FF; MIRAGE OF SECOND CHANCES CHAPTER 63/65 PAGE 131 - Page 30

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

Santosh for the first time had to admit that Ishita wasn't actually a bad woman let alone a mother. She did everything putting those children first. She took care of Ruhi like she was her own and had never treated them pother wise. Her family had actually become complete because of Ishita and her grand children were all with her because of Ishita.

'I can't believe Shagun did this... I always thought Raman hurriedly ended his marriage but now I see that this woman is poison.'' Said Santosh

'That is what we have been trying to tell you for the last couple of years.'' Said Simmi who was relieved that she was actually now understanding

'I appreciate why Raman threw her out.'' Said Santosh

'And why he married Ishita...'' Said Simmi

'No I still think she is not worthy of being Raman's wife. I know she is a good person but her past is way too secretive and way too dark. I worry about my grandbabies and my son and I think she shouldn't be anywhere near them. But I get why Raman has thrown Shagun out.'' Said Santosh

Simmi listened to her mother talk and wanted to just tell her that she was wrong and that people shouldn't stop leaving because of their pasts but she figures this was a battle that wasn't to be fought today. At least they got rid of one plague called Shagun and that was a victory in itself.

'Mama just give her chance, you might actually grow to like her.'' Said Simmi

'I never said I do not like her...'' Said Santosh as she moved to the room where Ishita was and looked through the glass

'I just worry for them.'' She added looking at Raman and Ruhi who were inside

Raman entered the room and could see his daughter was holding Ishita's hand and staring at her. She had tears in her eyes but she also seemed strong like as if she cried something would go bad. He hated his daughter going through this and hated seeing her like this because he knew there was nothing he could do to make her feel okay.

'Ruhi, we need to let Ishima rest and you also need to go home as it I s getting late.'' Said Raman

'No Papa I am not leaving Ishima alone.'' Said Ruhi who had tears in her eyes

'Who says she is going to be alone. I am here aren't I?'' he said

Ruhi looked at her father and knew it was going to be pointless arguing about this so she decided to just accept. She looked at Ishita one last time and kissed her cheek before she turned and kissed her father goodnight. Before she walked out, she turned to her dad and said

'I know your worried too papa, so now I am assuring you, Ishima will be okay.''

Raman let out a small laugh as his daughter walked out of the room because he couldn't believe that this was the same little girl who was scared and timid 2 years ago. It was like she had suddenly grown up and it was clearly visible Ishita's trait of taking care of everyone was clearly rubbing off on her.

He finally turned to look at Ishita who was lying on the bed with a bandage on her head, her hand in a sling and a cannula in her arm. He had not actually laid eyes on her since she was taken in by the doctor and so when he did it finally hit him, Ishita had actually taken a very bad fall and things would have been completely different.

She would have hurt herself or worse he would have lost her. He came forward and sat next to her bed holding her hand just like Ruhi was and reality hit, breaking him down as he couldn't hold it together anymore and with that he let out all his frustration and worry and just cried.

He put his forehead on her hand and just cried tears of anger because he should have known this was going on with his son and also cried tears if of relief that Ishita was actually going to be okay. He felt someone gently touch his head and when he looked up, Ishita was looking at him

'Are you okay? Is everything okay?'' She asked with a worried expression on his face

'Your silly, you're the one on a hospital bed and you're asking me if I am okay?'' Said Raman

'Well you look worse than I do, and that kind of worried me.'' She said

Raman looked at her and let out a soft laugh with tears in his eyes and he said

'I am absolutely okay now.''

'Good, you had me worried. By the way what happened?'' she said

'What do you mean?'' he said

'I mean what am I doing here?'' she said as she tried to get up but ended up wincing in pain holding her head

'And why does it feel like a storage building is being contracted on my head.'' She added

'You feel down the stairs and we had to bring you here.'' Said Raman as he helped her sit up

Ishita looked at him and tried to look into his eyes but he won't let her. He kept on avoiding her gaze and she knew something was off

'This isn't the whole story is it? Come on tell me, I am a big girl I can take it'' She said

Raman didn't want to talk about this because he wanted her to just not worry about anything except her health but she was the most persistent person he had ever met and they only way this was going to stop was by just telling her the truth.

He got up from the chair he was sitting in and sat on her bed her hand still in his and he told her everything exactly the way Aditya had told him. He watched as her expression suddenly changed from anger and then quickly back to worry and he hoped she would just forgive his son for his foolishness but what came out of her mouth wasn't what he expected

'Oh my God that poor boy, I wonder what he must be going. What are you even doing here? Go see if he is okay.'' Said Ishita

'Calm down, he is fine. Romi took him home.'' Said Raman

'Oh thank God at least someone is there with him.'' She said

Raman looked at her and to say he was surprised would be an understatement. She had the ability to surprise him all the time

'I thought you were going to be so angry...'' said Raman

'Well I am don't get me wrong. I am so disappointed in him because I expect a lot from him but then again I can't fault him. I get why he did what he did.'' She Said

Raman looked at Ishita and was over whelmed with emotion and just took her into his embrace for all kinds of reasons. He was elated that she was okay but also with the fact that she was very understanding.

Ishita hugged him back knowing well that he must have been going through a lot for the last couple of hours with everything that had just unfolded

'I am so glad you're okay.'' He said as he held her tighter

'Raman I can't breathe...'' She said smilingly wincing in pain as Raman let go of her

'Oh Sorry, You are not allowed to scare me like that every again.'' He said as tears started forming in his eyes

Ishita just smiled at him and hugged him back because that was the first time she had actually noticed something in his eyes, and that was genuine care for her and not just as Ishima, Ruhi's mother but as something much much more.

Meanwhile back at home,

Shagun made her entry and was fuming with Aditya for spilling the beans to his father.

'What the hell is the matter with you?'' she said as she grabbed him

'Leave me alone mama. Leave me.'' Screamed Aditya

'Why did you tell your father after I asked you not to? Do you want Ishita to win?'' said Shagun as she pulled Aditya again

'Leave me alone mama. You are not a good mother, what kind of mother watched her daughter being treated that way and does nothing about it.'' Said Aditya as he started to cry

'What! Is that what that stupid girl told you?'' said Shagun shocked at the way Aditya was talking to him

'Do not insult my sister. At least Ishita and I have something that I used to think binds you and I and that is Ruhi. When I found out how easily you gave up on her just so your life could be a little comfortable, I am doing the same except it will be so that my sister is happy.'' Said Aditya still screaming

'Leave me alone...'' he added

'Have you lost your mind? When did you start talking to me like that? Whether you want it or not I am your mother and that is never going to change no matter what that Ishita tells you.'' Said Shagun

'Leave me alone stop pulling me. You're hurting me...'' screamed Aditya

Santosh and Simmi had just got home and they could hear screams coming from upstairs. Ruhi was the first to react running upstairs because she should hear that her brother was in trouble

'Leave my brother a lone...'' Said Ruhi as he tried to pull Adi away

'Shagun...'' roared Santosh

'Get the hell out of this place right now before I call the police.'' Said Romi

Shagun looked at them and let go of Aditya, she was so angry and also embarrassed about what just happened. She looked at all of them and instead of being remorseful for what she had done she was more levied and revengeful as ever

'You all are going to pay. I will make you all pay. By the time I am done, you Bhallas will be begging me to ruin you because that is the only option I will give you.'' Said Shagun she walked out of the Bhalla mansion

'Aditya are you okay, did she hurt you.'' Said Ruhi as she cried

'I am okay Ruhi, don't cry, and see I am okay...'' said Aditya as he showed Ruhi his hand that Shagun had held

'Are you sure?'' said Ruhi before she hugged her brother

Santosh looked at her grandchildren and felt guilty because she realized that a part of this problem was created by her. She should never have allowed Shagun to comeback into this house, she should have trusted Raman and know that he was well equipped to take care of his own family.

She decided in that moment that maybe Ishita wasn't such a bad idea in fact maybe she would just try and understand her more, maybe she wasn't that bad. She would try and get along with her for the sake of her son, for the sake of her grandchildren, for the sake of her family

*****************************************************

Ishita had just got home from the hospital and some things had certainly changed overnight. Santosh for one was making an effort in trying to make her comfortable something that had never happened since she got married and moved into the house. She found it absolutely crazy and quite frankly strange but whatever the case was, she was going to do everything in her power to fix their relationship no matter what

'Ishita do you need a pillow or something...'' asked Santosh

'No am fine thank you.'' Ishita humbly answered

Raman who was carrying her bags inside turned and looked at what was happening and couldn't believe it

'What the hell is happening right now?'' he said asking his dad

'I am not sure but I just hope it stays that way.'' Answered Mr. Bhalla as they both went upstairs

'Ruhi, Adi Ishita is back she is down stairs...'' called Raman

'Papa welcome back, where is Ishima'' asked a very excited Ruhi

'She is down stairs and can't wait to see you.'' Said Raman

Ruhi out of excitement hugged her father before she made her way into the living room where Ishita was seated.

'Ishima oh my you had me so worried.'' Said Ruhi as she hugged Ishita careful not to hurt her

'Am sorry but now am here and I don't intend on going anywhere anytime soon.'' Said Ishita as she hugged Ruhi back

'I missed you so much...'' said Ruhi

'I missed you too sweetie, you have no idea how much.'' Said Ishita

'Well can I at least butt in and get a hug as well.'' Said Simmi as Ruhi let go allowing Simmi to hug Ishita

'How are you feeling now'' Said Simmi

'Much better thank you, my hand still hurts a little but am okay. It is nothing I can't handle.'' Said Ishita

Everyone was seated and staring at her as if she was going to break or perish if they didn't stare.

'Guys it is so sweet how you all worry about me but I am absolutely okay and the way you are staring at me is kind of freaking me out.'' Said Ishita as she let out a soft laugh

Every one smilingly apologized as they all started to realize that Ishita was really okay and there was really no need to worry so much.

'I fixed the room, can we now go upstairs.'' Said Raman as he came to pick his wife

'Oh thank you so much...'' Said Ishita as she tried to get up

'Arhhh...'' Ishita winced

'Turns out my ankle hurts more than anticipated.'' She said trying to act tough

'The doctor told you to keep that alleviated, you shouldn't be on your feet..'' said Mr. Bhalla

'Well I know but I have to get to my room you know...'' she said

'I have a solution for that...'' said Raman

He slowly came forward and lifted her in his arms, staring at her like they were the only two people in the room

'Raman... Put me down...'' She said as she was clearly getting embarrassed

'Yeah not going to happen,,'' he whispered as he carried her upstairs

'People are watching, you parents are watching, Raman...'' she whispered

'Yeah so, I am taking care of my wife I am sure they will understand..'' he said as he smilingly took her up the stairs and into their room.

'Here you go...'' Said Raman as he put her on the bed

'This isn't my room... and this definitely isn't my bed.'' Said Ishita

'Well it is your room and can be your bed if you want it too...'' said Raman winking at her

'You are seriously flirting right now? What if the kids come in?'' said Ishita

'Actually it was the kids' Idea. Ruhi Shifted to Aditya's room seeing as she thought you were going to need a lot of rest.'' Said Raman as he came closer to her

'What are you doing?'' she said getting shy

'Trying to kiss my wife, you know I haven't done that in 24 hours ' he said as he got closer to her she could feel his breath on her skin

'Papa Dadiji says go down stairs she wants to talk to you.'' barged in Ruhi

'Oh ho your grandmother I swear has the worst timing in history...'' said Raman as he reluctantly left the room.

' Ishima I have to do home work but I will come and give you company okay.'' Said Ruhi as she walked out

'Ruhi sweetie where is Aditya'' asked Ishita

'He is afraid to come see you...'' Said Ruhi as her expression suddenly turned to sadness

'Is he done with his homework?'' asked Ishita

'Almost, I told him to come here but he said he didn't want to disturb you..'' answered Ruhi

''Okay I know a way to get him here...'' said Ishita as she brought Ruhi forward and told her the plan

Ruhi first went down stairs to alarm everyone not to be worried if they heard her scream. She then went back to Ishita's room and said

'Everything is now set. Should I begin'' to which Ishita just nodded in the affirmative

'This is going to be so much fun...'' Said Ruhi before she took a deep break and began to scream

'Arrrggghhh...'' every time she stopped to catch her breath she started to laugh

This went on for about three times and just like that Aditya came barging into the room panting like he had just ran a marathon

'Ruhi are you okay...''

'I am now...'' Said Ruhi as she ran outside locking the door from the outside and leaving Ishita and Aditya in the room alone

Aditya stood stunned at what his little sister had just done. He didn't have the courage to look Ishita in the eye let alone move from where he was standing so in the end, he just stayed put. Hoping, praying, wishing someone would just come and open the door such that he ran out. He wished the ground would just swallow him there and then.