The Unventured Passions

The kohl in the eye

The beautiful whitewashed mansion stood proud as if the surrounding nature had embraced it, that the flora flowed within it as much as around it. The architect must have loved the trees so much that there was a mighty Krishnachura in the centre, full with red bloom, centuries old, cemented elegantly, and the great house had been built around it.
The three storey sprawling mansion was all concrete with red bricks beautifully designed at places, and tall glass windows overlooking the front yard giving a view of the clear blue river, a chance to relax and take in the changing of the seasons from the comfort of an easy chair.

"This is breathtaking!" Bondita quivered with elation as she entered the premises of her new house.

"Did you like it?" Anirudh touched her shoulders gently and stood behind.

"Like? I loved it, Barrister Babu, I totally loved it!"
She turned around throwing her arms across Anirudh's shoulders inching a little forward to plant a small kiss on his lips.

"Ahem ahem, Dada... Boudi... " Batuk's voice startled them.
"You should come inside and read this first. This telegram looks really urgent."

"From Neelmoni Mukherjee, you said?" Anirudh asked.

"Barrister Neelmoni Mukherjee. Yes. Isnt's he supposed to be important?" Batuk held his hand out passing the letter to Anirudh.

"Hm. He is. The oldest Ray Bahadur of Calcutta. Very influential." Anirudh spoke gravely tearing the envelope to reveal the message.

"What does it say?" Bondita looked quizzically.

"A death sentence, actually!" Anirudh hushed and Bondita snatched the letter away from him.

"An invitation? Dinner party. Tonight!" Bondita read out the words aloud.

"Huh... An evening without you in seclusion, is a death sentence to me, Bondita!" Anirudh smiled naughtily with his eyes and touched his heart in a playful gesture of heartbreak.

"Come on... You two!" Batuk let out a laugh. "Full drama company!" He too, joined the natural unadulterated fun that the duo shared.
"So, what now? Will you two be going?"

"Hm. We have to. But not two, but three... You are tagging along, Batuk." Anirudh commanded.

"Really now? And why am I getting this punishment again?" Batuk rolled his eyes at them.

"A reward actually." Anirudh walked towards his brother and patted his shoulder. "You'll see... We'll leave at 6. Be ready."

Batuk let out a sharp sigh and disappeared into one of the rooms inside the mansion.

"Is this really necessary? I so want to explore this house than attend a party." Bondita pouted her lips as Anirudh held her close to his chest.

"It's important Shona. Else I wouldn't have insisted." Anirudh held her hands together and placed a kiss on her knuckles.
"Besides, Neelmoni Mukherjee's party would be full of fair women, Bondita. Do you really want me to go alone?"

"Would they be 'fairer' than me?" Bondita asked promptly as Anirudh scooped her up from the ground with one swift movement.
Bondita giggled.

"You are the fairest of them all!"

There wasn't any Aarti, no flower decorations around, no guests... No one blew the pious conch shell, yet Anirudh and Bondita's Grihapravesh in their new house was marked by the holy union of their selfless love for each other. It was simple, unique and in that very moment when Anirudh had cradled her in his arms to cross the threshold together, a few red petals from the Krishnachura paved their way, as if to bless the herald of their new beginning together.