Moving On...

The Beginning of the End

It's been a month, a month since Jhanak permanently left Basu mansion.

A month since everyone got to know about THE marriage at the wedding announcement party.

Shivers ran down Jhanak's spine as she stared at the floor while nervously shaking her right leg subconsciously.

"Jhanak Raina"

Jhanak looked up from where she was staring & stood up hurriedly. She was sitting on a very uncomfortable chair in the Kolkata Family Court.

She came here to sign the marriage divorce papers as ordered by the Basu family.

As she walked towards the counter, flashbacks of how she left the Basu house came in front of her eyes. How Choton ran behind her to make sure she is safe in the middle of the night. Living in that house for even a minute felt like a slow, painful death.

She hasn't seen anyone for a month, not even Choton or Appu di, despite their wanting to meet her. She missed them, but knew it was for the best that they stay away from her.

She already created around 1000 different scenarios where The Basu's will insult her yet again, but at least this is for the last time & she can finally move on from all of this.

"Aapko kuch puchna tha!?"

"Haanji, main puch rahi thi, ki kya main sign karke jaa sakti hoon kya... Meri class miss ho rahi hai...", said Jhanak as she was trying her best to avoid meeting any of them at all.

"Ek class miss kar dogi tou kuch nahi jayega tumhara", said someone from behind.

Jhanak immediately froze where she was as she closed her eyes, took a deep breath & slowly turned around to see Aniruddh standing behind, at a distance.

Jhanak immediately felt stiffness in her throat but before she could comprehend, Appu Di ran into her arms & gave her an earth shattering hug.

"Jhanak, kaisi ho tum Jhanak, haan! Kaisi ho tum!?"

Jhanak smiled as tears rolled down her eyes, but before she could say anything, she saw Arshi walking in & held Aniruddh's hand firmly. Followed by Bipasha, Shrishti, Shubho, Tanuja & Anjana.

Jhanak's eyes shifted towards her Badho Maa, as she joined her hands & greeted her. Anjana smiled looking at her.

Choton came running behind as a big smile lit up his face.

Arshi made a face as she walked towards her, crossed her arms & said, "Aur Jhanak kaisi ho!?"

"Ji, ji theek hoon"

"Tum itne din se Basu house aayi nahi ki mujhe laga tum iss duniya se hi..."

Jhanak looked at her, shocked as she said, "Mujhe tou vahan kabhi bhi nahi aana tha, zabardasti rakh rakha tha...khair, Arshi didi, main maafi chahti hoon ki aapko mere vajah se itna kuch jhelna pada. Aage se main puri koshish karungi ki main aap sabko kabhi na takleef doon.", said Jhanak with sincerity in her eyes.

Someone from the back of the court hall walked towards Jhanak and stood behind her.

Arshi looked at him, along with everyone else but before Arshi could ask who he was, Aniruddh quipped in & said, "Arey wahh Jhanak, boyfriend bhi bana liya tumne! Badi fast ho tum!!"

Arshi smirked & Aniruddh placed an arm around her waist & pulled Arshi towards him.

Jhanak looked embarrassed at his stupidity as she quickly explained, "He is my protection officer. After leaving your house, I realised that Tejas is lurking around to kidnap me again, so before any mishap could happen I went to the police station. Told them everything. Even the... the thing we are here to break free from, since it's out in the open & we can tell everyone. Probably Tejas got to know about my visit & went into hiding... Since I'm not safe, until he is in jail, I'm in protection custody. Uncle ji (Shubho) knows about this. This is one of the major reasons, we are getting a pain-free & quick divorce."