Hey guys..
Thanks a lot for all your love and support.. Means a lot.. I hope you guys are enjoying the story. Any complaints, do let me know.. And if you truly like it, do let me know that as well.
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Love
Priya
PART 3
As Raman came back home, he saw Mihir had already arrived.
Mihir: Where were you bhai? We planned to meet up at 6 and here, its beyond 7.30 already! And where on earth is your phone?
Raman: Calm down! The event took time. And then got caught up in traffic. The battery is dead. That's why the phone is off.
Romi:Bhai, since when did you start goin for inaugurations and giving speeches? That's so unlike you!
Raman: The dean requested a lot of times and I didn't have the heart to refuse.
"Now, im glad i went!", he muttered under his breath
Romi: What bhai? Aap ne kich kaha kya?
Raman: Nothing! You tell me bandar. How are you doing? Last kab Mila Tha mujhse! Looks like someone is very busy these days! Padhai kar raha hai yaa timepass!
Romi: Kya bhai! Im the one at home. You disappear most of the times stating work.. Kahin koi gadbad toh nahi?
Raman: Chup kar dramebaaz. Maa, I'll change and come. You guys talk till then.
Raman went into his room to freshen up when Mihir hiddled closer to Toshiji and Romi
Mihir: By the way maa, there's something i wanted to tell you guys.
He narrated what happened last evening at the cafe.
Mihir: This is the first time a woman has his attention so long.
Toshihi: That's good news beta. I really wish and pray practically all day and night that i get a bahu suitable for Raman. Someone who can love him and not his wealth and fame. He deserves the best.
Romi: Of course maa. If bhai ever agrees to marry, she has to have something in her. I know my bhai's choice.
They enjoyed the whole evening.
A few days had passed and Raman was still unable to get Ishita out of his mind. He debated 100 times a day if he should contact her in some way, and always decided against it.
Finally, a week later, he decided to go to the NGO to know more about her, or maybe, chance upon meeting her. He so desperately wanted to see her.
"Gosh Raman! U've lost it buddy!", his inner voice told him. "You going GaGa over a woman is so against your nature! What has she done to you?"
Sighing to himself, he got into his car and drove off towards the NGO. Reaching there, he went in and started looking around if he could catch a glimpse of Ishita anywhere. As he was walking around, he felt someone calling out his name. He turned around to see a lady behind him.
Lady: Hi, Mr.Bhalla, we are so honoured to see you here. Im Annie, a member here. Is there anything I can help you with?
Raman: Hi, Ms.Annie. I saw the NGO while passing by and decided to come in. Would you like to show me around?
Annie: Oh of course sir. That's very kind of you. Please come with me.
Annie showed the place to Raman and also gave him details about the various activities and programmes for the welfare of children. She also gave him details about a few members who came there to teach the kids, one of them being Ishita. She was the dance teacher here.
He suddenly felt proud in his heart that she was doing something for these kids. He wondered why!
After some time, Annie left him alone to explore the place. As Raman was walking around, he saw a little girl sitting sad under a tree. She was the same kid with Ishita when he saw her first. Raman walked towards her and kneeled down in front of her.
Raman: Hello baby!
The kid just looked up at Raman blankly.
Raman: Im new here. I don't have a friends also. Will you be my friend?
The kid just blinked her big eyes at Raman
Kid: But you are not a child na. Then why are you here?
"Hmm.." Raman said and sat up next to her.
Raman: Actually na, i had no friends when I was younger. But i like friends. So im here to make friends. Will you be my first friend?
The Lil kid smiled a bit and extended her baby hands. Raman followed her act and placed his palms on her tiny ones.
"Friends", the kid said. "Friends", Raman repeated. He pulled out a chocolate from his pocket and handed it over to her. She was delighted at the sight of it.
Raman: So, now that we are friends, we should know each others names no? Im Raman
Kid: Im Ruhi. Can i call you Raman uncle?
Raman: You can call me Raman
Kid: Ishita aunty always says we should address elders with respect!
Her name brought a spark on Rams face and sadness on Ruhi's.
Raman: What's wrong Ruhi? Why are you sad?
Ruhi:Annie aunty was telling someone that my Ishita aunty wont be coming here once she is ma.. Mar.. married. What is married uncle? And will she not miss me? She told me once that whenever i think of her from the bottom of my heart, she will come to meet me. I miss her uncle. Will she leave me and go?
Raman was about to reply but before he could, someone else did. He looked up to see Ishita standing there. Ruhi squealed in delight and jumped into her arms.
Ishita: Im not leaving you Princess! Never! I promised you right i will never leave you and go! Im not getting married!
She was hugging Ishita with all her might, tears flowing from her eyes.
Ruhi pulled back from the hug and cutely wiped off tears from her eyes.
Ruhi: Don't cry aunty. Ruhi hates to see you cry.
Ishu wiped her tears and smiled at the little bundle of joy in her arms. She kissed her on the cheeks. Raman just stood a little away and witnessed the two. He really liked the kid and he anyways was always thinking about Ishita all the time.
He felt as though there was a string that tied him to Ishita. He was drawn by every act of hers.
Ruhi jumped off ishita's arms and ran towards Raman. She held his fingers and pulled him towards Ishita. Ishu, on the other hand, was pleasantly surprised to see Raman there. Ruhi and Ram came and stood in front of her. Raman picked up Ruhi in his arms.
Ruhi: Ishita aunty, this is my new friend, Raman uncle. You know, he is new here and im his first friend. And Raman uncle, this is Ishita aunty,my best friend.
Ishita just smiled at Ruhi and turned towards Raman.
Ishita extended her hand towards Ram.
Ishita: Hi, Im Ishita Iyer.
"I know. I haven't lost my memory yet" Raman smirked.
Ishu blushed hard at that. She was hoping that Raman would've forgotten about her silly reaction the other day.
"Shit, he remembers, she thought!"
Some of the kids called out to Ruhi and she went away to play with them after giving a kiss to Raman on the cheek..
"Bye Raman uncle, Bye Ishita aunty" she yelled, waving out to them.
Raman and Ishita looked here and there for sometime, not able to understand what to say.
"So do you come here often", Raman asked to begin the conversation, knowing very well her role in the NGO.
Ishita: Yes. I do come here frequently. This place gives me peace and happiness like no other place can. But I've never seen you here.
Ishita was a completely different person today. She was calm and mature. But, that was just on the outside. Inside, she was the same Ishita who adored Raman Bhalla and her heart was thumping with happiness and excitement.
Raman: Yea, its the first time I've come here. So, do you teach these kids or just visit?
Ishita: I do teach them dance. I think its one of the best ways to express yourself.
Raman: Oh really! Thats awesome!
As Raman and Ishita were talking, Ruhi came back.
Ruhi: Raman uncle, Ishita aunty, are u also friends now?
Ishita didnt know what to reply. She looked at Raman for the answer. He smiled at her and kneeled down to reach Ruhi's level.
Raman: Of course Rockstar! Me and your Ishita aunty are friends as well now.
Ishita smiled at Ruhi and then at Raman.
The Raman Bhalla was her friend! She pinched herself to see if she was dreaming!
Precap:
"Im going to meet Ishita and Ruhi.", Raman answered. He knew there was no point hiding anymore. Mihir would get it all out from him anyways.
Edited by RaYaKapoor - 10 years ago
11