||TS: Ek thi kahani|| pt3B pg15 |HBD Divz|| 30/12 - Page 11

When I came back from a 4-day weekend holidays, Raman had completely stooped talking to me. It was hurting. I dint know the reason. It was his birthday the next week. I had told amma and appa about Raman and they were happy for me. However, they dint know about his liking for Shagun. Shagun started disliking him for hurting me so much. She was not his friend or something hence it was easier for her to distance herself from him. I dint do something colourful or flowery for his birthday. I just had made card and wrapped up a gift for him. I was hesitant to give it directly to him. So I placed it in his bag without writing down my name. but looks like I was suppose to get embarrassed. He opened the gift in the class and asked loudly who had given it to him. All the girls knew it was me but chose to remain quite. Me being a bummer whispered back telling its my gift. I was way too embarrassed but then it eased out the awkwardness between us for the time being.

Soon it was Valentines Day. Raman took my help for making it a special day for Shagun. But I stayed with him to make our day special. He sent a cake to shagun and I refused to eat the cake when Shagun cut it out of helplessness. The same thing continued for her birthday and soon it was time for our exam. Raman and I studied together. Shagun joined us whenever she found things getting awkward between us.

One day Mihir came to me and told me that Raman is leaving the school after the exams. I was shocked. I know this was supposed to happen but when the time came it was hard to digest. I ran back to dorm to meet Mihika, Vandita and Shagun. When I reached there Shagun and Vandita were missing so I chose to open up to Mihika.

"Mihika, Raman is leaving the school" I sobbed.

"Ishu I know that infact the whole school knows that" Mihika answered.

"Hmm.. Miku ill miss him so much. Is he going because of Shagun?" "You know don't answer. I don't know why he is doing this to himself. When he knows that Shagun doesn't love him why is he busy in upsetting himself." I cried not being able to take the fact that Raman was leaving and that he was depressed because of Shagun not liking him back.

"Ishu, please don't feel bad that I am telling you this. Shagun would have liked Raman if you wouldn't have liked him. She would have accepted him. That is what even Raman feels and that's why he stopped talking to you in between." She hesitantly opened up.

"What do you mean?" I looked up baffled.

"Yes Ishu, Shagun had liked Raman." She answered.

I felt super bad. I felt betrayed. I was numb. I knew at that moment that there was no use complicating stuff. It was way too complicated already.

I immediately went in search of Shagun. I saw her sitting in the amphitheatre. I went and sat next to her.

"Shagun"

"Ishu, what are you doing here?"

"Why Shagun were you waiting for someone else?"

"Ishu what's wrong with you? Why are talking like this?" she turned towards me completely.

"Shagun. Do you like Raman? Please be honest I swear I wont mind the answer. Please tell me the truth" I begged her

"Ishu, listen yes I did like him at one point of time. I mean when someone likes you so much you are bound to get a soft corner for that person and that's the same thing that happened with me. But that was just normal liking Ishita I don't love him, I just like him. I am really sorry if you felt bad" she hugged me while trying to clear my thoughts.

"So Shagun you are not leaving him just for me right. I mean that's what Raman thinks anyway. "

"No ishu, I am not becoming those daily soap idiots you watch. Don't worry"

I was happy. I was cared that I would lose the friendship I had with Shagun because she means the most to me.

After that the days went so did the days for Raman to leave. He one day randomly informed me about him leaving and I wished him luck for his future. Yes I was affected but then I knew there is no use of crying over the spilled milk. I had to pick myself up and move ahead. At last the day came when our exams finished and I so badly wanted to hug him and bid him good-bye but then we only ended up shaking hands. I cried my heart out that day.

Slowly our conversations reduced though it dint stop completely.

After four years

"Hey, where are you im waiting in the food court"

"Im coming. Ishu btw I hope you look the same and havnt become fatter or taller" he teased.

"Shut up and get your ass here fast you moron"

"Coming coming tigress take a chill pill"

"What ever" I cut the call as I saw him approach me. He looked the same, those eyes which had mesmerized him the start, those locks which I always wished to run my fingers across and of course his smile which makes me melt.

"You look the same you jerk. I thought you might have become fatter and uglier."

"Why you would have left me and gone"

"In your dreams" I said clinging to him.

No its wasn't a smooth I-love-you for us. After he had left me and a year passed I realized how much ever I try to get over him I cannot. He had gotten over shagun and shagun had started dating Ashok, Raman's best friend. Yes Raman was hurt and he opened his heart to me, but that only helped him to come over her easily. After that one day I decided to take the first step because it was getting harder for me. I messaged him asking if I could talk to him.

Message conversation Flashback

Me: Raman can you message me when you are free?

R: Hey Ishita, how are you?

Me: Hi, I am fine. Are you free?

R: Yup tell me what happened? Did you grow tall?

Me: Mean. Shut up. NO I wanted to ask you something.

R: Yup tell me

Me: ermm.. Raman you knew I liked you right?

R: What?

Me: Nothing just leave it.

R: No tell me what?

Me: Raman you knew I liked you right when you were here. Like not that kind of normal like I actually liked you.

R: ...

Me: Its okay you don't need to answer! Sorry I asked you this. Forget what I asked you.

R: I knew you liked me. I knew it like from very long.

Me: Can I call you?

R: Sure two mins.

After waiting for 5 minutes he called me.

"Hi, Raman"

"hey Ishita, ermm"

"Raman I am sorry I popped that question at you"

"Its okay ishu, tell me what you want to tell"

"Raman I cant take it anymore, I miss you super much, I miss annoying you, I miss my best friend, I just miss you because I still love you"

"Ishita"

"No, listen, I know you never liked him in such a way, I don't blame you, I never confessed it but then you were a insensitive jerk back then. You hurt me so much. After all that I tried to forgot you but I couldn't. I wanted to remain angry with you but I couldn't. I still love you. You don't need to reciprocate it back. I just wanted to tell it to you. I don't want to regret of not telling you about it all myself. I don't want to feel that I never tried." I sobbed.

"Ishita, okay calm. Listen don't cry please, I.. I don't know what to say Ishu. I like you, I really like you and im sorry that I was insensitive but then at that point I dint know what I wanted. I thought I loved Shagun and waited for her. In that process I ignored you feelings and Im really very sorry for it. I promise ill make it up for you because I don't want to lose you. I don't know yet whether I love you like you love me but then Ill try please give us a chance."

"Raman I was and will always be ready to give us a chance, always."

Present

And then it went on for years. After 3 more years we at last met today.

"So, all set?"

"All set for what?" I asked amused.

"Well for our first official date" he winked

"Hmm" I blushed.

"Omg. Just look at you. The tigress is blushing han" he said nudging me.

"Shut up, shut up" I covered my face with my hands.

He laughed side hugging me as we sat drinking our favorite Hot chocolate with whipped crme.

"Raman" I asked him with uncertainty in my eyes. Eyes, which held fear of losing the dream I was living.

"Hmm?" he asked confused with my expression

"I love you" I had tears brimming in my eyes.

"Ishu" he said caringly

"Hmm?"

"I love you too" he walked over to my side and kissed me. A kiss which was an assurance for my fear, a kiss which held the passion of our blooming love. I kiss I will always remember because it was our first kiss