chapter 14

Binodini’s journey back to her maternal home was both a nostalgic and bittersweet experience. The familiar landscape of Chandipur, with its vast, green fields and winding dirt paths, brought back a flood of memories. The scent of jasmine wafted through the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of the village. It was a stark contrast to the grandeur of the Chowdhury estate, yet it held a charm that was deeply rooted in her heart.As her palanquin approached the modest house where she had spent her childhood, Binodini felt a rush of emotions. The structure stood as it always had, simple yet welcoming, with its thatched roof and walls adorned with hand-painted motifs. The sight of her family waiting eagerly at the entrance warmed her heart.“Binodini!” her mother, Mahamaya Debi, exclaimed, rushing forward to embrace her daughter. There were tears in her eyes, a mix of joy and longing. “It’s been too long, my child.”Binodini returned the embrace, feeling the familiar comfort of her mother’s arms. “I’ve missed you all so much, Ma.”Her father, Ananda Sanyal, stood nearby, his eyes reflecting pride and relief. “Welcome home, Binodini. It’s good to see you.”The rest of the family gathered around, their faces alight with happiness. Sarojini, her elder sister, held little Jayanta in her arms, while Mrinal, her sister-in-law, stood with Arjun by her side. The toddlers looked at Binodini with wide eyes, curiosity and excitement evident in their expressions.“Masi!” Jayanta called out, wriggling free from Sarojini’s grasp to run to Binodini.She scooped him up, laughing as she twirled him around. “Oh, how you’ve grown, Jayanta!”Arjun toddled over, not wanting to be left out. Binodini bent down to pick him up as well, holding both boys close. The simple joy of being with her family filled her heart to the brim.For the next two days, Binodini settled into the rhythms of her maternal home. The familiar chores and routines were a welcome respite from the formalities of the Chowdhury estate. She helped her mother in the kitchen, tended to the garden, and spent hours playing with Jayanta and Arjun.On the morning of her second day at home, Binodini found herself watching Jayanta and Arjun as they played with their toys on the verandah. An idea began to form in her mind. She had always loved learning and had been fascinated by the world of books that Ashutosh had introduced her to. Perhaps she could share some of that wonder with her young nephews.“Jayanta, Arjun,” she called to them, her voice gentle. “Would you like to hear a story?”The boys looked up, their faces lighting up with excitement. “Yes, Masi!” they chorused.Binodini led them to a shaded spot under the neem tree, where she settled them on a mat. She began with simple stories, ones she remembered from her own childhood. As she spoke, their eyes widened with wonder, their imaginations taking flight. She watched them with a mixture of affection and pride, marveling at their curiosity and eagerness to learn.As the day progressed, Binodini decided to introduce them to the basics of reading and writing. She fetched a slate and chalk from the house and sat down with the boys, guiding their small hands as they traced the Bengali alphabet. The joy in their eyes as they formed their first letters was infectious.“Look, Ma!” Jayanta called out excitedly, running to show his mother the letters he had written.Sarojini’s eyes softened as she looked at her son’s handiwork. “That’s wonderful, Jayanta. You’ve done so well.”Mrinal, too, was impressed. “Arjun, you’ve made such good progress!” she exclaimed, ruffling her son’s hair.The appreciation from her family filled Binodini with a deep sense of fulfillment. She had found a way to contribute, to share the knowledge she had gained and to nurture the minds of the next generation. It was a small but significant step towards finding her own place within the household.As the sun began to set on her final day at home, Binodini sat with her parents, sharing stories of her life at the Chowdhury estate. Ananda listened attentively, his eyes twinkling with pride.“You’ve grown so much, Binodini,” he said softly. “You’ve taken on your responsibilities with grace and strength. We are proud of you.”Mahamaya nodded in agreement. “You’ve brought honor to our family, my dear. And seeing how you’ve taught Jayanta and Arjun today… it fills my heart with joy.”Binodini’s eyes shimmered with tears of gratitude. “Thank you, Baba. Thank you, Ma. Your support means everything to me.”As she prepared to leave the next morning, the entire family gathered to bid her farewell. Jayanta and Arjun clung to her, their eyes filled with a mix of sadness and admiration.“Will you come back soon, Masi?” Jayanta asked, his voice quivering.Binodini hugged him tightly. “I will, Jayanta. And in the meantime, keep practicing your letters. I’ll want to see all the progress you’ve made when I return.”With a final round of hugs and tearful goodbyes, Binodini stepped into the palanquin, her heart heavy yet hopeful. The journey back to the Chowdhury estate gave her time to reflect on the past two days. She had reconnected with her roots, rediscovered the joy of teaching, and solidified her role within her family.As the palanquin approached the grand gates of the estate, Binodini felt a renewed sense of purpose. She had embraced her past and was ready to face the future with confidence. She knew that with Ashutosh by her side and the support of her loved ones, she could navigate the complexities of her new life and carve out a place for herself within the Chowdhury household.And so, as she stepped out of the palanquin and into the familiar embrace of the estate, Binodini carried with her the lessons and love from her maternal home. It was a new beginning, filled with promise and potential, and she was determined to make the most of it.