Shantanu's car pulled up in front of Yashwant's Pune apartment, its engine humming softly. He peered out, his eyes locking onto Mukesh, who sat sentinel on a chair beside the gate. His imposing figure seemed to dare anyone to approach. Shantanu's gut tightened; Mukesh was clearly guarding his master's dark secrets. Shantanu said,
"Ishaan, tum or Savi main gate se andar jao. Main baad mein aaunga. Mukesh mujhe pehechanta hai, tumlogo ko nahi. "
"Ha sir, but flat konsa hai?"
"B wing ka third floor. Flat no. 23"
Ishaan nodded, and Savi slipped inside with him, disappearing into the darkness. Shantanu, meanwhile, navigated the garden's perimeter, seeking an entry point. The wall rose like a fortress, but he spotted a car and saw his chance. With swift precision, he mounted the roof and cleared the wall, landing with a soft thud.
But, hidden in the darkness, a silent observer had already taken note of Shantanu's clandestine entrance.
........................
Ishaan and Savi went upstairs and pointed the flat.
"Yeah to locked hai!"
"Todna hoga lock ko!"
"But kaise?"
"Main batau?"
The air thickened as a gruff voice echoed from above. Ishaan and Savi exchanged nervous glances before turning to face the stairs. Rao Saheb emerged from the shadows, his smile twisting into a cruel smirk. The atmosphere darkened, heavy with foreboding. He came down and said,
"Bichare bacche... Tumlogo ko bheja hai Shantanu pehele, khud baad mein aayega haina? Bichara. Anyways, tumlog niche jao, Isha yeha nahi hai."
"Rao Saheb, jhooth bolna bandh kijiye."
Shantanu said as soon as he reached the place. Rao Saheb came towards him and said,
"Kya proof hai?"
"Apki Diary entry. Aap mere bhai hai yeah biswas nahi hota mujhe. Aap aisa kaise kar sakte hai? Karna choriye, soch bhi kaise sakte hai? Main apko apne baba ka jagah diya tha or apne... Chi!"
"Shutup Shantanu! Tu yeah nautanki kaam kar. Baba ka jagah diya hota to iss aurat se shaadi nahi karna chahata. Kher, Isha mere yeha nahi hai. Or, ahh!"
Shantanu watched with amusement as Savi swiftly pushed Rao Saheb against the wall, his balance faltering. In a swift motion, Ishaan snatched Savi's dupatta and bound Rao Saheb's wrists, rendering him helpless. Then, with a resolute force, Ishaan's palm connected with Rao Saheb's face, the slap echoing through the air. Then he said,
"Aai jaisi nahi, Aai hai woh hamari. Apko kya laga, Shantanu sir akele hai? Jaab taak Ishaan and Savi zinda hai, inn dono ko alag karna or Isha mam ko kuch karne se pehele aapko humlogo se nipatna hoga, samjhe?"
Shantanu had no time to express his feelings. He opened the door as he had keys with him. Ishaan stayed outside to keep an eye on Rao Saheb whereas Savi and Shantanu went inside the flat.
..............
Isha heard the door open and knew the devil was back. Without looking towards the door, Isha said,
"Plzz, mujhe or pareshan matt kijiye. Main bohot thak chuki hu. Plzz, leave me... Le..."
Isha's senses came alive with the perfume's familiar notes. She spun towards the door, longing in her eyes. Shantanu's entrance ignited a fire within her. Rushing into his arms, she felt the world fade away. Their clinging hug was a testament to the turmoil they'd endured. Tears streaming down her face, Isha's fingers dug deep into Shantanu's shirt, anchoring herself to safety. Shantanu carcassed on her hair and kissed.
Savi had tears in her eyes. She knew how much her two fav proffesors love eachother. She went outside to give Isha and Shantanu space.
••••••••••••••••••
Isha looked towards Shantanu and said,
"Mu... Mujhe laga tha ki saab khatam ho gaya. Maine tumko kho diya, hamare pyaar ko kho diya!"
"Jaab taak tumhara Shantanu zinda hai aisa kuch nahi hoga. And, Ishaan and Savi haina. Woh dono baccho ke alawah main kuch nahi kar paata. Abb rona bandh karo plz, main aagaya hu!"
"He touched me, he..."
"Shhhh! Kuch nahi, main hu. Mujhe dekho, Isha mujhe dekho!"
Isha's tear-filled gaze met Shantanu's, and he responded with a gentle, lingering forehead kiss. The soft pressure of his lips calmed her racing heart, soothing her frayed emotions. As their skin touched, Isha's tension melted away, replaced by a sense of serenity. After breaking the kiss Shantanu said,
"I am sorry, mere liye yeah saba hua. Mujhe tumhare saath jaana chahiye tha, akela chorna nahi chahiye tha!"
"No Shantanu, yeah saab pre planned tha. Mujhe to do alag logo ne kidnap kiya tha. Beech raaste se Rao Saheb ke log mujhe uthake yeha laye hai!"
Shantanu's brow furrowed, his mind racing with the implications. Rao Saheb's involvement was disturbing enough, but another player in the shadows? He thought of Akka Saheb, but doubts swirled. Too many questions lingered, like a puzzle waiting to be solved.
"Aap ka ho gaya ho to zara hum apni mam se mille?"
Ishaan's voice snapped Shantanu back to reality. He smiled, releasing Isha from their embrace. Instantly, Ishaan and Savi enveloped her in a tight hug, reminiscent of two eager children reuniting with their mother. Isha's fingers cradled their heads, her lips brushing gentle kisses on their hair. Overwhelmed with gratitude, she felt blessed to have these tiny souls in her life. After breaking the hug, Ishaan said,
"Mujhe itna darr laag gaya tha ki main to raaste mein hi ro deta!"
Savi laughed and said,
"Rotlu kahika!"
Laughter wove a tapestry of togetherness, enveloping the four in its warm folds. Lost no more, they'd found solace in each other's embrace.
_________________________________________
To be continued...
Pardon the mistakes...
With love,
Author ❤️
