IshRa FF : MY BELOVED.... PART 6 : pg 21 7th Dec - Page 8

Lotus Hill Apartment :

Located in the third floor and set in a white and caramel brown dcor, the apartment was a classy one. All the furniture was selected and arranged with an eye for detail. It was a one BHK apartment with a big living room opposite to which was the master-bedroom and adjacent to it was the dining room. Next to the dining room was the kitchen which had a window facing the dining room. The dining room led to the balcony which had an amazing view of this busy city. There was another door to the bedroom from the balcony also.

Ishita was pacing up and down in the balcony. It was 11:00 pm and she still felt her blood boiling while she remembered her conversation with her sister-in-law, Simmi. Earlier they all reached the apartment in the afternoon. The grah pravesh rituals were over and everyone rushed to the reception venue as more guests especially Raman's professional network were invited. The time was 4-9 pm. They said hello hi to everyone who wished them and a constant plastic smile was pasted on both of their faces. It was 10:00 when they reached home. While everyone was leaving giving the couple their share of alone time on the marriage day Simmi dragged Ishita to a corner and started imparting her wisdom.

Simmi : kyu Ishita..tum Madrasi ladkiyo ko badi jaldi hoti he na..reha nhi jaata tum logo se...dekha tumhare chakkar me reception bhi jaldi khatam kar diya..ha nhi to..

Ishita looked at Simmi totally baffled. What was she talking about?

Simmi moved closer to Ishita and whispered, "tumhari behen ne bataya mujhe..tum logo me suhaag raat ka bhi mohrat hota he..wo kya hota he...kuch to muhurtam tha..

Ishita replied in a reflex, "shaanti muhurtam.."

Simmi "haa wahi!! Kya matlab mohrat ka wait krke phir shuru krte ho?"

Simmi winked and giggled happily at her vulgar most talks. Ishita turned red as a tomtato and stared at her.

Simmi "acha ab me tumhara time waste nhi kr rhi. Nikal rhi hu byeee"

And then she left the house and now it was only them in that apartment, Ishita and Raman.

The sight that awaited her in the bedroom was even more disgusting from her point of view. Raman has changed into his night dress. His reception suit was left on the floor carelessly lying here and there. The smell of his shower gel has filled the room and he definitely looked totally sexy with his wet hair look to any other girl except Ishita. The moment she entered the room the song started playing, "ouchh..dil dhak dhak krne laga..ho mora jiya ra darne laga saiyya baiyya chhodo na..." Ishita walked slowly and occupied the empty space in the bed. She lied facing away from him and covered herself with the quilt.

Ishu ( self-thot) : disgusting insaan!! Ek to iski behen pata nhi kya vulgar baatein krti he aur ab ye suggestive songs..

Before she could complete her thought Raman who didn't even acknowledge her presence changed the channel to watch some cricket match. Royal ignorance!! Well two can play the game. She covered her face with the quilt and slept without giving a second look at him.

Raman on the other hand was throwing sideways glance at his new wife. She walked in as if she was entering a war zone. Even if he didn't like her he was a man and not a saint. With her army-like walk she had already ruined all his dreams of his first romantic married night. Not that it mattered to him, what's the point when she has already disrupted his whole life. Somehow her presence gave him completely negative vibes and he decided to divert his mind by watching cricket instead. He heard her muttering something "disgusting blah.. blah.." Well he was glad that their feelings were mutual. After watching TV for longer hours without reducing the volume Raman decided to call it a night.

Next morning Raman woke up with a jolt when he heard some kind of grilling sound. Had the thieves entered their house and started drilling some door? He looked around and then it struck his brain that he was not alone in his own house anymore. Raman preferred silence and solitude these days. That's why he had a separate house in Delhi away from his crowded yet lovable family. It was something he cherished the peaceful and quiet home but not anymore. The grilling continued and he figured out the sound was coming from the kitchen. He got up from the bed to see what was going on.

In the kitchen, Ishu was already up. She had a white towel wrapped around her damp hair and was grinding coconut in the mixer for chutney. She was working swiftly in the kitchen when she spotted Raman. Both shared an uncomfortable and unpleasant eye-lock. Raman was about to turn when Ishita asked, "I need a wardrobe to unpack my clothes."

Raman not meeting her eyes, "to dekh lo kahi bhi. Bedroom wala wardrobe mera he and I dn share my things!"

Ishu looked at him jaw-dropped, "To? Kya me roz suitcase me se kapde nikalungi?"

Raman : suitcase se nikalo ya zameen pe bikhro marzi he tumhari. I dn hv time for this. (muttering to himself)Subah subah shor machake neend bhi kharab kr diya.

With that he went back to the bedroom banging the door loudly.

Ishu looked at his direction her mouth still wide open, "Unbelievable!! Murugaa..kaha phas gayi me ye!!"

If Raman can't even bother to share a wardrobe why would Ishu bother. She made just two doshas for herself and one hot cup of her fav filter coffee and left for clinic by 7:00 am. Raman came out at eight o' clock and was glad to know that Ishu already left. He came to kitchen and was disappointed. It didn't even smell like his kitchen.

Raman "ye kya nariyal aur pata nhi kaun se oil ka smell he.."

He opened a bowl and found the batter for dosha in it. He quickly closed the lid with a frown and took his phone, "Hello Preeti..yeah morning (to himself)good to nhi he abhi tak. Acha suno me 9:00 tak office aunga and I need you to order a Mc breakfast for me. 9 baje chahiye I have a client meeting at 9:30."

Preeti : sir Mc Breakfast me kya lenge ap?

Raman : ab pura menu print karunga kya. Kuch bhi order karo wo McEgg kuch combo ata he na anything..bas time pe ana chahiye!

By the time he came having a bath and dressed up for office he saw that the maid, Neelu had already cleaned the house.

Raman : Neelu

Neelu really thought that Raman was calling her to fire her. After all he is married now. Why would he need a maid now.

Neelu : ji bhaiyaa

Raman : is month se additional 800 dunga mere liye naashta aur dinner banana

Neelu was pleasantly surprised, "ji Raman bhaiya. Me ap dono ke liye khana bana dungi"

Raman : sunayi nhi deta tumhe. Mene kaha na, khana SIRF mere liye banega aur wo bhi Punjabi khana! Uske liye banana he to ussey alag paise le lena. Waise bhi Madrasi khana banate banate tum behosh jaogi..

Neelu nodded and left quickly. This man is really weird thought she.

****

Ishita's car stopped with a screech at her regular parking place in the "We Care" hospital near South Ex. She got out of her car with a glum face and was walking towards the hospital when Mihika who was getting down from her yellow Vespa spotted her akka.

Mihika called out, "akka...akka nillunga akka (stop akka..)

Ishita looked at her direction as if out of a trance. She managed a smile as she spotted Mihika running towards her.

Mihika was pleasantly surprised finding her akka at hospital that too this early.

Mihika : kya akka!! Kal shaadi hui he aur ap aj subah subah duty pe?

Ishita : Good morning..me theek hu tum kaisi ho??

Mihika rolled her eyes and clinged to Ishu's elbow, "akka wo sab chhodo ap apna batao..kal raat..kya hua??hhuh? huh? "

Ishita glared at her. Mihika quickly released her hand from Ishu's elbow.

Ishita : kya hua? Huh..huh kyu kr rhi ho? Tumhare daant me dard he?

Mihika gulped. Ishu akka won't get angry easily but if she did it's better to stay away.

Mihika : kuch nhi akka..me to bas apko yu hi tease kr rhi thi..

Ishita : kya Mi..aur koi kaam nhi he subah subah..mere patients wait kr rhe honge. Mujhe jaana he.

Mihika : ok!

Mihika understood that it was better she left the topic there.

As she saw Ishita going towards the dental specialty care unit she sighed and prayed, "kadavule!! (god..) I just hope that akka is happy in her life. She deserves to be happy!!"

***

Mihir was staring at the marriage photos clicked in his mobile and the ones that Romi watsapped him. There was one particular photo where Mihika was laughing at something and her right hand was kept carelessly on Mihir's shoulder. He sighed looking at the pic. It looked so natural that he felt they are meant to be together.

MIhir (self-talk) : Mihiku you are looking so beautiful. I just wish that you stay happy like this always and somewhere tumhare is smile ka reason me banu.

At that moment, Raman Kumar Bhalla, the CEO had already entered the office of PSR , one of India's top 10 marketing companies which has fine food divisions.

Mihir was still continuing his rant taking in a deep breath, "Hayee Mihir beta ab bas is foto ko ghurna band kar aur kaam pe lag ja warna tere thoughts pe koi control nhi he.."

Unaware that Raman had now noticed a day-dreaming Mihir and was standing right behind him Mihir continued, "waise control se yaad aya kal to bhai ka bhi self-control sixer maar ke boudnary ke bahar gaya hoga..Bhai to hum sabke gyan guru he..pakka aj unse suhaag raat ke tips lene chahiye. Future me kaam ayega na.."

Raman said in irritated tone, "sale ek dunga na kheech ke..saare gyan mil jayenge.."

Mihir got up from his chair in a jolt and stood facing Raman.

Mihir : bhai ap..

Raman walked in front and Mihir followed him to his cabin.

Raman : kyu be..me nhi to kya mera bhut ayega office!

Mihir :lekin bhai kal hi to shaadi hui aur ap aj office...waise kal sab theek tha bhai??

Raman : ye page 3 wale kaam band kr aur apne asli kaam pe dhyaan de. Aur waise bhi tumhe koi tip nhi milne wala..

Mihir : kyu bhai..

Raman (blurted out): kyu matlab kuch hua to bataunga na..

Mihir : kya!! AP..Apne kuch nhi kiya?

Raman was visibly embarrassed and his face turned as red as a.. well beetroot and he concealed it with an irritation, "Tu kya ye kuch kiya kuch kiya kare ja rha he? Kyu batau me tumhe huh? Ab kya road pe bethke board lagao details ka..huh? "

Mihir : sorry bhai..just chill..me to bas apki thodi si teasing kr rha tha..

Raman : teri teasing ki aisi ki taisi.. aur koi kaam nhi he subah subah..jao tum aur waise bhi wo Tandon ata hoga abhi..

Just then Mr. Tandon entered Raman's cabin with a bright smile and a gift pack in his hand.