The Unventured Territory (Completed)

"Hey, aren't you the new bride?"

Bondita was standing in the secluded section of the terrace, that was accessible directly from the indoor passage of the first floor. This place was Bondita's recluse, and whenever she would need some air, she would always come and stand here.

The evening sun had just given up on his glory, leaving the sky shaded in his dying colours. The birds were flying in flocks to their loved ones, and the sweet aroma of the feast getting prepared in the kitchen filled the atmosphere.
Bondita heard the female stranger and turned around.

"Yes, and you are?"
She asked politely.

The wedding was a majestic affair, people from all across the village entered the mansion freely. There were decorators, chefs, and of course the actors from the drama company. And, Bondita lost track of known and unknown faces.

"Do I look that different without make-up?" The woman laughed out a little.
"Didn't you see me last night?"

Bondita narrowed her eyes and smiled awkwardly.
"Sorry... I..I can't.."

"RaghuPati, thousands of diamonds are faded at your feet! Rang a bell?"
The woman enacted the dialogue and laughed again.

"Oh... Yes! Ofcourse." Bondita smiled brightly at her.
"Maa Sita! Yes, I saw you backstage... You were brilliant I heard."

"You heard? I thought you saw." The woman raised an eyebrow.
"So the words were true... The bride and the groom weren't there during the play."
She looked at Bondita questioningly.

"Words? Where did you hear?"
Bondita asked.

"Words travels faster than light my dear bride... But, don't worry my lips are sealed."
The woman signed to zip her lips.
"By the way, I am Mohini... I work for the drama company."
The woman stretched her hand towards Bondita.

"And, I'm Bondita Roy Choudhury... The bride, but not a new one." She smiled again.

"So, you were a child bride I heard, educated and now getting remarried to your husband."
Mohini remarked.

"Wow! You know about me a lot it seems."

"You are my employer. I did my homework." Mohini shrugged.
"It's just that I didn't expect the educated Zamindarni to be this beautiful and cordial." Mohini held Bondita's hands and complimented her.

"You are beautiful too!" Bondita smiled brightly. "And, very talented."

"Yes, I love acting. It's very rare for a woman to join a drama company you know... But, I did!"
Mohini rolled her long pleated hair and strolled leisurely as she spoke to Bondita.
"My family has abandoned me... Now this is my family." She smiled absentmindedly as she touched her abdomen gently.

Bondita's eyes followed Mohini's caressing hands.
She furrowed her eyebrows and asked her.
"Are you?... I mean..."

Mohini turned around and smiled.
"Yes, I'm with child. But don't tell anyone."

Bondita came closer and held her hands.
"I won't. But, this is supposed to be good news!"

"It is! But, not for an unmarried actress." Mohini sighed.
"The moment everyone knows this, I'm no longer to play Sita." She paused, looking at her expectantly.

"And the father?" Bondita asked politely.

"The father is very happy... It's Lankapati Ravaan!" Mohini giggled.
"Actually this drama company is his father's. Had it not been for Nareen, I mean Ravaan, I would have been long lost."
Mohini inched forward towards Bondita and took her hand, making her touch her abdomen.
"A baby is all it takes! It binds families... It makes a relationship stronger." Mohini smiled with hope in her eyes.
"Your father-in-law is paying us a good sum... It's my fourth month... After this, Nareen and I would get married and will welcome the baby together."