Strangers Once Again - IshRa Two-Shot | Part 2 Page 17 - Page 10

Originally posted by: nividances

This was absolutely amazing! Please add the next part soon! Can't wait! 😊

Originally posted by: rutu83

firstly - beautiful beautiful song

very interesting to see where this is going and what happened. the first tidbit leaves wanting for oh so much more..😊
continue soon

Originally posted by: MysticRiver

interesting...👍🏼

Originally posted by: RomComFan

I am both intrigued and confused- I love it!😉

Terrific job, please do continue soon.👏

Originally posted by: -Ishita-

Awesome one Aani 🤗

Update soon!

Originally posted by: jojo1986

loved it update soon👏

Originally posted by: cool_aparna

Aani😃😃 am so glad tht ur muse is bak...ok this part just gave a gist of wht its about...and given its a TS d next part is gonna tell it all...so eagerly waiting fr it...pls update soon😳

Originally posted by: Nikita99

Wow!! Can't wait to read next part. If it's not too much to ask can please pm me with next update.

Chapter 2 - Ek khoobsurat mod

Tarruf rog ho jaye toh usko bhoolna behtar
Talluq bojh ban jaye toh usko todana achha
Woh afsana jise anjaam tak lana na ho mumkin
Usse ek khoobsurat mod de kar chhodna achha
Chalo ek baar phir se ajnabi ban jayen hum dono

(When familiarity becomes an affliction it is better to forget it
When relationship becomes a burden it is better to break it
The story which cannot be brought to a happy ending
It is better to give it a beautiful turn and leave it
Come, let us be strangers once again)

- Chalo ek baar phir se, Gumrah

06^th January 2015.

07.45 PM.

He watches as she sprints around from one place to another.

Never constant anywhere for more than a few minutes, the multitude tasks that she has to juggle making it impossible for her to do so.

Everyone keeps on calling her every now and then for one thing or another and she invariably finds it in her to look after everyone - whatever anyone may ask of her, want of her.

Her face having a smile though she is visibly getting tired; her patience never running thin even when she hasn't had a moment' respite.

It is her eyes though; those gain his attention. They look at times haunted, at times angry and at moments just empty and lifeless.

She looks radiant and beautiful as always in her baby pink saree that compliments her complexion.

However, she looks like she wants to run away from here, from everyone whenever he catches that look in her eyes.

Something is not right with her he can feel it in his bones.

That beautiful smile of hers that always lights up her face, the smile that he fell in love with every time it was casted his way tonight fails to reach her eyes.

Today her smile is merely a curvature of her lips that she flashes for show for the occasion, but her heart is not into it.

He has known her enough to distinguish her smiles - to pick out the fake ones from the ones that really come from within. To know when she really smiles as if she wants to, means it and tonight isn't the night.

He wonders what could be it that has her so glum and angry at the same time. What is it that is upsetting her so, he wants to know but cannot bring himself to ask her that.

He wishes he could grab her hand, take her away from all these people and this mess and ask her in privacy what is it, what is going on, what has bothered her so but he cannot; he cannot and it kills a part of him that still loves her.

He cannot feel but feel a pang in his heart when the realization sets in that he cannot hold her hand now, not now not ever...it is not his place to do so anymore.

Looking around as he scans the place, the familiar sea of faces he cannot help but recall a similar day from eight years ago when his Anna and Manni were expecting Shravan.

He recalls how their families were ecstatic over the news and how he and Ishita had been jubilant upon learning, they were going to have a niece or a nephew soon. Both being the younger siblings had been euphoric about the impending new arrival, particularly him. Ishita still had Mihika, someone younger than her in her family, but he had no one, absolutely no one younger than him in his immediate family. The cousins younger to him were from distant relations and the families seldom met. He met them here and then at times but they aren't close to him. How he had been ecstatic to have someone finally younger to him in his own home and family, someone he could coddle and spoil silly.

He had not had a clue back then that an encore of events would once again find them in a much similar place in the future, a future that would rip them apart from each other.

A future where she would be someone else' wife and he would also be married to another woman.

A future where he would no longer be the man she belonged too.

She has not been avoiding him, but he can clearly see she is not inclined to talk to him either.

She is only physically present among everyone here, but mentally she is somewhere else.

His Manni' Valakaappu had been such a different experience back then to this one.

He can vividly remember how he had made excuses to be present at home even when he knew men should not and could not participate in the festivities, meant to be exclusively for women but he had to be there just so that he could be around Ishita. He had not been bothered about being amidst a horde of women all of whom looked his way, giggled and teased him or Ishita about his presence.

Today they stare his way, his presence noticed by any and every new arrival, but the women do not bother to mention him much; nor does he get a second glance.

The attention is very much on his Manni as it should be as well as Mihir Mihika, the newlyweds but mostly it is on those loud in-laws of Ishita' who seem to be running the show as much as she is.

This time around, he is attending this impromptu double celebration. It is a small gathering meant for close family and friends. His Manni' baby shower, a fad that is on the rise these days, and Mihika' quick nuptials celebrated in one go.

He is here out of obligation.

His Amma asked him to attend the dinner to represent someone from his Anna' side since she couldn't attend due to the bed rest owing to her fractured leg and his father had to stay by her in case she need anything.

He wonders why the stars had to align in the way they did for him to come here tonight. Why did his boss ask him to attend the conference and represent his company for which he had to fly to Delhi at all from Chennai? Why did it have to happen just in time to coincide with this dinner as well?

If propriety had not demanded Madhavi aunty invite his Amma and Appa for their family gatherings and events, he would not even need to be here tonight.

He notices how a plump, old woman is giggling away with Madhavi aunty while a tall, slender woman of about Ishita' age with a baby on her lap accompanies his Manni. A young lad called Romi looking after the catering department and seeing to it there are no parking hassles for the guests. Soumya Aunty given charge of the children of the house who seem to be giving her a tough time as she tries to chase Shravan and Ishita' daughter Ruhi who simply do not stay still in any place for longer than five minutes. The newlyweds are in a corner whispering sweet nothings to each other even when Mihika hits her husband on his arm once almost every five minutes.

His Anna and Vishwa uncle are in the company of an old tall man. His Anna seems stressed for some reason that he will not share. The one man though missing from action is her husband - Raman Kumar Bhalla.

He has heard a lot about the man and had been equal part looking forward to as well as detesting the very idea of meeting the man who is his ex' husband.

Feeling suffocated and entirely out of place he feels all alone when a familiar face' arrival catches his attention which brings back fond memories and a smile on his face.

He sees as Abhi walks in with a young boy of about seven and a girl of about ten, a bouquet and a gift in his hands as he heads towards his Manni. The children band up and Abhi spends the next few minutes chatting away to his Manni, the woman called Simi besides her and Madhavi aunty. Having handed over the bouquet to his Manni, he then made way towards Mihika who cheekily commented she better like the gift in the box else she would demand something of her choice and as expensive as it gets earning a laugh from Abhi, who assured her he knows she would love the gift.

Abhi later turns towards Ishita and as he decides to greet his old friend his feet start walking towards him, only the moment Abhi eyes fall on him though the smile on his face disappears. Instead of an old friend he finds himself face to face with someone who wouldn't even wish to acknowledge his presence if his eyes are anything to go by.

Gulping down the humiliation he feels scorned at by someone he had called a friend once; he decides to get a little fresh air instead and walks towards an empty bedroom - the only room in the Iyer home at present that is not bustling with activity.

The heat makes him switch on the fan the moment he is inside the room as he half-closes the door.

Opening the windows in the bedroom, he sucks in a lungful of fresh air and closes his eyes. He cannot detest Abhi for his behavior. He had been Ishita' friend for longer than he had been his, it was but natural for him to react the way he did.

Heaven knows he deserves it for what he did with Ishita.

He is lost in his thoughts when he notices Shravan barge into the room. In the next moment, he sees Shravu opening the zipper to one of the drawers of a handbag he had noticed strewn on the bed when he walked into the room earlier.

He cannot help but ask the kid what he is up to,

"Hey Shravu what are you doing with that bag?"

"Chitappa I want the chocolates that Miku Chitti got for me."

Before he can even protest, the contents of the bag lay spilled across the bed making his nephew grumble,

"There are no chocolates in this at all, chitti lied to me."

"Stupid Shravu how could you find the chocolates in that one. This isn't Miku chitti' purse but Ishimaa' dummy."

The little girl struts towards the dresser and picks up another handbag. In the next minute, her hands are full of chocolates as she smiles on triumphantly and she makes for a run from the room, Shravu chasing her as he yells for his share of chocolates.

The kids soon disappear from his view when he is left shaking his head at their antics and finds himself smiling at the innocence and bliss the carefree age provides them. If only he could be half as carefree, half as happy as they could. Simple things like a couple of chocolates that was all it took to see their faces have those wide smiles.

His attention is drawn towards the handbag that now lays empty of its contents assailed in the quest to find those chocolates and he decides he should venture out of the room and mention it to someone that the kids have emptied Ishita' purse.

It would not be polite to touch her belongings or to gather them for her he concludes.

He is about to move towards the door when a wad of papers come in his line of vision as he is about to step on them. Bending down he picks up the documents that look legal to him.

His assumption is soon confirmed the moment he turns around the papers and is shocked to see they are a deed of divorce drawn in the names of Ishita and her husband Raman. Despite knowing he should not be doing this, he cannot help it when his eyes scan over the contents when he reads that her husband wants to divorce Ishita because of irreconcilable differences.

He notices the date of the deed and realizes it was drawn just a day back, feeling dizzy instantly.

"Ishita' husband wants to divorce her? And she is here behaving as if everything is perfectly normal?"

He speaks aloud to no one in particular and wonders how Ishita could be so normal when he realizes, no, she had not been normal completely. He recalls...her eyes; they would have a faraway look when she would think no one is noticing her.

This is what had been bothering her, why she looked lost in those moments, why the smile on her face looked forced and fake. Why it never reached her eyes, he concludes.

He is still reeling from the shock of the information he just gathered when Ishita enters the room. His presence stumps her for a moment but she gives him a half a smile that instantly vanishes from her face as she notices the papers in his hands.

In a flash she is in his face and snatching the papers away from him,

"I am sorry Ishu, I didn't mean to, Shravu and your daughter Ruhi they emptied the purse, they were looking for Mihika' purse. No, they were looking for chocolates. Then Shravu emptied your purse and I did not even know it had these papers. Your daughter came she found the purse, I mean Mihika' purse which had chocolates and they ran away. I was coming to call you or someone who could inform you that the kids have emptied your purse when these papers, they were lying on the floor. I did not even know what they were. How they got here in the first place. I didn't mean to read them, I swear."

He realizes he has been rambling nonstop without even pausing to catch his breath when he finally pauses and gulps feeling his throat parched and his mouth dry.

The look of absolute indifference on her face stops him.

She merely nods her head and proceeds towards the bed picking up her large purse first as she starts placing the various items scattered on the bed in it.

"I... I really didn't mean to pry Ishu."

"I know, don't worry. Ruhi told me Shravu scattered my things on Akka' bed after he emptied my purse looking for chocolates."

In less than two minutes she is done and is moving out the door when he has to speak up,

"I am having trouble in my marriage too Ishu...my wife, Ragini, she has ...she has left me."

The words register with her as she pauses at the threshold and finally looks at him, her eyes a little softer this time when she sees him as she softly murmurs,

"I am sorry to hear that."

"We...we may be splitting soon too."

"I am NOT splitting from my husband Subu!"

The rage on her face evident baffles him, he has known this woman for the longest part of his life and it stuns him to see her now, to find her so obviously different from the Ishita he knew and fell in love with all those years ago.

Either his shock was very evident or she realized the harshness of her tone, he can't figure but in the next moment she is the same calm and composed Ishita he has always known when she softly apologizes to him,

"I am sorry I didn't mean to sound so rude to you."

"It's ok...you...you are..."

"I thought I made it clear Subu, Raman and I are not splitting up."

He cannot help it when he petulantly voices up,

"The papers say otherwise Ishita, its ok I know your marriage was a..."

"The papers say nothing! Absolutely nothing do you get it? And you have no right whatsoever to speak about my marriage Subu."

"Fine, I am sorry...I shouldn't have said anything regarding your marriage but Ishu...you can't run from reality like I said I didn't mean to read them Ishu, but I did and they clearly say it's a divorce deed."

"Yes they do say that but it doesn't mean anything...my husband...he can be the wisest man I know at times and also sometimes the stupidest man there is alright, this is his biggest stupidity so far and believe you me the moment he crosses my path tonight he is about to hear it like never before. That man is so gonna regret having these drawn I will make sure he never forgets what he hears tonight till the end of our days."

"Drawing divorce papers isn't a sign of stupidity Ishita. It's not a joke."

"I know it isn't a joke Subu, relationships aren't jokes but yes people do get stupid sometimes as my husband is being right now because he has got a dumb notion in his head that he isn't good enough for me. I am gonna set a thing or two straight with that man regarding just that."

"You mean to say he wants to divorce you because he feels he doesn't deserve you?"

"No, I mean to say my husband has somehow got it in his head that his issues, his baggage are weighing me down. He has somehow decided I do not deserve to go through any problems in my life and especially because of him; somehow, he has concluded he is not good for me and that is why he got these papers drawn. Though this isn't what he wants at all too."

"Is it?"

Her brows furrow when he asks her the question,

"I am sorry?"

"Is his baggage weighing you down?"

"I don't think I have to answer this to you. But since you are obviously very interested to know - no it isn't."

She turns to leave when he holds her arm but one look from her has him release her,

"I am sorry...we used to be friends as well Ishita once."

"We were."

"Perhaps as a friend or someone who once was one...could I ask you something?"

She nods her head after mulling over the thought for a moment in her head,

"Are you in love with him?

The smile on her face that reaches her eyes that he has seen after ages and not just today, gives him his reply even before he hears the words from her end.

"Yes I am, we both are. He loves me very much too, just that men can be such typical idiots at times, even smart ones."

"We happen to do that sometimes."

"Sometimes...?"

She asks raising an eyebrow that reminds him of times gone by which bring a mild smile on his face that she answers with her own.

"A lot, okay I admit. We can be idiots."

"Not can, but are...the lot of you are idiots Subu."

"Fine we are...May I ask something else if it's okay?"

"Hmmm..."

"How could you tell he didn't want this? I mean..."

She gives him a look and he doesn't know if he is gonna get his question answered or be snubbed until she starts speaking, he doesn't know what made her decide to speak up but she does and he realizes he had been holding his breath for it.

"Because when he handed me these papers before I didn't find the time to read them and he wouldn't say what they were to me. When I read them after I got here because I couldn't do so earlier for a while I panicked too but only when I got calmer after checking them for the tenth time did I notice something."

"What?"

"He hasn't signed these Subu. For a man who could have these papers drawn, my husband could not bear to speak up what they were nor sign them...he doesn't want to do this...but he thinks he should. He isn't walking out on me or us Subu, he is letting go off me but he has to understand that I don't intend to leave him not now not ever."

"So what are you gonna do?"

"You mean after I give him an earful?"

The comment elicits a laugh among them and he realizes how much he has missed this, laughing with her...seeing her face light up, hearing the tinkling sound of her laughter.

"Yes, after that."

"I am gonna let him know he can't ever get rid of me, that whatever he may have assumed I am not gonna abandon him just like that. You don't abandon the person you love truly with all your heart."

The last words unwittingly change the scenario between them.

He realizes he spoke once the words are out between them,

"No you shouldn't or you regret doing so forever."

"I should be leaving now; bye."

"Bye."

"Ishu..."

"Hmmm...?"

"All the best."

She smiles a little as she replies,

"Thanks but I think my husband needs it more tonight. I have asked him to stay back in his office where I am headed now."

He smiles a little when he hears that,

"Then I wish him all the luck."

"Oh he is going to need it and a little more...Subu...I hope the problems you have with your wife are solved too. Don't give up just yet."

"I'll try."

"Give it your hundred percent I am sure she would meet you halfway too."

"Hmmm..."

"Subu, one more thing..."

"Yeah...?"

"Could you please not mention this to anyone? I don't want our families to know about any of this hence I am even heading to Raman' office now so that we could talk in privacy without anyone hearing us accidentally or otherwise. I hope you understand."

"Sure."

"Thanks."

"Don't worry Ishu; your secret is safe with me."

"I have got to get going now; Raman would be waiting for me. Thanks a lot again Subu and I hope you and Ragini resolve your issues soon too. Bye, take care."

She exits the room with the words leaving him standing at the precipice as he cannot help but relive every moment of their conversation, every moment they had ever spent together as a couple once upon a time.

How strange was it to be able to talk to Ishita as freely, as casually as they always did but how different it was tonight?

He hadn't shared about his marital discord to even his parents or Anna but with Ishita he uttered those words without a moment' thought or hesitation. Was it because he needed to get the load of his chest he wonders or was it simply because talking with Ishita had always been this easy.

He abandoned her for no fault of hers strangely tonight though he finds how in losing the woman he loved he also lost his best friend, the one person with whom he could always talk about anything and everything without any apprehension, guilt or fear. The woman who knows his deepest secrets, the woman he could have married and shared his life with, had their stars not had other plans for them. They could have been together but it was not meant to be.

His eyes suddenly fall on her form as he watches her walking towards her car in the parking lot. Drawn like a moth to flame his legs take him towards the window as he watches her get to her car, enter it and drive away.

A part of him feels lighter than he has felt in ages, since they talked tonight like old times. They cannot be lovers again, not even the best of friends he knows that but to be able to talk to her again, to not have her eyes look dull or lifeless owing to him, to not see accusations directed at him from those eyes of hers is something he gathers.

Maybe this is where and how it was to be for them.

This is how it they were to have their long-awaited closure of sorts.

He would always love her he cannot deny that.

He can never even love Ragini the way he loves Ishita, he even knows that but he has to try to salvage his marriage, he can't let it all fall apart, they can go for counseling he concludes. Ragini loves him a lot, she would agree, he would make her.

It is he who has been unfair to her, who has not worked enough for their marriage to work, but he has to change that and soon. Varun needs both of them, they have to get over this and if it means therapy so be it. Ishita is right, if he puts in work, Ragini would meet him halfway.

His past that never allowed him to move on completely, he realizes with a shake of his head and a faint smile, today guided him towards a better future.

Was it this that he needed he wonders, the assurance that Ishita has found love again in her life that he needed to move on in his own life?

He knows of the countless rejections she faced after him, thanks to his mother as he does of her marriage that was nothing but a deal, a contract of sorts. It had killed him every time his mother ridiculed Ishita or her rejections. Each time he heard those stories his conscious weighed a little more, his heart rebuked him for putting her through hell.

The news of her marriage to a divorcee, a father of two had not worked any wonders too. On the contrary, it had made him even more ashamed to think Ishita had to marry a man only for the sake of a child, a man he tried to learn about as much as he could every now and then.

He had heard Raman came with a lot of baggage and issues, that his temper was quick to ignite and his tongue even quicker to scald those in front of him. He even had drinking problems, according to some people he spoke.

But most of all, he heard the man was still in love with his ex even when she cheated on him and dumped him for another man, Raman' former boss.

It had harrowed him how would Ishita spend the rest of her life with such a man. How would her life be, the thoughts had taken a toll on him and thereby his marriage, the guilt of being responsible for Ishita getting married to such a man not letting him be at peace.

When his Anna spoke of Raman, he had only good things to say but they never assured him. Tonight though...having heard Ishita he suddenly feels perhaps, it was always going to be this. Things were meant to be as they are now.

She assured him she is in love with her husband loves her too, those eyes of hers had that sparkle when she spoke those words and he knows they were not a lie. It was the first genuine smile on her face that had assured him, curbed any doubts or the last vestiges of them from his mind.

It is time for him to clear his heart and mind of his baggage too and not let them burden Ragini and Varun, not let his misplaced guilt tear them apart.

He bids his farewell to the love of life finally and realizes may be this is why he was meant to be here tonight of all nights, he needed this so much. He whispers the words that set him free when she cannot even hear him years after they parted their ways, and with them feels a sense of calm and lightness he had lost the day he walked out on her.

"Goodbye Ishita...I'll always miss you. I will always love you. Forever and ever."

He does not know how long he stays by the window; all he knows is it was Shravan' tugging his hand that snapped him back to reality.