The new day, the new sky, the water and the land - ever the same and ever evolving - the embodiment of the moment and the eternal entwined.

Batakrishna hadn't slept the night before, first his wild thoughts, the phone call, and then anticipatory wait for the dawn to arrive, tossing in the study room with the puzzle book in hand.
He had bathed early, dressed up too, and around 6, when his uncle guided his guest to sip his first morning tea, Batuk rushed down the staircase and stood infront of him.

"Kaka, I'm going to Calcutta, Dada called last night."
He blurted out.

Trilochan's face had a excited frown at once, as he lowered the cup of tea and almost screamed in excitement.

"Anirudh? Anirudh called? How is he? And Bahu?"
His voice reeked of emotions, and sitting beside him, Abinash Lahiri smiled brightly too.

"Both are good, healthy. But they'd come here only after Dada wins the trial."
He announced, as Koeli quietly kept a cloth filled trunk infront of him.
"I'll be back by night. I'll go to Bethune School too."

"Bethune School?"
Trilochan frowned.

"Yes Kaka, for Bhargavi, I'm thinking of getting her enrolled there, it's the best, isn't it?"
He smiled fondly at his own thoughts and Trilochan nodded.

"That's fine. But what about your engagement Batuk? I mean, without Anirudh and Bondita, it'd be difficult for us to..."

Trilochan murmured thoughtfully, and was promptly interjected by Batuk.

"I don't think Dada can make it now, and we need to go to Dhaka immediately, as you already know, so I've thought of informing Dada and be done with it."

Be done with it?

Trilochan's jaws fell at his hurried urgency, as his logical senses couldn't fathom a reason as to why his nephew, who even a day ago was so reluctant about the match, was suddenly showing such restlessness about this premature engagement.

"Umm... But without Bahu... I mean she is the one who is to do the rituals, and..."

"That we'll manage Kaka, with alternatives." Batuk tried to smile, but then his eyes fell on the silhouette of the feminine figure coming out of the Puja room, completely sheathed in a plain white drape, freshly bathed hair, uncombed, a white chandan tika on her forehead, and she had held a rudraksh rosary in her hand.
The white saree stirred up a fuming fire inside him, and then his eyes narrowed at the rosary.

"Anything special today Kaka?" Batuk suddenly asked, his eyes still following the path that Mira had taken, and looking at that direction Trilochan let out a soft chuckle.

"Oh... It's Ekadashi today Batuk."

Batuk quickly eyed the tea table.
Ekadashi indeed! Even his uncle wasn't drinking tea.

"She can do it Kaka..." He suddenly murmured, and then looking up at Trilochan, Batuk flashed a smile on his lips.
"Mira can do the rituals that's due for Bondita, can't she?"

"No... She can't!" Came a prompt reply.
"She's a widow Batuk... For god's sake... Dugga Dugga!"
Trilochan closed his eyes at once, muttering a soft prayer at this outrageous request of his nephew.

Batuk, however, wasn't listening anymore, as smirking at his uncle, he quickly turned around and jumped double stairs to reach the top.

Perfect... Let's see how you do this Mira! Let's see how you can stop loving me.
He huffed.

It had taken Batuk hardly a minute to reach the desired guest room. Bhargavi wasn't there as expected, practicing on a skipping rope on the open terrace as per her daily morning ritual, and Batuk's eyes furrowed as he didn't find Mira in there either.

"Perfect!" He smirked, and rushing inside, the first thing he did was pull open the wardrobe.
There were two racks, one with Bhargavi's regular checked sarees, and the other with plain white sheets befitting for a widow.
Batuk eyed them for a moment, and then pulled them out, all of them, one by one, forming a small heap on the floor.

"What... " Mira's startled voice made Batuk quicken his pace, freeing the space off all the six sarees that Mira possessed, leaving only the royal blue one behind.
"Choto Zamindar Babu.. what are you doing?"
Her voice was soft yet anxious, and Batuk stooped down to pick up the pile of white clothes.

"There... You won't wear these white sarees anymore."
He demanded.

"What... Why?" Mira murmured, looking away, her hands frantically fidgeting with the rudraksh rosary in desparate attempts of hiding her fear, and Batuk narrowed his eyes at her.

"Because I'm asking you so! No white sarees Mira... Not today, not ever."

"But...I'm a widow!" Mira stepped back, fearfully, her spine colliding with the wooden frame of the door, and Batuk raised his hand to stop her at once.
But, only for a moment as his ascended fingers retracted back remembering the promise he had made.

I won't touch you unless you ask me to!

He recalled. But how was he going to survive without touching her... without being close to her!

"Why are you doing this?"
Mira let out an almost inaudible cry, hiding her face in her palm, and Batuk inched closer to her, dangerously closer, yet caution not to make any physical contact with her body.

"If you'd like to hear again... I'm doing this because I love you..." He hushed, his voice grave, and it made Mira look up, trembling.

"No... Please... This is wrong!"
She urged and Batuk smirked at her words.

"Fine. Wrong it is! But I'm prepared to make it right!"

Mira gulped at his words, and them nodded her head violently.

"No... No. Choto Zamindar Babu... You're to get married... And, and we can't do this anymore." She tried to escape from his towering gaze, but Batuk placed his hand on the door, restricting her movements.

"So you don't love me Mira?"
He asked, and Mira nodded her head promptly in negation, her thudding heartbeat audible to him even from a distance.

"You don't feel anything for me?"
His voice was thick, and it made Mira gasp nervously.

"No!"
She breathed, and Batuk heard footsteps in the corridor.

"Fine, then you shouldn't have any problem doing my Ashirbaad rituals, should you?"
His final words were a bit loud, and it made Mira jump at once, visibly flushed and anxious, and Batuk let go of the door, smirking, and his eyes trailed outside, into the corridor.
"Arey Kaka... Good that you came."
He smiled.

"What? Batuk!! What are you doing here? He asked quizzically, and beside him was Abinash Lahiri.

"Kaka, I just came to ask if Mira has any reservations in doing my Ashirbaad rituals, and she seems good!"
Batuk shrugged, as he had already stepped back, now standing on the heap of white sarees dumped on the floor.

"But... How can she..." Trilochan tried to object and Batuk raised his palm to stop him.

"My marriage... Right Kaka... Then shouldn't I be the one deciding? I want Mira to do it... Please." He joined his hands at his uncle, and Mira wished to sink inside the earth in embarrassment and fear.
However, Batuk continued his arguments.
"Kaka, Koeli took care of me all my life... Now, do you expect me to leave her out on my wedding just because she's a widow? Where's her fault in it? Same for this girl Kaka... You only told me how she was hardly married when this terrible tragedy befell on her... So why not Kaka... Please. "

"No Batuk this can't happen."

"Then I won't marry", was the prompt response, and it made Abinash Lahiri clear his throat.

"Zamindar Babu... With your permission, this humble man would also like to side Batakrishna Babajibon." He smiled sheepishly, and Batuk nodded his head at him showing approval, giving him the much needed support that he wanted.

"So, what I was saying is... Zamindar Babu, the society is progressing so much. Even Vidyasagar Mahashay started Widow remarriage and what not... And he's only asking to make her do the rituals.
Abinash tried to make a point and Batuk went on adding to it, before finally Trilochan let out a disheartened sigh and nodded his head.

"Fine! What more can I say... Let it be then, let Mira do the rituals." He exhaled sharply, and Mira cried out.

"No, I don't..." She objected, but her soft objection was muffled by Batuk loud cough.

"What? What's she saying?" Trilochan was about to leave when he turned around to look at Mira, and Batuk quickly stood in between them, sheathing them from each other's sight.

"Nothing Kaka... She's saying she doesn't have proper sarees to wear for the ceremony." He blurted out and Trilochan frowned his brows in displeasure. But before he could speak, he heard his nephew shout out loud.

"Don't worry Mira... It's your dream day afterall... I myself will buy you sarees from Calcutta... Nice sarees, and you can bless my new bride in them, as much as you want!"
He grinned at her, as Trilochan let out another sharp sigh, before leaving the place with Lahiri Babu.

Mira had sank down on the floor, the rosary held closely to her bosom, and jets of tears rolled down her eyes.
"Why? Why are you doing this? What have I done to you?" She urged him in a moistened voice, and Batuk picked up the pile of white sarees once again.

"You broke my heart Mira... And, I won't let you breath till you fix it."
He huffed the words, as with quickened steps he dashed out of the door, leaving Mira behind, crying, her head banging on the hard wooden floor, the rudraksh mala thrown away aside.

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

The city air felt particularly fresh that morning, almost sweet and floral as the pace of living was relaxing to a steadier rhythm. Partly because it was a Sunday, less crowded, and mostly because Batakrishna was finally going to meet his Dada!
As directed, it hasn't taken much longer to find the red bricked police bunglow in the Central Avenue barracks. And, as Batuk rode his motorbike inside the heavily guarded premises his eyes were greeted by the sight of his dear sister-in-law, standing at the open first floor balcony, as if anticipating his arrival.

"Batuk!!"
Bondita had cried out at once, and the only moments wasted were her coming down the stairways and him parking his bike.

"Bondita!! Boudi... Oh God!" Batuk too had ran to her, tying her in a giant bear hug, almost swooping her off the ground.

"Are you alright, Bondita? And Dada? Where is he?" Batuk asked restlessly and Bondita flashed a bright smile at him.

"All good, and your Dada is bathing... Let's go upstairs, shall we."

She held his hand and almost dragged him up the stairs.
"Krishno is in Mathura, and, Radha had followed... You just need to give your Pushpanjali as usual, alright." She smiled again, first at Batuk and then at the hindustani guard standing at the entrance of the door.

It had taken Batuk a few seconds to fathom the real reference of Bondita's words, as he sighed sharply and looked at her.
"I did everything as told Boudi, but the god is not taking my Pushpanjali somehow, since two days, and I thought Dada might help!" He murmured thoughtfully, and Bondita pressed his arm.

"Don't worry. He's just a god afterall... Just give it sometime, if he wishes, he'll shower his blessings on you again.. have faith."
She smiled and looked at the guard, who was smiling at her words too.
"Joy RadhaGobindo!" Bondita shouted out, and the guard shouted louder.

"Jay jay RadhaGobinda ji!"

Batuk looked away, desparately trying to hide his laughter, and Bondita pinched him hard on his hand.

"Ouch! Bondita... Uff...!" He yelled.
"What a wild cat you still are!" Batuk flinched his face, looking over the bathroom door, expecting to shout a complaint to his brother, but Bondita had tied his neck with her arms already.

"Tigress Batuk... A fierce wild tigress!" Bondita grinned, and Batuk comically held up the sleeves of the black oversized shirt that she was wearing, tucked neatly inside the mustard yellow benarasi saree, artistically wrapped around her body.

"Seems about right!" He teased.

It was their little moment, their little fun and friendship, as after a long time the duo saw happiness in their eyes, happiness that can only be brought in company of dear ones, and for them, it was family!

Batuk looked at Bondita fondly.
How far they had come! From being sworn enemies, to best friends, to sharing secrets, to helping her win his Dada's heart... They indeed had come a long way!

"I missed you both so much Bondita." He smiled, and the smile was straight from his heart.
"I... I wanted to tell you something too... Because I know if there's anyone who'd understand, it would be only you." He murmured, and Bondita ruffled his head lovingly.

"Sure my little Shona Thakurpo... Anything for you." She muttered, her gaze had suddenly changed from that playful mischievousness to a warm motherly affection.
"Your Dada and I would..."

"Na Boudi... Not Dada... You!" He interjected.

"What not Dada Batuk? What's this new mischief of your's that you're trying to pin on your boudi again?"
Anirudh was smiling, holding a wet towel in his hand, as Batuk stood up at once, running straight to him, as he tied him in a much awaited bear hug.

"Dada... Dada... I was so worried, I didn't know how to look for you, and my god, Dada... It was so scary and..." Batuk continued to murmur, his face hidden in his brother's broad shoulder, and the sight made a soft tear of affection escape from the corner of Bondita's eyes.

Let nothing part them ever!
Let them love each other like this... Always!
She closed her eyes to pray.

"Umm... Trivedi Ji... Some Sarbaat? Or, Lassi? My brother has rode a long way." Anirudh raised his voice, politely asking the guard for some refreshments, and although unwilling, the guard let out a sigh and slowly walked downstairs.

"Ji Babu!" He murmured on his way.

Anirudh only waited for the man to fade away behind the staircase, as with a quickened urgency he held Batuk's shoulders and made him sit on the bed.

"Batuk!" His voice was low and alert, and Batuk widened his eyes in attentive response.

"Rai left with him. I doubt she would come to testify... So I want you to communicate with whoever you can to send a word to Him." Anirudh breathed and Batuk nodded promptly, making a mental note.
"Dada I dug a little, Neelmoni Mukherjee is hiding in Chattagram, in Shashi Chandra's palace, and the police can't touch him."

"Hm... No wonder. Shashi Chandra is powerful, a RayBahadur." Anirudh breathed, and Bondita placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Don't worry... We still have that man to testify... The one who had attacked you." She muttered softly and shared a glance at Batuk, and he nodded too.

"Yes Dada... And, a few of Neelmoni's goons too... I'll have them testify."

"And, one more thing." Anirudh leaned forward, reducing his pitch to a minimum.
"Davidson is hunting Satya like a mad hound! Under no circumstances, Satya should go to Chattagram or Dhaka anytime soon!"

Batuk gulped at his words.
Wasn't that exactly the plan?
Batuk would send money to this mysterious lady Maya, and she in turn would contact him, and together they would meet Satyakirth in Chattagram fifth day from now!
But where was this Maya?
Even Satya Da hasn't contacted him since.

The chain of Batuk's thoughts were broken by the clanking of glasses, as  Trivedi Ji kept a tray of fresh coconut water on the table.

"Anything else Batuk? How is Mira?"
Anirudh's words made that familiar flutter return inside his stomach. The name itself was like a spell, a chant, and Batuk had completely surrendered to it.

"Well. I'm thinking of taking her to her son, in Faridabad."

"When?" It was Bondita's turn to question, and it made Batuk sigh sharply.

"Soon Boudi... As soon as possible!"
He murmured, leaving out every detail of the fact that this journey would include one more of person... His mysterious would be fiancee, Maha!"

First, he'll have to drop the woman to wherever she wishes... Then he'll take Mira to the village... He'll reunite her with her son... win her trust... and finally, her heart!
But before that the sarees!
He chuckled to himself.