As the sunlight poured on her face, she opened her eyes. But feeling the heaviness on her eyelids, she decided to close her eyes again and not to get up for atleast a few minutes.

But the moment she closed her eyes, happenings of previous night flooded her mind and her eyes snapped open.

She got up immediately and looked beside her slowly. She frowned on not finding him there. And there were no wrinkles on his side, proving that he did not come into the room last night.

'Why didn't he come into the room? Is he angry with her? Is he okay?' her frown deepened as these thoughts came into her mind.

Feeling guilty, she cupped her face and unknown to her, tears rolled down her cheeks. Why all this happening? Everything was fine three days ago. She was happily spending her life with him but now it looks like everything is scattered. It's all because of her only.

Wiping her tears abruptly, she got up from the bed as she wants to see if he is alright. She needs to talk and fix everything.

-

After completing the morning Arti with Kaka, she gave him Arti and bent down to seek his blessings.

Taking his blessings, she was about to go check on her Pati babu, when he called her and asked, "Bahu, Anirudh nahi utha abhi tak?"

Having no answer to his question, she smiled nervously, while he spoke again, "Tumhe toh pata hai na, gaanv ke bahar jo Mandir hai, usme Maha Pandit ji huye hain. Toh hum chahte hain ke tum dono bhi wahan jayo aur unka aashirvad lo"

"Lekin Kaka Sasur ji, Pati babu..." she tried to speak but she got interrupted,

"Han hum jante hain, Anirudh nahi manta hai inn cheejo ko. Lekin hum yeh bhi jante hain, agar tum usko kahogi toh woh mana nahi krega. Kyunki woh tumhara kaha kabhi nahi taalta hai" he said smiling while she nodded absentmindedly because her mind was occupied by his thoughts only.

"Bahu? Tum sun rahi ho na?" he spoke again when he saw her lost.

"Ji...ji Kaka Sasur ji, main Pati babu ko bata dungi" saying this, she made her way towards study. But her steps came to halt when he interrupted her again and asked her to complete the morning chorus.

She half-heartedly went to the kitchen to make breakfast. While Kaka shook his head and silently prays to Dugga Maa to make everything right between them.

-

Done with making breakfast, she was arranging the dining table while her eyes were fixed on the study door only. The thoughts 'Why hasn't he come out yet? Is he all right? Is he still angry with her?' worrying her even more.

Putting her hand on her heart, she mumbled his name in anxiety and made her way towards study.

"Pati babu" she called him as soon as she reached there.

She frowned when she saw the condition of study. Everything was scattered near the table and he was nowhere to be seen.

'May be he have gone from the stairs of the study to the room' with that thought, she started cleaning the room while thinking this is definitely the result of his anger at her. She should talk to him and apologize for her behavior before it is too late.

Done with everything, she was about to go out, but her eyes widened in horror when she saw him sleeping on the floor in a sitting position near the door with an injured hand.

"Pati babu" she shouted his name and rushed to him and cupped his face, causing him to wake up from sleep.

"Bon..di..ta" he said struggling to open his eyes.

Tears were gushing down her eyes thinking what she has done to her Pati babu? How can she do this? How can she do it with the person she loves the most?

She was cursing herself and badly wanted Dugga Maa to punish her for her deeds. She wanted to run from there badly. 'No, she can't run' She already ignored him a lot, now will stay with him, all the time. She has to take care of her Pati babu, at this time, he needs her most.

On the other hand, feeling her touch against his skin, he was finally able to open his eyes. Although it was paining but still, her touch was so soothing that he forgets everything.

'But why she is crying?' he panicked at this thought.

"Bon..dita, tum ro...ro kyu rahi ho?" he asked scared, cupping her cheeks.

"Pati babu, yeh aapko ch-chot kaise?" she asked holding and caressing the hand which was injured.

"Aapne jan-bhuj kar khud ko chot...?" she asked when she saw him avoiding looking at her.

He smiled sadly and was about to speak when she interrupted him by saying,

"Khabardar agar muh khola toh. Kya jarurat thi aise mera gussa khud par nikalne ki"

"Bon..."

"Aap chup rahiye. Dekho kitni chot lagi hai aapko. Agar kuch ho jata toh?"

"Kuch.."

"Aur upar se zakham pe dawa bhi nahi lagayi"

Seeing him looking at her with smile on his face, she spoke again, "Ab bol kyu nahi rahe hain? Jawab dijiye"

He chuckled and said, "Tum bolne dogi toh hi bolunga na"

"Aapko hasi aa rahi hai?" she asked crying.

"Bondita...tum please rona band karo pehle" he said wiping her tears.

"Lekin yeh sab meri wajah se hi huya hai na. Aapko itna dard meri wajah..." before she could complete, he shushed her putting his finger on her lips.

"Bondita..aisa kuch nahi hai"

"Aisa hi hai. Aap please mujhe maaf kar dijiye. I'm sorry Pati babu, I'm sorry" she apologized joining her hands.

"Bondita...Bondita..ruko, tum yeh sab kya..." he said, trying to get up. But as soon as he took support of his hands to get up, he winced in pain.

"Pati babu? Main bhi na...Aap chaliye mere sath" saying this, she made him stand and took him to the couch.

After making him sit there comfortably, she was about to move from there when he held her hand immediately.

He nodded negatively, as soon as she looked at him. Sensing his fear behind this gesture, she pressed his hand tightly and blinked her eyes to assure him that she will be back soon.

'Pal do pal ki hi kyun hai zindagi
Is pyaar ko hai sadiyaan kaafi nahi
To khuda se maang loon
Mohalat main ik nayi
Rehna hai bas yahaan
Ab door tujhse jaana nahi
Jo tu mera humdard hai
Jo tu mera humdard hai
Suhaana har dard hai
Jo tu mera humdard hai'

He was so scared to let her go because the thoughts 'She will ignore him again and will not come back' was bothering him. But the moment she pressed his hands tightly, a new hope arose within him that everything would be alright now.

He came out of his trance when she came back with a first-aid box and turmeric milk in her hand.

"Bondita yeh sab..." before he could compelte she shushed him and taking his hand, she started cleaning the blood.

He shook his head and admired her the way she dressing his wound with great care while complaining that 'How can one be so careless not to apply ointment to a wound'

She continued to complain while he got lost in himself. He thought that she would still be angry at him but how he could forget that, to her, only he matters. For her, he is more important than anything.

A soft smiled crept over his lips thinking that no one in the world can loves him the way she does. No matter what happens but there is always a concern for him in her heart. She just cannot forget to take care of every little thing of his.

Don't know why, but he feels safe around her. Because she always stands with him like a shadow. She is the one, who gave him new life and taught him the meaning of life.

But what he is doing, does she deserve this? Every day, she proves that she doesn't just love him, she worships him. But what has he proved? Literally nothing. And that's the reason she feels insecure.

Does she deserves thinking that her love is one sided? Does she deserves to feel insecure? No, she don't.

No, he will not let her think like this anymore. He will not hurt her knowingly, unknowingly, not anymore. He don't want to waste any moment. So he has decided that he will confess his feelings today itself. Today he will remove all her insecurities.

He closed his eyes and apologized to Dugga Maa for hurting her and asked her to give him another chance to prove himself.

His thoughts came to halt when he felt burning sensation over his wound and he winced in pain.

"Bahut dard ho raha hai na?" she said while blowing on his wound.

'As long as you are with me every pain gives pleasure' he thought smiling. But a soft touch on his shoulder interrupted his thoughts.

"H-han... Bondita?"

"Aap theek hain?" she asked with concern over not getting reply from him.

"Han...han main theek hoon, bilkul theek hoon Bondita"

"Acha to chaliye jaldi se yeh pee lijiye" she said picking up the glass of turmeric milk but he, making weird faces, said, "Nahi Bondita mujhe nahi peena yeh"

"Please pee lijiye na. Aapka dard jaldi theek ho jayega" she said having tears in her eyes.

"Main pee raha hoon. Tum please rona mat" he immediately took glass from her hand as soon as he saw her water filled eyes.

'Teri muskurahatein hain taakat meri
Mujh ko inhi se ummeed mili
Chaahe kare koi sitam ye jahaan
In mein hi hai sadaa hifaazat meri
Zindagaani badi khoobsoorat hui
Jannat ab aur kya hogi kahin'

They were on their way to the temple. Although he did not want to go, but as she wanted to go, he happily agreed. And now he was constantly rolling his eyes as he thought he would spend some time with her alone, but his sweet little wife remained adamant on her decision that he would not drive because his hand was injured. So he had to take the driver with them.

Sighing deeply, he shook his head. An automatic smile crept over his lips, the moment he saw her looking outside with a smile on her face.

She looked so relax. And that smile of her, which had been missing for the last few days, finally it's back. He is so accustomed to her smile that seeing her aloof and crying, his heart was breaking into a million pieces. If her tears are his weakness then her smiling face is his strength.

She has the power in her smile that she can make him forget all his worries. It always gives him hope and encourages him. And when she laughs wholeheartedly, he feels like an eternity.

She has truly beautified his life. And now it was his turn to make everything even more beautiful. Now he was waiting to reach the temple and then confess his feelings there. Because he believe that even before that God had tied the two of them together, so that is why he wants God to be the prime witness even in the new beginning of their relationship.

'Bas thoda intezar aur Bondita' with that thought they reached temple.

-

"Bondita mujhe tumse kuch baat karni hai" he said as soon as they climbed up the stairs.

"Kya huya Pati babu? Aap theek hai na?" she asked concerned.

"Han Bondita main theek hoon bilkul. Mujhe tumse kuch kehna hai" he said taking her hands in his while she nodded and waited for him to continue.

He was about to open his mouth when he got interrupted by someone. The moment he turned, he got shocked to see Saudamini there.

A sudden fear crept over his face and he immediately looked at Bondita who was already looking at him with the same fear in her eyes.

No. This time he will not repeat the same mistake. This time he will not make her cry. Not again. She only deserves happiness. He will not let anything worse now. And for this, he have to face Saudamini for one Last Time.

Holding her hand tightly, he blinked his eyes which made her smile sadly and made their way towards Saudamini to tell her that, her presence no longer affects him because she is no one to him. And more than that he wanted to face her for his Bondita.

"Kaise ho Anirudh?" asked Saudamini, the moment they came near her but her eyes was fixed on their hands only to which he smirked and said,

"Bahut khush" he said looking at Bondita.

Hearing this, she gave a forced smile and said, "Apni patni se nahi milwayoge?"

The mention of 'His wife' brought a bright smile to his lips. Looking at Bondita again, he proudly introduced her, "Yeh hai mera Sukoon, meri patni Bondita" he said putting his arms across her shoulder.

Feeling overwhelmed with his statement, Bondita's eyes started brimming with tears. Both of them were busy admiring each other.

On the other hand, the way he introduced his wife and the way he was looking at her with great affection, it was making Saudamini jealous. Because her husband never looked at her the way Anirudh was looking. Her husband never introduced her with such pride. She was regretting her mistake she had made two years ago but now she cannot do anything except regret.

She smiled sadly and opened her mouth breaking their eyelock session.

"Kya tum abhi bhi apni dost se guusa ho Anirudh? Maaf bhi nahi kroge?"

"Dost?" he asked chuckling and looking into eyes directly, he spoke further, "Itna sab ho jane ke bad bhi tum khud ko mera dost bta rahi ho?"

"Ani..." she was about justify herself, but he interrupted in between,

"Aur rahi baat maafi ki, woh toh main kabhi bhi nahi krunga. Jo tumne mere sath kiya, main kabhi nahi bhool sakta. Abhi mujhe apna dost bta rahi thi na tum? Agar tumhe apne dost ki itni fikar hoti, toh paison ke liye kabhi dhokha na deti, chot na pahunchati" hearing his words, her eyes became low with shame.

"Lekin han" he spoke again to which she looked up, "Tumne jo kiya, uske liye tumhe dhanyawad jarur karna chahunga" This statement of his confused both girls.

"Thank you so much. Tumhari wajah se hi Bondita meri zindagi aayi. Tum na hoti toh Bondita meri zindagi mein kaise aati?"

She was avoiding looking into his eyes while Bondita was admiring with a soft smile on her lips.

"Bondita ne sab kuch jante huye bhi, mera sath diya, mujhe samjha, jaise aaj tak koi nahi samjh paya. 

Tum toh mujhe andheron mein chod kar chali gyi thi Saudamini, lekin Bondita meri zindagi mein woh roshni ki kiran hai, jiske aas-pas hone se meri himmat badhti hai. Mere bina bole hi meri har taqleef ko samjh leti hai Bondita. Aur agar mujhe kuch problem bhi aati hai na toh main sirf apni Bondita ko dhoondta hoon. Pata hai kyu? Kyunki iske pas meri har problem ka solution hota hai" he said holding Bondita's hand tightly.

"So Thank you. Meri zindagi se jane ke liye" saying this, he looked at his wife, who was already looking at him for a long time.

"Chale?" he asked breaking her trance. She nodded and then they left from there leaving dumbfounded Saudamini behind.

'Teri dhadkanon se hai zindagi meri
Khwaahishein teri ab duaayein meri
Kitna anokhaa bandhan hai ye
Teri meri jaan jo ek hui
Lautoonga yahaan tere paas main haan
Vaada hai mera mar bhi jaaun kahin'

After taking blessings from Maha Pandit, they now stood in front of the idol of Dugga Maa with folded hands and closed eyes.

She was apologizing to Dugga Maa with wet eyes because she had hurt the person she loves the most. Even she apologized to him many times but each time he silenced her, saying that it was not her fault, if anyone was at fault then it was him only. Even he folded his hands in front of her, which she never wanted, not even in her dream. So she was now apologizing and promised that she would never repeat this mistake.

She opened his eyes and looked at him, who was still praying with his eyes closed. Her thoughts took her back the moment she had witnessed a few minutes back which brought a soft smile on her lips.

She shook her head thinking how much unnecessary things she was thinking these days.

She always wanted him to open up about his feelings but what she heard today, it was nothing less than any confession. How unique is their relationship, he said everything without saying anything. She does not want any confession now. She just don't need anything anymore.

'Thank you Dugga Maa. Humara rishta aur bhi majbut karne ke liye, mere sare darr dur karne ke liye'

On the other hand, he was relieved. As if a great burden has come down from the heart. Although he had made up his mind that if Saudamini comes in front of him again, he would change his path. As much as he did not want to see her face again in his life, but at the same time, he could not make a fresh start without leaving his past behind.

Now that everything is left behind, he can live happily with his Bondita. He was constantly thanking Dugga Maa for making it possible.

A soft smile appeared on his lips as soon as her thought came into his mind and he thanked Dugga Maa for writing HER in his fate. He does not know what good deeds he has done, that she came into his life. Initially, he did not know what their future would be. But now he just cannot even imagine his life without her now.

He never thought that she would be the girl, who would rule his heart. Whose happiness will be the reason for his life, whose thought of losing stops his heartbeat, for whom he would do anything to fulfill every wish.

'Main vaada karta hoon Dugga Maa, main Bondita ko kabhi shikayat ka moka nahi dunga. Humesha uske paas rahunga aur uska sath dunga'

He opened his eyes when Pandit came and gave her puja ka thaal back. He smiled and after the Pandit gave them the parsad, both of them moved from there.

-

"Bondita, kahan ja rahi ho" he said as soon as he saw her about to climbed down stairs.

She narrowed her eyes and asked, "Yeh kaisa sawal puch rahe hain aap? Ghar nahi jana hai kya Pati babu?"

"Nahi" he said, but seeing her confused, he spoke again immediately, "Han"

"Toh phir chaliye"

"Nahi"

She was about to speak something when he interrupted her,

"Mera matlab abhi nahi. Ghar jane se pehle mujhe tumse baat karni hai" she nodded while he continued,

"Woh abhi thodi der pehle jo huya..woh.."

"Kuch kehne ki jarurat nahi hai Pati babu. Aur waise bhi, acha hi huya ke phir se unse samna huya, aur aapne shanka dur kardi. Unki bhi aur...meri bhi" she said last two words in a low but audible whisper.

He smiled and holding her hand, he moved a bit from there, because there were so many people around.

He made her sit on the concrete bench and taking puja ka thaal from her hand, he placed it on the bench. Taking her hands in his, he sat on his knees in front of her on the ground, making her frown.

"Pati babu aap yeh kya kar..." before she complete, he interrupted her in between.

"Bondita...pichle dino jo kuch bhi huya.." she interrupted him by pressing his hand tight and nodded negatively, as if she was saying that she don't want to talk about it.

He sighed and nodded his head and continued, "Tumhe yaad hai jab humari shadi huyi thi, main tumse theek se baat bhi nahi krta tha"

She smiled remembering the early days of their marriage, while he continued to speak, "Aur ab dekho, ek ghanta bhi baat na ho toh..."

"Toh dil bechain ho jata hai" she completed to which he chuckled and said, "Han Bondita"

"Main jaanta hoon, tumhe bahut bura lagta hoga uss waqt. Lekin Bondita maine jaan bhujkar...tum janti ho na, meri halat uss waqt..." he closed his eyes as he did not want to remember that phase of his life. He sighed deeply and looked at her again who was patiently listening to him.

"Lekin ab jab main sochta hoon toh lgta hai, agar tum na hoti, toh mera kya hota? Kya main abhi bhi akela aur toota huya hota?" A big lump formed in his throat while the thought of his broken condition brought tears to her eyes.

He wiped her tears while shaking his head negatively and said, "Pata hai, jab pehli bar tumhari aankhon mein aansoo dekhe the, toh maine khud se vaada kiya tha, ke tumhari aankhon se kabhi aansoo nahi aane dunga. Lekin phir bhi main kuch na kuch kar deta hoon aur tumhe rula deta hoon"

"Aisa nahi hai Pati babu. Aap toh mera itna khayal rakhte hain, mera itna sath dete hain"

"Khayal toh tumne rakha hai mera aaj tak. Maine kabhi nahi socha tha, zindagi itni khoobsurat bhi ho sakti hai.

Tumse shadi karna meri zindagi ka sabse best decision tha. Maine aaj tak tumse kabhi nahi kaha lekin, Thank you"

She narrowed her eyes in confusion. And understanding what was confusing her, he spoke further,

"Thank you, meri zindagi mein aane aur usko khoobsurat bnane ke liye. Thank you, jab main akela tha, mera haath thamne ke liye. Thank you, mujhe sambhalne ke liye. Thank you, mere har dukh dard mein mera sath dene aur meri himmat badhane ke liye. Thank you, har waqt, har mod par mere sath chalne ke liye. Thank you, humesha mere pas, mere sath rehne ke liye. Thank you, Mujhse Pyar Karne Ke Liye. Thank You" each and every word he was saying, making him emotional.

She was listening to him with a soft smile on her face and was getting emotional. But as soon as she heard the last line, her eyes widened in shock.

"Aa-aapko..pata..hai..main aapse...p-pyar..." words were not coming out of her mouth properly.

He chuckled and said, "Jab se mujhe pata laga hai, main tumse pyar karta hoon, shayad tab se janta hoon"

Hearing what he said, a lone tear escaped from her eyes. She opened her mouth to speak but immediately closed it and repeated this two or three times.

"A-aap...aap bhi...?" she spoke finally. He just nodded in reply as he himself has tears in his eyes.

"Shotti?"

"Han Bondita, shotti"

'Jo tu mera humdard hai
Jo tu mera humdard hai'

                       
                             *******

Hushhh! This was the longest OS I have written in this Series.

So here goes the next OS. I hope it meets your expectations.

Do tell me in the comments how was it? Also guess what will happen next?

And keep supporting, voting and commenting.

#HappyReading