Chapter 5
Recap
Ishita couldn't stop expressing her gratefulness to the
psychiatrist who had done everything that everyone else except Raman had failed
to do for her; let her believe that everything could be normal...
"Thank you. It was really nice to meet you...we had almost given
up and pinned everything on you. And so far it really seems like things may get
better."
Chapter 6A
As they slowly walked back to Ruhi's room to check on them
after Amrita had talked to her wanting to make sure she was alright, as their
hearts wouldn't be at peace until they saw her themselves no matter how much
they were told that she was okay. But as they were at the entrance of her room,
Ishita stopped him by holding his wrist and when he turned back she spoke up...
"Umm Raman I was thinking of taking Ruhi to Amma's house, if
that's-" He didn't let her continue on as he smiled and told her...
"You don't need to ask. Your daughter, your choice." Seeing
him handing over all the decision for Ruhi to her, her eyes were filled with
tears knowing that he believed in her motherhood and that he found her to be
responsible enough to make the right decisions for their daughter. And as
everything he did since she had returned had been making her think contrary to
how she had been thinking of herself as a mother whenever she remembered his
words that night, made her speak her thoughts aloud...
"Raman thank you." He smiled at her faintly looking confused
as to what she was talking about...
"For what?"
"For that time with Pihu during the car ride, I may have been
away from Delhi for years but I still remember the way to the school. It was
really nice to be able to spend some time with my baby. And also for doing the
talking now. I just couldn't bring myself to talk about how Nidhi...and when you
helped, it was a bit easier to sit through that..."
His smile immediately disappeared as he heard her words
feeling hurt. He didn't want to be thanked for doing what he was supposed to
do. He didn't want to hear a thanks like she would talk to her Mani, Mihir or
Romi. It didn't feel as if she was his own or like he was her husband, but
maybe she couldn't put him back into that place all of a sudden. Yet it hurt
that she thanked him like she would thank a stranger for getting her through
something hard, and he couldn't stop himself from letting out a chuckle and
expressing the same...
"Ishita, I know we've stayed apart for 7 years...but don't make me
a stranger now. I was your husband and legally I still am today. I don't know
what relationship we share today, but I do know that whatever it is I will
always be there for you no matter what happens and somewhere deep in your heart
I know you feel the same way. It's different that I couldn't live up to these
words that night we lost everything, but staying without you has taught me
every lesson I ever needed to learn. The only thing was I let go of everything
I ever did when you were around...expressing what I felt. That's why today you
feel the need to thank me for being a support when it was the least I could
have done for you."
She looked at him and more than his words, his eyes showed her
he was hurt by her words. She shook her head, as hurting him even
unintentionally wasn't what she wanted at all. She just wanted to acknowledge that
she was grateful for how much he was doing to support her and was trying to
help her bond with Pihu which no one but him could do. She was more than happy
with what he was doing for her and that's all she wanted to tell him. But as
she upset him with her word, she reached forward trying to explain what she
actually meant...
"That's not what I meant Raman..."
"I know and I'm sorry. I just go carried away in the moment.
I'm sorry...umm I'll just go see Ruhi and then I'll have to leave for work."
He quickly entered Ruhi's room not wanting talk any further
and before she could say anything he had gone to Ruhi where they couldn't talk
about this not wanting to affect Ruhi in any way at all, keeping her in
positivity as much as they could. But standing by the door's ledge, she looked
at him trying to Ruhi telling her that he was going to work, but didn't want to
be away from her even for a moment as he had spent years longing for her and
wanted to make up for all the time they had missed staying together. But
watching him from afar, she shook her head hating what she had just told him as
she never wanted to see him that hurt ever again yet her heart skipped a beat
realizing that he still cared about her words, her words still matter and still
affected him though she never wanted to learn the fact in such a matter...
"Raman, so much pain...so much pain is visible when you talk to
me about those years. And there's so much more you've hidden inside...for all
these years? Why? Why are you doing this to yourself and to me? I can't see you
like this, but I can't come close either. I don't want to get attached...I don't
want to remember that night and those words that sting my heart till today...I
just don't want to be hurt..." A tear rolled down her eye as she watched him
plant a kiss on Ruhi's head and tried to smile at her before he turned away
wiping his tear before getting up to leave. Walking past her giving her a faint
smile and a good bye, he left for his office while she sighed wishing she could
take back that one thank you before she entered Ruhi's room to take care of
her.
~~~~~
"Ayyo Ishu, Ruhi! I didn't know you were dropping by! Come on
in!" Her Amma welcomed them in as placing her hand on Ruhi's shoulder, Ishita
signalled her to go in. As they walked in, Ishita excitedly walked up to her
two sisters as soon as she spotted them while seeing them all hug, no one
noticed the small smile that appeared on Ruhi's face when Shravan asked her to come
with him to his room to hang out away from everyone. But as she didn't move and
looked towards Ishita, she caught the attention of everyone else. Sadly looking
on as she waited for Ishita's yes before doing anything, her mother walked to
her, and caressing her hair told her...
"This house is your house as well. You go wherever you want
around her and do what you want, okay?" She smiled at her and the three other
women behind her agreed with her asking Ruhi to whatever she wished to only to
have her lower her head and walked off with Shravan.
"Don't worry Ishu, she'll be alright." Ishita turned around
and saw her older sister giving her an encouraging smile and as they all took a
seat, Ishita also agreed with her sister.
"Hmm I'm hoping the same. Anyways Raman and I have talked to a
psychiatrist today, she said that Ruhi will be fine...it'll just take time..."
And as Ishita narrated everything they had discussed with the
psychiatrist, the 4 women continued to talk about what they could possibly do for
Ruhi to give her space yet make her feel that all the love they were giving her
was genuine and unconditional. As they continued to talk watching Ruhi silently
listen to Shravan just wishing that she would speak up just once, their talks
were disturbed by a phone call Mihika got. As she told the person on the other
line that she was at Amma's home, her smile faded away and she picked up her
bag hanging up her phone bidding goodbye to everyone sadly. Noticing her smile
fade away, Ishita couldn't help but ask what the matter was...
"What happened Mihika? Why are you so upset all of a sudden?
Any problem?"
"No Akka, it was just Romi's phone and he just wanted me to
come home quickly."
"Why kanna? He doesn't mind you staying here, does he?"
Madhavi asked also curious about what happened all of a sudden and ask Mihika
looked down away from Ishita she told them all...
"Why would he periamma? It's just I mentioned Akka's name and
you know how it with Jiju, so..." Everyone was silence realizing what the matter
was, and as an idea came to Ishita's head she turned to Mihika wondering if
anything would be able to help bricoidge the gaps between the two brothers...
"Mihika, can I ask you for something?"
"Of course, what is it?"
"It's for Ruhi and me...we've just returned a few days ago and I
was thinking why not invite the new Bhalla bahu to dinner at the Bhalla house
itself? Will you and Romi be willing to come over for dinner tonight? It'll be
great for everyone and Ruhi will also be able spend some time with her Chachu
and Chachi or is it Chachu and Chitti?"
She asked Mihika who looked hesitant, but at the mention of it
being good for Ruhi, she had to agree as she looked over at the silent child
and nodded her head in agreement. Promising to try her best convince Romi,
Mihika left and as Shravan had to leave for his tuition, Ishita also took Ruhi
back home knowing Raman would be returning soon as he recently had been coming
early to spend as much time possible with Ruhi. And much to her prediction, when
she entered the home with Ruhi she found him asking Neelu where they had gone
in panic. She was about to call out to him telling him that they were right
here when she saw him closely and there was more than just panic written on his
face...
"Ishita...Ruhi, where did they go? Neelu did they say anything?!
I just hope they're okay. Ishita...she's returned after so long, what if she
doesn't remember where to go and Ruhi doesn't even say a word...oh God I hope
Ruhi's okay. And...and Ishita's not picking up her phone...Matarani don't do this
to me again, please just get them back home safe and sound."
She saw him sitting down on the couch and getting up moments
later pacing to and fro as he mumbled to himself making tears brim her eyes. Is
this was the last years had done to him? Had he become so weak on the inside
that just her going next door would scare him to this extent? He had, he was
always this way and losing her and Ruhi had worsened everything as he was
scared of losing what was precious to him and no was more precious to him then
Ruhi...and her? She didn't know whether she wanted to smile at the concern he had
for them, the concern he had for her or if she wanted to cry seeing what their
separation had brought him down to. But all she knew was that she didn't want
to see him upset any more than she had made him this morning and quickly walked
up to him with Ruhi.
As soon as he saw her, relief shadowed over his face as he
smiled at them. And without twice, he put his arms both of them thankful that
they were back home taking both Ishita and Ruhi by surprise. Ishita couldn't
understand what had just happened taking a few moments to realize he had just
pulled her into a hug. She, also not thinking much put her arms around him,
wanting to give him the comfort he needed. But before she knew it, she had
closed her eyes wanting to hold him closer to her for as long as she possibly
could. As she kept her head on her shoulder, it become more than a hug to
comfort him. It was a moment she kept for herself, inhaling his cologne and
snuggle herself close to his body wanting this hug, their family where he kept
them close to himself, never letting go and protected in his embrace.
However she opened her eyes when he felt not just one arm
around him, but a second softer touch making him look to his left. As Ruhi had
cuddled in closer between them and put her arm around him hugging him back, he
couldn't let Ishita miss it. Tapping her shoulder, he turned to Ruhi and her
eyes followed which tears of joy soon filled when she saw Ruhi with closed eyes
holding onto him. After numerous hug he had given her and she had given her individually,
she had finally gotten herself to hug them back when she was hidden in the
center of their hug feeling like she belonged in her parents' embrace.
As Ishita put her arm around the two, completing their hug and
staying in it until another pair of arms went around Ishita and Ruhi making them
look up to find Adi excitedly joining in on the hug. Caught in between Raman
and Adi's tight embrace, Ishita laughed trying to get out while holding their
hands, the father and son refused let Ishita out from the center. All the
while, the three of them had their eyes on Ruhi who was only watching them
looking on amazed until the front door of the home opened and Shagun entered.
Seeing her walk away in anger, Ishita stopped laughing and
looking up at Raman, she found him hit with the reality of his lie when Pihu
walked in behind Shagun and knowing that if the child saw them together she
would question making all of them step back much to the disappointment of Adi
and Ruhi. However with no choice, Ishita quickly took Ruhi's hand and walked
her to her room before Pihu began to talk to her upsetting her elder daughter.
And seeing her go away without looking back, Raman knew that she would only be
hurt when around Pihu especially after Shagun's reaction on seeing them all
together, so without a word he also walked away to Pihu to be with her as
Ishita was with Ruhi...
~~~~~
A
Few Hours Later
On Pihu insistence and remembering the psychiatrist's words on
Ruhi needing to go out to help her open up, they had all come out to the park
with Ishita and Adi taking Ruhi out while Raman brought Pihu a while later. Though
one family they were in two different corners of the park, with Raman trying to
yet again spend time with Pihu not wanting to neglect her while taking care of
Ruhi.
He watched his daughter run around with other children of
their society, so easily befriending many of them just like his Ruhi once used
to. The same face, the same happiness & friendliness, and the same bubbly
nature...she was the same as his Ruhi. Yet he sighed at the regret that today
Pihu's older sister wasn't the same and was nowhere near what she had been like
before. Wishing he could see a day where Ruhi would be running around with Pihu
laughing and playing with her while Ishita would be watching them with that
smile she had on her face when Ruhi had hugged them, he leaned back on the
bench he was sitting on closing his eyes imagining the sight he believed would
only remain an imagination.
Meanwhile Ishita was sitting on a bench watching Ruhi sit on a
swing silently looking out while Adi was talking to her, noticing Ruhi's eyes
were constantly on the younger children playing soccer, children around the
very age she was taken away from them. Keeping her eyes on her daughter, she
saw her eyes filling up at the sight of a young girl playing with her mother
reminding both of them all too much about themselves, what they once used to be.
Wishing that they could be the same Ruhi and Ishima they were
before, she turned her eyes back to her daughter who while trying to hide her
tears and sobs, choked back on them and ending up coughing. Running up to her
immediately, Ishita asked Adi to get Ruhi water only to realize they hadn't
brought any water, and as Adi told her of a water fountain nearby Ruhi got up
running to the fountain. Following slowly behind knowing Ruhi was much like her
father, wanting to hide tears whenever she could Ishita stopped at a distance
letting her be. And she took her eyes off Ruhi only when she got a call from
Mihika who had called to let her know that Romi had agreed to come to the
Bhalla house when he returned from a business trip in 2 days.
Talking to her sister, she bumped into Raman who was walking
around trying to get network for his phone for an important call all the while
following Pihu, who had rushed to the other side of the park when she needed to
refill her water bottle. Both hanging up their calls, immediately looked around
trying to get a glimpse of their other daughter only to be disappointed. But
wanting to see whether bringing Ruhi out had helped, he couldn't stop himself
from asking her...
"Ishita, where's Ruhi?"
"She went to go get a drink from the water fountain."
"What?! Why did you send her there?" Raman looked at her
worried while she was confused.
"What's wrong with the water fountain?"
"Pihu just went there! If Ruhi sees Pihu then..." She looked at
him with wide eyes, but he couldn't finish his sentence as before he could do
so, they heard a very recognisable voice calling out just what they didn't want
to hear...
"Ruhi Didi!" Rushing to the water fountain, they saw Pihu
falling to the ground while running towards Ruhi who had turned around to hear
a voice so similar to her own younger self's. Stopping for a moment in shock as
his daughter fell onto the gravel, Raman was about to run towards her when
Ishita stopped him holding his arm...
"Stop..."
She whispered all the while keeping her teary eyes ahead, and
as he looked on confused he knew he had to turn to the direction her eyes were
looking at when a smile appeared on her face. As he turned around, Raman's expression
were no different from Ishita's as they watched Ruhi take slowly steps towards
Pihu who was crying on the ground. And before they knew it Ruhi had quickened
her pace rushing towards her younger sister unable to see her crying.
Helping her up, Ruhi shook her head as if asking Pihu not to
cry while she rub the dust and rocks of her arms looking around for help when
she saw her elbow had a scratch that was bleeding. As she failed to see Raman and
Ishita who were now standing near a tall tree, she took her younger sister into
a hug trying to console the crying child. All the while their parents looked at
each other before she threw her arms around him giving him a hug as they couldn't
believe that Ruhi, who till a few days back would get nightmares if Pihu came
in front of her reminding her of her childhood, was now hugging that very younger
sister of hers when she was injured...
Precap:
"Pihu you
really like Ishita aunty?"
"Of
course papa, she's so much fun and so sweet. And she's Ruhi Didi's mumma."
"So Pihu
likes Ruhi didi and Ishita aunty a lot? So how about Papa tells you a little secret
about them."
"What? I
want to know!"
"What if
I tell you that Ruhi Didi is your real didi? She's your older sister!"
"My
sister...? And Ish...Ishita aunty? She's didi's mumma...Papa I'm so confused."
~~~~~
That's all for now! Please do like and leave your feedback! Will be looking forward to it! Also thank you so much for the 65 likes and to all of those who comments, it means a lot! Thank you so much for reading!π€
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