Chapter 4

Madhav Mohan Ray :

“What is going on here?” Diganta roared as I stood there, taking in the scene in front of me.

An old man, crumbling into the ground,howling. As he watched the house in front of me being burned down, whilst another woman tried to comfort him.

On the other side, there was another group of people. A Pandit and two young men.

Diganta’s voice caused everyone to look at my way as the Doe’s head fell unconcerned in my arm.

My head snapped towards her as all her weight was transferred to me, to support.

“Hey-” I say while slapping her face lightly. “Wake up…Diganta water- quick bring water.”

It's better to take her to my Mansion and have someone look after her. I'll return after settling her in one of our rooms and getting the Baidya (Traditional Bengali Doctor)to check her.

Picking her up I was about to leave when, “Khukhi!” the old man shouted while running towards me, but i forwarded an arm to stop him.

“Apni ke hon ei meye r?” I interrogated.

“Apnake dekhe to kono boro barir chele mone hocche, ta ekhane apni ki kaj e esheche shuni?” the Purohit (Priest) interrupted before the man could speak.

“Ami Madhav Mohan Ray, Babu Modan Mohan Ray er Mejo Putra.” I say, making their eyes widen though I don't pay much heed to it. Bringing back my focus on the old man I look at him, expecting an answer.

“Babu Maybe you don't know this, but this girl you have there.” Pandit said, pointing to My Doe. Intercepting again…

“And I don't remember asking you any question.” I said gritting, though my eyes remained at the old man.

“Babu o ama-amar meye…” he said between sobs. Falling on his knees as he scrambled near my feets. “O kichu koreni apni oke kichu korbenna na!”

I jerked my feets away from him in horror, “e ki korchen apni? You are older than me sir, please get up.”

I instinctively was about to bend down to pick him up when I realised the Doe was still unconscious in my arms.

Oh God, I need to get back and get her checked up before dealing with any of this.

“Diganta, try to put out the fire and recover anything you can. As soon as I reach the mansion I'll reach send some more lethel this way. After that, carefully escort the family to my house.”  I ordered before turning to the father again and saying “ami kichu baje korbo na, apnader ke shahajo korar e cheshta korchi”

With that I turn and walk away, or at least for the first part. My pace increased with every step I took, until I was running. Running as if my life depends on it, almost feels like it does.

The last time I felt this desperate and helplessly numb was on the night my sister-in-law was about to be sacrificed in the name of tradition.

Maybe that is why I feel so desperate to save this girl. Maybe the guilt of leaving my Bouthan(sister-in-law) to fend for herself on the day she needed me the most is making me do this.

Whatever it might be, let it be guilt or not, all I know is that I need to save this girl and her family from the injustices being done to her in the name of traditions…just like my sister-in-law who was…

“Mej Korta apni erom doure ashchen keno? Ar- ar ei meye ti ba ke?” Nayak Moshai said as I stumbled into the mansion…huffing.

“Nayak Moshai ei-ei-ei meye ti r jonno boidyo dakun, taratari. I'll explain everything later.” I stuttered from exhaustion and before he could answer I ran to the second floor with the Doe still in my arms.

“Kotta oke apnar pasher ghore rakhun, apnar ghore rakhle apni to janen ki hote pare!” Nayak Moshai shouted, making my hand halt on the door handle of my room…Yes, he was right. It would be scandalous news if anyone got to know that the Mej Korta of Murshidabad has not only rescued a girl but also kept her in his own chamber. Be it out of kindness or any other emotion, people are quick to judge and point fingers. And the one who will suffer the most would be this girl-

(Master please rest her in the room next to you, not your own chamber. Because if you do so you know what might happen.)

“N-Na-” I heard a low voice as I felt the girl move a little, and for the first time did I see her face clearly for the first time. Is this what hypnotism is? Then I am completely and utterly hypnotised by this Doe.

Her eyes fluttered open, making it go wide the moment it met mine, “A-Apni..?”

(Y-You…?

Her voice brought me out of the trance she had put me through and somehow spoke, “ha ha” I said while nodding. (Yes yes)

Walking towards the door next to my room I flung it open and laid her on the bed. “Ouch…” I grunt as the adrenaline is washing off and the cramps are taking their rightful place.

“What's wrong?” The Girl says holding my hand, almost…panicking.

“Tomar name ki?” I ask in a tone I never thought I would have.

“Mohini…” she said in a meek tone, while looking down.

“Mohini Dasi” she repeated but this time meeting my eyes. “Kotta, I don't know what I have done might have gotten you angry.” She said while joining her hands “But please don't take that out of my family…please” A sting of year fell from her eyes by the time she completed her sentence.

Shaking my head I immediately wrap my hands around her joint hand, “why do you think I am angry at you? Did you do anything to be angry about ?”

“Ami je ekghora, Tao apnar shamne ashar ashpordha korechi…kotta apni ja shaja dewar amake din…kintu..kintu..” This time she completely breaks down.

(I am isolated from society and yet I had the audacity to come in front of you…but sir whatever punishment you want to give, give them to me…don't…don't…)

Her each sob, comes as a sting to my chest. What happened to her? Why was she Isolated? Why was she crying helpless on the river bank? And ultimately why did the pandits burn her house down?

Question after question were poping up in my mind as my lovely Doe kept crying. I don't know what to do. I never know what to do in times like this. Should I huh her? Try to console her? But wouldn't that be a little too intimate for me to do?

“Yah, as if carrying her to your mansion wasn't?” my subconscious scoffed.

“Oh shut up, that was a different situation!”

*Knock**Knock*

“Mej Kotta Baidya Moshai eshe gachen!” Nayak Moshai said.

(Master, the doctor is here!”)

“Hmm, Onake ektu opekkha korte bolo.” I say as I look at the miserable state of my Horini.

“Shanto hole amake bolo, ami boidyo moshai ke ashte bolbo. Hm?” I say in the most gentle voice I could as I caressed her head and look up at the ceiling.

Hey Mayabono Biharini, please stop crying. Each of you sobs are not only taking the place of the most valuable gohono(jewel) in my collection but are also, slowly making their way into the forest of my Shopono(dreams) and slowly and steadily, becoming one with them.

I think as I close my eyes.

A lot has happened today...

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter, if you did I hope you could leave a vote and comment on my story!

You can also follow me on instagram at @author.jade

See you in the next chapter! Bye!

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***