My Destination, My Bondita

113 - The Sweet Taste Of Your Lips

"What's happening there?" Batuk whispered to Vikram, when Manika Didi hugged Anirudh and Bondita. "It seems like boys and girls can really hug!"

Vikram nodded slowly, "Yeah, your Dada said that I can't hug Bondita because I can get certain feelings. Does your Dada not get feelings?"

Batuk shrugged and asked, "How can he get feelings when he never looks away from my Boudi?" 

"That's true, but who is she? She's so beautiful!" Vikram said to Batuk, referring to Manika. 

"Manika Didi," Batuk whispered, "She's already married! Can't you see? She's pregnant too!" 

"Oh," Vikram said, pouting. 

On the other end, when the embrace broke, Manika looked at both Anirudh and Bondita with a huge smile. She looked so happy. 

"Thank you for your letter Didi," Bondita said, taking Manika's hand. 

Manika smiled at Bondita and touched her cheek. 

"That letter came very late," she said softly, "But I kept on believing that your Pati Babu would handle it by himself. After all, it's a matter between a husband and a wife. When things got too out of hand, I stepped in." 

"What letter?" Anirudh asked. 

Bondita blushed and said, "The day that we patched up, it was because Manika Didi wrote a letter to me about how great you are and how much you care about me." 

"Really?" Anirudh asked, surprised that Manika could praise him. 

Manika just laughed and said, "Yes Anirudh, really. Anyways, I'm proud of you two. You finally crossed some very important steps. Bondita, I knew it from the beginning, before he even knew it!" 

Anirudh's face flushed, and he just said, "Okay, enough now Manika." 

Bondita glanced at Manika curiously. She wanted to know all about her Pati Babu and his struggles before he realized what she meant to him. 

"Where's your Pati Babu Manika Didi?" Bondita asked. 

"He's busy today, so he wasn't able to come. But he wishes you happy birthday Bondita!" Manika said, smiling. 

"Come and sit Manika," Anirudh said, "You've been standing for very long." 

"I'm okay Anirudh," Manika said with a laugh, and followed them into the haveli, where Anirudh pulled a chair for her. 

Soon, the guests started pouring in, and Bondita went to greet them along with her Kakasasurji, while Anirudh went to take care of other arrangements. Her Sasurji was busy interacting with British officials, and Sampoorna was seated off to the side, interacting with some ladies from Tulsipur. Somnath was with some of his medical school friends, discussing their studies. 

It didn't take long for Sumati Maa to make an entrance into the house. This time, Anirudh was out in the main hall interacting with guests, and he noticed her entering.

He approached her and smiled. Sumati quickly pulled her pallu over her face, to hide herself slightly. He was about to greet her, when Bondita came running as well. 

"Maa!" she said, and Sumati Maa placed her hand on Bondita's head with a smile, giving her all the blessings.

"Bondita, Jamai Babu," Sumati Maa said, looking down nervously as she saw a huge crowd at the party. 

She was clad in a white saree, her head shaved. 

"Come in Sumati Maa," Anirudh said, making way for her to enter.