Ishra FF: Dil Ki Chaahat Last part pg84 dt.19.9.19 UPDATED - Page 13

Chapter 12

Ishita stared down at the book she was studying. It was another math problem. She twisted her face, this subject would drive her crazy. Why was it so difficult? And why was raman not around to make it easy for her? She shook her head, how would he be here, he was in Mumbai and it had been three weeks and more than five more months to go before he would return.
She sighed deeply and refreshed the page of her computer screen. But nothing changed. She was hoping that he would mail her back after reading her messages.But it seemed like that he didn't get the time to read them forget replying back . She checked her mobile if it was not on silent mode though she was sitting in the library and ideally it should be turned off but she didn't wish to miss any call from him. If her phone would ring then what would happen...the librarian would glare at her? Not a problem she could take that but definitely not miss to hear from him. As it is since he had left for Mumbai they had barely spoken to each other. Only Sundays were a little free for him when they would get some time to chat and update the other about all that happened in the past week.

Though ishita's days were boring and nothing eventful would happen. She'd come back in the evening from college, give tuitions to the children of her colony, cook dinner,study at night and talk to his sculpture before going to sleep.( She'd skip telling him about the last thing she'd do before hitting the bed ) but one could say that she didn't have anything exciting to share with him. More than talking about herself she'd be eager to know about him. ( She'd badly miss hearing his voice) How his job was going ? How well he was settling in the new city? The delight and excitement in his voice would somewhat lessen the ache of being away from him. She would draw her happiness from his. He couldn't imagine how one message or some news from him would give her strength to deal with this separation.
One more time she checked her inbox and her cellphone. Sadly nothing from his side.
He must be awfully busy to not text her.
Reluctantly she diverted her mind from him to the subject that she was supposed to study. However after ten minutes she snapped her books shut. This was not the right place to study she would go to the canteen and solve the math problems.

ishita gingerly ran her fingers on the bench, sitting on which he had helped her with the assignment. She smiled remembering how he had tugged the pen she was chewing from her mouth and how nervous she was when he sat just next to her..his sudden closeness had set her heart racing rapidly...and today she was missing that closeness.
A part of her wanted to think about something else because it would lessen her agony however a big part of her wanted to cling on to every small little thing that reminded her of him because only then her agony would subside.
Life without him was not easy. In fact it was empty. Quite empty.

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November 29,20xx
Sitting in the balcony of my two bedroom hall kitchen apartment, after several weeks I finally squeeze in some time for myself. Yes now I'm no longer caged inside a small hostel room, I have a huge spacious apartment all to myself.Life is changing and it's changing only for the better. Gone are the days when I would travel in congested buses or metros and occasional autos. Now I have an apartment and a chauffeur driven car ( not my own but company's) that picks and drops me daily to the office. An office where when I enter, some people stand up and greet me. I no longer just take orders in fact there are quite a few employees who work under me. I can't express in words the high one gets when heads turn at your presence and things move at the snap of your fingers. After so many years, today I feel that what I'm doing is significant and worthwhile...and knowing that swells my chest with pride .
Taking a sip of my coffee I glance at the streets of Mumbai. It's way past midnight and the streets are still not deserted. Truly Mumbai is a city that never sleeps. People here are always on their feet, ready to go. It's a place that gives you a lot. A place that fulfills your dreams. However in return it charges a heavy price for realization of those dreams. Nothing can be taken for granted. Some sacrifices need to be made especially if you wish to excel.Personal life takes a back seat and family gets sidelined. Di and ishita need to understand that. It's not that I don't miss them or don't want to be with them but then you can't bake your cake and eat it too. (Ah that reminds me, I have to call ishita, it's been more than ten days that I've had a good long chat with her. She must be sleeping right now. I'll call her tomorrow...Hope it doesn't slip out of my mind) so as I was saying Life here is hectic and chaotic. You can't afford to relax. Being part of the financial team is not child's play. The job is gruelling and demanding. Today if I sit back to relax then I would be a fool because there are so many people who are dying to step into my shoes.
And honestly speaking even I don't wish to slowdown. After so much of struggle I have reached here and mind you this is not my destination, so how can I stop?
All these years I've only been dreaming and now I'm beginning to give those dreams some concrete shape.
Life is beautiful...it's got so much to offer and I shall embrace it with open arms.

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"seriously raman ,I can't believe maya is getting engaged." ishita was really happy for her friend and now she couldn't contain her excitement. Though the news did surprise in fact shocked her because maya never told her that she was dating someone and now all of a sudden she was getting engaged!
" if I'm not wrong , isn't she still in college?" raman failed to understand what was the need to take such a huge step.
" yes she is studying , it will take her another three four years to get her medical degree. She wants to be a doctor."
" and what does her boyfriend do?"
" he's a law student?"
" student?" raman couldn't believe that even her boyfriend was not settled.
ishita grinned hearing his surprised tone." yeah they would continue to pursue their respective degrees after marriage."

raman shook his head. " but why don't they first complete their education, get settled and then take this plunge?"
she pressed the phone to her ear and replied softly, " maybe they love each other so much that they can't stay apart." Moreover they must be clear in their heads regarding their relationship. If they were absolutely sure that they wanted to marry one another some years later then why not today? Why wait when you know what or who you want as a life partner?
he rolled his eyes, this wasn't love, this was just being insecure. " ishita, I won't be surprised if after marriage maya discontinues her education to look after the house and her boyfriend,iqbal struggles to stand on his two feet."

Why was he being so cynical? " raman why are we arguing over their decision? It's their life and we should only wish them happiness." raman smirked inwardly, time would tell how happy these love birds would be in future. According to him they were making a big mistake. They were playing with their careers and their lives.

"so, today they get engaged and when do they marry...tomorrow?"
" no, no ... iqbal has fixed Valentine's day as the wedding date...so romantic na..?"
raman let out an audible sigh. " yeah very romantic." When poverty knocks at the door, love flies out of the window.( not literally) but yes, real life is not a bed roses , there are thorns in the path and when they prick, it hurts badly.
" so, help me select a suit for the function." That was the main reason why she had called him. Even though he couldn't see her and was miles away still she desired to look pretty through his eyes.
" hey ishita, look I need to hang up. ..the chairman is on the other line."

ishita pouted in annoyance. " but your office hours are over...this is our time."
raman laughed. " excuse me, but I'm not doing a routine nine to five job..this is different. Will talk later..now bye." She opened her mouth to stop him but he had already disconnected the call.
she shook her head in sulk, this was not fair..now how would she seek his opinion?
Just then her gaze fell on his sculpture and she smiled. Taking out three pairs of suits she one by one showed him each pair and discussed with him about their colors and cuts. After a long discussion in which only she was speaking, they finally selected a dark pink suit.
ishita let her hair open, applied the eye liner,lipstick and stuck a small bindi on her forehead. She then lifted matching glass bangles to push them through her hand. Her eyes fell on her hand especially her empty ring finger and she caressed it with the thumb of her other hand. maya was so lucky, tonight she would have a ring on her finger...her relationship with iqbal would finally have a name. She would no longer be his girlfriend...she'd be his fiancee!
Fiancee sounded so special, she glanced at raman 's sculpture and wondered when would he go on one knee and propose to her... when would he put his ring on her finger...the day would be the happiest day of her life. The thought made her smile through her tears. She went to her table, picked up the calendar and crossed one more days. She pushed back the moisture in her eyes...two months gone...four more to go.
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After writing her class test ishita walked back briskly from her college. It was a chilly January afternoon with Sun showing no signs of coming out of the thick blanket of dark clouds. She had to go home quickly so that she could prepare well for the next test. With every step that she was taking she hoped that it wouldn't rain..but it did. And it was not a drizzle but heavy rain. If that wasn't bad enough then to add to her misery she wasn't carrying an umbrella.And why should she be carrying one, when she left the house, the sky was absolutely clear with bright sunshine. ishita ran to roadside tea stall to take shelter. She rubbed her cold hands, rains were good but not in this season when one would crave for warm and pleasant days. Winter in Delhi was at it is horrible and then to make it worse this sudden unexpected downpour!
Standing in the corner she was busy cribbing when she two teenagers crossing the road. The boy took out his jacket and wrapped around the girl...long back her raman had done the same. She smiled remembering that day. He was always a very caring and considerate person...could never see her in distress .. always there to protect her . The thought of him and his love, warmed her heart. How much she missed him only she knew. She wished he could come to Delhi for a day or two that would perhaps give her the strength to deal with this separation. But she knew her wish wouldn't get fulfilled ...he was too busy to come and visit her. These days he barely got the time to reply to her messages, she'd consider herself lucky if he spent more than ten minutes on the phone.
she attempted not to think about him and averted her gaze. She saw a very old couple probably in their late seventies walking towards the stall. The wife tightly held her husband's arm as she slowly walked taking his support and the husband held the umbrella for both of them. The umbrella wasn't big enough to cover them as a result both of them were getting slightly wet till they reached the stall. After sitting on the bench, the wife ordered a plate of jalebis and the couple quietly ate from the same plate.
raman had also fed her a piece of jalebi and she had thought that it was an extremely sweet and loving gesture on his part. But the scene that she was witnessing was far more loving and endearing.
In her eyes this was true and timeless love. where the couple walked hand in hand so that they could together face life and it's challenges...where they found bliss in the smallest and simplest of things...where with age their love grew only stronger .
She wished she could also have raman 's love and companionship for a lifetime.

No matter the age grows

No matter the skin shrinks

I find your love still young
‘

I find your soul still tender