"Isha ji, aap bataiye apna idea!"
As the principal requested Isha's input, she stood up and began her presentation. The room's attention, including Shantanu's, focused on her. After concluding her remarks, Isha took her seat and sipped some water. Moments later, her phone beeped, signaling an incoming message from Shantanu. She opened it...
"Kitni baar bola hai itni dark lipstick matt lagao, main pura ka pura pagal ho jaata hu! Upar se abhi pni piya jiski boonde tumhare neck pe hai. At this point I just want to kiss you, paar woh to hoga nahi iss principal ke chakkar mein. Tum plzz boond ko poch lo. Lipstick main baad mein dekhta hu!"
Isha's heart skipped a beat as she read the message. She glanced up, her eyes locking onto Shantanu, who seemed engrossed in the principal's words. His serene expression belied the mischievous text he had sent. Isha's lips curled into a sly smile, and she discreetly followed his instructions, her pulse racing with excitement.
After the meeting adjourned, everyone filed into the teacher's room. Isha spotted Shantanu standing outside, his eyes locking onto hers as she approached. He strode towards her, closing the distance between them and said,
"Zaldi aao gadi mein. Akka Saheb se milne jaana hai pandra minute mein."
Isha nodded her head and went inside the teacher's room.
*********************
"Shantanu, aisa muh kyu banaya hai? Abhi to kuch der pehele taak thik the, suddenly kya hua tumhe?"
"Kuch nahi. Baas main vul gaya tha ki ajj hi milna hai Akka Saheb se."
"To kya hua? Tum or main saath mein milenge na..."
"Ha, paar mujhe unka saya bhi tumpe nahi chahiye. "
"Shantanu, hum kal iss baare mein baat kar chuke hai. Or mujhe tumhare saath kahi bhi kabhi bhi jana mazoor hai! Upar se woh tumhari Akka Saheb hai. Unke saath bhi dhoka hi hua hai. Ekbar baat sunne mein kya problem hai!"
"Tum nahi samjhogi..."
"Fine, main nahi samjhungi, mujhe samajhne ki zarurat bhi nahi hai. Tum ho, kaafi hai."
Isha gazed out the window, her thoughts drifting away. Suddenly, she spotted their car pulled over to the side of the road. Her heart skipped a beat as Shantanu's gentle fingers wrapped around hers. He said,
"Isha, mujhe darr laagta hai tumahre liye. Main tumhare baare mein khudko bhi bharosa nahi karta kabhi kabhi. Akka Saheb ne bohot kuch kar liya hai, tumhe hurt karne ka haar ek raasta apnaya hai. Main nahi chahata tum or hurt ho!"
Isha said,
"Shantanu, mere liye tum ho. Mujhe kuch bhi ho, tum hamesha ho. Kaise mujhe kuch hoga? Mujhe pata hai tum mujhse bohot pyaar karte ho and wahi kaafi hai. Or AkkaSaheb ko saza unki kismat de rahi hai. Hum jisse pyaar karte hai woh characterless, cheater nikle to saabse zyada bura lagta hai. I am blessed ki mujhe tum mile. Isha ke liye Shantanu hai na, wahi saab kuch hai."
Shantanu kissed on her hand and again started driving.
**********************
Isha and Shantanu arrived at Atul's office, finding him engrossed in work. As he looked up, his gaze was drawn to their intertwined hands. The unmistakable sign of their deep affection struck Atul like a pang in his chest, a bitter reminder of his own unrequited feelings.
Shantanu said,
"Atul, jitna zaldi ho sake karna plz. Mujhe Isha ko yeha zyada der nahi rakhna."
"Ha re. Chal mere saath."
The jail's imposing walls loomed before them, casting long shadows in the fading light. Isha's heart quickened, anxiety mingling with determination. Shantanu's reassuring grip steadied her, his presence a beacon of comfort. As they stepped inside, the heavy gate clanged shut, enveloping them in an eerie silence.
The air inside the cell seemed heavy with despair, the scent of dampness and stagnation clinging to Akka Saheb's worn clothing. Isha's heart ached as she took in the once-vibrant woman's now-haunted eyes. Shantanu's gentle squeeze on her hand offered comfort, but Akka Saheb's gaze lingered on them, a mix of sadness and accusation etched on her face.
Atul said,
"Apke paas time hai, boliye jo bolna hai."
Akka Saheb slowly started saying,
"Shantanu, tujhe saab pata chal gaya hoga. Kisne kya kiya, kyu kiya... Ho sake to maaf kar dena. Tujhe maine hamesha apna beta samjha hai, samjhungi. Lekin main kabhi tera "Aai" nahi ban paayi. Meri khudgarzi ne tere or Isha ki zindagi se saat saal chin liya jiski bharpaayi main kabhi nahi akr paungi. Lekin, bolte hai na jo jaisa hai usko waisa milta hai. Isha kabhi galat nahi thi, uske irade kabhi galat nahi the. Main andhi thi jo kuch nahi dekh paayi or iss masoom si ladki ko kosti rahi, dard deti rahi. Isiliye, mujhe bappa ne zor se sach ka thappad lagaya. Aisa thappad jiska daag kabhi nahi mitega. Main itni gir gayi ki Isha ko maarne chali thi. Mujhe laga mere pati ko bacha rahi hu lekin nahi, main tum dono ko bina dosh ke saza de rahi thi. Maafi to main nahi maang sakungi kyunki ush kabil main hu hi nahi paar ek baat bolna chahati hu... Isha, tu Shantanu ko kabhi matt chorna. Tu Shantanu se Shaadi karna, uske saath khush rehena. Bhsole parivaar mein abb main kabhi nahi lautungi. Tu saab sambhalna Ashmita ke saath. Tu... Tu khush rehena."
Isha's eyes were teary. She said,
"Main aap pe gussa nahi hu lekin main apki ki hui kaamo ko bhi nahi vula paungi. Paar, Thank You saab samajhne ke liye."
Isha's gaze shifted to Shantanu, whose eyes betrayed a deep turmoil. His chest rose and fell with deliberate slowness, as if each breath was a struggle to contain his emotions. Their eyes met, and Isha offered a silent reassurance, her nod a gentle encouragement to stay strong. He finally said,
"Mujhe aapse baas itna hi kehena hai ki, jaab yeha se niklenge to ek acchi insaan banke nikalna."
The bright afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the landscape, illuminating Ishanu's hopeful faces. Isha smiled, feeling thee tension in her shoulders ease. Shantanu's eyes sparkled, his expression renewed. Together, they took a deep breath, embracing the promise of a brighter future.
________________________________________
To be continued...
Pardon the mistakes...
With love,
Author ❤️
