Redemption's Dance: A Tale of Love and Forgiveness

Ch-11

Shubman then looked at Ishan with a mix of confusion and guilt.

"Doctor ne hame ye baat kyun nahi batayi?" he asked, his voice cracking.

"Ham nahi jante, doctor ne hame aur didi ko hi kaha. Phir didi aapke yahan aa gayi aur jab wapis ghar aayi toh unhone hamse kaha ki aap jante hain," Ishan replied, his voice trembling.

"Sab kuch bikhar gaya," Shubman murmured, feeling the weight of the situation crushing him.

Ishan took a deep breath, steadying himself. "Aaj tak hamne aapse kuch nahi manga. Bas ek cheez chahte hain."

"Kya?" Shubman asked, his heart pounding.

"Aapne hamse shaadi hame sabak sikhane ke liye ki thi na? Taki didi ke maut ka badla aap hamse le sakein. Toh aapko hame jitna torture karna hai kariye. Ham kuch nahi bolenge, bas Atharv ko hamse mat chiniye. Ham mar jayenge uske bina," Ishan said, joining his hands in front of Shubman, tears streaming down his face.

Shubman felt a wave of guilt wash over him. The sight of Ishan pleading broke his heart.

"Aur jis Agni ko sakshi man kar aapne hamse shaadi ki thi usi Agni ko sakshi man kar aaj ham aapse ye shaadi todte hain," Ishan declared, making Shubman's heart sink further.

"Ye kya bol rahe ho Ishan," Shubman said, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Sach keh rahe hain. Jab bhi aap apne aap ko hampe force karte the, uske agle hi din aap peeke aa jate the. Aapko guilty mehsoos hota tha ki aap hamare saath aisa kyun kar rahe hain. Isiliye ab aapko isse chutkara de diya. Aaj se aapka aur hamara rishta sirf Atharv ke maa baba ka hai, aur kuch nahi," Ishan said, his voice firm despite his tears.

He took out his wedding ring, placed it in Shubman's hands, and walked away.

Shubman stood there, stunned and heartbroken.

He watched Ishan's retreating figure, feeling an overwhelming sense of loss and regret.

His mind raced back to Abhishek's words, realizing the depth of his mistakes.

The ring in his hand felt like a weight, symbolizing the broken promises and the pain he had caused.

Tears filled his eyes as he whispered, "Ishan, I'm sorry."

But Ishan was already gone, leaving Shubman alone with his remorse.

The whole ride back home was enveloped in silence, only broken by Atharv’s cheerful blabbering to Ishan.

Dadi noticed the silence between Shubman and Ishan, her brows furrowing in concern but she chose not to comment.

As they reached their house and stepped out of the car, their neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Sharma, called out to Ishan from across the street. “Ishan beta, zara yahan aana!”

Ishan glanced at Shubman briefly before walking over to the Sharmas, carrying Atharv in his arms. Shubman and Dadi followed at a slower pace, observing the interaction.

“Namaste, kaka, kaki,” Ishan greeted them with a polite smile.

“Namaste, beta,” Mrs. Sharma replied warmly. “Tumhara beta kitna bada ho gaya hai! Aur kitna pyaara lag raha hai,” she cooed, reaching out to pinch Atharv’s cheek lightly.

Atharv, enjoying the attention, giggled and reached out towards Mrs. Sharma, trying to grab her glasses. “Nai, nai, Atharv. Aisa nahi karte,” Ishan chuckled, gently pulling Atharv’s hand back.

Mr. Sharma smiled and said, “Ishan beta, humari poti ko tumse dance sikhna hai. Wo toh tumse aur Atharv se kabse milna chahti hai.”

At that moment, their granddaughter Neha came out, smiling brightly. “Namaste, Ishan bhaiya, hello Atharv! Kitna bada ho gaya hai ye!” she exclaimed, reaching out to hold Atharv’s hand.

Atharv immediately clung to Ishan, his little face scrunching up in jealousy. “Nahi, maa. Atharv ka hai,” he said, holding onto Ishan’s kurta tightly.

Ishan chuckled softly, soothing his son. “Atharv, yeh Neha didi hai. Hello bolo unhe,” he explained, but Atharv was having none of it, hiding his face in Ishan’s shoulder.

Mrs. Sharma laughed softly. “Lagta hai Atharv ko apne maa ke saath time spend karna bahut pasand hai.”

Shubman, observing this, felt a pang in his chest. The way Ishan handled Atharv with such patience and love made him realize how much he had been missing out on.

Dadi, sensing the tension, decided to intervene. “Ishan beta, chalo andar chalte hain. Atharv ko bhi thoda rest karwana hai.”

Ishan nodded, smiling politely at the Sharmas. “Ji, kaki, kaka, hum chalte hain. Neha, aaj sham ko 4 baje aa jana. Thik hai,” he said, before turning back towards their house, carrying a still-clingy Atharv.

As they walked back, Atharv’s grip on Ishan didn’t loosen. Shubman walked beside them, feeling an odd mixture of guilt and longing. He wished he could be a part of these moments, to share in the joy and warmth that Ishan and Atharv shared so naturally.