Prologue
A declaration was made by Rao Saheb. Isha would have to leave the Bhosale house if she still wanted to pursue her dream of a decent career to support her financially distressed family. Shantanu, her husband was a mere marionette in the hands of his adults. He had no voice to favour his wife’s decision. He loved her deeply but his numbness towards her grief made her sceptic about his dedication towards their relationship. She was inflexible about her decision of aiding to her parents but one strong relationship had the power to immobilize her. Her son, Ishaan, the apple of her eyes never parted with his Aai even for a brief moment. They were inseparable. As they say, destiny is above all, Isha was forced to part ways with a portion of herself, her son, her Ishu due to multiple threatening she received from the Bhosale family if she insisted on taking away the heir of Bhosales. The incident had left a huge void in her heart and soul.
Her life as a married woman living separately from her husband wasn’t untroubled. Since her looks were easy on the eye, she had to cope with the objectionable male gazes wherever she went. In her case, time didn’t heal her unseen bruises, rather aggravated with passing years. It felt as if even the breeze from the Bhosale house didn’t travel to Ramtek, let alone the people of the house. Her parents coaxed her to return to her family but her so called family’s indifference towards herself had hardened her mind. She continued to hang the black beads around her neck, respecting its divinity, though it had left unseeable contusion on her psyche. She lost her parents to God after years of care and became despondent. Savi, an orphan, chirpy girl, rejuvenated her spirits. She was her alter ego through whom she lived her dreams.
Somethings are meant to be, even when hoard of evil forces conspire together. Savi was an angel in disguise. She was sent by God to knit the deserted mother son duo and the couple who once lived a happy love life. But Ishaan wasn’t Isha’s anymore. His mind was slow-poisoned by his Akkasaheb against his innocent mother. Shantanu had formed a utopia of his own in his mind to compensate his wife’s absence and continued to exist within it. Savi’s arrival in Pune brought the disjointed family together at the cost of Isha’s blood. Shantanu sternly decided to stay with his wife, his Isha, hostile to his family after witnessing her mental breakdown amalgamated with her physical affliction. Isha was left with no other option but to stay in their bygone Haveli along with her lately enlightened husband until she was well enough to leave him and his newly learnt pertinacious behaviour.
OS ~ ISHA & SHANTANU
The air was temperate, the breeze was cool, the stars befrilled the dark blue blanket of the night with their ethereal glow, the silver orb of the moon illuminated the old mansion. The nature outside was tranquil contradicting the inner turmoil of the couple who failed miserably in the eyes of their son. Shantanu was perturbed about his Isha’s health after the ruckus created by their son. He was a new man. He didn’t want to let go the smallest of chance to be with his wife and had also decided not to commit the same blunder which he did years back. Isha laid in a fowler’s position in herbed chamber glancing at the ceiling and its artistic marvel. She time travelled to the good old days when she was a full-fledged homemaker. Shantanu invaded her trance state and jolted her back to the present. He had come with the doctor who treated Isha in his absence.
Shantanu: Isha! Tumne do din se kuch nahi khaya hai aur na hi medicines liya hai.. I was getting concerned.. isliye doctor ko bulaya maine..taaki woh ek baar tumhe dekhle..
Isha sat erect and greeted the doctor.
Doc: Jab inhe goli lagi thi toh aap kaha the? He asked referring to Shantanu
Isha: wahi karne gaye the jo hamesha se karte aaye hai.. She taunted bitterly
Shantanu sighed and briefed the doctor about his visit to Vipasana centre and the mishap occurred in his absence.
Doc: Mrs Bhosale! This is not done. Aap apne health ko aise ignore karenge toh serious consequences bhugatna padega.. don’t forget ki apko goli almost heart ke paas lagi hai. You have to be extremely careful.. apko time se medicine lena hai, aur roz bandage change karke dressing karna hai so that koi infections na ho jaye… aap yeh arm belt ko todi der keliye nikalke apne haat ko move kar sakte hai… but no stress. Just eat healthy, walk andrest. Itna hi hona chahiye apka routine jab tak aap completely thik nahi hojate… He said
Post the doctor left, Shantanu wanted her to freshen up and ease into her comfort clothes. But she outrightly denied his aid except for undoing the hand belt. While she was in the water closet, he unpacked her bag which was delivered from the hotel, and organised the necessary garments on the bed and left the room. Isha eased into her nightgown which was kept ready for her and walked out of the chamber.
Shantanu: Ishu! Aaj keliye yeh bahar ka khana adjust karlo..Kal se mein ghar pe bana dunga.. He said smilingly and made her sit.
This is for you.. Basundi.. tumhara favourite dessert hai na..he said and placed it in front of her.
Isha was still frail and her right hand quivered when she forwarded it to eat. Shantanu inferred her predicament and forwarded the food to her lips. She glanced at him for a millisecond and munched it. He unhesitatingly savoured the left-over food from her plate benumbing her with his contagious smile, and cleared the dining space post supper. He escorted her to the room and succoured her to lay on the comfy bed. He sat beside and blanketed her.
Isha: tum aise hi baite rahoge?
Shantanu: don’t worry! Mein dusri room mein chala jaunga..pehle tum so jao..
Isha: mera woh matlab nahi tha…
Shantanu: Tumhara jo bhi matlab ho.. abhi tumhe neend ki zarurat hai.. so jao..
Isha had spent too many sleepless nights. The sudden solicitude she was receiving from her husband was unfathomable. She didn’t have to grapple a lot to invite sleep as her medicine had done half the job.
Amidst all the chaos happening since her arrival, Shantanu had disremembered to aptly look at his elegant wife. His eyes stuck on her alluring face glistening with the dim light of the room. He realised she hadn’t aged in all these years rather outshone her youth. She was all about simplicity, making things easy, helping those around her to relax and be happy with what they have. Perhaps that is why her skin glowed so, it was her inner beauty that lit her face and softened her features. Her face was cut right and her shiny black hair cascaded until her shoulder blade. Her petite figure contoured by her nightgown was highly practiced at seduction he felt. Shantanu had enigmatic sensations in his body after ages and his fingers twitched to touch her face. Leaving all the inhibitions and debating about his right on her as a husband for half a minute in his mind, his fingers dared to approach her face. Lamentably, Isha moved and laid straight, alarming Shantanu to barge out of his fantastic world. He didn’t find his behaviour disgraceful as after all, she was his wife and the ignition of passion in his heart was achievable only by her. He smiled at himself and got up only to find her foot peeping outside the quilt. Her toe ring twinkled and made him reminisce the occasion he made her wear it. How could he forget the juncture when she graced his life and became a fraction of himself. Her peacock gait to the wedding mandap in a green hued nauvari saree, and the beaming smile she gave him, was etched in his heart forever. Their first meet in Ramtek college, followed by his repeated visits just to have a glimpse of her face felt like yesterday. She was the best thing happened to him but was he the best thing happened to her? He wondered. Deep within, he felt he was blame worthy for crushing her dreams, her confidence, in the name of love and caging her in the Bhosale house. She was meant to glide around the sky but condemnably his apathy towards her concerns fractured their love. He stooped down and held her righthand delicately.
I promise Isha! Mein woh saare waadein pura karunga jo maine humari shaadi mein ki thi.. iss baar mein tumhe disappoint nahi karunga… Because I really love you!! Aur mein tumhe phirse khona nahi chahta hu… He said and pecked her fingers uninhibitedly. He got up, covered her foot and exited the room.
The next day dawned crisp and clear. The rays seeped into the room and kissed her golden face. The aroma from the kitchen woke her olfactory receptors and separated her eyelids. She rose up from the bed and corrected her black beads which had entangled. Shantanu sensed her awakening and entered the room with two cups of chai.
Shantanu: Good morning! He beamed. Thik se neend aaya?
Isha: hmm.. yeh sab kya hai? She asked pointing at the tray.
Shantanu: Chai! Hum dono keliye.. maine elaichi bhi daala hai with less sugar. Just the way u like it.. he grinned
Isha: yeh sab banana kab seekha tumne?
Shantanu smirked and replied; kyu? Hairani ho rahi hai?
Isha: of course. Kyuki Bhosale parivaar mein mardon ko kitchen mein jaana mana hai.. I was just curious.
Shantanu picked the cup and placed it in her hand.
Shantanu: jab tak tum thi, tum mere liye banaya karti thi. Aisa nahi ki koi aur mere liye banakar nahi dete par tumhare jaisa koi bana nahi paata.. He said and sipped it.
Isha: tumne dusri shaadi kyu nahi kiya? She asked unreserved about it while sipping the tea.
Shantanu gave a sorrowful smile to his wife.
Shantanu: Shayad tum bhool gayi ho ki mein shaadi shuda insaan hu aur meri ek biwi hai..
Isha: der se hi sahi tumhe yaad toh aaya ki tumhari ek biwi bhi hai… she shot back at him with her sarcasm and kept the empty cup in thetray.
Shantanu: accha woh sab chodo.. Fresh hojao.. breakfast almost ready hai.. ya ek kaam karo.. nahalo.. mein dressing kar deta hu.. baad mein breakfast karte hai..
Isha: dressing? Tum karoge?
Shantanu: haan! Kyu? Kal doctor ne hi toh kaha ki roz bandage change karna hai warna infection ho sakta hai..
Isha: woh mein janti hu.. par tumhe kuch karne ki zarurat nahi hai.. I can take care of myself.
Shantanu: kyu zid kar rahi ho? Ab toh do din ho gaye hai bina change kiye.. thik se medicine lagana hai aur bandage bhi.. mein kardunga.. he said
Isha wasn’t ready for it and it was evident on her face.
Shantanu: problem kya hai? Mein tumhara husband hu.. mujhse kya sharmana? I promise tumhe uncomfortable feel nahi karwaunga… He said genuinely.
Please jao aur nahalo. He said and took out her bathrobe from her bag and hung it inside the washroom. Ek minute! He said and helped her undo the hand belt. He held her left hand securely and unhurriedly moved it up and down. She winced in pain the first time she stretched her hand but his palms supported her to move. She could sense his warm touch on her elbow and wrist. She had forgotten how he felt on her skin or how a man’s caress felt, but his palms re-established the lost senses. He tied her hair into a bun and escorted her to the water closet. He assured her that he would be just outside in case of any help. Isha bathed but was dubious about walking out in the robe. Shantanu knocked at the door to reassure if she was done. She gulped and unlatched the door. Shantanu being a man, undeniably was enticed by her post-bath appearance. The water droplets were cascading down her temple, to her neck and her shoulder beneath the robe. He restrained his wild thoughts and took her to the bed without causing discomfort to her. Isha could surely feel the tension in his fingers that were holding her but remained steady. He brought the aiding kit and positioned himself in front of her. Isha’s eyes were down-casted feeling extremely embarrassed.
Shantanu: tum chaho toh Aankhen band karlo…
Isha: mein Aankhen band karlu?
Shantanu: haan! Kyuki mein Aankhen band karke toh dawai nahi laga sakta.. aur ajeeb tumhe lag raha hai toh aankhein bhi tumhe hi band karna hoga.. He said with a glint of naughtiness.
Isha: mujhe kuch ajeeb nahi lag raha hai.. She said contradicting her inner self.
Shantanu slowly loosened her robe knot and exposed the bullet scar on her left chest. He was terror-struck absorbing the magnitude of pain it might have caused her. It had permanently flawed her unblemished physique. He wanted to caress it with his lips and suck away all the pain. Isha tracked his emotions through his eyes which were ready to tear up and placed her hand on his thigh. Shantanu gulped his sorrow and aided to the wound. He went out to arrange the dining table for breakfast. Isha got ready and walked out to the dining. Shantanu helped her to settle down and served the breakfast. She insisted on eating it herself and he didn’t resist. While eating, her silky strands of hair troubled her face. Shantanu pleated her hair in however possible way. Shantanu got a call from the institute and walked to the living room. Isha finished her breakfast and walked to the kitchen to keep the plate but inadvertently placed her right foot on the vegetable peeler which had fallen on the floor.
Aaahhhh!!! She flinched.
Shantanu dropped his cell phone and rushed to the kitchen. He found her in the kitchen and fathomed what had happened. He brought her to the living room and made her sit comfortably after rebuking at her carelessness. He went on his knees and placed her foot on his thigh worriedly. There was a slight cut on the skin. He went and brought an ointment and settled back in the same position. Isha gazed at him tending to her foot as she got reminded of a corresponding situation that happened years back.
Ishaan was a three-year old tot. Isha had sprained her foot by stumbling on Ishaan’s toy. Since Shantanu was home, he tended to her pain. He sat on the floor and massaged her foot to release the pain even after Isha’s resistance. Surekha, Shantanu’s sister in law, got irked witnessing the couple in the living room.
Surekha: hey Bhagwan! Shantanu! Yeh kya ho raha hai? Mujhe bata tha tum iski baton pe nachte ho lekin aaj pair bhi pakad liya apni biwi ka? She asked.Aur tum! She said pointing at Isha.
Pati se koi pair chuwata hai? Shobha deta hai tumhe yeh sab karwane se? tum kab sudhrogi Isha? Pati ko naam se bulana, usse tum kehke pukarna, usse pair chune dena… tumhare maa baap ne kuch sikhaya bhi hai ya nahi? Shaadi ke itne saal hogaye lekin aaj tak thik se iss ghar ke taur tareeke seekh nahi paayi.. She said
Shantanu raised and stood numb. Surekha complained about the same to Rao Saheb who just arrived.
Surekha: Dekhiye! Dekhiye apke samne bhi kaisi baiti hui hai.. Badon ke samne nahi baitna hai yeh bhi nahi pata isse… she said
Shantanu helped Isha to stand but didn’t voice against his sister in law.
Isha squeezed her eyes as she marched back to the present.
Isha: Akka saheb ko dekhna chahiye tha iss Nazare ko.. Ab tak dass taane maar chuki hoti.. she said coldly
Shantanu: tumhe yaad hai woh sab?
Isha: kaise bhul sakti hu? Mein unhe kabhi maaf nahi karsakti..
Shantanu: jab maine pair pakad hi liya hai toh maafi bhi maang leta hu.. He said while caressing her foot. Isha was bewildered by his behaviour.
Isha: Shantanu! Please uth jao.. mein jhuk nahi sakti.. mere paav chodo.. She said trying to pull her foot back.
Shantanu: Nahi Isha! Mein sach mein maafi mangna chahta hu..uss har galat cheez keliye.. pls maaf kardo mujhe.. jaise tumhe lagta hai ki tumhara aur ishaan ke rishte ko ek aur chance milna chahiye, usi tarah hum apne rishte ko ek aur chance kyu nahi de sakte? He asked
Isha bent her head back and pondered over the situation.
To be continued….
hello everyone!
This write up is an attempt to explore the story of Shantanu & Isha from Ghum hai kisi ke pyar meiin. i have always loved middle aged romance and that's also a reason why i chose to write this. The couple have amazing chemistry and deserve to be known. Hence, this Fanfiction.
i hope you all enjoy reading it. please post your valuable feedback which will help me to write more. thank you.
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