Ishita:Nikita: A tale of two loves Chap 79-83 Page 76.... - Page 46

Chapter Seventy-Two

'Will you stop wanking around like that...'' Said Ishita as she tried to get herself from his hold

'What do you think you are doing?'' He asked

'I... What do you think I am doing?'' She Said

'Oh, you think this is funny? You think you are funny?'' Said Pratik

'Well I consider myself a bit of a funny person. I mean I may not be...'' She began but he was not having it

'You idiot... You think I am kidding? What the hell do you think you are doing? How long are you going to keep this whole facade up and start working?'' He said moving forward as he pulled her had pushing her against the wall

'Aww you are hurting me... Stop'' Said Ishita

'Is this how to choose to save Ruhi? I did not risk everything I have just for you to come and play house with Raman Bhalla...'' He said letting go of her hand

'What... Ruhi... Where is she?'' Said Ishita

'What sort of stupid question is that? You have her...'' Said Pratik

'What...'' Said Ishita shocked out of her wits because she genuinely had no idea what was going on

'Wait... Why do I seem like talking to something completed different right now?'' Said Pratik

'Please where is she...'' Said Ishita but instead Pratik took a step back and looked at her frowning a bit as he stepped back

'YO, Nikita have you been taking your meds? You seem kind of strange right now. I mean I know you said that once we start this gig we are to act like strangers, but you are the one who came looking for me here. We have been planning this for close to 5 Years you can't begin going crazy now that we are almost here...'' He said

'What plan... What have we been planning'' Said Ishita confused

'Nikita... Seriously are you alright? Listen if this is hard we can stop. You do not have to do this? Those Bhallas are...'' He began but Ishita was freaking out and she had started holding her head as if it was hurting

'Hey... Hey... Come on... Let us get out of here...'' He said as he took her hand and began leading her out

'No... No... I am'' She said taking herself from his hold

'What can I do...?'' He asked seriously worried not sure what to do

He got to his bag and reached in taking out a bottle of pills and grabbing a bottle of water

'Take this... It always calms you down...'' He said, and she, being in so much pain accepted

Those pills made her oozy, she hated taking them and they were always given to her by her Uncle every time Nikita popped up. It was good because it made all the voices in her head quiet, there was just one little problem, each time she took then, Nikita would pop up and stay longer.

That is why she had stopped taking them and endured the nightmares instead. She began feeling dizzy and had started stumbling but he instead grabbed her hand and pulled her in hugging her. She tried to get out of his hold but was too weak.

'It's okay... It's okay...'' He said, but she instead continued to pull herself away and he let her go

'Sorry... I did not know what else to do...'' He said but she sat down on the floor instead

'What is wrong with me...?'' She asked

'Just give it a second you will be fine. It is just to calm you down...'' He said as he sat down with her

He seemed harmless like he was on her side, but she knew better than to trust people who had met Nikita and not her.

'So... Does Mihir know yet...'' Pratik asked

'Know what...'' She said

'I mean he keeps on insisting that we wait for the time when you will be ready, but I think that is utter bull shit given I know you are Nikita...'' He said turning to her before he added

'I mean you are Nikita Right...''

'Hmmm...'' She said nodding her head

'I mean I get using Ishita's name to rope in the Bhallas but aren't you taking it too far. I do not know how long Mihir can hold off watching his woman go around with his brother. I am just saying. Usually he is calm when we have a job. He always sticks to the book but lately he had been flipping out...'' Said Pratik

'Wait... What...'' She said

'The first-time you guys met I swear to God I thought you were about to blow your cover but then you acted all weird with the buttons and shit. What the hell was that anyway?'' Said Pratik

'What...'' She said confused

'Anyway, Mihir seems to like that quaky side of you I guess, he unpredictability. But I have to say how do you manage to keep calm when Raman or the others are around. How do you do that?'' Said Pratik and she just looked at him not sure what to say

'But... That being said... I think it is all starting to get to him. You know for the first time in 5 years this was the only time you and he did not spend your birthday together. He got upset knowing you had disappeared with your so-called husband... Where did you go anyway?'' Said Pratik

'Wait he was upset... I mean why... I don't...'' She tries to make sense of what was going on and probably wanted to ensure that she got the whole picture right but no matter what she wanted to believe, she knew she was in deep than she originally thought.

'Why are you looking at me like that? What did you think was going to happen? I mean he is all for the mark and everything, but it is his brother, a very possessive one at that, plus his crazy ass mother keeps on hurting you and not to mention, you never mentioned that you were in a hospital he had to find out from someone else. He says you never talk to him about anything. I am beginning to worry. I think you have changed sides...'' Said Pratik

'What sides... Why... Mihir... What are you saying...'' She said grabbing her head and leaning forward

She felt like she was in a trance and she knew it was just a matter of time before Nikita showed up. The only thing that was going to keep her away was Raman and she needed to go find him. The only problem, she was too weak to do that because it felt like she could not carry her own body.
'Where are you going?'' He asked as he watched her starting to crawl out of his office

'Hey... Niki... Come back... Hey...'' he said pulling her back

'What the hell Nikita?'' He added but before he could do anything she lost consciousness

'Nikiti... Nikita... Niki... Hey... Wake up...'' He panicked

He started to shake her but there was no response and he was starting to think maybe he had given her 2 pills too many. He knew calling emergency would be risky, so he called the only person he knew would help. He grabbed his phone and started dialing only to hear

'Stop flipping out... My god your voice is annoying...'' She said grabbing her head

'Dammit she has gotten stronger...'' She added

'YO... You freaked me out there...'' Said Pratik

'Please, you are such a sissy everything freaks you out'' She said

'Oookay... Have to say I have not missed that snappy bitchy attitude of yours...'' Said Pratik

'Thank you that is my greatest trait...'' She said looking around

'Where is Mihir...'' She said

'You literally just saw him... You two spoke like 10 minutes ago'' He said

'Hang on... What... Why... Why is Mihir meeting her?'' She said

'Don't worry he will not blow your cover. That man has unbelievable self-control it is freaky. Albeit I have to say spare sometime froe him, he is human too you know. He hasn't been to your apartment since you went back to Goa...'' Said Pratik

'I told him to sell that thing...'' She said shaking her head much to Pratik's confusion

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Chapter Seventy-Three

'Did you tell her anything'' She asked

'Tell whom'' He asked

'Ishita... Did you tell her anything on what we are doing? Did she ask anything?'' She said

'No... She just asked about Ruhi that was it... Besides why are you talking about yourself in the third person'' Said Pratik

'What happened to listen to instructions and do what you are asked? Your job is very clear not to mention, you talking to me like this threatens what we have worked for. You are not supposed to be meeting me to telling me anything. I am a stranger to you remember...'' She said

'Sorry... I got impatient. I am sorry...Plus you came looking for me'' he said

'Shut up! Why am I here anyway?'' She asked

'Well you husband is on the VVIP suite, I think your place isn't done yet. Uhh Romi is taking care of Aditya so it is all good. You must take care of that thing with Raman tonight. We are running out of time. If you don't I can find someone who can...'' He said but she cut him off

'No... I still need him...'' She said

'Yeah but for how long... Do you even think about Mihir...?'' He said, and she turned and looked at him

'Since when are you an advocate for Mihir Bhalla... You hate him just like you hate all the Bhallas...'' She said

'But I like you and you love him...'' He said

'Says who...'' She said

'Well he seems to trust that you and Raman have done nothing so your good for now. However, you must tell him eventually he will find out'' Said Pratik

'No, he won't...'' She said

'What makes you so sure?'' he asked

'No one knows the story about me and Raman Bhalla... The only person alive who know what happened when I was a kid, I am about to kill...'' She said before she turned around and walked out

'Whoa... She is scary when she gets like that'' Said Pratik as he watched her leave

'How are you keeping me away?'' She said talking to herself

It was not easy for Ishita to keep her at bay. It never has, even when she went to doctors for help, the meds they gave her always made things worse and Nikita had more spells outside than her to the point that the people she met, they people she encountered with all knew her as Nikita. She had made a life for herself. Ishita would leave her stupid boring painful life and Nikita would leave hers.

It worked but that whole year, she came out only so often and she hated that. She tried to figure out what triggered Ishita's personality to stay at bay for close to a year, but it was not working. The longer Ishita kept Nikita hidden, the longer her plan took, and it was not helping. Not knowing her trigger was the man she was intending on ruining, she set out to go find Raman.

'Ohhh... There you are, where have you been?'' He asked as she got into the elevators with him

'Well... Trying to find you... Why... Missed me...'' She smiled as she got in Romi frowned a bit and looked at her sensing something was off

'Are you okay?'' He asked

'Sure... ' She said turning back to Raman taking his hand

'How about you and I go some place quiet and talk...'' She said smiling

'It is not just me right... This is weird'' Said Romi

'Am sorry who are you?'' She said turning to Romi irritated and Romi with raised eye brows said

'What...''

'Am guessing this is Nikita...'' Said Raman and she turned smiling

'You remembered... Turns out you're not a damn ass after all...'' She said

'I have sooo many questions'' Said Romi

'Which are going to wait? Come on get off...'' Said Raman as the elevators opened again and Romi obliged finding the whole situation crazy

'She says your bad for me'' He said

'Who... Ishita...'' Said Nikita

'Hmm...'' Said Raman

'Please, she is the crazy one. Has she given you the whole Nikita is dangerous speech...'' She asked but Raman just looked at her

'Ungrateful bitch... You know she could have been raped five years ago had it not been for me...'' She said

''Whoa... What...'' Said Raman

'She did not tell you? I can see she is still secretive as always. Anyway, that works for me. The fact that you don't pity her yet means you are still open minded...'' She said

'Meaning...'' He said

'I mean except for pity, tell me one thing she has going for her...'' She said

'You realize you are the same person...'' He said

'Stop saying that, it is f**king pisses me off'' She said

'Okay... Okay... I am sorry...'' He said

'How Sorry...'' She said

'What do you mean?'' He said

She just stepped forward and pulled him by the collar putting her lips on his. It was so sudden and unexpected that Raman did not know how to react to it. The elevator door flung open startling him that he grabbed her hands and slightly pulled away, but their bodies were still close

'What are you doing?'' He whispered

'What do you think?'' She said smiling

'Niki...'' Mihir's voice suddenly came through as he stood outside looking at them

It looked like he had had the wind pipes blown out of him. He knew what was at stake and what was to be done, the only deal was that he did not get to know about it. When he heard from Pratik that Nikita was talking to him, he realized that in along time Nikita had come out and he wanted to talk to her. The woman who was in the elevator, who was she. Was it Nikita or Ishita?

She turned and looked at him startled out of her mind. She did not know what to do when she saw the look in his eyes. He was heartbroken, and she could see it and somehow, she started feeling conflicted and before you knew it

'Ishita... Ishita...'' Rama called her as she collapsed in his arms

He grabbed her picking her up and he took her to their room which was on the same floor with Romi not so far behind

'Should we call a doctor...'' Said Raman

'Nah... She is fine... Maybe she as just embarrassed that I saw you and got shocked from it'' He said trying to keep calm

'What are you an expert now...'' he said

'No... I am someone who has spent more time with her than the both of you. She once told me this happened and all you must do is give her some time. If she doesn't wake up in a couple of minutes or maybe an hour. Then we go to a hospital'' he said

'Why do you know this?'' Said Raman jealous

'Simple... When she talks... I listen...'' Said Mihir and Raman angry said

'Get out. When I need your help, I will call you''

'Oh, I am not going anywhere until I know she is okay'' he said refusing to barge

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Chapter Seventy-Four

'Hmmm... My head...'' Ishita started to regain consciousness causing Raman to go to her

''Okay I need warning when you are planning to pop up...'' Said Raman his hand on his chest

''Are you okay...'' He asked

''What...'' She said looking at him

''Ishi... Ahh... Sorry Nikita... Are you okay... For a second you were out of it...'' He said and Ishita turned looking at him in utter disbelief

''No... No... Why is... I can't... No...'' She began panicking

''Chill out a second...'' Said Raman as he grabbed her hand

''You need to stay as far away from me as possible. She will kill you...'' Said Ishita her voice breaking

''Who will kill me?'' He asked

''Nikita... Raman Please... I am begging just do as I say... You... You lied... You said I did not act out of the ordinary... You said I... You lied... You always lie... You...'' She began hyperventilating

''I can't... I can't...'' She continued

''Ishu... Ishita... Calm down... Ishita...'' He tried to grab her hand, but she instead pushed him away and turned to leave but she could not hold her weight

She was scared, and this was the first time she showed it. She always showed courage and was never easy to read but this was different. She was petrified and they all could see it

''I have... I want to leave... I have...'' She began and Mihir came forward grabbed her hand helping her to her feet

''Come on... I got you...'' And together they walked out leaving a completely perplexed and slightly jealous Raman behind

Once they got out, she and Mihir made it a few doors ahead when she realized whose hand she had been holding. She got out of his hold and stood a few steps from him staring at him shocked and confused.

'Niki don't look at me like that...'' Said Mihir

'Ishita... I am Ishita... Ishita Iyer... That is my name...'' She said teary

'I told you... Everything you do, I imagine you have a reason, every time you act out I imagine your doing it to survive, and every time you screw up, I will forgive you because I love you...'' He said

'No... No... What are you... No... Stop talking...'' She said as tears began flowing down her face

She placed her hand on her chest grabbing her dress as she pulled as if, if she did it hard enough the sharp pain in her chest would disappear

'What is happening to me? Why does this hurt?'' She cried

'Niki...'' Said Mihir as he stepped forward and tried to put his arms around her, but she stepped back

'Stay away from me...'' She said scared

'Do I scare you? Nikita...'' he said

'Ishita... My name is Ishita...'' She shouted

'Fine... I do not care what you call yourself... But you must know I have your best interest at heart. I am holding on as hard as it is because I know you will always come back to me, to us... You are...'' He began his voice breaking

'No... I am leaving...'' She said and walked back but he grabbed her hand

'Let us talk. I will explain what is going on? Please Nikita'' Said Pratik but she pushed him away

'Stay the hell away from me... All of you... Or so help me God I am going to walk in their and tell your brother everything... I do not care anymore. Either Nikita leaves me and him alone, or we both die... Next time you meet her, tell her that'' And with that she walked away

'Dammit... I can't do this anymore...'' Said Mihir as he stood there looking like a dejected man

She stumbled making her way back into the room bumping into Raman who was making his way out.

'My God Ishita... What is the matter with you?'' He asked angrily

'Please let us leave this place...'' She cried

'What...'' He asked

'These people... All of them... They are... Please Raman I am begging you...'' She said

'No... I am not going anywhere... I have given you more than enough leeway and you are taking that for granted. I have no obligation to always follow what you say or want so I am not doing that anymore'' He snapped

'I am sorry...'' She said her voice breaking

'What is going on?'' He asked taking her hand

She was struggling to stay on her feet and she was petrified he could see that, but he knew there was no way they were going to get to the bottom of the roller coaster if they did not start talking to each other. They walked in and he sat her down before bringing her a bottle of water. She was trembling, so he gave her a minute to calm down and make sure she was alright.

'Ishita... I am talking to Ishita right now, Right...'' He said, and she looked at him tears in her eyes as she nodded yes

'I have no idea what you have going on with my grandfather or the Aroras or Shlok or whoever else you are in touch with, but I need to know what is going on if I am to help...'' He said

'I do not need you to help, I need you to stay alive...'' She said

'Why do you think my life is in danger...'' He asked but she just kept quiet

'My God... Ishita'' He said sighing in frustration

'When you came into my life I hated you. To be fair I did all sorts of background checks on you, but nothing panned out. You did a very good job at hiding all these years that not so many people knew a lot about you expect for the fact that you disappeared from Goa for almost 5 years and only got back about a year or so ago. Then you and I met or married to be specific...'' He said, and she looked at him a bit confused

'Reading you is hard and I did not trust you enough, so I asked Mihir to keep an eye on you. He wants my hotel, so it was he keeps an eye on you and I get him shares. You seemed to be found of him, so I asked him to get information from you on my behalf... I asked him to spy on you... Abhimanyu also gets paid by me, but his loyalty is more to my grandfather, so I am starting to believe he is also lying to me'' Said Raman

'Why are you telling me this...'' She asked

'Shagun Arora was my first love, to be honest I always thought she was the love of my life, turns out being a first love doesn't necessarily mean love of your life, or better that is a notion that only works if you are a teenager...'' He said

'You must really care for her'' Said Ishita and Raman nodding said

'No... Used to care, now not so much. 10 years ago, because I thought my life would end without her, I took the fall for an accident she caused...'' He said holding his breath as he looked at her, but she looked away

This was the first time he was talking about this, this was the first time he was telling anyone about what happened. He was so remorseful and full of regret and knew there was a possibility telling her all this would cause more harm than good, but he figured maybe he try and be honest with her and she would do the same thing.

'When I got to the sight where the accident was the couple in that car were still alive I swear to God, but they died on the way to the hospital. My mom got into the ambulance with them and Shagun and I were taken out of there that very night. I never really knew what happened. I found out later that they had died, and some other guy took the fall for it and was later released for lack of evidence. I was a teenager, it never really occurred to me the gravity of what had happened. Shagun was free, I was out and that was what was important until...'' He said standing up unable to look at her

'Until what...'' She asked

'A man came here blackmailing us and that is how the deal of me marrying was made. Or so I was told. That man was your Uncle... I am so...'' He started but she cut him off

'You have your facts off a bit...'' She said

'What...'' Said Raman

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Chapter Seventy-Five

'First... That car had a couple inside, and four kids behind. Me, Nikita, Aditya and Ruhi... We were coming back from the hospital... My step mom had just given birth you see 2 weeks earlier, twins. It was a difficult delivery for her, so she got a few complications and we ended up staying at the hospital for about two weeks... That day was the day we were discharged, and we were on our way back home...'' She said

'Wait... I am...'' Said Raman confused

'Shagun was in the car with Shlok... They knew each other from the orphanage... Shagun used to hang around the orphanage as much as we did. She and my sister were very close friends...'' Said Ishita

'Wait... Am confused... That was the first time Shagun had been to that part of Goa... She was on holiday with her grandparents...'' Said Raman

'No... She used to come every now and then with her parents. That orphanage was how her father recruited all those kids who now including Shlok work for him. That is how he stole from dad. The money was always laundered through that orphanage. Abhimanyu worked there too. He was the director of that place...'' Said Ishita

'What do...'' Raman said but she cut him off

'Oh, and we did make it home. Dad prepared chocolate milk shakes for us while mom and Nikita put Aditya and Ruhi away to rest. That day was amazing, it was a perfect day, then Shlok knocked on our door together with Shagun and everything fell apart...'' She said tears filling her eyes

'What do you mean knocked on your door'' Said Raman

'Shlok was bait... Shagun was a spoilt brat. It was an accident, the Aroras capitalized on that, your mother was an accomplice unintentionally, wrong place wrong time sort of thing and your grandfather because of your unforeseen involvement became the money guy, he was the one who was supposed to make sure it all went away when it was done and dusted.'' She said deciding not to hold back because now she had bigger problems

'Whoa... Whoa... Back up a little... I am confused... How does all this fit into place...'' Said Raman but Ishita just looked up at her

'Please... ' He added

'I will tell you everything I know once I feel we are in a safe place to talk. Let us go anywhere. Let us get into the car and just drive anywhere. I swear to you I will tell you everything I know...'' She said

'Promise me...'' He said

'I swear on Aditya I will...'' She said

'Fine... Let me tell the hotel...'' He got up, but she grabbed his hand and sat him down

'No... Nobody knows where we are except for Romi... You tell him not to tell anyone... Please Raman...'' She said

'Even Mihir...'' He said

'Hmm...'' She said, and he reluctantly said

'Alright... Grab your jacket... Let us leave...'' And she obliged

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Raman had gotten a different hotel, it was an hour away from where his hotel was and like she had made him promise, no one knew where he was, not even his driver who always seemed to be in the know when it came to Raman.

They called Romi on their way and asked him not to divulge this to anyone and him being the trusting brother he always has been, he obliged. Once they got in, Raman had ordered some food for them and they were now fully settled when he finally tuned to her and asked

'Have you calmed done now'' and she turned looking at him

'You were crying the entire way here... Are you alright'' He asked

'Hmm...'' She said

'So... Shall we start'' He said

'Nikita...'' She said

'What'' Said Raman frowning a bit

'My sister, my twin sister Nikita... I mean me... I mean...'' She began fidgeting

'Just start at the beginning...'' He suggested

'When you met me at the beach...?'' She said

'When I met you?'' He asked

'Yeah... The girl with the weird breathing. You know the one you saved from bullies. That was me... The one you met a few days later that was Nikita...'' She said

'Wait... So, your telling me... You were Nikita or there was an actual Nikita...'' He said

'There was an actual Nikita... She was my sister. After the whole beach incident. You came looking for me with Romi... Remember...'' She said

'Yeah... You dad said you were not feeling well but promised to bring you by the beach the following day'' he said

'Yeah... Because I did not want you to forget me... I asked Nikita to go in my place. Nikita forgot to introduce herself as me and instead said her name, we just figured we go with it. You were my only friend, I did not want to lose that, so it went on. When I felt better, I would hang out with you, when I got worse, Nikita took my place...'' She said looking at him

'Why would you lie about that...'' He asked

'I don't know. I was a sickly child who was not as cool as Nikita. You seemed to enjoy hanging out with me. Even with the differences between me and Nikita, you never seemed to care. You would say I was like a cartoon character who changed attitude with the weather, but you liked me best when I was ...'' She said, and he cut her off

'Quiet and Calm... You were your prettiest self then...'' He said looking at her

'Oh My God...'' He added shocked that the person he thought had died was standing in front of him

'I would look forward every summer when you came. It was always fun having you around, and to be fair, I think Nikita had a little crush on Romi...'' She said chuckling and Raman chuckled as well

'You were always horrible at reading people, but your brother wasn't, and neither was Shagun...'' She said

'What does that mean?'' he said

'The last summer we spent together, was the summer you and Shagun started dating... Remember'' She said

'Oh yeah... But what has that got to do with anything...'' He asked

'Why that summer'' She asked

'What...'' He said

'I mean... What changed...'' She asked

'I don't know... I guess, she and I just clicked... There was this...'' He said keeping quiet before he looked at her

'She did something for me that touched my heart and it started from then I guess...'' He said embarrassed

'It was a motif painting of your dad seated outside a temple and you beside him holding his hand...'' Said Ishita looking at him

'How do you...'' He said

'I painted it... I was horrible at a lot of things, but I was a damn good painter.'' She said

'Wait... What...'' He said confused

'Took me weeks to finish it. Romi gave me that photo of your dad. It was old and faded but you always said the last memory of your father was not good and I wanted to change that for you, so I painted that.'' She said

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Chapter Seventy-Six

'Hang on... Shagun said her father had helped her get someone who painted it for me...'' Said Raman

'Not true... Nikita was always my biggest fan, she loved that I could do that and loved my art. Shagun was her friend, so she wanted to show her friend what her sister could do. Shagun stole said painting and presented to you as her own. We were kids, little things made us crazy, in my world that was something that I could not forgive... I got angry with my sister, with my weak heart, stress was not a good thing, so I ended up in the hospital that night. Nikita being angry confronted Shagun and threatened to tell you. But she couldn't... You guys had left for Goa... It was the last time you would come there since you were going abroad...'' She said

'Yeah, we got back...'' He said realizing

'Four years later, we had all grown up... But Nikita and I... Things did not really change. It was like time stood still. I childishly blamed her for you leaving, because I was ill and maybe lonely I just took it out on her while she just took it and because of it never really forgave Shagun. So, when you showed up again four years later, telling her that you had a girlfriend now and it was Shagun she was angry. Confronted Shagun and told her she would tell you everything and see if you liked her then once you found out what she had done...'' She said tearing up again

'Shagun was and still is a spoilt brat. Always got what she wanted, consequences be dammed. You know like those annoying rich brats you only see in movies, she was pretty much the poster girl for them...'' She said, and Raman chuckled a bit at how accurate that was

'Anyway... Uhh... My sister standing up to her was like the epitome of disrespect you can imagine for a 15-year-old know it all you see. So, she decided to do something about it'' Said Ishita

'Meaning what...'' Said Raman

'Shlok had a crush on Shagun so he would pretty much go to hell and back if she asked. So, when she asked for help from him, he obliged. Not even considering my father who had taken him in, he just...'' She said keeping quiet

Raman could hear the regret in her voice, she blamed herself for a lot of things, but this was the first time he saw that she carried a burden bigger than everyone who was involved that night and it was not fair

'They came to our house that night, I think to just to threaten my sister. They did not know dad and mom were home. Shagun walked in throwing a tantrum, my parents were upstairs, and I think they thought it was Shagun being Shagun, but they heard my sister screaming, so the came down stairs to see what was going on. Nikita and Shagun were fighting, Shlok was just standing there like an idiot not doing anything. My sister out of anger grabbed I think it was cup of tea, it was hot poured it on Shagun and then all hell broke loose...'' She said doing everything to keep her composure

'Everything happened so fast that the next thing I remember was Shlok was standing there with a knife in his hand, my sister was on the floor profusely bleeding, my dad was lying on the floor with blood on his head and my step mother was screaming so hard calling my dad but was no responding... After that, I think I passed out because the next thing I remember was I was in the back of a car with both my siblings and your girlfriend and someone I considered family were driving us somewhere...'' She added

'Wait... All this over...'' Said Raman in utter shock

'A stupid painting...A stupid-stupid painting and a teenage crush'' Said Ishita her voice breaking

' I was not in the car of the accident and neither were Aditya and Ruhi, Shlok made sure of it. He felt guilty I guess, and he saved us. He convinced Shagun and they left me, my siblings and my mom by the side of the road and instead drove my father's dead body over a cliff making it seem like an accident wrapping it up nicely for you to take the fall ...'' She said

'How does my family get involved in this...'' Said Shlok

'My sister, she did not die immediately... She was in the same hospital that I was in. Your grandmother, she wanted to or at least we thought at that time, wanted to do right by us after everything so she took us to a hospital, all five of us. My step mom, my siblings and me. My sister... She said she lay there for a while and could hear Shagun crying. She grabbed the landline and called someone. Shlok was consoling her trying to keep her down. She was just standing over my father's body staring blankly for about an hour or so when thee people came walked in. One of those people was your mother...'' Said Ishita

'Why... Why was she there...?'' Said Raman

'I do not know...I just remember her coming into my room a couple of times when I had my transplant. Then when I was cleared to leave she handed me over to my Uncle together with Aditya and that was the last I saw of her until the hospital when I walked with you'' Said Ishita

He sat down and looked at her and he knew if she was opening to him like this she had nowhere to turn to. He started to feel guilty because he knew if only he had not involved himself in that mess then maybe his grandfather would not have found the need to hide all that 10 years ago. Her life would maybe not have been ruined.

'I know I have no reason to be in your life and to be honest if it was up to me I would not be, but you see... I... I had no choice... One moment I am taking care of Aditya staying with a pig of a man, the next thing I am in Delhi, roaming around with no clue of how I got there or why I was there and I have been living there for five years... All I do know is I was meeting someone that day who was supposed to give me these books of account about your company...'' She said

'So, you are saying...'' He began

'Apparently, I went through trauma when I was staying with my Uncle and that led me to create this other person in me to cope. The only problem with that is that I do not remember what this person does when she comes out. All I do know is you are at the center of it... I fear her... I have tremors and anxiety attacks, but I can't take meds because once I let my mind slip, she comes out...'' Said Ishita crying

'I do not know how else to protect what I love and not to mention I think she is hiding Ruhi from me or maybe not, I do not know any more...'' She added between her sobs

'Okay... Okay calm down... We will figure this out...'' Said Raman as he took her into his arms

'Why do you think you, I mean Nikita wants to kill me'' He added

'Because all the anger I seem to have suppressed she took it all in. I do not blame you for my father's death, that was my fault but Nikita, she blames it all on you... your family... she is brutal and unforgiving. I know...I know me staying away from you would have been the best thing I can do for you, but you see, I can't do that'' She cried

'Why...'' He asked as he looked at her

'Your grandfather... I think your grandfather has my sister and my step mother... He is hiding them somewhere...'' She said

'Why...'' He asked

'The Aroras... Your mother is in deep with them but she needed up bringing them...'' Ishita started

'into the company...'' Said Raman

'And your grandfather wants a way to get rid of them without losing a penny... Parting you away from Shagun was step one...'' Said Ishita

'And step two...'' Said Raman

'Using me...'' Said Ishita

'What do you mean?'' Said Raman frowning

'Iyer's only surviving daughter come back to take what belonged to her father from te man who killed him...'' Said Ishita chuckling

'All he had to do was make sure he finds someone to take care of Aditya and that someone was supposed to be...'' She added turning and looking at him before she hesitantly said

'You... I told him he had to convince you to adopt Aditya and he said all I had to do was convince you that he was my son there for you would be legally obligated to since I was your wife...''

'Oh My... Wha... Why... I ... What...'' He said looking at her at a loss of words

He probably had the worst sort of people in the world he called family. Everyone was just so selfish and self-centered with utter disregard for those around them. They had taken so much from this woman, they pretty much f**ked her life up and screwed it repeatedly and had no intention of stopping. How was it fair that she had to now take care of problems created by the Bhallas themselves after they took her company from her.

He was embarrassed and disgusted by it all. Apologetic to her and yet he knew that was not nearly enough. How could they, why would they? She was someone's daughter too and she mattered? What right did they have to do that? He was ashamed and sorry to her and angry all at the same time.

'I am sorry... I did not know what else to do. You see my Uncle, if I leave... He won't take care of Aditya. If something happens to me, he won't take care of Aditya... I need another surgery on my heart. That was what I was told... I don't think I have time for that... He needs to be in a safe place and I did not know what else to do so I agreed to do what your grandfather asked'' She cried as she went on her knees

'Aditya is all I have, Aditya is all that I have left of my father... Raman I am begging you... He and Ruhi... They are it. Please... Allow me use you just this once. I have a plan... Once I get Ruhi I will give you everything you need to take your grandfather down or forgive him or whatever I don't care just please let me use you this once... ' She added

'Get up... You don't have to beg...'' He said helping her to her feet

'You can use me in whatever way you want. I give you permission...'' He said causing her to look up at him in disbelief

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