Thank You very much for the response.
Part-13
Next day, Preeta came for the pag phera ritual along with her husband, Abhay. Bhallas welcomed them warmly and everything went well. In the evening, after Preeta and her husband went back, Ishmi also prepared to shift to the place where Daima along with Nitin & his parents were staying. Ishita was coming out of her room with her luggage, she met Raman on the way.
R - So, ready to go?
I - Yes. I was just looking for Mihika. Romi se milne gayi thi, pta nhi kaha reh gayi..
R - She must be coming. Need any help?
I - No, I’ll manage.
She started walking when she stumbled and he held her.
R - Are you okay? Let me help you, ek bag main le jata hu.
He took the bag before she could say anything while she looked at him. Both went to Romi’s room to call them and saw them having a heated argument. Ishra looked at each other shockingly.
R - Do you have any idea why they are fighting like this?
I - No. But sun ke to yhi lagta hai ki yeh log hamare bare mein bat kar rhe hai.. but kya? Mihika ko aap par shak...Why?
R - Yeh ladkiyo ka copyright hota hai kya shak karne par.. phir sab misunderstandings is shak ki vajah se hoti hai…
I - Exactly, one doubt and so many misunderstandings. Bol to aise rhe ho jaise aap kisi par shak nhi karte.
R - What do you mean?
I - Nitin? Us par shak nhi hai aapko?
R - He gave me the reason.. Tell me where is he? Kal shadi se suddenly gayab ho gaya aur aaj ghar bhi nhi aaya jab sab yahan hai.
I - Abhi Mihika aur Romi ki problem jyada important hai. but yes, I can bet..tomorrow you will regret it.
Both went to Romika and asked the reason for their fight. None said anything. Ishra thought to talk to them later. Soon Ishmi left. After dinner, Ishra talked to Romika separately.
Ro - Bhai, jabse hum sab yaha aaye hai, tab se Mihika bas Akka akka aur akka karti rehti hai. Hamare bare mein bat karne ke liye uske pas time hi nhi. Still I never complain, I understand but I can’t tolerate that she doubts you. She doesn’t like your and Ishita ji friendship much. She accepts that you made her akka to smile, you always try to cheer her up but then don’t know what’s troubling her. Share nhi karna, because Akka ka personal matter hai, Okay but then let her take the decisions of her life, whom she wants to befriend or not, afterall she is quite mature. Why does she always tell me ki aapka Ishita ji se jyada close hona thik nhi. Aap mere bhai ho, I can’t take this.
R - Romi, listen. She respects me a lot. Mihika ko Mujh par doubt nhi hai, bas..shayad koi bitter past hai jiski vajah se vo confused hai. She liked it when Ishita and I became friends, that her sister is trying to live a normal life but..I think she has a fear..a fear to see her sister back to that hard shell, a fear of…. another betrayal?
Ro - You mean to say…love….
R - No. Jaruri nhi sirf pyar mein hi aisa ho. Dhokha to koi bhi de sakta hai.
Ro - Bhai, do you like Ishita ji?
R - Like to hai...but vaisa nhi.. sure ho jaayega to jarura bta dunga. For now, you don’t talk to Mihika like this, just sort out everything. Okay. (thinking) - Sorry Romi, but ab to main 100% sure hu ki meri feelings ka abhi bahar na aane hi thik hai. I have to first bring Ishita out of her bitter past. I don't even want to hurt her inadvertently.
Other side,
I - Miku, How can you do this? That day also, I told yo na, Raman is a very very nice person, a true gentleman.. he can’t hurt anyone.. aur mujhe to unhone friend kaha hai..
M - Just friends, Akka? Aur aaj nhi hai to kya kal bhi nhi hoga iski guarantee hai akka?
I - I won’t let this happen. And he knows me well that love and all this nonsense has no place in my life. You don’t worry about me & my life. I want ki tum sirf apne aur Romi ke rishte par dhyan do. I know Mihika, tum mere liye bhot concerned ho but Miku, you have to get one thing into your mind very clearly that now your priorities have been changed. You should give equal importance.. in fact more importance to Romi and his family.
M - Aur aapka kya?
I - Mera kya.. Kamla ma hai na mera khyal rakhne ke liye, unka pura parivar sath hai. Nitin jaisa acha dost hai. uncle aunty aur tu bhi hai, thoda dur ja rhi hai lekin hamara rishta vaisa hi rehega hamesha.
M - Pas rahu ya dur Akka, doesn’t make any difference. You never share your problems with me. I know Aap sirf Appa se hi share karti thi aur aaj bhi…. but Akka, life long aise kaise...Don’t you need anyone to share your feelings, happiness & problems?
Ishita nodded in a no with a smile.
I - Now, sleep and yes, kal subah sabse pehle Romi ko apologise karna aur sab thik kar lena. Aur ha, aise rishte nhi tode jate. Both of you have to walk beside each other in every thick and thin. Okay? Now sleep. Good night.
M (holding her hand)- Akka, remember Appa kehte the ki jab bhi life aapko second chance de, to usse quickly grab kar lena chahiye. Agar life ne aapko Raman ji ke roop mein second chance dia to kya aap aisa karoge? (Ishita withdrew her hand) I knew it. Truly speaking Akka, mujhe Raman ji se nhi aapse dar lagta hai aur aap dono ke liye dar lagta hai.
Ishita turned, lied down and closed her eyes stating that she’s sleeping but Mihika’s words were disturbing for her mind as well as heart.
M (thinking) - How should I make you understand Akka, weather forecast kar sakte hai but pyar nhi.. I’m sure Raman ji jaise softly aapki life mein changes la rhe hai, usko itna happy bna rhe hai..aapko pta bhi nhi chalega kab aapko unse pyar ho jaayega aur kab aap unse expect karne lagegi. I have to talk to Raman ji, unhe aware karna hoga.
Next day, Raman, Romi, dadi, Om & Toshiji came to meet Mihika and family to discuss the engagement. Romika apologised to each other and discussed how Ishra were concerned for them. Mihika shared with him that she is worried for Ishra both and want to talk to Raman once. Engagement was after two days. Romika, Ishra, Toshiji, Kamla & Mrs Bhatia went shopping. First they bought engagement rings. Seniors were busy buying some jewellery while Raman sent Romika together for sometime. After some time, he didn’t see Ishita there. Mrs Bhatia informed that she had to buy a headset so went to the market. Raman called her but she didn’t pick. Mrs Bhalla informed that she asked ishita to go to his friend’s shop. Raman called his friend but she didn’t reach there & went to check on her.
Ishita was walking in the market and was checking the shops but she was unable to find the shop due to language issues. She spotted a lady who was looking educated and thinking she must understand Hindi and could help her, she tapped on her shoulder and asked for the address but then was shocked when she turned. The lady smiled mischievously at her.
L - OMG! Ishita Iyer. What a pleasant surprise! You know Gaurav told me that he saw you in gurudwara and I missed you but at last we met. So how are you doing?
Ishita turned to go when her husband, Gaurav also said.
G - Come on Ishita, aisi bhi kya narazgi, apne purane friends se nhi milogi.
Ishita got a call from Raman,
I - Hello, hmm. Main market mein hi hu. I don’t know the exact location…
G - Should I help you?
Ishita ignored them while Raman sensed a change in her voice and asked her to share her location quickly.
M - By the way, Ishita, tum aage badhi ya vhi ki vhi khadi ho jaha humne choda tha.. all alone?
Both of them laughed at her while she was ignoring them. She didn’t move from there so that Raman won’t have any problem in finding her. Within a few minutes, Raman came almost running and finding for her. She saw him and called him. Gaurav saw him and told Mitali that he was the same guy that day.
R (holding her hand) - Thank god, tum mil gayi. Are you stupid? Headset chahiye tha to mujhe bol dia hota, main le aata ya tumhe le jata shop par. Akele aane ki kya jarurat thi. Yeh tumhare delhi nhi hai, jaha ke sare address tumhe pta hai ya google kar logi, mera amritsar hai. Pagal ho tum ek dum..
He was saying when he saw the same man along with a lady.
R - Yeh vhi hai na? Phir se koi bakwas to nhi kar rha tha?
He asked her to which she nodded in no.
M - Ishita, apne purane friends ko nhi milwaogi apne mystery man se?
R - friends?
G - Yes, we three are college friends.
R (thinking) - Kisi bhi angle se friends nhi lagte..
Raman waited for Ishita to introduce him but when she didn’t, he introduced himself as her friend.
M - Friend.. expected tha. Boyfriend to ho nhi sakte.. I mean Koi bewkoof hi hoga jo Ishita ko girlfriend bnayega.. I mean she is very...
Ishita was getting restless by each second which Raman sensed and interrupted Mitali.
R - Right. because samajhdar hoga to life partner hi bna lega usse, vo hai hi itni achi aur sachi, a perfect person and a true human being. Nice to meet you both. We’ll take your leave now. Getting late. Chale Ishita.
He forwarded his hand towards her, who was looking at him surprised how easily he made her feel special. She gave a slight smile to his wide smile and held his hand. He walked away taking her followed by her while the couple stood angrily.
Bhallas dropped Ishmi & family. Ishita was silent the whole journey. Mihika and others noticed this but she denied saying she was having a headache. Raman wanted to talk to mihika about that couple while she also wanted to talk to him about Ishita but they didn’t get the time.
Ishita was very confused. She was upset for facing the past but whenever she remembered Raman’s words and behaviour towards her, she got some peace. Her mind told her that she doesn’t need any second chance in her life but her heart was pulling her towards Raman and his sweet gestures for her. She talked to her parents’ photo, sharing her emotions but didn’t share with anyone else even after their many trials seeing her changed beahviour.
Next day, Raman was busy in engagement preparations when he received Mihika’s call asking about last day happenings which was troubling Ishita. She told him about her changed condition. He immediately reached there with a headset. Raman informed Mihika about meeting a couple, names not known, and the conversation they had.
M (angrily) - Akka ke zakhmo ko kuredne wale friends to bas do hi ho sakte hai, Mitali aur Gaurav. Unse bade neech insan maine nhi dekhe..pta nhi kya kya bola hoga unhone Akka ko. Akka always does this, never shares her problems..
She was interrupted by Nitin’s voice. Both of them turned and saw Nitin with injuries on his head, hand and legs.
M - Nitin Bhai, thank god aap aa gaye… lekin yeh injuries kaise.. Come and sit.
N - Mihika, I’m fine. First, you tell me maine abhi jo suna..Mitali aur Gaurav.
Nitin confirmed with Raman by showing their pictures and got angry.
N (angrily) - Un dono ko to main chodunga nhi.. Chale kyu nhi jate hamari zindagi se dur. This time, I won’t leave them but abhi humhe Ishita se bat karni hogi.
M - Ha hum unse bat karte hai..
N (stopping her) - Ruko Mihika. We can’t talk to her. You know her, she won’t share with us and if she got to know ki humhe sab pta chal gaya hai to vo phir se vhi hamare liye khush hone ki acting karegi.
Nitin asked Raman to help Ishita, talk to her in the pretext of giving headset, without letting her know about their conversation. Raman agreed and went to meet her while Mihika looked at Nitin.
N (sitting) - I know you are worried about them but Mihika, mark my words, Raman is the only one who will bring our old Ishita back. Mihika, you know what.. each relationship has its own boundaries. Hum mein se koi bhi, Ishita ki help nhi kar sakta. She has become perfect in hiding her feelings from us but Raman..ek new friendship ek new vision aur ek new way of helping her. Jo dar tumhe hai vo mujhe bhi hai…. lekin vishavas bhi hai ki is bar usse uski khushiya milengi.
Raman met Ishita and gave that headset to her. He asked her if she was fine. Ishita requested him not to tell anything about Mitali and Gaurav to her family. He asked her the reason but she didn’t and fumbled.
R - Okay, sorry to ask such a personal question but I just wanted to say ki... Ishita, hamari family ko hamari problems se utni takleef nhi hoti jitni unhe tab hoti hai jab hamari udasi ka karan hi na pta ho. Without reason, vo hamare liye kuch nhi kar sakte aur vo jo helplessness wali feeling hoti hai na, bhot takleef deti hai. Try to share your problems with your family, they will console you, support you and it gives you strength to fight against the world. Try it once.
She listened to him carefully. Raman went out. Nitin’s parents were asking about his injuries and his accident. Seeing Raman, they asked through signals about Ishita, Raman didn’t know what to say as she didn’t give any response but then Ishita herself came out following him, making him surprised. She was surprised to see nitin and asked about his health. She was sounding normal, relieving everyone. Nitin and Mihika looked at each other and Mihika nodded agreeing to his words. Nitin thanked Raman in signals. Raman was also happy for Ishita and he could help her. He was going when Mihika stopped him outside.
M - Kya aap Akka ke liye kuch...I mean do you have any feelings for her?
R - Kya sunna chahti ho? I know you are worried for her…
M - For both of you..because I know ki unke past ki vajah se aap dono hurt ho sakte ho.. That’s why I want to know…
R - Did she have any heartbreak? Did she love anyone?
M - No, pyar nhi kia tha lekin vishvas kia tha…
R - To jab ishita ko mujh par pura vishvas ho jaayega, tab tumhare sawal ka jawab main Haa mein dunga..
Before they could talk more, he had to leave.
Later, Ishita was feeling strange after sharing about meeting Mitali and Gaurav to everyone. She was sitting in her room and talking to herself.
I (looking at her parents pic) - Amma, Appa, aaj pehli bar apni problem share karke mujhe yeh alag si feeling kyu aa rhi, jo isse pehle kabhi nhi aai..
N (sitting beside her) - Because isse pehle tumne kabhi try hi nhi kia tha. And, today you are seeing us with a new vision. I'm sure..iska reason tu ache se janti hai..and trust me, yeh new vision na sach mein bhot acha hai and I think.. You should follow it with your open heart forgetting everything. Ishita, life ko jeene ka matlab yeh bilkul nhi hota ki hum apni responsibilities bhul jaayenge. We all believe in you.
Ishita nodded slightly.
N - Vaise ek bat kahu... mujhe hamesha lagta hai ki jab school mein sharing and caring ka lesson chal rha tha to tum definitely absent hongi. that's why tum humse kuch share hi nhi karti..
Ishita smiled at him making him smile.
Here I'm ending this part. Hope you will like it.
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