A New Beginning for IshRa

She looked at herself fully dressed for the party and smiled coyly as she blushed profusely. What would he think seeing her like this?

She has dressed up for him today not for Ruhi but would she able to tell him that?

Would he even understand if she doesn't tell him?

Not sure. The man may have received the best CEO Award but would definitely win the Best Dummy Award too when it comes to love.

Love!!

What was she saying?

Since when has loved got into the equation? She hid her face in her palm, looked again in the mirror and smiled lovingly remembering the past events especially what happened after the Parmeet fiasco one month back.

*Flashback*

Raman had finally showed to the whole family what a pervert their son in law was with proofs against that sick man who was expert in fooling and manipulating and harassing. Ishita's heart had felt like feathery light when she had realized that he trusted her, he never doubted her and her character. Her good heart went to Simmi and her plight and she had hugged and comforted her.

But when she had reached the confines of her...their room, she had again turned silent. They were getting ready to sleep. Ruhi was sleeping at the Iyers and Ishita had no choice but to get her sofa ready, acutely aware of his presence on the bed and his eyes on her back.

- What is this new drama?

Grumpy Bhalla! She turned around hearing his growl. He was back to normal. that is, he had his usual 'kharoos' face. But she was still not back to her usual state. She was still on tenterhooks. She was still very emotionally vulnerable and her eyes would water without warning these days too. She was not yet ready to fight with him. She just answered:

- I am fixing my sofa bed. Ruhi is not here and I normally sleep...

She stopped. She was expecting an annoyed look but...

He was looking at her with ...soft and loving eyes...and he was moving towards her.

- You can sleep on the other side of the bed. Or you can have the bed for yourself. I will sleep on the sofa

His voice was as soft and loving as his eyes and Ishita stuttered a "no it is ok". He surprised her by taking the pillow from her hand and said:

- I am sorry Ishita for everything you went through.

That was it!! She let go of everything that has been bottling up inside her and cried her heart, her head on his chest. He hugged her back. He embraced her tightly as she cried and told him off for making her believe by checking those messages that he doubted her.

Ishita smiled and looked in the mirror. Her eyes were moist. That was the first time they had finally hugged each other without using Ruhi as an excuse. She turned around to take a tissue paper and giggled remembering again their antics on that day.

She was still crying when she heard his... nonsense.

- Stop rubbing your nose on my white shirt Ishita. Get a tissue paper.

Count on Ravan Kumar to embarrass people!!

She had released herself from his grip and replied back:

- You are so rude. I hate you. I really do

- Thank you. If you are done with your rona dhona, switch off the light. I need to sleep. I have loads of files pending for tomorrow. I don't go to clinic to clean people's teeth leisurely.

She had looked at him flabbergasted by his exclusive attitude he carries all the time.

The man!! But she did notice the small smile he tried to hide from her. Since then things had changed. No they have not started afresh. Raman is still the Ravan and Kharoos who gets great pleasure to taunt her but... his attitudes have changed. She had caught him many times looking at her lovingly but he would turn away and faked "kharoosness".

She too has been playing along. But she has to admit that his goodness has won her heart even if he very well coats it with "karelaness", She was married to a strange specimen. While most people talk sugar "coated-ly" this man purposely talks rudely to hide his goodness.

But today she felt it was time to give Dummy Bhalla a clear message. So here she was, ready for the party he had called her for, wearing the blue dress he had brought for her sometimes back.

She was now ready and waiting for Raman to pick her. She heard an excited Ruhi yelling

- Papa there is a surprise for you. Ishima is waiting for you. Go and see her.

Her heart started flip-flopping. He was there! Was it really a good idea to wear this dress for the party? Ishita started having second thoughts. This Ravan Kumar can be very rude at times and if he...

Her trail of thoughts stopped abruptly as she saw him with a priceless expression on his face glued at the door step. He looked like he has seen a ghost.

Not ghost... but a nymph in a blue dress with long beautiful hair cascading her shoulders to reach her waist.

- Papa isn't Ishima looking pretty in the blue dress you picked for her?

She blushed as he stared at her to answer: "Very pretty".

He smiled at her and she smiled back but as soon as Ruhi left the room, Raman added:

- Medium size dress is perfect for you Ishita. It hides perfectly well what keeps protruding in smaller sizes

He chuckled and looked at her all amused as she shook her head and walked out of the room. But as she had her back to him, his expressions changed.

Was she dressed for him today? Was she feeling the same thing that he has been feeling for sometimes? Ishita was definitely not Shagun but he was afraid. Yes Raman Bhalla was scared because this once upon a time insignificant dentist, who turned the mother of his daughter is now stirring him inside out.

He had felt his heart doing a somersault when he had set his eyes on her. What was happening to him? He was no longer a teenager. May be he was getting old and his heart was going weak? He would tell Mihir to fix an appointment with the heart specialist...

- Are we going to the party or have you changed your mind?

Ishita was shouting from the living room, bringing him out of his reverie. Raman took a deep breath and muttered to himself: Jhansi Ki Rani is dressed to kill tonight!