RuhiIshRa- Final part p46 Pg 96 - Page 28

Crack of dawn

Adi was uncomfortable being called a hero by everyone in Ishu's and his own family while he and his father knew who the real hero was. He felt a tremendous sense of guilt at misjudging Ishita and being rude to her. He had always said and thought of Ishu whatever his mother told him to think and say. His mother! He wondered where she was. Mihir was there all morning taking care of Adi. His eyes followed his father and his sister as they moved in and out of Ishita's bedside. Mr and Mrs.Iyer's care and warmth the family shared planted seeds of doubt about whatever he had heard of them. Adi was struck at the sight of Mrs Bhalla breaking down in her samdhan's arm after peeping at a sleeping Ishita. She did not seem all that bad realized Adi. Mihir sat cuddling Ruhi; while his dad split his time caring for his injured wife and terrified son. Adi's lip trembled as he realized his mother was nowhere around who then was insensitive he wondered? She did not even know all that had transpired in his life since he was pinched from the mall. " Where would I be if Ishita had not followed me?" wondered the frightened pre teen.

Raman got his parents to take Ruhi home and asked Adi if he would like to go with them to the Bhalla residence. Adi preferred to go over to Mihir's home with Mihika and leave for school. Mihika realized the kids was missing his mother and agreed to take him with her while Mihir stayed back with Raman till it would be time to get Ishu back home in a few hours. Ishu shrugged herself out of the hospital wear changed with the nurse's help and was all set to leave. "Raman let me walk to the car I want to try out the crutch before we get home" she insisted. Raman watched her walk beside him, through beads of tears that were threatening to spillover any moment. His Jhansi Ki Rani was just that, the frail frame hidden under her flowing kurta and salwar seemed even more beautiful to him.

They reached home and to Ishita the stairs seemed daunting. She winced in pain when she stepped on the first step and her crutch felt like a twig. Raman was shadowing her grabbed her crutch handed that over to Mihir before he scooped her up in his arms to their bed. The house was still when they reached. He was understandably tired asked his mother and Simmi to take care of Ruhi for the night. He wanted to go to bed early. Mihir informed the family about all that happened at work and with Ishita. The medicines had made Ishita droopy again and two tired and souls slept like babies in a crib even before mummyji left he room after drawing the curtains.

It was muffled screams that woke Raman the following morning. He saw a shaking Ishita hugging her knees and crying out into her cushion. " Kya hua Ishita?" he sat up in a flash. "Raman kaun they wo? Why did they take Adi have you told the Police?" she whimpered. "YES it is all taken care off ...tomorrow the police will speak to you Adi spoke to them today. Tum ab so jao" he finished. " Nahi I'm up can't sleep anymore it's already 3.30 and I have slept all evening. I want to shower and need a coffee." She said. " give me a shout if you need anything' he said before he left the washroom closing the door behind him.

Ishu was all dressed when he walked in with the coffees. He set it down walked over to her and moved her sari out of way, unhooked her blouse and her bra's back and was shocked at the ugly blue finger marks on her ivory back. His knees grew weak and he sat at the couch unable to say anything. Ishita ambled over and sat on his lap. She put her arms around him nuzzled into his neck, kissed his throat and said it's doesn't hurt now". She wiped his wet cheeks with trembling fingers and said Raman I can't reach this one, I need you to put this antibiotic cream on it and I will change into my kurta I don't want others to see it.. the rest I have already taken care off." "Ok" he nodded reached out and handed over her coffee not letting her off his lap. She liked his hand on her mark it seemed like he was erasing a bad touch. Raman carried her over to the bed and demanded to see the other bruises.

"OH GOD" he said looking at the thin long bruise on her inner thigh.

" that was because I was tied Raman"

" Par Adi tho theek tha did they hit you"

" yeah a little these happened when I was trying to protect Adi from getting beaten"

" I owe both my children to you"

" I owe my life to you"

" I'm never ever going to let you out of my sight again"

" I'd like that" she winked.

He kissed her forehead before he kissed each one of her bruises.

"Raman it's only my foot that hurts can you make me yours"

" you are always mine but I want our first time to be special Ishita not like this drug induced, and with me worrying which bone I'm going to break."

" Ok that sounds good but can you please hug me"

He had her engulfed in a protective embrace. Raman was thinking of his bed and his comforter when he was heading home when Adi called.

" I'm simply the luckiest man alive! I nearly lost the most important thing in my while I was away"

"Don't worry Raman Adi will be fine..i briefed Mi..."

" I was talking of you" he kissed her back as he eased her blouse off.

" Ishita promise me that you will never leave me...I cannot function or exist without you. If you ever leave me for another man I don't think I can..."