[IshRa SS]Full Circle: Chapter 4 - Page 23 - Page 17

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

Ishita instantly choked on the huge sip of water she had taken to calm her nerves as she looked at her husband with widen eyes.

Did I hear correctly? She thought. No, I doubt it.

"Ishita!" he exclaimed before looking up to see her staring at him. He saw the flicker of emotions in her eyes and then something strange flashed in them, something he wasn't used to. By then Ishita had surmised that her head was playing games with her.

She was still staring at him until he broke their eyelock and casually said, "It's an order, not a request."

OH.MY.GOD. I did hear correctly. She was definitely caught off guard.

"What?" She was still dumbfounded.

Raman chuckled. This is a rare sight. He thought gleefully; not every day his wife is speechless.

He repeated every word slowly and waited for the desired effect, but to his shock, she said, "Thank God!"

Now it's his turn to stare at her wide eyed. He was confused. Did she just thank me?

"I was tired of sleeping on the couch and it's killing my back," she went on to say with a mischievous glint in her beautiful orbs.

Raman narrowed his eyes at her, but she isn't giving him a chance to articulate his thoughts.

"I was thinking of all possible solutions but you came up with the best one! Sleeping with you would be a pleasure," she now looked evil and alien simultaneously to Raman.

Wasn't he supposed to be enjoying this? When did the situation shift?

Dear God, I now fear for my izzat! Raman thought worriedly.

As strike three, she rose up her mobile, waved it in front of his face and threw her head back and let out a hearty laugh, "Look at your face Raman! This is a million dollar picture!"

Shock is too mainstream to describe Raman's reaction. He was left staring from her laughing to the phone in her hand and back to her face; even his razor sharp tongue had no reaction for this sudden change in events.

However, not one to fall short in a challenge, he knitted his brows and grabbed the dratted phone and stared at the picture. He looked at the screen and closed his eyes in reflex.

Good God. This is the height of embarrassment. He thought, trying to avoid going into a blind panic.

But of course, his naughty wife was still in her latest avatar, "I will make this my wallpaper on my phone."

Before she can stop her traitorous mouth, she said it. She told him she'd make his picture her wallpaper. Ishita immediately wished that the floor would open up and swallow her because now, her husband was smirking at her.

"Really?" Raman grinned shamelessly, "You're so desperate to see my face all the time?"

But the Gods were on Ishita's side because they heard someone banging on the door.

Raman swore under his breath. Just when I was having my fun.

When Raman angrily swung the door opened, Mihir wished for death instantly. After briefing his elder brother on the ongoings of the office, Raman simply nodded his head and closed the door. He turned to Ishita and explained that he can't indulge her any longer because the meeting is going to begin in approximately five minutes. Ishita could see that he was tired but he assured her that all was well.

"So you have any patients after this?" he asked casually as they silently cleaned up after themselves.

"No. I'm done for the day," she smiled as she packed up the empty containers in a plastic bag for disposal.

"Wow! You dentists seem to have a lot of free time," he retorted. But that earned him a glare from his wife so he quickly added, "do you want to hang around here for a bit then?" and he regretted it immediately; he didn't know what made him suggest that.

"What? Why?" Ishita broke his reverie.

"I'm sorry. Forget it," he apologized quickly, "drive safely home."

Ishu was surprised at Raman's demeanor. What's wrong with him?

"Who said anything about going home?" she teased as she picked up her handbag and ready to walk out the door.

"What? Where are you going then?" he questioned instantaneously.

And she left his office, leaving the sound of her harmonious laughter behind. He had no time to ponder on that last thought because Mihir dared to storm in the second Ishita left and round him up for the conference.

Ishita found herself in a ball of nerves the minute she was in the cocoon of her car. She went over the last forty-five minutes in her head and still couldn't grasp the fact that she was having nightmares and Raman had found a solution - a solution that may very well change the dynamics of their relationship. She had grown to appreciate the man and understand his unique way of handling things, but this was beyond her. Only God knew how she managed to be as cool as a cucumber in that office some time ago. Hearing about the attempted rape had brought back so many horrible memories; Ishita was in utter shock that she was having subconscious nightmares about the same. She started the ignition and allowed the cool, artificial air to blow in her face at full force. When she was sure that she can drive safely, she buckled her seat belt and was about to move when her phone beeped, it was a message from Raman.

"Even if you aren't going home, go safely."

Ishita Raman Kumar Bhalla was on cloud nine! She couldn't believe that Raman sneaked a text message during his meeting! That too, just to tell her this simple thing, she was ecstatic. So instead of worrying all the way home, Mrs. Bhalla hummed along to the music as she maneuvered her way through the light traffic; but not before replying Raman with a simple Thanks'.

"Let him think that I'm not going home," she smirked.

Raman walked through his front door nine long hours later, by then everyone had retired to bed and the house was semi dark. Discarding his keys and bag on the table and sofa respectively, he entered his room. He had been wondering if Ishita was still awake and his journey home was filled with thoughts about how she had spent her afternoon. Unknowingly, his wife is occupying all his free time and thoughts alike. To his surprise, he heard soft music the minute he closed the door behind him. He can't ever recall Ishita playing music, but her laptop was open and a track was playing. He does not recognize the words of the song or rather, the language!

"Oh! You're back!" Ishita exclaimed softly behind him as she rushed to the laptop and stopped the music, "I'm sorry. I usually listen with the headphones on. I didn't know when you came home."

He chuckled at her cute antics and walked up to her, "Ishita, this is your room as well. Why would I have a problem with you listening to music? It's okay. Relax."

She blushed under her intense gaze and infectious smile and told him that she'd have his dinner ready as he freshens up. He came out and saw Ishita sitting with a neatly laid table with simple dishes.

His wife of a few months knows him so well, he thought.

She silently sat next to him, inspecting the table cloth until he spoke up, "So tell me about that weird music you were listening to earlier."

She giggled, "Everyone thinks it's weird music. Actually, it's a Korean song."

All questions regarding her afternoon rendezvous went for a toss. His wife listens to Korean songs? Wow! He is discovering so much about her in one day. He made a mental note to pay more attention to her; she is definitely not a type of woman one would meet on a daily basis.

He nodded in an attempt to hide his shock, "Why Korean? I mean, how did you even find Korean music?"

She patiently went on to explain that her close friends in college began watching Korean dramas and were instantly addicted. She resisted for months but finally gave in and watched a single episode of a very popular K-Drama, Boys Over Flowers. Ever since, she began watching one serial after another, until real life caught up but till date, Kim Hyun Joong's songs sooth her.

So I have a huge collection of Korean songs," she concluded, "most of which Joongie oppa sang."

Raman had long stopped eating and was staring at his wife as she stared into space with a dreamy look.

"Joongie oppa? What's that?" he raised a single eyebrow, still trying to fully grasp that he is beginning to see the "fangirl" side of his wife. Who'd thought that it's about K-Dramas? Isn't everyone obsessed with these Indian TV serials? But who was he kidding? His wife is unique is every way.

Still in her "fangirl" mode, she explained that oppa is Korean for an older guy. Raman rolled his eyes. Oh boy!

Twenty minutes later, after cleaning up the kitchen, Ishita walked into their bedroom and softly closed the door behind her. She took a deep breath and looked at him, thanking her stars that the only light source was from the television or else her naughty husband would see the red creeping up on her fair cheeks. Well aware that it's the first night they'd be sharing the bed without their daughter in between, she almost sprinted to the bathroom and changed into her red and white night dress. Impulsively, she sprayed a bit of body mist and allowed the fruity scent to soak in and calm her throbbing heart. She walked out and the minute Raman smelt that sweet scent, he was heady.

Despite the feistiness earlier in the day, Raman knew his wife is shy by nature. So he softly asked her to come on the bed. He pulled back the quilt and patted the pillow invitingly, "You said your back hurts on the couch na? Don't let this opportunity go."

Ishita took a deep breath and squeezed her eyes shut for a brief moment before settling on the soft bed and resting her head on the feathery pillows. Wanting the night to end as soon as possible, she wished her husband good night and turned her back to him.

Raman waited up for fifteen minutes because he wanted to be there when or if the nightmare comes again, he saw her shift her position and he leaned in. But even in her sleep, his wife threw him for a loop.

"Stupid Ravaan Kumar! I should put salt in his tea," Ishita was saying in her sleep.

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