Anirudh and Bondita reached Banerjee's place.
"R a Anirudh tum itne jaldi laut aye?" Asked Banerjee
"Ji ha... woh Bondita ka school main dakhila karwana hain... isliye...."
Anirudh's response didn't look convincing to Kakima.
It's midnight. A storm is blowing inside Anirudh's heart. He slowly looked at Bondita. She's fast asleep hugging her favourite teddy with a sweet smile on her face. He got up and went to the balcony. A mind breeze is blowing making his hair dance on its rhythm. It was a moonlit night. He could clearly see the clouds moving fast. He felt the nature is urging him to open up. Anirudh could not control himself. He started crying.
Kakima suddenly heard a sobbing sound. She looked beside her but Banerjee was fast asleep. She got up and followed the sound. She saw in the moonlight, Anirudh sitting on the floor of the balcony and sobbing. She went towards him and caressed his head.
"Keya baat hain Anirudh? Ro keu rahe ho?"
Anirudh wiped his tears. "Kuch nehi Kakima..."
"Kuch to hain.. bolo mujhe.. ma se kuch nehi chupate bolo.."
This words made the turmoil in his heart more violent and he broke down.
"Kakima... baba... baba mujhe aur manna nehi chahate... unhe lagta hain main unka beta hone ke layak nehi... meri waje se engrez mohol main unka nam kharab hua hain... mujhe pata hain iske baat woh Bondita ko kosenge.. ki uske waje se main sare gondogol karta hu.."
"R a beta... Baba hain woh tumhare... gusse main bol geye honge.. itna nehi rote..." she wiped his tears..
"Nehi kakima.. mujhe malum hain.. ma ke jane ke baad se hi main unke liye boj hu... mujhe London bhej diya.. ekdin milne bhi nehi aye.. jab lauta mujhse yeh nehi pucha ki main kaisa hu.. mujhse pucha main keu lauta... woh jab nehi chahate ki mera saya mere bhayiyo par pare to nehi parega mera saya unpe.." Anirudh started sobbing hard.
Kakima caressed his head.. "dur pagol... koi bsba apne bete ko boj samach sakte hain keya.. gussa honge ho.. jayes hain.. royo mat ab..."
"Nehi Kakima mujhe nehi lautna aur waha... unhone apne sapne ke liye mera bachpan ka bali chara diya.. bohat sahe liya.. main aur nehi sahunga..." Anirudh stopped crying. His expressions took a bold look. Kakima witnessed this change infront of her eyes. She realised the pain he has buried in his heart for years have now taken shape of maturity. Perhaps his father have not considered the opinion and views of his son. But no father can hate his son. She just prayed that both unite soon.
Next morning. Anirudh is making Bondita get ready for school. Kakima bought tea for Banerjee who's sitting with the newspaper in the baithakkana.
"Suniye.. aap kuch bandabast kijiye Anirudh ka.."
"Matlab?"
"Mujhe lagta hain woh ghar chorke chala aya hain.. yaha uska khud ka ghar hona jaruri hain... uske baba engrezo ke sath bepar karte hain.. samach hi sakte hain ...."
"Hmmm... uske baba court pe bhi nehi aye... "
"To.. kuch..."
"Dekho... no doubt Anirudh ek bohat hi hosiyar barrister hain.. per tarakki dhire dhire hoti hain.. tarakki ka koi short cut nehi hota.... aur agar short cut hota bhi hain to imandari ka nehi hota..."
"Ha... per..."
"Tum itna mat socho main dekhta hu..."
Anirudh took Bondita to school. She got admission. Sisters were very impressed by her performance.
"See Mr. Roy Chowdhury no doubt Bondita is very intelligent... but I'm afraid... she's married and she may be teased by girls for wearing sindoor and all..."
"No problem Sister she'll not wear sindoor to school..."
"NEHI.." Bondita protested.. "main nehi utarunga sindoor..."
"Per Bondita yaha..."
"NEHI..." Bondita moved her face..
"I'm sorry sister.. thodi jiddi hain na.."
"It's ok Mr. Roy Chowdhury.. just make sure sindoor and her... the bangles in her hand are less visible.."
All sat for dinner. Bondita isn't looking at Anirudh and eating hastily. Anirudh is looking at her continuously.
"Tum dono ka mamla keya hain? ! Subah se dekh rahi hu.. ek mu utarke baitha hain aur ek kuch samjhane ki kosis karna chahata hain per kar nehi pa raha..." asked Kakima
"R a kakima dekhiye na.. school main bola sakha sindoor.. matlab jaise dekhai na de... per yeh to utarna hi nehi cha rahi..." complained Anirudh
"Ha to dekhai na dene ka yeh matlab to nehi ki utar do..."
"Matlab..."
"Bondita main tumhain kal tyar kar dungi... sindoor sakha utrega bhi nehi per dikhai bhi nehi dega.."
"Per Kakima yeh kaise possible hain.."
"Hain hain possible hain.. tum logo ka barristeri ke kitab main nehi milta common sense..."
Banerjee babu looked up. Then again continued eating. Anirudh was confused and started thinking how come it's possible.
It's morning. Kakima came to the room. Bondita has dressed up with the tunic frock.
"Keya Bondita pehen liya..?" Asked Kakima..
"Ha.." Bondita responded with enthusiasm
"Accha to... r a Anirudh tum yaha?" She saw Anirudh standing by the door..
"Nehi woh Kakima. ..woh.."
"Accha Bondita baitho... main bal baba deti hu..."
Kakima side combed the hair and then tied two plaits. She put a tint of sindoor and hid it a bit by the hair. The shirt sleeves were puffed full sleeves. She put the salha pola inside the sleeves and put the button.
"Dekho ab..."
Bondita went infront of the mirror.
"Yeh baal to kitne sundar lag rahe hain.." Bondita was very happy.
Anirudh stood itching his head.. "aise to kabhi socha hi nehi.."
"Socho ge kaise.. apna baal delha hain... hamesa ek side main hi rakhte ho... ek side main baal rakhoge to jaldhi taklu ho jaoge..." pinched Kakima
Bondita went out for school. Anirudh also came out of the house to accompany her.
"Kakima... apke taklu bolne ka asar patibabu per bhari para..." giggled Bondita
Kakima looked at him. Anirudh have combed the hair on the otger side. Anirudh's face became red.
"Chalo Bondita... der ho jaiga... chalta hu kakima..." Anirudh hurried.
Kakima smiled. Both boared the car. Banerjee sat infront. The car started.
Bondita is very excited today. New school. All girls school. She'll have friends... good friends... most importantly girl friends.. no stupid boy will be there.