It was a chaotic day at college, with everyone immersed in their work. Isha was engrossed in her classes, while Shantanu was reviewing some documents in the staff room. Just then, Atul's call broke the silence. Shantanu stepped out of the staff room and answered it.
"Ha Atul bol..."
"Teri bhabhi ne Isha ji ko uthaya tha. Beech raaste se isne unko apne flat pe liya. Teri bhabhi ko pata bhi nahi ki uska pati itna baara kamina hai!"
Shantanu stood frozen, silence enveloping him like a shroud. The pain cut deep, knowing his own family had hurt the love of his life, the one person he cherished most.
"Shantanu, hai tu?"
Shantanu came in his mind and said,
"H... Hmm. Ha bol!"
"Pune ke thane pe khabar de diya hai, ajj utha lenge woh log teri Bhabhi ko. Filhaal Isha ji se kuch baat karni hai. College aa sakta hu?"
"College. Paar, abhi Isha class pe hai. Tu ek ghanta baad aa, lunch break hoga. Cantin mein baat kar lena."
"Perfect. Chal rakhta hu."
Atul ended the call, leaving Shantanu lost in thought. His mind raced with unsettling possibilities, things he never wanted to contemplate. Lingering doubts about Atul's intentions gnawed at him. He, Savi, and Ishaan had agreed to keep their visit to Atul's house a secret, but the uncertainty still lingered.
************
Isha was going towards staffroom when Shantanu called her.
"Isha, Atul aaya hai cantin mein. Tum zara usse baat kar logi?"
"But abhi, college mein!"
"Usne urgent hai bola. Sun lo kya bol raha hai!"
"Shantanu, tum aao na. mujhe ush baare mein baat karte huye bhi darr lagta hai."
"Main janta hu Isha, but principal sir ke saath meeting chal rahi hai."
"Okay fine. Thik hai, main karleti hu. Its ok. Tum khana kha lena okay?"
"Ha, accha suno..."
"Ha bolo..."
"I love you!"
"I hate you!"
As Isha ended the call, a gentle smile spread across her face, accompanied by a delicate blush. She savored Shantanu's predictable annoyance whenever she does this.
***********
Shantanu's eyes narrowed as he entered the canteen, spotting Isha and Atul together. Their carefree laughter twisted into a dagger, piercing his heart. The memory of her teasing "I hate you" now taunted him, fuelling his jealousy. He joined them, masking his turmoil behind a forced smile.
After sometime, Atul went away leaving them in the cantin.
"Khana khaya?"
"Umm... Nahi, mujhe baat karni hai tumse Isha!"
"Ha karo, bolo."
"Yeha nahi chalo mere saath!"
Shantanu gently grasped Isha's hand, leading her away to a secluded classroom. He guided her inside, shutting the door behind them. With a passionate gaze, he pinned her against the wall, his lips claiming hers in a tender yet fierce kiss. Isha, caught off guard, yielded silently. Their tongues entwined, and Shantanu savored the sweetness of her lips, like ripe strawberries. Minutes passed, and he finally broke away, leaving Isha breathless.
"Kya ho raha hai yeah?"
Shantanu whispered,
"Atul se haas ke baat karne ki wajah"
"Areh, woh to..."
"Tum ek choti baat pe merese naraz hoke "I hate you" bolte ho, or usse..."
"Areh, usne baat hi aisa kiya... Tum hote to tum bhi haaste. Funny hai woh."
"Phir usse hi shadi kar leti na..."
As Shantanu turned to leave, Isha suddenly grasped his hand, pulling him back. She closed the gap between them, her lips crashing into his in a passionate kiss. Her hands guided his hands to her waist, drawing him closer, while her fingers cradled his face. Shantanu's senses reeled as Isha's lips left him trembling. He had never experienced this side of her before. Just before breaking the kiss, he sensed her biting his lips. She broke the kiss and said,
"Dusri baar yeah bolne ki himmat matt karna. I am warning you."
Shantanu flipped her and turned her towards the wall. His hands made circles on her navel area whereas his lips kissed her neck. Isha said,
"Hum class mein hai."
"Jo abhi khali hai, or iss class ka cctv kaal hi kharab hua hai. So..."
Isha smiled. Shantanu kissed on her neck again. Isha felt his hands going up from her belly. She grabbed his hands and said,
"Ba... Bahar chalo plz.."
Shantanu kissed on her bare shoulder and then gave her a lovebite on neck. He whispered in her ears,
"Tum meri ho... Watermark hai yeah!"
Isha smiled and turned towards him. Then went close to his ears and said,
"I love you Shantanu Sir."
Shantanu smiled pulling her in a tight hug.
_________________________________________
To be continued...
Pardon the mistakes.
With love,
Dibyasha ❤️
