"Dear Bondita,

Is that you I saw in those pictures? Unbelievable!! You really have grown up fast. I'm extremely elated to receive your letter. It's lonely in London during winters. The only good part is the snowfall. You would love it!

I'm aware of all the good work that you have been doing. Bravo Bondita! Batuk has intimated me the action plan that you have chalked out and I'm absolutely certain that you will be able to win a lot of support from everyone around.

Glad to see you are doing justice to the Polaroid camera. Excellent photography Bondita. Keep it up. And yes, good to see you are not wearing sindoor!!

Anyway, belated happy 17th Bondita. May God bless you.

PS: Kshitija is indeed a horrible photographer. She desperately needs mentoring. Tell me, is she engaged? (Read my Laughter here)

Yours truly,
Anirudh Roy Chowdhury"

Anirudh finished writing the letter and gave it to the bearer to post it.
He longed to go back home... to his Bondita. But will she accept him?
.........................

The following autumn was memorable for Bondita. After long 3 years, she visited Tulsipur to see her family, Anirudh's family to be precise. Her arrival added few extra layers of happiness and grandeur to their Durga Puja celebrations. Kaka Sasur, baba, Som Dada, Batuk and Koeli... everyone was beaming with elation at Bondita's arrival.
On the first day of the puja before the guests started pouring in, Anirudh's uncle pulled her aside and said,
"Bondita beta, you are my daughter. I'm absolutely aware of the mistakes that Anirudh has made. He is immature. I'm begging your forgiveness for his juvenile behaviour."

"Kaka Sasurji...." Bondita jumped up. "What are you doing? You have done nothing wrong that you will have to seek my forgiveness. Tell me what's in your mind Kaka Sasurji. Please." Bondita requested.

"Beta, I don't want the villagers to gossip about you. I don't want them to defame you and our family. I understand, you have chosen not to wear sindoor and sankha pola... I completely respect your decision. But beta, for all our sake, if you could wear those during the puja days..."
Kaka stopped mid-sentence and looked at Bondita.

"I know Anirudh doesn't want me. But I'm still a part of this family and I legally have one year left. He can't take that away from me" Bondita took a deep breath.
"I'll wear them. Please don't worry."
......

The next four days were full of hustle bustle, fun and a whole lot of work. Starting from attending guests to arranging Prasad's, it was a grand affair.
And ofcourse, Batuk. Batuk has crossed 16 and is a splitting image of his elder brother Anirudh, only a few inch shorter. He became Bondita's shadow the past few days.
'Boudi this... Boudi that...' and every time Bondita would look at him, image of another man would flash in her mind's eye.
"Boudi... Subho Astami.." Batuk had wished her on the third day. "You look splendid! I wish Dada was here." He sighed.
"Here, let me take a photograph of yours. Boudi... Turn this side please..."

Bondita had stopped Batuk.
"Batuk stop...! One more year. Then I'm sure your Dada will get a new Boudi for you. Try calling me Bondita Devi instead." She winked at him.
Batuk immediately clicked a photograph.

"Batukk..." Bondita shouted.

"What Batuk? I just have one boudi, my Bondita boudi. She is of my age but scolds me like a grandmother." He teased her.

"And yes Bondita Devi... I'm tired of this duel between the two of you. Both would pine and die for each other and still won't share a word!! Durga Maa should give the two of you some sense."
Batuk turned around and was about to leave when Bondita stopped him. She thoughtfully leaned against a terrace wall and asked, "How do you know your Dada is pinning for me?"

Batuk said, "Hold!" and clicked another photograph.
"Simple... He asked me to click as many photographs of you as possible and telegram it to him." Batuk said innocently.

"Batuk don't. I'll send them." Bondita commanded.