IshRa FF : Bas Ek Sanam Chahiye (Updated Chapter 13 & 14 page 60) - Page 16

Chapter 7

A few weeks later, there was pandemonium in the Bhalla household. Toshi Bhalla had taken a nasty fall outside while on a walk and sprained her ankle badly. Without Mrs. Bhalla in full form the family was lost. Mr. Bhalla had been beside himself in concern for his wife while the kids had been in distress for their stomachs. Neelu's cooking had been torturing them for two days already. Simmi had come over once or twice to help out but hadn't been able to stay very long as she had her own household to look after. After a day of this, Raman had decided to just order take out while his mother got a little better and could at least direct Neelu.

He was worried for her, though the actual injury was just a sprain she had also been experiencing a steady back pain since the fall. The doctor had strictly advised as little movement as needed for at least four to six weeks. Speaking on the side to Raman, he had also suggested no mental strain which would help her recover faster. But his mother was after all a mother. As soon as they had reached home and settled her into the guest bedroom on the ground floor, she had tried to run the household from her position.

"Ma, you need to rest. Papa and I have everything under control. Romi and Rinki aren't going to starve or become homeless just because you're not around to cater to their every whim. They are college-going ghadhe, it's about time they learned how to take care of themselves."

"But puttar, what about food? You and Papa won't be able to manage. Our Neelu, god bless her, can do anything else well but without direction her cooking will eventually put you all in the hospital! That aashiq driver has no idea what he's getting himself into! You can't eat outside food for so long."

"You don't worry about that; I'll make some temporary arrangements. Ok next, I'm going to call and tell Pammi aunty you won't be able to host this month's kitty party."

"Oh puttar but that we can also just cater" He sushed her and continued.

"It's not about that, you need to rest your mind and listening to all that high-pitched screeching itself will exhaust you. Finally and most importantly: no more wedding planning. I absolutely don't want to hear anything on that point. Shagun and I will manage in the meantime. Ms. Iyer is doing all the work for us anyway, we will coordinate with her as needed."

His mother looked at him skeptically. "If you say so Raman. You already work so many hours, just make sure you also don't fall sick trying to do everything yourself."

Raman went on to get details on where things were with Ishita. His mother told him they had mainly been location shopping for the last couple of weeks and had seen a total of 8 places which had been narrowed down to 2. Tonight they were to go to those prospects to view the proposals and make a final decision. She was to pick up his mother at 5pm.

"Okay, I will speak to her. Chaliye Ma, get some rest now."

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Later that day, Ishita pulled up to the Bhalla residence to pick up Mrs. Bhalla on the dot as was her habit. She looked apprehensively through her front windshield as she parked. She had spotted Him waiting in front of the stairs watching her carefully pull into their driveway and get out of the little red car. Like before he was dressed in a perfectly cut suit enclosing his lean frame; this time light gray paired with a spotless white shirt. The gray was flattering on him. His hair burdened under too much gel as before. But wait, why was she noticing all this.

"Hi Mr. Bhalla, didn't expect to run into you this early at home"
"Hello Ms. Iyer. Sorry actually there is a slight change in plan. My mother isn't well, she had a bad fall yesterday."
"Oh no, is Mummiji okay?" Her concern was genuine, it immediately softened the features that had stiffened upon seeing him. Dressed in a simple salwar, her skin glowed against the deep purple and blues in the material. Her hair was partially pulled back today and a pair of high heels brought her to his height so he could see every flicker that passed her vibrant eyes. "Was it serious?"
"No, not serious but she can't walk at the moment."
"Can I come in and see her?"
"Actually she is sleeping right now. Though I'm sure she would be happy to see you. Why don't we go ahead for now, we must have appointments anyway. You can come inside when we get back."

She nodded at his words. Brow furrowed, she made her way to the car. He hesitated in the walkway and called to her "Why don't we go in my car? It'll be more comfortable."
She looked up at him, her expression unreadable again. "Do you know where all we're going?"
"No"
"Then it would be easier if I drive. If you don't mind."

He nodded in response and got in to her car. He hadn't ridden in a car this size in years. The seats were much closer than he remembered. His arm was resting on his thigh just a hair away from her hand when she reached down to change gears. As she pulled out of the driveway Raman fell into his thoughts. He wasn't sure why he decided to not call ahead and inform her of the change. A part of him wanted to see her reaction in person. She was definitely miffed at having to spend the evening with him. But rather than being offended at that, he rather enjoyed her barely hidden annoyance. Her next words confirmed his guess at her current worry.

"So I imagine your Mummiji will be off her feet for awhile.
"Yes..."
"Should I work with Ms. Arora instead in the meantime?"
"No!" The forceful response had startled her and himself. "Sorry, I mean Shagun doesn't have the time. You're stuck with me for now." He gave her a wide grin to which she returned an awkward smile, her worst fears confirmed.
"No problem of course Mr. Bhalla"
"You can call me Raman, remember? By the way where are we going?"
"First stop is Avalon Gardens."
"Oh haan I know that place. It'll be easier if you go local rather than getting on the highway at this time."
She brushed off his suggestion "It's okay, I prefer the highway"

Half hour later they were still stuck in traffic and tempers had begun to rise. He was trying to control himself from chiming in further and she could feel the frustration emanating from the other side of the car. Of course this only made things worse. Ishita hated being rushed and most of all did not like the idea of being told what to do by this man who was essentially a stranger. He seemed to take a certain liberty with her and it was hard to maintain her professional front as she should with a client.

Raman observed that Ishita was a very careful and polite driver, missing several opportunities to get ahead of some traffic clogs and this was starting to grate on him. "Ehm Ishita if you can take this next exit, I know a shortcut from there."
"No its okay."
He snapped. "What do you mean its ok, its ok? I don't want to grow old and die on this stretch of road while you wait for the traffic to clear!" She glared at him, annoyed that on top of everything she had to deal with an insolent passenger.
"Do you want to drive?!"
"YES!!"
"Well you can't, this is my car. So you'll just have to sit patiently."
Raman sighed in exasperation and muttered under his breath.
"Sorry did you say something Mr. Bhalla?"
"I said I knew we should have taken my car."
"What does that mean?"
"Nothing. I could have guessed the type of driver you were by looking at you."
"Excuse me?" She was getting increasingly pissed off at his condescending tone.
Realizing he was toeing the line, he tried to course correct. "No, I just...I mean that you seem like a polite driver. Didn't mean anything bad by it" he lied.
"If you say so Mr. Bhalla."

"For the LOVE of God, please stop calling me Mr. Bhalla! I'm not your professor. Or your boss. My name is Raman. Please call me Raman!"
"Arre ab ispe bhi jadga?" Then she muttered to herself...'Raman nahi Raavan rakhna tha naam iska!'
"What did you say?"
"Nothing, we're almost there. Can you please just let me focus on the road?"

He grumbled but said no more, annoyed at not knowing what she was calling him under her breath. They reached the location in record time, as in no one could have taken longer to cross that distance from his house to this place. Getting out of the car, they walked into the hotel silently avoiding eye contact. Once inside, she had spoken briefly to a bell boy to ask the way to the Management office; her voice once again melodious.

He didn't know why she was so aggravated by him, and why he cared. She was just someone he had to work with, and after the wedding they were unlikely to meet again. Still, he wondered if he would ever hear her speak as sweetly to him as she did to what seemed like practically everyone else in Delhi!

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The meeting went well. Avalon had been at the top of the wedding hall list of Delhi high society for years now and everything they did and said took their own status for granted. Still they were offered good enough terms, Raman thought. In fact he was willing to accept the proposal without going to the second location, but Ishita had gestured him to hold off as she continued negotiating. In the end they left promising a call back before the week was out.

"Mr. Bha...I mean...Raman, what did you think of this place?" Ishita spoke tentatively, still unsure of their equation after the argument in the car. But the tension needed to be broken if they were to work together.

"It will do. That's why if my mother already liked it I thought we could just finalize. Why did you stop me?"

Smirking, she pulled out of the parking lot. "I didn't want you to rush into the decision in order to avoid suffering any more of my driving tonight." He gave her a look but she continued, "No but more seriously, it wasn't a great deal. I think they padded the price seeing your name. Its best to talk to the other place and then renegotiate here."

"Sure, as you suggest." Hesitating momentarily but deciding to take advantage of her lightened mood, he continued.
"I'm sorry about before."
"Its okay, you must have had a long day."
"Not really but I didn't mean to pick a fight. You are a good driver."
"You apologize a lot."
"Yes, it seems I do."
"Why?"
"Because I get angry quickly."
"Why?"
"Do you accept credit cards or do I get one psychoanalysis free?"
"I don't like to charge the mentally needy."

After the words were out of her mouth, she glanced at him apprehensively. Had she stepped too far out of her professional boundaries? But he chuckled, "You're funny".

There must have been a doubtful look on her face because when he looked back at her he said, "I CAN take a joke you know, I'm not that far gone." She gave him a wordless smile so he continued, "I guess I should take your silence as a confirmation that you DO think I'm some sort of soulless businessman who doesn't laugh?" They were pulling into another hotel parking lot.

"No no its not that, you just seem very serious and focused is all."
"I wasn't always like this."
"What happened?"
"There you go again with the psych session..."
"Sorry, I'm just trying to figure you out..."
This made Raman look at her. "Oh really?"

Ishita cursed herself for letting that one slip. Now he was going to become even more arrogant. Just then as she put her hand down to change the gear to park, it brushed against his which had been resting near the stick. Both hands flew apart. Even more flustered now, she responded with the first thing that came to her mind, "Sorry. You know...um...I like to get to know my clients. Especially since we'll be working closely together now."

"Right." They got out to make their way into the building so the conversation had to stop. Raman was disappointed the second location was so close to the first, the night was going to end quicker than he anticipated. This second establishment looked practically the same as the first to him. Except the Events team was more enthusiastic here. They seemed much more willing to negotiate as a newer establishment looking to land a well known name in the Delhi social circles. Like before, Ishita handled the majority of the conversation and he enjoyed watching her at work. As per his first impression of her, she was thoroughly organized and professional in every aspect. What was more, even when the conversation went to the dicier aspects of negotiation, she somehow maintained her friendly, casual tone without losing the underlying purpose of her words in the back and forth. He marveled at this and could tell that it must be a very useful talent in the event industry where tempers tend to fly.

She reminded him a little of Mihir. All those years growing up, Mihir had always been the calm and collected one. From fights with neighborhood boys to tense moments in a boardroom, he'd always had the ability to communicate what he needed while maintaining good relationships with everyone. Raman wished he could be more like the two of them. Instead he felt a slave to his own somewhat uncontrollable emotions.

"Chale?" Her voice brought him out of his thoughts.
"Sure."
"Mr. Bhalla, it was so wonderful to meet you. I hope you do consider our offer. Just know we will not disappoint you and are very much looking forward to this opportunity."
"Thanks so much Mr. Gupta. It was good to meet you and your team. This is certainly an attractive package but I'll have to discuss with my family. We'll be in touch via Ms. Iyer."

Ishita watched this interaction with interest. She wasn't sure what to expect anymore. He was very hot and cold in how he dealt with the world. It was an approach that was alien to her because 99% of the time she was completely in control of her emotions and attitude. The 1% she discovered since meeting him was reserved for short-fused punjabi businessmen with contagious irritability she seemed to catch. They drove back to the Bhalla residence mostly in silence, both lost in thought.

As they pulled into the driveway, he reminded her about visiting his mother.

"You're coming in, right?"
"Oh actually its getting late, Mummiji will probably be sleeping right?"
"She was sleeping all day, she is probably awake and shouting the house down right now."
"I don't know..."
"Listen I have better things to do than sit here convincing, you're coming. Plus if I don't bring you in she will eat my head for dissuading you from seeing her earlier!"

Ishita frowned, of course even this would turn into an argument. She accepted defeat and parked the car to join him and walked inside the house.