ENDEARMENT (ON HOLD)

Evocation

As the Sun radiated, the train had left his sight so as she, he remained still not knowing the next course of action, he seemed meaningless, aimless also felt a void in his heart. Though the bright rays peeped through the window it did not help her, as her eyes were flooded, she felt gloom all inside.

Salim forwarded his handkerchief knowing its need to her, to which she kindly refused which confused him.
While a hand on his shoulder brought him back to reality, the middle aged man embellished in his royal clothing Trilochan Roy Chowdary, the great zamindaar of Tulsipur noticed his nephew feeling lifeless.

"Agar itna dukrahe, ussey door jaana mana kyun nahi kiya?" Salim asked.

"Koi bhakth apni bhagwan ko mana kar saktha hai kya? Aur janthe huye, yeh Sirf meri bhalayi ke liye." She awed him with her reply.

"Uska jaana jaroori hai, kaka." Anirudh said with heavy heart.

"Tumari zaroorath ka kya beta? Kya tuje uski avashyaktha nahi?" asked his kaka.

"Dil ko dadkaan ki jaroorat hoti hain kaka," he responded.

"Koi baat nahi, jab tum nehi school jaogi, padogi aur nehi log se milogi, tab yeh dukh sab bhool kar aage badogi." he said to lighten up her mood.

"Saasen lena bhool jaoungi, par apni sakha babu ko nahi." She replied.

Both were bewildered about the attachment they had for each other, undergoing immense pain just for the happiness of the other. Unable to console them, they gave thier role to time, believing it would heal them better.

It was noon, when Anirudh had reached his house with his kaka who saw crowd consisting of village heads and men of the society, with heads bowed, drowned with guilt, and who promised they would not harm them anymore and apologised him for their act. Though initially felt suspicious about them soon realization drew him when they were accompanied by famous people, revolutionists who were striving for the independence and welfare of the country. With an artificial smile he received the appreciation for being man of words, broadminded, an epitome for the society. After which he had forgiven the villagers though knowing they were here only because of the pride and appreciation their village received on his name. Though he felt relieved about it later with heavy heart, he dragged himself to their study and sat himself drowned in sorrow.

"Sakha babu," he heared her voice making him jump in joy.

"Bondita tum," doubting her presence, soon he caught of her shoulders.

"Aapse door ja sakthi hoon kya? Aap yahan aur mein wahan yesa ho saktha hai kya? Kya karegi yeh nanhi si Bondita aapke bina? Aab hum sath reh sakthe haina?" she said to which he smiled at her words.

Thinking of words to console his nephew who had drowned himself, kaka entered his study but was startled to see him smiling happily and his entry had brought Anirudh out of his dream as her appearance vanished.

It was later in the evening, the duo reached Dalhousie, as they stepped down Salim informed her they would be reaching home within hour also enquired if she need anything at moment to which she denied. When Salim went to call the cart, she heared him "Sab teek hai na Bondita, koi pareshani to nahi huyee na safar me?" Her eyes glittered as she saw him spoke, but her trance broke when Salim called her. Soon they reached his house and was cordially welcomed by his parents who were kind at heart though not broadminded to understand their decision. Then she was shown her room and was handed few Salwar kameez by his mother who asked her to freshen up. As soon as she closed the door she saw him again though she knew he was not here her heart failed to believe the words of her brain. Checking the bed, room, washroom and finally her clothes he said "aaramdhayak hai, issey tuje koi taklef nahi hoga aur kamre bhi saf hai, toh" again soon her trance broke by a knock, it was Salim's mother who asked her to join for dinner to which she obliged.