Anidita - Beautiful Lies

15

Unedited.

The gyrating wheels of the car halted right in front of the main gate of Oak Leaf High School. Both cherubs of Roy Chowdhury Haveli, Batuk Roy Chowdhuri and his boudi Bondita Roy Chowdhury had reached the school under the superintendence of their licit guardian Anirudh. Although they both travelled the whole path together, poor Batuk had to talk to air only as his boudi had adrift into placid slumber keeping her head on his shoulder and her devar had made sure she slept well. But since it was now time to go, he could not but choice to disturb her sweet chimera.

"Boudi..." Batuk slowly patted her cheeks in an attempt to wake her up. But all futile. His boudi wriggled lightly like a small baby and again snuggled closer to him sleeping peacefully in hs shoulder. "Boudi...we have reached school...." He tried again. Although feeling pity that she could not sleep longer. He knew Bondita was a heavy sleeper. Still a question in his head why is boudi sleeping so deeply? What did she do all night?

Bondita's sleep seemed to break somewhat and Batuk sighed in repose. "Boudi...we will get late for the assembly. Wake up..." Bondita felt light headed and straightened her head before shaking it sideways vigorously to recall things. But nothing came to her head fleetingly. "Batuk..." She said in sloppiness "We reached school?"

"No we reached your new in-law's house" Batuk cracked and Bondita scowled immediately folding her arms against her chest defiantly. "Hahaha..." He laughed "sorry...now don't give me that black look of yours." He apologized "You had gone cold instantly after you had get into the car... I wondered the whole way, what if my neck stiffs..." He said messaging his neck and shoulder vaguely.

"Ohh? Really chote zamindar?" Bondita giggled and smacked his head gamesomely. "Yes my dear boudi. Now shall we leave or you want to continue this banter here?" Bondita nodded in agreement and they both got out of the car.

"Batuk you go inside. Let me sprinkle some water on face and then join you..." Bondita informed taking out her water bottle from bag. "As you say. But don't be late getting busy with your mischiefs" He reminded and left for his class.

Meanwhile Bondita splashed water on her face to subdue her wooziness and leaned against the obsolete pillar beside the main gain to inhale some fresh air. Thats when her eyes landed up on two pedestrian walking along the right of way and a warm twinkle immediately stretched on her lips. It was Ashalata and her husband who was escorting her to school. Wishing to inspect the couple's affection for each other hide herself from their view and saw them secretly.

They both walked upto the iron wrought gate holding hands in hands and blushing like a newly wedded couple. Bondita saw this and it somehow looked very funny and cute. Holding hands were fine! Whats there so much to blush in that? But again understood their dilemma and chuckled. She saw her husband gently unlocking their hands and instead of handing over her bag, cupped her face and placed a kiss at the crown of her head, making her go red. This mere outpouring scene of love, made Bondita's eyes shut for a while unless she heard Ashalata whispering "bor (pati) babu!" She could understand from her tone, how shy she was!

"What ? Can't I love my wife...." He groaned and kept his hand decently over her abdomen "and my baby" "of course you can....but not here.. Just at at home..." Ashalata mumbled. "Oh god Asha... I love you both. Take care of you and our baby hm??" Her husband softly utter and she blinked shyly before taking her bag from his shoulder and stepping inside the main gate. The whole rundown made somersaults in Bondita's little tummy and she was awwed at Ashalata and her husband.

Is this what people call as love, that exists between a couple bounded in a marriage? Such purity, such divinity. Her heart throbbing metrically. Does this outpour of affection forms a baby? Her unsullied mind coming up in terms with the things she was subjected.

"Ashalata...." Bondita sweetly cooed at her friend who was busy gulping down her food in the recess. "Umm..Bon.dita.." She singled Bondita to sit beside her while having mouthful food. She forwarded her tiffin to her and Bondita humbly denied, "You need this more than I do, future mamma!" And both giggled at Bondita's word.

"I don't know Bondita..." Ashalata said taking another bite of her bread "Even since I have completed my first semester, I am become such an epicure! As this eating food has became the only objective in my life!" "Haaw really?" Bondita squealed excitedly "Thats a good thing! My niece or nephew will go up faster now. Isn't it baby? Then masi and babies will play together!" She gently caressed Ashalata's slight protruded belly.

"Babies?" Ashalata jumped in exuberance before Bondita could gasp " Bondita.... You are pregnant too?" Ashalata's question had clouded Bondita's mind again. Not again. Why was she facing this topic again and again? How can she be pregnant when... She didn't want to think more. Thus covering up her deflated face replied smilingly, "No my Ashalata! I am talking about my Sampoorna didi's baby..."

"Oh...." Ashalata regretted her question "sorry Bondita. I didn't mean to hurt you. Shotti!" She pinched her neck like Bondita. "Dhat pagli (mad). There is nothing about getting hurt about it." Bondita reassured keeping her hand over hers.

"But Bondita... Don't you think its high time to think of your own kids? Do you know now even some rumors against you is spreading around, as if fire on a forest....."

"What rumors?"

"That you are infertile and this why even after 8 years of your marriage you cannot conceive a child."

"Uff Ashalata...." Bondita laughed contradictory to what Ashalata had expected "don't lend your ears to them. I don't care what this society holds opinion regarding me. I am happy more specifically successful at what I am at present. My happiness lies when patibabu is. My identity is where my patibabu is! Them calling me an infertile won't make me one."

"I understand Bondita. You are unique and much more intelligent than other girls over this town. But Bondita for once try thinking about yourself only?"

"Ashaaa...." Bondita gently cupped her face and replied, "Being mother is just an emotion in true sense. And I do have felt that emotion. Through my Batuk. Yes, may in relationship he is my devar, may be in age he is a year elder than me but in term of bonding he is like my own son. The dynamic of our relationship is beyond explanation Ashalata.. Just like I look after him like my own child, he too respects and loves me back like his biological mother. He has made sure I miss no void of emotions in my life..."

Ashalata got tears after Bondita's explanation and sobbed "You are lucky Bondita... Truely you are." Bondita pulled her cheeks dotingly and added, "My emotional Ashaa... Now stop dropping these pearl droplets and tell me whats your plan for today?"

"Hmm... Nothing much. Just I will visit the program organized by Women Healthcare Society of Tulsipur. They have arranged a seminar of the pregnant mothers so Dev babu insisted me going there." Ashalata's cheeks burned at the mention of her husband.

"Hmm hmm... Dev babu?" Bondita teased. "Ishh Bondita..." Asha bite her lips coyly.

"You know, Sampoorna didi is visiting too."
"Where?"
"In the seminar..."
"Ohh thats wonderful. Bondita...what about you joining us?"
"Umm sorry Asha.. Patibabu asked me not to roam outside when he is not at Tulsipur. Just for my safety you know. Moreover its you guys who is pregnant, not me. What I shall I do going there?"
"Thats fine. But you can note some tips for yourself. What if you need in future someday?"
"Ohhh my Ashuu... You guys are there na for me...." Bondita tickled Asha and both burst into laughter. Her heart drowning in an uncertainty where her future premonition was flashing again and again.