Everybody stood mum. The police handcuffed Mayank and dragged him away from the hall. Ishqi heaved a sign of relief. She was free. Free from carrying the burden and brunt of being the good human - the strong woman.
She was about to leave the hall because she was exhausted with everything. She wanted to lead her life, from her perspective. She didn't look at Ahaan's face.
She was moving out of the hall when Ahaan held her wrist and she stood silent, looking at the floor.
"Ruk jaiye bhaii" - Kartik came forward amidst everybody and shrugged Ishqi's wrist off Ahaan's hold.
"Aaj nahi. Aapka haq nahi hai yeh. Aapka haq nahi hai Ishqi ko kuch bolne ka ya usse kuch sunne ka".
"Kartik ek baar mujhe baat toh karne de. . Mei sorry hi. . "
Ishqi started sobbing and Kartik just pulled her into a hug.
"SORRY! Sorry feel kariye bhai aur karte rahiyega. Par kis kis baat ke liye sorry kahenge aap? Apni soch pe sorry feel kariye. Aaj mujhe is baat ki itni khushi hai ki jab yehsab sach bahar nahi aaya tha meine tab bhii Ishqi ka saath diya tha. Aap humesha family values pakad ke beth te hain na bhai, yeh hain aapki family values? Aaj apki behen, aapki family, yahan hum sab ke beech safe khadi hai toh sirf Ishqi ki wajah se. Na aap apni family ko protect kar paaye, na apni values ko." Kartik held Ishqi closer and kept caressing her hair.
"Aap kehte the na mujhse ki mei pyaar nahi karta Ishqi se?" Kartik finally broke down infront of everybody and the entire hall gasped. More truths were to come.
"Aap Ishqi se pyaar karne ke layak hi nahi hain bhai. Aap ek strong, independent aur heastrong insaan se pyaar karne aur usse samajhne ke layak hi nahi hain. Bohot khush hun mei ki aapko yeh lagta hai ki aap usse pyaar nahi karte. Kyunki pyaar toh aapki family values mei fit hi nahi hota na bhai? Aapki family values shallow hain. Aapne jitni padhai kari hai, jitne paise kamaye hain, sab bekaar hain bhai kyunki aap apne aapko educate kar hi nahi paaye. Aap yeh baat seekh hi nahi paaye ki ek insaan ko pura haq hai apna life partner choose karne ka, on the basis of whatever they want to."
Ishqi pulled back and requested Kartik to stop but he wiped her tears - "Chalo Ishqi hum bahar chalte hain, yeh mahaul, yeh log, aur inke sanskaar, tumhari zinda-dili ke layak hi nahi hain."
Ahaan started moving after her when Kartik gave him a stern glare. And he kept mum. And he stayed there. And they moved out.
She was free. She was vibrant. She was relieved.
She slept well that night.
Book Talk
Shiv Shakti
