Halchal Hui, Zara Shor Hua - An Ishra OS

HALCHAL HUI, ZARA SHOR HUA

Bala was in a happy state of mind right now. He had succeeded in his mission and that made him happy; really, really happy. He lazily placed his favourite book beside the night lamp and closed his eyes with a fond smile on his face. Today, he was a man who was happy for his sister. Yes, she had always been his little sister he never had and could not help but feel protective towards her especially after life had mercilessly thrown her into an ocean of troubles. Further, somewhere deep down inside, he will never to able to forget the fact that he was related to the same man who had crushed his little sister's heart brutally and left her all alone.

But today was different. For the first time after God knows how long, he knew that there was hope after all and he was sure that things will change for better now. He closed his eyes with a contended smile on his face while rewinding the events of the past few days in his mind.

He had first noticed it a few days ago in Amma and Appa's house. All the daughters of Iyers were gathered along with their respective spouses for a friendly chit chat session after a party which was thrown in the honour of Raman's accomplishments. He had been made the President of New Delhi Entrepreneurs Association.

Everyone was having fun at the expense of Mihir. Mihika had as usual cracked a joke about the life of Mihir after marriage which had everyone in splits. That is when he had noticed it. The way he was looking at her was as if, naah, it is not possible, it's a foreign territory for both of them; he shrugged the thought as mere piece of his imagination and engrossed himself in the ongoing conversation.

But then, just a few minutes later, there it was again. This time he was sure that it was not merely a fragment of his imagination. Being a man, albeit a married one, he was no stranger to that look. Those eyes were full of concern, yearning and ... Desire. Raman Kumar Bhalla was officially checking out his wife while trying to be as discrete and aloof as possible.

This was enough to make Bala restless. If what he saw was even remotely true, then it could certainly change things drastically. It may be a new chapter in the life of his little sister. He had to find out. He had to be sure. He had to confirm it.

"Vandu, mai soch raha hoon ki ghar jawai ban jau. Kya kehti ho? " A new plan was formulating in his mind while he spoke those few words.

A visibly shocked Vandu immediately spoke, "Bala. Kya ho gaya tumhe? Sab theek hai na? "

"Haan, mujhe kya hoga? . Vo mai bas soch raha tha ki jis insaan ki itni khoobsurat do do saaliyan ho, to uska ghar jawai banna to banta hai na. Ab yahan rahunga to Mihika mere saath me ghar pe rahegi and of course Ishu kaunsi door hai, saamne vale ghar me hai. Ek aadmi ko life me aur kya chahiye. Vo kehte hai na, Jiski ho ek khoobsurat si saali, usko fir kahe ko chahiye gharwali, aur meri to do do hai." He chuckled.

Vandu laughed and playfully hit him while, both Mihika and Ishu laughed out loud. Mihika was now openly teasing Vandu and Mihir. "Vandu Akka, ab to aap ka chance gaya. Ab to mere aur Ishu akka me competition hai handsome jeeju ke liye."

Bala took advantage of the conversation, "Ek minute, ek minute. Yaar ye to bahot difficul ho jayega mere liye. Dono me competition to tagda hai but sorry yaar Mihika, meri sabse important saali to sirf Ishu hi hai. Vo kya hai ki jab meri shaadi hui thi to tu to school me thi, to my dear, tum thoda late ho gayi. Aur vaise bhi aaj Ishu ka ye pariyon vaala roop dekh kar kaun lattu nahi hoga, kyu saali ji." He winked at Ishita and placed his hands around her shoulders.

Ishu who by now was blushing profusely, playfully scolded him in her usual manner, "Jeeju. Kuch bhi. Akka, kya kar rahi ho. Sambhalo apne pati ko."

Bala continued, "Arre, acha ji. To ab janabe aala ki shaadi ho gayi hai to mujhe bhool gayi. Dekho Ishu, vaise bhi tum to meri original eklauti adhi gharwaali ho. Aur jab kisi bhi gentleman ki adhi gharwaali itni sundar lag rahi ho to ek dance to banta hi hai."

He stopped and purposefully turned towards Raman and uttered. "Yaar Raman. I am sorry but Ishu tumhari beewi baad me hai, pehle vo meri saali hi hai to meri adhi gharwaali ke saath mujhe dance karte hue dekh kar jalo, mai bilkul bura nahi maanunga."

And he immediately took her hand in his hand and started twirling her around. By now, everyone was laughing at his antics and an enthusiastic Mihika even started singing a romantic number. But what made Bala extremely happy was the fact that his suspicions were confirmed. He was dancing with her but his eyes were discreetly noticing every move of Raman. Raman was officially seething with jealously and was desperately trying to hide it behind the mask of indifference. If anything, his rigid stance was a giveaway.

It was no surprise to Bala that as soon as he stopped the dance, Raman immediately made an excuse and moved towards his home. Ishu who was blissfully ignorant to the entire scenario was happily enjoying the conversation with her sisters. Thankfully, she was forcefully pushed to her home by her two utterly romantic sisters who were hoping for some action between Ishu and Raman after her divine look at the part tonight.

Soon everyone called it a night but Bala's mind was working overtime. He had to do something. He was sure that deep inside Raman's heart, there was a flutter going on. If looks could kill, Bala was sure to die an excruciating death after he had shamelessly flirted with Ishu today. The problem was, the actual Raman was trying to hide behind the arrogant RKB and probably with time, Raman had already resigned to the fact that RKB was his real self. He had to somehow break this peace. Ideally, Ishu should be the one to do it, but unfortunately, he knew that his sister was another broken soul so anything like this was a pretty high expectation for her.

He had to help these ignorant souls. His challenge was when and how. He was tossing and turning in his bed struggling with the same thoughts when a sleepy Vandu worriedly asked, "Bala. Kya hua? Neend nahi aa rahi hai. Sab theek to hai na? "

With a new determination, Bala turned towards her and said, "Vandu, I need your help."

PLEASE READ THE NEXT PART BELOW.

Everyone had called it a night in the Bhalla household. Ruhi had planned to sleep with Romi chachu for the night. Ishita could swear she had caught them discussing about a certain 007 movie, but since it was Sunday tomorrow, Ishita chose to ignore it. She quickly changed into her comfortable night kurti and was contently settled for her favourite bed time read on the couch while Raman was engrossed in yet another repeat telecast of FIFA world cup semi-final. Honestly, it was beyond her that he could still get depressed over Brazil's epic loss to Germany; Men, she sighed and continued from where she had left yesterday in her book and was engrossed in it in no time.

The familiar voice of her phone's ringtone brought both of them from their respective world.

"Amma ?" Ishita immediately got up from seat with a worried expression on her face while looking at her phone.

"Itni late. Sab theek to hai." Raman thought and was beside his wife in no time.

"Hello. Haan Amma. Kya hua? Sab theek to hai. Itni raat ko? Kaun? Akka ? Kya hua unko? Vo theek to hai na? Mai aa rahi hoon Amma. " Ishita hurriedly rushed towards the opposite house while an equally baffled and worried Raman followed.

They were welcomed by crying sounds from her Amma's bedroom. Ishita rushed there and found Vandita engulfed in her Amma's arms. She was crying like a baby while Appa and jeeju were standing beside the bed and watching her helplessly. Amma was softly caressing her and rocking her like a gentle baby.

"Kya hua Akka? Jeeju? Sab theek hai na? Kya hua?" By now, she was panicking beyond belief and all kind of adverse thoughts had started to invade her mind like a storm.

"Ishu." Vandu rushed towards her and engrossed her in another bone crushing hug.

Unable to breathe properly, Ishita spoke in a strangled voice, "Akka. Kya hua? Ab aap mujhe dara rahe ho. Batao, kya hua? Jeeju, Please batao kya hua?"

Raman who on the other hand a similar state of mind, had rushed towards Bala and Appa and asked the same question but both of them did not utter a single word. Instead, they signalled him to watch whatever was going on. Raman noticed that for some reason Bala looked more amused than tensed at his wife. Confused, he decided to be a mute spectator like the other audience in the room.

"Ishu, aaj mai sone lagi to mujhe achanak yaad aa gaya ki jab mai choti thi to mai Amma se gale lagkar soti thi. Kitni ladai hoti thi ham dono ke beech me ki Amma ke left me kaun soyega aur right me kaun ... aur, aur fir ham bade kyu ho gaye. Mujhe nahi shaadi karni. I mean shaadi to ho chuki hai par mujhe fir se tum dono ke saath rehna hai, vaise hi sona hai." Vandu cried and hugged both of them in a bone crushing hug yet again.

"I am proud of your acting beewi. Iske liye tumhe meri taraf se 100 kisses muft. Bas overacting thodi kam karo." Bala muttered under his breadth while trying hard not to laugh.

Ishita eyes widened at her sister's weird behaviour and she looked enquiring towards Bala. Bala simply shrugged his shoulders and silently mouthed, "Overactive Pregnancy hormones."

Ishu smiled and gave a stern look to her jeeju and happily hugged her sister. "Akka. Kya ho gaya hai. Itna kyu soch rahe ho. Isme kya hai. Ham teeno aaj fi se ek saath so jaate hai. Appa, chalo aaj aap is kamre se out ho jao. Aaj ham teeno ek saath sote hai. And haan Akka, yaad hai na, mai choti hoon to mai Amma ke right me sungi. Aap left side lo. Amma ko right side pe sone ki adat hai na. " Ishita said and looked towards Raman asking for a silent permission to stay overnight with her Akka.

Raman who by now had understood the situation and had actually found it amusing, nodded in approval and made a move towards the hall whiling smiling at the entire situation.

Bala followed him outside and uttered, "Haso mat. Pregnant beewi das Osama Bin Laden se bhi jyada dangerous hoti hai. Shravu ke time me to bas pitayi honi hi reh gayi thi. To is baar main seedha yahan aa gaya. Jaan pyaari hai, to beewi jo kahe sab maan jao."

Raman had a hearty laughed at that and said, "Koi nahi. Aaj raat ko tum bachelor ban jao. Vaise bhi aaj Vandita se door hi rehne me tumhari bhalayi hai."

Bala continued, "Haan yaar. Ab jab bachelor keh hi rahe ho to kyu na ek drink ho jaaye? Kya kehte ho? Vaise bhi kal Sunday hai, to CEO sahab aapko kal office to jaana nahi hai na? "

Raman smiled and said, "Sure chalo. Mai bas ghar ko lock karke aata hoon. Vaise bhi abhi tak vishwaas nahi hota ki Brazil Germany se aise bhi haar sakta hai. Ek drink to banti hai."

Half an hour later, both of them had settled into a nearby pub and were silently enjoying their respective drinks. At least Raman was. Bala on the other hand was struggling to find a way to broach the subject of Ishu and Raman.

Before Bala could begin, Raman interjected,"Bala, ek tarah se acha hi hua ki tum mujhe akele mil gaye. Mai khud kuch dino se tumnse kuch baat karna chahta tha"

Bala was suddenly all ears. Raman wanted to talk to him? Was it about Ishu? Confused, he immediately answered, "Sure Raman. Batao, kya kar sakta hoon?"

Raman continued, "Vo actually, mai ", he hesitated , "Mai tumse Adi ke bare me baat karna chahta tha. I know usne jo bhi Amma ke saath kia vo galat kia and am not defending that, lekin beta hai vo mera. Kya karu? Mai chah kar bhi use pareshaan nahi dekh sakta. "

"Isliye ek request karna chahta hoon.Bala, I want to be a good father. Mai usko vo sab such dena chahta hoon jo ek baap apne bacho ko de sakta hai, vo sab sikhana chahta hoon jo ek pita apne bacho ko sikhata hai. Par tum to jaante ho ki Adi pehle se hi mujhse nafrat karta hai aur usko juvenile court me bhejne ke baad se to vo mujhe apna sabse bada dushman manne laga hai. Isliye vo shayad kabhi meri to kabhi bhi nahi sunega. Par tum, Bala, tumhe vo apna teacher manta hai. Aur guru bacho ke doosre parents ki tarah hote hai. To please, meri request hai tumse, ki jo main chah ke bhi nahi kar pa raha hoon, use jo achi baatein nahi sikha sakta hoon, tum please jitna koshish kar sakte ho, please help karo uski. Vo tumhari sunta hai, tumhe manta hai." Raman choked on his voice with the last few words.

Bala's heart went out for the helpless father sitting in front of him. He could understand his turmoil pretty well. He was a man who had every possibly luxury in the world, but his own son hated him; life was cruel. He nodded and said, "Raman, tum ek baat bhool rahe ho. Adi mera bhi beta hai. Rishte me mausa lagta hoon uska. Mai use ek teacher ki tarah nahi, Shravu samajh ke padata hoon. Haan mai manta hoon, ki meri limitations hai, lekin I promise you ki mai use usi tarah treat karta hoon jaise Shravu ko use bhi vohi sab sikhane ki koshish karta hoon jo mai Shravu ko sikhata hoon. Do not worry." He ended.

Raman who had gotten emotional by now said with a teary smile, "Thank you. Thank you so much. Aaj tumne mere dil se ek bahot bada bojh halka kar dia hai."

There was a comfortable silence between them for a while. Bala found this opportunity to be apt and immediately started with his plan of action.

"Chalo chodo, kuch aur baat karte hai. Aur sunao. Baaki sab kaisa chal raha hai? Kaisi ja rahi hai ye nayi zindagi? Aur haan isse yaad aaya, actually mujhe tumhe sorry kehna tha and of course thank you bhi kehna tha."

Sensing Raman's confusion on his statement, Bala continued, "Thank you kehna tha ek amazing picnic organize karne ke liye. It was real fun and a great change. Bahot maza aaya."

"And of course sorry ka reason bhi vohi picnic hi hai. Mujhe Mihika se pata chala ki vo picnic actually tumne sirf apne aur Ishu ke liye plan ki thi. I can understand ki pichle kuch dino me jo kuch bhi hua, uske baad tum dono ke liye ek change zaroori tha. Is picnic ke karan tum dono ko ek doosre ke saath quality time spend karne ko mauka milta, lekin ham sabne milke us plan ko barbaad kar dia. To sorry to banti hai Raman."

Raman who had been listening to all this till now answered while shaking his head, "Arre Bala. Its ok. Ek tarah se acha hi hua ki saath me gaye. Vaise bhi is picnic ke peeche mera sirf ek motive tha ki Ishita thoda relax ho jayegi and usko thoda break mil jayega. Vo to sabke saath bhi ho sakta hai. So chill."

Bala continued, "I agree Raman. No doubt, family ki ek apni importance hoti hai, lekin usi tarah it is equally important ki kabhi kabhi husband wife bhi ek doosre ke saath time spend kare. Don't you agree?"

Raman laughed and answered, "Bala. Tumhe kya ho gaya hai? Ek hi drink me chad gayi kya? Koi aur mujhse ye sab kahe to samajh me aata hai, lekin tum, I mean tum to is rishte ki sachai ache se jaante ho. You know ki ye rishta sirf Ruhi ki khatir hai. Uske aage ya peeche kuch bhi nahi."

Bala paused for a while, then asked, "Oh. So according to you, tum dono sirf Ruhi ke parents ho; aur kuch nahi? Raman, agar bura na maano to ek baat puchoon? You know, Man to man?"

Raman who was engrossed inhis drink nodded and said, "Haan sure, poocho."

"Agar tumhare according Ishu tumhare liye sirf Ruhi ki Maa hai to fir us din court ke bahar tumne Param ko itna kyu maara? Mihir ke hisab se agar us din tumhe agar koi rokta nahi to tum shayad uski jaan le chuke hote. I mean ek public place par, tum, ek public figure, itna react kar gaye, sirf isliye kyunki Param ne tumhari beewi, I mean, Ruhi ki Maa ko pareshaan kia?"

Bala mentally congratulated himself when he realized that Raman was struggling to find an answer. He decided to push the matters further.

"Chalo is baat ko rehne dete hai. Tumne abhi thodi der pehle khud kaha na ki tum sirf itna chahte the ki Ishu thoda relax kar sake aur use thoda break mile. To Mr. CEO, Delhi ke kisi bhi SPA me uske liye booking karwa dete. Tum jaante ho ki tum chaho to poora ka poora SPA uske liye exclusively book kar sakte ho. Iske liye Delhi se itna door drive karke jaana, especially ek resort book karne ka effort, itni tayyari, kuch samajh me nahi aaya. I mean itna kuch Sirf Ruhi ke Liye?"

Bala smiled, pointed towards Raman's glass and spoke, "Apne aap ko dekho Raman. Ham pichle do ghante se ek saath ek pub me baithe hai, and Raman Kumar Bhalla ne abhi tak apni pehli drink bhi khatam nahi ki hai; kya ye change bhi Sirf Ruhi ke liye hai?"

Bala looked at Raman who by now was extremely uncomfortable and continued, "Raman, mai tumhari personal life me interfere nahi karna chahta; mai bas itna kehna chahta hoon ki kai baar jab ham sikke ke sirf ek hi pehlu ko lagatar dekhte rehte hai, to ek vakt ke baad ham usi ko poori sachai maan lete hai. Lekin ham ye bhool jaate hai ki usi sikke ka ek doosra pehlu bhi hai. Bas zaroorat hoti hai to sikka palatne ki."

"Raman, I am not preaching, bas mai ye kehna chahta hoon, ki zaroori nahi hai ki, zindagi har baar ek doosra mauka de. Mai achi tarah jaanta hoon ki tum dono ne is rishte ko sirf Ruhi ke liye accept kia tha, lekin vakt ke saath is rishte ke mayene badal bhi to sakte hai. Ho sakta hai ki ye Sirf Ruhi ke liye se kuch aur ho chuka ho?"

Raman expressions were as if he had been hit by a racing car. He was staring blankly at his unfinished drink but Bala very well knew that his brother in law's mind was working overdrive at the moment.

After a while, Bala realized that he had accomplished what he wanted as Raman was already in a self-introspection mode. Therefore, not wanting to push the matters any further, Bala concluded, "Yaar, tumne sach hi kaha tha. Lagta hai aaj mujhe ek hi drink chad gayi hai. Lagta hai mai kuch jyada hi bol gaya. I am sorry if I have crossed any line. Choro is baat ko. Chalo ghar chalte hai. Kaafi late bhi ho gaya hai aur meri beewi na jaane ab tak Amma aur Ishu ko kitna pareshaan kar chuki hogi."

"Kya hua ? Kuch batao to sahi? Kya pata chala? Raman ne kuch kaha kya?." An impatient Vandu enquired.

"Arre baba. Relax. Itna jyada bologi to meri beti ki neend disturb ho jayegi, vo pareshaan ho jayegi. Ye uske sone ka time hai. So, Mumma, please do not disturb." Bala lovingly placed his arms on his wife's belly and chuckled.

"Bala, please batao na. Kya hua? Kal raat se soch rahi hoon ki kya hua hoga. Kal ke natak ke baad Amma aaj aur emotional ho gayi. Itni mushkil se ghar vapas aayi hoon nahi to Amma to aaj bhi mujhe vahin rehne ke liye insist kar rahi thi."

Bala laughed at his wife's impatient stance and continued, "Hona kya tha. As expected, Raman confused tha. Aur maine use thoda aur confuse kar dia. In fact thoda nahi, kaafi confuse kar dia."

"Matlab. Meri kuch samajh me nahi aaya. Tum to Raman ko ye realize karwane vaale the ki Ishu uski life me Sirf Ruhi ki Maa hi nahi; usse kahin aur jyada mayene rakhti hai. Lekin, isse to ham vahin ke vahin hai. Jo insaan pehle se hi itna confused hai, use aur confuse karke kya fayeda. This does not make any sense to me."

Bala smiled and shook his head at the continuous blabbering of his worried wife who by now was pacing across the room impatiently. He grabbed her and made her sit on their bed.

"Vandu. Relax. Apne is nacheez pati pe thoda vishwaas karo. Vandu, jitna mai Raman ko jaanta hoon, vo ek bahot hi sorted out insaan hai. You know, ek pakka businessman who knows kab, kya, kaise karna hai. Usko decisions lene ki aur unhe immediately implement hote hue dekhne ki adat hai. He cannot bear any unrest or anything out of place. To jo insaan koi chota mota unrest bhi bardaasht kar sakta hai, agar uski life ka balance ek jhatke me bigad jayega to kya hoga?"

Vandu gave him a quizzical look, so he continued, "Dekho. Raman kahin na kahin Ishita ko Ruhi ki Maa ki tarah accept kar chukka hai and unknowingly apni life ka hissa bhi maan chukka hai. Ek tarah ke comfort zone me aa chukka hai. And jab aap comfortable hote ho, to aap naturally thode complacent bhi ho jaate ho. Is vakt, Raman aur Ishu dono apni nayi zindagi ko apna naseeb maan kar accept kar chuke hai and usi zindagi me aage badne ki koshish kar rahe hai. Vo zindagi jo un dono ko ek aisa comfort de rahi hai, jo unhe na jaane kitne time ke baad mila hai, to but naturally, vo dono is comfort zone se bahar nahi aana chahte hai, in fact, koshish bhi nahi karna chahte hai."

"Mera Raman se milne ka sirf ek motive tha. Mai Raman ko us comfort zone se bahar nikalna chahta tha. Kyunki jaisa maine kaha, ye confusion Raman ke life ke balance ko kharab kar dega, aur jitna mai Raman ko jaanta hoon, vo jald se jald is confusion ko sort out karne ki koshish karega. And Vandu, is confusion ko sort out karne ka sirf ek hi tareeka hai. Raman ko na chahte hue bhi apne dil ke us kone me jhaankna padega, jise usne kabka taala lagake chor dia hai. And aaj ke baad ye to saaf hai ki vo taala kabka toot chukka hai, bas darwaza khulne ki der hai. To my dear wife, believe me that confused Raman Kumar Bhalla means good news to us."

Vandu who understood Bala's intentions smiled happily and then suddenly exclaimed, "Bala. Ye to excellent idea hai. Mujhe ek aur idea hai. Tumne Raman se baat ki hai. Mai Ishu se baat karke dekhti hoon. Vo kya sochti hai? Kal hi baat karti hoon. Kya kehte ho?"

Bala immediately stopped his enthusiastic wife who by now was formulating another plan in her overactive mind and said, "Nahi Vandu. Aisa kuch mat karna. Abhi Ishu se koi bhi baat karna jaldbaazi hogi. Hame in dono ka sangam karwana hai, tsunami nahi laana hai. To ek saath, dono lehro ko mat chedo. Thoda patience rakho. Abhi to sirf halchal hui hai. Dekhne to do ki ye lehrein kitni door tak jaati hai aur doosre equilibrium ko kitna bigadti hai."

Vandu smiled fondly at her husband and hugged him in a tight embrace. Bala placed a quick peck on her forehead and concluded,"Aur tum chinta mat karo. Agar mera guess theek hai, to am sure kuch hi dino me ek bahot hi nervous Ishu ham dono me se ek ke paas; on second thoughts, am sure tumhare paas aakar ek bahot badi problem discuss karne vaali hai. And is baar problem create karne vaala Ruhi ka pita Ravan Kumar nahi, balki hamari Ishu ka pati, Raman Kumar hoga."

SO. HOW WAS IT? HOPE YOU GUYS LIKED IT. ANY REVIEWS AND COMMENTS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME😳 😳 .