Author's note:

Imagine how desperate we become when we text someone and wait for their reply. We tend to check our phones again and again to see if it is delivered and received. If we are too desperate then we end up calling the person directly.

Now imagine how in 1954, he sent a letter via her friend. He didn't knew where she lived neither was it so easy for a man to drop into any girl's house whenever he needed. He had to wait for the same source to get a reply.
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It was yet another sleepless night for Sidharth as he was excited and waited for her reply desperately. In the morning, he went to college pretty early than the normal time. He occupied the bench at the entrance hoping to see her or atleast Indumati with a reply from her.

Sidharth: Indumati.. (calls her out)

Indumati: (disinterested) Yes Sir!

Sidharth: How is Shehnaaz? Did you give her the umbrella and the envelop?

Indumati: I don't know. I couldn't meet her today. But I've given her both the items you gave me.

Sidharth: Okay. Thank you.

He was restless but there was no way he could reach to her besides taking the help of Indumati. A day passed by and next day, he thought she might come to college but she didn't. He asked Indumati but she didn't give him any update as well.

The restlessness continued for 4th day as well with absolutely no news about her.

I think I am at fault writing that letter to her. Could it because of my letter she stopped coming to college? Or did someone else from her family read the letter? Or did her husband returned to her? How can she be ill for 4 days when Indumati had said that she just had common cold and light fever? She didn't even reply to my letter. 

May be she doesn't want to reply me. I sound so desperate just in two days. I am clueless about what to do.

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Going through the same roads once again. This time the village has been a bit more advanced just like his feelings. Last when he visited, he wished to see his bride as soon as possible, imagining about her and the ways to impress her. This time the purpose was different. He wished he didn't have to confront those eyes which might raise hundreds of questions. The answer for which was not known by him. He excitement was replaced by fear.

Last time, he wished to reach quickly, this time he found that he was approaching the destination at double the pace. He nervously got down from the cart and knocked at the door hesitantly.

Shakuntala Devi opens the door and her mouth was open agape looking at him. She took sometime to register it in her mind about his presence.

SD: Aap?.. Aayieye!! {You?.. Please come!!}

He goes behind silently as she escorts him inside.

Sidharth: Sasur.. aaa.. ummm.. aaa.. (he didn't know what to address Mahinder as) Where is Sir?

SD nods and she escorts him to the room. Sidharth was shocked to find Mahinder was lying in the bed, sick.

Sidharth: What happened to him? Is he alright?

SD: Jinki beti ka ghar basne se pehle hi ujad jata hai, aksar unke maa baap ka haal aisa hi hota hai.. {Those whose daughter's life is destroyed before beginning, their condition is often like this only.}

Sidharth was embarrassed and he put his head down.

SD: Sorry! If you felt hurt! My intentions were not to hurt you. Not today not 5 and a half years back. We really didn't have an option. Our elder daughter had eloped and if we let out the news, our younger daughter's marriage might have never happened.

Sidharth: I am sorry! But what's happened has happened already. We can't really change it. I came here to set her free. I want her to move on in her life. I came here with a divorce...

He froze in shock to see her

Sidharth: Sheh.. Naaz..? What are you doing here?

Shehnaaz was quiet. She passed on the herbal medicine to SD which she got for Mahinder.

SD: Where else she would go? Her father's situation was deteriorating very fast, so she came here to be with him.

Sidharth: Father? Who?

SD: Him? Who else? You forgot Sana's father?

Sidharth: Shehnaaz.. Sana?

SD: Sana is Shehnaaz's pet name. She used Shehnaaz only in schools and college.

Sidharth: What? (Shocked) I.. I... Can I speak to her in personal please?

Shehnaaz looks at SD and SD agrees.

Shehnaaz goes to her room, He followed her. It was the same room. All the memories flashed infront of his eyes as soon as he looked at the room.

Sidharth: Shehnaaz, do you remember me?

Shehnaaz nods yes with her head down.

Sidharth: Did you recognise me in the college? (She nods yes) Then why didn't you tell me?

Shehnaaz: Because you left me long back and you are now with another girl and because you are going to get engaged next Sunday. Aren't those reason enough for me to stay away from you?

Sidharth: So are you happy Shehnaaz?

Shehnaaz: (smirks) Glad somebody finally thought of asking me this question. I wasn't asked this question before my parents dressed me up as a bride and got me married to you. They didn't ask me before they put a long veil and presented me infront of you.

You didn't ask me this question before you spent personal moments with me, neither did you ask me this question when you left me and went to your friend's house.

Your mother didn't ask me this question when she welcomed me into your house nor did she ask me this question when she threw me out of your house.

I never mattered to anyone nor did my opinion. And today you are asking me whether if I am happy? No, I am not. But does that even matter to you?

Oh! I forgot, you just said you came here to divorce. Fine, if you are happy than let me sign it.

Sidharth: No!! Did you read my letter which Indumati got for you?

Shehnaaz nods no.

Sidharth: Then did you throw it out? (Nods no) Do you have it here? (Nods yes) Read it now.

She looks at him in surprise. He nods yes. She pulls out the envelop from her bag and opens it.

Dear Shehnaaz,

I thought I would write a nice poem to impress you at first but then I felt none of the poem I write can justify my feelings. Hence I will keep it simple.

Shehnaaz, I love you and I want to marry you. You said the society doesn't allow a girl to move on. But I want you to move with me ahead in our life.

I will wait for your reply.

-Sidharth

Shehnaaz was shocked looking at the letter. She didn't know how to react.

Sidharth: Shehnaaz, since you are already my wife, I want to take you back to my home.. our home. This time as Shehnaaz and without any confusion.

Shehnaaz's eyes well up and she start crying.

Shehnaaz: I missed you all these years years. You didn't miss me and fell for someone else.

Sidharth: Who someone else? I fell for my wife itself.

Shehnaaz: But you didn't know that I was your wife.

Sidharth: Still, I fell for you.

Shehnaaz: I won't talk to you.

Sidharth: Okay, then I am going!

He gets up and she holds his wrist. He smirks.

Sidharth: Thank God, the green bangles didn't break this time.

She lowers her face and blushes because he remembers their nuptial night.

He holds her hand and takes her outside to SD and Mahinder.

Sidharth: I want to take my wife home. This time to never leave her. Please, give me the permission.

SD and Mahinder were the happiest. They bless them both.
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To be continued.. ❤️❤️