The secret of being happy is to accept the current reality. But, a strong-willed person is seldom content with the present achievement, the thirst and thrive to do yet better dives their life to achieve the zenith of their existence.

Anirudh was arranging his small suitcase with sets of formal clothes as Bondita slowly arrived and stood by the door.

"Bondita, come inside." Anirudh looked up and invited her in.

Bondita entered the room and stood in quietude, with her face hanging low.

"What happened Shona?" Anirudh inched towards her and asked her lovingly.

"Why didn't you tell me that you will be leaving for Calcutta?"
Bondita asked in a choked voice.

"I just received the letter this morning Shona... I had gone down to tell you... But, then you saw how Kaka started..."
Anirudh let out a sigh.

"You shouldn't have spoken to him like that." Bondita spoke softly.

"I know Bondita, but, the way he said those words... I just felt so so bad!"
He paused and cupped her face.
"You don't worry... We both are accustomed of such debates... Since childhood!" He smiled softly.
"Now, you tell me what do I get for you from Calcutta?"

"Just come back safe." Bondita replied.

"Only five days Shona... And, then I'll be back in your arms before you know it.
I just can't wait to see you as a bride!"
Anirudh planted a kiss on her forehead.

"Just come back soon!" Bondita wrapped her beautiful arms around his torso and rested her head on his strong chest.

"Shona... You remember what we had spoken about our future... And life! I was hoping to get a brochure from Hindu College for you, so that you can take a look at their curriculum."

Bondita quietly nodded her head.
"But, Barrister Babu, don't you think we are needed here? I mean we just came to Tulsipur, and I don't see the women here to be in a good condition... Don't you think we should do something for them atleast?"

"Bondita... We should and we will... But, before building ground for someone else, it's always advisable to strengthen your own ground... Higher education would strengthen your ground Bondita."

"Hm.. " Bondita hummed softly into his chest as he caressed her hair gently.
"What time is your train?"

"In three hours." Anirudh breathed the words.
"It's difficult for me as well to leave you like this Shona... But, I promise this would be the last time."
He held her face up infront of him and bent down a little to touch her lips.

"Kiss me Bondita... And, I want this taste of yours to linger in my mouth till I return back in your arms... Till then, stay safe my love."

Bondita didn't require any more invitation. Tears rolled down her eyes as she jumped onto his lips, plunging herself to devour every bit of his mouth.
Their tongues danced together in a fervour longing as they clasped each other tightly bidding a temporary farewell.

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

Batuk had handed over his teaching responsibilities to Bondita for the day before driving Anirudh to the railway station.

"Don't worry Batuk, you go... I'll take care of the class." Bondita had forced a smile on her face as she reassured him.

It was around early evening, that Bondita was preparing to go to the garage as Nakul came and folded her hands infront of her.

"Boudidimoni," Nakul addressed her.
"The women are very shy... They come to the class, but they hardly speak. Now, that we aren't there, they are speaking amongst themselves... But, the moment..."

Bondita nodded her head slowly, trying to gauge the situation.

"You go and ask Koeli to prepare some luchi and aloordam,... For about twenty people."

"For these women?" Nakul widened his eyes in surprise.

"Yes Nakul, education can't happen in empty stomach!
Go at once."

Nakul left happily and Bondita stood behind the garage door evesdropping to the murmured conversation inside.

"How do you think she would understand us?" One woman remarked.

"Why won't she? She's our Bondita Bahurani afterall!" Another protested.

"But, now things are different... She had studied with the aangrez! Haven't you seen how she dresses!"

"Yes.. yes... She had changed!"

Bondita moved a few steps backward and looked at her saree.
Indeed, it was different from how those women as dressed.
She wore a golden bordered rich Dhakai Jamdani saree, with an ornated matching blouse. Her hair was pinned up into a neat bun... There was just a small dot of red vermillion on her forehead...
Bondita sighed, indeed she looked different.

Without wasting any further moment, she quickly ran upstairs to her room...
And after about twenty minutes, she entered the garage with a large platter of luchi in her hands, Koeli and Nakul had followed.

The women looked up at their new teacher, and gaped in astonishment...
This wasn't the modern zamindarni whom they had seen during grihapravesh, but a delightful depiction of goddess Lakshmi who had stood infront of them offering them food!

Bondita had ditched her expensive clothings and wore a simple yellow cotton handloom saree with thick red border. She wore no blouse and had wrapped the saree around in the old fashioned way. Her hair was open, as the dark tresses fell till her waist, giving her a godly appearance. She wore scanty jewellery, simple gold earrings and a long snake chain hung till her belly. The gold septum ring dangling beautifully from her nose, made her face appear angelic. Her hairline was tainted with abundance of vermillion, screaming the status of her happy marriage.
A divine smile was plastered on her lips as she served the food to the women...

"Bahurani... We misunderstood you... You are still the same." A women folded her hands and thanked her for the food.

"Kamala Masi, ofcourse I'm one of you, where is your daughter? Why isn't she here?" Bondita asked lovingly.

"Bahurani... She is not well, you know the monthly problem... She is impure now!"
Kamala replied softly, making sure her words doesn't reach Nakul.

"Impure?" Bondita kept her hand on Kamala's shoulder.
"No Masi, how can she be impure?"

Bondita looked up and took a deep breath...

"Nakul, can you please leave us today!"
She spoke politely.

Nakul bowed down respectfully leaving the garage as Bondita walked up to the blackboard stand.

"It's important to be happy and healthy!
And, you can only be happy if you are healthy...
And, in order to stay healthy, you first have to know about your health... Your own body...
And, that's exactly what we will learn today...
About our very own body!"

Bondita smiled brightly noticing the silence and attention from her potential students.
'Bondita... Now that you've got their attention... Win them over!' She thought to herself, turning towards the blackboard, as she scribbled the words on top.

"Health and Hygiene!"