Ishita:Nikita: A tale of two loves Chap 79-83 Page 76.... - Page 14

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Chapter Twenty Two

'It is all done... See...'' She said looking at the buttons before she looked back at him smiling

He smirked before he looked down at the buttons she had just sewed in nodding his head as he said

'I can see that...''

'I am so sorry Sir, I did not mean to do that...'' She said

'It is fine...'' He said as he helped her gather he scattered things on the floor

'No... No... I can do that...'' She said as she grabbed them and randomly threw them in her bag before she stood up and he did the same

'Do you work here...'' He asked

'No... Well... I was...'' She began but before she could clearly explain herself, she saw something or someone outside and said

'Sorry Sir... I gotta go... Really sorry about the...'' She said pointing at his shirt before she burst out running

'Wait... I did not get your name...'' He shouted but she just ran out instead

'Hey Boss... You can't be shouting like that in the lobby...'' Said Pratik

'I know...'' Said Mihir as he walked away from there much to the watchful eyes of his guests

'Can you please grab that and bring it over to the office...'' Said Pratik and the receptionist obliged

'Who the hell is she...'' Asked Pratik as they got in the elevator

'Uhh Sir... Sorry to interrupt but she came looking for you...'' Said the receptionist

'She came looking for me...'' Said Pratik surprised

'Yes... I told her you were out of the country until next week because that is what we were told. Sorry Sir'' Said the receptionist

'Who is she?'' Asked Mihir

'I have no clue... I swear...'' Said Pratik

'Did she say why she was looking for me'' Added Pratik

'I asked but she would not tell me instead she said that she would come back next week to see you'' Said the receptionist

'Fine thank you...'' Said Pratik as he took the bag from her and allowed her leave his office

'Well that was an eventful morning...'' Said Pratik but Mihir's attention was else where

'Hey... Come on concentrate...'' He added

'Sorry... I can't seem to get her out of my mind'' Said Mihir

'Oh God...'' Said Pratik shaking his head

'No... No... It is not like that... Just ...'' Said Mihir looking at his friend before he said

'Okay fine... You said we had a few things to handle...'' Said Mihir

'Yes... First things first... Tell your brothers your back...'' Said Pratik

'Oh for goodness's sake always with this'' Said Mihir

'Yes... You should tell them...'' Said Pratik

'Why... I will tell them when I am ready...'' Said Mihir

'Ready, seriously... You want to buy them out and if we keep on going the way we are, they might think you are conniving behind their backs. Mihir please...'' Said Pratik

'I am telling them I promise...'' Said Mihir

'You said that a week after you came back in this country. That was three months ago...'' Said Pratik

'Fine... I will call Romi today and tell him...''Said Mihir

'Okay... Thank you...'' Said Pratik

'Now, can we talk about finances... Have we gathered enough...? I have a lot riding on this you know...'' Said Mihir

'Yes, I know...'' Said Pratik as their discussions commenced

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Ishita sat at the dinner table waiting for Raman as she contemplated whether or not her eyes were lying to her. It weighed on her mind all day long wondering if it was indeed her. She rushed out of that hotel certain that she had seen her stepmother but she was now beginning to doubt herself. It did not make sense because everyone knew that she died and also there was no way she would have just left her alone like that, so imagining her walking around in Delhi did not make sense. Maybe her mind was just playing tricks on her given how desperate she was with finding them, she was mistaken, and she had to be.

As she sat there lost in thought in came Raman who was extremely exhausted given the amount of work he had to do. All he wanted was to have a quiet night and just go to bed. Given the fact that he got in late that day, he hoped his mother who always went to bed early bar the days Ishita walked in that house. He was not ready for another irritating conversation about his wife or his girlfriend for that matter. As he walked in making his way to the living room, he could see Ishita seated in the dining room a bit lost in thought and he was curious as to why she was up at that hour of the night

'Ishita...'' He called her causing her to look up at him

'Oh Sorry, I did not hear you come in...'' She said

''What are you still doing up'' He asked

'Have you eaten...'' She asked

'What...'' He said

'Have you eaten'' She asked again

'Uhh... No actually but I will grab something in the kitchen no worries. I am inquisitive however as to what you are doing here at this time of the night'' He said

'Good... Have a seat then... I will go get you something to eat'' She said and she got up and walked to the kitchen

Raman put his coat and laptop bag on one chair and sat in the other curious as to where this was actually going. A few minutes later she came back with hot food on a try and a bottle of water and a glass. She quickly set the table before she looked at him and said

'Dig in...''

'Wha...'' He said surprised, amused and with a smirk on his face he added

'What is this''

'Food... That is food... Hot healthy food'' She said

'I can see that but why are you serving it to me in the middle of the night...'' He said

'You said you were hungry, usually that means you want something to eat isn't it... Besides this beats the snacks you usually eat or the really unhealthy serial you usually have when you come in late...'' She said and he looked at her for a minute or two before he said

'Hang on... You stayed up tonight just so you can get me dinner...'' He said making an insinuation and she got it

'Ohh No Sir, I swear I am not trying to be your wife I was just... I mean... Okay this was a bribe...'' She said

'Now we are getting somewhere...'' He said

'Look I have no issues at all but I was just asking... No... Begging you to please allow me sleep on the couch tonight...'' She said

'I am not sure I understand what that means...'' He said frowning a bit in all honesty completely confused

'Well... You keep the balcony door open when you sleep and it tends to be very cold in the night...'' She said

'Okay I am still confused'' He said

'Sir... The floor where I sleep is right across the balcony...'' She said

'Hang on a second... What do you mean the floor? Aren't you sleeping in the guestroom across the hall'' He asked confused

'No...'' Said Ishita who now seemed confused because he was surprised

'Wait... Wait... How come I have never seen you in my room ...'' He asked

'Because... Your mother said that in order for that arrangement to work I needed to be like a ghost, only appear when I was called upon. So I wait up for you to get home, then wait for you to do your routine thing, you know you come back, head to the kitchen, usually you just have serial which I find bizarre, then you come to the room, take a bath, then you look at your laptop some more before you open the balcony door, set the ac and then go to sleep. Because you're a heavy sleeper I usually just sneak in and go to sleep. You are usually up by 6:00 am for your jog so I just wake up am hour early. Your routine is the same so it really isn't that hard to be honest. And it would have stayed that way but it is so cold Sir...'' She said in one breath

Raman looked at her confused and impressed at the same time. It took dedication to do that but it was also a bit sad. If he calculated correctly it means she only had about 4 hours or so of uncomfortable sleep. How on earth could she focus for the entire day with little or no sleep?

'This is... I am ... Why would... Oh My God...'' Said Raman

'Okay... I will take the floor please do not be upset...'' She said

'Why would I be upset with... You know what forget it'' He said shaking his head

'Why aren't you sleeping on the couch in the first place? If you were sleeping in my room, why aren't you sleeping on the couch'' He asked

'Your mother said I was not allowed to touch your things and she said that the couch was a gift from your girlfriend and that it was very expensive so you would be very upset if I slept on it. So instead of being yelled at again, I looked for options, except now those options are very cold'' She said

Raman looked at her and frowned a bit now believing that she was actually serious. That meant since his grandfather left she had been sleeping on the floor

'So you're telling me you have bene sleeping in my room, on the floor for close to a week...'' He asked shocked

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Chapter Twenty Three

'And it has not been an issue except now with the weather it is a bit hard. I swear I will not complain on anything again.'' She said

'Okay... First off you're married to me not my mother so you cannot just take whatever she says to you on face value or as the truth. She is a good person but she can be mean when she wants to so from now on whatever she tells you to do, cross check with me'' He said

'Yes Sir...'' She said

'Also I find it uncomfortable that you have to go through all just to sleep. Take the guest bedroom...'' He said but she cut him off

'I am sorry Sir I cannot do that...'' She said

'Why not...'' He asked

'See, because I do not have anything right now, I have to depend on her for so many things where Aditya is concerned., I cannot piss her off also, I can't piss your grandfather off, he is the reason Aditya is in school...'' She said

'But you are refusing to work with me. Isn't that a contradiction'' He asked

'No... With me working with you, I can get off on a technicality, this one I can't... Sorry Sir'' She said

'Fine... take the couch until I find other options...'' He said

'Thank you so much Sir...'' Said Ishita excited but Raman figured he could use this to his advantage

'Hang on a minute... Not so fast... I need you to answer something before I allow it'' He said and she turned looking at him

'In the hospital, Aditya said something about you falling off a building... What did he mean'' He asked

'Aditya what...'' She said

'In his defense, he was trying to help by giving your medical history'' Said Raman

'Why would he know my medical history, he is 10. I am going to kill him'' She said seeming upset

'No you won't... Technically regardless of circumstances you and I are married which makes him my responsibility so to touch him you're going through me...'' Said Raman and Ishita frowned a bit looking at him

'Why are you looking at me like that...'' He said

'Am not sure but something has changed with you'' She said

'What do you mean'' He asked but she instead chuckled and said

'You pity me''

'What...'' He said taken back

'Sir... Do not pity me... That rage you have in the pit of your stomach because of how we got married, you have to keep it alive no matter what...That way it won't hurt so much''

'What won't hurt so much...'' He asked amused

'Me...'' She said but Raman laughed instead saying

'Stop spewing random things, my God you're a very peculiar woman. Stop changing topics and just tell me what I asked''

'Fine...'' She said sitting down as she said

'Four years ago Uncle got into trouble and owed money to some really bad people. So to pay if off, I was put up as collateral''

'Wait what...'' Said Raman finding it absurd

'I was to be married to the guy in exchange my uncle's debt would be forgiven and in terms of me and Uncle, he was supposed to take care of Aditya while I went off and married for his sake. And it could have worked but Aditya got sick and I wanted to get out of there they wouldn't let me, long story short I jumped out of the building to go check on him and make sure he was fine. In the process I may have hurt my back...'' Said Ishita

Raman looked at her in disbelief how she could set there and talk about this like it is something that happened on a normal Sunday.

'I... I do not know what to say to that'' Said Raman

'Say I won't sleep on that floor again'' She said

'Yeah... No... It is fine...'' He said at a loss of words

'Great... Thank you Sir, I will leave you enjoy your dinner'' She said before she walked away

He watched her leave and it was the first time he had noticed she had a habit of crossing her fingers whenever she was in an uncomfortable situation and she was doing it again. What he wasn't certain of was whether or not she was lying or she was actually saying the truth. I mean it was too bizarre of a story, it sounded like something that came out of a really dark movie. Putting that at the back of his mind, he sat down and started to eat savoring his meal because of how good it tasted and the aroma that it was giving off.

He kept on wondering why it was so difficult it was to read her. Half the time he could not tell whether she was being conniving or she was being nice. She did not need to go through all this to ask for a warm place to sleep notwithstanding the fact that it was really strange him coming back to a hot meal. He chuckled amused as he comfortably enjoyed his meal.

When he was done he cleared the table before he grabbed his things and headed to the bedroom. On getting there he could see she was lying down on the couch completely out with a shawl covering her legs and a bedsheet covering her body.

'How can she sleep so soundly in such an uncomfortable way'' He said shaking his head.

He walked to the closet taking out a few clothes before he walked to the bathroom. He took a shower freshening up before he headed back. He sat on the bed trying to get ready for bed but he could see she had snuggled up her knees almost up her chest as she rested her hands between her thighs and he realized that she was cold.

He walked to the balcony door closing it before he turned off the AC. Like his body had suddenly got a mind of its own, he walked to where she was, removed the shawl and bedsheet she was using to cover herself and he lifted her in his arms to the right side of his bed. He slowly placed her down careful not to wake her up and when he was certain that she was comfortable, he pulled the covers over her and carefully tucked her in. He got to his side sliding in and that is when he realized what had just happened

'What the hell just happened'' He said turning as he looked at her

'Ahh I am way too tired to start thinking...'' He said turning to his side and he fell asleep.

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Aditya anxiously waited for Ishita hoping to see her before he went to school given he had not seen her the night before. He was nervous about it because it was his first day and it wasn't her nature to usually disappear and not let him know. He was beginning to worry and the fact that Santosh was around making a fuss did not help matters.

'Romi Sir, have you seen Ishita'' He asked

'Actually no... Which is a bit strange...'' He said turning to his mom

'Mom have you seen Ishita'' He asked

'No... Why... Isn't is up yet'' Santosh asked

'I am not sure but I am running late I have an early appointment so I have to go. Aditya see you later'' Said Romi and Aditya just nodded nervous

'Why are you still here shouldn't you be on your way to school already'' Said Santosh

'Yes Mam, I am waiting...'' He began but Romi came back interrupting

'All Abhi will be running late, I will take you come on'' Said Romi

'Don't you have an early appointment'' Said Santosh

'I do but it is either me or you, your call...'' Said Romi

'Why... Tell his mother'' Said Santosh

'I am guessing if she isn't here then Raman needed her for something that is why she isn't down yet... I gotta go... Come on Aditya'' Said Romi and Aditya obliged

'Thank You Sir...'' He whispered

'Your welcome buddy, I will drop you off. Abhimanyu is two blocks away...'' Said Romi smiling at Aditya and Aditya smiled back feeling a bit more relaxed

Romi who had seen Shagun making her way in wanted to avoid the whole crap that was about to go down and did not want that boy to see it. Also there was that little matter; once push came to shove Aditya would be the key in who stays standing because he was Ishita's weakness.

'Good Morning Mam...'' Said Shagun

'Good Morning sweetheart how are you'' Said Santosh

'I am doing alright thank you. I wanted to come and surprise Raman, have breakfast with him if you do not mind'' Said Shagun

'Oh... Not at all, he is in his room...'' She said

'Really... That is rear...'' Said Shagun as she headed up stairs

'I know... He must have been tired'' Said Santosh almost as though she had forgotten Ishita wasn't out yet

Shagun was excited given she never got to do this often and she was more than happy as she made her way to Raman's room. It was not something she did a lot and to be honest it was not something Raman liked but Santosh was on her side and she figured because they had been in a good place of late, it would be okay. When she got to his door, Ishita was walking out and they ended up bumping into each other.

'What the...'' Said Shagun as she stepped back

'Watch where you are going...'' She added looking up at Ishita

'Good Morning to you too'' Said Ishita

'What were you doing in there?'' Asked Shagun but Ishita just looked at her

'Are you deaf'' Said Shagun

'No... I am just waiting for you to ask me the correct question'' Said Ishita

'What does that mean?'' Said Shagun causing Ishita to lean in looking straight at her

'EEEhhmmm...'' She cleared her throat adding

'How did you survive after Shlok and I jabbed a knife through your heart...''

Shagun looked at her and suddenly her face went pale and she began feeling weak in her knees. She wasn't sure what to say to Ishita or even how to respond because there was no way it was her.

'You should be dead'' Said Shagun

'I should be... But I am not'' Said Ishita before she quickly leaned back humbling herself and stepping aside as she heard the door behind her open

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Chapter Twenty Four

'Oh... Sorry...'' Said Raman who almost bumped into Shagun who looked so pale and dazed out

'What are you doing here this early in the morning'' he added

'I... I wanted...'' Shagun began but could not bring herself to say anything

'What...? Why do you...'' Said Raman turning to Ishita and saying

'What did you do?''

'Nothing Sir... I was just greeting her but all she does is stare at me'' Said Ishita shrugging her shoulders

'Somehow I do not believe that but you can leave...'' Said Raman shaking his head

'What are you doing here Shagun'' He asked again

'I thought I would come and bring your breakfast'' Said Shagun composing herself

'You do not cook'' Said Raman and Shagun kept quiet

'Again, what are you doing here?'' Said Raman

'Is it so bad that I came to see you'' Said Shagun

'Actually yes because you are spying on me'' Said Raman

'No am not...'' Said Shagun

'Yeah you are'' Said Raman

'Why do you snap at everything I do?'' She asked

'Because you are more annoying than usual...'' Said Raman walking away before he stood and came back

'What does Ishita have on you?'' He asked

'What...'' Said Shagun shocked

'She has something on you that is why you are afraid of her'' Said Raman

'No am not... Why would I'' He said

'You should really see your face every time she is around you. It will be hard for you to sell that because even I do not need too many smarts to know something is up'' Said Raman

'Raman... Nothing... That woman just freaks me out because most of the time when she is around me she acts like a different person that is why you do not see what I see'' Said Shagun

'So meaning you won't tell me. Its fine... I will find out anyway because I know even if you do you will lie'' Said Raman and he began walking down but Shagun held him back

'Raman... What... What happened to us'' She asked

'Meaning'' He said

'You loved me... You used to care about me like nothing else mattered but now... I swear I feel like a wh**e when I am around you'' Said Shagun but Raman kept quiet

'Please... Be honest with me...'' She added

'This is conversation I cannot have when I am sober... Can we table this for later...? I am really late'' Said Raman as he walked down again

'Really Raman... Raman ...'' She called him walking after him but he ignored her

'What is going on'' Said Santosh who could see Ishita waiting for Raman in the Livingroom

'I am waiting for Sir...'' She said

'Why...'' Santosh asked

'He said he is taking me to work today'' Said Ishita

'Why...'' Said Santosh

'I... I do not know what to say... Oh here he comes'' Said Ishita thankful she did not have to explain herself

'Raman... Why does she think she is going to work with you'' Said Santosh

'Because she is ' Said Raman

'Wait... Why...'' Said Shagun

'You two seem to have selective amnesia, I can't explain this again'' Said Raman

'No... I get your grandfather wants her to work and all but why do you have to drive her there. She can take an auto'' Said Santosh

'I have no problem with that act...'' Ishita started but Raman shut her up

'You quiet...'' He said turning to his mother

'She does not know her way around and also I need her for something before we get there'' He added

'Raman can we just talk about ' Shagun started but he interrupted

'I am really late'' He said

'Am sure Romi can hold down for a while, Talk to Shagun, as for this one no one will miss her. Plus I need her in the kitchen for something'' Said Santosh

'Ma... I do not have time for this'' Said Raman standing his ground as he tuned to Ishita

'Let us go...'' And she turned walking behind him

'Raman... Raman'' Said Called him causing him to stop

'Will I see you...'' She started but he said instead

'I forgot my keys...'' Giving his laptop bag to Ishita and he walked back upstairs

Shagun got furious because there was nothing she hated more than being ignored and ever since this thing showed up, Raman seemed to be doing that more and more. Shagun began having ideas and she began being fearful that maybe Ishita had been running her mouth to him that is why his attitude had changed so much. It never really occurred to her that the reason he might not want her had something to do with the fact that she cheated or that she lied to him repeatedly or the fact that her family as blackmailing his mother, all she saw was Ishita taking away what was hers and she snapped

'What did you tell him'' She said charging to where Ishita was standing

'Nothing...'' She said

'What did you say to him'' She asked again

'Mam, I did not say anything, I swear...'' Said Ishita

'You're lying, why are you even here... What do you want? Why don't you just leave...? Go back to where you came from...'' She yelled pushing Ishita causing her to fall backwards, Raman's bag still in her hands

'What do you want'' Shagun yelled but instead Ishita who was probably just trying to agitate her looked at her and smirked a bit not saying a word and Shagun out of rage lifted her hand swag in as hard as she could causing Ishita to turn putting Raman's bag on her head

She stayed still waiting for a beating but when she did not feel a thing, a removed her hands only to see Raman was standing in front of her holding Shagun's hand

'I hate violence...'' He said

'She...'' Shagun tried to talk

'I also hate the fact that you are picking on a very helpless woman for no reason'' He Said

'Do not stand up for her'' Said Shagun teary

'Are you seriously taking her side'' Said Santosh a bit taken back

'Well... You two are the ones standing and she is the one on the floor frightened... So yeah, I am'' Said Raman

'RAMAN...'' Santosh yelled

'Why are you doing this to me'' Shagun began to cry

Raman looked at them and he knew if he did not put an end to all this once and for all everyone was going to keep on pretending like what he and Shagun had was actually normal and of mutual consent. Plus there was the issue of Ishita, he was not protecting her out of sympathy, he just knew he needed her trust in order to rid himself of the Aroras, and she was key Or so he thought. He turned to Ishita who was still on the floor and slowly took her hand helping her to her feet.

'Can you please wait for me in the car... I will be a second...'' He said

'Yes Sir...'' She said humbly before she grabbed her bag and his together with the keys he handed her and she walked out

'Okay... It seems like I have to have a conversation with you in order to put a few things into perspective'' He said looking at Shagun

'Yeah me too...'' Said Shagun wiping her tears as she composed her self

'You want honesty... Fine ...'' Said Raman

'What is going on'' Said Santosh

'Stay out of it...'' Said Raman to his mother before turning to Shagun

'I have been telling you this for the better part of 7 years now but you never listen and always imagine I am playing or not being serious. This thing we have... This thing we do, us being just physical, was your idea remember'' Said Raman but Shagun did not respond

'I loved you at one point. I swear I thought nothing else mattered as long as you were happy and even if we were young and innocent, for me you were it. But you... you did not care for that...'' Said Raman

'That is not true...'' Said Shagun

'A delinquent on a bike showed up and all of a sudden I became either too boring for you or too rigid or I do not know...'' Said Raman

'Is this about Shlok again... Seriously Raman nothing happened between us... Why do you always think I cheated on you, I didn't...'' Said Shagun

'Back then, No you did not although you wanted to, but 3 years later you could not hold back...'' Said Raman

'Okay we are just going around in circles you are not making sense anymore'' Said Shagun walking in front of him

'Raman...'' She began but she was going to realize that he was not the same Raman he had known the day before

'You... You are unbelievable...'' He said snapping

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