Akal Bodhon....the untimely awakening of Ma Durga which was done by Lord Ram, during the  sleeping phase of Gods and Goddesses, before his battle with Ravan. Hence, marking the tradition of celebrating Durga Puja in the season of autumn for the years to come.

This legend made shosti, the sixth day of puja, one of the most important days. It is the day, Ma's bodhon is done and her face is unveiled. On this day Ma comes alive with her entire family and that glow is seen on the face of every statue.

The situation of the Sen house was less to say, chaotic. They were all working as fast as the could before the evening fell. The kalamprabha had happened smoothly in the early hours of the day. The kalash filled with water was set and all the rituals were followed religiously.

"Dri, bring some water please.", Abhik requested Oindrila as he finished putting up the lights. 

Oindrila, who was preparing the statues for the unveiling ceremony, gave him a little nod and went to the kitchen to get him some water.

Coming out of the kitchen she was met with Deb, who asked for some sweets for the thakur moshai (priest).

She gave a little smile and went in again, coming out with a bowl of roshogolla. Handing them to Deb she took the glass of water and went looking for her best friend.

"You need so much time to get some water?", Abhik questioned as he took the glass from her.

"I am not Durga herself, I only have two hands. And right now I have a lot more work than being your servant.", she snapped at him and sharply went back to work. As much as she tried to show the argument yesterday did not affect her, she could not help the words ringing in her ears.

In the thakur dalan, she saw Subho trying his best to help with the proceedings. She knew he was not familiar with such things, but he did not to feel left out. The sight made her heart melt.

"Agar tum mujhe yuhin dekhte rahogi , toh mujhe tumse pyaar ho jaege.", she heard him say still focused on his work.

(If you keep looking at me like that, I will fall in love with you.)

"Phir se", she stared at him.

(Again)

Subho looked at her with wide eyes, and she realised how wrong she sounded.

"No! No...I just completed...the dialogue.", she tried to explain herself.

Listening to her stammering, Subho laughed out loud. He was at the verge of rolling on the floor when Mishti flicked his head.

"Ow", he shrieked like a girl. This made Mishti laugh. Anyone not knowing what was going on inside could easily believe there was a circus in the house. 

"Still mad at your best friend?", Abhik poked Mishti's head as she prepared the plate for arti in the evening.

She pushed his hand away and continued her job. She felt a poke again. So, she turned, to see a smiling Abhik holding his ears. Something pierced through her heart, she pulled his hands down and said,

"Dosti ke alava bhi kuch rishtey hote hai, kuch rishtey joh hum samajhte nahi, kuch rishtey joh hum samajhna nahi chahte, kuch rishtey jinka koi naam nahi hota, sirf ehsaas hota hai, kuch rishtey jinki koi deewar nahi hoti, sarhad nahi hoti, aaise rishtey joh dil ke rishtey hote hai, pyaar ke rishtey hote hai, mohabbat ke rishtey hote hai". She had no control over her tongue and the words rolled off.

(There are a few relations aside from friendships. Some relations which we don't understand, some we don't want to understand, some which have no name. They only have a feeling. Such relations have no walls for they are close to our hearts. Those are the relations of love)

"Did you watch Kuch kuch hota hai recently?", Abhik questioned carefully.

All she did was glare at him for ruining the moment which was enough to scare him away. A teardrop escaped her tears and fell on the plate unnoticed. But was it? Can a child's misery ever be unknown to a mother and in her situation- Ma Durga, Skandamata; Ma Lakshmi, Jagatmata; Ma Saraswati, Vedmata were all in front of her. 

"Didi? Bondhon shuru hobe je, taratari esho.", called Subha

(Sis? Bodhon will start, come quickly.)

Mishti rubbed her eyes dry, took the plate and went with Subha. 

For Bodhon, the spirit of the Goddess is invoked as she is believed to wake up from her sleeping period. When that ended she was unveieled and Amantran (welcome) was done to invite Ma Durga for the next days of puja.

The arti marked the end of the day's rituals and the start of the daily puja from the next day. Mishti helped her mother and aunts with the distribution of the prasad among all the people who joined the festive mood today.

"Mishti di!", the youngest member of the neighbourhood hugged her legs.

"Nirja!", Oindrila replied in the same voice and hugged her back

"Amar sathe cholo. Okhane Natun Dabhai gaan gaibe.", she pulled her.

(Come with with me. New brother is singing there)

"Notun Dabhai?", Mishti questioned.

(New brother)

"Esho na, dekhe nebe.", Nirja replied.

(Come on. You'll see.)

When she reached where Nirja was taking her, she saw Subho standing in the middle....with a mic.

https://youtu.be/yapaJV_46mg

(I expect him singing this song. Do listen to it, its a wonderful song, Arijit Singh's the best!)

His voice had her in a trance. There was something familiar about it but she could not put a finger on what...

She couldn't stop thinking about it even while serving and having dinner. What was it that was bothering her so much? Why did the voice seem so close to her?

"I am surprised you still haven't figured it out, Mishti.", she heard as she turned around to see Subho still holding the guitar he was using.

"What do you mean?", Oindrila tried laughing it off.

"I thought psychology was a close contender for you. Surely you understand the human brain better than others?", he asked.

Mishti's face had now turned serious. She shook her head at him and was about to leave when something in her froze as she heard those familiar words,

"Kotobaro bhebechinu apona bhuliya, tomaro chorone dibo hridoyo khuliya."

(I get lost in my thoughts so often,  thoughts where I am ready to devote my heart to you.)

And then all the memories came flashing back....

A/N: I apologise for the short chapter. I did not get much time to develop on the chapter, even the cliffhanger was a last minute idea. Please do comment on how you are liking this story, I would love to hear from you guys!