Atul was sitting in his room. He looked towards the sofa, where Isha used to do work in her laptop. He looked towards the mirror. Isha's clutcher, night cream was still there. Isha's things were still in this house. He took deep breath. He mummered,
— Yeah kya horaha hai Atul! Tu kya soch raha hai, kya kar raha hai... Isha ji vahini Jaisi hai tere liye, baas. Shantanu ka amanat thi woh hamesha, baas woh mere paas thi woh bhi majburi mein! Woh Shantanu se hi pyaar karti hai.
Atul was thinking and doing all these when Shantanu and Isha's voice came from outside. Atul came outside and saw Isha and Shantanu sitting on the sofa and talking with Amma. Atul noticed Isha prominently, maybe for the first time in seven long years. In this whole seven years, Atul never saw Isha smiling like this. Her smile is a proof that Shantanu is her peace, her life. Atul noticed the lovebite on Isha's neck which made me understand how much Shantanu meant to her, what happened yesterday night. He came towards them. As soon as Shantanu saw him, he came near him and hugged him. Atul felt it strongly. Shantanu said,
— Thank you. Tune mere or Isha ke liye jo kiye uski kimaat hum kabhi nahi chuka payenge. Thank you, Isha ko sambhal ke rakhne ke liye.
Atul smiled. He replied,
— Areh, woh meri zimmedari thi. Va... I mean Isha ji ko sahi rakhna mera farz tha.
Though Shantanu ignored the thing but Atul noticed the change in him. Till two days ago, he was calling Isha"Vahini" without any hesitation. But now, Soemone weird happened. When he was trying to say, "Vahini", it felt like his heart screaming a big,"No". Atul was confused, feeling guilt. He just said,
— Umm... Shantanu, mujhe ek important call attend karni hai. Tumlog baat karo.
Isha replied,
— Umm... Nahi Atul, we have to go. Mera saaman leke flat mein jana hoga, saab firse set karna hoga. Kaal Shantanu Kasauli ke liye niklega.
Atul felt happy suddenly. He said,
— Kasauli wapas jaa raha hai?
Shantanu replied,
— Nahi. Mujhe waha ke college se resignation deke, ghar khali karke aana hoga.
Atul again felt sad. Suddenly, Savi's voice came from the doorside.
— Wah. Itna kuch ho gaya or mujhe hi pata nahi!
Isha smiled and said,
— Areh, saab itna zaldi hua ki...
Savi came near her and said,
— Mein Ishaan ke babawali baat nahi bol rahi hu. Apne itna kuch chupaya. Tabhi mein sochu, story to Isha mam or Shantanu sir ki thi suddenly Atul uncle kaha se aa pare!
Isha said,
— Iss.. Aisa koi bolta hai. Kya tu bhi Savi!
— Areh... Abb mein hi buri banungi, parai ho gayi...
She made her face sad. Isha knew her dramaqueen. She hugged her. Savi smiled. Shantanu said,
— Tum or parai! Bapre... Soch bhi nahi sakta mein.
— Sochiyega bhi matt.
Everyone smiled except Atul. He was feeling left out. He was happy for Isha and Shantanu but soemwhere he was feeling low for some unknown reason.
Isha asked Savi,
— Savi, Ishaan kaha hai?
Savi's smile faded away. She replied,
— Woh... Woh uske baba ne yeah saab kiya... Saab sunke usko laag raha hai ki woh apke liye accha nahi hai. Unlucky hai, isiliye...
— Kyaa! Savi, tune ushe kuch kaha nahi?
— Mila hi nahi. Uske househelp ne kaha ki yeah saab bolke kaal woh apne room mein chala gaya or nikla hi nahi.
— Yeah ladka... Mujhe usse milna hai. Plzz le chalo!
Shantanu nodded his head. Savi said,
— Mam, pehele yeha se saaman le lete hai phir...
— Nahi, mujhe Ishaan ke paas jana hai. Woh bichara...
Shantanu understood Isha's state. He took her to Ishaan's home with Savi. Isha went to Ishaan's room which was locked from inside. She knocked. No reply came. She now called,
— Ishaan! Ishaan... Mein aayi hu, darwaja khol bara. Plzz. Dekh, teri Isha mam khud aayi hai, tu nahi kholega darwaja!
After some moments, the door opened. A devastated Ishaan was standing there. His eyes were red, his whole face was dull. Isha said in a caring tone,
— Kya haal kiya hai tune apna? Pagal hai kya... Kya kiya hai ek raat mein!
She came inside his room only to find a mess inside. It seemed like the whole room experienced a tornado. Ishaan was standing mum. Isha cupped his face and said,
— Koi aisa karta hai apne saath? Pagal hai tu Ishu...
Ishaan hugged her tightly. The pain he was holding was killing him. He said in a crying tone,
— I am sorry Mam. I am sorry. Meri wajah se yeah saab hua. Meri galati hai. Mujhe nahi pata tha woh aadmi itna ghatiya niklega. Mera bap aisa hai sochke bhi mujhe ghin aarahi hai. Usne aisa kaise...
Isha carcassed his back. She gave him time.
_________________________________________
To be continued... ❤️
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Author ❤️
