CHAPTER FOUR
'Get out... Right now ... Stand up and get out...'' He said and Ishita stood up grabbed her bag and began to make her way out
'Ishita wait...'' Called Santosh
'Listen I do not have time for this. I am a very busy woman...'' Said Ishita
'Just wait...'' Said Santosh before she turned to her husband and said
'Look I do not know what you did and I do not care. I also d not care that your ego is being bruised right now but that is my son's life we are talking about. If anything happens to him Vandu I swear forget what you know about me the wrath I will bring down on you, you will not be able to comprehend...''
'Just give me time for my lawyer to go through. We will meet here again...'' Said Mr. Bhalla to which Mihir smiled looking at Ishita and mouthed
'Thank you...'' He was the only person in that room who understood that Ishita's being here, as much as it was about getting what she deserved, she also wanted to help Raman because given everything else she still loved him.
Ishita looked at them before she got up and began walking away only for Mihir to call her back causing her to turn.
'Wait...'' He said
'What is it...'' She asked
'I just wanted to properly say, thank you for everything.'' He added
'Mihir you really need to stop feeling guilty for anything. It has been seven years plus whatever happened between me and Raman was my fault. No one else's my fault...'' She said
'Well if I didn't interfere then maybe you two might have found a way to work it out.'' He said
'May be... Or maybe not... Still you paid your dues and owe me nothing. Plus I am not doing this for you, I am doing this for me.'' She said smiling at him before she walked away
'What was that all about?'' Mihika asked
'Nothing...'' She replied walking past Mihika as she sat in the car
Shlok who had lived with her for the better part of those years knew when she was holding back and also he and Romi were probably the only two people who knew exactly what was going on. Her being here had nothing to do with money or revenge or even wanting anything to do with Shagun, she in her own way wanted to do this for her kids.
Shlok walked to the car and sat next to Ishita and he could see her hands were trembling out of nervousness. He slowly held her hand and didn't say a word knowing she just needed a little strength.
Romi felt bad for her. She had been dealt a hard hand and it was unfair the way things had turned out. She was no saint but she also didn't deserve the way the Bhallas treated her and also Raman.
Back in the hospital, Santosh was seated outside Raman's room worried out of her mind. Mr. Bhalla saw his wife worried and felt bad. He wanted so badly to agree to Ishita's terms because regardless of everything, he worried for his son, but he knew the kind of woman Ishita was and just agreeing was something he was never going to do. He sat with his wife holding her hand as he said
'Santosh I promise I will find a way...''
'Vishu you need to sign those papers... I do not care what you think your lawyers will find you will need to sign them.'' Said Santosh
'I need to make sure she doesn't do what she did the first time... But I will fix this I promise...'' Said Mr. Bhalla
Santosh turned and looked at him with tears in her eyes as she said
'I know I am being difficult and I am so sorry but I am just worried for Raman...''
'I understand and it is okay... No need to apologize...'' Said Mr. Bhalla as he held her hand
'I saw them, the day I went to meet her I saw them...'' She said looking at Mr. Bhalla
'Saw who...'' He asked
'The kids... These two beautiful amazing twins... I saw them...'' She said and Mr. Bhalla just kept quiet letting go of her hand before he finally managed to say
'Those children are not his Santosh. I saw the reports myself...''
'I do not know about any report but I know those two are Raman's children. Oh my God the boy, he is a spitting image of Raman. You should have seen them...'' She added and Mr. Bhalla just kept quiet
'I know you do not like Ishita, you never have and I also know you would never allow her back into our lives and I will respect that. But I am telling you now, I am going to do everything in my power to make sure I mend their relationship. They do not have to be together, they just need to at least be friends. I want to get to know my grandbabies. I can't just imagine they do not exist...'' she added before she got up and walked away leaving Mr. Bhalla to realize that maybe this was not a very good idea in the first place.
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'I need to adjust my schedule since I am going to do most of my work at home...'' She said
'Yes mam...'' Answered the PA
'Oh and make sure those files get to where they should be. If you can't get them there in time, talk to my driver he will drive you to Romi's place. He will take care if the rest...'' She said
'Yes mam...'' Answered the PA
'Good that is all you can leave...'' She said causing the lady to leave her house
'Ishu... You are already changing everything... What if, he doesn't call you ...?'' Said Mihika
'He will... He has to. He has no other option...'' She said looking worried
'Okay I am beginning to wonder whether this is really about some revenge story or you just really want to go back there...'' Said Mrs. Iyer and Ishita turned to look at her mother and said
'You do not want me to get back with him, I won't. Do not worry...''
'Ishita... It is not just that... But that man ...'' Said Mrs. Iyer but Ishita interrupted
'That man Mama whether we admit or not is the father to my children. And yes I do not want him to take them away from me, that is why I am doing this but I also do not want the growing up not knowing him. Look you need to start trusting me. I haven't gone to see him nor have I ever thought about going back to him in the last 7 years. I am not going to start now...'' She said looking at them before she walked to the next room to receive a call
'What is up with her...'' Said Mrs. Iyer
'It is the Bhalla effect. Makes everyone cranky talking about them...'' Said Mihika jokingly
'No I am serious...'' Said Mrs. Iyer
'Mom... I know but you need to trust her, she will be okay...'' Said Mihika as Ishita walked back into the room with her phone in her hand as she said
'That was Mihir, he just called me. Asked me to get to the hospital right away...''
'Why the sudden hurry...'' Said Mrs. Iyer
'I do not know but I could hear Mrs. Bhalla crying in the background and yelling Raman's name...'' Said Ishita
'Alright then... I guess this is it...'' Said Mrs. Iyer
'Mom... You're sure you will be able to handle this. I mean with everything, maybe I should hire another nanny just to be safe...'' Said Ishita
'Oh God... Will you relax? I took care of you and your sister, I think I can handle two children for a couple of hours a day...'' She said trying to ease Ishita's tension
'Okay... Thank you mom, I really appreciate this...'' Said Ishita
'Oyi... Stop thanking me. They are my grand babies and I would love nothing more. Just make sure you do not lose yourself again. That is all I am worried about.'' Said Mrs. Iyer
'I won't I promise...'' Said Ishita
'You better remember that promise Ishita. If not for you do it for the people who stayed when he was not here to be the husband you needed...'' Said Mrs. Iyer and Ishita knew exactly who she was talking about
'Mom... I know and I would never do anything to hurt Shlok you know that...'' She answered before she leaned in and hugged her mom before she and Mihika walked out
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At the hospital, Raman was at it again and he had refused to take any drugs or allow any more nurses near him. He knew they would try and sedate him so he locked himself in the bathroom and told his parents that until they got his wife there, he was not taking any more medication.
'Raman stop being childish, come on open the door...'' Said Mr. Bhalla
'Childish or not, I want to talk to Ishita. Until that happens. I am not leaving this place...'' Said Raman
'This is not helping... Someone needs to get Ishita here. This has gone one for over 4 hours now.'' Said Santosh
'She is on her way, I already called here. She will be here in a few minutes...'' Said Mihir as he tried to console his wife
'Raman please, we just want to make sure your healthy and recovering. Just please come out and take your medication...'' Said Shagun who was in tears
'Get Ishita here or on the phone and I will come out...'' He said adamantly
It was beginning to get out of hand and the doctors were beginning to worry for him and his state of mind. Mihir received a call a few minutes later and it was from Romi
'You're outside... Great let us come...'' Said Mihir before he turned and told his parents
'She is here...'' causing all of them to walk out and go met Ishita
'Thank God you're here, please help us. He has locked himself in that bathroom and has been there for the last 4 hours...'' Said Santosh but Ishita stayed standing still
'Before my clients sets foot in that room I need to see the papers please...'' Said Romi
'Ishita please this can wait...'' Said Santosh
'No Ammi it can't...'' She answered
'Here you go... Now can we get this over with...'' Said Mr. Bhalla handing Romi the file
Romi read through checking all the signatures before he signaled Ishita that all was well. She then looked at Mihika who handed her a new mangla sutra and her engagement ring before she said
'Okay then, show me the way...'' and with that Santosh grabbed her hand and walked her into Raman's room
Flash Back
'You did this... You did this to us...'' Said Raman his voice breaking
'I am sorry... And it is not what you thing I swear...'' Said Ishita as tears filled her eyes
'Then explain to me how this happened? How could you be so...'' He said folding his hand in a fist as he looked at her
'Raman we will sort this out. Raman please we will figure it out...'' Said Ishita because she could realize that the mistake was going cost her a lot
'No...No... I do not need to figure anything out. You need to decide whether or not you want this marriage...'' Said Raman before he grabbed his keys and walked out
End of Flash Back
'Raman please, open the door...'' Cried Shagun
'You do realize you have been going at this for the last couple of hours and he will not come out...'' Said Mihir who was irritated
'Mihir...'' Called Ishita causing him and Shagun to turn around
'Oh Thank God finally...'' Said Mihir as he grabbed her hand and led her to the door where Raman was.
She stood there for a minute or two without saying anything almost as if she was trying to gain courage to be strong because she knew once that door went open it was going to take everything in her not to fall apart.
She took a deep breath before she finally said
'Raman...''
There was silence in the room as everyone waited what was going to happen. Even Mihika was holding her breath because there are so many ways this would have gone wrong.
There was a clink; the sound of an opening door lock and out Raman came, tears in his eyes and he just stood there staring at her.
'Hey...'' She said as tears filled hers
Ishita had taken seven whole years without lying eyes on him and no matter their differences he was the love of her life. He looked tired and genuinely sick. He eyes were sunken with a bandage around his head and a cannula on his left hand. She wanted to hold it together but she just couldn't control her tears that just came streaming down
'Oh God you are okay...'' He said signing in relief before pulling her in and wrapping his arms around her in one motion
'These people wouldn't tell me anything. I thought something horrible had happened. Oh thank God you are okay... He said as he pulled her in some more
Ishita stood there not being able to move, not knowing what to do or say or even hold him back. This was getting too real for her and if he was holding her like this, it meant he really did not remember a thing.
'Ishu... Are you alright...'' He said pulling back when he noticed she wasn't hugging him back
'Is this about that stupid fight. It was not even worth it. Listen I will make time I promise and I will be there for you like a good husband should. I do not blame you for any of it, you know that. We will try again if you want just please do not disappear like that. I swear my heart cannot take that...'' He said as he lifted his hand and touched her face, wiping the tears that were streaming her face and it is only then that she noticed she had been crying
'No tears ... Only smiles...'' He said smilingly causing her to chuckle softly before she moved forward and put her hands around him before she began to cry again
'I am so happy that you are okay...'' She finally managed to say
'You can talk... Halleluiah ...'' He said trying to make light of the matter. She playfully slapped him causing him to say
'Ouch...That actually hurts''
'Raman...'' Shagun called out causing them to leave their world and turn to look at her
'Ishita you know he is hurt why you did slap him...'' Said Shagun causing Mihir to hit his palm on his forehead as he said
'Seriously yaar... Just keep quiet...''
'It is fine... She has the right to do so...'' Said Raman before he turned to Ishita and said
'I really missed you...'' and she out of instinct or subconscious truth she replied
'I missed you too...'' And they hugged again
Santosh who was seeing her son smile for the first since he woke up couldn't find anything more gratifying than this. It was like Ishita had breathed a new life in him and he was alive again. She smiled tears in her eyes as she held her husband's hand saying
'See... That is why she needed to come back...'' to which Mr. Bhalla hard as it was to admit replied
'I know...'' His son actually looked ten times better than he did that morning and he knew he had to be extra careful know to make sure his son doesn't get hurt again.
'Where were you?'' he suddenly asked causing everyone in the room to keep quiet and Ishita looked at him tears in her eyes figuring out something to say to him that would in that moment be as realistic as it could be and she couldn't. But then he suddenly added
'You know what... It doesn't even matter. At least you are here now and I couldn't be happier... I love you...'' He said as he held the nape of her neck and placed a warm wet soft kiss on her cheek before he hugged her
Shagun who knew he was sick couldn't help but feel jealous. Ishita had no right to be there, she had no right to be the one that brought him back, she had lost that right the day she left and failed to fight for him. It was unfair that she got to be thrown away again like she was garbage.
Mr. Bhalla watched her leave and decided to walk out and try and console her but Santosh grabbed his hand and said
'Let her be... she needs the space...'' and he stayed back
'Arre what is this I hear about you refusing to take your medicine. Not good Raman... I am not happy...'' Said Ishita as she turned away from him as if she was upset
'Oh my sweet angel okay I am sorry.. Look I am sitting on the bed and mama...'' he said as he walked to the bed and sad to his mother
'Get the nurse already...'' And Santosh obliged
'See they nurse was not around but I will get treated today... I swear...'' He said looking at her as he held his ears saying
'I am sorry, it won't happen again. As long as, you do not disappear on me like that''
'Deal...'' Said Ishita smiling
The nurse walked in with medicines on the tray as she said
'Have you calmed down now Mr. Bhalla?''
'Please... Call me Raman... And yes everything is fine now...'' He said looking at Ishita
Ishita received a call and she excused herself saying
'Sorry I need to take this...''
'can't it wait...'' Raman asked
'Am afraid not...'' she replied
'Well okay... But you will not go away again right...'' He asked worried
'Are you kidding? I am not leaving you ever again...'' She said smilingly before she walked out
Shagun was seated outside crying her eyes out when she saw Ishita walk out of the room. She should have kept her composure but jealous got the better of her and she ended up attacking her
'You have some nerve showing up here and behaving like you own the place...'' Shagun said causing Ishita who was on the phone to turn and look at her
'Wait a minute, let me call you back...'' Said Ishita as she switched off her phone and said
'What is it now...''
'He is not yours Ishita... He stopped being yours 7 years ago. You left him shattered and broke and alone and I picked up those pieces, me. Now you just want to swoop in and be his nightingale.'' Said Shagun
Mrs. Bhalla had also walked out and so had Mihika and so when they heard Shagun talk, they had the same reaction, shock.
'Okay I am not sure what your problem is but I was called here to play a role and that is what I was doing. Make up your minds you either want me here or you don't either way, my contract was signed and I get what I am due at the end...'' Said Ishita
'Please you are just over acting that is all...'' Said Shagun as tears streamed down her face
'Okay that is ridiculous... When you came looking for me you should have prepared yourself for this. He doesn't remember the past 7 years meaning the part he remembers was the time he was so madly in love with me and me with him. If this is going to work, I need to pretend to be feeling half of what he feels otherwise this is not going to work...'' Said Ishita
'I want you to go. I will bring him back to full health. He will be okay...'' Said Shagun and Ishita could see she was just scared of losing Raman. She just shook her head and turned to Santosh and said
'So... Okay Mrs. Bhalla should I leave ...?''
'No... Just ... Go back in I will take care of Shagun.'' He answered causing Ishita to go back inside
'Amma it is not fair... This is not...'' Shagun tried to say but Santosh interrupted
'I do not care about what you are feeling right now because if you ask me this is poetic justice...''
'What...'' Said a shocked Shagun
'Ishita had her flaws, no doubting that but my God she honestly loved my son. You leaved with him for 4 years lying to him every day and you watched him wallow in pain knowing what the truth was...'' Said Santosh
'What is the meaning of this...'' Said Shagun who was still very much shocked
'My husband is so blinded with his dislike for Ishita that he failed to see what you were but I do.. They may have had issues but my God you drove them apart and my son was miserable. You are the devil because you just kept fueling the fire between them. I know why he was upset that night, the night of the accident. I heard him talk to you that night so unlike Vishu I know. And now with all this melodrama you're throwing up right now, I say to you... As you spend the best part of these 12 months trying to rip them apart again, I am going to do everything in my power to make sure they not only get back together but they also never separate. I am going to do everything in my power you make sure that she stays Mrs. Raman Kumar Bhalla...'' Said Santosh walking away and leaving a very shocked and a very worried Shagun because she knew, that very well kept secret she had was about to fall apart.
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Chap 5-8
Itti Si Khushi Sab TV
Udne Ki Aasha
