And here comes next chapter!! I hope that you will enjoy it.
Happy reading: D
CHAPTER 13- PAIN BEHIND HAPPINESSIshani was engrossed in the pile of files she had to finish by evening. She was sitting in her office at cafe. The clock hanging on the wall showed 2 o'clock in afternoon. She had been sitting there from last 5 hours, not counting the time she had spent with lily and Saurabh who had came there to have lunch with her. Lily had told her that Saurabh wanted to see the city and he had insisted her to come with him. Ranveer was at home, resting. At least that's what he had told her. Ishani wondered if Ranveer was saying truth. He was not the person who would simply sit. She had decided to help Ranveer in opening and starting a branch here. If she left him on his own, he would take all stress,which she didn't want. She had asked Alice if she could leave the job for joining his company. Alice had agreed. She had been surprised when she heard Ranveer's story and met him in person. She had congratulated the couple for their reunion. So ishani was here, completing her pending work and preparing to hand over the charge. She had promised Alice that after ranveer's business is all settled here,she would rejoin cafe,though Alice had made it clear that it was not necessary.
Ishani sighed. She leaned on her chair relaxing herself. She remembered the days when she had handled whole RV group of companies on her own. Those were painful days of her life. She had to suppress her sorrows and handle everything. She had immersed herself in the business, working whenever she could. It had been her distraction from the her own abyss of sorrows. But this was different. This time, she was going to work for helping Ranveer. This made whole difference. She knew Ranveer doesn't want her to work anymore,but she didn't want to just sit while Ranveer work hard. She had experience of running business and by now she knew how it was to be boss of such a big company.
Ishani remembered how Ranveer had comforted her yesterday, wrapping her in his hands. They had stood there watching sunset. Then Alice had came to home. They had told her everything and Ranveer had announced his decision to stay here. Saurabh was disappointed to hear that though he didn't say anything at all. But his silence was saying it for him. He was hoping to spend time together with Ranveer but now he could stay there for his holidays only. He would have to return after that. Lily and Alice, however were happy to know that. Alice had insisted Ranveer to live in the home which he had accepted after an hour's argument.
Afterwards saurabh and lily both had literally forced them to tell how they had fallen in love. Ishani blushed thinking about it. As she thought about it,she found the memories magical. Though some bitter memories were also related to it,she was able to relive the moments only because Ranveer was with her, lacing his fingers through her fingers.
Everything was going just so fine that it worried her. Never in her life, anything had been that easy and simple. She feared for something to go wrong. Although Ranveer had made it clear that they were not going to leave each other, she had unknown, strange dread in her heart. She couldn't stop worrying after all she had gone through. But just as Ranveer had said, she had decided to give everything new start, leaving behind the fears which often haunted her.
Ishani sighed. Clearly, she was over thinking it. She needed some time to get past everything. She couldn't do it in hurry. From hurry,she remembered she had to complete the files by 5. She let herself engrossed in the work.
Ranveer grinned at Saurabh who was quite annoyed.
"Don't you remember what ishani said? You are supposed to rest."
"I know. But didn't you just hear doctor ? He says I have rested sufficiently and it's time to get out of the house."
"He said you should have some walking apart from bed rest. That doesn't mean you should go out as soon as you can." Saurabh protested.
"Let him go, Saurabh! He has been in home for almost two days. Who wouldn't want to get out after being confined to home for such a long time?"lily said,supporting Ranveer as he winked at her.
"Ok,then! Do as you want. If ishani scolds later,I'm going to tell her truth. Don't expect me to side both of you." Saurabh said, not trying to avoid tone of disapproval and stormed off to his room.
Ranveer looked at lily, confused. She smiled at him, encouragingly.
"Don't worry about him. I will make sure he doesn't tell anything to ishani ,at least unless she asks him in person. You are free to take your own trip. But be careful. And best of luck!"
Lily gave Ranveer mischievous smile. Ranveer blushed,his cheeks turning sheds of red.
He waved off to her and walked out. Alice was not going to return home for dinner due to the meeting she had with some fund providers. Lily had supported him and Saurabh would be taken care of.
Ranveer smiled to himself, knowing absolutely where he had to drive the car, thanks to map they had purchased earlier.
Ishani signed last file as the clock hit 5. Satisfied with herself, ishani sighed and stood up. She went near the window to look at the sky which was clear and vividly blue. In less than hour sunset would take place on Western horizon. She watched downwards to road. Traffic was increasing, indicating rush hours of city. But it was well co ordinated unlike the one in Mumbai. She missed samosas and tea of Marine Beach. She missed walking on soft sand of beach while talking about almost anything with Ranveer who would listen to her with such a patience that she would often get surprised. Watching sun going in the endless Arabian Sea was what she loved. One great ball of fire merging with endless waves of water was quite magnificent. From sunset she remembered the last thing she had decided to do today. She wanted to go there alone for last time. It was not that she would abandon the place but she would go there with Ranveer.
Ishani looked towards right where a building stood. It would have been very impressive in old days but now it had lost her glory and stood abandoned. Ishani wondered why owners abandoned it. They could have modified it. The building would have made a great view. Ishani was thrown out of her train of thoughts when she suddenly noticed the irregular beating of her own heart. A familiar warm feeling spread in her heart. The first thing that came to her mind was Ranveer. What he was doing here? Yeah,of course! He had came to meet her. What else could be the reason? He better be prepared for a good chiding from her. She waited for him to enter the cabin.
Ranveer looked through glass into the cabin. Ishani stood at other end of the cabin, looking out of the window. Ranveer smirked. He could now take her by surprise easily. He knew she would not like him to be here but he knew how to calm her down. He pushed the door as quickly and quietly as possible. He slipped in through the narrow opening. He closed door as quietly as he had opened it, a wide grin spreading over his face. As he was about to turn back towards ishani, he heard his name disappointing him.
"Ranveer, what are you doing here? I told you to take rest."
Ranveer turned back to face her only to find that she was still in same position as she was earlier. Her tone had sharpness and definitely she was irritated with him. Ranveer smiled softly. He advanced towards her, stoping next to her.
"How do you always manage to find out whenever I am nearby?"
Ishani stared at him, her face containing same annoyed look that somehow Ranveer found cute. He raised his eyebrows and continued smiling.
"It's none of your business right now! How dare you to wander like this. You will never take care of yourself, right?"
Ranveer chuckled.
"It's absolutely my business, Mrs. Ishani waghela. And about your question, doctor himself told me to wander. And as you can see, while wandering around I reached here. So I thought of spending some time with my dear wife. But when I entered what I find? My beautiful wife is in another world of thoughts. So may I know what she was thinking?"
Ranveer asked ishani innocently, taking her hand in his.
Ishani smiled uneasily. She knew perfectly that she couldn't stay mad at him for long time.
"It's nothing. I was just watching the view outside."
"Oh,really! Do you think it's that easy to fool me?" Ranveer smirked.
Ishani looked at him, unsure if she should tell him. He was persuasive. He would keep asking her if he sensed her feelings. Ishani made a quick decision.
"Ok. You want to know, right? Then come with me. I'll show you. With luck,we could still watch it."
Ishani grabbed his hand and walked out of the cabin nearly dragging Ranveer with her.
"But where? Where are we going?" Ranveer was bewildered. He hadn't expected something like this. But when he saw determined look of ishani, he decided to follow her.
"You'll see. Come."
They came out of the building. They walked towards right stopping in front of the old building painted in dull yellow and red. Although the colour had faded with time, it still hinted of the days when it must have been thing of attraction.
Ranveer looked at ishani,more bewildered now,but kept quiet. Ishani walked in the building nodding at the watchman who waved at her. She walked straight to the stairs and hovered there looking at Ranveer. For first time she doubted if she really wanted him to go with her.
"What?"
"Ranveer,would you be able to climb up?"
Ishani asked, concern evident in her voice.
"I'll, ishani. Stop worrying too much. Let me know what you want to show me."
Ranveer smiled reassuringly.
Ishani took his hands in her,holding him firmly. Together both of them started climbing up the stairs. Stairs were uneven due to damage at several places. Walls were dull grey and yellow. Dampening smell was dominant here. Really dim light was sipping on stairs giving it look of twilight. Ranveer wondered what ishani could be doing at such place.
"Wow,what a place, ishani"
"Shut up, Ranveer! Don't be so judgemental. This place is far better than it seems."
"Really? What a beautiful place this is!" Ranveer said sarcastically.
"You will see." Ishani ignored him.
They reached a big metal door which was in far better condition than anything Ranveer had seen since entering the building.
Ishani smirked at him, triumphantly and slowly pushed the door. What Ranveer saw next,instantly made him regret what he had said to ishani.
Yeah,this place isn't bad at all. Before him was building's terrace which was quite good in spite of poor maintenance. Ranveer walked out to the terrace. Despite being abandoned, it was looking as if recently cleaned. He inspected whole terrace to find a bench with the back in distance, accompanied with lot of what looked like remains of once elegant furniture stuffed in one corner, which he would have missed if he was looking casually.
Ishani came after him and stood by his side,watching his expressions, tiny curve forming on her lips. Ranveer hadn't anticipated this.
"So,what you have to say now,Ranveer?" She asked, smirking.
It's good. I mean,ok. It's... It's not that bad." Ranveer answered not willing to admit that the place was really good.
"Bad?" Ishani chuckled. "Come on,Ranveer. I deserve some appreciation!"
"For what? For this terrace of abandoned building which is unusually clean? I don't know how you found the place or how you have get it clean,but surely I'm not going to appreciate and praise you for this." Ranveer said,smirking.
"Ranveer, you are not able to see what makes this place special, are you? Well,most people would not be,so I'm not blaming you. Of course, why on earth would you notice that?" Ishani said,simpering.
Ranveer looked offended.
"So you think I can't find what is different about this place? You're
challenging me? Ok, I will prove you wrong, just wait and watch!"
Ranveer walked around, trying to concentrate what was unusual about the place that supposedly made it special.
Ishani chortled at him,careful not to be noticed. By the way he had been searching, he would never find it.
Ranveer ruffled through his hairs in frustration. He could not see what was different in this place than the others of it's kind. He was even more irked by the chuckles of ishani. Although she made it as faint as possible, he had managed to recognize it. As he stood with his back facing her, he could exactly picture ishani, looking at him,chuckling silently with her palms on her mouth. He sighed heavily as he realized that he was nowhere near to the answer,yet it looked as if it was in front of him.
"Ranveer, have you came up with answer or I explain it myself? You can't delay more than 5 minutes now."
"And why is that?" Ranveer asked .
"Because you are wasting time and with that the thing which makes the place special." Ishani said, adding tone of mystery.
"Fine!" Ranveer walked along the parapet, looking at the fascinating aerial view building provided,knowing that he could do no better than this. He had already lost challenge but he was not going to admit it quickly. There were several skyscrapers to be seen from here. Half of them were higher than the building he was standing on. He could make outlines of buildings in far horizon that were definitely higher than his.
Ranveer stood gazing at the forest of buildings which was partly covered with threads of golden light that were scattered throughout. Although sky was mostly blue today, he noticed that western side of the sky had some clouds. The sun was lowering towards the end of journey of the day.
Still he couldn't get what made the place so special. Ranveer tried to calm himself. Definitely it was no harm if he calm him down and make some wild guesses.
Ranveer began to think what was ishani's idea of special. For her,special meant anything that would touch her heart, that would give happiness to her and her loved ones. Then it may be cheap or expensive, doesn't matter. But as ishani believed more in simplicity and certainly this place was not even known to more than few people, he ruled out the possibility of the place being related to anyone of their families.
Things that had often touched her heart were as simple as the dove ring and wind chimes. So if he was right, this place was more closer to her emotionally. But this was finally dead end to his guessing. He couldn't think what might have stirred her emotionally here that she had a liking for the place.
Ishani had, by now, made herself comfortable on the bench. She was staring Ranveer as he stroll along the parapet walls. She knew he could never guess anything unless she give him slightest clue. After some time of futile attempts of watching the terrace carefully, he had engrossed himself in thoughts.
He looked cute when he gives that wisen look,she had to admit. It looked that he had finally realized that it had been related not merely to building and it's position but also to her emotions. She was not certain whether she wanted to tell him. She didn't know how he would react. But one thing was clear that if the subject comes up she would have to make a decision.
Decision whether she should work on her pain and weaknesses alone or let Ranveer know about it. She was sure that Ranveer would make her pains his and will do everything to heal her. But that meant lot of pain and she wanted to make him happy, to give him as much happiness as she can,not the pain she had gone through,the pain which still was able to haunt her. She was feeling so powerless that she doubted if she could ever overcome it. Even with Ranveer,she felt that she may have to just bury them deep for she couldn't tackle them effectively, just suppressing them, burying deep in her heart. She felt she should talk to Ranveer about it but at same time found herself unable to do so. She found herself torn between endless fight. Till now, she had well concealed her pains behind her laughter but she wasn't sure if it would work well every time. Now she could tell him everything or simply hide it again.
However this time, she had to make a decision that she had tried to avoid so far, for she had brought him in the very
heart of her pains.
sorry for any typos!! Constructive criticism will be more than welcome 😃 Edited by VC288 - 10 years ago
Fan Fictions
Udne Ki Aasha
