CHAPTER 13
She opened her eyes only to find her husband's head on her shoulders. She thought hard in her sleepy state about Raman's presence in the room and her hand kept brushing his hair on the other side. Failing to think much she took a look at the time and snuggled closer to him. At the same time Adi woke up quiet early than his usual routine only to find Ruhi on the bed. He wondered about the talk with his dad last evening. His brain fresh from sleep replayed the entire conversation. Before that he wanted to have a glimpse of his dad and yes feel for himself that his father accepted him whole heartedly. He felt quiet disheartened not to find his father when he opened his eyes and last night was the first time he slept with them after many years. He guessed and slowly opened the room which he shared with Ruhi. Adi was still getting used to the fact that this was his house and family. He wanted his dad and sister to accept him, yes they did undoubtedly. He had offended them beyond repair and hoped time will heal all of those scars. He shut the doors immediately and walked back to his dad's room when he found his dad and step mother snuggled to each other.
A word was given to his dad. How can he go about it? Accepting someone as your mother. Yes that lady and his sister loved each other way too much and as far as his dad is concerned she is his support system. The word mother has given him nothing but trouble and trauma. How would he go about this one again? Once bitten twice shy. He for a moment thought his life would have been easier if he was Ruhi. He wanted to know all about Ruhi and Ishitha's relationship. Something which was beyond being too real. He could neither believe his father. A person who did not mind Ishitha to apologize for no fault of hers has changed so much. The last whom he wanted to approach was his father and give him false signals regarding the same. By then his alarm rang loud shaking him from his thoughts. Taking a deep breath, he woke up to start his new routine.
He was sitting on one of the school benches looking at a random mother son. His memories with his biological mom unfolded again. He felt like drowning in a pit whenever he thought about those memories. He sobbed all over again. Fresh tears made way down his face. He leaned back on the bench and closed his eyes and did not make an attempt to even wipe his face. Adi beta.. Why are you here? Did your husband not tell you that we do not share any relationship with each other? Yes he did. If I can make my heart rock hard and give your biological father your permanent custody, then I can find my way with your Ashok dad as well. Where did this come from? He never considered me as his son and yes not to forget a baggage. A siren brought him back and used a hanky to wipe all the sweat of his forehead. What kind of a nightmare was that and he felt someone tapping his shoulders. He found Shravan and Ruhi together. When he wanted to spend time with his sister alone there always stood Shravan. He managed to coax Shravan and get some time alone with his sister. The parents who had come to pick up Ruhi noticed both the siblings together and Adi's arms around Ruhi's shoulders. Both couldn't help but tear up at the sight in front of him.
Adi: Ruhi.. Why do you call her Ishima and not mama or mom ?
Ruhi: Shagun mama bhi hai na issliye.
Ishitha had accepted the fact that she can never be a mother and her life started taking a new dimension after her first meeting with Ruhi. Both got connected the mere instant. She knew how much Ruhi loved her. Now things were even better. There was no need for her to share Ruhi with Shagun and along with Adi she felt elated. Adi was yet to accept her but he was her son legally and she was confident that Adi will accept her for what she is one day. Today she was made to face the reality again. Ruhi did not mean any of those words but whatever she said was true. Shagun will always be a part of them. Shagun was right, she can never be erased from any of their lives be it Raman Adi or Ruhi. Her heart cringed at that moment, she wanted to let go off it and feel light but had to stay strong in front of them. She could not afford to hurt Ruhi or Raman. They meant the world to her. Raman did hear those words and looked at Ishitha the next minute. He observed the fleet of expressions on her face and could feel the impact it had left. How much ever the women next to him tried being strong, she was a fragile one when it came to the matters of the heart. He was glad that she was the mother of his kids but then these small moments made her vulnerable and neither could he shield her. All he hoped that all of these feelings and insecurities would fade away completely. He wanted to love her more and also try everything in his hands and get Adi do the same. Ruhi's favorite was her father but her Ishima was her Oxygen to survive. The minute Ruhi found them standing near she stood up and ran towards them. He silently hoped she recognizes Ishitha first. All she needed was Ruhi now even more than him. Adi turned his head and looked at the two of them standing. His dad kept glancing at his step mother time and again. He wondered what it could possibly be. Ruhi directly ran in to Raman's hands. Ishitha as always had a smile plastered on a face. The foursome made their way back.
Going to the clinic was out of question. She very well knew her husband and he will continue to follow her. What could she do possibly? She wanted to break the glass bowl in her hand, cry in frustration about not being able to conceive, cry in desperation to get rid of her insecurities or shed tears of joy that no matter what happens Ruhi loved her more and she is a complete woman. Lost in her thoughts the bowl in her hand slipped and crashed on the floor. Raman who had entered the house came to her rescue and held on to her tightly. He embraced her and he could feel her breaking down. Before it could get out of his hands and let others hover over her, He shushed everyone in the living room and took her out.
Both sat on the floor with their backs resting on the walls of the terrace. She sat hugging her knees and the cold weather made her shiver more. He removed his jacket and made her wear it and took her in a side hug. Her head was resting on his chest and he kept stroking her hair to soothe her off her worries before he can get her to share everything with him. Minutes passed and she did not move an inch. Slight sobs were audible in the silent terrace and he could feel his shirt getting wet. He then heard her speak in her faintest of voices "Why am I always a second hand in everything Raman?" I was rejected by the person whom I thought loved me the most in the world, I was then rejected by every other men who came to seek my hand in alliance. I found love in Ruhi. Shagun was right, I might be the mother of your children but her name can never be erased. I suppose the tag barren will be a part of me. He really could not help her but see her break in front of him. He moved from the embrace and wiped her tears which were not ready to stop. Ishitha, did you not think of the fact that a person who is holding you was also a reject 10 months ago? I had everything yet I was alone. I was married and yes we had children. Love was only from my side. My son hated me because of his biological mother. I never expressed my love for Ruhi cos of a mole on her face which resembled Shagun. Both of us hated each other in the beginning but it was you who gave me a family my daughter. You thought me to be patient to get back our Adi. You were the one who asked me to respect Shagun and even felt the need for Ruhi's to attend all the wedding functions concerning Shagun. What happened to you? Get a hold Ishitha. Hmmm Raman and she wiped her tears. He kissed her forehead and asked her to wait. After few minutes he was back with a plate in his hand. Mann nahi hai, she told him. Mere liye and he slowly fed her. Halfway through the meal they found Ruhi walking in to the terrace. "Aap dono yahaan chup chup ke merae bina masti kar rahe the" and sat on her mother's lap. Ruhi hugged her and started playing with her hair. Both Raman and Ishitha looked at each other. All her sadness melted in minutes. Ishitha was back smiling and gave him a flying kiss only to be reciprocated with his wink. He continued feeding her but it did not stop with that, she grabbed the spoon from him and fed him in return. It was not a very luxurious dinner but a very sophisticated one which only had love and warmth. Adi who had come along with Ruhi to the terrace witnessed everything but did not step in. It was his turn to tear up looking at the love the trio shared and he wiped his tears in determination. He walked back saying to himself today I am not a part of that family but tomorrow I will be.
To be continued..
P.S: Not Proofread
Chapter 14 - Pg 74
Edited by Aru.Divan - 10 years ago
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