Anidita:Love's Liberation

Woven Destinies~3

<continuation>

AUTHOR'S POV

~Confrontation Point~

It was almost afternoon, and only the servants, Bondita, and Anirudh were at home. Bondita was engrossed in a telephone conversation with her mother when she heard footsteps approaching. After ending the call, she turned to see Anirudh entering the house. Except, it wasn't Anirudh; it was someone else entirely.

He walked closer to her, staring with an unfamiliar admiration and said, "Wow, you look like an angel straight from heaven."

Bondita's confusion grew as she processed the differences:
1.Her Patibabu wouldn't speak like this.
2.The voice wasn't Anirudh's.
3.The body language was off.
4.He was dressed in a funky costume unlike Anirudh (Anirudh wouldn't wear those costumes even in his dreams.).
5The eyes were different.

Yet, something about him felt familiar. It took her only a moment to realize that this was none other than her dear best friend, Batuk Roy Choudhary.

Batuk noticed her sindoor and remarked, "Oh, my bad, you're married."

Bondita played along and asked casually, "Does it matter?"

Batuk was amused, "Not really... If you want, I could elope with you ."

Bondita looked at him incredulously and countered, "What about my husband and kids?"

With a flirtatious grin, Batuk asked, "Does that matter before this handsome man?"

Tired of his antics, Bondita grabbed his ears and twisted them. Batuk yelped in pain, exclaiming, "Hey, crazy lady! What are you doing?"

Bondita retorted, "None of them could flirt worse than this, Chote Zamindar!"

Hearing the commotion, Anirudh rushed in, alarmed by the cries for help. Batuk realized it was his beloved Boudi. "Boudi," he whispered in surprise before enveloping her in a tight hug. "I missed you."

Bondita, still holding his ear, teased, "Missed me so much that you came back just to flirt badly with me?"Batuk laughed, "I had to practice on someone, didn't I? Clearly, I need more work."Bondita smirked, "Practice on someone else, Batuk. You’re terrible at it."

Batuk feigned hurt, "Ouch, Boudi, that stings. But seriously, how do you put up with your Patibabu all day? He's so serious!"Bondita grinned, "Oh, you’d be surprised. Your brother can be quite fun when he wants to be."

Batuk raised an eyebrow, "Fun? Big D? Are we talking about the same person who reads law books for fun?"

Anirudh, who had been listening, decided to join in. "I do have my moments, Batuk. Just because you don’t see them, doesn't mean they don’t exist."

Batuk grinned and pulled Anirudh into a hug. "It's good to have you back, Batuk. But your flirting is really the worst," Anirudh said with a chuckle.

Bondita laughed, "I said so!"

Anirudh's mind went back to his discussion with Niharika earlier and the sight of Bondita and Niharika talking on the terrace. He looked at Bondita, concern piqued, but chose to let it go for now, enjoying the moment of reunion with his brother.

                         ~                          

It was evening, the time Bondita usually came to Anirudh to catch up, talk randomly, read books, or just be by his side. But tonight, she was nowhere to be seen. Anirudh, all set to confront her about their earlier conversation, waited for her to appear. When she didn't, he decided to search for her.