Chapter 4: Jealousy Burns
After a roller coaster week, things definitely had toned down a bit between Raman and Ishita once the week had started. Both Raman and Ishita were busy with their routine activities and Raman was coming home late. As Ruhi was there in their bedroom, he had made no attempt to come close to her. Ishita didn't know whether she was relieved or disappointed but she realized she was frustrated. Why the frustration? She was clueless. Two days later, when Raman called Ishita at the clinic to inform her that they would be attending a party in the evening and to get ready by 7 pm, Ishita sighed. Another party and with Raman's flirty attitudes to kill her!!
Sitting in his cabin, Raman was still scratching his head how to proceed with his plan. Love Guru's tips have been printed in his long term memory but he found himself again at a lost because Ishita was a rare specimen and then after those touchy moments, Raman admitted to himself that he was not sure who were really the hunter and the prey in the game anymore. He had been on tenterhooks around her, trying his best to control his impulses and feelings and to stay calm. That was the reason he had decided to play it slow and safe because if one should confess, it was none other than Jhansi ki Rani and Raman would made sure that she did it. No way was he going to say those words to her before she did.
Ishita was struggling to tie the knot of her dori when her eyes caught sight of his reflection in the mirror. Without a word, his gaze fixed on her, Raman walked up to her, enjoying the effect he was having on her. She was looking gorgeous in the white and black saree he has gifted her. Her hair was tied up revealing her slender neck and fair back. Ishita stayed glued on the spot, staring at him as he came right behind her.
- Let me help you.
His words snapped her out of her trance and Ishita immediately answered him back:
- I am fine. Stay away from me.
Saying so, she tried to move away but gasped as Raman pulled the string of her dori tight. Shocked and angry , Ishita turned around to glare at her audacious husband. Unfazed Raman grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards to him, wrapping his arms around her like a band. Biting her lips, fuming, Ishita struggled from his hold only to have herself wrapped tighter in his arms.
- How dare you? Leave me Raman.
- As you wish. I was only trying to help you. I am waiting for you downstairs. Be quick. We are already late.
Raman immediately released his grip on her, leaving a confused Ishita staring at his retreating figure.
In the party, once the introductions were over, Raman immediately moved with his friends and colleagues to share a drink leaving Ishita with the ladies. Ishita's mind and heart was not just there. Her jaws were aching by the broad fake smile she was sporting while her heart was restless. Her eyes would involuntarily search him. Raman on the other hand seemed to be less bothered by her. When finally their eyes clashed, she gave him a small smile but he immediately turned away. Ishita's heart sank. May be she had been too rude to him. When she finally saw him alone near the bar, Ishita walked to him, only to be joined by an excited Kaamini met in Mumbai some years back. The lady seemed way too excited to meet Mr Raman Kumar Bhalla and the latter too seemed to be enjoying the attention she was showering on him. No wonder he didn't introduce Ishita as his wife but only as Ishita, the dentist. Ishita looked on as the lady huffed and puffed about how the business was a ruthless place now ignoring Ishita's presence.
- But Raman, it has always been a pleasure dealing with you in Mumbai and in every sense.
Raman and a "pleasurable" businessman! Ishita understood the double meaning and turned away with disgust. When the DJ invited the guests to get on the dance floor, Kamini errr Kaamini asked Raman for a dance, for good old time sake leaving Ishita fuming. Seeing him dancing with that woman reminded her of the way he had with Shagun and the drama that followed. Ishita knew what he was doing. Raman Kumar Bhalla would never change. Just like he would dance with her to show off to Shagun, he wouldn't mind using this Kaamini to get to her.
She needed some fresh air and Ishita went on the terrace to get away from the noise. Why was he hell bent on playing with her heart and feelings like this? Why did it hurt when he did these cheap tricks with her? It had hurt with Shagun and it hurt today with that woman. Without warning she felt the prick of tears behind her eyelids. Ishita was furious with herself. Why was she letting him upsetting her? She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, bracing herself to go inside again when the whispering of her name, made her turn around. There he was, leaning on to the pillar next to her, scrutinizing her face.
- Any problem?
Ishita turned her back to him and looked up in the sky where the full moon is shining with its entire splendor. She braced herself as a chill ran through her, rubbing her bare arms to warm herself. Ishita gasped when she felt Raman's arms wounding around her from the back to meet her hands. He muttered in her ear:"Jealous much?'
This infuriated Ishita who was already a bundle of nerve. Enough was enough! She would not let this man play with her like this. She pushed him away and turned around, her eyes fierce.
- You are crossing your limits Raman Kumar Bhalla.. Stop playing this "kabhi cold kabhi hot" game with me ok. Stay away from me. Let me remind you of our marriage contract. I am bearing you only for Ruhi. I told you before. I don't like you.
Raman lost his calm and grabbed Ishita's arms tight, digging his fingers in her flesh. Ishita flinched but Raman did not budge. His body was shaking with frustrations but Ishita could see that he was trying hard to control himself. In between gritted teeth he roared menacingly:
- Yes let's quit the game Ishita. You don't like me? Then why do you get all upset when I ignore you? Why does my happiness matter to you so much? How come you can feel my pain all the time? Why put your life in danger for a man you don't like? Was it also in our marriage contract to call my name in your dream Ishita and to blush and have your heart racing when I am close to you?
Ishita's voice died in her throat and she gulped realizing that she had indeed whispered her name in her dream and Raman had heard her. Releasing her from his grip, he concluded with a sarcastic smile on his face while a flummoxed Ishita listened:
- Ruhi ke liye obviously! Wait a minute! Was the karvachauth also Ruhi ke liye or a show off for my family? I also married you and did many things for Ruhi and will continue to do so. But there are some things which I did for your family which I consider mine, for you, to put a smile on your face...and it has nothing to do with our marriage contract.
Ishita turned and tossed all night, Raman's words echoing in her head. She had hurt him and she was the one feeling the pain. Raman was right. She had been fooling herself using Ruhi as a sheath to protect her heart and cover up her feelings but that sheath was not strong enough unfortunately to prevent her from falling in love. After Subbu had dumped her unceremoniously, she knew she would always be inadequate for any man and she had promised herself never to dream of things that any normal woman would. She was not a NORMAL woman. When Ruhi entered her life, she felt that Ruhi had filled the void in her heart until Raman came in her life not as Ruhi's father but as her husband. She looked at his sleeping figure and sighed unaware that Raman was as restless as her.
What would he not do to have that Love Guru in front of him to wreck his neck? What did he say? Still your heart and play the game of the hearts using you mind!! Make her addicted to you and your presence. Fool plan is what it was! If he follows these tips, he would not get a confession from her but would end up in the mental asylum. Coming close to her, touching her had only made things worse for him. It had unleashed a desire that had been locked somewhere in a dark place in his body. It had ignited a passion which he thought was long time dead. Raman found himself again at his vulnerable best, a state he had promised not to experience again. There he was, dreaming of love again and of a woman who was not yet ready for him or worse, who may be does not want to be more than his mother's daughter.
Could it be that though she had claimed she was happy, she meant happy to be Ruhi's mother only because her heart was locked with another man's name? Raman's heart squeezed for a second. A pang of jealousy and possessiveness ran through him. No! Raman discarded that scary thought of his mind. That was long time back, he told himself. Ishita has moved on. May be he had just scared her with his proximity. She had told him many times, being sweet and loving didn't suit him at all. May be she was more comfortable with his "kharoosness".
To hell with any fool plan. He had fallen in love and Raman could see that Ishita was more than attracted to him but he was no fool. He would not let his heart rule his mind and end up looking like an idiot. Her words echoed in his head - "I don't like you Raman. I am bearing you for Ruhi, hadd mein raho..."
Raman Kumar Bhalla would make sure that Jhansi ki Rani took back her words. It was time that SHE crossed her limits this time to tell him what was in her heart without using Ruhi as a cover.
Teaser
Chapter 5 (last part): The confession.😛
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OSJ🤗
Edited by omshreejaanu - 10 years ago
Ufff Yeh Love Hai Mushkil
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