Thank you all again, for the wonderful feedback. Here goes the final part. Its longer than the first 2, but less gloomier. Please let me know what you think...
Raman never thought he will live the day when his daughter and Shagun will be at the same table, let alone talking and holding hands. He had to rub his eyes once to make sure it was them. He was so confused by the resemblance and their closeness that he unknowingly smiled at the both of them. Shagun caught the smile and saw a small ray of hope. She smiled back at him, with what she hoped was her most natural smile. "Hello Raman, how are you. You are looking well. The colour blue suits you". Raman was too stumped to react to that comment. He was staring at Ruhi, not know what this meeting was about. Was Ruhi in trouble ? If she was, why did she go to Shagun ? Did something happen to Adi? He gathered his emotions and asked his daughter. "Kya hua Ruhi, is everything OK? why did you call me here? and what is Shagun doing here?". He had to be careful what he said to Shagun in front of Ruhi. No matter what, Ishita and he had made sure Ruhi didnt grow up hating Shagun. That was a sacred bond that he didnt have a right to mess with. He had to show utmost restraint now. He had to maintain an appearance of civility. Ruhi replied "Nothing is wrong papa, some times you are so dramatic. come on, have a seat please. Aap kounsi coffee piyoge?". When Raman sat down and ordered his coffee, he was still staring at both of them. Well, if nothing is wrong, then what are we doing here? Ruhi looked at him with a straight face, and said "Papa, I wanted to talk to both of you. But please PROMISE me that you will not interrupt me, not scold me or try to shut me up. What I want to discuss today is very important, and I would like you to listen to me first, take a moment and then react. Will you do that for me?" Like he had a choice when she spoke like her Ishima. "Theek hai, I promise, kucch nahin bolunga. Bolo, kya baat hai"
"When I was a kid, and you and Shagun mamma separated, you were desperately looking for someone to be my mother. Ishima was seeking a child. And we fit perfectly. I got the best family I could ever hope for. You were also very particular that I maintained some relationship with Shagun Mamma. You and Ishima are a great team, there is really no one luckier than me in this whole world." Raman suddenly grew uncomfortable, a cloud of doom passed over him. He knew there was a 'but' coming. He looked at Shagun with one eyebrow raised. Shagun lightly shrugged her shoulders, but he knew her all too well. There was nothing she did not plan and plot.
"But papa, I am older now. I have realised how much burden this marriage had put on your heart. Both you and Ishima have been suffering silently. I now know that you don't love each other. Not the way a couple should. I feel sad for Ishima, that the only reason someone as golden-hearted and beautiful as her would end up marrying someone who doesn't love her is because she cannot have children. And she stayed married to you only out of love for me. I now know that she doesn't have to be married to you to be my mother. What Ishima is to me will not change if she moves across the hall. It wont change when she gets married again. It wont even change if she adopts another child. I don't want to put her through this miserable life any further Papa". The only thing Raman heard was "It wont change when she gets married again.", Ruhi said 'when', not 'if'? Is this what Ishita wanted? How could he have been so stupid, again? Give his heart out to someone who was oblivious of his love. He was angry now and was thankful for that emotion. Else, he would start crying. No, he would NEVER cry in front of Shagun. Not again. "Hang on, what's Shagun doing here?"
Ruhi waited for a few seconds so Raman could absorb everything she just said. She couldn't read his face. He wasn't screaming, and he still hadn't walked out. So it must be going well, she thought.
"Papa, I know you are wondering why Shagun mamma is here. Quite a few people told me over the years that you changed when mamma left you. I didn't understand why, because you had me and Ishima. But now I know. Your first love is Shagun mamma. I don't think you were ever able to accept any one else in that role. As much as you are grateful to Ishima for coming into our lives and making us complete, I don't think you love her. Not the way you loved Shagun Mamma. Well, you don't have to keep up this farce any more. Not for me. Mamma is here because she wants a second chance. I am now in a position to understand the mistakes, the pain, guilt and loneliness that came in to your relationship. Mamma is really sorry, and she has rectified her first mistake by leaving that horrible man. She has dedicated all her efforts in raising Adi Bhaiyya single-handedly. She has not even tried to disrupt your life, she's stayed away from us. Don't you realise how much suffering she has had to endure and the courage it must have taken to offer her heart again to you?"
Ruhi should get her facts straight, he thought. Shagun didn't leave Ashok, he left her "Kyonki usko younger aur hotter model mil gayi thi!". And he knew why Shagun was staying away from them. Because she was playing the long game. For a split second, he thought he should applaud Shagun. She would have been a better CEO than him and Ashok put together. She was the symbol of unemotional shrewdness!
"Papa, I am almost done. Do you agree to free Ishima? Would you please give yourself another chance at happiness? " What he didn't see coming was Ruhi holding his hand and Shagun's and bringing them together. WOW, this was priceless he thought. He had the sudden urge to laugh out loud, and tell Ruhi that what she thought was a sham of a marriage was more real that the one he had with her mother. That he was sorry that she was manipulated so smartly by her own mother. But that would cause an emotional scene in public and he never could predict what Shagun would do next! He controlled his laughter, and flashed his most sarcastic smile at Shagun.
Shravu was on and on about this new girl Ananya. She was an army kid, who had lived all over India. She was apparently the smartest, hottest and the most sassy girl he'd ever met. And she was a real flirt, no heavy emotions or deep love to declare. "No wonder he's so troubled" Ishita thought."Looks like you've met your match then?" she enquired. She wanted to prolong this conversation. She wanted to tease him, make him accept that he felt bad to be at the receiving end of a heart-breaker. But the mother in her won, and she told him seriously "you do know that you are still a kid right? you don't know what clothes you want to wear, you spend an hour deciding which movie you want to watch, you don't even know what you want for your birthday. But you know she's the one you want to marry?". "Yes Chitti, she is so cool. She doesn't acknowledge me, doesn't even want to be my friend. She is happy with her own company. It doesn't even look like she is trying, but she is so hot!". Ishita knew there was no talking him down. She knew this phase would pass in not more than a week. This was his pattern. Every girl he met for the first time was his true love. He would befriend her, and then find out that she didn't live up to the expectations he had, and then smoothly tell her "sorry darling but I don't want to destroy our friendship by bringing love in between us". Ishita had given up trying to fix him. She knew that he would never really hurt anyone. He would never get seriously involved with someone unless she was the one, the real one. She'd have to talk to Ruhi later. They wouldn't ever accept it, but Ruhi and Shravu had become the best of friends over the years. They bonded initially because they were the 2 new strangers in a school that was very cruel to outsiders. Adi had been bullying both of them, and the only time they were safe was when they were together. That bond had grown into a very beautiful friendship. They knew everything about each other's lives. Shravu told her about every girl he met, and Ruhi told him about every boy who chased her. She should have to talk to Ruhi to find out if this Ananya character was here to stay. She smiled fondly at him again. She thanked God again for giving her Ruhi and Shravan. Shravan interrupted her thoughts, but she didn't stop smiling "Chitti, are you listening to me, why are you smiling???"
He saw her face change and called her out again "Chitti?"
All she could manage was "Raman, Ruhi".
He was confused, "Ruhi ? what? no... Ananya. Thats the girl I am talking about. Ruhi knows her too... ask her if you want, she'll tell you how Ananya is the one for me. And please don't get Raman into this, he'll bite my head off"
That's when he realised. She wasn't even looking at him any more. Her face showed a question mark, smile, tears at the same time. As if she was dragged out of one scene and put into another, and she didn't get time to change her make-up and appearance.
He turned around to see what Chitti was looking at. He saw Ruhi sitting between Raman and Shagun and their hands together, each of them smiling differently. As if on cue, all the three of them turned around to look at him and Chitti. Shravan didn't have the stomach to say anything, he just looked at everyone's faces. A confused Ruhi, a shocked Raman and a smug Shagun. He didn't even dare to look at his Chitti again. "Oh Lord" he thought "What has Ruhi done?"
Ishita felt so much pain that she thought she was going to throw up. She did not know what to say, and couldn't take her eyes of Raman. Anyone who didn't know them would have looked at the three of them and thought it was a perfect family. They looked so adorable and seemed like they belonged together. That was the gut-wrenching reality. Her reality. She was an outsider. Period. Her daughter had grown up to be the smart, sensible young woman who wanted to give her father happiness. She wanted to free him from his trapped existence. It was seeing Raman smile at Shagun that stopped her heart. She was right all along. He was only obliged to be her husband, Ruhi ke liye. Always Ruhi ke liye. And everything Ruhi ke liye. She wasn't mad at any one. Not even her fate, not even her God. She was just heart-broken. She wasn't the first and wouldn't be the last either. But she knew she couldn't stay there any more. She had to leave the coffee place. And him. She looked at Shravu and told him "Tell your Appa, the mango doesn't ripen in this story. It just gets used in a pickle, the spicy variety that just rips your guts out if you have too much of it. He will know what I mean". Raman was walking towards her now. Before he could say anything, she mustered a smile and begged him to not say anything. "I have never asked for anything from you. Not for me. Today, all I ask is you leave me alone for some time. Please."
Raman went back to Ruhi. Shravan had now joined them and from the look on his face, Raman knew he wouldn't leave till he killed Ruhi, or him! Shagun was innocently standing there, but her eyes were sparkling like she'd just been handed over the keys to a gold mine. He looked at Ruhi with love and said "Thanks beta, for letting me know that I don't have to walk on eggshells around you any more. Yes, I do have a right to love again. You are right, I never loved your Ishima like I loved Shagun. I loved your Ishima better. I married her for your sake and the reason alone was a mistake, but that was the best mistake of my life". Ruhi was shaking. What had she done? She looked at Shagun, expecting her to be heart-broken. But Shagun mamma looked more angry than sad. Heart-break was what she had seen on Ishima's face. Oh God. Shravan held Ruhi and made her sit down again. All Ruhi could say was "Papa".
Her papa was actually the happiest man in the place. He knew he had won. He saw Ishita's face and instantly knew that her tears were because of him, for him, and not Ruhi. She had finally let her guard down and shown him how she felt. If this meeting is what it took, he was glad it happened. He kissed Ruhi on the forehead and said "Everything is fine beta, don't worry about me. Go home OK? and make sure you don't talk to strangers" he hissed looking at Shagun. And then looked at Shravan and said "please make sure my daughter gets home, and thank you. I have to be somewhere important"
Ishita left her car, and took a taxi to her clinic. She knew there would be no one there, her day was already freed up because of the guest lecture. She could cry her heart out if she wanted. Or she could sit down and compose her thoughts. What would she do next, what would she tell Amma and Appa? At least she wouldnt have to worry about the Bhallas. They would be happy with whatever keeps Raman happy. They would finally get their Adi back. And Ruhi would still be hers. Nothing would take Ruhi away from her life. Its only her Amma/Appa that she would have to worry about. Telling them the truth was the only way. She would just tell them what happened, there was no sugar coating the situation. At least then, they would all be able to console each other. Be the support system that they were. Everything would eventually go back to how it was a few years ago. The mundane routine of life. The daily morning coffees, the patients at the clinic, Vandu/Bala's weekend visits, The pujas in the temple. She would put up a front for Ruhi. She would be cordial with every Bhalla, including Raman. He had been a great companion, and even a good friend to some extent. She would miss his witty remarks, his annoyance at petty things, his stubbornness, his love for his Ruhi. She would miss his shadow breathing around her being. If only she had a chance to tell him how she felt. Why did she waste all that time?
Shravan politely asked Shagun to leave. "Please leave aunty. I need to talk to Ruhi alone. If you dont leave, I will just carry Ruhi from here and create a ruckus if you try to stop me. Please remember that you cannot manipulate or outsmart me. I am not Ruhi, I am not your son". When Shagun left without any drama, he looked at Ruhi. There was no use cheering her up. These Bhallas were emotional fools. Trying to bring them out of their emotional spirals was suicidal. He just sat there. She was the one who spoke up first. "Shagun mamma just left. She didn't even ask me if I was alright?".
That was it. Shravan couldn't hold back any more. "Ruhi, listen to everything I am saying very carefully. You know you have messed up. I wont scold you for that. But how come you did not come to me first? Why was this matter so different that you couldn't share anything with me?". "I thought you will try and talk me out of it" she said sheepishly. He held her hand and said "Yes I would have. Not because I didn't like what you were doing. But because the whole basis of your theory was wrong. You think Raman and Ishita dont love each other? Have you seen any other couple live together in the same room for so many years without love and not turn bitter? and don't tell me they were together only because of you. If that was the case, you would have seen through the act. You are smart, and observant. Once you were older, you would have seen them fighting, feeling uncomfortable in each other's presence. You would have seen right through it Ruhi." She was tearing up now. He had to make sure she didn't start sobbing. This was, after all, a public place. He knew what happened to guys who were seen with sobbing women. There would be a gang of people ready to kick him soon. He had been through this before. More than he would have liked. He had to make her look at the bright side of this story "OK, listen to me. Your dad and Ishita balance each other out perfectly. They have imbibed the best qualities from each other and evened out any negative qualities they had. You are not the first one to have been fooled by Shagun and her manipulations. Your dad was there first, remember? But leave all that. I want you to cheer up, because I am going to explain something to you that's going to knock your socks off!" OK, the tears had now disappeared. She was looking at him with a frown now. "Chill, all I wanted to say was... You were the one who brought them together all those years ago. What do you think is going happen now? You are the one who has made them realise their love. Just wait and watch" The corners of her lips were slowing turning into a smile, he decided to push his luck. "So about Ananya then, what do you think? Pass or Fail???" She elbowed him so hard, he could hear his ribs breaking.
Raman had forgotten how it felt to be nervous. How it felt when you could hear you heart beat and every step you took was bouncier than the last one. For the first time, he did not want to act like a CEO. He did not want to form a strategy and ponder over every more and the reaction. He just wanted to talk. He walked into the clinic knowing she would be there. That was her place, her temple. He knocked quietly, knew he would have to come up with an excuse as to why he was there. She had told him very clearly to leave her alone. "Arre mazaak hai kya, usne bol diya akele rehne do, and she thinks I'll follow her orders? she should know me by now".
Her voice came back softly, "yes, come in". When she saw him, she stood up and said "Raman, oh I wished it was you. I wanted it to be you. Please, before you say anything I want to tell you something"
"Arre Ishita, meri baat to suno"
"No Raman, please let me talk today"
"Yeh Ma beti dono na, mujhe koi kucch bolne hi nahin deta!" he didnt dare say that out loud.
"Raman, I messed up. I should have told you how I felt about you a long time ago. In fact, the first time I felt anything. I shouldn't have let my feelings lie dormant for so long that only a volcano could shake them up. I know what happened at the coffee shop today is the right thing. For you, Ruhi, Aditya and Shagun. In fact that's really the right thing for mummyji and papaji as well. We got married for Ruhi but she is now old enough to understand everything. She proved that today. She knows where your real happiness lies. But if I don't tell you how I feel, I will never be able to face myself again. After a point, our marriage wasn't just about Ruhi any more. At least not for me. I started feeling more towards your family, and you. I wanted us to be a normal couple. Well, as normal as we could get. I wanted to be able to talk to you freely, share my day with you. Bicker with you about the TV volume in our bedroom. I wanted to be able to hold your hands when we watched Ruhi excel at everything in school. I wanted to be held by you on cold nights. I wanted to be able to just sit with you and plan our future together. I wanted to travel the world with you. I know its too late for everything now. I know this is not how you feel, but I couldn't let you go without telling you all this. I just wish... kaash" and she went silent. She knew she was spent. She wouldn't be able to control her tears any longer. She turned around to look out the window.
"So, you havent still done anything about your dialogue writer?" he asked with an evil grin on his face. She just mouthed "what?"
"Maine bahut pehle bola tha, ki dialogue writer ki salary increase kar do, thode acchhe quality ke dialogues milenge. Yeh lambe bhaashan waapas chalu ho gaye tumhaare? Did you not learn anything from me? ".
"Aap kya bol rahe ho Raman?" she was more confused now.
"Main hota to bas itna bolta; "I love you", and waapas jawaab aata "I love you too""
Edited by always_a_TV_fan - 11 years ago
CID
15