Dushyant is getting ready to go to office. He is selecting his shirt to wear when his eyes fall on the blue shirt that Ishu had picked for him on his first day. He smiles fondly and wears it. He looks at the mirror and feels his mood improving already. He remembers the way Ishita was close to him tying his tie.

KNOCK! KNOCKKK…

Dushyant opens his door and is shocked to see Ishita.

Dushyant (looking at window and then at Ishita): Ishuuuuu..tum…darwaaze se…tum toh woh khidki se…

Ishita (small smile): kyun? Main darwaaze se nahi aa sakti kya?...kya main andar aa sakti hoon?

Dushyant (shock): Tum permission maang rahi ho? Ishuuu..yeh mera kamra hai…tumhe kisike permission ki zaroorat nahi hai…meri bhi nahi..he smiles..he is very happy to see her.

Ishita (not coming inside): ahhh…aisi baat nahi hai…its just..i realized..main kabhi tumhe privacy nahi deti hoon…bass aise hi ghuss aati hoon..I am sorry Dushyant..main bahut stupid thi..

Dushyant (worried): yeh tum kaisi baat kar rahi ho Ishu? I never thought you are stupid..in fact tum toh mere liye….he doesn't get a chance to complete his sentence

DushyantM: arre Dushyant..tum ready ho toh neeche kyun nahi aa rahe ho..Ishita tum bhi yahan khadi ho gayi baate karne…chalo aao tum dono..naashta ready hai..

They both make way downstairs. Dushyant feels Ishita is behaving oddly. She is totally out of character. She sits far away from Dushyant and eats her breakfast quietly with Dushyant family.

DushyantM: So Ishitaa…tumhara kaam kaise chal raha hai..

Ishita (politely): acha chal raha hai aunty..

DushyantM: don't mind me saying this beta..i think tumhe kuch real job dhoondna chahiye..kab tak yeh gande animals ko saaf karti rahogi…look at yourself. Aaj for a change you are looking so polished, so neat.

Dushyant then observes Ishita. She is indeed dressed very neatly. Her hairs are tied in a tight pony tail. He cannot recognize her now.

Daadu: sorry bahuu…Ishu ki jo personality hai naa..man mauji type hai…au raise me uska yeh kaam usko bahut suit karta hai..meri baat maan Ishuuu..yehi job continue rakh..

Ishita (small smile): Ji Daaduu…but aunty is not wrong. I am looking to change..

Daadu and Dushyant look at each other in shock! She didn't call him daadu! She is wearing nice clothes and she is being nice to Dushyant's mother! This is too much change..

Dushyant M (smile): aaj toh tum bahut badli badli dikh rahi ho….itne saalon me hamare ghar me pehli baar darwaaze se aayi ho! Dushyant's parents laugh..Ishita smiles too.

Gehna (voice): Good morning everyone..she comes and hugs Dushyant's mother.

Ishita (feeling awkward): aunty ..main chalti hoon…thanks for the breakfast.

Gehna: tum yahan ho? Mujhe laga tum chali gayi center…yahan kya kaam hai? She looks at Dushyant.

Ishita (assuring): kuch khaas kaam nahi tha Gehna…Maa ne aunty ke liye kuch books bheje the..wohi dene aayi thi..main chalti hoon…bye everyone..

Ishita walks to the door, when she remembers something. She comes back to the table.

Ishita: Gehna…main bolna bhool gayi tumse…

Gehna: Kya?

Ishita (smile): tum aur Dushyant..aaj ekdum match kar rahe ho…that's really nice..

Dushyant drops the piece of food he was eating on his clothes. He gasps.

Dushyant (getting up): Oh no…lagta hai mujhe shirt change karni hogi….main bass abhi aaya..

Gehna looks disappointed. Ishita walks to Dushyant with a napkin. She quickly removes the food piece and expertly cleans the shirt. Dushyant looks at her eyes, which are down.

Ishita (happy): There….dekho ab koi daag nahi hai…tumhe change karne ki koi zaroorat nahi hai..Its perfect..bye Dushyant..

She runs out of his house. she reaches the path between both the houses and sits and sobs.

Ishita (mind, crying): mujhe itna bura kyun lag raha hai…Gehna aur Dushyant agar ek ho jayenge toh acha hi hai naa…magar mera kya? Mera dil toh toot gaya naa…ab mujhe kaun sambhaalega?

Dhruv (voice): Ishi? Aise beech raaste me kyun baithi ho?

Ishita wipes her tears and pretends to tie her shoelaces.

Ishita (tying laces): Joote ki lace nikal gayi..baandh rahi thi..

Dhruv sits in front of her and takes the laces in his hand.

Dhruv (smiling): itni badi ho gayi ho tum Ishi..ek lace tak theekh se baandhna nahi aata..

Ishita (apologetic): sorry….woh main thodi dumb hoon…she gets up to go..

Dhruv: Ishi…wait…he comes near her…kisne kaha tum dumb ho? Tum stupid nahi ho…tum bass cute ho…

She smiles weakly. He notices she looks upset. He wants to cheer her up.

Dhruv: hey tumhe pata hai..yahan se 10 min door jo jharna hai…uske paas me kuch rare butterflies hai..tum dekhna pasand karogi?

Ishita (eyes shining): Reallly? Chalo naa…chalte hai…she holds his hand and pulls him. Dhruv looks at his hand in Ishita's hand and smiles. He stands there.

Ishita (turning): Kya hua? tum nahi chal rahe? She then notices him looking at their hands. She feels stupid, and leaves his hand.

Ishita (apology): Sorry…maine kaha naa main stupid hoon..chale..

Dhruv comes near her and they both walk towards the stream. They reach the place and Ishita is amazed to see many colorful butterflies. She forgets all her worries and tensions and runs behind watches her playing with the butterflies.

Dushyant and Gehna, office evening

Dushyant's father is upset with his young team for a mess up.

DushyantF: How can this mess up happen? Dushyant! he looks at him angrily. Tum inn sab me sabse zyaada qualified ho…kya faayda tumhare degree ka agar tum itni si baat nahi sambhaal sakte..i want the correction to all this in 1 hour..

Everyone comes out of the office.

Dushyant (upset mood): I am sorry guys..mere wajah se tum logon ko sunna pada..i take full responsibility. Main yeh akele correct kar loonga. I know tum logon ka aaj team dinner planned hai..you guys go ahead…I will work..

They all reluctantly go for the dinner as planned. Dushyant is alone in the office. He is stuck and just doesn't understand what to do.

Gehna (knocking): Dush…do you need any help?

Dushyant: tum? Dinner pe nahi gayi?

Gehna: tum yahan akele ho..isliye socha tumhe shayad help chahiye hogi..

Dushyant: sach baat boloon..haan mujhe help chahiye…kuch samajh me nahi aa raha hai..

Gehna smiles and takes a chair and sits next to starts goin through the sheets and types away on the laptop. She helps him by taking a completely new approach to the problem in hand. Together they finish the sheet.

Dushyant (relaxed, relieved): Thank god tum yahan aayi Gehna..i was so stuck ki raat bhar bhi baithta toh bhi samajh nahi aata karna kya hai…

Gehna: kabhi kabhi hum ek hi cheez me itna kho jaate hai ki who work nahi karta. Sometimes you need some third person also…kuch alag, kuch naya karoge toh life me bahut problems solve ho jaati hai..

Dushyant (smile): wow! that's something new…you are right…main bahut rigid hoon…maine apni life me kabhi kuch naya try nahi kiya hai…I am comfortable you know with what I have…

Gehna (smile): Jab tak tum kuch naya try nahi karoge..tumhe pata kaise chalega?

Dushyant (looking into her eyes): hmm..maybe..you are right…

Gehna picks up her bag.

Gehna: chale…bahut late ho gaya hai..

Dushyant (thinking): Gehna..kya tum mere saath dinner karogi?

Dhruv and Ishita

Dhruv: Ishiii..i think tumhe acha lagega jahan hum jaa rahe hai..

Ishita: kahan jaa rahe hai?

Dhruv stops his bike in front of a big restaurant.

Ishita (mouth open): Dhruvvv…yeh toh..yeh toh…

Dhruv: haan….yeh wahi famous chinese restaurant hai…chalo naa…aaj ekdum alag style se khaate hai…

Ishita: lekin….

Dhruv: paise ki chinta mat karo…aaj main credit card laaya hoon…he pats his wallet. He gives a hand to her..shall we…my lady…he asks in dramatic style..

Ishita (bowing slightly): Of course…deasr Sir…they both laugh and walk inside

Waiter: hello Ma'm, Hello sir…we are very sorry…but due to some reasons we have to shut the restaurant for today early.

Dhruv (disappointed): ohhh….sorry Ishi..

They both walk out sees the chinese stall across the road.

Dhruv (happy,smile): arre…Ishita..woh dekho..world best chinese khaana toh saamne hai…

They both cross the road. Dhruv is parking his bike, Ishita walks ahead to place her order. She stands frozen in place. Dushyant and Gehna are seated on the small stools chatting with each other.

Dhruv (voice): order de diya Ishiii…he spots Dushyant…Hey Dush…Hi Gehna…tum dono yahan?

Dushyant (looking at Ishita): oh hii…tum dono? Yahan?

Dhruv (sitting on stool): haan yaar…maine socha Ishi ko ache se restaurant me dinner khilaata hoon..magar lagta hai aaj hum sab ka khaana yehi likha hai..no candlelight! But tube light…baitho naa Ishita..

Dushyant looks at Ishita. She looks different – she is dressed in a simple frock but its upto her knees and her arms are bare. She is uncomfortable sitting down.

Gehna (complaining): mujhe toh yeh jagah pasand hi nahi aayi…ek toh itne machar hai yahan…she sneezes…oh my god! Mujhe sardi ho gayi shayad..

Dushyant: oh come on Gehna…thodi der pehle tumne hi toh kaha..we should have change in life..shuru shuru me thodi takleef hogi but later it will be good….

Dhruv: Speaking of change…aaj ka sabse bada change toh Ishi me hai…just look at her..he looks at her admiringly. Ishita smiles back, Dushyant has the urge to knock Dhruv's teeth out!...

Gehna (surprise): heyyy….tumne yeh kapde kahan se liye…pehle kabhi dekha nahi tumhe aise..

Ishita: actually main aaj Taaiji ke saath mall gayi thi…wahan Dhruv bhi tha..toh humne milke yeh dress li..

Gehna (impressed): Nice choice Dhruv…

Dhruv (raising collars): hamesha se….

The food comes and everyone is eating it. Dushyant feels the food is extremely spicy but he has promised to have change in his life and he eats its quietly.

Ishita watches him sniffing nose every now and then. She feels sorry for him. She gets up and takes a mineral water bottle. She is about to hand it when she sees he is already drinking water.

Dushyant: Thanks Gehna…mujhe paani ki zaroorat thi…tumhe kaise pata chala?

Gehna: ab itne din se saath me hai..itna toh pata hi hai tumhare baare me..agar yeh bahut teekha hai toh mat khaoo…zaroori nahi hai har change tumhe suit kare..

Ishita sits down awkwardly. A breeze flows and Ishita shivers. Dhruv sees she is uncomfortable.

Dhruv: any problem Ishi?

Ishita (covering her arms, keeping her neckline up): nahi..I..I am fine.. Dhruv nods his head and continues to eat, Ishita continues to cover her arms..

Dushyant picks his formal coat and hands to Ishita.

Dushyant: isse pahen lo Ishi…I think tumhe thandi lag rahi hai..

Ishita smiles and takes his coat and wraps it around her feeling warm and secure. She says a thank you and he nods his head.

Ishita: Dhruv..I think hume chalna chahiye…I am not comfortable…yeh dress….mujhse nahi sambhal rahi..

Dhruv (eating): Oh come on Ishita…Dushyant ne abhi abhi kaha naa…shuru shuru me thodi takleef hogi..but aadat ho jayegi…tumne toh kuch khaaya hi nahi..

Ishita (very uncomfortable, feeling unwell): But Dhruv….

Dhruv (irritated): Tumhari problem kya hai Ishitaaa…ek 20 min bardaasht nahi kar sakti…maine abhi abhi khaana shuru kiya hai…

Dushyant (getting angry): I am done…main tumhe ghar drop karta hoon Ishuuu…Gehna chalooo..

Gehna (eating): what? Mujhe bahut dino ke baad Mom se permission mili hai raat ko baahar late rehne ki…main itni jaldi ghar jaana nahi chahti..

Dushyant (holding Ishita hand): Fine…tum dono yahin baithe raho..we are leaving..

Dhruv and Gehna look at them shocked. Ishita doesn't protest as she really wants to go home immediately.

Dushyant makes Ishita sit in his car and drives off.

Gehna (angry, tears): Fine…jaoo.. Ishita ke saath….meri toh koi value hi nahi hai…she starts sobbing lightly.

Dhruv (feeling sorry): hey..hey..relax…main tumhe ghar chodd doonga…please don't cry..

Dushyant car

Ishita lays back weakly. She feels guilty for Gehna.

Ishita: Dush….Gehnaaaa..

Dushyant(realizing): I am sorry…but Dhruv hai naa…main zara call karta hoon..

Gehna: helooo…

Dushyant (sorry): Sorry gehna..maine tumhe aise chodd diya…who Ishu ki tabiyat theekh nahi lag rahi…tum theekh ho?

Gehna: I am fine Dush…meri chinta mat karo..Dhruv mujhe ghar chodd dega..

Both Ishita and Dushyant are trying a new thing/realtion in life...but they cannot help go back to their comfort zone..is change always good? or you should not step out of comfort zone?

keep reading :)

Dear Guest/ Sagarika: aapne mere DayaVi story me ek plot diya hai aur mujhse pucha tha ki main yeh story likh sakti hoon yaa nahi..yeh one shot idea main try karoongi….shayad bahut detail me naa ho...magar I will definetly try. rahi baat Prerna aur Hema ke idea ki...Like I said...I tried to write Karwachauth sequence but kuch acha nahi lagaa mujhe...I certainly will not wish to write something half baked. but I will try again..hopefully you will like it.

I know the other idea about Purvi dying and a thief entering as Purvi..that I can develop into a short story..but please be patient..i have to complete my pending stories and some new ones that I promised...but this is definetly on my list..thank you all for your patience..