RuhiIshRa- Final part p46 Pg 96 - Page 20

Life since the problem Ishita had because of Ashok's meddling had been a roller coaster ride for Raman and Ishita. There were so many trials for them to face - Romi's truth that devastated Mihika. Amma's accident, Param's attempted molestation with Ishita. Adi and Shagun trying to frame Raman. They all took a toll on Ishita and Raman's peace of mind. They were so occupied with all this that they found very little time for each other. Ruhi continued to be her usual cheerful self - her parents ensured that the storm in their lives did not touch their darling. Together they shielded their little doll and that did bring them on the same shore more often than not.

TIme and tide does not wait for anyone! Mr Raman Kumar Bhalla and Mrs. Ishita Raman Kumar Bhalla had court summons for the following monday to appear for Ruhi's Custody case review. Raman was sure everything was well under their control. Phatak had assured him of that. Ishita and Raman were on their way to the court when suddenly Ishita asked Raman to speak to Phatak. She remembered how Param had bragged to her about his car and Raman mentioned in passing that Param and Ashok were at the hospital when he visited Shagun after her fake suicide. "Raman" she grasped his arm as they were being driven to the court " Wo Param kuch karega tho nahi na?" she worried. " Wo kya kar saktha hai, main hoon na tumhare saath!" asked Raman. " Nahi Raman wo phir se humare bhare may kuch kahega to nahi??" she countered remembering Param assault on Ishita mentioning that Raman did not care enough for her and hence they were not man and wife in the true sense of the term. Raman understood what she was pointing out but asked her not to worry too much. He nevertheless spoke about it to Phatak who felt that they could always ask for time if Param did throw a curve ball.

Just as Ishita feared Ashok, Shagun, Param were all lined together while it was just Raman and Ishita and Romi from the Bhallas side. Ishita and Raman had requested the Judge Mrs Shrivastav to be considerate to Ruhi and bring her in only when the trial needed her physical presence. The judge agreed to it as she was herself a witness to Shagun's politicking when Raman and Ishita were at loggerheads over the Param issue. Raman and Ishita were more in tune with each other than they had ever been now having gone through so many testing situations. Physically protecting Ishita came naturally to him and reaching out Raman made Ishita feel secure. Sometimes she sat close to him at others she held his hand while he had his hand over her shoulder or her back when he thought she needed a hand. Almost always they spoke volumes to each other through their eyes and their little gestures. Ishita read Raman's heart through his eyes where Ruhi was concerned while Raman was a devoted father to both his children and he knew Ishita would always be beside him for his kids. There was easy comradeship between them, with flashes of physical attraction but their family knew that all the passion they could possibly feel for each other was as yet undiscovered to both.

The trail began with friends and family vouching for Ishita's dedication to Ruhi and the affection the child had how Ruhi had time and again opted to stay with Ishita and Raman. Ashok's lawyer sought for a full blown re-examination in the light of " new evidence" that clearly indicated that Raman and Ishita's bond was a marriage of convenience for the sake of Ruhi's custody and that lawyer implored that the Hon'ble judge must take into consideration a "loveless" environment can have on the child's psyche. Raman was furious at Param being cited as the " new found evidence" and Phatak sought to dismiss that as "evidence that was ir-relevant to the Ruhi Bhalla custody case. The judge agreed that she would allow Ashok to present the evidence but complemented Raman and Ishita for the sensitivity they had displayed with respect to Ruhi and noted that she admired the fact that as a couple they always put Ruhi's physical and emotional well being ahead of their convenience. She asked the lawyers to approach the bench so that they could decide on a date to examine the fresh evidence. It was decided that they would re-convene the following day to examine and decide on the custody.

Throughout the entire pronouncement Ishita and Raman clung to each other all attention and listened to everything with stoic silence while Raman could barely disguise his fury for Param. Param's eyes ravished unashamedly all over Ishita. Raman was raging while Romi shielded Ishita walking just. Raman walked out with his arm protectively around her waist as they headed to the waiting car. Phatak followed the couple they headed to Raman's office and every detail was laid threadbare for Phatak to build his defence. Relieving Param's assault on Ishita, the dirty messages from her phone to Param's which was sent by Param himself, Ishita's slap and Raman's diffidence were all played out in front of Isihta while she sat quietly in the same couch she sat one the first time she came to Raman's office. Raman walked across to her, knelt infront, held her arms and told her that no one could touch Ishita or Ruhi. "We will be together Ishita we will be the awesome threesome in bed tonite ok We will hold hands with Ruhi tonight and everynight I promise!. Param kuch bhi nahi kar saktha. Himmat se kaam lo mujhe bhi himmat se kaam lene do Ishu!" he winked trying to cheer her up. We will make sure Ruhi never has to step into that court again he swore!

Raman and Ishita reached home before Ruhi reached. They had to break the news to the family and think of how to prepare Ruhi for the following morning. Mrs Bhalla was wailing out loud " kab chodegi wo manhoos mere puttar ko, aur Ishita ko bhi ab phir se phinsa padega, kitni badnami hogi.. bhallaji" . Perhaps for the first time Simi was unsure of her husband's motives.