ANIDITA : A Life For Revolution

CHAPTER 1 : Part 2

Anirudh's p.o.v

The book in my hand was supposed to distract me from my worries but it wasn't helping. Who am I kidding? I don't even know what the title is. It's been more than two hours and she hasn't returned yet. I know she is capable of protecting herself, I still remember how she handled Batuk – no – destroyed him during that self-defence session I gave her last year. An unknown smile touched my lips at the thought of an exhausted and afraid Batuk sprawled against the floor. How fearsome she looked at that moment!

But where is she now? Wasn't the classes over yet? No matter how much I convince myself and how much I believe in her abilities, I couldn't stop worrying about her. My restlessness hiked and I started pacing back and forth my study. If she isn't coming up in next ten minutes, I'm going to get her myself. How much I loathed the idea of letting her do everything alone! I wish I could help her. We are in this together and still she's the one doing everything. The outdated thoughts and mind-set of these people are never going to change. If only those girls allowed me to teach them-

What was that? I turned my head towards the source of sound. Two hands with lean fingers, filled with red Alta and bangles fixed themselves on my windowsill. I didn't have to look at the face veiled with dark blue saree to understand who it was. And seeing those hands, my restless nerves were substituted with relief and humour.

As soon as she jumped into the room, she froze to a halt and I know that's because she has finally got my presence in the room. She might have thought I wouldn't see her pulling off this stunt and before I knew it, her cheeks were flushed with embarrassment. Of course! It's not appreciable enough for a 15 year old to do something like this. I struggled hard not to burst out in front of her. Instead, I stood erect and crossed my arms. As soon as I caught her doe eyes staring back at me, I couldn't help the stupid grin that touched my lips.

"Bondita..." I struggled to not laugh.

"Darwaza naam ki ek cheez-"

"Pati babu shh"

I was interrupted by a bouncing Bondita, her finger against her lips – gesturing me to be silent. I bent down to face her.

"Kya hua?" My whisper was lighter than air.

"Kaka Sasur Ji" she whispered back, pointing towards the front door.

"Acha... Toh isiliye khidki..." I interpreted.

"Ji" she flushed again.

"Bahu!"

We both jumped in sudden shock. I turned back to see Kaka staring dumbfounded at the two of us.

"Ji... KSJ [Kaka Sasur Ji]"she stuttered.

"Tum yahan? Matlab, tum yahan the?" Kaka was clearly confused.

"Haan KSJ. Abhi yahi hoon"

I couldn't stop the smile that touched my lips. Bondita has started her way with words.

"Abhi yahi hoon matlab? Pehle kahan thi?" Kaka was falling in her trap.

"Woh shaam ko toh Rasoyi ghar mein thi... Phir kamre mein, phir Batuk ke sath, phir Pooja ghar mein, phir"

I shouldn't laugh. You dare not laugh Anirudh. I kept reminding myself.

"Arre phir se shuru hogayi tum, hamein apni baaton mein ghumana" Kaka finally understood what was happening with him.

"Par apne hi toh poocha tha -"

"Mera matlab tha tum bahar gayi thi kya?" Kaka finally touched the point.