Barrister Babu: One Shots- Until you Came.

Chapter 16: A Mother-in-law Found [Part 2]

Anirudh's POV:-

I don't know how, but my thoughts probably weren't in sync with my actions.

Thinking about Mini, broken dreams and promises, my feet took me to the very place where I was going to tell her tonight of the love I had felt for her all these years.

There I was, with a heart as empty as a glass unfilled, under a starry sky fulfilled.

Every second a note played in my mind, guilt-ridden with betrayal's symphony.

What was life's worth, for a man who had lost his step, even before his journey began?

Was this the price one had to pay, to bring light in an era where the shadows played?

Then I saw her.

A little girl devoid of any burden, a bird ready to soar in the sky.

Would her wings be cut down by the very evil I sought to fell?

No.

She'd be the firefly to light up forsaken nights.

She will be hope of a new dawn after forlorn times.

I will bear her responsibility, for she will be mine.

My hope, and my life.

"Bondita...your name is Bondita, right?"

"It is! My baba gave it to me, it is supposed to be divine, something to be worshipped and loved."

"Your baba...where is he, if I may ask? I didn't come across him at the wedding."

"He isn't with us anymore. He lives with the stars, and guards us from the dark."

"I'm sorry...I shouldn't have asked."

"It's okay. It's been over a year and...his memories are anything but sad. I'm glad he was my father, and I'd choose the same life every time without regret, for the time spent with a loved one is worth much more than none at all." The girl said, with a smile that reached her eyes.

There was no glint of sadness that stayed, only warmth and gratitude.

It is truly the time of innocence that guarantees relationships without bitterness.

Or...does it?

Shubhra's POV:-

I didn't understand why Anirudh had to marry the girl to save her life, but now that he had, she was our rightful daughter-in-law.

A marriage wasn't a joke, especially not for us, the Roy Choudharys.

We lived by honour, as those that did before us.

Despite the circumstances, she was a part of this family now, and Anirudh's wife.

She deserved every bit the respect and tradition that anyone in her position would, too.

After making arrangements for Bodhu Baran, I made my way to the central hall, to fetch the bride and the groom. I knew they had already entered the house, but I had to do things the right way.

"Anirudh! Bondita! Come downstairs!"

I then instructed them to stand outside the threshold to complete the ritual.

"Maa...why must you- there's no need for any of this, for we already made our way into the house, and you know that- this isn't a normal marriage...you know, she is a child and you still-"

"I know, Anirudh, I know. But this IS needed. Your wife deserves all of this, even if you don't feel the same. Don't you, Mishti Doi?"

I looked at the sweet little girl, and I thought that maybe this wasn't the worst thing to have happened. I had never liked Saudamini, for she often tried to manipulate Anirudh's opinions to suit her own wishes.

He thought she loved him, but in truth, she was obsessed with him.

In fact, she was obsessed with the idea of him.

To be honest, in that moment, I was glad that Anirudh had married someone other than that wench.

I knew that this little girl who had not even crossed twelve, was not what Anirudh wanted in his life.

I knew his progressive ideals more than he did himself.

For it was I who used to tell him tales of the brave Rani Laxmibai, and the de-facto ambitious ruler, Nur Jahan.

I believed as much in child marriage as atheists believed in God.

But acting like a conservative woman was the only way to keep him away from Saudamini.

This was not how my Anirudh had remembered me, but it was the only way to keep my impulsive, hot-blooded son safe from that manipulative witch.

She was dangerous, for men and women.

As I said, I'm very progressive...

However, in the years that Anirudh spent away from the mansion, rumours of Sauda's promiscuous nature had spread, especially with women.

It wasn't a matter of which gender she preferred, but more so how she treated people.

Her many lovers had cried tears of blood upon being cast away like a fly from milk.

It was due to the very reason I had suspected since their childhood...

Her obsession with Anirudh.

After completing the ritual half-heartedly, I told Bihari to get Bondita settled and went to my room.

As I started to drift away to slumberland, I heard something.

*thud*

Who was it?

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