Chapter 12: Test of Time

"No no no Vidhi... focus!"

Vidhi shook her head vigorously trying to concentrate on her physics lesson.

Her eyes drifted a little towards her left where Anirudh was sitting with his laptop.

'Damn, he looked magnificent!' She thought, putting the end of the graphite pencil in her mouth.

'He looks really serious... Deadly serious. What a combination! Deadly serious plus killer looks equals to Barrister Babu.'

Vidhi giggled bashfully at her own thoughts.

'Uff... Why is he sitting here! I can't even read a word!'

Vidhi was battling with her own thoughts as the books lay open infront of her. It was she who had invited him to stay over with her the entire day, on the pretext of she being lonely. And, now, she blamed her big mouth for the same.

"Huff!"

She let out a long held breath as she tried to concentrate on the lesson once again.

"the magnification of the object equals to  distance of the image over distance of the object."

Vidhi murmured repeatedly.

"Minus... It's minus!"

Vidhi jumped up as she heard Anirudh's voice from behind.

"What?"

"Whatever you are reading... Lens. It's equals to MINUS distance of the image."

Anirudh remarked without looking up from his laptop screen.

Vidhi heard him, her mouth gaped at his words, as she slammed the book closed and pushed it aside on the table.

"Hey... You know equation of LENS as well?" She asked him quizzically.

"How else do you think I completed my doctorate!" Anirudh smirked.

"But, that's in law right?"

"Yes. But whatever you are studying, it's basic."

Vidhi turned her chair completely towards him. Grabbing the notebook and a pen, she inched forward and held them straight infront of him.

"No.... Noo Miss Sengupta. I'm not liking whatever you have in mind." Anirudh chuckled as he closed his laptop and stood up.

"Barrister, you promised you'll make up for last night." She pouted her lips. " So, now... Explain equation of lens to me... Chop chop!"

Anirudh rolled his eyes and smiled at her.

"You have become a lot more fiesty you know!" He took the notebook from her hand and walked to the bed.

"Come sit here... Beside me... And hand me the compass box."

"Hold on... Why did you say I have 'BECOME' more fiesty? How do you know I wasn't before?" Vidhi narrowed her eyes at him.

Anirudh smirked at her question. The same smirk which had the potential of making any girl go weak on her knees. And, Vidhi was no exception.

"You want me to explain this equation or not? Come fast and sit!"

The afternoon rolled with the two sitting in Vidhi's room, engrossed in teaching and learning new concepts of physics and love. At times their hands would touch accidentally, sending electric sparks all over her body. At times, he would just casually tuck lose strands of her hair. Their laughter echoed through the empty heartless Roy Chowdhury mansion, making it rejuvenated and lively once again.

"Miss Sengupta, it's three already. Get some rest and then get ready. I've some work to take care of. I'll see you sharp at six."

Anirudh had left. And, Vidhi sat on her bed staring blankly at his way out.

She let out a sharp breath and fell back on the bed with a loud thud.

"Huff... Vidhita Sengupta, this man is your death!"

She murmured reflectively, looking at the floral design of the white false ceiling, before closing her eyes to reminisce Anirudh's scent and touch.

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

It was ten minutes to six at Vidhi stood infront of the mirror, admiring the slit black gown that she had worn. Her brown hair was tied up into a messy bun on top of her head, revealing her white slender neck. The thin shiny straps were perfectly seated on her shoulders as her  perfect bare arms added to the overall beauty. The front of the dress had a V-cut, not too deep, but deep enough to give a subtle view of her exquisite assets.

She wore no make up. Just a little kolh and a bit of red matte lipstick on her lips.

She fluttered her eyelids artistically, swirling around, as her gown floated in the air adding a rhythm to her movement.

"Miss, Master is waiting downstairs, if you are ready."

Sampurna's voice startled her from this new found self love.

She turned towards her and smiled brightly.

"Sampurna Maa, how do I look?"

Sampurna came closer and touched her cheeks.

"Perfect... Just perfect!"

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

The elevator opened with a familiar 'ding' as the door moved slowly revealing Anirudh's exquisite features, standing infront of the car.

"Gosh!" Vidhi's heart skipped a beat at the sight.

She swallowed hard, clearing her throat nervously, as she extended her hand to hold Anirudh's already stretched hand.

Another jolt of 400 volts surged through her body as she felt his fingers wrapping around her own.

"Shall we!" Anirudh asked her softly as he held the door opened for her.

"Aren't you driving?"

Vidhi asked curiously, adjusting herself at the backseat of the Mercedes, as she realised Anirudh sharing the seat with her.

"No. It's a formal date. So, I'd prefer a chaperone!"

Anirudh smiled as he sat beside her, gesturing the driver to start the ignition.

"Chaperone? Date? Barrister Babu... Don't spoil me like this! What, when all these ends? I'll fall very hard and probably won't be able to recover!"

Vidhi sighed.

"Don't think so much... Just live for the moment that you have at hand."

He extended his hands and kept it lightly on hers.

"Who knows what would happen in the future? But, I know you are a strong girl, stronger than you know."

Vidhi turned towards him, her eyes sparking with a hint of moisture.

"The moment is not for tears." Anirudh sighed as well.

He turned around to look outside the window, as his hands lay intertwined with hers. Vidhita sat quietly, thinking about the words he had just said.

"So, what happens after this?" She asked.

Anirudh turned his face towards her again.

"Don't worry. I'll protect you till you turn eighteen."

"That's two more months? And, after that?" Vidhi's voice choked.

"Then, you won't need my protection anymore."

The air fell silent inside the posh car as Anirudh sat quietly beside Vidhi, hearing her disturbed heartbeats and her wild destructive thoughts.

He closed his eyes and leaned his head back.

'Bondita... Only if I could tell you what would happen in two months...! I love you Bondita... And, I promise, I'll never leave you again... I'll never make the same mistakes I made last time." He sighed.

'But, this time, it's your love that would have to undergo the test of time!'