Broken Relations

In each other's prayer

Isha's pov
The active participation of the students while I was giving the lecture, was just a push towards a positive lecture-giving day. I explained each and every part of the lesson with utmost patience. Teaching was an important part of my life. I never saw it only as a career. Teaching students, helping them in creating a bright future for themselves was far more than a career. As the time went, I found myself enjoying the day.

After giving lectures for 2 hours straight, I walked towards the teachers room. Doesn't matter how much I enjoyed my work, at the end of working so much constantly, without taking a break, a tired feeling took me over. Also, my hungry stomach was protesting.

As I walked hurriedly towards the teachers room, I bumped into someone. That someone who was Rajiv. "I am really sorry, Rajiv," I apologized.

He smiled and nodded his head in no. I returned his smile, but it seemed like he was lost in thoughts, as if something was worrying him. Out of concerned I asked him: "kya hua, you look worried."

He looked at me and blinked his eyes a few times, before clearing his throat.

"Woh uhm, Isha ji...I don't know...woh actually kya hai nah, Yashwant sir ko ek important kaam ke silsile mein, kuch din out of town jaana hain, so there needs to be someone who can take care of the college, like he does, pure college ke kaam ko sambhaalna dekhna ki sab sahi hain ki nahi, everything and main aur aap dono jaante hain that Shantanu can do that the best way...but.."

"But kya Rajiv? Listen Abhi mujhe tension horahi hain, please mujhe Puri baat batao," I pleaded a sense of concern raising inside me for Shantanu.

"But jab woh moment aaya jab Yashwant sir ko yeh kaam kisiko saupna tha toh usne Nishikant sir ko diya, Shantanu ke Taraf ek baar bhi nahi dekha, Nishikant also bohot mehnat Karta hain, but Shantanu jaisa nahi, sab ko pata hain, jab bhi aisa kuch emergency aata hain toh Shantanu is the only one joh sab kuch bohot acche se sambhaalta hain and it's not only that...Yashwant sir ne jaise sabke saamne usse ignore kiya hain, usse taane diye hain, it's just, Usko kitna bura laga hoga."

By now, my hands were formed into fists and I  angrily looked forward. "I know yeh sab kyun horaha hain, Yeh sab woh Jaan bhudj ke karrahe hain, Shantanu ko taqleef dene ke liye, hadd hain, mujhse badla lene ke chakkar mein Apne khud ke Bhai ko taqleef dete hain, main nah...abhi jaa kar Yashwant sir se baat karti hain, this is not done, woh aise nahi karsakte hain."

"Isha ji.." Rajiv's voice came out, just when I was about to leave.

"Dekhye, iss waqt ladne se zyada important hain, Shantanu ke paas hona, aap toh jaanti hain nah, woh kabhi kuch nahi kehta hain, pehle bhi bohot baar aisa hua, Shantanu ko yeh log kam importance dete hain, woh kabhi kuch express nahi karte, but I know woh hurt hote honge, itne saalon se aap nahi the unke paas, abhi aap hain and aapse zyada acche usse koii nahi sambhaal paayega," Rajiv said, his eyes almost pleading her.

Isha sighed and nodded in agreement. "You are right. Mujhe uske paas jaana hi hoga...thank you Rajiv, tum hamesha hi Shantanu ke help karte ho, I am happy ki at least uske paas tumhare jaise Accha aur Saccha dost hain," I explained him genuinely.

The face that till now had a worried expression changed into one with genuine gratitude. He nodded at me.

"And one more thing, mujhe aise Isha ji kehne ke zaroorat nahi hain, tum mujhe Isha kehsakte ho," I added, genuinely, feeling positive vibes coming out from this man.

"Woh toh main keh bhi doon, bas Shantanu jealous nah ho," he said and chuckled.

"Hoga bhi toh mujhe jealous karne ke liye tum Preeta ko le aaoge nahi?" I answered back, smiling a little, my answer making him laugh.