ANIDITA : With Time

A Soul's Promise : Part 1

This was the first 'OS' of sorts, that I had written, in collaboration with one of my favourite writers ever, and honestly, one of my best friends, and sister! It was such an amazing experience, writing it down, and working through the different situations, giving me goosebumps, as the scenes took place one after the other. 
Couldn't find a better Bondita to my Anirudh @pravi_fan ! Thank you for doing this with me 🤍

(Please Note : Here, Bondita is aged 22, and Anirudh is 30)

Bondita's POV

"Khub sundor! Raghav da toh dekhte reh jaayenge Bondita tujhe!"
Charu said putting the pallu of my saree on my head.
It was heavy. I looked at her plainly.
"Raghav Da?"
To which she gave me a puzzled look.
"Didi aap bhi na kitna mazak karti ho apne hone waale pati ko koyi dada bolta hai kya?"

If someone could have said earlier, I would have lashed at that person but today it really made no difference to me.
It would have pricked my heart if someone has even uttered it by mistake addressing someone else as my pati babu and not him.
But today it didn't hurt. Because there wasn't any heart, no emotions, no memories left there was a deep void which will remain there I think until my last breath.

"Aap thik toh hai na? Ye aapka chehra pila kyon pad gaya hai didi?"
Charu asked me being concerned.
"Main thik hun charu!"
I said, assuring her, placing my hand on hers.
"Aap abhi bhi prem karti hai na aniru.."
I heard her saying in a meak voice. I looked at her, she was frightened.

"Tum jao charu main ab taiyar ho jaungi."
I said to her, to which she nodded.
"Par ye shakapola toh pehna hi nahi aapne", she said looking at my hands.
I looked away from her.
"Main bhejti hun kisi ko neeche se ye rasm zaruri hai", she said.
She was leaving the room when there was a knock at the door.

Anirudh's POV :

I had knocked the door, and spoke softly, "Kya mai andar aa sakta hu?"

Bondita's POV :

Shivers ran through my spine as I heard his voice.
Charu looked at me before opening the door, perhaps she sensed my uneasiness.
"Charu darwaaza khol do!"
She did as I said and left the room.
I heard the sound of his footsteps.

Anirudh's POV :

I didn't know how she was feeling right now.
She had pleaded me for so long to break off her marriage with someone else, but I couldn't get myself to do so.
I loved her dearly, and maybe that was what was making me let go of her.
I knew I would never be good enough for her, and couldn't let her live in dearth.
She had been hysterical for a while, until she quietened down.
Whether Bondita had finally accepted it, or whether she had covered her feelings completely, I wouldn't know.
This was the first time I couldn't feel what she felt, and it was killing me.
I walked towards her, but couldn't face her directly, and hence, stood behind her and spoke.
"Bondita, sab theek hai na?
Tumhe koi asuvidha toh nahi ho rahi?
Tumhe dar toh nahi lag raha na Raghav se?
Chinta mat karna, woh achha insaan hai"

Bondita's POV :

"Aap ne chuna hai kisi ko mere liye toh sahi hi hoga woh."
I said sliding down the ornamented bangles
which I received from the BOSE's.
They were much wealthy than us.
Why was I referring to Roy Chaudharies as my family?
Apna kehne ko kuch bacha hi hai kya mere paas.
I thought.
I fixed a, bindi on my forehead.
And looked at myself in the mirror.
Every jewellery and each ornament the heavy Banarasee saree made me feel choked.
I walked up and stood near the window.