Bondita taking a deep breath knocked the door and said:Mishti ek baar Maa se mil lo...
Bani from inside: Mujhe apse nahi milna. Mein aapse kabhi baat nahi karungi.
Bondita kept a hand on her mouth to prevent any sounds. Anirudh kept a hand on Bondita's shoulder and pressed it in order to calm her.
Bondita let out a deep sigh and gave a small smile to Anirudh. Anirudh knew her better. He hugged her and Bondita cried in his embrace while he caressed her hairs to soothe her.
Kaka from downstairs: Bahu jaldi aao. Sandhya Aarti karna hai.
Bondita broke the hug and looked at Anirudh.
Anirudh cupped her cheek,caressing it asked: Jaana hai kya? Man nahi hai toh..
Bondita: Mera man kare na kare Kaka man rakhne ke liye karungi mein.
Anirudh: Bondita zabardasti karne ki zaroorat nahi hai.
Bondita: Meine aaj tak Bhagwaan ka har kaam man laga ke kiya hai.
Anirudh: Pakka janaa chahti ho?
Bondita nodded. Anirudh gave a gentle smile and forwarded his hand. Bondita smiling kept her palm over his and both of them walked down the stairs.
Binoy: Bondita, Bani...
Bondita: Usne mujhse baat nhi ki baba.
Bohot naraaz hai mujhse.
Her voice choked while saying this.
Binoy gave her a hug. Bondita sobbed while Binoy patted her head gently.
Binoy : Shh. Sab theek ho jayega. Roh mat. Hmm?
Bondita: Ji.
Kaka: Bahu idhar aao.
Bondita: ji Kaka sasoor ji.
Kaka kept his hand on her head and said: Chinta mat karo. Sab theek hoga. Aaj agar man nahi hai toh mat karo Aarti. Thak gyi hogi. Jao jaake araam karlo.
Bondita: Nahi Kaka sasoor ji. Mei Aarti karungi. Aaj Pata nahi bas Man hai. Karne dijiye na.
Kaka: Jaisi tumhari marzi Bahu.
Bondita nodded and went towards the Mandir followed by other members.
Bondita took hold of the Arti thaal. Anirudh came and held Bondita's hand. Both of them gave a smile and Bondita started the Arti.
.
.
.
.
In Study.
Anirudh was talking in the telephone while Bondita was standing looking at the sky. The sky was pink and orange in color few moments back but suddenly it turned black.
Anirudh: Bondita.
Bondita: Ji.
Anirudh : Woh hume Calcutta ke liye aaj hi nikalna hoga. Welfare Organization mein kuch gadbad hui hai Calcutta branch mein. Hum dono ki zarrurat hai.
Bondita: Acha theek hai. Mein taiyaar hoti hoon. Apke liye bhi kapde nikaal deti hoon.
Anirudh: Haan. Aur kuch aur kapde bandh bhi lena. Kitna waqt lagega Pata nhi.
Bondita nodded and went upstairs.
Anirudh stood by the window and looked outside.
Anirudh : Yeh Aasmaan ko kya hua? Kuch der tak toh theek tha.
Bondita from upstairs: Pati Babu. Yahan aayiye na.
Anirudh sighed and closing the window he went upstairs. The sky and the surroundings was looking scary as if something bad is going to happen.
Das Baadi.
Sumati was sticking some baby clothes for Rishi but was lost somewhere. The atmosphere was scaring her too. The needle pricked her skin and she let out a cry.
Dev who was passing by the corner , came and said : Kaki.Yeh kya? Dhyaan kahan hai aapka?
Sumati : Pata nahi beta. Man pareshaan hai. Jaise ki kuch galat hone wala hai.
Dev: Galat? Aapko Choti ki fikar ho rhi hai?
Sumati nodded.
Dev : Baat karengi?
Sumati : Beta dopahar ka samay hai. 4 bajne par phone kar dena.
Dev nodded and said : Ab aap pareshaan hona band kariye. Choti ko kuch nahi hoga. Anirudh babu hai na uske saath?
Sumati: Han hai toh par phir bhi. Man mein ek baichaini hai.
Dev sighed. He can't do anything regarding all this. Somehow he convinced Sumati and made her sleep.
The Family photo hung outside the wall fell down. The glass broke badly. One of the glass piece peirced the face of Bondita. Dev picked up the photo and caressing it said: Tu theek hai na Choti?
Rc Haveli.
Anirudh opened the door with a spare key and entered the room. Bondita behind him. They saw Bani sleeping on the bed with open mouth and bedsheet lying on the floor. Bondita came and sat beside her. Anirudh sat on the other side. Bondita held Bani's little palm and kissed on back side while Anirudh kissed Bani's forehead.
Bondita caressed the cheek where she had slapped Bani. She kissed it while Bani frowned and uttered something in her sleep.
Bani : Baba dekho na, Maa phirse kisses ki barrish kar rhi hai. Ruko na unhe.
Bondita and Anirudh smiled in their tears. She covered Bani properly with the blanket. Bani snuggled in the blanket and smiled in her sleep. Bondita kept a pot of roshogulla on the side table with a note on top of it.
Both turned to leave. They stopped at the threshold of the room and gave a glance to sleeping Bani. As if for the last time they are going to see her.
Bondita closed the door behind and both of them walked downstairs.
Kaka: Bahu. Anirudh. Beta jaana zaroori hai kya? Dekho na Mausam Bahar Kitna ajeeb hai. Kuch ashubh hone wala hai. Hume lag rha hai ki tum dono ko nahi jaana chahiye.
Anirudh: kya Kaka aap kaisi baat kar rhe hain? Ashubh shubh kuch nahi hota. Sab man ka veham hai.
Bondita: Haan Kaka sasoor ji. Man mein aisi baatein mat laayiye jo kabhi sach na ho.
Anirudh: Aur nhi toh kya? Hum dono konsa aap dono ko humesha ke liye kahin chod ke jaa rhe hai.
Binoy and Kaka: Anirudh.
Binoy shouting : Kab kya kaise baat karni hai , kabhi nhi sochte ho na tum.
Binoy came and hugged Anirudh as tears fell down.
Binoy: Dubara aisi baat mat karna. Samjhe?
Anirudh confusingly hugged Binoy while Kaka came and held his hand out towards Bondita.
Kaka: Bahu. Vada karo. Agar kuch bhi hua toh tum dono sabse pehele apni jaan bachaoge.
Binoy: Da yeh aap kya kar rhe hau? Mere bachon ko kuch nahi hoga. Kuch bhi nahi.
Kaka: Bas ek vaada chahiye tha Binoy. Man ki tasali ke liye.
Bondita smiled lightly and was about to keep her hand on his when Rishi started to cry. Bondita ran upstairs and towards him and started to calm him. Kaka was staring his hand as tears trickled down his eyes. Anirudh excused himself as the telephone rang.In the room, few minutes Rishi again slept.
Anirudh: Bondita chalo. Der hi rhi hai. Acha Haan Maa ka phone aaya tha. Line pe hai. Baat karlo.
Bondita: Jii.
She didn't want to leave Rishi for some reason. She reluctantly left Rishi on the cradle. Anirudh too looked at Rishi. He caressed Rishi's chubby cheeks and said: Baba aur Maa wapas aayenge. Hmm. Tab tak kisi ko pareshaan mat karna. Okay?
Anirudh backed off and turned towards Bondita. Bondita nodded and left the room with Anirudh.
In the study.
Bondita: Hello Maa.
Sumati: Bondita. Meri bachi. Kaisi hai?
Bondita: Theek hoon maa. Kya hua? Pareshaan lag rhe ho?
Sumati: Kuch nhi beta. Bas Man pareshaan tha isliye Dev se kehekke phone kiya.
Bondita chuckling: Kya Maa aap bhi. Abhi abhi Kaka sasoor ji aur Baba bhi aisi behki behki baatein kar rhe the. Mein aap sabko chod ke kahi door nhi jaa rhi.
Sumati: Bondita, beta aisi baatein nhi karte.
Bondita: acha acha sorry. Ab dev dada ko dijiye. Mein jaanti hoon ki woh wahan khade hoke humari baat sun rhe hai.
Dev : Kaisi hai?
Bondita: Theek hoon dada. Aap roh rhe ho?
Dev : Dhat pagal hai kya? Ladke nhi rote.
Bondita: Kyun ladke insaan nhi hai kya?
Dev : Hai par..
Bondita: Bhagwaan khud apnon ke liye rote hai , aap kon hai?
Dev : Maaf karo barrister Sahiba. Galti ho gyi.
Bondita: Chalo maaf kiya.
Dev : Aur...
Bondita: Acha dada hume na Calcutta ke liye nikalna hai. Deri ho rhi hai.
Byee.
She cut the call without listening to him.
Bondita and Anirudh took blessings from Binoy and Kaka. Taking the suitcase they started to leave the house.
But suddenly Bondita dashed on to Bihari. The Sindoor thaal Bihari was carrying fell on Bondita.
Kaka: Nalayak kya karta hau? Bahu ke kapde kharab kar diye.
Anirudh: Koi baat nhi Kaka. Bondita jao jaake kapde badal lo. Mein Bahar intezaar kar rha hoon.
Bondita nodded and went to her room to change the saree.
After changing her saree she saw that Binoy and Kaka were sitting with hands on their head. Sighing and muttering a quick bye , Bondita started to leave the Haveli. As she was in hurry she didn't see the floor and stepped on the Sindoor water. As she was walking, the imprints of her feet were leaving behind. She stood at the threshold and looked back at the house. She saw Durga Maa's murti and left. The door behind her closed.
Her saree suddenly stucked between the closed door and she tried to take it out. Anirudh came and pulled the pallu with a force that it tore ,leaving the small part in the other side of the door.
Bondita frowned: Saree padh di aapne meri.
Anirudh: Tumhe konsa koi dekhne aane wala hai. Chalo abhi. Der hi rhi hai.
Bondita sighed and nodded. Both if them started to their journey towards Calcutta, unknown of the storm which coming.
RC Haveli.
Bani woke up and searched for her Maa and Baba until and unless she realised what had happened. She sat on the bed sulking when her Som Kaka entered.
Som : Meri Bani kya kar rhi hai?
Bani : Kuch nahi Kaka.
Som: hmm. Toh Bani ka mood off hai. Toh usse theek karne ke liye kya karein?
Bani : Bani ka mood roshogullon se theek hoga.
Som : Acha par roshogulle toh yahin hai table pe. Tumne dekha nhi.
Bani looked at the table and was surprised. She took the pot excitedly but soon kept it back as she saw the note.
Som sighed and sat in front of her on the floor. He took the note and read it aloud.
" Mishti I am sorry beta. Mujhe tumpe haath nahi uthana chahiye tha. Par kya karti tumne baat hi aisi keh di. Mooh se kabhi Marne ki baat mat nikalna. Beta Maa ke liye uske saare bache ek samaan hote hain. Mere liye tum , Saina , aur Ravi ek jaise hi ho. Tum toh meri jaan ho Bani. Mere dil mein tumhare liye kabhi pyaar kam nhi hoga kyunki Maa ke ehsaas kya hota hai woh toh meine tumhe paane ke baad jaana hai. Please Beta, I am sorry. Maa ko maaf nhi karogi?
Baba bhi roh rhe hai. Tumhe pasand hai kya jab tumahre role model roye? Nahi na. Baba is also sorry Beta. We love you.
Agar gussa shaant ho jaye toh roshogulle khaa lena. Gud wale hai. Tumahre man pasansdeeta. Aur beta jab tak Maa Baba nahi aa jate tab tak kya Rishi ki khayal rakhogi?
Tumhare Maa aur Baba.
Som kept the note aside. Bani sat there putting her face down. She started to sob. Som sighed and sitting beside her caressed her hairs while Bani hugged him and cried.
Somewhere in the ground.
A Man: Uss Hindu ladke ne humare ladki ki Behla phuslakar nikkah kar liya. Hum bhala chup rahenge kya?
Another man : Huzoor. Dono ko maar dete hai. Uss ladki ne bhi galti ki hai usse ladke se vivaah karke.
Man : Theek bol rhe ho. Aye sun, Jang ki Taiyaari karo. Rakt nadiyan bahegi.
Here Anirudh and Bondita were having a silent ride. Both of them were having odd thoughts.
Bondita and Anirudh were crossing the market when Bondita asked him to stop.
Bondita walked out of the car and went near a shop.
Bondita saw the locket which Bani wanted. She smiled and bought one. She again sat on the car and showed Anirudh the locket.
" Maana padega. Mishti ki choice bohot achi hai." Anirudh said while taking a turn.
" Hai toh. " Bondita said caressing the locket.
Suddenly two people came infront of the car and Anirudh stopped it with a jerk.
" Pagal ho gye kya tumlog? Aise gaadi ke saamne kon aata hai? Agar lag jaati toh?" Anirudh shouted.
Bondita looked at the couple. The woman was pregnant and both of them were panting.
" Ek sec Pati Babu. Tum log kon ho?" Bondita asked coming out of the car.
" Mein Ankush aur yeh meri patni Zahabiya." Ankush said panting.
Before Bondita could speak , Zagabiya spoke " Dekhiye hum jaante hai ki aap kya soch rhe hai, Ki mein musalman aur yeh Hindu. Phir humne vivaah kaise kiya?"
" Nahi. Mein aisa bilkul Nahi soch rahi. Mein yeh soch rhi hoon ki tum dono aise bhaag kyun rahe ho. Aur woh iss halat mein." Bondita said pointing at Zahabiya's belly.
" Woh sab hum baad mein bata denge. Pehle aap humari madat kar lijiye. Gaon waale humare peeche pade hau." Ankush said looking around.
Anirudh and Bondita understood and nodded. Ankush and Zahabiya sat in the car.
" Ruko. Zahabiya mere saath aao." Bondita took Zahabiya with her and made her wear one of her saree. She brought her back and made her sit in the car.
" Chaliye." Bondita said to Anirudh.
Anirudh started the car and they were driving when he asked " Kahan jaana hai aap logon ko?"
" Calcutta port le chaliye. Wahan jaake Jahaz mein baith jayenge aur Vilayat chale jayenge." Ankush said.
" Hum bhi Calcutta hi jaa rahe hai. Waise abhi zyada door nahi hai Calcutta. Pehele apko Port chod denge phir hum chale jayenge ape raaste." Anirudh said taking a turn.
" Kitne mahine ki ho?" Bondita asked Zahabiya.
" Nauva mahine ki." Zahabiya said with a smile touching her belly.
Bondita smiled and said " Khub bhalo. Zyada dhyaan dena hoga tumhe Iss samay pe."
" Ji." Zahabiya uttered.
The stopped the car with a jerk as they saw few people standing infront of them with mashaal.
" Zahabiya. Shaant. " Bondita slowly whispered.
One of the man walked and asked " Chote Malik. Choti Malkin. Yeh dono kon hai?"
" Yeh mere door ke rishtedaar hai. Jo ladka hai woh Mera dost hai aur Jo ladki hai woh uski ki patni hai. Aaj hi aayen hai. In log ka ghar Calcutta mein hai na toh isliye chodne jaa rhe hai. " Anirudh said with a smile.
The men looked behind Bondita and spoke to eachother.
The man walked towards Ankush and Zahabiya.
" Nomoshkaar Babu. Nomoshkaar Boudi." The man said joining his hand.
Ankush joined his hands and uttered " Nomoshkaar. "
The man waited for Zahabiya to reply back but she didn't.
" Woh meri patni gungi hai." Ankush said keeping his hand over Zahabiya.
" Ohh acha acha. Khair. Kya aapne kisi Hindu bangali ladke ko aur ek musalmaan ladki ko dekha hai kya?" The man asked holding his stick tightly and looking around.
" Nahi dada. Humne nahi dekha hai. " Ankush said acting confused.
The man nodded and asked them to leave. Anirudh slowly started the car and moved. The man picked up a stone and threw at Zahabiya.
" Yihya Allah" Zahabiya screamed holding her head and it started to bleed.
Anirudh drove his car with full speed while the men ran behind them. The car went far but the men didn't stop. They started to spread in different direction in order to catch them.
After sometime all the men came to meet eachother at some point ,huffing and getting breathless.
" Sahab. Woh...woh bhaag gye." The man said bending and resting his hand on his knees.
" Bhaag gye? Bhaagne do. Lekin kab tak bhaagenge?" The man said gripping his chadhi more tightly.
Somewhere near a hut Bondita was bandaging Zahabiya's head. Ankush and Anirudh were standing outside.
Suddenly Zahabiya started to scream holding her belly.
Anirudh and Ankush ran inside to see Zahabiya in labour pain.
" Pati Babu. Paas hi mein Dai Maa ka ghar hai. Jaiyiye jaake bula layiye." Bondita said trying to calm Zahabiya down.
" Haan. Ankush tum Zahabiya ke paas hi ruko. Mein jaake bulake laata hoon." Anirudh said.
" Nahi Dada. Aap aur boudi jayiye. Mein hoon yahan Zahabiya ke paas." Mahesh said.
" Ankush zyada samay nahi hai. Jao jaldi." Bondita shouted.
Ankushh and Anirudh went to Dai Maa's house.
" Are zamindaar babu. Aap itni raat ko yahan? Sab theek hai na?" Dai Maa spoke holding a lantern.
" Aap humare saath chaliye." Anirudh spoke holding Dai Maa by her shoulders. She was weak.
Rc Haveli.
" Chotu. I am sorry. Mein na sabse badi buddhu hoon. Haina? Mein humesha bhool jaati hoon ki Maa hum dono ko samaan roop se pyaar karti hai. Aur mein, mein tumse jal rhi thi. Mein yeh bhi bhool gyi ki tum toh abhi bohot chote ho. Tumhe sabse zyada zaroorat hai. Apni Bani didi ko maaf kardo na" Bani said with a pout , holding her ears.
Rishi giggled and moved in the cradle making it move to and fro.
Bani smiled looking at him and picked him up from the cradle. She took her downstairs slowly while talking to him in baby voice.
" Bani beta. Rishi ko neeche kyun le aayi? Woh soh raha tha na?" Kaka asked.
" Kuch soh nhi raha tha. Chat mein latke pankhe ko dekh ke naach raha tha." Bani said making Rishi lie down on the sofa, and putting cushions around him. Hearing Bani everyone giggled, including Rishi while Bani frowned.
She stood on her knees and held her ears " Dadu. Mujhe maaf kardo. Meine aaj bohot batameezi Ki na."
Kaka smiled and picked up Bani in his arms and pulling her cheeks, said " Koi baat nhi. Arre tumhare Baba toh jabse paida hua hai tab se kar rha hai. Tum toh phir bhi aath 9 saal ki ho. Beta jisse maafi maangni hai na usse maang le na. Humne toh tumhe kabka maaf kar diya hai."
" Haan dadu." Bani said and giggled.
In the hut.
" Zamindaar babu. Hum apki izzat karte hai. Par hum iss musalmaan ladki ko nhi chuyenge. Paap chadh jayega hume.! " Dai Maa said joining her hands.
" Dai Maa. Aap bhi ek maa hai na. Kisi aurat ko aisi stithi mein chodke jaana kya galat nahi?" Anirudh said irritatedly.
" Dai Maa. Aapse vinti hai. Zahabiya ki aur mere bache ki jaan bacha lijiye." Ankush said patting Zahabiya's head who was about to get unconscious anytime.
" Dai Maa. Bacha lijiye na. Aap bhi ek maa hai. " Bondita said joining her hands.
Dai Maa looked at everyone and sighed. Looking away , she uttered " Saare mard Bahar jayiye."
Ankush cried and thanked her and went outside with Anirudh.
After 2 hours, they were able to hear the baby's voice.
" Mubarak ho. Ladki hui hai." Dai Maa said with a subtle smile.
Ankush held the baby and hugged her. She was so beautiful. Her face was blooming like a rose. Small nose and cute chubby cheeks, with pink lips.
" Bilkul tumpe gayi hai." Ankush said laughing and crying all together to Zahabiya.
" Hume Allah pe bharosa hai. Aakhein Aap pe hi gyi hai." Zahabiya said with a subtle smile.
The baby opened her eyes and it was like Ankush's eyes, just as Zahabiya said.
Dai Maa " Mein chalti hoon."
Dai Maa was about to leave when Bondita stopped and giving her jwellery to Dai Maa said " Dhanyavaad".
Dai Maa smiled and put a black teeka near the baby's ears, and said " Kisi ki nazar na lage isko. Bohot sundar ladki hui hai."
Saying this she left.
Dai Maa was on her way to home when the men surrounded her.
" Ohb Dai Maa. Yahan Kisi musalmaan ladki aur hindu ladke ko dekha hai kya. Aur uske saath Zamindaar babu ke bete aur bahu ko?" One of them asked.
" Nahi. Meine Kisi ko Nahi dekha hai." Dai Maa said confidently.
The other man took the bag from her and put it upside down. All the jewelleries fell. He held one of the bangle and looked for a sign. He smirked as he saw, Roychowdary. The other man was none other than Aurobindo. He had run away from the clutches of the officers after killing one of them.
Aurobindo looked at Dai Maa who was about to run away. He held her by her hairs and pushed her down, making her head bleed. He took a sword and slit her throat and she fell on the ground, dead.
Ankush was secretly watching this. He had come to give something to Dai Maa but he saw all this.
He ran to the hut , where Anirudh and Bondita were playing with the little soul.
" Ankush. Dekho meine na iska naam puchki rakha hai pyaar se." Bondita said merrily.
" Unhone Dai Maaa ko maar diya hai. Hume yahan se nikalna hoga." Ankush said panting hard.
Anirudh " Hmm. Meine kuch socha hai."
He told them the plan. Bondita stood furiously ans said " Nahi. Aapki jaan ko khatra nahi lagne de sakti mein."
Anirudh held her by her shoulders and cupping her cheek said " Bondita. Baat ko samjho."
" Nahi Aap baat ko samjhiye. Mein nhi jii sakti aapke bina." Bondita said crying. She hugged him and cried.
Zahabiya and Ankush went out with little girl, giving them the privacy.
Anirudh pulled away from her and tried to speak but Bondita wasn't letting him to do so. Having no option, he kissed her with full of love and affection. As if felt, she went quite, he spoke " Bondita. Hum itne khudgarz toh nhi hai na ki apni jaan bachane ke liye unn teeno ki jaan khatre mein daal dein."
Bondita sniffed and nodded.
" Acha vaada karta hoon. Hum saath mein honge. Humesha ke liye. We will be Together forever. Hmm?" Anirudh said caressing her cheek.
" Promise?" Bondita asked putting her hand forward.
" Promise." Anirudh said keeping his hand over hers. They hugged again.
They heard the Marching of the men and looked at each other with tearful eyes.
Anirudh stood infront of the enraged men while Bondita ran along with the other three.
" Himmat hai toh pehele mujhse ladho. Unn teeno tak tum log pahunch bhi nahi paoge." Anirudh said holding a stick and sword. The clashing of swords began. Anirudh was the only one while he was facing 24 men all together. Thanks to Manorama's teaching for fighting with swords. He had still remembered it and he thanked her in his mind.
Anirudh had successfully won and he was about to follow to the station were Bondita had run but he couldn't do so. As he felt a sword was slammed against his stomach. He fell on the ground. The sword was getting again and again slammed against his body. He fell on the ground. He looked at the figure and found Aurobindo standing with a smirk.
" Tu toh Mar gya. Ab teri krantikaari patni ki baari." Aurobindo started to
walk towards the station. Anirudh had fisted one of the locket. He was barely able to breathe.
" Jaldi se Train mein chadho. Jaldi." Bondita said handing the tickets and looking here and there again and again.
Ankush joined his hands and said with choking voice " Dhanyavaad Bondita."
" Abhi in sab ka waqt nhi hai. Jaldi train mein chadho. Puchki aur Zahabiya ki jaan khatre mein pad sakti hai." Bondita said.
Zahabiya asked Ankush to hold the baby and she hugged Bondita.
" Allah kare aap Anirudh babu se Jaldi mile." Zahabiya said.
Bondita nodded. Zahabiya and Ankush went inside the train. The horn of the train blew and it started to move. Zahabiya and Ankush were bidding a bye when their eyes widened and they screamed Bondita's name. Bondita fell on the floor , blood flowing through her body and spreading everywhere.
The train was out of the vision while Aurobindo was laughing. But he fell on the ground as a gunshot was heard. Aurobindo died.
Bondita took a sharp breath and whispered before dying Pati Babu.
While Anirudh who was barely breathing, too whispered Bondita.
Here in RC Haveli Rishi was continuously crying while Kaka was trying to calm him. Bani came running from her room. She took Rishi in her lap and started to Humm a tune which Bondita used to.
" They lived together
They loved eachother
They died together
They fulfilled the promise
Which they made to eachother
They were Together Forever "
The end.
Bonus part would be there don't worry ! 😉❤