Broken promises and broken hearts are among the worst things in this world.

Anirudh saw Bondita quietly walking away. He felt a sharp pain in his chest. As if someone has punched him right in the heart!
He locked himself up in his study the whole day. He couldn't even gather the courage to stand infront of the mirror... courage to face himself, let alone be Bondita!
In his heart, he knew what he just did was pure hypocrisy. He can never deny that he desired Bondita... He wanted to touch her lips, he wanted to take her...
He recalled how Bondita's quivering lips looked like, how her bare smooth skin felt like! A sudden surge of emotion made Anirudh cry out aloud.

"Why?... Why is this happening to me?"
He felt disgusted of himself.

His sole aim in life is to make Bondita independent, to make her shine in life, to give her a bright future she deserves. Then why is he doing this to her? Why is he falling weak?

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

The Roy Chowdhurys returned back early in the morning. Happy to be back to their known comfortable niche. Both Anirudh and Bondita greeted them with a warm welcome.
Anirudh was purposefully avoiding a conversation with Bondita. And Bondita was too hurt to confront.

Kaka Sasurji (Uncle-in-law) blessed Bondita to be prosperous in marriage. Bondita quietly touched his feet.

"Bahu, why are you looking so pale? Have you not eaten anything? " Kaka Sasurji enquired.
"Cheer up Babu, I have already made a list of invitees who would attend today's grand evening celebration." He smirked proudly.

"Grand Celebration? For what?" Objected Anirudh.

"Your 5th Wedding Anniversary Celebration Anirudh. I'm glad that you have finally made your marriage official." Kaka smiled with content.
"Now, I'll just count my days in hope of getting to play with my grandchildren soon."

This statement was like the last mail in the coffin. Anirudh couldn't take it anymore. He burst into a fit of violent rage.

"No celebrations would happen. You understand me? No celebrations!
There is nothing to celebrate."
Anirudh paused with a house full of stunned faces staring at him.

"Batuk, go to your room this instance." Anirudh ordered his youngest brother who is of the same age as Bondita.

"Baba, Kaka... I have made nothing official. I can I ever? Bondita is just a child!" Anirudh explained.

"Child? Anirudh? She is 14! Your mother had given birth to you when she was 14.." his father remained him.

"Yes.... And she died at 23 while giving birth to Batuk!" Anirudh interjected.

"I don't want Bondita to die at such a tender age, Baba... Infact I don't want any girl to die such an untimely death". Anirudh paused.
"And hence I have decided to send Bondita away to Royal British Dehradun Convent for girls, tomorrow. I'll drop her off personally if necessary."

Bondita was quiet all this while. But now she couldn't contain herself any longer.

"What? Boarding school? Why? What did I do?" Bondita cried out.
"Sorry Barrister Babu, please don't send me to a boarding school.. I'll never ask you to sleep with me, ever again..."

"I. Did not. Sleep. With. You. Bondita" Anirudh was trying his best to contain his fuming anger.

"You did. Why are you saying you didn't?
We hugged.... and...and you kissed me as well." Bondita sobbed.

An enraged Anirudh for a moment was searching for words.
His father and uncle was already glaring at him.

"I hugged you as you were cold. It was not the first time that I had done so. I hugged and carried you home the day I married you... You were semi concious Bondita. I hugged you when you stood first in your class... How was yesterday any different?" Anirudh said coldly.

"But it felt different" Bondita objected.

"It didn't to me." Anirudh lied. "And about the kisses. Where have I kissed you Bondita? he asked.

"Forehead.." she pointed. "Eyes.."

"And?" Anirudh asked calmly.

"And... nowhere else..." Bondita murmured.
She was turning red in embarrassment.

"Bondita.. look at me. Have I kissed you on those places before as well infront of everyone?"

Bondita nodded her head in agreement.

"When?" Anirudh asked.

"When I fell sick last year... and when I won the gold medal... and..."

"Have you ever seen me kissing Batuk the same way Bondita?" Anirudh gave the final blow.

"Yes", Bondita replied feebly

"Then how was last night different?"
Anirudh gave a final look to Bondita before turning towards his folks.

"And thus, I rest my case here." He proclaimed.

"Pack your bags Bondita. You have an early morning train to catch"
Anirudh stormed out of the hall leaving a teary-eyed Bondita and rest of the family speechless.