Part 6B
Interlude
Ishita sat at her desk twirling her pen.
She was excited about Adi coming to live with them, more so because she knew how happy it would make Raman to regularly spend time with his son, to share in the mundane day to day activities of life with him, to influence his thinking and try to undo the years of damage that life with Shagun and Ashok had caused to him.
But truth be told, Ishita was apprehensive too. She knew that with Adi's entry into their home, the entire dynamics of their family would change. Raman's overwhelming guilt about Adi, Adi's misguided hatred for her, Ruhi's insecurities, Raman and her newly expressed feelings for each other, and above all these, the sceptre of Shagun and Raman's past affecting their current lives. No, it would not be easy, but basking in the glow of Raman's love, she knew that they would be able to make it happen, that they would find a way to make things work.
Having reassured herself, Ishita applied herself to the paperwork which had brought her to the office this afternoon. Simmi had taken Ruhi and Ananya on a play date to Shravu's house, and with Raman away, the house had seemed unbearably lonely. She did not want to discuss Shagun with either Mummyji or Amma, and certainly not with Mihika, who seemed completely enamoured by her sister in law to be. So the office was her escape, and while here, she could also look at some designs for redesigning Ruhi's room, which she would now share with Aditya when he was home.
The redesign was much more interesting than updating her patient records, and she was soon engrossed at her computer, searching for design ideas, printing out samples and calling up furniture shops. She was busy on a call when a knock sounded on the door to her office.
"Aa jao" she said without looking up, thinking it was the receptionist.
"Yes" she continued speaking on the telephone "I'm looking at your website right now, kya woh white study table and chair set available hai? Kitne din lag jayegi? One month?? Accha theek hai."
She put down the phone in disappointment then gasped as her chair was swirled around and a pair of strong arms engulfed her, pulling her up into a bear hug.
"Raman" she exclaimed, snuggling into his chest, her arms snaking around his waist."Aap yahan kya kar rahe hain?"
"I missed you" he told her.
Ishita's arms tightened around her husbands waist and she snuggled closer to him. "Kuch der pehle hi toh gaye theh aap ghar se"
"Two hours fifty five minutes and ... Thirty seconds" he smiled, glancing at his watch.
Ishita threw her head back and laughed, then gasped again as he took the opportunity to cover her lips with his, his hands gently caressing her cheeks. She kissed him back before shyly breaking away, nestling her face against his chest again.
"Kya kar rahi thi?" He asked, gently kneading her back.
She moaned and whispered "thoda upar, please"
"Accha, Madam, pati se free massage karana hai kya?" He sounded petulant, but obliged as she asked, turning her around so that he stood behind her and then expertly massaging her back as she leant forward over her desk, enjoying the pampering.
"Yeh sab kya hai" his eyes were as busy as his hands, darting over the printouts of room decorations on her desk, the vibrant colours catching his attention.
"Aap ne kaha tha na ki Adi ab hamare saath rahega, three days a week. Toh mein soch rahi thi ki hum Ruhi ki room redecorate karte hai, dono saath share karenge, aur Adi ko lagna chahiye na ki hamara ghar uska ghar bhi hai aur.."
She stopped, realising that he had ceased his ministrations and moved away from her. She walked to him and then stared in shock at the tears that were running down his face.
"Raman, kya hua " she asked urgently, grabbing his hand, her other hand caressing his face. "Mein ne kuch galat kiya kya? I'm sorry.."
He grabbed her to him, crushing her in a tight embrace. His voice was muffled against her hair "No , no sweetheart tum ne kuch galat nahi kiya. Yeh to khushi ke... Kitna sochti ho tum hamaare baare mein Ishita, I'm so lucky ki tum meri zindagi mein... how did I get so lucky?"
"Raman" she whispered, returning his hug, hoping that the immense love she felt for him was being transmitted to him, that he could feel the admiration, the respect she had for him.
"After what Adi did to you, Ishita, tum phir bhi uski itna khayal kar rahi ho?" His face was still lost in her hair, he held her as though he would draw the very essence of her into himself.
"Lekin Raman, Adi to hamara beta hai na, mein uska khayal nahi rakhoongi, toh kaun rakhega."
He broke down in her arms then, letting his tears fall unabashedly, secure and confident enough in her love to let her witness his vulnerability.
She held him close until he lifted his face to her once again, smiling through his tears. "Dekho Jhansi Ki Rani, rula rahi ho mujhe."
"Lekin aap roh kyun rahe hai?" She asked him softly, smiling back through the veil of her own tears. "Mujhe na, mera akdhu Raavan zyaada acha lagta hai"
He chucked and then sobered up again. "Thank you jaan. Aaj tumhara akdhu Raavan sab kuch theek kar ke hi ghar laute ga. Intezaar karogi na mera?"
She leant into him and softly kissed the tears on his cheeks. "Mere intezaar ke liye kya milega mujhe?" She whispered to him.
"Me" he replied."Tumhaara Raavan"
Part 6C - Page 36
Edited by Veeann - 10 years ago
Fan Fictions
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
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