Never Let Me Go

2. lavish life

2005

"Seven ice creams", Arjun Rathore, the king of the college, announced his demand while Ishu just lowered her eyes, accepting his ragging and everything. She just wants to finish her studies in silence. Otherwise, he would get a fierce reply.

She kept those ice creams on the table with a thud with a warning that he couldn't play with her as he wished.

"I'd card?" She asked in a little raised voice. Arjun just smirked at her and got ice cream.

"We are only six. And this is for you", he gave her a strawberry-flavoured cornetto.

"I don't get anything free from strangers like someone" she directly taunted him and all his friends gasped at the audacity of Ishu, but Arjun just smiled at her.

"I thought I would just leave you after today's session. It seems that you like to mingle with me." Arjun spoke, keeping her id inside his pocket and walking like a king. Ishu stood shocked. She didn't expect this for sure. Damn her mouth and anger.

*****

"Mam it's with him" Ishu didn't regret her words when the H.O.D of her department stood there with a dominating stare. Arjun entered the room with the most innocent look ever.

"What am I hearing?" The H.O.D asked, while Arjun stood on confused.

"Mam, what happened? Does she need my help with any assignments?" Arjun asked with a genuine voice and Ishu widened her eyes with his acting.

"She is telling you that you have her id card" The mam spoke, glaring at Ishu. The way she stared at her, shows that she didn't believe her and she knew about Arjun.

"What's your name, sister?" Arjun asked, looking at Ishu, making her more annoyed with his goody boy facade.

"Ishiita Kapoor. If you don't want to give your exam, you can always say that. But blaming someone who has a good reputation at this college is not acceptable to act", the teacher warned Ishu while she lowered her head in dismay. As far as she knew, Arjun was the son of the main trustee of this college. So it's bound to happen. But what will she do now?

"Are you a schoolgirl? To complain like this?" Arjun asked, walking beside her while she paid no attention to him.

"Okay relax. Just apologise and take back your id card" Arjun. was shocked as he said that. It's a fact that he is attracted to her. But he never lets go of anyone easily, whoever insults him like that.

"Keep it with yourself. I can, anyway, apply for a new one", Ishu replied in a calm tone. She just doesn't like it when someone tries to bend her. But she doesn't want to mess with anyone. She just wanted to complete her studies without any more disturbance. She has gone through hell already in her earlier college because of her attitude. Now, she wants to lie low so that no one notices her.

Arjun just stood there looking at her shadow. She is not those types of girl he has come across. She is different and that's what made him go behind her again and again. But in this process, he doesn't want to end up regretting his decision.

****

Neha was listening to it as if it was a movie. Ishu blushed many times whenever she was talking about Arjun. Neha notices that and she regrets even asking about their story. Is it a correct decision? Ishu still loves him like a mad girl.

"He left you for god's sake. Why are you smiling like this?" Neha asked in a little raised voice?

"It's our decision. He didn't leave me. I left him for his good", Ishu replied with a frown. She never gives anyone the right to judge Arjun in their relationship. Neha didn't know what had happened. But she feels sad whenever she sees her friend living a miserable life.

"Okay fine. I am not criticizing anything. But you are still young and my God you are too beautiful to waste such beauty alone!" Neha spoke dramatically as Ishu stood up, keeping her diary aside as if she was done with that day's story.

"I have a friend. His name is Akash. He saw you yesterday with me. He wants to talk to you. Why don't you just meet up with him?" Neha asked, wanting badly that Ishu might move on with anyone she deserves.

"I have an important class. Will you go to your office?" Ishu took her necessary books, literally avoiding Neha's topic, making her sigh.

****

Mumbai

The long event went on and on and Arjun found it exciting when the award host announced his award. It's been many years. He has been getting awards for his performance because he still feels as if it's his first award. He slowly walked towards the stage after kissing his daughter. The audience went crazy to have a look at him. He slowly waved his hands towards them and gave a flying kiss.

He received the award and posed like a king of this world. He knew how to capture the young girl's heart with his one smile. He thanked everyone, especially his wife, who was very happy to hear her name from his mouth.

"Vidya, thanks for being there" he mouthed genuinely and felt sad. He knew that his Ishu would be watching this from anywhere. Will she be broke? She never shows her broken side to anyone. His corner eyes released some tears when he recalled his Ishu. He wanted to search for her but she made a nice hideout and he couldn't catch her anywhere.

Vidya joined the stage and he posed along with his wife and daughter. He looked at her. She is a pure soul who loves him like anything. But in turn, she demands a little love from his side. Which he was never able to give her. He even forgot to love after Ishu.

After answering the questions of the media, Arjun stylishly rubbed his nose and gave a flying kiss to the camera and smiled along with it. He is sure that behind the camera is his Ishu. He wanted to show her that she was still in his heart. And he could never give her place to anyone.

But deep inside, he doesn't want to meet Ishu. That, too, after his marriage. He had no courage to see her broken face.

Ishu widened her eyes when she saw the press meet on the television.

"Mam, coffee" the canteen boy offered her the coffee. She took it and lowered her eyes, not able to see anyone. She knew that that kiss was for her. Why is he doing that in every award function? But it still affects her like hell. Her cheeks must be red and visible to everyone around her.

She hurriedly drank her coffee and left the campus as if running away from his voice from the television. The look on his face when he hugged his wife was tearing her apart. Moreover, he was lifting his daughter. A small sob released her mouth when she entered her home. He did move on easily. How can he give that special place which belongs to her to anyone? She hates the fact that she can't even hate him.

"Mom I am sorry" Siddharth's voice made her turn to the entrance and her sulking face changed instantly and broke into a broad smile.

"I didn't mean to tear the book" he mumbled apologetically. Tearing our friend's book is something overboard and he doesn't want his mom to be upset at him even for a second.

Ishu came running to his side and grabbed him for a hug. She could never get angry with her son ever. She cupped his cheeks and kissed his forehead emotionally. How can anyone be angry with this pure soul?

Sid is happy to see that his mom is not angry with him as usual. He never took it for granted but knew the boundaries for him. His track gets stopped at the table where he has noticed sleeping pills. His eyes watered automatically, recalling his mom's troublesome nights. She always tries to sleep without these pills but ends up having one.

"I hate you. I hate you for leaving us. I hate making my mom cry. I hate you because we need you" Sid mumbled as tears rolled down his cheeks. He wanted to tell his father directly but never got that chance. He doesn't even know his name. The most annoying thing is his mom never complains about his dad to him. Instead, she always praised him.

"I wish I could meet you in person to show you that I am not like you." He mumbled again as if he was talking with his dad.

He silently switched on the television and his lips curved up when his favourite movie was telecast. Arjun Rathore started dancing for the song when Sid couldn't stop himself but had to join him at his home. Ishu entered the room and instantly, Sid switched off the channel, not wanting to upset his mom. Ishu never stops Sid for anything, but she doesn't like it when Sid watches too many films and focuses only on Arjun Rathore. But seeing him switching it off only for her, she felt sad.

She switched on the television and higher the volume of the song. She sat beside Sid, whose eyes sparkled with her gesture.

"I won't force my decision on you ever. You will do whatever you feel is right. But yeah, mumma will be sad if you hide and do these things", she gently advised her son while he hugged her tightly.

"Champ, I got you new DVDs of Arjun Rathore's films" the male voice echoed all around and Ishu stood there rolling her eyes and looked at the person with anger.