If this isn't love!?

A lone tear

"Kaise hain aap Pati babu?" Bondita asked softly.

"Main, Mujhe kya hoga, main bahut aacha hoon" Anirudh said with a shaky voice and turned towards his book-shelf

"Toh aap nazare kyun chura rahe hain mujhse" Bondita said taking a step forward

"Bondita! Aate hin prashno ki ladiyaan laga din tumne!?
Achaa ye sab choro, dekho maine tumhare liye kuch books select kr ke rakhi hain
Aasha hai tumhe pasand aayengi."

Anirudh took out a set of books but as he was taking them out from the shelf, a book fell down. He didn't notice this but
Bondita did, she went and picked it up

"Romeo and Juliet, Ahaa aap kab se aise kitaabein padhne lage Pati babu?" Bondita asked with raised eyebrows and a bright smile on her face.

Anirudh was busy arranging the books he had with himself and didn't put much attention to Bondita's words, he said without turning back, "Ye, a re ye book toh bahut hin purani hai, shayad meri bachan ki hogi. Mini ne jabardasti..."

Anirudh stopped as he realized he shouldn't have taken Saudamini's name infront of Bondita.
Over the years Bondita's emotions towards Saudamini had changed, it wasn't something she used to feel for her during her childhood.
she didn't like talking about her, not because her pari didi betrayed her, but for she was more than a friend to her husband.

The only thing which had hurt Bondita the very moment, was that Anirudh still remembers Saudamini, even after everything she did, he somewhere still had those memories of his Mini.

But Bondita never questioned Anirudh or made him feel guilty about it. She knew Anirudh had suffered a lot in his life, fighting with the society for Bondita's studies, the decision of making Bondita a Barrister, everything was possible only when he never turned his back when asked for sacrifices.

Bondita mainted her smile, still it wasn't difficult for Anirudh to realize that Bondita was hurt.

"Vo kitaab mujjhe wapas do Bondita aur ye kitaabein padho jo maine khaas tumhare liye lei hain." Anirudh tried to divert the topic

Bondita didn't utter a word, she stepped towards Anirudh for taking the books when his hands touched hers.
It wasn't the first time he touched her but surely was the first time he truly felt her.

Anirudh removed his hands with a jerk as he felt it's not right or maybe he himself didn't know why he did that.

Bondita didn't react instead she turned and was taking the books to her room when Anirudh said

"Bondita"

For a moment Bondita stood still, how soft and serene her name sounds when called by him, she turned with the same innocence on her face.

"Tumhare bina ye ghar khaali sa lag rha tha. Abb tum aa gyi ho toh aacha lag rha hai.
Good night"

"Good night Barrister babu"
Bondita gave a smile to Anirudh and went towards her room.

Anirudh had a neutral expression on his face when Bondita used Barrister babu instead of Pati babu, or maybe he was hurt because he didn't get the sense of belonging from Bondita this time.

In all these years, even after staying away from each other for so long, he never felt himself distant from Bondita.

But today, when she returned, he could feel a huge gap between them.

Anirudh took a deep breath , read some books and got back to sleep.

Whereas a lone tear rolled over Bondita's cheeks.

"Tu na jaane mere saathi
Ye jo meri uljhan hai...."

_______________________________________

First of all, am extremely sorry for the delay as I was dealing with some health issues, but now am back with my story and will be regular.

Hope you all enjoyed reading this one. Do leave your reviews.
Thank you🌸