New SS: Love.... Pt33B pg143 13/07 - Page 84

Footsteps, made the gathered glance up. Madhavi and Vishwa came in and joined the traditional offerings. After his brother, Raman respectfully nodded at them. Instinctively, he gave the door quick glance a few times.

Are you expecting someone?' quizzed, the accented, feminine voice.

Raman shifted to gaze at the exquisite girl at his side, his would-be fiance in a week, Tanya Dutta. Just thought I heard something.'

Tanya nodded sliding closer, comprehending Raman's sense of loss for his father even after years.

Furtively, she eyed Raman. Mom, I feel like Kate Middleton! It is mind-blogging! Raman is treated like royalty here! Everytime I snap at some intrusive reporter or make, a faux pas about the culture, Raman handles it all so smoothly. He is my Rock of Glibraltar. And the family... they are not so bad. His mom is making genuine efforts to bond with me,' Tanya, a few hours ago, had gushed to her mother. Ms Dutta was completely unaware that Toshi had received some neighborly nudge In the right direction.

Since her coming to India, almost a week ago, every channel was busy running so-called exclusive pieces on Tanya's life, her clothes, perfumes, her friends and their friends, even reporting the number of times she tooted, for lack of anything else to report.

The portly pundit throwing the remaining flowers in the fire concluded the ceremony. Everyone got up and the servants came in to clear the place. Mihir went over to chat with Vishwa and Madhu.

Tanya, cupping her hands, offered them the traditional Namaste. She had been introduced to them a day before.

Madhavi hugged Tanya, and did the LLTT (looking London talking Tokyo) act, Mihir, where is Mihika?'

Near the pool aunty, she is staying away from the fumes.' Mihir replied.

Good thinking', Madhavi agreed.

Lets go to the pool area, I'll have the lunch served there,' tohsi proposed. The group trooped towards the lagoon themed pool.

This generation is so aware; we hardly took any such precautions in our day,' Madhavi chatted with Toshi.

Mihika's doctor is making her exercise as if she is gearing up for a marathon rather than give birth. He has her on a diet, can you believe it?' Toshi expressed.

Diet really? For our generation being pregnant meant a free ticket to eat whatever one desired... quantity no bar.' Madhavi recalling, chuckled.

No wonder our children turned the way they did.' Toshi mischievously, glanced at her sons.

The two women continued their discussion while Mihir and Vishwa exchanged conspirational winks. On seeing everyone coming, Mihika tried getting to her feet. Raman, quickly , came forward to help her up. What you are having? Quadruplets?' he teased his very pregnant SIL.

I'll ask you when Tanya is expecting,' Mihika ribbed. Raman just strectched his lips in what he hoped was a smile.

Mihika immediately disappeared in the hug Madhavi launched at her. Vishwa winced. Madhu, Mihika is pregnant. Let her and the baby breathe,' Vishwa said.

Madhavi made a face at him. It's been too long Mihika. You are glowing dear! Let me look at your stomach. Its definitely a girl, see its riding low.' Madhavi gently prodded a blushing Mihika's stomach. Pregnant women, somewhere hold a placard, inviting every vimla-kamla-samla and Madhavi to come and touch them, in the most personal manner. Even the laughing buddha's stomach does not receive that kind of attention.

Vishwa reprimanded, Vidu Madhavi! You are embarrassing Mihika. If Ishita had been here"

Mihika immediately griped, Aunty, I am very mad at Ishita. She has not come once to meet me. Where is she?'

Sighing, Madhavi sat on the padded chairs. God knows what has happened to my Ishu? Mihika, she's not the same girl she used to be.'

Raman's finger about to dial a number in his cell, stilled.

Is Ishita okay?' Mihir questioned. Mihika joined Madhavi on the chaise.

On the outside she is fine, but on the inside, something is definitely eating her. I am her mother , I know! She has no life, just a routine - office, gym and home. Once in a while, after much cajoling she will go out with us. Instead of living her life, she's just aimlessly wandering it,' Madhavi vented, her face troubled.

You worry too much, it is just a phase. It will pass!' Vishwa said.

Vishwa, a phase doesn't last this long. Maybe we should show her to a professional or a tantric,' said Madhavi. Quite a few people, see striking similarities between black magic and medical degree attained by hard work and years of analytical research and behavioural study of human psyche.

Please aunty, no tantric and all that nonsense! Maybe its something at work,' Mihir suggested.

well Raman can help us there.' Vishwa gestured at Raman who stood at some distance, fiddling with his cell.

Uncle, how would Raman know?' Mihir asked.

Raman just brought the advertising agency Ishita works for,' Vishwa replied, casually.

I had no idea! Raman you never mentioned the acquisition?'

I wanted to set up a base here to work from; AAA seemed good a place as any other. Simone faxed your PA and the other board of directors, all the paper work,' Raman replied, his words coming out in a rush.

Mihir returned his attention to the Iyers. Maybe Ishita needs to widen her horizons. She should apply for work in any other metros. Sometimes a change of place can provide the much needed balance. I can help her there.'

There is no lack of offers. Ishita, for years has been doing freelance work for reputed advertising agencies. They have made her handsome offers but she keeps turning them down. We suggested that she go abroad and pursue her higher education. She aced GRE, got a considerable scholarship but then backed out. Its almost as if she likes to test what she is capable of,' Vishwa shared.

Tanya glanced from one face to another. All, except Raman who was peering at his shoe, held similar expressions of concern. Who is this Ishita? Why are they all so worried for her, she wondered.

How long has this been going on?' Mihika asked.

Madhavi became quite, thinking. A few minutes later, she said, I think four years or so!'

Toshi's eyes clashed with her younger son. Raman turned, abruptly, on his heels and headed inside.

Tanya watched the silent exchange between mother and son. Her female instinct stirred.

All these years Madhu, you and I have chatted almost everyday. But you never mentioned this?' Toshi complained.

how could I burden you with my worries? You all were coping with such a big loss yourself.' Madhavi replied.

Is Ishita at home right now?' Tanya asked hesitantly.

Yes beta, she just returned from the gym,' Madhavi replied.

Then why don't we all go over and surprise her. I would love to meet her!' Tanya suggested.

that's good idea. I need to walk anyway!' Mihika agreed and so did the others.

Raman from the dining area saw them head outside. We are going to meet Ishita. Are you coming?' Tanya invited.

I have some work, why don't you go ahead?' Raman evaded.

At least that hasn't changed. These two are still at loggerheads!' Mihika jested.

What do you mean?' Tanya asked.

Oh, Ishita and Raman couldn't stand each other. They would argue and pick on each other 24/7. In fact they have names for each other. He calls her Jhansi ki rani and she calls him Raavan Kumar. How many aspirins, we took because of these two!' Mihir replied, laughing.

Raman kept quite. After Madhavi's disclosures, he craved some medicines of his own - antacids.

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next update tonight

Nice as always Is raman really blind or acting like one I mean after such revelations by Madhvi can't he see ishita still loves him. This Tanya seems to be one nosy person does she have some hint about ishra's relationship??? What's cooking between raman n toshi???.

Waiting for ishita's reaction after meeting Tanya

Ty for pm😊

😃 just realised i need to finish it soon!! before i go back to hostel..

so thought to give a lot of updates...

phir se first kya bast hai gaya...

waiting for ur unres

ill get to know soon dear!!!

thank u buddy!!

when are you going back???