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The night darkened with moon and stars jubilating its glory unaware of the eminence of a blooming eternal relevance of buds on earth.

Recovering from the quiver occured due to their initial vicinity, gaining courage looked back only to find him already gazing her hued and wobble state while fidgeting the fingers.

Scepticism being blatant, with smirk he asked "toh chale?" Still with her bowed head eyes fixed to ground fretfully was though frightening him doubting their past juxtaposition, asked again "toh chale?" to which showing him the torn sandals of hers spoke "abb kaise sakha babu, bahut sari Kanten hogi na?" and this made him grin about his thoughts.

Though the place was just meters away he said "Itni si bath, hmm toh apne dono hath aage karo" to which unmindful of his notion and its after effects she obliged, only when he turned back to her and pulled her hands to enclasp his neck for which in reflex her legs wrapped his torso resulting to slide up her saree above, both realised the corollary thus returning back their palpitations also as nervousness was visible when he tilted to her same as his, he firmly asked "agar sahi aur araamdeh lagi toh chale" to which receiving a nod in approval, with her like a salt sack on his back one hand on her hand with other on her bare leg made a step, instantly paused and closed his eyes inhaled deeply though was sure initially her front nestling against his back, her hands legs trapping him and her nearness created havoc in him.

Shooking head vigorously to focus, resumed back, as they walked more into woods with viridescent fields aside, hefty innate trees alongside, babbles from near stream and cool breeze touching the warmth of cheeks both felt blissful gratifaction, their brushing frames and arresting closeness was bolting hearts and making breaths uneven also forming impulses. Though was completely new and reticent about the stride demure in both was evident inspite of shame and unease.

As her gaze froze at his alluring face persistently trying to discern fancy and much more unknown to her own self. Attaining the spot being thrilled stopped abruptly to view her but astound to see her pass winsome smile with glint in eyes contemplating him and dissipated when felt his warm breaths fanning hers causing to tremble her wholly. Though her conduct startled him it seemed pristine and triggering.

Disregarding which dropped her to ground with much care only to get caressed more, held her hands and gestured to look forepart with his eyes. Though puzzled gawped at the sight and glanced him back who nodded cheerfully in assurance with that both moved jointly towards the stark yet prepossessing establishment and once at the threshold much to her surprise he bent down and made her hands brush the polished wooden door,  she was amazed to discover the aesthetic engravings and elatedly passing a radiant smile to him whispered.

"Bondita~Anirudh"

Her eyes weeped at exuberance while he pushed open and took into the paradise atleast thats what she felt appropriate to call and once into it though was just two elbow rooms a long wooden slap parting them along with adjoining washroom. It looked spacious and ventilating as the fresh whiff entered from windows and the only flickering lanterns at corners  causing beguiling ambience enhancing it artistically. And when observed, onrush of tears spilled accompanied with uncanny emotions as her mouth opened in stupefaction spotting a epic framed vintage photo of hers, only hers with her blithe smile placed at core and swiftly was filled with effervescence.

"Humare ashiyana mein toh muje mafi mil hi jayegi na." Raising brows up proudly with hands in pockets he asked her from back maintaining a distance.

Shunning more, with hands on hip eyeing back questioned "sirf mere hi kyun, aapka kyun nahi? Nahi nahi humara chithra kyun nahi?" Chuckling at her, bent little, faced her eye to eye and said "kyunki jab tum mein hi hoon alag sa mere chithra zaroori hai kya? Dhyan se dekho kya tumhari ankon mein aur uss chithra me mein nahi diktha hoon?" and when observed twinkled to find his reflection on the frame exactly on her. It awed her.

"Toh maaf kiya na?" again doubtedly asked appearing concerned.

"Kiske liye mafi sakha babu, apne pehle banaye doori ke liye yah aap abb banane wale uss doori ke liye? Agar pehle keliye toh meine aapko kab ka maaf kar chuki hoon par aage ke liye nahi karongi. Sochna bhi math." replied upsetly.

To which, he forwarded more towards her, knelt down before errantly, taking hands into his he spoke "Bo... Bondita pehle meri poori baath tho suno. Joh barrister tha achanak se unka mout ho gaye abb unhe ek kabil barrister ki zaroorat hai joh bin soche log ke liye lade aur tho aur yeh Brahmo samaj ka khas prayas hai logon ko madad karene keliye jinko aapne haq tak nahi patha. Toh bolo abb mein piche hat saktha hoon kya?"

Cutting him off, looking aside she spoke with tears "toh kya muje aapki zaroorat nahi hogi?"

Foibled, he uttered weakly "Bonditaaa."

Composing herself, unable to see his frailty responded back "teek hai, waise bhi yeh bhi toh aapka nahi nahi humara sapna hai na kanoon ki madad lekar logon ka sahay kare, teek hai aapki Bondita humesha ki tarah aapki sath zaroor dogi."

For which he returned a happy wide smile that turned to frown when her lament began "firbhi teen saal bahut nahi huye kya? Kaise rahegi aapki Bondita aapke bina?" which seemed like a vicious wife whining and exploding her husband and as her questions increased his steps flinched back with hers advancing.

And when his back hit the wall with hands on both sides caging him, asked again "aur kya kaha aap mujse darthe nahi aur joh bhi karthe sirf sochkar karthe yeh joot hai na toh yeh kyun kaha? Boliye boliye" angst and alarmed at her words and act gulped up to speak only to stammer "wohh.. Bo  Bondita" words died when she moved away and continued "koi bath nahi. Aapko kya? Aap tho Barrister babu hai na aapko kya hoga kuch bhi nahi."

Shooking his head in disbelief, turning her, with eye to eye spoke back "arey yesa lag raha tuje, pure duniya ke liye mein Barrister Babu hoon par mere duniya toh Barrister Babu Bondita hai na" and the fact undeniably melted her.

And before her retorting spoke again "abb nahi, Bondita" with that moved to spread the mat and a soft sheet atop, sat himself leaning to wall and signaled her to join to which sat herself facing him grumpily murmured "Muje kya mein toh aanewale bhai se khoob khelungi aur bhool bhi jaoungi aapko, dekhiye" which appeared more like an intimidation.

Forrowing, enviously entreated "kiska aanewala bhai?" to which she promptly answered back "mere" laughing a while continued "aap chouk gaye na kyunki aapko abhi abhi patha chala par aapko patha hai muje pehle se hi patha mera bhai aanewale hai par sirf aaj hi paka huha hai" seeing his dubeity spoke again "kyunki baba ne pehle hi mujse poocha ki kya muje bhai behan pasandh hai aur mein unhe chahtha hoon ya na, toh meine turanth haan ki aur kaha muje bhai chaiyeye kyunki jaise aap matlab mere sakhababu apne bhaiyon ka kayal rakthe wese hi muje bhi rakhna hai. Aur waise bhi behan bhi teek hi hogi." His doubts cleared, was delighted to see her silly grin and his reverence grew much more for Rajeev and his values as undoubtedly he made a great father to his sakthi.

Breaking his stance, brought the hidden small box and extended to him joyfully and when he looked puzzled opened it "Bina mitaas ki kushkabari poori nahi hogi na, toh lijiye" and forwarded the gee flavoured ladoo to his mouth only for him to halt her and make her eat half and fed him the remaining. It was indeed resplendent as more than the orange sweet it was her act that caused such spell on him. He felt her as magic with her beside everything around felt right and beautiful void of obstacles.

And when without apprising pounced on him with hands on either of his shoulders and nearing his face, addling him who bloomed with all irrational anticipation and forced more self control to not to drag and make her sit on his thighs alike his dream as it felt so surreally pleasing but all burst when her thumb inched onward and caressed the corner of his lips with much tenderness thereby erasing the leftover, and his uneasy slant made her smile holding her stomach protracting.

Holding back for seconds drowning in her innocent smile blindly wished for the world to stop to capture the moment heartfully though very unreal his fervour desiderated her who want her smile last even if if costs his life.

As she remained in her laughing state unmindfully forwarded the shining velvet box thus stopping her who by now looked no less than an impatient spirit. When her brows raised in query hiding his eagerness replied bashfully "ek sundar sa tofa iss khoobsoorat sundari ke liye" and no doubt all her uneven reactions returned as her heart elated at him addressing her beautiful. Brushed it aside when heared him again asking in wariness "toh isse pehnougi na aramdhayak hi hoga, kyun?" His qualms increased seeing her thinking deeply with forefinger on chin and undeniably admired her more with time his adulation for her kept surging. It ended with her authorative order "teek hai. Pehnougi per ek sharth par" his brows raised and she continued "agar mere sakha babu khood apni hathon se pehnaye tho" to which he happily obliged as it was just a pearled trinket and has no harm on him making her wear, when he poised she was overwhelmed with ecstasy.

And when unfastened the top and held it in vanity which hung lenthily and her eyes sparkled as she squeaked in joy "itna sundar kamarbandh..." still now enjoying the pleasure her face basked, it shook him to core who swallowed air  nervously at the discovery, his eyes dilated at the thin gold metal in contrast to hers. While she jumped in euphoria clapping hands he was baffled at the mistake done by the shop keeper though made mind to return brushed it off seeing her grin. But was thunderbolt when she asked him to deck it on her, his eyes dropped when she stood and neared herself more to him giving more clear view of her neverseen tiny exquisite waist.

For Once he felt the ground to open and drag him into it though all his veiled coy requited, calming himself with wavering hands he adorned the thin gold plated waistband delicately being conscious enough not to nudge at any toll. Eying frequently while tieing it gaped at her glowing face and thats when his fingers slightly traced her, instantly looked up for her inflamation but was surprised when found her enjoying being embellished, yet it did not change his erupting intensity though she was too small to feel in variance to him with that locked it prudently and felt a rapid pulsation watching her pallu in front completely slid aside giving full view of her waist but thanks to the blouse being extended thus just giving view of her two inches midriff and it slid more because of her continuous bouncing and beaming. Her sight was amplifying him in all possible ways as he shamelessly ogled at her. Though there was nothing sensuous just the enhanced new phase of his adulation.

Breaking his gwaking session, he asked frowningly "baba aur sakha babu dono galath the par gussa sirf sakha babu pe nikala baba pe nahi, yeh toh nainsafi huye na mere sath abb toh muje nyaay chayiye isliye saza milegi abb tuje" while it made continue her laugh more enjoying his protest.

As the unknown adrupt noise blared, irkingly moved outside to check thus making her await restively and as the time prolonged her quench to thirst made her sip the new bottle found at the corner though tasted different paying no heed drank a little portion dousing it at once.

Flabberghast at the sight, jaws dropped his eyes glued to her figure which seemed contrast to herself for him. Swallowing the lump, felt glued to ground also felt her as bombshell, his eyes ogled in stupor witnessing her state as she stood up on slap unsteadily, her free end pallu tied around her forehead, her saree being roughly tucked at her alluring waist with the band jingling, hand carrying the bottle resting on her emblazoned hip, eyes dropping in intoxication, constantly blabbering inaudibly and his stare ended with her noticing him.

Observing him, with her right hand forefinger indicated him to her though statuetted restlessly forwarded and once perceiving the odoured country liquor his anger raged on the labours yet avoided it for moment as for now handling her seemed main more necessary.

Though consumed little, as the liquor triggered, in loud unstable tone babbled to him "ar... arey ohhh aap" twitched continued again "aap, wai waise bhi app kounn hai? Mere pyare sakha babu yah yah krodh bari Barster nahi Barrister babu?"

As she walked unsteadily on the slap waving her hands,"Ohh, babu. Are arey babu, yeh yehaan ayiye tho." his tense rose at the thought of her fall "Bo..Bo..Bondita, neeche utaro arey sambhalke, utro abhi ke abhi" and when neared she stopped him and started "Chup.....billkul chup, Wese humesha yesehi kyun bolthe rahthe hai nahi nahi yese kyun chilathe rahthe hai. Chilana teek nahi hai aapke sehat ke liye bhi aur sunnewale ki Kano ke liye bhi. Toh pehli baat math chilaye. Teek hai?" said in one go, her voicing changed instantly to worrying and thats when she lose balance and before him reaching already fell to the ground with a thud which made him more pique "Bondita... Bonditaaaa. Teek ho kuch huha tho nahi, dekne dho muje" and as he sat himself beside checking on her for any wounds finding none sighed in relief and immediately pulled off the bottle.

Without bothering uttered "Acha abb, aap aapne kya kaha muje apni galathi keliye dand milni chayiye par kya aapko patha nahi aap muje pehle hi bahut badi sazaa derahe hai mujse alag hokar. Dekhiye na mein itni choti aur mere sazaa itni badi toh kya yeh nainsafi nahi mere sath..." he scratched his head trying to find a way as he felt at fault and tried to catch her only to get jerked off roughly as his fear rose much, she continued "Nahi, chodiye chodiye muje.... aaj muje mere sawalon ka jawab milni chahiye."

Stunned him by pulling his colars harshly towards her, then sniffed and rubbed her nose on his shirt also pulled more onto her and asked "abb boliye kya aap mujse pyaar karthe?" receiving no answer dramatically whined "yeh Durga maa, yeh kya ho gaya mere sath, janthi hoon pyaar topa nahi ja saktha woh swarthrahith hai. Firbhi yeh nanhi si Bondita ke mann mein asha thi par sab pani mein doob gayi, abb muje kaise patha hoga ki koi itni pyaari si maasum si Bondita ko pyaar bhi nahi karthe. Haii Yeh kya hogaya?"

To which murmuring "Nautanki" he replied "kartha tho hoon" and when her eyes looked at wonder, continued "Muje laga tuje patha hoga"

Amazed asked him "Shotti, sakha babu."

"Shotti." His instant reply for her.

Enthralling, squawked again "Hey Durga maa, kya karegi tu Bondita. Yeh kya hogaya aur kyun, woh bhi sirf mere sath hi kyun? Abb iss uljan ko kaise suljegi thu, itni badi kashmakash ka smadhan kaise doondegi thu. Yeh Durga maa abb tu hi kuch rastha  batha."

"Abb isme kya hogaya Bondita, itna kyun tanav ho rahi ho" he asked, being vexed at her.

Suddenly, with clarity replied back "Kyun nahi hogi. Asli samasya tho yahi hai na... abb muje kaise patha hoga joh pyaar humare bich me hai woh kaise aur kistarike ka pyaar hai? Kya woh pyaar hai joh parivar sadhasiya ke bich hai yah maabap aur unke bachon ke bich hai? Yah woh joh guru shishya ke bich hai... Nahi tho. joh doston ke bich hai woh? Yah tho jawaan log ke bich hai? Yah Premi aur premika ke bich hai? Chahe woh pati patni ke bich ka hai? Yah ek kranthikar aur grasth ke bich hai woh? Abb isme kounsi hai, muje kaise patha chalegi?"

Acting up eventfully, he too said "Haan, yeh toh badi samasya hogayi"

She worriedly replied, "Wahi tho"

With pride, confidently asked "Par Bondita ko samasya ho aur uske sakha babu ke pass uska upay na ho yese ho saktha kya?"

She smiled cheerfully, "Shotti sakha babu, aapko jawab patha hai."

With that took her to the mat, as he sat himself leaning to wall with legs unfold asked her to sit who astonished him by sitting on his lap with legs on either side, though was perplexed about her act thought it to be the mild effects of the drink. Nervously cupping her cheeks, spoke "Tho Bondita dyaan se sunna, abb humare bich joh pyaar hai woh kya aur kistarike ka hai yeh muje toh patha hai fir bhi mein chahtha hoon iska samadhaan tum kudh doondo aur jab jawab jaan gayi ho muje keh do. Wakth lagega par uttar zaroor milegi tuje kyunki mere Bondita toh swathanthra aur majboot hai na usko kisi ki zaroorat nahi hogi." to which her eyes twinkled at his confidence on her and nodded.

But retorted back "Aap yese kyun kaha ki muje kisi ki zaroorat nahi hogi. Muje humesha aapki zaroorat hogi patha nahi kya aapko?" saying which layed her head on his chest just above his heart and wrapped her hands around him.

Smiling back at her act, caressing her back spoke "Jaise muje meri Bondita ka hogi bilkul waise."

As something striked, asked again "Bondita... kya tum mujse aapne dil ki unkahi bath mujse batogi joh abb tak tumne kabhi nahi kahi, woh?"

Bewildering him said annoyingly "Muje sakha babu pasandh nahi hai," to which saddened at her statement tried to detach, for now it felt incorrect to him.

And when he tried, heard her again as she spoke in her drowsy state "Kyunki muje mere pati babu hi chahiye, waise hi bulana hai muje. Janthi hoon bagwan ko kahi sare naam hotha hai aur hum unhe kisi bhi naam se pukarenge woh madad karenge par firbhi Jab mein patibabu bulathi hoon toh muje bahut khass ehsaas hoga jaise aap mere ho aur sab se upar hoon mein aap keliye jaise hum bina alag huye ek jaan hi hoon."

Though was guilty, undeniably melted  "Waisebhi yahan koi nahi hai, chahe toh abb bula sakthi ho."

Dejectedly she replied "Nahi bula sakthi humne khood humari vivah tod diya na" and at this, he broke vulnerably realizing her worries.

When tried to shift her frame down back, heard her again "Patibabu, bahut neendh aarahi hai" as his soothing heartbeat lulled her. If it was her sakha babu would not have mind to position her back but deep inside her patibabu woke up thus held her close to him in exultant. It made him realise not only her but he also longed to hear her as it reminded him of them being one and with all the plethora of emotions slipped to slumber with her in hands.

It was still pre dawn yet while nuzzling more into him woke up to get astound to see her fully lying on him while his hand still holding her firmly. Though shied initially detached herself reminding the absurd created by her all night yet brushing it off, woke him to which he rubbed his eyes and gwaked at her lovingly same as last night. Snapping her fingers brought him back from his deem and asked him to take her home back unwillingly before being caught to which he reluctantly constrained.

And once out of their beautiful house with hands entwined, both gazed at it before looking each other and when he stepped alone to view the road felt her tug and turning back to her, saw her with eyes full of tears as she spoke "hath math chodiye" reminding the past elopement and last night's insecurities hidden inside her. Erasing her tears and placing smooch on either side of her cheeks, spoke back "kabhi nahi" pausing a minute continued again "Bondita, jantha hoon teen saal bahut hai aur kolkatta tho yahin hai na sirf 5 ghante door Tulsipur se, hai na... firbhi  yadh rakhna tum mere gar ho isiliye chahe jahaan bhi kitne door bhi jaoun aakir muje gar lautna hi toh hai apne Bondita ke pass lautna hi toh hai." It healed her pained heart instantly.

Hand in hand just few steps taking away from their beautiful place he disclosed the news of it being his office priorly and had planned to tell her first to which her joy became tenfold but their steps halted hearing the voice.

"Aap dono yehaan, iss wakth? Bondita aur aap?"

Their frames froze and gaped at each other being caught.

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