Here's the 89th chapter.
Enjoy reading.
"Itni badi baat tum mujhe ab bta rhe ho Alok !..."
"Shaurya us bachchi ko bohot pehle se jaanta hain ??!..."
"Aur mujhe lga ki vo dono bas kuch hi din pehle ek doosre se mile hai..." Devi said to Alok, more as a scold.
"Arre Parjai Ji... Mujhe bhi toh aaj hi pta chala..."
"Aaj jab us bachchi ko Shaurya ke cabin mein dekha naa... To un dono ke dekhkar hi lag rha tha ki vo ek doosre ko bohot dino se jaante hain..."
"Shaurya toh bade haskar baat kar rha tha usse... Aur aapko pta hain... Usne us bachchi ko toh apni godi mein bithaaya hua tha..."
"Dono mein bada pyaar hai saaf pta chal rha tha..." Alok made a special remark.
As she listened to this, Devi's eyes widened in extreme shock. She could make out from what Alok said that Shaurya and that little girl had built up a "great" bond. She couldn't let it go on like this.
"Un dono pe kadi nazar rakho Alok..." she said the next moment, her voice firm.
"Vo kab milte hain... Kya karte hain... Yeh sab mujhe jaanna hain..."
"Un dono ko main zyaada kareeb nhi aane de sakti..." she said, determined.
Alok listened to her silently, and realized that now his duty would be to keep an eye on them every day to observe more of their interactions, ascertain how their relationship was progressing, and "report" it to Parjai Ji.
Devi was absorbed in her own thoughts. She was filled with dread at the prospect of Shaurya and that little girl's bond leading to something she would NEVER want.
She couldn't even confront Shaurya about it because it would make him wonder how she knew about it. In such a situation, the only thing she could do was find out if they met every day, if their interactions were becoming more cozy with each other, and so on; that's why she told Alok to keep his watchful eye on them.
She decided that she would think about what action to take next based on what Alok would report to her about them in the coming days.
Even though it was just a little girl, her fearful heart couldn't settle, wondering what if even the little girl snatched her son away from her.
Little did she know that her "worst" imagination would come TRUE very soon...
Aastha was in her apartment, leafing through the magazine. She'd been killing her time this way since Anokhi left.
Her student had pleaded to her innumerable times to stay with her in her PG for at least a few days, but she politely declined because she herself was unsure of how long she would stay in Delhi.
Aastha recalled what had occurred earlier this afternoon.
"Shaan..."
"Tumhe mere liye aur kuch karne ki koi zaroorat nhi hai..."
"Tum bas mere liye koi cab book kar do... Baaki main dekh loongi..."
"Aur ab tak mere saath rehne ke liye thank you..."
"THANK YOU ?..." Shaan said, his voice making clear his pain.
"Tum mujhe iske liye thank you keh rhi ho Noor ?..." He was hurt.
Aastha averted her gaze, well aware that she had wounded him with this word. She couldn't muster the courage to explain what she had said.
"Fine..." This was what Shaan said the next moment.
"Main samajh gaya hoon ki tum mere saath nhi aane vaali..."
"Naa hi tum mujhe apne saath rehne dogi..." he said as he began packing the items, his voice trembling.
"Main tumhe khud drop karne jaaunga... Aur haan ! ... Iske aage main kuch nhi sunne vaala..." he looked at her with determined eyes.
"Ab tak tumne jo bhi kha maine maan liya... Lekin ab meri yeh baat tumhe maanni hogi Noor..." he said, his gaze fixed on her.
He had requested her, begged her numerous times to move in with him in his flat, but she steadfastly refused each time, stating that it was not possible.
The only thing he could do now was to stay with her until she reached her apartment, and thus he would drop her off there himself.
This time, Aastha didn't object because she had already offended him by thanking him for staying with her, as if he had done her a "favor".
She didn't want to hurt him any further, so she agreed to let him drop her off at her apartment...
Aastha was deep in thought when her trance was abruptly broken by the ringing of the doorbell. She was startled out of her reverie, and realized that she needed to open the door.
Wiping her misty eyes, she struggled to stand up with the help of the sofa's arm, then took small steps towards the door with her plastered foot.
The moment she opened the door, she was taken aback seeing the person.
The next thing she noticed was a beautiful flower bouquet in the person's hands.
"Aastha Kashyap..." the man spoke up, catching her attention.
"I was so looking forward to see you..." he said, flashing a pleasant smile.
"Pleasure..." his added, his smile widening.
"A... Yeh... Phool aapke liye..." he said, gentlemanly extending his hands to her.
Aastha continued to stare at him blankly as she observed his free-spirited actions.
When the man realized she wouldn't accept, he requested softly, "Please..."
Aastha's eyes were already watering, but she took a step back and declined the bouquet. She couldn't understand what he was up to.
"Chaliye main hold kar deta hoon aapke liye..." he said with a subtle smile, seeing her refraining herself from accepting his present.
He knew it would be difficult to persuade her, but he had come here with great courage, and today he wasn't going to back down.
"Shaan..."
"Yeh sab kya hain ?..." Finally, Aastha spoke up.
She wasn't in favor of whatever he was doing right now, given the circumstances.
"KOSHISH..." The reply came the next moment.
"Apni zindagi naye sire se shuru karne ki koshish..."
"TUMHAARE SAATH..." Shaan said graciously, his tone buoyed by optimism reflecting his intention to "rebuild" their relationship.
Aastha immediately turned away, her throat choking, unable to utter anything.
She got the hint what he was trying to say, which she knew was impossible.
Shaan noticed that she was now facing away from him. He also saw she was standing there with the support of the door with her injured foot.
He felt he shouldn't let her stand any longer, and thought about making her sit first.
"Ummm..."
"Kya mujhe andar aane diya jaa sakta hai ?..." he asked politely.
This time, Aastha looked at him through her clouded eyes, and without saying anything, she moved away from the door to make space for him to enter.
Shaan's lips curled into a small smile as he entered, knowing she wouldn't deny him. He stepped in, closed the door behind him, and turned to face her.
He then approached her and extended his palm.
Aastha looked at her, puzzled, not knowing what he wanted to do.
Shaan smiled and motioned his eyes, which were on hers, towards the couch.
Aastha realized he wanted to lead her to there.
"M... Main khud chali jaaungi..." she said, turning her head away. She was just about to move when he interrupted.
"Please..."
Aastha looked at him, who was looking at her with pleading eyes to let him help her in walking there.
Finding no more strength to argue with him, she finally had to let go of her tenacity and placed her palm over his with her eyes turned away.
Once Noor's palm touched Shaan's, his lips softened into a smile. The touch was so emotionally charged that his eyes started to mist up.
After all, it had to be a "special" moment for him to be with her after so many years.
He tenderly wrapped his fingers around her palm and began walking her to the couch.
Aastha took small steps with his assistance and arrived at the sofa, where he made her to sit.
Shaan set the packet and the bouquet he was holding on the table before taking a seat next to her, facing her.
"Noor... Main-..."
"Shaan..." Before he could speak, Aastha interjected.
"Isse pehle ki tum kuch kaho... Main tumhe btaana chaahti hoon ki kaafi kuch badal gaya hain..."
"Hum dono apne apne raaste aage badh chuke hain..."
"Isliye tum mujhse jo expect kar rhe ho... Vo possible nhi hain..." she was very clear.
Since she had already foreseen that he was there, perhaps with the intention of trying to "repair" their relationship, she didn't want to give him false hopes.
Listening to her, Shaan looked down with a sarcastic smile. He knew she wasn't going to give him a chance so easily. He was aware that it wouldn't be simple for him, but in light of everything that had occurred in the previous days, he was now more determined than ever to make amends with her—even if it meant taking just a small step toward friendship.
There was a brief period of silence before Shaan spoke.
"Aastha main badal chuka hoon..." he said calmly.
One mistake he'd made in the past had caused THREE lives to suffer a lot, be it himself, his wife, or his son. He was thus even more intent on making things right.
"Tum badal chuke ho ?..."
"Kya kehna chaahte ho Shaan ?..." she said, her eyes tearing up.
"Yahi ki kai saal pehle mujhse ek bohot badi galti ho gayi thi..."
"Us galti ke badle bohot kuch sehna bhi pada..."
"Lekin ab jab tum aakhirkaar mere itne paas ho... Main vo galti dobaara phir kabhi nhi karne vaala..." he spoke resolutely.
Aastha looked away, realizing what he meant. She knew he was there to set things right, but perhaps it was already TOO LATE.
"Ek baat btaao Shaan... Kuch chhupaana mat..." she finally spoke to him.
"Tumne Sabharwal House kyun chod diya ?..." she asked straightforwardly, looking him in the eyes.
It was only this morning, when he insisted she stay with him in his flat, that she came to know he was living there alone. She wasn't in the mood to ask about the reason at that time, but now that he was in front of her, she was dying to find out why he was living away from Sabharwal House, away from their SON.
Shaan fell silent as soon as he heard her question. He hadn't told her about it up until this point because he knew she would be devastated to hear it, but now he realized he might have to.
"Bolo Shaan..."
"Chup kyun ho ?..."
"Apna parivaar hote hue bhi kyun tum akele flat mein rehne chale aaye ?..." she questioned with teary eyes. She was disheartened that he abandoned their son behind in that house alone, whose responsibility she had entrusted him with.
"Parivaar ?..." The next thing Shaan said was sarcastically.
"Kis parivaar ki baat kar rhi ho tum Noor ?... Jisne mera hi parivaar tod diya..." Shaan's voice broke, his eyes wetted.
"Aur Shaurya ?..." The next second, Aastha spoke up, her voice solemn.
"Shaurya ke baare mein nhi socha ?..."
"Usne nhi roka tumhe ? ..." she asked dejectedly, knowing that whatever reason caused Shaan to leave the mansion, Shaurya would have definitely been hurt.
"Aur koi chaara nhi bacha tha mere paas Noor..."
"Dam ghut chuka tha mera..." Shaan said, his voice distraught.
"Nhi rha jaa rha tha mujhse vha..."
"Har roz... Har vakt... Apne hi logo se taana sunna padta tha mujhe..."
"Lekin aisa kya hua ki tum ghar chodne par majboor ho gaye Shaan ?..." Aastha interrupted. She couldn't understand what had compelled him to leave the house where he had been living for the past twenty-five years.
"TUM..." Came the reply to her question.
"Main ?..." A lone tear escaped her eyes.
"Haan tum Noor..."
"Tumhe kabhi bhool nhi paaya... Aur naa hi aisa kabhi hoga... Isiliye maine vo ghar chod diya..." he stated emphatically.
"Devi Bhabhi... Tej Bhaisahab... In sabhi ki zubaan par har pal tumhaare khilaaf hi shabd hote the..."
"Main nhi seh paa rha tha vo sab aur..." His eyes glistened.
"Itne saalon se bhi yahi chala aa rha tha... Lekin tab koi aas nhi thi... Koi ummeed nhi thi ki kabhi apni galti ko sudhaar paaunga... Dobaara main tumse mil paaunga..."
"Lekin jab ANOKHI aayi..."
"Us din aisa lga... Maano tumhaari chhaaya khud chalkar mere paas aayi ho..."
"Use dekhte hi ehsaas ho gaya tha ki vo tumse kisi naa kisi tarah se judi hui hai..."
"Usse baat karke... Usse tumhaare baare mein jaanne ke baad mujhse vo aas dikhaai di... Jo itne saalon se main dhoond rha tha..." With his fingers, he dabbed away his tears.
Aastha had been listening to him silently with teary eyes the entire time. Her heart was overflowing with emotions, but she remained silent in order to listen more.
"Pta hain Noor..."
"Anokhi ke aane ke baad se mujhe aisa lagne lga ki main tum tak pahunch sakta hoon... Tumse ek baar toh mil sakta hoon... Isiliye main tab usse tumhaare baare mein aksar poochha karta tha..."
"Tum paas nhi thi... Lekin Anokhi se tumhaare baare mein sunke hi dil ko sukoon mil jaata tha Noor..." he said, smiling despite his tears.
Aastha was trying hard to keep her tears at bay. Her strength could crumble at any time, but she kept herself from breaking down.
"Itne saalo se toh main bas ghar se college... College se ghar... Aur zyaadatar vakt akele mein hi bitaata tha..."
"Lekin jabse tumhaare baare mein pta lagna shuru hua... Uske baad se mera man thoda halka hone lga... Main tumhaare baare mein bas sunke hi khush rehne lga..."
"Aur phir aayi Devi Bhabhi... Jinhe meri itni si khushi bhi bardaasht nhi hui..." At the end, his voice became agitated.
Astha stared at him in shock. She was trying to assess what he was saying.
"Main jo Anokhi se aksar mila karta tha... Usse tumhaare baare mein poochha karta tha... Yeh baat ek din Devi Bhabhi ki pta chal gayi... Aur uske baad kya..." his face again adorned with a sarcastic smile, "Uske baad unhone Shaurya ko yeh baat bta di aur use mere aur bhi khilaaf bhadka diya Noor..." he said in agony.
Some more tears spilled out of Aastha's eyes as she listened.
"Jab Shaurya ko iss baare mein pta chala ki Anokhi tumhaari student hain... Tabse un dono ke beech misunderstandings shuru hui..."
"Use lga ki shaayad Anokhi ke yaha SIEST mein aane ke peechhe koi maksad hain... Use lga ki shaayad tumne Anokhi ko yaha bheja hain..."
"Usne mujhe saaf – saaf kha ki main Anokhi se milna... Usse baat karna band kar doon... Tumhaare baare mein kuch bhi jaanne ki koshish naa karu..."
"Lekin main kya karta Noor..." he became aggravated the following second.
"Main nhi reh paaya... Nhi maan paaya Shaurya ki baat..."
"Is vajah se Shaurya mujhse bohot naaraaz ho gaya... Aur har roz humaare beech isi baat ko lekar jhagde hone lage..."
"Main kitni bhi koshish kar leta use samjhaane ki... Lekin vo mera dard nhi samajhta... Vo bas Devi Bhabhi ke ishaaro par chalta..."
"Kab tak main apne bete se yoon ladta rehta Noor ?..."
"Aur himmat nhi bachi thi mujh mein ki har roz ek hi baat ke liye mujhe apne hi bete se jhagadna pade..."
"Isiliye maine ghar chodne ka faisla liya..." he said, his voice strained.
"Vha us ghar mein sabhi ko mujhse shikaayatein thi... Mere har cheez se pareshaani thi... Isliye mujhe lga ki ki unse door kahi rehna hi sabke liye achcha hoga..."
"Vo bhi shaanti se reh paayenge... Aur main bhi..." he said poignantly.
Aastha, who was quietly listening to everything, was too shocked to say anything. She had no idea that he had left his house behind in order to patch up things with her. She had no idea that he had "changed" so much that he left his family behind for her, the same family for whom he had once disregarded her years ago.
But what about their son ?
Did he let go of his Dad so easily ?... Didn't he stop him for once ?
"Sh... Shaan..." her voice cracked.
"Tumne itna bada kadam utha liya..."
"Shaurya ne tumse kuch nhi kha ?..." she wanted to know, her heart pummelling.
"Kha tha Noor..." Shaan answered.
"Baar baar mujhe jaane se rokna chaaha usne... Bohot koshish ki mujhe manaane ki..."
"Lekin is baar maine kisi ki nhi suni... Aur main chala aaya vo ghad chodke..." he said, feeling awful that he gave his son so much pain.
Aastha finally let her tears fall, which she had been holding back until now. She was devastated to learn about all of this, which she had no idea about until now.
She'd finally figured out what had happened, what had prompted Shaan to leave that house.
But through it all, their son had to bear unbearable pain for no reason, and realizing this, she felt her heart break into million pieces. Her heart ached with intense grief.
"Itne saalo se meri life Devi Bhabhi aur Bhaisahab ke hisaab se chali aa rhi thi... Lekin bas ab aur nhi..."
"Main apni zindagi apne tareek se jeena chaahta hoon... Khush rehna chaahta hoon..."
"Kisiki dakhalandaazi nhi chaahta..."
"Aur isiliye ab main vha kabhi vaapas nhi jaane vaala..." he made it clear.
Aastha looked at him shocked.
If he didn't return, then who will be there for their son ?...
"Shaan... Yeh kya keh rhe ho tum ?..."
"Tum agar vaapas nhi lautoge... Toh fir Shaurya ka kya hoga ?..." she asked with teary eyes.
"Main tumhaare bharose apne bete ko chodkar gayi thi... Aur tumne kya kiya ?... Tumne use hi chod diya ??..." she was heartbroken.
"Mujhe lga tha main naa sahi... Tum to hoge uske saath... Tum hoge uske paas... Lekin ab tak mujhe jitna samajh aaya hain... Main andaaza lga sakti hoon ki humaara beta bilkul AKELA tha... Tum nhi the uske paas jab usko tumhaari ZAROORAT thi..." she let more tears flow.
"Main jaanta hoon meri galti hain Noor..." Shaan whimpered.
"Sab kuch meri vajah se hua... Main jaanta hoon..." his voice quivered.
"Main... Main nhi sambhaal paaya khudko tumhaare jaane ke baad..." he ultimately broke down.
Both Shaan and Aastha were in a state of emotional turmoil and were letting their tears stream down their faces. Both were overcoming the huge gamut of emotions that erupted due to the sudden realization of the severe impact of a "mistake" they had made in the past.
"Main jaanta hoon Aastha..."
"Jo ho chuka hai... Use badla nhi jaa sakta..."
"Lekin ab jab mere saamne ek mauka hai apne galti ko sudhaarne ka... Vo mauka mujhse mat chheeno Noor..." he pleaded, his eyes reflecting his sincerity.
Shaan had disclosed to her everything that had caused him to fail in his son's eyes. He confessed that he had failed as a father. He admitted that he had failed her "trust" which she had placed in him before leaving Shaurya in his care. But now he really wanted to make amends for everything, and all he wanted was her consent.
Aastha now knew why Shaan wanted to make things right with her. She understood that their son had to endure a lot in each of these for no reason. Thinking about the pain and misery her son had been going through since he was a child left her heartbroken. She now deduced why her son hated her so much, which eventually led to the incident that day when he declared that she didn't matter to him. She now interpreted that he had been venting all of his anger on her because he thought she had abandoned him.
Both Shaan and Aastha were struggling to accept the fact that the topic that they brought up had passed them by twenty-five years ago, and it was no longer worthwhile to dwell on it.
They wished they could UNDO everything and give their son Shaurya the normal life and childhood he had always wanted.
They wished their son hadn't had to go through so much just because of them.
They wish for something to happen in their son's life that will make up for everything he has missed up to this point.
They had no idea that destiny had already begun its preparations and that it would bestow its blessing on their son in the very near future...
Aastha sniffed and wiped her tears.
The atmosphere had become gloomy all of a sudden as Shaan brought back memories of their own gloomy past.
"Kya aap meri dost banna chaahengi ?..." The next thing she knew, she heard him say something that caught her off guard.
Aastha kept looking at him in a daze, while he waited for some positive response from her side.
Today, he had decided that no matter what had happened up to this point, he would take a step to fix up his relationship with Noor at any cost. He wasn't going back without doing it, and he knew she wanted it too, but was afraid due to "others".
Aastha took a moment to think as she looked down. Whatever he had revealed to her had led her to the realization that he, too, was no different from her. He, too, had to suffer and live every day in agony, just like she had to.
Until today, whenever he tried to mend things with her, she would take a step back thinking about "others". She was afraid that if they found out about it, it would cause another problem for them, further rifting them.
She was afraid that if she even took a small step towards what Shaan desired, it would cause her son to move even further away from her.
But today, after what Shaan told her, she realized that what her son had against her was more of a grudge.
A grudge for not letting him live a normal life.
A grudge for taking away his childhood.
A grudge for leaving him to grow up alone, even when his parents were still alive.
A grudge for letting him to see his parents drift apart at such a tender age.
A grudge for snatching his share of the LOVE that he "deserved" but was "deprived" of.
And with that, she realized it was time to reparation for her deeds.
It was time to bring back into her son's life what he had "missed", even if only a little.
It was time for her to return to him her portion of love.
It was time to start reshaping her relation with Shaan.
She came to the realization that she only had a few days left in Delhi and wanted to make the most of them by making an effort to "rekindle" her relationship with two of her closest people, one her son and the other, her husband.
She knew her son would not forgive her easily, nor would he take any steps to resurrect their relationship, but she had an optimistic thought in her mind that before returning to Kapurthala, she would do her BEST she could to talk to him and make things right with him.
That would suffice for her. That would be enough for her to return with a content heart, knowing that this time she did something for herself , unlike previous times when she had to only sacrifice.
By doing so, she wouldn't have to return with the REGRET that she didn't even make an effort to put things right with her son.
She realized that the first step would be to rekindle her "friendship" with Shaan, which had died years ago somewhere in the dark.
"Main tumhaare javaab ka intezaar kar rha hoon Noor..." Shaan said breaking the supreme silence.
Finally, Aastha emerged from her thoughts and looked at him with crystalline eyes, nodding yes, indicating she was ready... To be his friend.
Shaan's eyes shone brighter, seeing that she was convinced and that his desperate wish had been granted at last.
Both were content and upbeat on the inside.
They both never imagined that, after all that happened during the day, the night would turn out this way.
"Kya main apni dost ke saath dinner kar sakta hoon ?..." Shaan asked in a pleasant tone.
Aastha gave him a startled look.
"Ghabraane ki koi baat nhi... Main dinner saath laaya hoon..." he picked up the packet from the table, showing it to her.
"Tumhaara favorite... CHINESE..." he remarked.
Aastha turned away, as she let out a single more tear fall.
He remberes it !... Even today...
"Thanda toh ho hi gaya hain..."
"Ab aur thanda nhi hone dena chaahiye... Nhi toh waste ho jaayega..." Shaan said in an effort to comfort her.
Aastha then turned to look at him, which gave him the answer he was looking for.
As she finally agreed, Shaan's lips curled into a smile.
He began taking out the items one by one, and Aastha kept looking at him, how happy and he was by making a move to mend their relationship.
She wished she could see the same happy smile on her son's face one day...
How was it ?
Do tell me in comments 😊
Sorry for leaving out the scene between Shurya and Kanchan in this chapter.
Unexpectedly, this update grew longer, so I'll definitely include that scene in the following chapter.
Next chapter would be updated tomorrow for SURE.