Benaam Rishta:An Invisible String

Chapter4

Calming himself down a bit Anirudh left from there. he guessed..she was hungry that's what might be the reason for her peculiar behaviour. He would have to arrange something.

Even after searching for fifteen minutes he found nothing. he was empty handed. Came to help a helpless girl. Now he himself was helpless. There's not even a torch with him to see the surroundings clearly. Maybe there's fruit trees in the forest. but in the darkness he couldn't see anything.finding no way he fell on his knees and screamed in anger and frustration. the girl was pregnant. Anytime anything may happen but she's hungry for the past four days.......closing his eyes in helplessness he just prayed to Durga for help.

That's when he felt a hand on his head. looking upward he saw a woman in red saree. face covered by a long veil was standing infront of him...the woman asked Anirudh about the matter. He told her everything.

Upon hearing, the woman just let out a chuckle and forwarded the Bowl which was in her hand under the pallu to Anirudh. He looked at the woman quzzily...the woman said that the Bowl filled kheer was bhog for Durga maa and she found the ultimate destination for its.

Anirudh took a step forward but to ask something as he turned behind he got shocked. there's no one in that place except him. where did the woman vanished all of so sudden..!or from where did she come in the dense forest.. late at night...!

Shrugging off his thoughts Anirudh rushed to Bondita. Gave the Bowl of kheer to her to have. she's not that energetic to move her hand to bring a morsel to her mouth. Still tried but failed as the bruises of palms wasn't helping her either. Upon noticing that, Anirudh took the Bowl. Was a little hesitant But fed her anyways.

After an hour Anirudh's nap broke hearing someone's crying sound. Going ahead only found Bondita. crying holding her belly. It didn't take him long to understand the matter. Her labor pains started. 

He sat near her. as her eyes fell on him she got scared and instantly covered her mouth by palms to suppress her crying sounds. Anirudh got the reason why she did so. she was scared that now he would also beat her like those devils.  

He said nothing.

Holding her hand he started massaging to reduce her pain but as the time passed the intensity of her crying increased. Stretching her body he rubbed her hands, legs and head continuously.

His mind stopped working. they're in the forest. Wild animals can attack them from anywhere at any time. moreover the place was even unprotected from harmful insects.

And Bondita was in such a situation.

She needed to be taken to hospital but wasn't getting the minimum care a woman should get during delivery. Anirudh could just flow tears helplessly.

Suddenly his eyes caught a light a little far away. following that he went towards the direction of the source of light along with Bondita. there he found a little Hut...much to his releif. the Hut was absolutely empty. just a curtain hanging on the wall and a lamp inflaming in the doorstep.

He swiftly cleaned the floor. teared the curtain in two parts. made Bondita lay on the one and another part used to cover her blood stained body.

Bondita screamed with all her might in intense pain making Anirudh shiver to the core. He never saw a woman during delivery but today witnessing all these he felt goosebumps. was shorts of words to express how strong. Athlete a woman could be...!

Her body started quivering terribly. sweat bead formed all over her face. she clasped his hand that was on her forehead... patting. bringing that to her belly Placed on there. Anirudh's breath hitched. Lump formed in his throat. In nervousness was to withdraw his hand but stopped. He wasn't a doctor for sure. Neither he was her husband but whoever he was...he was there for her...all alone. Only him..!

Shooing away other thoughts he massaged her belly ever so gently to lessen her pain. quivering..her head fell on his lap. he didn't prevent. Went on with his work. another hand forwarded to aside the dishaveald hair from her face.

She felt herself drowning in darkness. as if everything was going blank infront of her. her eyes lazily scanned his face. Heart smiled in contentment. Atleast she was that fortunate to take her last breath on her Anirudh...her Krishna's lap. she was about to close her eyes Anirudh called her out desperately..panicking.

"Bon..Bondita don't...don't close your eyes please. keep open them. Stay strong and give a little more try...think about your Baby Bondita......Bonditaa"

The Mother in her woke up. She pushed again with all her strength.

There she introduced a little baby to the world.

Anirudh smiled through tear filled eyes. Finally he closed his eyes in relief. Thanking Durga maa in mind for thousands time.

Bondita sucked her dried up lips in half concious stat. after so much exertion, bearing intense pain and excessive loss of energy she felt thirsty.
Anirudh again felt an ache in his heart. Now From where he would collect water for her...!a drop of tear fell on her lips from his eye....!

Suddenly it started raining outside. A wide smile came to his lips in happiness. taking the Bowl he rushed out of the Hut to bring water the nature was pouring. then he made Bondita drink the nature gifted water. she closed her eyes went to a peaceful deep slumber..!

After that Anirudh cleaned up everything.He congested little more water from the rain. Soaked clothes there and wipped Bondita and baby's body.

Hearing the baby's cry he took the little figure in his hand. His heart hammered hard at the new feelings. he never held a baby ever before. was excited and delighted to held his own baby for the first time....but see...the road of destiny where took him..!

A complacent smile crept up on his lips. He observed the baby.. She was so little and softer than cotton contrasting to his rough palms. her face was brighter and purer than the shining moon. shape of her cute face was resembled to her mother.

He replayed in his mind all the happenings of the day. So much happened in one day.The day was arduous as well magical.

Yess...it was miracle...first encountered with a mysterious woman in the dense forest. Late at night.When no trace of human was visible far and wide. She gave the bhog for Durga brought by her to them saying that's the destiny....the Hut...and then sudden raining...when the whether was absolutely fine... illuminated by blazing full moon and brilliance stars...!!

A amazing group of words said by Kaka...he remembered..

"ये चमत्कार केबल "बिस्वास " ही कर सकता है,
जो पत्थर को भी "भगवान "कार सकता है!

"You always helped others. Stood by helpless, needed people. Now when you needed them although the people of the concrete world is too self-centred to think of others,to help others.  To show condolence to others but Almighty God is omniscient.. omnipresent and that's why Durga maa herself came to help you...to her devotee....and bestowed you another choti Durga. You were tested all this while and now see...this is the result...."His eyes were full of admiration and love for the unknown little munchkin. He couldn't control but leaning down a bit placed a soft kiss on the baby's small forehead.. murmuring...unknowingly.....

Your Anika.......!!!