May 30, 2015

"Let's talk about something out of our syllabus today." Amaya scanned the whole class, smiling. "Smart City. Let's talk about it." She said excited. "The government of India, under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has a vision of developing 'one hundred Smart Cities', as satellite towns of larger cities and by modernizing the existing mid-sized cities, so this is the best topic to talk about." She again scanned the whole class with her beaming eyes and then leaned back to the table. "Okay? Ready?" She asked.

"Eh- such a dumb topic. We should talk about something interesting... sexy, you know?" Amaya heard it. This came from the last bench; she knew that.

"Arey, unhe bolne de na, unki aavaz hi sexy hai. [Oh, let her speak, her voice is too sexy!]" Amaya gulped down really hard, feeling so uncomfortable by the comments passed on her.

"W-what is a smart city? Explain." Amaya asked pointing at the guy who was giggling there on the last bench.

"Me?" He raised his eyebrows as he pointed himself by putting his index finger on his chest.

"Yeah, please. We also want to know what you think of smart city? Eh- sexy city, right?" Amaya asked, with her nose fuming in anger but she controlled her anger, clenching her fists behind her back.

Whole class started laughing at him, including his friends too. He looked down embarrassed but he was angry from inside.

"You don't know who I actually am. My dad is-"

"Who? Your dad is a businessman? Business tycoon? I don't deny that. But who are you?" Amaya raised her voice. "You're nothing Mr Rahul Arora. Don't boast on your dad's name. You-"

"You are not doing good, Amaya! You-"

"Don't cross your limits Rahul. I'm your teacher. You- you just get out of my class." Amaya shouted at him.

"You are-"

"I SAID GET OUT!" Amaya shouted even louder, closing her eyes and pointing the door to him, telling him to leave.

Rahul left the class, stomping his feet angrily. Amaya opened her eyes once he left. She sat back on the chair for some minutes, closing her eyes. The whole class was quiet now. Everyone was looking at her, including those boys who were talking so rubbish about her. She opened her eyes as she calmed herself down.

Exhaling heavily, Amaya said, "Anyone who- who knows anything about- about smart city?" Her mind was totally disturbed.

"Ma'am!" One girl called out. Amaya looked up at her with her raised eyebrows. "Ma'am, if you want, you can skip this lecture." She said but looked down in very next moment as Amaya glared at her.

"Anyone?" Amaya asked loudly, totally ignoring that girl.

Only some first benchers raised their hands.

"Yes, Yash answer." Amaya again sat down on her chair, closing her eyes and listening his answer.

"Smart city. The concept of smart city has different meanings and.. definitions. It's like, better quality life, sustainable development, advanced technology, transport systems and.. umm.. citizens' participation. And it is-"

"That's enough." Amaya smiled at him. Honestly, she didn't even hear what he answered. She was busy debating with her mind and calming it down. "Sit down." He too smiled and sat down. "Anyone else?" She asked tiredly. "Yes please." She didn't know the guy's name.

"Smart cities are those cities which have smart, I mean intelligent, physical, social, institutional and economic infrastructure while ensuring that such a smart city will improve quality of life. It will ensure competitiveness for the city that generate options for.. all residents to pursue their livelihood and interests meaningfully and with joy. Smart city is-"

"You are just blabbering, she's sleeping there." Someone whispered to him and everyone looked at Amaya; some laughed, some giggled and some understood what she had been going through. Some students found their way to leave the class without informing her and some sat there, chit-chatting or doing their work.

Amaya was really sleeping there, all she wanted was peace and get rid of this depression. She felt like as if her mind was surrounded with darkness; too dark to not let any light penetrate, darkness beyond measure. It was like as if there was no branch of hope to catch or hold onto. Whatever she had been feeling was unheard, unseen, indescribable but killing her silently. How much she tried to ignore the mental pain, she couldn't escape from it; it always followed her like a black shadow that was on the inside, eating her and breaking her.

"Amaya?" Amaya was shocked hearing that melodious voice. It shook her to the core of her heart. She was dying to hear that voice.

"Amaya, wake up." He lightly and gently shook her by her shoulder.

"Himu?" Amaya opened her eyes and found Himansh right in front of her. She was shocked to find him standing in front of her. "How are you? Where were you? Why did you-"

"Hey, I'm right here, with you."

"But why did you-" Amaya was cut off by a smiling Himansh.

"How's Ansh? I miss him so much."

"He too misses you, a lot. He wants his daddy, everyday, every time." Amaya's eyes became teary and her voice cracked. She knew she was going to break down any time soon.

"Then give him his daddy, simple." Himansh smiled a little wider and Amaya's tears stopped.

"What do you mean by that?" Amaya looked at Himansh confused, wiping away her tears. "It's not possible, you are-"

"Nothing is impossible, love." Himansh smiled at her lovingly.

"But Himu you-"

"You should agree to Mom's advice. You should get married again-"

"NOOO!" Amaya screamed, opening her eyes and breathing heavily. She looked here and there in search of Himansh but when reality hit her mind that it was only a mere dream of her, her eyes became more teary. The class was empty. She rubbed her eyes, wiped the tears her eyes were holding, and then glanced at her wrist watch. It was 11:50, meaning she had slept for more than an hour.

Amaya quickly stood up and then straightened her kurti. She stuffed her book in her purse and took out the bottle of water from her bag. She gulped down water to calm her racing heart. She put the bottle back in her purse and then left the class. Some students who were standing in the hall, chatting with their friends looked at her with such a look as she passed by them. She kept walking, looking down.

"Her bums are so round and perfect to grab!" Amaya gulped down at that cheap comment, but didn't stop and kept walking.

It was break time and students were roaming around. Amaya decided to have some light food from outside the college as she forgot to bring her lunchbox. She left her college building and started walking towards the main gate of the college.

"Aye!" Suddenly someone grabbed her wrist and pulled her behind a parked car, pinning her against the car. He placed his palm on her mouth so that she wouldn't be able to scream. "What were you saying huh?" He tightened his grip as he said with his gritted teeth. "You made fun of me, huh? You made fun of Rahul Arora, you have to pay for it." He scoffed before leaning in.

Amaya's eyes widened in fear. Her heart was throbbing, faster than anything. Before Rahul would remove his palm and do anything wrong with her, she bit his palm and he screamed in pain and staggered back. Amaya kicked him on his stomach and then pushed him, making him fall on the ground. People around them noticed it, the same girl who asked her to skip the lecture, called the HOD and complained about Rahul. But Amaya wasn't there, she had already run away in fear.

×××××××××××××

"Amaya, are you okay?"

Amaya just nodded in reply.

"Then why are you behaving so weird?"

Amaya didn't answer this time.

"Amaya?" Rekha placed her hand on Amaya's shoulder, making her flinch. "Is everything okay?" Rekha asked and Amaya just nodded, again.

"Then why are you-"

"Ma, please! I'm fine." Amaya replied tiredly. She couldn't meet her eyes with Rekha.

Rekha knew Amaya was hiding something from her. Rekha even knew that Amaya wasn't going to share her problem with her. But it wasn't anything new now. After Himansh's death, Amaya barely shared her problems with anyone. She just kept things to herself and dealt with them alone. Rekha didn't force her and decided to leave it.

"You know what, today Ansh was asking about his daddy." Rekha said and Amaya looked at her with her eyes widened.

"W-what did he-he ask?" Amaya asked and gulped down saliva in her dried throat.

"He said he wants to meet his daddy on his birthday. And-" Rekha stopped as she saw Amaya clutching her head with her hands. "Amaya." She placed her hand on her shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I'm still telling you to remarry. Please, do it for Ansh." She said and Amaya looked up at her, with her heavy and teary eyes.

"But what about my promise? I and Himu had promised each other to-"

"Who is telling you to do it for yourself? Honestly, you're being selfish here, you are not seeing that Ansh really needs love of his father. He-"

"And what's the guarantee that the man I remarry will love Ansh like his real father? What if he will hit Ansh? What if he... pushes Ansh out of his house? What if-"

"What if he gives his love to Ansh? What if he loves Ansh more than anything? What if he gives his everything to Ansh? What if he brings more happiness in Ansh's life? Why always negative?" Rekha questioned calmly and Amaya just listened her, still with her teary eyes.

Amaya didn't say anything and went upstairs to her room. She opened the door of her room and found Ansh sleeping there. She looked at him with love and sadness in her eyes. She went to him and laid down beside him. She ran her fingers through his hair and smiled. And a tear rolled down from the corner of her eyes.

"Your mamma will try her best to give you your birthday gift." Amaya whispered and kissed his forehead.

×××××××××××

"Won't you come with us to watch this girl?" Amrita asked as she made herself sit on the sofa and looked around. She was at Rishaan's house for the first time.

"You know that I don't want a wife, I want a mother for my daughter." Rishaan said with a straight face as he too sat on sofa. "And also, I don't have time for this nonsense." He said and took out his phone from his pocket.

"What nonsense?" Amrita asked a little angrily but Rishaan didn't even look up at her. "Adi, advice him something. He only listens to you." She said, turning to Adi. Adi just looked down, knowing he didn't listen to anyone.

"Seriously! You both are unbelievable!" Amrita said as she stood up, stomping her feet angrily and catching their attention. "Will see you Mr Rishaan Chauhan directly on your wedding." She said and turned to leave.

"Wait!" Rishaan stood up as he called Amrita. His mother stopped at the door and turned back.

"Thank God, now he'll come with me." Amrita smiled from inside.

"Wait a minute." Rishaan said and ran upstairs. In five minutes he was downstairs with a folded paper in his hand. "Give this letter to-"

"What is there?" Amrita asked, cutting him off as she tried to take it from him. But Rishaan just pulled his hand back.

"You don't need to read it." Rishaan said a bit rudely and turned to Adi. "I trust you Adi, don't break my trust." He said as he gave the letter to Adi. Adi just smiled and took it from him. "If she agrees, I mean after reading this letter, then I am ready to get remarried." He smiled at Adi and then threw extra keys of the house to him and said, "Lock the house whenever you leave." Saying that he left the house in his car.

"Show me, what is there?" Amrita tried to snatch the letter from Adi but failed.

"Mom, no. Don't break his trust this time." Adi said and Amrita looked down, guilt washing over her face.

Taking a deep breath, Amrita looked up at Adi and said, "Let's go. We have three girls to watch today." and he raised his eyebrows at the word 'three'.

××××××××××

"Rishaan!" Amrita yelled as she entered his house. "Rishaan!" She again yelled. "Come downstairs or-"

"What the hell! And how did you get inside? And why the fuck are you yelling?" Rishaan asked standing up at the last step of the stairs and then descended the stairs quickly. He seemed so annoyed and angry.

"First of all, don't use this language in front of me." Amrita glared at Rishaan and he just rolled his eyes muttering 'I don't care'. "And yes, I got the keys of your house from Adi." She said and added almost immediately, "And I'm here to discuss something with you." She sat on the sofa and he too sat on the opposite side. She looked at him but he wasn't looking at her. It looked like as if he wasn't interested in her talks or he didn't even care about her.

"Rishaan, it's been two months." Amrita started and Rishaan looked up at her with a raised eyebrow. "What did you write in that letter that every girl is refusing to marry you? Even Adi isn't showing me." She asked calmly and waited for him to answer her. But he didn't. He just sat there leaning back to the sofas with his eyes closed. "Rishaan, I'm talking to you. Why-"

"Truth." Rishaan opened his eyes. "Conditions." He added. "That's what I've written in that letter." He said looking at his mother. "I have some-" He was cut off by his mother.

"What conditions, Rishaan? Tell me." Amrita wanted to know it so badly.

"Doesn't matter to you." Rishaan said as he stood up. "You can leave now." He didn't care to look at her and walked to the stairs. "And find a match for me." He mumbled and laughed a bit sarcastically.

Amrita was worried about Rishaan's future, Disha's future. She wanted him to move on. She didn't want him to forget Diya but also she didn't want him to take every step thinking about her too. She wanted him to make a new start. She wanted to see him happy. She wanted to see smile on his face. She wanted someone to enter their lives and change everything. But maybe he wasn't ready. Maybe he didn't want someone to enter in their lives. Maybe he didn't want someone to come between him and his daughter. Maybe he didn't want someone to take Diya's place. Maybe he didn't want to be happy.

They were rich. After all, they belonged to a royal family of Rajasthan. If she wanted, Amrita could buy any good bride for her son! But more than a bride she wanted a mother for her Disha. But she was tired because no girl was ready to marry him. Why? First, because he was a father of a three years old girl and second, because of that letter.

"Amrita, there's this girl." One of her friends showed her a photo. "But the problem is that... "Amrita took the photo in her hands and looked at it.

"She looks good but what's the problem?" Amrita shifted her gaze from the photo to her friend—Swati.

"She's a widow and a mother of a five year old boy." She said with a straight face.

"Oh!" Amrita again looked down at the photo. "But I don't have any problem with her being a widow." She smiled looking up at her. "By the way what's her name?" She asked.

"Amaya. Amaya Sharma." Her friend smiled and paused. "She does a job as a lecturer in some government engineering college. But I don't think she is good for Disha or Rishaan." She made a face, whispering to her as if someone would listen her.

"Why? Is she into some bad-" Amrita was cut off by Swati.

"No. I didn't mean that. I mean, she is not so rich and-"

"Oh c'mon Swati, you know that Diya was also not from a rich family. And it never mattered to us." Amrita shook her head.

"Yes, but your son loved her." Swati reasoned.

"So?" Amrita asked with a raised eyebrow and put the photo of Amaya back on the table. "OK tell me, how did you find this girl?" She asked her as she leaned back.

"I don't know but she is my daughter-in-law's relative or something like that." Swati shrugged, making a face again. "I don't like my daughter-in-law." She rolled her eyes and leaned back.

Amrita shook her head at her behavior. "Give me your daughter-in-law's phone number. I'll ask her about this girl, Amaya."

×××××××××××

"Namaste." Amrita joined her hands as she greeted Rekha.

"Oh come inside." Rekha smiled and moved aside to let Amrita and Adi enter in. "Please sit." Rekha gestured them to sit on the sofas.

There was nothing special in the house, old house with very least picturesque. There were some pictures of a little boy, hanging on the white wall. Amrita looked around and examined the whole drawing room. It was neat and clean. Adi and Amrita took their seat on the sofa while Rekha brought water for them.

"Umm... Amaya is not at home?" Amrita asked as she took a glass of water from the tray.

Amrita had already talked to Rekha on the phone about Rishaan and she wanted to see Amaya for him and all.

"No. She is not." Rekha looked down for a second. "But she must be on her way home. Maybe picking up Ansh from his school." She said looking at the clock on the wall before answering them with a smile.

"Her son?" Amrita asked as if she didn't know about Ansh, narrowing her eyes a little.

"Yeah." Rekha pressed her lips and smiled.

Suddenly, the door flung open and there stood a girl with her backpack hanging on her left shoulder. "Ma, I'm super hungry. I want to-" She stopped as soon as she saw some guests sitting on the sofa. Amrita and Adi both looked at her with their raised eyebrows while Rekha just glared at her.

"Oh! She is my daughter." Rekha stood up and walked to her. "Riddhima, meet them. Mrs Amrita Chauhan and her son, Adi."

Riddhima looked at Rekha with a confused and then at Amrita and Adi. She awkwardly smiled at Amrita and said, "Namaste!" And then looked at Adi who was chuckling, watching her expressions. "Hey." She made a weird face at him and then walked inside her room without uttering more.

"Actually she is-" Rekha was cut off by Amrita saying "It's okay."

They just sat there, talking about Amaya and Rishaan. Rekha asked about Rishaan and his daughter, Disha and what had happened to Diya and all, while Amrita asked about Amaya, her job, her son, Ansh and what had happened to Himansh. And at the end of the conversation they got to know that Diya and Himansh died on the same day that too in the same hospital. They were chit-chatting and suddenly the door opened. And there stood Amaya, with Ansh's schoolbag on her shoulder. She was in her pink kurti with purple lines on it. It was paired with a purple chudidar. She looked simple yet beautiful. Amrita looked at her from her head to toe. She looked good. Just then her eyes landed on that little chipmunk who was standing there, holding Amaya's pinky finger.

"Go, greet them." Amaya whispered to Ansh, slightly bending down and nudging his arm.

Ansh looked confused, seeing these new faces but he smiled, joined his hands to greet them and ran into a room, giggling.

"Namaste." Amaya greeted as she put Ansh's schoolbag in a corner and went to them. "Sorry, but he behaves like this." She looked a little embarrassed.

"Haha! That's okay. Even our Disha behaves like this. She is so stubborn. Rishaan has really spoiled her." Amrita said, smiling.

Amaya passed a small smile back at her, not really knowing how to react.

"Why are you standing there? Come, sit." Amrita offered, gesturing her to sit. Amaya smiled at her and sat beside Rekha.

"So... What job do you do?" Amrita had already searched everything about her but still she asked.

"Lecturer. I'm a lecturer in 'Shri Govindram Seksaria Institute Of Technology And Science'." Amaya replied with a smile.

"Great!" Amrita complimented and Amaya just smiled.

"So you really want to get remarried? I mean- you are-" Amrita asked awkwardly but got cut off by Amaya.

"Actually, no." Amaya replied and Amrita was disappointed a little by her reply. "I mean- honestly, I'm doing this remarriage for my son, Ansh. I-" Rekha cut her off and replied to Amrita.

"No. She didn't mean that." Rekha glared at Amaya as she said. Rekha was tired of this same reply of Amaya. Most of the men rejected her hearing this reply of her. Because they wanted a wife, not a mother of a five year old boy. "She just wants Ansh to get love of his father. She-" This time Amrita cut Rekha off.

"Oh my! Rishaan too wants this. I mean he is also doing this for Disha." Amrita said, smiling.

They all sat in silence. They had nothing to talk. It was getting awkward and awkward by passing each and every second. Rekha looked around and sensed the awkwardness in the room. She tried to change the topic and soon, Rekha and Amrita were talking about random things. Amaya just sat there, smiling and nodding her head whenever she was asked about anything. Adi was really feeling bored there. He just wanted a chance to talk to Amaya and give the letter to her.

"Umm.. Excuse me." Adi whispered as he moved little to Amaya's side. She raised her eyebrows at his actions.

"Yeah? What?" Amaya asked confused, slightly narrowing her eyes at him.

"No, I mean I'm sorry. But Shaan, I mean Rishaan wanted me to give this letter to you." Adi said as he slipped out the letter from his jeans pocket and handed her.

"I am sorry?" Amaya asked, her voice dripping with confusion.

"Read please." Adi said and saw her unfolding the letter.

"Love letter?" If yes, then Amaya was so going to tear it apart and throw somewhere in the room. She unfolded the letter and started reading it.

Okay. So hey to whoever you are. I am Rishaan Chauhan...

×××××××××××××

“She has got a new chance to write her story, with someone new, with a new start, with a new purpose. And it looks nothing like her past.
She doesn't know that she is going to complete her uncompleted book of love.” ♡

×××××××××××××

Thank you for all the votes and comments and your support. I love you all my new readers.

Story is going to change from next chapter. And sorry for grammatical errors.

Happy reading.

Thank you.
~J