SS; ABHORRENT BETRAYAL CHAP 26-28 Page 37 epilogue pg 38 complete - Page 16

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Raman paced around the room moving up and down as he waited for his sister's call. After a few minutes Simmi called back and said

'She is just outside you gate. She says she is just saying goodbye to her friends and she is fine.'' Said Simmi

'Oh thank God...'' He said sighing with relief

'She also asked me why I am calling her this late...'' Said Simmi

'Oh God did you tell her I asked you to...'' Said Raman

'Of course not, I gave her some bullshit about sister in law bonding and stuff.'' Said Simmi

'Did she buy it...''Said Raman

'Yeah although I don't think she will continue buying it if this goes on...'' Said Simmi

'I know... I will take care of it...'' Said Raman

'What the hell Raman? That is what you said last time. Will you just tell me what is going...'' Said Simmi but Raman interrupted

'Nothing... Everything is fine. Thank you for this I will make it up to you. Go to go Good night...'' Said Raman hanging up such that his sister wouldn't as any more questions

He put the phone back down and decided to walk to the gate and see what was going on. He could hear giggles and small laughs and he began getting anxious as if something was about to go wrong and he was right.

Ishita and Shlok had been sitting outside in that car for close to 2 hours. They were both exhausted from all the work. She spent a lot of time at his place and so did Abhimanyu because they were all working on a business venture that Abhimanyu had.

Abhimanyu knew Ishita was one of the best students at her college and it was hard not to given she was always one of the best students there, unknown to her she had gained a reputation around. Abhimanyu was shocked that they didn't take her for her internship in Goa because her grades were off the chart.

He explained to her what he had in mind and she agreed to help in out as long as they were doing their projects as well. Shlok who was doing his internship as well but at a different company and she knew he was also smart in his field and together they figured they would start up something an thus the time they spent together.

She knew Raman and Shagun were probably going to misunderstand her and think she was being naughty or gallivanting around with Shlok or Abhimanyu but she didn't care. If it helped hurt them in any way she was all for it. So like they did most days, they would all leave work, show up at Abhimanyu's place sometimes at Shlok's and they would work their asses off. Abhi wanted to secure his future and so this meant the world to him and in a way so did Ishita and Shlok.

This particular day everything happened as it should have but Abhi had to leave early to make sure he settled all the things they needed and gather information from all the investors they were intending on presenting their proposals.

Ishita didn't want to go back home early and Shlok in all honesty didn't want to stay in house, so he and her decided to go out for dinner. When they were done he drove her back and they ended up sitting in his car outside the gate at Raman's place

'We are here... Go meet you cheating fianc...'' Said Shlok

'Yeah... Don't tell remind me...'' She said

'I don't get it. Why don't you just stay at the premises the company provided'' asked Shlok

'Because Shagun is there and two my family is very nosy, they could pop by any time...'' she lied and Shlok knew it

'Okay how about you come stay with me. There is no safer place than that...'' he said and she turned to look at him before she smiled saying

'Shlok you and I know that is not a very good idea...''

'I know...'' he said letting out a soft laugh before he added

'But I don't get you. You barely talk to the man and yet you stay in the same house. How the hell, does than even work''

'Well, I show up, go to bed, wake up in the morning, get out. It is really not that hard.'' She said

'It is Ishita I know. And you don't have to do this. If you want...'' he said but she interrupted

'NO...Don't play martyr right now. You hate Raman, why would you even be telling me this...''

'I hate him but it doesn't mean even you have to...'' he said trying to sound convincing but he wasn't lying anyone

'Yeah say that again except this time, try and be as convincing as possible...'' said Ishita letting out a soft laugh before she picked her juice box and looked out

'You know I had this planned out pretty well...'' she added

'What...'' Shlok asked

'I was going to get engaged, come here, break him bit by bit and hurt him in more ways than he ever imagined and then I would walk away with the satisfaction that I made him feel even just a little bit of what I am going through...'' she said

'You still can...'' he said

'Yeah it is very hard for me to hurt him. I wish I could break his heart like he did mine. It is so childish and scenically believe me I know...'' She said

'No... I get it. You feel how you feel there is no shame in that...'' Said Shlok

'It is actually shameful and pathetic in my opinion. I mean how could I have fallen for someone like that? Why did I fall in love with someone like that...'' She said

There was an awkward silence in the car and Shlok sat back and looked at her not saying a word. She in turn looked at him and looked away realising this may have been the first time she may have said that out loud to anyone. She took a deep breath as she was content and relieved that that was actually finally out in the open.

She then realised how insensitive that may have been for Shlok given everything with Raman and she turned and said to him

'I am so...'' but Shlok wouldn't let her say anything

'Hey... No apologies. Besides you do not have to hold back when you're talking to me. I understand believe me.'' He said

'Still I think it is unfair to you that I...'' she said

'Ishu please... You and I are bigger than this and you know that. Besides yes I am angry with him that he did what he did but I also can not entirely blame him. Shagun was the one I was in love with not him so she should have known better.'' Said Shlok looking at Ishita as she slowly calmed down letting her guard down even a little.

He took the empty juice box that was in her hands and placed it in a paper bag before he smilingly turned to her and said

'You know I think that is the first time you said that out loud...'' he said

'What...'' She asked playing dumb

'Oh really! Are you going to deny you didn't just...'' he asked amused

'It doesn't mean I still want to be...'' she answered clearly finding it hard to finish this topic and he knew it so he didn't push it

'I have to go, busy day tomorrow...'' Said Ishita as she got down from the car making her way right in front of the gate and waved goodbye before Shlok said

'No way, walk in and lock it. Then I will know your safe...'' and she smiled and obliged

When she walked to the gate she could see through the half open gate that Raman was making his way to the gate and she walked back to where Shlok's car was parked and this caused him to come out of the car

'What...'' he asked

'It is Raman, he is coming here, I really cannot deal with him right now.'' She said

'Well just walk in and go to bed. Beside I do not think I am in the mood to meet him yet or ever for that matter...'' Said Shlok

'God he makes me mad...'' She said irritated

'I have an idea but you have to trust me. Although this may hurt him ALOT'' Said Shlok

'What...'' She asked

'Make out...'' He answered

'I am not making out with you Shlok forget it. Never going to happen...Am still engaged remember and unlike him, my dignity is everything'' She answered

'Oh God... I am not asking you to actually make out with me. We can pretend like we are, all he has to do is believe. Besides, this could teach him a lesson and maybe he will learn how we feel or better yet treasure what he has...'' Said Shlok knowing this was an idiotic idea but Raman was coming close and Ishita was a bit all over the place with her emotions so she agreed

'Fine... But make this count because it won't happen again...'' She said put her arm around him

'Meaning ...'' He asked

'I know you just want to see him in pain... Just do it...'' she said

'This is weird...'' he said giggling making Ishita giggle too

'Come on be serious...'' she said and when the gate went open as if on cue, Shlok put his arms around her and held her tight.

Shlok could see Raman walk out from the corner of his eye and he could see when Raman finally saw them, he looked like the wind had been sucked from him and Shlok knew they had hit a nerve.

He put hands around Ishita and she had hers around him. He slowly ran his hand on her back before he rested on the nape of her neck as he pulled her in kissing her forehead.

Raman stood there shocked not knowing whether to look away or scream or be mad or better just disappear back in the house. His brain and feet were not communicating and he didn't know what to do or say that he just stood there staring at them.

Shlok pulled away and so did Ishita as they turned to look at Raman but none of them panicked or waivered like they had done something wrong. Ishita turned and looked at Shlok and he could see she was almost giving in tearing up. So he pulled her in for another hug as he whispered in her ear

'Thank you...'' and he got in his car and drove off

Shlok knew in his heart of hearts that there was no way in the world Ishita could have done this for herself or to Raman for that matter. It broke her inside and he could see it but yet she agreed to it. This was her way of telling him she was on his side even if it was at her own expense and he appreciated it. It was selfish, he knew it and yet it was unbelievably satisfying.

He had to let go of some of the rage he was having, he knew that because it was going to end up affecting his friendship, it was just a matter of time but the look on Raman's face was so satisfying that it all become worth it.

Ishita watched Shlok drive away and took a silent deep breath as she didn't want Raman to see her tears so she fought them back. She composed herself before she turned and walked back inside leaving Raman standing there like he was a zombie and she walked inside.

Raman was fuming for so many reasons. She was engaged to him and yet he knew this was no guarantee for a commitment because technically they were just arranged and she had no obligation until they married. He did the same thing to her so this would have been her way of paying him back but something just didn't add up, Ishita was not this kind of woman.

He remembered the words Shlok told him at the hospital and knew he had been giving her too much space which would be the thing that actually drove her away from him. He had to fight, he had to stand up and fight for what he loved.

Raman walked back into the house with tears in his eyes that he couldn't care anymore to hide because this had to stop. He walked inside and caught up with her as she made her way to her room. He grabbed her hand making her turn around and look at him

'Leave my hand...'' she said as she turned around

He pulled her into him causing her to crash on his chest. He run his hands up gently, holding the nape of her neck before leaning in and placing his lips on hers and he kissed her. He then slowly took a step back and looked straight into her eyes before he said

'He can kiss you all he wants Ishita I do not care. I am not letting you go without a fight'' and with that he let go of her and walked to his room banging the door as he closed it

Ishita stood there, shocked and surprised not so certain how these turn of events happened. This was not turning out like she wanted. This was not turning out like she anticipated. He was supposed to be so hurt that they fought and he wanted to break up. It would have been easier but this Raman, this rejuvenated Raman is something she wasn't expecting. She slowly made her way to her room not even knowing what she was to do next or even about how she felt. There was one thing she was certain of, that kiss felt absolutely amazing

*************************************************************

It had been a long night and Ishita had barely had an ounce of sleep. Everything was so all over the place and she wasn't certain of what to do any more. She could hear Raman restless in the kitchen the night before and she knew he was drunk and also hurting because she could hear him cry. It broke her heart and she wanted go out and just hold him but then she would remember him and Shagun in her room and all that rage would come back all at once.

She quickly made her way out of her room to the living room as she waited for Shlok to come pick her up. She could see Raman seated in there with a glass of juice in his hands reading newspapers. When he heard her he turned and looked at her and smiled saying

'Good morning beautiful...'' but she just looked at him and didn't answer

'Okay... Can I get you some juice...'' he said but still she ignored him

'You're going to have to talk to me somehow. I need you to hear my side of this story...'' He added but she just got up and walked to the kitchen

'The only way we get past this is if we talk. I knew Shagun...'' he began but she stopped him

'No... No...No... Unless this story somehow has a different ending where you do not screw my best friend the No I don't want to hear it...'' She answered

'Okay... I won't talk about that. When you're ready we'll talk...'' He answered irritating her

'What do you want from me...'' She asked

'Just give me a minute of your time... That is all I ask...'' He said

'Why...'' She asked

'I just wanted to see you. I hear your voice. Listen to you talk, about anything even about how horrible I am...'' he said

'Why... What's the point?'' She asked

'Then maybe you can stop giving me that silent treatment and maybe we can get past this. I really want us to work...'' He said

'But I don't. I want you to leave me alone. Can you do that? If you want to make me happy leave me alone...'' She said looking straight at him and talking with no hesitation

Raman took a step back and looked at her seeing the determination in her words like she genuinely meant it. She really didn't want him anymore. With what he saw last night it was slowly trying to hit him that maybe it was a reality

'You really want me to leave you alone.'' He said disheartened

'Oh My God yes...Finally that crappy shitty brain of yours has finally began working'' she said

'You don't have to insult me... ' He said

' I want to kill you but I can't so I take what I can get...'' She replied before she grabbed a bottle of water

'I just want to make this better. I really love you Ishita and for what it is worth I am really sorry...'' He said his voice breaking

Whatever Raman, just leave me alone...'' She said carelessly as she walked back into the living room

'Oh God you just don't get it. You don't understand how hard this is. You don't get how much this hurts. Seeing you drifting away from me and there is nothing I can do about it. How much I adore you and how bad I feel given the fact that I put us here.'' He said tearing up

'You say that like it is supposed to make any sense to me but it doesn't...'' She said before she grabbed her phone and dialled

'Hey Shlok where are you? You're taking too damn long...'' She said before hanging up

***********************************************

CHAPTER NINETEEN; SCROLL DOWN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

'Oh God you just don't get it. You don't understand how hard this is. You don't get how much this hurts. Seeing you drifting away from me and there is nothing I can do about it. How much I adore you and how bad I feel given the fact that I put us here.'' He said tearing up

'You say that like it is supposed to make any sense to me but it doesn't...'' She said before she grabbed her phone and dialed

'Hey Shlok where are you? You're taking too damn long...'' She said before hanging up

'So you're not taking any of this into consideration, you're not considering how I feel...'' he said

'Oh you mean like you considered mine...'' She said as she began to tear up because the fact was seeing him broken in a way broke her too

'I did...That is why I stopped'' he said

'When? Was it when you were shoving your tongue down her throat while you were busy making ma fall in love with you? What were you even doing with me? Was it your father who asked you or was it just a fan affair that you hoped to get out of it. Or is it that you wanted to see what it was like to date the college prom queen and the nerd at the same time. Or was I just supposed to be cover while you screwed another man's girl...'' she said

'I know you want me to hurt but this isn't right. You cannot just trivialize what we had. It was much more that all that and you know that...'' He said looking at her his heart breaking

'I am not so sure anymore...'' She said and as if in the nick of time or the worst possible

She looked at Raman one last time before she rubbed the tears that had flowed down her face and she walked out. Raman watched her walk away and he knew if he pushed this conversation any longer it was going to be a problem so he left her alone.

It broke his heart that she thought that little of him but he also understood that he had not given her a reason to think otherwise. He only wished she knew how much he loved her and how much this was breaking him. He did have an affair with Shagun and yes he did continue with it even after knowing that Shagun had a boyfriend but she always told him that it was not that serious and she wasn't happy.

This was not excuse enough in fact even just thinking about it he knew how pathetic it sounded but he did try and do right by her. When he met Ishita and knew how marvellous it was to be with her and how special she was so he broke it off. If only she gave him chance to explain and also be remorseful for what he had done.

He grabbed the glass of juice that was on the table and out of frustration threw it across the room that it broke into tiny pieces all over the living room floor. He turned and grabbed a bottle of beer before he grabbed his car keys only to hear the door bell

'Ding Dong...'' Of it went

He put the bottle down and walked to the door and the people he saw; he was mist definitely not expecting

'Simmi... Romi... What the hell are you doing here...'' he asked

'Hey bro, you look horrible...'' said Romi as he let himself in

'I was worried about you and given how horrible you look, I am glad I came. You look like you haven't slept in days...'' Said Simmi hugging him

'Oh God Simmi I am not a child. I am fine...'' he said

'Raman what happened here...'' Asked Romi pointing at the juice stains on the wall and the broken pieces of glass

'An accident... It is fine...'' Said Raman as he closed the door

'What the hell is going on Raman? I am worried...'' Said Simmi

'I don't... I will handle it...'' He said

'Well clearly you are not handling anything. Why aren't you talking to your fiance and why is Shlok driving her to work...'' Said Simmi

'What...'' Said Raman surprised that they knew

'I just saw her drive off with him. Aren't you going to work as well ...'' Asked Simmi

''Yeah I am... In fact I am late... Can we talk about this when I get back?'' he said before he grabbed his keys again

'Raman I am not leaving until I get at the bottom of this...'' Simmi said right before Raman walked out

Meanwhile Ishita and Shlok had left Raman's place and were heading to the Bhalla offices and Shlok could see she wasn't in her moods this morning. He quietly drove, no questions asked and when he got her to work, he turned and finally asked

'Ishita are you okay...''

'Yeah... I am...'' she said still not looking at him as she got out of the car and he followed suit

Shlok grabbed her hand as she made her way making her turn and look at him.

'You're sure...'' he asked genuinely concerned because she still had tears in her eyes and just before she was about to answer Shagun came up from behind saying

'Shlok...'' she called him

'Oh God... I can't... I can't deal with this...'' Said Ishita walking away from the parking lot

She did not have it in her after the morning she just had to begin to deal with Shagun and the drama that came with her. She just walked away and went inside to just distract herself with all the work that was pending

Shlok heard Shagun's voice and become irritated and just wanted to walk away and leave but Shagun grabbed his hand and wouldn't let him leave

'Fine... What do you want...'' He said

'To talk to you please I miss you...'' She said

'Okay even I am tired of listening to you talk. Like seriously... Shut up and go away. You're like a cancer that just won't quit...'' He said as he took his hand out of her hold and walked to his car

'She doesn't love you, you know. She is just doing this to get back at me...'' Said Shagun her voice breaking

Shlok stood and turned to look at her not believing his ears. When he saw her, she looked broken and shattered and as it turned out, the jealousy was killing her.

'She may have tried to change and try and be me but she is not. A change of clothes and a bunch of contacts won't change the fact that she is a loser...'' Said Shagun

'Wow... You really are something else... Whatever it is that I saw in you baffles me now. How can someone, anyone be so narrow minded like you?'' Said Shlok looking at Shagun with shock and Shagun out of embarrassment looked away realizing that Shlok was probably right

'Okay I am sorry but I am desperate. You won't return my calls...'' She said

'How do I put this... You and I are over... We are done... I am done... Finished... Do you understand what I am saying...'' he said but she just cried saying

'I won't accept that Shlok... I won't loss you...''

'You already did...'' he said before getting into his car and driving away leaving Shagun in the middle of the parking lot tears streaming down her face

She cleaned her tears clearly not thinking straight as she was panicking and walked to the lounge where they all reported to before assignments for the day were given out. She saw Ishita sitting next to Abhimanyu as they talked whilst having their coffee

'Okay... ' she said causing Ishita to turn and look at her

'Okay what...'' Ishita asked not sure what she was talking about

'You win... I loss... You're the better human being and friend than me you win...'' Said Shagun and Ishita again looked at her like she was crazy

'You need to leave me alone...'' Ishita said as she turned away

'Please Ishu... He won't talk to me... He won't listen to me... He only listens to you. You have always made him see reason. Talk to him for me, don't take him away...'' Shagun said crying

'He is not a toy of a pet that you can just play with his emotions and two it is not my job to pick up after you. Clean up your own damn mess...'' Said Ishita as she got up to leave and now most of the attention of most people there had been grabbed

'Ishita please... I have no one else to help me. You are my best friend I am begging you.'' She cried making people there start to feel sorry for her

'Ishita come on, hear her out. Look at her, she looks like she is about to die...'' Said one of the interns

'Please Ishu; we always said no guy would ever come between us... Please do let one tiny mistake...'' Said Shagun which just infuriated Ishita even more

'Oh hell no...You are not playing that card Shagun NO. And please accord me some respect will you and do not patronize me...'' Said Ishita

'I don't know what to do to make this better... What can I do...'' said Shagun

Abhimanyu who knew what was going on knew this conversation was not going to turn out the way Shagun was anticipating, it was going to turn sour sooner than she thought because the Ishita he was seeing now was pissed and hurt

'Shagun hmm...'' He said shaking his head as if to tell her don't do it but Shagun wouldn't shut it

'Tell me...'' said Shagun

'That is easy, turn back and stop screwing him, then we will talk until then get your s**tty self out of my face.'' Said Ishita much to everyone's surprise before she turned to walk away only to see Raman walking in

'Oh the man of the hour people... Raman Kumar Bhalla... my fianc...'' she added casing gasps on the room

'I never meant for any of this Ishita, you know that...' Said Shagun

'That is very disrespectful for to say. See unlike Shlok I know you, may be too well. You did mean for this to happen, you did mean to hurt me; you did mean to hurt Shlok because in your own twisted world you thought it would have been easy. He would walk away while you stayed here with him...'' Said Ishita pointing at Raman as tears filled her eyes

'What is that supposed to mean...'' Asked Shagun

'You wanted my advice isn't it. Fine... You and he had some kind of arrangement and maybe he never really saw you as anything but that, I don't know, I don't care. But with him it felt different wasn't it...'' Said Ishita looking straight at Shagun but she just kept quiet

'See the reason you cannot answer is because it is true. You never act out unless it is about something you really want and Shlok was never it. The only reason you dated him was because I liked him and that somehow threatened you. Then you found Raman but had Shlok then who was like your safe anchor so you couldn't break up with him. You strung him along while you screwed Raman through your f**ked up understanding that somehow this was how it was supposed to be. You never even knew what it meant when someone said they loved you until you feel in love, finally you fell in love...'' Said Ishita as tears began streaming down her face

'That is not true...'' Said Shagun crying but Ishita was way too pissed to care where they were and to hold back

'There was just one problem, you had fallen for the wrong man because it wasn't Shlok was it...'' Said Ishita but Shagun just continued shaking her head and saying

'That is not true...''

Raman who was in kept holding his breath praying, hoping that this was not true because if it was, Ishita and he were done. There was no way she would let him back in because it meant his so called one night stands were going to become more complicated than they should have been

'If it isn't true why are you holding the hem of your dress like a scared cat? That is you're telling when you lie by the way...'' Said Ishita causing gasps in the room

'See your begging to go back to Shlok because he was an anchor that you do not have anymore and that scares you. You can't go back to Raman because well... he won't have you so you're just in limbo and are grabbing for the only thing your sure of... That anchor. You're not even sorry for what you did because you do not regret it, you're only sorry because you got caught. Accord Shlok a little bit of respect and have a little dignity and at least be honest with a man who has loved you selflessly for 3 years and tell him the truth. Spare him the bullshit...'' Said Ishita tears stills streaming down her face

'Ishi...'' Shagun called out and Ishita walked in front of her looked straight in her eyes and said

'Look me in the eye right now Shagun and say I am not in love with Raman but rather I am in love with Shlok. I swear I will forget everything and do what you say''

Shagun opened her mouth and so wanted to say it out loud but she looked up and she could see Raman standing right behind Ishita and she just couldn't.

'Thought so... And that is the reason I am not doing anything for you now or ever...Your still that selfish, manipulative, narcissistic and egocentric person and Shlok deserves so much more than that and quite frankly, SO DO I '' Said Ishita before she turned and added

'Come on Abhi let us go...'' and together they left the room

There were mummers in the room with everyone looking at Shagun in a very judgmental way. People walked out leaving her standing in the middle of the room tears streaming down her face covered with shame and embarrassment. Raman looked at Shagun and she knew he was pissed and disappointed in her

'Raman I am...'' she tried to talk but he wouldn't let

'My God what is the matter with you? You are my greatest regret Shagun I swear I loathe the day we met...'' Said Raman before he walked away as well

Shagun just stayed standing there in the lounge realizing that she may have lost her best friend, her boyfriend and possibly the love of her life. This was not how this all was supposed to pan out. She genuinely wanted and wished Ishita the best but she couldn't help how she felt. It was actually quite impressive how Ishita knew her will and also how she kept this away from Shlok because she knew it would rip him apart.

But for as long as this was out in the open, it was just a matter of time before it got back to him and if he found out, it was it there was no way they would recover from this. This whole so called internship process had been a nightmare from the beginning and she was just exhausted from it all. And it is then that she made up her mind. She had to get her life back together and it was not going to be done their

****************************************************

chapter 20; http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4325499&PID=125638764&#p125638764