Love's Patient Path

Part 6

As Anirudh's eyes opened, the soft moonlight bathed the garden in a silvery glow. His hair, charmingly disheveled, added an extra layer of allure to his already striking appearance. Leaning against the tree, he discovered that he had unintentionally dozed off in the serene ambiance of the back garden. The cool breeze played with his hair, enhancing his already attractive appearance.

Gently rubbing his eyes, Anirudh took stock of his surroundings, realizing the quiet beauty of the night. His once neatly combed hair was now charmingly tousled and the goggles he had been wearing were now held loosely in his hand. Anirudh, despite his somewhat disheveled state, looked even more captivating.

 As he looked around with his slightly squinted eyes, his gaze was drawn to the window where he had last seen Bondita engrossed in her book. To his surprise, she was no longer there. she must have left while he was sleeping. Anirudh sighed and rose to his feet.

Shaking off any lingering drowsiness, he made his way back into the haveli, he entered the hall where the entire family was assembled. Their collective gaze turned to him, registering the strangeness of his late-night appearance, half-asleep and with an air of quiet contemplation. The absence of Bondita and Saudamini didn't escape his notice.

Questions floated towards Anirudh like curious butterflies, and he calmly responded that he had been in the back garden and lost track of time, succumbing to sleep amid nature's tranquility. The family, still puzzled but not wanting to pry, suggested he freshen up and join them for dinner. Anirudh nodded in agreement.

As he ascended to his room, Anirudh's thoughts swirled between the surreal events of the night. The jingling of bangles echoed in his ears, pulling his attention toward the kitchen. There, he spotted Bondita immersed in her work, the rhythmic clinking of her bangles providing a melodic backdrop to the otherwise quiet haveli.

For a fleeting moment, their eyes met. Bondita, with her large, expressive eyes, held his gaze for an instant before swiftly diverting her attention back to her chores. Anirudh's brow furrowed in a momentary frown. He expected some reaction, perhaps a flicker of acknowledgment or a shy smile, But to his surprise, Bondita's expression remained unchanged.   He couldn't decipher the emotion behind her gaze — was it indifference, avoidance, or something else entirely?

Once inside, Anirudh closed the door behind him, the soft click resonating through the silence. The room, dimly lit by a single lamp, held an air of tranquility. Anirudh approached the window, drawing aside the curtains to let the moonlight spill in. The silver glow painted the room in a delicate luminosity, casting shadows that danced on the walls. He couldn't help but wonder about Bondita's peculiar reaction. Was she upset about something, or was there an underlying tension? He shook his head, deciding not to dwell on it for the moment. After all, there were more pressing matters at hand.

Anirudh, feeling the weariness of the night and the turmoil within, decided to take a bath. As he freshened up, the cool water revitalized his senses. He looked at his reflection in the mirror, wondering about the events of the evening that left him contemplative.

The dining hall was filled with the aroma of freshly prepared dinner as the family gathered around the table. Anirudh sat, looked contemplative, his mind still mulling over the events of the evening. Saudamini entered the room, settling beside Anirudh. However, he was in no mood for conversation with her, and an uncomfortable silence lingered between them.

Bondita, on the other hand, was actively serving dinner to everyone. As she approached Anirudh with a plate, he acknowledged her effort with a soft, "Thank you," but his eyes revealed a lingering curiosity about her distant demeanor.

Amid the clinking of cutlery and the rustle of the dining table, small talk began to weave its way through the family members. Trilochan, with a sense of authority, initiated a discussion about Anirudh's plans. The family was curious about what lay ahead for him, considering the recent turn of events.