Being attached heart to heart and distancing from him in all ways, had undoubtedly led her to unpleasant apprehensions. 

Colliding, she shrieked loudly "Sakha
babu"

The reaction was mutual. Bowled over, sensing something wrong he instantly stepped few steps back with wide opened eyes.

Relief took over and as she got a chance glanced back at the astound alarmed twosome, it was her      Som dada  terrified with sweat beads all over his face, more nervous and hesitant than Neelima. She smirked as they looked completely in contrast to past few minutes.

Observing his boudi and ferocious dada at the door step, it felt the worst nightmare he ever had. The thought of his dada knowing about his love affair with Neelima seemed more dreadful and dangerous for him. Failing his medical exams and getting scolded from him appeared less frightful as for now he knew he was red handedly caught by his boudi and doubted his dada too while on other hand Neelima looked clueless.

"Kya hua? Yese chillayi kyun? Aur yese kya dekh rahi ho andar? Kuch hai kya?" Saying this Anirudh tried to peep in, she squeaked again astonishing him "kuch nahi.. bas andhera tha na... tho bas dar laga sakha babu" with that indicated them to flee, somehow from her Som dada's expression she knew that their action would anger her sakha babu and as the duo hid subsequently, Anirudh again tried to peep in to check what had scared her sakhi and interupting him, she spoke "maaf kijiye, sakha babu nahi Barrister babu"

This word from her broke him completely, ignoring everything both locked their eyes pouring emotions. Her distress and his anguish did not go unnoticed by either of them.

Holding on to his tears, he stammered "Bo...Bon... Bondita tum" for once he forgot his turmoil, tried to clamour but being strong headed stopped adruptly reminding himself, walked away perturbed and exasperated, it was then he let his tears fall wilfully while on contrary Bondita wanted himself to break the shell he got into and for that calling him by that was the only prevailing option to her, for she knew calling him such would mean breaking his heart, causing him affliction but her will and want for him forced her in doing so with her own eyes shredding with guilt.

"Boudi...boudi..." Bondita heared an extremely low tone and soon glancing the way his dada walked, he whispered "shukriya boudi, aaj bachaliya aapne varna patha nahi kya hotha humara..." eyeing Neelima.

Giggling she asked, "kyun, aap dono koi galthi ki kya? Kyun dar rahe hai sakha babu se?"

"Galthi hi toh hai yeh sab par sirf samaj ke liye humare liye nahi. Hum pyaar karte ek doosre se aur pyaar karna galthi nahi hotha, agar yeh bath dada ko patha chala tho woh bewajah hi gussa karenge..aur kahenge ki yeh pyaar nahi padayee karne ki umar hai par aap hi batayeye pyaar karne ka bhi koyi umar hoti kya? Nahi na... par koi yeh bath nahi samajthe.. isliye hum dono chupkar hi pyaar kar rahe hai" entwining his hands with Neelima's he spoke.

As she remained to stare, "Bondita, mein tumari didi jaisi hoon na, toh humare pyaar ke bare mein kisi ko math bathana apne sakha babu ko bhi nahi" Neelima spoke fear clearly evident in her eyes, knowing well about Bondita's bond with her sakha babu.

Instantly Bondita innocently retorted back "par kyun? Jab pyaar karna galthi nahi hai gunah nahi hai kyun chupana hoga ussey? Mein bhi toh pyaar karthi hoon apne sakha babu se par me ussey chupa todi na..."

Unable to withstand, Somnath smiled at her innocence for he knew very well of the bond they shared, it was indeed undeniable truth that irrespective of their age they were madly in love with each, they kept each other ahead of themselves, they would tirelessly care, they were willing to suffer at the cost of each other's happiness, fight the world solely for each other at last would never think to risk their life for each other... their incongruity was never a hurdle for them to tend to each other also appallingly there was neither sensuous nor luscious feeling or need for each other.... such was their love, intimacy in it's most pure and divine form. The only irony is they neither realised it nor proposed each other but practiced all norms of love selflessly. He felt theirs was pure and eternal which would be found only in books or tales.

Retrieving himself "haan sahi kaha aap, par humara pyaar alag hai aapke pyaar se.. aap bas itna jaan lijiye humara yeh pyaar... pyaar wali pyaar.. jaise ki Romeo Juliet wali pyaar" interupting him she asked "kya yehi woh angrez kitab wali?" to which he coyfully nodded and unable to make her understand more, he just requested her to keep it a secret and with no other way she too obliged to it for them.

Som knew his boudi well thus believed, he had seen her being more mature than her age that too tackling big obstacles fearlessly, the most amazing part was her hidden talent or power to suppress the lion of Tulsipur, volcano of Roy Choudary Haveli. The hoarse person who would fume over everyone regardless of their age or respect to prove his point for mere justice would become a mewing cat, speechless infront of her petty but reasonable arguments. He would transform into monk and speak as sweet as honey to guide her, to teach her, to care her, to tend her and finally the reason was always her. No one could dare to attempt a word before their ferocious, rebellious and unorthodox young feirce Barrister Roy Choudary but on contrary not fearing his wrath she would always stand by the truth and algorithm thereby showing his flaws. And when she spoke he would turn himself to listener or child sometimes only for her and with her, atlast would correct his freakish nature, she would put off his stubbornness with witty tactics. Also the whole village witnessed her being the torch of his revolution, face of his madness, his sole moral support, the reason for his brave and impulsive decisions. Such were they, but now even he was confused with their coldness towards each other though never failed to adore them in all situations.

That night, her curious mind wandered moreover being novice she made up her mind to read the novel to know the different kind of love her Som dada talked, she also remembered how days back on the same notion a couple tried to elope. At that time she thought it to be neutral, same but for now she knew love was different and with different people it was meant to be different and so is the norms. She knew her sakha babu had strictly restricted her from reading such but that was way back, now she was stubborn to know this new form of love and explore it, moreover possibly if it could help her in bringing him back her sakha babu back. She did not want to miss chance. It was an undeniable fact that it pained her thinking it to be her sakha babu hugging Neelima but when reality striked, it made her relieved though unaware of the reason she felt happy.

The next day before her school timings, she rushed to the open Library and began to hunt for the book atlast she found it in the corner racks lebelled Romance fiction, even so she did not understand certain words and phrases continued to read, her curious mind read chapters by chapters rapidly though some pages may be chapters were left out by her when she felt unease and was extremely uncertain about the portrayal. Sometimes her eyes grew big, smile widened, ears reddened, face hued at the depiction of love, her discovery ended with the book and undeniable it awed her.

It was fourth call in the month pleasing for him, highly disturbed and frustrated Anirudh repeated his answer back disappointing the caller all over again.

A low pitched repetitive weep of the toddler who was safely placed on the cushion broke his fret and bought him to his lip smacking tiny brother, uplifting he tried to soothe him in his warm embrace murmuring Badri and that's when his toddler brother responded merrily cooing. Placing him back he began to play with him and spoting his kaki, he asked "Badrinath, Bondita ne rakha na... yeh naam kaki?" amazed by his discovery his kaki spoke "haan, Bondita ne rakha...par tuje kese patha" unanswering he just smiled back, puzzled again asked "itna janthi ho ussey?" to which being in daze he replied "khud se bhi jyadha, mere Jeene ki wajah joh ho" instantly realising his words hesitantly left, leaving his kaki baffled at their bond. Impotent at the thought of their detachment and her addressing him Barrister babu made him to break the case causing his hand to bleed abundantly but being least bothered lied himself on his study couch desultorily.

It was a dark evening with sky coloured in its possible depth shades, drop in temperature and the cool breezes made her arms to sheath herself, dressed in his favourite navy blue saree with matching simple ornaments her eyes longed for his mere appearance, dissapointed at his delay when began to retreat she felt his fragrance being buoyant was about to turn but only to get locked in his arms her back resting against his strong muscular front, his hands gliding over hers restricting her movements, his lips slightly bruising her ears as he hushed few words though due to their proximity or depth in his voice all his words remained unregistered, trembling involuntarily unwillingly managed to free herself from his pleasurable torture only to get caged more, unable to withstand abruptly turned to face him and snuggled more into him clutching his collars while trying to hide herself in him inhaled his musk and using his forefinger as he lift her chin her timid eyes met his bashful one, his fingers traced her cheeks softly while the other brushed her long tresses, slightly bent down to peck the extreme edge of her lips with his rough ones.

"Nahi...." Grasping for air, she rapidly sat upright red faced with irregular breaths, beads of moisture all over her skin, heart hammering fast, chest heaving unevenly, clutching the sheets hardly, morrified to see herself in mirror, she shuddered at his thought, the thought of their lips meeting. It was him, her sakha babu and this conviction made her abashed more than flushed. She felt guilty for going against his words, upset about her own behaviour, felt discomposed about her dream retrieving herself blamed the book for her hallucination.

Instantly gulping glass of water, resting hand over her chest tried to calm her palpitations. It was then she cursed the book as she felt culpable, delinquent for her thoughts as he was her God, being his devotee and fantasizing him made her reprehensible.

Though never want to admit but undeniably she cherished the dream, his proximity, his touch, him as a whole. She felt strangely hankering as an unusual crave for the moment or may be for him erupted in her peccant heart. She reminded words of the book, some of their acts which left her more offended of herself. Controlling her adulation for him, warned herself for such thoughts and acts for him atlast decided to never read the genre ever.

Abruptly a series of thoughts flashed in her mind making her realize the gravity of it or it had on her life. It was the cognisance of her sakha babu and her pari didi Saudamini been in love as if this was not enough the comprehension of her sakha babu bewitched with Manorama's beauty and bravery in past . Yes! She knew them all, it was through her kaka sasoorji who stood by her in all difficult phases. The mere recognition, understanding and the lack of discernment tore her heart breaking into trillion pieces, she felt crushed and cast down. Restoring herself she reminded herself being a devotee to her God, neglecting her expectation again placed his happiness before all even before her budding fervour and decided to be his eternal devotee.

It was then she reminded about her upcoming exams and without him, his guidance, his teaching, his blessing though completed her syllabus felt a void and lack of confidence, determined to get it back from him her naughty mind worked out an idea though seemed to be risky she was hell bent to accomplish it.

It was past twelve, using saree tied to her window she safely landed on ground with a thud after which took slow, steady and measured steps in to the Roy Choudary Haveli's study. Once reached with the help of silver coin opened the bolts of the window and leaped inside only to view her sakha babu sleeping in tranquil. His serene look brought back the memories of her dreams making her flush shrugging it, her gaze glued to his doleful posture, hair ruffled partially covering his forehead, tiring eyes closed, slightly parted lips, partly quivering being unsheathed.

Reaching for his feet caught hold of it bringing her hands to her forehead, thereby received the much needed and essential blessings from him. Glancing him it was then her eyes noticed his bleeding hand, with tears dripping she rushed to the kitchen to prepare herbal turmeric mixture (antiseptic) and while returning spotting two silhouette, hid herself from getting caught and after which while hurrying bumped with a figure, highly frightened opened her eyes to spot Batuk who was astound at her presence and also failed in hiding the romance novel behind him. Though puzzled he knew she was here for him, his dada moreover he disliked their coldness too so with pleading eyes posed a deal as for now he too knew his boudi knew about his secret book and when she endorsed it he returned back to his room leaving the young duo.

Sitting down with a worried look, held his hand carefully and began to apply the paste with her own eyes shredding at the thought of his pain also inbetween cursing him for being so careless, he looked fatigued more sluggish and this angered her most admist her dripping tears though in his sleepy state the impact of paste made him shudder slightly. Even so he was the one wounded she felt the pain and it seemed intolerable for her.

As the wide opened windows welcomed the wavering extremely chilled breeze in his drowsy state being totally unaware of her presence he pulled her arms making her petite frame land on his stronger one and embracing her at once while she grasped at his sudden act, stunned tried to free herself but only get more clasped. Quavered like a leaf, eyes wobbled dangerously being petrified, as it was her first time his vicinity made her helpless and she murmured inaudible prayers for his sleep to prolong but it seemed to be unanswered as she saw him opening eyes leisurely to which she squeezed her eyes tightly fearing his reaction.

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