ENDEARMENT (ON HOLD)

Her Companion

The occasional barking of faraway dogs broke the silence of the night when Bondita found the person squeak it did not take seconds to recognize the owner of it. It was him, her sakha babu and with that relief took over her horror struck face. Admist of the frightening circumjacent she calmed herself.

On contrary Anirudh had successfully managed to safeguard himself from the self defence of his sakhi which he himself taught. For once it would have caused him  injury but  he was overjoyed at the fact that she was well enough to protect herself and did not need anyone.

In no time Bondita wrapped her tiny arms around his torso hugged tight with a squeeze, her act was enough for him to know about frantic state as he responded caressing her upper back trying to evade her worries.

Pulling back, she asked "sakha babu, aap yahan iss wakth kaise?"

He placed the unsettled strands back of her ear, caressing her cheeks he bent to meet her eyes and spoke "Jab tumhe meri zaroorat ho aur mein na ho aise ho saktha kya? Mein jantha hoon meri Bondita bahadur hai fir bhi muje patha chala ki tumhare maa baba bahar gaye, wese teri pukar suna toh bas daud aaya. Yaad hai bina taar wala judav." To which she grinned widely.

"Sach kaha, wese toh bahadur hai aapki Bondita par patha nahi aaj todaa sa matlab bahut todaa sa dar gayi thi. Ab jab gar mein koi nahi hai, toh lagtha hai aaj muje is darke wajah se neendh nahi paoungi" as she said he replied "aisa ho saktha hai kya? Jab tak mein hoon tab tak tumhare neendh karab ho saktha kya? Nahi na isiliye aaj puri raat mein tumhare sath rahoonga taki meri Bondita bina kisi dar se chein ki neendh sojaye." with that she beamed of satisfaction.

"Shotti, sakha babu" she asked to confirm and simultaneously squeaked out of pain.

Being horrified and worried at her expressions he asked the reason to which he could clearly sense a moment of irresolution. He saw her hands wrapped around her left knee and at once without seeking any permission he uncovered only to see a slight cut with drops of blood erupting and at once it he settled herself on the bed and asked for first aid box and on bringing it, he found her wincing though small cut it was wrecking his heart.

As he sat himself on ground before her, he saw her hesitation as she pulled her knee length frock more down sensing her uncertainty he caught of her hand and pressed it thereby assuring also maintaining a eye contact, he asked her permission through his eyes to which she instantly pulled back her hand and let him aid her wound. He was thankful as the cut was not deep though worriedly asked "teek ho, abb?" to which she nodded in response.

With that he asked "toh chalein sone?"

As he asked, realisation and occurrence of past drew her mind, she was reminded how few months back she wanted to stay together in his room and had compelled him for same while he was clearly displeased and against it. For a second she abhorred herself for putting him in such situation.

With the reactions to his questions no soon he understood her hesitation as guilt was evident in her face. In an attempt to distract her from self accusing session he asked her again "kyun na aaj hum chath pe kulli hawaa ke sath, chand sitaron ko niharthe huye so jayen."

Hearing it, she felt instant relief as if tons of weight had been uplifted from her. As she nodded in response, he grabbed the mattress, cushion while she caught hold of the water jar and thought how everytime he would find solution to all her problems even without her disclosing it, in some way she believed that he himself is the best solution.

As he forwarded his hand she instantly caught hold of him and led him to the terrace with a constant smile as she did so he was delighted at the mere fact of his Bondita leading him though it might just be to terrace but if he would happily walk behind her with all pride while she led him throughout his life.