The Window Seat

Chapter 3: The Family Problem

The college ended at 3 PM.

Aakay and Isha were still on the same bench. Second row, window side. Now everyone in BCA Section A knew Roll No. 22 and 23 were one.

I have to go early today, Isha said, packing her tiffin. My father is coming home early.

Aakay nodded. My father too. He comes home at 4 PM from the factory. If I am late, he asks a lot of questions.

They walked to the bus stop together. The same 3:30 PM bus.

The bus was empty this time. They got the window seat again. But Isha was quiet.

Your father is strict? Aakay asked.

Not strict. Scared, Isha said. We are not rich, Aakay. My father is a bus driver. Same route, 8 AM to 8 PM. He sees a lot of boys and girls in his bus. He thinks all love stories end badly for girls like me. He told me , Focus on BCA, get a job, then think about anything else.

Aakay understood. His family was the same.

My father works in a cycle factory in Ludhiana. 12-hour shift. He also says the same . We don't have money for mistakes. Your BCA fees is my two months salary. Don't waste it on these things.

The bus stopped. Ludhiana city traffic.

Isha looked at him. So we are doing a mistake?

Aakay looked at the half empty tiffin in his bag. He thought about the 5 AM paratha, the window seat, the roll numbers.

No. But for our families, love is a luxury. And we are common people. We can't afford luxury.

Isha smiled sadly. Then let's keep it common. Let's not call it love. Let's call it... tiffin sharing. Window seat sharing. Roll number sharing.

Aakay smiled too. Family won't have a problem with sharing then?

My mother won't. She will be happy someone finally ate her paratha ,Isha laughed.

The bus conductor came. Tickets.

Aakay searched for coins. Isha already had two tickets in her hand.

I took them before. My father taught me always take the return ticket in advance. You never know when you will need to come back.

She gave one ticket to Aakay.

Not just a ticket. A promise to return. Together. Tomorrow. Same bus, same window seat, same tiffin.

Even if the families don't understand yet.