Shantanu and Isha sat in their living room, exchanging confused glances, as Savi and Ishaan enthusiastically debated the perfect marriage dress for Ishanu.
"Dekho, main ladki hu, mujhe pata hai Yeah zyada accha lagega."
"Tum ladki ho yeah pata hai mujhe. Paar yeah colour accha nahi hai. Or kabhi dekha hai kisiko purple colour mein shaadi karte huye?"
"Dekha hai, Okay? Or baari abat atleast green se to zyada accha hai purple... Tum hamesha bakwaas karte ho!"
"Accha to tum konsa puja karti ho? Bakwaas ki devi ho tum!"
"Kya kaha... Ishaaan..."
Savi and Ishaan suddenly sprinted through the hall, sending Isha jumping to her feet, her scream echoing loudly.
"Rukooo!"
Isha's voice rang out clear and authoritative,
"Bacche bhi isse kaam ladte hai. Pagal ho tumlog? Aao yeha, chupchap baitho."
The two did as instructed. Shantanu smiled and said,
"Hamare shaadi ko abhi bohot waqt bacha hai, hume to exact date bhi nahi pata. Baari baat meri baari Ajji aanewali hai varanasi se. Unke instructions se hi saab hoga, samjhe?"
Savi and Ishaan looked towards Shantanu and said,
"Phir ek naya character!"
Isha now said,
"Kya bol rahe ho, baare hai tumse!"
Savi went to Isha and said,
"Areh, agar yeah khadus hui to. I am sorry but, Sir yeah Akka Saheb ke replica to nahi?"
Shantanu laughed watching Savi's facial expression. Then said,
"Nahi Savi, yeah bohot alag hai. Yeah bilkul chill hai. Or thoda kuch bolenge to hum maan hi lenge. Thats not a problem, I guess!"
Ishaan asked,
"Sir, kaab aarahi hai woh?"
"Sunday ko. Hum yeha se nikal jayenge saturday ko."
"Accha. Aplogo ne ticket kharid liya?"
Now, Isha said,
"Kya aplog, tu or Savi dono jayenge!"
Savi stood up and said,
"Areh, abhi thodi Shaadi hai. Hum kya karenge jaake?"
"Exactly. Hum dono kis naam pe jayenge? Hum aplogo ko apne aai baba mante hai lekin duniya nahi manegi na... Woh to mujhe, mujhe ush criminal ka beta hi bolte hai ajj bhi!"
Isha, Shantanu, and Savi turned their attention to Ishaan, his eyes brimming with tears, his face twisted in anguish, his heart still seething with resentment towards his father. Isha gently sat beside him, her compassionate hands cradling his head, her fingers tenderly caressing his hair. She said,
"Bala, aisa kuch matt soch. Tu or Savi hum dono ke apne bacche hai. Isse zyada kuch nahi. Tum dono mere relative banke jaoge, samjhe?"
Savi noticed Ishaan and understood that he needs refreshment. She immediately said,
"Chalo, velpuri khane chalte hai."
Isha said,
"Savi, aat bajh rahe hai, abhi velpuri kon khata hai?"
"Hum khayenge naaa!"
"Savi..."
"Mam plzzz... Chaloooooo!"
After Savi's persistent efforts, Isha relented, and the group decided to visit the popular street food stall.
As they walked, the aroma of crispy velpuri wafted through the air, teasing their taste buds and building anticipation.
**********************
Atul was standing infront of his room's mirror. He asked to himself,
"Tu kya sach mein Isha ji se pyaar karta hai? Apne maan se puch karta hai? Kya Shantanu jaise Isha ji ko khush rakh payega?"
His inner self answered No, For the first time. He again said,
"Isha ji saabse zyada khush Shantanu ke paas hoti hai. Unki chehere ki Woh chamak jo Shantanu ke saath hone paar hoti hai, woh kabhi tu nahi la payega Atul. Sach to yeah hai ki woh teri zidd ban gayi thi. Unki khobsurati tujhe behela diya tha. Chi Atul! Tu... Tune unka bharosa toda. Chi! Woh tujhpe barosa karti thi isiliye saat saal woh tere saath bitayi apne pyaar ko chorke or tune!"
Atul collapsed to the floor, overcome by anguish. His body shook with sobs as he confronted the devastating consequences of his own actions. He cried out, desperate to erase the pain.
**********************
Isha and Shantanu came inside their flat smilingly. Isha said,
"Savi ke saath koi dukhi ho hi nahi sakta. Matlab yeah ladki bhi na..."
Shantanu said,
"Ekdam. Bohot acchi ladki hai. Kabhi kabhi sochta hu ki Ishaan or Savi nahi hote to kya hota!"
Suddenly, Shantanu's phone rang. He picked up the call whereas Isha went inside. Shantanu concluded his call and entered the bedroom, where Isha's distraction beckoned him. He glided behind her, his arms embracing her, his chest against her back.
Then asked her,
"Kya hua hai Isha mam? Kis Soch mein hai aap?"
Isha smiled a little and said,
"Kuch nahi. Baas yehi soch rahi hu ki meri zindagi mein kitna kuch hua, agar mere paas apni family hoti to..."
Shantanu said,
"Main hu na Isha... "
Isha turned to face him, her eyes searching Shantanu's, seeking comfort and understanding. She said,
"Aai baba ka jagah koi nahi le sakta Shantanu. Aai baba itni zaldi chorke chale gaye ki kya batau... Mujhe to rone ke liye koi mila bhi jahie. Pata hai, Aai baba ko mere baari ajji ne ghar se nikal diya tha kyunki unhone bhag ke shaadi ki thi. Aai punjabi thi na! Phir, main hui or hum khush the. Ek dusre ke saath, masti mein. Main school, college or phir university gayi. Main professor banne ke ek mahine baad hi suddenly dono ek saath chale gaye! Maut bhi unko alag nahi kar paaya. Paar mujhse dono ko chin liya, mujhe anath kar diya!"
As tears streamed down Isha's cheeks, Shantanu drew her close, cradling her in his arms. Isha nestled her face into his chest, finding solace. Shantanu said,
"Isha, Aai baba ka jagah koi nahi le sakta yeah sach hai. Lekin abb to main hu na, tum meri ho. Tumhare Aai baba ke jaise nahi paar meri family tumhe pyaar karegi obviously. Hamara parivaar hoga, apna! Bohot Khushiya wait kar rahi hai Isha, plzz ro matt!"
Isha smiled and looked towards his eyes and said,
"Aai baba ko pata bhi nahi chala ki unka damaad kitna accha hai!"
"Its ok, woh dekh rahe hai hume. Tumhare baba tumhare Aai se jitna pyaar karte hai main tumse utna hi pyaar karta hu, samjhe?"
Isha's forehead touched Shantanu's, a gesture of trust and vulnerability. She said,
"Ji. Usme koi shaq nahi hai."
"I love you!"
"I love you too!"
In the calmness of their words, Isha found solace, knowing Shantanu was her forever home, where love and acceptance knew no bounds.
_________________________________________
Pardon the mistakes...
With love,
Author ❤️
