The Unventured Passions

Definitions of the Heart 💖

"Now what Raimoti?"

Anirudh had closed the door of that modest inn where they had seeked shelter for the night. He was now standing at the foot of the bed, his hands folded to his chest, and with a soft sigh he glanced at the woman already lying on the bed on her stomach, spreading herself on the hard mattress.

"Now we sleep, and start at dawn, before the man wakes up." She turned her face and looked at him. "Lest, you have thought of a way to pay him."

Raimoti was right. They didn't have a single dime to pay, as the bunch of currency notes that they had secured for the journey was now with Bondita.

Anirudh hadn't objected, neither did he reply to her, as he slowly sank down on the bed, by her foot side, and exhaling another sigh, he brushed his hair backward with his fingers, grabbing them firmly once to release the stress.

"Oh... So this is how you must have lured my sister to your charms."

Anirudh frowned and turned around at the words, and saw Raimoti smirking.
"What?" He asked, a little taken aback by this sudden comment.

"That back-brushing... Had I not been in love already, I too might have fallen for it." She winked mischievously at him, and Anirudh let out a soft laughter.

"So you Are in love..." Anirudh smiled at her. "Good that at least you aren't scared to admit like the other one."

"Other one? Who?" Raimoti looked away, murmuring, as in her heart she knew the name already... the name that could raise her heartbeat even at it's slightest mention.

Anirudh narrowed his eyes at her expression and chuckled softly.
"You know there is a reason why I chose you for my brother." He paused, "You are many things Raimoti, smart, intelligent, shrewd in a way, and I didn't understand then, but you're a little too much for my Batuk." He exchanged a glance with her narrowed gaze and smiled again. "But, Satya is like my brother too... And I can't be happier."

"Satya?" Raimoti was almost inaudible, as if trying to reassure her own ears, and Anirudh nodded his head.

"Yes Raimoti, Satyakirth loves you, and it's not hidden from us... And trust me, a guilt that had stung me for sometime, a guilt that perhaps because of me, my decisions, you suffered a heartbreak... That guilt evades from my heart whenever I see the two of you."

Raimoti smiled bashfully, and looked up at him again.
"You aren't guilty Anirudh Da... It wasn't your decision to reject me."

"Still... Batuk is my brother Rai... Whatever he does, it's my responsibility."

"Wrong... It's his responsibility... He is a grown up individual Anirudh Da... And you can't hold yourself up for his actions, not everytime... He isn't a child, and you should let him decide his own."

That's what you do for your family...

Anirudh thought, but hadn't replied, he just listened to her quietly and sighed. Had this been his Bondita, he would have presented his opinion, he would have patiently listened to her arguments as well, but sitting there, inside that small cramped up room, in the same bed with Raimoti, Anirudh just didn't feel like countering any views. He missed his wife, so dearly, and at that moment, all he wished for was to close his eyes for a few hours and dream of her.

"Sleep Raimoti... I'll sit here." He replied calmly, and closed his eyes, his arms folded to his chest once again.

"Nonsense. Lie down," came a prompt demand, a strong one, and Anirudh opened his eyes and looked at her.
Raimoti had sat upright already, and was fluffing a pillow, as she threw it at him gently.