Anirudh- The Story Of A Misread Barrister

Chapter-106: All Is Well

The car came to a screeching halt when Bondita said she had a problem. I began sweating profusely, not knowing what to say. I tried my best to put up a smile of indifference but couldn't. It felt like my soul is being ripped off from my body. Without her, I am sure to die. But if she is not ready to share my responsibilities, then I shouldn't force her into my world. Within a fraction of a second, I saw my hopes, desires and expectations being crumbled. Still, they are not more important than my Bondita's happiness and choice. Everything is secondary to her. I am willingly chained to responsibilities, but she has the right to choose her freedom. She doesn't have to bind to me and share all the burdens. When I was almost on the verge of breaking down, I heard her speak,

"I have a problem with the way your thoughts are working.", Bondita stated.

I kept quiet and played with the steering wheel, symbolically trying to steer my thoughts in the right direction, while selfishly waiting for her to console me with her assuring words. She exactly did that as well.

"What was your age when you saved a little girl from sati and took her responsibility?", she began to guide me towards light, like she always did when I got lost in darkness, "Same as that of mine, isn't it?"

I nodded in agreement.

"By then, do you know anything about raising a child, especially a girl child?"

I nodded again, but horizontally this time.

"Were there women in your house apart from Koeli?"

"No"

"Did you have support from your family? Did they accept your responsibility, your so called wife Bondita?"

I silently said no.

"Did you at least have friends who understood your cause? Did your supposed-to- be girlfriend understand your heart? Your very own father didn't.", Bondita sighed hopelessly, remembering those days.

"You returned from London with so much energy, aspirations high in the sky, to help the women in our country, marry the person of your choice and change this world for the better. But did you ever think, even for one moment, that it was your age to indulge and enjoy life, rather than drowning yourself in an ocean of great responsibilities? No, you didn't."

She moved closer, placing her hand on my shoulder, quietly asking me to look at her.

"Sakha babu, if you have the heart and nerve to take such huge responsibilities on your young shoulders, with zero support, then what problem should I have in sharing your responsibilities? You shouldered everything singlehandedly; but I have your strong arms to lean on. I have your support in every little step I take. Most importantly, I have your trust and love to keep me alive and rejuvenated.

You are there to hold me if I falter; to protect me when in danger; to motivate me when I am dull; to inspire me to love. You fan my wings to facilitate my flight. You make my world beautiful with your mere presence. This world, fun, friends, hold very insignificant place in my heart which is fully occupied by my sakha babu. With you beside me, I can do even the most difficult things like standing before a tiger or a ghost, jumping off a cliff and...", her finger tapped her cheek, as she thought of more feats, to justify how much she loved me.

I couldn't see her taking all the trouble to sooth my overwhelming mind. Besides, I was already feeling light, with the clouds of doubt and guilt passing away. I know how much we both loved each other and whatever situation it might be, it is not going to be difficult as long as we are together. The only difficult thing is to depart from one another, which will never ever happen. I will not let it happen, no matter what. I felt extremely grateful, contented and loving. The pleasure and bliss I felt deep inside my heart found its expression in the form of a peaceful smile, as I declared "I know".