Unexpected

Bondita got married in a Falgun's spring day, and after some time came the first Kalbaisakhi. Aniruddha liked stormy rain. He did not quite like the rain in London. Every time it rained, he remembered a different rain in Tulsipur. The petrichor of dry soil, the wetness of the roof, the scoldings of his father, and the affectionate touch of his mother. He once played football with the village boys in the rain. Then he came home all muddy and was beaten by his father, Ma had carefully wiped the tears and gave him warm milk. She quietly told him about her childhood mischief. She also disregarded everyone's words and used to get wet on the roof. Aniruddha never drenched in the rain after his mother's death.

He was sitting in the living room looking at a book of accounts when the Kalbaisakhi arose. Suddenly the lamp went out and with it, he heard the voice of Batuk, "Bouthan, come to the roof and see how many mangoes have fallen." The sound of the familiar Nupur was heard in the darkness. Aniruddha thought how in these few days everything in the house was so familiar to Bondita. How many steps, stairs, frames, thresholds everything? Bihari was still struggling to light the Kerosene oil Lamp against the gusty wind. By that time Aniruddha had gone up to the roof Batuk and Bondita were picking mangoes ignoring the lash of the storm, the mango tree next to the house seemed to be moving a little towards the roof for them. It started raining suddenly. Aniruddha scolded them and said, "Do you want to catch a fever after getting wet?" Batuk ran in Dada’s fear, with a few mangoes tied in a towel in his hands. Bondita stared at her husband in fear. 
"Do you need a separate invitation?" He shook his head. Suddenly lightning struck the nearby Supuri tree. Bondita was terrified. She was always afraid of lightning. She did not know why. All she could remember was that when it happened suddenly in the village, her mother would pull her close to her chest, ignoring the taunts of Mami. Again the thunder hit a little far away. Without thinking about anything anymore, her innocent mind sought shelter like her mother’s protective arms. She ran and hugged Aniruddha with her tiny hands. Aniruddha at first does not understand what he should do. Aniruddha's Punjabi got wet at the touch of her wet saree. Bondita trembled in fear. Aniruddha puts his hand on her head as if to say that he understood her. The eight-year-old child burst into tears. 
"I am very afraid of lightning."
"What are you afraid of, silly girl, you are at home." Aniruddha dragged her to the rooftop room. Aniruddha wiped her tears in the dim light. Again Bondita held his Panjabi firmly.
"I'm here, don't be afraid," Aniruddha assured her. To be honest, he did not feel uncomfortable in Bondita’s embrace. The sense of responsibility for her increased on him. Anirudha patted her head. 
"If lightning strikes again?" Questioned a scared Bondita.
"Whenever lightning strikes, come to me, and do not be afraid." The girl was surprised by his words. "Maa tells me so, you know. I couldn't sleep on a stormy night without hugging my mother." Bondita burst into fresh tears. "Now who will hold me in the middle of the night? Please take me to my mother." She said innocently. How could she know that Devipur could not be reached during the night? She was also not supposed to know that Trilochan Babu would not let Bouma, who had performed Ashtamangala a month ago, leave so early for her mother’s place again.
"You don't have to suffer thinking of your mother when I'm here," Aniruddha assured her again. "I won't leave your side while you sleep."
“Really? You promise?” Bondita found life back in her eyes. 
"I promise." Bondita suddenly noticed that her saree was wet, and water stains were on Anirudh's Punjabi. She bit her tongue and shook her head. "Ebaba! Your Punjabi got wet.”
"That’s nothing."
"Aren't you going to be angry?"
"Why will I be angry? I was also afraid of many things as a child." Bondita did not believe his words. She smiled and said, "You are very brave." Anirudha smiles softly. 
"Am I? How do you know?"
"Bondita knows everything." He reluctantly took her by the hand while she dragged him downstairs in the darkness. She would bring out her husband’s clean Punjabi like a well-groomed wife.

Bondita’s age was supposed to be seventeen that Kali Puja. On the Lakshmi Puja after chores the whole day and celebration a tired Bondita retired to her room. Aniruddha was on the bed in the Study room. He had a lot of work left so he slept late. Aniruddha woke up suddenly with the sound of thunder. He remembered how she was afraid of thunder and lightning. Her mother said this fear was born on the day her father was killed by a snake bite on one such night. Aniruddha ran towards the bedroom. Seeing Bondita clutch her pillow and shake, her eyes closed, he did not know whether she was afraid in her sleep or not. He could see precipitation on her forehead. He easily pulled her close to his chest, uninhibited, like he used to do when she was a scared child he was trying to put to sleep. Bondita suddenly stiffened as if she had forgotten his familiar touch. Her hands then travelled around his back and grabbed the back of his Panjabi as she drew closer to him. Her breathing was heavy with fear. Aniruddha gently placed his hand on her head. He kept patting her head as if to reassure her, "I'm here, what's the fear, sleep." Bondita moved only to hold him tighter. Was it fear? Or the overwhelming emotion of getting him close to her after a long time? Aniruddha suddenly felt a strange urge. He never felt like this before. As if he noticed in her touch, his Bondita was a woman, his woman. He lowered his face to check if she was asleep as the thunders rumbled outside. It seemed like it was for him that the untimely rain came as a blessing. Suddenly seeing the pale face of Bondita made him feel guilty. Gently he touched his lips to Bondita’s warm forehead, brushing against her skin like a soft prayer. It was as if he had unknowingly done so under a spell. He felt the beating of Bondita's heart against his chest and suddenly removed himself as if he had committed some grave sin. He quickly walked out of the room. Bondita sat up on the bed, her heart still thumping in her chest. A soft smile appeared on her face.

"Bihari, serve my food, I have to go to Calcutta." Aniruddha came down to the dining room in the morning rolling his sleeves. Bondita was serving tea to Trilochan Roy Chowdhury. She did not look up. Aniruddha could not understand its meaning. Did she not know of what happened that night? Or was she angry because she knew? How could he apologize to his wife? 
"Umm… Malik" said a reluctant Bihari in fear, "Bourani is sending me to the Haat Bazar." 
"How long does it take you to serve a meal?" Aniruddha rebuked. 
"I will do it, you go on Bihari, the market will not remain open on others will," Bondita spoke. But her eyes were on his plate. Aniruddha sat down. Trilochan eyed his son and daughter-in-law once, he thought that there was a quarrel, they were arguing, and perhaps this was a truce. 
"I have to stay in Calcutta for two days, Jyathamoshai." 
"That's good, have you packed?" asked Trilochan. Aniruddha stares at Bondita. 
"I will go do it." She nodded at Trilochan.
She explained everything to Koeli and walked into the bedroom. Bondita took out the suitcase and started packing Aniruddha’s clothes there. A newspaper was required for wrapping his chappals. After checking the date, she picked up a leaf from Amritbazar Patrika. Suddenly her eyes fell on an advertisement of the fountain pen. It looked good. Its price was written in bold. Bondita walked up to her box and checked the balance. She did not have that much then so she cut the advertisement out with scissors. She thought she would save for it and ask Somnath to bring it for her. Suddenly Koeli came to call her, so she left the room hurriedly tucking the cut leaflet under her box. Aniruddha entered the room then. His gaze went to the cutout advertisement. He smiled gently and put it in his pocket. As soon as Bondita entered the room, he appeared busy. Bondita eyed him once then ignored his presence. She tried to close the box. But the box didn't close. It was swollen under the weight of clothes. Bondita continued to try. Aniruddha suddenly left his work and stared at her struggling. He didn't want help so Aniruddha didn't come forward. Bondita tries hard, first with her weight and then sitting up on the box. Aniruddha was amused but he didn’t smile. Bondita sighed. She was about to give up when Aniruddha stepped forward to close the lid. She stepped back and watched him briefly before walking away from the room.

When her husband was not at home, there was less work to do but she felt lonely at the end of the day. Bondita did not have a habit of studying alone. Innumerable questions came to mind. Who would she ask? So when her husband was not at home, she did all that she couldn’t do with him around; she cleaned the room, cleaned the books, took down the pictures from the walls, and cleaned them too. When the clock in the hallway struck twelve, she saw a box. Barrister Babu’s Box. He must have carefully kept some useless things. She opened the box. Some letters with foreign stamps on the envelope fell into her hands. How curious she was, to know who Aniruddha was when abroad. Bondita unfolded the letters. A few from the brothers, a few from her father-in-law, and mostly from ... Pari Didi. She read the letters all night. As if those letters answered many of her unasked questions. Why keep them after all these years? Bondita hid her face in her pillow and let out a cry. How could Aniruddha love her? He had loved Pari Didi with all his heart and soul for so many years. He made such a great sacrifice to save Bondita’s life. Suddenly, with the light of dawn, the value of her life and her love for Aniruddha increased in Bondita’s heart.

The day Aniruddha returned from Calcutta, Bondita entered the room to unpack everything from his suitcase. 
She started taking things out one by one. Anirudha saw her silence and spoke.
"Did you study?" She nodded, "And did your homework?" She nodding yes again. A frown appeared on Aniruddha's face. What happened? 
"What are these?" Questioned Bondita. Two pink paper slips came out of a pants pocket in Aniruddha’s suitcase. 
“Oh!” Aniruddha suddenly took them from her hands. "You won't even guess what! Mini forced me to go to the theatres with her.” Bondita's heart skipped a beat. 
"Wow, well, then someone can force you?" Bondita asked as she resumed unpacking.
“Why? Can’t you?" 
“I do not insist on anything. For no reason.” Aniruddha agreed to her words.
"One day I will take you to Calcutta, we will also see the theatre."
Bondita suddenly felt suffocated, as if Aniruddha was pitying her.
"I have no taste for it."
"How will you know if you don't see it?" Aniruddha asked. Bondita was silent.
"That's yours." He pointed at a brown paper packet inside. Bondita looked at him with questioning eyes and opened the packet and the fountain pen came out. 
"What is this?" What an unexpected question Bondita asked. 
"Pen. I brought it for you."
"Did I ask for it?" Anirudha was suddenly surprised by her question. 
"I won't bring it if you don't ask for it?" he asked with a frown. 
"No, don't bring it, then you will say that Bondita insists, she forces and wants things."
"When did I say this?" Aniruddha was surprised. 
"One can never say, I'm not young enough to bring something every time you go."
"Strange!" Aniruddha suddenly got angry, "I have brought one thing, why are you wasting so many words? If you don't like it, throw it away!” He turned his back towards Bondita and did not see Bondita's eyes become teary. 
"Can you throw away what you don't like but have?" she asked trying to control her trembling voice. 
"I can. It doesn't necessarily mean that someone must like something if they get it." Aniruddha's voice was still angry. He suddenly glanced over his shoulder hearing the sound of the anklets fading and saw that Bondita had left the room. The pen was in the box. What happened to her suddenly? Aniruddha was afraid. What if she was awake that night? Was she angry?
Having grown up now Bondita had learned to understand things, maybe she could not accept their relationship easily. After sitting down his gaze fell on the picture on the desk. He never thought about this, that he might not be her choice. He taught Bondita to argue, to question and also taught her that it was wrong to rob a child of childhood and expect them to act like adults. So what if Bondita considered their relationship as wrong? Could he blame her?

After maybe five or six months of marriage, when she was learning household chores from Jyatha Moshai, Aniruddha gave up. Was it her age to do these things? Trilochan said that day, “Bondita can be your wife, she is the daughter-in-law of this house, you will tell me what I will teach her?” Since then, his belongings, cooking, and household work always had Bondita’s touch. One day suddenly they all heard the sound of something breaking from their house. They arrived to see Bondita had broken Aniruddha’s favourite perfume that he brought from abroad. She apologised for fear of being scolded. Everyone thought Aniruddha would be very angry with his wife. He shook his head and asked, "Are you hurt?" 
“No. But I didn't do it on purpose, believe me, Barristra Babu.” Nine years old Bondita apologised holding her ears.
"Only humans make mistakes, it's okay Bondita, I'm not angry." Aniruddha surprised everyone. If she suddenly broke her mother's belongings, would Bondita have been so scared? Or did she know that she had to live differently in the in-law's house like everyone else? 
"What is this, Dada!" Batuk was surprised, "Won’t you beat her up? You beat me when I broke the lamp that one time."
"Ah, come on, let's study." Somnath took Batuk away. Bondita still stood in fear. If it was Mami, she would have tied her to a tree by now; would it be surprising if Aniruddha beat her too?
Koeli came and picked up the broken glass pieces. Bondita came and stood in front of Aniruddha. 
"May I ask a question?"
"You may."
"If you beat Batuk for it, why won't you beat me? I also made the same mistake. If it were Mami now…”
"Mami used to beat you?" Aniruddha asks in a displeased tone. She nodded.
"Mami used to say you are useless, you are destroying our food, mother and daughter."
Aniruddha knelt before her. Even if he sat on his knees, his height was the same as little Bondita’s.
"I will never say that, I will never hit you."
"Even if I am wrong?" Bondita was surprised.
"No."
"Why?" Bondita wondered “Batuk is also my age.”
"You two are not the same to me." Anirudha smiles softly. How could he explain their relationship to the naive child?
"Why?"
“He is my brother, I discipline him differently. You are... " Aniruddha stopped. The word "wife" did not come out of his mouth so easily. "You are my..."

"Better half?" Anirudha laughed after hearing that on his wife's face,

"Dear god, who taught you that?"

"Jyathamoshai said that! We are equal, so I asked why can’t I take your name? Why does mother forbid?" 

"What did he say?" Anirudha smiled and asked. 

"Don't ask too many questions, Bouma, he scolded." Aniruddha laughed, and suddenly Bondita jumped in realisation. “Oma, that means...”

Aniruddha looked at her with furrowed brows. "I can scold you for your mistakes, like you scold everyone!" Bondita laughed pressing her lips slightly. Aniruddha looked at her with wide eyes. 

"Don't overdo it." His reprimand stopped Bondita. Then the two burst into laughter. 

Bondita stood wiping her eyes. What did she do? How could she get angry at him? Whatever she thought of for two days, she turned everything upside down. She should be grateful for what he gives her. She refused his gift. What right did she have to be angry at Aniruddha? To pay off her debt, Bondita would have to take many more births. She came and stood at the door of the bedroom. Aniruddha looked up. She picked up the pen, 

"I was angry at Batuk." Lying was more difficult for Bondita. "So..." Aniruddha suddenly felt relieved. So it's not about that day. 

"Thank you."

"Test it out," Aniruddha says with a gentle smile. “Use it for exams.”

“I was just saying, I mean... I want to see Didi.” Bondita hesitated.

"Well then, tell Koeli to summon Bouthan in the afternoon, I'll be at work." 

That afternoon Sampoorna came by. That was the last time she came after her Sadh Puron. She was shocked to hear all that Bondita had to say.

"We knew how the marriage..."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Questioned Bondita. 

"You were very young and Jamai Babu said..."

"Who is your sister? He or me?”

"Oma, what is this Bondita?" Sampoorna scolded. "He is your guardian."

"He made such a great sacrifice." Tears swelled in Bondita’s eyes, and the voice trembled. "None of you got to know?"

"Maybe he knows, he never told me." Said Sampoorna. "But that's in the past, isn't it?" She asked her sister in fear. Bondita smiled faintly. 

"You know, I read in the novel, that love never goes away."

"Why do you read that?" Sampoorna sounded angry. "He's not the kind of man to leave you."

"Why will he leave me Didi? But why will he give up all his happiness for me?" Bondita wipes her eyes and says, "And Pari Didi? She did no wrong."

"He is a Zamindar. Not to say, men can do whatever they want or not. He will marry her if he wants to." Bondita skipped a beat. "But you will be the elder one always."

She knew why Didi was saying those things. All the economic advantages of being the eldest wife of such a big Zamindar house were beyond Didi's dreams. But did Bondita ever want all that? How would she explain her heart to her sister? After getting up Sampoorna warned, "You're not going to do something about this, do you understand?" She reminded her sister. But she also knew that Bondita was not going to sit idle with such information. She would not stop without getting answers to all the questions in her mind.

ALL CHAPTERS / Original