The house looked so normal from the outside. A quiet happy house but from inside a girl was caged and was dying.

It's scary, isn't it? When I entered, Vishal was putting some ointment on Bondita. When I saw her, she had bruises. On asking she scolded me but Vishal lied saying she fell down the stair. I am not stupid, I can clearly make out what those marks were.

"Ap kaha se ho?" She asked me

"Chattisgarh" I replied immediately.

"Yaha kyu kam karne aye ho" she narrowed her eyes, looking at me suspiciously.

Why the heck is she questioning me so much?? I'll get caught if she continues her nosy inquisitive attitude. Ye ladki mujhe marwayegi aur khudko bhi by asking questions. Bondita is so nakchadi.

I pretended to be a servant. I started dusting the furniture. Vishal was writing something and Bondita, she was sitting like a little scared turtle. Pulling her knees closer to her chest and rested her head on her knee, crying silently. Although I wanted to go to her but I controlled myself.

Her dark long open hair flowing in the air looked so pretty......No no what am I saying?...

After a while, I spoke out, "bhabi ji, khana kya banana hain bata nehi denge?"

She rubbed off her tears and looked at Vishal who gestured her to go.

She walked with support and I followed her. As soon as we entered the kitchen her bechari pan vanished and she became all bossy.

"Ap mujhe ghur kyu rahe ho" I looked furiously at that Raja.

"Mein apko nehi ghur raha tha" he defended himself.

"Chup! Kabhi ladki nehi dekha kya? Ghar mein maa behen nehi hain?"

He smirked at it, "maa behen nehi

hain par patni hain'.

"To ussey ghuro mujhe nehi get it? Apne kaam se kaam rakho, pehele se hi mein bohot pareshan hu."

"Ji paro ji" he suddenly spoke out.

"Excuse me?"

"Nehi kuch nehi" he started drinking water.

She started bossing around me. My little nosy Bondita. She was asking me questions for no reason as if I was here to steal something. If I get caught, she will be responsible for this I swear.

"Ap mujhe bhabhi maat bulaiye" she spoke suddenly.

"Kyu, bhaiya ji k patni ko to..."

"Nehi...she interrupted me, "mein unki patni nehi hu...ap mujhe didi bula sakte ho par bhabi nehi" she said.

I choked the water that I was drinking and spit it all over the floor and started coughing.

What? Didi? She wants me to call her didi? Is this girl out of her mind? Seriously Bondita?

"Nehi thik hain mein apko madam ji bulaunga" I forced a smile and she again looked at me suspiciously.

She took out some vegetables, "Ap ye sabzi bana dijiye".

I don't know cooking....how do I say this to her?

"Wo madam mujhe khana bana na nehi ata" I said hesitantly.

"Ap kaam karne aye hain aur apko khana bana na nehi ata? Ek minute apka koi galat irada to nehi" she placed the knife that she was holding near my chin. "Suniye mein Bondita aam ladki nehi, agar apka koi galat irada huya to ye chaku apke pet mein".

"Wo...wo...asal mein mujhe nehi ata kyuki mein in sab kaam mein naya hu, mere Dada pehele kaam karte the, mere boudi maa banne wali hain to dada kaam pe nehi a paye" I lied.

Thank god I prepared all these stories. I know more than she does. I knew she will be questioning me.

"Maa?matlab pari aye the bacche dene?" She asked cheerfully, "jab pari ayenge ap unhe mere pati babu k pas bhejna please".

Oh god! Bondita! Seriously? It is actually my fault. Providing her with the right knowledge at right time was my duty instead send her to Devipur and this happened. For me, she had to suffer. Once we get back the first thing I would do is to provide her with sex education. She needs it now.

I saw her again from head to toe and couldn't control my tears. She was in so much pain yet smiling but I was helpless at that point in time.

Is this why she is so special? Any other girl wouldn't have survived but her mental strength....I have chosen the right girl to fulfil my dream. Tumhare ankho se me mera sapna dekhta hu aur tumse hi pura karwaunga us sapne ko.

She took the glass of milk and went to that man.

I followed her and watched her from a distance. I can't let her go alone when I am here.

She silently kept the glass on the table and was about to leave but he held her hand.

I clutched my fist in anger still controlling myself coz if I don't, I might lose her forever.

I jerked off his hands.

After he drank the milk he immediately collapsed on the ground. I got scared and backed off.

"Vishal babu! Kya huya apko?" I called him.

Suddenly I looked at Raja smirking, "kya kiya tumne?" I shouted at him. "Tumne maar dala inhe".

She was acting as if I have done something to her real husband.

"Meri baat suno..." I tried to explain but she was not letting me do so.

"Apka kya irada hain? Kya kiya apne she yelled at me.

"Chup!" I shouted at her.

"Vishal babu ko kya huya?"

"Chup!" I shouted at her to make her quiet and pulled her by her elbow towards me. She got scared and stared at me. Our eyes locked for a second, "chup!". I covered her mouth, "ye mein hu Bondita".

"Pati babu" she whispered softly and within a fraction of seconds wrapped her hands around me. She now looked at me and touched my bandage wrapped forehead, "apko kya huya hain, chot kaise lagi?" she panicked.

I only creased her hair gently, "tumhe lene aya hu mein Bondita ghar chalo".

She, shockingly enough, separated herself, "nehi!"

"Nehi matlab? Maine isey behosh kardiya abh humey chalna hoga " I said.

"Mein nehi chal sakti"

"Tum janti ho na, kitne classes miss..."

"Ek minute" she stopped me, "ap pagal ho kya?" she looked at me wierdly. "Yaha mein fasi hui hu aur apko classes ki parhi hain.... seriously pati babu?"

"Tum kyu nehi chalna chahati, ye naya pati pyara lagne laga hain? Raho iske sath then" I rolled my eyes.

We didn't realize, meeting after do many days we literally started our stupid nok jhok.

"Naya pati matlab kya? Apki tarha nehi hu ki khali baitha hu ghar pe chalo shadi kar lete hain".

Bondita annoyed me to the core. "Apne apko dekho...chote lagi hain tumhe, kya guzra hain tumpe mein in chot o ko dekh k samajh sakta hu"

"Ye chot to dikh jaate hain par jo chot apne diya hain wo dikhta nehi par chubh ta hain" she said with teary eyes and we became serious.

"Ap Vishal Babu se bhi burey ho, atleast wo apne patni se pyar to karta tha par ap...humesha mardo ne ek aurat ko khilona samjha hain, uske pas dil nehi hotey, ussey pyar nehi hota, uski emotions nehi hoti...apko mein apni bhagwan manti thi par mere bhagwan itne khudgarz nehi ho sakte"

"Bondita mein janta hu tum mujhse gussa ho par...."

She rubbed off her tears,"gussa ussey hotey hain jinse expectations hotey hain, mujhe abh apse koi expectations he nehi".

Bondita's words broke me. I always thought she is this naive little girl but never realised andar hi andar itni bari ho gyi hain. The Bondita that left Tulsipur that day and this Bondita are totally different. This Bondita talks in riddles jisey suljhate suljhate hum khud hi ulajh jaate hain, this Bondita's every word has deep meaning. I wanted to preserve her innocence but instead lost that innocent Bondita completely.

I held her hand, "chalo yaha se!"

I planned that I will enter the house, make him unconscious and elope with her but don't know why she is doing this.

"Mein nehi jaa sakti apke sath" Bondita jerked off my hands.

"Pagal ho gye ho tum, humme bhagna hoga yaha se, please Bondita chalo please" I requested her but she was adamant.

"Unhe mansik samasya hain, unhe aise is halat mein mein nehi chor sakti, pata hain bohot zulm kiya hain isne par apne hi to sikhaya hain na ki humme sabki madat karna chahiye" she said to me with teary eyes.

"Par..."

"Pati babu, isey sirf Uravi samjha sakti hain kyu unhe treatment ki zarrorat hain. Itna saha hain maine, thora aur seh lungi par Uravi firse chali gyi to ye pagal hoke maar jayga pati babu"

I was stunned by her thinking process. She is younger than me still she teaches me so much, each and every minute.

"Inhe pyar se samjha k mental hospital bhejna hoga mujhe" she said.

"Tum itni acchi kaise ho Bondita".

I am lucky to have her. Yes, its me who is saying this, I am lucky to have this uniquely pure girl as my..."WIFE"

"Ap please jaiye aur mental hospital walo ko lekar aiye" she commanded.

"Mein tumhe yaha akele nehi chor sakta iske sath"

"Vishal babu behosh hain, please jaiye" she pushed me, "jaiye please, mujhe kuch nehi hoga shotti". "Apko meri kasam".

Unlucky, most unlucky then there is me. I had to leave her in the hell with the devil alone because I had no option. I looked at her, why are you so good Bondita? Why? This world is not a place for people like you.

I had to leave her. I informed the mental hospital and for backup I informed sir victor who came with his force. I can believe a normal person not a psychopath. I have left her there alone and I only prayed nothing had happened to her. Hope he is still unconscious.

I only prayed Dugga maa that pati babu should return early and Vishal babu shouldn't gain his consiousness.

I realized his fingers moving and pati babu has not yet come. I got scared and petrified as he slowly opened his eyes. He slowly woke up and on seeing me, rage filled his mind. He pushed me to the ground, "Uravi tumne mujhe dhoka diya".

I looked at the door with hope but pati babu has not yet returned.

He held my throat tightly, "kyu diya dhoka tumne mujhe bolo".

"Ap please meri baat suniye" I choked.

He was crying. "Baat sunu mein haa! Bohot ho gaya aj tumhe mujhse koi nehi bacha sakta."

When we reached there, I rushed inside. Mera daar sahi ho gaya, neither Bondita nor Vishal was there.

"Bondita!" I shouted.

"Ghar ki talashi lo" Sir Victor ordered his fellow cops.

"Bondita" I fell on the ground crying, "mujhe sunna hi nehi chahiye tha tumhari baat".

Sir Victor sympathetically looked at me. "We will find her" he assured me.

"Sir ghar mein koi nehi hain" one cop came, "par upar k ek kamre se ye sab mila" he placed, whipes belts, iron rods, clamps, chains and electrical wires on the floor. "Lagta hain ladki k sath bohot zulm huya hain".

My hands were trembling seeing those. Bondita lied to me, she hid the truth. If she had told the truth, I wouldn't have left her.

"Oh God! This is so inhumane" exclaimed Sir Victor. "This man is so dangerous, we need to find the girl as soon as possible" he told to the other cops.

I didn't move from my position. Her words were ringing in my ears

The only thought I was having was if anything happens to her maybe I will become like Vishal only.

One police man dragged the security guard in, "bol kaha hain tere sahb, bol".

"Mujhe nehi malum" the guard cried joining his hands. "Tell us" Sir Victor slapped him. "Humko nehi malum" he cried again.

"Dada" I joined my hands in front of him, "dada wo choti ladki thi na, wo meri patni hain Bondita. Please mujhe bataiye dada apke malik kaha lejar gye hain meri patni ko please" I broke into tears.

"Humko sachmein nehi malum par shayad waha gye hain" said the guard.

"Kaha?"

"Uravi Malkin jab zinda thi to sahb unhe lekar pahar k choti par ghumne lekar jaate the, waha nadi hain ek, aur khai bhi, bohot sundar jagah hain".

"Anirudh I think we should go there" said Sir Victor.

He tied me up,covered my mouth and locked me in the car's bonnet. Soon I realized the car was moving. I struggled to free myself and make noise. I don't know where he was taking me. I cried but no sound came except my tears

He spoke up while driving, "Uravi tumhe yaad hain humara favourite jagah, waha jaa rahe hain hum, You are happy na?"

After a very long time the car stopped. He came out of the car and opened the bonnet. I looked at him. "Enjoying na? Be happy dekho to your favourite place" he smiled at me and closed the bonnet again.

Vishal spreaded his arms and took a deep breath in the fresh hair, "ye khula hawa". He then sat on the soft grass and enjoyed the sun rise. Bondita was still in the bonnet of the car.

After a while he finally opened it again, "jante ho Uravi log kehte hain maarne k bad hi insaan ko asli sukoon milta hain. Mein is zindagi se pareshan ho chuka hu aur mujhe sukoon chahiye par mein tumhare bina bhi nehi reh sakta" saying this he pulled her out of the bonnet, "chalo Uravi hum dono ek sath is matlabi duniya se dur kahi chale jaate hain."

Her mouth was covered, hands and feet were tied so she couldn't speak but hearing this her eyes widened and she nodded her head vigorously.

"pehele tum jaogi is duniya chorke fir mein aur hum sath rahenge, koi nehi kar payega alag humme".

He covered her mouth and nose with his hand tightly. She was unable to breath. He moved her feet and tears rolled down her eyes unless she heard a firing.

We left for that place. In the whole way I only prayed for her safety. Hope nothing has happened to her. This time when we meet, I won't fight with her, promise! just let me get her back Durga maa.

We reached the spot and saw his car being parked. Sir Victor fired the gun in air.

Vishal came out with Bondita. He was holding her from behinde and both were standing right at the edge to the hill. Deep down below there was a flowing river.

"Ladki ko chor do" shouted the police.

"Nehi! Ye meri Uravi hain. Hum sath maarenge" he shouted, "mein pehele Uravi ko khai mein dhakelunga fir khud kud jaunga aur hum dono sath rahenge".

"Sir ap firing maat kijiye please, ye Bondita ko dhakel dega khai mein" I requested Sir Victor.

"Bondita tum daaro maat" I cried, "tumhe tumhara Biristera babu kuch nehi hone dega".

I saw Vishal trying to push her and she was trying hard to resist.

"Mein aur Uravi ek nayi duniya mein jayenge, yaha se dur".

Sir Victor gestured his men to go and catch him from behind.

"Uravi kudo na tum" he said to her.

"Bondita thori der aur roke rakho" I cried.

Three policemen held Vishal from behind. I ran towards them and held Bondita by her waist who was about to fall. I removed the cloth from her mouth and the ropes from her hand.

I sat on the barren ground with her head on my lap and my hand holding hers.

She looked at me with her half opened teary eyes and a subtle smile on her lips.

She gently rubbed of my tears and in a very weak and faint voice said, "paro mein tumhari bari bari ankhein to dekh sakta hu par inn akhon mein ansu nehi". We both chukled softly and then she fainted in my arms.

Even in such situation is ladki ko mazak sujh rahi hain.

Vishal was taken to mental hospital. He needs proper treatment so instead of sending him to jail I decided to send him there, that's what Bondita wanted and that corrupt officer was suspended. Bondita lied unconscious in my arms.

I gently removed her hair from her face and then looked at Sir Victor, "thank you sir, ap na hotey to aj mein Bondita ko kho deta".

"Its my duty" he said with a warm smile.

I forwarded my both hands, "sir ye raha apka gunhegar, pehena dijiye hatkari, I promised to surrender myself once I find my wife and I found her. Sir yahi sahi mauka hain mujhe jail le jaane ka kyuki Bondita abhi behosh hain, hosh a gaya to ye mujhe jaane nehi degi".

"Do you think I am so heartless that after a girl suffered so much I will take away her husband. I hope the best for both of you" he said and went away.

I looked at her face, "paro" I chuckled.

Lagav to bohot baar huya hain, dil bhi bohot bar diya hain, par pyar.....sirf ekbar huya hain.

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

Batuk closed the diary and looked at her, "Aur yaha Dada ko parha pyar ka chamat, zor se Unhe pata chala pyar ka kadar, shayad abhi ehesas hona mushkil hain par kadar karna nehi".

She chuckled.

"Aisa nehi ki pyar sirf ek bar hotha hain, aisa nehi ki pyar das bar hota hain....pyar nahi ek bar hota hain na hi das baar.....pyar tabh tak hota hain jab tak sahi insaan na miljay, aur agar sahi insaan miljay to wo saccha pyar ekbar hi hota hain," Batuk said.