"Hanu bhayya! What is wrong with my heart? Do I need some kind of treatment??" I questioned  decorating him with flowers .

"It's been a month. I tried not to look at him or talk with him or should I say , I avoided him! Like completely! It's unbearable! " I sighed folding my hands.

"It's very difficult for me.. you know. To look at your crush and them not knowing that you are actually crushing on them . Like seriously? I mean hanu bhayya ! How can I not even express that I like him?" I spoke looking at him.

"Crushing on whom dear?" My mom entered carrying my bag.

"Nothing mom. I talk when I am stressed out" I spoke getting up from floor

"Why do you stress lord Hanuman so much? He must be tired listening to so many people's queries." She said handing me over my bag.

"Does that mean he's just keeping me in mute option? Whatever I spoke , he didn't even listen??" I exclaimed.

"You are so childish Aahana" mom said walking beside me

"So how many more months will you keep on teaching for jailers ?" She asked .

"Why?" I questioned her.

Why so sudden interest my dear mom?

"We want you to get married." She dropped the bomb.

"Mom! I just started working!" I whined Walking out of my house.

"For jailers. Which isn't good thing" she pointed out.

"I teach. No matter whether it is for jailers or students in university. I am spreading knowledge." I replied closing our main door. Indirectly asking her not to talk with me about that topic.

I started my car and travelled towards the place which I dread because it's filled with criminals as well as excited to go because that's where my crush is. As usual officials greeted me by saluting to which I laughed.

I am not an officer!

"Good morning!" I greeted cheerfully looking at everyone except one particular guy.

"Good morning" I heard only him reply as usual . I glanced at him to see that his beard has grown so much and he looks handsome as ever. He was staring at me without blinking his eyes which is bit scary and so I turned away.

He sure has some killer looks!

"Excuse me mam" someone entered handing over me a envelope which contains their test results. I looked at it hoping everyone did their level best. I am bit nervous to see results as I was not assigned to evaluate them .

"So here are your test results. I hope everyone has done their part well. Let me see who's in the game " I spoke earning a slight laughter from them.

As I opened it , I found the name which I ignored from past one month. I sighed and looked through the list to see everyone has gone through the test well. I was happy to know that I was successful in teaching them !

" Congratulations guys! You all did good. I don't know your rewards for your performance but I am sure they are  worth your struggle " I said smiling at them . All of them had smiles on their faces .

" I will now announce the names who have topped the list. I don't know why they have given separately , maybe they might have special gifts " I said winking and  making them laugh at me.

" Soham " I spoke while whole class went silent, he looked at me smiling a bit.

" Pankaj" I said , man sitting beside him smiled widely while Soham patted his back .

" Bhushan sarvotam shah" I announced last name trying to control my laughter.

" These three are named as you can say maybe toppers?" I said turning towards the board.

" Now I will start teaching you a bit difficult topics which I hope you will ace in your final round of exams. I want everyone to concentrate and learn. If you have any doubts please feel free to get up and ask me" I said to which everyone nodded their head.

I continued my class trying not to look at his face at all. Somehow I should get used to not seem him forever in future. Dad is right , two worlds can't meet together without destruction.

Wait! He was quoting some comic movie that time!

I chuckled and continued my class.

" Ok that's it for today " I said wrapping up and getting ready to leave. As usual I was waiting for the inmates to clear the room before I leave.

" You look beautiful" I heard his voice and my widened with the realisation that he's holding hand. I slowly turned around to look at him.

" Was someone troubling you past few days?" He questioned.

" Move fast! Back to your work! " Some jailer shouted making me turn my head.

" Mate we will be caught" Pankaj who scored second highest warned him.

" I am there for you" he spoke leaving my hand and walking in the line quietly. I stared at his retreating back wondering what might have happened to him.

Did some animal bit him? Why did he talk with me? Maybe he's bored with people here..

SOHAM'S POV

" Do you think they will reduce my term?? I should be gone by now but I don't think they will release me" Pankaj spoke pacing in our cell.

" You will be rewarded" I said smiling at him. He's three years younger to me exactly Aahana's age.

" I want to be out! I want to study and fulfill my love's dream" he spoke smiling widely.

It's true love never dies. The person we love may not be ours but the love we have for them cannot be given to anyone else, it can't be replaced . I have realised that I love her , but expecting the same from her is not what I want. I want my love to protect her, cherish her make her life a little brighter than before, see that she won't face any kind of trouble in her life. Looking at Pankaj, I have learned that you don't always need to be with the person you love, you are not assigned to love only that particular human instead it's protecting what they love that is their family, friends and expecting nothing in return. If I can be a tiny bit of whatever he is right now I am sure I can say that I have truly loved her.

" You will don't stress much " I said looking at him.

" Hey! They are calling people who topped it " some jailer came and announced opening our cell.

We both walked quietly along with other guy who has expression less face

" I see you have succeeded! Well done. Pankaj!" Official called him first.

" As you know , your sentence has been reduced. With your performance today , government has decided to release you . You will be given job in small scale industry which we will be informing you later. " He announced

" This weekend you will be free. " He said .

" Prepare his papers " he ordered making Pankaj smile widely.

" Soham?" He called out and I moved forward .

" Good. Your stay here is reduced to one month. Even you have been offered job  along with you " he pointed his finger towards Bhushan who nodded his head.

" It's your decision to join or leave the offer. We are not forcing it on you. But it's best option after you go from here." He spoke.

" Now you can go. Carry on with your work. I don't have anything else to tell you. " He dismissed us

" I am going home !" Pankaj jumped on me making me laugh a bit.

" Congrats partner " I said patting his back .

" One month huh??" He questioned .

" I didn't know these tests will be so important!" I replied.

" How can they not be so important? It's like some higher grade classes , you know maybe degree level? I don't know I have not studied till there so I feel it's so difficult! Thanks to you! I could understand maths.  By the way, how can you know this??" He questioned me frowning a bit.

" I studied a bit more than you" I replied going back to my work that is cleaning toilets .

" Really? I am so grateful for that. I had problems at home so I discontinued my studies and worked at different places. That's how I met my girl , too sad though I couldn't save her" he spoke with tears in his eyes.

" Listen mate , you have tried your best. Your love is not unworthy because you couldn't save her . It's your love which has given you a new family, a new life , appreciate it . Stop lingering in your past, from now on whatever you do , think how will your girl feel if she's around you? Make sure you are the same person when she was around you except a better version now. " I spoke hoping he understood that he should not feel guilty for whatever had happened.

" I don't know why you are here partner but I believe she has sent you to make me happy" he said hugging me tightly. I chuckled looking at him and patting his back. I am happy too that I am here with him and had the privilege to meet Aahana again. I am happy to see her infront of my eyes atleast the three days a week for few hours, it wouldn't be possible if I am at my office . We would never have met eachother under any circumstance even though we both know each other. I am waiting for the day to go out of this place so that I can know who is troubling her now again.

_________________________

Please vote comment and share my story!

Let me know your views!

Until next time :)