Putting on the red veil on her head, Koyli made Bondita look at her reflection. She looked like a bride, dressed in red benarasi and embellished with designed jewelleries. Sumati kissed her daughter's forehead. Its the day of her baby shower and Sumati's eyes became moist by the fact that her little daughter is going to be a mother soon.

"meri Bondita ko kisi ki nazar na lagey" she said while putting the kala tika. Koyli and Bondita both smiled. Binoy and Kaka were busy attending the guests among whom Priyam and her father were also present. "Tameez se pesh ana, sasur hain tere" is what kaka warned his insolent youngest son. Everything was fine, everything was happy. Batuk and Priyam's Dynamics of relationship was also changing along with Anidita's life.

Everything was going great! Perfect!

But then that sudden ghust of wind...and the four lives...

Let's talk about that later!

"

Ahem!" Anirudh cleared his throat, ruining the mother-daughter moment since he wanted to talk to his wife but how will he say it to Sumati maa?

Sumati understood the situation and smirked, "Bondita tu apne pati babu se baat kar, mein ati hu".

As soon as Sumati and Koyli left, Anirudh entered the room. Bondita twirled slowly, "kaisi lag rahi hu mein?"

"Acchi" he complimented but in the most disinterested way possible while brushing his own hair. This irked Bondita who then snatched the comb and threw it away.

"MAINE PUCHA KAISI LAG RAHI HU MEIN!"

"Kaha na acchi".

"Roz se alag nehi lag to rahi ho, dulhan jaisi aur maine to tumhe dulhan bane huye dekha hain na shadi k wakt" he said casually and picked up his musked perfume, busy in grooming himself.

"O accha apne usdin dekha tha mujhe? Yaad hain apko? Mujhe laga ki ap kisi aur k yaadon mein khoyi" Bondita folded her arms and said in the most sarcastic way possible.

Hearing this made him clear his throat in discomfort, "attention-seeking is a bad habit, ye sikhaogi tum humare bacche ko".

Bondita stood in front of him and the mirror, "jab Bondita samne ho tabh pati babu ka attention sirf Bondita pe hona chahiye, kisi aur pe nehi, apne ap pe bhi nehi".

This made him chuckle. He pulled her closer and embraced her in the most soothing and peaceful hug. Yes, it was difficult for them to embrace each other due to her pregnancy yet she clenched his shirt tightly and rested her head on his chest unless a call from Kaka addressing Anirudh ruined the moment.

But before leaving, Anirudh picked up the box of kohl from the table.

"Ap kajal lagayenge kya"

He with his ring finger, marked a spot behind her ears and then on her abdomen and kissed it, "Meri patni aur mere hone wale bacche ko kisi ki nazar na lagey".

Bondita only watched his antics silently and realised his happiness of being a father. She was glad that she was able to gift him this.

Anirudh kissed her forehead and left for the hall. Bondita was lost in some thoughts when a knock at the door made her look at it. It was none other than Sampoorna standing with a wide smile. "Bondita meri behen" she said and hugged her before she could even react.

"Ap yaha kyu aye didi".

"Maafi mangne" she said joining her hand and shedding tears, "itne saalon se maine apni behen k sath bohot bura kiya hain par mein kya karti, tere saurav Jamai babu..."

"Didi!" Bondita covered her mouth, "us din ki baatein mat dauraiye, mein to behen hu aur ek behen dusri behen se naraz nehi reh sakti".

Both the sisters shared a heartfelt moment. No matter what, Bondita loved sampoorna and her apology seemed genuine and this was the truth that the situation paved her this way, the society did. Sampoorna was not at fault. Bondita felt that her child is like a boon to her, everything was going perfect.

"Accha abh aur maat ro" sampoorna said and rubbed off her tears, "chal mere sath abh"

"Kaha didi?"

"Tujhe ek chiz dikhati hu".

Sampoorna pulled her by her hand to the stairs leading downstairs. Zamindar havelis used to have basements.

"Tere pati babu k kuch purane kapde hain niche, bachpan k, apne bacche ko pita ka kapda pehena na shubh mana jata hain".

Bondita followed her to the basement. She carried herself carefully since the foetus was almost developed in her. Sampoorna opened the door of the dark and dusty room, Bondita walked in before her, "didi roshni jalao na...."

Thud!!!

The door closed behind her and she was left in the dark. "Didi!" She shouted and banged the door as hard as she could, "mein andar hu! Darwaza kholo koi".

No matter how much she shouts, her voice will never reach the ears of others.

"Didi!" Bondita continued to bang the door and this time her voice was mixed with muffled cries.

To become the malkin, Sampoorna had to give birth to the first child and this was the idea suggested to her by her mother. She heard her sister cry yet she acted as if she did nothing.

Bondita looked around the dark windowless room and fear grasped her. She knows that her voice will not reach anyone yet she shouted her soul out.

"Pati babu!" She called him several times, she cried, she panted, "mujhe bachao rakhshak babu!" Unless she pressed her forehead to the door and murmur only one name, "pati babu".

"Koyli bahu ko lekar ao" finally kaka ordered to bring Bondita. All waited there patiently for Bondita and Koyli but Koyli came running downstairs without Bondita, " Malik! Bahu rani ji kamre mein nehi hain".

Soon the hall echoed with the sound of a whisper while the family was left with shock, "kya?! Nehi hain matlab, chat, ghusalkhana sab jagah dekha?"

"Sab jagah dekhli" said Koyli breathlessly, "kahi nehi hain"

"Rasoi mein bhi nehi" added Bihari, making the situation worst.

"Wah! Tuney firse guma di patni ko" kala clapped slowly, "tuhi tha na akhribar bahu k sath? Kaha gyi khirki se kud gyi" kaka literally shouted at Anirudh.

"Mujhe nehi pata!"

"Batuk tujhe to pata hoga" said Binoy but Batuk stood silently. "Som tum?"

Nobody had any idea about her.

The four men started to shout at each other, creating a rocus unless Priyam shouted, "Chup!!"

She held Anirudh by his shoulder, "abhi hummey Bondita ko dhundna hoga, that is more important".

"Mr Roychowdhury," said Priyam's family her, "I will ask the police of Tulsipur to find her immediately".

Anirudh became almost breathless

He ran to her room shouting her name continuously, "Bondita!!"

The terrace, balcony, the rooms, everywhere. No corner of the house was remained unchecked. Everyone searched for her and called her name but only got silent in response.

Sumati broke into tears who was consoled by Sampoorna and Priyam. Sampoorna shedded her crocodile tears and consoled her pishi thinking of the situation of Bondita.

The members of the house now went out for their search since it was evident she was not inside the haveli.

Anirudh's face could break anyone's heart...her eyes were red and swelled up due to profuse shedding of tears, tear marks were left on his cheeks, his throat dried up calling her name.

Sadness sits an inch below Anirudh's face, eyes remaining dry, expression impassive. He knows that if he even lets a fraction out that the rest will follow, a never-ending torrent of grief.

On the other hand Bondita cried in the dark. She was trapped for so long that I lost faith that there was a world beyond the walls.

There's nothing in that tiny room but her own heartbeat and breath. At times She have hit the door with the ring on her finger, just to hear something different, to make a tune.

She was pregnant, she was exhausted, she was crying, she was hungry, she was thirsty. Women are women's biggest enemy, it got proved once again.

All she could think was, "does he even know I am missing? Is he searching for me? Will I ever get out from here? What is the time?"

Bondita tried to get up and find something to make a loud noise in order to draw everyone's attention but the room was too dark for her to see anything and fate had to strike them.

When she tried to find something cluelessly in the dark, she slipped on some greasy fluid and fell on the floor. Immediately an unbearable pain made her gran as loudly as she could. Her groan had an intensity that echoed the whole room. The pain in her abdomen ran in her whole body as if all bones were crushing together. She remained lying on the floor, held her abdomen and groaned and moaned in pain. Her toes curled and she moved vigorously on the floor. Tears rolled down her eyes and the unbearable pain made her lose her consciousness after a lot of struggle.

I was feeling dizzy. Batuk held me when my feet stumbled. Kaka and Sumati maa are old, they can't take so much tension. I felt like dead, not being able to find my wife.

Earlier alteast I knew she is with Zagar but now things are different. After we came out of the police station, I couldn't control myself anymore and my feelings outburst.

I hugged Som and Batuk and broke down. Once again I failed to protect her. I banged my fist to the wall, causing it to bleed.

"Dada!" Som held my hand and stopped me, "pagal maat bano, mil jaygi boudi".

Those were just consolation, I know that. I have lost her once again. How irresponsible a husband and an irresponsible father I am. I wanted to cry but I cannot because I am the eldest son. l, they look onto me and if I cry, the grievance will spread among them as well.

When we all went back Haveli, kaka and Sumati maa showered questions on me but I was numb, I don't even know what were they saying. My mind, all my organs were in a frozen state so was my heart. Expressionless face and pair of those two emotion kess eyes could only see my Bondita in front of me.

"Dad ne call kiya tha" added Priyam, "Tulsipur ka chappa chappa chan mara par Bondita nehi mili".

I saw the emotional outburst of my family members.

"Hum kuch miss to nehi kar rahe" Priyam added again. I gave her a questioning look to which she replied, "ghar se bahar jaate huye to kisine nehi dekha"

"I agree" said Som, "yaad hain jab Bondita school mein band ho gyi thi, hum sab ne socha ki wo kho gyi hain".

I was in no mood to think so much instead walked towards the study like a puppet. On entering the study, I looked around, "tum chup rahi ho ma mujhse, chalo niklo Bondita" I said peeping under the table.

I was going crazy by now. My mind was not in a normal state, I was still assuming that she is my 9-year-old Bondita who must have hidden herself under the table. I was having this strange feeling that wherever she is, she is in immense pain and calling my name.

"Chote Malik!" Shouted Bihari, "jaldi niche ayiye chote Malik".

I rubbed off my tears to not let them know that I was crying. I ran downstairs where Bihari was standing with the rest of them.

"Malik mujhe Godam k samne se ye mila" he handed me a silver anklet, "dekhiye kahi ye Bahu rani ji la to nehi".

I held the anklet and brought it near my eyes and realized this is the same anklet that I made her wear once.

"Kaha se mila?"

"Puche, godam k samne se"

Sampoorna's face went pale when they finally found her anklet. She cursed herself under her breath, how could she be so careless?

"Waha chal k dekhte hain" said Batuk and they all went to that part of our house where they never visit, the basement.

"Bondita!!" Her name was called several times but only silence prevailed in response.

As they reached near the basement door, they all realized it was locked. Kaka tried to find the key but seemed like it was missing.

They decided to call a locksmith but Anirudh is impulsive. He didn't have much time, he can't wait for the locksmith to arrive and open the door.

He knocked the door twice, "Bondita tum andar ho?" And then pushed the door side wards. Som and Anirudh continued to push the door unless it broke open and what they saw inside left them horrified.

Bondita was lying on pool of blood.

"BONDITA!!" Every one rushed in. She was lying in a pool of blood and was groaning softly in pain. It was such a moment as if everyone's heart had already stopped beating. Anirudh gulped seeing her, his feet strumbled and soul shrunk down and what he got was goosebumps all over her Body but without wasting a minute in think how it happened or anything else, Anirudh picked her up in her arms. She was unconscious yet murmuring "pati babu"

Bondita was taken to hospital and the best Doctors were asked to do her treatment.

Everything was so fine when what happened suddenly? Anirudh pressed his forehead to the wall and sobbed.

Hours passed by but the doctors made no response. They were still having a hope. Anirudh was looking like an emotionless robot, blaming himself for all these. He was only thinking that it was his responsibility to take care of her and he failed in it. The walls were crying, the heaven the earth every one was crying seeing his condition.

"Mr Roy Chowdhury" The doctor finally came out of the room and as soon as he did that, the Roy Chowdhurys surrounded him.

"D... doctor B..bondita kaisi hain".

Doctor remained silent for a moment which was ofcourse killing him from inside, eating him up

"We are here to inform you that we cannot save both mother and the child. We can save either of them, now it is up to you Mr Anirudh Roy Chowdhury whom you want to choose, your child or your wife."

"Bondita"

I took a fraction of second for him to answer, no dilemma, no confusion, a straightforward answer that he wants to save his wife.

No matter what, Bondita comes first.

It was not a tough decision for him to make. He loves her, he raised her, of course, she is her first priority.

"Thank you" the doctor said and went inside the cabin.

Anirudh stood there numb before sitting on the floor itself... He covered his face with his palm and every one saw him literally shivering.

"Ro maat" they said, "ladke nehi rotey" they said but I wanted to cry, cry loudly, cry my heart out but, "ansu kamzori ke nishani hain, mard kamzor nehi hotey".

I was losing myself. Thousands of thousands clogged up in my mind and all I wanted was to cry but I was not allowed to express my feelings, at least not right now even if my world was falling apart

"Anirudh" baba uttered and placed his hand on my shoulder and I hugged him and sobbed silently in his embrace.

"Ro maat sab thik ho jayga" he comforted me and caressed my hair, "ladke nehi rotey, tu ro maat!"

I made baba's coat wet, I don't remember the last time I was in such a state. Baba hugged me back and rubbed his hand on my back.

"Tuney sahi faisla liya" is all kaka had to say.

After a long time Doctor came out and informed us that Bondita is alright but our child is no more. I saw gloominess on every one's face but not me. My Bondita is safe, that is all I want.

"Koi baat nehi" kaka feigned a smile, "aisa to hota hi hain zindagi mein, firse khush khabri ayegi" he patted my shoulder.

"Mr Roy Chowdhury" said the doctor, "I want to talk to you personally".

I followed Doctor Matthew to his room.

"Have a sit Mr Roy Chowdhury...you look tired, please have some water".

"No thanks"

"I want to discuss a very important thing regarding the miscarriage of your wife".

I took a deep breath and wobble my head, "miscarriage k baad bhi to jopes hotey hain na?"

"I fear not this time"

I was perplexed by the statement.

"My Roy Chowdhury your wife's fallopian tube is damaged, she was there in this condition without treatment for more than six hours which worsened the situation".

I clenched my fist and made myself ready for this.

"Fallopian tube is the passage of ovum to meet sperm but now the passage is damaged...your wife will never be able to conceive in future".

At that time, no words came out from my mouth instead they came out in form of my emotional downpour. Paero taale zammeen hi khisak gaya mano.

"By the way now you can meet your wife"

Doctor left the room but I remained seated there, digging my face behinde my palms. Tear drops fell on the table and then evaporated just like my happiness. I picked up the glass from the table and emptied it on my head. The water dripped down my face.

I will meet her now but I cannot let her see my scars, my tears my real self. With my dying hopes, died Anirudh Roy Chowdhury, the father.

In the war between a husband and a father, the husband won and the father lost, lost his child forever.

I had no guts to face her yet I had to talk to her and explain everything calmly. I took slow steps to her cabin.

She was awake but lying on the bed. She looked at me with a charming smile and I faked one too.

"Pati babu..." Came out her faint voice, "ladka huya ya ladki?"

I made her sit properly and kissed her forehead.

"Boliye na Anirudh huya ya Bondita?"

I pulled her closer to my chest and caressed her head and looked up to prevent my tears from flowing.

"Chotu sa hain na bohot? Apne liya god mein?"

"Bondita shanti se meri baat sunna"

"Hmmm"

"Doctor ne mujhse pucha tha ki mein kise bachana chahata hu, meri patni ya mere bacche ko" I choked while saying this.

As soon as said this, she pushed me away with all her might which wasn't a shock for me. "Apne mujhe chuna?"

Came out her faint voice.

"APNE MUJHE CHUNA?" She shouted at me and held my collar tightly, "ANIRUDH ROY CHOWDHURY MEIN APSE KUCH PUCH RAHI HU!!"

I had nothing to say but wobble.

"KYU!!' She shouted and pulled my collar so hard that the fabrics tore apart. "APNE MERE BACCHE KO MAAR DALA????"

"CHUP KYU HAIN AP!!"

I saw a hatred and anger in her eyes for me yet I sat silently and allowed her to shower all her anger and hatred upon me. A mother has lost her child for me, I deserve this maybe...

But haven't I lost anything? Is it only the mother who loves the child and not the father?

I killed my own child??? Is this what she said??

Every one says that I make the impulsive decission , I am short tempered, I never give a second thought before taking any decision and that ruins everything so today I should have given a second thought but even if I did so, what was the use of it. I will always choose her.

How can she expect me to tell the doctor, "kill Bondita and save the child"

How???

I don't know maybe I was neither a good father nor a good husband. I am a selfish man and I only thought about myself while making a hat decision. I saved Bondita for my selfish reason because I cannot live without her.

Bondita fainted once again in my arms and I hugged her and cried, only cried.

Please don't take me wrong...if you don't support me how will I fight alone? I can't lose you Bondita, please don't hate me please Bondita.

Durgaa maa please don't put me at the edge like this or else I will have no choice but to jump.

Anirudh held the man by his throat and pinned him to the wall with a great force. His eyes showered anger and rage more than pain

"Bondita naam hain uska...Bondita, agli baar uska naam tameez se lena".

People were horrified by his violent action. They have never seen their chote malik so wild and violent.