my mind.
I closed my eyes resting on my chair.
I have to inform him.
However shoba didi might have made the lunch already but I know him
and his obstinacy as well.
He would not even touch the plate of food without me and it would remain there on dining table until I return.
I gasped.
I have to call him and tell him that I won't be able to join him for lunch today otherwise he would grump .
His nose scrunches whenever he becomes irritated.
I shook my head in amusement imagining his funny expressions.
A sound of telephone ringing brought me out of my trance.
Who could have been at the other side
other than Pati babu!
I rushed near the candlestick telephone which was present at the corner of my cabin.
Placing the receiver close to my ear and mouthpiece near my face.
My face blanched all of a sudden hearing a familiar voice from other side.
A trail of mixed emotions equipped my mind.
My tongue stuttered to take his name after two years.......
