CHAPTER TWENTY NINE
Ishita still in Jai's embrace finally let out all the tears she had held back because of shame that maybe she denied him that right if having a dad around. Even with all his wrongs and faults, he was after all Jai's dad; also because of guilt she had killed someone and that so Jai's dad.
She had no regrets for killing him because she understood that that was the only option they had if they ever were to get the hell out of that compound but she did feel bad about it, just like any human being with a conscience would and she had always hoped that her brother understood that.
She had a bad habit of not taking about anything especially if it meant really talking about her, not the parts everyone wanted to see, not the parts she wanted people to see. If there was anyone who would see beyond that facade, it was Jai. Abhimanyu was the only one she was ever close with and that was because of default, he was there at the worst moments of her life and he happened to be a very good shoulder for her, a shoulder she had gladly accepted because she not only needed to but also had no option.
'I am so sorry, I just heard her talk and everything about you I know isn't true is what I imagined and for that I apologized.'' Ishita finally managed to say in the middle of her sobs
'No I am sorry, I should have spoken up more when she said all those things, you didn't deserve that.'' Said Jai as he finally let go of her
'I don't want to fight with you ever again.'' She said as she wiped her tears
'Well believe me I never want to feel like the way I have been for the last couple of weeks ever again.'' Said Jai as tried to hide his tears
Ishita looked at him and smiled as he tried to play tough guy and couldn't believe how far they had come. He little brother wasn't so little after all. She did however wounder
'Do you miss Lucknow? Please be honest with me.'' She said
'Ishu, I swear on you I do not miss a thing about Lucknow, everything I want and love is right here.'' He said
'Are you sure...'' she asked
'As I can possibly be...'' he replied smilingly
'How about Sarika? What next?'' she asked
'Let us just say, it hurts without her but I will be okay'' he tried to answer with utmost honesty.
As they talked they saw Raman walk into the living room almost as if he was in a world of his own and wasn't quite sure where the hell he was going
Raman stood there in disbelief not even knowing how to process this information. He didn't even know whether to believe it or not. But it came from Abhimanyu, the great Mani, then it might have been true, even Mihika seemed to have believed him, so why shouldn't he. But could it be possible.
He slowly walked from the kitchen door aimlessly until he found himself in the living room standing in front of Ishita
'Hey Raman are you okay,'' asked Ishita but he just kept on staring at her
'Why are you looking at me like that?'' she asked a bit shocked at his behavior
'Is it true...'' he finally managed to say
Ishita holding her breath hoped to God he hadn't heard what Jai and she were talking about
'Is what true...'' she asked looking at him
Raman looked at the expression in her eyes and the tears she was desperately trying to hide and knew he may have just walked into something he shouldn't have. But in that moment he didn't even care because all that kept echoing through his mind were Abhimanyu's words.
He could see Jai standing behind her and maybe this was the wrong time to do all this but even then, his mind was having a compass of its own because all he wanted to do was just look at her and ask her if what he had heard was actually true.
He was scared there was no doubting that and his heart was still pounding every time she looked at him with those gorgeous hazel eyes questioning whatever he was doing. He wanted to just tell her but them he thought against it knowing hearing it from her was going to make it absolutely worth it.
He realized as he finally stood in front of her, with her lovingly looking into his eyes that for the first time since they met he was looking at her different, not as Ishima, the woman who helped his children but as Ishita, the beautiful woman who walked up to him on that fateful day in the park, who in a different time he probably would never have let walk away, He wasn't sure what he actually felt but all he knew is that this, whatever it was between them, felt unbelievable and he had a feeling in that moment he had never had with anyone, not even Shagun made him feel this way.
Such a thing should have had him freaking out but for some reason, it brought a sense of calm and all he wanted to do was just hold her, and that, that was the only thing he could do.
He slowly came closer to where she was standing and put his arms around her, closed his eyes and just stayed there. Ishita who still wasn't sure what the hell was happening and why he was acting this way and so as if in shock herself, she just stayed there in her arms looking at Mihika and Abhimanyu who had just walked into the room.
She signaled them as if to ask what happened but they all nodded in the negative not sure what had come over Raman.
Raman just stayed hugging Ishita and just kept on holding her tighter and tighter until he finally heard her put her arms around him, almost as if she was in agreement with whatever was going on in his own heart.
He couldn't put a finger on it but he knew that hearing what Abhimanyu had said not only put his mind at ease with all his insecurities but also made him really see her for the first time, not as the woman he had married on contract but a woman for whom he would turn his life around for if it meant feeling this way all his life.
Ishita didn't know what had come over him but whatever it was she was glad because when she finally stopped wondering what the hell was happening, she could finally feel herself in his embrace and it not only felt good it also felt right.
So as she put her arms around him, she said a little prayer telling God that of all the things he had taken away from her from the day she was born, Raman be the only thing he never takes away because this feeling, was one she NEVER WANTED to let go of.
Jai, Mihika and Abhimanyu watched as the couple completely forgot their surroundings and were lost in each other's embrace and normally there would be fake clearing of throats or saying a sneaky 'teasy' comments to make them stop but like Ishita they could see that whatever was happening was a VERY VERY good thing.
Raman finally let go as he opened his eyes and could see Jai was standing behind Ishita and was smiling and looking at them. He smiled back and finally let go of Ishita as he struggled to look into her eyes.
He shyly smiled as he saw her bend down a little so that she could look into his eyes and he knew he had to think fast to make up for whatever had just happened
'May I ask what that was for.'' Said Ishita as she finally managed to look at him
'Uhhh Nothing am allowed to hug my wife at will.'' He said clearly trying to hide something
'Yeah even I am not buying that.'' Said Ishita
Raman who couldn't hold it in any more found himself saying
'You was amazing and I just wanted you to know it. I didn't know how to say it so I just ...'' He said not completing the statement
Ishita just smilingly looked at him as her cheeks scorched the color of cherry blushing like there was no tomorrow.
'UUFO Okay there are other people in the room you know...'' Said Mihika as the couple kept on shyly smiling at each other
'Ishima am hungry...'' said Ruhi who walked in and saved her parents from a barrage to teasing comments
'Oh honey let me get something for you eat...'' Said Ishita as she walked into the kitchen
'Mihika aaahhh Mihika'' Said Ruhi who had just seen Mihika and excitedly came forward to hug her
'Hey my love how are you doing...'' Said Mihika as she hugged Ruhi back
'Hey how about me, doesn't uncle Jai get one...'' Said Jai as he came forward
'Oh My God Jai Uncle is also here'' said a very shocked Ruhi as she hugged him as well
'Hey rock star...'' Said Abhimanyu
'Wait Abhi uncle, oh my God ' she said as she came forward to hug Abhimanyu as well much to Ramam's surprise
'What is happening? Is it my birthday and I didn't know about it?'' said a very excited and shocked Ruhi
'Who says we only get to see you on birthdays, we are you uncles and Auntie and we have a God given right to spoil you silly.'' Said Abhimanyu as he got into his pocket and handed Ruhi a pack of chocolates
'Okay wait, how do you know my daughter.'' Asked Raman
'Papa a few months ago Ishima was chatting with Abhi Uncle on Skype and Dadaji asked me to get her, so as she went down stairs leaving the computer on with Abhi uncle so somehow we got to talking about Ishita and that is how we met.'' Said a very excited Ruhi
'Is that so? So in simple terms you went snooping.'' Said Raman who knew his daughter more than anyone else
'Okay I may have called him myself, but I just wanted to know who made her laugh they way she was, so curiosity papa...'' said Ruhi trying to look innocent
'But Ruhi honey you are not allowed...'' but before Raman could finish she said
'Allowed to use the internet without adult supervision. I know papa, Abhi uncle spent the first 45 minutes of our chat grueling me.'' Said Ruhi
'Ishita talks about her all the time, it was quite easy to gauge she was Ruhi plus Aditya scolded her so much she almost got to tears and switched off the computer'' said Abhimanyu smilingly remembering the strict brother
Raman looked at his daughter and just nodded his head knowing full well being nosy is one of his very bad habits and he wished that was a habit his kids never inherited. Aditya also came down stairs to find out what the commotion was all about
'Oh hey Adi'' said Jai
'Hello...'' Said Aditya humbling himself
He wasn't as close to Ishita's family as Ruhi was and he understood maybe it partly was his fault because he never really tried to know them.
'Okay Aditya I am a hugger so I want one...'' Said Mihika as she came forward hugging him saying
'How have you been''
'I have been really good'' said Aditya as he smilingly hugged Mihika back
'Wait your computer guy, Abhi right.'' Said Aditya who let go of Mihika and walked over to where Abhimanyu was standing
'Strict brother, Aditya right'' said Abhimanyu who put his hand forward to which Aditya responded shaking Abhi's hand
'Here is some juice for everyone as we wait just a little, food is almost ready.'' Said Ishita who came in the room holding a try full of glasses of juice
Everyone gathered in the living room taking a glass before they took their seats. They were shortly joined by Santosh, Mr. Bhalla and Romi who welcomed the guests and also took their own glasses. They exchanged pleasantries and talked like they were a family that had known each other for so many years and had no worry in the world.
They laughed and joked as they talked about each other's past funny stories and embarrassing moments not having a care in the world UNTIL Simmi walked in with someone who was going to rip them apart in a way that none of them saw coming and also in a way that would leave both families not only shattered but also broken.
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CHAPTER 30; http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4241564&TPN=60&#p120016698
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