Newton's Latest Law:
To every idiot, there is an equal and opposite idiot.
They are called HUSBAND and WIFE.
Ishita went to check on her parents before going back to the clinic. Madhu Iyer was not pleased and made it clear to Ishita. "Who resumes work the next day of her marriage?"
Ishita only laughed it off, "Amma who give these things much importance these days?" And then trying to reason her, she added, "You know in what circumstances we got married."
"Yes and that's what worrying me, Ishu. Raman looks very...displeased...especially with you."
"Raman is just a drama king Amma! I know him better. He loves me and I know that. Just give me a few days, aur uska gussa, phuuurrr!"
Madhu Iyer gave her daughter a small unconvincing smile and hugged her."I hope and wish so Ishu. You know very well that, it is only your happiness that matters to us. Your father and I want you to be happy, bas!"
On her way, Ishita was pensive. She understood her mother's apprehensions but she also meant business when she told her mom that she would have her husband in better disposition within few days. But she knew him damn well to know that he would not succumb so easily. Ishita sighed and tapped on the steering wheel. May be she should ask for some help...from someone experienced...but who?...Vandu Akka of course!
Ishita's face lit up. Yes! Her elder sister was the ideal person to ask for help. She was married for more than ten years and had Bala, her henpecked husband, wrapped around her fingers.
Of course,turning Raman into Bala jeeju was purely utopia but Vandu Akka would surely be able to give her some "husband manaofying" technics to use on her angry husband, Ishita concluded.
Soon after attending to all her clients in the morning slot, she immediately called Vandu who accepted to meet her during lunch time but when Ishita reached the venue, she was horrified to find that Vandu was not alone. Mihika was there too!
"Akka! Surprise! When I called Vandu Akka and she told me that you are meeting her, I couldn't resist inviting myself. Too eager to hear about your first night with our hot and handsome jeeju."
Vandu looked at Ishita with an amused face while Ishita rolled her eyes, as Mihika continued, unfazed, "TELL US EVERYTHING!"
"NOTHING HAPPENED! He left me high and dry in the bedroom alone."
"Oopsie! Kyun? He didn't like the lingerie Simmi selected for you?"
Vandu and Mihika burst out laughing as Ishita made a long face. "Please na! You are making fun of your sister when she is miserable. Not fair!"
"Awww! I am sorry!" Mihika immediately hugged her sister and they decided to have lunch before discussing Ishita's marital problem.
When Ishita told her sisters about her first night, the two went deep in thought.
"Ishu, there is no denying. Raman loves you. It is evident by the way he looks longingly at you and he wanted to marry you. Then why is he so angry?" Vandu asked.
"Simple Akka! Ego! Men are Maha egoistic."Mihika concluded.
"I hurt him by not trusting him and believing that Shagun."
"But he too hid the truth from you, Akka!"
"Yes Mihiku. But I want to forget all this and start afresh with him but he is showing me so much attitudes."
"Awww! You are such a sweetheart Akka and Raman jeeju is behaving like such a..."
"Mihiku! Please! Ishita is here for help so shall we..." Vandu cut in putting a stop to Mihika's lecture about men in general. And the Iyer sisters sat up to discuss how to go about with the mission 'Wooing Back Raman Kumar Bhalla'.
Back home, Ishita immediately freshened up and helped Simmi and Toshi Bhalla with the dinner before spending some time with Ruhi, helping her with her homework and answering her never ending questions.
"Is papa angry with you? Why is he sulking so much these days? Every married couple goes on honeymoon, why not you two?
Ishita had a hard time justifying her answers to the little girl who was very inquisitive and sharp for her age. Finally they went to have dinner with the family when the AKDU himself called, to say that he would be late. Ishita was right there when he had called his daughter and when Ruhi told her that her papa had said not to wait and eat on time, Ishita smiled.
Drama king! Ishita knew that the message was meant for her. She had acidity and he knew that she would wait for him. Mihika was right. Him and his elephantine ego!
After dinner, she put her daughter to sleep and went straight to her bedroom to cook up the plan, she had set up with her sisters and then waited for the lion to enter the den to execute it.
One hour later, Ishita was still pacing the room, biting her nails nervously when she heard some noise. She immediately peeked outside and saw Grumpy Bhalla making his way up to the stairs. Oopsie! He was not in the best of moods and Ishita wondered if her plan would work. Saying a silent prayer, Ishita immediately moved to the closet to take her pillow and blanket and turned to the door. He was right there! Raman who was lost in his thoughts, looked up, surprised. Where was that crazy woman going?
"I am going to sleep in Ruhi's room. I don't want you to make excuses and come home late...
"Wait a second! Who is making excuses? You give too much importance to yourself ok. I had some important meetings and had to stay in the office till late."
Vandu Akka said that giving guilt grips always work on husbands but it is having no effect on this Ravaan. Kya aadmi hain! Ishita was fuming inside.
"Still, I don't want you to sleep outside. I will move to Ruhi's room at night."Ishita said, hoping against hope that their daughter's name would save the situation.
She looked at him and then turned away with a sad face and...the plan worked. The Raavan's heart melted and he stopped her. Wow! Ishita did a balle balle in her heart and then turned towards him with a serious face.
"I don't want you to sleep in Ruhi's room. We can share this bedroom. If you are fine with it."
Was he serious? Why wouldn't she be fine with it? All she wanted was sleeping in that huge bed, with him, in his arms and...
Shaking her head to stop her thought from moving to dangerous territories, she told herself that she needed to stay calm and proactive tonight. Ishita, therefore, only nodded and walked towards the bed to lie down on the right side. Seconds later, Ishita felt him tapping her shoulders. An evil smile crept her lips. 'Aa gaya ooth pahar ke neeche!' If he was a drama king, she was the Majesty in person.
"Ishita! Hello! Turn around Ishita. I know you are not sleeping."
Ishita sat up and watched him without a word. Vandu Akka was so right. No matter how loud he is outside, but inside, the husband is designed to stay silent, cool and controlled...by the wife! Just like a split A.C!
Ishita giggled inside and waited with a straight face... For the well, deserved apology from him. "I said you can sleep in the room but not on the bed."
The imaginary balloon in which Ishita was floating, exploded, as she realized what he was saying.
"Where should I sleep then? On your head?" She asked with annoyance.
"There!" And he pointed to the white couch at the other end of the room.
"No way! I can't sleep on a couch."
"You have no choice. I am not sharing my bed with you."
"Fine. I will move in Ruhi's room!"
She stood up, ready to leave.
"No! You stay here. I will grace that couch then! You take the bed."
"No. You will strain your back and I don't want that."
They looked at each other with stubborn, challenging eyes and finally a compromise was found. They would share the bed but with a range of pillows separating them.
"I am warning you Madrassan! You stay away from the left side of this bed." Raman roared before adjusting his pillow to lie down on his side after a tiresome long day. Soon, Ishita could here the smooth rhythms of his even breathing. She turned around and smiled as she crawled to his side, pushing away the range of pillows he had put in between them. The Raavan was already fast asleep.
"Kitna cute lagte ho jab sotey ho. So calm looking but once you wake up! Amma! Bhukamp!" She muttered, rolling her eyes. She then touched the side of his cheek and smiled lovingly at his sleeping face. She had managed to get him to sleep in the same bed with her. Hopefully, he would not be able to resist her for too long as Ishita would go about bridging the distance between them. With that thought, she lay right there, near his chest where she could hear his heart beating. She closed her eyes and minutes later she sighed when she found his arms wrapping her around her waist, hugging her tight in his deep sleep.
Ishita blushed but then...giggled thinking of his reactions when he would wake up in the morning but right now...hmmm...heavens! Soon she was in deep slumber, in his arms.
The next morning, Raman woke up with a jolt when he felt something very soft grazing his chest, right there, where his white shirt was unbuttoned. Ishita was sleeping, cuddled very close to him, her nose gliding against his chin and he realized that it was her lips that were grazing his chest, just where his heart was. Raman's breath hitched and he waited for some time before looking down at her face. A smile crept to his lips when he set eyes on the sleeping beauty in his arms. She was so innocent-looking and lovely... And having her in his arms like that, felt...like home!
Just then, Ishita woke up and caught him staring at her, his eyes giving away all his feelings for her.
"Good morning," she whispered breaking the spell and making him jumped away.
"How the hell, did you...did you reach here...at my side of the bed?" He stuttered, amusing Ishita to no end but Ishita kept a straight face.
"How would I know? They are just pillows! Not the Great Wall of China! It could be that, you pulled me to you at night while you were feeling cold." She replied back, unfazed and without waiting for his reaction, turned her back and climbed down the bed to walk towards the bathroom.
Raman looked on, completely bewildered by her attitude. Was she the coy, shy and introvert Ishita Iyer, he met in Mumbai or...Silk Smita? How would he be able to control if in one single night she had managed to be in his bed and in his arms?
And Raman realized that when it came to her, his crazy Madrassan wife, anything related to her was an exception to all the rules he had established for himself in life. He thought that he would never let any woman get close to him but when he first met her, he forgot that resolution. He was attracted to her and wanted her.
He chased her and dated her in the hope that it would dampen the need and desire for her but in vain. She managed to get under his skin anyway. Later, he tried to push her away, only to have her coming back to his life, the love and desire for her, reaching new heights. He had always wanted her, like he had never wanted a woman before and he loved her, like he had never thought was possible for him.
Every time he had pushed her away, she had come back to him like a boomerang and this time too, was no exception. They got married despite and in spite of all obstacles. She was now his wife. He sat and wondered, how long would it take for him to succumb to her, at this rate...
Not too long, he concluded as the door of the bathroom opened and Raman stared, open mouth, at the sight in front of him. His wife was walking around in her baby pink bathrobe, not the least bothered about his presence. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun with strands of hair tumbling down, framing her freshly scrubbed face. She was beautiful and sexy...
Raman was snapped back to reality when he heard her. "Aaj office nahin jaana hain?"
Exactly! Why was he standing like a lusty teenager instead of getting ready for work? Raman thought angrily and turned away without a word, for a badly needed...cold shower. Ishita put a hand on her mouth to stop herself from laughing aloud. Mihika was so right. Walking around as if she owned the place, did left the great Raman Kumar Bhalla speechless!
When Raman came back from the shower, Ishita was already dressed up in a beautiful mustard-colored saree with a brown border, her long and silky hair well brushed, her natural glow and blush on her cheeks adding to her beauty. She had her creamy back to him and she was talking on the phone. Raman could see her reflection in the mirror. She had her beautiful broad smile, her adorable nose scrunched up, the tinkling of her laughter like music to his ears.
"It is ON, akka! And it is working!" She said before catching him watching her intently. She instantly put a halt to the conversation and disconnected the phone to turn to him.
"What is ON? Tumhari bakbak? Woh Bhi subah subah! And what is working? It is surely not your brain."
"It's Vandu Akka. I will be late this afternoon. A small party among sisters." She replied back, changing the topic.
"Oh cool. Take all your time. You won't be missed at all." He replied back nastily before leaving for work.
Later in the afternoon, narrating the whole drama about how she got Raman to sleep in the same bed, had the three sisters laughing like a pack of hyenas. Vandu laughed till her tummy hurt and eyes watered.
"Ishu, Raman is really a hard nut to crack but I must admit that you were amazing! You managed to blackmail him, using Ruhi."
"I am so proud of you Akka!" Mihika exclaimed.
"You should have been there to see his face when I told him that his range of pillows were not the Great Wall of China! Priceless!"
The three sisters laughed aloud. "But...he is still showing attitudes yaar. See! He told me not to rush back home, I won't be missed!"
"Hmmm. I think it is time to teach him a lesson. I have a plan." Mihika said and the three sisters joined head to listen attentively to what she was saying.
"NO!" Ishita yelled.
"Wow Mihiku! That's brilliant!"
"Vandu Akka! You are not serious?" Ishita was shell shocked. Mihika was crazy but Vandu Akka!
"Didn't you say that he is quite possessive Ishu? Believe me, it always works when the husband starts taking the wife for granted. The other day I was all praise about the ACP who visited my college and Bala turned green and muttered with a long face,"I thought you like intelligent men! Let's dig the green monster in your busy CEO!"
And Ishita sat and listened to the second plan concocted by her two crazy sisters!
Affaire a suivre...
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
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