As planned, Anirudh arrived at Calcutta Port 3 days before Bondita's birthday. It took him almost a day to clear customs and get the newly imported car on road. The next 37 hours, he just drove. Straight from Calcutta to Dehradun. He would occasionally take breaks to eat or stretch, but every time he would take out Bondita's picture from the dashboard and gape at it.
'Her eyes...! She can't be from this world." He would tell himself and start driving again with renewed vigour.

He reached Dehradun British convent the night before. He had already telegramed Lenny about his arrival and also requested discretion. He wanted to surprise her, he wanted to see her reaction.

He had spent the night in one of the faculty guest room in utter anticipation.
His excitement overpowered all his exertions. His mind, body, soul... all was occupied with one thought- Bondita!

He was getting dressed in the morning in his room when he first saw her through the folds of his French window. She was swinging slowly with a book in hand, engrossed in reading.
It was quite early in the morning and the ceremony preparations had not yet begun.
He had recognised her instantly. He would have recognised her in a heartbeat amidst a crowd of hundreds. It's hard to miss those long black traces and those big calm ocean deep eyes!
He stood by the window transfixed at the alluring beauty of the scene. Her face was calm and fresh like a morning dew reflecting the first sunlight. Her big eyelashes were fluttering in a rhythm. Her lips wore a constant curve of content. She was flittering her feet occasionally like a young butterfly. Anirudh felt a strong magnetic urge to run down to her and take her in his arms.
"Look at her! Not a care in the world." He thought. "And here I am, dying for you Bondita."

Anirudh patiently awaited the right opportunity to reveal himself infront of her and Lenny helped him unknowingly. She suggested him to present Bondita with her felicitation scroll on stage and Anirudh jumped at the offer.

Bondita's speech was not exactly what Anirudh had expected. She spoke from her heart without any inhibitions. He couldn't help but feel awed by her candid honesty.
"You have taught yourself well Bondita. You have made everyone proud." He thought as his eyes teared up in that moment of pride.

And then was the moment he had been waiting for. After hearing his name, Bondita had turned around. Her face, expressionless, or perhaps was laced with so many mixed emotions that Anirudh couldn't decipher them at that moment. Then, suddenly, she lost her balance. Anirudh felt as if he knew this would happen, as if he always was ready for it. Within an imperceptible moment, he had reached Bondita and helped her in his arms. His right hand held her wrist while the left provided her support from the back. She instinctively clutched his neck and that's when their eyes met!

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

Kaka and Batuk couldn't have been happier. First, Bondita graduated and next, Anirudh has finally returned. Kaka was probably praying for this moment day and night since the last 4 years and when he saw his wish to materialize, his happiness knew no bound.

..................
The post ceremony party continued at the Roy Chowdhury banglow. Bondita had invited Lenny and a few of her close friends along with their families.

Anirudh had arranged a lovely cake with 18 candles to celebrate her birthday in the English style. Right before blowing the candles, Kshitija pulled Bondita aside and smirked.
" So, Bondita Roy Chowdhury, I could have never ever imagined that your Barrister Babu is none other than the famous Anirudh Roy Chowdhury." She teased her.
"Look at him, the handsome hunk!" Kshitija gawked at him shamelessly.

Bondita faked anger and said.
"Why don't you leave your Suresh and ask Mr. Handsome Hunk to marry you."

"Suresh is monotonous. But Anirudh is different. He is not the marrying type Bondita, he is to be eaten, relished and savoured at leisure." Kshitija remarked.

"Issh!!" Bondita frowned at her friend in displeasure before blowing the candles.

The cake was delicious. Anirudh had administered the party with a miniscule detailing.

The festive evening was finally drawing towards a closure with the party coming to a close. The guests were bidding their goodbyes and were wishing Bondita well.

"Bondita, may I speak to you for a minute?"
Bondita turned around to find Rishit standing infront of her.
Bondita had known Rishit for quite sometime now. He was Kshitija's twin brother but unlike the sister, the brother actually knows how to control a tongue!
Rishit was eloquent and easy to talk to. He had also helped Bondita and Lenny in their social work a few times.

"Tell me Rishit. How are you? Sorry I couldn't speak to you any earlier." Bondita spoke courteously.

"Well, it's about your speech earlier. I'm sorry you had to go through all that... I mean Child marriage is a curse you see." He said.

Bondita sighed. "It was indeed a curse. But thanks to Anirudh Babu, the British Government has officially put a bann on it." She quickly searched the room and her eyes met Anirudh's. She caught him staring at her sorely from a distance.

"Well Bondita, the good part is you are not married any more. So, have you thought of remarrying?.. I mean..."

"Huh..?" Bondita was lost already. "I'm sorry, what was it again?" She asked him nonchalantly.

"Nevermind. Happy Birthday, Bondita" Rishit wished her before leaving.
'Gosh... She is gorgeous!' he thought.

..........................
It was already 9pm. Night looms briskly in the mountains. All the guests had departed and Bondita was helping Koeli clean up the bits and bobs.

Since after her encounter with Anirudh in the morning, she had been in a trans all day. Although physically present, her mind, time and again, was drifting off to some unknown possibility.
She had not have the opportunity to speak to him in solitary and her heart craved for it.

"Bondita...." Anirudh called her name gently.
His husky voice was enough to melt her heart.
"Bondita, if you are not too cold, would you like to come and join me in the terrace garden?" Anirudh asked her.

"Yes." Bondita replied promptly.

Koeli had learnt the hard way. She quietly lifted the plates and left the room.

Bondita tiptoed to the terrace and found Anirudh fondling a long necked glass bottle.

"It's called a champagne, Bondita. It's a liquor. I brought it from London for us." He paused. "My father made me taste my first champagne when I had graduated. So here you go." He raised a stem glass to her. "Unless.... " He waited for her to answer.

"He said 'us'!!", her mind was racing.
But she maintained her outward composer. "I'll try. Thank you" she said softly.

Anirudh pouring a glass for himself, pulled a deck chair. He gestured Bondita to sit beside him.

After a brief pause Anirudh finally spoke.
"Dehradun is a beautiful place Bondita. It's like falling in love at first sight. It's pristine and serene... Just like you!"