Chapter 67: Past Affection, Marriage, Introspection, Love and War under Rain

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Flashback scene

Binoy was in his room staring at picture, his eyes full of tears. With trembling hands, he caressed the picture and cried. It was a picture of two men in their early 30s.

"Arvind...mujhe maaf karna..mei mei Bondita hifazat nahi kar saka. Usse khush nahi rakh sake apne ghar mei. Mujhe maaf karna mere yaar..meine meine tumse kiya vaada todh diyaa.. I am sorry.." he cried hysterically.

A knock on his door interrupted his thoughts. Composing himself, he opened the door.

"Naina? Kya hua beta? Da thik hai?" Binoy asked to which Naina nodded. "Baba..dada aur Som ji aa gaye."

As soon as Binoy heard her he rushed down.

Somnath had held Anirudh by his shoulders giving him the support to walk. The family members sighed in relief seeing both of them okay. Batuk came forward and hugged Anirudh tightly.

"Dada aap thik hai na?" Batuk asked but Anirudh didn't reply.

Binoy came forward and slapped Anirudh hard. "Pagal ho gaye ho? Marne ka irada hai tumhara? Kyun gaye the uss blast mei?"

"Bondita khatre mei thi baba.." Anirudh said softly. "Haa ussi khatre mei jisme tumne usse dhakela. Yeh kya dikhawa hai Anirudh? What the hell is wrong with you? Da Bondita ki khabar sun ke behosh ho gaye. Agar tumhe aur Som ko kuch ho jaata toh woh jeete jee mar jaate. Aur ab jaake kya fayda? Bondita toh chali gayi na hume cho.." Binoy stopped speaking as Anirudh showed his hand.

"Zinda hai woh. Kuch nahi hua hai usse. Jab tak mei hoon, usse kuch nahi ho sakta. Bondita ne Calcutta jaane waali train board nahi ki thi." Anirudh said and slowly walked.

The family exchanged glances, and joined their hands in front of Durga maa. Soon their faces that were filled with hope and happiness were now replaced with confusion.

Anirudh stumbled and fell down in front of Durga Maa's statue. He with his trembling hands, took a diya. Pouring a good amount of ghee, he lit it.

With a slight tremble in his voice, he said "Yeh diya bujhna nahi chahiye..kabhi bhi.. Bondita jab tak surakshit hai yeh diya tab tak jalega. Aur iss baat kaa khaas dhyaan mei rakhunga, ki yeh diya nahi bujhe..aap sab bhi..please..."

He joined his hands, and closed his eyes. He bowed in front of the goddess. He had once promised that he would never look in this direction ever again, and now here he was. As if, understanding his longing and dilemma, the goddess gave him hope. A flower fell in his hands.

Anirudh opened his eyes, and it shined with hope. Soon he cried hysterically, like a baby. Binoy came and patted his head lightly. Anirudh in a second hugged Binoy, and whispered against him, " woh theek hai baba.. woh jahan bhi hai theek hai..nahi gayi woh mujhe chod ke.."

Binoy hummed and patted his back. His son was so foolish to not realise his love for Bondita. After all, he was his blood. A late Latif indeed.

Flashback ends

Binoy saw the same Anirudh he had seen 6 years ago. The day of the accident and in both cases Bondita was harmed. As Tara checked Bondita's pulse and breathing, Anirudh didn't leave her side. Not even for a second. He was patting and caressing her hair while also rubbing her palms gently. His eyes not leaving her face. As if, he would blink and she would be gone.

Naina - Somnath and Batuk were standing together looking at Anirudh and Bondita. Mayur came behind them, and whispered "tumhare dada ko ehsaas ho gaya hai. He confessed."

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