Finding her Existence

CHAPTER 11: PART -1

Later that day Anirudh came out of his study past the dinner time only to notice Bihari cleaning everything and beginning to end of his day too like all others who went to rest before him. He wanted to know about others to but seeing him carrying some used plates to wash he knew that other had their supper already. But there was a gut feeling in him that one person will be still left to have her meal if not persuaded she won't have it tonight even. And that person is 'Bondita' but just to confirm he asked, "Bihari mera aur Bondita ka  khana paros do main uske saath hi kha lunga usne bhi ab tak nahi kaya na, mujhe pata ...." But got interrupted,

" Are chote malik main bas abhi aapke liye khana laane hi wala tha kaha tha bade malik ne dene ko, aur Bondita malkin ne toh apni thaali khane ke samay hi apne kamre mein mangwa li thi vo kah rahi thi unhe kuch patra dekhne hai toh vo kamre mein hi kah lengi." saying thing Bihari went inside tghe kitchen to get his plate served.

Anirudh's pov 

" Bondita ne khana kha liya, pahle toh chahe kuch bhi ho ya koi jagda bhi ho toh bhi vo humesha mujhe puchti thi aur mere saath khaana khati thi par ab aisa kya ho gaya ki Bondita ek baar dekhne bhi nahi aayi ."Anirudh spoke to himself.

"Oh really, Kya yaad nahi tumhe Bondita ne toh khaana tumhaare saath khana kab ka bannd kar diya tha yaad nahi tumhe jabse usne tumhe Barrister Babu kaha kya kabhi bhi vo bina knock kiye aayi hai, kabhi padhayi ya neend ke bahane usne tumse baat karne se mana nahi kya kya. vo toh sab ke saath khati thi jab tum bhi khaate the par jab tum der se khaate the toh vo Bihari ke saath plate toh laati thi par khaati nahi thi, yaad nahi tumhi toh kehte the ki acha kiya Bondita jo kha liya, fir aaj kya ho gaya are bhool gaya main hi tumhe bura toh tab bhi lagta tha bas aaj se kam." His conscience mocked.

With glistening eyes, he finished half of the plate as it became tough to gulp anymore. And went back to his couch sitting there curling his knees thinking about Bondita and how to make her trust him again how to tell her about his stupidities. Unaware of the pair of eyes that were peeking from behind the curtain of his study door side. sleep was far away tonight for almost everyone in the Roy Chaudhari haveli. The minds in Haveli were in deep thoughts tonight some were thing about their Dada and Boudhi, some of their son, some of her sister and her husband which somehow was her stepson too, some in hope of some miracle to stay of his ram and sita. One mind thinking of his everything the one who was his, and other of the one who never was hers. Irony.

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Morning brings the hope of new start, but it wasn't the case everytime for someone. Anirudh was ready before his daily schedule but when he went to her room but the door was locked and he was greeted with only silence. Then he thought to ask Bihari hoping to get that she is somewhere in the Haveli only.

" Bihari Bondita kahan gayi subah subah, aaj to aarti bhi abhi abhi hi hui hai aur main jaldi bhi aaya hu, vo dikh kyun nahi rahi."

"Chote malik, aap aapko aarti leni hai kya , ya Bondita malkin se kuch kaam hai."

"Bihari, mujhe main Bondita se kuch baat karna chahta hu batao kahan hai vo.

" Maaf karna chote malik vo unhe subah ek telephone aaya tha court se wahi gayi hai isliye aaj aarti jaldi ho gayi thi."

"oh theek hai jab vo vapas aa jaye toh mujhe bata dena main aaj ghar par hi hu."

"Ji malik"

Later at night Bondita came but was tired and exhausted so she told Bihari that she will talk to barrister babu tomorrow or day after tomorrow, when he told her that chote malik wanted to talk something to her.

" Chote malik Bondita malkin thak gayi hai isliye vo aapse kal shaam ya uske baad baat kar lengi" saying that bihari went away. Anirudh thought that maybe he could check on her. Standing in front of her room door he was contemplating his decision as it was middle of the night and as she already told she was tired whether he should knock or not. But his restless heart wasn't going to stop before he tries once. So. thinking of all consequences he knocked on her door thrice to let her know that he was the one who came but he was again greeted with silence for the second time.

With the heart full of emotions, the Anirudh returned to his study just in a hope that tomorrow he would get to explain his side to her only to lose hope in the morning as she again left for the court early in the morning before he could meet her.

But now he was determined more as the time passed his tries got stronger to explain and that evening when she returned in Haveli, Anirudh made his way towards her room.

Author's Pov

Bondita was sitting inside her room tired since morning, thing about her job and works she had received a call from her friend Chandramukhi Raman yesterday morning, her father was Barrister too by profession and she had called to tell her about an orphanage in Kolkata. She was thinking about those children only as there were rumors that the riots will take place. As she heard a knock repeated by two others on her door, she immediately opened her eyes with a jerk, after creasing her saree making herself presentable enough, she made her way to open the door carefully and passing a small welcoming smile to the Barrister Babu. She asked him to come inside and talk if he wanted as yesterday, she was busy due to something and when Bihari told her that he had some work with her and she was feeling drowsy due to sleep and she wasn't able to pay attention that's why she postponed his talk, also she is sorry for it. When she noticed him clearly, she squinted her eyes at his hands which were clasped behind his back as if hiding something from her but nevertheless she said nothing. As she offered him to seat on the bed while she herself sat on the small study chair placing it facing him on the bed. She asked him to say what he wants with a small smile playing on her lips making it harder for him as it wasn't like his old little Bondita, it was more of a matured person. Leaving his insecurities as he saw her closing her eyes for some seconds, he immediately placed the other end near her feet while holding the one close to his mouth. As Bondita opened her eyes due to a sound by him, what she saw was shocking her to the core, Barrister Babu was sitting in front of her holding one end of the COCOPHONE while other end was placed beside her feet on the ground.' TRING TRING '

Every memory from her childhood came running back to her with a lightning speed, every conversation with him with the help of the Coco phone she had was ringing in her ears. Every conversation which had solved all her doubts, worries and hesitation, every happy memory but with every action there comes equal and opposite reaction and just like that came the memories of her before leaving the Haveli due to his mistrust on Brijwasi incident, and him throwing her Coco phone when she came to get her answers after his outburst on her marriage anniversary.

She was contemplating her thoughts with Anirudh making constant ringing sounds, when Bihari came knocking on her door saying she had a call to attend by some Sujoy Williams.

And with that she left the room without even touching the cocophone and leaving Anirudh with misery of his own to handle alone.

BY  AAS....................