OS- Tera Hone Laga hoo..
The scene starts after the revelation of land scam fiasco..
Raman stepped inside Ishita's dental clinic. Yesterday went like a ride on a runway roller coaster. The news about land scam fiasco, the curfew, Pooja's pregnancy crisis, Ishita's heroic act at the end. He was awfully mad at her when he'd got to know how she'd risked her life to save Pooja and her unborn baby.. But then her kind, generous, selfless attitude had touched his heart. His conscience hadn't let him sleep last night. She'd saved his life too by making a right decision for him at land auction. His temple throbbed as he again recalled his behavior with Ishita after the auction. He regretted for acting like an insensitive jerk whenever Ishita was around. Frustration mingled with guilt as his eyes shifted from his cell to Ishita's office. Taking a deep breath, he walked towards the reception hurriedly.
"Yes Sir, what can I do for you?"The receptionist Dolly' asked politely.
"Is Ishita.. I mean Is Dr. Ishita there in her room?"
"Yes sir."
"Umm Is she busy? I mean.. is she with a patient?" He massaged his temple. He didn't understand why he faltered.
Receptionist looked at him skeptically. "No Sir.. but.. She has asked not to disturb her for couple of hours. " She supplied.
He drummed his fingers on the reception desk. "Great.. Thanks." With that he turned, walked towards her office room.
"Execuse me sir! "
Raman turned again and arched a quizzical eyebrow at her.
"Sir, do you have an appointment? You can't meet Dr. Ishita Bhalla without an appointment."
Raman glared at her. He massaged his temple again and frowned, "Does your husband take a prior appointment to meet you for an urgent matter?"
She looked at him dumbfound. Giving her a knock out look, Raman strode to Ishita's cabin.
In her cabin, Ishita caressed the framed photograph of Ruhi that she had kept on her desk. Her brain recalled the memories of yesterday incidence. How Ruhi'd defended her when Bala's mom'd mortified her. She'd lost count of the number of times in the past few months she'd bee publicly taunted and mortified by Bala's Mom but no one had ever done that for her. Her throat chocked, "I love you, my angel. More than my life. Thanks you so much for coming into my life" She caressed the frame with her thumb and tried to push back unshed tears.
A small tear trickled down from corner of her eyes. Just then her office door flung open and Raman strode into her office. She jumped in her seat and glanced up. Raman saw a glint of ache mingled with tears in her eyes and it unsettled him for a moment. Ishita glanced away abruptly to wipe it. It didn't go unnoticed by him.
Dolly followed Raman, grumbling, "Sir.. wait.. what are you doing?" "Sorry, Doc. I told him, he can not barge into your cabin like this but he didn't listen only." Dolly spoke apologetically to Ishita.
Ishita got up from her chair and fumed," He never listens to sound advice." Her eyes met with his. She saw a glint of anxiety in his eyes and she glanced away, "So, its oky Dolly.. You can leave." Dolly nodded and left.
Ishita felt his anxious gaze on her face and she struggled for her composure. For a log moment, Raman studied her. His eyes followed her every movement as she put the Photo frame back on her desk. Ruhi's photo!! Last night's incidence flashed before his eyes... How his Ruhi'd come to Ishita's rescue and shut up Bala's mom.. A burst of pride for his daughter welled up in his heart.
"Why are you here, Raman?"He heard puzzlement in Ishita's voice.
She looked vulnerable and his expression turned wry.
"You know you should never let people know your weaknesses. Some people can't wait the opportunity to use them against you. And don't ever waste your precious possession on someone who doesn't value it. " Raman blurted the first thing came in his mind.
His words sounded gentle to his own ears. Heck! Why did he feel empathetic for her? It doesn't suit his personality. His mind chided his heart. He searched for a self-interested reason to justify what he just said to her. But he found none. It irked him more.
"Hun?" Ishita was stunned. She didn't understand what he said but she thought she detected a spark of compassion in his eyes before he masked it with the familiar scowl.
"Are you done with crying?" He scowled.
"What? Umm I wasn't crying." She hesitated.
"Never mind, I think your receptionist needs to learn some mannerism." He finally got hold of himself.
Ishita opened and closed his mouth like a fish. Is this man for real?
"Look who's talking!" She couldn't resist a jab.
Raman noticed the familiar glint of annoyance in her eyes. For some unknown reason he felt relieved.
"Well, that makes two of us!!" He snapped back.
"Ohh, So you're here to argue with me."Ishita crossed her arms.
"That's gross!!" Raman uttered," Do I really seem that desperate?"
For a briefest moment, Ishita saw an amusement in his eyes and it perturbed her. He was making her uncomfortable, she didn't like it.
"Raman, then why are you here?" She fumed.
He looked thoughtful for a briefest moment. Ishita noticed he was making up his mind to say something. She braced herself as he opened his mouth to speak.
" You.." He stopped, and massaged his temple again. "You deserve an apology.. and thanks.. for what you did the other day at auction." He finished flatly, not really meeting her eyes.
Ishita's jaw dropped open and her heart fluttered. Thought it was neither a modest apology nor a proper praise, it did mean a lot coming from Raman Kumar Bhalla's mouth.
She didn't understand why her eyes got clouded again.. She didn't like to act melodramatic but she felt hysterical. She looked at him unblinking. Ishita noticed again the same spark of amusement in his eyes when his eyes met hers. She gathered he'd suspected the same response from her. She couldn't give him that satisfaction.
"Well, fine!" She shrugged her shoulder. "Now, if you've done with your talk, can I resume back to my duty?" She spoke casually and turned away as tears of happiness threatened to spill out. She heard him walking towards the door. He stopped near the door and shook his head. If he'd not known her better, he would have felt offended. But that was not the case.
She relaxed as she heard the door opened and closed. She let out a long breath that she was holding from so long. She turned and stilled. Raman was still there. He held out her gaze for several seconds, then pointed his finger at her damped eyes and spoke, "That's your weakness. Get hold of it."
Before she could figure out how to respond to that, he turned and left without sparing her another glance. If he'd spoken it sarcastically, she would have known how to deal with it, but she heard a concern in his voice and that unnerved her.
************************
Raman was so engrossed in his work that he didn't notice when his cabin door flung open. Ruhi entered in his cabin in a huff, followed by Mihir.
"Papa, you were supposed to call me back?" She spoke with a pout.
Raman was taken aback at the sound of her daughter's voice. He looked at her. Her big black eyes looked accusing and disappointed.
"Ruhi, what are you doing here?" He got up from his chair and rounded the table. He arched a questioning brow at Mihir.
Mihir shrugged, "I don't know. Rommie dropped her here and he said you know about it."
"Papa, you'd promised me last night that you would take me shopping."
Raman massaged his temple as he vaguely remembered promising Ruhi about it last night.
"Papa aap ko pata hai na Ishi Maa kal bohot sad thi. Aur Patti ne kaha hai k jab bhi koi sad ya upset ho use gift deni chahiye.. So, you and I are going to buy a very big gift for Ishi Maa to make her happy." She spoke with a twinkle in her huge black eyes.
Raman looked at her daughter adoringly. He sat on the chair and urged her to sit on his lap,"Your Paati has only one solution for every problem!! Gift!! " Raman grumbled and Ruhi giggled.
"Papa Ishi maa fir se happy happy ho jayegi na?" Ruhi inquired naively.
Raman caressed her cheek with his thumb and spoke tenderly "Who told you your Ishi maa is Sad? Ishi maa k paas Ruhi jo hai.. toh woh sad kabhi ho hi nahi sakti." He kissed her cheek and Ruhi giggled again.
"Papa aap ki daadhi chubti hai.. Aap ne fir shave nahi ki hai." She sulked.
Raman couldn't help but smile," Oops.. Papa is sorry."
"Ab chalo papa nahi toh der ho jayegi.. Aur Muje School picnic k liye bhi kuchh lena hai." Ruhi got up from his lap and urged him to get up.
"School Picnic?" Raman probed.
"Oops. I wasn't supposed to talk about it." Ruhi murmured and covered her mouth with her tiny hands.
Raman smiled at her daughter's cute antics. He knelt down and probed again. "Ruhi, kya Ishi maa Ruhi ko yeh nahi sikhaya hai k papa se kabhi kuchh hide nahi karte?"
Ruhi tapped her temple with her tiny finger as if she was giving it a thought. Raman looked up at Mihir and both smiled.
"Oky papa. But you'll have to promise me you'll not shout at Ishi Maa."
Another Promise?? Raman noticed stubborn line in her jaw that reminded him so much of his own stubborn features. He knew he was left with no choice.
"Oky. I promise. Now tell me what's it?'
"Papa woh meri Schhol picnic Shimla Ja rahi hai."
"Shimla??" Raman cut in, shocked.
Ruhi continued, not paying any attention to what her dad said," Meri puri class ja rahi hai papa.. Kitna mazaa aayega na.. Aur Ishi maa ne han bol diya hai. Aur Ishi maa ne yeh bhi bola hai k woh aap se bhi permission le lengi." Her face flushed with excitement.
Raman opened his mouth and closed it.. Ishi Maa!! His daughter was all set to go for a picnic to SHIMLA and her Ishi Maa didn't find it obligatory to take his prior permission. Bewkoof aurat!! He grumbled and gritted his teeth fumingly.
"Papa ab chalo na.. hamain bohot sari shopping karni hai." Ruhi again urged him to get up.
"Han tumhari Ishi maa k liye an gift toh lena hi padega." He grumbled and fumed inside.
****************
Ishita returned home just before eleven. In the evening, she'd called Raman to inform him that she would be coming late tonight but he'd disconnected her call. His mood swings were beyond her understanding. Then she'd called Toshi jee and informed her about an emergency in the clinic and that she would be coming late at home.
She locked the main door and went to Ruhi's room. But her bed was empty. She sighed Lagta hai Ruhi Mummy jee k sath so gayi hai." Sighing again, she moved across the hall and walked towards her husband's bedroom'.
She stepped in the bedroom and the sight before her eyes made her heart flutter in exhilaration. Raman was laying on his side of the king sized bed.. and curled up next to him was Ruhi. His one arm flung over his eyes and another arm around her daughter's tiny waist.. As if he was protecting her from falling down. She could hear his deep throated snores followed by Ruhi's tiny snore. She thought back to those early days when she'd lost hope of having her own family.. Having someone who would call her Maa'.. Tears of happiness welled up her eyes. Pushing them back, she tiptoed towards Ruhi's side of the bed. She leaned over and tucked the covers under Ruhi's chin. Then she planted a kiss on Ruhi's forehead "Good night mera bachha." She murmured and caressed her hair.
Ruhi blinked sleepily at the sound. "Good night Ishi maa" She also murmured, not really waking up. Raman grunted at those sounds and rolled over on his side, facing away from them. Ruhi also rolled over to his side and hugged him. Ishita found it difficult to tear her gaze away from them. After a long moment of hesitation, she shook her head and walked to Raman's side of the bed. The memories of morning encounter flashed before her eyes. She could swear she'd seen glints of concern in his eyes more than once. Would she ever understand this man? She wondered. Sighing, she leaned over and pulled the covers to his chin. But to her utter horror, Raman grabbed her palm and tucked it under his head. "Thank you." He mumbled. Ishita starred him in utter horror. She tried to pull away her palm calm but he didn't budge. She was certain he wasn't awake, his eyes were still closed and his breathing was still normal. His features were utterly relaxed and calm and less intimidating. For a moment she just stared at him. Then his lips curved into a content smile.. The smile that she knew he'd reserved solely for Ruhi. She wondered whether she would ever earn that smile from him. The moment ticked by and she flushed at her insane thoughts. Reluctantly, she pulled away her hand and taking a deep breath, she walked to the washroom.
*************************
"No way. Itni door mai apni bacchhi ko akele nahi jane de sakta."
"Par Raman.." Ishita started but Raman cut in.
"Not another word from you." He frowned.
Ruhi coughed to get his attention. Raman shifted his gaze to his daughter and his eyes softened. He racked his hand through his hair," I am not shouting." He forced words out of his mouth.
"Puttar, par woh akeli nahi ja rahi hai.. Puri class ja rahi hai uss k sath mai. Aur tu bhi itna chhota hi tha jab humne tuje akele panchgini jane diya tha."
Raman glared at his mom, "Maa, aap toh rahne hi do. . Muje woh yaad hi mat dilao. Aap aur papa jee mere pichhe waha taka a kay jo siyapa machaya tha woh muje abhi tak yaad hai.."
Simmi chuckled and spoke," Ab chhado na bhai.. Jane do use."
It irked Raman. "Simmi, tuje maine apna muh bandh rakhne k liye bola than na. Ja ja k ghar ka kuchh kam kar liya kar." He grimaced and Simmi mad a face.
Toshi jee interjected," Han toh mere puttar se inna saraa kaam karwayege aur mai thodi na chu chap baith kay dekhti rawangi."
"Maa, I was on scout guide training back then." Raman exasperated. "Forget it. Ruhi kahi akeli nahi ja rahi hai."
"Exactly.." Ishita interjected again. "Raman, yahi toh mai aap ko samjane ki koshish kar rahi hu kab se.. Ruhi akeli nahi jar hi hai.. What I am going to do is I will follow Ruhi to Shimla.. I will take another flight so that her teachers won't come to know about it. Isliye Ruhi k liye aap ko tension karne ki zarurat hi nahi padegi." Ishita spoke and smile adoringly at Ruhi.
Ruhi grabbed Raman's wrist and pleaded "Papa, please I want to go. Mere sab frieds ja rahe hai.. Please papa." Ruhi sounded so desperate that Raman found it difficult to refuse her.
"Jane de puttar.. Ruhi mera sab se bahadur aur smart bachha hai.. Woh apna dhyan rakh sakti hai.. Aur ishita bhi toh ja rahi hai us k sath." Toshi jee implored.
"Please ab han bhi bol de bhai." Simmi also pleaded.
Raman gritted his teeth and glared at simmi.. then at his mom.. and finally at Ishita.. He opened his mouth to argue but didn't find any valid logical point to argue. He knew Ruhi was very much excited about this picnic and he didn't want to break her heart. He finally gave in and smiled at his daughter adoringly.
Ishita's heart fluttered seeing him smile.. The same smile that he'd reserved solely for his daughter.
Raman knelt down and kissed Ruhi's cheek. "Thik hai.." He spoke tenderly. Ruhi kissed him back and looked up at Ishita. Raman didn't like what he saw in his daughter's eyes.. She looked at her if she was her Hero'. He darted a furious glance at Ishita. Her face was lit up in a triumph. Instinctively, the words fly out of his mouth before he knew what he said "but I'll also come along."
Simmi gasped, Toshi jee's eyes widened in shock, Ishita's mouth dropped open, and Ruhi started jumping up and down in excitement.
"Really Papa? Aap bhi ayenge hamare sath? Kitna mazaa aayega.. I love you papa." She hugged Raman and kissed him again and ran off.
A moment ticked by and Toshi jee cleared her throat, " Yeh toh badi changi gal kar di tune puttar. Isi bahane tum dono sath mai kahin ghumna bhi ho jayega.. Waise shaadi k baad tum dono hioneymoon pe bhi toh nahi gaye ho." She laughed fretfully.
Simmi tried to stifle a chuckle and Ishita coughed nervously.
"Chalo Mummy jee papa jee ko ja k yeh news dete hai." Simmi winked at Ishita and left with Toshi jee.. Ishita heard Raman swearing under his breath. Swallowing hard, she stole a furious glance at Raman, who looked as infuriated and taut as she was. He glowered back at her like this was all her fault and Ishita scowled back..
To be cont...
Arjun
Cricket
Indian Mythology
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