Here's the 48th chapter.
Enjoy reading.
Standing in front of the mirror, she was combing her hair remembering the day of their verbal battle.
Though she was extremely upset that he was making false accusations against her, she couldn't help but notice something else: his "eyes".
Those eyes reflected pain, she had observed.
She remembered how enraged he was, but the hurtfulness in his voice that day was perceptible.
"Sirf aur sirf tumhaari vajah se maine apne Dad ko bhi kho diya..."
She had noticed that his eyes had become teary while saying these words, but he was still fighting back tears.
She had a feeling he was very upset about it.
But one thought kept circling in her head: "Meri vajah se?..."
"Meri vajah se Shaan Sir unse door chale gaye ?..."
"Lekin kaise ?...", she said as she tucked the rubber band into her hair.
She then remembered mentioning "Aastha Mam" during their argument.
"Haan hain mujhe naaraazgi tumhaari Aastha Mam se !!..."
"Unhe jaakar keh dena..."
"Vo jitna bhi koshish karle... Meri life mein unke liye koi jagah nhi hai..."
"I just hate her !!!..."
She recalls she had a feeling there was something deeper going on inside him that was causing him so much anguish.
She was infuriated when he said he hated HER, but she had a sneaking suspicion that he didn't say it heartily.
But whatever it was, her mind couldn't stop wondering why he said Aastha Mam had no place in his life.
To him, who was SHE ?
Why would SHE have any place in his life if SHE was just his father's colleague ?
"Aastha Mama ke liye unki life mein koi jagah nhi hai ?..."
"Lekin jagah hogi bhi kyun ?..."
"Vo kaun lagti hai unki ?...", she put the comb back in place.
She recalled another accusation he had made against her.
"Unke kehne par hi tum yaha aayi hona !!..."
"Aastha Mama ke kehne par ??..."
"Mujhe Aastha Mam ne yaha bheja hai ?..."
"Aisa kyun kaha Shaurya Sir ne ?...", she was becoming increasingly perplexed.
She had been thinking about all of these major points for quite some time when a realization struck her while recalling one of his other statements from that day's fight.
"Jab unke paas koi hai unhe "MAA" kehlaane ke liye... Toh fir tumhe yaha bheja hi kyun hain ?!!!..."
"Maa ????..."
She widened her eyes as she realized something obvious.
Her eyes wandered to the clock, and she said to herself, "Aaj main Shaan Sir se baat karke hi rahungi..."
"Kya mujhe jo lag rha hai vo kahi sach toh nhi..."
"Kahi Aastha Mam unki..."
"Unki-..."
She didn't finish the sentence because she wanted to hear the truth from Shaan, and she soon left with Mimi for her delivery job.
It was 5 p.m., and Anokhi was in that park, waiting for Shaan.
She didn't want to bother him, but she didn't have any other options. She had grown sick of his tussles with her every day for no apparent reason.
She needed to clear the air before confronting Shaurya Sir.
"Anokhi Beta..." said a voice from behind.
She turned when she realized who it was.
"Shaan Sir...", she said, only to be met by a gloomy Shaan.
She could tell he was upset by the look on his face.
"Shaan Sir..."
"Aap kaise hai...", she inquired casually.
"Mujhe kya hoga Anokhi...", Shaan said sarcastically, trying to hide his slightly moist eyes.
"Main toh bilkul theek hoon..."
Anokhi knew he was lying, but she didn't want to waste any more time and get right to the point.
"Shaan Sir... I'm sorry maine aapko disturb kiya..."
"Lekin mujhse aapse kuch zaroori baat karni thi..."
"Agar aap bura naa mane toh main aapse ek savaal poochh sakti hoon ?..."
Shaan had a feeling it had something to do with his son.
"Shaurya ne firse kuch kaha tumse ?...", he fessed up guiltily.
Anokhi was taken aback that how come he know that.
But she also wanted to question him about his resignation, which she had been hesitant to do because, after all, she was just a student.
He wasn't answerable to her for it, but still, she decided to inquire because she had been blamed for it by someone.
"Vo darasal... Shaan Sir... Kya aap mujhe bta sakte hai aapne SIEST kyu chod diya ?...", she asked nervously, fearful that he would be offended.
Heaving a tired sigh, he began, "Anokhi Beta..."
"Haalaat kuch aise the ki mujhe yeh kadam uthaane par majboor hona pada..."
"Lekin Shaan Sir... Fir aapne apna ghar kyun chod diya ?...", she said, her tongue slipping.
Shaan gave her a surprised look.
How did she know that ?
It meant he had definitely told her something.
"Anokhi..."
"Tumhe Shauyra ne zaroor kuch bola haina..."
"Mere ghar chodne ki baat tumhe kaise pta lagi ?..."
Now that she was caught, she felt that she should tell him everything.
"Shaan Sir..."
"Main firse aapse sorry maangti hoon ki main... aise... aapke personal space mein interfere kar rhi hoon... Lekin mere paas bhi koi aur chaara nhi bacha..."
"Shaurya Sir ko lagta hai ki aapne SIEST meri vajah se chod diya... Aapne apna ghar bhi meri vajah se chod diya..."
"Aur... aur unhone sirf meri vajah se aapko kho diya..."
Shaan was taken aback that Shaurya had told her these things.
His son was so desperate for him that he blamed someone else for it.
The thing that Shaurya told her that he lost his father hurt him. He again felt guilty for leaving behind his only child despite his so many pleas and tears.
"Shaan Sir..."
"Isiliye main aaj aapse milna chaahti thi... Taaki yeh saari jo bhi galatfaimiyaan hai unhe door ki jaaye..."
"Sir aap mujhe please btaayenge baat kya hai ?..."
"Shaurya Sir ko mujhse itni pareshaani kyun hai ?.."
"Unhe aisa kyun lagta hai ki meri vajh se yeh sb hua ?..."
"Meri toh kuch samajh mein hi nhi aa rha Shaan Sir... Aakhir main in sab mein kaise aayi ?..."
Shaan was filled with remorse.
Because of him, this innocent girl had to suffer.
This time, he was in tears, which Anokhi noticed.
She was terrified by what had happened to him.
"Shaan Sir..."
"Shaan Sir aap... aap ro rhe hain...", she became anxious.
Shaan blinked his tears away and looked at her.
"Mujhe maaf kardo Anokhi..."
"Sab meri galti hai..."
"Meri vajah se tumhe yeh sab jhelna pad rha hai..."
"Lekin main karu to karu kya..."
"Mujhe Aas-...", he was about to say something when he abruptly came to a halt.
Anokhi, on the other hand, had already guessed who he was going to mention.
"Aastha Mam...", she looked at him with questioning eyes.
He averted his gaze just then.
"N... Nhi Anokhi..."
"Aas... Aastha nhi...", he lied.
"Shaan Sir..."
"Aap mere ek aur savaal ka javaab denge please..."
"Kyunki mujhe Shaurya Sir ko btaana hai ki maine kuch nhi kiya hai..."
"Mujhe sach mein nhi pta ki aapke is decision ke peeche reason kya hai..."
"Please Shaan Sir..."
"Aap meri ek chhoti se help kar deejiye..."
"Jab tak mujhe samajh nhi aayega ki baat kya hai... Tab tak main khud ko Shaurya Sir ke saamne justify bhi nhi kar paaungi..."
"K... Kaisi help Anokhi ?...", he was a little nervous.
"Kya Shaurya Sir aur Aastha Mam ke beech koi rishta hai ?...", she finally asked it.
Shaan was taken aback. He was unsure how to proceed.
He felt that now that the situation had reached an impasse, it was time to inform her.
After all, she had to suffer because of him all the time. She had a right to know what was going on.
"Anokhi... A... Aastha..."
"Tumhaari Aastha Mam meri... meri wi-...", he gulped, clearing his throat.
He took a deep breath, knowing that the time had come to reveal the truth.
"Tumhaare saamne is vakt jo insaan khada hai..."
"Vo... "
"Vo tumhaari Aastha Mam ka HUSBAND hai Anokhi beta...", he said, raising his head to meet her gaze.
Anokhi was shocked.
Although she had sensed it from the start, but now hearing it from his own mouth rendered her speechless.
She had no idea the reality would be like this until today.
After hearing the shocking revelation, she regained her composure.
She didn't know what else to say.
Everything was starting to make sense to her now.
The way Aastha reacted whenever she asked her about Shaan Sir, the way Shaan often inquired her about Aastha; all of this was now becoming clearer to her.
"I know Anokhi..."
"Tum hairaani ho rhi hogi..."
"Lekin yahi sach hai beta..."
"Tumhaari Aastha Mam Shaurya ki "MAA" hai..."
"Shaurya Aastha ka beta hai..."
"Aur isiliye unhe mujhse itni nafrat hai...", Anokhi spoke up.
"Haina Shaan Sir ?..."
She looked up to meet his eyes.
"Vo Aastha Mam ke bete hain... Aur unhe Mam se kisi baat se naaraazgi hain..."
"Aur kyunki main Aastha Mam ki student hoon toh isiliye vo mere saath sabhi se alag pesh aate hai... Haina Shaan Sir ?...", her eyes turned misty.
Shaan couldn't meet her eyes as he was filled with remorse.
"Ab mujhe thoda – thoda samajh aane lga hai Shaan Sir..."
"Mujhe samajh aa rha hain ki unki mujhse pareshaani kya hai..."
"Anokhi..."
"Main jaanta hoon Shaurya jo kar rha hai vo bilkul galat hai..."
"Asal mein... use... maine... usse baat karne ki koshish ki thi... Lekin main hi nhi reh paaya Aastha ke baare mein bina jaane..."
She looked at him confused.
"Tumhe pta hai Anokhi..."
"Jis din maine pehli baar tumhe dekha tha naa... Usi din mujhe pta nhi kyun tumhe dekhte hi sabse pehle Aastha ki hi yaad aayi thi..."
"Aisa lga maano Aastha ki chhaaya khud chalkar aayi hai mere paas..."
"Aur itne saalo se mera Aastha se koi sampark nhi tha..."
"Toh jis din mujhe pta chala ki tum Aastha ki student ho... Us din main khud ko rok nhi paaya..."
"Main khud ko tumse Aastha ke baare mein poochhne se rok nhi paaya..."
"Aur jabse Shaurya ko yeh baat pta chali ki main aksar tumse Aastha ke baare mein baatein karta hoon... Tabse vo mujhse aur bhi naaraaz ho gaya..."
"Vo... vo nhi chaahta ki main... main Aastha se koi bhi rishta rakhu... Isiliye vo-...", he broke down.
To say Anokhi was shocked is an understatement.
She couldn't understand why he was so opposed to Aastha that he had obstructed his own father in this way.
"Shaan Sir...", she sounded low and felt bad seeing him.
"I'm sorry Shaan Sir...", she apologized, feeling bad for making him cry.
"Mujhe nhi pta tha ki... matlab aise koi baat hai... I'm really sorry Shaan Sir..."
"Nhi beta..."
"Tumhaari koi galti nhi hai..."
"Galti toh humesha mujhse ho jaati hai..."
"Aur isiliye apni galtyion ko sudhaarne ke liye main sab chod aaya..."
"Vha koi nhi chaahta ki main Aastha se milu..."
"Vo nhi chaahte ki Aastha ka naam bhi us ghar mein liya jaaye..."
"Isiliye toh mujhe itna bada kadam uthaane par majboor hona pada..."
"Mujhe apni galti ke liye Aastha se maafi maangni hai..."
"Main usse milna chaahta hoon bas ek baar... Lekin... lekin mujhe kuch samajh nhi aa rha ki kaha se shuruaat karu...", his voice quivered.
"Mere parivaar ke zyaadatar log toh mujhse naaraaz ho gaye hain... Unhe koi fark nhi padta main kahi bhi rahu..."
"Lekin bas ek hi khwaaish lekar main sab peeche chodkar aa gaya... Ki ek mauka mil jaaye... Main Aastha se mil paau... Aur jo bhi main kehna chaahta hoon usse keh paau..."
Anokhi had no idea what the reason was behind his and Aastha Mam's separation, but she was really feeling bad listening to him.
Now she had understood the matter also.
Shaurya had perceived her to be someone purposefully sent by Aastha over here to reclaim a place in their lives that had been lost due to some reason in the past.
After her conversation with Shaan today, she decided to confront him about this matter and tell him exactly who she was and why she was there in Delhi to clear up the misinterpretations.
Shaan's resignation from SIEST, on the other hand, lingered in her mind.
Though she had no right to tell him to rejoin it, but what he told him a few minutes ago that no one cares about him prompted her to speak up.
"Shaan Sir..."
"Mera koi hak nhi hain ki main aapse is maamle mein kuch kahu.."
"Lekin aapne thodi der pehle kaha naa ki kisi ko aapki parvaah nhi hain... Main is par kuch bolna chaahti hoon Shaan Sir..."
"Kya baat hai beta ?..."
"Darasal Shaan Sir..."
"Bhale hi Shauyra Sir ne mujhse vo baatein gusse mein kahi... Lekin unki baaton se mujhe mehsoos hua ki vo bohot hurt hai iss baat ko lekar..."
"Shaan Sir... Ho sake toh aap dobaara ek baar sochna isko lekar..."
"Sirf Shaurya Sir hi nhi... Hum students bhi chaahte hain aap vaapas aa jaaye..."
"Meri doosre class mein jaan pehchaan hai kisi se... Use aur uske kuch friends ko maine baatein karte suna tha ki vo sabhi aapki teaching ko miss karte hai..."
"Ho sake to aap ek baar is baare mein sochkar dekhna Shaan Sir..."
"Aur mujhe yakeen hai Shauyra Sir bhi yahi chaahte honge..."
"Kyunki kisi bhi bachche ko apne parents se door rehna achcha lag hi nhi sakta...", she tried to persuade him to reconsider his decision.
Shaan faintly smiled as he listened to this, knowing that despite being treated unfairly by his son, she was saying something in his favor, putting everything else aside.
"Tum kehti ho toh main ek baar zaroor sochunga Anokhi...", he smiled as he gently placed his hand on her head.
Anokhi's face lit up with a small smile as he stated that he would try to look into it at least once.
"Thank You Shaan Sir..."
"Aaj aapse mujhe mere saare savaalon ke javaab mil gaye..."
"Ab mujhe chalna chaahiye Shaan Sir..."
"Good bye Sir..."
"Good bye beta..."
Anokhi approached the fountain where Mimi was playing, and the two walked out of the park hand in hand.
Shaan kept staring at the scene with blurry vision, remembering the words she said.
"Aur mujhe yakeen hai Shauyra Sir bhi yahi chaahte honge..."
"Kyunki kisi bhi bachche ko apne parents se door rehna achcha lag hi nhi sakta..."
With glossy eyes, he turned to leave with a new thought in his mind...
How was it ?
Do tell me in comments 😊