The occasional barking of faraway dogs broke the silence of the night when Bondita found the person squeak it did not take seconds to recognize the owner of it. It was him, her sakha babu and with that relief took over her horror struck face. Admist of the frightening circumjacent she calmed herself.

On contrary Anirudh had successfully managed to safeguard himself from the self defence of his sakhi which he himself taught. For once it would have caused him  injury but  he was overjoyed at the fact that she was well enough to protect herself and did not need anyone.

In no time Bondita wrapped her tiny arms around his torso hugged tight with a squeeze, her act was enough for him to know about frantic state as he responded caressing her upper back trying to evade her worries.

Pulling back, she asked "sakha babu, aap yahan iss wakth kaise?"

He placed the unsettled strands back of her ear, caressing her cheeks he bent to meet her eyes and spoke "Jab tumhe meri zaroorat ho aur mein na ho aise ho saktha kya? Mein jantha hoon meri Bondita bahadur hai fir bhi muje patha chala ki tumhare maa baba bahar gaye, wese teri pukar suna toh bas daud aaya. Yaad hai bina taar wala judav." To which she grinned widely.

"Sach kaha, wese toh bahadur hai aapki Bondita par patha nahi aaj todaa sa matlab bahut todaa sa dar gayi thi. Ab jab gar mein koi nahi hai, toh lagtha hai aaj muje is darke wajah se neendh nahi paoungi" as she said he replied "aisa ho saktha hai kya? Jab tak mein hoon tab tak tumhare neendh karab ho saktha kya? Nahi na isiliye aaj puri raat mein tumhare sath rahoonga taki meri Bondita bina kisi dar se chein ki neendh sojaye." with that she beamed of satisfaction.

"Shotti, sakha babu" she asked to confirm and simultaneously squeaked out of pain.

Being horrified and worried at her expressions he asked the reason to which he could clearly sense a moment of irresolution. He saw her hands wrapped around her left knee and at once without seeking any permission he uncovered only to see a slight cut with drops of blood erupting and at once it he settled herself on the bed and asked for first aid box and on bringing it, he found her wincing though small cut it was wrecking his heart.

As he sat himself on ground before her, he saw her hesitation as she pulled her knee length frock more down sensing her uncertainty he caught of her hand and pressed it thereby assuring also maintaining a eye contact, he asked her permission through his eyes to which she instantly pulled back her hand and let him aid her wound. He was thankful as the cut was not deep though worriedly asked "teek ho, abb?" to which she nodded in response.

With that he asked "toh chalein sone?"

As he asked, realisation and occurrence of past drew her mind, she was reminded how few months back she wanted to stay together in his room and had compelled him for same while he was clearly displeased and against it. For a second she abhorred herself for putting him in such situation.

With the reactions to his questions no soon he understood her hesitation as guilt was evident in her face. In an attempt to distract her from self accusing session he asked her again "kyun na aaj hum chath pe kulli hawaa ke sath, chand sitaron ko niharthe huye so jayen."

Hearing it, she felt instant relief as if tons of weight had been uplifted from her. As she nodded in response, he grabbed the mattress, cushion while she caught hold of the water jar and thought how everytime he would find solution to all her problems even without her disclosing it, in some way she believed that he himself is the best solution.

As he forwarded his hand she instantly caught hold of him and led him to the terrace with a constant smile as she did so he was delighted at the mere fact of his Bondita leading him though it might just be to terrace but if he would happily walk behind her with all pride while she led him throughout his life.

Once they reached, he spread the mattress and placed the cushions while she placed the jar aside with that both settled themselves leaning to the pillar. Maintaining a safe distance watched the sky above which seemed to be new beautifully new, as the cool breeze pricked her skin she held her arms cross close to sheath herself. As he observed, he immediately opened his arms and invited her and in no time she was in his arms. She felt ecstatic and fortunate to be in his arms while it was an undeniable exultant truth for him as he could hold her the same way lifelong as she was his treasured possession.

His thought broke with her words "chandh kitna khubsoorat hai na, sakha babu" as he too looked at the moon which held pride of its beauty, he replied "chandh pe joh daag hai usko nazarandaaz karke, sabko lagtha hai woh bahut khoobsoorat hai, shayadh chandh ko bhi isiliye itni guroor hai usko par afsos usko todi na patha hai bina kisi daag se ussey bhi hazar guna jyadha khoobsoorat iss duniya mein koi aur hai aur iss wakth woh meri bahon mein hai."

Hearing him, she was on cloud nine for some reason she cherished and liked the fact that her sakha babu felt her more beautiful than the world praised  moon.

Indeed she was a beautiful happening in his life who had beautified his life by adding her existence to it.

The twinkle in her eyes were not unnoticed by him, to increase it he said "shotti, Bondita." While she did not miss the tinge of mischief in his voice so to give back she uttered "Acha, teek hai. Par kya aapko patha hai sirf khoobsoorat ki nahi balki usko uski unchayee se bhi bahut guroor hai, koi usko chu nahi sakthe na. Toh bathayiye kya karenge abb? Uski khoobsoorat ki guroor ko tod diye aap par is guroor ko kaise todenge, kya aapke pass koi upay hai jissey mein usko chu sakon. Boliye Boliye?" She sounded a little worried to him though he failed to notice that this time it was his badmash Bondita tricking him.

He could take anything on himself but worry at his Bondita's face is what he is intolerant of. He could not let her fall even if the opponent is as strong as nature. With that he ditached himself from her and walked to the centre of terrace and knelt down before the wide brass container which was embellished with coloured flowers and thereby removing it.

Being puzzled at his act, she walked to him, placed her right hand on his shoulder and on him turning she raised her eyebrows in questioning to which he held her hands softly and led it into the container thereby making her touch the cool water stored, observing her  being confused he asked her to have a look at the water and soon she realised she had touched the pride moon she chuckled at him and said "wah, sakha babu aapne toh iska yeh guroor bhi tod diya" to which he lifted his colar in victory.

As they settled back and spent few minutes in silence out of the blue Bondita asked "Sakha babu, yeh phool soja kya Hota hai?"

Hearing it he separated himself from her, felt the ground beneath had swept away it was totally unanticipated for him, startled would be understatement he was stupefied at her question as he always tried to protect her innocence from such weird things to her age, shrugging his thoughts he asked "kaha suna tunee yeh, kisne kaha tumhe isske baareme aur kya suna tumhe?" he wanted to make sure she stayed away from such people. She replied "Devi maasi se, woh koi rassam jaise hai kya koi phool ki sajavat ke baare me aur mitaas ke baare me bhi bath kar rahi thi."

For once he closed his eyes at the details she received and prepared himself to explain her in modest way as for now she need to know this though it was not subjected to her age. He felt she needed basic knowledge of it so that she would not misinterupt or fall into any more honey traps of society.

As she watched him with wide eyes she asked "kya Maine kuch galath poocha hai sakha babu?" Her words full of tender innocence he held her hand affectionately and spoke "Nahi Bondita, koi bhi prashn galath nahi ho sakthe par haan kuch vishay mein Umar ka dhyan toh rakna hai na" as she nodded he continued "toh Bondita yeh sab jaana tumhari Umar mein zaroori nahi hai fir bhi jab tumne poocha uska uttar muje dena hoga na toh suno...samaaj ke liye shadhi se dho log mann se ek ho jathe toh... uske baad uss raath woh sirf mann se nahi balki... tan se bhi ek ho jathe hai jiske liye bahut sari adhik sajavat bhi ki jathi taki woh log unke rishtey ki shuruwat phool ki sugandh aur mitaas se kare. Haan yeh bhi ek rasam hai, toh samji"

Though he gave her the outline he was still doubtful whether she got the point or not also was equally afraid of her next series of questions if any as he do not want her to indulge in adult stuffs at such tender age.

She placed her right hand on his hand which held her other hand and spoke " samaj gayi, yeh toh achi aur kushi ki Baath hai per iske liye itni saari sajavat zaroori hai kya. Yese kulli hawa mein chand aur taron ko dekthe rosogulla kaake pati patni ek doosre ki bahon mein so jaana ussey bhi jyadha achi hothi hai na bina kisi ko pareshan kiye, nina kisi phool ko todey kyun? " to which he just tittered as she ignored the important fact and was worried for the flowers.

The old clock chimed as it was twelve, unable to converse back he tried to settle back but she wriggled in his arms astounding him and at once she ran away from him into the house as he sat uptight puzzled unable to fathom the reason, it was after few minutes when he was about to call, he saw her returning and knelt before him.

Still confusion reigned about her action he saw her forwarding a small silver bowl containing country Jaggery and before him questioning she stuffed morsel of it inside his mouth and said "Janam din ki hardhik subhkamnaye, sakha babu. Sirf iss saal hi nahi balki anewali sare saal aap bahut kush aur swasth rahenge. Durga maa aapki sari sapne purey kare aur aapko saari sankat aur buri nazar se bachaye" with that she smiled graciously.

At first he could not fathom whether was her wish or her gesture or her smile made his heart content. As happy tears rolled out of his eyes he thought definitely the reason was her smile and as he smiled back affectionately and said "Shukriya Bondita."

As she saw him in tears though caused by happiness, she did not like it so instantly wiped off with her tiny fingers as he leaned forward she attached her forehead to his and entwined their hands also both smiled their heart full, stayed in same position hearing the beautiful beats of their heart and rejoicing their pacific gesture with that she said "aaj ke liye sirf yeh chota sa meeta tofa aapki asli tofa toh mein kal dungi, usey dek kar aap aur bhi kush hojayenge dekhiye" he replied "Achaa" to which she just nodded.

After minutes, as she broke he frowned but later brimmed with happiness as they settled themselves back with her right arm entwined with his left, her head on his chest hearing his mellifluous heart beat, her left hand also on his chest just beside her head while his right hand caressed her hair and held close to his heart where she resided.

As he held more close to himself he thought it was the best birthday in his life and the obvious reason was her. Yes her only her with frequent quarrels with his own family members who failed to understand him, constant battles with the society who failed to understand his dream to bring change as it was much necessary and with lot more in his life, it was only her whose simple smile would please his mind and heart, it was her with whom he would become a child himself and atlast it was her who would understand him in all possible ways, stand by him and support his actions all time. He sought solace in her.

He thanked Durga maa for sending her, his Bondita in his life for which he would always remain grateful. Indeed she was colors to his canvas life with that both drifted to peaceful slumber.

The day had dawned crisp and clear with a pearly glow in the sky it was cold, breezy but vibrant and as the chorus of melodic birdsong drifted he woke up to witness the most beautiful sight of his life his Bondita her pleasant smile on her lips void of all tense as he moved his eyes more his face hued with red as he noticed how their legs were entwined and her hand was clutching his colar and unlike the night she was half hovered on him. He felt she sheathed him from the outside cruel world and at once focussing on present, when he tried to detach he found her more snuggling into him as she slept sound. Not wanting to disturb her he leaned back savouring the moment.

Shortly afterwards she blinked open her eyes only to see her sansaar gazing at her in tranquil. As he noticed at once she drifted back to sleep but only to sit up hurriedly detaching herself from him. As she sat up he could sense her worry with that he asked "kya hua? Bondita" to which she hesitatedly replied "woh... maaf kijiye... sakha babu patha nahi chala kab mein aise apke... upar... soh gayi."

With that he caressed her cheeks with one hand and held her hand with other expressing not to worry about anything as he was not offended by her actions in any way. However how could he be afterall she was the reason for his peaceful sleep and he would cherish this night, this memory lifelong and with that she returned a gleeful smile.

As they remained still they were alarmed of the sudden sound of a vehicle and in no soon she realised it was their parents who were back early off. She got up uttering ma baba only to get pulled back with a tug by her sakha babu.

Being startled at him, he said her to keep it a secret their lone night as a secret though she was not aware of the reason was also more confused on his decision but complied.

But as he was about to rush through the pipe, she stopped him and asked "par chupanna galath hai na?" To which he caught hold of her shoulders and whispered "haan Bondita, chuppana galath hotha hai. Yeh bhi sach hai ki Humne koi galathi nahi ki par yeh smaaj kabhi smajega nahi aur upar se uska gandi soch se dekega sab kuch isiliye humari raat ke baare mein kisi ko jaanna zaroori nahi hai, mein nahi chahtha koi tumpe meri Bondita pe ungli utaye. Aur wese bhi hum to ek doosre se kuch nahi chupathe na toh koi pareshani nahi hai. Teek hai."

As he said he was relieved that she understood and complied but soon she appeared upset, on questioning she answered with guilt and head down "par meine aapse kuch chupayaa.. aapko jaana chahiye woh... itna bada vishay ko chupana nahi chahiye muje."

With her words and the thought of her hiding filled him with dread but composing himself he lift her head up to face him with the help of his forefinger and said "koi bath nahi, abb toh tum jaan gayi ho na. Par abb humare pass wakth nahi hai isiliye Jab tum muje aaj milne aougi tab muje bathana. Teek hai" to which she nodded in assurance.

As both could hear the footsteps nearing in no time with the help of overflow pipe he reached the ground, the balcony of her house and weaved a bye with that she saw him retreating inside his house.

As he entered he was puzzled at her words and at her hidden secret, it was making him restless while on the other hand she knew she was at fault but decided to correct it by disclosing  dreadful happening to him, her sakha babu.

--------------------------------------------------------------
Thankyou for the number of views as the story had crossed 10 chapters would like to hear a word from my readers.What do you feel?

What do you think Bondita was hiding?

So do comment and hit the star button if you have cherished their night.