𝑨𝑵𝑰𝑫𝑰𝑻𝑨: 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐞 - Yours With All My Heart

Chapter-2 "The Punishment"

AUTHOR

“Tulsipur’s leader says, ‘If Bondita Ji has accepted her wrongdoing, it is clear that she came to the Roy Chowdhury Haveli as an enemy. According to our customs, Bondita Ji will face the strictest punishment… Now, the Roy Chowdhury family will decide what punishment Bondita Ji will receive.’”

Somnath leaned closer to Trilochan, who was seated beside him. “Kaka, do you remember what I said yesterday?” Trilochan merely hummed in response.

Flashback of Last Night

Trilochan sat alone in his room, deep in thought, when Somnath entered, his expression serious.

“Kaka, I need to talk to you,” Somnath said.

“Go on,” Trilochan replied.

“Kaka, have you thought about what punishment we should give Bondita?”

“Not yet,” Trilochan admitted.

“Can I suggest something, if you allow me?” Somnath asked.

“What kind of suggestion?” Trilochan inquired.

“I was thinking… we should arrange a marriage for Bondita as a punishment.”

“What are you saying? How can marriage be a punishment for her?” Trilochan responded, bewildered.

“Whether it's a punishment or not, it will keep her away from Tulsipur and Anirudh Dada. You and I both know that Anirudh Dada becomes weak in front of her.”

“Yes, Som, I agree with that. But how is marriage the solution?”

“Think about it, Kaka. Once Bondita is married, she will be preoccupied with her new family, and there will be no connection to Anirudh. Without a connection to him, there will be no ties to Tulsipur. And if Dada becomes weak, that benefits us, doesn’t it?”

“Hmmm, you have a point there!” Trilochan acknowledged, contemplating the idea.

Flashback Ends

“Tulsipur's leader continues, ‘Trilochan Ji, the final decision is yours. What punishment do you suggest?’”

A man from the crowd shouted, “Let’s drown this spy in the river with a stone around her neck!” Another voice chimed in, “I say we shave her head and blacken her face, parading her through all of Tulsipur!” Anirudh clenched his fists in anger, outraged at the vile suggestions being made about his Bondita. He was about to rise and confront them when he heard Trilochan’s voice, which stopped him.

“NO!” Trilochan shouted. “No, we cannot. She may have come to our home as a spy, but we cannot forget our history with her. She may have lost sight of that relationship, but we from Krishna Nagar would never stoop so low. We’ve shared too much history with her. No, we will not treat her this way. We have thought of an appropriate punishment for this spy…”

Anirudh's heart raced, a cold sweat forming on his brow from the anxiety. He dreaded what his Kaka would propose. He knew Bondita would accept any punishment they threw her way; she meant what she said.

Taking a deep breath, Trilochan prepared to reveal his shocking decision. “We want Bondita to be married. And not just to anyone, but to a man of our choosing.” Anirudh’s eyes widened in disbelief. He was engulfed in shock. How could Kaka even suggest something so unfathomable?

Thaku Maa gasped, “What are you saying, wise sir? How is this a punishment?”

Just as Trilochan was about to explain, Bondita interjected, “I accept.” Anirudh stared at Bondita, bewildered. “Yes, Kaka. I accept the punishment you’ve given. I’m ready for this marriage!” she declared, glancing at Anirudh, who looked at her with a blank expression. She offered him a heart-wrenching smile. In that moment, all of Anirudh’s anger, sorrow, and guilt erupted into chaos. Overwhelmed, he rose to his feet and exclaimed, “Kaka, whether friend or foe, I will never force a girl into marriage against her will!”