The lamp flickered in the dimly lit room. The old woman looked at the beautiful maiden lying on the crooked bed. People called her Salima Khala in the locality. She was hopeful today. She brought a chair closer to the bed and sat there, her knees ached- it must be old age. She very gently brushed the woman's hair. She reminded her of her own daughter who was married off in some other village. Her alluring face with that perfect nose. Her features were sharp. Her locks were as black as the midnight sky.

Salima had found her unconscious bathed in blood on the street about 3 months ago. It looked as if she had escaped from someone who must have tried to harm her life. She was dressed so royally like the Bahu of Zamindars. Her Banarasi Saree was tattered at places, with her arms laced with cuts and bruises. Salima had tended her wounds and the girl still hadn't opened her eyes. But Salima's weary heart was hopeful today. Salima had faced resistance from the people of her locality. Why? She had tended the wounds of a Hindu girl. But Salima feared none. She had nothing to lose. At most, people could burn down her house which was already on the verge of crumbling down as it had long faced various tremors. She survived on the money she managed by tending wounds.

Suddenly, her eyes fell on the unconscious girl and she noticed sweat on her forehead. Salima blinked her old eyes in bliss. Was it time? Salima could see the movement of her weak limbs and the twisting of her facial features. She thanked Allah. The girl was finally gaining her consciousness.

The girl fluttered her eyes open and shut them again. The light had caused this probably.

She opened her eyes again and as soon as she did, she screamed ," Pati Babu!"

Sweat trickled down her horrified face. Salima noticed that she was scared. She sat up on bed immediately and when her petrified eyes met Salima's who was a stranger to her, she panicked. Tears rushed down her eyes as she started getting up from the bed but a shocked Salima held her down as she said ," Calm down, my child. You are safe here."

Her face was laced with tears but there was love that she saw in the old woman's eyes. Her lips quivered as she forced the words out," Who are you?"

Salima was awed at her innocence. This child was so innocent and terrified. Things sure had gone downhill with this girl.

She stroked her hair lovingly with her wrinkled palms as she said, " I'm Salima. You can call me Khala, little one. That's what they call me."

She sniffed.

"I'm Bondita"

"What a lovely name, my child" Salima uttered. She wanted this petrified child to feel loved and safe. She was like her own daughter.

Bondita looked around herself. The room was dimly lit and a kerosene lamp flickered on the bed side table. The bed was in no good shape and the walls were crooked at places. The last time she was conscious, she was decked in her royal blue saree but as she looked at herself now, she was wearing a white suit.

She clearly remembered the incidents of that uneventful day which shook her to the core. She had to flee from the Roy Chowdhury Mansion , her home in a jeep when the goons of her opposition attacked the house, searching for her. It was a horrific sight. They were many in number. Her family had told her to escape. With Anirudh not there on that instant, it appeared to be the best option. Would it always be life threatening to fight against oppression for your people? Bondita along with the driver had been driving to Chandannagar when the jeep was attacked by goons. No matter how hard she tried to fight them, they had attacked her. She had faint images of being hit on her head with a hard object and being attacked by sharp knives.

Bondita shivered as the incidents of that day flashed in front of her eyes. She took a deep breath as she looked at Salima with her teary eyes.

Salima looked at her face which seeked answers. She smiled lovingly and narrated everything that had happened.

Salima had found Bondita on the outskirts of Chandannagar when she was on her way back after collecting some medicines. She had somehow managed to bring Bondita here, at her home with the help of a man who was passing nearby. She had been terrified back then when she saw her deep wounds. Salima lived in a Muslim locality of Chandannagar and because of the communal hatred that brewed, she had been warned by the people to not help a Hindu girl. But Salima knew that if she didn't heal Bondita, the consequences might be life threatening. It was already so difficult for Salima to bear her own expenses and thus, she couldn't afford a hospital for her. She had not let anyone even come near her house as she was sceptical about the danger on Bondita's life.

Bondita's eyes glistened with tears and she immediately hugged the old woman. She thanked Salima numerous times while holding her close. Her old eyes moistened and she brushed her hair lovingly.

As she pulled back, Bondita held her wrinkled palms as she uttered with gratitude," Khala, I don't have enough words to thank you. I owe my life to you."

Salima firmly held her hands as she said," I'm so happy that you woke up, my child. I'm glad that my old being could help someone. Allah may happily take my life now. I won't have regrets."

"What are you saying, Khala? I will pray to God to add more years to your life. This world needs people like you!" exclaimed Bondita , breaking down into tears.

Salima adored her so much. She brushed her hair gently as she said," Your family must be worried, my child. If I had known, I would have informed them."

Bondita's face immediately turned pale. Yes, her family. Her Pati Babu. She had to go back to them no matter what. Anirudh must be searching for her. Her eyes were welling up with tears and her heart was breaking apart. There was a void she felt at that moment and it could only be filled when she'd meet her Pati Babu, her Anirudh.

She hurled the blanket away and immediately got up. Her legs were still weak and it ached when she stood up but did it matter anymore? No.

"Careful, Bondita. Where do you live? I will take you there." uttered Salima, concerned.

Bondita hugged her with all her might as she muffled a reply," Tulsipur. But don't fret, Khala. I will make it there. I cannot trouble you anymore."

As she broke the hug, Salima smiled at her as tears trickled down her wrinkled and ashen face. She wiped her tears and she opened the almirah as Bondita watched her.

She came up with a bundle and handed it over to Bondita as she uttered," Here, take this. This is your saree and gold ornaments."

Bondita took them from her and then she saw her bringing a handful of something in her hand. As she handed it to Bondita, Bondita immediately shook her head in a 'no'. She couldn't take money from an old woman who already lived in misery.

Salima said softly, " Bondita, my child, this will help you. Won't you need any money? It will be helpful in your journey back."

Bondita couldn't find the right words to thank the old woman for her compassion. She was so moved. She just hugged her tightly. There was a motherly warmth in her.

She whispered, " I will come to meet you, shotti!"

Salima smiled at her.

Bondita rushed outside on the streets. Her eyes were welling up as it finally struck her that she had to meet her Pati Babu. She was running on the streets aimlessly, panting heavily. But would this be fruitful? There was no point in running aimlessly on the streets. But Bondita's mind and heart longed for Anirudh's warmth. She wanted him close to her as soon as possible. Her mind was rattling with strange thoughts and she tried her best to shove them away. Suddenly, she fell down to her knees and wailed loudly as people eyed her. She cared about none. There was longing in her heart- it was not going away.

"Pati Babu" she mumbled.

After pouring her heart out, she realised she was sitting in the middle of the street and she was being gazed strangely by the people around her. She wiped her tears and stood up. She took a deep breath as she tried to calm her racing heart down. She needed to go to Tulsipur as soon as possible. She knew she'd meet him. She gathered her courage again and she knew she needed to board a train as soon as possible.

Mere sar pe hogi dhun teri
Tere sar pe mera fitoor hoga
Mujhe tum pe naaz hai jitna
Tumhe mujh pe utna guroor hoga

------

As she stepped out of the rickshaw, her eyes teared up. She had missed these streets of her Tulsipur even in her unconscious state. But there was something strange about the way the people looked at her. She was their Bondita Malkin, wasn't she? She swallowed a lump formed in her throat. She was overwhelmed when she stepped on her soil. As she tried to approach the people, they retreated back after giving her a look full of disgust. Bondita tried her best to decipher what all she had done. Her heart was breaking apart.

With a heavy heart, she ignored them as she made her away towards the Roy Chowdhury Mansion, her home. Her eyes were swollen.

When she reached there, she stood numb. Her soul shuddered at the sight of the destroyed mansion, there were only the broken remains of her beautiful house. It was her home. A lone tear trickled down her face as she fell down to her knees. Her face had turned pale, her mind had gone completely blank. What had happened? She could already feel her face getting wet with sweat and tears. She covered her face with her palms, trying hard to control a sob but she failed miserably.

She couldn't control it. Where was everyone? Where was Anirudh?

She sobbed loudly which attracted a lot of people. Her breathing had turned haggard with all the crying. She looked around herself but it seemed as if people despised the very sight of her.

She had to find out the truth.

She gathered all the courage, standing up and folding her hands in front of the people. Her voice broke as she asked," Where is my family? Where is my Pati Babu? Please! I BEG YOU! PLEASE TELL ME WHAT HAD HAPPENED?!"

One of the men gave her a disgusting stare as he uttered,"After you fled, the goons set the house on fire! Barrister Babu and his family had to leave Tulsipur, such was the threat to the lives of his family! It is all because of you that our Barrister Babu had to suffer! No one knows where he is! It is all because of you that they had to leave their village! It is all your fault!"

Bondita was stunned. Was it not because of her ? Without uttering a single word more, she rummaged through the crowd and ran aimlessly. Her feelings, her aspirations were all connected to Anirudh and she had no clue where he was. She caused him pain again. He had to fall again for her. She bruised him again.

Unknown to her, she had reached the shore of the river where she used to stroll with Anirudh. As memories flashed, it ached. Her heart was breaking apart once again. She was numb. She sat down on the river bank, crying and panting profusely. The flowing water of the river mocked her. What would she do? Should she curse her fate for putting her through such tests?

But she had to find him no matter what. She was not weak. She stood up as she wiped her tears. She heaved a sigh and looked around herself.

As her mind thought of all the possibilities, it stopped at the Calcutta court. If Anirudh was not here, he must be somewhere around there. He had colleagues in Calcutta court. After Tulsipur, it was the only place where he could reside. Her eyes gleamed of love and longing. A little hope had been ignited in her heart. She'd meet him soon under the shimmering stars.

Chandni se dhoop tak
Wahin pe bikhregi
Jis jagah milenge hum
Yeh dekhna

----

Bondita had to sell her jewellery so that she could survive. Her heart was so much filled with gratitude towards Salima. If it were not for her, she wouldn't be standing here in front of the Calcutta court. She was dressed up courteously all thanks to the little amount of money she had. She had somehow managed to control her emotional turmoil with the hope that flickered through her heart. She took a deep breath.

She made her way towards the chambers of her senior and Anirudh's colleague, Barrister Devesh Ghosh. She fondly called him Dada and he had always adored her like a little sister. She took a deep breath as she knocked.

As soon as she got affirmation, she entered inside the chamber. She was nervous. It had been months that she had disappeared. As soon as Devesh saw Bondita standing in front of him with tears in her eyes, he felt as if he was dreaming. He stood up from his chair and clutched her shoulders tightly , happiness and relief reflecting down his eyes.

"Bondita! You are alive! You are finally here!" he exclaimed letting go of her shoulders and she could see the relief on his face.

"Where were you? What had happened? Do you know people were so worried? Who gave you the right to disappear like this?"

Bondita silently listened to his questions. He was like that only.

But then suddenly , her eyes teared up when he said ," Anirudh has been behaving like a maniac , Bondita!"

"Pati Babu? Do you know where he is , Dada?" asked Bondita, her heart heaving up and down inside her chest.

Devesh looked down at her innocent face and he immediately made her sit on the chair.

He very calmly uttered," Anirudh is not here, Bondita. "

"Where is he?" her voice broke.

Devesh explained the incidents of that day.

FLASHBACK

"No matter what, Devesh! I will find my Bondita! " said Anirudh in a determined tone.

Devesh had tried his best to control and explain the consequences of this to him.

"Anirudh, we will find her but please calm down. Look at yourself!" said Devesh as he looked at his friend.

It had been a month and Bondita was nowhere to be found. Anirudh had filled Tulsipur and Calcutta with her posters. It was so painful for Devesh to see his friend being like this. He was barely eating. He still remembered the time when Anirudh had come to him for help, with his eyes drenched with tears , his face all pale. He had been crying like a child. His Bondita meant everything to him and he knew it.

Anirudh's state was pathetic. He was trying his best to be hopeful among all the strange things that he was used to hear about his wife's disappearance. Some said she died but he believed none. He had turned thin, he was eating only a little so that he could find his Bondita. His mind remained clouded with weird sensations while his heart yearned for her safety.

Devesh looked up at him and he could see his disheveled hair covering his forehead. His thin shirt was sticking to his weak body. What had his friend done to himself? His heart cried seeing him like that.

He could see his gloomy yet determined face. His eyes were swollen. Of course, he cried daily as he longed for his Bondita.

With a heavy heart, Devesh marched to where Anirudh was standing. Putting a hand on his shoulder, Devesh uttered," What if Bondita is no more?"

"DEVESH!" roared Anirudh as he looked at him with bloodshot eyes.

"I didn't expect this from you. My Bondita is not dead! I'm living because of her. I am alive because she is alive somewhere! If she were dead, I would have been dead a long time ago! My existence depends on her, my friend. If she is alive then I am alive. My Bondita rushes through my veins, my heart echoes her melody." said Anirudh with his eyes filled with tears.

Anirudh broke down and Devesh hugged him immediately as he said ," I'm sorry, Anirudh. I didn't mean it that way."

After a while, Anirudh broke the hug as he said," I will travel all around Bengal and if I don't find her, I'd travel all around the country but I will find my Bondita. "

"Anirudh! Have you gone insane?"

"Yes! I have! My Bondita is the reason of my sanity and if she's not here with me, I don't know what I will do to myself."

Devesh saw his retreating figure and he could only be bewildered at this madness.

Aasman bhi tutega
Zameen bhi pighlegi
Jis jagah milenge hum
Yeh dekhna

END OF FLASHBACK

Bondita sobbed profusely. Her heart could now explode.

Devesh clutched her palms as he uttered.," He had been searching for you like a maniac, Bondita. I won't say he loves you. Your Anirudh worships you. He breathes because you are breathing."

"Dada.." she controlled a sob again.

"Did you not see your posters on the streets of Calcutta? " he asked.

Bondita had barely noticed anything about her surroundings.

He chuckled and said," Anirudh has kept his family safe somewhere. He couldn't afford any other loss. Even I don't know where they are but your family is safe, Bondita."

Bondita sniffed as relief washed over her face.

She asked as her voice cracked," Dada, how will I meet my Pati Babu?"

Devesh smiled at her as he said," I don't know if it's destiny or just coincidence. But before you came, I was talking to Anirudh. He had called here. He'd be visiting Calcutta tomorrow."

Bondita's heart hammered against her chest. So, she was finally going to meet Anirudh after a long wait. She could barely breathe out of all the emotions that came crashing down on her fragile heart one after the other. What should she feel? Words could not explain her feelings.

She stood up and took a deep breath and Devesh watched her. His heart was so full, he knew he'd break down.

He took a deep breath and said," Wait for him at the shore of the Hooghly. I'd send him there, at your favorite place. I promise."

Bondita looked at him with tears in her eyes. She was so overwhelmed that she could not even utter a single word of gratitude. Devesh blinked his eyes in assurance and she smiled through her tears.

Bechaniyon ka sama rahega
Hoga yeh bhi dekhna
Dard mein yeh jahaan rahega
Hoga yeh bhi dekhna
Haan yehi hoga

--------

Bondita didn't know what she exactly felt. Was it bliss or was it something else? Her heart hammered hard against her chest and she was fidgeting the end of her saree in anticipation. Her eyes were getting filled with tears but she wiped them . She would not cry in front of him. She walked along the edge of the river. It was almost dusk. No one was there. She took a deep breath as she looked at the setting sun which painted the sky with a crimson hue.

She was facing the water and as she turned around, she froze at her place.

He was right there in front of her at a distance. He appeared as numb as her. Dressed in a thin white shirt, his hair were disheveled, covering his forehead. His eyes appeared heavy and he had apparently turned thin. He clearly had not shaved.

Bondita could barely move from her position and it would not be wrong to say the same about Anirudh. She stared at his eyes and they held the amount of agony that he had gathered within himself. Even from a distance, she could make out the amount of pain he had went through and she blamed herself for that.

A lone tear escaped her eye and she shivered.

She saw his lips quivering as he said," Bondita.."

That was it.

Thoda thoda tera hoga
Thoda thoda mera kasur hoga
Muje tumpe naaz hai jitna
Tumhe mujhpe utna guroor hoga

She moved towards him slowly and she could feel him doing the same. Her eyes were tearing up and before she knew it, she was crying like a child. She had decided that she won't cry but she could not control.

It was no different for Anirudh. Devesh had never told him that he'd meet Bondita when he'd come to the river shore. It had took him by surprise. When he saw her strolling alongside the river bank, he had turned numb. He felt as if his heart would explode with happiness. It felt as if he would just die out of bliss. His Bondita was safe and he couldn't be more happier.

In no time, he was standing in front of her. His eyes were red and swollen. His face was laced completely with tears and without thinking anything else, he cupped Bondita's face in his palms as if analysing it all over again. And when he touched her, Bondita felt as if she was floating in air. She was crying like a child. Her tears were wetting his hands as he cupped her face. Her palms on their own moved up to hold his face and as she did that, he closed his eyes.

His orbs dived down into her teary eyes which only reflected pain and love. He himself was crying uncontrollably. As Bondita looked into his eyes, she could see exhaustion, agony and pain in those deep orbs. One thing was prominent- love. Her hands moved down to his chest as she clutched his shirt.

She felt his quivering lips on her forehead. He trailed his lips softly down her cheeks, kissing her tears away but the more he kissed her, the more she cried, her hands digging into his chest. She couldn't be more happier.

She placed her head on his chest, clutching his shirt tightly with her fists as her tears wet his shirt. He hid her in his chest, embracing her tightly. His eyes cried as if a waterfall.

He lowered his head as it dropped down to her shoulders. His tears didn't stop.

He said between tears, his voice quivering, " Don't ever leave me, Bondita......I will die."

Bondita didn't utter a single word but she clutched his shirt more tightly, crying against his chest.

Main Laila ki tarah
Tu Majnu sa mash-hoor hoga
Dekhna na yeh ek din zaroor hoga

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I hope it was not boring.

I seriously don't know what I am writing these days. Help!

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