An IshRa 2shot- State of Flux (complete)

Part I- State of Flux

It was a Thursday evening and Ishita was darting around the mall running her errands. She was mindful of the time because he was due home tonight and she wanted to be there when he arrived.

Not that she thought he would be pleased to see her, before he had left the two had rowed. She truly had upset him and the hurt she had seen in his eyes had remained engrained in her mind. This is despite him having called her every day whilst he was away. Though he didn't say anything and nothing in his tone over the phone betrayed his true feelings. she still knew that she had hurt his sentiments.

She wanted to make it up to him somehow but she was at a loss as to what to do. She knew that with most men the way to their heart would be through their stomach. However he wasn't like most men. Truth be told he was like no other man she had ever met. Perhaps she could buy him a present. But what you would buy a man who has everything. Whilst she was pondering the way to her man's heart, her eyes rested upon the flyer advertising the opening of a new Health Spa. Her eyes lit up when she noticed that they specialised in hot coal back massages. This is what he needed she thought to herself excitedly.

She made her way toward the other side of the mall where the new Spa was located. Upon making enquiries she came to know that the Spa had not yet officially opened to the public but that they were taking pre-opening bookings. The caveat being that you would book the Spa for a
Group or couple to have exclusive use of the facilities. She knew that he would more then likely oppose the idea of going to a spa in the first place and if he had to spend the evening with a group of people he would surely not tolerate it.

The therapist eying up Ishita's wedding ring suggested that she make a couple booking, Ishita was stood trying to keep a straight face. There was no way he would want to spend an evening with her at the moment That too when it involved a trip to the Spa. Though her neck had been giving her some issues lately and perhaps a massage would help. She could always ask to be in a separate room from him. This man was so temperamental, she really did not know how he would react. She couldn't really think of anything else and somehow managed to wangle a booking for later that night. He always slept late anyway so she knew that the timing would be the least of his worries.

She completed the booking and hurried back home. As she walked in He was sat at the dinning table, laughing and in a jovial mood. She breathed a sigh of relief. She went towards him and instinctively placed her hand on his shoulder and said hello. He was oblivious to the fact that she had entered and when he turned she saw the changed look in his eyes. He smiled at her and they exchanged pleasantries. He then went back to eating his dinner and making the odd comment. No one seemed to notice the change in his behaviour but her. She cursed at herself, how could she have just dismissed him like she had. He had been serious and she a fool thought they were just embarking on another battle of the wits.

As she sat playing with her food, she wondered how she would even persuade him to come out with her now. She had secretly hoped that she had been wrong and that all was right with them. As right as it could be. He noticed that she was playing with her food and aimlessly looking into the oblivion. It's not that he was angry, more hurt that she had misunderstood him. Was he really such a brute, so unfeeling that she would think that he was only playing their usual game. Well she was wrong. He did feel, he wasn't so numb as he had been and truth be told he would rather feel and hurt than remain the icebox that he had been for so many years. It was for that reason alone that though she had hurt him he couldn't be angry with her. He did care and he hated to see her in any kind of discomfort. He wondered what the matter was. He tried to make eye contact with her but she was even oblivious to his presence it seemed. He retreated back to the secure confines of his bedroom.

Whilst washing up and putting the dishes away, her mind was in overdrive. Should she really broach the subject of the Spa with him. The booking was in an hour. How was she going to get him to agree to come when he apart from a few civilities it was evident he didn't want to engage in any sort of conversation with her. She actually felt her heart ache a little. She didn't like seeing him so effected. It was the man who would constantly challenge her mentally and emotionally that gave her peace.

She walked into their bedroom, he was sat by the window sill, only the bed light lamp. Well at least he wasn't sat in the dark with a glass of whiskey in his hand she surmised. She walked up to him. He seemed lost in his own world.

"A penny for your thoughts" she said to him as cheerfully as possible. He looked at her and meekly smiled.

" how does the moon manage to shine so bright through the darkest nights with no one by its side" he said to her softly. His reply unnerved her and she perched by his side. How was she going to deal with this. With him. She knew how to handle his brashness, anger and mood but this. What was this. She hesitated for a moment and then placed her hand over his. "Raman it is only in the darkest of times that we really appreciate the light. The moon shines on because it is so dark. It's beauty is in that". She smiled at him but he continued to look out of the window.

"Acha sunno, I needed to ask you if you are not doing anything will you be able to accompany me to the clinic" She asks him as nonchalantly as possible.

"Kyun kya hua? Do you intend on making me your assistant or something". He has a hint of a smirk on his face as he says this.

'Raman aap bhi na, I wanted you to come with me because I'm unable to drive. I hurt my ankle earlier today"

At hearing these words he literally jumps and turned to look at her with such concern. "Why did you not tell me before, what happened are you ok" his words rushed, anxiety in his voice. Without hesitating he went to touch her right ankle.

" yeh wala hai? Kya?"

"Ummm haan" seeing his reaction she was actually feeling bad for lying to him. But this was for him.

"Clinic zaroori jaana hai?, can no one else go? You should be resting" he murmured as he absentmindedly stroked her ankle lightly.

His touches were as light as feather but they caused a cataylsm like effect throughout her body. Her knees felt like they were going to buckle so she maneuvered herself opposite him on the couch.

" yeah it's an emergency and no one else is available"

"You and your emergencys Ishita he tutted. Come on then let's go. The sooner we go the sooner we can come back". He lifted himself off the couch and held his hand out to her which she took.

They were sat in the car at the traffic lights. She had no choice but to speak now as the clinic and the mall were in opposite directions.

"Raman can we make a detour to the mall please before we go to the clinic" she managed to stutter out.

"The mall? Why what do you need? It can't wait?" He asked calmly. It was this very calmness that irked her. She didn't recognise this particular calmness in him and she knew it was not the kind that came from contentment.

" I need to pick up some of Ruhi's dry cleaning. I was meant to go earlier but I forgot and she needs if for tomorrow"

"Acha teek hai, you can stay in the car and I will go and get it"

Ishita was getting panicked this was not panning out the way she had imagined. " no I need to go, I need to check that everything is there"

He sighed. What was the point of even resisting. " ok fine".

He parked up and immediately went to open her door for her. Wow, she thought something must be the matter with him. This was new territory.

He stood smiling at her as she made her way out of the car. She took particular attention to limping out of the car. Unfortunately within 5 minutes or so she had completely forgotten that she was meant to be enacting a sore ankle.. It was as he turned to speak to her that he noticed that she was walking fine without any discomfort.

"Ishita is your ankle not paining you" he asked cautiously, he didn't want to offend her but he was now getting the feeling that something was up.

She felt she had no choice but to confess at this point.

Ok Raman don't get angry but we've come here because I booked some treatment for us".

Treatment he asked flabbergasted by this news. It doesn't involve needles does it? He asked apprehensively.

No Baba not that kind of treatment. This is the kind that relaxes a person"

What are you trying to say, saaf saaf bolo Ishita/ she could sense frustration his voice now.

"It's just easier if I take you there instead "and with that she took hols of his hand and marched him over to the entrance of the spa.

"You have got to be kidding me "he asked incredulously. "You've brought me to a SPA?" He began to raise his voice and in that moment the only thing she could think of was to place her hand over his mouth.

A move she regretted in seconds as the realisation set in that she could feel his hot breathe on her as her fingers touched the corners of his lips. He just stood there staring at her. She thought she saw a change in his eyes, a flicker of desire sweep across his face. Unbeknown to her it
Swept across his entire body and how he tolerated it only he knew.

They stood there for what seemed like an age. Until they were rudely awoken by the receptionist who had been watching them closing.

"Mr and mrs bhalla why don't you come on through. Your robes are in adjacent rooms and the treatment room is to your left"

Before he could utter another word he was ushered Into the room, as he spied her entering the room next door.

They are now sat opposite each other in white robes. She smiles to herself as she recalls the last time she had seen him in a robe outside of their bedroom was their disastrous wedding night.

He is very aware of his surroundings and his sense of her so acute that he is finding it difficult to remain there. Her hair has been scooped up in a bun.He can't help but gaze and without realising he is soon focusing on her bare skin. He checks himself and mindlessly picks up a nearby magazine.

After a few minutes he looks up, he can sense her gaze upon him. She is laughing.

"What's so funny" he asks her.

"Are you reading an interesting article? You seem so engrossed by it"

" ummm yeah I am" and he buries his head back into the magazine.

"Raman, is there a reason why your holding up the magazine the wrong way up" and she stifles a laugh.

"Oh shit"he thinks. She is truly the undoing of him. He gets up and starts pacing.

"Well what do you expect, I'm tired from my flight and had thought I would be home catching up on the football and relaxing. Instead I'm stuck here with you". The last line is said by looking at her squarely and resolutely. He truly does mean it.

She senses a shift in his mood. She is well acquainted with his anger and frustration. She gets up to go towards him but just as she does, the therapists walk in.

"We are ready for you" they sweetly smile at the pair.

" ok let's get this show on the road" and he storms out behind one of the therapists.

He removes his robe and lies down on the masseuse table. Eye cap on he is soon so relaxed and becomes oblivious to everything around him. She was right he did need this. The therapist asks him to take a deep breathe and as he comes up for air he breathes in her scent. Her scent?! He is deluded surely. She isn't even here. Maybe this therapist has the same the perfume. It's not just the perfume though he can now sense her. In his state of undress he is keen to get up. It is then that he hears another voice in the room.

"Haan just in the nook of my neck, that's where it's paining me"

"Ok madam, if you want to just lower your robe and lie down I can start on a head and shoulder massage"

"Shit, shit, shit" she is here. Here he is in a state of undress, already feeling vulnerable to his own body and now she's in the same room. No doubt about to lie next down next to him.There's nothing really he can do. He is unable to move and neither does he really want to. He holds his breathe, waiting for her to say something.

There is silence, one that he is finding unbearable. He then hears her mutter something about the treatments being in separate rooms. He hears the therapist explain that this was a couples treatment and they would remain in the same room. She is saying that she wants the treatment to take place in a separate room. He can sense the anger inside him well up. He is on the verge of losing control. Is it such a disgusting notion to have to remain in the same room as him now. What did she want from him. He was tired of this hot and cold- it was maddening to him.

Without any further hesitation he gets up and orders the two therapists out of the room. He walks right up to her backing her into a corner. He is spiralling out of control.

"Why did you being me here" he screams at her. " I know what you think of me. Do you get a kick out of this. Do you think I have a black heart, that I'm unfeeling that I can't feel' she can sense the unrestlesness in his voice.

She attempts to turn her head away from him. He slumps his head onto her left shoulder. She feels his weight on her but it's of just his physical weight but for the first time she senses the heavy burden on his heart. A burden that he had disguised and hid so well until recently. There was a time when she had turned away from him, as he had slumped against her. She now knows that she would never let history repeat itself.

He whispers in her ear " please don't do this to me, mujhe se bardaasht nahi hota.."

Without hesitating she takes him in her arms as she does she brings her lips close to face " mujhe se bhi nahi bardaasht hota" she murmurs whilst trying not give in to her tears as she lightly kisses his forehead and soaks in his embrace.

its up now😳

Dude u were supposed to be MIA and rest!!

Uz. 😳

Do you want thappads from KKG's.? 😳Rest kon lega? 😳

Anyways. Thappads cancel.😛🤣 Cz This OS was Awesome!!! Like Lucky said, a much needed distraction from the current track. :D

I love it. it is a very nice distraction from the current track and the way you described Ishu and Raman's feelings- brilliant. I love the massage idea both of them do need one after all this stress 😆

and yes like lucky said i am surprised at the length and i very proud that you listen to our feedback 😛