1949 - A Love Story ✅

Part 9

Sidharth: My lovely little niece, Radhika.

Shehnaaz: (surprised) I thought it was your daughter.

Sidharth: (laughs) I think there is still sometime for that. I am going to get engaged next to next Sunday.

The pain didn't change much for Shehnaaz since he was still getting engaged in 2 weeks probably to the same lady she saw with him in the morning.

Shehnaaz: Congratulations Sir. I thought you were married already.

He didn't have answer for that.
Am I married? Hmmm.. legally yes. How do I start a new relationship without ending my old one properly? I need to get a divorce.

Sidharth: Hmmm.. So where do you stay? (He asks while sipping the tea)

Shehnaaz: I stay with my Sister and Brother-in-law just 1.5kms away from here.

Sidharth: Okay. Don't mind me asking, why do you sound so depressed to me? Your poem as well depicted pain. Is everything alright?

No, it isn't alright. I am hurt. My heart is grieving because you chose to move on in your life and I, who was unaffected and unaware when you left me, have fallen into a deep deep trouble. Why can't I move on in my life? It was nowhere my fault.

I was just like a football being kicked from one end to another. Atleast for football it has a goal but I don't have that as well. Since the time I understood what exactly had happened, I empathized with you. But you don't even remember that you were married once.

All these years, my lips burnt when I tried to put up a smile. I felt as if I was doing some crime by smiling but you are laughing with someone. Fine, I choose to move on too. I won't stop myself from finding happiness. For the world, I am unmarried. For you, you are unmarried then why should I be alone in this marriage?

Shehnaaz pushed a huge smile on her face.

Shehnaaz: What's wrong with me? I am perfectly fine. You don't necessarily have to be in pain yourself to write a painful poem. Writer is one who can step into any character without being that character himself or herself.

He was surprised to find a drastic change in her facial expression.

People who laugh harder are often those who hide their pain. She is lying to me. Probably, she doesn't want to share it with stranger like me. Why should I bother as well. After all she is just my student.

Sidharth: Okay, let's go and finish the rest of the work.

Shehnaaz: Hmm.. yes Sir.

They both go back to the staff room. She resumes checking the books.

Shehnaaz starts laughing loudly and he looks at her in surprise. Her face gleamed in joy. It reminded him of Sana's innocent smiling face which he witnessed when he gifted her the green bangles.

Sidharth: What happened Shehnaaz?

Shehnaaz: Sir, you should listen to this.

'Sir,
Mujhe literature ki L bhi likhni nahi aati, isiliye mein kuch nahi likh paya. Magar sir aapse tahe dil se iltija hai ki aap meri thodi bahut taarif kar dena taaki meri mehbooba mujhse khush ho jaye. Mein aapke liye roze rakhunga aur aapki lambi umar ki muraad maangunga. Khudha aapko ek darzan bachchon se nawaaze aisa roz dua karunga.
Aap meri darkast maanenge isiki umeed karunga.
Aapka Shagird,
Rehman.