#Fasana

#Episode4

#ContinuationofTheMarriage

#Alovestory

#RhituparnaChakraborty

#Disclaimer: This is an original work of fiction. Any relation to any person or organism living or dead is purely coincidental. This story cannot be published, copied or reproduced elsewhere without the consent of the author Rhituparna Chakraborty. This is a work of imagination with no intention to hurt anyone.

The next day dawned. Saanchi did not sleep a wink, or rather, she could not sleep a wink. She woke up, looked at her phone. No message from Mushtaque. Saanchi thought, ‘ Seems he is not much of a social media savvy guy. Probably he is comfortable in talking over phone rather than texting. Nevermind, I will see him today.’ Thinking so, Saanchi blushed. She quickly got ready, had her breakfast and went to college. She was unable to focus in her classes. During lunch break, she checked her phone. No call or text from Mushtaque.

Just then Priyanshu came. Saanchi was wearing a light pink kurta and white leggings. Her pearl ear drops complimented her dress and the peach lipstick shade made her look even prettier. Her bright eyes with kohl, a bunch of black thin metal bangles jingling on her right hand, the smart apple watch on her left hand and her beige footwear with block heels, made her look as elegant as ever. Priyanshu could not take his eyes off her. Saanchi realised Priyanshu was staring at her. Saanchi waved at him and said, ‘Hey, where are you lost?’ Startled, Priyanshu smiled and said, ‘ What can someone do when such a beautiful lady is right in front of you.’ Saanchi smiled. Priyanshu said, ‘ By the way, anything special today?’ Saanchi blushed and said, ‘ Hmm, yes.’ Priyanshu asked, ‘And what’s special?’ Saanchi smiled and said, ‘ Will tell you. But, not now.’ Priyanshu was perplexed. He thought, ‘ What’s so special?’.

Meanwhile Mushtaque slept well. As it is, he was hell tired. And he was someone who lived in the moment. He believed in doing things at the right time. Although, that never meant, he did not miss Saanchi. He did miss her, but he also knew that he had to complete his office tasks properly so that he could meet her and talk to her peacefully without any disturbance.

Come evening, Saanchi got ready. She was wearing a beautiful light peach, knee length dress. She wore a pair of stilettos. Her tiny diamond studs shone brightly on her soft earlobes. With light make up and immensely sophisticated dress, Saanchi looked jaw dropping gorgeous. Parvati was not at home. Saanchi told her dad, ‘Papa I have to go for a birthday party. I will be home soon. I should be back my 9:00 p.m. or so.’ Purshottam Pandit said, ‘ I am happy to see you happy dear.’ However, Purshottam Pandit was somewhat worried about Priyanshu. Without Saanchi doubting anything, Purshottam asked, ‘ Umm, are your college colleagues coming too?’ Saanchi replied nonchalantly, ‘No Papa. No college colleagues.’ Purshottam let out a sigh of relief. Saanchi looked at her watch. It was almost 6:00 p.m. Saanchi said ‘Bye’ to her dad and stepped out to the pavement and walked a little ahead. The moment it was 6:00 p.m., Mushtaque arrived. Yes, punctuality was a virtue innate in him and Saanchi. Mushtaque valued time and so did Saanchi. Mushtaque was wearing a v necked white t shirt and pair of blue denims. The moment he saw Saanchi standing in front, he wanted to look at her forever. Seeing Mushtaque, Saanchi walked up to the car and smiled at Mushtaque. Mushtaque opened the door of the passenger seat and Saanchi hopped in. The fragrance of Saanchi’s floral perfume and Mushtaque’s cologne filled the air with an aura of euphoria. Mushtaque smiled at Saanchi and said, ‘ Hi’. Saanchi blushed and said, ‘ Hello. Good evening.’ Mushtaque then started the car and they drove off.

The radio played all the retro Bollywood music of the 70s and 80s era. The song, ‘Kya yehi pyaar hai’ filled up the awkward silence between Saanchi and Mushtaque. They were quiet for sometime. Mushtaque realised, this silence was artless. He said, ‘ We are going to a cafe called Zodiac Bistro. We have good Italian food there along with super delicious coffee. Hope you like Italian cuisines.’ Saanchi said softly, ‘In fact I love Italian cuisines.’ Mushtaque said gently, ‘ I am glad I selected the right place.’ Saanchi smiled.

They reached the venue. It was a posh cafe. Mushtaque had reserved a sea facing table for them. After they were seated, Mushtaque asked the waiter get some starters for them. Mushtaque looked at Saanchi and said, ‘Well, we could not talk much earlier. Hence I thought, it would be a good idea to catch up over a cup of coffee.’ Saanchi said, ‘ You did the right thing.’ Mushtaque then said, ‘ So, what do you like to do in your free time?’. Saanchi replied, ‘ Painting.’ Mushtaque replied, ‘ That’s interesting.’ Saanchi smiled and said, ‘ How about you?’. Mushtaque laughed and said, ‘ Solving crimes and eliciting truth from criminals.That’s my profile.’. Saanchi laughed. Saanchi then said, ‘So, apart from criminals, what do you like?’. Mushtaque looked at Saanchi and said, ‘Conversation with intelligent people.’ Mushtaque then continued, ‘ And, apart from painting, what do you like?’ Saanchi replied coyly, ‘ Conversation with intelligent people.’ Mushtaque said, ‘ Aah, so we do have something in common.’ Saanchi smiled and said, ‘ I guess so.’ Mushtaque then said, ‘Saanchi I am sorry for all that you had to go through and when I was with Kushal, I could not tell you that I was not the bad guy. Bound by duty, you see.’ Saanchi looked at Mushtaque’s brown eyes and said, ‘ I understand. And I am glad that all of that happened.’ Before Saanchi could say anything, Mushtaque said promptly, ‘I am thankful too.’ Both of them did not realise that they said the same thing. Both of them looked at each other and:

Mushtaque said: Uh what? You are glad?

Saanchi said: You are thankful?

Mushtaque (awkwardly): Uh, huh, I mean, thankful…. thankful that I could rescue you.

Saanchi: Oh

Mushtaque (looking at her with questions in his eyes): And, you are glad?

Saanchi (looking away from Mushtaque) : Umm, glad….glad that we were able to save the girls.

Mushtaque smiling and looking at her: ‘Just glad to save the girls?’

Saanchi shied away avoiding the question.

Just then the food arrived.

Well, all that they did not notice was Priyanshu was sitting at a table at a corner watching them.

After coffee and snacks, Mushtaque dropped Saanchi at her home. Through out the drive, they did not talk much, but they felt they were at home in each other’s company. When they arrived at Saanchi’s home, Mushtaque said, ‘Thanks for joining me for coffee.’ Saanchi replied, ‘It was a pleasure.’ Mushtaque and Saanchi did not want this moment to be over. They wanted time to stand still, but they knew, that was not possible. Saanchi said, ‘Bye.’ Mushtaque replied, ‘Bye’. Just when Saanchi was about to leave, Mushtaque said, ‘Umm Saanchi?’ . Nothing made Saanchi more happy than hearing her name from Mushtaque. Saanchi said, ‘Yes?’. Mushtaque said hesitatingly, ‘Umm..Saanchi..would you mind…. I mean…I know you are busy….but…would you mind if I called you sometimes?’ Saanchi wanted to scream with joy. She controlled herself and said, ‘Why would I mind?In fact….I……I would like it if you call me.’ Saying that Saanchi blushed. Mushtaque smiled like an innocent child happy to the core and said, ‘ Bye Saanchi. See you.’. Saanchi smiled and said, ‘ See you. Good night.’

Mushtaque drove home. Saanchi reminisced every moment she spent with Mushtaque. Before going to bed, she checked her phone. She knew Mushtaque will not text her, but, she was in for a pleasant surprise. Mushtaque had texted her, ‘You looked very beautiful today Saanchi.’ Saanchi could not stop smiling. She read the text again and again and finally drifted off to sleep.

Meanwhile Priyanshu was busy hunting for information about Mushtaque. Who was Mushtaque? He cannot snatch Saanchi. Priyanshu had lost Saanchi once. He will not lose her again. He had to plant hatred in Saanchi’s mind for Mushtaque. But how? Priyanshu had to find out and he will……..

To be continued……..