SCARS

Chapter 4 - Raw (Part 1)

It was early in the morning when Aniruddh woke up from his sleep. The first thing his eyes were blessed with after opening his eyes was his wife drying her wet hair with a towel. Aniruddh walked up to her enchanted by her serenity. Her presence in his room & his life was solace to him.
As Bondita stood infront of the dresser trying to untangle & dry her hair, she didn't notice Aniruddh standing right behind her looking at her as if she's some kind of a dream. As Aniruddh reached closer & grabbed her shoulders, Bondita looked up at the mirror at Aniruddh. She smiled at him through the mirror.

"Good Morning Pati Babu!!" She said to him cheerfully a beautiful smile had lit up her face. She slowly leaned back as her back hit Aniruddh's chest & he backhugged her tightly. Aniruddh had burried his face in her hair as he softly whispered in her ear, "Good Morning Love!!"

Bondita's breath hitched in her throat.  She clutched his arms encircling her kind of trying to tighten his grip around her. A sigh of bliss escaped her lips as Aniruddh nuzzled her neck softly grazing his lips over her skin.

They'd been married for three years now & everyday it feels like their love has been increasing only day by day. They stood like that, in each other's arms for a while before a sound reached their ears & the tranquility was broken.

"Bahu!! Arre bahu!! Aarti nahi karni kya aaj??"

Aniruddh groaned pressing his forehead against Bondita's shoulder as Bondita replied back yelling, "Aayi Kakasasurji!!"

Bondita started wiggling in Aniruddh's arms as he tightened his grip.

"Pati Babu!! Kya kar rahe hai?? Chodiye na.... Kakasasurji bula rahe."

Aniruddh groaned again. His own family comes in between their time. Since the past few days they've been so busy with court & home that they've barely been able to give time to each other.

"Nahi chhorunga. Chhorna nahi hai. Please Bondita... Ruk jao na" He lóoked at her with a slight pout, his chin tucked on her shoulder.

Bondita looked at her husband staring at her adorably. Her heart melted & who was she kidding... She didn't want to go either but she still said halfheartedly, "Jaane dijiye na Pati Babu!!" She held his arm wrapped around her waist & twirled out of his arms when he held the corner of her pallu. Bondita looked at him with an adorable pout, her heart melting every second.
Kaka's voice again boomed from downstairs. "Bahu!! O bahu!!! Neeche aana hai ya hum hi karle aarti!!"

Aniruddh pulled her to himself by her pallu & hugged her tightly, Bondita squirmed in his arms as Kaka called her again. Aniruddh kissed her forehead & released her with a smirk disappearing behind the washroom door for a shower as Bondita smiled to herself & ran downstairs for the veneration of the Goddess. The Roy Chowdhury's morning had officially began as the echoes of the prayer chants richoetted in the corridors of the mansion.

Bondita rushed towards the kitchen after finishing her morning duties for making breakfast for the family when Trilochan's friend & his wife Sen Babu arrive from Dhaka with their 16 year old daughter Dyuti.

"Arre Bahuu... chai ki vyavastha karo... humare dost aaye hai.."

"Ji Kakasasurji!! Abhi laayi...." Bondita replied from the kitchen quickly brewing up some more of the energising beverage to serve to the guests.

Sen Babu & his family sat down in the living room looking around impressed at the opulent magnificence of the Roy Chowdhury haveli. His gaze then shifted to his darling daughter sitting beside him. How wonderful it would be if his Dyuti be married off here to the Roy Chowdhury's. She'll live like a queen. All the position, power & respect will be hers.
Bondita came out of the kitchen with a large silver tray of teacups filled with tea, Bihari following close by with another huge platter of snacks. She greeted the Sen family with folded hands & a subtle nod.
Sen Babu cleared his throat before beginning to speak, "Trilochan... Hum dono bohot arse se dost hai. Toh... Hum soch rahe the ki kyun na hum iss dosti ko rishtedaari mein badal de??"

Kaka's face brightened visibly. A marriage proposal for Somnath will be good. He liked Dyuti. She was soft spoken, pretty & will be a good match for his silent Somu.

Bondita was delighted at the thought of having another female company apart from Sampoorna in the house. A little sister & Dyuti was very sweet looking. She would love it if she married her happily.

Kaka said happily, "Arre yeh toh bohot khushi ki baat hai. Dyuti bitiya padhi likhi hai. Bohot pyaari bhi hai. Har tarah se humare Som ke yogya hai woh."

Sen Babu looked at Kaka perplexed & then frowned. "Somnath??!!" He questioned.

Kaka frowned at him equally confused. "Haa Somnath. Humara manjhla bhatija. Usi ke rishte ki baat kar rahe ho na??"

Sen Babu shook his head vehemently as he said, "Hum dosti ko rishtedaari mein badalna chahte hai par Somnath ke zariye nahi. "
Kaka & Bondita both were confused & shared a momentary glance with each other.

Kaka then turned towards him & said, "Tum kya keh rahe ho humein samajh nahi aa raha hai. Agar Somnath ke zariye rishta nahi jorna hai toh kiske zariye jodna hai?? Batuk?? Par woh toh Italy mein hai. Aur waise bhi Som ki shaadi se pehle hum Batuk ki shaadi nahi karwana chahte."

Sen Babu again shook his head & said in a laughingly kind of tone. "Hum Batuk ki baat bhi nahi kar rahe. Hum tumhare sabse bare bhatije Aniruddh ki baat kar rahe."