The sunlight slanted through the windows of the royal Roy Choudary Haveli adding to the embellishments done in grandeur. Why not, it is one of the most cardinal day with significance as it was the day their first heir was born their ANIRUDH, ANIRUDH ROY CHOUDARY.

When Anirudh entered all did not go unnoticed by him abstaining which he walked towards his room only to be stopped by his kaka and soon he bent to take his blessings as the later cought his shoulders and embraced him in return and spoke "Janam din ki Mubarak beta, soh saal jiyo. Arey Anirudh yeh kya hai tere liye puja rakhi aur thu abb bhi kal ki Kapdon mein. Ja beta jaldhi nahake kapde badalo. Maha Pandit ji aane wale hai" to which he obliged but as he was taking steps to his room again stopped hearing his kaka speaking to his friend while sipping tea.

"Gor kalyug, shiv shiv shiv. Patha nahi yese din bhi dekhna padega. Ek ladka ladki puri din aur raat ek sath chi chi chi....  sab unki maa bap ki galthi hai. Abb galthi ki hai toh uski sazaa bhi bhugatni hogi na. Kaskaar us ladki ko na laj na sharam, yese kese paray Mard ke sath... Hume toh bolne me hi sharam aarahi hai" he said with disgust evident on his face.

His friend replied "sahi kaha zamindaar babu, vese toh yese ladki zinda nahi rehni chahiye, itne gor paap karke koi bhi Bach nahi sakthe aur vese bhi Hume toh patha hi hai yese vishaime ladke ke kuch nahi bigadthe par ladki...Abb toh hum bhi chahthe panchayat Katin se katin dhand dilaye taki dobara koi yese galthi na kare" with that he joined hands and took leave.

Being puzzled Anirudh asked his kaka what were they discussing what was the matter why both of you were raged? Though initially avoiding his questions asked him to get ready. Who could say No to the great Anirudh Roy Choudary who is known for his stubborn nature, so his kaka revealed how a couple in the name of love had eloped and spent a night out later was cought and bought to the village by villagemens. Knowing about his nephew's broad minded thoughts and views he also said "dekh Anirudh, abb iss vishay ki peeche math pad, isme teri kranthi math dikha. Tumhare liye na sahi per samaaj ke liye humare liye yeh sab galath hai aur Jab woh dono paap kiya hai saza toh milegi na aur yese vishaye mein kaskaar uss ladki ko hi sab jelna padtha hai. Yeh sab Asaan nahi hoga agar ek vakya mein kehna hai toh uss ladki ko apni galthi ka ehsaas toh hogi per ussey jyadha woh marna pasandh karegi. Patha hai kyun yese milegi sazaa upar se smaaj ki tanon sehna koi choti bath hotha hai kya. Batha..Aur vese bhi yese sazaa toh milni chahiye, samaaj ki ankon mein dul choker yese jawaan ladke ladki akele milne per" expecting a high volted rebuking session from his nephew, the zamindaar got himself prepared for further confrontation but suprising him Anirudh just walked cross him towards his room.

The event had somehow provoked something into him as he thought by meeting his Bondita secretly is he risking her honor her life. However he was never worried about what the society says or does, it has never bothered him to take actions against them but in the course if his Bondita suffered? The thought of his Bondita suffering was shaking him was tearing him, he immediately thought it had happened in the past but it will not happen now. Never.

Pausing his thoughts he got himself ready for the day as soon as the puja ended all were on their frolic.

After about half an hour Bondita finalised her decision on wearing her sakha babu's favourite blue coloured frock and soon grabbed the object in her right hand and a brass carton in left and ran as quick as lightening. She was glad and sure that her suprise would awe her sakha babu ofcourse she had spent almost 2 months for it. Yes it had been pre decided as she wanted to gift her sakha babu something that would  touch his heart and it would have her personal touch too in the process.

She was entering his study being thrilled about his reaction to her sweet suprise only to get bumped with her friend Batuk who carried his painting on one hand and a colourful palette on other though both managed themselves, her most treasured object had fallen on the palette thereby making the object brightly coloured. Batuk was elated at the fact that his painting had saved on other hand Bondita frowned as her object got ruined badly that it had now become of no use.

Wanting to confront Batuk badly for his act and as she was about to do so Batuk took a long run at the call of his kaka leaving highly disappointed Bondita behind.

The thought of presenting  nothing to her sakha babu dimmed her so she tried to return but only to get collided with her sakha babu this time. Rolling his sleeves he did not notice his sakhi while entering and at the glimpse of her his lost smile seemed to be returned his thoughts seemed to be cleared, feeling delighted he asked "Bondita, tum? Yahan?" as he asked she stammered few inaudible words and as he stepped ahead she took a step back and it continued until she hit her back with the long study table. He could sense her taut face, confused at her antics when he was about to question the duo saw Saurab approaching them with sweets.

The duo was out of their temporary worries as they saw Saurab stammering, trying to voice out and when Anirudh kept his hand on his friend's shoulder, gaining confidence with his shy hued face he revealed the fact of him being soon to be father. Hearing it the duo felt themselves on cloud nine, Anirudh clutched him tightly in response while Bondita being overjoyed congratulated him. His coyness was evident with that placing the sweet on table he took leave hurriedly.

Befuddled at his act, Bondita asked "Yeh toh kitni kushi ki bath hai fir Jamai babu itna kyun sharmarahe humse kehneki?" Chuckling at her sakhi's naive question Anirudh answered "Baat toh sahi hai tumari, per Bondita yese vishaye dusron ko bolne mein tode log hichkichaathe aur sharmathe bhi aur woh galath bhi nahi, teek hai"

Neglecting her temporary worry she asked "toh kya jab aapka samai ayega, tab aap bhi yese sharmayenge logon ko bolne se" Anirudh was taken aback at her words full of innocence, retrieving himself with a smile he answered "tab toh mein kushi kushi se chilakar kaungi, bolungi yeh kush kabri pure gaav ko" while she returned a smile back.

Still being puzzled at her hands being locked back, he bent down meeting her eyes he asked "wese kya chuparahi ho?" and at his question she brooded and panicked. Observing her uncertainty he cought hold of her shoulders and asked raising his eyebrows to which she forwarded her left hand and at the look of the carton he knew what was coming feeling delighted he opened it and on the view of his favourite Keer made by his sakhi highly overjoyed just as a child he asked her to feed him and as she fed he felt pleased and relished its taste but still he could sense the tense from the lines on her forehead so he asked her to forward her other hand and on her refusing he himself held her hand front and with that he was awed at the object.

"Maaf kijiye sakha babu, mein toh yeh deykar aapko kush dekhna chahthi per.. yeh toh uska layak nahi bacha.. mein aapko kass tofa nahi de payi. Iske liye pure dho mahine lagi per abb toh yeh... par abb toh inn rangon ki wajah se" with tears she told him to which he rapidly wiped it off her cheeks with his hand and spoke "yeh safed shirt tumne banayi aur woh bhi mere liye.." his words full of happiness as she nodded he continued "Bondita, yeh toh mere zindagi ka best tofa, sach mein aur yeh kya baat huye? Kisne kaha yeh pehne layak nahi bacha? Yeh toh inn rangon ki wajah se aur bhi khoobsoorat ho gayi. Aur ek kass din mein yeh shirt pehnunga tum dekna" to which her eyes brimmed with happy tears and unable to control she put her hands around his torso and embraced him tightly resting her head on his stomach and spoke "janam din ki shubkamnaye sakha babu aur mein abb bahut kush hoon aapko meri tofa achi lagi" to which he held her tight in return.

Indeed, her gift had made him contented. Before it was just his mom who would bestow him with such handmade gifts and now it was her, he could feel the emotion he was longing for after his mother left. He felt rapturous. Anything from his Bondita, be it a small Jaggery morsel or something else would have made him exhilarated but her hand woven shirt was something for him to cherish his lifelong.

Something knocked his mind and without any delay detaching himself he asked about the hidden matter though frightened about his reaction she told him about the attack on her by a stranger and how luckily another stranger helped her. As he stood composed she felt relaxed with that observing the time she left the haveli.

After her leave, Anirudh was still in the stance unable to process, he felt a bang on his heart it was then he was reminded of his threat calls and the over speed vehicle which rushed towards her that evening he could clearly remember the men and their dress code who were present at his case hearing earlier he shrugged off the thought but now it seemed to be true, it was them it means they had tried to harm his Bondita with that he felt someone had dropped a bomb on his head.

He felt bad and guilt and it worsened at the thought that his Bondita being harmed for his course of actions for his dreams, yes it had happened in past but now. He shook his head and said to himself no one cam harm his Bondita that too when he is alive. No, she can't be harmed and I will make sure of it.

It was evening when Rajeev had taken his lovely daughter for a walk beside the river bank and as they settled themselves on the rock, he told her his wish of  doing everything to her from paying her fees to making her Barrister as she wished. Though initially shocked she understood him and tried to reason him saying it was their dream her and her sakha babu's dream. After which Rajeev tried to reason himself and this time she could clearly fathom the grounds behind his decision and she felt him right but what bothered her was his words which also stated that she should maintain distance from her sakha babu for her own benefit.

It left her in dilemma at one side it was his father and his words for her well being and on other hand it was her sakha babu who did not think twice to put himself before grave just for her growth.

It was late evening when avoiding the happenings Anirudh sat to work for his case while Batuk too sat on couch for doing his homework and it was then Veer approached them and placed a velvet box before Anirudh also wished  him wide and on opening it he found a brand new watch, feeling gratified at his brother's gesture he hugged him and returned to his work.

With a victorious face Veer turned towards Batuk and said "dekha Batuk, aaj dada ki Janamdin per woh mere tofa se kitna kush hai aur wese bhi kyun nahi honge meine unka manpasandh tofa joh diyaa" to which he received a sarcastic laugh in return being puzzled he asked the reason to which Batuk spoke "dada, aap kitne bole ho. Shayad aapko patha nahi par mein aapko batha tha hoon Anirudh Roy Choudary ko sirf ek ke diye huye tofe hi sabse badi aur khass lagthi hai. Uski tofe se hi kushi aurr baad jatha hai. Aur aap uske samne kitne bhi mehanga tofa dedho par woh kuch nahi lagtha. Patha hai koun aur kiski tofe ki bath kar rahi hoon?" as Veer raised his eyebrows questioning Anirudh silently cherished his little brother's tease.

"Boudi ka" Batuk said with a grin to which Veer spoke "Boudi? Kiski Boudi?" To which he replied back "Arey Humare boudi, Bondita boudi. Bale hi woh abb humare sath nahi rah rahi fir bhi dada ke liye wohi sab kuch hai, woh hi sabse pyaari bhi, uske samne koi bhi nahi kudh hum bhi nahi. Aap toh abb hi aaye hai na koi bath nahi aapko bhi yeh sab ki adat ho jayegi." after which he left at the call of his kaka.

For some reason Anirudh liked the way Batuk described about Bondita and her significance in his life. As a matter of fact it was truth. He had named his existence, his life on her name as he believed he lived a life for her, she was the sole reason for every thing in his life. His day would start and end with her thoughts and at present he chuckled on himself for being such but he had always loved for being such for being hers after all he was her sakha babu.

Though Veer was away all this time, several times he had heard about Anirudh and his unusual doings for his little bride and he was well aware of his bride's significance in his life as he too knew even after their anulement how he put his life on stake to protect her from society but what shocked him was.. it was the same girl whom he abhorred. For some reason he did not like his dada's suffering for some random village girl. His dada's thoughts on women was the only thing he disliked and was unconvinced of as he too believed in male superiority.

As Batuk left Veer kept his hand on Anirudh's shoulder and spoke "Aap Chinta math kijiye dada Batuk toh chota hai per mein samaj saktha hoon aapko" to which Anirudh was confused at his words while he continued "aap yeh sab samaajik seva ki hisab se kar rahe hai, mein jantha hoon aapke dil ko aap kisi ko unyaay sahethe huye nahi dekh sakthe kisi ko dukh mein nahi dekh sakthe, aap ek baar uski jaan bachaye samaaj se toh dobara padaye prapth Karliye. Aur yeh Batuk bhi na... kaise samaj liye aapko? Woh ladki kaise aapko kass ho sakthi aur uske liye aapme kaise jasbath jag sakthi aur woh bhi jaise Batuk ne kaha wese toh bilkul ho nahi saktha. Mein jantha hoon woh balik hai choti bachi hai, uske liye aapke mann me yese bhavna ho nahi sakthe aur mein yeh bhi jantha hoon aap jaise bal vivah ke khilaf hai yeh sari ehsaas ki bhi khilaf hai. Aap kaise ek choti Bachi se... nahi nahi yeh nahi ho saktha. Yeh Batuk bhi na.." with that he left.

His brother's words had shot daggers into his heart, he never viewed their relation as such. For him it was divine, as Bondita was no less than a goddess he would always worship. For him she was the lantern to illuminate the society also at times she was a guiding star, she became his dream, the reason for his existence, she was the only way or weapon through which he could destroy the evils of society.

But his brother's words made him to crossexamine him and his feelings for her, it was then he reminded how comments on them would bring a joy to him also hue his cheeks or make him coy. At that time he doubted his intentions and it made him worse as it was against his own principles. He felt shattered.

As the morning happenings were not enough now he felt he had enough on his plate. First their secret meetings which are sin according to society if they had known it would increase their rage towards her and they would cause her trouble, second the threats though it was just calls to avoid his fights for the truth and justice he never thought it would become true and would harm her by attacking and third which he hated the most he himself was the reason as he felt he had harboured forbidden feelings for her in a way which was a sinful act according to him as it might ruin her innocence. With all these thoughts his breaths got heavier and heart pumped fast as he sat with a bang on the couch with his hands held forcibly between his head. He felt depressed and deteriorated.

It was early night when both Anirudh and Bondita sat themselves in the same place and glanced the moon trying to fathom the situation and answers for it. It startked them as they both felt miserable as they were struck between the society's mindset and their feelings.

In a haste, Anirudh felt himself as a wrongdoer, the wrongdoer and the reason for his Bondita to be harmed with that unable to fathom more with a heavy heart and tears he decided to stay away from her, his Bondita, his sakhi, his peace at last his life just for her well being. While shrugging her thoughts Bondita concluded to herself that neither they can be wrong nor their relation. So there would never be a thought on their separation.

Unknown to them, their bond had always been above and out off world's understanding, their relation was pure and full of selflessness. Yes it could even be named as love. But it was platonic love they have for each other which had no wants, no envy, no desires or no sensual passion it was just giving or devoting themselves for each other's happiness.

The cool breeze of the early night broke her stance and as she was returning was stunned at the sight and instantly she ran towards that direction and pulled a women's hand and cought hold of her child with other and saved her from commiting suicide. The women gazed at her saviour unable to fathom the sitaution she fell on her knees, handing the child to Rajeev who followed his daughter Bondita embraced the women while she sobbed and narrated the reason for such a bold and harsh move. As the women found solace in her after few minutes facing the lady Bondita spoke "jab marne ki sahas kar sakthe hain toh ladne ki kyun nahi? Mein janthi hoon aap dar the hai ussey par agar kanoon sath ho tho aapko kisisey darney ki zaroorat nahi hai. Mein ek insaan ko janthi hoon jo aapko avashya nyaay dilayenga per woh hoga jab aap koodh aapke liye aur apne bache ke liye ladenge. Boliye chalenge mere sath" as her words invoked courage and valour with no other possible way the women obliged while Rajeev stood awestruck at his daughter's actions and decisions though decided to support her.

It was already late night when the trio reached the haveli and on banging the door imperatively, it was Anirudh as the day's occurrence had made him run out of sleep and on opening he was startled to find his sakhi at such odd hour though a glance at her has soothed him, ignoring the surrounding he caught hold of her shoulders and asked "Bondita tum, is wakth... teek ho na? Kuch hua toh nahi? To which she replied "Mein teek hoon sakha babu per abb inko Barrister babu ki zaroorat hai" with that as he sat himself in his study, the women and Rajeev with the child sat before him while Bondita sat on stool between them.

As Anirudh asked the women narrated her story on how she had been abandoned. She told them her issue... as his father was old and injured he was replaced by her in the kolkatta factory but after the demise of her father, the owner had cared for her and her well being with that knowing it a sin they had harboured feelings for each other and their child was a symbol to it. As born out of wedlock much to the resistance of her owner, she told them how he payed her for fathering her child. Being devastated with last hope to live a family she tried to persuade him but as she failed she feared the society and took such a heinous step.

Hearing which Anirudh rolled his fists in anger and closed his eyes, he was raged with fury at such an annoyance act of a owner who had the thought to buy everything with his money. As Bondita placed her hands on his tightened fists, composing himself he promised and pledged to do justice with the help of law and with that he asked her name and the name of the factory owner.

"Mera naam Lakshmi Bagchi aur unka naam..."

And when the abandoned women spelled the name, the trio stood as they was thunderstruck, their eyes widened at the revealation while Anirudh felt flabbergasted also felt the floor beneath had swept away. He felt ashamed and bowed down his head in humiliation.

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