Raman had a soft smile and a million things he wanted to ask her...was still looking to start when his phone rang. Aata hoon' he smiled and withdrew when he saw Mihika's name on the screen. He had sent her a picture of Ishita with the baby in the arms from the viewing window of the nursery. He had sent pictures of Vandu and Bala too. She was over whelmed he guessed. Mihika had other things to ask him and Raman moved to a quieter corner away from Ishita.
Romi walked in with the teary Ananya and her diaper bag. He was frazzled and relieved to see her nest in Isitha's neck as Ishu kissed her crown, rubbed her back to calm her down.
'AAP MAHAN HO' smiled Romi and rested his forehead on Ishu's other shoulder. Raman watched this curiously. He was answering Mihika's bank related questions but his eyes were busy devouring his wife. He started from her painted toes, saw her legs through her blue tie and dye skirt to the band that gathered it at her waist. Further up the slits on the sides of her white top that. He knew how her smooth waist felt in under his fingers and they craved to touch her waist while he shoved it into his pockets to continue talking to Mihika. Her hair appeared twisted and pinned with a neat stick some sort..he did not know what it was called and the stray lock that fell over her left eyebrow kind of framed her face beautifully. She looked every inch the way he imagined she would when he had picked this outfit for her on his way back from Singapore last month.
His brother held his arms folded in a namaste and he rested his head on her shoulder, while his wife's shoulders shook softly while she continued talking to Ananya.
The woman holding a tot in her arms and her husband who seemed to be rearing his head up after kissing her shoulder strangely felt familiar thought the man who was ushered in by a nurse to the door behind the viewing window. He never got a chance to see the couple's face. He was curious and wanted to..as the woman continued talking to the tot in soothingly and man continued to lean on her other shoulder. He did not see Ruhi and Shravan seated on the chair talking!
When Raman walked over to where she was, his brother was gone with the sleeping Ananya in his arms and the kids ran behind him. Raman wordlessly tucked her hair behind her ear.
Toh' he asked as his arm went around her waist.
She is so cute...and so fragile..she smiled
Humm smiled Raman cradling her head on his shoulder
Aww it such an awesome feeling to hold her ...she continued.
I agree he smiled.
I have something for you..he fished an envelope and handed it to her.
Her eyes gleamed with tears and she turned and hugged him tight.
You found out she asked.
Humm an old friend did.. he continued.
But I'm already a mom Raman
yes' he said.
You know with Ruhi and now after Adi this is not much you know... she whispered still hugging him.
I know that too ..he smiled stroking her head.
The couple continued talking for a long time after that. The man behind who was watching this had an inscrutable expression on his face.
It broke into a hiss..when he heard
AAj kal to log kitna besharam ho gaye hai'
'OH...TUM HO..I THOUGHT, KAPDE DEHKEKE ,THAT YOUR HUSBAND WAS WITH HIS EX-WIFE I WAS THINKING OF YOU ISHU WHEN I SAID THAT. SORRY ISHUMA' said Bala's mom in a voice loaded with sarcasm. She smiled letting herself out of the embrace and let out I know aap HAMEESHA mere liye hee sochthe hai'
Dont you want to meet your grandchild ? asked Raman with disgust and his eyes screaming 'leave my wife alone!'
Raman felt his wife turn cold and grip his elbow tight. His eyes searched for Subbu followed her eyes saw a man emerge from the one glass door 3 feet from where they were, while Ishita buried herself into Raman's side and he held like they were glued together. She had seen Subbu face to face after a long time. Her brave front crumbled with the multiple onslaughts on her being.
Standing outside the viewing window looking at her nice, knowing she may never be a mother, a woman scorned, all the names she had been called came back to her like it was all happening now. The mother son duo recreated the havoc that they wrecked years ago. She crumbled like a cookie ..they would have seen it too, if it was not for the warmth that was seeping through her entire being as her husbands arm came around her shoulder and he tucked her in hard and close one more time.
The strange thing about life is that what breaks you also heals you. She touched the envelope her husband held in his other arm...
'you know what aunty' she said calmly 'nothing that you say bothers me anymore. Raman and I would still be where we are with or without our children. I have fallen in love the man I married. I have all that I need in my life..I am so happy that even you calling me bhaanj does not affect me. Please meet your granddaughter she is the sweetest thing you would have ever seen. I hope you can enjoy the moment as much as I do.'
'Raman take me home' she finished with a smile. 'Bye Subbu' she said evenly handing him a package from her purse 'this is for your little son my daughter wanted me to hand this over to your mother because he loved playing with this toy when he had come for Vandu's baby shower ..I hope it's not too late' she nodded and walked hand in hand with her husband smiling and chattering away.
The cries of the new born seemed far away to Subbu. He watched the retreating figures of the Ishita and Raman as they chattered and Raman laughed. He recalled everything that he had heard them say to each other locked in an endearing hug.
'But I'm already a mom Raman' she had said
Yes
You know with Ruhi and now after Adi this is not much you know... she had said holding the envelope.
Do you want another ...
'Ishita I am very possessive of you , I hate it when people point fingers at you...as for wanting a child we are not childless we can have more if you want to experience mother hood..
What if like the report says I am unable to ..
Ishita get this straight I'm immensely happy for Ruhi and Adi, my life with you would have still been the same without them. I would have eventually found you, chased you and kidnapped you if did not agree and that has nothing to do with your 'br****s and uterus" like Ashwin says. It's about you...and the person you are..the woman who drives me mad and keeps me sane. The woman who taught me what loving somebody is, the mad madrassan who eats all the time and wets my shirt crying...he was chuckling...when Subbu's mother walked in on them.
Subbu knew he had loved and lost but lost a much better man he consoled himself.
Health and Fitness
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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