The Day of Batuk

Batuk was preparing for this competition for the last week with vigour. Both Trilochon and Bondita were pampering him too much. Feeding him milk with nuts and sometimes turmeric, almost 3 times a day and everything possible almost ignoring others. Making everyone else exasperated in jealousy and irritation.

Milk was being wasted on him so much that Anirudh's coffee and Somnath's new obsession Darjeeling tea had became substances without milk.

Moreover, Trilochon was going to various Baba's and giving him many good miraculous items that made Anirudh scoff at his orthodoxic behaviour. He felt irritated with Bondita treating Batuk like, he was their child.

He loved that Bondita gave Batuk the love of a mother but her excessive pampering of him made him jealous and equally pity Batuk's wife for, it will only make the poor girl's life hell by getting a over pampered husband.

"Batuk, finish this plate of food. I have added a lot of butter on it. It will make your bones stronger and I am sure you'll get the first prize..."-Anirudh and Somnath scoffed at Bondita's claim for she was being delusional about her dear friend. Even Binoy was smirking at the antics of their daughter in law and elder brother.

Batuk pouted sadly at their little trust on him and Bondita looked at them with her hands on her hips, ready to defend him.

"Patibabu, Som dada, how can you say this? Batuk is preparing so hard for the competition...Don't you guys see how much hard work, he is doing?? He is literally struggling but not giving up for the sake of his dreams"-Somnath spoke up this time, as he thought his brother was just taking away his share of pampering.

"Boudi, he is only eating our share of food nothing else. Look at his physique and tell me, does he have an ounce of chance to win? He is only good for eating and sleeping"-Trilochon couldn't bear to hear such demotivating words against his favourite son and bursted on them.

"Nalayaks, how dare you to say all this? Have I made you guys starve everyday? You nalayaks have became so depraved that you both have started putting Nazar on your brother's food now! You both are useless like your father...Anirudh is a useless fitoori and you Somnath is a Nalayak, who only reads stupid medical books all day long.... Apologize to your brother right now"-both of them were a little ashamed of themselves but Batuk had already became upset and got up from the seat startling everyone.

"Dada, I may not be as famous as Anirudh dada or as intelligent as you Som dada. But I am trying and I know I am not good enough in your eyes but please you don't need to demotivate me, every time I attempt to do something "-the table at this point was very silent and suddenly Anirudh and Somnath along with everyone understood, Bondita's extreme pampering of him.

She knew, he saw himself as less and had issues regarding it. And that was why, she tried to love him more like a mother and give him everything on a plate. Maybe, her ways were wrong but it was the only thing, she thought to be good.

"Bechara ke kadalen to apnara (You guys made the poor dear cry). We were trying so hard to motivate him but you both.....Now, both of you go to the shops and buy his favourite items for him quickly.... it'll make him forgive you sooner.... kakasasur ji, I am taking his food to his room...What are you both waiting for go right now"-she told them in a no nonsense tone and both of them went to the car in a hurry as they equally felt guilty about everything. And wanted to pacify their brother before his departure to school.

"Batuk, may I come in?"-Bondita gently knocked in his door and Batuk in a scruffy tone, that clearly Indicated his crying said.

"Please, boudi, I want to be alone...Go away"-Bondita didn't listen to his words and entered his room, making a beautiful sound of her payal.

"Boudi, go away...go away...I am not good enough...."-Bondita was hurt at his ways of self blaming...and realised that she needed to spend more time and concentrate on his emotional issues more.

"Batuk, you know your dada's were only joking...They just wanted to"-Batuk cut her off with a scoff and said.

"Boudi, they were not joking. They don't think me capable of anything. I am just a spoiled little child for them..."-Bondita glared at him fiercely and told him in glowering voice.

"Batuk, how dare you think less of yourself? You are one of the best person, I know Batuk. You don't need to be like anyone else at all. We all are proud of you and love you for who you are. And no one thinks less of you. Especially your brothers. They don't show but they are incredibly proud of you and loves you so much. They have a lot of love for you and thinks the world of you"-Batuk pouted a little at her words and wanted to retort but Bondita started again.

"Now, finish this food. It took me two hours to make it and I would be very cross, if you don't eat it. Please, Batuk, tomorrow is the competition and you'll need to focus. And you need to eat these all for the best results possible "-Batuk grew a little teary at his once nemesis turned best friend boudi. He wanted to embrace her and weep in her arms for but refrained from doing so, for it would make his dada incredibly jealous.

Bondita took a morsel to feed him and Batuk had it with a blinding smile and tears in his eyes. He wanted to cry loudly today for his Boudi, the one he used to protect at school had became his mother in all senses.

"Boudi, see dada's don't care about me or else they would have come to me to say sorry at the very least"-just as Bondita was about to answer him, Anirudh and Somnath entered the room, holding a packet of something small and Bondita moved a little away from the bed making way for them.

"Batuk, I am sorry"-Anirudh said holding his ears and Somnath was nudged by Bondita to do the same. He did so reluctantly and Batuk looked away from them in anger.

"Batuk, we love you a lot but we always see you as the little boy of nine years. We never saw you as someone grown up and it made us joke around you like this morning. But Batuk, we never stopped loving you. You are our little brother and nothing will make us stop caring for you"-Batuk perked a little at his brother's words and asked a little hesitantly.

"Not even bad marks at school?"-Bondita giggled a little and Anirudh glared at him.

"No Batuk, we will probably be angry at you but we will never give up on you"-he smiled at them both and Bondita sighed a little at her best friend finally smiling in complete happiness.

"Batuk, this is for you"-Somnath forwarded a little black square box and Batuk opened the box to see a watch resting on the box's white cushion. It was a simple watch suitable for a school boy but was from an expensive brand.

Anirudh got the watch out and asked Batuk.

"Do we have the permission to make you wear it, Chote zamindar?"-Batuk nodded to them and Anirudh gently put the watch in his wrist and Somnath made him wear it.

"Sorry Batuk, for making you feel that you are less"-Somnath's words were shushed by Batuk.

"No dada, I am sorry for letting my insecurities get in the way of our bond"-they smiled at him and the brothers tentatively shared a hug.

Bondita smiled at the brothers and got ready to go to school as due to the sports and cultural competition, the school had started from 10 am to 4 in the afternoon. For the parade practices were going on in the early mornings at the school along with the practice of the school drummers for the sports competition.

"Zamindar babu, here are the night gowns and your wife's ball gown. I hope that she will like it. Please come to us if, she doesn't like any of it or has any problem with the fitting"-Anirudh smiled at the lady and payed her before walking out of the shop with both of his hands full.

The sarees were supposed to be delivered next week. So Anirudh simply took her gown and other items and went to the Haveli.

"Bondita, come to the room"-Anirudh today didn't talked with anyone and simply walked to their room, hiding from everyone and shouted loudly after reaching the room, sighing in relief. As Trilochon would have created a ruckus, after seeing Bondita's nightgowns.

Trilochon looked at Bondita a little scrutinizingly as his mind created possibilities of Anirudh's calling Bondita in his room so hurriedly.

He looked at Bondita going upstairs and prayed in his heart for their marriage, unaware of the storm that were going to start.

"Patibabu, may I come in"-Anirudh smiled at the scent of Bondita's handmade coffee and her presence and simply told her.

"Come in, Bondita."-she entered his room and saw the the large packet sitting in their bed.

Anirudh saw her face filled with confusion as she looked at the bundle of clothes.

"Bondita, this is your gown. Go and try it. If there is any size issues then we'll have to fix it in time"-Bondita was very excited till now at the prospect of wearing a gown but suddenly grew shy at the idea of wearing it in public.

"But Patibabu, how can I wear it now?"-Anirudh understood her hesitation and simply took the coffee mug and went to the study after telling her.

"Bondita, lock the door and try the gown on. And these are your nightgowns that, I've brought for you. If you like then wear them at night. It'll comfort you from the stiffness of the saree at night"-she simply nodded at him and locked the door and Anirudh smiled at his wife's shyness.

Bondita tried on the dress and twirled around happily for it was like a dream come true moment for her. She loved the design and the way, it perfectly accentuated her curves stylishly but was hiding her body from onlookers at the same time.

She then looked at the night gowns and grew red with Shame for they looked very indecent to her innocent self. She cursed Anirudh's mind and cursed her once upon a time wish of wanting to wear night gowns after reading about it on the novels.

She now found the cost of getting her wishes fulfilled was the cost of her immense shame and continuous blush.

She put away those 15 night gowns of different colours and shapes in a separate corner of the cupboard, never to see them again.

"Patibabu, the dress is perfect. Thank you for doing so much for me but please return those things..."-she said the last lines shyly and Anirudh grew confused at her words.

"What things Bondita?"-Bondita took a deep breath before answering him as she felt her insides clench at the thought of appearing in front of him wearing those indecent things. She wanted to curse herself for speaking again unhinged in front of him.

"Woh...Woh....the gowns Patibabu. Those are very indecent and it makes me burn in shame.. how can I dare to wear something so revealing!! They don't even cover my anklets completely....and few of them are sleeveless...."-she got silent before completing her sentence and grew red in shame.

Anirudh also blushed violently at the thought of seeing his Bondita in a gown that too probably sleeveless. His heart had started thudding at the image. And he felt himself grew excited as he remembered the image of his wife wearing that sleeveless low cut blouse that fateful night, he had barged into her room.

That image was something that was stored at the innermost corner of his mind but her mention of the newly purchased gowns brought that image back on. And Anirudh felt himself going crazy from his own mind's sinful imagination.

And only he knew, how hard he had cursed himself and felt himself to be a pedophile. He had even hit himself in Kolkata many times before finally accepting his feelings.

He had woken up many times, those nights chanting Bondita's name and that saree image stuck in his mind. He had only come back home, after Salim's words to him along with finally gathering complete control over his emotions.

"Bondita, there is nothing to be ashamed of. It is your own body and nothing in your body should make you feel shameful. What your wear don't define you Bondita. And the gowns shouldn't make you feel like that! I brought them for your comfort. And it's okay to be uncomfortable in a piece of cloth. If you don't like it that much, then you don't need to force yourself to wear it. But Bondita, if you are simply avoiding it for you are afraid of societal Shame and the reaction then Bondita, you don't need to. Those are meant to wear in the confines of our room..However, if you truly hate those, then I'll return them"-she made him silent by a simple look from her.

"Those are for me na? Then why will you return it? I've already kept them in the cupboard of our room. And Patibabu, thank you again "-she walked out of the room hurriedly, shying at the recent word exchange of theirs and Anirudh's reaction and his piercing gaze on her.

Anirudh smiled to himself fully as Bondita for the first time, referred to their bedroom as 'Our Room'. Her small subconscious changes indicated her acceptance and her changing behaviour regarding him.

Maybe, his relationship with her was slowly mending for the better, he thought to himself.

Meanwhile, Bondita was analyzing the events of the study and the market and felt ashamed of herself.

She after that night, had drowned in guilt of encountering him in a sleeveless low cut blouse along with a thin saree that was something, she had purchased secretly from the shops.

Anirudh had left four days after that and Bondita had sighed in relief for she had been making excuses of not coming in front of him.

She was avoiding him fully and he was doing the same. And it made her fully convinced that, he had hated that encounter as well for she was not Saudamini or his lifelong love Manorama. Her misunderstanding made her even more distant from him and their marriage.

Teenagers truly have the capability to create so many theories and forcefully making their mind accept those theories, in anger over their loved ones actions.

There in Kolkata, Anirudh was going through the stages of denial and acceptance, and here, Bondita was going through the stages of determining her steps to go away soon from his life. So that he becomes free to marry someone he actually loves. And not be saddled with a burden like her.

She in anger 15 days after his departure, had burned that saree and sleeveless blouse along with anything, she considered revealing that could sadden Anirudh; for the dresses could only remind him of, what he was sacrificing in his fitoor to save her.

Both of them were hurting that time for each other.

Anirudh saw Bondita's actions as her discomfort and his own disgust for himself added to his plight.

While, Bondita saw his silence and sudden departure as his sorrow of not getting his love.

They were two idiots tied in the bond of marriage, who were ready to do anything for each other, without letting the other one know. And their, this bond and this sacrificing attitude was only adding to their sorrows.

************************
How was the chapter?
Do let me know.....

Vote and please comment on this one, if you like it enough.

And tell me if any of you thinks that this story is going too slow or I am dragging Bondita's attitude. And their this phrase.

I am suddenly feeling apprehensive about my writing. And this chapter was the manifestation of that.