Hello everyone!
Back with an update! I'm sorry it took longer than usual coz life happened in between and as much as I would much rather spend all my time writing, I have way too much other stuff happening to be able to do that. Actually, its only going to get worse in the coming weeks so I am going to try and wrap up this FF by this week or the next. I'm hoping to give back-to-back updates to bring the story to its proper closure.
Thank you so very much for all your lovely words of appreciation! They really really mean a lot to me.
Cheers,
Neet
Chapter 20
"What are you doing? And why are you doing this? You know there is no point to this. Everyone in my family knows that I am not married!" Ishita whispered angrily into Raman's ears as he made it a point to stick by her throughout the nischayathartham ceremony. The Iyer and Bhalla families were sitting on the mandap around the bride and groom while the Pandit performed the rituals for Mihir and Mihika's official engagement. Raman had taken a spot right next to Ishita and had been smiling at her and talking to her throughout. "I don't care. All I care is your sambhar guy is boiling in such jealousy, he is soon going to become a burnt sambhar fit to be dumped in the trash can," Raman whispered back into her ear. Ishita glanced towards the audience and saw Subbu looking disturbed and maybe angry, flaring his already oversized nostrils in a hilarious fashion. Ishita couldn't help the giggle that escaped and Raman joined her, laughing as silently as he could. "You are so mean!" she said elbowing him slightly. "I got you to stop worrying and laugh," came his reply. Ishita smiled at him before looking away. What had gotten into him? Why was he so nice all of a sudden?
What was he doing? Why was he doing this? Why did it matter to him what Subbu said to her? Had she always been this beautiful? Had he always been this smitten by her smile? Was Mihir right? Was this how love really felt like? Raman didn't even want to try answering those questions. He focused his attention back on to the ceremony .
A couple of seats away, Toshiji elbowed her daughter Simmi. "Simmi, who is that girl sitting next to Raman?" she asked. Simmi checked and replied, "Isn't that Mihika's cousin? The dentist? What was her name?" Simmi paused thoughtfully. "Ishita I think. Does Raman Bhai know her from before? Seems like they are getting along really well," she commented. Toshi did not say anything as her gaze remained fixed on Raman and Ishita. That genuine, happy smile on her son's face was something she hadn't seen in a very long while. And the way he was looking at Ishita.. Toshi could see in her son's eyes all that perhaps even he didn't know himself.
***
"Auntyji, is there anything else that we need to prepare for the haldi ceremony? I have the haldi ready and you said, first the haldi will be applied on Mihir and then that will brought to Mihika and applied on her. Then she can shower and change and get ready for the Mehendi, right?" Ishita asked reading from her notepad as she sat in front of Toshi.
Toshi took the time to observe her closely. She was a lovely girl, simple and beautiful. She had gorgeous, long hair and lovely eyes that lit up every time she smiled. "Yes beta. And all the family members take turns in applying the haldi to the bride and groom," she explained. "Okay. Actually, the only Punjabi weddings I have seen are the ones in movies but you never know whether they are showing the right thing or not. And I don't want anything at all to go wrong in Mihku, I mean Mihika's wedding," Ishita said smiling. Toshi smiled back at her.
"Ishita, can I ask you something?" Toshi asked after a pause. Ishita nodded her head. "You know Raman from before, don't you?" she asked. Ishita was caught off-guard and she swallowed nervously. Aunty must have noticed Raman sticking to her side during the nischayatharthyam. What was she supposed to tell her? Had Raman told her about Ranikhet? "Aunty.. Actually.." Ishita fumbled trying to think of something appropriate to say. "You don't have to say anything dear. I am a mother. I don't need words to understand what is in my child's heart," Toshi said cupping Ishita's face lovingly. "Aunty, there is.. There is nothing between us. Raman was just helping me.." Ishita tried to explain. Just then, Simmi walked into the room and Ishita went quiet. "I'll take your leave Aunty. I'll see you later during the haldi ceremony," Ishita said quickly. She said a quick hi to Simmi as she left. "Ishita puttar, one more thing," Toshi called out and Ishita stopped and turned around. "Mihir and MIhika are not allowed to meet after the haldi ceremony is done," Toshi said. Ishita smiled and nodded her head before heading out.
After Ishita left, Toshiji had a thoughtful look on her face. "What happened Mummyji?" Simmi asked. "Simmi, looks like I will end up having to put up with that Madrasan Madhavi Iyer for a long, long time," Toshi commented and laughed. Simmi stood looking at her puzzled.
***
"Akka, is everything okay?" Mihika looked up as Ishita entered the room lost in thought. Vandita looked up too from where she had been pinning Mihika's dupatta in place on her shoulder. "What happened Ishu? Tell us. You know you can tell us anything right?" Vandu said as Ishita sat on the bed looking all upset. "Is it Subbu, Ishu?" Vandita asked placing a hand on her sister's shoulder. "I am so sorry Akka. You know na, Appa and Subbu's dad are colleagues. Appa invited his whole office. He couldn't not invite them. I am really sorry. It must be so difficult for all of you, especially for you and Periamma," Mihika said. "Subbu's dad is such a nice guy. If only Subbu and his mom were half as nice," she commented. "But did they say anything to you? Tell me. I'll give them such a fitting reply that they won't dare to even look at you from now on, forget about saying anything!" Mihika said. "It Isn't just Subbu and his mother," Ishita finally said. "Then?" Vandita prodded. She looked at her sisters briefly before saying, "Its.. its complicated.." "Then simplify it for us. We are all ears. Come on Ishu. We have grown up together. We've never kept secrets from each other. You know you can trust us with whatever it is that you want to say," Vandita reassured Ishita.
"You remember Mihika, the night of the party? In Delhi? Where you took me to meet Mihir for the first time?" Ishita started. Mihika nodded, "the night you witnessed that Shah guy's murder?" "Yes!" Ishita replied, "I wasn't the lone witness to the murder. There was someone else too with me then. A guy. We were put in the Witness Protection Program together and sent off to this remote location." "I know you were in the Witness Protection Program.. But what does that have anything to do with you being upset now?" Mihika asked. "That guy was Raman. Raman Kumar Bhalla. Your Mihir's brother!" Ishita explained. Vandita and Mihika appeared shocked. "Wait! That means you know Raman from before? Thats why he was sticking by your side during the nischayatharthyam eh?" Vandita asked. "Yes and no. Yes we know each other from before and no that wasn't why we were sitting next to each other during the nischayam," Ishita clarified. "We weren't supposed to meet each other after coming out of the Witness Protection Program. But then, he came here and.. He.. he overheard Subbu saying hurtful things to me.. And.. He introduced himself to Subbu as.. as my.. my husband," Ishita finished feeling awkward and embarrassed. "What?!!" Mihika and Vandita exclaimed in unison. Ishita nodded at them. "Wait! This doesn't make sense Akka! You were in the Witness Protection Program for what two weeks-ish? And then you went your own ways and then you meet and then he says he is your husband? I don't understand," Mihika asked. "Yes Ishu! It makes no sense! How dare he say that? You don't worry. I will take care of him. What does that crazy Punjabi think of himself?" Vandita asked getting worked up. "No Akka! You are not getting the point! He said that to help me!" Ishita tried to explain. "You don't even know him Ishita and he is walking around claiming to be your husband! How is that helping you?" Vandu exclaimed. "I know him Akka. That's why I said its complicated! I can't explain. But whatever he is doing, his intentions aren't wrong. He just stepped in and said that because Subbu was taunting me about how I would never get love in my life and how I should think of marrying a physically or mentally disabled person," Ishita said. "What?! Subbu said that?! How dare he? The next time I see him, I swear I am going to give him one tight slap that will resonate through his brain for the rest of his life!" Vandita said getting worked up again. "Vandu Akka! Calm down," ishita said holding her hand. "You know what, it was very sweet and thoughtful of Raman to do that for you. I think I like him," Vandita said. "Wait, weren't you all set to wage war against him just a few seconds ago?" Mihika asked. "Hey! I am pregnant. I am allowed to change my mood and opinion as often as I want too," Vandita replied. Ishita and Mihika laughed at that.
"So he was sticking by your side during the nischayam to show Subbu eh?" Vandu asked. Ishita nodded her head. "Oh God! How did I miss that? I would have given anything to see Subbu's face right then! He would have died of jealousy to know that you are "married" to someone way hotter and way more successful than him. Because, I have to admit, Mihika, your would-be jijaji is pretty hot and isn't he like super successful too?" Vandu asked. "Not jijaji Vandu Akka. He would be my jijaji if Ishu Akka decided to really get married to him. Which isn't that bad an idea actually coming to think of it," Mihika giggled and Ishita glared at her. "Jijaji is athimber in our culture. Raman Sir will be my.. What is it called.. Jeth? Yeah.. I think the husband's older brother is called Jeth," Mihika explained. "Is he married?" Vandita asked. "Nope. Not that I know of," Mihika replied. The sisters went silent. "Well, apparently, he seems to be married to our Ishu Akka now," Mihika added a second later and Mihika and Vandita laughed.
"I didn't tell you both all of this so you could make fun of me!" Ishita complained. "Okay. okay. So whats the problem?" Vandu asked. "The problem is that we are not married!" Ishita said. "Oh..." Vandita said, "In that case, lets get you married!" Vandita and Mihika burst out laughing again. "The two of you are hopeless!" Ishita exclaimed and she got up and left the room. Once she was gone, Vandita turned to Mihika, "Mihika, looks like your crazy, stupid, nonsensical plan is actually working!" "Oh please! My plans always work!" Mihika replied, "I have watched way too many Ekta Kapoor shows and read way too many romance novels for any of my plans to ever fail!" "Yeah right! Do I have to remind you what happened the first time?" Vandu asked. "Akka, that was just a twist of fate. But it all worked out for the best, didn't it?" Mihika asked. "Hmmm.. Maybe it did. At least they aren't behaving like strangers anymore," Vandu admitted. "But I have to tell you something Akka, don't mind," Mihika said. "What?" Vandu asked. "You need to tone down your theatrics. You are going overboard with it. The whole "how dare he say that" and all. It was a little too much," Mihika said. "What nonsense! I was making sure Ishu did not get a whiff of what we were up to," Vandu replied. "But then the very next minute you were singing praises of him too," Mihika pointed out. "Well, I admit I almost goofed up because after saying the first part I didn't want Ishita to start thinking that what he did was wrong so I, very intelligently mind you, covered it up by praising him," Vandita clarified, "And Ishu even bought my explanation of being pregnant and hormonal. So its all good." "Well, lets just hope it stays that way and Ishu Akka and Raman Sir do not get to know any of this. At least not until its too late," Mihika said.
***
Seher Hone Ko Hai
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