[This is OS out of frustration of the current tract, well Mani Track seems to be stress a bit and I am not liking this... There is never a need of anyone between a husband and a wife... May be only I feel so, IDK but this track is making me uncomfortable...]
Anyways, Not Proof-read, as usual I am half asleep😆
Ek Rishta
OS
When on the unprecedented end, Shagun left him, he felt like his life too ended, especially when she took with her his son, his own flesh and blood and slowly, poisoning his mind turned him against him, and so much so that, he denied to even meet him occasionally in-front of the jury, and was left with his daughter, little Ruhi, who seemed to become constant reminder of his wife's betrayal, a woman who left him so broken that he altogether denied that there were woman existing who were genuine.
And then suddenly, even when he had no apparent reason to fight for the custody of the little angel, who seemed to think of him as God, he married Ishita Iyer, a woman from next door, for whom he felt nothing but extreme hatred. But miraculously, things changed between them and they became companions, always bickering and never knowing when that rapport became his oxygen, though it was very gradual that it couldn't be noticed by anyone nor by the two major people who were directly associated by it, but occasionally it came out, for both, sometimes during the time of Parmeet fiasco, other on Amma's accident, and then during the Shagun's constant involvement in Adi's case, and now during her hospitalization.
When she had fainted, there was nothing he seemed to think, everything seemed difficult, even breathing was like a burden, and there was only one thing that came to his mind whenever he opened his mouth while she lay unconscious that was, "please wakeup... I am missing you my Jhansi Ki Rani..." and again fresh tears poured down his eyes. It was again he was being weak for a woman, but this time he had full confidence that she was never going to betray him, he knew her better, she was not even an ounce like Shagun. She was selfless and beautiful inside out.
And then he remembered, Abhimanyu's words, each word pinching his heart, and making him realize, how worst of a man he was, that idea, that had struck him when Shagun had left him, Was he really that bad? Were those Ishita's words that Abhimanyu voiced out that day? Was he really that big a trouble.' He felt his heart sink in the depth of the dark past and the well of self-loathing that had took him six years to cope up in past.
He thought to catch the string until it was in his reach or otherwise, he would lose the last hope of getting his life back, his wife back. He might not be in love with her, but she was his support system and if he can keep her by pampering her, then it was worth it. Again he didn't want to lose himself in the smoke of loneliness. He might be selfish, but he would not let her suffer rather would make this life with him worth living for her.
He googled, "How to become a *Best Husband*- 5 easy steps", he looked in awe at screen of his apple Iphone and smiled as he opened it hurriedly and read:
Step 1: Behave well with her, like a gentle man, like she is your first ever Date.
Step 2: Help her in household work, and praise her cooking, or how she looks.
Step 3: Take her out often, and claim her infront of the world and most important NEVER neglect her infront of your buddies.
Step 4: Kiss her often, even I'd say kiss her every day.
Step 5: Have a conversation with her, it can be simple, about her day, about your day or just sweet nothings.
He scribbled all the steps in the note book and went in deep thought and then thought to start with Step 4 instead, as she was in hospital so their was nothing he could do to help her, only thing that he could do then was to behave in a gentle-man like manner and kiss her.
Both things felt alien to him in regards with the fact that, it would be with his Jhansi Ki Rani. He had never imagined this scenario but since, he had to prove Abhimanyu wrong and in order to give her some base that he wants her in his life he had to do it.
He went to the hospital and saw her bed empty, just then he heard some noise in the bathroom and he thought that she must be in the bathroom and waited outside impatiently and just when she stepped out of the bathroom, Raman closed his eyes and kissed her on cheeks, and then when he opened his eyes he was shocked to see the old fat nurse instead of his wife, while she became angry and he pleaded for her forgiveness. After a while when she finally understood that he really was not fooling around she smiled and patted and told him to look before implanting kisses around. He left the room asking her about the whereabouts of his wife when he was left more shocked as he saw Ishita and Abhimanyu coming hand in hand towards her room, laughing like he had never seen her, she looked happy and so alive while with him, she was really always tensed. Abhimanyu was right! She is always stressed out with she is with me' he though while his broke into million pieces. Only if he could become the reason for her smiles. He was jealous of Abhimanyu, of everything that he could do with Ishita. While being her husband he was just a stranger for her, and if today he keeps his hand on her shoulder like Abhimanyu was keeping, she would be uncomfortable and he knew that it was pure fact. He had at many times sensed her flinching away. Everything between then was fake while seeing her with Abhimanyu, they seemed so comfortable. He also knew that if he were not in picture, then Ishita would have happily married Abhimanyu and would in real be happy.
It was then, when they reached near the door, when Ishita noticed Raman and asked in surprised, "Arre aap kab aaye?"
While Raman looked at her surprised, visibly hurt, and so much that it was visible on his features but he smiled any way and said, "I came while you were with your friend" and then looked at Mani who was still standing with his hand laced in Ishita's and said, smiling, the smile that didn't reach his eyes, "I see your friend is here... So there is no need for me to stay..." and with that he left without giving second glance back.
While Ishita felt unusual seeing him like that, she was expecting his taunts or one liners but not something like this. But then she was called out by Mani out from herself thoughts and they walked back into the room.
For rest of the two days, she didn't saw him, though she waited for him whole day, but leaving her disappointed he never came.
It was the day when she was to discharge, Mr Bhalla, Raman and Abhimanyu came to take her home and when she reached home everyone came to meet her in her room - Romi, Mr. and Mrs. Iyer, Vandita, Mihika, Mihir and Ruhi and Shravan. When the elders went away and only young people were left, Ishita told them all guffawing about what the warden had told her about Raman kissing her, leaving everyone laughing at his plight.
While he just stood there silently, happy that this time at least he was reason for her smile, and then suddenly his phone rang, making everyone's concentration on him instead and he gingerly picked up his phone and walked towards the door while talking into the phone,
"Hello, yeah, meeting is fixed, I am already mailed you the details of the project..." And with that he was out of the room. Ishita saw his retreating back and sighed.
"I think now you should rest for a while", said Bala
"yeah... Ishita Bala is right, rest for a while, hum log bhi chalet hain..." Vandita said and asked everyone to leave while Mihika stayed back, for help if Ishita would need anything.
Now only Mihika and Ishita were left and Mihika laid on the other side of the bed while Ishita too laid down but her eyes were fixed on the Ceiling when Mihika said with a smile, "Ek baat batau Akka?"
"hmm" Ishita nodded.
"Jiju hain na... aapse bohot pyaar karte hain..." Mihika said while smiling and looking at the ceiling.
"kya? Raman aur mujhse? Mazak kar rahi ho? Unko mai achhi nahi lagti." Ishita said and looked at Mihika in astonishment.
"Sachh Akka! Aap toh ICU mein thi, aur Jiju broke down and he was blaming himself for you bad health... he was crying... maine kabhi nahi socha tha ke main kabhi unhe aise dekhungi..." then Mihika turned towards Ishita and said, "raat-raat bhar aapke paas baithte the..." she couldn't complete when Ishita asked surprised,
"Woh aate the hospital?"
"Akka! Ye kaisa sawal hai? Aap toh aise pooch rahi ho jaise aapko pata hi nahi... Daily jate the... aur to aur.. aapka hospital wala khana bhi who hi khaate the.. Mujhe Mihir ne bataya... aap mani ka laya hua tiffin enjoy karti thi and he used to eat the one that was brought for you... aapne notice nahi kiya? Itna busy thi Akka aap Mani mein? Vaise aap itna time spend karte ho Mani ke saath... kahin aapko unpe crush toh nahi ho gaya?" Mihika teased.
"kuch bhi" Ishita smiled, and was lost in the thoughts about what Mihika had told her, but one thing she couldn't understand and that was why he was avoiding her, maybe it was work load. And thinking all that she fell into deep slumber.
It was 7:00 in evening, when she woke up and found herself alone in bed, Mihika must have left earlier' she thought, she slowly got up and walked out towards the dining area where she could hear faint whispers and some giggles, giggle of girl, someone she didn't know. She hurriedly made her way out only to be shocked, she squinted her eyes due to fast light, and as her eyes adjusted to the light in the room, she saw a woman in beautiful Punjabi suit and long hair, sitting beside Raman or should she say too close for her pleasure holding his hand in her and laughing about something.
Ishita could feel a surge of jealousy and insecurity within her and she slowly made her way towards them, then she noticed Toshi ji back, sitting on the other chair and smiling too, she said from behind, "Mummy ji! Aap kab aayi?"
"Arre Ishita puttar tu jab gayi? Arre beta... mujhe jaise hi pata chala ke teri tabiyat kharab ho gayi hai foran vapas aane ka program bana liya. Tu ab theek toh haina puttar?" Toshi asked as she patted her head lovingly.
While Ishita just smiled and nodded and then turned towards Raman and the girl who seemed oblivious to her presence. She seethed in jealousy and asked Toshi ji about her.
"arre haan... Sakshi, idhar aa ... ye hai meri bahu, Raman ki Ishita." Toshi said with a broad smile while Ishita blushed hearing her reference.
"Ohh! Toh aap hai super bahu..." she looked at Ishita strangely and then forwarded her hand for handshake and said, "Hi Ishita. I am Sakshi Talwar, I am Raman's and Simmi's childhood friend".
Ishita felt uncomfortable, but shook hands with her and then turned and looked at Raman who was looking into her apple Iphone, but a fond smile was plastered on his lips.
Soon Dinner was served and everyone took their seat while Ishita's seat was taken by Sakshi who sat beside Raman, but Raman, when he saw her standing and not sitting and serving everyone instead, he stood up and asked her to sit in his place and have dinner, as she is too weak to stand all the while and serve.
When sakshi butted in and said, "Raman come on, Ishita can sit on couch, Right? I have just come after so many years I am meeting them so I hope you won't mind me sitting with them"
Ishita gave her a fake smile and said, "Yeah she is right... I will sit on couch."
While during the dinner she could see Sakshi being over friendly with Raman, seeing her making him eat from her hand and then sharing from each other's plate, it was too much for her, she felt her eyes prick of unshed tears and she walked into her room taking her plate with her.
Raman, on other hand whose all the concentration was on Ishita saw her leaving the dining area and stood up , when Toshi ji said, "Thak gayi hogi... kamre mein aaram se kha legi... tu khane se aise na uth."
It was late night when Raman entered his room and found her sleeping on bed, and slowly took his pillow and left the room without making any noise.
Ishita couldn't believe this! He was distancing himself from her, now he doesn't even want to stay in same room as her... she turned away and buried her face in the pillow and poured out her hurt with the tears that flowed freely.
Nest morning, she got up, her eyes red due to crying half of the night when her phone rang, she picked up the call without seeing the id,
"Hello?" she said sulkily.
"Hey... Ishu... kya hua? Phir kuch kiya kya tumhare uss husband ne?" Mani asked from the other side.
"Kya hua Mani... itni subah subah kaise call kiya?" Ishita asked avoiding Raman's topic.
"Subah! Madam Lunch time ho gaya hai..." he chuckled.
"Kya! Itni der ho gayi... Ruhi ko School jana tha,.. aur Raman ko office... ayo Murugan... kaise itna late ho gayi mai..." muttering all this she came to hall and found Toshi ji sitting on couch watching TV, and asked her, "Mummy ji I am sorry... bohot der ho gayi aaj uthne mein..."
"Arre puttar koi nahi... teri tabiyat bhi toh theek nahi hai..." Said Toshi ji smiling.
"Woh... Ruhi... school.." Ishita asked
"Simmi ne ready kar diya tha..." Toshi ji replied seeing her worried.
"Aur... R...Raman office gaye?"
"Office kahan... Woh toh Sakshi ke saath gaya hai... tu ja kar fresh ho ja aur kuch kha le"
"ji" sh said and went into her room and slumped down and noticed her phone was still on and she said putting it on her ear, "Mani... are you still there?"
"Yes Ishu... are you alright?"
"Hmm.." she hummed sadly.
"Ishu, I was thinking ke lunch pe chalte hain... ab tum theek bhi ho... ?" he asked.
"Nahi Mani... I am not feeling like..." Ishita said.
"Come on yaar. Please. I am not hearing your no. I am coming to pick you up..." he said and hanged.
Within half in hour she was with Mani in his car driving towards Virgo Restaurant.
As they entered, she was shocked to see Raman and Sakshi sitting on one corner, chit-chatting, and laughing. She had never seen him smiling so freely before. She felt vacant suddenly, she just wanted to run to him and take him away with her, they Abhimanyu looked in the direction Ishita was looking and said, "That is Raman na?"
Ishita meekly nodded looking at them, oblivious to the crowd.
"Come on let's say Hi' to them..." Abhimanyu pulled her while she protested and said she doesn't want to.
But Abhimanyu took her to his table and said, "Hey Raman!"
Raman looked up and saw Abhimanyu with Ishita standing behind him, and looking down. His heart broke into pieces and then he remembered Mani's words echoing in his mind, and looked at Mani instead and nodded in acknowledgement.
"Can we join you guys... hum log bhi lunch ke liye hi aaye hain..." Abhimanyu said while Ishita looked at Raman.
"Sorry, but we were just leaving", said Sakshi and grabbed Raman's hand in hers and took him with her.
Ishita looked at their retreating back and tears filled in her eyes, tears of hurt and she slumped down in one of the chairs on which he was sitting a while ago.
"Ishu?" Mani said, "Why are you crying?"
"Mani, I want to go home please." She requested.
"But we have just arrived?"
"please Mani.."
"I don't understand this Ishu... Why are you with such a man who gives you nothing but tears and pain?" he said sitting down on one of the chairs opposite to hers.
"What are you talking about? Its nothing like that..." she said.
"Come on Ishu, I know okay, I have seen with these eyes, he is not good for you... from start I am noticing, that you are always sad and stressed because of him, he keeps on hurting you and you selflessly give away yourself for his family and his daughter... how can any man be so selfish!" Mani said, anguish and loath was evident in his voice for Raman.
Ishita, who was crying a while ago, wiped her tears and looked at Mani Astonished. She felt anger surging in her veins for her bestie for the words he uttered for Raman. How can he even think like that about Raman like that.
"Mani! How can you even talk like that about Raman?
"What do you mean by How can I?' obviously I can. I even told him that other day, but he seemed to not understand."
"Y..you told him what?" she asked suspiciously.
"Nothing much, I just showed him the mirror, I know Ishu about him, I even know why his first marriage broke... Ashok told me and..." he couldn't complete when she said angrily to him,
"And you believe him... Didn't you? Just because he is a man doesn't mean that he was wrong!" she got up and left for home immediately without giving one more glance at him.
It was almost 3:00 when she reached home, she entered their room and saw Ruhi animatedly talking to Raman.
"...Papa I am telling you na... it was not my mistake... I promise... Kartik did it first, but Miss Rozy didn't listen to me... please papa, don't tell this to IshiMa... Please."
"Kitna naughty ho gayi ho Ruhi!" he said while pulling her cheeks and kissing her and then tickling her lightly, to which she giggled and ran away and on door she caught glimpse of Ishita and called, "IshiMa!! Aap kab aayi?"
"bass abhi..." and then she ran out leaving Raman- and Ishita alone in the room, it was after five days that she was alone with him. She just wanted to go and apologize on Mani's behalf but she didn't know how to do, she didn't know what all he had said, may be that was why he was avoiding her for all these days...
"Raman..." she called, but her voice came out as a whisper. That he didn't seem to hear.
He instead got up from bed taking his Mac and made his way to the door when before reaching door, she suddenly hugged him from back, his muscles tightened at the sudden contact, as he was more than shocked at her action and relaxed in sometime, but soon he felt his shirt getting wet and he didn't need to guess what it was.
He immediately turned towards her and held her shoulders and asked, "Kya hua Ishita? Tum ro kyu rahi ho? Kisi ne kuch kaha kya?"
She just looked down, unable to face him but didn't stop sobbing.
Raman slowly pulled her chin up and made her look into his eye and asked again, "tell me Ishita... please... hua kya hai?"
"I am sorry... I am really sorry..." she whispered sobbing.
"Sorry?" he was confused, "Sorry for what?"
"Jo bhi Mani ne kaha... mujhe aaj hi bataya usne... he doesn't know you... I am so sorry on his behalf."
He sighed and let go of her shoulders, while she looked at him surprised and said, "Its okay... usne kuch galat nahi kaha... wahi kaha jo tum kehti ho... ke mai selfish hoon, arrogant hoon, tumhe meri wajah se stress hota hai... and that all is truth... baki sab bhi yehi kehte hain... tum bhi toh yehi kehti ho... tumhari help karne jata hoon toh bhi stress hi de deta hoon... the thing is Ishita, you don't have to say sorry about anything, I have been through all this before but now this time I am okay... first time problem hoti hai.,.. and second time we already know what to do and how to handle." That said, and he left
She slumped on bed and laid down with her face buried in the pillow.
It was around 9 in evening when dinner got over, she got to know that Sakshi had already left in afternoon, and it took one hour for cleaning the kitchen and then she turned towards her bedroom and found it empty, his pillow was also missing, she knew that he was hurt, something said by Mani had really hurt him that he is not talking to me at all from the time I was at hospital, how can I tell him that now his taunts don't stress me but lessen the stress and tiredness. How to tell him, that not talking to him and not fighting with him is giving me stress. She tossed and turned in bed for an hour or so and then she gave up and walked out of the room and decided to sleep with Ruhi that night, she opened Ruhi's room and was surprised to see Raman sleeping cuddling her little angel.
She silently entered the room and noticed that Ruhi was sleeping on one corner while Raman was sleeping in center while his one arm was around her small form and there was little space on his left side. She didn't think twice before slipping beside him, keeping her head on the pillow he was using and silently giggles at him, Sharing is caring'. And slipped into deepest of slumber.
It was morning, when he felt unusual, and then sends two heads on his chest and he got up instantly, and was shocked to see Ruhi as well as Ishita were cuddling into him from either side. Both had pinned him to the bed and the position was highly uncomfortable. He slowly laid Ruhi to her side, without waking her up, while when he came to Ishita, he had only imagined that one day he would share such an intimacy with her, but few days ago that thought had long gone, but now he couldn't believe that she was actually in his arms, so close, he smiled shook her head and softly said, "Ishita... Subah ho gayi hai... utho..."
Her eyes furrowed at the disturbance and she turned more into him and hugged him tight.
Her fragrance was already doing much damage and now her closeness was going to kill him... he lightly pushed her off and asked her to get up in a stern voice. He was feeling frustrated by everything... her coming close, denial of intimacy and his attraction.
She opened her eyes and looked at him, and smiled and wished him good morning.
He was surprised by her behavior and asked, "Are you okay?"
"hmm..."
"What are you upto..?" he asked suspiciously. She seemed different her behavior was strange, how can she be so relaxed being so close to him.
"I have to tell you something..." she started.
He just nodded.
"Your keeping away is stressing me... please don't go away from me. I can't see my life away from your taunts and one-liners anymore... we have come so far now... please don't push me away from you, nor pull yourself away from me." She said and pecked lightly on corner of his lips and got up and walked towards the door and turned towards him and smiled softly and Murmured, "Good Morning." And left to start the morning.
While he lay in complete shock, still grasping her words, her words of confession.
May be now their Rishta that was merely a pretence and for namesake would turn more meaningful than anyone around.
Okay so that's it...
Hope you liked it...
Please let me know through your comments...
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