2021

Have you ever wondered why we sometimes feel a stronger synergy with certain people over others? Why our connection to certain people seem to come easily? 

Anirudh was wondering this at this very moment, as he laid eyes on Bondita. He didn't know who she was -- he didn't know her name, nor did he even truly know her face, yet he felt a strange connection. 

Why?

Bondita looked at Anirudh, just knowing that there was something to him. Something that she couldn't see, but she could feel. 

She had instinctively said that she recognized him, but she didn't. 

All she recognized was that she yearned to get to know him. 

"Come on Bondita," Rimi said, taking her hand, "Let's go and sit." 

Bondita and Anirudh continued to look at each other behind their masks, both of them wondering why they felt this way. 

"What's wrong?" Neil asked Anirudh, as Rimi dragged Bondita away. 

Anirudh watched Bondita go, his heart sinking as she was being pulled away. 

"I don't know," Anirudh just said. 

How could he begin to explain something that he didn't even understand?

As Rimi sat Bondita on a chair on the side, Bondita looked at her best friend and immediately asked, "Are you okay?" 

"I should be asking you that," Rimi answered, and sat down on the chair next to her. 

"I'm fine," Bondita said, her mind wandering to the man who protected her. 

Why did his protection feel so familiar?

"I'm fine too Bondita. But for the rest of the night, you'll be under my radar. I can't let that idiot come anywhere near you," Rimi said, referring to Sanjay. 

But what Bondita wanted was for that other man to come near her. 

"You were right Rimi, I should have broken up with him a long time ago," Bondita said, and her heart sunk as she remembered that dreadful kiss. 

"Yeah, but at least his chapter is closed in your life now," Rimi said, positively, placing her hand on her back gently, "And I'm sure there must be someone else, who is much better for you, somewhere." 

Bondita remembered that man who protected her. 

Why was she thinking about him so much?

On the other hand, Anirudh murmured to Neil, "We should see how they are." 

"The two girls?" Neil asked, wondering why his friend was so interested in them all of a sudden. 

"Yeah," Anirudh said, sounding lost. "We should see if they're okay."

Then he started to head towards the area where the girls were seated, and Neil followed, surprised to see this behaviour of his friend. 

Although his friend was concerned about people's safety on a regular basis, this seemed a little too personal. 

As soon as they were in the vicinity of the two girls, they noticed that Rimi's hand was on Bondita's back, almost like she was comforting her.

"She must be sad," Anirudh said, his heart sinking at the idea of her being sad. 

"Maybe?" Neil said as if it was a question -- he was so confused right now.

Anirudh started to head towards them, and Neil followed, confused by how seriously Anirudh was taking the girl's sadness. 

When Bondita noticed her saviour coming up to her, she looked at him, her heart feeling warm once again. 

He was back. 

"Oh, it's that man," Rimi said, as Anirudh and Neil walked over to them. "He's kind of hot, isn't he?" 

Bondita turned to look at Rimi, her heart twisting slightly. 

Was Rimi interested in him too? 

"He saved me," Bondita mumbled. 

"And that's so hot," Rimi pointed out, and glanced at Bondita, giving a small smile, "But if you like him, just tell me." 

"L - like?" she stammered, "I - I just broke up with Sanjay... it's not so easy to l - like someone." 

"Of course it is!" Rimi huffed, "I like people everyday! Sometimes many times a day!" 

Bondita couldn't help but smile, and that was when Anirudh and Neil reached them.

Time seemed to stop flowing and Bondita's heart felt like it had stopped beating. Why was it doing this? Was she afraid? 

Anirudh couldn't lift his his eyes off Bondita, and she just gazed into his eyes, her cheeks turning a faint shade of pink. 

"Are you okay?" he asked her. 

She looked down, her heart beating loudly, and this time fast. 

Why was her body doing such weird things? 

"Y - yes," she mumbled. 

"Then... how about a... dance," Anirudh offered. 

Both Rimi's and Neil's eyes widened with shock. 

"What?" Neil gasped -- he had never seen Anirudh being interested in a girl like this before. 

Bondita watched Anirudh, her heart fluttering as she just nodded, like she was in a daze. 

He offered his hand for her to take, and Bondita without any hesitation reached to hold it. 

His hand seemed so familiar, as if she spent a lifetime holding this hand. It felt like there was something in his touch -- something that she couldn't get anywhere else. 

For some reason, her eyes started to get wet again. She didn't know why her eyes were growing moist around this man. 

As Anirudh held her hand, he had the sudden urge to keep it there and never let go. It seemed like there was some mysterious bond that their hands had. 

How was this possible? Was he overthinking this? 

He had convinced himself that he was only cheering this girl up, but even he knew deep down that there was something about her, that wasn't letting him look away for even a moment. 

((Note: This is the song playing in the background))

https://youtu.be/YuXLN23ZGQo

As he lead her to the dance floor, O Saathi was playing. 

Rimi and Neil watched with utter shock as both Anirudh and Bondita went to dance without a trace of hesitation. 

"I've never seen him like this," Neil said to Rimi, sitting down next to her where Bondita had been sitting. 

"I've never seen her like this too," Rimi said, looking at Neil. 

"Anirudh has always been fitoori in things he believes in, but I've never seen him take it to such a personal level," Neil admitted. 

"Anirudh?" Rimi asked. 

"Yes, that's Anirudh Roy Choudhary," Neil informed her.

"Anirudh Roy Choudhary?" Rimi asked, her eyes widening, "Does he believe in women's rights?" 

"Oh yes, more than anything else," Neil said. 

Rimi grinned now, her heart feeling at peace, as she connected that he was the man on Facebook who had made that post. 

Now she approved of this man for her Bondita! 

"By the way, what's your name?" Rimi asked Neil. 

"Neil, and yours?" Neil asked, turning to look at her. 

Rimi said, "Rimi." 

"Shall we dance too then?" Neil asked lightly. 

"Might as well," Rimi said with a soft laugh, and took his hand, as he lead her to the dance floor as well. 

Allah Mujhe Dard Ke Kaabil Bana Diya
O God! You have made me capable to handle this pain
Toofan Ko Hi Kashti Ka Saahil Bana Diya
You've turned the storm into a shore for the boat
Bechainiyan Samet Ke Saare Jahaan Ki
After gathering all the restlessness of the world
Jab Kuch Na Ban Saka Toh Mera Dil Bana Diya
When nothing more could be made, You created my heart

On the dance floor, Anirudh asked Bondita softly, "Is it okay for me to hold your waist?" 

She looked at him with adoration in her eyes -- his whole being felt warm and loving. She didn't know him, but the connection she felt to him was the strongest connection she had felt ever. 

It was as if her soul recognized him. 

"Yes," she told him softly, and his hand moved to her waist gently, his other hand gripping her hand. 

Bondita closed her eyes, feeling a shiver run up her spine as his hand held her waist, her other hand reaching to touch his shoulder.

Anirudh's heart was beating faster -- the feeling of her waist was one that also felt familiar. It was like this part of her was once loved by him. 

What was he thinking? How could it be possible? 

They were meeting for the first time today! 

O Saathi... Tere Bina... Raahi Ko Raah Dikhe Na...
O my partner! Without You, the traveller(I) can't see the (correct)road/path
O Saathi... Tere Bina... Haan... Saahil Dhuaan Dhuaan...
O my partner! Without You, the shore is misty(hazy/foggy/unclear/not clearly visible)

Aankhein Moondein Toh Jaane Kise Dhoonde
When I close my eyes, it starts searching for someone
Ke Soya Jaaye Na, Ke Soya Jaaye Na
I am unable to sleep, I am unable to sleep

Qisse Dhoonde Yeh Khwahishon Ki Boondein
These drops of desires/thoughts are searching for tales(stories/happenings)

Ke Soya Jaaye Na, Ke Soya Jaaye Na
I am unable to sleep, I am unable to sleep
Maano Nindiya Piroya Jaaye Na... (x2)
I am unable to weave sleep

Bondita gazed up into his eyes, a soft smile on her lips as he swayed to the music with her. 

Was it possible that she was dreaming?

Somehow she stepped closer to him -- there was almost no gap between their bodies, and his other hand reached to the other side of her waist, her hands reaching around his shoulders, behind his neck, quite boldly. 

It was like she knew it was hers. 

Anirudh shivered as he felt her soft fingers along the back of his neck. 

Allah Mujhe Dard Ke Kaabil Bana Diya
O God! You have made me capable to handle this pain
Toofan Ko Hi Kashti Ka Saahil Bana Diya
You've turned the storm into a shore for the boat
Bechainiyan Samet Ke Saare Jahaan Ki
After gathering all the restlessness of the world
Jab Kuch Na Ban Saka Toh Mera Dil Bana Diya
When nothing more could be made, You created my heart

He wanted to remove that mask and get even closer to her. He wanted to get to know her. He wanted to drop all facades and just know the real her. 

Why was this? 

Who was she? 

Bondita gazed into his eyes, a soft smile still on her lips. 

Anirudh looked back at her, his body feeling restless. 

Was it because he found her beautiful? Did he like how she looked? Or was it something else? 

He didn't know how that man could treat this girl like that. His hand instinctively left her waist and reached to her cheek, gently caressing it. 

She looked into his eyes, leaning into his hand, like she loved his touch.

"Why did he do that?" Anirudh murmured, "How could anyone treat you like that?" 

Bondita said back, her heart hammering hard, feeling a pang in her chest again, "I don't know." 

He looked at her eyes, her beautiful eyes, and he shook his head.

"Not allowed," he said in a deep voice. "Nobody is allowed to treat you like that." 

She looked at him, shocked, but feeling a flutter in her heart. 

"It... was my mistake..." she said softly, and felt tears prickle her eyes again. "I shouldn't... have..." 

Anirudh shook his head again and reached behind her head, pulling her closer to him, and resting her head against his shoulder. His hand caressed her hair, as he held her against him. 

Bondita couldn't believe she was so close to him. 

But his arms were comforting. His body was familiar. It was like she could forget all of her worries when he encircled his arms around her and held her. 

The way that he was caressing her hair when he held her felt also very, very familiar. 

O Saathi... Tere Bina... Raahi Ko Raah Dikhe Na...
O my partner! Without You, a traveller can't see the road
O Saathi... Tere Bina... Haan... Saahil Dhuaan Dhuaan...
O my partner! Without You, the shore is misty

The hug didn't last long though, because Anirudh grew restless and he pulled apart, looking at her and asking, "Will you come outside with me? Away from all of these people?" 

She nodded, without asking any questions. 

He took her hand and lead her out of the room, out of the hotel, and into the garden outside. 

It was quiet, a little chilly but beautiful out here. 

"I know... you're probably wondering what's wrong with me," Anirudh confessed, as he held on to her hand. "I don't even know what's wrong with me. I don't even know why I want to talk to you, why I want to get to know you, alone. I know I hugged you in there, I know... it's... weird..." 

Bondita looked at him with a small smile and she said, "I'm not wondering that. I don't think there's anything wrong with what you did." 

They walked to the ledge of a fountain where they both sat down next to each other. There was a beautiful water fountain flowing behind them, which was elegantly designed. 

They were sitting quite close together, their knees almost touching. 

Anirudh was still holding on to her hand, refusing to let it go. 

"I know that you had some kind of relationship with that man... and all of a sudden I hugged you, I'm talking to you alone. I must seem like such a creep," he told her seriously. "But I am not like that at all... at least, I didn't think so." 

Bondita shook her head right away. 

"I don't feel that way at all," she told him softly. 

"My actions don't really support that feeling of yours," he replied.

"Your actions aren't filled with any bad intentions," she told him softly, "I can feel it. I know what bad intentions feel like." 

He was still holding her hand, and she didn't feel anything wrong about his touch. 

"How do you know for sure?" he asked her, "What if I'm just really good at hiding it?"

Anirudh himself didn't know what his intentions were. He didn't know why he was holding her hand. He wanted to get closer to her and he couldn't deny this feeling. 

His intentions didn't feel noble at all to him. 

"I've felt his... touch," Bondita told him, afraid to talk about Sanjay again, "I felt... lust... lots of lust... and he waited for a long time, so I got confused. I thought it was my fault for taking so much time... that he has needs too... that I'm denying him..." 

Anirudh's hand tightened around hers, almost like he was angry. 

She gulped as he glared at her. 

"You can take your whole life," he hissed, "He has no rights to you or your body without your will, without your consent. Do you understand?" 

She nodded. 

"But... doesn't he have needs? Shouldn't a relationship be about compromise and understanding? Shouldn't it be about the other person's needs and not only our own?" she questioned. 

He looked at her with surprise. 

She had good arguments... almost like she could have been a good lawyer. 

"A man does have desires," Anirudh admitted. "He does have needs. However, that is not an excuse to scar a woman. In a relationship, I guess there will be many times one needs to compromise and of course you should try to understand the other person. It shouldn't be selfish at all. There will be clashes and difference of opinions, but things at this level... no."

He took a deep breath and continued, "You can compromise on the food you want to eat for dinner one day, you can compromise on the way you want your house to look, you can compromise on the route you want to take to school or work, but you can't compromise on your body, your soul, or your values." 

Bondita smiled as she heard the way he thought. 

"I made a mistake," she told him, her smile dropping now, and her heart aching. Tears filled her eyes and she looked at him sadly. 

"I wish you didn't..." he told her, his heart aching as he thought about another man's lips on this girl's lips, violating her. "But it's not your fault... you were trying to be nice... he also emotionally blackmailed you." 

"I'm so disgusted with myself," Bondita sobbed, clutching his hand tightly. "His kiss... it is still on my lips... I just..."

"Don't call it a kiss," Anirudh interrupted darkly.

"T - Then?" she asked him, turning to look at him.

"Call it cruelty. It's a crime against your body. A kiss is something that happens from the soul," he told her, feeling like crying -- was it pity? Why did he have so much concern for this girl? It was almost like someone of his own got violated, it was like he was the one who had been shattered.

She looked at him, and he looked back at her, their hearts beating faster under the night sky.

"My body s - still feels disgusted," she whispered.

He wanted to fix the pain that this girl was going through. He wanted to erase that man's touch off her body. He wanted to fill her body with his love. 

He was afraid his intentions weren't good ones, but he couldn't help it. He wanted to desperately heal this girl. 

"I... I can fix it," he told her, his voice cracking.

Bondita's breath caught in her throat when he said this, the tears slipping down her cheeks.

Anirudh moved towards her, slowly closing the space between their lips. 

His lips were getting closer and closer to hers as he gently pressed her hand against the ledge that they were sitting on, their fingers entangled together. 

When his lips were just an inch away, it felt like alarm bells rang in his body, and he looked away, murmuring, "Sorry." 

"Sorry... why?" she asked him breathlessly. She wanted him to continue what he had started -- her lips were tingling to feel his touch. 

Anirudh didn't know why he wanted to do this, but he was going to do just what that man did earlier. 

"I didn't ask you... and there's no difference between me and that guy if I do this," he told her softly. 

She shook her head and she said, "There's a whole class of a difference." 

"Then... is it okay, if..." he started, gulping, because he also was desperate to feel the touch of her lips.

"Yes," she told him immediately. 

He paused for a moment and glanced into her eyes which were showing from within her mask. He reached for her cheeks gently, and wiped the tears that had fallen. 

Cupping her face in his hands, he leaned closer to her again, and finally pressed his lips on hers. 

Bondita's heart hammered so hard as his lips touched hers gently. As soon as their lips met, it was like the scars from a few hours ago had healed. Just like that. 

Electricity seemed to run through both of their bodies as they kissed. It was familiar, and not awkward at all. 

Anirudh broke the kiss and he murmured, "I shouldn't... I shouldn't do this." 

Things could get out of hand. He didn't know what was happening. He didn't even know what he could promise her. He didn't know her name, nor her face, but he was kissing her like this. 

"W - why?" she asked him. 

"I can't... promise you anything," he told her softly, letting go of her cheeks and looking away with guilt. "If we get carried away... I don't want you to feel like I - I used you..." 

She shook her head, her tears forming in her eyes again. 

"I won't feel that way," she told him. "I don't expect anything from you." 

He looked into her eyes, and she reached to cup his cheeks now. 

"Even if we... spend the whole night together, and tomorrow I never see you again, I won't feel bad," she told him softly, her fingers caressing his face. "Just like you aren't forcing me, I also won't force you... whatever we are doing, we will do in the moment, as we feel. We won't have any obligations." 

He couldn't help it, his heart was hammering fast again.

His hand rested on her thigh gently, and she inched closer to him, her face moving towards his. He closed his eyes as her lips gently kissed his again. 

Somehow, the kiss grew deeper, their hearts beating wildly in their chests, as he stroked her leg up towards her waist. His hand curved around her waist and he held her there.

It was like their bodies instinctively knew how to kiss each other, where to hold each other, and how to love each other. 

Her mouth parted open and he moved his tongue inside breathlessly as things heated up. 

It was really an odd thing to say, considering this was the first time they were meeting, but she felt like his home. The home he never truly felt like he had.

She broke the kiss breathlessly and whispered, "Your mask..." 

He placed his lips on hers with desire again, not willing to part from her for a moment, and he murmured against her lips, "Yours too." 

As he was kissing her, he reached to her temple to remove her mask, and she reached behind his head to pull his mask off too. 

The masks came off as their lips were locked together in deep kisses. 

"And your name," he growled against her lips, sucking on her lower lip gently. 

"B - Bondita," she whispered against his lips, almost moaning by how good this felt. "And yours?" 

"Anirudh... Anirudh Roy Choudhary," he said, momentarily breaking the kiss and looking into her eyes again. 

Their eyes landed on each other's faces for the first time. 

"Anirudh... Roy... Choudhary..." Bondita murmured as she looked at him. 

"Bondita..." he replied softly, looking at her features -- features he was falling for all over again. 

She looked at him and tears flooded her eyes. 

She recognized him. 

"I know you..." she said to him, as his fingers traced her cheeks, feeling the softness of her skin. 

--

I hope you enjoyed this lengthy chapter! 

What do you think will happen now?

I was away for many days, and hence wasn't able to post earlier (I posted an update about it on my profile), but I should be able to post the next part sooner. 

If you do want it soon, then remember to vote and comment to show your eagerness. I'm super excited to write more too! 

Love you all! ❤️