It's the second update today. Read and vote on all chapters from 320. Get everything to 450 stars+ for more. 

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--

Bondita was walking in the shabby warehouse, when two men whose faces she couldn't see grabbed her arms and lead her inside the room.

"No! Let me go! Please! I don't want t - to do this abortion anymore!"

"It's too late! You will lose your baby! You came here and made the choice, now even you can't undo your will!" one man growled at her.

"No, stop! Stop! Please!" she cried.

In the background she could hear wails, sobs, of other women... and babies too?

She was thrown onto a ripped bed, one where there were insects crawling. She spotted a mouse running across the floor, as the two men held her arms down from either side of her, refusing to let her go. 

"Stop!" Bondita screamed, as another two men appeared, grabbing her legs and pulling them apart. "STOP! DON'T DO THIS!" 

She was shaking and shivering when a fifth man in a lab coat entered, with a hanger -- a wired metal coat hanger. 

"Pull her saree up!" he ordered the men in a scary voice. 

"N - no... n - no," Bondita said, shaking her head, her whole being shivering. "I w - won't let you do this." 

Bondita struggled, trying to use force to move her arms and legs out of the way. She needed to break free from them. 

She tried to kick and punch, but they were too strong for her. The doctor came and began to pull up her saree himself with one hand, the coat hanger in the other one. 

"It's too late now. You should have never stepped in here in the first place," the doctor said in a dangerous voice. "Now you will lose your baby no matter what! Your baby won't ever see the world!"

"PATI BABU!" Bondita screamed, tears rolling down her cheeks as she was held down by the four men, while the doctor pulled up her saree, holding the coat hanger dangerously close to her body. 

-- 

Bondita was sweating and shivering when she woke up from the nightmare.

Her hand immediately found her tummy, tears rolling down her cheeks, as fear loomed inside her. 

Was everything okay... inside?

She whispered to her stomach, as she sobbed, "I - I scared you... right? D - don't be scared... I... I won't let anything... happen... I w - won't... it won't... I'm s - so sorry..." 

She was trembling in fear herself, shivering. It felt like someone else was in the room with her... in the darkness. She could barely move, because it was so scary. It was irrational, but she couldn't sleep here. It was too terrifying... her heart was hammering so hard that the sensation was enough to make her want to pass out. 

She slid out of bed, her hand not leaving her stomach, still in her Pati Babu's grey silk robe. She slipped out of her room, and rushed over to their bedroom. 

Opening the door, she quietly snuck inside and closed the door behind her, before going straight into bed, where he was snoring. 

Bondita got under the covers and wrapped her arm around him from behind, pressing her cheek into his back and closing her eyes, feeling safe again. The dream had shaken her so much. She was still shivering from within, but just his presence was enough to calm her down slightly. 

Her hand was over his stomach, and in his sleep, Anirudh also instinctively held his hand against hers, giving her all the comfort she needed that night. 

-- 

After morning puja early that morning, Trilochan approached Sampoorna in the home mandir. 

He informed, "Today, Anirudh and the rest of us will be going to Krishnagar as per Kalindi's invitation. I'm presuming your own mother will do something for Binoy... in that Debipur?" He said Debipur, the village that Sampoorna was from, in a disgusted tone, as if he was talking about a dirty insect. 

Sampoorna looked at Trilochan and said, "Maa... can't."

"Of course she can't. What more is expected from that mother of yours?" Trilochan huffed, "She doesn't want to put any effort, or spend any money. What a cheap lady!"  

Sampoorna felt her face go red and she said, "Sumati Pishi called me last night and said since I'm also her daughter, we can come to Krishnanagar with Anirudh and Bondita." 

Trilochan shook his head and said, "Kalindi has such a big heart, unlike your mother and father! Look at your parents and look at Kalindi! She is great, and your Maa and Baba... Shiv Shiv Shiv!" 

Sampoorna's face turned more red and she just muttered, "They don't mean --" 

"They mean all the harm!" Trilochan interrupted. "First by getting you married here, we all knew why they did it! Anyways forget it. It's the past! You are Binoy's wife, so you have responsibilities too. Responsibilities you have been avoiding!"

Sampoorna looked at him with a questioning look. 

Kaka yelled at Sampoorna, "Somnath, that nalayaak boy is getting out of hand every moment! As you are Binoy's wife, you are his mother! It's up to you to fix a relationship for him and get him married! Get to your job!"

Sampoorna looked him with shock.

"But Jethji, he doesn't want to get married --"

"I don't care what he wants! It's your job to convince him! You aren't just Binoy's wife and Sashwati's mother! But you are mother to Anirudh, Somnath, and Batuk too! Don't be partial towards your own daughter!"

Trilochan huffed and shook his head, finding this whole situation very disgraceful! His nephew became a doctor after studying inappropriate images! 

Even if his Bahu was pregnant, and Somnath's diagnosis had been correct, the doctors were still more wrong than right! How could the doctors from the hospital have come here suggesting that his Bahu wanted an abortion? What liars! She had probably gone to get a checkup, and they twisted the story! Those fools! 

Sampoorna gulped and went towards Somnath's bedroom. 

After knocking, he opened the door already in his day clothes, surprised to see her there. 

"There's something I want to talk to you about Somnath..." Sampoorna said, looking at him nervously. She didn't speak much to him -- in fact, Somnath hadn't spoken much to anyone, considering he was always so lost in his books all this while. 

"Yes?" Som asked. 

"I know that you don't want to get married, but Jethji asked me to speak to you... it's your age and --" 

"What nonsense!" Somnath said to Sampoorna, furrowing his brows, "No need to convince me! I am about to get a job at the hospital, and I will be very busy. I won't have time to keep a wife." 

"But if you have a wife, she can take care of you. I am sure after work you will be very stressed. Look at your Baba, sometimes he stays out for days, and when he comes home, I am here to take care of all his needs. You will also have someone," Sampoorna told him, "Someone to look after you, massage you, give you many kinds of satisfaction!" 

Somnath scrunched his nose up, as he imagined a random lady's hands on his body massaging him. 

And satisfaction? Was Sampoorna talking about sexual satisfaction? If she was, then he was not interested in turning into his Dada -- a lusty beast because of a girl! No thank you! He had much more productive things to do with his time, and such disgusting things were not part of it!

"Not interested," Somnath just said curtly, and left the room, walking down the hallway. 

Sampoorna followed him down the hallway and sighed, "Somnath, at least give it a chance!" 

"And if I don't like it, divorce her? Like Dada's friend did with her husband?" Somnath questioned. 

Sampoorna scowled at the idea of Manika and she said, "No! Not dee-borsh! But at least you can see pictures of her, and maybe I can convince Jethji to even let you speak to the girl --" 

"Not interested!" Somnath repeated, and started to walk faster, further away from her.

Sampoorna gasped and increased her strides to keep up with him, but Somnath walked even faster!

Then all of a sudden, he started to run, as if she had some disease and he needed to keep as much distance from her as possible! 

Sampoorna nearly tripped over her saree as she chased him, yelling, "Somnath! Trust me, you will get many pleasures by having a wife!"

"Please leave me alone!" Somnath groaned, glancing back over his shoulder, "You're not my real mother! Stop acting like one!" 

She had come from that same slummy area that his Boudi had, after all. He didn't understand what was wrong with his Baba for choosing to marry such a lady! If he had to remarry, couldn't he select someone better?

Sampoorna panted for air, shaking her head as she tried to keep up with him, knowing that convincing Somnath was a lost cause. But her Jethji leaving her alone was a lost cause as well!

She was doomed from both ends! Neither would leave her alone and let her live in peace!

-- 

When Anirudh woke up that morning, with Bondita's face pressed against his back, her hand around his stomach, a smile appeared on his lips. 

Was he dreaming? If it was, it was a beautiful dream. 

He took her hand and brought it up to his lips, kissing the palm of it, as he rubbed it gently with his fingers. 

Turning around, he noticed her beautiful face, sleeping serenely. Anirudh caressed her hair and kissed her forehead lovingly. Then he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her, falling asleep once again, still believing that this was a beautiful dream... and he wanted to cherish this one for longer! 

It was not long, before he woke up again and realized that Bondita was really here. 

Her face was pressed against his chest, and she was in his robe, holding on to him tightly. Anirudh smiled as he stroked her hair, and her eyes fluttered open. 

Bondita came to him last night? The thought was making his heart hammer with happiness!

"Pati Babu," she breathed out, looking up at him. 

"Good morning," he said, with a smile. 

Bondita pressed her face against his chest, a smile on her lips too. 

"I had a nightmare, so I came here," Bondita mumbled, her words muffling into his shirt. 

"You don't have to explain why you came to your own bedroom, Bondita," Anirudh said, running his fingers through her hair. 

She looked up at him, and he asked, "Was it a scary nightmare?" 

Bondita nodded, her heart aching as she recalled it. 

"Very scary," she whispered. 

"It's just a nightmare... don't worry Bondita," Anirudh murmured to her softly. 

Bondita nodded and squeezed her eyes shut against him, as the image of the four men holding her down, and the doctor lifting up her saree, a coat hanger in the other hand filled her mind once again. 

"Do you want to talk about the nightmare?" he asked her. 

She shook her head, afraid to even speak of it. She just wanted to erase it from her memory! It was too much of a scary experience to relive! 

"Alright," he said, and kissed her forehead, cuddling with her again. "You stayed up long last night. Go back to sleep." 

"Jamai Sasthi, Pati Babu. Did you forget?" she whispered against him. 

"Huh?" Anirudh asked, pulling apart from her gently and looking at her. "We're actually going?" 

"Of course! Thakumaa invited us with so much love!" Bondita said, sitting up now, "We'll have to go around lunchtime, so we should get ready soon!" 

"But Bondita! Why is there a Jamai Sasthi?" Anirudh asked, frowning.

"To celebrate great Jamai Babus like you!" Bondita told him with a smile, getting up from bed and going towards the wardrobe to find something for him to wear. 

"And great Bahus? How about them?" Anirudh questioned, getting off from the bed and going over to her, gently placing his hands on her waist, and leaning down on her shoulder from behind her.  

When he did this, Bondita felt the colour creep up on her cheeks again, her face turning red. The way he was holding her waist with both of his hands, and the way he was nuzzling his face against his silk robe on her shoulder was doing wonders to her. 

"I - I don't have the answer to that," Bondita just mumbled, and she took out a yellow kurta and dhoti combination. "Wear this today. I - I'll get ready too."

Bondita turned around, and Anirudh looked at her with a lovestruck gaze. Bondita blushed harder and she pushed the kurta and dhoti in his hands, before practically running out of the bedroom, butterflies in her stomach. 

Anirudh just shook his head, blushing as he watched her run out of the room. 

"I don't have an answer to what's going on too..." he just murmured, holding her chosen clothes to his chest with a smile. 

-- 

Batuk had met Surabhi early that morning in the park. They were sitting under a tree, and the park was empty this early in the morning.

He would be busy for the rest of the day, because he had to go to Krishnanagar for Jamai Sasthi -- well it was his Big D's Jamai Sasthi celebration, but Chandrachur Dada would definitely be there, so even Batuk was inclined to go.

Plus... Tupur... he was curious, about if she was keeping well. 

There was something that was pressing on his mind... Vikram. Not only had he ignored Batuk all day yesterday, but he even ignored him at the haveli last night. He had been in Manika's room, and Batuk assumed that he was giving her lessons or something. When he came out, he just pointedly ignored Batuk and went home. 

There was never a day that went by where Vikram hadn't exchanged at least one word with him! 

Batuk tried to call Vikram's home too, last night and this morning, but his Papa had picked up both times, claiming that he was busy. 

Batuk was getting severely annoyed by all of this! 

"What's wrong?" Surabhi asked Batuk, noticing his grumpy expression.

Batuk turned to face her, grabbing her hand and saying, "Vikram! He's ignoring me!" 

"Maybe he's not... maybe something's on his mind --" Surabhi started, but she was met by Batuk's lips smacking against hers instead. 

He kissed her deeply, surprising her. 

"B - Batuk!" she managed to say against his mouth. 

Batuk was clearly taking out his frustration on the kiss, because he wasn't only kissing Surabhi hard and passionately, but he was also sucking on her lips with a lot of energy. 

"I just need you," he growled against her mouth, "I'm going to that crazy lady with a gun's house later today!" 

Surabhi pushed him back slightly and asked, "Bondita's Thakumaa's?" 

Batuk nodded, and drew her in close again, capturing her lips in yet another heated kiss. "For Jamai Sasthi..." he murmured, after he pulled away again, admiring the way she looked. 

Surabhi was wearing a pretty light blue dress, and she looked so stunning right now. Batuk took pride in the fact, that the hottest girl in school was his girlfriend. The only problem was that they had to keep it a secret. 

His hand moved under her dress, rubbing her thigh, as he kissed her again, causing Surabhi to gasp as his tongue explored her mouth with need. 

"That's... high..." she moaned against his mouth. "Your hand." 

"It feels good though, doesn't it?" he asked her softly, his fingers moving higher, his heartbeats racing. 

Surabhi nodded, as Batuk's mouth moved to her neck, planting kisses on it, and pushing her down onto the grass. 

She closed her eyes, as she recalled -- it had been at least six months since her and Batuk officially started their romantic relationship. They had been kissing, and only kissing since then, except some light touching over clothes. Perhaps... it was okay to move to the next step now. Even she wanted it. Even she was craving it. 

She could feel his hands between her legs, and her eyes widened, pushing him back ever so gently, and she said, "W - wait..."

Batuk looked into her eyes, licking his lips with desire.

"You've... done this before probably... but I haven't," Surabhi said, her heart hurting slightly, as she recalled his first love.

Batuk had only talked about Tupur to her once, that was the day she had been in his room, before they were even girlfriend and boyfriend. They had a very interesting relationship back then where he had opened up to Surabhi, yet also claimed he hated her! 

He had only told her that he loved Tupur, and he had cried about it...after that, Surabhi never brought it up again. She just assumed that perhaps Batuk and Tupur had gone far in their relationship, because Batuk had told Surabhi that she hadn't been the only one. 

"Why're... you bringing that up?" Batuk asked, sitting up now, his heart hurting somewhere as he recalled the time he and Tupur united physically -- they had been under a tree, just like this. 

"Because... it's not so easy... to do all of this, especially for a girl," Surabhi said, sitting up too, "And I want to do it properly... I'm nervous." 

"There's nothing to be nervous about, but if you want to wait... we can wait," Batuk just told her, looking ahead now, and taking deep breaths. 

Surabhi rested her head against Batuk's shoulder and intertwined their fingers together, "How far did you get... with her? Was it only kissing... or more?" 

Batuk felt an ache in his chest again when she brought up Tupur. 

How far did they get? 

They had promised to marry each other. That was how far they got. Batuk had been more than willing to marry Tupur at that age, and he was convinced that he had been heavily in love with her. 

"I don't wanna talk about her," Batuk said to Surabhi, "It's finished now. What difference does it make?"

Surabhi nodded and she said, "Alright. Well, I love you Batuk." 

Batuk just forced a smile, now that she had brought up Tupur, it felt like the mood was ruined. Regardless, he brought her fingers up to his lips, kissing her knuckles. "I love you too... Surabhi." 

"But... what if you meet her again?" Surabhi then asked, glancing up at him from his shoulder, clearly not dropping the subject. 

Batuk swallowed the lump in his throat. He had met her again. 

"Will you fall for her again?" Surabhi questioned. 

"W - what nonsense are you talking about?" Batuk just asked now, pulling his hand away from hers and glaring at her with his eyes. "You're my girlfriend. Why are you talking about me falling for other women?"

Surabhi looked at him with an almost embarrassed smile and said, "I'm just a bit insecure I guess... that I may lose you. The boys are all after me, but it seems like you've always been the more popular one."

"M - me?" Batuk spluttered, eyes widening, "I... well, you're my best friend Surabhi. After Boudi and Vikram, you're the only one who understands me! Why - why would I fall for someone else?" 

"Best friend? That's it?" Surabhi questioned, although she agreed with him, that he was also her best friend. 

"Fine... Girlfriend. GIRLFRIEND. Do you want me to spell it?" Batuk asked, furrowing his eyebrows, feeling very nervous all of a sudden. 

Surabhi just laughed now and asked, "Do you even know how to spell girlfriend?" 

Batuk's mouth nearly fell open now at the offensive remark! 

"It seems like Mallika's soul has entered you!" he groaned. 

Surabhi laughed fondly, and said, "I was just joking. Now come here." 

Batuk leaned closer to her, pouting slightly, and she kissed the pout on his lips. 

"Have a good time at that crazy lady's house," Surabhi said lightly, "I'm sure she has prepared a feast... you'll have lots of food there. And I hope that you avoid her gun this time too!" 

"Right..." Batuk mumbled, now remembering Tupur. 

Surabhi still didn't know that Tupur was Bondita's cousin. She just knew that this girl named Tupur married someone that Bondita was supposed to marry. She had no idea what relation they shared. 

"But remember Batuk, I want your eyes... only on me," Surabhi teased now, cupping his cheeks and planting another kiss on his lips. "Otherwise before you even blink, I'll be out of your sight..." 

Batuk just forced a smile and returned her kisses. 

-- 

Kaka had pulled Somnath by the ear and made sure he got dressed to go to Krishnanagar too. After all, leaving this boy home alone sounded like nothing but trouble! Who knew what kind of ashleel things he could be upto? 

A groan escaped Somnath's lips as he waited by the front door for his Dada and Boudi. Everyone was dressed in traditional kurta and dhotis, and Sampoorna was beside Binoy in a fancy red banarasi saree, and heavy jewelry. Sashwati was the only one dressed in a full-sleeved frock with big flowers drawn on it, with her fountain pony.

She was playing with the hem of Somnath's dhoti on the floor, as he kept trying to pull it away from the toddler, afraid that it would come undone because of her! 

Sashwati kept glaring up at her older brother, each time he pulled it away, and stubbornly kept pulling it back towards her -- the two of them were busy playing this tug of war game until Anirudh and Bondita finally arrived, all dressed up. 

(Note: Anirudh's look. Bondita is wearing a matching light yellow Banarasi saree, with darker golden work on the borders and pallu.)

"Shall we go then?" Trilochan asked, an excited look on his face after Anirudh and his Bahu had come to the entryway -- perhaps he was the most excited one here. It was almost like he was going for his own Jamai Sasthi celebration!

Trilochan looked at Sampoorna and Binoy, and said with excitement, "You two, Sashwati, and I will go in the first car with the driver. Somnath, Batuk, Anirudh, Bahu will go with the other driver in the next car." 

Somnath breathed a sigh of relief, glad that he wasn't stuck with Sampoorna Maa and Kaka in a car. 

But he was a little worried, to be stuck with his lustful Dada and Boudi duo!

"Let's go," Anirudh said, still feeling very uneasy about this Jamai Sasthi festival. 

Bondita wrapped her hand around Anirudh's arm, and glanced at him, a smile on her lips. Anirudh brought his other hand to her hand on his arm and squeezed it, and the two of them walked to the car together.

"BIG D, don't leave me!" Batuk screamed dramatically, running ahead of him and opening the door for his Boudi in the back. 

Rolling his eyes at a dramatic Batuk, Somnath quickly went to the passenger seat. This way he could look ahead and wouldn't need to see what his Dada and Boudi were doing! 

Anirudh glared at Batuk when he dramatically called him Big D, and said, "This car may be too cramped for Bondita. You should go with Kaka." 

"It's a big car," Bondita told him reassuringly. "Let Batuk sit here... please."  

Batuk shot his Boudi a grin, and Bondita smiled back at him. 

"Alright, fine you sit by the window! I'll sit in the middle," Anirudh said with a sigh. 

Bondita nodded, and sat on the side behind the driver, Anirudh climbing into the middle beside her. Batuk sat right next to his Big D, and closed the door. He squeezed right against Anirudh even though there was ample space closer to the window!

The cars finally started to roll towards Krishnanagar.

Bondita rested her head on Anirudh's shoulder, while Batuk glanced at her, and with a playful grin rested his head on Anirudh's other shoulder. 

"What's going on?" Anirudh demanded, looking at Batuk sternly. 

"I was your first baby... remember?" Batuk teased, and wrapped his hand around Anirudh's arm. "You held me first!" 

Bondita pressed her mouth against Anirudh's bicep to stifle her laughter, as Anirudh drew out a long sigh. It seemed like the car ride itself was going to be a long one!

--

I hope you enjoyed this double update! 

Please leave your thoughts! 

What did you think about the nightmare? 

The Somnath/Sampoorna? 

The Batuk/Surabhi scene?

The family entry-way scene?

The last part with Batuk and the car?  🤭

Anything else that stood out to you/that you enjoyed?

Now that they're going to Krishnanagar, what can possibly happen?! Leave your predictions! 

Vote on all parts from Chapter 320! Get them all to 450+ stars. It's the weekend, and I'm free to give you more updates, but only if you all vote and comment. 

Love you all! ❤️