"So, this is tangent, this one is diameter and this one is radius. And you already know what circumference is." Said Bondita while drawing on the paper.

"Oh God, Bondu! Thank you so much. You are a genius. I was so confused with all these lines. But you made it so easy." Aditya grinned and Bondita felt her cheeks warming again ,for the third time in the day.
From when have boys become this sweet?

"Oh! Aditya ! It's nothing."

" Will you help me in the algebra too?"

" Yes, tell me where the problem is?"

"I mean full chapter."

"Full chapter? It will take a lot of time. How will we complete it in such little time?"

"How about you stay after the school?"

"After school?"
Pati babu won't allow if I stay after school . He'll surely get mad , as I will have to go home alone.
"Uhmmm, it's not possible to stay after school. How about you come at our home?"

" Your home? I don't know where it is."

"No problem. You come with us after school to our home and learn the route. Then you can come in the evening."

"Okay. I hope your family won't mind."

"Why would they mind? Batuk always goes to his friends' homes and they also come to ours."

"Okay ."

***
" Where is Bondita?" Said Anirudh.

"Where else? She might be with that Aditya." Batuk gave a bored look.

"Who Aditya? And why is Bondita with him? "

"Nowadays, she has lunch with that boy only."

"Why?" Aniruddh frowned. Batuk shrugged.
"Who is this girl with you?"

" Uhm... she ..she.. is my friend. Bonesha."

"Batuk , its vanessa." Vanessa huffed.

"That only. Bonesha."

"Uff." Vanessa rolled her eyes.

Anirudh was looking at their silly banter with furrowed brows, unable to decide who is behaving more weird.
Who is this Aditya and where is Bondita?
It was strange of Bondita to mingle with other boys. Maximum didn't like Bondita very much as she had already bruised their egos with her brilliant scholastic performance and debate skills. Even Bondita refrained herself from talking to others outside her small friend circle which mainly consisted of Batuk's friends.

"Dada, they might be in class. I didn't saw them leaving class."
Said Sharman.

Anirudh made his way towards her class.
He stood on the door and saw that Bondita and an unfamiliar boy were sitting together with books open. But they were not studying rather laughing with their heads thrown back.
What is so funny to laugh like this?
She hasn't talked to me properly since two days and look at her , laughing like maniac with him?
Whatever , even I won't talk. I'm also busy, very very busy.

"Are Pati Babu! You here!" Bondita's words broke his trance and he saw both were looking at him with confused expressions.

"Uhmm.. yeah ... I came to look for you but seems like you are too busy." Anirudh made a sullen face.

" Busy, no no we were just studying." Said bondita cheerfully.

" Yes, i can see that." Said Anirudh with gritted teeth.

"Pati babu, meet him. He is Aditya."

"Hello dada! Are you Bondita's pati babu? She talks a lot about you. Finally I got to meet you today." Said Aditya gleefully.

Anirudh's expression softened when he heard that Bondita talked about him." Ohh. Ohk."

The bell rang thus ending the recess.

"Bondita, I should go. The class is about to start."

"Okay."

***
" So you can play mouth organ , is it? I really love music. I can play piano." said Vanessa.

"Really! I want to listen." Said Batuk with an admiration on his face.

"But, uhm. My father don't like Indians much, as you know he is a Britisher."

"Ohhh. How about you come at our home. Dada plays piano. I'm sure he'll allow you to play it."

"Really! Great then. But on one condition. You have to play your mouth organ."

"Yes, yes why not? Do you know our haweli?"

"My driver will drop me . Don't worry."

***
"Bondita, whom are you waiting for?" Said Aniruddh when he saw Bondita impatiently looking at the school gate.

"Aditya , pati babu."

"What? Why?"

"Because he is coming with us at our haweli?" Said Bondita as if it was the most natural thing.

"And why is that?"Anirudh folded his arms at his chest.

"He wants to learn algebra from me. We can't study the whole chapter in recess na . That's why."

" Why do you have to teach him? He should ask masterji about it , if he is facing problem."

"Ohho Pati Babu! What is there to think so much? Maa only says we should help those in need."

"He won't come at our haweli and that's final."

"Okay then, I will stay after school." Bondita moved to go back to school gate.

"Wait! Why will you stay at school?"

"To teach him!"

"NO! That's not going to happen." Yelled Anirudh.

"Then let him come at home."

"NO"

"But you also go to Gopal dada's house. He is also my friend. Let him come."

"Do whatever you want. Don't talk to me."

"But--"

"NOT A WORD!"

"Dada! Ahm! ....I...I have also invited my friend to our haweli." Said Batuk hesitatingly.

"Why are you telling me? Do whatever you want. Who cares what I would say?" Anirudh yelled.

What has gotten into him?
What is his problem?
Aditya is such a sweet person and he is a bitter gourd.
Always yelling and screaming. Huh!
Bondita frowned.

"Bondita! Sorry , sorry. I had gone to washroom. Now we can go. " Aditya came running towards her with his bicycle.

Anirudh made an irritated face. He was in front and the three of them at the back. Bondita and Aditya were continuosly talking thus irking Anirudh. Aniruddh has never felt this irritated and frustrated.

"Bondu! Did you see how David Sir's wig slipped when the pigeon perched on his head."

Aniruddh frowned at his endearment. Even I've never called her by nickname . Look at him, newbie calling her bondu. He himself is a bhondu.(dumb)

Bondita laughed out loud. "yes, yes , I had doubt from the starting that he is baldy."

Batuk too joined them while Aniruddh didn't find it that funny.

***
"Ugh! Why did I have to yell at her? I knew she is so stubborn. Now she isn't talking again. I should be the one getting apology. But no, I've to think an idea to coax her instead. Wow! Just wow! Batuk's fate is good. No wife, awesome life." Aniruddh paced in his room to and fro clutching his hairs in frustration, after Bondita denied to study with him after the lunch , saying that she has to prepare for Aditya's arrival.

What preparation does she need to do? Who is he? Some nawab or Lord Chelmsford himself.

Aniruddh tiptoed to Bondita's room. Bondita and Batuk were pushing each other to look themselves in the dressing table mirror.

"You move "

"Yoy move .This is my room."

"This is my haweli. I'm the zamindar of this house."

"And I'm chhoti malkin."

"Yes , but remember 'chhoti' , smaller than zamindar."

"Let me do my make-up. What will Aadu think if I look like this? I've to show him how royal I look at my haweli." Anirudh clenched his teeth. Aadu!

"I also have to show Bonesha that I'm no less than those flour-like white britishers."

"Batuk!"

"Boudi!"

Awni! You have to do something. Things are going out of hand. That Aadu-paadu is a bad influence on my Bondita. He will distract her. I know how to convince Bondita.
Anirudh smirked.

***

"Thank you so much Bondu! You should teach maths in our school. You can become a great mathematician."

" Mathematician? No , I want to become biristra babu like my pati babu."

"What babu?"

"Pati babu?"

"No, before that what did you say?"

" Biristra babu"

"Did you mean barrister?" Aditya amused.

"Yes , yes same thing."

Aditya started laughing holding his belly , his head thrown at the back thus teasing Bondita. Bondita punched on his arm.

"Owwww! It hurts." Said Aditya rubbing his arm.

"Good for you ." Bondita gave a content smile.

"Hey, what is this music?"

" This is piano's music. Pati babu plays it. But the note is different today. Let's see who is playing."

They followed the sound.

"Vanessa! You here!"

"Hi Aditya! You are also here. I came to make Batuk listen to my piano. I've recently learnt it. "

"You are quite nice at it."

"Thanks. Batuk is about to play mouth organ . Come join us. "

"Batuk, you will play mouth organ! Wow!"
Bondita squealed.

Batuk blushed at this unexpected attention." Boudi! You can also bring your flute. Dada taught you na."

"Really! You can play flute. You are a multi talented person Bondu! I'm amazed. Topper at maths, aspirant of barristery and now can play flute too. I'm curious what else is there in the store. Go bring it, let's listen to it."

Bondita's heart fluttered at Aditya's words, and she nodded and ran to bring her flute.

The four of them settled in the big room , Vanessa on piano, Batuk with his mouth organ and Bondita with her flute.
When Vanessa started playing piano, Batuk played his mouth organ in between the pause of two musical notes when she gestured him, and Batuk felt as if he has got his musical soulmate as if they are sharing the language that nobody understands apart from them. When they finished , it was Bondita's turn to play flute.

"It's been only a few days since Pati babu taught me, so I'm not very good at it. " Bondita smiled sheepishly.

"Oh, c'mon I know you will play well. And even if you don't, I'm sure you will learn quickly."

Bondita nodded and started playing the flute. When she played the flute, her eyes automatically closed and her mind drifted to the precious moments that she had shared with her Pati Babu, how his cold fingers gave her goosebumps, his warm breath on her neck when he demonstrated how to play the flute created a butterfly stampede in her stomach. And when finally he played the flute , the mellifluous note of the wooden instrument filled her whole body with a bliss , making them oblivious of the surroundings and pulling them into a magical portal which opens straight in a musical world, where only the tuneful melody audible was that of the harmonious beating of their hearts.

When everyone clapped , her reverie broke and she opened her eyes to see Aditya, Vanessa and batuk clapping for her.

But a figure standing on the doorstep of room didn't feel the same ecstasy as a few moments before when he had been pulled by the euphonious melody of the flute.

The breaking of earthen pot captured everyone's attention towards him, only to find his back towards them and his retreating footsteps in loud stomps , while the soft sweet white balls lay spilled on the floor missing the opportunity to be relished by their rightful owners.

Thanku for your quick response.
Since a few readers are comfortable with English language only, I'll stick mainly to it. If there is a need to insert hindi dialogues I'll give the translation. Hope that helps!

I would love to know your views on this chapter.

Also your experience about playing music , as many of you must be having music as a hobby.

I've recently started learning ukulele (like a smaller cousin of guitar) for the first time, and it's a beautiful music instrument.