"I can't do this, Bondita. You know I'm married. My wife- I can't just leave her. " Anirudh's voice was filled with anguish as he spoke.

"But you don't love her, Ani! You love me. I know it. I can see it in your eyes every time you look at me. " Bondita's heart was breaking, but she refused to back down. She loved this man. and she knew he loved her too.

"That doesn't matter, Bondita. I made a commitment. I can't just walk away from it. " Anirudh ran his hands through his hair, the frustration evident in his voice. "And you're just a girl. You don't understand these things. ".

" I'm not just a girl, Ani. I'm a women. And I understand love. I understand that sometimes, you have to fight for it. " Bondita's eyes flashed with determination. If you truly loved your wife, you wouldn't be here with me now. You would be with her".

Anirudh turned away, unable to meet her gaze. "It's not that simple, Bondita. My father arranged my marriage. I didn't have a choice in the matter. "

"Then make a choice now, Ani. Choose me. Choose us". Bondita stepped closer, her hand reaching for his. " We can be happy together, I know it. "

"No, Bondita. I can't. Anirudh pulled his hand away, his voice hardening. " I won't ruin your life too . You're young, you have your whole future ahead of you. Find someone your own age, someone who can give you the life you deserve. "

"I don't want someone my own age! I want you, Ani! " Bondita voice raise in frustration. " Why can't you see that? Why do you keep pushing me awat? "

"Because it's for your own good, Bondita! " Anirudh shouted, his patience wearing thin. " I'm trying to protect you from all this mess. My life is complicated, and I won't drag you into it. "

"I don't need your protection, Ani. I need your love. " Bondita's voice softened, the tears evident in her eyes.

"Please, Ani. Don't push me away. Let's be happy together. Just you and me. "

Anirudh closed his eyes, his heart wrenching at the sight of her tears. "Bondita, please. Don't make this harder than it already is".

Harder for who, Ani? For you? For your wife? Because it's certainly hard for me! Bondita's voice raise in a mixture of anger and hurt. " You say you love me, but you won't be with me. You won't even try to fight for us. "

"It's not that simple, Bondita---"

"Then explain it to me, Ani! Explain why you can't be with me! Is it because of your wife? Because you love her? " Bondita's voice was desperate now, her eyes searching his face for answers.

"No, Bondita. It's not because I love her. " Anirudh's voice was quiet, his eyes filled with pain. "It's because I don't. I never wanted this marriage. Your age has nothing to do with it. It's my father doing, a way to repay a debt he felt he owed."

Bondita's eyes widened in surprise. "A debt? But why would he--?"

"Because I'm not his own child, Bondita. " The words came out in a rush, as if he needed to get them off his chest. "My real father in a car accident when my mother was pregent with me. Binoy , my stepfather, he took us in. But I was never truly his son, I think so. And now, he's using my marriage to settle another debt".

Bondita's hand flew to her mouth, her eyes filling with tears at the pain she saw in his. "Ani, I had no idea. Why didn't you tell me? "

"How could I, Bondita ? You're just a girl. This is a burden you shouldn't have to bear. " Anirudh's voice was bitter, filled with self loathing. "And now because of my father, I'm trapped in a marriage I don't want, and I can't be with the women I love. "

"You can be with me, Ani. We can find a way. We can fight this together. " Bondita's voice was determined, her hands reaching for his. " Please, Ani. Don't give up on us. "

Anirudh looked into her eyes, his eyes softening at the love and determination he saw there.

But then, he shook his head, a sad smile on his lips. "Bondita, my sweet Bondita. I wish I could. But it's too late for us. I have to think of my wife now. I can't just abandon her. "

"But you don't love her, Ani. And she doesn't love you either, does she? " Bondita's voice was soft, her eyes searching his.

Anirudh sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "No, she doesn't. But that doesn't matter now. I made a commitment, and I will honor it. Even if it breaks my heart. "

"But what about my heart, Ani? Doesn't that matter to you? " Bondita's voice was barely a whisper, her eyes pleading with him.

Anirudh closed his eyes, his heart aching at the sound of her pain. "You will heal, Bondita. You're young, you'll find someone else. Someone who can give you the love and life you deserve".

" I don't want someone else, Ani. It's always been you. Only you. " Bondita's voice was fierce now, her hands clutching at his arms. "Please, Ani. Choose me. Choose us. "

Anirudh stood there, torn between the love he felt for Bondita and the sense of duty that had been instilled in him since childhood. He knew he was hurting her, but he couldn't bring himself to break free from the chains of his marriage.

"I'm sorry, Bondita. I truly am". Anirudh's voice was hoarse, his eyes filled with unshed tears. " But I can't I won't break my wife's heart like my father broke my mother's heart. I won't be that kind of man. "

Bondita stood there, tears streaming down her face. She wanted to scream to shout, to make him understand how much this was hurting her. But instead, she simply nodded, a sad smile on her lips.

"I understand, Ani. I may not like it, but I understand. " She took a step back, her eyes never leaving his. " I won't bother you anymore. I hope... I hope you find happiness, Ani. You deserve it. "

Anirudh opened his mouth to speak, to stop her from leaving, but no words came out. He watched as she turned and walked away, her shoulders shaking with sobs.

"Bondita, wait! " he finally shouted, his heart winning over his head. But she didn't stop. She kept walking, her steps taking her further and further away from him.

"Bondita, please! he called out again, his voice hoarse and desperate.

But she didn't turn back. And as she disappeared from his sight, Anirudh sat to his knees, the tears he had been holding back falling freely.

" I love you, Bondita, " he whispered to the wind. "Forgive me. "

In the days that followed, Anirudh threw himself into his work, trying to forget the heartache he felt whenever he thought of Bondita. He avoided his wife, saudamini, as much as possible, their interactions limited to brief,polite conversations.

One day, he returned home to find the house unusually quiet.

"Kaka? " he called out, looking for the familiar figure of his stepfather's brother.

"They've all gone to a nearby village for a wedding, Barrister babu. "Bihari's voice came from the kitchen. "Just saudamini bahu and you are left here."

Anirudh nodded, his heart sinking at the thought of spending time alone with his wife. " I see. And when will they be back? "

"Not until tomorrow, Barrister babu . Other servants have all gone as well. It's just the two of you here." Bihari gave him a knowing look, as if expecting him to make some arrangements for the evening.

Anirudh cleared his throat, feeling uncomfortable under bihari's gaze. "I see. Well, I suppose I'll eat some fruit for dinner then. Saudamini doesn't know how to cook, does she? "

Bihari shook his head, a small smile on his lips. "No, Barrister babu. She doesn't.

Anirudh nodded and turned to leave, but kaka's voice stopped him " Barrister Babu, wait. "

"Yes, kaka? " Anirudh turned back, his eyebrows raised in question.

Bihari babu hesitated for a moment, as if debating something with himself. "Barrister babu, I know things have been difficult for you lately. If you need to talk, I'm here. You know I've always been like a father to you. "

Anirudh heart twisted at bihari's words. He knew the older man cared for him deeply, but the reminder of his stepfather only served to remind him of his bit being actual son of Roy Chowdhary status. " Thank you, kaka. I appreciate it. "

"You're welcome, barrister babu. Now, I must get back to the kitchen. Saudamini Bahu will be back soon, and I want to make sure there's something for you both to eat. " Kaka gave him a small smile and turned back to leave.

Anirudh nodded and make his way to his study , his heart heavy . He closed the door behind him and leaned against it, his eyes closing as he took a deep breath.

"Bondita, " he whispered, her name a prayer on his lips.

He saw her then, in his mind's eye, her eyes sparkling with laughter, her face lit up with joy as she presented him with a plate of food. I didn't matter that it was sometimes too salty or too spicy. It was made with love, and he cherished every bite.

A knock on the door startled him, bringing him back to the present.

"Anirudh, it's saudamini. May I come in? "

Anirudh straightened, his heart pounding in his chest. " Yes, come in. The door opened, and saudamini entered, her eyes downcast. "I'm sorry to disturb you, Anirudh. I just wanted to check if you needed anything before I retire for the night".

" No, I am good. Thank you, Saudamini, " Anirudh's voice was formal, his eyes never meeting hers. " I'll just have some fruit for dinner, as kaka mentioned you couldn't cook".

"Yes, Anirudh. I'm sorry about that. I never learned how to cook, and with the servants gone... " She trailed off, her hand twisting in infront of her.

"It's quite all right, Saudamini, I understand. " Anirudh's voice softened despite himself. " You didn't know about the wedding, did you? "

She shook her head , her eyes meeting his briefly before dropping again. " No, Anirudh. I didn't. But that's no excuse. A wife should know how to cook for her husband. "

Anirudh felt a twinge of guilt at her words. "It's fine, Saudamini. Really, I don't mind. I'm used to eating fruit for dinner anyway. "

"Are you, Anirudh? " She looked up at him, her eyes curious. "I mean, I know you're used to eating fruit, but is that all you eat for dinner? "

Anirudh felt a pang in his heart as he thought of Bondita. " No, that's not all I eat. I... I have a sweet tooth, actually."

A small smile played on her lips. "Oh? What kind of sweets do you like, Anirudh? "

Anirudh found himself smiling back to her, despite his efforts to remain distant. " I have a particular fondness for mishti doi. And sandesh, of course. But only the kind Bondita makes. "

At the mention of Bondita's name, Saudamini's smile faltered, and she looked down at her hands again. "I see Anirudh. I'm sorry. I didn't realize--"

"It's quite all right, Saudamini. " Anirudh voice was gentle, belying the turmoil he felt inside. "Bondita is.... She was a very good friend of mine. "

"Was, Anirudh? " Saudamini's voice was soft, her eyes still downcast.

Anirudh's heart twisted at the question in her voice. "Yes, Saudamini. Was. She... She moved away recently. "

"I see." Saudamini nodded, her hands twisting in front of her. " I' m sorry, Anirudh. I didn't mean to bring up painful memories. "

"It's quite all right, Saudamini. Thank you for your concern. " Anirudh cleared his throat, suddenly feeling the weight of the silence between them. "Well, I should let you get some rest. Thank you for checking on me. "

"Of course, Anirudh. Good night. " Saudamini gave him a small bow and turned to leave..

"Good night, Saudamini. " Anirudh watched her go, his heart heavy.

As soon as the door closed behind her, he sank into a chair, his eyes closing as he took a deep breath.

"Bondita", he whispered, his heart aching.

He saw her then, in his mind's eye, her eyes shining with unshed tears as she confronted him about his marriage. He heard her voice, fierce and determined, as she fought for their love.

"I love you, Bondita," he whispered, his eyes opening to gaze at the picture he had taken out of his drawer. It was a picture of the two of them, laughing and happy, taken on one of their many secret meetings.

"Why can't we be together, Ani? " He imagined her saying, her eyes pleading with him.

"Because I'm a married man, Bondita, " he replied, his voice hoarse with unshed tears. " And I made a commitment. I can't just walk away from it. "

"But you don't love her, Ani. You love me. I know you do." her hands reaching for his.

" I do love you,Bondita. More than anything. " He took her hands in his, his eyes never leaving here. "But it's not that simple. There are consequences to my actions, and I can't bear to see you hurt because of me. "

"I'm already hurt, Ani. Every time you push me away, my heart breaks a little more. " Her voice was pained, her eyes filling with tears.

" I know, my love. And it kills me to see you hurt. But I can't bear the thought of hurting your future, of talking away your chances for a happy life. " He brushed a tear from her cheek, his thumb gently caressing her skin.

"My happy life is with you, Ani. I don't want anyone else. I only want you. " She leaned into his touch, her eyes never leaving his.

" Oh, Bondita. My sweet, naive Bondita. " He pulled her into his arms, holding her close as she cried. " If only it were that simple. "

And as he sat there, alone in his study, Anirudh realized that it was true. He couldn't bear to hurt Bondita, but he was hurting her anyway. By pushing her away, he was breaking both of their hearts.

"What am I doing?" He whispered to the silence of the room.

The only answer was the soft hum of the ceiling fan and the gentle ticking of the clock, a reminder that time was passing, and with it, the chance for him and Bondita to be together.

The next morning, Anirudh woke to the sound of movement in the house. He dressed quickly and made his way to downstairs, his heart heavy from the dreams that had plagued him during the night.

He found Soudamini in the kitchen, preparing breakfast. "Good Morning, Anirudh. Did you sleep well? "

"Yes thank you, Saudamini, And you? " He gave her a small smile, his eyes searching hers.

She returned his smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. " Yes Anirudh. I slept well, thank you. "

Anirudh nodded and took a seat at the table, his eyes scanning the simple breakfast she had prepared . " This looks lovely, Saudamini. Thank you. "

"You're welcome, Anirudh. I'm sorry it's not more elaborate, but with the servants still gone... " She trailed off, her hands twisting in front of her.

"Saudamini. I'm sure it's delicious." Anirudh took a bite of the paratha, his eyes closing in pleasure at the familiar taste. " This is wonderful. Thank you."

A soft smile appeared on her lips, and she bowed her head slightly. " You're welcome Anirudh. I'm glad you're enjoying it."

They ate in silence for a few moments, the only sound the clinking of utensils against plates. But the silence between them felt heavy, as if there were unspoken words hanging in the air.

Finally, Anirudh cleared his throat, his eyes never meeting hers. "Saudamini, I wants to apologize for yesterday. I know I 've been distant, and its not fair to you."

She looked up at him, her eyes soft and understanding. " You don't have to apologize, Anirudh. I know this marriage hasn't been easy for either of us. "

Anirudh's heart twisted at her words. " No, it hasn't. And I'm sorry for that. I never meant to hurt you."

"I know, Anirudh. And I don't blame you. It's not your fault." She paused, her eyes dropping to her hands as she twisted them in her lap. " It's just... It's just hard sometimes, that's all."

" I understand, Saudamini. It's hard for me too." Anirudh reached across the table, his hand covering hers. " I wish things could be different for us."

She looked up at him then, her eyes shining with unshed.