Hello All
I am back with OS # 3 in this track...Once again, thank you all for your LOVELY comments on the earlier ones. 🤗
With this OS, I am back to my earlier style of writing, its not sombre, but there isn't a lot of light Ishra banter either.
Aani & Isha - do NOT put your reading glasses on. Not needed here :)
The song to go with this one is
"Ek meetha marz dene" from Welcome to Sajjanpur***
"Love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation"
- Gibran Khalil Gibran, The Prophet When Raman came back from office that night, he saw something at home he had not seen in a long time. Ruhi was crying, and Ishita was trying to calm her down. But nothing Ishita was saying affected Ruhi and she was crying more and more. Raman dropped his bag on the couch and went to the dining table where they were both sitting.
"Kya hua Ruhi?" The girl, obviously happy to her other parent hugged him, and said "Papa, Ishima jaa rahi hai". The cry that came out of his mouth was barely heard by anyone. Ruhi's sobs were overpowering his feelings. He didn't want to stop hugging his kid, doing that would mean he would have to look into everyone's eyes and react. He was numb. "Raman, Leave Ruhi no. You are coddling her." Ishita said in her usual patronising tone. He let Ruhi go, wiped her tears with his palm and then looked at Ishita. He wasn't sure what words would come out of his mouth, if he could even form any. Why was this woman so cool? "Raman, woh ek medical conference hai, Mumbai mein. Usually only doctors from hospitals and bigger clinics get a chance to go to that. But this time, I got an invite. Its not a big deal, only for a couple of days. Jabse Ruhi ko bola maine, she hasnt stopped crying. Aap kucch bolo apni beti ko. She wants to come with me. How can I manage Raman? I will be busy the whole day, and then we'll have dinners at night. Bacchhi ko kaise leke jaaon wahaan pe?"
The first thing he did was put his head back and looked up. He had been stupid, over-reacted as usual. That is what Ruhi had meant when she said Ishita was leaving. He closed his eyes for a minute and recollected every emotion that went through him in the last minute. If someone had asked him to express all of those feelings in two words or less, he would only have been able to say 'heart-break'. But it was all good now. She was just going to go out for a couple of days. He thanked God and then suddenly realised everyone was looking at him. Even his daughter, who had momentarily stopped sobbing. Ishita was wreaking havoc in his heart and she was just looking at him with hands on her hips, expecting him to talk to Ruhi and explain to her that it would be OK.
"Doctor logon ke beech mein tum kya karogi?" he started.
"Raman, please. Woh line purani ho chuki hai. And how dare you ask me not to go? Mera career important nahin hai kya? bas do teen din ki baat hi to hai. Itne log hain yahaan pe, Ruhi will be fine." She started lecturing him, status quo restored again.
He couldn't help but smile "Arre meri maa, when did I ask you not to go? Bas I was just asking a logical question. Waise bhi, Jumma Jumma char din hue hain tumko yahaan aake. Hum pehle bhi theek hi the. We'll survive. Sab ne tumko aise hi sar pe chada rakha hai. Jaao, mujhe bhi thoda sukoon milega. Waise kab lag rahi hai meri lottery????" She was furious, but couldn't show it "I'll have to fly out next Wednesday night and back Friday evening or Saturday morning, depending on the tickets. Now talk to your daughter please" Ishita was really curious to see how Raman would manage the situation.
"Ruhi beta, Papa bhi gaye the na Mumbai? kaam ke liye jaana padta hai beta. Yahaan pe daadi, paati, Rinki bua, Simmi bua sab hai na? We'll be fine. And I promise, I will come back early from office and have dinner with you on all the days. And on Friday, we'll go out for a movie also, OK?" Both the women in his life were simultaneously reassured. Ruhi; because her papa had promised to spend more time with her, and Ishita because she was suprised with the way he had spoken to Ruhi. He had not cracked a joke or seemed dismissive of Ishita's importance in their lives. Both of them were smiling now.
Raman went in to change and shouted for Ishita when he couldn't find his towels in the usual place. "Kya hua Raman, itna chilla kyon rahe ho?" "Where is my towel. I need to take a quick shower before dinner, and as usual I have no clue where you kept my things" he scowled. Ishita just said "Shaadi ke pehle nahaate nahi the kya? dhoond lo apna samaan khud, mujhe yahaan aake Jumma Jumma char din hi hue hain." and walked out. He cursed, and struggled for a minute before he found what he wanted. His thoughts started wandering again. Why was he feeling so strange since he got home? Would it matter to him if she wasnt around for a few days? Sure, they had been apart before, but this time felt different to him. He shook off the water in his hair and the worries in his mind. He had a very stressful day at work, so may be his mind was playing games. Or maybe Ruhi crying had unnerved him. He would survive without Ishita, maybe he was only worried for Ruhi?
Early Wednesday morning, Raman woke up to a scene of Ishita packing everything hurriedly and trying to tiptoe around, so she wouldn't wake him or Ruhi up. "Yeh Madrasi logon ka alag timezome hota hai kya? Aadhi raat ko hi tumhaari subah ho jaati hai. Yeh saaman pack kyon kar rahi ho?" "Aiyyo Raman, aap meri baatein sunte nahin ho, maine kal raat ko bola tha na, that I will leave from the clinic only. I dont have time to come home and then go to the airport. Thats why I am packing now, and will carry my suitcase to the airport. And sorry I made noise. Aap so jaaao. I will be more careful". He couldn't go back to sleep now. He gently removed his daughter's leg from over his stomach, and sat up straight. He turned his phone on to check the time and casually said "Matlab, you were planning to go without saying bye to Ruhi???"
"Come on Raman, would I ever do that? I was planning to drop by her school during lunch time and talk to her. I have to remind her to be a good girl and do her homework and brush her teeth properly, no?" she replied, still busy with her packing.
"Arre kitni baar bola hai that we will be fine, dont worry about us. By the way, just out of curiosity, are you taking your car or have you booked a taxi? and which hotel are you staying in? Did you check if it is a decent place and everything?" his tone was still casual.
"Raman, just like you took care of Ruhi before I came into the picture, I too lived a life before you, you know? I know how to travel, where to live and how to take care of myself. How could you think I haven't planned all this? Don't worry I will be fine" she said.
"I am not worried, just asking. You know, in case mummy or papa ask me. Otherwise why do I care? Jhansi ki Rani ho tum. I know you will be fine"
Only to stop the argument she said "I have booked a taxi to go to the airport, and we have booked the Ibis hotel near the domestic airport. All of us going to the conference are staying there. My flight leaves at 6:00 PM. My conference is in Andheri East, near the MIDC area. Do you want me to give you the address, the attendee list? aur kucch jaannna chaahte hain aap?". She was clearly frustrated by his questions. She had always been an independent woman, and no one had doubted her decisions or actions ever. She wasn't used to anyone speaking to her in a condescending tone. Usually she was the one who spoke like this.
"OK meri ma, sorry, galti ho gayi. Main sone jaa raha hoon. Ho sake to please shor mat karna. See you on Friday or Saturday." His eyes closed, heart racing and mind worried, he pretended that all was fine. This time, he turned on his side and placed his arm on Ruhi. He needed some reassurance.
That night when Raman left office, he was stopped by Mihir. "Bhai, sab theek to hai?" "What happened? " asked an irritated Raman. "Woh bhai, You are not carrying your mobile phone or car keys with you. But you have your laptop bags, you are going home no? BTW, itni jaldi" Raman turned around and just picked up his things and said "Yes, I forgot. Chalo, good night. Kal milte hain." Mihir was flabbergasted. This was the first time Raman hadn't retorted with "Apne chhote dimaag pe zor mat daalo! Jitna bola hai utna hi kaam karo".
Raman went home, had dinner with Ruhi as promised and then went to the bedroom to finish his work. Just when he had settled down, and finally started to concentrate on his work, his daughter walked in. "Papa, I will sleep here only" she begged. "But Ruhi, you can sleep with Dadi na?" he wasnt sure he would be able to put her to sleep alone. "No papa, If I sleep here, I will feel that Ishima is also sleeping next to me. Please?" "Tell me about it" he muttered.
The woman hadn't called him. She hadn't even texted him to say she had reached safely. When was eating his dinner, his mother had told him casually, "arre Raman puttar, Ishita ka phone aaya tha, jab tum andar phone pe the. Woh pahunch gayi hotel. Ruhi se bhi baat kar li usne." So, no one in his home thought it pertinent for him to talk to his wife, including her, and especially her? He went back into his thinking mode while listening to some lullabies he had put on for Ruhi. Ishita had reached safely, she had informed someone at home, and she had spoken to Ruhi. So, why was he restless? He angrily took his phone out to give her a piece of his mind, then sobered down. It was late, and she was in a new place. She would be alarmed if he called at this hour of the night.
It turned out to be the longest night of his life. Not to mention the chaos at his home in the morning. He did not know petty things like where Ruhi's uniform was, what lunch she took to school. He thanked the Lord for the women in his life when Ruhi was finally ready to get to school. He dropped her, and went on to his office to bear what turned out to be the most irritating day of his life.
"No, this won't do. Samajhti kya hai woh apne aap ko? Seriously, she cannot even text me? Aisa kya conference hai uska ki ek minute ka break bhi nahin mil raha usse. Mummy, papa, Ruhi, Amma, Appa, Vandu, Bala sab ko phone ya text kar chuki hai. Shaayad Mihir se bhi baat kar li hogi paagal aurat ne. Bas mujhse baat karna zaroori nahin samjha" It was around midnight on the Thursday. He couldn't go to sleep. Ruhi had been very tired that night and had slept really early. He was left alone with his thoughts. He picked up his phone for the umpteenth time today, and finally decided to touch the green button.
"Hello, Raman, kya hua? Sab theek hai na? Ruhi so gayi na? ya Usko neend nahin aa rahi hai?" she asked, worried about everyone, except him. He had to be careful, he couldn't give away his desperation. Yes, that was the word, wasn't it? He was desperate. He knew she was fine. He knew Ruhi was fine. Everything was OK, but he still wanted to talk to her. What do you call it other than 'desperation'?
"Hello, Raman? Are you there?".
"Haan, woh, I didnt expect you to answer" He came out of his thought process.
"Then why did you call?" she sounded a bit annoyed.
"Woh, bas dekhna chaahta tha ki sab theek thaak hai na" He said, resigned.
"Haan Raman. Thanks for asking. Sab theek hai. Maine mummyji ko phone karke bol diya tha. And waise Ruhi se do baar baat kar chuki hoon aaj. Usko bol diya tha maine ki aapko jyaada pareshan na kare. baaki koi pareshan to nahin hai na? kucch hua kya?" She always sounded so sweet when she was talking about others.
"Aaj Thursday hai" he said bluntly.
"Haan, so???"
"I was planning to go watch a movie with Ruhi tomorrow, you know right? I just wanted to check if you were flying in tomorrow or Saturday morning. I won't spend money on tickets unless I have to"
"Woh, actually Raman, abhi travel agent ne confirm kiya, ki kal raat ki tickets mil gayi hain. Waise aap log movie jaao. Ruhi will be excited about watching it na? I will see you guys at home. Don't tell her that I am coming back tomorrow, let it be a surprise" His heart did a somersault he never thought was possible again.
"Kitne baje ki flight hai?" he asked, still with a voice he thought was even-pitched.
"I'll land in Delhi at 6:50 PM and should be home by 8 I think. Movie ka time kya hai?"
Arre movie gayi tel lene, is what he wanted to tell her. But he just said "Taxi cancel karna, main aa jaaonga pick up karne tumko. waise bhi airport ke paas ek zameen dekhne aa raha hoon main, factory ke liye. Kal milta hoon tumko main" He wanted to cut the call before she could protest too much, but his hands didnt co-operate fast enough.
"Raman! Ruhi will be disappointed. Take her to the movie, I'll be fine, main pahunch jaaongi theek se" she said in her usual magnanimous tone.
"Ishita, agar main Ruhi se poochhon ki 'a) papa usko movie leke jaayenge OR b) papa uski Ishima ko pick up karne jaayenge', what do you think her answer will be ? Aakhir tumhari beti hai." He stopped at that, waiting to hear her response, which he already knew.
"OK Raman, kal milte hain phir? Good Night"
The next day was a breeze. People usually say that its difficult to spend time when in anticipation, but Raman disagreed vehemently. Every time he looked at his watch, time had progressed. It was one hour, one minute or even one second closer to when he would see her again.
When he reached the sign that said "Arrivals", he didnt know if he was relieved or agitated. And then he saw her. She was walking out without a worry in the world, her hair flurry. She wasn't looking at him, but it looked like she was looking for him. Was she?
When they finally made eye contact, she walked towards him. Was her step faster? He didn't know. All he remembered was, when they met, he hugged her tight and said "Welcome back"
*** So, how was it?... Please do let me know
P.S: I am going to base the next OS on Ishita's thoughts. This one was entirely about what Raman was going through. I will explore what Ishita went through in the same period in the next OS. That is one reason why this one was shorter than expected.
Edited by always_a_TV_fan - 11 years ago
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