Bonding

‘Let's go anywhere today. Ronit smiles a little after reading the message on WhatsApp. Shreya has sent the message. The girl is out of breath at home since schools, colleges, cinema halls, restaurants, parks all are closed for lockdown. To her, it is not possible to meet Ronit for so long due to this virus fear. Finding no other way out to meet Ronit, Shreya has sent the message in desperation. She does not want to hear any negative reply to postpone the meeting with any sort of excuse.

- ‘Can you imagine Ronit, for how long we have not met? To me, it’s an era. Please Ronit, take me out of my house at least for a moment. Otherwise, I might be a victim of delirium if I have to withstand these bindings of staying back home further’. Ronit smiles again and utters, ‘poor girl, at her age she should be floating in a heavenly atmosphere of wild dreams, instead, has to stay home, courtesy lockdown’.

In Shreya's mind there is only one person and it’s Ronit. As far as what is seen or talked about in a video call through mobile, that's all You may talk in secret. If anyone in either house sees or knows about their video call and can feel their attraction to each other, a whirlwind storm will start blowing till structure of faith and love gets uprooted. Situation may become so worse that both may receive punches through words of rebuke. However, it’s a long time since Shreya has been able to keep her feet outside the house. Now she has become so desperate to meet Ronit. Smilingly, Ronit replied to Shreya’s message, 'tell me what else to do, Shreya. In the epidemic that has started all around, no one dares to go out of the house. Even, food materials are also purchased online. In this situation, although we want to, we can no longer go outside to meet. As a result, WhatsApp is trustworthy. I can see you at least once in a video call’.

- But Ronit, I can't stay at home anymore. I have become restless. Hey, let's allow me to go to your house. Let me meet you as I have a lot to share with you.

- Hey, have you become crazy. In my house, everyone will know then. Even the people in your house will know everything when they go out to look for you and what will happen to us then? Do you understand that?

- I don't want to understand so much. I don't feel fine at home anymore. Whatever you can do, you proceed. Arrange or apply your brain to take me out of my house.

- What an ignorant girl. All right then, let's see what I can do.

Suddenly Ronit has fallen sick, started running with a high fever. Medicines kept at home for firsthand treatment could not play the trick to reduce fever. Finally, it was time to call for a doctor. Doctor prescribed some other medicines; however, these medicines also could do nothing to reduce the fever. Even, he started saying irrelevant words in his high fever condition. Suddenly, he started uttering the name of Shreya. Shreya, where are you. Please come and sit by me, otherwise the fever will not go down.

Who is Shreya? - The people of the house started asking the same question to each other. Ronit’s younger brother Saikat probably knew Shreya. He gave the details of her, where does she stay and what is her actual relationship with Ronit. How long they know each other, how long they are hiding the matter of their affair from the members of both the houses. Seniors of the house became stunned on knowing their hide and seek activities.

Being gloomy as the fever was not coming down, Ronit’s father finally went to Shreya's house. He told Shreya’s father that he had come running for his son’s health and requested Shreya’s father to allow Shreya to come down to their house and to stay by Ronit's side at least once. After hearing the news of his son's illness and on knowing Shreya's name on Ronit’s face again and again Shreya’s father seemed to become a little liberal. After much talk, many requests, Shreya's parents agreed to send Shreya to Ronit. However, Shreya's mother also informed Ronit's father directly that she would also go with her. Knowing everything, Shreya started jumping in joy.

Holding Ronit’s hand in her hands, Shreya said, "Finally we have been able to come closer again for your strange illness, Ronit." Ronit said, ‘Shreya, now you have come to me, and I am being able to take you out of your closed doors. I am sure, you will cure this strange disease of mine. I know, all my ailments will be healed only by the soft touch of your hand. Please put your hand on my head'. Shreya starts touching Ronit's head with great affection. On seeing them talking so affectionately and romantically from outside the door, Ronit’s mother expresses her feelings on their closeness to Shreya’s mother, 'This time we should have to think in another way about their intimacy. We must allow them to stay together. Moreover, when the medicine is readily available for such a critical illness, it is necessary to bring it home.

- 'Exactly, I am also thinking in the same way. Moreover, they are the adults of this new era. Their thoughts and courage are completely different which will not match to our thoughts at all, but all is well if we can accept. I am in a happy mood now on hearing your proposal and accept wholeheartedly. So, we can start preparing for this new festival, what do you say?

- ‘certainly. We should proceed’.