FF; MIRAGE OF SECOND CHANCES CHAPTER 63/65 PAGE 131 - Page 8

FF;MIRAGE OF SECOND CHANCES

CHAPTER SIX

Oh my God Raman what have you done. I have to find Ishita and apologize." He thought to himself

He walked back to the bedroom but when he got there he could not see her. Oh my God has she left?

Ishita you can't leave please. ISHITAAA" He called out her name hoping she would respond but to no avail. He frantically started looking for her calling her name. He moved to the balcony still calling

'ISHITAAA'' when he heard a voice say

'Ssshhh you'll wake her up.'' Ishita said

He turned around and saw Ishita sitting at the corner of the balcony while Ruhi was lying on her lap. He could see on his daughter's face that she had been crying and was holding on to Ishita's hand like her life depended on it.

'I will take her inside'' he said as he bent down to pick Ruhi up

'I do not think that's a good idea.'' Ishita said although Raman ignored her. He continued to pick her up but Ruhi just held on more to Ishita like her life depended on it.

'I told you it's not a good idea. She is really freaking out and I think you officially managed to scare her to the bone'' She replied while she got up and carried Ruhi to their room.

Raman just followed suit not knowing how he was going to handle this. He wanted to tell her he was sorry and wanted to make things okay but he did not know how. He did not even realize that he had followed Ishita all the way into hers and Ruhi's bedroom.

'You can relax I am not going to harm her. You do not have to follow me around everywhere I go.'' She replied

'No it's not that. I just ...'' Raman could not bring himself to say what he wanted to say until he heard her interrupt him

' You were just worried for your kids. I get that trust me. And you do not have to worry about Aditya as well I will keep away from him after all he is not the reason am here.'' She said as she put Ruhi down on the bed. She turned around looking everywhere but him and said

' But I just want to make one thing clear. I would never lay a hand on a child especially one I care about so deeply. I love Ruhi more than myself and through her I connect with Aditya so harming him is something I am never going to do.''

Raman listened to her talk and he could hear the hurt in her voice. She couldn't even look at him properly and he wanted to just tell her how sorry he was and didn't mean it but his ego would not let him. He hated the fact that he had hurt his daughter and most importantly her Ishima. He wanted to make things right.

'I am so ... Sorr... I mean whatever. '' He ended up saying. He cursed himself because he wanted to apologize but ended up saying something else.

She watched him as he stammered and struggled with his words and she got irritated because she thought he still thought he could harm Aditya

'By the way I did not touch your son and as far as your wife is concerned I do not regret throwing her out. And let me tell you something I believe you will deliver to her, the day she tries pulling that crap she pulled today and try laying a hand on my daughter, she will be so sorry she met me.'' She sat up from the bed and stood by the window facing the balcony

'Shagun is NOT MY WIFE so top calling her that'' He answered clearly getting angry

' Yeah keep on telling yourself that'' She answered

'I do not want to talk about this. Now tell me how my daughter is?'' he asked

'She is freaking out. Poor girl was so scared she could not get a hold of herself. It took a while but I managed to calm her down. She cried a lot that's why she fell asleep.'' She replied still looking everywhere else but him

'Will she be okay?'' he asked genuinely worried

' I guess but as you know she is not as emotionally strong as her brother so whatever just happened has taken her back to her shell. I do not understand why you have to bellow at her like that? I get not trusting me but my God one would think your children deserve more faith than what you give.'' She said

'What the hell is that supposed to mean? ' he asked clearly getting agitated

'I mean you should have at least listened to your daughter. Raman you did not even give her an ear. You love Aditya a lot I get that but Ruhi is your daughter as well. Do not forget the child you have in this fight to gain the one you lost.'' She turned around and went over to where he was standing.

'Raman I know how much you love your children but do not let that be your weakness. Let it be strength if not for you then for their sake. Aditya is your weakness and he knows it that is why he easily manipulated you. I do not know a lot about Shagun but from the little I have seen I can tell she knows it too and takes advantage of that. You have to figure out a way to be a moral compass for your son otherwise you're going to lose him on all fronts. I know I have no right to talk to you in this manner but I am just...''

You are just trying to teach me how to raise my children. Are you saying am a bad father?'' He asked

'I never said you are that's your conscience playing with your mind. I am just saying do not take Ruhi for granted Raman you're going to end up losing her.'' Ishita answered

'Ishita I suggest you mind your own business and do what brought you here.'' He replied

Ishita looked at him angrily and stormed out of the room.

Raman watched as Ishita walked out of the room muttering something in anger and it just pissed him off the more. She always managed to make him more angry than necessary. He got so mad that he just wanted to drown his sorrows in a bottle. He looked at his daughter who was lying on the bed then turned around to leave the room.

As he turned his back he heard Ruhi muttering something before she woke up screaming

'Adddiii ... Adi Adiii...''

Her eyes were blood shot red and she was huffing and puffing like she had been running a marathon. When Raman saw her he instinctively went to her to tell her everything was going to be okay and try and calm her down. He tried to hold her but she continued screaming.

Ishita who had heard the scream raced back into the bedroom to find out what was the problem. When Ishita got there, she could see Ruhi had curled up with her knees to her chest sweating like she had been running. She kept on staring at the door like some kind of monster was standing there.

She slowly came up to Ruhi and called her name a number of times until Ruhi finally looked at Ishita and said

'Ishima please tell Aditya to come back. He did something wrong and I apologize on his behalf just please bring him back. He will take him away like he did the others. Please Ishima'' and with that Ruhi broke down. She threw her hand around Ishita and stated to cry hysterically.

Ishita just kept on holding her and tried to calm her down. She had never seen Ruhi so scared like she was in that moment. Ruhi was holding her so tight that she was starting to lose her balance so she tried to settle properly on the bed to get some balance. She tried to pull herself up only to feel something wet on the bed. She adjusted herself enough to see that Ruhi had wet the bed completely.

She carried Ruhi out if their room to Raman's room and tried to put her down but Ruhi would not let go.

'Ruhi beta let me get you some dry clothes at least.'' But Ruhi just kept on shaking her head indicating no.

'I will get it.'' Raman said

He hurriedly went to back to the room and picked clothes for Ruhi and gave them to Ishita. He watched as his terrified daughter was being undressed. He could not help but feel bad and guilty because he figured may be he was somewhat to blame for her present condition.

'Let me go fix the bed while you try and calm her down'' he said to Ishita

Ishita looked at Raman as he left the room and understood what he must be going through. She understood his pain and could only imagine the amount of guilt he must be in. She continued to hold Ruhi knowing full well that in order to fix this problem she had to find out what happened and she would. She gave Ruhi some dugs to calm her down and waited.

After a while Ruhi had finally calmed down and was now sleeping again. She put her down on the bed such that she was comfortable and decided to go back to her room and freshen up a little bit. When she got in she saw Raman sitting on the bed holding the sheets that were on the bed

'Raman what is it? Ruhi will be okay. You do not worry?'' she said looking at a worried Raman

Raman looked at her and she could tell he had been crying. He looked dejected and defeated and it broke her heart. She felt like holding him and just telling him all the bad will end.

'Ishita I did this to my daughter. Your right I take her for granted because after you came she seemed to be okay I figured now that I have got her I will try and repair my relationship with Aditya so I ignored my daughter. She was screaming and I could not do anything to help her. She was just ...screaming ...crying...'' He broke down.

Raman was a person who was very short tempered and impulsive but he always managed to make it seem like nothing got to him. Right now he seemed like a shadow of a man she had married and that broke her heart. She wanted to just hold him and take all his pain. She felt so bad and just wanted to cry with him.

She did not understand why it pained her to see him like that but she just wanted him to be okay. She walked over to him and knelt down in front of him and said

'Raman do not blame yourself. This has nothing to do with you but something or someone else did this. We will figure it out together I promise you and we'll make them pay.''

She looked at him and just could not help herself or hold back anymore. She sunk her head to his chest clutched to him in an embrace as if to tell ask him to give her his pain.

Raman was surprised at this but was too stressed out to care and like an instinct he pulled her in his warmth and embraced her. It surprised him how unbelievably comforting it made him feel and how right it felt with her in his arms. For a minute he forgot that he was upset.

They stayed that way for w while until he heard her say

'Sorry I just ...'' But before she could complete Raman said

'I am sorry...''

'Sorry? About what?'' she asked slightly surprised

'For everything that happened today. The Aditya fiasco and what I said. I am so sorry I should have known better than to believe Shagun that easily. I just saw my son with that bruise and just stopped thinking. I did not know he was lying. I still cannot believe how easily he lied to my face.'' He replied

'No its okay I probably would have acted the same way if I had seen him like that. I just want to reassure you Raman I love your children and I would never harm them. I know it will be hard but I am asking you to trust me on that one please.'' Ishita said

'No I do trust you more than you know'' He replied shocked at how easily he said that. And as if defensively he added

Where my kids are concerned of course, Not that you and I ...I mean ...''

He watched as a smile crept up her face and could not help but smile back because she just looked so adorable.

'Why do you always get defensive when you talk about me and you? She asked

'No I don't get defensive. I just do not want you to misunderstand me. That's all.'' He replied

She chuckled a little because she could tell he was lying through his teeth but she figured he probably did not understand as well why he stammered when he talked about her and quite frankly she did not either.

'So am guessing you're okay now?'' she asked

'No...I mean yeah I am okay thank you. I needed that.'' He replied

'Well anytime you need some more comforting am always here.'' She replied smilingly

'You know you are not as bad as I thought?'' he said

'Meaning?'' She asked

'Nothing just go freshen up I will take care of Ruhi'' he answered

She looked at him for a second and then got up to go to the bathroom. Before she left, she turned around and she said teasingly

'You know one of these days you are going to have to tell me properly without stuttering what it is you actually think about me rather than giving me half-baked statements.''

Before he replied she was already gone. He watched as she disappeared and could not help and chuckle because in that moment he realized that marrying this crazy woman may not have been such a bad idea.

He got up and put the sheets that were now on the floor in the laundry basket. He removed the wet mattress and got the spare one which he put on the bed. He figured Ishita was going to have her hands full once Ruhi woke up and wanted to help out as much as could.

He made the bed, went to his room and checked on his daughter who was still sleeping and then went down stairs to ask Neelu to prepare something for them to eat when Ruhi woke up.

He needed a plan to help his daughter and he had to come up with one fast but he figured with Ishita on his side things will work out. He had that much faith in her.

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CHAPTER SEVEN;- http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4241564&TPN=13&#p117469807

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FF;MIRAGE OF SECOND CHANCES

CHAPTER SEVEN

It had been a number of weeks since the whole Ruhi incident. Some nights were good others were worse but through it all Raman and Ishita never left her side. Raman was worried for his daughter and did not know what to do to help her. He felt so helpless and even though Ishita repeatedly told him it was not his fault he could not help but feel guilty about the whole situation.

'Raman beta please do not worry so much. She is a strong girl and she will pull through this. She is a Bhalla after all'' Said Santosh

'Haan I know but I still cannot help but worry about her. What if things do not work out and she stays ...'' He replied

'Oyi chup. You have to be your daughter's strength and thinking negatively will not help matters at all.'' Replied his father Mr. Bhalla

' Raman Sir Ruhi is a wake. She has refused to eat I do not know what to do'' said Neelu as came from Ruhi's room

'Where is Ishita?'' asked Raman

'She is receiving a call from her family'' replied Neelu

'Fine give me the bowl I will take care of it.'' He excused himself and went up stairs to his daughter

Ishita had not properly talked to her family for while and the last time she had seen them was when she got married. But she understood her priorities and knew Ruhi needed her more than anything. They Iyer children lived by their promises and she had promised Raman that she would figure out what the hell happened to his daughter and she would not stop until she came to the bottom of it.

After that incident Ruhi's personality had changed completely. She did not say much to everyone and only seemed to talk a lot when she was with her brother on the phone. Her mood would change every time she spoke to Aditya but everything would fall apart once she hang up.

It had been a tough number of weeks and a call from home is what she needed.

' Hello'' Said Ishita

'Ishita Oh My God how have you been? We haven't talked in a while. The last time we talked was your wedding day. Not cool Ishu'' Said Mihika

'Well that would not have been the case of you had not decided to go away with papa and mamma to that mission in Africa. You did not allow me to even call you. I have missed you so much Mihika'' Ishita answered

'I wanted you to enjoy your married life without interruptions plus I needed juicy details so I gave you time to you know, gather data'' she said playfully

'Mihika please you of all people should not expect a lot. You know everything about this marriage and what it entails. Anyway forget all that how was the trip. Did the kids enjoy?'' She answered anxiously

' They had loads of fun. Haven't stopped talking about it since we got back, they are all very excited. I think the only thing they missed was you'' Mihika answered

'Oohh I missed them too and am so glad they had so much fun. They deserve it'' she answered

There was a silence at the other end of the line before Ishita heard Mihika say

'What you have done for them is something most people would not do Ishita. I am so proud of you and am glad to say am your sister. Only I can fully understand how generous you can be and I know I probably do not say it enough but thank you for ...''

'Mihika please, those kids do a lot more for me than I do for them so this is nothing. As for you, do not insult me by thanking me because you are family and thank you is definitely not necessary.'' Ishita interrupted as she felt Mihika was about to cry.

'Okay stop all this depressing talk. Tell where the hell is Jai?'' Ishita asked

'I do not know maybe he at the center. He has been upset lately because papa won't let him date this girl. You know how dad gets.'' Answered Mihika

'I know but I also agree. Jai had been in love more times than I can count and every time he brings girls who have issues.'' She said

'Hahahahah tell me about it. But he seems to really be into her. He even got a job and all'' replied Mihika

'Jai got a job? I never thought I would see the day. Wait shouldn't Papa be happy about this? He is always saying Jai needs to grow up, so maybe he finally is.'' Said Ishita

'Yeah well except there is a problem, the Job is in Delhi and as you know...'' Mihika said

'Papa doesn't want him to leave Mumbai. Right I get that.'' Said Ishita

'I think it is more like the girlfriend wants to move to Delhi so he gpt a job to impress Papa such that he is allowed to move to there.'' Answered Mihika

'Uuffo Jai why don't you learn yaar. Papa is never going to allow this.'' Answered Ishita

'I Know yaar. Any way I called to tell you that there is this thing that I am not allowed to tell you about except that Papa wants you here this weekend. It is a big event so you have to be here. Please'' Said Mihika

'What kind of event? If papa is selling off my art work again I swear...'' but before Ishita could say anything Mihika replied

'Hhahaha no he is not. Although I agree with him you should share that talent of yours with the world. But no it's not that, it's about the orphanage.''

'Is everything okay? Are the kids okay?'' she asked worried

'Everything is fine you worry worrier. It is actually a very good surprise just come you won't be sad you missed it.'' Replied an excited Mihika

'Okay but I do not think I will able to stay long because as you know Ruhi needs me here'' replied Ishita

'Ishu it's important. Okay how about you bring her here. A change of scenery may not be a bad idea. Besides this environment did wonders for you and me when we needed to recover, it might do the same for her. Bring her here for s few weeks who knows. Let mom work her magic'' Mihika said

'I do not know. I have to talk to Raman about that.'' Ishita replied

'Yeah yeah of course ask the hubby. We do not want to annoy the hubby of course'' replied Mihika teasingly

'Stop it just...'' But before Ishita could say any more Mihika interrupted

'Okay okay fine go talk to Raman and let me know what you decide okay'' and with that Mihika hand up.

Ishita did not know if Raman would agree to Ruhi leaving home again and maybe Raman may be convinced but her Ruhi's grandmother it was going to be a tug of war convincing her.

She slowly walked back into their bedroom where she found Raman had finished feeding Ruhi and they were watching T.V with Raman seated on one side and Ruhi the other.

'Ruhi beta can you please go watch T.V in our room. I want to talk to Papa.'' Said Ishita

'Sure Ishima ' Ruhi answered as she got off the bed to go to their room

'Is everything okay?'' asked Raman a bit anxious

'No everything is fine. It is just that there is this thing my Dad is doing that apparently I am not allowed to know about until I get to Mumbai. They need me to go there for a few weeks so I was asking if you would...'' but before she could finish she heard him say

'What about Ruhi? Who is going to take care of her? I cannot do it alone. She doesn't talk to anyone but you and how many weeks are we talking anyway?'' He asked panicking

'Raman it is okay. I was of the view that you and her come with me to Mumbai. You will get a better chance to get to know my family and also I think a change of scenery is what she needs.'' Ishita said

'Get to know your family? Ishita we are married for ... Is this necces...'' he asked

'No I mean that, you know, instead of everyone asking me about you and me concocting answers, you go answer those questions yourself and besides trust me when I tell you Mumbai for Ruhi may not be such a bad idea. It might help'' She added

'How do you know?'' he asked

'I was 14 years when the Iyers took me in and I was, let us just say being there in that environment saved my life. It is so relieving when you release that you're among people who have gone through something horrible and survived it. It gives you a sense of power that if they have survived it so can I. Also my mother is counsellor so she may see something we don't. She will help I know that because i have gone through worse and survived it. She saved my life.'' She answered holding her breath hoping he said yes

'You really think it will help?'' he asked

'Yes I do. If I did not I wouldn't have suggested it.'' She answered

'Okay then when do we leave?'' Raman asked

'Wait! Is that it? I thought you may have a problem with it and resist a little more.'' Ishita said

'A few months ago maybe I would have. Now I know there is no one more suited of taking care of my daughter than you and so that's why. Besides I am desperate to get my daughter back.'' He said

'But don't you think Dadiji will have a problem with this? I do not want trouble Raman.'' She said worryingly

'Do not worry about my mother I will take care of it'' he replied

'Okay then maybe you talk to her first then we will tell Ruhi.'' She said

Ishita knew Raman did not understand the gravity of this issue. Ruhi's grandmother was already complaining that she had lost her granddaughter ever since Raman got married. She complained that Ruhi was not as close with her as she was before Ishita came into their lives. It did not sit well with Santosh that the only person her granddaughter could confide in was Ishita and that was a right she felt Ishita had taken away from her.

It was ridiculous to even think like that and any sane person would tell you that but with the way Ruhi was behaving and people not understanding what was wrong with her made tensions rise high.

The fact that Dadiji partly blamed herself for Ruhi's state did not help either as she thought that gave her the mandate to be the one to help Ruhi the most. She was the one who insisted that Ruhi go over to Shagun's place that eventful summer that changed Ruhi's life. Ishita only hoped that Raman manages to convince her. She walked over to hers and Ruhi's room telling Ruhi it was time for bed. Raman followed and told her to ask him if she needed help.

Raman stood by the door and watched as his wife gently took his daughter in a warm embrace and laid her under the covers. She took Ruhi's favorite book and went to lay next to Ruhi in a fit to try and read her a story before she went to bed.

He watched as Ishita read to Ruhi with her elbow on the pillow and hand held up her chin. He looked at her and realized that this was actually the first time he had really laid eyes on her. He had to admit she was a beautiful woman, with those gorgeous hazel brown eyes that always seemed to brighten the world. He noticed her beautiful straight nose and kissable cherry lips and would have given anything in that moment to feel her lips on his.

She looked up at him and smiled making Raman realize how every time she did that there was a feeling of calm in his heart like his world was full of content. She slowly laid down Ruhi into bed and kissed her goodnight. Ishita got off the bed and slowly slide her hand down her neck to release the tension she got from the uncomfortable sitting posture she had as she read to Ruhi.

He would have given everything to have his hand there just to see if her skin was as smooth and soft as it looked form a far. She stretched putting her hands above her head which gave him a better view of her round beautiful breasts. Oh how he envied that salwar suit as its only function was to cover that delicious and curvy form.

Raman watched as a small smile cropped upon her face and then eventually she laughed making the room bright. It took him a while to realize that she had actually said something

'What did you say?'' he asked

'I am saying you do not have to stand there anymore. Ruhi is sleeping you can go rest too.'' She said still smiling

'Right I heard you.'' He answered

'You know staring is rude.'' She said teasingly

'I wasn't starin... I mean...'' and with that they both started laughing

'Raman Kumar Bhalla short of words! I never thought I would see the day.'' Ishita said

'Oh please chup karo. I will see you in the morning.'' He replied feeling slightly embarrassed

They said their goodnights and Raman went back to his room closing her door.

'What the hell is wrong with me?'' he said to himself as he turned to his room to grabbed a towel to go for a much much needed cold shower.

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CHAPTER EIGHT;-
Chapter 8

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