Raman's Paradise was now turbulent.
Mihika's tale played out very differently from how she had intended and she found herself married to Ashok, leaving Adi and Shagun at Raman's doorstep. Shagun now decided to win Raman back. There were embarrassing scenes galore and Shagun made it her life's mission to run Ishita down and importantly drive a wedge between Raman and Ishita and eventually have her out of the family. Raman was of course carried away with the display of Adi's staged affection. But thankfully remembered the trickster that Shagun was, worked at staying strong with Ishita and Ruhi. Ruhi did her best to welcome her brother but he was just as obnoxious as ever.
Mihika's tragedy sent Adi back to where he was with his mother. He stood by her every lie and got back to conniving with her to isolate Ishita. All the good ground Raman and Ishita had gained with Adi now was lost and he moved back painfully out of Raman's guidance and into his mothers trap. Raman came back worried about the scheme of things that needed to be set right.
He heard peals of laughter as he opened the door one balmy evening. Adi was staring at someone with rapt attention, Shagun's eyes roaming all over someone or something while Ruhi, Shravu and another voice was squealing in delight. His mom watched the scene that was unfurling in front of her with a smug smile.
The 6 feet something smiling olive skinned man had draped an arm around a lady and swung her behind him like she was towel and held her squealing and the kids running behind him as he twirled with her. Raman Bhalla was fuming when he saw this stranger set his wife down as she straightened and gave him a bear hug.
Enna da eppo vande? ( you ...when did you get here?)
I have been here for hours now...followed your daughter from school he hi 5 ed Ruhi sitting down on the sofa.
Raman walked in unnoticed by everyone in the room except his mother .
He grabbed a bottle of water and slammed the fridge shut. Turned around to see Shagun gaping while Ishita sat next to the offender in question with her hand ruffling his shoulder length hair.
Yeh kaun hai ?? nya madrassi wo bhi itna lamba..the attention Ishita had for the man irritated him.
I live here too...butted in Raman.
Ishu leapt up grabbed his arm while the other guy uncoiled himself from the sofa getting ready to put his hand out.
Raman Ashwin Ashwin Raman..smiled Ishita.
That did not help Raman one bit...he surely did not care about the name ###
The man seemed immensely popular. The entire Iyer family was in his living room smothering the guy with hugs and Vandu hugged him tighter than Raman had ever seen her hug Bala. She tugged his hair and cried into his chest!!
Thank you Kanna for being here appa said gratefully.
Ishu akka ke time pe main nahi tha pur ab na mihiku ko kuch nahi hone doonga..Vandu cried some more into Ashwin's shirt.
Ashwin patted Vandu's tummy 10 days may be he smiled at her wiping her tears off.
Ishu Akka...Raman's smile was back and he removed his arm from his wife's waist thereafter.
The Iyer clan continued to chatter non-stop and thankfully heading out to their domain. Ishu followed him and Raman was surprised seeing Adi follow the man like he had known his all his life clasping his hand. He turned to look at Shagun for an inkling her but she was as clueless as always.
Ishita smiled and 'paanch minute' she gestured before walking out.
The following morning Ashwin met Mihika with Appa and Amma. There were more tears and hugs from the women.
Vandu reached Raman's door and shrieked for Simmi.
She seemed to be in pain and wanted to hand Sharvu over to Simmi before Bala got there to drive her.
Toshiji and Raman were the only adults at home to look after a bawling Shravu , Annanya and surprised Ruhi.
Vandu grabbed Raman's hand and asked him to go with her!
Raman nodded helped her get to the car and got ready to drive.
" Tum yahan mere saath baitho" she made Bala pick the keys.
Raman decided not to argue. It gave Bala something to do and no time to panic.
Vandu sat in the rear of the car clasping Raman's hands.
Through their 40 minute ride to the hospital she told a stunned Raman the following:
Mihika had married Ashok to save Mihir. Her sister was an idiot for not thinking through...Ishu ki influence zyada ho gayi hai ...she cursed.
Ashwin was there to help Mihika out of the mess and Raman should talk to him.
'Raman jab baccha hoga to shaayad Subbu ayega ..please Ishu ka kyal rakhna ab toh Shagun bhi hai tumhare yahan ..he can turn really acidic you know...Ishu ko apne appa se bachana' she cried now leaning on his chest and into his shirt.
Bala was now a worried man main "peache aaoon" he asked her.
" No need tumhare doosra baacha hua hai kya...nahi na Raman is more experienced" she buffed him illogically.
Theek hai Vandu thank you for letting me know I will take care of everything but yaar yeh aakhri speech kyuun?
Tum na... samjhoge nahi...aaj main mar gayi tho...she cried some more.
Hormones and women the smart Vandu was now unrecognisable chuckled Raman.
Life was beautiful he would set his own right Raman swore silently as he handed Vandu some Kleenex.
Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
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