HUMSAFAR [Completed✅]

6. The Long Wait

Vihaan got recovered after two days. Vihaan, Ishqi, Ahaan, and Savitri gathered around the dining table for breakfast. As they ate, Ishqi spoke up with a thought, "Maa, there is something I wanted to discuss with you."

Savitri looked at her curiously and replied ,"Of course, beta. What is it?"

Ishqi hesitated for a moment but then continued, "I was thinking, why don’t we perform a small puja at home?"

Savitri smiled but looked a little surprised. "A puja is always a good idea. But why the sudden suggestion?",she asked.

Ahaan, already sensing there was more behind this, joined the conversation,"Yes, Ishqi, there must be some reason for it, right?"

Ishqi bit her lip nervously before answering."We don’t always need a specific reason to remember God, Ahaan. But… honestly, I’ve been feeling a bit unsettled lately. First, Vihaan almost had that accident, and then he fell sick. I know it might sound like I am overthinking, but I just want to do something, a small puja, to express our gratitude and seek blessings for our family’s well-being.",she tried to explain.

Savitri immediately understood her concern and with reassuring smile,she said,"You are saying right,Beta. We will keep a puja this Sunday only."

The family organized the puja on Sunday, and everything went smoothly. The prayers and rituals gave Ishqi a sense of peace. In the following days, the trio decided to stay at the mansion for a while longer, especially since they hadn’t spent much time together recently. However, as the days passed, Ahaan became increasingly occupied with work. His responsibilities piled up, and he used to leave early in the mornings and returned home late at night. His long hours began to take a toll, and it felt like he was slowly slipping away from spending time with Vihaan and the family.

Despite his busy schedule, Ishqi patiently waited for him every night, ready to offer help or just be there if he needed her. One evening, after a particularly tiring day, Ahaan came home with a pounding headache. His exhaustion was palpable as he asked Ishqi for some medicine.

Ishqi looked at him with concern but instead of reaching for medicine, she stepped closer and started massaging his head gently. Ahaan, surprised by the gesture, furrowed his brow and asked,"What are you doing?"

Ishqi with a calm voice spoke, "I am giving you a head massage. Can’t you see?"

"But I didn’t ask for this. I just wanted some medicine.", he responded.

Ishqi smiled softly, her hands working soothingly on his temples. "That’s exactly why I’m doing this. You shouldn’t rely on medicine for every little thing. A head massage will help you feel better, trust me.", she expressed.

Ahaan tried to protest but eventually gave in, allowing her to continue. He remained quiet, secretly appreciating her effort, and much to his surprise, the headache slowly eased. Afterward, they both went to sleep peacefully.

The next morning, however, Ahaan woke up late. He had overslept, something that rarely happened to him. His phone buzzed, and his manager called, reminding him of the urgent matters at the office. Annoyed at himself, Ahaan hurriedly got dressed. As he rushed around, Ishqi tried to stop him, offering breakfast.
"Ahaan, at least have some breakfast before you leave.",she requested.

But Ahaan being still frustrated, snapped at her, "I am late because of you! That head massage made me oversleep. Now I’m behind on everything. Don’t you get it?"

He stormed out of the house without another word. Normally, Ishqi would brush off his outbursts, understanding the pressures of his work. But this time, his words stung. His constant irritation and lack of appreciation were beginning to wear her down. Still, she decided to let it slide, telling herself that Ahaan was just overwhelmed.

Meanwhile, at the mansion, preparations for an upcoming fast were in full swing. It was an important ritual for married women, where they fasted all day without food or water for the well-being of their husbands. In the evening, the fast would be broken only after the husband offered something sweet to his wife during a special puja. Saumya was excited for her first fast for Kartik, eagerly helped with the arrangements. Ishqi, though not particularly excited about the ritual, had also decided to fast for Ahaan, not fully understanding why but feeling it was the right thing to do.

That evening, when Ahaan finally returned home, looking exhausted and stressed, Ishqi handed him a glass of water and asked softly, "Do you need anything else?"

Ahaan being frustrated, barely looked at her. "I need some peace. Can you provide that?", he spoke.

Taken aback, Ishqi felt her frustration rising."Oh, so you think I am the one causing all this chaos? You know what, Ahaan? You only see things your way.", she chided.

Ahaan glanced at her and furiously replied, "Seriously, that’s what you think? Fine, if that’s how you feel, so be it. Now, move out of my way; I need to wake up early tomorrow for an out-of-town meeting. Otherwise  you would make sure that  I never wake up early again just like today."

"It was not my fault that you couldn’t wake up on time. Don't try to blame me. I was only trying to help.", Ishqi retorted.

"I never asked for your help.", he said.

"There’s no point talking to you.", saying this she walked away in frustration.

The next morning, Ahaan was busy reviewing files and talking on the phone. Ishqi stood near him, waiting, but he barely noticed her. After he ended his call, she spoke up, "I need to talk to you."

"Yesterday, you said talking to me was pointless. What happened now?", Ahaan responded with a taunting smile.

"You can never answer anything straight, can you?", she asked back.

"You give twisted replies yourself and expect a straight answer from me?", he retorted.

"Fine, it’s my fault. I just wanted to say that I’m keeping the fast for you today, and you’re supposed to break my fast.", Ishqi informed him.

"Wait, who told you to keep this fast? And you didn’t need to do this.", Ahaan replied immediately.

"Look, I didn’t decide this on my own. Maa and Dadi insisted, and I didn’t want to ruin their happiness, so I agreed.", she tried to explain in her usual demeanor.

"I don’t believe in these things. Just eat something; besides, I have an important meeting out of town today, so there’s no point waiting for me.", he still retorted with a glint of frustration.

Ishqi again spoke with a firm voice, "I’m not breaking my fast until you break it for me."

Ahaan, being irritated, stated, "Why don't you understand that this stuff doesn’t matter to me at all. Just eat something quietly."

Ahaan walked away, but Ishqi called after him. "Ahaan, I will break my fast by your hands only.", she declared, for the third time.

He gave her a sharp look before leaving the house.

That evening, the puja took place, but Ahaan hadn’t returned home yet. Everyone asked Ishqi about him, but she reassured them that he had an important meeting and would be late. She promised that she would break her fast once he returned. The family accepted her explanation.

Ishqi waited for Ahaan, even trying to call him, but he didn’t answer. Eventually, she fell asleep, but Ahaan didn’t come home that night.

The next morning, Ishqi woke up and realized Ahaan still wasn’t home. She hadn’t eaten anything in over 24 hours, and the hunger was starting to weaken her. Despite feeling lightheaded, she got ready and went downstairs. The family assumed Ahaan had left for his meeting early in the morning and, caught up in their own preparations, forgot to ask her about her fast.

But in her heart, Ishqi felt the loneliness of waiting for someone who didn’t seem to care.

To be continued...

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