His wife was upset with him. Extremely upset. 

"Bondita," he said softly, and reached for her hands, but she pulled herself out of his reach, sitting on the edge of the bed. 

She was very mad! 

"Even your anger is cute to me," he told her softly, and reached to touch her again, but this time she got off the bed, and just stood there, looking away from him with tears in her eyes. 

Apparently that was the wrong thing to say. 

Oh, this would take a little extra pacifying. 

Her naked body was in full view, and it wasn't helping him focus. At all. 

He also wanted what she wanted. 

Anirudh sat up and moved to the edge of the bed. Then he reached for her hand and pulled her down on his lap in one swift movement. 

Bondita trembled slightly, as he locked her in his arms. 

"I'm sorry," he murmured, nuzzling her jaw with his lips. 

He pressed a soft kiss on her cheek, where he could taste wet tears. 

She was really crying. 

"Don't cry please," he murmured. 

Bondita turned to face him with a big glare in her wet eyes. 

"Last night's already gone, but we have now," he told her softly, and locked her more tightly in his arms, trying to press a kiss to her lips.  

She used her hands to push on his chest, and he automatically loosened his grip. 

"I don't want to!" she huffed, and then she stood up, making Anirudh shocked. 

Bondita didn't want to?

Bondita glared at him again and she said, "I don't want to talk to you!" 

Then she stormed to the wardrobe to pick out her saree for the day. 

Anirudh tried to approach her again, but she just glared at him with her angry eyes. 

"Bondita, I didn't want to wake you up," he said softly, "See, now you're well-rested. Now you have the energy to make love all day long --" 

He didn't know whether he was bribing her properly, but it seemed like she wasn't buying it this time. 

She just held on to her saree tightly and then stormed inside the bathroom. As she went there, he couldn't help but watch how her bottom slightly bounced up on the way. He felt his erection get quite hard at the sight. 

Oh no. 

Here she didn't want him, and he was dying to have her. 

After she came out of the bathroom, dressed in her saree, she went directly to her vanity and sat down, applying sindoor to her hair parting. 

Anirudh was sitting in bed, with a journal and a pen, so that he could make lesson plans for Batuk and Bondita. 

Bondita reached for her alta, and Anirudh put the journal and pen down. He got out of bed, still naked, and approached Bondita. 

"Let me do it," he told her, taking the large cotton swab and alta, before sitting on the floor. 

Bondita watched him with a frown as he picked up her foot and rested it on his thigh. She saw that he wasn't wearing anything, and she tried not to get distracted. 

She was really upset this time! 

Anirudh started to line one of her feet with the red alta. As he was doing that, he felt the shape of her foot, quite intimately. He was caressing the edges of her feet, running it up his thigh, as he glanced into her eyes to see her reaction. 

Then he lifted her foot and brought it to his mouth, kissing the bottom of it softly. 

He knew that this could go one of two ways -- either, she would be extremely seduced, or extremely uncomfortable. Either way, she would speak to him, which she wasn't doing right now. 

Bondita knew him inside out though, and so she wasn't buying it again. His seduction trick wasn't working on her right now! 

She pulled her foot which was only half-done with alta out of his grip, and then stormed out of the room, making him watch her go with his eyes wide. 

He would have to put in a lot of effort to pacify her this time. 

-- 

Bondita knocked on Sampoorna's bedroom door gently.

Sampoorna opened the door right away, looking at Bondita with surprise. What was she doing here early in the morning? She hadn't even put on her jewelry, or lined her hands and feet with alta properly. 

"Can I finish getting ready in your bedroom? If Sasurji is not there," Bondita asked. 

"He's already gone down," Sampoorna said, "It's just me and Sashwati. You can come in." 

Bondita smiled and entered Sampoorna's room. 

"Can I borrow your alta?" she asked, and Sampoorna nodded, handing Bondita the alta. 

Bondita sat down on the bed, next to Sashwati who was lying down with her legs hanging up in the air. She was swinging them around. 

She grinned at the baby. She was so cute. 

Bondita couldn't wait to spend more time with her niece! 

"What happened to your alta?" Sampoorna asked curiously, noticing that one of Bondita's feet were only half-done. 

"Nothing, I wanted to come and spend time with my Sampoorna Didi," Bondita said coolly, as she finished applying the alta to that foot. 

Then she started on her next foot. 

"It's nice to have you back. The house was truly quiet without all of you," Sampoorna said with a smile. 

There were no DJ sessions from Anirudh, no loud and bored groans from Batuk, and no innocent dining table entertainment from Bondita. 

Just like Kaka, even Sampoorna believed that Bondita hadn't done anything with Anirudh yet. After all, the last time they spoke about this matter, it seemed like Bondita found the idea of sex to be boring, and she didn't even think that Anirudh had moved past his zimmedari phase. 

"I'm happy to be back too," Bondita said, "Did you already do the morning puja today?" 

"No Bondita, I haven't gone down yet," Sampoorna told her. 

"I'll go and do it then," she said with a smile, as she applied alta to her hands. 

Sampoorna just nodded and watched Bondita, her heart feeling soft. She was beginning to miss the old days where she and Bondita used to hang out, steal fruits from trees, gossip about the people in the village, and dream about their future. 

Where did those days go? 

Did Sampoorna really have to complicate things so much and turn towards hatred for her sister, just to be the malikin of this haveli? What if they could forget all of that and start afresh? Or was it too late? 

"Ohhh, Sashwati's smiling!" Bondita said, looking at the baby who was smiling at her. 

Sampoorna laughed, and she said, "She loves her Maasi." 

"Her Maasi loves her too," Bondita said excitedly. 

Sashwati reached for Bondita's finger and held it cutely, making Bondita's heart melt. 

"My cutie Sashuuu," Bondita cooed at the baby. 

-- 

After morning puja that day, Bondita called Vikram, and asked him to come over. She knew that Batuk was sad, and Vikram would be a good person to keep him company. 

"Why's he sad?" Vikram asked over the phone. 

"I don't know Vikram, he's not telling me," Bondita admitted. "You come over and see if you can help." 

As she was saying this, Batuk came downstairs, a smile on his face. 

Bondita furrowed her eyebrows curiously. 

"Nevermind, he looks okay... but you can come over anyways!" Bondita told him. 

"Er... I would love to Bondita, but I'm on house arrest," Vikram admitted. 

"What? Why?" Bondita asked with a pout. 

"I got caught... the night that we kidnapped you," Vikram said with a sigh. "They found out that I wasn't at home." 

"Oh no!" Bondita gasped. 

"Yeah... but when we go to submit our applications for the new school year soon, I'll definitely get to meet you two," Vikram said with a grin. "And we can talk on the phone! My parents don't say much about that. I just say I'm discussing school related things." 

Bondita asked, "Did they hurt you Vikram? Should I talk to them, or send Batuk to talk to them?" 

"No Bondita, it's okay. It isn't that bad. Really, I promise. You don't have to worry about me. Just make sure Batuk's okay," Vikram said. 

"Alright," Bondita said with a sigh, "I'll see you soon then." 

"Yes... and Bondita?" Vikram asked. 

"Hmm?" Bondita asked. 

"Do you know how your Manika Didi is?" Vikram asked, and she could sense that he was slightly hesitating to ask. 

"Well, Pati Babu spoke to her last night. I'm not sure what they spoke about, but he didn't exactly seem stressed this morning, so I'm sure she's fine. It was a positive conversation," Bondita informed. 

Bondita thought to her anger this morning. Her Pati Babu had been trying to make it up to her. If Manika Didi had said anything negative, then she would have been able to read it from his face. 

"I'm glad she's okay," Vikram said with a smile. 

"I have to go," Bondita said, noticing Batuk pass by into the dining room, presumably for some breakfast. "I'll talk to you later Vikram." 

 -- 

Bondita wasn't wearing her jewelry today, because she didn't want to go back in her room, and fall into her Pati Babu's charm! 

She was going to stay mad at him! She didn't always want to seem so desperate, and have her wishes unfulfilled in the end!  

If he wanted her, now he had to express himself! Until he wanted her to a desperate level, Bondita had decided that she was not going to give in so easily. 

Just like her Pati Babu had self-control, so did she! She had learned from him, after all. 

And now Bondita Roy Choudhary wanted to witness the level of Anirudh Roy Choudhary's desperation for her! 

When she entered the dining room, there was already some breakfast made, and Bondita sat down next to Batuk. Nobody else was in here. 

"Good morning Batuk," she said cheerfully, taking some food in her plate. 

"Good morning Boudi," Batuk said with a smile. 

"I thought about what you asked me yesterday Batuk. And I just want to tell you that a love like mine and Pati Babu's is possible, and you've felt it too," she told him. 

"Me?" Batuk asked, shocked. 

"Yes, with me and Vikram!" Bondita told him with a smile. 

"What?" Batuk asked, shocked. "That's different." 

"It's not different," she told him softly. "You just think it is, because you might call what Pati Babu and I have a romantic relationship. Romance is nothing but hormones Batuk. It's there for fun, for enjoyment, for another type of fulfillment, and expression. The main essence is care, it's love, and it's unconditional support for the other person. Now you tell me, don't you have that for me and Vikram?" 

Batuk looked at her like she had lost it. 

"Seriously Boudi?" Batuk asked. 

Bondita sighed. 

"Before Pati Babu and I became like this, he was my Shikshak, he was also like a father to me. He was even like my mother. Then we became friends," Bondita explained, "It took a long time before I was even able to kiss him!" 

Batuk looked at her with a weirded out expression. 

He didn't need the details! 

"Batuk what I'm saying is that people term relationships as different things. They call things platonic or romantic. But there's nothing like that! Love is love! I love you and I love Vikram, just like I love my Pati Babu," Bondita explained, "Pati Babu and I just have extra chemistry, but that doesn't mean that our relationship is only limited to a husband and wife's relationship!"

Batuk blinked, just staring at her, confused. 

"The main essence of our relationship is friendship," Bondita finally said to him, "That's why we're special. Our foundation is strong. Everything else is just a bonus. So it is possible to have a relationship like that, and you already have felt it with me and Vikram! If your future relationships also have friendship and unconditional understanding and support as the base, then it'll be just like mine and Pati Babu's!"

Then Bondita took a bite of her food. 

Batuk nodded slowly, finally understanding. 

If he could put together what his Dada taught him last night, with what his Boudi just told him, it seemed like the perfect recipe for a good relationship. 

"Thank you Boudi," Batuk said with a smile. 

Bondita grinned. 

"I love how you're so nice to me these days," she teased. 

Batuk frowned and he said, "Hey, that was just because you answered my question. By the way, do you know what Dada is teaching us today?" 

"Oh, is he teaching us?" Bondita asked nonchalantly, wondering how she was going to maintain her angry state in the study with him. 

"He didn't tell you?" Batuk asked, surprised. "He only tells me these things! Wow!" 

Bondita laughed, and she said, "That's because you deserve it!"   

"Boudi!" Batuk groaned. 

It was at this point that Kaka entered the dining hall. When he saw Bondita there, he noticed her missing jewelry, and he immediately asked, "Bahu, where's your jewelry?" 

Bondita gulped and she said, "Sorry Kakasasurji, I forgot to wear it." 

"You're a Roy Choudhary Bahu. You shouldn't forget these things. You have to be proud of the family you belong to," Kaka said. "Go and wear it now!" 

Bondita sighed and she said, "Yes Kakasasurji." 

She pushed her chair back and went upstairs to her room, nervously wondering if her Pati Babu was still in there. 

When she entered the room, she heard the shower running in the bathroom. Bondita rushed towards her vanity, and quickly picked up her necklace, trying to put it on fast. 

The shower stopped, and Bondita gulped. 

He was going to come out in a towel. She needed to be prepared and not lose focus! 

Bondita quickly reached for her earrings and slipped them on one by one. 

The bathroom door opened, and Anirudh came out with his hair wet, a towel wrapped around his waist. 

His eyes landed on Bondita, and a smile appeared on his lips. 

Bondita gulped and she just stared at herself in the mirror. 

"My Bondita is back," he said to her softly, walking over to her in his towel and placing his hands on her shoulders from behind. 

He pulled the pallu over her head back slightly, and pressed his lips against the back of her neck, kissing her soft skin. 

"Move Pati Babu," she managed to say, and turned around. She was about to push past him, when he gripped her arms tightly and locked them behind her back, making her heartrate increase. 

"I don't feel like moving today," he whispered huskily. 

He leaned towards her ear and he whispered, "Inside the bathroom, all I could think about was how nice it would be if you were showering with me." 

Bondita could feel her breaths quicken as he teased her with his words. 

"I would suck the water droplets off your skin and play with your body," he murmured. 

His words were really doing something to her... he just had that charm. 

"Do you want to go in now?" he asked her in a deep voice, making her breathless. 

-- 

Downstairs, Batuk finished eating his breakfast, wondering why his Boudi was taking so long to return. 

He went by the telephone and was about to call Vikram, when he got a phone call first from Bipin. 

"Guess what," Bipin said. 

"What?" Batuk asked. 

"My Mama said that there's a new girl being transferred into our school," Bipin said, sounding excited. "Apparently she's hot." 

Bipin's Mama (mom's brother) was the principal of their school.

Batuk's eyes widened and he asked, "A girl? In our school? Other than Boudi?" 

"Yes," Bipin said, "And the best part is she isn't married!" 

"Wow!" Batuk said with excitement. "That's great." 

"I hope it's great. If she ends up being another topper type like Bondita, then there's nothing great about it." 

"Who told you she's hot? Your Mama?" Batuk asked. 

"What? No! Of course not!" Bipin huffed. "There are just rumours."

"Whatever," Batuk just said, as he recalled Tupur. 

What was she even up to? 

"Batuk, I swear, I need a girl now," Bipin said, "My brother, the one who studied in London, told me that he had a girlfriend there, but they broke up when he came back. Imagine having a girlfriend, how cool is that!" 

"Yeah...it's cool..." Batuk said sarcastically, "I have to go." 

Batuk hung up the phone and went upstairs, his heart suddenly feeling heavy as he recalled Tupur all over again.

It seemed like the new school year was going to bring new twists into their lives. 

-- 

Are you excited for what's coming? 

What will happen between Anidita? Will their shower romance happen, or will Bondita continue to push him away? 

I hope you liked the Bondita/Sampoorna/Sashwati, Bondita/Vikram and Bondita/Batuk scenes as well.  

A new girl is coming into their school, and along with her, there will be new twists and turns in this story. 

I'm soo excited to write more!  

Remember to upvote and shower your comments!

Love you all! ❤️