The First Day Of Practice

Anirudh didn't know, how he was controlling himself from telling Bondita his exact feelings about the dance competition.

He was having a battle within himself as his two personalities were fighting with each other constantly.

He knew, he would cheer for her a lot as he shikshak (Teacher) but at the same time his heart would bleed too much as her husband. His insecurities were building up today for many reasons and Kaka's decision to allow her to dance made him feel even worse.

He wanted to see Bondita flying in the sky and he knew at the dance, she would be praised a lot by the dignitaries and it would open new doors for her but he was having a hard time envisioning her dance with Uday at the competition.

Trilochon and Batuk had decided to put as much ghee (clarified butter) on the fire of his jealousy as possible but they didn't know, it was going to prove fatal.

Uday was very happy. For he was going to dance with his Bondu today. He had fallen for her from the first day of his school in Tulsipur.

He had admired her courage, bravery and the way she had stood up to the bullies, who were teasing her. He was glad to get the opportunity to know her further. He liked her a lot but was heartbroken to know that she was married. At first he had admired her husband for saving her from 'Sati Pratha' but hated him after learning, why the seniors were bullying her.

He felt protective about her always but it was after his 16th birthday that he had realized, he was in love with her but her married status prevented him from ever confessing to her for he knew Bondita would have cut him off from her life, in order to save both of them from further pain.

He knew she would never be his but he was happy to admire her from afar. He was happy to love her and pray for her happiness from afar.

But now that, he had got a chance to dance with her like in his dreams; he knew he was going to cherish every moment of this. For he knew, this was a once in a lifetime opportunity for him.

He just hoped, Anirudh Roy Chowdhury didn't ruin this beautiful dream turned reality of his.

Anirudh had come to the room last night quite late, after Bondita had fallen asleep. He didn't wake her up and had quitely stared at her angelic face for a long time before falling asleep in his side of the bed.

His dreams that night had consisted of Bondita's smile, while she explored an unknown Riverside with him. In his dream, he was chasing her. while she was running away from him laughing loudly in the time of sunset.

His mood was a little better the next day after such a beautiful dream. He had even devised a plan to keep an watch on that boy.

Bondita was worried for his  behaviour as in the morning he was whistling quite loudly.

And she had a bad premonition in her heart for the future.

As Bondita was settling up the breakfast in the dining table, Somnath was the first to come in.

"Boudi, are you excited to dance like the Britishers in the movie that Baba had taken us to watch? I know you loved the dance in the film. Are you feeling happy today to fulfill your dream?"-Somnath's question had made Bondita feel giddy with excitement for the dance. As it was a dream come true moment for her.

She had always loved dancing and she relished in the opportunity to get the appreciation for her dance. This competition was a once in a lifetime opportunity for her as she had consoled herself by thinking that she will never share such a dance with her husband.

"Som dada, I am excited to dance but the people"-Bondita worriedly was about to say something, when she was interrupted by Batuk.

"Boudi, dance to your heart's content. If anyone dares to say anything, I will take care of them. Don't worry boudi, your best friend will protect you"-Batuk said with a dramatic bow and in return Somnath had smacked him.

"Stupid Batuk, focus on your own competition. Don't come home with a consolation prize. At least try to win there. You know, try to keep our reputation intact"-his words had made him pout sadly and Bondita as always had came to defend him.

"Som dada, Batuk will do very well. I know, he will give his best in the competition. Just wait and watch, our Batuk will outshine everyone"-her words had made Somnath shake his head at his overprotective boudi.

"Honestly boudi, you pamper him too much. You can't protect him like this forever you know! And stop feeding him so much butter laden paratha. Batuk stop eating so many paratha"-Somnath admonished Batuk as he was eating the parathas like a gorilla.

"Som dada, Batuk needs energy and protein for weight lifting. So don't stop him from eating. He had told me in school yesterday to make him ghee clad parathas from today"-she answered him as all the members walked in shaking their heads at the 'Devar-Boudi' duo.

"You both are same age but you treat him like, he is your child. Seriously boudi stop over pampering him"-his words had made Bondita smile at him.

Anirudh had sat down in the dining in his house clothes for breakfast and it had caused everyone to look at him bewildered.

For the always ready in the morning barrister was sporting such a casual look today. Finally Trilochon, unable to contain his curiosity had asked him in the most hilarious way possible.

"Nalayak, you didn't even take a shower before coming for breakfast. How dare you! Don't you have any respect for my rules? And why are you dressed up like this? Aren't you going to the court today? Or have your 'fitoor' made the judges and other lawyers chase you away? Tell me Anirudh, why are you silent?"-Trilochon was asking him all these questions without giving him a chance to actually answer.

"Kaka, I am going to study the case at home for I don't have a hearing today and I thought, I would give her and Uday some pointers about ballroom dancing, since I know the technique of the dance if they ask me"-Anirudh replied with a huge smile on his face, as if today Trilochon's words about him didn't even matter to him.

He answered in such a manner that Bondita thought, he truly doesn't care about her dancing closely with Uday.

While, Trilochon and the other members of the family smirked to each other in secret and Trilochon gave a large smile to Binoy to show him that his genius plan was working.

While, Somnath and Binoy sighed in exasperation at his antics.

"Our Bagar Billa is finally jealous. Hey goddess please let my plan come to fruition. I will name Anirudh and Bondita bahu's first child after you, if it is a girl or if the first child is not a girl then their first daughter will be named after you"-he prayed wholeheartedly without even taking permission of the future parents regarding naming their hypothetical first child or first daughter.

"Bahu, when is Uday coming. He is such a polite boy"-Binoy's words had made him clutch his glass tightly as he took harsh breaths to calm himself down.

"Sasur ji, he will come 10, he had told Batuk yesterday"-Bondita replied to him and as soon as she said those words, Anirudh had stood up from the table and went to his study. Not before telling Bondita,

"Bondita, get me a cup of coffee in the study. I have to review a case and I feel a headache coming"-he hurriedly walked to his study, missing the smirks of his family members.

"Yeah yeah, headache of jealousy"-Somnath thought to himself.

"I am going to fuel your headache Dada. You will get constant headache from today. It will be my revenge for your smacks"- Batuk grinned to himself having a evil smile on his face.

While, Bondita went to make his coffee in the kitchen.

Just as she was about to go and give the coffee to Anirudh, Uday had arrived to the Haveli.

"Uday, you were supposed to come at 10 right! It's only 9 now"-she was flabbergasted at his early arrival.

"Bondu, I thought to come a little early. Are you upset at my early arrival?"-he asked with a little pout on his face and Bondita immediately consoled him.

"No no, I am just surprised. Wait a minute. I will just give this coffee to Patibabu and join you for dance practice"-her words had remained incomplete for Batuk had implemented his plan.

"Boudi, I will give this coffee to dada. Don't make Uday wait more. Your practice is important"-he didn't even wait for Bondita's reply and hurriedly took the coffee to Anirudh.

"Bondu shall we start dancing"-Bondita smiled at Uday, feeling excitement bubbling in her stomach. She nodded at him and told him,

"Let me go and take some of this jewelleries off first. It's not suitable for dance right!"-she didn't give him a chance to refute and walked off to her room smiling at him.

Anirudh was waiting for Bondita and her handmade coffee. He was waiting for her sweet "may I come in, Patibabu", but instead of her sweet voice, he was greeted with Batuk walking unannounced into his study.

Sporting a huge smile on his dumb face. Swaying in such a way that the coffee had almost spilled over.

"Dada, here is your coffee. I bought it today for you"- he announced it in such a way that, Anirudh felt like his brother had accomplished a great task.

"Where is Bondita? Why have you bought my coffee today? And don't you have manners? You should knock before entering a room Batuk. It's not good manners to walk in unannounced"-Anirudh replied with a scowl on his face as his morning was ruined further by his brother.

"Ohhh Dada, I forgot to tell you. Actually Uday has come early for practice today. So I told Boudi, I will take the coffee to you. Her practice with Uday is important, you know!"-Batuk replied by adding ghee to the fire.

Anirudh didn't reply to him at all and had Started sipping his coffee. Batuk took that as a cue to leave. And Anirudh tried to focus on the case file not letting his mind wander to Bondita.

But his concentration was really low today and he even after trying really hard, couldn't concentrate at all on the case.

"Should I watch their practice, no no; Bondita would like some privacy but no no, I should keep an eye on them...I mean their practice"-Anirudh muttered to himself and walked out of the study. Unknowingly, walking into a wildfire.

"Uday, let's start"-Bondita said coming to the room after removing a lot of the heavy jewelleries of her.

Right now, she was only wearing her sindoor and Shakha Pola along with her anklets and a long gold chain. To him, she looked like the definition of a fairy. He had almost forgotten to breath.

"Hey Uday"-Bondita had snapped her fingers at his face and he had came back to earth.

"Let's start Bondu, shall we?"-he had quickly regained his composure and asked her.

"Do you know the basics of the dance"-Uday's question had made her nod excitedly.

"Yes yes, I had seen in the party that the man places his left hand on the woman's right hand. And the woman places his hands on the man's left shoulder like this"-she demonstrated her words excitedly by doing sir movements in a childlike manner making Uday smile at her childishness.

"So, meri (my) intelligent friend Bondu, anything else you know?"-his question made her shy as she had seen British man laying his hands on the woman's back firmly at the party. Making her cheeks get red in shame and shyness.

"Umm, Uday they ummmm... actually place their...I mean the man places his hand on the woman's back gently. And they take steps smiling at each other"-she replied to him blushingly, while Uday smiled at her shyness.

Uday felt like, he was seeing a completely new version of Bondita today. He knew her as a strong girl who had won his heart with her no nonsense attitude.

But today, she had conquered his remaining being with her adorable shyness and stammering.

"Don't worry Bondu, we have time for those steps, so first let's just learn the basic steps and etiquettes okay!"-he smiled at her understanding her nervousness.

Meanwhile, Anirudh was fuming to see Bondita's blush and shy behaviour with Uday as she never behaved like this with him. She was always friendly with him. He respected her friends but today the way, she was fumbling to discuss the steps of the dance with Uday made his heart clench.

"Would she have also blushed with me, if we were the ones dancing?"-he mused to himself and was glaring at that boy.

"Uday, what are you doing?"-Bondita giggled seeing him extending his hand towards her, while bowing slightly. She didn't know about this step as the cinema and party had skipped it probably or maybe she had missed this step.

"Bondu this is the first step, by this step; you are inviting your partner for dancing"-he explained to her patiently and added,

"Now bow back to me and place your hands on mine"-he told her unknown to the fact that, Anirudh was getting more jealous every second.

"Dada, boudi is looking so good dancing right! Uday also looks so handsome. They will definitely win. Don't you think?"- Somnath asked him, making Anirudh fumble with his answer.

"Of course, Bondita would look the prettiest while dancing. She is beautiful from inside also Som. You can't judge beauty externally. My Bondita is beautiful from her heart Som. And she will definitely win"-he praised Bondita fully but ignored the topic of Uday completely. Making Somnath smirk at his misery.

"Uday looks great na...complementing her and teaching her so patiently. You know, she considers him a very good friend"-Somnath further added unknown to the volcano that was going to erupt.

"He is okay I guess, but not that good"-Anirudh said all the while making faces at the figure of the male dancing with Bondita.

"You can't even lie properly Dada, It's okay to admit that you're jealous dada"-Somnath's words had made Anirudh blush in mortification and he had vehemently denied.

"What nonsense Somnath! I am not jealous from anyone"-Anirudh's volume has risen a bit making Somnath grin at him.

"If you say so dada. Best of luck"-he told Anirudh and walked away from him with a smile until he realized,

"Oh god, I have participated in Kaka's stupid plan...damn it Somnath. By the way, good luck dada. You are going to need it"-he murmured to himself and walked away to his room in shame.

"Bondita, now place your hand on my shoulder slowly"-Uday told her and Bondita obeyed him like a good student. They were in position to dance now.

Uday walked her to the middle of the room holding her hand and kept a respectable distance from her due to maintaining her comfort.

They bowed to each other, while giggling for some reason.

Bondita had then firmly held his hand and kept her other hand on his shoulder. They had slowly started to dance with Uday twirling her in a fast motion and fumbling due to shyness.

Bondita felt exhilarated due to dancing after a long time. The way Uday was twirling her and pulling her by her hands closer in a move or suddenly holding her and dipping her a little was making her feel like the heroines of British romantic novels.

Uday didn't touch her at all in her back. He was only using his hands to hold her hands, while dancing.

And it made Anirudh somewhat happy at their physical distance but his smile vanished, when he watched Bondita giggling with Uday due to a misstep of his. And they both had fallen down.

"Ahhh"-her pained scream had made Anirudh rush into the room forgetting that he was supposed to be in his study.

"Bondita, are you okay? Where are you hurt tell me"-he asked her anxiously.

"And you dance with concentration. Don't lose your focus. See now she is hurt because of you"-Anirudh's voice had bought the family members in the room.

All were looking at Anirudh holding Bondita's injured wrist delicately while scolding Uday. Trilochon and Batuk were enjoying his screaming for it was not directed at them for once.

While, Uday felt terrible as due to his misstep, she had hurt her right wrist while falling down.

"Sorry, Anirudh babu. I didn't do it intentionally, I promise"-he told him, all the while staring at Bondita.

Anirudh was about to shout at him again but was silenced by Bondita.

"Patibabu, stop shouting at Uday. I was the one who had started laughing. He was just laughing along with me, when we missed a step. So it's not his fault completely"-Bondita answered him calmly, all the wincing in pain as her wrist was swelling up.

"But Bondita"-his words were silenced by her cruel words.

"Uday is my friend, Patibabu. He can never hurt me intentionally. I trust him completely"-her words had broken him as she trusted that boy but didn't even trust him at all.

He felt like a thousand glass pieces had stabbed him, when she uttered those words. For Bondita had proclaimed that she didn't trust him a few days back but she had claimed to trust this guy completely. Who she didn't even know a few years back.

"Bondita, have I hurt you so much that you trust a friend more than your husband? Can I ever be truly forgiven by you"-Anirudh asked himself and for the first the understood Bondita's mindset regarding him.

Due to his actions, she trusted Uday more than him. He was busy cursing himself and was in the verge of crying, which was noticed by Bondita.

She knew she had to control the situation, for everyone was present there.

"Patibabu, my wrist is hurting so much. Can you please apply haldi on it"-Bondita asked him as she wanted to distract him from his musings.

"Of course Bondita, let's go. Bihari bring haldi right now in the living room"-he gently made her stand up and held her shoulders to walk her to the drawing room.

She was shaking internally due to his hold on her as it was the closest they had ever been physically and Anirudh was also feeling a different emotion in his body due to holding her so close to his own body.

Anirudh made her simply sit down on the sofa and applied the turmeric paste on her wrist. All the while, wincing due to the pain, she was suffering.

Unknown to him, tears were falling down from his eyes.

"Why are you crying Patibabu?"-Bondita asked him confused for she didn't think, he would ever cry for her.

"My wife is hurt, If I don't cry then who will cry idiot"-Anirudh told her emotionally making Bondita stunned at his confession.

Making her heart flutter and making her experience a sweet emotion for the first time in her life. It was different than all the other emotions, she had felt regarding him.

"Don't cry Patibabu, I am fine. it's just a little injury"-she told him with a small smile on her face as her bandage was done finally by Anirudh very carefully.

"Nothing related to you is small for me Bondita. You are my everything and every matter related to you is the most important to me"-she didn't know, what to say to his confession.

But their moment was ruined due to the arrival of Uday.

"Bondu, I am sorry Yaar. I didn't mean to"-Bondita shushed him up before he could drown in his guilt.

"I know you didn't do it intentionally Uday, It's okay. We'll practice tomorrow hmmm"-she told him with a serene smile on her face, making him nod at her.

"Then I'll leave now, Bondu. Take care of yourself. Goodbye Anirudh Babu"-he told her and Anirudh. While the latter glared at him.

Anirudh gently took Bondita to their room in the most delicate manner possible after Uday's departure. While Trilochon in a happy tone told the family members,

"See Bahu and Anirudh are coming closer due to my plan. He will now take care of her more and they will be always together due to her injury"-he informed Batuk and Somnath almost hysterically.

Batuk agreed with him wholeheartedly, while Somnath sighed in exhaustion at their delusion..

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Eid Mubarak everyone. May this Eid bring all of you immense amount of happiness.

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(This is the dance I had envisioned for Uday and Bondita)

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