Redemption's Dance: A Tale of Love and Forgiveness

Ch-3

Ishan went to open the door and saw Dadi standing there. "Dadi, kya baat hai?" Ishan asked.

"Arey beta, wo dusre gaon ke Mishra ji hain na, unka call aaya tha. Keh rahe the agle mahine 14 tarikh ko unke bete ki shaadi hai, toh sabko bulaya hai," Dadi said.

"Thik hai, Dadi. Phir aap aur ye chale jaiye. Main aur Atharv ruk jayenge," Ishan said, hoping to avoid the event.

"Main toh nahi jaa paungi beta. Tu aur Shubman Atharv ke saath chale jao. Waise bhi bahut din ho gaye tum tino bahar nahi gaye. Isi bahane ghoom bhi aaoge," Dadi insisted.

"Dadi sahi keh rahi hain, Ishan. Bahut din ho gaye hum kahin ghoomne nahi gaye," Shubman added, his tone deceptively gentle.

Ishan looked at Shubman with an expression he couldn't quite define. Dadi sensed that something was off but chose not to interfere.

"Chale jaa, beta," Dadi said softly.

"Thik hai," Ishan agreed, reluctantly.

Shubman smiled, but internally he smirked. Ishan knew that Shubman was planning something against him.

"Waise Shubman, aaj tu kaam pe nahi gaya?" Dadi asked.

"Nahi Dadi, aaj nahi gaya. Chutti le li," Shubman replied.

"Acha kiya. Isi bahane tum dono ek dusre ke saath kuch samay hi bita loge," Dadi said and left the room.

As soon as she was out of earshot, Shubman grabbed Ishan's waist and pulled him closer. "Dhyan rahe, Dadi ke samne apna muh mat kholna. Unhe pata nahi lagna chahiye ki main tumhare saath kya karta hoon," Shubman whispered menacingly.

Ishan nodded, his eyes wide with fear. Shubman loosened his grip slightly, and Ishan quickly ran from the room.

At 4 PM, Ishan was meticulously preparing for his dance class. Almost all his students were there, eagerly waiting for their lesson to begin. Ishan was tying his ghungroo when he heard Dadi calling him.

"Ishan," Dadi's voice called from outside the room.

"Han, Dadi?" Ishan responded, looking towards the door.

"Tere liye ek taufa hai," Dadi said with a warm smile.

"Taufa? Kaisa taufa?" Ishan asked, curiosity piqued.

"Aa ja beta," Dadi beckoned, revealing a delightful surprise.

Ishan's eyes widened in shock and delight as he saw little Atharv adorned with miniature ghungroo, making his way into the room with tiny, determined steps.

"Aww, kitna pyara lag raha hai mera beta," Ishan exclaimed, kissing Atharv's cheeks affectionately.

"Maa, same same," Atharv said, pointing at his ghungroo and then at Ishan's.

"Han beta, chalo, jao wahan Jake khade ho jao," Ishan instructed, guiding Atharv to stand in front of him.

Meanwhile, Shubman, who had never seen Ishan dance in their two years of marriage, decided to finally witness the talent that everyone in the village praised. Driven by curiosity and perhaps a hint of skepticism, he made his way to the dance hall.

Just as Ishan was about to start the music, he was interrupted.

"Ruko, Ishan," Shubman said firmly, stepping into the room.

Ishan stopped and looked at him, shocked by his unexpected presence.

"Bacchon, aapke teacher ne aapke dance ka test liya hai na?" Shubman asked the students.

"Han," all the students replied in unison.

"Toh fir kyun na aaj ham aapke teacher ka test le?" Shubman proposed, a sly smile playing on his lips.

Ishan leaned in and whispered urgently, "Aap yahan kya kar rahe hai? Jaiye."

"Kyun, Ishan? Bacchon ko aur mujhe tumhara dance dekhna hai," Shubman insisted, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Before Ishan could protest further, Shubman cut him off. "Chalo fir, bacchon, wahan pe baith jao aur Ishan, apna position le lo kyunki main gana shuru karne wala hun."

The students eagerly sat on the floor, their eyes shining with excitement, while Ishan stood in the middle, feeling a mix of nerves and determination.

Shubman started the music, and as the familiar notes of "Tabah Ho Gaye" filled the room, Ishan knew what he had to do. He took a deep breath, centered himself, and began to dance.

(Imagine Ishan dancing in this song)

As the music played, Ishan’s body moved with an ethereal grace, his every gesture and step embodying the pain, love, and resilience he had experienced over the past two years. The room was silent except for the sound of the music and the rhythmic jingling of Ishan’s ghungroo.

His expressions conveyed a profound depth of emotion, his eyes revealing the emptiness, pain, and suffering he had endured. As he danced, tears welled up in his eyes, reflecting the turmoil within. Each movement told a story of loss and longing, a silent cry for understanding and compassion.

The students watched in awe, mesmerized by their teacher’s performance. Even Atharv, usually restless, sat quietly, his eyes wide with wonder as he watched his mother dance.

Shubman stood near the music player, his initial smirk fading as he became captivated by Ishan’s performance. He had never truly understood the depth of Ishan’s passion for dance, nor the emotions it could convey. As he watched, something in him shifted. The beauty of Ishan's movements, contrasted with the sorrow in his eyes, struck a chord deep within Shubman.

As the dance came to a poignant end, Ishan felt his strength waning. The emotions he had suppressed for so long threatened to overwhelm him. His steps faltered, and he began to lose his balance. Before he could fall, Shubman rushed forward, catching him just in time.

Shubman held Ishan from the front, and Ishan, too exhausted to resist, let his head rest on Shubman's shoulder. His tears fell freely, soaking Shubman's shirt. For a moment, they stood there, the tension between them replaced by an unexpected tenderness.

Ishan soon regained his senses, realizing the vulnerability he had shown. He quickly pulled away, his face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and frustration. Without a word, he left the room, his heart pounding in his chest.

Shubman watched him go, a myriad of emotions flickering across his face. He turned to the students, his voice steady. "Bacchon, aaj ke liye bas itna hi. Tum log ghar jao."

The students nodded, gathering their belongings and leaving the hall quietly, casting curious glances at Shubman as they went.