Tanhayian Jaane Lagi, Zindagi Muskurane Lagi,
Naa Din Ka Pata Hai Naa Raat Kaa Pata.
Aap Ki Dosti Ki Khushboo Hume Mehkaane Lagi,
Ek Pal To Karib Aa Jao Dhadkan Bhi Awaaz Lagane Lagi..
She was angry. After all the efforts and the risk she took today, all Raman did was scream at her.
Romi and Mihir too were not spared .
"Romi , bhabhi ko ghar drop karde , before she tries to do some more stunts", yelled Raman.
"Par Bhai woh.." tried Romi
"Ek baar bolne se samajh mein nahin aata tujhe? Ishita ko ghar chod ke seedha office pahunch. Chutti nahin hai aaj!"
"Aur madam - Raat ko party hai, tumhara woh kanchivaram lapete ke aur mali banke mat aana, Please!. Mihir tumhe aur Mihika to pick kar lega. Main seedhe office se aa jaoonga"
He turned towards Mihir -"Bhabhi ke chamche, Mr.Ansari se milke aate hun, yahi ruk."
"Ji Bhai!"
Watching Raman turn towards Mr. Ansari, Mihir ran towards Ishita who was waiting for Romi to bring the car
"Bhabhi, Aap jaante ho na bhai ko. Please bura mat maano"
"Mujhe maloom hai Mihir, Woh mujhe pe chillaye because he was worried that something could have gone wrong. Yeh Ashok aur Suraj acche log nahin hai."
"Baat woh nahin hai. Haan mujhe abhi bura laga, aur woh kisi aur baat pe hai. Par main thodi der main thik ho jaoongi, tum tension mat lo"
She sat in the car and Rome drove her away.
Mihir Was concerned. Two golden hearted people, so similar yet so different from each other, Who put others before themselves. He didnt want either of them to be upset. Oh god, Kuch karo, he prayed and turned around to notice Raman standing behind him.
"Bhai- aap.."
"Tujhe bhi lagta hai ke main galat hun?
"Aapne bhabhi ki baat suni bhai? Aapke daant ka bura unhe nahin laga par bhai, aap thoda sa pyaar se..Atleast aap thank you kehte".
"Kaha to Thank you, sabke saamne. Ab ky pair padoon?"
"Nahin Bhai..mera matlab hai.."
"Mihir - Office ke liye late ho raha hai. Apni bhabhi ki sifarish karna band karo aur Chalo" and he walked towards the car.
At home, Ishita was sad. Wish he had atleast said "Good job Ishita" or "Thank you Ishita". Par nahin. Akkdoo kumar kahinka!
She heard the doorbell and the next minute heard Mihika running in "Akka, chalo chalo"
"Par kahan Mihi?"
"Shopping Akka. Aaj ki party ke liye. Yeh dekho Mihir ka credit card"
"Shaadi se pehle hi lootna shuru kar diya bechare ko?"
"Arre Akka. Yeh sab chodo aur chalo. Aaj to Apne patiyon ko shock dena hai"
"Pati? Abhi se??" Ishita pulled Mihika's ear
"Hone wala, Khush. Ab chalo"
Ishita wanted to protest, she was not in the mood. Bu then she thought, maybe this will help her straighten her mood.
Also she liked the idea of giving he "pati" a shock. CHalo kudkud kumar ji, aaj dekhte hai aapka paala kisse pada hai
Meanwhile Raman was not able to concentrate at work, which has been happening a lot nowadays. In fact, Mihir has either been pulling his leg or giving his gyan on his Bhabhi. "Hey bhagwan, ek kya kam thi jo ek aur aa gaya lecture dene.. bhabhi yeh, bhabhi woh.. Bhabhi ka chamcha"
But what he said was right, this woman really amazes me. Everyday I get to see a new side of her. He smiled thinking about her. Aaj kal main bhi smile zyada karne laga hun.. But yes, I should apologize to her. I shouldnt have yelled at her. Par ab madam akdengi.. Chalo beta kuch soch nahin to Party mein tera band bajega
He called Mihir. "Tum log nikal gaye?"
"Haan bhai. 10 minute main pahunchenge. Aur aap"
"20 minutes max, aur Mihir.."
"Haan bhai?"
"Ish...Matlab Sab think hai na?"
Mihir smiled "Haan bhai. Milte hain" and cut the call. He chuckled looking into the rear view mirror. Bhai to gaya kaam se aaj.
Raman entered the party and was immediately surrounded by reporters. He responded to their questions while scanning the room for Ishita.
"Kidhar gayi yaar yeh. Kahin Thaan nahin dikh rahi hai aur nahin phoolon ka guldasta. Kahin aane se mana to nahin kar diya usne"
He excused himself from the reporters and rescanned the room slowly. He found Mihika talking to some women in a group. But Ishita wasnt there.
He frowned and went to Mihika and called her aside.
"Are Mihika, tumhari Akka nahin aayi"
"Jiju.. Akka to.."
"Accha to Madam akdi hui hain. Rai ka pahad banana na koi tumhari akka se seekhe. Aisa kya keh diya main jo itne gusse main hain"
"Jiju .. Akka is here"
"Where .. I cant see her"
She smiled "Bilkul aap ke piche..." and walked back to the group.
Raman turned out " Ishita.. tum bhi na..." and then he saw her.His mouth remained open
Goddess! was the first word that came to his mind. The vision in front of him was wearing a white gown with a halter neck, the gown hugging her at all the right places. His eyes travelled down and stopped where the dress showed the shadow of her cleavage. He felt his breath stop.
She made a small sound, his eyes shot back to her face. Her long hair rolled into a soft bun with some loose tendrils escaping it, unwilling to stay bound, Just like her.
Something turned in his heart. he saw some people staring at her. He just wanted to take her away from all the eyes. Safe. In his arms. Stake a claim.
He looked at the men.. his eyes saying "She is mine!"
But Oh Oh.. she was glaring at him in anger.
"Ishita ... woh main..". She glared and walked back to Mihika with her back towards him.
He gulped looking at the what the gown showed and his mind wandered to what else the gown hid. This was going to be a long night!
After 2 never ending hours of sending across small smiles to her and getting glares in return, they headed back home.
She opened the door and barged right into the building. He parked the car and ran after her.
He found her, near the cupboard, taking out a change of dress for the night.
He went near her.
"Ishita..Suno na.." She didn't react.
He went closer to talk to her. He was almost touching her now. Her delectable back towards him. He was staring at it all evening. He felt he knew every muscle by now.
She was driving him crazy. His hands were itching to hug her. hold her.
"Ishita.." the name came out in a whisper. He almost bent to kiss her exposed neck
Ishita froze. She could feel the hair on her neck stand. He was standing so close that she was sure that he could hear the hammering of her heart. All evening she acted as if she ignored him but she knew she was continuously checking him out from the corner of her eye. Her heart skipping several beats every time. She was unable to understand this new found feeling.
She felt his fingers on the curl that had come out of the bun. She felt that all the bones in her body had disappeared
Afraid she would become an embarrassing heap of flesh, she struggled for control and turned towards him but was scared to look into his eyes. Scared of what he would see there.
She said .. Aap change kar lijiye and took her dress and walked into the bathroom
She turned on the shower but she knew the cold water couldnt give her what she wanted.
She turned it off and changed and went straight to the balcony. She needed time to cool off. This man was bent on giving her goosebumps. She smiled and heard the thunder roll in the skies.
She felt the weather matched her confusion, the sound of the thunder matched her heart beat.
Aiyyo she thought. Bala jiju bhi na. Acchi khasi chal rahi thi. Mujhe itna confuse kar diya unhone..
She felt the drops of rain on her. She looked up and raised her arm trying to catch the drops in her palm.
Raman saw her going to the balcony. he quickly changed and followed her. He had to apologize to her.
He saw her leaning at the entrance of the balcony, looking at the skies and smiling like a child, trying to catch the rain.
The rain started pouring.
"Ishita andar aajao". She ignored him.
He couldnt resist. "Ghar ke liye paani bhar rahi ho kya" She looked at him and turned back.
He sighed. This was not going to be as easy as he thought.
He walked up to her.
"Arre itna attitude kya de rahi ho yaar. Kab se bula raha hun main"
"Boliye. Kya bolna hai. Main sun rahi hun"
"Baap re..Kitna garam rehata tumhara dimaag. Hamesha jhagde ke liye ready"
"Accha.. main lad rahi hun aapse. Main to chup chap khadi thi na idhar. Aapko mere har baat se itna problem kyu hai"
"Ishita.."
"Mera dimaag garam nahin hai.. Aapka hai. Yeh lo.. pehle apna dimaag thanda karo" and she threw the few droplets that she had in her palm at him.
"Ishita.. Yeh kya hai..Pagal ho gayi ho kya tum" and he walked towards her.
She walked back and was totally exposed to the rain now. Totally drenched. and he came and stood near her.
She shivered, unsure about the cause. Raman or the rain. He too was drenched by now
He saw a drop of water slide over her nose over her lips. A few drops going into her dress. He sucked in air.
"Ishita..Andar aao" he whispered. His voice didnt sound like his
"Nahin aaongi. Jo aap bolo, jo aap chaho - yahi karoon kya main. Aap meri koi baat sunte ho kabhi. Infact apni koi problem share karte ho kya mujhse. Superhero kahinke. Mera license wapis dene ke liye, post se resign kar diya!! Aapko kya laga.. yeh sunke main khush ho jaoongi."
"Aap kyu nahin samjhte Raman, aapko koi nuksan pahuchake mujhe agar koi khushi mile to woh khushi mere liye maaiyne nahin rakhti. Agar aaj aapka post aapko wapis nahin milta, main kabhi clinic nahin jaa paati. kisiko treat nahin kar paati. Kya fayda aise license ka? "
"Nahin Ishita,..."
"Nahin Raman Aap suniye. Kyu Aisa karte ho aap. Kya muhjse yeh share nahin kar sakte the aap. Kya main aapko itni selfish dikhti hun"
"Nahin Ishita woh baat nahin hai..."
"To phir kya Raman, mujhe maloom hain main aapki life mein Ruhi ki maa banke aayi thi par mujhe laga itne dino main kamse kam maine itni izzat to kamayi thi ke aap mujhse khul ke har baat discuss kar sakte the. par main galat thi."
"Aur aap.." and before she could continue, he came close and held her arms
"Ishita.. shhh.."
Raman saw the pain mirrored in her eyes. He saw another drop of water slide her cheek. He could'nt resist anymore. He bent towards her and his tongue came out to lightly lick the drop of rain.
He felt her freeze. Felt her palms tighten around his arms. He sucked another water drop on her cheek. He could feel her warm breath now.. mingled with his.
Scared but uncontrolled, he slid his lips across her cheek and found her lower lip. He nipped it and heard her moan. He groaned and pulled her mouth towards his and kissed her. Kissed her as if his life depended on it. Kissed her like there was no tomorrow.
So soft. So giving. just like her. He heard the thunder roll but perhaps it was his heart. He was just lost in her. He wanted the time to just stop...
They both broke the kiss, gasping for air. Their foreheads and nose touching. Rain was pouring down on them
"Ishita..What are you doing to me.." he whispered lightly rubbing her nose with his. Unable to resist he licked couple of raindrops on her cheeks. They tasted salty.
He got worried. He moved a little back and his eyes frantically searched her face. Her cheeks flushed from the unexpected kiss, her lips swollen as he had sucked on them.
Ishita..I am sorry.. did I hurt you..
She looked right back into his eyes.
"Raman..."
"Haan.."
"Kya yeh bhi.." she left the question midway. Scared to complete. Scared of the answer
He knew he had bungled a few times but not today.
He took her arm from around the neck and placed it on his chest. She could feel his heart beat.
"Yeh.. sirf mere liye. Hamaare liye' He replied with all honesty and smiled
He saw the joy in her eyes and her cheeks blush.
It was as if the earth stood still. Her face captured in his heart forever.
He heard his daugher call out ...Ishima..Probably scared of thunder
"Haan beta.." She went inside. Turned back and smiled.
Raman smiled. He felt life was smiling at him.. At last..
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