Love's Patient Path

Part 9

As the first rays of morning light filtered through the sheer curtains, Anirudh slowly opened his eyes. The soft glow of the study revealed familiar surroundings, and for a moment, he couldn't remember how he ended up there. The events of the previous night flooded back, and he realized that he had fallen asleep in the study after the heartwarming exchange with Bondita.

Sitting up on the sofa, Anirudh ran a hand through his disheveled hair, contemplating the strange yet comforting turn of events.

Just as he was gathering his thoughts, the study door swung open without warning. Anirudh's gaze shifted towards the entrance, expecting perhaps a family member or a servant. To his dismay, it was Saudamini, wearing a serene smile that seemed out of place for the early morning.

Anirudh couldn't help but think to himself, "Not again." Her presence, especially after the peaceful night he had spent, felt like an intrusion.

She approached him with a smile that seemed a bit too calculated. Anirudh, already on edge, taunted, "How can you change your colors so fast?"

Saudamini, undeterred, looked at him pointedly and retorted, "Mera mood kharab mat karo, Anirudh." Her words carried an undercurrent of warning, but Anirudh was in no mood for her theatrics.

He rolled his eyes but didn't engage further. Saudamini, however, seemed determined to gain his attention. "Tumne mujhe ye btaaya nahi ke tum yahaa the raat bar?" she questioned, a subtle accusation in her voice.

Anirudh, still annoyed from the intrusion, replied, "I didn't know I had to report my every move to you."

Her gaze lingered on him, and she noticed a subtle change in his demeanor. There was a distant look in his eyes, and he seemed preoccupied. Seizing the opportunity, she prodded, "Kya soch rahe ho, Anirudh?"

Anirudh, not in the mood for sharing his thoughts with her, dismissed her inquiry with a vague response, "Nothing." he sighed, trying to maintain his composure. "What brings you here so early?"

She leaned against the table and said, "I thought we could spend some time together. You've been avoiding me lately."

Anirudh couldn't hide his annoyance. "I haven't been avoiding you for no reason, right?"

Saudamini, with an air of casual indifference, remarked, "well, Maybe Thinking about Bondita is making you do it? Your sudden interest in her is quite intriguing."

Anirudh's frustration simmered beneath the surface. "This is not about Bondita. It's about my family, my decisions, and your constant interference."

In the midst of their verbal sparring, Saudamini's gaze fell on a cup of coffee on the table. A suspicious glint entered her eyes as she asked, "Ye coffee kisne banayi? You don't know how to make it. So, care to explain?"

Anirudh muttered under his breath, "Damn it." He knew that Saudamini was observant, and his hasty response only fueled her suspicion.

She raised an eyebrow, her tone laced with skepticism. "What's the matter, Anirudh? Is there a secret you're hiding?"

Anirudh, growing weary of the constant scrutiny, retorted, "It's none of your business, Saudamini. I don't owe you an explanation for every little thing."

Saudamini, with a nd accusing tone said, "Well, when you're living under the same roof, some things become everyone's business, don't they?"

The tension in the room escalated, and Anirudh couldn't help but feel a sense of claustrophobia. As the morning unfolded, he found himself caught in a web of her suspicions and interrogations, each moment pushing him further into frustration.