Ghum hai kisi ke pyaar mein....Ek nazariya

#10#

Surekha smirked at Yashwant, "Saheb, doing this will definitely bring Ishaan back to us. Not only will he forgive us, he will praise us. Also, that Savi, we will be rid of her." Yashwant smiled in acknowledgement and acceptance, face full of satisfaction, "Correct. One arrow and three targets are done. What do you say, Surekha, isn't your Saheb smart?" Surekha chuckled, but before she could agree, Nishikant, who was grinning, entered their bedroom, "My Rao Saheb is very smart." Surekha and Yashwant grinned. Nishikant mirrored their expression.

The three were rejoicing in their perfect and newly made plan. A plan to win back Ishaan and eliminate Savi.

_

Shantanu's eyes widened as he stared at Isha, who was sitting beside him on the bed. He was speaking with Yashwant on the phone. It was night already. Isha frowned, worried that Rao Saheb again demanded or did something awful that troubled her husband. She intertwined her hand with Shantanu's. Shantanu, startled, first stared at their joined hands, then into Isha's firm eyes, which held boundless support and strength. Shantanu felt overwhelmed, "yes, Rao Saheb. I understand. We will be there tomorrow. Good night."

Isha waited until the phone was hung up before inquiring, "What did he say that made you so shocked, Shantanu?" Shantanu said nothing and kept staring at Isha. Isha sensed something was definitely wrong. She huffed, "Don't worry. I am with you. I won't let anyone trouble you or Ishu or Savi again." Shantanu squeezed her hand, lifted it, and placed a light tender kiss on her skin. Isha was taken aback by the sweet gesture and didn't know how to react. "Isha....I love you." Isha's shoulders slumped, and her heart jumped in delight. Those words, after so many years apart, still had their magic on her as if it was the first time. She smiled, "I love you too, Shantanu."

Shantanu shifted on the bed and leaned his head on her shoulders, keeping their joined hands in his lap, "Rao Saheb called to inform me that the renovations are completed." Isha nodded, "that's good." Shantanu sighed, "The re-exams are scheduled for the day after tomorrow. Can you believe that? He knew I would argue about it so he proposed that he would offer the student with maximum marks scholarship worth lakhs. He wanted to support students and their future, which was threatened by the bomb blast. I couldn't refute that. Students and their answer sheets got ruined in that bomb blast. They deserve a second chance." Isha gently caressed his head, "for the first time, I agree with Rao Saheb. It would be best to take the exam as soon as possible. We can't hold on to student's time and future for long." Shantanu closed his eyes, comfort and peace washing over him with Isha's touch, "I was just worried if students will be prepared, both mentally and emotionally for the exams. Tomorrow, the college is going to reopen, and an announcement regarding the re-exams will be made." Isha said, "Don't worry. It's for the best." Shantanu nodded, "I hope so."

_

Ishaan was whining, "Savi! I can't sleep!" Savi sighed for the umpteenth time, "I didn't know you were such a crybaby and a grown-up child! Bappa! I can't sleep in the same bed with you. Please understand!" Ishaan argued stubbornly, "Don't you care about me a little? You have slept on the same bed with me before, too; what's so different now? Have some pity on me!" Savi shook her head, "it's different now. We are not married anymore." Ishaan immediately replied, "I don't care! In my heart, we are still married. I love you, you love me. I don't see anything wrong in you sleeping on the same bed with me." Savi smiled, full of displeasure, "Well, sleep on a bed with me in your dreams. I am leaving. Good night!" Savi was on her way out of Ishaan's room, muttering 'chidkiya and his tantrums' under her breath, when Ishaan shouted, "Savi, stop! Don't go!" But Savi was Savi. She turned around, showed him her tongue, and left. Ishaan's mouth dropped, "Savi!" All he heard in return was Savi's laughter. He sat on the bed with a thump.

__

The next morning, Ishaan came out and noticed Savi was nowhere to be seen. His Baba also was missing. Isha was in the kitchen; he noticed as he sat down on one of the chairs of the dining table. Isha smiled at him. Ishaan looked away, his heart sped up as he felt awkward and didn't know how to behave. He scratched his head as he wanted someone to come. He couldn't see Harini as well. Where did all of them go? He jumped lightly when a plate full of parathas was placed before him. His eyes met with Isha's. She patted his head lovingly, "My Ishu must be hungry. Come on, eat your breakfast. I made your favourite gobhi ke parathe." Ishaan blinked and stared at the parathas. Bitterness started to seep into his heart. All his childhood he yearned for his mother, waited for her to come back, and missed her immensely. He innocently wondered where his mother had gone, why she hadn't taken him with her, and how long he had to wait for her. So many questions and he got no answers.