Anirudh's age - 23
Bondita's age - 12

The Sun had left all signs of its rest for the day there by giving its light partially to moon and stars, indicating them to continue their duty for the rest of the day.

The hustle bustle Road of Tulsipur in the morning filled with vendors shouting on top of their voice, men indulging in serious matters of the village, women busy in household chores alongside their gossips and children playing carefree was totally opposite in night. Free from all cacophony, silence prevailed accompanied by sounds of some unknown creatures. But apart from the usual routine, the road witnessed the heartbeats of two souls with their hands entwined together, their heartbeats beating as fast as they could running for their lives admist the chaos.

The situation made them just to follow their heart as it seemed the only way leading to their dream. Just then their legs paused, he looked at her questioning the reason for sudden stop but also received the answer without her replying, just by her look. Astonishing them, they heard the noise which feared them though it was sound of a mere vehicle but when realisation hit him, he did not wait to seek permission but glided his hands around her neck and knee, scooped her and started his pace. Though the situation seemed dreadful, fearful, a simle appeared on her lips as she knew at present she is residing in the safest place on earth.

After an hour, which seemed more to them, both sighed in relief as they saw the board indicating the end of village. Their eyes sparkled in happiness, same as the birds set free from their cage.

Though the annulement of their marriage seemed and proved to be an end to their relationship to the people of world but it dint make a slight difference in their bond moreover, it made their hearts realise a hard truth that they were not only united by their dream but also by their hearts. This heart ties of them stands divine and does not require any name, atleast to them.

After running for hours, he found it's good to rest for sometime and decide on their correct path to reach the place on time. Under a shade of tree which spread its branches as far as it could whose leaves produced the needful amount of oxygen to their tired bodies, he slowly dropped his delicate possession 'his BONDITA' to stand on her knees. Though he was assured of her safety here but was worried knowing about her hunger. To his mercy, he saw guava tree adjacent to the road without further delay he tried to reach them by then felt a tug at his hand.

"Hath math chodiye", her voice spoke out of fear

"Kabhi nahi", he immediately assured her and gave her the reason for his action. Initially not convinced, she let him to continue his work and assured her he will be back soon as they knew, they can't withstand separation even for seconds.

After minutes, he bent to her level caressing her cheeks softly gave her the green fruit.

"Kaou, book lagi hogi na", he said with immense care but received a frown in return.

Being a foodie, known for her love for sweets did not bother about her hunger, and her eyes shred as it caught the bruises his body bore because of her.

"Mein teek hun, Bondita. Yeh karoach nahi balki tumari ansu muje dukh dete" he replied immediately sensing what was running in her mind, to which she erased her tears rapidly as she could not add on to his worries.

That was their level of understanding each other, where they did not require words of the world to express them.

Receiving the fruit, used her free end of saree to clean it where he seemed happy at the thought now she need not be empty stomach though he anticipated her to feed herself just then, she forwarded the green fruit to him thereby indicating him to have it.

"Pehle aap", she voiced out of pure tenderness.

"Nahi, yeh tumare liye, tuje khaana hai", his words layered full of care.

"Aap booki rahe toh mein kuch Khaa sakthi hoon kya", her words melted him.

While he smiled at her gesture, they fed each other by then he had asked a cart passing to take them to the place on time. He carefully lifted his possession and sat her inside the cart also settling himself beside her.

"Sirf adhe ghante, Bondita. Uske baad sab teek ojayega, aaj ke soorya uday se tuje asmaan milega jahaan tum parinda banke udegi". Knowing about her near future independence.

"Sirf adhe ghante", she spoke with uneasiness.

"Kya hua, Bondita. Kuch pareshani hai?, tuje kush hona hai is nayi azaadi se, par tum", he said.

"Sirf adhe ghante hai, apke sath", she said that's when realisation hit him.

To lighten up the mood he said,"Sirf adhe ghante mein, tum humara sapna pora karne ka pehla kadam rakogi, pad likker barrister ban paogi, apne paer per kade hoker unyaay ke khilaf lad paogi, logon ko nyaay dilaogi ladkiyon ki prerna banogi","aur aapne zameen se door hongi, apne sansaar se door hongi, aap se door hongi" she completed making him speechless with her words.

Being puzzled at not knowing how to respond, he changed the topic and began to instruct her saying she don't need to worry as his friend will take her to Dalhousie and will look after her admission in school and hostel also will guide her further. She nodded in acceptance. Few minutes later, the cart pulled back gesturing the said place, the station had arrived and it was pre dawn.

Expecting her to be out of her thoughts of separation, which he himself wanted to get distracted, extended his hand to which without a thought she holded thereby entering inside the station, by then he saw the train being arrived and his friend 'Salim', was waiting for them.

Salim, his only Indian friend during his stay at London who belong to family residing in Dalhousie, was only person whom he felt best to hand over her custody as he could not accompany her further as it might cause harm to her.

Salim though priorly startled at their appearence understood the situation but soon he drifted to a thought, that always looking clad and handsome in his bright coloured shirt accompanied by suited trousers along with suspenders, who would smell of expensive, strong musk with perfectly gelled hair and a smile completing his look, which makes foreign women insane was now, at present was partially covered with mud, sleek blood stains and bruises all over his body but what remained constant was the smile, being his friend he knew the reason behind the smile which carried many uncanny expressions, it was his 'treasured possession'. But such was his friend the great 'ANIRUDH ROY CHOUDARY'.

"Kaise ho bhai? Sab teek hai", Salim questioned.

"Aab sab teek hoga", he replied assuring her too in the process.

Her eyes were glued to the ground, though Salim was no new to her, but her thoughts were clouded about the separation from her world. Understanding the situation, his friend excused himself on the pretext of buying waterbottle, though water was freely available Anirudh always wanted the best for her also somewhere he understood they need each other at the moment.

Unable to meet each other's eyes as they were filled with rivulets of tear. He saw her, looking no less than goddess always wearing brightly coloured banarasi saree, her body adorned with heavy jewels, her everlasting laughter and her never ending tarks just like the river unstoppable was now simply dressed, dull, exhausted, immersed in deep melancholy though his Bondita was goddess regardless of what she wore but the sight of her silence wretched his heart. He saw her eyes which caught the sight of kite entangled in the branch of tree.

"Bondita", he called

"5 minute aur", she replied as if she was questioned. He could see her eyes flooded which was one thing he could not bear, the irony is that neither his deep cuts nor his bruises but her tears gave him immense pain. Before speaking he heard her again.

"Janti hoon, aapne kaha hum rail ki do patariyon ki tarha, sikhe ki do paksho ki tarha, zameen asmaan ki tarha jo sath reh sakthe par kabhi mil nahi sakthe. Aur aab to sath bhi nahi reh sakthe,Par mein wadha karthi hoon ki mein apni mehnath se humari sare sapnon ka pora karungi, sakha babu". She spoke while his eyes glittered like pearls.

"Pathang ko sahi disha mein udaana jaroori hai taki woh us unchayi pahunch sake, jiske kabil hai woh. Aur kal ki safaltha ke liye aaj ki kurban jarrori hoti hai, aur aab hum ek sath nahi ho toh kya hua, humara toh mann ka rishta hai na, hum ek doosre ke dil me rehenge, ek doosre ki himmat banege aur ek din aise milenge jaise duniya ki koi takat hame alag nahi kar payenge" he said.

"Shotii, sakha babu". She asked.

"Shotti, meri pyari sakhi". He replied with much tenderness with that he placed his hands on the sides of her cheeks while she caught hold of his hands, he kissed her forehead, both secretly not wanting the moment to pass and if possible to last forever, as it felt surreal, also avoided the gazes on them.

The train blew its horn alerting its passengers to board the train, unfortunately the same sound bought them out of their beautiful  moment. By then, his friend had rushed to them and signalled they need to hurry up, to which they obliged. He carefully led her inside.

"Apna kyaal rakh", he said.

"Aap bhi", she replied.

Both faked a smile inspite of tears as they knew somewhere the tears in one's eyes would be reason for other.

He saw her 'reason to live' leaving him to fulfill their dream. While her eyes were blurred leaving her 'world' behind. Though secretly, they knew they would cherish their memories as it was the only treasure left with them.

"Mein jaldi laut aoungi, aapke pass", she whispered to herself.

"Mein intezaar karunga tumharaa", he said to himself.

Though Salim knew about the bond they shared,  the view contemplated the separation of great lovers to him. He chuckled, as they were unaware of the relation they shared. He also knew that, when they realise the world will witness the real definition of love, a pure love full of selflessness, benevolence, endearment.

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A big THANKYOU from your writer for giving this book a read, being an amateur looking forward for your valuable responses, reviews and criticisms. It is unedited.

Leave back few words for your wordsmith if possible.🍁

Writer_Joshh