Spring is a season of cliches! Beautiful blue sky overlooking the bright green mountains, ornamented with colorful floral decorations... The soulful chirping of birds, the mystic humming of bees, the fluttering butterflies... There was a slight chill in the air mixed with an subtle overwhelming warmth, the warmth of love! It was as if mother nature has decorated this very season with her eloquent creativity to shower the gift of procreation to mankind... It was as if spring was meant to be cupid's abode, and was meant to make hearts fall in love!

Needless to say, Bondita and Anirudh fell victim to this season of love hopelessly!
While together, they would stare at each other for no reason, they would be lost in each other's thoughts all day long, and in solitary, they would smile unknowingly.
And, this was new for both of them!

Anirudh had never felt these emotions before. He had always loved Bondita. And, his love for her was as natural as his breathing. But, this was different! He could feel how Bondita's presence was accelerating his heartbeat, her tantalizing fragrance was driving him insane, her voice was transcending him to a different world of intoxication... and the worst of it, he was unable to stop or comprehend the reason of this sudden change.

Bondita, on the other hand, was soaring in the seventh heaven... if only she had wings! She would visit Anirudh's study for no apparent reason and would pick a book to read, brushing Anirudh's hair with her fingers on her way out. She would sometimes, amidst mundane chores, come close to him, very close before running away from him. She would touch his arms, his chest now and then, casually, leaving him to beg for more.
It was difficult for Anirudh to ignore her extraordinary beauty, her red plum lips, slightly wet... would invite him on broad daylight, to run his rampage on them.
Her slender neck, white smooth skin would ask him to leave his mark on them! It was as if Bondita was a seductive flame challenging Anirudh to prance into her burning desire with every passing moment.

"Barrister Babu, are you ready yet?"
Anirudh heard Bondita's voice, knocking at his door. The morning was particularly bright and warm and Anirudh stayed in bed a bit longer, clutching his soft pillows and daydreaming...

"Come in Bondita..." Anirudh spoke in a sleepy throaty voice.

Bondita pushed the door open and entered. She was like a young river, a swift waterfall, a gush of fragrant fresh air. For a moment, Anirudh was bedazzled. He sat up slowly and gulped at the sight!
Bondita was wearing a beautiful creamy white embellished saree paired up with a dark red blouse. Her hair was neatly parted and tied artistically in a high bun, adored with a white string of flowers.

Anirudh closed his eyes and inhaled sharply.
"Jasmine!!" A word escaped his lips as he re-opened his eyes to capture that mesmerizing moment.

"What?" Bondita asked quizzically. " Why aren't you ready yet? I don't want us to be late!!"

Anirudh sensed a note a impatience in her voice.

"Are we to go somewhere?" Anirudh asked dreamily.

Bondita came closer and stood beside his bedpost. She pulled the comforter with her left hand, exposing Anirudh's legs to the brightness of the day. She looked at him and smiled as her right hand touched his feet, smearing some bright red powder on them.

"Happy Holi Barrister Babu", she smiled again. "You read too much these days. Don't you remember we are to go to the Sinha's today?"

"Oh.. it's today!!" Anirudh got up from his bed as he inched towards Bondita.
He took her right hand gently on his, as his palm rubbed the colour, stealing some from her.
His eyes were fixated on hers as he bent down a little to touch her feet.

"What are you doing Barrister Babu?" Bondita asked as she paced back a few steps from him.

"Why? Wishing you Holi like you did." Anirudh replied.

"But, you don't have to touch my feet for that.."

"Why not? Aren't we equal?" Anirudh asked her.

"We are. But equality doesn't mean touching each other's feet." Bondita paused. "I think true equality should be about experiencing the same social rights, and being able to express opinions and ideas freely as men do."
Bondita shrugged slightly.

It was incredibly sensuous for Anirudh to hear those words from her. It was as if she was pulling him towards her with every single aspect of her existence!

"Excellent thoughts." He remarked. "Someone is reading Das Kapital a bit too seriously it seems."

"No, these are my thoughts..." She paused, "and Plato's!" She shrugged again. "Now get ready quickly and come out. Don't be late."
"Also," she turned around before leaving his room, "just not my feet, but you can put colors anywhere you want to, you know!"
Anirudh saw that seductive spark in her eyes again.

It took him around fifteen minutes to bathe and get ready. He wore a white silk kurta to match with Bondita's. Under normal circumstances, he probably would never do such a thing, but this was different. Anirudh felt he was not in his senses and was driven by a greater power... Bondita!

He walked out of his room and was carefully buttoning his kurta as he bumped into her... Bondita held her hands up in reflex, smearing some red Abeer on his nose and lips.

"You and your habit of bumping" Bondita pressed a smile on her lips. She looked up at him as murmured,
" Your lips... Nose.."

Anirudh touched his nose and felt the powdered dust on it. He looked at Bondita and bent his head closer to her.

"Let's start with this then." He hushed as his lips touched her cheek gently before moving down to her neck.
Bondita felt a gentle touch of his warm lips below her neck as she swallowed her breath in anticipation.
Anirudh had left his mark on her, his lip prints!

He inched towards her ears and hushed,

"Happy Holi..." Bondita felt his lips closing towards her own and she closed her eyes expectantly. But instead of his lips, Bondita felt his words breathed into her skin,
" Let's go to the party... I don't want us to be late." He smirked.

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My Dear Readers,
This is the 48th chapter of this book. It's incredible how time flies. It's 21 days only, and I already feel connected to you guys!
I'll be posting my 49th And 50th chapter soon (a long one to celebrate the story with you all)!
Keep reading and showering your love❤️
Don't forget to comment and vote 😃

Yours,
Humble Author