Rao Saheb was sitting infront of Akka Saheb. Atul was standing in a side. He took deep breaths and said,
"Akka Saheb, aap kuch bolna chahati thi apne pati ko... Kya boliye?"
As Atul watched, Akka Saheb's eyes locked onto Rao Saheb's impassive face, and for the first time, Atul saw the cracks in Akka Saheb's stoic facade, the glint of tears betraying a depth of emotion he had never suspected. She finally said,
"Mujhe na aap pe gussa aana chahiye tha. Paar mujhe nahi aaraha. Mujhe khud pe ghin aarahi hai. Haar ek rishte ko maine kharab kiya apke liye. Pichli baar mujhe laga, apne bhai ka valai ke liye aapne Isha ko kuch kaha hoga jis wajah se woh apke baare mein jhooth boli. Lekin iss baar sach ne mere muh pe zor se tamacha lagaya hai. Maine aapke liye Isha or Shantanu ko kitna nafrat kiya, unko alag kiya yeha taak ki Isha ko maarne chali thi main! Chi! Itni nafrat... Atul, make sure ki iss insaan ko kari sajah mile, aisi sajah jiske baad aise log aurato ko use karne se pehele sau baar soche."
Atul exhaled a heavy sigh, his expression a mix of empathy and resignation. He understood Akka Saheb's anguish, but also recognized her culpability. Her husband's betrayal had inflicted a wounds that no legal punishment could match. "God's justice," he thought. With a nod, he instructed a lady constable to escort Akka Saheb to her cell.
***************
Shantanu and Isha were enjoying their evening when again Savi and Ishaan came with the same proposal.
"Areh mam maine to yeah bhi soch liya ki konse function mein kya pehenungi yeha taak ki mehendi desigh bhi choose karliya... Abhi aaplogo shaadi karlo naaaa!"
"Savi, tu pagal hai kya?"
"Nahi hu pagal, pagal hoti to or zidd karti. Abhi baas maang rahi hu!"
"Yeah to aisi hi hai Ishaan, paar tu... Tu to samajh!"
"Kya samjhu! Galat kaha bol rahi hai woh?"
"Wah Ishaan, accha flip hua hai tu!"
"Mam, aapko Shaadi to Sir se hi karni hai to abhi karlo naa!"
"Bol aise rahe ho jaise cinema dekhna hai, chal lo naaa!"
"Shantanu Sir, aap chup kyu ho?"
Shantanu was smiling and silently watching this cute scene between Isha and her balas. Now, he stopped smiling and said,
"Kya karu bolo... Tumlogo ki Isha mam bohot ziddi hai!"
"Woh to hai."
"Tumlogo mere saamne baithke mere hi baare mein ultasidha bol rahe ho. How mean!"
Isha stood up went towards the kitchen. Ishaan immediately went to her and hugged her from the back. Then said,
"Main to apke side pe hi hu. Hamesha, forever!"
Isha smiled. And then only, her phone rang in the bedroom.
"Shantanu, zara dekho na kon hai!"
Shantanu nodded his head and went to bedroom to pick up the call.
"Hello!"
"Ha Shantanu, Akka Saheb Isha ji or tere saath milna chahati hai!"
"What! Hum nahi milenge..."
"But Shantanu..."
"Atul, main Isha ko ush aurat ke saath baat karne nahi dunga. Thats it."
"Accha thik hai."
Shantanu hanged up the call and turned around only to find Isha standing near the door with frown. She asked him,
"Kya hua hai? Kon aurat?"
"Umm... Kuch nahi. Savi or Ishaan..."
"Woh chale gaye, kuch kaam aaya unko. But tum mujhse kisko milne nahi doge?"
"Isha, choro na."
"Nahi. Bolo..."
"Akka Saheb tumse or mujhse milna chahati hai."
Isha took sometime and then said,
"Kaal milne chalte hai!"
Shantanu was surprised with Isha's words. He looked towards her with disbelief. Isha said,
"Shantanu, waha police honge, tum hoge mere saath. Mujhe waha koi kuch nahi kar payega. And, Rao Saheb ne Akka Saheb ko bhi hurt kiya hai. Woh ajtak apne pati ko bharosa karte aayi hai, unke liye hamare saath gaalt kiya khud jurm ki... Ekbar unko sunna chahiye. Atleast kya bol rahi hai woh!"
"Isha accha hona bohot acchi baat hoti hai, but zyada acchai insaan ki zindagi barbad bhi kar sakti hai. Tum kaise yeah bol rahe ho!"
"Jaise tum meri fikr kar rahe ho waise main bhi apne honewale sasural ke logo ki fikr kar rahi hu! Samjhe Mr. Bhosle?"
Shantanu remained silent, well aware of Isha's unyielding nature. Isha's expression transformed in an instant - a fleeting smile dissolved into a stern, determined gaze. She said,
"Waise tumko main bohot ziddi lagti hu na?"
Shantanu anticipated her question and feigned a solemn expression, his eyes locked onto hers with a mock-serious intensity. He said,
"Ha, obviously. Tum ho bhi."
"Okay... Mujhse shaadi matt karo phir. Abhi to main or nahi manungi. Zidd karungi."
In a swift, gentle motion, Shantanu drew Isha near, his arms wrapping around her waist. Her back rested against his chest, his hand on her belly a soothing caress, filling her with warmth. He whispered near her ear,
"Main bhi ziddi hu bohot. Mana lunga."
"Nahi mana paoge."
"Agar mana liya to?"
"Nahi kar paoge, I know."
"Accha..."
Shantanu's gentle kiss on Isha's shoulder sparked a flutter. He turned her to face him, his lips tracing the curve of her neck, sending tremors through her body. Isha's hands instinctively clutched his shirt, as Shantanu's mouth explored her skin, his touch igniting a moan. He stopped once and asked,
"Shaadi karni hai?"
"N... Nahi."
Isha's response barely escaped her lips before Shantanu swept her off her feet, gently laying her on the bed. His body covered hers, their lips meeting in a passionate kiss. But Isha swiftly reversed their positions, rolling on top of Shantanu. Soon Isha broke the kiss and whispered in Shantanu's ear...
"Shaadi karungi, paar ek sart hai!"
"Kya sart mam?"
"Yehi ki hum haar sunday ek dusre ko denge. Matlab sunday will be our day. Taaki family or baaki saab mein hum ek dusre ko na kho de. Manzoor hai?"
Shantanu smiled. He flipped and went up. He cupped Isha's face and said,
"Manzoor hai."
Isha smiled. Shantanu continued...
"Kaab karni hai Shaadi?"
Isha wrapped her hands around his neck and said,
"Itni bechaini sehet ke liye hanikarak hai Shantanu Sir!"
"Accha..."
Shantanu's lips brushed Isha's, warm and gentle. The world melted away, leaving only the soft pressure of their kiss, the promise of forever.
________________________________________
To be continued...
Pardon the mistakes...
With love,
Author ❤️
