Every next level of our life demands a different version of us. With time, the toy utensils that we had played with, gets replaced by real ones, the doll house that we cared so dearly gets dusty and rusts away in the sands of time... And, what remains are only the fond memories!
Life teaches us to grow up a little bit everytime we undergo a bittersweet experience... Life teachers us to understand things rationally, to change our perspectives and to adapt ourselves with the flow of time.

Mira had experienced a plethora of hardships in life. She was accustomed of not being cared, not being loved... But, what she wasn't accustomed of was falling in love, loving someone so dearly that just a glance of him would be sufficient for her to live an entire lifetime!
But life has taught her a way or two as well. She was a mother now, and she know the ways of words...
She respected Bondita for her kindness, for her bravery but she knew her rage and undying love for Anirudh as well... And, she knew she never stood a chance!
As she stood that morning, in Bondita's brightly lit bedroom, the bedroom that reeked of his enchanting scent, she couldn't help but confessed her love for him... Anirudh!
She had never uttered his name before, may be in solitary, may be in her dreams, but, never in reality... When she was a little girl, someone once probably had told her that when in trouble, you should always chant the name of your Istadev, your guardian angel, and all problems would be solved. She was never a learned one, she never really understood the meaning of Istadev, but if she was to ever have anyone as her guardian Angel that had to be this wonderful savior prince, Anirudh!
But, Mira had consoled her heart... She knew what she wished would never be hers... But, the worst part in all these was Bondita being acutely aware of this forbidden wish of hers.

Bondita stood petrified with her hands clenched into a fist as she heard Mira uttering his name... The man who is hers, and only hers. She would willingly give away everything to Mira, all her worldly possessions, but, not her Anirudh!

But, Mira was learning her way with words. Very easily she changed the tensed ambience of the room and won Bondita's ease back.

"Didi... It's my son whom I want to live for... Not for anyone else... It's only him now!" Mira spoke in a soft low voice.

Bondita took a deep breath, acclaimatising herself with the situation.

"But, Mira, don't you want a better future for your son? A future that Suresh Chatterjee can give him?"

Mira looked away.
"I don't even know for sure who the father is... I was forced by both my brother-in-laws and sometimes the old man..." Mira paused to exhale a sharp breath. "So, he has no father, only a mother and I intend to keep it that way."

Bondita slowly came closer and picked up the crimson red wedding Benarasi from the floor.
"Mira, life isn't always fair to us... But, that doesn't mean we'll stop living. This is another opportunity that life has given you to color your future, to give your son a respectable father's name. Do you really want Bhairav and his brothers to came and take you and your son?"

Mira shuddered at Bondita's words.
"But, didi, I don't love him! Shouldn't I tell him the truth atleast?"

Bondita nodded her head.
"You should. But, now is not the time. When I got married, I didn't even know whom I'm marrying... But, then, with the passage of time I fell in love and he reciprocated. May be Suresh Chatterjee is the one for you... You never know how life can surprise you!" Bondita forced a smile on her lips.

Mira didn't reply. She inhaled a long deep breath and took the saree from Bondita's hand.

"I'll get ready. But, I'll speak to Daktar Babu before going to the temple."

"Yes Mira... I'll make you two speak." Bondita smiled.

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"I don't understand these modern marriages..." Trilochan barked at the Magistrate as he pulled out the legal marriage papers from a file.
"We are kulin Brahmans, and the only way of getting married is taking vows around the holy fire with proper chanting of Vedic mantras!"
He looked at Anirudh, visibly annoyed at the arrangement.

"Kaka... This is also a marriage as per Vedas. There are seven types of marriages described in our Purans." Anirudh smiled, taking the legal papers from Heinrich.
"Well, the one you are talking about is Prajapataya and the one I've planned here is Gandharva... Marriage is a marriage Kaka!"

Trilochan scroffed at him and looked away.
"Don't you now teach me how Vedas and Punans works! What would your western educated British friends understand about our rich heritage... I'm telling you Anirudh, a proper marriage has to happen."

Anirudh chuckled at his words and turned to look at Suresh.

"Suresh Da, what do you say?"

Suresh smiled softly.
"I don't have any preference. Whatever the elders decide." He turned towards his mother who was seated in one of the couches nearby.
"Oh... And, Anirudh, bhai...can you give me a paper to write?" He hushed softly.

Meenarani was a wise woman, irrationality was never her thing. She slowly rocked baby Ani in her lap and spoke slowly.

"I'm an illiterate widow, what do I know about Vedas and Purans, but, if you'd ask me, I want my son to get married the way the society dictates. The legal marriage is needed for Mira's custody, if I understood correctly... So, first let them get married legally here, and then as they are going to the temple for blessing anyway, let the purohit there perform the rituals." Meenarani turned to look at her son.
"I have raised my son to be a good man, with virtues from both cultures... I believe he would want this too!"

Trilochan had furrowed his eyebrows at her words, but at the same time was visibly surprised at the simplicity with which she sorted the matter.

"Alright, it's sorted then, first your paper marriage and then the bride and groom goes to the temple for the real marriage."
Trilochan leaned back on his custom made couch to relax as he turned towards Anirudh once again.
"Anirudh, just go and see what's taking so long for Bahu to bring Mira downstairs."

"Kaka... They'll come down once they are done... What's the rush?" Anirudh picked up another sweet from the half empty plates that were arranged on the dining table for the guests.

"No... Anirudh, the faster the better... Don't forget that they will have to visit the temple as well."
Trilochan got up from the couch restlessly.
"Else, I'll go check myself."

Anirudh realised his irritability and readiness. He smiled gently picking up another sandesh.
"Alright Kaka, I'm going...!" He turned towards Suresh.
"Suresh Da, you were asking for a paper and a pen to write, weren't you? Now, come to the study... I'll get you one."

Suresh nodded his head and left with Anirudh and the guests resumed their hearty banter about Indian politics once again.

"Here, Suresh Da... You can use my desk... Here is the notepad, and... um... these are the pens." He pointed towards the stationaries arranged neatly on the table.
"Now, if you'd excuse me... I'll go and see what my wife and sister is doing upstairs." He rolled his eyes to bring out the pun in his words.

Suresh smiled.
"You are a very lucky man Anirudh... Everyone loves you." He took a deep breath.
"At times I feel so jealous of you... But then again, you are such a human that it's difficult to hold grudge against you as well." He chuckled at his own words.

"Dada... I'm your brother, and if you look around there are people who loves you dearly too..." He smiled gently at him.
"I hope you realise how JethiMaa's eyes shine with happiness whenever she mentions you!"
Anirudh exhaled sharply.
"You are a lucky man too Suresh Da... You have such a loving mother... You know, I never knew my mother that well, only vague memories of her remained with me... So, would you believe if I say I am jealous of you as well!" He patted Suresh's shoulder tenderly, expressing his brotherly love towards him.

"Now, I better get going Dada... Else, Kaka would be after my life!"

Suresh let out a dry laugh as Anirudh excused himself from the study.

He pulled the notepad and opened a fresh new page. He picked up a blue ink pen from the pen stand as well.
And, taking a deep breath, he started to write.

"My Dearest Mother,
The Almighty has blessed me with your unconditional love and care. I would have been long lost in the murky path of life, but your guidance and values kept me afloat... However, life played a nasty dual with me and I fell to be it's victim! You have raised me to be truthful, and hence, today before beginning this new phase of life, I want to share a truth with you Maa. I hope you.............. " Suresh paused to take a deep breath again and then resumed writing.

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

"Bondita... Bondita..."
Anirudh called out twice before pushing lightly the half opened door of his bedroom. The room smelled of fresh flowers and perfume!
Anirudh looked inside as his eyes fell on a sitting silhouette of a woman whose beautiful reflection met his eyes through the mirror.
Anirudh smiled brightly.

"Mira! You look beautiful."
Mira was startled at his words as she slowly looked up at his reflection in the mirror infront of her and smiled back.

"Where is Bondita?" Anirudh asked politely.

Mira got up from her seat and walked slowly towards him.
"Didi just went out to the 'gaarej'. She said something about Koeli Masi knowing about the red net veil..."
Mira looked down at his feet as she said the words.

"Oh alright... Come down once she's back."
Anirudh turned around to leave.

"Um.. wait!"

Anirudh stopped at her words and turned back towards her. And, before he could say anything, Mira came forward and bend down to touch his feet.

"Mira... You don't have to.."
Anirudh quickly held her up by her shoulders.
"My blessings and good wishes are always with you." He smiled lovingly at her.

Mira moved a few steps away from him and stretched her right hand towards him.

"My gift?" She said softly.

Anirudh grinned in embarrassment.
"Well, so sorry Mira... I missed your chocolates today... I should have got..."
He smiled in an apology.

"No... Not Cha-ka-lets! You have given me all the Cha-ka-lets I needed." She paused.
"I want a necklace from you."
Mira pointed towards her empty neck drawing Anirudh's attention. .

Anirudh looked at her closely. She was beautifully dressed in a red Benarasi and gold jewelleries from head to toe... An elaborate maangtika, jhumkas, naathni, bangles... What not! But, there was still a strange mismatch.
Anirudh noticed that there were necklaces kept in boxes on the dressing table, but she wore none!

"I'm sorry Mira, I'll buy you a neckless as quickly as possible!" Anirudh smiled at her.

"No..!" Mira objected.
"You don't have to buy."

She came forward, inching closer to him as she slowly held out a string of golden paper beads infront of him.

"What are... Are these the chocolate wrappers?" Anirudh widened his eyes in disbelief.

"Yes!" Mira smiled. "All the Cha-ka-lets you gave me... My favourite gift!"
She touched his hands and kept the string on his palm.
"Would you please tie this around my neck... I want to wear this... Please!"

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