The beautiful whitewashed mansion stood proud as if the surrounding nature had embraced it, that the flora flowed within it as much as around it. The architect must have loved the trees so much that there was a mighty Krishnachura in the centre, full with red bloom, centuries old, cemented elegantly, and the great house had been built around it.
The three storey sprawling mansion was all concrete with red bricks beautifully designed at places, and tall glass windows overlooking the front yard giving a view of the clear blue river, a chance to relax and take in the changing of the seasons from the comfort of an easy chair.

"This is breathtaking!" Bondita quivered with elation as she entered the premises of her new house.

"Did you like it?" Anirudh touched her shoulders gently and stood behind.

"Like? I loved it, Barrister Babu, I totally loved it!"
She turned around throwing her arms across Anirudh's shoulders inching a little forward to plant a small kiss on his lips.

"Ahem ahem, Dada... Boudi... " Batuk's voice startled them.
"You should come inside and read this first. This telegram looks really urgent."

"From Neelmoni Mukherjee, you said?" Anirudh asked.

"Barrister Neelmoni Mukherjee. Yes. Isnt's he supposed to be important?" Batuk held his hand out passing the letter to Anirudh.

"Hm. He is. The oldest Ray Bahadur of Calcutta. Very influential." Anirudh spoke gravely tearing the envelope to reveal the message.

"What does it say?" Bondita looked quizzically.

"A death sentence, actually!" Anirudh hushed and Bondita snatched the letter away from him.

"An invitation? Dinner party. Tonight!" Bondita read out the words aloud.

"Huh... An evening without you in seclusion, is a death sentence to me, Bondita!" Anirudh smiled naughtily with his eyes and touched his heart in a playful gesture of heartbreak.

"Come on... You two!" Batuk let out a laugh. "Full drama company!" He too, joined the natural unadulterated fun that the duo shared.
"So, what now? Will you two be going?"

"Hm. We have to. But not two, but three... You are tagging along, Batuk." Anirudh commanded.

"Really now? And why am I getting this punishment again?" Batuk rolled his eyes at them.

"A reward actually." Anirudh walked towards his brother and patted his shoulder. "You'll see... We'll leave at 6. Be ready."

Batuk let out a sharp sigh and disappeared into one of the rooms inside the mansion.

"Is this really necessary? I so want to explore this house than attend a party." Bondita pouted her lips as Anirudh held her close to his chest.

"It's important Shona. Else I wouldn't have insisted." Anirudh held her hands together and placed a kiss on her knuckles.
"Besides, Neelmoni Mukherjee's party would be full of fair women, Bondita. Do you really want me to go alone?"

"Would they be 'fairer' than me?" Bondita asked promptly as Anirudh scooped her up from the ground with one swift movement.
Bondita giggled.

"You are the fairest of them all!"

There wasn't any Aarti, no flower decorations around, no guests... No one blew the pious conch shell, yet Anirudh and Bondita's Grihapravesh in their new house was marked by the holy union of their selfless love for each other. It was simple, unique and in that very moment when Anirudh had cradled her in his arms to cross the threshold together, a few red petals from the Krishnachura paved their way, as if to bless the herald of their new beginning together.

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

The sky was ablaze with the golden glow of the setting sun. The calm river too, glowed in golden, stealing the hue from the horizon. It was the perfect twilight amidst the bustling city of Calcutta.
A restless Anirudh entered Bondita's dressing room without knocking.

"Bondita, how much more time..."

His words were interrupted by the scene infront. His heart skipped a beat as Bondita turned around to face him with the lose end of her black silk saree flowing carelessly on her hand. She was yet to sheath her lovely bosom with the silk and her black blouse wasn't doing much justice in restraining her lustful beauty.
Bondita gasped at this unexpected intrusion. Her eyes widened as she gauged Anirudh's helpless expression. It was beyond doubt that the glimpse of her astonishing sensuality had turned the love switch on her husband and she feared his sudden lunge would smear her lip color and smudge her kohl.

"Bar... Barrister Babu, give me five minutes please. I'll come downstairs." Bondita muttered softly and looked away bashfully.

Anirudh swallowed hard. He had seen his Bondita in every way possible, but each time there was something new, something more attractive than the last, something more magnetic to draw his soul towards her. Anirudh didn't speak. He just stood their for a minute admiring the pure epitome of beauty standing infront of him.
The jingling music of her black glass bangles rose a storm in his heart. Her fluttering long traces, her crystal danglers, everything was adding on to that feeling.
Anirudh's eyes didn't miss the modern touch in her look as well. The deep-necked sleeveless blouse, the single fold of the saree, the slightly curled up hair, all were reflections of the city.

"Bondita... You..." Anirudh stopped.
"I'm waiting for you downstairs!"

Anirudh turned to leave, without a compliment, disappointing Bondita a little. She quickly called out.
"Umm... Barrister Babu, nice black tux!" She raised her thumb in appreciation.

Anirudh smiled softly.
"Thank you."

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

Batuk was sitting at the driver's seat. He too, had worn a black tux, twinning with his elder brother.

"Batuk, come and sit at the back. I'll drive." Anirudh announced.

"Dada... Come on... Is it because of what I said earlier? You know I love to drive you around." Batuk opened the gate and stood outside.

"No, it's not that. I just need to drive. It clears my head. I'd need my full focus at the party tonight. Neelmoni Mukherjee is handling the priority case dealing with the Swadeshi... "
Anirudh couldn't complete his sentence as both the brothers turned around to witness the beauty of the enchantress walking towards them in elegance.
Anirudh noticed the tall heels on her feet. 'She'd be reaching upto my ears', Anirudh thought.

"Wow! Boudi... You are looking absolutely stunning!" Batuk bowed down to compliment her.

"Thank you Batuk... Atleast you noticed!"
She threw a careless look at Anirudh, piercing his heart with the arrow of love, her eyes being the bow.

"One minute Boudi." Batuk suddenly jumped up and ran around the western perimeter of the mansion.

"We are already late." Anirudh hushed as he opened the front gate and sat on the driver's seat.

"Here... For you." Bondita saw Batuk panting, as he held a black rose in his hand.
"May I?" He asked courteously as Bondita smiled and turned around.

Bondita sat at the back at Batuk's insistence, and Anirudh didn't object. He just quietly adjusted the rear view mirror, secretly focusing on the image of her goddess.

The black rose had found its perfect refuge in Bondita's lovely traces, flowing to her waist and the car sped at its full speed towards their destination for the evening.
'Ray Bahadur Palace.'