My Destination, My Bondita

26 - The Woman She's Becoming

A week turned into two weeks, which turned into three, then four, then five. Soon, they had reached the sixth week of their stay in the village. 

Anirudh had gotten Bondita a desk so that she could study easily. He was slowly earning a little more money. It still wasn't a big amount, but it was enough for Bondita's school fees, and to get her basic things for her studies. 

Bondita on the other hand, was finding that her focus was drifting away from her studies more and more. In class, she would find herself smiling and dreamily thinking about her Pati Babu. Many times, she had even forgotten to take notes in class, because she was so lost in her thoughts. 

She had imagined scenarios in her head that involved him, and she would spend hours just daydreaming. 

That morning, when Bondita got ready for school, Anirudh noticed something that he had never noticed before. 

"Pati Babu, I'm ready," she said to him, waiting for him to tie her shoelaces. 

She was already in her school dress and she had her backpack on. 

Anirudh gulped and he said, "Bondita, you can't go to school today." 

"Why not?" she asked, frowning. 

"Change back to your saree," he ordered. 

"Why?" Bondita asked. 

"Don't ask me why, just do it," Anirudh told her awkwardly. 

Bondita sadly went to change like he said to do. When she came back in her saree, Anirudh breathed a sigh of relief and he took her hand. 

"Follow me," he told her, and lead her outside their home. 

"Where are we going Pati Babu?" Bondita asked him, as he lead her down some streets. "You never allow me to skip school. What happened today?"

Her Pati Babu telling her to skip school was equivalent to the world coming to an end for her!

"Bondita, there is something very important that I never thought of. You're a growing woman. It's my fault," he told her, shaking his head, feeling guilty that he never thought of this before. 

He should have been prepared. He was late when it came to explaining menstruation to her, and now this? 

Today was just the first time he noticed it. What if it had been like this for a while? What if she had gone to school like this before? What if the boys at her school ogled at her? 

The thought made him feel so protective and he held her hand more tightly. 

No, he had to make sure she didn't face any trouble. It was just him and her living together. How could he even expect her to know these things when he was her shikshak babu? 

"Pati Babu, what is it?" Bondita asked. 

Anirudh was walking towards Manika's haveli, and thankfully, he saw Manika walking outside the door herself. 

"Manika!" Anirudh yelled, catching her attention. 

Bondita looked confused. Why was her Pati Babu making her skip school to meet Manika? 

Manika approached the two of them and smiled. 

"Hi Bondita, Hi Anirudh," she greeted. 

"Hi Manika Didi," Bondita said, and glanced at Anirudh with confusion. 

"Manika..." Anirudh said and then let go of Bondita's hand, using his eyes to indicate that he needed to speak to her alone. 

Bondita noticed this and pouted with envy. Why did her Pati Babu always seem to want to speak to Manika without her?