Conditions Of Shashank | 18+

Chapter 54: Purse

Shashank is much stricter with Ujjwal and Ishika than he is with Mayank and Prachi.

Because, from what he observed, Mayank was simply standing quietly, and only laughed when Ujjwal whispered something in his ear. That’s why Shashank is more angry with Ujjwal than with Mayank.

But Shashank had caused trouble for Mayank and Prachi also. He would sow seeds of doubt between them, which often led to arguments and growing distances.

However, in the end, Mayank and Prachi would always have a conversation that cleared up the misunderstandings.

Initially, they didn’t realize what was happening, but slowly they began to suspect that an outsider was trying to create conflicts between them.

They even started doubting Shashank, wondering if he could be behind it.

Mayank and Prachi made a decision: whenever doubt crept in, they would set aside their egos and talk things through.

~

(Evening)

Mitali really wanted to go outside, but she couldn’t take a single step out of the house without Shashank’s permission.

“Arnav...”

“Yes, bhabhi?”

“I feel like going out, and we’re out of vegetables at home too. I thought I could go buy some and take a walk as well. It’s still early evening, I’ll be back soon.” She hesitated and added, “Could you ask him for permission?”

“Permission? He wouldn’t refuse you.” Arnav replied, unaware of the restrictions Shashank had placed on Mitali.

Shashank had always hidden this side of him from Arnav.

Arnav was kind and caring

“Even so, please ask him once,” Mitali insisted. She didn’t want to take any risks. The wounds from the last time she went out without his permission hadn’t fully healed yet.

“Okay,” Arnav said, and called his brother.

Shashank was busy at work, but when he saw Arnav’s name on the screen, he answered immediately.

“Hello, Arnav.”

“Bhai, bhabhi wants to go to the market to buy some vegetables.”

Shashank couldn’t bring himself to refuse. “Okay, tell her to take a bodyguard with her.”

“Okay, bhai.”

Mitali was anxiously twisting her dupatta in her hands, fearing he might say no.

“He said you can go, but take a bodyguard along,” Arnav informed her.

Relieved, Mitali smiled and began to get ready. She opted for a kurti instead of a saree to avoid irritation to the wounds on her back. Even in a kurti, she looked stunning.

While getting ready, she thought, “It’s been so long since Ujjwal came shopping.”

Mitali wished for someone to love her- particularly Ujjwal. Ever since she first saw him, he had created a place in her heart, and her desire to meet him again was growing.

Shashank had given her nothing but restrictions and abuse. He had divorced her, though this was a secret known only to the two of them.

She picked up her purse and headed to the vegetable market.

~

At the crowded vegetable market, Mitali walked ahead while the bodyguard walked behind.

As she moved through the crowd, someone bumped into her from behind, causing her to stumble into the person in front of her.

“I’m sorry,” she said, but her heart skipped a beat when she saw it was Ujjwal.

Ujjwal steadied himself and turned to look at her.

“Ujjwal…”

"Did you recognize me?" She asked

“The clothing store, right?” he said, recalling their earlier meeting.

“Yes,” Mitali said excitedly, glancing behind to check for the bodyguard. He was lost in the crowd.

“Let's go there, it’s too crowded here,” Mitali said, and they moved to a quieter spot.

She noticed the bag in his hand and thought, “He’s here alone to buy vegetables. That means he’s single.”

She asked about him and why he hadn’t come shopping in so long, all the while glancing back nervously for the bodyguard.

Meanwhile, someone in the crowd recognized Mitali “renowned merchant’s wife.”

Mitali thought to herself, “This might be my only chance to confess. I won’t get another opportunity like this.”

Ujjwal checked his watch, he was getting late.

“I have something to tell you,” Mitali said, her heart pounding and palms sweating.

“Tell,” he said, clueless.

“I’ve developed feelings for you,” she said, gathering all her courage.

“Feelings?” He asked.

“I love you,” she said, closing her eyes.

Ujjwal was shocked. “What? When did this happen?”

Mitali explained how she had started liking him during his visits to the store, charmed by his demeanor and personality.

The man watching nearby widened his eyes in shock.

Ujjwal showed her the engagement ring on his finger. “I’m married.”

The ground beneath her seemed to crumble. Her heart broke.

“I had started loving you,” she said through sobs.

Ujjwal consoled her and gently explained, “You deserve someone better.”

After a long conversation, Mitali accepted that Ujjwal wasn’t meant to be hers.

Just then, Mitali spotted her bodyguard in the distance and told Ujjwal to leave.

~

(Night)

Ujjwal returned home, where he and Ishika had recently moved back after their house was restored. Ishika’s burn scars had also healed significantly.

“Let me see, Kumar,” Ishika extended her hand to take the bag of vegetables. “I want to check who won the challenge.”

Ishika had challenged him, claiming he can't select vegetables as well as he picked fruits.

As Ishika inspected the vegetables, Ujjwal sat down, reflecting on the market incident. “When I looked back, there was a man with her, like a bodyguard. Bodyguard? Who was she?”

He considered looking up the clothing store’s name online but was interrupted by Ishika, who teased him for losing the challenge.

Later, she mischievously added, “Your punishment is -sleeping with a separate blanket tonight.”

He nodded absentmindedly, his thoughts still elsewhere.

~

In a room, two man stood- one holding a purse and a tiny voice recorder.

“I want him on his knees.”

. __________________________________________

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