" Jai Maa Durga" echo the united voices of all the people as the priest unveiled devi Durga's face. The sound of intense beats coming from the dhak mixed with aroma of the dhunuchi lit every corner of the mainson. On the auspicious occasion of Durga Soshti all the villagers have gathered in the mainson to celebrate the Bodhon of Maa Durga. Special drama artists were called from Calcutta to display the famous "Mahishasur Mardini Pala".

Bondita, being the eldest daughter-in-law of the zamindars had all the responsibilities on her shoulders. People gathered outside the mainson as the drama began.

"Namaskar, aaj Durga Shoshti ke uplaksh mein hum aap sabke samne Devi Durga ke Mahishasur Mardini kehlane ki prasiddh katha natak ke roop mein pradarshit karenge" said the host followed by round of claps.

"Patibabu mai abhi aayi pani pi ke" Bondita whispered in Anirudh ears.

" Thik hai " he replied.

Bondita went inside the mainson but felt someone's constant gaze on her. She turned around to check but found none.

"Sabtoh bahar natak dekh rahe hai yaha kon ayga tu bhi na Bondita kuch bhi sochti hai"she murmured. Brushing off her thoughts she went inside the kitchen and drank water. Just then someone from behind stifled her mouth and took her upstairs.

" Kon ho tum aur mujhe yaha kyu lai ho ???? " Bondita said.

" Yugo Yugo pehle Mahishasur namak ek asur ne Brahma ji ki ghor tapasya ki thi. Jiske baad Brahma ne kush hokar usse vardaan diya tha ki trivuvan me koi dev ya purush usse maar nahi paiga. Uska anth hoga toh sirf or sirf ek naari ke hatho" the narrator narrated as Mahishasur made his appearance on the stage.

" Mujhe pehchan nahi payi Bondita ?? " said a manly voice emerging from the dark , whose glimpse shook her to the core.

" Tum yaha ?? " she gasped in fear.

" Ha ab ana hi pada, ya ye kahu ki tumhari khoobsurti mujhe yaha kich laayi" he said running his fingers on her cheek.

" Khabardar !! Jo mujhe hath lagaya toh " Bondita warned.

" Aare re itna gussa....waise sach bataye tum gusse mein aur khoobsurat dikhti ho" he leaned near her face.

" Dhur haat " Bondita pushed him aside and started walking towards the door. But he grabbed her bun tightly.

" Ahhhh.....choro mujhe " Bondita cried in pain. " Aaj tujhe mujhse koi mahi bacha paiga. Yaad jar kese saalon pehle shaadi ke dim tu baag gayi thi mujhe chorke, phir bhi mein tera intezaar karta raha. Tujhe apne dil ki baat batai, magar tune mujhe tukraya, yahi nahi mujhe jail bhi veja. Aaj uss sab ka hisab chukta hoga" saying this he threw Bondita on the bed.

" Vardan milne ke baad Mahishasur ne trivuvan mein trahi trahi macha di, saare dev bhi uske aage ashahay the " said the narrator.

He hovered on her and pressed both of her hands against the bed. He brought his face closer to her but she started making vigorous movements to save herself. He placed his lips on her nape and continued to trace her face.

" Uske atyachar ab swarg tak pohoch gaya tha. Devatao ko swarg se nikal ke wo khudko swarg ka raja manne laga" --- narrator.

" Ye Bondita kaha reh gayi " Anirudh became restless.

" Aare natak aage chal raha hai piche nahi....aage dekh " Kaka said. " Kaka Bondita bohot der pehle paani pine gayi thi abhi tak nahi aayi " Anirudh said.

" Aare koi kam yaad agaya hoga isliye deri horahi hai....tu chinta kyu karta hai ajaigi" Kaka said. Though Anirudh wasn't convinced but he decided to wait for few more minutes.

Here Bondita kicked him on his stomach which made him winch in pain. Taking the opportunity Bondita tried to run but he stepped on her pallu. This made her loose her balance and she fell on the floor.

" Unn devtao ko yaha lao....Mahishasur ke haatho se unhe koi nahi bacha sakta" Mahishasura laughed.

" Aaj tujhe mujhse koi nahi bacha sakta...hahahaha " he said coming closer to her. " Uth" he pulled her up and slapped her tightly. Her head hit the corner of the bed. Blood started oozing out of the cut on her head and on the corner of her lips. Bondita placed her hand on the wound.

" Dard horaha hai Bondita ?? Ye toh bus suruwat hai aage aage dekho " he came closer to her while she moved back and closed her eyes.

" Yaad rakhna Bondita har ladki ke andar ek Durga rehti hai. Har ladki apna bachao khud karsakti hai. Jab bhi esha laage ki tum kamjor padh rahi ho tabh apne andar ki Durga ko yaad karna Bondita " Anirudh words striked her mind.

" Thake haare devta anth mein tridev ke saran mein aaye aur usne sahayata ki binti ki. Tabh tridev ki shakti ko milake janm hua Durgatinashini Devi Durga ka." said the narrator followed by rounds of claps and ulu as Devi Durga came into limelight.

" Ek ek karke sabhi devtao ne devi ko apne astra pradan kiye. Astra sashtra or gehno me susajjit Devi Durga ne yuddh ke liye prasthan kiya" the narrator continued.

Ayi giri nandini nandhitha medhini
Viswa vinodhini nandanuthe
Girivara vindhya sirodhi nivasini
Vishnu Vilasini Jishnu nuthe

Bondita suddenly felt a strength within herself and with all her might pushed him away.

" Re Mahishasur bahar aa. Tera paapo ka ghada bhar chuka hai, aaj tera anth nishchit hai " roared devi Durga.

" Chandrachoor !! Aaj mein tujhe dikhaungi ki ek stree ke swabhiman mein hath daalne ka anjaam kya hota hai " she shouted as embers poured out of her eyes.

Bhagawathi hey sithi kanda kudumbini
Bhoori kudumbini bhoori kruthe
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasura Mardini
Ramya Kapardini Shaila Suthe

" Hahahaha.....tu mujhe maregi. Bhul maat tu ek abala naari hai " Mahishasura said.

" Hahahaha......tu mujhe sabak sikhaigi mujhe " he laughed and then suddenly grabbed her hand.

Suravara varshini durdara darshini
Durmukhamarshani harsha rathe
Tribhuvana poshini Sankara thoshini
Kilbisisha moshini ghosha rathe

" Murkh, abala sabdh ke bitaar hi bal samahit hai." Durga said.

" Ha mein dungi tujhe dand " Bondita replied.

"Devi Durga ne Mahishasur pe talwar se prahar kiya. Dono mein ek bhisan yuddh suru hua. " the narrator continued his narration.

Here, Bondita grabbed a vase and hit him. She held his collars and started slapping him.

Danuja niroshini Dithisutha roshini
Durmatha soshini Sindhu suthe
Jaya Jaya Hey Mahishasura Mardini
Ramya Kapardini Shaila Suthe

" 9 din tak yudh chalta raha. Mahishasur ke saare yukti Devi ke aage kuch kam nahi aaye. "

He held her hand in defend but she kicked him on his stomach. He then tried to slap her but she held his hand and slapped him instead.

" Bohot der hogayi hai aab mujhe dekhna hi hoga" Anirudh stood up and went towards the haveli along with Batuk.

Ayi Jagadambha Madambha Kadambha
Vana priya vasini Hasarathe
Shikhari siromani thunga Himalaya
Srunga nijalaya madhyagathe

"Anth mein devi ne apna Trishul uthaya aur Mahishasur ke sath ladne lagi " the narrator commented as Devi Durga took the Trishul in her hand for the final battle.

Bondita grabbed the chabuk kept in the corridor and started thrashing him. She kept of beating him while walking across the corridor and stairs.

As Anirudh stepped in the mainson, he saw a terribly wounded Chandrachoor lying on the floor. He was in fix until he heard jingling sound of anklets. Bondita descended down the stairs like a wounded lioness. Anirudh and Batuk were horrified to see her condition. Everthing was now clear to both of them.

" Dada, mein iss darinde ko chorunga nahi isne meri boudi ki kya halat bana di hai" Batuk said furiously but Anirudh stopped him.

" Rukh ja Batuk.....isko iske kiye ka dand Bondita degi " he said.

Madhu Madure Mdhukaitabha banjini
Kaitabha banjini rasa rathe
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasura Mardini
Ramya Kapardini Shaila Suthe

"Devi Durga ne apna pair Mahishasur ke sine pe rakha" the narrator described as Devi Durga did the actions.

Bondita thumped her feet on his chest making him spit blood.

"Aur phir Trishul se Mahishasur ka vadh kiya" the narrator said as soon as Devi Durga killed the demon.

Bondita continued to beat him with the chabuk.

Everyone watching the drama started clapping in joy. The resounding uloo made by the ladies echoed outside. Dhakis played the dhak with full energy and happiness.

Jayati Mangala kali bhadrakaali kapali durga shiva kshma dhatri swaha swadha namostute.

The atmosphere was filled with positivity and piousness as the demons were annihilated by the Durgas completely.

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