Benaam Rishta:An Invisible String

Chapter11

Morning sunrays peeking through the slightly parted window panes fell on his face making his eyes crunched in disturbance. he turned to another side lazily to be enveloped by peaceful sleep again. However,the rumpus of outside didn't let him to be in bed comfortably. Annoyed he sat up on the bed. Glanced around the room. Reality dawned him upon. He was in Bondita's house....in her room....! obviously the reason was apparent. Because of his Angel he had to stay here last night. Adi and Anu was sleeping peacefully. Bondita was nowhere to be seen in the room. She was.... maybe be in bathroom....again the ruckus of outside alerted him. Frustrated Anirudh marched out of the room to see the matter.

Anirudh saw Almost all villagers were gathered there infront of Bondita's house. Upon asking the reason for their sudden visit early in the morning that too without any invitation they started passing lowly comments about him and Bondita. Although Anirudh had learnt how to control anger but badmouthing about a girl and he would watch that like a statue was out of his nature. He yelled furiously to shut their mouth. but this time that worked oppositely. the villegers stoop way low....to an extent that compelled Anirudh to place a tight slap on one's face who was gabbling too much.

"Rukiye...."Bondita's roaring voice made everyone flinch at their places. She stood infront of them like a lioness "Who gave you the rights to enter in my house without my permission and invade in our personal matter?" Nevertheless,her question poured fuel to the fire fire. The intensity of the situation was going out of control.

"This is how you both want to bring changes in the society.... staying in one room without any relationship..!" One of the villegers remarked disgustfully. the words They were using to criticize them was way too detestable. Anirudh was holding onto the last string of composure. Arduously restrained himself not to rip those impudent people's tongue up. but Bondita's expression was absolutely normal. she knew this was to come. it was customary for those cheap people to peek in other's window being detective and spread rumours like wild fire. like....to turn deaf frog barking dogs get tired at one point of time,they also will be tired and would stop on their own.

The villagers gave an ultimatum to both of them that either they would have to get married or else would have to stay away from each other.

Which they royally ignored. smiling calmly both of them went inside to their children.

"Bondita...please don't mind....."Bondita handed him the cup of coffee. smiled slightly to hear his words. She did understand what he tried to convey.

"Why would I..?Anirudh Babu,I know how these peoples are...being influenced by the orthodox mindsets they have become a firm believer that a boy and a girl can never be just friends....hmm...at a point they're true though......"

"You think so..."Anirudh snapped her. He was....somewhere alerted. the coffee cup was half way to his lips. Shaking head smilingly she indicated him to enjoy his coffee. Herself got busy in preparing breakfast..

"Well....not completely...still the fact can't be ignored. A boy and girl can be friends but most of them....with passing time.....at one point or another fall for each other....even it can be one sided too...for temporarily...or for forever....." She saw Anirudh was listening to her keenly. thinking something deeply. she didn't want to go further. let pin drop silence to cover the surroundings for a few seconds.

"Ohh....so...you mean to say we too can't be just friends...?" He asked out of the blue. remembering his friends words. was he in teasing mood. Bondita started..letting out a small laugh.

"I don't think we are just friends. Although not much but we knew each other from childhood.. right, we used to study in same school. We are neighborhood. You are.. the husband...of...of my friend. You are My Adi's Papa....my senior Barrister and many more......So I don't think there's something like this would be possible..." She deliberately tried to escape from the exact answer. He knew that. just shoked head in disbelief tracing the length of excuses she made. Bondita went out of the Kitchen to take somthing. he kept sitting on there.

Suddenly he shoved hand inside of his pocket and brought out the Payel of Bondita he had found yesterday. he gazed that Payel for a good time untill Bondita returned. And again kept that Payel in his pocket secretly.

"What do you think about love....?Do.....Did you ever love someone?" He didn't know what caught in him. Just let lips to whispered those words even without thinking for twice.... maybe, yesterday's conversation with his friends influenced him to do so.they did share each small secrets to each other but that's something.....they never dared to confab with each other. he saw her stopped at once. stilled at her place without any movement. the question was too personal. It shouldn't have been asked.....at least by him. When the on going conversation was about friendship...love and......it implied on them....at a certain point! Although his intention wasn't that.

Bondita didn't even turn to him. he thought taking leave would be better option. Was going to went out of the kitchen, heard...

"Love.........."Silence. He stayed put. Waited. "Just a word for me... nothing else..and one sided love...without any expectations....is true love.... I think" he was bewildered by her faded answer. But said nothing. nodding lightly he left the place as fast as possible.

She chuckled sadly watching him going away......murmured....

Love means..........you....to me!
Everyone says that change is only constant in the world.
But....I couldn't change myself... which thought of loving you!
Keep Repeating it in mind like a devotee...that...
I love you like as much as the size of sky.
Will it become the size of mustard........because it's one sided...?

No...!

I love you as much as the size of the sea...
Will it turn into a small drop....... because I'm alone in it.....???

Never...!

Because you will be unaware of it forever.........!!!!!!!!