IshVeer FF : La Douleur Exquise| Important Announcement (Page 51) - Page 17

First of all, thank you for wait and I'm really, really sorry for this delay. :(

Chapter 15: The Moments That Never Returned

"You don't look too happy," Ranveer asked as Ishani settled herself on the bench on the rooftop of the servant quarters. She turned to look at him but remained silent. Ranveer noticed the curls of her hair hung loosely from one side and her eyes were swollen. Could this girl stop taking so much stress? "Ishani? Are you alright?"

Ishani pouted. "Can't we stay silent for a while?"

Ranveer winced at the high pitch of her tone. "As you wish, Your Highness." He bowed low in front of her and smiled.

"Stop calling me that!" Ishani snapped, tilting her head away from him and resting her chin on her folded knees. "The only person to treat me as a normal human being is you. Either people around will grace Ishani Parekh as a celebrity, trying to find a personal motive or she's just an illegitimate child of her mother who doesn't belong to the Parekh family."

"Alright!" Ranveer answered, taking a seat beside her. "I won't ever say that, happy?"

Ishani smiled.

"But what's wrong?"

"Something doesn't look right. It's as if someone is strangling me." She looked at him as though trying to find hope in something utterly hopeless.

"Well, it's because you've been far too worried and over thinking the unnecessary matters for no reason. Stop giving them thoughts, all will be alright."

"How do you do it, Ranveer?" She snapped her head in his direction.

"Do what?"

"How do you remain cool and calm about everything after people insult you so much? Baa never changes; Chaitali Kaki keeps taunting you every now and then. Vishakha Kaki often does this, too. And all you do is smile and apologize even if it's not your fault?"

"You're still thinking about that Chirag matter?" he said, ignoring the rest of the statement.

"Now more so because he's going to be a family member." Ishani shook her head in annoyance. "Papa thinks he's good and since the two have met in person, too, today evening, he seems more impressed with Chirag."

"Disha likes him and it's fine..."

"That's the only reason I don't want to say anything. Maa and Papa think I'm too immature to discuss this matter, so I need to shut up."

Ranveer couldn't help but chuckle at the irritation in her tone. "That's because you never think twice before opening your little mouth. Keep your personal grudge against Chirag aside and think practically. Disha likes him. He's quite decent, funny, rich, educated, good looking."

Ishani glared at him. "You think so?"

He shrugged. "The girls drooling over him in the party suggested nothing else. And you can't deny he is rich, educated and funny."

Ishani cast an uninterested glance. "Whatever."

"Ishani..." Ranveer asked, his voice suddenly drooping low. "What kind of life partner do you want?"

Ishani seemed to think deeply, her thought reaching to a destination before unsettling once again. "Like Papa is," she said at last, her eyes staring in front of her in the dark.

"Someone who loves you unconditionally?" His voice trembled a little.

"Someone who can accept someone else's child as his own." She smiled, a dreamy look crossing her face. "Someone who can love me so deeply that his love should be sufficient for both of us." Ishani looked at Ranveer, her eyes moist. "Do you think I will find someone like my Papa is?"

Ranveer fought back the emotions that threatened to burst out, and smiled. "I will certainly find someone like that for you. Someone who would love you only..." he said. They fell silent, enjoying the calm of the evening while the moon above played its hide and seek in the sky. Ranveer continued to look at her for a while before he looked away, sighing.

"Ranveer," Ishani said again and he turned his head in her direction. "Even if I get married, nothing in our friendship will ever change."

His lips curved in a smile at the determination in her tone, even though he knew inevitable was meant to happen. Somewhere in her struggle to become a perfect wife, a mother and a daughter in law in the upcoming years their friendship would have faded. It wasn't hard to imagine, just nearly impossible to accept.

Realizing it wasn't coming anytime soon, Ranveer sighed and shook his head.

"I hope so."

"And anyway, who knows only my marriage will change everything?" She looked at him, the mischievous glow in her eyes stronger than ever. "Yours will do as well. We'll have our families, our partners, our children and a life... does it even look real?"

Ranveer withdrew his eyes away from her. He had never thought of this. He had never thought of a life after Ishani; without Ishani. She was the home he sought after weariness took over in his everyday struggle. She was the solace his tired self looked for every evening; and she was the sun his eyes wished to see every morning. What would happen once she were gone? Ranveer sighed with a shudder and looked at the reflection of the lights on the water below them.

Generally, families thought about the marriage of their older children, but it was a relief that Baa cared about Disha more. He was selfish. And thanked Baa for her bias towards Disha. If nothing else, this was going to keep Ishani close to him for a little more while, even if she would have left him anyway one day.

To the answer of her question, he smiled. "Doesn't matter where I go in this life, I'm never going to forget you. And I'm not getting married either."

"Liar!" Ishani laughed.

"I'm serious." Ranveer sighed. Did this girl ever take him seriously at all?

Ishani waved off the seriousness of his words and watched in front of her again, ignoring his gaze on her. At last, Ranveer looked away as well.

"Anyway, Ishani, let's not be too judgmental about Chirag, alright? I'm not very fond of him either, but people change and who knows he's the perfect fellow for our Disha?"

Ishani gave him a smile. "Maybe." All the doubts and confusions seemed to have fallen apart from her mind and she took a deep breath. "I, too, think the same. He apologized to you as well. But I don't know why I don't like him."

"First impression is last impression, perhaps?"

Ishani shrugged her shoulders.

"Thank you."

"What for?" Ranveer asked.

"For showing me the right way." She smiled.

"Oh, well..." Ranveer shrugged. "Geniuses always have a way, you know?"

Ishani laughed aloud this time. "You are insane!"

"So, should we be preparing for the marriage already?"

Ishani nodded.

The news of the alliance of Disha and Chirag spread around quickly, earning well deserved attention within the short span of 24 hours. Much to Disha's happiness, who enjoyed the attention and care from the friends and family, the entire house seemed to have rushed to look after her needs. After all, in a few more days she'd be leaving the house as per the Indian traditions and moving to her husband's home. Her face glowed and she seemed less irritated by Ishani's presence around her, which Ishani liked by all means. She was even allowed to stay around Disha except for the times Chirag came to finalize the alliance with his parents the next week.

Next week. They had received a message from Chirag's family, saying that they wanted both the bride and groom to know each other well first. Even if Disha and Chirag liked each other's company already, there should be better understanding from both sides to take the relationship further. To this, the Parekh Family agreed immediately, for a better future for Disha was all they wanted.

And as the afternoon sun climbed up, Ranveer heard someone greet him. He turned to look at the newcomer and gasped. "Chirag?"

"How are you, buddy?" Chirag came further towards him and gave a warm smile.

"You here, towards the servants' quarters?" Ranveer asked awkwardly. "Have you lost your way?"

Chirag laughed. "No, no! I haven't. I came here to check on you."

"Why?"

"Because you're quite close to the Parekhs, aren't you?"

Ranveer eyed him, confused. "Definitely."

"I think that was why Ishani was so offended when I mistakenly insulted you in my party."

"Oh, that!" Ranveer laughed too. "She's like that. She'll always fight for the people she cares about."

"You?"

"I'm her best friend."

"How long has it been you've known each other?"

"It-" He stopped abruptly. Why was Chirag enquiring so much about Ishani? "Wait," he asked, "why do you want to know all this?"

Chirag appeared crestfallen. "I...uh... actually, I don't like to hurt others. And back then in the party she seemed pretty upset with me. I've not had any opportunity to apologize to her about that. You seemed forgiving, she isn't kind enough."

Ranveer smiled. She was like this, he wanted to tell Chirag. She wouldn't mind taking a lifelong enmity even from the family for him only. She cared about him and had fought with people whoever called him a servant before and Chirag Mehta was no exception.

"I'll make sure to convey your massage to her." Ranveer smiled.

"Thanks. I just have a surprise plan for my soon-to-be-wife."

Chirag left and Ranveer watched him walk towards the gates of the Parekh Mansion, and when he reached there in the next half an hour, Chirag was already there. Chirag seemed to have won the heart of the kids of the family, for everyone surrounded him while he told a story to them of one of his older days in the US. Devarsh took extra interest in them while Pratiek seemed highly amused. And Disha blushed, standing by Chirag's side who laughed uproariously at one of the jokes cracked by Devarsh on Pratiek. Chirag apologized to them but barely controlled his laughter. Chaitali Kaki stood there, too, but the younger crowd hardly noticed her and at last at Devarsh's request she left reluctantly.

"I'm sorry!" Chirag patted Pratiek's shoulder and laughed again. Pratiek turned away and his face brightened to see Ranveer.

"Ranveer, tell them she's my girlfriend!" he said firmly, dragging Ranveer by his side in the circle made by them.

Ranveer raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

"Ranveer, he's imagining things. Calls any random girl his girlfriend. Let him go." Devarsh laughed, much to Pratiek's irritation. Chirag joined him too.

With a disappointed sigh Pratiek let the matter go.

Ranveer's eyes fell on Chirag who seemed to be looking for someone else and his expressions changed suddenly. Ranveer followed the line of his gaze and found Ishani descending from the stairs, managing the dupatta which fell disarrayed away from her. Without another word, Chirag went to her and smiled.

"Ishani," he said, and Ranveer felt blood rush through him outrageously. "I want to apologize to you." He didn't give her time to say anything and announced, "Do you mind joining us for a small trip today?"

Devarsh and Pratiek looked at her expectantly, forgetting their banters in the middle. Disha rolled her eyes, fuming.

"I don't think I'm really up for it. I'm sorry," Ishani said and made her way towards Ranveer.

"Ishani, come on! It's been so long we all went somewhere together," Devarsh called out. "We're all going there!"

"Yes, yes, Ishani! Please!" Pratiek urged too.

Ishani looked at Ranveer and quietly, imperceptibly shook her head. Ranveer nodded in encouragement, asking her not to turn down the proposal since it was an apology as well as joined by her own cousins. She took a deep breath and smiled.

"Only if Ranveer is going I'll come too." She looked at him.

"Ishani," Ranveer said, "I'm supposed to be joining Mota Babuji for a meeting today, and I'm sorry I can't come."

"It's not fair!"

"Come on, Ishani, you always go with Ranveer. At least for once you can leave him, right?" Devarsh said. After the struggle of the next 15 minutes Ishani finally agreed.

"Alright." She sighed and looked at Ranveer. "I'll see you in the evening!"

Ranveer wondered what her last sentence meant but shook off the thought, knowing for a while she wouldn't have to deal with the spiteful words of Baa, and she could be at peace.

"How come your shares never go down even during the fall?" Ranveer heard the voice erupt softly from Harshad Parekh's cabin as he made his way towards the alley leading to the place.

"I have my gem with me," Harshad answered, his voice laced with fatherly love and affection. "He looks after everything, handles all the matters when I'm not here. In short, he is the reason Parekh Empire works!"

Before the next words could be uttered, Ranveer knocked at the door. "Mota Babuji?"

"Ah, Ranveer! Come, my boy, come!" Harshad stood up and smiled as he let Ranveer in.

"Ketan, when I talk about my gem, it means him, Ranveer!" He patted Ranveer's back with a proud smile.

"But he's your servant!" Ketan spoke nonchalantly and the smile immediately disappeared from Harshad's face. Ranveer looked sideways, feeling the anticipation of the gruesome awkwardness that was about to fall into the room.

"He's like my son," Harshad answered calmly as he placed his hand on Ranveer's shoulder. "Ranveer has lived with us since he was 9 year old and since 14 he's been working with me. Working in the stocks is in his blood. He's a genius!"

Ketan Mehta remained silent, closely observing Ranveer's face as if trying to find something to defy his friend's claims.

"You remember the mess with the Vermas few months ago?" Harshad said, not heeding the confusion and awkwardness at his friend's face.

"The one that they did the fraud with you?"

"Of course, yes!" Harshad said. "Ranveer took the matter in his hands and within a few weeks we'd achieved the lost! The world credited Harshad Parekh for the comeback, but the heart and brain behind the whole matter was this boy."

Ketan smiled as if having nothing else to say. "It was nice meeting you, Harshad." He stood up and shook hands with Harshad. "I'll see you soon."

"Of course." Harshad smiled back. "We have to finalize the date of the marriage as well. Now that Disha and Chirag are getting along so well, I think we can give them this news too."

Ketan nodded and moved towards the exit, Harshad following him closely. The two men shook hands as Ketan Mehta sat in his car, his driver wheeling the vehicle away out of the sight.

Harshad turned to Ranveer and smiled. "I'm sorry for what he said. People don't--"

"No, Mota Babuji," Ranveer immediately answered. "It's nobody's fault that people know me as your servant. Truth never changes, does it?"

"What are you really made of, Ranveer?" Harshad asked, amused. "Does nothing ever hurt you? People trampling over your self-respect, and reminding you that you are not worthy of being equal to them... it never has any effect on you?"

Ranveer couldn't help but smile. "It's all because of you, Mota Babuji. You and Ishani. And I have learned not to care about the world from you. How should the world matter at all when I have you both?"

Harshad's eyes twinkled and he raised his hand to Ranveer's shoulder. "Excess of anything is bad. You frighten me sometimes. Your loyalty does. It's true I trust you the most, but it's also true that I hardly justify what I am supposed to do for you and Kailash... nothing I do will ever repay what you both have done for me."

"You have done more than necessary for us, Mota Babuji," Ranveer answered, and suddenly the smile from his face disappeared, replaced by a look of wistfulness. "I was a child when I came here to live, and I remember how Maa and Baba used to feed me. They didn't have enough money to buy food for us and by the end of the day we only got little of what was needed because they worked day, and night at times they would even pick up the leftovers from somewhere only so that I could survive.

"They wouldn't have meal with me. For months and months I would believe their story that they had already had their dinner where they both worked. And one day it dawned: they sacrificed their days and nights for me, just so I would have enough of the food to live through one more day, not knowing what the next one brought. I'd cried that night. Maa didn't know what was wrong with me. And then Baba met you. I don't really know why you thought you should hire him as your driver but since that day, our lives changed. Baba earned enough money to retain back our small house so that Maa could live there. You know she doesn't like staying in Mumbai. Who says you don't do anything for us?"

A warm smile crept over Harshad's lips and he ran a loving hand through Ranveer's head. "It was my fortune to find you then."

"Mine too." Ranveer smiled.

A phone call suddenly interrupted the conversation as Ranveer snapped out of the thoughts.

"Hello?" he said.

"Ishani..." Devarsh's trembling voice came from another side. "Come back with Kaka, Ranveer. It's urgent!"

He hung up and ushered his Mota Babuji into the car, explaining the little detail he heard from Devarsh, and hurried to the Parekh Mansion.

As they reached home, and to Ishani's room, Ranveer almost stopped breathing; out of shock or relief, he wasn't sure. Ishani sat there on the bed, Band-Aid stuck on the corner of her forehead and her left arm in the sling.

"Ishani!" Ranveer heard her father say as the old man rushed to her, his voice panicky. "What is this? How did you...?" He looked around and saw Chirag, looking at everyone awkwardly.

"Papa, it was just a small accident. I'm fine."

"But, Ishani, how did this happen?"

"Uncle," Chirag said in a low, grieving voice, "it really was just a small accident and thankfully I was there to help her. It could've been something big too... but thank God."

Horror washed over Harshad Parekh's face and he stood up, facing Chirag.

"Don't worry, she's fine now!" Chirag hurried to say. "And I hope you don't push her too much right now since she needs some rest. Accidents like this are mentally scarring."

Harshad nodded and sat back by Ishani's side, watching her intently.

"Papa, I really am alright. Thanks to Chirag." She passed a faint smile at him.

"I'm leaving now," Chirag said after sometime when the panic of Harshad Parekh subsided. "And, Ishani, I sincerely apologize since it was all my fault to convince you to come with us. I hope next time it'll be better." Without giving them any chance to say anything, Chirag spiraled out of the room.

"Ranveer," Harshad said, "get her the medicines that are needed."

"I've got them, Papa," Ishani said, pointing towards the packet placed on the table. "Chirag got them just now."

Since Chaitali Kaki wouldn't allow it to do for Disha, maybe Chirag decided to fetch them since he deemed himself guilty too?

"Ishani, are you really alright?" Her father's voice still contained the fragments of panic.

"Yes, Papa." She smiled softly.

"I'll let you take rest, and don't forget to take your medicines too."

"Yes, Papa," Ishani drawled.

And as Harshad stood up, Falguni entered the room, a worried look plastered on her face. Ishani smiled at her mother.

"I've asked for the rest of the medicines too."

Harshad smiled and gestured Ranveer to follow him. He looked one last time towards Ishani who eyed him with a smile, as if telling him not to worry about her.

Ranveer left throwing a quiet smile at her.

"So, may I know the cause why you've made us the victim of your wrath?" Ranveer asked as Ishani sat in his room staring out of the window. "Ishani, you know you haven't spoken anything in last 30 minutes? It should be declared a national holiday!" He laughed but fell silent at her glare.

"And why might you be the one breaking my records by continuously chanting this nonsense?" Her voice came irritated. "Can't I stay here silently for a while? It's so peaceful here."

"Ishani, you needed to take proper rest today. It's not good and I'm worried about you. You could have called me to you. What's the need to come all the way here from your room? You can't even walk properly!"

"Because," she said, turning to him, "I wanted to be here."

She fell silent once again and Ranveer watched on, feeling his heart quiver with every breath he took. She looked like an angel and he wished to tell her this once again.

"You need to better come with something else, Ranveer." She'd laugh on with a shake of her head.

But how? he wondered. She was indeed the angel who accepted him for who he was and wasn't judgmental about his status like the rest of the world. She didn't care if he was a driver's son and hardly belonged to the people she lived with. For her, he was her best friend. The only one allowed to peek beyond the facade she created for the world to see. He took pride in the fact that she valued him so dearly.

And in return he gave her all he could... all he had. He wouldn't mind sacrificing a life for her sake. Mota Babuji wanted the best match for her, and he would find him. Someone... who loved Ishani just like... No, someone who loved her dearly and never gave her a reason to even shed a single tear.

"Have you heard of Cinderella?" the nine year old Ishani asked him.

"No?" he answered, peeking momentarily above from the car, his hands and face covered in suds.

"Pity." It wasn't mockery, but he smiled and paused to look at her. "She was an ordinary girl who married the Prince."

"And?"

"She thought she didn't deserve the Prince. Her stepmother and sisters conspired their best for the mission but failed. The story ends with the Prince marrying Cinderella."

"Isn't it amazing?"

"It is," he agreed.

"I want a Prince too when I grow up."

Ranveer sighed. "They aren't real. There are no happy endings in real life."

She furrowed her eyebrows in irritation and shook her head, strayed hair falling haphazardly on the either sides of her shoulders.

"There are happy endings and I will find my Prince when I grow up!"

"How are you so sure?"

"You will make me meet him." She gave a blinding smile.

Ranveer smiled at the irony of the sweet childhood memory. He hadn't taken her words seriously that day, for she wasn't going anywhere away from him. They weren't supposed to grow up and part with each other by any means of fate. They were friends. The best of the friends who lived for each other.

"Well," Ishani said, ushering Ranveer out of his thoughts and turned towards him. "I'm sorry for being such a mess today, but I needed my time and peace."

"Go on."

Ishani sucked in a deep breath.

"What had happened?"

"A small accident."

"I know that!" he answered, hoping she would enlighten him more on the matter. "But if you aren't ready to talk about this right now, it's fine."

"No, no. I'm perfectly alright." She sighed. "I'm feeling better, all thanks to..." she paused as though a realization stuck her. "... Papa."

Ranveer nodded, completely ignoring the fact that he understood she wanted to take his name, but changed that for some mysterious reason.

"Well, we were all supposed to be there on this little get together, but Devarsh and Pratiek were informed by their professors that they had some assignment work pending and they needed to be in the college right away. And that left Disha and me to stay there. I felt so like an intruder and that nosy sister but then Disha was called away as well by someone... her friends, I guess. Which left only us. I wanted to get up and move but since Chirag showed no sign of awkwardness or hurry in getting home, for a moment I didn't know what to do. And then I decided I couldn't sit in his presence anymore, and had to leave. But as soon as I stood up and began walking towards the highway, a car is hurtling down my direction. Before I could even understand what was going on Chirag pulled me towards him and we both fell on the ground sideways. Where the car went, I didn't know."

A look of fear and horror crossed her face as she unknowingly clutched onto Ranveer's hand, grasping it tightly.

"Ishani..." he said but no words formed for a while. "...you're alright and I'm glad for that."

A drop of tear left her eye and she looked up.

"You know, Ranveer, when I saw that vehicle coming so close to me what were my thoughts?"

Ranveer remained silent, giving her enough time to continue.

"Papa and you."

Ranveer gasped.

"Yes." She blinked twice. "I was only thinking if I'll see you both ever again and if I couldn't, you'll forgive me for anything I did."

Ranveer felt a strong urge to take her in his arms and tell her what he thought of her; that she could never do wrong to him or her father; that they both were proud of her. He wanted to tell her that he loved her enough to never let her go anywhere, and if ever a situation like this would arise, he'd protect her. Oh, she deserved to live!

His thoughts were interrupted by a familiar force squeezing his frame as he realized Ishani had wrapped her arms around him and was weeping in his chest. Without any hesitation Ranveer brought his hand to the back of her head and caressed her hair.

"Ishani," he whispered, "look at me."

It took a moment for her to compose herself and she looked up. Ranveer wiped her tears and smiled.

"You look like a scared cat when you cry. I want my wild cat here." He chuckled.

"You always say that," she snapped, but her statement lacked any rudeness.

"Ishani, you know what?" Ranveer said soothingly, "Mota Babuji is proud of you. And always remember whenever you're in trouble I will always be by your side. I will find my way to you even from my grave."

Ishani shook her head at the choice of his words and laughed. "Promise to be by my side?"

"Till my last breath." He smiled.