Raman's room:
Raman laid next to ruhi in his bed, and trying to make ruhi sleep, but she is not ready to go to sleep.
Ruhi: papa...
Raman: haa.. Beta
Ruhi: why are we going to tata & patti's house tomorrow, we already went today right..
Raman: hmm... tomorrow, dadi, dadu, chachu, chachi everyone will get to meet your mumma, and will let us know when she will marry us. Now you go to sleep rooh, it's already late, don't you want to wake up early to get ready
Ruhi nodded yes: yes papa,but..
Raman: rooh, please beta, sleep, papa is tired and i know my rooh is tired too, how about i read you a book, will you sleep
Ruhi nodded: ok papa, but mumma didn't wish me good night..
Raman: ohh, you want to call mumma, ok then after that i will read you a story and you will go to sleep, ok
Ruhi nodded happily, raman calls ishita
Ishita: hi raman
Raman: hi ishita, ruhi wants to talk to you
Ishita: ok, give her the phone
Ruhi: hi mumma
Ishita: hi beta, what beta you are still awake.. It's late rooh
Ruhi: haa mumma, you didn't wish me goodnight, and did sharavu bhaiyya sleep
Ishita: sorry beta,i will wish you now, will you go to sleep after that..
Ruhi: haa mumma, did sharavu bhaiyya sleep
Raman was wondering why is she asking about , whether sharavu slept or not.. Ishita was also thinking the same and realized how they behaved when they met and laughed
Ishita: yes rooh, sharavu slept
Ruhi: with you??.. Now raman also understood, his daughter is very jealous..
Ishita: no beta, with his mama and papa.. Now you go to sleep too, you have to wake up early and get ready too right?
Ruhi happily: yes mumma, good night mumma, and gave a kiss
Ishita: Goodnight my rooh, love you beta and gave a kiss
Ruhi gave the phone to raman, i will go to sleep now papa, read me a story.
Raman laughed at his daughter being so jealous that she couldn't sleep: ok 1 minute, let me talk to your mama ok..
Raman: ishita, if you are not going to sleep for sometime, can you meet me later, need to talk to you..
Ishita: so late raman
Raman: it won't take long, need to discuss and work through some scenarios with you, if not then we can do that tomorrow, but it would be helpful for tomorrow
Ishita: okay, just send a message when you want to meet, ok
After ruhi slept, raman went downstairs to meet ishita and discuss his plans..
When ishita joined him at the stairs, raman asked her to sit.
Raman: ishita, how do you want our marriage to happen?
Ishita confused: what do you mean?
Raman: do you want it to be a simple ceremony with just families or a grand wedding, invite everyone..
Ishita: it would be good if it's a small ceremony, why such a grand wedding
Raman sighed: I don't ishita, I want it to be a grand wedding, invite all our family friends, our friends and business associates.
Ishita: why raman? What's all the need
Raman: there are multiple reasons, but the most important reason is you. I want you to have your dream wedding. When you look back to this day after some years, you shouldn't think that you missed on something. The second reason is that so, you won't face any questions or some uncomfortable comments from our society people.
Ishita: raman, I am happy with you and ruhi, how our marriage happens is not important, because we will be happy. That's all i care about, i don't think we need to worry about what other people will say.
Raman took her hand into his: ishu, we are not doing anything wrong, to hide it. If i marry you like that, I know everyone will think we married for ruhi or something like that. I want everyone to know, we are getting married because we want to, not because we want to do it for other reasons. Sorry, but you were hurt when your family questioned our decision, can you face those questions everyday and how will you handle it, when someone says i took advantage of you. Can you answer everyone? I don't care what others think about me, but i care about you. I don't want you to ever answer those questions. I want to answer everyone's questions before they give voice to them, by marrying you in a way, that thought will never cross their minds. What do you think?
Ishita thought whatever raman said is correct, she was hurt when everyone in her family and his questioned their decisions and reasons to marry. She doesn't care about what others think, but it will still hurt and they have to think of ruhi, she is so small, she doesn't want her to hear any of these questions.
Ishita: Raman, i don't care what others talk about me, but i can't if they say anything about you or ruhi. So I will agree with what you said.
Ishita was thinking about the financial situation of her parents, they saved for her marriage and she also saved some money to help them out, but to arrange for this marriage, she might have to take a loan or something..
Raman calling her name pulled her out of her thoughts: what raman?
Raman: I want to take care of all the expenses for the wedding..
Ishita, thought did she say everything out loud, and looked at him, he answered: You didn't say anything, but I understand what you were thinking about. Ishu, i know appa is a retired officer, they might have saved for your marriage, but ishu, i don't want them to take this marriage expenses. I want them to give your hand to me happily, not getting worried about their financial situation after the marriage. If you and appa insist on that then we will go for a simple marriage in temple and I will give a big reception. I would prefer to have the big wedding, but you let me know, i'm sorry i dumped this on to you. I wanted to share what i was thinking and get your opinion ishu.
Ishita thought what he said, when she was thinking of marrying subbu, she made all the dreams about how the wedding should happen,that every girl dreams of, but after that broken engagement, she just wanted a simple wedding, as she didn't want to face everyone's questions about her condition. Here raman is trying to give her what she never thought, she will have again, but it didn't feel right for appa to spend such amount, they will worry later.
Raman: Please listen ishita, appa and you can arrange for a small ceremony, but this is my wish for a grand wedding, so i want to cover for that. I can't expect appa to pay for that. I know appa and amma have their dreams about your wedding, but for this, they don't have to spend their savings. It will be useful for them in future. If they want to give you anything, i won't say no, because it's your parents wish. If they give me, you just like this, i will still marry you happily , he gave her a smile, but it won't happen. I don't know if i hurt you by saying this, i didn't want to show i'm rich, but I want to invite my business contacts and all the associates and some people from out of town, I can't let appa bear all these expenses. Please think about this and give me an answer, before i talk to appa.
Ishita don't know what to say, she wants to pay for the marriage, but she knew her parent's financial situation, they need their savings, because they don't even let her give them any financial help, but her appa .. she don't know how he will take it.. He always taught her to pay for her things and let anyone take that responsibility. Ishita still lost in her thoughts..
Raman: ishu, please look at me.. When she looked at him.. I'm sorry ishu.. If i hurt you by suggesting that, but I can't let them take this much burden, and it will be with all the guest list. I want them to give your hand to me happily, not worrying about their financial situation after marriage, we both know, they won't take money from us even when they need. I need your help ishu, please think and tell me.. I don't want to hurt anyone..
Ishita got her thoughts under control, and saw what raman was going through, he wants to make everyone happy, without hurting anyone's respect. She thought of a solution and will see if her appa agrees to it.
Ishita: Raman, does uncle and aunty know about this.
Raman nodded: yes, i spoke with them and discussed the situation. They agree with me, but they also don't want to hurt appa's feelings..
Ishita took a deep breath : ok.. I will help appa with engagement preparation and expenses and will tell him about your suggestion for wedding. I think we can convince him.
Raman gave a relieved sigh: thank you ishu.. I will talk to appa after everything is confirmed ok..
Ishita: thank you raman, for thinking of everything and trying to come up with solutions. I appreciate you thinking of my parents
Raman pulled her to his side: they are my parents too.. So i will think about them.. Now go and sleep, you need your beauty rest to impress your in- laws and fiancee
Ishita: i don't need to impress him at all...
Raman: acha.. Why??
Ishita: because he likes me as i am right now and went upstairs..
In the morning both houses were fully decorated,as if they are competing with each other. Everyone was busy in getting ready.
Raman's room:
Ruhi:no, papa, that skirt and top doesn't look good
Raman sighed, as you guessed from one hour he was picking the outfits for his daughter, but she is finding some issue with everything.
Raman: beta, your mom loves you, you don't need to impress her, he don't know, how he will handle 2 ladies in his life, if he can't handle his small daughter, he looked up and said, please help me god..
Ruhi: papa.. There will be everyone periamma, periappa ( raman gave a blank face), bade papa, badi mama, and tata, patti and that sharavu..
Raman understood: come here rooh.. When she came, he picked her up, why are you worried about sharavu bhaiyya, he is elder brother, you don't have to be jealous of him
Ruhi: no papa.. He is with mumma with a sad voice may be playing with her.. Raman kissed her temple, rooh.. Mumma loves you, she also loves sharavu bhaiyya, but you are her daughter, so she loves you soo much, you don't have to worry, now select a dress otherwise we will be late
Ruhi: tried all the outfits, papa.. I like this one( she held the orange lehenga set)..will mumma like this..
Raman: yes rooh.. You will look pretty as your mom in this, now go and get ready..
When she went to change, raman calls ishita: hi good morning
Ishita blushing( her sisters are helping her in getting ready): good morning raman..
Raman: I need help..
Ishita: what
Raman: by any chance do you have a orange color saree, because your daughter is going to wear orange color dress, and she is worried you won't like it.. So if you color coordinate and surprise her she will like it.
Ishita chuckled at her daughter's cute antics: Sure raman, i will wear that color saree only. Please tell her not to worry..
Raman: i told her already, but she is like her mom, always worries, you have to see her room, it's completely covered with her dresses..
Ishita burst out laughing...raman..
Raman: don't laugh, you have to handle her at least in this, i can't go through this again..
Ishita: still laughing, achaa.. What if i ask your help after marriage...
Raman: please i'm begging you madrasan.. Don't do that to me... now i have to go, she is coming outside, thanks for understanding..
Ishita: no problem raman, i'm excited to see her.. Bye for now.. And cut the call
Ruhi is dressed in the lehenga, but needs help with hair so he sent her to simmi, and went to get ready
He wore a simple white shirt and cream color trousers and thought, than god, he didn't have to worry about what he wore and shuddered imagining how it would be..
Ruhi came into his room.. Papa.. look at me.. How do i look..
Raman: wow rooh.. You look so pretty and kissed her cheeks
Ruhi felt happy at her papa's praises:thank you papa.. Papa( asked in a pleading voice) can i have some gajra.. Mumma always some, i want some too..
Raman was completely lost, where can he get them now, if he doesn't ruhi won't like it:rooh.. You don't need it beta.. You look pretty as it is
Ruhi shook her head: please papa..
Raman relented: you go and have breakfast, i will get some for you
Ruhi hugged him tightly and kissed his cheeks: my papa is the best.. Love you papa..
Raman went to iyer's and knocked, amma opened the door, raman, come kanna, you are early..
Raman came inside: amma, do you have some gajra at home, ruhi wants some...
Amma smiled at raman: wait here, i will get some for her, she came back and gave some to him..
Raman: thanks amma, you saved me.. And left the iyer's
Ishita's room:
When she heard raman's voice, she went to check and saw him talking to her mom, when he left,she asked: what happened amma
Amma: raman came to get some flowers for your daughter..
Ishita smiled: ohh.. That's so cute...
Amma: ishu, why did you change your saree..
Ishita narrated what raman told her, amma laughed: ruhi is soo adorable, she is trying to look like you
Ishita felt so happy to listen her mother saying about ruhi as her daughter: yes amma, she is so cute
Amma: now go and finish getting ready, did vandu and mihika finished getting ready
Ishita: yes amma, they were helping me
Amma: ok send them outside, i need their help, now you go, they will be coming soon..
When the muhurat time came bhalla's came to iyers house, amma and appa invited them inside: Namaste bhallaji, namaste bhabhi ji, please have a seat. Raman introduced everyone in his family, romi, rinki and simmi,ananya and mihir and mainly ruhi.
Mihika came with refreshments and served everyone. Romi was looking at her, thinking wow she is so beautiful, when he heard mihir say miku you here
Mihir what are you doing here
Everyone was confused, raman asks mihir how do you know mihika.
Mihir: Bhai i told you right i met a girl when i went to chennai, that's mihika
Mihika said, so he is your brother mihir, you always talk about.
Mihir said yes.
Ruhi was sitting next to raman, but she wants to go and show her mumma her dress, so she asked raman, can i go to mama, i want to show her my dress.
Raman:Okay beta, carefully okay
With that she went to her ishita's room, just then vandu and bala were coming with ishita when ruhi banged into ishita, are... are... ruhi, are you okay bacha,
Ruhi: I'm fine mumma, i wanted to show you my new dress
Ishita: Wow my beautiful baby, you are looking so pretty..
Ruhi:Thank you mumma, you are also looking pretty.. And see we both are wearing orange .. orange...
Ishita is wearing a Orange Colored Body and Jari Flower Motifs with Pink Colored Contrast Small Bavanju Border Pure Soft Silk Saree and tied her hair is simple plait and some gajra and wore a simple necklace to complete her look..
Bala lifted ruhi into his arms and said, only mumma looking pretty not periamma and periappa
Ruhi hit her forehead and gave a kiss to bala and vandu and said sorry periappa, sorry periamma. Periyamma you are looking pretty and periappa you are looking very handsome.
They all laughed at her maska skills.. She is truly raman kumar bhalla's daughter ishita said, vandu said and yours too..
Ishita hugged her akka and said yes akka, she is my daughter too..
When they reached the hall ishita took blessings from toshiji and bhallaji and raman introduced his brothers and sisters to vandu,bala and ishita, even though ishita met everyone once or twice
Ishita said can i talk to uncle and aunty for a minute. Everyone was shocked normally they want to talk to the groom, not the groom's parents.
Toshiji: what is it ishita
Ishita: aunty if you don't mind can we talk in my room
So ishita, toshiji and bhallaji went into her room, then ishita said, sorry aunty and uncle, i spoke like that, but i want to know, you know about my condition and you don't have any problem with it?. I know raman can convince anyone with his logic, but i want to be sure, you are going to be my family and like my parents. So if you tell me now, i can take it, but not after marriage aunty.. She had tears in her eyes, thinking what if they say no to the marriage
Bhallaji said when toshiji hugged ishita and consoled her, it's ok puttar, we don't mind, raman explained it. You brought happiness into my raman's and ruhi's life. That's most important to us and you are a mother ishita, to your ruhi. And raman told me he is looking into adoption, but you both will decide when you want to do it. And we don't have any objection to it.
Toshiji, said ishita .. i am very lucky to get a daughter in law that thinks about her in laws before herself. As a mother i know what it is to love my kids, and i see that you love ruhi like a mother. So, we don't have any issues and i don't want you to think about yourself like that.. understand.
Ishita laughed and said aunty , raman is like you
Bhallaji, i know, i have to handle two toshijis at the same time,now you are coming into our family you can handle one and i will manage the other one.
Toshiji, said let's go , everyone must be worried thinking what's going on and ishita... call me mummyji, not aunty.
Bhallaji: call me papaji, puttar, no more uncle and aunty
Ishita nodded:ok mummyji.. sorry mummyji i wanted to come and talk to you before the ceremony, raman asked me not to do that, he wants me to come to my your house as daughter in law only
Toshiji smiled and said yes he is like me
When they entered the hall, her eyes found immediately searched for raman and found him asking are you ok
She replied back saying ok
Pandit ji came after few minutes, when the introductions are over and he settled down he asked for the kundli to fix the engagement date and marriage dates and muhurat.
He selected a date for engagement which is after 2 weeks and wedding date a month after that.
Raman: isn't there any date sooner, everyone laughed at him, but he explained ruhi will be starting school soon, i want ishita to have sometime with ruhi without school and all that schedules and studies. Everyone understood his reason and thought he is constantly thinking of ishita and ruhi's happiness.
Pandit ji : there is one date just 2 weeks after engagement,
Amma: is it good pandit ji
Panditji: Yes it's very good. I just thought everyone asks me to pick a later date, with some gap between engagement and marriage, that's why i suggested the other date.
Everyone agreed on the dates and panditji took his leave.
Amma appa gave shagun to raman and ruhi, rinki and simmi. Ruhi felt happy to be included in the ceremony and told her papa, see papa i got so many gifts from tata and patti.
Raman: Ruhi, what do you say to that, she went to amma and appa and said thank you tata, patti.
Toshiji and bhallaji gave shagun to ishita, a beautiful saree and a diamond set and bangles
ishita asked why mummyji this much, just simple saree would have been fine. Toshiji turned to raman and said you are very lucky she just wants a simple saree...
Raman: i know maa
Toshiji made ishita wear bangles and said , these are passed down from my mother-in-law, i kept it for raman's wife, but she never liked them, so i made something for her. I hope you won't mind these
Ishita took toshiji's blessings : no mummyji, these are your blessings and i like them, i will keep them safely.
She blessed ishita and went to sit.
Ruhi went and sat next to her mother and started going through her gifts.
Bhallaji started: the dates are fixed but we have a condition iyer saab
Appa was confused what could it be, and said what is it bhallaji
Bhallaji: We would like to take care of the marriage expenses, please iyer saab, you can give whatever you want to ishita, actually we just want her, but as a parent you have your wishes, give whatever you want to ishita, if not satisfied give something to your grandchild. But marriage expenses we will take care of it, that's the only condition we have.
Raman : appa, marriage will be according to your wishes only, i will select the wedding planner and you can all decide how you want it to be, but it should be grand. I have lots of business associates that will be attending ,that need hotel rooms and cars, so please appa. It's not fair to ask you to take on that burden. Please appa, and if i some how hurt you by asking this, please forgive me as your son.
Appa thought for a minute and said , no raman it's ok.. I will agree to this, but not about engagement. I would like to do that.
Bhallaji said sure iyer saab, now we would like to take our leave
That's when amma asked will the engagement and marriage be tamilian or punjabi style.
Bhallaji immediately sat down and they all started discussing and arguing, raman looked at ishita and asked her come to the balcony
She went there, he started how do you want this marriage to be.
Ishita: Amma wants it to be tamilian style
Raman : i asked how you want it to be
Thank you,
Anvita..
Shiv Shakti
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