Rudhira's p.o.v
For the first time since I've met her, I'm seeing hostility in Bondita didi's eyes for me. And to say I felt guilty would be an understatement! It was as though she was shooting fire at me with that suspicious gaze and I was burning under those eyes of her helplessly – not being able to justify or explain myself. What should I say? That I'm about to play a game whose result is unknown to me? Should I say her though I aim to not hurt this family which warmly accepted me, I can't quite promise them that because nothing's really in my control? Or should I say my life is so messed up that everybody who ever came in contact with me had to have their own piece of suffering because of the simple reason that they know me? When I was going through all those choices for a reply, Batuk came to my rescue.
"Hum duplicates le rahe hai Boudi. Taki hum Genghis ko, mera matlab hai Rudhi ke Baba ko asli ki jagah nakli kagsat de sakoon"He replied nonchalantly, as though this isn't a big deal for him. But the bowl of Chom Chom in his hand isn't unnoticed though...
"Tumhe pata tha?" Didi's voice was hard to catch.
Batuk just nodded his head in response. But my unsettled thoughts couldn't stand at a place and they wandered over the memories of that day - the moment I told him what my father's next move was.
I was distracted for only a second but that was enough for him to flip us upside down and take control of the situation. I twisted and fought against his hits, trying hard to ignore the proximity and get out of his grip. But I realize my idea of shaking him away was the worst I could've done when he landed face-first on me flatly, his lips gracing the surface of my cheek in a peck. Coming out of the kiss induced trance, we both got up to our feet awkwardly before dragging ourselves to our respective positions to sleep wordlessly. But needlessly saying, sleep tend to ignore us for the night. The silence wasn't unnerving though. It was in fact, very much comforting. But the moment I heard Batuk shifting in his position, I knew the events of the night weren't over yet.
"Rudhi..."His voice at the beginning was determined but as my name went on, it lost its confidence and tended to appear as a whisper.
"Hmm?" I responded anyway.
He sighed before sitting up.
"I'm sorry"
At that, I too got up and switched on the table lamp beside me.
"Kis baat keliye?"
"Woh..." he swirled his index finger in the direction of the floor where we lied not more than a minute ago "woh jo hua, uske liye"
I shook my head, my gaze never leaving the blanket clutched tight in my hand.
"Usmein tumhari kya galti thi? Meine khudko chudwane ki koshish ki aur woh sab..." I waved a hand to make my point clear.
He chuckled darkly before replying.
"Haan, mujhe pata hai galti tumhari thi"I looked up at that, one of my eyebrows raising on its own.
"Phir tumne maafi kyun mangi?"
"Kyunki humara iske bare mein baat karna zaroori tha. Agar hum iss mamle ko aj hi khatam nahi kiya hota toh pata nahi aur kitne din tak ek doosre se ajeeb vyavahar karte rehte hum... Tum kabhi iske bare mein baat nahi karti toh meine socha mein hi shuru kar deta hoon... Mein sach mein nahi chahta humari dosti par kisi bhi baat ka asar ho. Tum meri ek achi dosth ho Rudhira. Mein na tumhe, aur na hi iss dosti ko khone de sakta hoon"
My jaw dropped at that statement. The level of understanding we both accomplished by this short period of time never fails to amaze me. In my whole life, I've never been treated well like this – except by Da. After what feels like an eternity, I feel worthy, needed, wanted, cherished and loved! Not just Batuk but this whole family make me want to live more. There is this warmth, this belongingness and the acceptance they shower on me which keeps me glued to them, make me want to stand loyal to them. And that's probably why I felt awfully guilty at this moment. I couldn't stop my eyes from watering and I blurted out almost immediately without a care of the world.
"Mujhe kuch kehna hai tumse"
I think I heard a chuckle before I saw his figure resuming to take his sleeping position.
"Kal baat karenge please? Abhi na, mujhe bohot neend aarahi hai" he yawned loudly before shifting to a comfortable position.
"Baba uss din yoon hi nahi aaye the... Unhone mujhse kuch kehkar gaya hai, mujhe ek kaam dekar gaya hai"
A short silence followed after my announcement. But when I heard shuffling again, I looked up to see Batuk sitting up looking nowhere but at me. His arms are resting on his thighs while the fingers of his hands are clutched together so tightly that I can see his knuckles gaining a lighter shade of pink. The look on his face is a complete no-bullshit one, propelling me to continue with whatever I was blabbering on. Taking a determined breath and giving a confident face, I continued from where I stopped.
"Rudhira ke Baba ko humari zamindari ke kagsaat kyun chahiye?" Bondita didi's next question snapped me out of my reverie.
Batuk just glanced at me in response, making Didi to turn to me too. With a hesitated sigh, I started talking.
"Woh weise nahi hai jeise ap log unhe samajhte hai... Woh insaan kehlane ka bhi layak nahi hai Didi. Abhi woh ap sab se zamindari cheenna chahte hai. Ab jake mujhe samajh mein aa rahi hai unhone Batuk aur meri shaadi ki sajish kyun rachi... Lekin harr baar ki tarah iss baar –"
"Sajish?! Lekin tum donon ne toh apni marzi se yeh shaadi ki thi na?" Didi interrupted.
Now it was my turn to turn back at Batuk, who muttered something under his breath and looked back determined. Within five minutes, he finished the dreadful events one by one. Didi seemed speechless with tear filled eyes.
"Tumne... humare liye apne pyaar ki kurbani di?"
Batuk just narrowed his eyes and shook his head in frustration.
"Boudi yeh sab purani baatein hai, inhe chodo! Ab mera dhyan sirf aur sirf Rudhi ki Maa ko wahan se bachane mein hai. Isiliye hum abhi -"
"Ek minute... Rudhira ki Maa ko bachana? Mein kuch samjhi nahi" Didi interrupted restlessly.
"Uski Maa ko dikhakar hi uske Baba use dhamki dete hai. Ek baar Maa yahan humare paas pahunch jaye, Genghis ka saara khel khatam ho jayega" Batuk popped a Chom Chom in his mouth.
"Haan. Jeise hi Maa mere paas aayegi, Baba ke mere sath saare rishte saare sampark khatam kar dungi mein! Mein apni Maa ko lekar London -" I stopped abruptly, looking back at the two figures watching me closely.
"Matlab..." I continued
"Khair, mein yeh sab baad mein batati hoon" I tried an escape.
"Theek hai! Batao kya karna hai humein"
Didi looked at us expectantly.
"Ap? Nahi Didi, ap bewajah pareshani kyun le rahi hai?" I protested.
"Apnon ki madad karne mein keisi pareshani hai?" she challenged, crossing her arms against her chest."
Boudi, uska matlab hai ap weise bhi bohot saari baaton ko lekar chintit hai. Upar se yeh bhi apne sar par le rahi hai toh -"I was shaking my head in affirmation when she interrupted Batuk.
"Chup! Agar mein nahi aungi toh tum log bhul hi jao iss yojana ko! Balki mein hi nahi, Laya bhi shaamil hogi ismein" she announced.
Batuk rolled his eyes and made a sarcastic comment.
"Toh phir Dada ko bhi bulao"
"Nahi!" Didi snapped
"Tumhare Dada ko iske bare mein batana sochna bhi mat!" she warned with a finger.
"Kyun nahi?" Batuk enquired doubtfully.
Didi pursed her lips and looked distantly.
"Iske peeche mera ek aur maksat hai, aisa samajh lo"
With that, Didi turned and marched out of the room with an air of attitude. When I finished blinking and sighing, I saw Batuk staring right back at me with a hesitated expression. I raised an eyebrow at him, which propelled him to ask his question.
"Tum... London jane ke bare mein abhi bhi soch rahi hai?"
"Kyun nahi sochungi mein?" I asked the obvious.
"Yeh bhi sahi hai" he muttered to himself and gave a faint smile before walking away with his crush of the moment.
Bondita's p.o.v
It wasn't just about liberation of a shackled who needed outside support, it was also about liberating myself from the pool of uncertainty and insecurity I found myself in. I needed guidance. And for the first time in my life, I find I can't get it from my Shikshak babu! So I want to go to the next obvious person whom I believe can guide me to the light. And standing with Batuk and Rudhira will get me to the same person eventually. But for that, I have to make sure Barrister babu isn't accompanying us in our mission. Probably the first time I'm doing something without his presence – physically as well as mentally.
These thoughts kept me company while I trudged through the lonely roads of Tulsipur in the faint lights of street lamps. An hour has passed after sunset but I'm not home yet. What happened is that I had to meet this client of mine who resides in the adjacent village. Barrister babu insisted I take him with me but I refused politely, reminding him yet again where our relationship stood at the moment. The look he gave me while I marched away from him still remains fresh in my memories. But the effects of a heartbreak – multiple times, people – is more than enough to ignore the hurt and pain that flashed in those chocolate brown eyes.
When I looked down at the ground, I swore I saw a shadow behind me. But when I turned back, I didn't see anyone standing there. With narrowed brows, I continued my strides – a bit conscious this time. It's a shame I couldn't find any carts at this hour. I wish there was a way in which we could just think of getting a ride and the ride comes for us not after long. I hope with the progression in technology, such developments will find its way eventually. I spotted the passing shadow once again and I turned this time, gaining enough courage to question whoever it was.
"Kaun hai wahan?"
My eyes wandered around cautiously but couldn't find anything odd or any movement from anywhere near me.
"Barrister babu?"
I know that sounds crazy but I somehow felt he was somewhere near. I mean, he isn't someone who backs off from a fight just like that. I half believed he would follow me all way to Deenpur but that didn't happen. Moreover, it's quite late so he should be searching for me anyway.
"Meine pucha kaun hai wahan?!"
How much I wish I had a telephone with me right away!
"Koyi bhi ho saamne aa jao! Aise chipkar ek aurat par vaar karke apne apko darpok sthapit karna hai apko?! Himmat hai toh mere saamne aao" I challenged loudly.
A black silhouette was all I saw before it turned into three distinct figures when they came out of the foggy atmosphere they were hiding themselves in. I swallowed hard at the realization that I was to fight against three men alone. They all wore black kurtas, black bottoms and a long black pagdi to cover their hair. A shiny sleek black mask kept their identity hidden from me. The one in the middle have a sword kept safe in a holder that surrounds his waist. The other two beside him had a series of daggers among other sharp weapons pressed around their waist as well as upper arms. Robbers! To be more precise, Dakus!
I let my hand travel down to my bag and clutched the packet of pepper powder inside it. All those defence moves Barrister babu taught me spiralled in my mind when one of them spoke up.
"Barrister Bondita Roy Chowdhary!" The one in the middle spoke up.
Wait, how come they know me? Well, I'm the eldest daughter in law of the wealthy Roy Chowdharys. And more to that, I'm the only woman Barrister of Tulsipur. Won't that be enough for them to know me? I'm quite a catch, you see. I can already imagine them writing a letter addressed to my haveli and asking lump sum of cash in return for me.
"Humein zor zabardasti se sat nafrat hai! Isiliye chup chap humare sath aane mein hi apka bhala hoga" he continued after an intimidating five seconds.
I remained mute, holding tightly to the powder in my hand. When his two accomplices came for me, I backed off and swung my hand, releasing the powder for their eyes to savour on. Hah, caught you!
With a satisfied smile, I turned on my heels and ran as though my life depended on it. Glancing back, I can see them following me shortly behind. I sped up and made my way to the nearest habituated spot I can think of. But after some minutes, I realize I underestimated their speed because the next thing I know, I was getting pulled back by a much stronger force. But I didn't comply that easily. I swept his left leg and kicked right below his abdomen. When he groaned and released me, I placed a punch on his nose. I realize it's the leader who now has a bleeding nose. I would have stayed there admiring my handiwork but his two friends came along quite fast so I had to continue my marathon.
To my horror, my calculations bit the dust and I was greeted by a row of trees surrounding me. I was trapped! Behind me were magnificent trees while three angry figures came running for me in the front. I was looking for any form of escape. I quickly took some sand in my hand and prepared myself for the fight but as soon as they got to me, sharp bright light blinded our senses. A screech of tire was all I could hear before I saw Barrister babu speeding in our jeep and skidding the vehicle to a stop – placing it protectively between me and my supposed-to-be kidnappers. I jumped behind him as soon as he got out of the vehicle, slamming the door closed in an intimidating manner. He gave me a look of worry, asking silently whether I was fine or not. I nodded in a yes and he turned relieved in my attacker's direction, glaring daggers at them.
"Kaun ho tum log?" he questioned coldly.
They responded by taking their weapons in their hand and steadying themselves for a fight.
"Khoon se khelna toh shauk hai humara. Lekin agar tum donon bina lade humare sath aayenge toh kisi ko apni jaan nahi dena padega aj. Warna..." The leader ran a finger through his sword.
"Meri Patni par hath lagane ki himmat ki toh khoon ki nadiyan baha dunga mein" Pati babu seethed, stepping forward confidently.
The leader launched at him but Pati babu missed the hit swiftly. I gasped in worry and fear. The former kept on hitting while the latter kept on dodging the moves. I have to do something! That's when I notice one among the other two approaching Pati babu from behind. I searched for anything that could help us and found a log waiting for me at a corner. I took it up and slammed it on the attacker's back, making him turn to me in anger. I kept on beating him until he fell to the ground groaning – both his arms and one knee broken. He writhed in pain and I really wanted to help him. But I reminded myself that they are our enemies. He won't die, after all. Just some broken bones that will keep him in pain for some days...
When I looked back at the other two fighting, I realize Pati babu has finally took hold of a log just like me and with a swift hit, the sword in the black leader's hand flew away to a distant spot. With a final blow to his head, Pati babu completed the task at hand – the leader falling back motionless to the ground. Leaning down, Pati babu checked his pulse and breathing.
"Zinda hai... Bas behosh hogaya hai"
I nodded and ditched the log in my hand to the ground. When I search for the third one, he's nowhere to be seen. I think he went to get more help.
"Pati babu, humein chalna chahiye. Ho sakta hai woh teesra daku uske aur sathiyon ko lekar aaye"
Pati babu nodded in my direction and dragged me towards the passenger seat. Slamming the door on my side shut, his eyes wandered around the area for any type of movement while walking back to his seat and starting off the engine. Silence surrounded us our way back home along with the annoying combination of darkness. Light would make it presence but fade away quickly as it came in, allowing me to get a glimpse of his face only for a second or two. But with one look at him and sensing his ragged breathing, I know he's angry – dead angry! I braced myself for what was to come my way the moment we reach the haveli. It's going to be an eventful night...
The moment we reached haveli, Barrister babu exited and stormed inside without helping me out – not that I'm complaining though. With an exhausted sigh, I too got out and entered the haveli to see KSJ blinking to a direction where I assume Barrister babu must've marched off without answering him.
"Bahu! Yeh Anirudh kuch bina bataye kyun ja raha hai? Gusse mein hai, lag raha hai..." he more like talked to himself and then his eyes twinkled in what I think is remembering "Aur haan! Tum! Tumne itni deri kyun kar di?! Pata bhi hai samay kitna hogaya hai abhi?! Bina mard ke itni raat tak aurat ka bahar rehna kitna khatarnak ho sakta hai, yeh ab humein sikhana padega tumhe?! Dugga Maa ki ashirwaad se sahi salamat ghar pahunch gayi. Kuch ho jata toh?! Hum keh rahe hai, ayinda kabhi Tulsipur se bahar jana hai toh ghar ke mard ya driver ke sath jao, samajh gaye?!"
I just nodded in response, too tired to have a verbal fight with him – and preparing myself to endure what was to come not after long. I was about to turn when KSJ interrupted.
"Aur suno... Anirudh gussa kyun kar raha hai? Kuch hua kya?" he frowned in question.
"Nahi KSJ woh... Barrister babu ke aane se pehle mujhpar dakuon ka hamla hua tha" I replied cautiously.
"Da-Daku?!" KSJ's voice rose an octave and his eyes popped out of their sockets "Hey Dugga Maa! Apki lakh lakh shukar hai humare bachon ko surakshit rakhne keliye!" he folded his hands in prayer and continued "Bahu un logon ne kuch kiya toh nahi na, tumhe? Tum theek toh ho? Aur Anirudh, Anirudh isiliye -"
"Bondita!!!"
We both trembled at the intensity of that sound. Well, there comes my call! I gave a knowing look to KSJ who gave me back one filled with pity. He then nodded back in understanding and with that, I plodded up the steps to reach his room. Taking a deep breath, I entered and left the door ajar – if at all I'll have to make a run...
The first thing I saw was him sitting on the sofa with a first aid box with him. Next, my eyes fall on the deep cut he has on his left upper arm. They widened at the blood soaked arm. I can't believe I didn't notice that before.
"Pati babu!" I shrieked and ran towards him "Yeh ghaav kab laga apko? Apne mujhe bataya kyun nahi? Dekho na, kitna khoon beh raha hai -"
I got interrupted when he shook his bleeding wound away from me and took my left palm in his. Pouring some anti-septic to a ball of cotton, he tapped it softly above the inside of my palm. I winced and that's when I realize I had a cut – just a mere teeny-tiny cut!
"Talwar se laga hoga" he muttered a reply, his voice making his mood pretty much clear.
I snatched my palm from him – ignoring the pain that followed – and took hold of the scissors before cutting out half of his sleeve, only to avoid a situation where I'll have to ask him to remove his shirt. I would rather wish he lose a shirt than sharing a moment with him shirtless in front of me. Keeping those thoughts aside, I took the ball of cotton from his hand and started dressing him.
"Itne bade ghaav ko nazarandaz karke iss choti si chot ko theek karna sahi hoga kya?"He snatched the cotton back and tended to my palm again.
"Mein tumhari chot par nahi mere dil par lage zakhm par marham laga raha hoon..."
"Mein samjhi nahi"He looked up straight.
"Mein tumhe dard mein nahi dekh sakta. Kitni baar bolun mein tumse?" he scoffed "Tum kya samjhegi!"
What does he mean by I don't understand?! Is there anyone else in this world who understand him better than me?! I grabbed the cotton yet again, this time stressing a bit more powerfully at his wound. He winced lightly but chose to grit his teeth than to reply verbally.
"Itna parvah kyun hai apko? Zimmedaari keliye itni chinta kuch zyada nahi hai? Balki iss baar toh apki wajah se nahi khud ki wajah se mushqil mein pad gayi thi mein"
"Patni! Apni Patni ki chinta mein thi mein!"
"Kitne din keliye?" I snapped, looking up but not stopping the cleaning.
"Kya kitne din keliye?" he mocked.
"Patni... Kitne dinon tak mein apke liye apki Patni rahegi? Oh sorry, mein bhi na" I laughed darkly "keise dinon ki baat kar rahi hoon... shayad kuch ghanton keliye?"
By the time I finished talking, half of his dressing was done and I was now covering the wound in a tight bandage.
"Yeh Sindur kitne ghanton tak pehnogi tum?"
I stopped midway and looked up abruptly. With a scoff, he continued the bandaging himself.
"Yeh Shakha Pola? Ek hafta? Ek maheena? Ya phir do ghante?"He gazed up yet again.
"Yeh suhaag ki sringar? Kitne dinon keliye?"
He finished with his bandaging and turned to my injury to resume what he started some minutes ago.
"Ek baat gaadh bandh lo Bondita. Jab tak tumhari maang mein mere naam ka sindur hoga, jab tak tumhare kalayiyon mein mere astisthvu ki khoshana karte huye Shakha Pola honge, jab tak tum mere liye suhaag ki sringar pehnegi, tab tak... tab tak tum Bondita Anirudh Roy Chowdhary rahegi! Meri Patni! Jo meri zimmedaari zaroor hai, lekin aur bhi bohot kuch hai"
With that, he bandaged my hand and stormed out of the room giving me a final look of determination. I just blinked and swallowed, not knowing what to believe and what not to believe. My eyes wandered over to the mirror in front of me. They never left the filled hairline, the Shakha Pola or the jewelleries that adorned me – announcing my position in the Roy Chowdhary family. And at that moment, I realize these were not just the symbols of my existence alone, but they talked in much higher volumes about someone else's existence as well as right over me – which unbelievably, wasn't as inferior as it sounded to be.
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Jaanus!
Idk what happened with the prev update. Ig my wattpad had some technical issue then. I apologize for the difficulty. Feel free to recheck and understand the chapter well. I re-edited it!
I saw some comments where some of you complained abt AniDita getting sidelined in the book. I want to make one thing clear, whatever scene you see with other couples, they all have to do something or the other with AniDita's life eventually. I give those scenes for giving you a clue and well, the romance is to keep you hooked. I'm sorry if that made you uncomfortable. But I'm not someone who write with just the leads of my story, I give equal importance to all other characters of my book. I'm just made that way. But pls understand that whenever you get a scene with another couple or other person's pov, the event or the situation will surely have something to do with the events in AniDita's life. I hope I'm clear now.
Again, I brought in BaRud to bring in a different kind of romance which I enjoy writing but unfortunately, couldn't explore with AniDita bcoz well, AniDita weren't made that way. Every character has their own behavioral pattern and the pattern of AniDita weren't compatible with the one I had in mind. So I brought in BaRud to help myself - so selfish of me, I know. But they keep me interested in the book, I can't help. Likewise, each couple you see in AALFR is different with different kind of romance between them. If you look close you'll know what I mean. All depends on each person's behavioural pattern.
And yes, keep up with your suggestions and criticisms. I'm totally happy that some of you shared your thoughts with me without being hesitant. Keep up the spirits and help me improve, Jaanus! Thanks a lot!i
I hope the age thing is cleared, feel free to check again.
Nothing much, uff so much we talked!
Izy all so so so so so damn much
Z,
MS