Chapter 1: The Weight of Expectations

Tulsipur: The Golden Cage

The sun was setting over the horizon of Tulsipur, painting the sky in bruised shades of orange and purple. Inside the Roy Choudhury haveli, the air was thick with the scent of jasmine and the bittersweet ache of a goodbye.

Bela looked at her elder brother with wide, hopeful eyes, her fingers nervously tugging at the edge of her dupatta. "Dada, agli bar kab aaoge?" (Dada, when will you come next?)

Aniruddh sighed, his hands pausing over his half-packed suitcase. He looked at his sister with a weary smile. "Jaldi ane ki koshish karunga Bela, khuch khe nhi sakte. Filhal toh ye pata ha kl jaana hai." (I will try to come soon Bela, but I can't say for sure. For now, all I know is that I have to leave tomorrow.)

Dida stood at the doorway, her voice laced with the resentment of a grandmother who hated seeing him leave. "Hamesha yahi kheta ha." (He always says the same thing.)

Aniruddh turned to her, his voice softening but firm. "Sachme dida time nhi milta, bacho ki padai ka swal hai." (Truly Dida, I don’t get time. It’s a matter of the students' education.)

Dida crossed her arms, unconvinced. "Hmm, mujhe na sikha. Yaha ki kisi callege mein bhi toh naukri kr sakta hai..." (Hmm, don't try to teach me. You could work at a college here as well...)

"Try kiya hai, pr iss session ke bad hi khuch ho sakta ha," (I have tried, but something can only happen after this session ends) Aniruddh explained, wishing she would understand his professional drive.

"Bagwan kare isbaar mil jaye tujhe yaha naukri. Phir teri jald se jald shadi kra dungi. Kyu...." (God grant that you get a job here this time. Then I’ll get you married as soon as possible. Right?) Dida said with a hopeful glint in her eyes.

At the mention of marriage, Bela and Batuk shared a mischievous glance and started chanting in unison, "Hmmmm, dada shadiiiiiiii!" (Hmmmm, Dada... marriage!)

Aniruddh’s jaw tightened. He glared at the two of them, his patience snapping. "Chup dono bandar, dida mein kha na mujhe nhi karni shadi. Isliye mere ana ka mn nhi karta... App sab..." (Quiet, you two monkeys! Dida, I told you I don’t want to get married. This is why I don’t feel like coming home... you all...)

Kaka stepped in, trying to reason with him. "Aree toh isme galat kiya hai, shadi toh sabko karni hoti hai...." (Hey, what’s wrong with that? Everyone has to get married eventually...)

Batuk gasped with an exaggerated expression of shock. "Kya pata dada na boudi phele se hi dhund rakhi hu, isiliye mna kr rehe ho........ Bol do dada ye jhut ha. Jhut ha!" (Maybe Dada has already found a sister-in-law for us, that’s why he’s refusing... Tell us Dada, is it a lie? Tell us!)

Aniruddh’s face turned red with fury. He shouted at the top of his lungs, "Ha jhut haa... Befaltu wali bat mt karo....... Mein ja raha hu packing karne...... Bihari kamre mein coffee leke aao!" (Yes, it's a lie! Don't talk nonsense! I'm going to finish packing... Bihari, bring coffee to my room!)

He stormed out, leaving a stunned silence behind. Dida reached out and slightly hit Batuk on the arm. "Kyu chedta ha apne dada ko pata ha na use asa mazak pasand nhi....." (Why do you tease your brother? You know he doesn't like such jokes.)

"Ye mazak tha dida, mujhe kya pata tha dada itna gussa ho jayega.... Pr dekna kl tak bilkul theek ho jayege," (It was just a joke Dida, I didn't know he'd get so angry... but see, he’ll be fine by tomorrow) Batuk muttered, though he looked a little guilty.

Bombay: The Shadowed Reality

The next day, Aniruddh left for the bustling city of Bombay. In a cramped hostel room at noon, the atmosphere was heavy for a different reason. Bondita was hunched over her desk, lost in her books, while her roommate Niya was busy getting ready.

"Yar Bondita Tu bhi date pe jaya kr na, bhoot maza aata hai," (Bondita, you should also go on dates, it's so much fun) Niya suggested while applying lipstick.

Bondita didn't even look up. "Nhi Niya, mujhe ye sab pasand nhi hai, tum jao." (No Niya, I don't like all this. You go.)

Niya rolled her eyes. "Acha babaa, pr party wegra mein toh chala kr kitna maza ata hai. Or kab tak bas ye full sleeves ka suit salwar or bas saree phenegi, kabhi khuch or bhi try kr." (Fine... but at least come to parties, it’s so fun. And how long will you wear these full-sleeved suits and sarees? Try something else for once.)

Bondita’s grip on her pen tightened. "Nhi, mujhe vese kapde pasand nhi. Or agar pishi ko pata chla mein yaha asa karti hu, mujhe ghar Bulalengi, or kabhi phadi nhi karne degi." (No, I don’t like those kinds of clothes. And if Pishi finds out I'm doing this here, she’ll call me back home and never let me study again.)

Niya turned around, her voice sharp with pity. "Vo tujhe padne isliye nhi de rahi ki tu khuch bn sake, bs isliye ki tu kaamye or unhein de sake. Matlab mehant teri or kami unki wahaa.........." (She isn’t letting you study so you can become someone; it's just so you can earn and give it to her. Meaning, your hard work and her income... wow!)

Bondita felt a lump in her throat, but she defended her only family. "Asa mt khe Niya, mere pass parivaar ke naam pr bas pishi hai, unhone hi mujhe pala hai, or agar mein unhein kaamke dungi agar ise unhein khushi milti hai mujhe manzoor hai." (Don't say that Niya. I only have Pishi in the name of family; she raised me. And if I earn for her, if that gives her happiness, then I accept it.)

"Well done Ms. Bondita das. Jante huye bhi sirf apne matlab ke liye tujhe rakha hai, tab bhi.... Chod tujhe smjha ke koi fayda nhi.......... Mein chali byee," (Well done Ms. Bondita Das. Even knowing she keeps you for her own greed... forget it, there's no use explaining to you. I'm leaving, bye) Niya said, walking out.

As the door closed, tears finally welled up in Bondita’s eyes. She whispered to the empty room, "mein smjhti ho Niya, pr mein cha kr bhi khuch nhi kr sakti....... Mere paida hone se phele maa - baba se un se karz liya tha.... ... Vo toh mujhe chukana hi haa..... .. Varna mere maa-baba ki aakhri ishani bhi chali jayegi.......... Or mein vo nhi hone de sakti..." (I understand Niya, but I can't do anything even if I want to... My parents took a debt from her before I was born... I have to repay that. Otherwise, the last memory of my parents will be gone... and I can't let that happen.)

The College: The Predator and the Professor

At 8:40 AM the next morning, Bondita was sprinting through the corridors. She was ten minutes late. Breathless, she reached the door.

"Sir..... Sir... May l....." Bondita stammered, her heart racing.

Chandrachur looked up with a slow, unsettling smile. "Aree Bondita tum , aj late ho gyi koi nhi... Aoo na..." (Oh Bondita, it's you! You're late today, but no matter... come in.)

"Sorry sir.... Agee nhi nhi hoga....." (Sorry sir... it won't happen again.)

"Aree koi baat nhi hota ha kabhi kabhi hota hai........ Don't sorry... Come and sit," (It's okay, it happens... Don't be sorry... come and sit) Chandrachur said. He grabbed her hand to lead her to a seat, his touch making her skin crawl. Bondita sat silently, her body stiff with fear as she felt his hungry gaze scanning her.

Before the lecture ended, he leaned in. "Bondita lunch ke baad ek office mein ana." (Bondita, come to the office once after lunch.)

"Ji ji sir..." (Yes... yes sir.)

After lunch, Bondita knocked on his office door. When she entered, her heart dropped—the room was empty of other students.

"Come in, are Bondita tum , aao behto na," (Come in. Oh Bondita, come, sit) Chandrachur said, standing up.

Bondita stayed by the door, trembling. "No sir... Thank you.. Mein asi theek ho.. Vo.. Vo apne bulaya tha.." (No sir... thank you. I am fine standing. You... you called me.)

Chandrachur walked around his desk, getting uncomfortably close. He scanned her body slowly. "Hmm, dekho tumhe apne baara mein sochna chaiye.... Agar asi late aaogi toh..........." Slowly whisper, "mein tumhe kam dekh Paaunga....." (Look, you should think about yourself. If you come late like this... I will be able to see you less.)

Bondita was too scared to even process the creepiness of his words. "Toh sir........." (So sir...?)

"Toh padai pr asar padega, smaj rahi ho na..... 6-7 mahine hi toh padai bachi hai," (So your studies will be affected, you understand, right? Only 6-7 months of studies are left) he said, his voice dropping an octave.

The bell rang, saving her. "ji ji sir, age se nhi hoga...... Sorry... Mein ab chalti hu... Class shuru hogayi," (Yes sir, it won't happen again. Sorry... I'm going now. Class has started) Bondita scrambled to leave.

He moved to touch her, but another teacher entered the room. Bondita felt a wave of relief. "Hmm tum jao bon, kl se jaldi ana," (Hmm, you go Bondita. Come early from tomorrow) Chandrachur said, his tone changing instantly.

Bondita rushed out, gasping for air. Then she remembered—Aniruddh’s class! She ran to the classroom, but he was already there.

"Sir may....." she whispered at the door.

Aniruddh didn't even look up from his notes, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Ooh apko yaad agya ki class hai, ya phir apke liye lunch ka period jayda hi bada hai?" (Oh! You remembered there's a class? Or is the lunch period just too long for you?)

The students began to laugh. Bondita lowered her head, her face burning. Aniruddh slammed his book on the desk. "Silence.... Everyone stop."

"Sorry sir vo.... Chandrachur sir ne bulaya tha..... Isiliye..." (Sorry sir, actually... Chandrachur sir had called me. That’s why...) Bondita tried to explain.

Aniruddh cut her off, his eyes cold. "I don't want excuse ms. Das..... It's third time in this month, same excuse."

"No sir mein... Sach...." (No sir, I... truly...)

Aniruddh pointed a finger at her, his voice rising. "Shut up! Tum jaise ladkiyon ko ache se janta ho padai nhi karni hoti sirf ghumne ate ho college mein.... Or agar padna nhi haa toh ghar pr raho!" (Shut up! I know girls like you well. You don't want to study, you just come to college to wander around. And if you don't want to study, then stay home!)

Bondita felt as if she had been slapped. "No sir mein vasi.... Nhi," (No sir, I'm not... like that) she choked out.

"CHUPP! Abse tum iss ek week meri class mein bahar kadai rahogi... This is your punishment," (QUIET! From now on, you will stand outside my class for one week. This is your punishment) Aniruddh shouted.

"Pr sir..." (But sir...)

"Two week!" (Two weeks!)

Bondita didn't say another word. She stood outside the door, but instead of leaving, she leaned in to listen. Even while being punished, she focused entirely on his lecture. Aniruddh noticed this from the corner of his eye—most students would have run away, but she stayed, her eyes fixed on the blackboard from a distance.

A week passed. In every one of Aniruddh’s lectures, Bondita stood outside, dedicated and focused. And in the shadows, Chandrachur continued to watch her, waiting for his next chance to make her feel small.

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