My Destination, My Bondita

18 - A Wise Sage Once Said...

Anirudh had earned a little bit of money from court today, and he was on the way to pick Bondita up from school, when he heard a familiar voice call out, "Anirudh Babu!" 

"Hi Manika Ji," he greeted the girl as she ran towards him.

"It's nice to run into you again Anirudh Babu. I was just in the area, delivering some tax papers for my father," Manika explained. "Our servant was on leave today, so I offered to do it. I like to get out of the house." 

"Fresh air is good for health too," Anirudh responded as he walked towards Bondita's school. 

"By the way, how did your wife like the cake?" she asked him. 

Anirudh thought to last night -- how late he had been, and smiled when he remembered how maturely Bondita handled the situation and appreciated the cake. 

"She loved it," Anirudh told her. 

"I'm glad to hear," Manika answered, and what happened next left Anirudh in shock. 

A car was speeding their way. Anirudh took hold of Manika's hand and pulled her out of the way. She came crashing against him, and he nearly lost his balance, but he managed to hold her shoulder to keep them both upright. 

Manika's face was pressed against Anirudh's chest for a moment. Anirudh felt very uneasy when this happened. 

She took a step back and looked away. 

"Sorry Anirudh Babu, I should have paid attention," she apologized. 

"It's okay Manika Ji," Anirudh said with a small, friendly smile. 

"You don't have to call me Manika Ji, you can just call me Manika," she told him. 

"Then you can call me Anirudh," he told her. "Manika." 

"Sounds good, Anirudh." 

They walked for a few more minutes before she said, "I was going to get some snacks to take home, so I have to turn here. Where are you headed?"

"To pick my wife from school," he answered. 

"Wow your wife goes to school?" Manika asked, surprised, "That's amazing Anirudh! You definitely love your wife so much!"

Anirudh winced again when he heard this. 

"It's not like that Manika," he answered. 

"Yeah right," she laughed. "I have never seen someone spend three whole hours in picking a cake for his wife! And now on top of that you have enrolled her in school too!" 

Anirudh irritably said, "Every girl deserves to go to school. It has nothing to do with love. And about a cake, she deserves it. I don't know why everything has to be about this husband-wife relationship!" 

Manika laughed, unconvinced. 

"Alright Anirudh, I will let you go pick your wife from school," she told him. "I'm sure she must be waiting for you... oh, and a word of advice. Don't tell her that you don't love her. No wife will like to hear that!" 

Anirudh looked very irritated now. 

"I mean, I'm sure she adores you. Anyone would adore a loving husband like you. So don't break her heart by saying such things, when it's so clear it isn't true," Manika said with another laugh, "Bye Anirudh!" 

Then she walked away, shaking her head at how delusional he could be for not realizing how deeply he loved his wife. Even she could see it clearly, when she had just met him yesterday!