Part 2- A Bachelorette and a Married Woman
As he woke, his head ached with pain and his throat had been in desperate need of moisture. As it had become a daily reflex, he looked to the couch to see Ishita, only to see her absent.
"Raat ko shower kiya, to bathroom mein so gaye kya?"
Raman's annoyance turned slightly into worry as the bathroom was also empty.
"Oi mera hardworking puttar! Teek hain tu? Ishita das rahe thi ke tum raat both late aye, subha subha woh clinic nikal gaye. Leh tera naashta be bana ke ready kar gaye." His mother bombarded him with breakfast and tea, as he wondered why and how Ishita had so easily let last night go. She wasn't one to hold grudges, but he had still expected some anger for a number of days. He further realised his stupid endeavours as he sat down with a pounding headache. He felt bad. He hadn't done anything indecent, getting that girl to notice him was simply just a challenge he had to win. The boys had just annoyed him with their drunken arrogance, so like in many areas of his life, he wanted to prove that he was the boss. It had become a habit, one that sometimes ensured his success, but one that had at some points failed him- especially concerning Ishita. Whilst he felt comfortable behind his 'CEO' facade, he did not want her to think he was a complete bigoted idiot.
In fact, last night was proof of his recovery.
The old Raman that he had been in his first months of marriage to Ishita wouldn't have remembered he was a married man in that club, he wouldn't have given a damn what Ishita has to say. The older Raman, before Ishita ever even came into his life, would never have thought of having fun like this with Romi and Mihir, or having the decency to have a friend like Bala. He had simply always kept his guard down. He wanted her to know that him having fun last night wasn't a sign that he was going back to his old ways, rather it was a sign that he was recovering and enjoying life. Enjoying life, whilst being happily married.
Raman rang Mihir to ask about his halath, of course anticipating the worst.
"Haa Mihir, tum abhi tak zinda ho?"
"Bhai kya kahu? Mihika isn't talking to me anymore, aur itne swear words use ke yein kal raath ko! Us ne kaha ke woh revenge bhi le ge. Both dar lag raha hein bhai, Bala be suffer kar ra hein-
"Chup kar yaar! Aur jalti rasta doond doh manane ke liye, main tum ko is baar bacha nahi sak ta! Main ghar se office ka kham karun ga aaj. Tum sambal ne la sab!"
It had been both Raman's curiosity and his hangover that had made him stay at home. He didn't have the energy to go to the office, and his curiosity wanted to see how Ishita further acted around him.
Ishita sat around the coffee table, oblivious to Mihika and Vandu's conjuring. They had decided to meet early to make plans to teach their men a lesson. But Ishita's thoughts wandered back to last night. Could she really call him her man? She had fallen for him, accepted his flaws and secretly thrived...gloated at how much of a changed man he had become. He had become the most loving father, a loving son-in-law, and a friend. Annoying, but she couldn't deny that whilst his taunts angered her, he certainly entertained her. He had shown her care. When he had been her strength during Amma's accident, the time he had given his loving Tamil speech, and even the time when he had planned the resort for just the two of them after the difficult court trials. Perhaps she dreamed and hoped too much that moment he adorned her face with his homemade remedy when she had her allergies. Now she decided to accept her relationship for what it was. She loved Ruhi, that little girl had given her more joy than she had ever dreamed she would receive. If Raman has no intent of furthering their relationship, she will accept it. He's still the man she wants to spend the rest of her days with, even if for the sake of Ruhi. She would just try not to get her hopes high and treat him as her partner- she wouldn't expect him to love her. If he decides to find love elsewhere, she'd let him, they'd still be legally married and she'll still have Ruhi- and this is enough happiness for her right now. She'll take what she has already been given.
"Akka I'm going to show Mihir how much of an idiot he is. Kal raath we will have our own Bachelorette party, and we will show them not to mess with us girls! We will lead them to a nightclub and pretend we're having a great time without them, then they will touch our feet and beg for forgiveness, right na?
"Arre Mihika tumne forget kiya ke main pregnant hu?"
"Akka yeh sirf mazake hai, honestly it will last for like an hour before they come and realise their mistakes! Aur vaise be tum kitne sexy already lag te ho!"
"Hai hai Mihika, kyun main tumhare baatho mein aah jah te hun!"
"So what do you say Ishu, are you in?"
Ishita nodded and agreed with the plan. She realised for herself, it was neither a plan or an act of revenge, rather a pretence. She didn't want to be standing in the middle of a club, embarrassed, whilst she imagined her Bala jiju and Mihir begging for forgiveness and Raman instead shouting at her, not out of jealousy, rather because she was his wife, and to him it would seem she had a duty. However she'd do it for Mihika and Vandu's peace.
Raman had noticed nothing irregular about Ishita's behaviour this evening. She smiled with Ruhi, she laughed with his parents and she served him dinner and asked him about his day. Only, he managed to notice a fire inside her, perhaps it had been burning since last night.
When they retired to their room, he had decided to question her.
"Tum itne dar ge woh video se, ke ab lecture be stop ho gaye?"
"Nahi Raavan Kumar. Anyway, Mihika, Vandu and a few girls have also planned a Bachelorette for tomorrow night."
"Tum? Aur bachelorette party par?"
"Haa. Kyun? Mihika ke koi baath nah nahi ke jaati. Is liya..."
"Tum ko jo karna he woh tum karo! Pagal aurat." Raman noticed his usual comments made no difference to Ishita.
"Shayed main thodhi late ghar aungi. To tum humko lehne aah sakto ho?"
"Mujhe aur be kam he, kya main tumara driver hu?"
"It's okay, hum kise aur se be lift -"
"Nahi...main koi aur bechare ko parashanee kyun do? I'll pick you up when your done."
In her mind, Ishita didn't really care for this party, what would she do there? It didn't matter that Raman could so easily feel like a bachelor, for she couldn't feel like a married woman and a bachelorette at the same time, but she swallowed her sorrows and decided to keep up with the pretence.
Talking to himself, Raman wondered what had changed her mind. He imagined how beautiful she'd look in the black, silky dress she had picked out for herself for tommorow. He closed his eyes and thought about how he'd love if she wore the same dress , if instead she was going on a date with him, and not a bachelorette party. If he had the chance, he would take her for a drive around New Delhi, when it was all lit up at night and then to his favourite restaurant that he had loved since childhood. He pictured her in the black dress and also thought about how he would force her to keep her long hair flowing. He loves catching glimpses of her brushing her hair before she sleeps, out in the open, as if she really was a Jhansi Ki Rani. If only she saw him more as a husband, than a friend. As sleep hit him, he wondered what type of fun she'd have at the party tomorrow night..
Edited by RamanIshitaRu - 11 years ago