[IshRa SS]Full Circle: Chapter 4 - Page 23 - Page 11

"Is he playing games now?" Ishita said aloud to the four walls of their bedroom.

She shook her head and realized that she is even later for her appointment, thanks to her mysterious husband.

Dr. Ishita ran around the clinic like a chicken without head. She wanted to cover all her appointments and pending paperwork before the 12 o' clock hour so that she can prepare for the meeting with Raman. She didn't know why, but she felt the need to look perfect for him; her head was giddy with excitement and it was evident by the goofy smile plastered on her face. That's when she realized she just made a chicken reference to herself!

"My God! I am truly a Punjabi now!" she exclaimed just as Sarika walked through the heavy, wooden door leading to the exquisitely customized office. The dcor and colouring were of Ishita's choices and one look indicates that the woman oozes elegance and class. The wall on the left is filled with framed certificates that only concrete the fact that Ishita is highly qualified and recognized as a renowned dentist.

Sarika informed her that she is now free from all her appointments and can take the rest of the day off; unless, of course, an emergency pops up. Ishita is not one to slack on her duties, so she makes it a point to tend to all emergencies regardless of time.

Using the miniature bathroom attached to her office, another segment of the room designed to her specifications, she washed her face and touched up her makeup. Looking into the mirror at the finished result, she frowned. "What should I do with my hair?"

Minutes and some deep thoughts later, she left her hair as it is. She didn't want Raman to realize she has put a lot of effort into meeting him. God knows what the man would assume and knowing her husband well, it's never anything innocent.

Raman was highly disturbed. Not only would the conference run on longer than expected, but he only had an hour to spare between meetings; too little time to commute to the coffee shop and back given the lunch time rush hour, much less have a decent conversation with his wife. Especially since the nature of the meeting is bound to take a serious turn. Raking his brain for some ideas during one of the much needed breaks, he decided to call her and check she if she is up for what he'd suggest.

His hands where clammy as the phone rang, on the second ring, her melodious voice filled his ear. Damn him for telling her she had a bad voice that night!

Within a minute, she had readily agreed to meet him at her work place instead of the coffee shop. She had also informed him that it was no trouble to her since she had completed all her work and was just leaving. After he hung up, he ordered some lunch and requested them to deliver the delicacies to his office, whilst ignoring the incredulous look Mihir shot his way as he heard the long list of items Raman was reeling out to the receptionist.

Half an hour later, Dr. Ishita Raman Kumar Bhalla entered Mr. Raman Kumar Bhalla's work place. She had never been in the building; only saw it whilst passing around in the area. The interior is as elegant and modern as the exterior with shades of metallic grey and black, added with a splash of navy blue here and there. Immediately, she was fondly greeted by the receptionist, who addressed her by name. Mildly surprised, she was about to ask for Raman when the petite woman informed her that her husband was waiting for her in his office and his secretary will guide her to the place. Within thirty seconds, an attractive girl greeted her with too much enthusiasm. Introducing herself as Ariana Prasad, she started towards the further end of the floor and knocked once at the last door. On her way to his office, all the employees she met on the way greeted her politely. Ishita was surprised that they all knew her and was giving her so much respect. Raman was already waiting in his office when she entered, but she was utterly shocked at all the food that laid out on the small coffee table in Raman's office. He was sitting at his desk, bent over a file when he looked up to see her slack jawed.

He laughed softly at her cute expression and teased, "Close your mouth. We don't want your saliva all over the floor. What will my staff think?"

That certainly brought her out of her reverie as Raman neared her and said sheepishly, "I didn't know what would fancy your tastebuds today and I had hung up in a hurry. I thought to call you back or text you, but I knew you were driving so I let it be."

He asked her to get comfortable and that he would be back in a few. She walked around his office, observing every detail. The walls were bare, saved for the certificates framed on the right, and painted with the same theme, but stylish nonetheless. Walking around his desk, she gasped. There was a nicely framed photo of her with Ruhi in her lap, as Ruhi turned back and pecked her cheeks. Her smile was wide and bright and the posture was playful. She didn't know when Raman had clicked the photo, much less had it framed for his desk! No wonder the entire building had known who she was, she thought ruefully. Next to that picture, there was a smaller one with Aditya in his school uniform. It was bittersweet to see the fragmented family, literally. By then, Raman had returned and locked the door? She frowned.

He noticed the question in her eyes and quickly told her that Mihir had a bad habit of bursting through the door at odd timings. She let out a free laugh and he was immediately mesmerized as he looked at her. He gestured her to sit with him on the couch and she opted not to mention the photo.

Until both of their plates were laden with food and the first morsel was eaten, did Raman open the communication lines.

"How is the food?" he asked gently making small talk.

"It's very good. I love your choices," she smiled.

Knowing he had little time, he jumped right to the issue in question, "Do you know why I called you here today?"

"Err, no?" she was puzzled and curious simultaneously.

But she stilled at his next words, "You were having a nightmare last night."

She was now royally confused, "You called me for lunch because I was having a nightmare?"

He groaned inwardly before probing as gently as he could, "It was about what happened a month ago." He looked at her as realization dawned in her pretty eyes. She audibly gasped and stared at him.

He proceeded to narrate the events of the previous night, of course, leaving out the part where he was staring at her. She was beginning to panic and looked visibly disturbed and his heart clenched. He couldn't believe that his wife was enduring all this alone. Now he understood how beautiful her heart is - for accepting his mere apology and moving back with him even though the event had such a negative impact on her.

He then said the thing that kept him up all night, "I've decided that you will sleep with me."

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Feedback is more than welcome! 😳

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Next: Chapter Four