~In joy and in sorrow,
in sickness and in health...
as long as we both shall live!!~

It was the year when Spanish Flu had taken it's deathly tolls in every household in Bengal. The affluent city dwellers of Calcutta were fleeing to the mountains, the hospitals were overcrowded with abandoned patients, the crematoriums were overflowing with lonely corpses of the infected ones, their families counting deaths in fear...
1920, Entire Bengal was burning, the menacing Influenza was at its peak, killing hundreds of people, the rich and the poor alike. Although some did survive the flu, but the lack of medicines, treatment, and the unknown fear surrounding the disease had made it worse for them. The fire was spreading rapidly, and the worst sufferers were perhaps the infected villages, where once caught under the fatal flu, all they had to do was await their end!
The family members would abandon them, considering them to be good as dead. The fear and lack of knowledge would prevent them to go near the patients, confined within the four walls, in isolation, from the rest of the world. Sick and ailing were everywhere, rolls of wailing cries had made the air heavy, and Tulsipur wasn't any different.

Anirudh Roy Chowdhury, the young vicenarian Barrister with a brand new degree from the Oxford was looking at the fresh shipment of Quinine and penicillin, that he had requested from England.
Two cartons of small glass vials, two cartons of life for the people of Tulsipur.
The thermocol boxes were kept on his study table as he sat infront of them with his face buried in his palm. The typewriter was kept infront, an unfinished letter still attached to it, and beside it lay a small Polaroid with an impression of a white woman, smiling, her long gown standing out from even a distance!
The afternoon was chilly and agonising, Anirudh had just returned from the Calcutta Port, bringing the shipments home, under his untiring supervision. His head was aching, the sleepless nights and his constant monitoring over the villagers had taken a toll on his mind.
His eyes were closed, head held back on the cushioned rest of the chair as he felt a soft cold touch on his forehead.

"Dada... Are you feeling unwell?"

Anirudh had opened his eyes at once, his lips curving a soft smile as he saw his baby brother standing infront of him.

"I'm fine Batuk. How are you?"

He held Batuk's hands in his, and pulled him closer, tying him in a warm soothing embrace. It's tough for these two motherless young souls to survive these hard times, and all they had was the company of each other.
And, ofcourse, their uncle, Zamindar Trilochan Roy Chowdhury.

"Dada... Will she be my boudi once that talkative one dies?"
His soon to be nine years old brother had picked up the Polaroid in his hand, as he questioned him innocently about the possibility of getting another 'boudi' who would probably not talk so much.

Anirudh's eyes had however narrowed automatically at his question.

"No... You just have one boudi... And that's Bondita."
He took the picture from his brother's hand and kept in inside the drawer lazily.

"Oh... So, when Bondita dies, I won't have anymore Boudi? Then whom would I play with?"
Batuk had hugged his elder brother tightly as his repeated questions were giving rise to an uncomfortable restlessness within his tired heart.

"Why would she die? Stop saying that Batuk... I know you don't like her much, but that doesn't mean you can talk such about Bondita!"

It's been almost two months that Bondita was living with them, in the Roy Chowdhury Haweli, as his wife, and although Anirudh had developed a natural bond of affection for the little girl, she was yet to reserve that special place in his heart... A place in which only his dear ones dwell, his brother and his uncle!

Batuk was looking at his Dada, wide-eyed.
"It's not that I don't like her. Although she speaks a lot, and always eats my share of Rosogullas, but she is nice."

"Then?" Anirudh had pulled out a list of counts, matching the labels of the Quinine vials with that of the paper.

Batuk looked down, his eyes glistening with an untold sadness.
"Dada... Buro's elder sister died, Tarun's mother died. Now, everyone is saying she would die too! I haven't seen her..."

Anirudh felt a loud hammer in his chest.
"Why?" His throat had dried instantly as he let out a single worded question to his younger brother, dreading the answer with his entire being.

"She had that Influ Dada... Kaka asked me not to go upstairs... No one is going upstairs." He had leaned forward, hushing the words into his ears, fearing the consequence of his Uncle's repeated forbiddence.

The words were like a sharp spear, piercing through his chest.
Anirudh had gulped nervously. He stood up at once, his hands shaking as he grabbed the table for support.
"Since when?"

"Five days."

The chilly winter wind had suddenly felt unbearable, the fragrance of camphor burning near the in-house Durga temple felt repulsive, as Anirudh Roy Chowdhury almost dashed out of the study to meet his uncle.

"Kaka..." He was panting.
"Bondita... How long has it been?"

Trilochan looked up and brought his index to his lips gesturing him to lower down his voice.
"Anirudh... Hush down... I don't want unnecessary panic among the staff here."

"Unnecessary panic? How long Kaka?" He almost yelled at his uncle, as the Zamindar pulled him inside his room, shutting the door behind them.

"Around five days." Trilochan sighed.
"Such a jolly girl... I couldn't believe..."

Anirudh could see the moisture in his eyes, as it's effect had softened him down considerably as well.
"Why didn't you tell me Kaka?"

"You were in Calcutta Anirudh... Also, I don't want you to go near her."

"What do you mean by you don't want to... Where is she now?"

"Inside her room... Second floor, confined."

"And her food and medicine? Who is taking her care?"

Trilochan had let out another loud sigh.
"Koeli had gone the first two days to give her food, only from outside though, but then she too had started to cough."

"And?"

"And, Koeli is in confinement too, at her house."

"Then what is Bondita eating?"

Anirudh had asked the question, but he hadn't waited for an answer, as he rushed inside the study and picked up a few vials of medicines. He had startled everyone in the kitchen too, by grabbing a cane basket, as he quickly filled it with some fresh fruits and a can of milk.

"Zamindar Babu? Would you need anything else?"
A woman with a full drawn saree over her head had asked him in a quivering voice.

"Hot water, in a tub... Fast!"
He had ordered.

Fifteen minutes maximum, and Anirudh Roy Chowdhury was standing outside of the locked door on the second floor of their four storeyed Haweli.
He had unlatched the door, opening it gently as the sight inside made him feel the pain of a thousand piercing needles in his heart.

A half burnt small clay oven was kept at a corner, with scattered grains of rice, two rotten apples, and an army of ants around it... and amidst these had laid Bondita, his nine years old baby wife, unconscious.
Her heavy benarasi saree was disheveled and so was her hair. Her pale face was still with the smeared strain of vermillion on her tiny forehead, her heart beating faintly with the last hope of life.

Anirudh's eyes had teared up, his lips quivered in an inaudible cry, as he rushed to her at once and picked her up in his arms.

"Bondita... Open your eyes Bondita..." He sat on the floor with her small frame in his lap.
She was burning!
Without wasting any second, he pulled open the Quinine bottle and poured a little inside her parted lips.
Bondita had gulped it instantly, coughing up a little.

"Do you need water? Bondita?" Anirudh had poured some fresh water into a clean glass and fed her gently.

Bondita had gulped that too, hungrily, making him give in to the tears entirely.

How hungry she must have been, and thirsty!

He wiped her tiny pale face and arms with the lukewarm water from the steel tub and made her drink a little milk as well.

"Bondita, you hear me... You have to get well, alright? You have to get well fast... Or else, who would take care of me? Open your eyes Bondita, please, for me... "

His desparate wails had filled the emptiness of the room, as Trilochan, standing outside the door, had let out a mournful sigh letting go of the hope of discouraging his nephew to touch his wife.

"Maa Durga... First my daughter in law and now the apple of my eye... Save them Maa... Save them..."
His earnest prayers was offered to the Goddess, with flowers dripped in tears, and vermillion of hope!

Hours had passed...

Bondita, however, had open her eyes, after full one day, as she found herself lying on the bed, she also saw her husband, the grumpy yet sweet husband, sitting on the bed, beside her head, his eyes closed and his hands holding a rectangular white cloth, still a little wet.

Bondita giggled.

"Are you a horse?" Her low soft voice had awakened Anirudh with a startle.

"Bondita... Bondita how are you feeling now?"

Bondita smiled at him again, her eyes were only half opened, but her cheeks had gotten their colors back. And, at that moment, nothing in the world could compare the relief and happiness that Anirudh had felt.

"Are you a horse?" Bondita had murmured the question again as Anirudh leaned over her face and caressed her cheeks lovingly.

"Why would you say so?"
Her words had felt honey to his ears.

"You are sitting and sleeping." She tried to smile.
"Horses stand and sleep."

A bright smile had crossed Anirudh's lips as he quickly picked up another bottle of medicine and made her drink it at once.
It was bitter, but Bondita had gulped it instantly like an obedient child.

"How are you feeling Bondita?"

"Good. I was dreaming." She muttered slowly.

"What did you dream?"

"I dreamt of you... It was... It was beautiful..." She paused to catch a breath.
"In my dream, you were playing with me... by the pool, under that mango tree... And, and we made mud-castles together."

Anirudh felt an unknown twitch in his heart.
"What else did you see little one?"

"I saw my mother." A small tear had rolled down her eyes, trailing down her cheeks and fading into her hairline.

"I want to see my mother Biristera Babu... When can I see my mother?"

Anirudh was careful not to disappoint the child. He smiled warmly at her and promised her with false hope.
"She'll come soon... Very soon..."

His words had pacified her, as he saw her close her eyes once again, falling into another deep slumber.

The day had turned into night. Bondita wasn't burning anymore...
She had awakened from her sleep as Anirudh caressed her forehead fondly.

"How are you feeling now?" He had held her hand.

"Why do you ask the same question everytime?" Bondita had narrowed her large eyes at him, making him smile.
"I'm good... But my neck hurts."
She pointed towards a particular place as Anirudh quickly pulled the heavy saree from her shoulder to examine.

"Damn Bondita... It's bruised!!" He pulled the piercing gold necklace out of her neck with a tug and exposed her soft bruised skin.
"Why do you wear such things even? And this heavy saree!! It alone would make you sicker."

Bondita had smiled.
"But, I only have four sarees! All of them are like this... heavy... And KakaSasurji had asked me never to open these jewelleries, I'm a married woman now."

Another sharp ache rose inside his heart, an empty pain creating a havoc, as deep sighes came out of his chest.
He was on a mission to save women, all the women in his land, but here she was, his own, lying in bed, tied in the shackles of misery and ignorance.
He hadn't ill-treated her, but he had done her worse... ignore.
And, at that moment, he was prepared to pay the price, with everything he had.

With a forced smile he had cupped her cheeks, as a tear unknowingly escaped his eye and dripped on her face.

"Why are you crying?"

"I'm not... Can you sit up Bondita, wait... let me help you."

The room where she stayed was his once, the wardrobe still had his old clothes and he had picked up a soft cotton kurta from the bunch.

"Bondita... You will wear this... Alright? It's comfortable... And no jewelleries till you recover."

Bondita had nodded her head obediently, as she gladly let him help her remove the heavy saree off her frail body.

"Turn around..."

"What?" Anirudh frowned, as Bondita gathered the loose saree, holding it close to her chest in a heap.

"Turn around Biristera Babu... Maa said not to change clothes infront of anyone... Am a married woman now."

Her serious face and grave voice made Anirudh smile in amusement...

Woman indeed! His wife... Nine years old!

He let out a soft chuckle and nodded his head.
"Sure... Makes sense... I'll change too... Be safe, don't get down from the bed and definitely, don't faint... I'll be in the bathroom."

Bondita hadn't fainted, neither had Anirudh when he came out of the bathroom after a bath only to find her sitting with the super large kurta around her, like a pretty rag doll, the sleeves tangled and the neckline reaching to her belly.
He wasn't able to hold his laughter, neither could she... as both laughed out their miseries together, letting their hearts connect perhaps for the very first time... and forever.

"I think I've recovered." Bondita had pouted her lips.
"And now you'll leave me... Once again."

Anirudh had sat beside her, with matching clothes, as he picked her up on his lap, and hugging her gently in a tender fondness.
"I won't leave you... Never... Ever..."

"Shotti?"

Anirudh had smiled happily at Bondita's brightened face.
"Shotti...Shotti... Shotti...!"

....................................................

The sweet memories of the past felt like a tattered dream as Anirudh opened his eyes slowly, dripping in sweat, as he saw his Bondita sitting beside him, resting her head on her palm crutched on her elbow. The night had finally evaded the gloomy anxiety of the day , and Anirudh couldn't help but smile at his sleeping wife.
A bout of cough made him gasp for breath, waking her up, as she held a glass of water promptly to his lips.

"Are you a horse?" Anirudh's eyes were calm.

"What?"

"Horses sleep like this... Humans sleep properly."

Bondita bit her lips immediately, in embarrassment, as she saw her husband slowly scooting over to the other side of the bed.

"I... I'm not sleepy... I don't..."

"Shhh...!" Anirudh inhaled a deep breath.
"I know you aren't sleepy." He paused for another breath as she lowered her head to listen to his slow words.
"Lie down beside me, please."

"But?"

"No buts... I'm not asking you to make out with me... Just lie down... Tomorrow is a big day... You'll have to do a lot...On my behalf..."

Bondita lay beside him slowly, on her back, careful not to hurt him.

"What do I have to do?" She muttered slowly, her eyes fixated on the gradual rotation of the ceiling fan.

"You can kiss me if you want." He smiled, making her smile as well.
"I'll tell you tomorrow what you'll have to do.""

Bondita nodded her head in agreement.

"How is everyone?"

"Good. Worried." She spoke slowly, letting herself settle to the comfort of his closeness.

"Rudhi and Batuk?"
Anirudh let out another sigh.

"They're good. Sleeping."

"And Satyakirth?"

"Left... A little while ago... Said something about clearing his head."

"You didn't ask him to stay the night?"
His words were a little strained.

"No." Bondita closed her eyes.
"I've only asked one person to stay... Ever in life... And I'm glad he stayed."

Anirudh smiled silently.
"Because he had promised never to leave... Never!"

"I know... I won't let him leave either."

The night grew quieter and colder, as Anirudh looked to his side, his wife sleeping peacefully, her eyes closed, her gradual breathing building a sense of warmth in his heart.
He smiled and closed his eyes, prepared to dream another sweet memory from the past.
She too, smiled, opening one eye, as she saw her husband sleeping quietly beside her, his face calm and happy.
She yawned softly, closing her eyes once again...these time to catch up to the dreams that her husband had watched without her, in the last two day!

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Listen to the song attached. I did, while writing...