Redemption's Dance: A Tale of Love and Forgiveness

Ch-18

As they all sat together, enjoying their tea and engaging in lively conversation, Dadi and Atharv returned. Atharv rushed over to Ishan and hugged him tightly.

"Maa," Atharv exclaimed, squeezing Ishan with affection.

"Kya hua, beta?" Ishan asked, smiling down at him.

"Yaad aayi," Atharv replied innocently.

"Mujhe bhi aayi aapki yaad, dekho toh kon aaya hai. Jao, namaste karke aao sabko," Ishan suggested warmly.

Atharv giggled and obediently went around touching everyone's feet before settling beside Ishan. They all resumed their conversation, Ishan talking with Prakriti while gently holding Atharv in his lap.

"Maa Ji, aaj hum kisi wajah se yahan aaye hain," Tau Ji announced.

"Kya baat hai, batao," Dadi encouraged.

"Wo Sagar ki shaadi pakki ho gayi," Tau Ji informed them.

"Arey, ye toh bahot acchi baat hai. Konse gaon ki hai?" Dadi inquired.

"Yehi paas mein hai na, Madhupur wahin ki hai," Tau Ji confirmed.

"Ye toh bahot acha hua. Kab hai shaadi?" Dadi asked with interest.

"Pandit Ji ne kaha hai agle hafte ko, toh isiliye aap sabko lene aaye hai," Tau Ji explained.

"Han, thik hai. Ek baar Shubman ko aane do, uske baad kal subah hote hi sab log nikal jayenge," Dadi decided.

"Ji," Tai Ji agreed, nodding in approval as the family planned for the upcoming celebration with warmth and anticipation.

At 7 pm, Ishan stood over the stove, preparing dinner for everyone, with Prakriti lending a helping hand beside him.

"Bhabhi, ghar pe sab kaise hain?" Ishan asked, stirring the sabji in the pan.

"Sab thik hai, Ishan. Ghar pe," Prakriti replied softly, her attention focused on the meal preparation.

"Aur Lata?" Ishan inquired further.

"Wo bichari toh bas chup chap baithi rehti hai, kuch bolti hi nahi hai," Prakriti remarked sadly.

"Kyun, kya ho gaya?" Ishan questioned, confusion creasing his brow.

"Tujhe nahi pata?" Prakriti sighed. "Pet se thi wo, pata nahi kya hua, panchwe mahine me pata chala ki baccha mar gaya hai."

"Sach me?" Ishan gasped, his stirring spoon pausing mid-air.

"Han, aur bichari tabse bas chup chap rehti hai," Prakriti continued, her voice heavy with sympathy.

Ishan opened his mouth to respond, but his words were preemptively halted by the sound of Shubman's voice from the doorway.

"Ishan, pani dena," Shubman called out, sinking into the couch after a long day at work.

"Ji, laate hain," Ishan replied, quickly filling a glass. He walked over to Shubman and handed him the water.

"Kahan gaye sab?" Shubman asked, setting the glass on the table.

"Wo tau ji, tai ji, Samarth bhaiya aur bhabhi aaye hain na, toh Dadi unke saath bagiche mein baithi hain," Ishan explained.

"Oh, acha. Hospital se call aaya tha, keh rahe the kal reports lene aa jana," Shubman mentioned.

"Aap chale jana. Hame kam hai aur Sagar ki shaadi thik ho gayi hai toh sab log kal gaon jaa rahe hain," Ishan said.

"Hmm, aur kuch?" Shubman inquired.

"Nahi... ho gaya," Ishan answered.

"Ye lo," Shubman said, handing him a packet. Ishan opened it to find his favorite jalebi.