Bondita came home with batuk still sulking for yesterday's denial, giving Anirudh a cold shoulder.

"Maa, do you know I've got the famous badam roshogullas from calcutta." Said Anirudh loudly while looking at bondita from his peripheral vision." If anyone wants to eat, just come at the dining table."

Bondita's hand stopped on the drawing book and she unconsciously licked her lips and swallowed. Anirudh smirked seeing her reaction.

" Maa, I am full now. The roshogullas which you make are the best. I won't even touch other roshogullas apart from yours." Said bondita yelling from the small tea table kept near the sofa , still coloring.

"They say it melts as soon as kept on tongue. If anyone wants to try , they can take it. The pot is kept in the kitchen." Said anirudh yelling.

"Why are you both yelling so much? I am trying to concentrate here."said an irritated shubhra while doing some needlework.

Anirudh sighed and stood up to go to his room. When bondita saw Anirudh leaving, she took it as a cue and tiptoed towards the kitchen. Anirudh quickly came near the kitchen and hid behind the pillar outside it. Bondita looked here and there to make sure no one watches her. Then her eyes fell on an earthen pot covered with a red cloth." That must be it. My ek badam roshogullas , i am coming." She opened the pot and took the roshogulla squeezed its syrup and put it in her mouth. She ate three more and hid it back the same way. Anirudh tried to control his snickers and came back into the hall. As soon as he peeped into Bondita's drawing book, the guilt feeling crashed upon him again like a load of bricks.

"Bondita, come with me. We have some work." Said Anirudh.

"Maa, tell him I don't want to go anywhere with him. What if i get lost?" Bondita said in a fake dramatic expression.

"Maa, tell her she won't get lost if she keeps her eyes and ears open. " Said Anirudh with a smirk.

"Maa , tell him, my eyes and ears are open and completely fine."

"Both of you, sort out whatever your problem is . I'm not your postman." Said an irritated shubhra and left.

Both Anirudh and bondita stared at each other.

"If you won't come, you will never know what you are missing. "Said Anirudh.

" I don't want to go anywhere with you."

" Okay. If u say so. The good thing about the ignorant one is he doesn't even know what he has lost."

" Okay fine. But don't think that I've forgiven you."

" I would never ever dare to." Said Anirudh with a mocking expression keeping his hand on his chest.

Bondita and Anirudh left on their bicycle.

" Where are we going?" Asked an impatient bondita.

" If u ask once more where are we going , I'll drop you from the bicycle. Then come back on your own."

"Huh! He is not pati babu. He is Rakkhosh babu. Only thing missing is big teeth and two red horns."Bondita laughed imaging Anirudh as a monster.

" What are you laughing at?"

"Nothing! Nothing!"

"Come, we have arrived."

When bondita looked around , saying she was shocked would be an understatement. Her eyes widened and mouth wide open seeing the ostentatious fairground. The place looked alive with booming music of advertisements and songs. Exhilarating screams coming from the rides made bondita's heart flutter with excitement. Loud laughter of children could be heard in background. Colossal , gyrating rollar coaster ride with vibrant pulsating lights towering over them, was spiralling and coiling like an elongated snake twisting through the fair.

" Pati Babu! This is so big and and and....." So spellbound she was , she couldn't form the words.

Aniruddha chuckled at her expressions. "Shall we go? "

Bondita almost ready to run, stopped and looked at him. " But I have one condition."

"What?"

"Today you will not say 'no' to me."

"What kind of condition is that? What do u mean dont say no?"

"I mean that whatever i want to do today, you will let me do. You won't say 'Bondita don't do this .Bondita don't do that'."
She mimicked him and laughed.

" Hey! I don't speak like that ! Fine! But if its too much, i will have to say no."

" That we'll see"Bondita smirked.

" Now come."

" Wait, what if i really get lost? This fair is too huge. Like a bhul bhulaiya." Said bondita with a worried expression.

Anirudh smiled and forwarded his hand, " I will never leave your hand."

Bondita smiled and put her hand in his and both of them went towards the fairground, hand in hand, smiles decorated on their lips and eyes reflecting the colourful hues of fairylights.

Have you ever seen dussehra fair of kota?
Its really really beautiful. If no, you should really once visit to see the amazing fair. The big ravan burning is a sight to behold. Since 2 years , it is not held due to covid. I'm waiting for it.

Are you looking forward to anirudh and bondita's fair trip?

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