Ranjish | 𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒓𝒂𝒋

V. "heartless"

songs : aashiqui aa gayi, ishq na ho

•

vanraj :

It was supposed to be an entertaining evening.
It was Savi and Rajat's Sangeet ceremony.

After a pain inducing dance on G-U-J-J-U from Thakkars, and trauma inducing dance on Aata Maji Satakli by Bhonsales, I had escaped the matrix of torture with a glass of sweet lime soda.
Savi's 'bhai and bhabhi' were here as well.
Ishaan's cousin and his wife, I assumed.

Isha and I had been on an ignore each other pact, pretending like the other didn't exist.
Which, for me, was heaven.

I stood in the park-like area beside the hall, where the event was taking place, sipping on my juice.
Just then I heard the rustling of leaves.

I turned, to find Isha.
Having ignored her throughout, I hadn't really noticed now she looked.
Now that I did, I didn't know how to look away.

She donned a cream colour saree, a necklace around her neck with stones studded on it. It was slightly margarita in colour, I believe. Her hair was left open, cascading down to a little above her waist. She wore make up, but slightly.
The blush, merging with her foundation to perfect.
It wasn't just the dress or make up - it was her poise. You couldn't look at her without respecting her.
It was probably the years of teaching, that she commanded respect now, without even trying.

Shantanu had been lucky.
To call a woman of this kind his own, must have been a matter of pride.

"I needed to talk to you, Vanraj.", She said, pulling me out of my daze.
I abruptly realised, I had forgotten to breathe.
I straightened up.

I did not have anything dramatic to wear tonight. Just a golden sherwani with some thread work. Hair combed like usual, the same spectacles. Probably the new Rolex watch I had bought, was the only upgrade.

I drew in a deep breath.

"What?", I asked, acting like I was not smitten.
She walked down to me.
The scent of roses became more prominent.

No way she uses my favourite perfume. Ugh.

I clenched my jaws.
Maybe she was here for reconciliation after yesterday's fight.

"I am here to tell you that you are wrong.", She said sharply, pulling me out of my delusion.
I looked at her, taken aback.
"Excuse me?", I snapped.
"I could excuse your whole existence.. lekin, mai logon ki bekar baaton ko sunkar bhul jaane walon mein se nehi hu.", She said sharply, looking me in the eye.

"Mai aur aap alag hai.", She said, coldly.
"Maine Shantanu ko choda kyuki mai apna career pursue karna chahti thi. Kyuki mujhe apna naam banana tha. I wanted to be independent. Mai selfish thi, lekin mai sahi ke liye selfish thi."

She took an intimidating step towards me.
I was forced to step back.

"Aap ne dhokha dia, kisike sapne tod diye.. apni marzi se kia. Aapke paas sahi karne ka choice tha, lekin you chose! You chose to hurt your ex-wife!", She said.

"You deserved to be left alone. You deserved the betrayal your second wife gave you! You deserved that wound because you..", She lowered her voice,
"You are the villain."