ENDEARMENT (ON HOLD)

Bombshell

"Sa.....kha babu.... sak...ha babu...
Pati babu...."

Inside the room filled with knowledge and information, his study his place of tranquil, Anirudh sat up adruptly trying to catch his uneven breathes while his whole body was covered up with sweat.

Without giving a thought, opened the door and rushed only to bump with Batuk, who rubbed his forehead due to their collision.

Anirudh uttered "Bon.. Bondita. Bondita."

Batuk winced, "kya dada?" Seeing his dada all ruffled up and tensed, went away to return with glass of water until that Anirudh had already crossed the threshold.

Stopping him, Batuk said "Pehle pani pijiye,"

While he stammered, "Nahi.. Bondita..."

"Dada pakadiye aur pijiye.." Batuk tried.

"Nahi, ussey dekhna hai muje. Ussey meri zaroorat hai." He repeated.

Holding his shoulder quiet rigidly, Batuk uttered "Dada, abb dopaer hai. Upar se woh teek hai. Meine abi abi dekha hai usko. Sachme."

Turning back, holding Batuk's hands, he asked in anxiety "Sach me? Tumne dekha. Woh woh... teek hai na, woh surakshit hai na?"

Assuring his dada, Batuk nodded and patted him taking inside while he was still unsettled.

Batuk asked in concern, "Kya dada? Aab bhi aur yehaan Tulsipur mein bhi aapko yeh sab attey hai?" as he sat himself beside his dada in study.

"Tuje patha nahi, Batuk. Woh sapna... sapna nahi balki sach lagtha hai aur ek ek bar mein mar jatha hoon us sapne se. Sach hai Bondita ko yese dekne yah un sab se guzartha dekne se pehle marna chahtha hoon." Anirudh let out.

Batuk grasped his hand, knelt before him, gasped "dada.." being well known of his nightmares for his baudi, "dada, yeh sab baudi se dur rehne ki wajah se ho rahe hai, abb toh woh aapke paas hi hai." He spoke trying to make it light.

Batuk said confidently, "Anirudh Roy Choudary ke hone se Bondita ko kuch ho saktha kya?" to which his dada passed a subtle smile.

Batuk backed from him, said "aur dada, tayar ho jayiye warna Zamindar sahab ko gussa aajayega aur kahenge... yeh kya hai? Anirudh tum Barrister hone se pehle Zamindar ki bade bete ho. Yaad rakhna, aur humesha tumari barristry nahi chalegi yehaan." He mimicked his kaka while Anirudh laughed at his brother's acting.

It was quite early evening as all the arrangements were made in the village border.

The old rock pillar forming a podium was embellished with flowers and heavy scented garlands before which were the round dining tables laid impressively holding flower vases, lighted candles and cutleries, also the curtains hung quiet decoratively on sides, the red carpet neatly spread down and the brightly coloured pandal covering the dark sky up while the way leading to it was lit by expensive lanterns atop the stands on both sides.

It was all simple yet made to look magnificent with delightful ambience.

Anirudh stood partially welcoming the guests while his eyes hunted her, his kaka stomped his feet as he walked.

Standing by his side, his kaka sighed, "kya huha kaka? Sare mehman bhi aana shuru ho gaye aur aab kyun muh fulla rahe hai? Gussa hai kya?" He asked knowing well about his kaka's brewing anger.

His kaka rolled his eyes to his nephew, huffed and scowled "bata nahi, tumhare baba ke mann mein kya hi hai. Jab vivah abhi nahi horahe toh itni jaldhi sagai karvane ki kya zaroorat hai? Upar se uske vyapar ke sambandh kuch yehlaan bhi karnewala hai."