EPISODE 2. DATE NIGHTPart 2
Aaoge Jab Tum Saajna, Angana Phool Khilenge
Scene 1
Ishita had a very full schedule at work the next day, and had little time to ponder about the shocked looks Mihika had been giving her the night before. She had asked Mihika if everything was all right, but Mihika had simply shook her head. "I'll have to talk to her later" Ishita had thought then. "I hope everything is fine with Mihir."
Since this morning though, she had been up to her neck in surgeries and paperwork, and had relegated Mihika's strange behaviour to the back of her mind. Her rare spare moments were taken up with imagining what Raman had in store for her that evening. She knew he had to get back to his project site, and wouldn't be able to stay long, but the thought of a few stolen moments with him put a spring in her step the whole day.
Raman had texted at around 11.00 to say that he was in the office, would be going home for lunch, and would then go to pick up Ruhi. Ishita imagined just how excited Ruhi would be to see her papa at the school gates. Their little daughter adored her papa, just as much as her mama did. And she knew the feeling was mutual on his side too, for both his daughter and his wife. A slow blush warmed her face as she remembered how he had insisted on proving his love that night at the hotel. "Ishita Raman Bhalla" she gave herself a strict talking to. "Stop fantasising about your husband and get back to work, you will see him soon enough!"
Scene 2
Ruhi and Shravan sat across the table from Raman at Tootie Frootie, gulping down their ice creams, each trying to dig their spoons into the same dish at the same time. Raman watched them with amusement." Ruhi, Shravan" he put on a mock serious voice. "I have bought you seven different flavours. Phir bhi bas nahi hota? Different flavours try karo na."
Ruhi had been ecstatic to see him when he had picked her up an hour before. She had flown into his arms, and had held on tightly as he enfolded her and held her close. She and Shravan had regaled him with stories all the way from the school to the ice-cream parlour. It was only now when the important task of eating was at hand that they had fallen silent.
Ruhi's eyes met his over her multi-coloured feast and she gave him a milky grin." Love you papa" she said sweetly.
Raman felt as if his heart would melt. He still remembered with anguish how he had deprived his little princess of his love and affection for most of her life, because she resembled Shagun. It had taken Ishita to show him how to love his own daughter, her love for Ruhi breaking up the barriers he had built up around his heart, her acceptance of Ruhi as HER daughter wiping the sceptre of Shagun from his heart forever. Now when he looked at Ruhi, he saw Ishita reflected back in her face and her eyes.
He smiled back at his little girl. "Love you too beta"
Scene 3
It was after 4.00 by the time Raman arrived back home with the children. The ice-cream which had momentarily muted their volume switch having been finished, they had once again been competing with each other to tell him their stories, each trying to out shout the other. They had been walking towards the stairs, each child holding one of his hands, when Ishita's car pulled up.
Ruhi had run up to Ishita as she walked toward them, grabbing her by the hand.
"Ishima, dekho na, Papa aa gaye" she had cried excitedly, pulling Ishita toward Raman. "Say hello to Papa."
"Hello Papa" Ishita blushed as she finally came face to face with Raman. Ruhi had launched herself at him again, and he bent down and picked her up, his eyes meeting Ishita's over Ruhi's head. He kissed Ruhi's cheeks softly, his eyes never leaving Ishita. "Hello Ishima" he replied.
Ishita wished she too could throw herself at Raman like their daughter had. He smiled as if reading her thoughts "Wait" he mouthed at her. "Your turn next"
She blushed and followed him up the stairs, holding Shravan's hand, trying to listen to his tales about his herogiri at school, while her heart and mind did happy somersaults inside her.
"Pati" both children ran to their grandmother as they got to the landing between the Bhalla and Iyer residences. Mrs Iyer was standing at her door. Her face lit up as she saw her family walk up.
"Raman" she smiled as he bent to touch her feet."Kitne din ho gaya, tumhe dekha nahin. Ao, kofi pee kar jana."
"Thank you, amma, lekin abhi phir wapas jaana hai. Kuch aur din ki baat hai. I"ll definitely come for coffee when I am back."
Ishita followed Raman into their apartment, the children staying behind with their pati to have vaada and idli. Mr & Mrs Bhalla were seated around the table with mamaji, having afternoon tea. They had had an enjoyable lunch with their son earlier that afternoon.
"How different Raman is now" Mrs Bhalla thought fondly."Even though he is so busy with work, he still made time for all of us. Now, if only he and Ishita could become close, could have a normal marriage, my sons happiness would finally be complete"
She smiled at Raman and Ishita. "Ao puttar, tum dono bhi afternoon tea kar lo. Thak gaye hoge na.aur tumhe abhi wapas bhi jaana hai Puttar" turning to Raman.
"Mein fresh ho kar aati hoon, Mummyji" Ishita said, without looking at Raman.
"Haan, Ma, mein bhi aata hoon. Bas kuch aur kapde pack kar loon" Raman said, following Ishita to their bedroom.
Coming up - Part 3
Ishita welcomes Raman back home
Edited by Veeann - 11 years ago
412