The Unventured Passions

Runs in the Family

"There, that black car. It's Barrister Babu's. Come, let me introduce you to him." Bondita pointed her finger towards the parking as they both saw the black luxury car waiting for her arrival.

"Come Satya. You will like him... I promise." She tugged at his arm, eager to make him meet the man she love. But Satya didn't move an inch.

"Not now Bondita, not today." He smiled at her.

"But why?"

"Let's just say it's not the right time." He paused, letting out a sharp sigh.
"Bondita, you have to promise me something. Promise me that you won't tell your Barrister husband about me, not yet," he urged.

"Not tell him? But why Satya? He is a patriot just as you. Infact, I've a feeling you two would like each other."

"I'm sure we would. But Bondita, your husband is a little too close to the British government. The knowledge of my whereabouts might cause both of us problems. Please Bondita, please..."
Satya folded his hands in a plea.

"Hm... I don't hide anything from him you know." Bondita's grave expression made Satya feel awed for this honest woman.

"It's not hiding or lying. I'm sure he won't enquire, just don't tell him." He requested her again.
"I promise I'll meet you husband one day." He raised his hand to his throat and pinched a little.
"Shotti!! I swear."

This little gesture of his unknowingly lightened up Bondita's face making her smile.
"This is a very Barrister Babu thing you know, this shotti... And I have learnt it from him." She smiled. "You are only the fourth person whom I have seen doing this."

"Who is the third?" Satya smiled brightly, widening his eyes in a question.

"My KakaSasurji... It's a family thing, I guess."

Bondita turned around to see the car once again as she faintly heard Satya mouthing the name.
"Trilochan Roy Chowdhury!"

Bondita smiled and nodded.
"I should get going, he is waiting for me."

She turned back towards Satya as she spoke only to see a pale veil of sadness escalate from his face.

"Thank you for the food Bondita." He handed the tiffin box back to her.
"You are my Annapurna. You always seem to find me whenever I starve the most."
His genuine words filled Bondita's heart.

"My door and kitchen is always open for you Satya, anytime, anyday."

"I don't remember when was the last time someone was this nice to me," he paused, "after my thakuma".

"And your mother?" Bondita asked.

"Lost her at birth."

"Father?" Bondita murmured the question.

"Him too! Lost, gone forever." He let out a sigh as his eyes traced a small sparkle in Bondita's eyes.

"You know Satya, this is only the second time I'm meeting you, but why does it feel that you are a family!" Bondita muttered slowly, her voice a little choked with emotion.

"May be we are!"
He raised his right hand up and wiped a single tear that had rolled down her eye.
"Goodbye Bondita, we'll meet again."

"I'll wait." Bondita sniffed.

......................................................

"Did you just see that!! Wow, I still can't believe she spins that old zamindar in her small finger." Nalini rolled her eyes as she gasped as her friend, sitting at the canteen inside the campus.