Redemption's Dance: A Tale of Love and Forgiveness

Ch-23

Shubman ascended the stairs towards their room when Prakriti's voice called out to him, "Arey Shubman, ye Ishan ke liye le jao." She handed him a plate of golgappas with a warm smile.

"Ji, bhabhi," Shubman acknowledged gratefully, taking the offering before continuing upstairs. It had been a while since he had set foot in this house. After his parents' tragic passing, he had moved away, and even after marrying Sharanya, she had never felt comfortable returning here. But after her death and his marriage to Ishan, things had changed. Ishan had always longed to visit because Shubman knew how deeply he cherished family ties.

Pausing before their bedroom door, Shubman hesitated, uncertain of what awaited him inside. Steeling himself, he took a deep breath and entered. Ishan sat on the couch, looking exhausted—Shubman could guess why.

"Ishan," Shubman began gently.

"Hmm," Ishan responded wearily.

"Bhabhi ne bheja hai," Shubman said, placing the golgappas on the table.

"Hamare reports aa gaye hain, na?" Ishan met his gaze.

"Han, aa gaye. Pehle tum ye kha lo."

"Nahi, hame reports dijiye pehle," Ishan insisted.

"Nahi Ishan, pehle kha lo, phir reports," Shubman countered softly.

"Hame reports chahiye. Kyun nahi samajhte aap?" Ishan's voice trembled with frustration.

Shubman's heart raced as he handed over the reports. Ishan tore open the envelope hastily and scanned the contents. His hands trembled as he read a particular word.

"Pregnant," Ishan whispered, tears welling up in his eyes. Memories of that fateful night flooded back—the night Shubman had crossed a line. Ishan looked at Shubman through tear-filled eyes, who stared back, his own tears threatening to spill.

"Kyun? Kyun kiya aapne hamare saath aisa?" Ishan's voice cracked as he threw the reports aside.

Shubman remained silent, unsure of what to say.

"Kya galti thi hamari? Ki hamne aapse shaadi ke liye haan kaha ya fir aapko didi ke pregnancy me complications ke baare me nahi bataya. Bataiye, kya galti thi hamari?" Ishan's tears flowed freely now.

Still, Shubman could not find words.

"Ise acha toh ham mar jate," Ishan muttered bitterly.

"Ishan, khabardar agar aisi baat phir se ki toh—" Shubman's voice cracked with emotion.

"Kyun na kahe? Jisme hamari koi galti nahi hai, aap uske liye hame saza de rahe hain," Ishan cried out in anguish.

"Ishan, main jaanta hoon, maine galti ki hai. Par main sudharna chahta hoon, sab kuch. Tumhe dard mein dekh ke mujhe bilkul acha nahi lagta. I want to change, for you," Shubman pleaded desperately.

"Jab pehle itna dard diya tab dukh nahi hua aapko. Ab kya badal gaya?" Ishan's voice wavered.

"Ab maine tumhe jaanne ki koshish shuru ki hai, Ishan. Main us Ishan ko dekhna chahta hoon jiske chehre pe hamesha muskan hoti thi, jo hamesha khush rehta tha. Bas meri wajah se maine us Ishan ko kho diya. Aur ab mujhe ehsaas ho raha hai ki maine kitni badi galti ki hai. Agar tum chaho, main sab kuch karunga. Neeche bhi so jaunga, saare ghar ke kaam bhi kar lunga, Atharv ka bhi dhyaan rakhunga. Khana banaunga, chahe mujhe banana na aata ho. Bas tum mujhe chhod ke mat jao, Ishan. Main mar jaaunga tumhare bina," Shubman's voice broke as he poured out his heart.

Ishan's trembling hand gently silenced Shubman's lips.

"Aap hame marte huye dekhna chahte hai?" Ishan's voice trembled with emotion as he stared directly into Shubman's eyes, his anguish evident.