Melancholy loomed straight into the petite, poorly lit room of the medical camp. The sun had already set, taking away the last trace of colors with it, making darkness a constant companion of the night.
Anirudh sat quietly in a stool beside Mira's bed. His eyes were moist and his hands held Mira's shaky earnest hands as she pleaded to him.

"Promise me... If I die, you will take care of him." Tears rolled down her cheeks as her lips strained to speak the words.

Anirudh nodded his head as he turned his face to hide a tear.
He took a deep breath and spoke in a low voice.

"Mira, I won't let anything happen to you. You are a strong girl, stronger than you can even imagine." He pressed her hands tenderly in affirmation.
"And how do you know it's a him?" He asked gently to lighten the mood.

"I don't know, but I want him to grow up and be like you. I may not live to...."

Anirudh moved his hands infront of her face and touched her lips with his fingers lightly.
"Sshhh..." he hushed, "you will live Mira. I want you to live!"
There was a strange determination in his voice that made Mira look up at his eyes.
She saw a deep dark pair of crystal clear eyes staring down at her.

"Why do you care for me?" She asked slowly.

"Because, you are good."

"How do you know I'm good?"

"I can read it in your eyes Mira." Anirudh paused. "And I know what you have gone through. I want to make you forget everything!"

"Can you?" Mira eagerly clutched his hands as she tried to get up. But her frail body betrayed her intension.
"Ahhh... " A sharp cry erupted from her mouth.

"Don't..." Anirudh put his hand around her neck to support her weight. "Don't get up... " He whispered softly as he placed her head back in the small pillow with utter tenderness.

"I know someone who was put in your situation once. But she stood strong, she fought and emerged out victorious. I'll make you meet her someday." He said.

"Were you there with her in her fight?" Mira asked.

Anirudh smiled and nodded his head in affirmation.

Mira closed her eyes and sighed deeply.

"I want to live." She muttered.
"Please don't let me die... Please!"

There was quietness in the atmosphere. A strange sadness descended in Anirudh's eyes.
He took a deep breath and smiled forcefully.

"Do you like chocolates Mira?"

"I have never had one."

Anirudh's heart strained as his face tried to fake a smile. He immediately unwrapped a chocolate and held it close to her.

"Taste this." He said.

Mira lifted her head a little as she took a small bite from his hand. Her face lightened up instantly.

"Do you like it?" He asked lovingly as she nodded her head and smiled.

"I'll get you a lot of chocolates then... Next time." Anirudh smiled brightly.

"Next time..." Mira repeated.

"Rest well Mira." Anirudh said as he got up to leave the room.

"Promise me that you will come again." Mira called out.

Anirudh turned around and nodded his head.

" I Promise." He touched his throat to pinch a swear before leaving the room.

Mira strained her eyes as they followed Anirudh's trail. No one had ever been nice to her. No one had ever fed her like this. No one had ever promised her anything in life. It's only him... her god, her savior!
She swallowed a knot lumped up in her throat and smiled softly as she closed her eyes in contentment.

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

It was quite late when Anirudh reached his Banglow. His heart was heavy and his mind was full of emotions. He had seen sadness before, he had encountered melancholy, but what he witnessed today was no match to anything that he had ever experienced. He wanted to cry out loud. He wanted to give his everything to tend that little girl who was lying helplessly on that shabby old camp bed. He wanted to heal her!

Anirudh walked up straight to the terrace garden quietly. The banglow was quiet and dimly lit and he didn't wish to wake anyone up.
He stood by the railing and stared blankly, faraway at the dark mountains.
His eyes were moistened, his breathing ragged. Just a trigger, and his eyes would erup into waves of tears.

Suddenly, he felt two hands clutched him from the back gently moving to his chest.

"Bondita...!" He muttered, trying to hide his tears.

Bondita had quietly crept up behind him and rested her head on his back. She stretched her hands to spoon him into an embrace.

"You haven't slept yet?" Anirudh asked in a choked voice.

Bondita didn't speak. Instead, she tightened her grip on his body in response.

Anirudh took a deep breath.

"What is it Barrister Babu?" Bondita asked softly, not making any attempt to change her position.

"I'm a little scared Bondita!"

Bondita loosened her arms and stood straight. She held Anirudh's shoulders with both her hands and turned him gently towards her.

"Why?" She asked tenderly.

"I wasn't supposed to go to your village that night Bondita!" He spoke slowly.
"I don't know why I had agreed to attend a village wedding that night." His voice broke.
"It scares me to think what would have happened to you if I would have not gone to... " Anirudh broke down in Bondita's arms.
"Without you, what would have happened to me Bondita!!" Anirudh choked up as he bent down to bury his head in Bondita's shoulder.

"You were destined to go there that night..." Bondita paused. "You were destined to save me!"

Anirudh lifted his head slowly as he cupped her face in his hands. He looked deep into her eyes with every tender emotions on earth.

"No, you are destined to save me!!"

Anirudh uttered the words and his tear-striken face slowly inched towards Bondita's lips. She closed her eyes as she felt his lips pressed against hers with an overwhelmed longing.