~Bairi Piya~

Abhi naa jao chhor kar..

Continuation of flashback..

When the family was discussing about education of Shubman, Sunaina found the perfect opportunity to go through with her plan.

She chimed in "Arre dada, Shubman ko London bhej dete hain na? Waise bhi angrezon ne desh ka mahaul kharab kar rakha hai. Aur vilaayat ke school mein rehkar Shubman aaram se padh paayega aur apna Abhishek bhi toh wahin jaa raha hai." ( Dada, lets send Shubman to London. Anyways the colonisers have ruined the atmosphere of the country. There in London, Shubman can study peacefully and Abhishek will also be there for his company.)

Shubmans's mother and grandmother were not happy with the idea of sending Shubman away so far at such a tender age but the elder men of the family decided it was the best for Shubman.

Shubmans's mother got the duty to inform Shubman about his new life in London. In evening when Shubman returned from Ishan's house after his play date, he rushed straight to his mother to tell her all about his day. He told how Suchitra kaaki fed them ras malai and how him and Ishan fooled the maali and stole aam. Keart listened to her son ramble sweetly about his adventures sitting in her lap. She always had a soft spot for Suchitra and his son Ishan, he was an year younger than Shubman but was the most sweet, beautiful and clever boy. She didn't mind how they they didn't match their standards and she even considered Suchitra her sister. From the day Ishan was born, Shubman and Ishan were always around each other and Suchitra took care of them as if Shubman was also her child.

Keart was lost in her thoughts when Shubman touched her face with concern etched on his face. He spoke with utmost care, "Maa kya hua? Kuch pareshani hai kya?" (Mother, what happened? Is there a problem). Keart didn't have the heart to break the news to Shubman.

She held Shubmans's hand and spoke with a heavy heart.

Keart: Shubi..tumhe bade hokar kya karna hai? (Shubi..what do you wanna do when you grow up?)

Shubman: hmm..mujhe bade hokar Ish ke saath London mein ek ghar banana hai aur use ship se wahan le jaana hai (hmm.. I wanna build a house with Ish in London and take him there on a ship.)

Keart (grabs Shubman's ear): Accha toh tum apne Ishu ke liye hume chorr ke London chale jaaoge? (So, you will leave us for going to London with Ishu?)

Shubman: Aah maa...main tumhe bhi le jaaunga par maine Ishan ko promise kiya hai. (AAH MAA..I will take you too but I have promised Ishan.)

Keart: Accha...par wahan ghar banane ke liye..tumhe khoob padhna likhna hoga? (But for making your house there..you will have to study very hard.)

Shubman: Haan..aap sahi bol rahe ho. (Yes..you're right.)

Keart: Tumhare baba ne faisla liya hai ki tum mangalvaar ko London jaa rahe ho padhai ke liye. (Your father has decided that you are moving to London for studies on Tuesday.)

Shubman (with tears in his eyes): Main London nahi jaa sakta maa. Main yahin padhunga khoob mann laga ke. Mujhe nahi jaana Maa (I can't go to London maa. I will study very hard here only. I don't want to go maa please)

Shubman started crying at the thought of going away to London...away from his family..his Ish.

Keart's heart breaks into pieces seeing his son crying but she doesn't have a say or choice. She hardens her heart and hugs her son. She tries to console his son.

After an hour, Shubman was laying tired with his head in his mothers's lap. He knew he can't disobey his father. He whispers in the most helpless voice, " Maa, Ish akela reh jaayega yahaan " (Maa, Ish will be left lonely here)

Keart knew this was coming. Ishan and Shubman were always inseparable. This distance will break both her kids but their was no other way. She tries to console Shubman by saying,"Jab tu padh likhke aayega na, toh tu Ishu ko bhi apne saath London le jaana..vaada kiya hai na tune use." (When you will come back after finishing your studies, you can take him to London as well..just as you have promised.) Shubman nods in exhaustion and drifts off to sleep.

Shubmans's cruise to London was after 2 days. His parents told him that his family friend Abhishek will also be there for company but nobody can fill the void of Ishan in his life. Few servants and a caretaker was also supposed to accompany him in London. A family villa was cleared and prepared for their stay in London as despite their wealth and status in Bharat, their colour will still be looked down upon by other children in the hostel. But nothing mattered to Shubman as the only thought taunting him was leaving Ishan behind when he promised to always be with him.

Shubman couldn't gather the courage to tell Ishan about his departure. He continued to act normal around him and decided to write a letter to Ishan before he leaves for London. When he was going to drop the letter at Ishan's window, his eyes fell upon his rose pot. He plucked a rose and decided to drop it along with letter to Ishan's window as an offering for forgiveness and a symbol of their beautiful bond.

Ishan was worried since morning as Shubman hadn't showed up at his doorstep like he used to everyday. He thought to visit the Gill mansion but the thought of facing Sunaina made him scared and he chose to wait some more. It wasn't until an hour later, he saw the letter at his window sill and read it. His heart stopped as he couldn't believe the words. His Shubman was going away from him. Just then he heard the sound of a carriage outside. Shubman was leaving he realised. He ran outside barefoot with no care of himself or the world and tried chasing the carriage. Suchitra grabbed him before he could get hurt or fall. Ishan was crying immensely and only whispering spiteful words for Shubman as he broke their promise. It broke Suchitra to her core to see her son breakdown in her arms like that. Suddenly Ishan pushed her away and ran towards the letter and picked it up along with the rose-the offering of their love and the symbol of his Shubi's homecoming in future as Shubman promised in the letter.

He took the gift and hid them and himself in his room, crying in the memories of his dearest friend. Suchitra knew it will take Ishan time to get back to his normal self and she knew that a part of Ishan is carried away with Shubman and will always stay with him...forever.

End of Flashback

WOW! Shubman's manifestation backfired on him. The backstory is over now and I hope you are liking the story so far. Next chapter is the introduction of Ishan in Calcutta 1931. Also please forgive any mistakes in the chapter. Stay tuned for the next chapter.