Hey Guys!
I know im extremely late this time.. Sincere apologies.. was caught up with studies.. Tests n lectures consume the whole of my day and im dead by the time i reach home. Excuses i knw, but kya karu yaar!
Anyways.. Heres the next part.. Do leave your comments! Waiting to read them..
Direct link to the Chapter 1
Banner Credit : I me & myself 😉Chapter 2
She was in a trance, replaying in her head what had occurred a few hours ago. She shouldn't have been there at that moment. She should have been at the awards, celebrating with Raman and Ruhi. Maybe that was her fate. But Amma, how could she want her to marry that creep after what happened? If this was the attitude before the wedding, what all could he do later! Unable to digest her mother's talks, Ishita silently left the house. She walked, dazed, to the only place she knew she would be safe. That no one would harm her here. She entered the house and sat on the couch, still lost, still thinking of the events in the cafe. She felt a hand on her shoulder and freaked out, her thought going back to Subbu. In a state of fright, she warned him.
A pair of hands caught hold of her shoulder. She wanted to shout but he held her mouth and shook her getting her out of her thoughts. "It's me Ishu.. It's Raman. Look at me." He said. She looked up to meet his eyes. His face showed pain and anger. Tears flowed through her eyes.
He wanted to comfort her, make her feel better, but he didn't know how she would react to his touch. So he stood up next to her spreading his arms a bit. "Ishu!" He called out. She saw him and couldn't hold back anymore. In an instant, she was in his arms, crying out till she was exhausted.
It was no less than torture for Raman to see Ishita in such a condition, his temper rising by the minute. His friend had been attacked and violated in one of the most horrifying of ways. He felt powerless, angry, and unsure of what to do next. Making her sit back on the couch, he handed her the glass of water. He sat there, next to her, holding her hand all the time. After being assured that she had calmed down now, he went into the bedroom.
"Ishu, go and change. And stay here tonight. I'll talk to Amma." He said handing her a fresh set of clothes. He had noticed she was still in the same saree and guessed she might be uncomfortable. She looked up at him and then at the clothes. "They belong to Shagun." He replied to her unasked question.
Ishita walked into the washroom. She felt dirty. She felt filthy and used. Tears made way through her eyes again. She started the shower and stood under the flow of cold water. She rubbed all over her body as if trying to get the dirt off her.
"Ishu, you could sleep in Ruhi's room. I'll carry her to my room." Raman said after she had come back from the washroom. "No Raman. Let her be. I'll manage." Ishita said. Raman just nodded, not wanting to do anything against her will. Besides, it would be better to have someone close by he thought. He ensured that she was comfortable before walking into his own room. He picked up the phone to call Amma and inform her that Ishita was at his place.
"Hello Amma, it's me Raman. Amma Ishu is here, in my house. She looks very disturbed. I asked her to stay here for the night. Is that okay?" Raman asked. "Well, keep her there only. I don't need a daughter who brings disgrace to the family. She's dead to me." Amma said from the other side of the line. Raman had not expected this. He had thought her family would stand by her in the tough time but Amma's reply came as a shock. "Amma what are you saying? Ishu is your daughter. Moreover, she's done nothing wrong. It's all that idiot Subbu's fault and you know that." Raman tried to argue. "What's wrong in what he did? He's her husband to be. He has the rights. I asked this girl to marry him immediately but she refused. What are people going to say about the broken marriage? I have two more daughters to look after. I don't want Vandita and Mihika's life ruined because of her. I never want to see her again." Amma said and cut the call. Raman was beyond shocked now. He lied down and tried to sleep, but Ishita's face from when he picked up earlier that evening kept coming back to him. He finally gave up and picked up his diary.
6th December, 2014
Hi Shagun!
Waiting to hear about the awards? Well, it should have been the best day of my life, but, it all just turned upside down. A day meant to celebrate turned out to be the very day I want to erase from my memory forever.
What did Ishu do to deserve this brutality, Shagun? What was her fault? All she has ever done is be there for her loved ones, support them and help them. I thought Subbu was the luckiest guy on earth that he had Ishu. He ruined his happiness himself today.
I can't see her like this Shagun. It's pure cruelty that has happened with her today. And what's all the more shocking is that her family has given up on her when she needs them the most. They blame Ishu for what happened, Shagun. They think she invited the trouble. How can they even think so about Ishu. I mean, they obviously know her better than me and they should've known it's not her fault. Amma says Ishu should marry that rapist. I'm glad she disagreed. I wouldn't have let her marry him anyways.
It's time I live up to the promises of "Staying together" and "Helping one another throughout life", we made as kids. I'm not gonna stop supporting her till the day I live and I know you would want me to do the same.
Raman
"Bansi Kaka, is breakfast ready?" Raman asked as he was getting ready for work. "Is Ishu awake?" he asked again. "Baba, breakfast is ready. Ishu madam has been sitting in the hallsince I came. She's not even talking. She's only crying." Bansi kaka informed standing at the door." Raman nodded and decided to talk to Ishita. "Kaka, you please get Ruhi ready. I'll talk to Ishu." He said walking towards the hall.
Ishita looked drained, colourless and pale. Her eyes were red from all the crying and te faint black below her eyes showed she didn't sleep all night. Her eyes were focussed and she wasn't even blinking. Her tears created a path down her cheeks and fell on her hand. Raman was moving towards her when Ruhi came out of her room.
"Ishita auntyyy" the little one squealed in delight and hugged her from behind, startling her. Ishita, involuntarily, pushed Ruhi off her and got up with a jerk, shouting for help. Ishita's push made Ruhi lose her balance and she was about to fall when Raman caught her. "Ruhi!" he yelled at her. "Behave yourself. What do you think you are doing?" he was screaming at the poor child. Ruhi looked up at her father with an apologetic face and teary eyes. His father had never even raised his voice t her, let alone shouting. She was surprised herself by Ishita's reaction. She loved her Ishita aunty and was always excited to meet her. Her Ishita aunty was her best friend and they always greeted each other with a hug and loads of kisses. Ruhi wanted to do the same this time as well when she saw Ishita sitting at the couch. What the poor child didn't know was the effect of her action.
Ishita had freaked out at the sudden call and the hug, while her mind replayed the incidents of the previous night. She calmed herself down as she realised what had actually happened. When she caught her breath back, she saw Raman scolding Ruhi while the child looked petrified. "Raman, enough. Stop shouting at her." Ishita said taking Ruhi in her arms. The baby hid her face in Ishita's neck and started sobbing. "Ishu, are you alright? She shouldn't have scared you like that" Raman said. "Raman, you know it's not her fault. She was being normal. I'm the one not normal here." she said looking at him.
Raman was about to say something when she put a finger on her lip and pointed at the crying Ruhi in her arms. "Ru baby, I'm sorry" Ishita said pulling Ruhi out of the hug and holding her ears. "Papa scolded you because of me na. Ishita aunty is very sorry. I shouldn't have reacted like that."
"No aunty. Ruhi is sorry. I shouldn't have scared you like that. I'm sorry papa" Ruhi said turning to him. Raman realised that he had probably over reacted too. He sat down on his knees and held his hand out. Ruhi walked towards him. "Papa is sorry too. I scolded you a lot na baccha. I'm so sorry" he said kissing Ruhi's forehead. "But beta, Ishita aunty got scared and you almost fell down too. You could have hurt yourself. Papa can't see you hurt. You know that right, Ruhi?" he asked. Ruhi nodded her head, looking at the ground.
Ishita felt really sad that Ruhi was about to be hurt because of her. That her Ruhi was scolded for the first time ever because of her. She decided that she was maybe thinking too much about what happened. So much that her loved ones were getting hurt. She saw the pain in Raman's eyes on seeing her condition. She saw the tears in Ruhi's eyes because of her. She decided that she wasn't going to think about the incident anymore. At least no when she was around people.
"Okay! Ruhi baccha! Come here. Let's see what Bansi kaka has made for breakfast today. You'll get late for school otherwise." Ishita said wiping her tears. Raman looked at her, unable to understand the sudden change in her demeanor. She gave him a slight nod, assuring him that she was alright. He smiled at her and settled on the couch with his newspaper.
Here are some points to note:
1. Don't frighten them - even as a joke. If your friend or loved one has experienced a sexual assault, chances are that they will feel jumpy and startled under the best of circumstances. So don't come up behind them suddenly or touch them - this may trigger flashbacks of the rape.
2. Don't be offended if your loved one doesn't want to be close or touch you. Touches may trigger flashbacks of the rape. Ask before hugging or holding their hand if they are okay with you hugging them. Ask every single time you feel compelled to hug them - don't assume that they are always going to feel comfortable with your touch.
3. Be there - Sometimes just being there is enough. Your loved one is likely looking for a safe space to share, not for a fixer or a solution.
4. Listen, listen, listen to your friend who has been raped. He or she may try to go over and over the assault, replaying it in his or her mind. Listen without judgement as often as your friend would like.
Okay done finally! waiting to read your comments.. Do hit 'LIKE' if you think its worth!
Direct link to the Chapter 3
For PM's, send a buddy req on 'IShRaBhalla' Edited by BeingIyeristic - 10 years ago
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