"tera milna hai use
rab ka ishara maanu"

JANHAVI

As Ishan ji and I stepped out of the boutique, I couldn't shake off the unease that had settled in the pit of my stomach. The weight of the expensive dress hanging in the shopping bag felt like a burden on my shoulders, a reminder of the stark contrast between my world and Ishan's.

"We should eat something outside, Janhavi ji," Ishan ji suggested, breaking the silence that hung between us.

I nodded in agreement, eager to distract myself from the overwhelming emotions swirling inside me. Little did I know what awaited me at the restaurant Ishan ji had in mind.

The restaurant was exquisite, with dimly lit interiors and a sophisticated ambiance. As we were escorted to our table, I couldn't help but notice the elegance surrounding us.

But it was not just the ambiance that made me feel out of place; it was the people themselves. Everywhere I looked, I saw women dressed in sleek, revealing dresses, carrying themselves with an effortless grace that seemed alien to me.

Back in Bihar, it was common to see girls dressed like me, in traditional attire that reflected our cultural roots. But here, in this world of glamour and sophistication, I felt like a belonging from another era, old-fashioned and out of touch.

I remembered my teenage.

•••••

flashback

"Maa main padhne jaa rahi hu" I informed getting out from the room.

Dadi ji who was sitting in the hall stopped me on my way. "Yeh kya pehenliya hai tune? Laaj sharm hai ki nahi??? Pura taang dikhraha hai? Poonam! Poonam!!"

I noticed my attire, it was kind of a anarkali dress and was far below my knee.

"Dadi ji isme kharab kya hai? Pura toh dhaka hi hai?" I asked politely enough.

"Ae! Zaban lada Rahi hai??? Poonam main bula Rahi hu tumhe sunai nahi deta kya??? Jaisa maa waisi hi beti hogi na?"

This time I couldn't hold it back. "Aap isme maa ko kyu kheech rahi hain? Main change kar le rahi hu!"

My mom had rushed into the hall.

Dadi ji got up from her seat and slapped me hard.

I looked at her with teary red eyes.

"Poonam aaj se iska bahar padhne Jana band! Agar ye gayi toh main apni nas kaat lungi"

My mother had no other way than agree to her. She nodded and I was escorted back to my room.......

•••••

"Janhavi ji, kya hua?" Ishan ji's voice broke through my thoughts, concern etched in his features as he noticed my discomfort.

I forced a smile, trying to mask the turmoil raging inside me. "Kuch nahi Ishan ji, bas thoda sa headache ho raha hai."

But the truth was far from it. I felt like an outsider in this world, like I didn't belong here among these people who seemed to effortlessly embody everything I was not.

ISHAN

Janhavi ji was deep lost in her thoughts. The waitress approached us asking what we would like. "I would like something simple... Umm chowmein would do." The waitress noted it down and turned to Janhavi ji.

"Mrs Kishan what would you like?" she asked. Janhavi ji was lost in her own world. She said again, louder this time, "Mrs Kishan?"

I had to step in now, "Janhavi ji? Sun rahi hain aap?" She looked at me immediately and responded. "Haan boliye?"

"Wo waitress is calling you na?" I said.
"She was calling some Mrs. Kish.... Oh I'm so so sorry" she was looking really embarrassed. Obviously she was not habituated to 'Mrs Kishan'

The waitress smiled at her and politely asked again. "It's fine mam, what would you like to have?"
Janhavi ji was least bothered and disheveled. She didn't even took a moment to think. "I'll have whatever he is having." she added with a smile, probably fake.

The waitress bowed to us and went away.

Janhavi ji was profusely embarrassed about that conversation and I couldn't help but feel bad for her. I shouldn't have brought her in such a place where she could feel uncomfortable. I should give her the time to adjust.

"Sorry about that," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm still getting used to being called Mrs. Kishan."

I reached across the table, and after some dilemma, I put my hand on her in a gesture of reassurance. "Janhavi ji, there's no need to apologize. We're in this together, remember? You don't have to pretend to be someone you're not."

"Thank you, Ishan ji," she said, meeting my gaze with a small smile.

I smiled back, "Always, Janhavi ji. Always. And you don't need to thank me for everything, that's my responsibility."

As we waited for our food to arrive, Janhavi ji kept the silent. I wanted to start a conversation but then I thought I was overdoing things.

So better would be to keep quite.

And as we savored our meal together, I couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope flicker to life within me. Maybe, just maybe, I could find my solace back.

On our way back home, I knew I had to initiate a conversation. I was supposed to live with her for my whole life. Things would get out of hands if we don't share a simple understanding.

"You watch cricket?" I asked the first question that came to my mind.

"I used to watch cricket, but not lately" She replied honestly

"You lost interest or just..." I asked out of curiosity.

"Me loosing interest over cricket? Never. I was actually forbidden to watch." I could sense the pain in her words.

Why would anyone forbid her to watch cricket?

I wanted to voice my question but I thought not to. But Janhavi ji answered my question.

"Baba thought that it was shameless for a girl to watch so many men on the tv" she said with a smile.

Kaun se saadi mein rehte hain ye sab log?

"You're serious?" I asked

She chuckled at my question.

"Watch cricket at our home whenever you want okay? Main jab series khelne jaunga then you can also come with me!" I said.

She nodded and smiled at me,

Itni kam baatein koi kaise karsakta hai yaar?

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