ENDEARMENT (ON HOLD)

Another Encounter

The excited faces cheered happily as they clapped jumped in elation, the pure innocence and eagerness blooming in their eyes was creating a delightful atmosphere atlast their merry adding more charm to her artistic face as it diluted all her worries of guilt.

It was what Bondita wanted, wished and seeing the joy in her pari didi's eyes had made her day. She smiled in exultant at herself for her achievement.

"Bondi, sambhalke. Gir jaogi, uttar niche abi ke abi. Utro gudiya." Saudamini squealed for eighth time, extremely frightened by her stunt.

Extending her hand to the farthest, the other clutching the branch tightly for support. Bondita yelled back "abi nahi didi, sare fal todke hi neche aungi. Yeh lo pakad aur dedo un bachon ko." pointing to the children in their front yard.

Shooking her head, Saudamini collected all the green fruits in her free end of saree and forwarded them each to all children.

They were few, as they collected them returned a smile making Saudamini smile elegantly. It was pleasing her distressed soul.

As she distributed, saw a silhouette at back and when turned was puzzled to see a good looking man with clean shaven face and sharp features, his outfit as rigid as typical and his eyes focused on her.

He said with broad grin, "Wah, Fal ke sath sath apni kushiyon ko bhi bhaat rahi hain."

With subtle smile, Saudamini forwarded a guava to him too.

Taking it, he asked "Aap yehan, nayi hai? Pehle kabhi dekha nahi."

Hesitantly she replied, "Haan, kuch din pehle hi ayee hoon."

Fixing her fallen pallu, she fidgeted her fingers unknowingly in anxiety. As the man gazed her continuously without blink.

"Aap bahar se sundar aur andar se achi lag rahi hai." He said, still gazing her.

Stunned, her lips curled in a smile, promptly.

"Bilkul, pari lag rahe hai." He added.

Her eyes widened at his remark, as she looked into his eyes trying to fathom his words. It felt like a magic spell as they both stared each other.

She gaped at the man speaking his mind straightforwardly, he gawked at her for her conservative classic nature.

Hearing no more squeals, Bondita looked down to find the duo having a talk. Her eyes wide as it startled her.

One hand on her chest and the other still clutching the branch, overwrought "hey, Durga maa. Pehle hi do prem pakshiyon kam the kya? Abb tesra banane ka prayas kar rahi hai."

As the duo began to laugh, a little aloud. Bondita murmured "Bondita, Thu toh gayi. Apni kahani likne se pehle yeh sab tumhari sakriya ko katam hi karvayenge."

Bondita screamed from above, "Pari didi.... Pari didi." Trying to get down the tree.

Both turned at once, Saudamini yelled back "sambhalke. Gudiya" with days, pet names for her little sister too increased.

As he glanced at the scream, he vexedly asked "kya? Woh ladki aapki behan hai kya?"

Saudamini, proudly "haan, meri choti behan. Bahut pyaari aur...." he murmured "badmashi bhi."

"Teek hai. Mein chaltha hoon. Fir milthey hai." He said in hurry and hastened.

Saudamini saw him behaving weirdly, it perplexed her as she saw him walking back.

Tapping her shoulder, Bondita raised her brows "kya didi? Yesa kisko dekh rahi ho?"

"Woh... woh." Saudamini stammered "woh kuch nahi." Saudamini curled her sister's ear while she winced in pain "kya kar rahi ho? Chodo dukh rahi hai."