Posted:
Updated😊
Word Count: 1
Heya!
So I am back with the final chapter. This is dedicated to all of you who have liked and commented on this story since the first chapter!
No proofreads, Unedited.
Forgive grammatical errors, both Hindi and English.
Enjoy!
_______________________________________________
Chapter 12
Bondita had her eyes open just as the huge wooden clock in her room struck five. Durga Pooja was arriving and she was expected to supervise and help in preparing the house to receive the biggest festival of the year being the eldest daughter in law, along with her Kaka Sasur Ji. A usual Bondita would jump out of her bed to get ready but not that day. She opened her eyes inhaling a very familiar yet foreign scent. She opened her eyes and moved her eyeballs to see her husband so near to her. Her head was resting on his shoulders, her lips almost touching his nape and his strong scent filled her senses while his hands engulfed her waist as tightly as possible. Aniruddh’s hair was all disheveled; his lips held a small smile and he looked in peace. Bondita couldn’t help but tighten her hold over his night wear and moved a bit up to take a better look on his features.
As she looked at him, Bondita couldn’t resist from cupping his face as her eyes studied his face. She ruffled his hair a bit; as a small giggle came onto her lips remembering how irked he gets if his hair is not in place. Then she slowly caressed his closed eyes, extremely soft to not disturb his sleep. It was those eyes which guarded her for ten long years, stayed up with her when she had her school exams, the eyes which shed tears even before she cried, the eyes which saw her grow up. Bondita felt a myriad of emotions channeling through her body as she remembered their times together. She closed her eyes preventing any tears from falling. She adored his face a bit more until her eyes stuck at his lips. Her mind flashed to what happened last night and how with those lips he pasted a chaste kiss on her cheeks. One of Bondita’s hands slowly approached the area near his lips and played around. She felt a sense of disappointment about how he just kissed her cheeks last night. It took a while for her before she realized the major pull she felt towards him, how she couldn’t help but fixate her eyes at those lips and how she badly wanted to taste them. Her breathe was uneven, as she kept looking at it, her heart begging her to lean closer and capture what’s hers.
It was when Aniruddh shifted in sleep and Bondita was quick to get back to her position and close her eyes. She felt her heart beating rapidly against her chest as she moved back. A minute later she felt Aniruddh being still and she opened her eyes to see, he was again asleep. She slowly removed his hands and ran out of the bed to collect her clothes and disappear into her bathroom. She screeched and stopped on her tracks as she reached near the basin in the bathroom. She placed her clothes in the handle and held her heart to get her heartbeats into normal.
What’s wrong with you, Bondita?
She couldn’t help but ask herself. It was so not Bondita to get distracted to an extent that she ends up losing herself. And losing herself in Aniruddh like this meant pain for a lifetime for her. She herself had decided to let him free, free him of the responsibilities and now she wants to hold onto him? Bondita felt like she was a living paradox and she couldn’t afford to be one. She knew she had to control her feelings, she also knew it was difficult when Aniruddh is hell bent on proving she can’t resist him but it was just the matter of some days till she get to leave for village and she could make it – only if she ignored Aniruddh.
***
Everyone had already settled in the breakfast table while Aniruddh came. He saw Binoy, Somnath, Batuk and Trilochan settled at their respective places with Bihari and Koeli running back and forth from the kitchen till dining as they brought out the food. Everyone was present except the one he was looking for. Aniruddh sat down and looked around for another few minutes before he spoke up.
“Bondita kahan hai?” Somnath’s eyes shot up at this question and he instantly looked at Batuk and the brothers shared a grin. With whatever happened yesterday with Bondita, Batuk was also now aware of the saga between his Dada and Boudi while Somnath knew it way before. When Somnath said everything will be fine to Bondita, he wasn’t kidding and he knew he was correct now.
Trilochan Kaka replied; “Bahu bazaar gayi hai.”
“Itni subah?” Aniruddh asked and Batuk and Somnath couldn’t help but silently giggle. Binoy raised his eyebrows at Aniruddh’s over inquisitive behaviour.
Trilochan answered; “Woh durga pooja anewali hai toh, kuch samaan lene gayi hai!”
“Kyun? Bihari nahi jaa sakta tha?” asked Aniruddh, in an annoyed tone.
Trilochan rolled his eyes; “Ab ghar ke liye sabse zyada accha kya hai, iski jaankari ghar ki bahu ko hi hogi na? Aur waise bhi tum fiqr mat karo, kuch naukar bhi Gaye hai uske saath samaan uthane.”
Aniruddh nodded, unsatisfied at Trilochan’s answer. He was looking forward to seeing Bondita just as he woke up like how he used to from the past week, ever since they started sharing a bed. But she had disappeared before he woke up and now, she was nowhere to be seen during breakfast too. Aniruddh grit his teeth as he chimed into his food.
“Dada aapko office nahi jaana aaj?” asked Batuk.
Aniruddh looked at him as he shook his head; “Nahi aaj ghar mein zaroorat hai mera.” Batuk along with others at the table looked at him with raised brows until he realized his folly. “Matlab, aaj se durga pooja ke tayyariyan shuru ho rahi hai toh... me bhi kaam mein haath bataunga.”
“Par Dada naukar hai Yahan kaam karne ke liye!” Batuk said.
Aniruddh closed his eyes in irritation as chewed the last piece of morsel in his plate and vented out his frustration on it as he answered; “Tumhe zyada pata hai?” and glared at his little brother. Batuk looked back at his plate while Somnath bit back his laughs. Aniruddh stood up to leave but turned back on his tracks as he remembered something.
“Som khane ke baad study mein aana, kuch baat karni hai tumse.” Aniruddh said, to which Somnath nodded and with that, Aniruddh left.
It was afternoon when Bondita returned to Roy Chowdhary mansion with an army of workers with her, carrying all the items she bought for decoration and other purposes for the upcoming Durga Pooja. She couldn’t feel her legs but she had no option but to run away to the kitchen so that her beloved husband doesn’t find her. Bondita asked the workers to keep the stuff at the store room and get to work, and that was when she heard the study room opening. She knew Aniruddh would die but wouldn’t go to office that day.
Bondita turned to see the study slowly opening and Aniruddh coming out of it. She rushed from the living to reach the kitchen while Aniruddh had came out hearing the commotion, to finally meet Bondita as he expected her to return. But as he came out, he could see no one but the workers carrying big packages to store room. He knew Bondita was back and was about to set out to find her while he heard Trilochan Kaka calling him. The meeting with Trilochan Kaka ended up making Aniruddh a busy man as Trilochan gave Aniruddh a hell lot of work to complete regarding the accounts and expenses regarding Durga Pooja and other charity work they had did for the village.
As soon as he was done with the work, he set out to kitchen as Koeli had came in between and when Trilochan had asked, she revealed Bondita was in the kitchen having lunch. It was only a few minutes ago and he was sure Bondita would be still in the kitchen. As he entered the kitchen, he looked everywhere to see it was empty and as he turned back, he heard someone run away. Aniruddh came outside to see a saree-clad woman running away – Bondita. And before he could stop her, she had disappeared.
The cat and mouse race wasn’t over there. It repeated and once, he had almost caught her while Trilochan Kaka came in, only for Bondita to make an excuse and leave with him, leaving Aniruddh in rage. But now, as Aniruddh stood in the hallway in second floor, he knew Bondita’s game was over. Bondita was standing on a stool, to clean a lamp fixed on the wall. Aniruddh approached her slowly but steadily so that she doesn’t run away this time.
He went and stood near her, and smirked how she had no idea of him being there. Her pallu had fallen off, her hair bun exposed and she looked too engrossed in work to notice her husband all ready to slay her existence for hiding from him. Bondita had finished dusting a part of the huge stylish lamp and was about to tilt her head to see the other when she felt a strong hold on her waist.
In no time she felt her feet down the floor. Aniruddh had picked her up by her waist to put her down from the stool. She looked at the man standing in front of her with rage in his eyes. She looked away, trying to distract herself and held on his hand which was placed on her bare waist, trying to remove it but she couldn’t. Bondita struggled further and Aniruddh grit her teeth to push her by her waist to pin her on the wall. Bondita gasped as her back hit the wall. Aniruddh touched his forehead on hers while he looked down at her in anger.
Bondita couldn’t even keep up with his eye contact and that was when he slid his hands even further on her waist to engulf her. Bondita looked anywhere but at his face and Aniruddh jerked her to make her look at him. Bondita looked at him, fear and desires laced in her eyes.
“Tum mujhe nazarandaaz kyun kar rahi ho Bondita?” Aniruddh asked his voice low and husky, his lips dangerously close to her. Bondita swallowed at the proximity, she couldn’t even breathe properly and so couldn’t Aniruddh. “Bolo!” Aniruddh repeated.
“Aisa kuch na-”
“Ab yeh mat kaho ki tum aisa kuch nahi kar rahi thi.” Aniruddh interrupted Bondita; his voice was rising a bit. “Tum mujhse bhaag rahi thi Bondita Roy Chowdhary.” Aniruddh said, emphasizing on her name. “Kyun?” asked Aniruddh, leaning even closer to her.
Bondita tried to move her head away, but Aniruddh repeated; “Jawaab do Bondita!”
Bondita took a sharp breathe and replied; “Aisa kuch bhi nahi hai Barrister Babu.”
“Tum mujhe bewakoof samajhti ho? Subah Jaldi kahi uthke chali gayi, phir dopeher tak dikhi hi nahi. Aur jab laut ayi toh sabse pehle rasoi mein chali gayi. Aur jab me rasoyi mein aya tumhe dhoondte dhoondte, tum mujhse chhup gayi! “Aniruddh said. “Aur phir? Aur phir bhaag gayi! Uske baad bhi-“
“Me aapse bhaag nahi rahi thi Aniruddh Babu. Subah Jaldi isiliye uthi kyunki Kaka Sasurji ne kaha, Durgapooja ke liye tayyariyan karne ke liye. Aur Aniruddh Bab-“
“Pati Babu!” Aniruddh said, as he pressed his body against her. Bondita’s breathe got even more uneven.
Bondita tried to explain in between her uneven breaths. “Aniruddh-“
“Pati Babu.” Aniruddh said, and he leaned down to touch her forehead with his. Bondita instantly closed her eyes so did Aniruddh. As Bondita closed her eyes, tears rolled down as a result of her mental conflicts, her love, her pain and her nonexistent resistance to Aniruddh which had made her nothing but an emotional mess.
“Pati Babu, Bondita.” Aniruddh said, as one of his hands moved from her waist to her face, cupping it. That was it, Bondita couldn’t take it more. With all her might, she pushed him away. Aniruddh looked at her, trying to make out any reason of this behaviour of hers while Bondita stood stuck to the wall, with flushed cheeks, trembling lips and tearful eyes. She was sobbing.
“Bondita I-“
“Nahi Barrister Babu!” Bondita said, gesturing an Aniruddh who was rushing to her to stop. Aniruddh stopped on his tracks, looking at her in a questioning way. “Bas karo Aniruddh Babu. Bas.” Bondita said, before she started sobbing uncontrollably, breaking Aniruddh’s heart into uncountable pieces.
Aniruddh defying her gestures, rushed to her to hold her shoulders gently, trying to pacify her. “Kya hua Bondita? Mene bas itna poocha ki tum mujhse chhup kyun rahi ho aur tum...” His fingers traced her tears. “Tum ro rahi ho!”
Bondita looked into his eyes again but this time with a determination to not get lost in them. She slapped away his hands, shocking Aniruddh. Bondita said; “Bas karo Pati babu, mene pyaar ka izhaar kya kar liya, aap toh har lamha mere liye mushkil bana rahe hai. Shart aur Chunauti ek jagah, aap toh yeh tak bhul gaye hai ki kisi ke jazbaat hai, dil hai!” Bondita said, her tears multiplying uncontrollably every second. “Bas kariye aap, me maanti hun, mujhse nahi hota aapse dur rehna. Yehi sun na chahte the na aap?”
Aniruddh’s eyes widened at her confession, and he didn’t know whether to be happy or sad. Bondita pushed him away and ran away and Aniruddh turned to see her going to the terrace. His smile curved into a smile as he followed her.
Bondita ran to the terrace holding her saree to not stumble with a hand while another hand wiped away her tears. She pushed open the door of the terrace and closed it behind her to run inside, sobbing uncontrollably. A minute later, she took a long gasp to actually look around the terrace, and flabbergasted would be an understatement for what she felt.
The terrace was lit up in white beautiful lights; a large white chandelier was placed on the floor. There were flowers placed all over. There was a table covered in white satin with two chairs, and candles lit up everywhere. But what caught her sight was the swing. The same swing on which she sat years ago, only for her to jump off and run away at Aniruddh’s order – it was decorated as same if not more beautiful, as how it was decorated on the night of their marriage. It looked like a literal heaven and Bondita couldn’t be any more confused.
Bondita looked around the terrace and froze while she heard the door creak open behind her, and then heard it getting closed a moment later. She looked over her shoulders to confirm who it was, it was Aniruddh Roy Chowdhary. She didn’t dare to turn and face him. But she heard his footsteps; he walked until he reached maybe in two feet distance of where she stood.
“Bondita, aaj me kahunga aur tum sunogi. Tum mera faisla jaan na chahti thi na?” Aniruddh asked, and Bondita’s eyes involuntarily went to all the decorations there, but she was too scared, her heart was too scared to hope something.
Aniruddh proceeded; “Das saal pehle, aise hi sajayaa tha mene iss jagah ko. Yeh... jo jhoola hai, isko bhi aise hi sajayaa tha. Nahi, yeh jhoola toh ab zyada sundar dikh raha hai. Uss din, mere dil ki aankhon mein na, ek... ek patti baandhi thi. Vivaah prastaav karne wala tha me. Ek aise insaan se jeevan bhaar saath dene ka vaada maangnewala tha jiske saath shayad, ek mahina bhi rehna namumkin tha.”
Bondita frowned at that statement, even the mere mention of Saudamini was making her restless.
“Uss din na, koi aur aake iss jhoola pe baith gayi. Ek chhoti si, pyaari si, nanhi si bacchi. Woh na use janti thi jiske liye mene yeh sab kiya tha, na mujhe. Par me pagal, apna gussa us par nikal diya. Aur ab... kuch hi din pehle pata chala ki, uss din jo mene kiya, woh aaj bhi uske dil mein chhubti hai. Ab uss chot pe marham kaise lagaun, yeh me nahi janta. Par me itna janti hun ki, jo mene kiya woh galat se bhi kahi zyada tha.” Aniruddh admitted. “Aur iska ehsaas mujhe aaj nahi, barson pehle hi hua tha. Me samajhne laga ki, durga maa na, humein woh nahi deti jo hum chahte hai, kahi baar woh humein woh deti hai jiski zaroorat hai humein, jo accha hai humare liye, jo poora karte hai humein. Aur dheere dheere hi sahi, mujhe yeh ehsaas ho gaya ki jo mujhe mila, meri zaroorat wohi thi. Mujhe poora, sirf wohi kar sakti hai. Par jo jazbaat uss ladki ke liye mere dil mein hai, woh kya hai, yeh me nahi jaanta tha jab tak usne mujhe nazarandaaz kiya, jab tak mene use kisi aur ke saath dekha, jab tak mene use rote hue dekha. Ek jalan hui, ek tadap mehsoos hua, dil mein dard hua woh dekhkar.”
Aniruddh gasped and smiled calmly.
“Phir kya, phir mujhe pata chal gaya ki iss ladki ke saath ek janam kya, saath janam bhi jeeyo toh kam lag sakta hain mujhe. Mujhe pata chal gaya ki me jis se pyaar karta hu, woh koi aur nahi, yeh ladki hai. Aur jis ladki ka haq hai iss jhoola pe aur... mere dil mein, woh sirf ek hai. Aur uski muskurahat hi, mere liye sabse bada Gold Medal Hai. Aur mere liye, apni zindagi mein, uss gold medal se keemti kuch bhi nahi hai.” Aniruddh confessed and Bondita couldn’t help but connect the dots and realize how he had indirectly tried to confess the same thing last night. Her eyes were tearing up, but this time in happiness.
“Aur woh ladki... tum toh janti hi ho use.” Aniruddh rubbed his hand. “Bondita Roy Chowdhary hai uska naam.” Aniruddh said and he felt himself tearing up as he said it, he had waited enough for this moment to arrive.
His voice cracked as he confessed; “Me... Me tumse pyaar karta hu Bondita.”
Before Aniruddh could even finish, Bondita turned and fell into his arms, throwing her hands around him breaking into sobs. Aniruddh held her as tightly as possible as he buried himself into her hairs as he also cried, in ecstasy as he confessed how much he loved the love of his life. Bondita held onto his shirt as she sobbed like a baby, in happiness.
It felt like time had stopped as the yearning hearts had found each other.
They broke the hug after a few minutes to look at each other. Aniruddh took her to the swing and made her sit on it, and he sat on his knees in front of her. Bondita looked at him with her puffed eyes. Aniruddh wiped her tears off and kept his hands on hers in her lap.
“Bondita... mene pichle kuch dinon se jo bhi kya, woh isiliye nahi kiya kyunki mujhe tumhe kuch manwana tha. Tumhare jazbaaton ka faida nahi utha raha tha me. Mene jo bhi kiya woh isiliye kiya kyunki, me tumse pyaar karta hu!” Aniruddh confessed again, holding her hands, looking straight into her eyes. Bondita’s lips curved into a genuine smile as she teared up again.
Aniruddh continued; “You mean something to me okay, something I cannot even put into words because everything seems too lame in comparison.” Aniruddh sat up on the swing as he confessed again; “I love you, and... and it took me a while to get here but, I think, I think that maybe I have always loved you.” Aniruddh said, and Bondita’s eyes had nothing but tears, blurring her vision. Aniruddh leaned in, and kissed her tears away while Bondita clutched his shirt as tightly as possible.
Then, Aniruddh rested his head on her nape, touching his cheeks to hers as he questioned; “And you know what else I know for sure?”
Bondita shook her head, not losing contact with him. “Other than the fact that I love you?” Bondita had no answer to this question. Aniruddh leaned further closer to kiss her earlobes as he answered; “I am always going to love you!” Aniruddh confessed and Bondita’s lips curved into the widest smile possible as she felt like she is the luckiest person in this world. He loved her! Her husband loved her and maybe he had always been in love with her. For the one time she had stopped hoping, life gifted her with the best gift ever.
“Meri Pagli Bondita, itna kuch hua in dinon mein aur tumhe laga ki me tumse pyaar nahi karta?” asked Aniruddh as he moved away to face her. “Meri Bondita itni bhi buddhu toh nahi thi?” Bondita frowned at him hearing it, and then held his hands.
“Me bhi shayad kahi na kahi janti thi yeh baat. Par dar gayi thi. Ummeed karne se dar gayi thi kyunki agar umeed toot jata toh me sambhal nahi pati khud ko. Me-” Aniruddh pulled her into a hug before she could complete.
Aniruddh caressed her hair. “Sach mein pagal ho tum!”
Bondita broke the hug and cupped his face as she whispered; “I love you, Pati Babu.”
Aniruddh smiled in solace and happiness as he heard it from her mouth after what it seemed like ages. Finally, things felt right, complete and his heart felt happy and content. Aniruddh replied; “I love you too, Meri Gold Medal!” Bondita giggled at the confession.
Bondita’s eyes involuntarily went at all the decoration while Aniruddh couldn’t take his eyes off his wife’s face. His eyes darkened as he swiftly pulled her, with one hand entwined with hers and another on her waist onto his lap. Bondita was shocked at the sudden move while Aniruddh had an intense expression on his face.
Aniruddh slid his arms around her waist as he asked; “So answer me Bondita, can you resist your husband?” Bondita gasped as she felt his hands playing on her waist and she looked at his face to see his eyes fixed on hers, as if it was piercing through her soul.
Bondita threw her arms around his neck as she answered; “I don’t even want to resist, Mr.Roy Chowdhary.”
Aniruddh smirked in satisfaction as he closed the space between them. The time stopped as his lips met hers, their heart flutter intensified and their hearts pounded against their chest. Bondita’s age old fantasy was coming true, raw emotions were lacing in the way he held her close while Aniruddh’s heart skipped a beat as the moment arrived, for which he was subconsciously waiting since he didn’t even remember when.
“The only logical explanation to their love was magic. He was her magic, and she was his for a lifetime and an eternity to come.”
The END.
_________________________________________
Okay Am I supposed to be emotional?
I guess I am, a bit!?😆
So Chahat, which is supposedly the first ever Short Story on Rudhita here has come to an end.
*Cheers!*
Hope You Liked the last chapter. I had to drag myself to write this.🤡
If you did do LIKE And, last chapter hai yaar, iss pe toh silent readers bhi COMMENT kar do. Please!
Love,
Sujz!❤️
So a journey comes to an end. It was hell of a ride and pure magic. This story is my home whenever I get upset I come to read Chahat because it calms me down. So the last chapter made me very emotional.
I loved everything about this chapter and I don't know where to begin.
The confession of Aniruddh was so pure and heart touching, I sobbed along with Bondita.
I'll comment in detail later first let me soak it in some more. I truly loved it.
Beautiful update Sujz❤️
The whole story is really well written and I loved it😳
You will update epilogue na?
OMG....❤️
I read this story in a single go....
Loved it to the core.
You are such an amazing writer and I loved the way you depicted their love for each other.
I was giggling like a teenager when reading the romantic parts.
I'm a total sucker for such stories.
Kudos to you...
Hoping to see more such works from you 😘
This is so beautifully written even the Hindi.
The two people concerned have taken over our lives, appeared one day from nowhere and made a place in our 💕 and are here to stay.👏
The story was🥳
Thank You
best story in this whole forumHeya!
So I am back with the final chapter. This is dedicated to all of you who have liked and commented on this story since the first chapter!
No proofreads, Unedited.
Forgive grammatical errors, both Hindi and English.
Enjoy!
_______________________________________________
Chapter 12
Bondita had her eyes open just as the huge wooden clock in her room struck five. Durga Pooja was arriving and she was expected to supervise and help in preparing the house to receive the biggest festival of the year being the eldest daughter in law, along with her Kaka Sasur Ji. A usual Bondita would jump out of her bed to get ready but not that day. She opened her eyes inhaling a very familiar yet foreign scent. She opened her eyes and moved her eyeballs to see her husband so near to her. Her head was resting on his shoulders, her lips almost touching his nape and his strong scent filled her senses while his hands engulfed her waist as tightly as possible. Aniruddh’s hair was all disheveled; his lips held a small smile and he looked in peace. Bondita couldn’t help but tighten her hold over his night wear and moved a bit up to take a better look on his features.
As she looked at him, Bondita couldn’t resist from cupping his face as her eyes studied his face. She ruffled his hair a bit; as a small giggle came onto her lips remembering how irked he gets if his hair is not in place. Then she slowly caressed his closed eyes, extremely soft to not disturb his sleep. It was those eyes which guarded her for ten long years, stayed up with her when she had her school exams, the eyes which shed tears even before she cried, the eyes which saw her grow up. Bondita felt a myriad of emotions channeling through her body as she remembered their times together. She closed her eyes preventing any tears from falling. She adored his face a bit more until her eyes stuck at his lips. Her mind flashed to what happened last night and how with those lips he pasted a chaste kiss on her cheeks. One of Bondita’s hands slowly approached the area near his lips and played around. She felt a sense of disappointment about how he just kissed her cheeks last night. It took a while for her before she realized the major pull she felt towards him, how she couldn’t help but fixate her eyes at those lips and how she badly wanted to taste them. Her breathe was uneven, as she kept looking at it, her heart begging her to lean closer and capture what’s hers.
It was when Aniruddh shifted in sleep and Bondita was quick to get back to her position and close her eyes. She felt her heart beating rapidly against her chest as she moved back. A minute later she felt Aniruddh being still and she opened her eyes to see, he was again asleep. She slowly removed his hands and ran out of the bed to collect her clothes and disappear into her bathroom. She screeched and stopped on her tracks as she reached near the basin in the bathroom. She placed her clothes in the handle and held her heart to get her heartbeats into normal.
What’s wrong with you, Bondita?
She couldn’t help but ask herself. It was so not Bondita to get distracted to an extent that she ends up losing herself. And losing herself in Aniruddh like this meant pain for a lifetime for her. She herself had decided to let him free, free him of the responsibilities and now she wants to hold onto him? Bondita felt like she was a living paradox and she couldn’t afford to be one. She knew she had to control her feelings, she also knew it was difficult when Aniruddh is hell bent on proving she can’t resist him but it was just the matter of some days till she get to leave for village and she could make it – only if she ignored Aniruddh.
***
Everyone had already settled in the breakfast table while Aniruddh came. He saw Binoy, Somnath, Batuk and Trilochan settled at their respective places with Bihari and Koeli running back and forth from the kitchen till dining as they brought out the food. Everyone was present except the one he was looking for. Aniruddh sat down and looked around for another few minutes before he spoke up.
“Bondita kahan hai?” Somnath’s eyes shot up at this question and he instantly looked at Batuk and the brothers shared a grin. With whatever happened yesterday with Bondita, Batuk was also now aware of the saga between his Dada and Boudi while Somnath knew it way before. When Somnath said everything will be fine to Bondita, he wasn’t kidding and he knew he was correct now.
Trilochan Kaka replied; “Bahu bazaar gayi hai.”
“Itni subah?” Aniruddh asked and Batuk and Somnath couldn’t help but silently giggle. Binoy raised his eyebrows at Aniruddh’s over inquisitive behaviour.
Trilochan answered; “Woh durga pooja anewali hai toh, kuch samaan lene gayi hai!”
“Kyun? Bihari nahi jaa sakta tha?” asked Aniruddh, in an annoyed tone.
Trilochan rolled his eyes; “Ab ghar ke liye sabse zyada accha kya hai, iski jaankari ghar ki bahu ko hi hogi na? Aur waise bhi tum fiqr mat karo, kuch naukar bhi Gaye hai uske saath samaan uthane.”
Aniruddh nodded, unsatisfied at Trilochan’s answer. He was looking forward to seeing Bondita just as he woke up like how he used to from the past week, ever since they started sharing a bed. But she had disappeared before he woke up and now, she was nowhere to be seen during breakfast too. Aniruddh grit his teeth as he chimed into his food.
“Dada aapko office nahi jaana aaj?” asked Batuk.
Aniruddh looked at him as he shook his head; “Nahi aaj ghar mein zaroorat hai mera.” Batuk along with others at the table looked at him with raised brows until he realized his folly. “Matlab, aaj se durga pooja ke tayyariyan shuru ho rahi hai toh... me bhi kaam mein haath bataunga.”
“Par Dada naukar hai Yahan kaam karne ke liye!” Batuk said.
Aniruddh closed his eyes in irritation as chewed the last piece of morsel in his plate and vented out his frustration on it as he answered; “Tumhe zyada pata hai?” and glared at his little brother. Batuk looked back at his plate while Somnath bit back his laughs. Aniruddh stood up to leave but turned back on his tracks as he remembered something.
“Som khane ke baad study mein aana, kuch baat karni hai tumse.” Aniruddh said, to which Somnath nodded and with that, Aniruddh left.
It was afternoon when Bondita returned to Roy Chowdhary mansion with an army of workers with her, carrying all the items she bought for decoration and other purposes for the upcoming Durga Pooja. She couldn’t feel her legs but she had no option but to run away to the kitchen so that her beloved husband doesn’t find her. Bondita asked the workers to keep the stuff at the store room and get to work, and that was when she heard the study room opening. She knew Aniruddh would die but wouldn’t go to office that day.
Bondita turned to see the study slowly opening and Aniruddh coming out of it. She rushed from the living to reach the kitchen while Aniruddh had came out hearing the commotion, to finally meet Bondita as he expected her to return. But as he came out, he could see no one but the workers carrying big packages to store room. He knew Bondita was back and was about to set out to find her while he heard Trilochan Kaka calling him. The meeting with Trilochan Kaka ended up making Aniruddh a busy man as Trilochan gave Aniruddh a hell lot of work to complete regarding the accounts and expenses regarding Durga Pooja and other charity work they had did for the village.
As soon as he was done with the work, he set out to kitchen as Koeli had came in between and when Trilochan had asked, she revealed Bondita was in the kitchen having lunch. It was only a few minutes ago and he was sure Bondita would be still in the kitchen. As he entered the kitchen, he looked everywhere to see it was empty and as he turned back, he heard someone run away. Aniruddh came outside to see a saree-clad woman running away – Bondita. And before he could stop her, she had disappeared.
The cat and mouse race wasn’t over there. It repeated and once, he had almost caught her while Trilochan Kaka came in, only for Bondita to make an excuse and leave with him, leaving Aniruddh in rage. But now, as Aniruddh stood in the hallway in second floor, he knew Bondita’s game was over. Bondita was standing on a stool, to clean a lamp fixed on the wall. Aniruddh approached her slowly but steadily so that she doesn’t run away this time.
He went and stood near her, and smirked how she had no idea of him being there. Her pallu had fallen off, her hair bun exposed and she looked too engrossed in work to notice her husband all ready to slay her existence for hiding from him. Bondita had finished dusting a part of the huge stylish lamp and was about to tilt her head to see the other when she felt a strong hold on her waist.
In no time she felt her feet down the floor. Aniruddh had picked her up by her waist to put her down from the stool. She looked at the man standing in front of her with rage in his eyes. She looked away, trying to distract herself and held on his hand which was placed on her bare waist, trying to remove it but she couldn’t. Bondita struggled further and Aniruddh grit her teeth to push her by her waist to pin her on the wall. Bondita gasped as her back hit the wall. Aniruddh touched his forehead on hers while he looked down at her in anger.
Bondita couldn’t even keep up with his eye contact and that was when he slid his hands even further on her waist to engulf her. Bondita looked anywhere but at his face and Aniruddh jerked her to make her look at him. Bondita looked at him, fear and desires laced in her eyes.
“Tum mujhe nazarandaaz kyun kar rahi ho Bondita?” Aniruddh asked his voice low and husky, his lips dangerously close to her. Bondita swallowed at the proximity, she couldn’t even breathe properly and so couldn’t Aniruddh. “Bolo!” Aniruddh repeated.
“Aisa kuch na-”
“Ab yeh mat kaho ki tum aisa kuch nahi kar rahi thi.” Aniruddh interrupted Bondita; his voice was rising a bit. “Tum mujhse bhaag rahi thi Bondita Roy Chowdhary.” Aniruddh said, emphasizing on her name. “Kyun?” asked Aniruddh, leaning even closer to her.
Bondita tried to move her head away, but Aniruddh repeated; “Jawaab do Bondita!”
Bondita took a sharp breathe and replied; “Aisa kuch bhi nahi hai Barrister Babu.”
“Tum mujhe bewakoof samajhti ho? Subah Jaldi kahi uthke chali gayi, phir dopeher tak dikhi hi nahi. Aur jab laut ayi toh sabse pehle rasoi mein chali gayi. Aur jab me rasoyi mein aya tumhe dhoondte dhoondte, tum mujhse chhup gayi! “Aniruddh said. “Aur phir? Aur phir bhaag gayi! Uske baad bhi-“
“Me aapse bhaag nahi rahi thi Aniruddh Babu. Subah Jaldi isiliye uthi kyunki Kaka Sasurji ne kaha, Durgapooja ke liye tayyariyan karne ke liye. Aur Aniruddh Bab-“
“Pati Babu!” Aniruddh said, as he pressed his body against her. Bondita’s breathe got even more uneven.
Bondita tried to explain in between her uneven breaths. “Aniruddh-“
“Pati Babu.” Aniruddh said, and he leaned down to touch her forehead with his. Bondita instantly closed her eyes so did Aniruddh. As Bondita closed her eyes, tears rolled down as a result of her mental conflicts, her love, her pain and her nonexistent resistance to Aniruddh which had made her nothing but an emotional mess.
“Pati Babu, Bondita.” Aniruddh said, as one of his hands moved from her waist to her face, cupping it. That was it, Bondita couldn’t take it more. With all her might, she pushed him away. Aniruddh looked at her, trying to make out any reason of this behaviour of hers while Bondita stood stuck to the wall, with flushed cheeks, trembling lips and tearful eyes. She was sobbing.
“Bondita I-“
“Nahi Barrister Babu!” Bondita said, gesturing an Aniruddh who was rushing to her to stop. Aniruddh stopped on his tracks, looking at her in a questioning way. “Bas karo Aniruddh Babu. Bas.” Bondita said, before she started sobbing uncontrollably, breaking Aniruddh’s heart into uncountable pieces.
Aniruddh defying her gestures, rushed to her to hold her shoulders gently, trying to pacify her. “Kya hua Bondita? Mene bas itna poocha ki tum mujhse chhup kyun rahi ho aur tum...” His fingers traced her tears. “Tum ro rahi ho!”
Bondita looked into his eyes again but this time with a determination to not get lost in them. She slapped away his hands, shocking Aniruddh. Bondita said; “Bas karo Pati babu, mene pyaar ka izhaar kya kar liya, aap toh har lamha mere liye mushkil bana rahe hai. Shart aur Chunauti ek jagah, aap toh yeh tak bhul gaye hai ki kisi ke jazbaat hai, dil hai!” Bondita said, her tears multiplying uncontrollably every second. “Bas kariye aap, me maanti hun, mujhse nahi hota aapse dur rehna. Yehi sun na chahte the na aap?”
Aniruddh’s eyes widened at her confession, and he didn’t know whether to be happy or sad. Bondita pushed him away and ran away and Aniruddh turned to see her going to the terrace. His smile curved into a smile as he followed her.
Bondita ran to the terrace holding her saree to not stumble with a hand while another hand wiped away her tears. She pushed open the door of the terrace and closed it behind her to run inside, sobbing uncontrollably. A minute later, she took a long gasp to actually look around the terrace, and flabbergasted would be an understatement for what she felt.
The terrace was lit up in white beautiful lights; a large white chandelier was placed on the floor. There were flowers placed all over. There was a table covered in white satin with two chairs, and candles lit up everywhere. But what caught her sight was the swing. The same swing on which she sat years ago, only for her to jump off and run away at Aniruddh’s order – it was decorated as same if not more beautiful, as how it was decorated on the night of their marriage. It looked like a literal heaven and Bondita couldn’t be any more confused.
Bondita looked around the terrace and froze while she heard the door creak open behind her, and then heard it getting closed a moment later. She looked over her shoulders to confirm who it was, it was Aniruddh Roy Chowdhary. She didn’t dare to turn and face him. But she heard his footsteps; he walked until he reached maybe in two feet distance of where she stood.
“Bondita, aaj me kahunga aur tum sunogi. Tum mera faisla jaan na chahti thi na?” Aniruddh asked, and Bondita’s eyes involuntarily went to all the decorations there, but she was too scared, her heart was too scared to hope something.
Aniruddh proceeded; “Das saal pehle, aise hi sajayaa tha mene iss jagah ko. Yeh... jo jhoola hai, isko bhi aise hi sajayaa tha. Nahi, yeh jhoola toh ab zyada sundar dikh raha hai. Uss din, mere dil ki aankhon mein na, ek... ek patti baandhi thi. Vivaah prastaav karne wala tha me. Ek aise insaan se jeevan bhaar saath dene ka vaada maangnewala tha jiske saath shayad, ek mahina bhi rehna namumkin tha.”
Bondita frowned at that statement, even the mere mention of Saudamini was making her restless.
“Uss din na, koi aur aake iss jhoola pe baith gayi. Ek chhoti si, pyaari si, nanhi si bacchi. Woh na use janta tha jiske liye mene yeh sab kiya tha, na mujhe. Par me pagal, apna gussa us par nikal diya. Aur ab... kuch hi din pehle pata chala ki, uss din jo mene kiya, woh aaj bhi uske dil mein chhubti hai. Ab uss chot pe marham kaise lagaun, yeh me nahi janta. Par me itna janti hun ki, jo mene kiya woh galat se bhi kahi zyada tha.” Aniruddh admitted. “Aur iska ehsaas mujhe aaj nahi, barson pehle hi hua tha. Me samajhne laga ki, durga maa na, humein woh nahi deti jo hum chahte hai, kahi baar woh humein woh deti hai jiski zaroorat hai humein, jo accha hai humare liye, jo poora karte hai humein. Aur dheere dheere hi sahi, mujhe yeh ehsaas ho gaya ki jo mujhe mila, meri zaroorat wohi thi. Mujhe poora, sirf wohi kar sakti hai. Par jo jazbaat uss ladki ke liye mere dil mein hai, woh kya hai, yeh me nahi jaanta tha jab tak usne mujhe nazarandaaz kiya, jab tak mene use kisi aur ke saath dekha, jab tak mene use rote hue dekha. Ek jalan hui, ek tadap mehsoos hua, dil mein dard hua woh dekhkar.”
Aniruddh gasped and smiled calmly.
“Phir kya, phir mujhe pata chal gaya ki iss ladki ke saath ek janam kya, saath janam bhi jeeyo toh kam lag sakta hain mujhe. Mujhe pata chal gaya ki me jis se pyaar karta hu, woh koi aur nahi, yeh ladki hai. Aur jis ladki ka haq hai iss jhoola pe aur... mere dil mein, woh sirf ek hai. Aur uski muskurahat hi, mere liye sabse bada Gold Medal Hai. Aur mere liye, apni zindagi mein, uss gold medal se keemti kuch bhi nahi hai.” Aniruddh confessed and Bondita couldn’t help but connect the dots and realize how he had indirectly tried to confess the same thing last night. Her eyes were tearing up, but this time in happiness.
“Aur woh ladki... tum toh janti hi ho use.” Aniruddh rubbed his hand. “Bondita Roy Chowdhary hai uska naam.” Aniruddh said and he felt himself tearing up as he said it, he had waited enough for this moment to arrive.
His voice cracked as he confessed; “Me... Me tumse pyaar karta hu Bondita.”
Before Aniruddh could even finish, Bondita turned and fell into his arms, throwing her hands around him breaking into sobs. Aniruddh held her as tightly as possible as he buried himself into her hairs as he also cried, in ecstasy as he confessed how much he loved the love of his life. Bondita held onto his shirt as she sobbed like a baby, in happiness.
It felt like time had stopped as the yearning hearts had found each other.
They broke the hug after a few minutes to look at each other. Aniruddh took her to the swing and made her sit on it, and he sat on his knees in front of her. Bondita looked at him with her puffed eyes. Aniruddh wiped her tears off and kept his hands on hers in her lap.
“Bondita... mene pichle kuch dinon se jo bhi kya, woh isiliye nahi kiya kyunki mujhe tumhe kuch manwana tha. Tumhare jazbaaton ka faida nahi utha raha tha me. Mene jo bhi kiya woh isiliye kiya kyunki, me tumse pyaar karta hu!” Aniruddh confessed again, holding her hands, looking straight into her eyes. Bondita’s lips curved into a genuine smile as she teared up again.
Aniruddh continued; “You mean something to me okay, something I cannot even put into words because everything seems too lame in comparison.” Aniruddh sat up on the swing as he confessed again; “I love you, and... and it took me a while to get here but, I think, I think that maybe I have always loved you.” Aniruddh said, and Bondita’s eyes had nothing but tears, blurring her vision. Aniruddh leaned in, and kissed her tears away while Bondita clutched his shirt as tightly as possible.
Then, Aniruddh rested his head on her nape, touching his cheeks to hers as he questioned; “And you know what else I know for sure?”
Bondita shook her head, not losing contact with him. “Other than the fact that I love you?” Bondita had no answer to this question. Aniruddh leaned further closer to kiss her earlobes as he answered; “I am always going to love you!” Aniruddh confessed and Bondita’s lips curved into the widest smile possible as she felt like she is the luckiest person in this world. He loved her! Her husband loved her and maybe he had always been in love with her. For the one time she had stopped hoping, life gifted her with the best gift ever.
“Meri Pagli Bondita, itna kuch hua in dinon mein aur tumhe laga ki me tumse pyaar nahi karta?” asked Aniruddh as he moved away to face her. “Meri Bondita itni bhi buddhu toh nahi thi?” Bondita frowned at him hearing it, and then held his hands.
“Me bhi shayad kahi na kahi janti thi yeh baat. Par dar gayi thi. Ummeed karne se dar gayi thi kyunki agar umeed toot jata toh me sambhal nahi pati khud ko. Me-” Aniruddh pulled her into a hug before she could complete.
Aniruddh caressed her hair. “Sach mein pagal ho tum!”
Bondita broke the hug and cupped his face as she whispered; “I love you, Pati Babu.”
Aniruddh smiled in solace and happiness as he heard it from her mouth after what it seemed like ages. Finally, things felt right, complete and his heart felt happy and content. Aniruddh replied; “I love you too, Meri Gold Medal!” Bondita giggled at the confession.
Bondita’s eyes involuntarily went at all the decoration while Aniruddh couldn’t take his eyes off his wife’s face. His eyes darkened as he swiftly pulled her, with one hand entwined with hers and another on her waist onto his lap. Bondita was shocked at the sudden move while Aniruddh had an intense expression on his face.
Aniruddh slid his arms around her waist as he asked; “So answer me Bondita, can you resist your husband?” Bondita gasped as she felt his hands playing on her waist and she looked at his face to see his eyes fixed on hers, as if it was piercing through her soul.
Bondita threw her arms around his neck as she answered; “I don’t even want to resist, Mr.Roy Chowdhary.”
Aniruddh smirked in satisfaction as he closed the space between them. The time stopped as his lips met hers, their heart flutter intensified and their hearts pounded against their chest. Bondita’s age old fantasy was coming true, raw emotions were lacing in the way he held her close while Aniruddh’s heart skipped a beat as the moment arrived, for which he was subconsciously waiting since he didn’t even remember when.
“The only logical explanation to their love was magic. He was her magic, and she was his for a lifetime and an eternity to come.”
The END.
_________________________________________
Okay Am I supposed to be emotional?
I guess I am, a bit!?😆
So Chahat, which is supposedly the first ever Short Story on Rudhita here has come to an end.
*Cheers!*
Hope You Liked the last chapter. I had to drag myself to write this.🤡
If you did do LIKE And, last chapter hai yaar, iss pe toh silent readers bhi COMMENT kar do. Please!
Love,
Sujz!❤️
Hats off to you sujz
PS i became emotional
comment:
p_commentcount