CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
It had been a very good day's work and everyone was happy because they had managed to get a lot done and were in fact ahead of schedule so they all decided to leave a bit early than they normally do. Ishita was expecting a call from Shlok about her pending dinner plans and when he didn't call she then decided maybe she would just go home and rest a bit.
Everyone began parking up, making user everything was set for the coming week and as Abhimanyu took the boxes back to the records room he received a call
'Hey Abhi are you guys done yet...'' Asked Shlok
'Yeah actually we are parking up and are on in our way out right now...'' Abhi answered
'Good... Did you give it to her...'' Shlok asked
'Ohhh right... I am going to give it to her just now, relax...'' He said given he had completely forgotten
'I just want this to be perfect... I am a bit nervous if I am being honest...'' he said
'Can I ask you something Shlok...'' Said Abhimanyu
'Sure...'' Shlok answered
'You do realize that she is actually still engaged to be married... Right'' Abhimanyu said
'Yeah so... She is engaged not married yet... Besides I have waited long enough. This is a window I do not want to get rid of...'' he said
'This is ridiculous. Even I am finding it difficult to do this. ' Said Abhimanyu
'Come on Abhi do not back out right now...'' Said Shlok
'This is so wrong...'' Abhimanyu said as he hang up
Abhimanyu who was leaving the records room with what he was supposed to give to Ishita and felt so bad and so guilty because whatever Shlok was doing was unfair and wasn't right. Ishita had been through a lot and all these games they played with her were unfair.
They both wanted what they wanted but none of them sat back to think what she wanted and to them it didn't matter. He wanted to tell her but he also knew it wasn't in his place to say a thing and Ishita had to figure out a way to fight this on her own. But that couldn't stop him from pushing her a little in the right direction.
Ishita and Raman had made it outside and were heading to the parking lot when Abhimanyu came running after them
'Ishita... Wait...'' he said causing her to turn
'I have something for you...'' He said as he handed her the wrapped gift
'Oh thank you Abhi...'' she said
'Not so quick to thank me, I am just messenger.'' He said smiling
'Oh really... Who is it from...'' she asked her face lighting up like a candle
'Shlok... He says he hopes you like it and be sure to meet him later as planned...'' Said Abhimanyu as he stole glances at Raman who was understandably not liking this
'When did you plan this...'' she asked
'Well he called me when you left to go to the cafeteria.'' Said Abhimanyu looking at Ishita as she smiled
'Shlok is silly... I told him not to fuss like seriously. Although this is unbelievably sweet'' She said
'He says meet him at...'' Said Abhimanyu as he came close and whispered in Ishita's ear before he added
'At 8; 00 O' Clock...''
'Why did you whisper? It is not like am going to crash a party...'' Said Raman
'I am just following orders bro...'' Said Abhimanyu
'It is not a party. It is just... Wow I can't believe he remembered...'' Said Ishita as she smiled some more genuinely happy about the whole thing
Raman who watched her smile with a sparkle that was all so rare and as jealous as he felt that it was not because of him, he was happy never the less that at least she was smiling again. He smiled a little before he turned to Abhimanyu and said
'Anything else...''
Abhimanyu looked at Raman and smiled because as he was being unbelievably calm about this whole thing. If the tables had turned Shlok would be flipping out and nothing would matter. That is what made Raman the better man or maybe it could be the fact the Abhimanyu liked Raman more, you never know
'Abhi...'' Raman called him again
'Oh right... No that is all...'' he said before he said his goodbyes and left
Ishita with the gift in her hand and a couple of files was finding it hard to hold everything and Raman turned and took all the files and her gift carrying it to the car.
As he opened the door, he heard Abhimanyu call him as he said
'Dude... Your phone ...''
'Oh right...'' he said as he left the car meeting Abhimanyu half way
'Thank you...'' Raman said
'Hey... Hang in there...'' Said Abhimanyu
'What do you mean?'' Raman asked
'You have something Shlok doesn't... You have her...'' Said Abhimanyu as they both turned and looked at Ishita who was reading something from the files
'I am not so sure...'' said Raman
'I am in your corner man... Just up your game a little...'' Said Abhimanyu
'Yeah... I am working on it trust me...'' Said Raman
'Alright... See you around...'' Said Abhimanyu
'Yeah see you...'' Said Raman
'Oh and by the way... Shlok is in the lead by a mile... The ball is in your court. Give it your best shot...'' Said Abhimanyu leaving Raman walking back to his car
Ishita knew there was a big cloud loaming and she also understood that any sane person in their current situation would be curious as to know what she and Shlok were up to. As Raman made his way to the car, he just sat back and drove no questions asked. It was like a 30-40 minute ride away but it felt like a life time.
'Are you seriously not going to ask...'' she said
'Nope...'' He answered
'Why not...'' She asked curiously
'Because I trust you...'' he said
'Well don't...'' she said
'Why not...'' he asked
'Because... I might do something even you won't see coming...'' She said
'It is okay. I can take it. As long as you get back to me I can take it...'' He replied and she could hear the honesty in his voice
'What makes you think that I will come back to you...'' she said as she looked out the window
'Because I cannot afford to think otherwise...'' He said as he glanced at her before he turned his eyes fixed on the road an answer that surprised her
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They finally made it home and Ishita didn't waste time in getting ready for whatever it is Shlok had planned. She went to her room and opened her gift and couldn't believe the lengths he had gone through to make this happen. It was so sweet of him and she figured the least she could do is at least try and have a little fun with the whole experience. There were these delicious Chao chocolates that she loved and a note that said
'TODAY IS A DAY OF NEW BEGINNINGS AND NEW JOURNEYS... CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU''
She smiled and picked out one of the chocolates and put it in her mouth. She walked to the bathroom took shower and went to the closet to pick out an outfit she was to where to this event Shlok was planning.
She could see this beautifully wrapped gift and a note that had been placed on top. She knew for a fact Raman didn't know it was her birthday because she intentionally didn't tell him so this couldn't have been from him. Curiosity was eating her up and she put the gift down as she hurriedly opened the note
'I hope you are smiling, I hope you are glowing because you deserve only the best. I hope we forget our bitter past and begin a new friendship that can last. We may not be the best of friends today but we do not have to be the worst of friends either, at least for today. I hope you enjoy this because I thought its simplicity reminded me of you and I thought you would look gorgeous in it... HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Love Raman
Ishita didn't know how to take all this. He didn't seem like he had even the slightest idea that it was her birthday. This was a surprise she surely was not expecting and when she opened the gift, the dress was actually really beautiful and simple. It was something she could actually wear.
She a bit teary cursed under her breath at how things got this bad between him and her. They could have been good together and she could have loved him so much if only...
She put those thoughts in the back of her minds saying
'He is right... Today should be different. It is my birthday after all...'' She said and without over thinking it, she grabbed the dress and got ready.
Raman was down stairs and only God knew how he was keeping himself composed in this situation. It was eating him a live that she was going out with Shlok; it was killing him that she was celebrating her birthday and he wasn't there to do it with her.
He knew there was a possibility that Shlok would try and poison her again against him then all the work he had done to get her to at least talk to him would be for nothing. Their relationship was still hanging on by a thread and grand gestures like these from Shlok didn't do them any favors especially when they came from third parties.
He kept on calling Simmi's number but she wasn't picking and he just kept on going to voicemail. He poured himself a glass of scotch and sat back down in the living room. Simmi and Romi came walking in, Romi as usual heading for the fridge while Simmi sat with Raman
'Why the hell aren't you picking my calls...'' Said Raman
'I am so sorry for not picking. I was on Romi's bike so I couldn't quite hear my phone ring. He rides too fast I don't think I will ask him for a lift every again. I need to get my car fixed...'' She said
'Oh please you're such a baby...'' Said Romi as he walked in with a plate of snacks
'Whatever... Where is Ishita anyway...'' Asked Simmi
'She is in her room getting ready for some date with Shlok...'' Said Raman angrily
'What... Why...'' Said Romi
'Have I missed something? I thought he was out of Mumbai...'' Said Simmi playing dumb
'He was but he came back ...'' Said Raman
'Why is she going on a date with him...'' Asked Romi
'It is her birthday...'' Said Raman
'What...'' Said Romi putting the plate down before he added
'How come we didn't know this...''
Simmi who was rather aware of what was going on moved up and smacked Raman at the corner of his head
'Ouch... What the...'' he said
'Why the hell didn't you know this?'' she asked
'She never told me. And keep your voice down, she will hear you...'' He answered
'What the hell do you mean she never told you. It was your job to know idiot. ' She said causing Romi to laugh
'Sorry...'' Said Raman
'Your just lucky that it is the little things that impress a girls like Ishita not grand gestures so pray that Shlok isn't as romantic as he is turning out to be and also pray that Ishita still keeps in the friend zone because given what I have found out, if that changed, he wins...'' Said Simmi
'Meaning what...'' Said Raman worried as he chugged down the remaining scotch in his glass
'Uhhh guys...'' Said Romi who was staring at something that all of them ended up turning and looking
'Oh My God...'' Said Simmi as Ishita made her way to the living room where they were
She was dressed in this beautiful purple gown that hugged her in all the right places and fit just right. She looked mesmerizing, she was as close to perfect as you could imagine.
Raman stood up from his seat and just stared at her like he was seeing her for the first time. She had very little make-up and her hair was pulled back in a ponytail but yet looked simply beautiful. She had the glasses on he had given her and for a minute there it reminded him of the old Ishita she met that day at college. And when he saw her fidget a little because of all the attention, he smiled because it was like he was relieving the first day they met.
Ishita who could see they were all just standing there and staring at her not saying a thing and she began feeling uncomfortable. She fidgeted as she looked down thinking maybe that dress was a little too much and she needed to change. She looked up again pulling her glasses in as she began looking away.
'Wow...'' Raman finally said and she as much as she wanted to hide her delight she couldn't because the glow on her face was giving it away so she looked away
She could see she had taken his breath away and it delighted her because she took power in knowing if all he did was look at her and be at a loss of words, what would be the feeling if she let him actually love her like he claims to? She pulled her glasses in with her index finger as she tried to hide her blush and Raman saw right through it.
He smirked letting out a soft laugh before he said
'You don't have to feel uncomfortable; you look absolutely breath taking... That is why I am staring...'' Causing her to smile as she answered
'Thank you...''
'Ishu... Wow... Who knew you had that kind of body under those curtains you usually wear...'' Said Romi causing Ishita to softly laugh and Simmi to slap him a little as she said
'Forget him... You look beautiful dear...''
'Thank you...'' Answered Ishita
'Mind me asking, what is the occasion...'' Said Simmi who was clearly pretending that she had no clue what was going on
'Uhhh it is this small thing that Shlok did. It is no big deal. We do something for each other each year on our birthdays so... I am not sure what he plans to do on this one though. He says it is a surprise...'' She said
'Oh... So is Raman invited too...'' Simmi asked causing Ishita to look at Simmi then at Raman as her face went dull again and that is something even Raman couldn't take, not today
'It is fine... It is a friend thing they do. I am totally fine...'' He said as he smiled at her and she reciprocated surprised as to how mature he was being
'Okay... Never the less you look adorably sexily gorgeous right now. If I was Raman I would worry...'' Said Simmi and as if our of instinct, as if out of cue or habit Ishita answers
'He has no reason to be...''
There was a silence in the room as those words sunk in. Even Ishita herself couldn't believe what she had said and yet she had no regret saying it. This wasn't right... I mean she was supposed to be revenging not falling more and more in love, she thought to herself
Raman knew that if she could take back what she said then she could but he also knew that it was an answer as honest as he would ever get especially where he and she were concerned. This was a beginning; it was a start in their journey for forgiveness. Or so he thought
'There is something missing... Wait... Just don't move...'' He said as he hurriedly walked to his room coming back with a small jewelry box that had a simple elegant pendant that had a marble resin stone.
Ishita looked at him curious at what he was doing as he walked forward untangling the necklace before he said
'May I...'' and she looked at him and just reluctantly nodded allowing him put it on her
He then took a step back and said
'Now... That is perfect...''
Simmi couldn't believe he had actually given Ishita the last thing he had in remembrance of their grandmother. He protected that pendant and took it everywhere with him. Even though Ishita didn't know it yet, this was a big deal. She watched her brother beam with pride and Simmi understood that maybe she didn't need to do so much to try and fix these people. All she had to do was to make sure they spend as much time together as they could...
He walked to where she was standing and put his arms around her as he rested his head on her shoulder and pulled her in. Simmi and Romi almost had their eyes pop out. None of them saw how events were going to take this turn. None of them knew how Ishita was going to react or what she was going to do or if she was going to push him away and what followed next, no one saw it coming when Raman with his voice breaking said
'Happy Birthday Ishita...''
Ishita clenched her hand in a fist fighting the urge to hold him back, fighting the urge to take in the his musky scent, fighting the urge to enjoy his embrace, fighting the urge to ignore her racing beating heart that just couldn't stop, but it was too late, it felt unbelievably amazing.
She began justifying her actions to herself as she said to herself this is my birthday and even I deserve a day off... Right... And with that, she put her arms around him and hugged him back as she pulled him in saying
'Thank you...''
Romi's jaw dropped as he turned to Simmi and whispered
'What is happening right now...'' to which a teary eyes Simmi said
' I don't know but it is a good thing its happening...It is a very good thing...''
Raman felt her put her arms around him and he couldn't believe it. He began thinking maybe his emotion where playing on his mind and that couldn't have been possible. But then he heard her say thank you as she pulled him in and he felt his heart sink to his knees with excitement, nervousness, disbelief and pure honest joy.
Everyone in that living room was so taken up with what was going on that none of them heard Abhimanyu walk in. He smiled when he saw them hug impressed with Raman because that rage was slowly turning into friendship.
'Hey everyone...'' He said causing everyone to look at him and Ishita and Raman to let go
'Hey...'' Said an embarrassed Ishita
'You ready...? We are late...'' Said Abhimanyu
'Uhhh Yeah... Let me grab my phone...'' She said as she headed back into her room
'Raman... Raman... Raman...Wow ...You may friend have the best comebacks ever... Two all... It is so on...'' Said Abhimanyu
'Yeah... Even I can't believe that just happened...'' He said letting out a deep sigh before he scoffed
He walked over to the table where he was seated and poured himself another glass of scotch almost as if he needed a drink to keep his nerves in check. Ishita walked out again making her way to the door and Abhimanyu following suit right behind her.
She got to the door and stopped turning around and walking over to where Raman was. She picked up the bottle of scotch that was on the table and also the glass in his hand and took it back to the bar area before she turned to him and said
'You need to have something to eat and stop drinking. Your hands are shaking and it is not because you're nervous...'' And she smiled before he walked out
Raman watched her as she left the room closing the door behind as and he couldn't believe what caused the sudden u-turn.
'What the hell is happening...'' Said Romi who was still in utter shock
'What did you do Raman...'' Romi added
'Well... You can thank me later... Come on we have more important things to talk about.'' She said
'Meaning...'' Said Raman
'Well... You just bought Ishita a very pretty purple simple dress with a pendant for her birthday. You're welcome... I expect reimbursements for the dress... My boutique doesn't run on credit...'' Said Simmi with pride
'Wait... You did this...'' Said Raman as he came forward and hugged Simmi
'Thank you... Thank you... Thank you...'' He said
'Yeah you're welcome... Now get off...'' Said Simmi as she playfully pushed Raman back
'How did you know...'' Asked Romi
'Abhimanyu and Ankit...'' She said
'What...'' Said Raman
'Use your resources idiot... Now come on... We have to go meet someone...'' She said leaving her brothers in the living room shocked to their wits at how cunning she could be
Meanwhile back in the car, Abhimanyu couldn't stop smiling and curiosity was eating him up. They had been driving for a while and Ishita was lost in thoughts as she sat there silently not saying a thing. Abhimanyu on the other hand was dying with anticipation and he just had to know...
'So Ishita... What the hell was that? I thought you were so mad at him to even hear him breathe...'' Said Abhimanyu
'Yeah me too...'' Said Ishita as if she was surprised as well
'So what changed...'' He asked
'I don't know...'' Said Ishita lost in thoughts
'Well I do... You love him... You really didn't expect to be mad at him forever...'' He said smiling as he drove into the parking area of the place she was to meet Shlok
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TEASER
He stood up and took her hand in his as he said
'You and I have been friends for the longest time Ishita. I know you better than anyone, better than myself. You made me a better version of myself in a way that even you couldn't have guessed. ' He said
'Shlok... What is this...'' Said Ishita as she smiled
'My God that smile... You know I could watch you smile all day because it is the most peaceful thing. I just... Don't know how to say this without sounding weird or unserious... I am in...''
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CHAPTER 25; Chapter 24-25
Udne Ki Aasha
Kumkum Bhagya
