A person can bear thousand wounds but single wound on his beloved will wreck his heart to core and Anirudh, Rajeev were no exception to it. The sight of their Bondita being injured, many questions burgeoned in their minds and so want to find answers to it also equally wanted to make sure of her well being which made them ignorant of surrounding.

As soon as they approached her simultaneously, they barged their questions in line one by one, though their face clearly depicted freight and sought for answers, she was astound by their act as her gaze shifted from Anirudh to Rajeev unable to fathom the situation or to answer, by that time their bawl had bought their family members whose reaction were no different from her.

As the duo continued their interrogation observing her silence stopped at once, it was then the duo glanced each other bewildered at the fact as both spoke in unison "Bondita,Bondita". Breaking their stance she spoke "Haan, Bondita hi hoon per aap dono ko kya hua, aur itne pareshan kyun lagrahe muje kuch nahi hua mein teek hoon, bas vidhyalay se athey wakt gir gayi thi aur todi chot lag gayi, per mein bilkul teek hoon." she nervously lied not wanting to build up their tense and add to their worries. Though dissatisfied with her words they felt relief, it was then the duo realized the gazes on them and felt lumbersome. Avoiding it, they began to examine her after which the duo again looked at each other perplexed, observing it she turned towards Anirudh and spoke "aap aagaye, inse mileye mere baba" which made Rajeev elated as she introduced him as her father and turning to Rajeev, she again spoke "aur yeh mere sakha babu hai" to which both stole a glance again.

Life seemed unexpected to them when they realised their pride was same, though they were happy for her their insecurities made them worried undoubtedly. Felt puerile as they feared about their significance in her life.

It was at night, the awkward situation returned as Sumathi invited Anirudh for dinner, for some reason Rajeev disliked it though obliged while the latter rejoiced. As the duo seated facing, they fiddled to communicate as the earlier ease seemed to be vanished. It was then Anirudh's lips curved upwards seeing her walking towards him, it was always her words but that night her appearence awed him as he spot her in knee length bottle green coloured frock with puffed hands, she appeared elegant to him.

As she sat between them Sumathi started to serve along with Devi, it was then Anirudh stopped Sumathi abruptly when the latter began to serve her daughter, both Rajeev and Sumathi were startled by him, it was then he disclosed the fact of Bondita being allergic to mushrooms and at once the pair glanced each other, amazed by the unknown information about their daughter. Observing his daughter's attention on the stranger, Rajeev ordered Devi to bring the pot and as soon as the pot was placed before Bondita, unconsiously her tongue licked her lips feeling succeeded at her expression, he asked her to have it. To which she instantly obliged but withdrew with same pace reminding words of her sakha babu "ek badham wale rosogulla kilane ka haq toh sirf mera hai na", immediately she peeped her sakha babu while her father continued "khao Bondita, Khass tumare liye laye hoon mein yeh rosogulla" with that relief found the young duo as it was ordinary sweet thereby she can have it.

As Sumathi returned to kitchen followed by her dear husband, Anirudh found it a good chance to converse with his sakhi with that, rapidly he informed her to meet him tomorrow at their spot to which she merrily obliged, after all the distance they both were in need of their lone time following which he retired to his house half heartedly.

The routine of school classes continued and it was at the time Bondita noticed the familiar English stranger, on moving towards him to thank for his deed she behold the sight of him feeding his lunch to the dogs. As he hurried, she forwarded her lunch to him being puzzled he stared at her and as the bell rang indicating the end of her break, she handed over her box to him and retired back to class not before gesturing him to have it while the latter felt gratitude for her offer.

It was early evening, where the bright sunlight dominated the sky and this time it was Anirudh who was waiting for her as he spot, welcomed her with a smile only to get frown in return after which she sat herself beside him. Being confused and concerned he asked "kya hua Bondita? Tum udaas dikh rahi ho kyun?" she replied "haan, Muje Batuk se patha chala jaise aapki case jitne par sab aapko badhai ke sath tofe diye par mere pass aapko dene keliye kuch be nahi" his chuckled hearing her innocent distress.

He replied "Wese tum bhi muje tofa deh sakhi toh" her face brightened instantly and asked "acha, per kaise?" to which he continued "bas ek bar muskurao, wahi Kafi hai. Joh kushi muje tumhari muskurahat se milti na woh is duniya ki diye huye sare tofe se badkar hai mereliye."

Though he spoke to console her his words were indeed true, as for him a small smile of her gives immense peace and happiness to him.

She immediately entwined their hands and rested her head on his shoulder and said "agar aap mere sath ho tho, humesha muskurayegi yeh Bondita" making him grin at both her words accompanied by actions.

Being concerned as she rested on him, he asked "Sab teek hai na, mera matlab gar me, naye gar, naye rishtey. koi takleef yah pareshani nahi hai na" and with a glee she replied "sab teek hai, aur maa bhi bahut kush hai baba ke sath" with that she narrated the happenings of the past days.

Initially he was elated for his sakhi's well being and also at the fact of her being pampered. He felt strange when she disclosed about the night and that was when he realised though her parents married wilfully still remained in their own shell, they were yet to start their new phase of life also hesitation was evident to him, in the process of wanting to help them priorly he thought of Bondita but was confused on how to make her understand as he always ignored such topics to protect her innocence from the society. Sensing her being the only way, he gathered courage to talk to her.

He started "Bondita, Muje laga tum badi ho gayi ho per tum abb bhi maa ke sath so rahi ho? Tumari maa toh baba ke sath sona chahiye na taki woh log ek doosre ko ache se jaan sakhe aur be kyaal rak sakhe, upar se... pati patni sath hi tho hothe hain na, tuje patha hai na?" finished in one go, yet was confused whether she got his point correctly or not also prayed for her not to question more on this topic as he still was determined to protect her innocence. With that realisation drew her and replied innocently "Arey, haan mein toh bhool gaye yeh bathh, gav ki aurothon bhi muje smjarahe the yeh" as she was reminded of the instructions given to her by village ladies before their marriage anulement, though it raged him he was composed as she continued "abb dhyan rakungi, waise baba ko bhi maa ki zaroorat hoti hai na, teek hai abb se maa ko baba ke sath hi rahne doongi taki vunke rishtey aur mazboot ho".

Finally he felt relieved, as she did not probe more and was matured to think about her parents relation. As she leaned back and tightened her grip around his left arm he caressed her hair using his right hand thus they gratified each other and watched the sunset.

After which, a boy in early teens approached them and encouraged him to buy flowers, though he thought to refuse seeing his sakhi's expression he changed his mind. The boy had various colour of roses with him. Being puzzled on what to chose, he decided to get her all colours as he felt it was his responsibility because she was the sole reason for colours in his life. As she curiously watched him, he paid and bought five different colours of rose to her as the little boy stood still in his place counting his rupees.

As Anirudh neared, she asked "itne saree phool, maana ki iski khusboo apki phus phus se achi hai, per Itna kyun? Mein toh sirf ek hi laga sakthi hoon na? He replied "Bondita, yeh saare phool humari rishtey ki alag paribasha ka pratik hai" as she was keenly listening, he continued "jaise yeh narangi gulab humari Junnon joh samaj ko badalne ka pratinindhitv hai, yeh peela gulab humari sneh ka, yeh safed gulab humari shudh rishtey ki, yeh gulaabi rang ki gulab humari rishton ki mitaas ka pratik hai." As he paused, she questioned "agar yeh sab humari rishton ki gehrayi ka paribasha hai, toh yeh laal rang ?" for which he stammered, the little boy continued "aap dono ki prem ki Nishani hai" with that he took leave, leaving behind the young couple to fathom his words as his words made him smile bashful unknowingly while she grinned.

Handing over the flowers, he asked "toh, koun si phool lagaougi ?" to which she kept her forefinger on her chin and thought for a while, later forwarded the flower and spoke "yeh, laal wali. Wese toh sab achi hai per aap yeh laal wali lagayeye mere balon per" to which he was puzzled as he was not able fathom the reason for her choice though ignoring it, he simply obliged and tucked the flower and with that little adoration she looked more divine.

He asked "toh chale?" she replied "haan. per ek sharth per, kal phir milenge kyun?" to which he merrily obliged.

As the young duo reached their evening class, he was pleased to know the happenings from Saurab and praised her only to receive her cheerful smile in return. As the class got over, students retreated while the duo planned to leave together, they were abruptly stopped by a group of five men who began to bash and threaten Anirudh for handling such type of cases and favouring widow remarriage.

When Anirudh was about to give back, it was the same time her control broke as she was not able to take more against her sakha babu. He heared her speaking "Rukiye! kya keh rahe aap, kaise bath kar rahe app log? Aap bol rahe mere sakha babu doosre ko mamlon mein tang adaa rahe hai, toh aap kya kar rahe abb." pointing towards a person, she continued "waise bhi kaka, aap toh punar vivah ki hai na, toh aap iske kilaf kyun khade ho? jaise aap kushi se apni zindagi jeena chahthe waise hi widhwa ko bhi apni zindagi ko kushi se jeene ka haq hai" with that, now looking at everyone she spoke "aap keh rahe yeh samaaj ka virodh hai paap hai, toh bathayiye kahan likha hai aisa, agar likha hi hai, toh sirf aurat ke liye kyun? Admi ke liye kyun nahi? Aur mere sakha babu ko kanoon ne dhi yeh adhikar par mein poochthi hoon aapko kisne dhi adhikar yeh sab kehne keliye? Samaaj diye kya? Kahan muje bhi dikaheye. Aur abb samai aagaye aapko samajne keliye ki parivarthan sthir hai (change is only constant) toh, abb tak yese nahi hua toh abbse hoga aur aap dekenge jaise widhwa bhi apni kush doondenge aur usi kushi se apni zindagi jeyenge." With a little pause she continued as the group was awestruck at the lass "apki dhamki se darnewale nahi hai hum, aur yeh kannon mein apradh hai iskeliye aapko sazaa bhi mil sakthi hai." With that the group looked at the duo, though they were not able to digest a small girl's words against them and their old aged tradition, they were petrified and in no time dispersed but not before giving a disgusting look at the duo.

As she spoke his eyes glittered, chest puffed with pride, smiled widely as he cherished her voicing out against the evils of society without any fear. With that, she caught hold of his right hand and asked "sahi kaha na mein?" to which he tightened the hold and replied "bilkul sahi, bravo Bondita. I am proud of you" with these words she felt herself in seventh heaven and with that they led to their house with entwined hands.

As the night took over, Bondita successfully managed to make her parents sleep together. Her heart filled with emmence joy as she reminsed the day and slowly drifted to sleep.

The next day started and the duo indulged themselves in their mundane chores. It was late afternoon Anirudh received a phone call and the news made him flabberghast as sorrow overpowered his mind and heart. With a heavy heart, as a possessed soul he dragged himself to their spot and as he spot her await, at once he sat himself beside her, placed his head on her lap and lied flat on the slap at the same time caught hold of her hand and tightened his grip.

This act of him thunderstruck her, for a moment she found difficult to fathom the occurrence and began to think about the cause of his action. She felt his eyes dripping and in no time she wiped and cuddled him more with her tiny hands and he reciprocated by clutching her tightly. Though number of question raised in mind she completely ignored it, while he found refuge in her tiny arms neglecting the world. As the duo embraced each other, cool breeze added to soothe them.

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