OS Ashok and Ishita

He knew that she would betray him. It was karma. He deserved it, he thought after all she had left her husband to be with him. He regrets even setting eyes on her in the first place. What a disgusting woman. Ashok sat at a bar drowning his sorrows. A woman approached him, he didn't even look up. The woman soon got bored and walked off. He was cursing Shagun in his mind. Because of her I've lost everything. I don't know what I saw in her.

Shagun was too busy trying to win Raman over. She kept using Adi to get close to him and to make Ishita jealous but in the process she was losing her partner. The very man who supported her through thick and thin. The man who loved her more than Raman but never managed to show it. Ashok was never weak like Raman, but Shagun made him weak.

Ashok walked out the bar and decided to drive home. Maybe Shagun was at home, or maybe she wasn't. He drove past the highway and past some bridge when he saw a small red car. The driver was a woman, she seemed distressed. She was sitting next to her tyres crying her eyes out. Ashok was now driving past her and within an instant he realised that it was Ishita. He quickly stopped his car. The loud screech made Ishita look up and she noticed that Ashok was walking towards her. She quickly composed herself and got up.

'Ashok? What are you doing here' asked a very curious Ishita. She had noticed how frail he had looked. His white hairs were noticeable, even in the darkness and the wrinkles underneath his eyes and the scruffy shirt showed how little he cared about his appearance. He merely looked at her. 'Nothing. Drowning my sorrows. Pretty much in the same position as you I guess' he replied, forcing a smile. It wasn't his usual smirk but a genuine smile which took Ishita aback.

'We're not in the same position' she snapped.'Cut the crap Ishita. We both know what's going through our minds!' he said. Ishita fell to the ground and a few tears escaped her tired eyes. 'They're together, you know? After all that I've been through I thought that I finally found the one but no.. He never loved me. I'm not capable of being loved. First I couldn't be a mother but Raman blessed me with Ruhi then I thought I was blessed with the perfect husband but no, he's just a devil in disguise' sobbed Ishita.

Ashok sat beside her. He didn't know what to say. For all these years he was so busy being the devil that he forgot what it's like to be nice. He looked at Ishita. She seemed different. He thought to himself that Raman has it all so why was he letting Shagun destroy his perfect family. He has the perfect wife who loves and respects him unlike Shagun who only wants to play mind games. Ashok was never like this. He never played mind games, not until he met Shagun. Ishita had that sparkle in her eyes, the sparkle that was lacking in Shagun's eyes. Ashok let Ishita cry her heart out.

Ashok passed his handkerchief to Ishita. It had Ashok Khanna embroidered across the corner. She took it without hesitating only to ask 'why are you being nice to me?'. 'Maybe this devil is in need of a night off' replied Ashok. Ishita scuffed. 'What?' asked Ashok 'I'm not all bad believe it or not'. 'Yeah right' replied Ishita wiping her tear stained cheeks. Suddenly it started to rain.

Both Ashok and Ishita jumped up. Ashok ran towards his car while Ishita stood by hers. Ashok noticed this and ran towards Ishita. 'Why aren't you going into you car?!' shouted Ashok. 'I left my keys in the ignition and my bag inside the car so I'm locked out' replied Ishita. 'Well come into my car' suggested Ashok, 'No Ashok it's fine.. I'll just wait for an autorikshaw' she said.

'Ishita there's an autorikshaw strike today, so you might as well come with me. I'll drop you off'. Ishita realised she had no other option so she walked towards Ashok's car. He quickly turned the heating out. Ishita let out a sneeze. 'Here, wear my jacket before you catch a cold' said Ashok grabbing his jacket from the backseat. 'No it's okay' said Ishita, sneezing again. Ashok once again gestured Ishita to wear the jacket and so she did.

Ashok was driving back the the inner city he was told to stop by the road police. 'Sir, where are you going? All the roads are blocked from here. We can't let you pass.There's a strike today. You have to turn back' shouted an officer standing in the rain with his red umbrella. Before Ashok could say anything Ishita shouted 'sir I have to go home, my daughter is waiting for me!'. 'I'm sorry mam, the roads are blocked and there's nothing I can do. You'll have to wait until 2am for the roads to re-open and it's only 9pm now. Plus you can't walk through these streets as there are gangs waiting on each corner' said the officer and he walked away. Ashok noticed how much Ishita cared about Ruhi. She's not even her real daughter, he thought. 'Listen Ishita, we'll go to my house and we'll wait until 2am and then I'll drop you home'. Ishita had no choice but to agree. The two set off to Ashok's house.

On the other hand, Raman Shagun and Adi were out. Raman wanted to spend time with his son but not with his ex wife. He still couldn't bare the sight of her. He knew that she was trying to squirm her way back into his life and the only reason he was bearing her was because of Adi. Adi was as cold as ever towards Raman but at times he would be ever so responsive. What more could Raman ask for, at least he's able to interact with his first born. Although he spent the entire day with Adi and Shagun, he couldn't stop thinking about Ishita. All the lies that he told her. He was losing her.

Finally their outing had come to an end and Raman was dropping the mother son off at Ashok's house. Surprisingly Adi invited Raman in and of course he said yes without hesitating. Little did Raman know that Ishita was also inside, with Ashok.

Raman walked behind Adi. Shagun was much further behind. She was proud of herself for destroying Ishita's marriage. No way is that woman ever going to take my position, she thought to herself. The three finally walked in only to find Ashok bringing a cup of coffee to Ishita.

'Ishita?' said a shocked Raman. He saw her completely drenched in her red saree. And beside her was Ashok's coat. He observed the coat from afar, it had her lipstick stains. Raman could feel something coming alive within him. He was feeling jealous. Moreover he saw Ashok was also drenched. Ishita looked up.

Shagun's smile had also faded, 'what are you doing in my house' she shouted. 'Shagun! Stop! Ishita is my guest and remember this is my house. And she doesn't have to give you any justification!' shouted Ashok. Shagun was getting angry by the minute. Raman told Adi to go to his room and he so he did. He was jealous, he was to shout at Ishita but he realised that he lost all of his rights. The rights that a husband has over his wife. Ishita avoided Raman's gaze and instead looked towards Ashok.

'Ishita, what are you doing here?' asked Raman. Ishita didn't reply, instead she got up and said 'Ashok, thanks for everything but I should get going'. 'But Ishita i said that I'll drop you off?' said Ashok. 'No, it's fine. Raman is here now and Ruhi must be waiting for me' and she walked out. Shagun could not believe her ears. What was she hearing?! She gave Ashok a piercing look but he merely walked upstairs and locked the bedroom door before shouting, I want you out this house by tomorrow.

Shagun turned around to find Raman running after Ishita. She was bursting with jealousy, angry, sadness and a whole heap of emotions. In the process of ruining Raman's marriage, she had lost her partner and maybe she'll lose her son.

'Ishita!' Called Raman 'Ishita! Why were you with Ashok?' he asked grabbing her arm. 'lets go home' said Ishita in a calm tone. 'No not unless you give me an answer, we're not going anywhere!' shouted Raman. 'I don't ask your whereabouts. You lied about being with Shagun and still i decided not to question you. And Mr Raman Kumar Bhalla you have lost the right to question me and in fact if it wasn't for Ruhi, i would have got a divorce from you this very instance! I don't care if you were with Shagun because of Adi but you lied to me. You cheated on me. I wish I had never met you because at least then i wouldn't have been in love with a monster who only knows how to cheat!' Shouted Ishita.

Divorce, love, cheat? These three words were spinning around in Raman's head. 'You love me?' he asked? Ishita avoided his gaze and sat in the car. Raman smiled. She loves me, he thought and I love her. No i have to be honest with her. I can't lost the love of my life because of Adi and Shagun. Before settling in the car, Raman made a quick call home. He let his parents know that him and Ishita won't be going home tonight.

What was he planning?

Ishita closed her eyes throughout the entire journey. Raman had decided to take her out of town to a small guest house which belonged to his company. As soon as the car stopped Ishita opened her eyes and realised that she was somewhere else. 'where are we?!' cried Ishita. 'Be quiet!' snapped Raman and he walked out of his car and walked to open the door for Ishita. 'lets go' said Raman, 'No! I want to go home!' shouted Ishita and before she knew it Raman picked her up and walked into the guest house. She was fuming. 'Have a habit of picking women up? Mother in laws, daughter's mother, ex wife?' Raman hated how she addressed herself as his daughter's mother and not his wife yet he kept quiet.

Raman walked towards the bedroom, put Ishita down and locked the door from the inside and kept the key in his pocket. Ishita shouted 'what on earth are you doing?! Let me leave' and she ran towards the door. Raman pulled her back and held onto her shoulders. 'Tonight I'm going to talk and you're going to listen' Ishita protested several times but finally gave in.

Raman held onto her hands with great force and revealed the truth about why he was spending so much time with Shagun.

Ishita sobbed. 'You chose to save Shagun?'.

'Ishu, no I chose to save Adi'

'What kind of father are you?!' cried Ishita. 'The worst!' cried Raman. 'Ishita, listen I can't live with this guilt anymore. I'm going to go to the police and tell them the entire truth, about Shagun and about how I was trying to save her' and he buried his head in her lap. She tried to push him away. 'please Ishu, don't push me away'.

'Why not? Go to Shagun! I saw you guys together! Cheee, you make me sick Mr Raman Kumar Bhalla'

Raman was confused. 'What do you mean together? ' he asked. 'Dont act so innocent ' scoffed Ishita, 'I saw you kissing in the car, then the hotel then..' before she could continue Raman explained the truth, he even called Patek to prove his innocence.

A weight had been lifted from Ishitas heart yet she pushed him away.

'Please Ishita, I promise i will bring amma justice. I was just being selfish and usual and I was blinded by the love i have for my son but Ishita you're my life now. I can do anything for you. I can take a bullet for you. I can sacrifice my life for you! I love you!' cried Raman.

I LOVE YOU. These 3 words sliced Ishita's heart open. He loves her?

'you love me?' she asked.

'more than anything' he replied.

'But I can never forgive you for hurting me' she said.

I'm going to spend my entire life begging you for forgiveness ' he said.

'you hurt me' she said.

'Im going to take away all your pain' he said.

'I love you Ishita and I promise you, I'm going to make this right'.