Mujhse yeh rishta jo
Aa usse savare
"Bondita. Open the door." He frowned at the silence. "I know you are in there. Come out. I want to talk to you."
"There is nothing left to talk about. I know what I have done."
"No, you don't." He shook his head. "Open the door, Bondita."
"I can't." She sobbed, "I can't face anyone. I am ashamed."
"Bondita." He was losing his patience. "You possibly can't lock yourself in there forever. Open the door and we can talk."
"No. I should stay away from everyone for their safety."
" Bondita." He sounded angry now. "Do you want me to break the door? You know I can. I will count to three. One...Two…" He heard the door unlock.
She opened the latch as he pushed the door half open, giving him enough space to enter the room. It opened as she moved back two steps and looked pale. Her hair was messy and undone, and her blue saree was wrinkled. Her sindoor and bindi looked faded. She was wearing a simple gold chain and earrings. She was in tears.
Aniruddha walked towards her as she moved back, and he stopped, carefully.
"Bondita." He sighed.
She looked up at him, tears streaming down her cheeks as she fell to her knees.
"I didn't want to lie. I didn't want to hurt anyone. I had no idea that…" she sobbed. "I was only helping them. Jamai Babu would want me to do that." Aniruddha inhaled. Bondita folded her hands. "I am sorry. I really am. But believe me, I didn't do anything intentionally, shotti."
Aniruddha shook his head. He sat down on his knees in front of her and held her folded hands in his.
"I know. I know you didn't mean to lie. Bondita. I know. I trust you." He spoke softly. A part of him wanted to hug her. But given how she had kept her distance, he was unsure.
" Tai? You do?" She looked up hopefully as he nodded.
"I will always believe you." He smiled reassuringly. "And we will make everyone else understand you, too." He held her face, cupping her cheeks reassuringly. "My Bondita can never intentionally hurt the ones she loves. Right?" He nodded.
Bondita was overwhelmed with emotions. She expected his anger, his disappointment, his wrath and impulsiveness. She didn't expect him to understand her even before she explained herself. She was not alone. He always kept his promise. Bondita hugged him. Placing her head on his chest, her hand travelled to hold his neck around his shoulders. Aniruddha froze at the moment. He smiled, holding her back, reassuringly, caressing her messy hair, while the other hand travelled from her back to her waist. His chin touched her forehead. She sobbed. Her tears wet his Panjabi. Aniruddha held her tighter. As if to tell her everything his words couldn't. Assure her that no matter what life threw at them, she was never alone. Bondita felt his grip tighten around her waist as she held onto him. She closed her eyes. At the moment, she hoped nothing would break them apart. Aniruddha moved his head lower, and the smell of the Champa chameli oil in her hair hit his nostrils. His lips were inches away from her forehead. He looked down at her faded sindoor. At the moment, forgetting everything else around them, Aniruddha's lips brushed against her warm forehead. A shiver ran down Bondita's spine. Her arms erupted in goosebumps. She suddenly remembered all his coldness and assuring words. He was her teacher, her guide, her mentor. She wouldn't let herself be hurt. She jolted away, breaking the hug. Aniruddha looked at her, surprised. She never reacted like that to his touch. Had he crossed a line? Had he pushed her away so much that her heart needed to heal in his reassurance before she would be normal again? Eyes met briefly. She looked away and wiped her tears.
"Nikhil Thakurpo is here." She spoke, getting up from the floor.
"You called him." He said, facing her.
"I had to."
"Are you sure about what you are doing?" He asked with a frown.
"Just talk to him once." She pleaded. "Hear him out."
"Does Sampoorna want him around?" He asked with a frown.
"She wants your blessings." Bondita looked hopeful. Aniruddha looked a little taken aback.
"Okay, I will talk to him, but first, let's talk to Baba and Jetha Moshai." Bondita lowered her eyes, unsure. He sighed.
"You only told me once, you just need to seek forgiveness." He held her arm, making her look up. "Now it's your turn."
Trilochan shook his head. "What is she doing?" He looked restless. "Aniruddha? Make her stop."
"I won't stop till you forgive me. Both of you." Bondita sat at their feet, holding her ears. "I can do sit-ups holding both my ears while at it, too."
"Stop it." Trilochan scolded. "You will make me sin. Aniruddha. Stop her." He stared at his nephew helplessly.
"Bondita. That's enough." Binoy spoke. "Stop it."
"You have to hear me out. Then decide if I am guilty." She spoke.
"This is not a court of law." Binoy snapped, "Where did you bring your Barrister Babu and make a case?"
"This is Kakababu's court of law." Bondita said, "Let me speak."
"Okay, say what you have to." Binoy shook his head, aware that after she spoke, she would definitely convince them to forgive her. Aniruddha smiled, observing. Ever since he had seen her talk to the policemen, he saw in her the qualities one needed to be a Barrister. She was a natural. But he had to wait for her results to suggest it to her. He had to be careful not to push his own opinion into her dreams.
"Trust me, Dadabhai. I am aware I let you down once; I will not do that again." Nikhil spoke genuinely as Aniruddha looked suspicious. His eyes travelled to Bondita, who nodded reassuringly.
"What are your plans?" He asked.
"We will go to Calcutta. Settle into a rented apartment. I will do a job, and she will teach. We will start afresh."
"What about marriage?" He asked.
"I am affiliated with Brahma Samaj Dadabhai, I will, by the rules of theirs," Nikhil spoke.
"I can't let you take Sampoorna from here without solemnising your vows." Aniruddha shook his head. "I am sorry, but I don't trust you anymore."
"I understand, Dadabhai. We will do whatever it takes to reassure you."
"How is Maheshda now?" Bondita asked.
"I called the hospital in the evening. He is doing better." Nikhil spoke. Aniruddha walked out of his room silently as Bondita gave Nikhil a reassuring smile and followed him.
Aniruddha stopped in his room. Bondita stood at the threshold.
"I know you don't trust him anymore, but everyone deserves a second chance." She spoke.
"Do they?" He turned to face her as she frowned at his tone.
She dismissed his intense look as she arranged the jug of water on his bedside table and spoke almost to herself,
"I will make your bed; you didn't get a wink of sleep yesterday."
"Did you?" He asked, walking towards the door with his back to her.
She was silent, busy making his bed. Her hand stopped as he closed the door and locked it. Bondita looked unsure as her heart skipped a beat.
He pretended to look nonchalant as he walked over to his side of the bed, as she moved over to the other, carefully avoiding touch. He switched off the lights, keeping the one on the study table, the way she preferred it. Bondita looked at the closed door and back at his nonchalant face.
"Do you think you are a horse?" He asked as she frowned.
"What?" She frowned.
"You are standing there. Will you sleep like that?" He asked. Bondita sat down on the edge of the bed, consciously. The memory of the afternoon was fresh in her mind.
"Should we trust Nikhil?" He asked, lying on his back. "I still have my doubts."
"Just because he let you down once?" She asked, raising her eyebrows.
"No." He shook his head. "He let Sampoorna boudi down once."
"He apologised. She trusts his apology to be genuine." She shrugged.
"I know. That's why I agreed." He nodded. "But…"
"Couples disappoint each other all the time. It's because they expect more from each other than anyone else in the world." Bondita stopped at his stare. His brows were raised at her heavy words. "I heard that...From Mashi." She stammered, looking away.
"I thought it's one of those things you randomly make up to sound-wise." He turned to her side, balancing on his elbow.
"I don't do that." She frowned. He looked amused.
"Okay, if you say so."
He turned on his side, with his back to her, prompting her to suppress a yawn and let her tired body lie on her side, with her back to him.
"But then." He sprang up, surprising her, as she lay down on her back, and he balanced himself on his elbow, facing her.
"What about Bina Pishi?" He asked. "Did he talk to her?" Bondita shook her head.
"She will never accept Didi."
"But then Jetha Moshai will inform her, right?" He asked, unsurely. "Then again, she can …"
"I told Jetha Moshai that I called Nikhil da here to take Didi to Brindavan. I know it's a lie, but wherever they go in between the trip is not something we can control, right?" She had a hint of amusement on her face. "They are adults. We are not at fault if they elope."
She looked at him, a little intimidated at how he would take her plan. A smile curved Aniruddha's lips.
"You use your brain a little too much in these cases, you know that?" He smiled. "We will meet them separately with an excuse of going to get some papers for the school if you want to see them get married." He offered. She nodded with an intrigued smile. Aniruddha leaned in as her smile faded slightly. He kissed her forehead and whispered, "Goodnight." Before turning to his side and falling asleep. Bondita's heart raced. She turned to her side, wide awake, as her finger reached the spot his lips had touched, and she blushed slightly, smiling on her own. Could she, after all, let her heart go with the flow?
