Ishita was hugging Raman while he was consoling her by rubbing her back from one hand only. After sometime, finally he asked her to stop crying and tried to change her mood,
R-Enough Ishita, stop crying now. I'm perfectly fine yaar. Kya Ishita, I thought I chose a strong girl for me who will handle my mother if I got hurt like this but here you are scared and crying more than my mother.
He said while she broke the hug and was looking down composing herself.
R-I had given you such a nice name, Jhansi ki rani, thodi si to kadar karo uski.
She hit him lightly hearing that name once again for herself but the reason is unknown to her and asked,
I-What is this Jhansi ki rani? I should know the reason for getting this name. So, tell me.
R-Not so soon.
I-Please na Raman. I'm very eager to hear...
R-Me too very eager to hear something.
He said interrupting her and was looking at her who was first confused then understood what he meant & said making a serious face,
I-Fine, don't tell me. You just got fine soon then I will make you spill it out.
R-Will see it later. On serious note, you cried more than my maa, don't know who will handle you both if something happens with me...
I (angrily)-Don't you dare to talk like this, got it.
Raman nodded smiling while he asked her,
R-By the way, you all fought with the goons bravely last night & now getting worried unnecessarily.
I-You don't know how much we all were worried for you from morning. There was no news about you, you were not picking our calls, we didn't see you at court in news, your subordinates were also not telling us anything about you, then we saw in news about the court giving punishment to culprits after getting proofs so we thought you are safe but then also no news so we were so worried. Got it.
R-Hmmm, got it. Sorry, actually I got to know that the goons attacked here & you all handled it very well. Before court hearing they attacked on me also as they got the information that their plan flopped and I was aware of it too. I got shot in my arm during self-protection, somehow, we managed to run from there and other officers admitted me in hospital. I only told them not to tell this to anyone, neither media nor my family. I stayed in hospital till hearing and after case hearing ended & culprits got punished, I came here.
I-One second, you didn't reach to the court. Then how did the proofs reach the court?
R-Oh hello madam, don't underestimate the power of a common...no no.. don't underestimate the power of your would-be man.
He said in full tashan while she hit him on his injured arm making him wincing in pain and said,
I-Ho gayi nautanki? Now tell me.
R-Sorry Ishita, but it's official. I can't share it. Sorry if you got hurt...
I-It's ok Raman. I understand. I remember you told me that day that your duty comes first for you and frankly speaking, I like it. And right now, you are fine, that's important.
R-Yes, I have little injury but it will get fine soon.
I-Of course, you will get fine soon as I will take care of you now.
R-No need of that.
I-Why? You took so much care of me, now I will take care of you.
R(taking her in a side hug)-no means no and no arguments. I took care of you & baby because I love... my baby.
I(thinking)-Don't know, when will you say openly to me, I love you instead of baby. I think it's high time to move one more step forward.
He was hugging her from side looking straight smiling while she was thinking looking at him and finally with great courage, she managed to say softly,
I-Then I will also take care of you because I also love you.
She said looking at him but then looked straight while he was about to deny her again when her last words struck in his mind as well as heart. It took few minutes for him to digest her words & then looked at her who was looking straight & was trying to hide her smile. He was just looking at her without saying anything and trying to register her words in his heart when she too looked at him and asked,
I-What happened? Why are you looking at me like this?
R(happily)-What did you just say?
I-What? Nothing, I just said I love you... to my baby.
She said placing her hand on her stomach while he was happy to hear the words for which he was waiting from long time and smiled on her act which was like a repeat telecast of his confession.
R-acha ji, meri dava mujhi ko laga rhi ho. Good, good going. Now you are behaving like a true jhansi ki rani, full on attitude like me. But thank you so much, you don't know how much I have waited for this moment.
He said and both shared a lovely hug which was broken by them when they heard Toshiji shouting for Raman. Within few seconds. Mr & Mrs Bhalla entered in the room running & as the moment Mrs Bhalla saw him injured, she just burst into tears running towards him & hugged him making him hurt a little to which Mr bhalla scolded Mrs bhalla for hurting him but Raman took Toshiji in tight hug from another hand saying,
R-don't scold my maa, she has all right on me.
Mr bhalla's eyes too got filled seeing him like that and was wiping them when Raman saw him and called him too. He too went to other side & hugged him lightly not to hurt him while Mrs Bhalla was crying badly, Mr Bhalla & Raman tried to console her. Ishita smiled at them & left from there giving them their own time. Raman & Mr bhalla consoled Mrs Bhalla. Then they too asked him so many questions and he answered them calmly. He also told them that Ishita too accepting him in her life and she was crying like her mother to which his parents smiled. Mr Bhalla even teased Mrs Bhalla for getting a DIL like her own. His parents were happy for them and told him how she handled the situation last night and in morning also, she was herself worried so much but always consoled them very nicely. Mrs Bhalla was going to make something for Raman after some more chatting but before that Ishita and Swati came inside, Ishita was holding the tray containing a bowl of hot soup along with a glass of water. Mrs Bhalla and Raman got angry thinking she cooked in this state that to be when she was very disturbed from last night. Mr Bhalla and Swati stood smiling knowing what coming next and the next moment Mrs Bhalla started scoldng her for doing all this.
I-But auntiji...
Mrs Bhalla-Mujhe kuch nhi sunna, subah se thik se rest bhi nnhi kiya aur tu yeh sab kaam kar rhi hai.
Raman too joined his mother and none was ready to hear her while she looked at Mr Bhalla for some help but he just shrugged his shoulder, then she told Swati to say something and finally she interfered and said,
S-I told you di, they will react like this only. But auntiji, Raman bhai, don't worry, Yeh soup maine banaya hai, mere hote huye main di ko kaise kaam karne de sakti hu. So, tension free ho jaaiye, she just brought that tray from kitchen to room.
Mrs Bhalla asked him to have it and have medicines. Raman sent Mr and Mrs Bhalla to take rest while he was about to send Ishita too but before him, she herself denied straight forward. Both started argument in which Swati took Raman's side and told Ishita to go and rest for sometime but she was not ready. Mrs Bhalla entered inside and told both of them to stop arguing, she gave prasad to Raman which she forgot earlier, then turning to Ishita who was standing looking down, she said to her,
Mrs bhalla-Ishita puttar, tu bhi thodi der rest karle, kal raat se thik se soyi bh nhi hai. Tujhe bhi aaram ki jarurat hai puttar, apne bachche ke liye, thodi der rest karle, uske baad tu jaise chaahe, jitna chaahe mere puttar ka khyaal rakh lena, koi kuch nhi bolega. Mere puttar par poora adhikar deti hu tujhe par apna aur apne bachche ka khyaal bhi rakh.
R-Maa, aap...
Mrs Bhalla-Ha ha pta hai tujhe bhi uski chinta aur usse teri, to tum dono milkar ek dusre ka khyaal rakho, lekin khud ka khyaal bhi rakho, mujhe mere saare bachche sahi salamat chaahiye. Samjhe.
Ishra said ok smiling while Mrs Bhalla looked at Swati who was looking at them lovingly and said,
Mrs Bhalla-Samajh gayi na Swati?
She said breakiung her trance and looked at her confused when she repeated,
Mrs Bhalla-mujhe mere saare bachche sahi salamat chaahiye aur un bachcho mein tu bhi aati hai. Kal raat se tu bhi bhot pareshan thi, to Raman puttar ko medicines dekar, tu bhi apne room mein jaa kar rest kar. Ok.
Swati nodded in yes with teary eyes while Mrs bhalla hugged her and Ishita both saying,
Mrs Bhalla-Tere aur Ishita ke aane se hamare ghar mein do kamiya poori ho gayi. Ek beti ban gayi aur dusri bahu. Thank you puttarji.
All smiled hearing her, then Raman said,
R-Ha aur bete ko bhool gayi.
He said while Mrs Bhalla smiled and she hugged him too. Then she went taking Ishita from there, she took her to room, made her lay on her bed, went out covering her and strictly told her to take rest. While at the other side, Raman had his soup in between little chit chat with Swati. He had his medicines and lied down to take some rest. Ishra slept thinking of the happenings of the day. Swati kept the tray in kitchen and went to her room. While Mr and Mrs bhalla informed Mr Iyer everything and he was also relaxed and happy. Finally, all slept waiting for the new journey of life after a very tiring day but a very memorable day also...
Ishaani
Cricket
9