Chapter 6
Last night they had returned late, it was almost 11:30 PM.
Both said nothing and silently slept after changing.
But the turmoil, of what he was thinking, if it were true was going on in his head from the time she had not answered his question. Did she marry him, even though she didn't like him? It was his fault, he was so blind in possessing her that he just forgot that she was a human and she might like someone else.
'OMG! Did she like someone else?' the thought stirred in him a feeling of despair, jealousy and anger. 'May be that was why she always runs from him.' the fact that he had married her without her will torn him apart. And he decided to avoid her. Well it was not difficult for him... is it? After all he had for three years avoided Ruhi, whom he loved like a father.
But with that, thought he felt himself break from within. That was when he saw her sleeping peacefully. The only woman he loved, didn't like him, and most probably liked someone else.
He, though was successful in handling the matters of commerce and finance, but did lack a big time in the matters of heart that involved feelings and emotions. He was afraid of handling a heart break, May be she was right after all, it did hurt a lot, when the one you love does not reciprocate your feelings.
***
Next morning sun rose spreading newness all round, eliminating confusion and darkness to clear world.
Two lost souls were still in bed, watching dreams of their agonizing past, tormenting present and confusion-filled future.
Brushing the sleep of his mind, he opened his eyes and the sight that lay before him was something he never wanted to miss.
She was still sleeping, her face was peaceful and he just knew at that time, that there would never be anyone whom he could love the way he loved her. May be that attraction when he for the first time met her, and the reason he gave himself of marrying her was just a facade of what he really felt, maybe it was love that he was annoyed to admit, after all he just needed a reason to reject her. And her being ordinary in looks was just a vague Idea that he could not endure for long, especially when she showed no interest in him.
It was unacceptable to him, that any girl would ignore him. It never happened.
While he was in all these deep thoughts, she stirred in sleep and turned more towards him and held his hand and pulled it towards her and kept it near her heart and hugged it.
He felt his heart beat fast at the proximity and intimate touch, but he also knew that she was in deep sleep. He thus tried to pull his hand off her hand, as he knew that she won't be comfortable knowing what she had done during her sleep or worst if she thought he was trying to be intimate with her without her permission.
But her grip was such that he couldn't pull his hand out without waking up, so he just let it be and quietly laid on his back, constantly staring at the ceiling, deep in thought.
Meanwhile she woke up, feeling the warmth and opened her eyes in shock noticing his hand in hers, which she herself was holding tightly near her, almost hugging, and then looked at him hesitantly only see that he was not looking at her but was deep in thought, he was looking nowhere nor he was with her, only his physical body was in front of her.
She was in her senses but she didn't let go of his hand, though her stir did bring him back into the present and he turned towards her only see her wide awake and looking at him with strange expression, that he couldn't decipher.
"Good Morning." He said casually and pointed towards her hand with his eyes, but it seemed that she didn't notice and instead smiled the broadest and wished him back brightly,
"Good Morning!"
"Ishita..." He again pointed to free her hand, but it seemed she was just not paying any heed to what he was saying.
His lips broke into his new shy smile and said, "Ishita, I could have stayed like this for rest of the day, and I really have no problem but today is Friday, and today my very important meeting in 2 hrs. So..."
"So?" she asked in confusion.
"Well, so... you'd have to let go off my hand so I can get up..." he said, looking at her, on whose face he could see blush of embarrassment spread as she let go of his hand almost immediately. He had to admit, that she looked exceptionally beautiful while blushing. Then suddenly the last evening conversation came back in his mind and he quickly turned and went away to washroom.
He can't let this happen; he just can't let himself be vulnerable, not now, not ever.
While he was gone, all she could think was about him, was it really not right to love someone else, and if that someone was her own husband. Wouldn't it be wrong to not love or rather adamantly trying to make herself not to fall in love with him and trying to remain in half-crush mode for rest of life? After all it was just one sided love, and she knew that somewhere she had already started to fall for this man, and she felt proud to fall for him. It had killed her only to think that he had an admirer once, and what have happened if he had liked that girl and not come in her life. It was first time that she was feeling desired, the feeling enough was making her shy. She couldn't have imagined that someday would come when a man like him, the one whom people get chance only to see in newspapers and news channel interviews would be her husband , and she would be with him all 24hrs and 7days in week, and the fact that he liked her and desired to marry her. Even the thought enough was overwhelming.
She smiled blushing to herself as she hid her face in the blanket feeling shy, on acknowledging the fact that she had started to fall in love with the man who was not only her husband but also the person whom she undoubtedly respected. This was all she ever wanted; this was what she had always dreamed off. He was her dream man, he was handsome and intelligent and she respected him, and he had such a beautiful heart, he loves Ruhi, and she also knew that he was afraid of something, that was why he never showed it to her openly. May be that is his problem, he never opens himself, rather hides under many layers. She turned to other side and slowly sat up, still in bed, the thin silk sheet was still coiled around her waist from sleeping, she lazily separated it from her and stood, stupid smile still plastered to her face, like that of newly love-sick teenager, who has just got to know that she has crush on some guy.
She lazily walked towards the wardrobe and slowly without making any noise opened it and looked with admiration into her husband's collection of shirts and ties, everything looked expensive, then she grazed her hand on the soft material, and she felt a funny feeling in the pit of the stomach, something naughty and she giggled thinking, and then her face became quite, like deep in thought, How come from yesterday, when she had seen Subbu in party, she didn't got teary like she usually does, why she was not thinking about him, why waking up next to her husband and holding his hand while sleeping gave her a feeling of content.'
"Am I really in love with him?" she asked herself.
She smiled to herself at the realization and took out a white shirt and black coat piece and a red tie, and smiled to herself.
What am I doing? Acting like a wife? A Love-sick wife!!' she thought and smacked her head lightly. That was the exact time when he walked in, in bathrobe.
"Kya hua? Are you fine?", he asked questionably from door, as he slowly moved towards his wardrobe.
"I have already picked out something..." she pointed towards bed on which shirt and pant selected by her was kept, as she noticed him surfing the almirah.
For a moment he looked at her and then said, "White shirt with black coat-pant is okay... but a RED tie?!" his voice contained surprise and also a hint of mock.
"Why? Red tie looks good, It will definitely look good on you..." she trailed and looked down blushing for letting out how she felt.
"It might look good on me, but I am going to office like any regular day, and I wear red tie only when there is compulsion."
"Okay, then a black one?" Ishita said as much enthusiastic as ever.
"No. Its too formal", then he looked at her confusion filled face and explained, "Party types"
"Ohh... okay then..." she trailed off when he said,
"Its okay, today is hot, I was already going to go without a tie." He said shaking his head at her child-like grumpy face.
Then she landed on bed with a thump as he picked up the things that she had picked out for him and went in to change. Just then Ruhi came running into the room with a comb.
"IshiMa, meri braids... Aap meri braids kar do." She said sweetly as she sat at her feet facing her back to Ishita so she can braid her hair.
Ishita smiled and started doing what Ruhi had told her.
"IshiMa... Aapki party kaisi thi?"
"Achhi thi..." she said slowly, as she again got lost in yesterday, all she could think about was him was, how handsome and charming he looked and the way he introduced her to his bestie, She smiled to fullest and even turned a bright shade of red.
"Ho gaya?" With that Ruhi smiled and got up and moved towards the mirror.
"IshiMa!!! Ye aapne kya kar diya... aapne toh sab mess up kar diya..." Ruhi said in astonishment and said in sad voice, "Ab mai School kaise jaungi... already late ho gaya hai..."
With that Ishita came into present and looked horrified at Ruhi, whose hair looked almost like a bird's nest and she was sure that now it would atleast take half an hour to smooth them.
"I am sorry mera bachha... bass mai abhi theek kar deti hoon..." Ishita sat again and tried and tried but they were so messed up that she couldn't do anything and especially when it was hurting her daughter.
"Ek minute..." Raman came from behind, he had already changed into formals and was looking hot as ever, and all Ishita could do just then was to gap at him.
"Ye sab kya hai Ishita? Kya soch rahi thi? Tum Tamil zaroor ho but Rajnikant nahi ke ye sab mess theek kar dogi..." he said , frustration was visible in his voice, "Pagal Madrasan" he muttered under his breath. And with a sigh sat on bed and asked Ruhi to come over to him, "Ruhi, Beta, Dard ho toh bata dena okay?" He said softly.
He started smoothing her hair little by little, that was when Toshi ji was passing by their room and saw this scene and tears of happiness filled her eyes, and she walked away, careful not to break the moment, thanking Ishita mentally.
While Ishita sat there stupidified lost in her husband, she couldn't get enough of him and especially when he was looking so hot in this serious avatar, concentrating on Ruhi's hair.
Then trance broke and she saw for the first time Ruhi, the happiest she had ever seen her. She could see her half hugging herself out of happiness, how can such a sweet baby is left without a father's love. And at this point she decided that she would do just anything to bring them closer.
"Hogaya..." Raman sighed as he tied her hair in a single braid.
Ruhi went upto the mirror and exclaimed happily, "Its perfect, just like my papa." And came towards him while still he was sitting at the foot of the bed and half climbing in his lap she kissed him on cheek and ran away saying "Thank-you.. I love you papa.."
For a moment Raman sat still and then shaking his head with a small smile got up and walked towards the door but then suddenly turned and said, "You need rest Ishita... by the way are you coming for breakfast?"
Then she looked at herself and found that she still has to freshen up, "I'll be down in 10" she said and moved towards bathroom with a smile.
Raman on other hand couldn't think why she was behaving weird from morning... But he couldn't deny the fact that she was looking adorable while she was looking at him and in the morning also while holding his hand, he did had a feeling to close the distance between them. Only if she would have reciprocated his love he would have had the right but now, he couldn't as he not only loved her but respected her dignity as well. But then he smiled of her weird choice of red tie... Gosh this girl is really something...
He shook his head in amusement and went to the dinning area.
***
After a while she came to the dining area only to know that her husband and daughter had already left, but what pleased her was the fact that they had gone together.
"Ishita Puttar, mere paas toh shabd hi nahi hai tujhe thankyou kehne ke liye... pehli baar Ruhi ko itna khush dekha hai... Thankyou puttar thankyou.." Toshi ji smiled through tears.
While Ishita could just smile in return.
"Arre tujhe batana hi bhool gayi, Raman keh ke gaya hai ke koi important meeting hai uski shaam ko toh Ruhi ko tum pick kar lena... uski chutti 4:00 baje hogi... koi cultural fest ki practice hai.." Toshi ji said
"Oh.. toh Raman Ghar late hi aaynge aaj..." She muttered, but Toshi ji heard and said... "Ye toh nahi pata par dopahar mein zaroor ayega.."
"chal puttar tu bhi jaldi se kuch kha le... varna late ho jayegi..."
Ishita smiled to herself with excitement.
"Nahi Mummy ji, Aaj Dr. Bansal meri saari appointments le lenge... Aaj mai lunch banaungi..." Ishita said with a sweet smile.
"Theek hai puttar... mai kuch help kar doon... bata mujhe..." Toshi ji asked.
"Nahi nahi Mummy ji... mai kar loongi... aur phir Neelu toh hai hi yahan meri help karne ke liye..." Ishita smiled at neelu.
"Ji mummy ji... Mai hoon .. mai help kar doongi DiDi ki..." neelu said all enthusiastic.
It took almost 3 hrs of toil for Ishita to prepare a punjabi meal. When she placed the "Raita" in fridge for it to cool, she took a sigh of relief, and a smile spread on her face.
She couldn't help but think about him.
It was just then when the bell rang and she almost ran towards the door to open.
She opened the door and was shocked to see Raman standing hand in hand with a beautiful girl with dusky complexion but was gorgeous beyond words. She was wearing a designer Sari, and both were smiling at each other like long lost lovers.
"Thanks Ishita" said Raman and then smiled sweetly at the girl beside him and said, "Come in Shagun... This is Ishita my wife and Ishita this is Shagun, remember I told you about her, my friend from Harvard."
To which Ishita looked at him confused and then he again said, "Arre yaar... you forgot... Shagun Arora..."He trailed of when Shagun cut him and spoke herself.
"I am like your Sautan... you know... or haven't you told her yet?" she asked Raman who just shrugged all smiling.
"Actually I had a crush on him everyone thought we were dating... but he was waiting for his Miss perfect." She smiled.
Ishita's face was serious, no trace of smile was there.
And then Shagun said, "Come on Ishita, I was just joking. Only I loved him but he didn't."
"Come on Yaar Shagun, Don't go there now... Come lets have Lunch you must be hungry." He escorted Shagun to dining area and then called, "Ishita..Mummy kahan hain?"
***
Lunch for her lost all the charm and all talks that happened were between Raman and Shagun while she sat there feeling like stupid intruder, like a third person.
She was feeling inferiority complex seeing Shagun infront of her, watching her perfect moves and her elegance and then at herself, her attire- kurti and jeans. While epitome of feminine beauty was sitting just infront of her, how could she even think to compete her? Her aura itself was enough to make Ishita look down and feel little of herself.
Lunch ended and she quickly removed the plates and dishes from the table.
"God Raman! You were so right, aaj maan gaye... Khaana bohot achha tha... I never had such a delicious food. Who cooked?" Asked Shagun all smiling.
"My Mom of-course... She cooks very well..." Raman said and smiled softly.
"Hmm... it was delicious. Raman tell aunty that I loved her hand cooked food."
"Where are you going now? You are going to meet her and tell this yourself." Raman said, with finality.
It was too much for Ishita and all she wanted at the time was to run away from the place. She hurriedly went to her room and got her purse and was about to walk out when Raman interrupted, "Ishita..kahan jaa rahi ho?"
"Woh Clinic mein kuch emergency hai..." and almost ran out not wanted to stay a moment longer. She didn't even wait for him to say anything.
***
He felt weird about the way she was behaving... He felt bad when she didn't even herself informed him about the emergency, he could have dropped her.
May be she really didn't feel anything for him.
"Kya hua? You really like her Raman?" Shagun asked smiling, and Raman looked at her surprised.
"I have never seen you like this, so Lost" Shagun clarified.
He just smiled, and said, "But I think she doesn't... I feel like most unfortunate man to have married the girl I love but she doesn't feel anything for me. See... this is the problem. She doesn't even care. She didn't even asked me why I am early today or how was my day. She doesn't even like to talk to me..." Raman smiled sadly.
"Raman! Are you blind? My god you are so thick... I mean I knew you were... but to this extent..." she was saying when Toshi ji came to the dining area.
"Arre Raman puttar tu aa gaya? Ishita kahan hai?" she asked.
"kafi der ho gayi, humne lunch bhi kar liya.. woh sab chodiye.. dekhiye... Shagun aayi hai... maine bataya tha na meri Harvard ki friend.."
"Arre haan... Shagun, jo mere diye saare Laddu kha jaati thi?" Toshiji smiled
"Ji vahi mai aunty ji..." Shagun came forward and hugged her.
"Beta Lunch kar ke jaana..." Toshiji said.
"Arre humne lunch kar liya... but aunty ji I must say, Aisa Palak Paneer toh maine kabhi nahi khaya... bohot tasty tha... Raman batata tha but aaj proof ho gaya... aapke haathon mein toh jaadu hai.." Shagun said smiling.
"Woh sab toh theek hai but aaj sab kuch Ishita ne Banaya hai... maine toh haath bhi nahi lagaya. Par woh hai kahan?" Toshiji asked.
Raman looked at his mom in shock and couldn't digest the fact that she made all this, but was confused about why she didn't correct him when he told Shagun that it was made by his mother. She could have corrected me.' He thought.
"Shayad koi emergency case tha... woh clinic gayi hai.." answered Shagun.
Toshi ji sighed and sat on couch where Raman and Shagun were sitting and started, "Ishita bohot hi pyaari bachhi hai.. saara kaam sambhalti hai... sabka khayal rakhti hai... jab maine bataya ke Raman lunch pe ghar aayega, tab foran saari appointment kisi Dr Bansal ko transfer kar di aur lunch banane lagi. Mujhe toh haath bhi nahi lagane diya..." Toshi ji smiled.
"Mere liye?" Raman asked surprised. 'She made lunch for him specially.' Even the thought made him happy.
"Itni der se aur kya samjha rahi hoon... she loves you Genius RKB! She was feeling awkward with me, didn't you noticed traces of jealousy when I told her that I was the one who loved you...?" Shagun said smacking her friend mentally.
"She really loves me?" he smiled broadest saying... rather as this fact sank deep inside him.
"BTW, ye eureka moment baad mein celebrate karna, mujhe flight miss nahi karni... meri choti si angel and uske dad mera intezaar kar rahe honge...jaldi chalo na.."
"Beta, Kabhi husband aur bacchon ke saath aana, achha lagega hume..." Toshi ji said coming forward as she hugged her.
"Promise Aunty... Aap sab bhi aayega London..." Shagun said and waved a bye and dragged Raman to see her off.
*Last-Part*
***
okay guys, thats it for now...
Will be updating soonish...
Edited by OfTheHeart - 10 years ago
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