RAABTA

This is a one-shot spin-off outtake from " Rishta Tera Mera " after the chapter " Truth ". This was written back when I was doing part 2, " Barrister Babu " for the story, and there is no better day than to post it on the first anniversary of the story. Thank you for all the love you poured in. Also, this is a special tribute to all those named and unnamed people and their families on both sides of the border whose blood, sweat and sacrifice made this day possible. Jai Hind!  My Beloved  Sampoorna, I know I have lost the right to call you what I used to. I also know there is a chance you are reading this because you realised I will never come back. I know you are angry with me for hiding my true self from you. Your anger is justified. I had left without a goodbye, forgotten all the promises I had made to you and to my family. I had let all of you down. I am sure the entire village had made their opinion on a runaway like me, perhaps I was cowardly, perhaps...

  Ek bharosa hai khafa sa koi isse samjhaye Koi asha mom si hai, jo dhoop seh na paaye Aniruddha was reading a book which he had bought on World War and its effects from College Street, crossing his legs on the bed, and leaning against the pillow. The country was a de facto ally of the British, and yet again, many young men were being called to war. For the crown. As much as it disturbed him, Aniruddha was a little relieved that the consequences of the war were yet to reach the city. Although the city was agitated, mostly with freedom movements, and occasionally with a curfew, it was still safer than most parts of the world. The winter in Calcutta was comparatively less harsh than that of Tulsipur, and he was somehow missing the cold. Even in the last weeks of February, the chills were pleasant. His half-sleeved sweater from London gave him comfort as he pulled the quilt around himself further to relax. After all, Sundays were the only days meant for lazing around at odd hours. Wor...

  Main larungi Durga banke  Dharm yehi hai mera The cotton white clouds floating against the blue sky, with a gentle breeze touching her ears in a whisper, made Bondita sigh at the sight as she looked up with a smile. With so much changing in her life over the past year, Bondita never had time to stand and reflect. Durga Puja always made her do that. How life was a year ago, and how it became a year later, always made her wonder. She stood on the rooftop, as the wet clothes on the line swayed around her in all colours, drying fast in the scorching sunlight. Bondita ran her hands through her wet hair and stood by the parapet watching the horizon beyond the jheels of the Zamindar house. The thick bushes of Kash Phul made the tall grasses look like clouds themselves. Bondita smiled to herself, remembering how Batuk taught her to play hide and seek among the tall grasses when they were children. Sampoorna walked up behind her, silently, with Koeli in tow, helping her with the buck...