Hello all
I am back with OS # 6. Thank you for your generous comments on the earlier one 🤗. I do seriously hope you like this one. It defines some level of progression for the characters in my mind, and is the most superficial story I have ever written.
The song to go with this one is: Ek Sharaaarat Hone ko hai From Duplicate
*****
Raman had come home early that day. His family hadn't had dinner yet and Toshiji was very happy to see him come home on time. "Ja Puttar, Fresh hoke aa jaa. Aaj sab saath mein dinner karenge." He went into his room to see Ishita by the window. She was still wearing the saree she had on when she left home in the morning and had not turned on the lights yet. She was looking out of the window, not at anything particular. Her face was radiant, Raman didnt know if was the moonlight or something else. "Hello, kis bechaare ko ghoor rahi ho?" She turned around, blushed because she was caught "Kucch nahin, aap jaldi aa gaye aaj?" she said, quietly. Raman instantly felt guilty for wiping that smile off her face "Kucch nahin, kaam khatam ho gaya tha. Waise kya soch rahi thi tum? sab theek to hai na? Clinic mein kucch hua kya aaj?" he enquired softly. This was happening more frequently nowadays, he apologising for being mean to her or making fun of her. There was some kind of awkwardness that had crept into their relationship that he wasnt able to put a name on. All he knew was that spending time with her was getting more and more pleasant as every day passed.
Ishita did not know how to answer his question. She wasn't really staring at anyone, or thinking about anything. But staring into nothingness and still feeling happy about it was something she hadn't experienced before. And she wasnt yet comfortable enough with Raman to have such a discussion. Not when she herself was not sure what was happening to her. A few months ago, she couldn't even have imagined talking to Raman about anything in her life. But now, that didn't seem like a far-fetched idea. She just shook her head and said "Kucch khaas nahin. and everything is fine. Main pehle change kar leti hoon, I'll then go help Mummyji in setting the table for dinner" She was half expecting him to argue that he needed to use the bathroom first, but he didnt. Both of them were coming to terms with the fact that they didn't dislike each other any more. They were completely exposed to the other person's virtues and flaws and had accepted both with open arms. They had even began having conversations like normal people did. Conversations that usually began with Hellos, had a few meaningless words about the weather and the day, a couple of smiles and the ones that usually ended with "I look forward to do this again with you". What more could anyone want from their life partner? That thought stopped her in her tracks. True, she thought of him as his life partner, and she had also started developing some really strong feelings for him. She was human after all. How could one live in the same room with someone they were fiercely attracted to, and not have any other emotions develop?
At the dinner table, Raman and Ishita looked at each other when they saw something funny going on. Neither of them had a clue. But the drama had started when Ruhi whispered something into her Romi chachu's ears, who in turn said something to Rinki. Rinki looked at Mihika, who passed on the invisible baton to Mihir. As usual, Mihir looked extremely uncomfortable and was looking around at everyone. Raman took the lead "Arre yeh kya nautanki chal rahi hai? Ruhi ka samajhta hoon, chhoti bachhi hai. TUm log thoda mature behave nahin kar sakte kya ?" Mihir choked on his water, and then gathered the courage. "Raman bhai, hum log soch rahe the ki Adventure Island jaayenge Sunday ko?" "Yeh Adventure Island kya cheez hai" Raman asked, his interest piqued. With the opening he needed, Romi started "Bhai woh theme park hai Rohini mein. Bahut sahi hai bhai, mere saare dost do-teen baar gaye hain" Raman interrupted him "Chupp kar Romi, tere doston ki choice sab pata hai mujhe. Just because they went there doesnt mean it is good. Bachhon ke liye kucch hai wahan pe? and is it safe ?" One by one, everyone built their case. The one plea to break him was Ruhi's but he still didnt budge too much "OK main sochta hoon, ek Sunday ka din hi to milta hai yaar aaram karne ka, us din bhi kasrat karwaaoge tum log."
When they were alone in their room that night, he casually asked her, "TUm kucch boli nahin? Did you know about this plan?" "No Raman, I didn;t. What have you decided?" she asked. "Maine kucch decide nahin kiya hai, tumse pooch raha hoon. Kya khayaal hai? jaana chaahiye?" She was still getting use to his nicer side, so she said very carefully "I have been there once,some time ago. Amma, Appa, Bala, Vandu akka, Bala jiju and SUbbu. Shravan was quite young then, so Amma was taking care of him when Akka and Jiju were enjoying the rides. But from what I could see, there were quite a few things for kids to do. And it looked pretty safe to me. And I am sure they must have improved now." Raman then said "Why did you not say anything then?" She got quieter, "I wasn't sure if you wanted to go or not. If I had said it was a good idea, then everyone would have latched on to me. Phir aap bolte ki meri wajah se aapka Sunday barbaad hua." Raman slapped his forehead and thought that this woman was crazier than he was.He didn't say OK to everyone because he wasnt sure if she would want to spend the day out there.
It was a sight to watch on that Sunday morning at the Bhalla house. Everyone was ready before 10:00 AM, completely unprecedented for someone like Romi. They took both their cars. Ishita was driving Mihika, Mihir and RUhi, while the 3 Bhalla siblings were in Raman's car. By the time they got into the theme park, it was around noon. Mihika, Mihir, Romi and Rinki went together to catch all the rollercoasters, and the water rides. Ishita and Raman were left to take Ruhi to all the kiddy attractions. At some point after 4:00 PM, all of them met at the central meeting point. The grown-ups were recounting their experiences, and Ruhi was already falling asleep due to the exertion. Mihika and Mihir looked at Raman and Ishita and thought they hadn't had a chance to have any fun at all. So Mihika volunteered "Akka, Leave Ruhi with us. Mihir and I are tired too. So we'll sit in the restaurant here, and Ruhi can sleep peacefully. You and Raman go enjoy some rides, no?" What Mihika did not know at all was that Ishita was too scared to get on any of the rides here. SHe had been here before, and was so traumatised by one experience that she had vowed never to set foot on any roller coaster, even if her life depended on it. Before Ishita could say anything, Romi and Rinki also started forcing their brother to go have some fun.
Raman and Ishita looked at each other, and Raman, who thought she was waiting for him to say something just said "Chalo Ishita, ek do rides hum bhi dekh lete hain." She was a bit too proud to tell everyone she was afraid. She still didn't know how to tell him. They were already at the queue, she was afraid he would mock her for her silly fears. She was, after all Jhansi ki Rani, his super-woman. When she couldn't take it any more, and they were at the front of the queue of what was the tallest of roller-coasters, she shuddered and said "Raman..."
"Kya hua Ishita, you are sweating. Is it the heat ? "
"Raman, I am scared of these things. I had such a bad experience on one ride the last time, I swore I would never sit on another one ever again"
"You are telling me now Ishita??? You couldn't have said something earlier? Main tumko yahaan leke nahin aata na?"
"I thought you will make fun of me Raman, as usual."
They were so busy talking about her fears that they didn't realise the attendant was pushing them towards their seat. By the time they could react and say anything to him, he had pushed them into their seats and was putting the metal barriers on them, and said "Arre Bhaiyya, aapka romance jaake ghar pe karo. Line lagi hai yahaan pe. Please baith jaao aap log chup chaap" It was too late, no matter how much either of them screamed for it to stop, they were on a dangerous ride together, with no route to escape. Raman could see tears forming in her eyes. The first few seconds were not that bad actually. Their car moved at a very normal pace and took a small ride around which gave them a good view of the park. She had relaxed, "May be it won't be that bad Raman, right?" He didn't have the heart to tell her that this was just the beginning. The only feelings he had in his heart at that time was that of sympathy and helplesness. He did not know how he could help her.
"Ishita, I am going to hold your hand now OK?"
"Kyon? Kya ho gaya?" She asked, still worried.
"I didn't tell you before, but I am afraid of these things too. I thought you would laugh at me and say Raavan Kumar is actually scared of something." He lied through his teeth. He had always loved roller-coasters. But he had to find a way to get through to her.
"Oh Lord. What can we do now Raman? From experience I know that just closing my eyes and praying won't be enough" She said sliding her left hand into his right one and tightening her grip with every word she spoke. And then the ride started moving up, one foot at a time, slowly but steadily. When they were at the top, they looked around. No person in any frame of mind could deny the beauty of this view. The green patches, the concrete jungle and busy roads was something they lived in, but never saw it that way. She drew in some air and looked at him
"Its beautiful no Raman?"
"Hmmm" he said, hoping she would look everywhere but down. He slowly released his hand from hers and put it casually around her shoulder and pulled her close.
"What are you doing Raman?" She said, blushing.
"Trust me, shut up now, and you will thank me later."
That is when she heard the screams. Every one in the seats behind them had their hands in the air and where screaming their lungs out. And she looked down. All she could say was "Raman". He held her closer and said "Shhh... just close your eyes and hold me tight. Don't even think of opening your eyes, you'll be OK. I promise" She tried that, but by the time they completed that vertical drop, she thought she'd died anyway. She opened her eyes and realised how close they were. SHe felt ashamed of being the one holding on to him, and let go. "That wasn't so bad no?" she said. Raman couldn't stop his smile. He was getting the best of both worlds. She was holding him, and he was on a roller-coaster. What more could any man want? "Madam, picture abhi baaki hai. Yeh to first round tha. You see the loop on your right? Thats actually part of our ride too." he thought, but didn't dare say it out loud.
She saw it before he could say anything and cried "Aiyyo Muruga. No Raman, please. DO something, stop this thing and ask them to let us get off it please. I dont think I will live. "
"Dekho Ishita, there is no way we can stop this now, OK? So please hold me again and close your eyes. It'll be over before you know it. These rides don't last longer than a couple of minutes you know? and we have already gone through the worst. It will be fine now"
By the time they had reached the top of the next loop, she was shaking. Raman couldn't see her face because she was holding him and her head was on his chest, but he could feel her. He was worried suddenly. "What if this is some kind of panic attack, could something really happen to her?" He had to do something, anything.
He softly said "Ishita, look at me"
She looked up at him slowly, trying to find out what he could possibly say that could make this moment any better for her.
He took his hand off her shoulder, and cupped her face with both his hands. His hands were shivering too, "He is really scared, just like me" she thought.
He was scared all right, but not because of the roller coaster. He had finally been served with an opportutinity to hold this woman, and not have to make any excuse or give any explanation. This was his moment. If he messed this one up, he really had no other hope in life.
Before she could realise what was happening, his face was less than an inch away from hers. His lips then met hers, gently coaxing them out of their cocoon, as if asking for permission. Ishita was far too gone to think anymore. Her lips did what the chemicals in her body were directing them to, and she kissed him back. They did not realise that their kiss lasted more than a minute.
The first thing either of them realised was the water splashing all over them. Their ride had landed them into a pool of water, and the cold liquid was what broke their spell. They were both going through a range of emotions that they couldn't explain or understand. They just retracted as if nothing had happened. "Are you OK" he asked after a few seconds. She could only nod.
They got out of their seats and went towards the restaurant quietly. When they met the others, they were glad for the company. "Akka, where is your photo?" asked Mihika. "What photo?" asked Raman. He did not know there were any photos taken, and he looked at Ishita. Her face told him
that she knew, and didn't want to say anything. Mihir spoke then "Arre Raman bhai, when you come down the second loop, there is an automatic photo takem. If you want, you can buy them at the photo counter. They have them on display, you can look at it and decide if you want to buy it. Let me go get yours." Both Raman and Ishita shouted "No". They had to go look at the photo.
What they saw was something they already knew. Their faces couldn't be recognised, but they knew. It was them kissing. His hands on her face, and hers around his neck. They knew what this picture represented. "Lets go Raman, before anyone recognises us, please. I don't know whatever possessed you to do that" she said."Tum jaao, main bas aa hi raha hoon" he said. He had to buy the picture, he needed to.
She went back to where everyone was sitting and had a glass of water first. "Bhabhi, how was it? Mazaa aaya ki nahin?" Romi and Rinki asked. She honestly told them that she was scared out of her wits. "Is it? Lekin Bhai must have held you together no? Unko toh roller coaster bahut mazedaar lagte hain. " She choked on the water.
Raman had told her that he was as scared as she was. If he wasn't scared, then what was all the hugging and kissing all about? When he came back to them, she just stared at him. He knew something was wrong, and chances were that he had been outed. The drive back was going to be uncomfortable, he knew.
When they got back home, they were both glad of Ruhi's presence in their room. She placed Ruhi on their bed and waited for him to change. Once he had, she went to the bathroom and changed into her simple night dress. He was pretending to be asleep when she got back. She let a few minutes pass before she said "Raman, I know".
"Kya Ishita?".
"I know you werent really afraid, why did you do all that then?"
"Mujhe neend aa rahi hai, and tum bhi thak gayi ho na? so jaao. And I really hope we don't need another roller coaster for me to tell you how I feel"
"Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it."
-- Rumi
***** So, how was it???
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