HOPE

Chapter Eleven

Susheela was laughing wholeheartedly throughout the dinner. Janhvi's parents Ruhani and Shekhar were such fun people to be around. They reminded her so much of Jay and Meenakshi Chautala. Both were doctors and were highly educated, their sense of humor was so elite.

"Susheela, kal se tumhari joining hai na? First day hai, nervous?", Shekhar asked Susheela to which she nodded with pursed lips.

"Haa uncle, thoda nervous feel kar rahi hu. Aaj se pehle kabhi bhi maine sikhaya nahi hai baccho ko. Maine kuch mahino pehle hi apni NET/CET ki exam pass ki hai isiliye koi experience bhi nahi hai.", Susheela sighed to herself. She always thought that she will join her sister in expanding their father's business by opening branches of Kaatelal and Sons.

"Koi baat nahi beta. Kahi na kahi se toh shuruwat karni padegi na? Toh bas, kal ka din khoob enjoy karna. Ye naya experience khoob jeena. Aur tumhe koi bhi chinta karne ki koi jarurat nahi hai. Janhvi aur hum sab hai na.", Ruhani, Janhvi's mother kept her hand on Susheela's knee and gave it a light squeeze.

"Susheela, kal main tumhe college pe drop karne aaungi aur ghar wapis drop bhi kar dungi.", Janhvi offered to which she nodded with a grateful smile.

"Chalo baccho abhi bohot der ho gayi hai. Kal subha Susheela ko jaldi uthna bhi toh hai. Janhvi, go and drop Susheela home. Susheela, do you want Janhvi to camp in your house for the night?", Shekhar asked with a sweet smile to which Susheela nodded her head in a polite no.

"No uncle, Janhvi aur aap sab ne already itna kiya hai mere liye. Main ab chalti hu. Thank you for the dinner aunty, it was very delicious.", Susheela parted her ways with Ruhani and Shekhar Raheja and followed Janhvi out of her home. Susheela sat back on the scooty and Janhvi led them back up towards the hill. It only took ten minutes for Susheela and Janhvi to reach her home. Susheela got up and gave a warm smile and a parting hug to Janhvi. Janhvi watched as Susheela went inside her home and locked it from inside. Once Janhvi was sure that Susheela was safely back inside her home, she travelled back down to go and rest in her own house.

Susheela went up the stairs and opened her master bedroom. She softly closed the door behind her and opened her wardrobe. She took out her night dress which consisted of a simple tee shirt and pants. She then went inside her bathroom and took a nice long bath in her new bathtub and got dressed for the night. She got out of the bathroom and went towards the balcony. She opened the windows and let herself get welcomed by fresh air. She stood near the railing and watched the tree leaves sway from left to right. Susheela's fingers involuntarily found her engagement ring that now safely resided beside her heart shape diamond locket that Pramod had gifted her. Both the pieces of jwellery belonged to him, a constant reminder of what her life could've been but would always remain a wishful dream.

Susheela clutched her pendent tightly as her eyes prickled with tears. She had chosen this life for herself, far far far away from him and now she didn't have any right to cry about it. Susheela wiped her tears harshly and went inside her room. She calmly closed the windows and drew the curtains around it. She then made her way towards the bed and laid down on it. She took out her phone and texted her mother that her day passed by beautifully, which it really did, no lies there and put on an early morning alarm.

Tomorrow early morning she had to report in the college, meet her new principal and get acquainted with a few colleagues. Tomorrow's day would surely be hectic but a beautiful experience altogether.

Susheela turned off the lamps in her room and faced the window as she slowly drifted off to sleep. Her engagement ring and the small diamond heart shining brightly under the moonlight that adamantly got in even through the light curtains.
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