Benaam Rishta:An Invisible String

Chapter22

"And don't be sorry. I know, I understand why you didn't let me know this. Whatever happened we can't change but I can't even ignore how hard you must have struggled all these years to raise them alone.... amidst monster, devils in human form, fighting with the world, with fate and above all, with poverty..." He rubbed off her tears and caressed her cheeks as he resume "But still you didn't step back. You brought them up ,with no one by your side. I can't find enough appropriate words to express my gratitude towards you...."

She nodded negatively, " why are you saying like this?! they are my children too. they are our kid " Anirudh smiled, pecked on her forehead, subsequently resting his forehead on hers, voiced, heaving a deep breath "Yesss. they are our baby. yours and mine. The sign of our love..." They looked in each other's eyes, releasing unexpressed emotions in the form of droplets of tears.

At that moment, Anidita and Anirbon came with their Arjun uncle. Bondita introduced Anirudh and Arjun.

"The little Anirudh Roy Chowdhury...has grown so much now..Hmm.!" Arjun remarked playfully, tickling Anirudh's stomach just like he used to do in childhood as little Anirudh was super ticklish, so he would laughed loudly making the atmosphere cheerful. But today nothing like that happened. Instead of laughing Anirudh hugged Arjun and cried "Dada.."

Arjun too could no more control his emotions. Wrapped his one hand around his brother and shed tears realising his little Ani really has grown up. Both the brother cried in each other's arms for a long time.

Being conscience-stricken, Arjun felt low of himself, was hesitant to come to Anirudh as Anirudh was a principled, righteous person who served the humanity, sacrificed his own happiness for others and on the other hand, he was a lawless, anarchical and barbarous person who tortured others, used others to conquer happiness.

They both were totally opposite of each other. Like two sides of a coin,....still one coin!. Two branches of a family tree and this was an undeniable truth' no matter what.

And Anirudh also didn't want to remember anything else at that moment. Where Arjun was for so long, how he was, nothing. He didn't want to creat a barrier between them judging his past. All he wanted was to relish the moment he saw his brother after years. The most unexpected this was. Like a miracle it happened. They never knew Arjun was alive till now. But God was enough gracious to unite them again.

***********

"Papaaa...." Anirudh laughed to see his Angel and Adi ran towards him like a little kid and jumped in his embrace causing him to take a step back. However, he managed to balance himself somehow.

"Aree, be careful. You both turned eighteen but behaviour still like a little kid." And again laughed caressing their head. "By the way, you two seem very happy! What's the reason? "

Both, Anika and Adwait looked at their Papa in amazement as he was laughing and his smile seemed genuine,not that plastic smile on deadpan countenance, he wear everyday and which would made him look scary, instead of sweet. But today he was looking like their old, lively Papa.who used to laugh himself, and made others laugh too. they couldn't take their eyes off their Papa's smiling face, neither they could control tears from brimming up.

Anirudh's brows furrowed quizzically. Not getting any response, he grinned inwardly and said ..

"There's a surprise for you all and which is the reason of my happiness"

Anika and Adwait became curious to see the blessings which has brought the long lost smile of their Papa and probably made him alive again.

They went ahead taking baby steps and spotted the reason of their Papa's happiness and next their world stopped rotating, body went numb. Holding breath they gazed at the person infront of them blankly. Like waterfall, unceasing droplets of tears made their way down to their cheeks. They didn't move even an inch, neither they blink for once. What if it was a dream! And if it's, they didn't want it to break soon. Unable to control the rush of emotions both of them stumbled back but before they fall, felt themselves in a safe and most comforting arms. The arms...they longed to be in for years.

"Apne Ma.. Mamma...apne Mamma se baat nahi karoge?" (Won't you talk to your Mother?)" Bondita barely uttered those words controlling hard herself not to breakdown. Neither Adwait nor Anika said anything, just kept hiding themselves in their mother's embrace that was reciprocated by their Mamma with the same intensity. They were trying to fulfill the longing and emptiness of years, they experienced in their life.

They cried badly for a long time, without any other word except chanting "Mamma" countless times. Bondita's condition was no less. Seeing her children after long ten years she forgot to even breath. Words died in her throat itself. She didn't know what to say in condolence, how to console them! While leaving her eight years old children, she died thousands of death and now the guilt became too heavy to carry. She didn't know how they spent all these years!!! how difficult it must have been for them. All she could do at that moment was to cry over her fate.

Anirudh stood behind them, Caressing three of their head in condolence. He too had tears in his eyes remembering the most difficult time of their life. He always tried his best to provide them the love and warmth of both of a father and mother, Sometimes he became their father and sometimes mother. but still, he knew, the place of a mother is irreplaceable.

After a long crying session, they were back to normal and comfortable. Anika and Adwait puffed their mouth passing an accusing glare to their Mamma. Bondita smiled emotionally. showering them with countless kisses, she meticulously gave them another surprise, called Anidita and Anirbon and told about them. Anika and Adwait jumped in happiness, started swirling around taking their little brother and sister in arms.

Soon, rest of the family members also appeared there and they were way shocked to react upon seeing Bondita alive. Bondita ran to Trilochan and Binoy to take their blessings. They somehow managed to keep hand over her head, still trying to process the happenings. was it real! Bondita went to Batuk and Somnath but before she could say or do anything, they hugged her sobbing. She smiled with teary eyes, stroking their hair lovingly. Then she went to Mrinalini, Mrinu downed her head in guilt as she thought Bondita had left the house because of the words she said years back. Bondita frowned and pulled her in a hug, patted her back, said nothing like that. Rather, it brought a long hidden truth in light. Wiping off their tears , Mrinu took Bondita to Batuk's wife Sunaina Roy Chowdhury. after that she went to her Bihari Babu and Koyeli didi, who cried silently for their Bondita Bitiya. Last but not the least, she met SomTuk's children.

Then they got another biggest shock of their life to see Arjun Roy Chowdhury alive. Kaka and Binoy were sure of fainting out of the shock they were getting in the middle of the night. Bondita alive....it was somehow acceptable but Arjun!! Observing the reactions their family were producing, Anirudh and Bondita sighed. Spoke out the truth of both Arjun and Bondita. Everyone shed tears upon hearing the heart-wrenching past of them.

Arjun said further about himself that he was married to a white girl named Aliana but even after years of marriage Aliana couldn't get pregnant. Whatever, they were happy with each other till he was an oppressive person or can say a mere slave of British. and when he dared to land a helping hand towards Bondita, Tried to free her from the shackles....but Anderson cut his hand and Aliana left him.

Arjun cried saying that he now realised why he couldn't be a father despite trying so hard. Because of his sin! Just as Davidson snatched him from his family, he also snatched many children from their parents. And this is the punishment for the unforgivable sin he committed in doing so.

It was sharp, bitter but somewhere truth'. None of them said anything. Just chose to avoid the topic. Anirudh Assured him saying everything will be fine. He passed a timid smile in return.

All is well that ends well. After years of heartache the broken family reunited. The long lost happiness found its way back to the door of RC haveli. everyone chit-chat laughing whole heartedly making the atmosphere blissful.

Two or three hours were left for the new sun to rise, but still, they want to take some rest thus proceeded to their respective rooms and Trilochan took his son (Arjun) to his room.

Anirudh and Bondita went to Anirudh's room with their children. The rush of memories brought rain of tears in their eyes. After ten years they entered in that room. The last night they had spent together, ten years ago on Holi day, flashed before their eyes. After that night Bondita left and a few days later, Anirudh also left home. And again, ten years later they are going to start where they left off...that too together and this time for ever. This time, the morning sun with lots of blessings and wishes will be welcomed by both of them.....

And like this....after ten years, peaceful slumber engulfed the RC haveli, drowning each one of them in their own dreamland...!