IshRa FF : Bas Ek Sanam Chahiye (Updated Chapter 13 & 14 page 60) - Page 33

Originally posted by: prachi_vrushan

awesome updates

Chapter 12

It had been over six months since the last one Ishita had attended. Vandu and Bala went more often because they had friends who were active. But Ishita and Mihika had been avoiding going by scheduling meetings at the same time or getting stuck far across town, all in an effort not to lie to Mrs. Iyer. They used to attend fairly often but with work getting busy they didn't want to spend their precious free time being entertainment for aunties; getting scrutinized and paired up with random Tamilian boys.

The next afternoon on the drive to lunch, Mihika again cursed herself for letting their guard down the night before. Ishita drove quietly dreading the upcoming couple of hours in her own way. It was clear that Amma had orchestrated the last minute notice of the event just so they wouldn't be able to make excuses about other plans. And Ishu knew perfectly well why.

"If they at least had alcohol, I'd be able to sit through the things! But no, TamBram hone ka double torture! Periamma also na...the way she tricked us."

Ishita chuckled as they parked and got out. "Maybe they'll be less nosy this time since we haven't seen them in awhile?"

"My silly Akka...they'll be much worse because of that! Actually you'll face the brunt of it, I'm sure Periamma forced us mainly for you. Subbu goes to these things, you know?"

Her cousin remained mum.

"Akka, at least tell me he's not your secret boyfriend?"
"Are you still on about that? There is no secret boyfriend! And if there was, never in a million years would it be Subbu." Mihika heaved a sigh of relief and side hugged her. They were just entering the ballroom. It was already bustling with low murmurs interspersed here and there with the loud laughter of children.

"Okay chalo at least thats good. No offense to Bala Jiju but his brother is such a stick in the mud. Shame because he's so handsome, total waste I tell you. But let me warn you that if you do give in and marry him I don't how much I'd be able to suffer to hang out with you."

"Shh Mihku. People might know him, they'll hear you!"
"If they know him they already agree with me."

Spotting Vandu in the distance, the two made their way through the hall past familiar faces, with polite smiles. Akka and Jiju seemed to have just arrived as well, while her parents who were sitting at the table nearby gossiped away with friends. They were greeted happily by everyone except Amma who had another stern look on her face. Getting up to yell at them in private, she began.

"What are you wearing!" The girls looked down at their chudidaars. They had taken care to dress in simple but tasteful suits and even put up their hair partially with pins to complete the good girl look.

"Whats wrong with these Amma?"
"Aiyyoo...I told you to wear a nice kanchivaram didn't I Ishu? And you don't even have any gold on, just costume jewelry!"
"Amma this isn't a wedding and the heat is so bad, how can you expect us to wear kanchivarams in this weather?"

Mrs. Iyer was tapping her forehead in exasperation and muttering in Tamil when Vandu waddled over to their rescue. She shooed her two younger sisters off to get lunch as she attempted to distract her mother. As Ishita moved from station to station holding her plate while the waiters served the food, she looked around and spotted Subbu across the hall. His 6'2 frame stood tall above everyone else and he was dressed smartly in khakis and a light blazer. Surrounding him were several aunties, probably with marriage-aged daughters. Mihika followed her cousin's gaze and rolled her eyes noticing the same scene. "God, they're fawning over him like he's the second-coming of Rajnikaanth."

Back at the table they ate warily, waiting for the volunteer marriage bureau to descend any second. Instead, Subbu himself appeared and sat down next to Ishita. She had to admit he was an attractive man by all major standards. Tall, with a strong jawline and a deep voice which is probably what made so many motherly hearts jump. On top of it, he was an accomplished professional who listened to his mother and did everything by the book. Even if she didn't mind his mother, or his very traditional outlook on life, their interactions didn't do anything for her. Never the romantic type, Ishita still expected some sort of reaction from her own heart. Something inside her should be pounding or fluttering for the person she decides to marry. At the very least he should be able to make her laugh.

Everyone chatted politely for a few minutes and then Bala and Subbu fell into some conversation about the latter's work. Ishu thanked her stars and ate a bit more quickly. Maybe she could get away from the table before her Amma started whatever drama she'd planned. Perhaps to go look for Appa who had disappeared with a friend awhile back. But just then a kids performance started on the stage at the front of the hall and everyone quieted down. When it ended, Mrs. Iyer quickly jumped into a new conversation.

"Subbu, did you know Ishu is living on her own now?"

Mihika coughed out some of the water she was drinking as everybody else stared wordlessly. Mrs. Iyer clarified with a frown, wondering why they were being so dramatic. "With Mihika but otherwise pretty much alone. You should go visit them sometime, I always think they must get bored living alone like that."

Subbu, to his credit, took it in stride. "Oh yeah I think Anna mentioned it awhile back. Near that new shopping mall right Ishita?"

"Yes it is."
"How's the business doing?"
"It's good." She looked towards Mihika warmly, "It's been booming since my deputy here came on board."
Bala chimed in, "They're looking to expand into corporate events at some point. So next time your company is looking for an event manager Subbu, you should mention Azores."

"Sure Anna. If recommended by a trusted employee I'm sure they'd be willing to try out an untested company. So as you expand are you just going to be busier or is the plan to make it hire more event coordinators that you will oversee?"

Ignoring the multiple hidden eye rolls from Mihika's side of the table Ishita responded evenly. "Ideally yes, all under the banner of Azores. But I like managing the event days themselves so I don't want to completely get away from that. Crazy pressure wale situations but also really exciting, right Mihika?"

Subbu seemed a little disappointed by this which Mrs. Iyer caught onto. "Of course, once other priorities come up I'm sure Ishu won't be running around as much. Being married does require a lot of changes."

Ishita frowned at her mother in annoyance but kept quiet. There was no point in clarifying her life plans to a man who had no bearing on it. She wished for the conversation to move away from the two of them but noticed looking around beyond the table that even neighbors were slyly listening to the girl that this apparently highly in demand bachelor was showering his interest on. She glanced over at Akka and Jiju who seemed as uncomfortable as her with the situation. Mihika gave her a sympathetic smile and Ishita sat in dignified discomfort, wishing to be anywhere but here.

Right then her phone buzzed in rescue. Excusing herself she fished it out of her bag and smiled seeing a message from "Raman Kumar Bhalla".

RKB: Hi

The open ended greeting was unexpected as they usually texted with purpose; an address, or time or location etc.

II: Hello

RKB: I forgot to mention yesterday...invitation sample came last week

II: Oh good! How does it look? Did everybody like it?

RKB: It looked fine to me

II: Shall I put in the order then?

There was a lengthy pause as Ishita waited for an answer back. In the break, she looked up to find the others chatting about something else and focused her attention back on her screen. She could see him typing but the message didn't come through for awhile.

RKB: Actually I thought maybe you wanted to come by to see it too?

Then two more came in quickly.

RKB: If you want to I mean...
RKB: I don't know if you normally do that

On the other side of that text Raman was staring at his phone in an attempt to will a faster response. It was a rare loungey Sunday for him and his parents were happy to have him relaxing there with them. All three were sitting in the living room, Mr. Bhalla reading the Sunday papers, Mrs. Bhalla shelling some peas and Raman glued to his phone. The conference call this morning with Tandon went really well and his spirits were high. Since then his restless mind wandered aimlessly making its way back to thoughts of the day before. She hadn't responded yet and he wondered if he needed to make a stronger case. His eyes then fell on his mother.

RKB: Mummy was also saying that it might be good to have you check it before the order goes in. You may notice something we don't.

Back at the table Ishita contemplated how to respond when she heard her name. "Ishu, kanna Subbu is asking you something."
"Mmm..."

II: Sure, that might be a good idea

"Ishu!"
She peeled her eyes away from the phone to find the others looking at her expectantly. "Haan haan Amma, what is it?"

"Subbu was just saying that he'd like to come spend some time with you at one of your events, maybe see how you work."

The phone buzzed again.

RKB: Today?

"Ishu?" Amma's words had only vaguely seeped into her consciousness and she responded automatically with a "Ya definitely..." while missing Mihika's soft gasp in the background.

II: I'm at a family thing today. I can stop by during the week tho, is that ok?

RKB: But I don't get home till late on weekdays

The statement hung in the virtual air for awhile. Ishita wondered if she could make an excuse to get out of here before it got too late to visit. It was work related plus she'd been looking to get out of here anyway. Then again, it wasn't strictly urgent and she could go during the week. He didn't need to be there when she went, did he? But perhaps there was something he wanted to show her or ask her about the invitation that required both to be there at once? Indecision twisted up inside her in an unfamiliar churn. Before she could answer, he messaged again.

RKB: Oh shit
RKB: Sorry
RKB: Forgot that Shagun took the invitation with her

II: That's alright, should I go to her place to see it?

RKB: No no
RKB: Come here. Mummy will be happy to see you.
RKB: I'll have Mihir bring it into office tomorrow. Can u stop by tues or wed eve?

II: Wed works for me

RKB: Perfect

Grinning, Ishita looked up again to find her mother and Subbu looking pleased with themselves while the other half of the table was murmuring in low tones to each other. Before she could understand what was happening, there was another buzz.

RKB: Did you finish the chocolate basket?

II: Noo...its only been a day!

RKB: Shocking. I didn't expected it to last this long in your presence

A loud giggle escaped Ishita as the family turned to her curiously. Vandu in particular had been observing the shift in her little sister's moods. She had a gut feeling that whatever the source of Ishu's recent scattered-brain-syndrome, it was related to what was on the phone right now.

II: Very funny

RKB: I am

II: :)

"Puttar, kya hua?" Unbeknownst to her son Toshiji had been observing him slyly for the last 15 minutes as various emotions flit across his face while staring deeply into the phone. Going from anxiousness to disappointment to amusement. Right now, he was sporting a goofy grin that made him look like a kid again.

"What happened Maa?"
"Bahut khush lag raha hai...something happen at the office?"

Raman evaded carefully. "Nothing like that, just reading something that's all."
"Must be something very pleasant then."

He looked down again at the smiley face she sent and nodded.

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"What the hell was that Akka? If you're not interested in him why are you encouraging Periamma's efforts like this?"

It was evening by the time they finally got out. Thankfully Subbu had departed early citing some work deadline; though her mood had improved markedly even before that. Later Ishita ran into some old school friends of hers who had recently returned to Delhi and she'd gone off on her own to catch up with them. She found Mihika right before leaving and she'd begun to yell at her immediately.

"Huh, what happened Mihika?"
"Why did you agree to letting Subbu spend time with you?"
"I did what?"
"Oh my god, I knew it. You didn't even realize what you said yes to. That's what Periamma kept asking you about! So mubarakho, now you have to entertain Subbu and he's already thinking you are changing your mind about marriage."

"Are you serious." Ishita cursed her fate. No wonder Amma was looking so happy.
"Yes"
"UGHH."
"YES"

She got into her little red car annoyed at her own foolishness. There was no polite way to backtrack now. Guess she will just have to have that conversation with Subbu she'd been avoiding. Maybe it would be better than turning down the proposal repeatedly through her mother. In fact, now that Ishita thought about it, it was highly doubtful the message was even going past Amma to Subbu and his mother.

Sighing she tried to think about more positive things. Wednesday was not too far away.

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