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Anirudh flashed the chaumukhi diya at her balcony. Amidst all the tension and nervousness, a sweet smiled adorned his face, as he reminisced the days that were. Alas! Only if they could come back.
"Mini," he whispered softly.
"Saudamini" he uttered a little loudly, when his former call didn't receive any response.
She lighted a candle in her room, with the matchstick's sizzle echoing into the silent night.
Anirudh lowered his eyes as she stood up to emerge from behind the curtains.
Those same anklets resounded once again, but couldn't soothe his aching heart anymore.
But unlike the olden days, only her shadow came forth to meet his eyes, with her glowing face remaining concealed in the drapes.
He was startled by this gesture of hers.
"Ji, Vakeel Babu" said she, rather coldly. There was no shiver or warmth, no complains or anger.
The words pierced his heart all over again. Vakeel Babu?
"Woh... usko sati karne par majboor kar rahe the." He said, out of guilt.
"Par tumhaari kya majboori thi Aniruddh? Kya kisi aur ka khayal nahi aaya?"
"Uski jaan chali jaati Mini!"
"Toh meri bhi kahan bachi hai!" She yelled back. "Kya aapko ek baar bhi mera khayal nahi aaya? Ki main iske baad jeeyungi kaise?"
"Ek taraf pyaar hai aur doosri taraf zimmedaar Mini, main kya karun?"
"Chunav toh tumne pehle hi kar liya hai Aniruddh," she smiled weakly.
Wiping her tears, she regained the composure that was essential for an upper class maiden to demonstrate, at all times.
She removed her anklets and kept them on the window sill.
"Mujhe maaf kardo Mini..." he mumbled weakly, with tears in his eyes.
"Par main tumhein Vachan..."
"Sambhalkar Vakeel Babu. Aapne mere hisse ke Vachan abhi abhi kisi aur ko de diye hain. Pehle unka toh maan rakh lijiye."
Stunned, he couldn't speak anymore.
After a few moments of silence, she blew off the lamp and her shadow too, vanished away, probably forever, into the darkness, as Aniruddh watched on helplessly.
-X-
Saudamini's character intrigued me so much, that I was bound to write this! Don't worry, there will obviously be Bondita and their story as well, but you'll sure get to see Mini in a different light!
Do tell me if y'all like this setting.
Cheers,
Mahi.
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Anupamaa
