Anidita: Mending the relationship

Epilogue

15 years later

Bondita's POV:-

Freedom

The word itself brings a sense of joy and happiness in me. What does a person want more than to be free? To freely express their wants, to freely live the way they want. To not be burdened by poverty. To not live your life in a fear of getting killed anytime.

That's what I felt when I looked at the vast river in front of me. It's free to move the way it wants, crossing the boundaries, slithering in all the directions, yet finding peace at last in the ocean. When everything is over and you just want to live in your own world of happiness.

My land, my country was finally free from the rule of britishers. We are finally a democratic country. Although the condition of the economy and farmers is still not very good, it is improving. At least there is no stupid burden of unreasonable taxes on farmers. Even the women here are finally getting what they deserve. They are legally getting the basic human rights. And it feels good to see these positive changes, though very small, but still something is better than nothing.

I lean my head on pati babu's shoulder while he wraps his arms around me. We filed a divorce for our marriage which was nothing but a ku pratha and again got married after 2 years when I confessed my feelings for pati babu and he returned them back. We were now husband and wife by choice and I really loved him. The man who fought with me to bring so many changes in the society. The man who always supported me and never left my hand again. He was my love. My inspiration. My support. My everything.

"Maa! Baba! "

We turn towards the source of the voice and see our 5 year old daughter standing beside a sand castle with sand all on her face and hair. I give her a thumbs up while she claps her hand jumping up and down on her spot. Pati babu stands up, clapping with her, but a wave comes from the river and her castle flows back in the water.

Oh, well, that was bad.

She looks at the place where her castle was standing a few seconds ago and then at us. Tears start falling from her big brown eyes. I look at Pati babu telling him with my eyes  that he should handle this and that I am tired. He chuckles and walks up to her.

"Baba! Mera mehel" She wails.

"Krantika.....koi baat nahi. Hum dusra mehel banayenge. "

"Lekin vo bhi beh gaya toh? "

"Toh teesra banayenge! Tab tak banayenge jab tak humara mann karega." He kneels in front of her. "Ye nadi tumhara mehel le sakti hai tumse, lekin tumse tumhari khushi toh nahi le sakti na?"

Slowly, she shakes her head in a no.

"Chalo, apan udhar chalke ek bahut achha sa mehel banate hain. Phir uski tasveer khich ke kaka dadu ko dikhayenge "

He wipes Krantika's tear stained face and they both happily hop towards a place where the waves can't reach. I smile at both of them having so much fun and lie down on my back in the sand. It really is so much relaxing to come on a trip once in a while, away from all the responsibilities. I close my eyes and soon sleep takes over me.

"Kaka dadu! " Krantika practically yells and hugs kaka sasur ji.

"Arey waah. Ghum aaye tum log? Kaisa laga vaha? " He asks her.

"Bahut bahut bahut achha. " She spreads her tiny arms in the air. Kaka sasur ji bends to pick her up, but stops in mid way.

"Ah! Lagta hai kamar akad gayi hai. Bihari!" He sits on the sofa while Bihari comes running with an oil bottle ready in his hands, as if he knew this would happen.