"Area of a circle?" Asked Sidharth.

"πr^2" Replied Shehnaaz confidently.

"Area of a cylinder's curved surface?"

"Umm... 2...2πrh..."

"Sphere...."

"4πr^2"

"Correct." Said Sidharth happily making Shehnaaz smile. "Tumne toh saare formulas acche se yaad kar liye hai. Baki subjects mein bhi accha kar rahi ho. Dekhna tumhara exam bohut accha jaayega."

Suddenly Shehnaaz thought something and said, "Accha Sir, exam ke baad toh aap mujhe tution nahi denge."

"Nahi. Main sirf 10th class tak hi padhata hoon."

Shehnaaz became sad hearing that. It meant after exams they wouldn't be able to meet daily.

"Tum toh waise bhi 10th ke baad padhai continue nahi kar rahi?" He said further.

"Haan. Kaal 18 ki ho jaaungi. 10th ke baad sayad Mummy rishta dhund na suru kar dengi mere liye." She said sadly.

"Tum yeh hi chahti thi."

"Chahti hoon. Bas uss mein ek chhota sa fark aaya hai. Abhi main....." Shehnaaz paused for a while and said, "Sir ek minute rukiye...."

Saying that she took her bag. She thought that now she should give him the letter to let him know about her feelings.

She was about to take out the notebook when Sidharth's eyes fell on someone and he said, "Shehnaaz, tum uss ladke ko jaanti ho kya?"

Shehnaaz looked at the direction where Sidharth pointed his finger. She saw Nakul sitting at the ghat with a girl.

"Haan. Mera boyfriend tha." Replied Shehnaaz casually.

"Ab nahi hai?" Asked Sidharth curiously.

"Bilkool nahi. Actually woh humare school mein hi padhta tha. Mujhse ek saal senior tha. Phir woh College chala gaya. Uss ke baad se humare beech koi contact nahi raha."

Sidharth gave a huge smile and said with sigh of relief, "Phir toh thik hai."

Shehnaaz frowned and asked, "Aap kyu inna khush ho rahe ho?"

"Khush? Arrey nahi. Actually jis din maine school join kiya tha uss din tum dono ko raaste mein baat karte hue dekha tha. Mujhe laga sayad woh tumhara boyfriend hai. Iss umar mein hota hai I know but abhi zyada inn sab ke chakkar mein nahi padhna chahiye. Padhai pe uska affect hota hai. Abhi dekho tum iss se dur ho iss hi liye padhai mein accha kar rahi ho. That's why I said ki thik hai." Said Sidharth explaining.

Shehnaaz controlled her laugh seeing his expression. He was nervous. No matter how much he tried to explain himself, she knew that her being single made him happy. Now she became sure that he had feelings for him.

"Tum kuch kehne wali thi waise." Said Sidharth trying to avoid the topic.

Shehnaaz thought for a while and said, "Aaj nahi. Kaal baataungi. Filhaal chalti hoon."

"Haan chalo. Main tumhe chhor deta hoon."

They went to Shehnaaz's house.

Before leaving, Shehnaaz said, "Ek baat kehna chahungi Sir. Mera padhai mein accha karne ki wajah kisi se dur rehna nahi balki kisi ke bohut paas rehna hai."

Saying that Shehnaaz went inside her home. Sidharth smiled looking at her. He knew that she was talking about him.

Next Day...

It was the last day of school and Shehnaaz's birthday as well. After classes Sidharth called Shehnaaz at his cabin at the tiffin period.

She went there and Sidharth immediately hugged her and said, "Happy Birthday Shehnaaz!"

"Thank you Sir!" She said hugging him back.

They broke the hug and Sidharth said, "Toh aaj tum adult hogayi."

"Woh toh hai." Said Shehnaaz flipping her hair.

"I hope ab se tumhari harkatein bhi bado wali ho jayegi."

"Sir meri harkatein bado wali hi hai."

"Really? Mujhe toh nahi lagta."

"Ahhhaaann!" Whined Shehnaaz to Sidharth laughed.

After that he said, "Actually maine tumhe yaaha kuch dene ke liye bulaya hai. I have something for you."

Saying that he took out a pen from his pocket.

"Yeh Pen mere Dadaji ne mujhe diya tha mere 10th board exams ke waqt. Unhone kaha tha, Beta yeh rakh aur mast exam de ke aa. Aur iss pen se exam de ke maine apne school mein top kiya tha. Uske ek saal ke andar Dadaji iss duniya se chale gaye lekin tab se yeh pen mera lucky charm hai. Apne life ke har bade exams mein main isse apne saath rakhta tha. And today I want to give it to you."

Shehnaaz's expression changed hearing that. She couldn't believe that he was giving his most precious thing to her.

Sidharth handed her the pen.

"Sir aap sach mein yeh mujhe de rahe hai?" Asked Shehnaaz with disbelief.

Sidharth smiled and said, "Haan Shehnaaz. Kyu ki mujhe paata hai, sirf tum hi iski ehmiyat samajh sakti ho."

Shehnaaz's eyes became teary. She nodded her head negatively and said, "Sir main yeh nahi le sakti."

"Mere diye hue tohfe ko wapas kar rahi ho?"

"Aap samajh nahi rahe. Yeh aap ke Dadaji ne aap ko diya tha. Yeh aap ke liye bohut keemti hai. Main iss pen ke layak nahi hoon. Main exam mein aap ki tarah top nahi kar sakti. Zyada se zyada pass ho jaungi. Main yeh pen le ke aap ke Dadaji ki disrespect nahi kar sakti. Aap yeh pen kisi acche student ko dena."

"Shehnaaz accha student woh hota hai jo sikhne ke liye mehnat karta hai. Tumhara result chahe jaisa bhi ho, tumne uske liye mehnat kiyi hai. Isliye iss pen ko tum hi deserve karti ho."

Shehnaaz felt overwhelmed hearing that. She wiped her tears and said, "Sir main promise karti hoon, main iss pen ko khud se bhi zyada sambhal ke rakhungi."

"I know that." Said Sidharth with a smile.

Shehnaaz went closer and hugged him tightly to which Sidharth reciprocated.

At that very moment some came near the door and peeped inside. He became shocked seeing the scene.

Siddharth broke the hug, cupped Shehnaaz's face and kissed her forehead.

"Exams ke liye best of luck." He said.

She looked at him with full of love in her eyes. She decided not to delay and tell him everything that day.

"Sir aaj shaam ko ghat ke paas wale dhabe mein chalenge? Apne mujhe itna keemti tohfa diya isliye main bhi aap ko apne birthday pe treat dena chahti hoon." Said Shehnaaz.

"Tum mujhe treat dogi? Paise kaha se aayenge?"

"Mere gullak mein hai paise. Aap bas time se aa jaana."

"Okay meri jaan aa jaaunga." Saying that Sidharth kissed her cheeks making her blush.

She took a deep breath and she also kissed his cheeks making him shocked.

"Chalti hoon."

Before he could react, Shehnaaz ran from there blushing. She didn't even noticed the person who was standing outside.

"Jhalli!" Thought Sidharth and chuckled.

He was going to sit when he heard a voice, "Yeh sab kya chal raha hai?"

He looked behind and saw Ashok Ji standing.

"Dad aap idhar...."

"Dekhne aaya tha, tumhara kaam kaisa chal raha hai. Lekin yaaha aa ke kuch aur hi dekhne ko mila. Kaun thi woh ladki jo yaaha se abhi bhag ke gayi?"

Sidharth could hear disappointment in his voice. He understood that he misunderstood the situation.

"She is my student." He replied.

"Apne har students ke saath tu aise hi behave karte ho kya?" Asked Ashok Ji sternly.

"Dad it's not like that. There is a misunderstanding...."

"Koi misunderstanding nahi ho rahi hai." Said Ashok Ji making him quiet.

Then he calmed himself and said, "You should be grateful that it was me. Agar meri jagah iss school ka koi aur hota toh tumhe andaza bhi hai kya ho sakta tha? Humare school par sawal uthaya jaata, yaaha ke students aur teachers ke rishte par sawal uthaya jaata."

"Humara rishta waisa nahi hai jaisa aap soch rahe hai. Yeah I'm fond of her because I know her personally. Main usse alag se tution de raha hoon."

"Tution?"

Sidharth told everything to Ashok Ji.

"Main bas Shehnaaz ki help karna chahta tha because her parents can't afford home tution for her. Iss hi dauran mujhe attachment ho gayi uss se. Main bacchi ki tarah treat karta hoon usse. Iss se zyada aur kuch nahi." Said Sidharth at last.

Ashok Ji sighed and said, "Beta main toh samajh gaya. Lekin uss Bacchi ka kya? Saaf saaf dikhta hai woh kya feel karti hai tumhare liye. Abhi kaise sharmate hue yaaha se gayi. Kabhi kabhi humare actions saamne wale ko anjane mein hi ek umeed de deti hai. Aur iss umar mein agar koi insaan humein itna sa bhi pyaar deta hai na toh hum usse apna sab kuch maan lete hai. Phir jab woh insaan humse dur jaata hai toh hum seh nahi paate. Aur filhaal tumhara uss se dur jaane ka waqt aa gaya hai."

Sidharth became shocked hearing the last line.

"Matlab?" He asked.

"Aaj subah tumne ghar se nikalte waqt apna laptop khula chhor diya tha. Main band karne gaya toh dekha ek mail aaya hai. You are going back to America."

Sidharth couldn't understand how to react. He always knew that one day he would go back to America. But now because of some reason he wasn't able to accept it.

Ashok Ji kept his hand on Sidharth's shoulder and said, "You are going, right?"

"Of course.... Jaana toh padega." He said controlling his emotions.

"Yaaha tumhara kaam khatam ho chuka hai. Hum iss school ki faculty bohut zald change karenge. Kuch saal ke andar it will become one of the top schools of Delhi. It was not possible without your help. But now you have to return to America as you have your responsibilities there as well."

"I know."

"Aur jitne din tum yaaha ho, uss Bacchi se thoda dur rehna. Aage uski apni zindagi hai jo tumhari zindagi se bohut alag hai. Main bas chahta hoon tumhare jaane ke baad usse koi takleef na ho. Ek teacher aur student ka rishta ek dayre mein rahe toh hi behtar hai."

Sidharth nodded in yes. Ashok Ji left from there.

At Night...

Sidharth and Shehnaaz were sitting at the ghat after having dinner at the Dhaba. They also cut a cake there which Sidharth bought to celebrate Shehnaaz's birthday. Sidharth knew it was probably the last time they were spending together, so he wanted to make it memorable.

"Cake ke liye shukriya. Waise aaj ka khana accha laga aap ko? Saare masalon ka balance ekdam sahi tha." Said Shehnaaz to which Sidharth hummed.

"Sir aaj aap inne chup chup se kyu ho? Exams ke pehle kuch bolna nahi hai?"

Sidharth smiled slightly and said, "I have already said everything. Abhi kuch bacha nahi hai kehne ho. I know you will do well in exams."

Shehnaaz just smiled. Then she said, "Aap ko baat nahi karni lekin mujhe na aap se ek bohut zaroori baat karni hai."

"Haan, tum toh kaal se kehna chah rahi ho. Bolo."

Shehnaaz took out the notebook from her bag. She opened it and took the letter.

Before she could give it to him, Sidharth said, "Waise.... kuch hai jo main bhi tumse kehna chahta hoon."

Shehnaaz again kept the letter in her notebook and said curiously, "Kya?"

"Shehnaaz I don't know tum kaise react karogi but mera yeh kehna bohut zaroori hai. Main woh nahi hoon jo tum mujhe samajhti ho." He said making Shehnaaz hell confused.

"I joined the school as a math teacher but in reality I'm not only a math teacher. Yeh school..... Mere Dad ka hai."

Shehnaaz was left stunned. It was not something she expected.

"Sir aap mazak kar rahe ho naa?" She asked innocently to which Sidharth nodded in no.

"Yeh school aap ke Dad ka hai iska matlab aap bohut bade ghar se ho. Toh phir aap yaaha teacher ki naukri kyu kar rahe ho?"

Sidharth told the whole story to Shehnaaz. He told her the reason behind joining the school. Shehnaaz was numb after hearing everything. She thought that Sidharth belonged from a middle-class family. But knowing that he was so much rich, Shehnaaz started thinking herself very small in front of him. He was beyond her reach.

"Mera iss school mein jo kaam tha woh khatam ho gaya. Aur ab mujhe jaana hoga." Said Sidharth which broke her heart.

"Ch..chale.... Ja..yenge?" She asked with broken voice.

Sidharth nodded in yes and said, "Main America mein job karta hoon aur mera work from home khatam ho chuka hai. So I have to go."

"Wapas... Kab... Aayenge?"

Her eyes became teary.

"Paata nahi." Replied Sidharth sadly.

"Iska matlab hum phir kabhi nahi milenge?"

"Yeh bhi paata nahi. Lekin Shehnaaz, jaane se pehle akhri baar ke liye meri ek baat sunogi?"

Shehnaaz nodded in yes.

"10th ke baad tum apni studies continue karna aur ek din apne pairon pe khada zaroor hona. Jo chiz tumhe acche se aati hai tum woh hi karna. Main bas tumhe shine karte hue dekhna chahta hoon."

Tears rolled down her cheeks. She hold his hands and said, "Main waada karti hoon. Main padhai nahi chhorungi. Life mein kuch bada archive karke dikhaungi, haan."

Sidharth chuckled with teary eyes and said, "Achieve."

"Haan woh hi."

Sidharth couldn't control himself anymore and pulled her for a tight hug. Shehnaaz also hugged him tightly and buried her face in his chest. His shirt became wet.

Sidharth kissed her head and then broke the hug. Shehnaaz wiped her tears.

"Mere jaane ke baad miss karogi?" Asked Sidharth.

"Thoda thoda." Replied Shehnaaz but Sidharth knew she was lying.

He laughed a little and said, "Accha yeh sab chhoro. Tum baatao tumhe kya kehna tha."

Shehnaaz looked at her notebook and said sadly, "Kehna tha. Ab nahi kehna. Bye Sir."

Saying that she kept her book inside her bag but accidentally the letter fell from her notebook which she didn't notice.

She didn't even wait for Sidharth and left from there hurriedly. Meanwhile he kept looking at her blankly. He was feeling very sad but he didn't know why. He didn't want to leave her but there was no reason for him to stay as well. He was not sure about his feelings. He still thought that he was only attached to here and there was nothing else.

After sometime Sidharth saw the letter on the ground. He picked it up.

"Yeh Shehnaaz ke bag se gira kya?" Thinking that he was about to unfold it when his phone rang.

He kept the letter in his pocket and received the phone call.
______________________________________

Enjoy this update as my birthday treat jo ki kaal hai. Kaal ka pura din bohut busy rehne wali hoon. Iss baar main bhi 18 ki ho rahi hoon so excitement alag level ki hai😅😅

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