New SS: Never Again- Last chapter on PG 32 - Page 13

Raman is shocked at what he finds on the kitchen floor. He finds ishita lying unconscious on the floor with her head bleeding. He immediately carries her to his car and rushes to the hospital. At the hospital, Raman tells the doctors that she is 3 months pregnant. While filling out the form the hospital staff thinks he is the husband and puts his name down. Raman doesn't notice it and signs it.

God's sign I guess. Their destiny has started to approach each other.

The doctor checks the baby and Ishita. By God's grace, they are fine, no harm done. They did have to stich up her forehead. After three stiches and three hours later, Ishita gains consciousness.

Raman: Ishita, what the hell happened? How did you fall?

Ishita: how is my baby Raman?

Raman: the baby is fine. Now tell me what happened?

Ishita: there must have been some water on the floor. I slipped and fell. Must have hit my head and fell unconscious.

Raman: how can you be so careless? Mummy was right. You should stay with us, so mummy can care for you and so you are not alone. Two incidents in three days Ishita. This is not done.

Ishita: are you kidding me? I can't move in with you guys. What would people say? A pregnant divorced woman move in with a single guy? Very coincidental and ironic

Raman: it is nobody's business. I and mummy are concerned for you and the baby. You can't do it all by yourself. What if something happens to you and the baby?

Ishita: please Raman. Don't do this? I can't do this. My job description did not mention that my boss will be responsible to take care of me and my baby now, did it???? I can't do that to you and your family. It will only defame your good name. I will never do that. So don't even think about it.

Ishita was touched by Raman's concern and vice versa. In the dark corner of her heart something changed. But she ignored it and kept protesting Raman's offer.

All of a sudden Toshiji enters the hospital room

Toshiji: Ishita, agar tu muje thoda sa bhi manti haina to Raman ki baat sun beta. Hamare saath hamare ghar chal. Duniya ko maro goli. Tumhe meri kasam.

Toshiji is a smart woman. She knows very well now how to get Ishita to agree to her. She also senses changing equation between Raman and Ishita.

Now ishita was binded by her kasam, did not have any other option but to agree with them.

Raman is surprised by his decision. He is surprised by the connection he fills with Ishita and the baby. He is more concerned about them than he should be as a friend. He is scared now of his feelings. But on the other hand, he is also happy that Ishita will be around him more and of course his family who will take care of her. He silently promises himself to keep them safe.

Ishita is surprised by Raman's behavior. A very small part of her knows where this is heading, woman's instinct, you know??? But she is in a denial mode. She doesn't want to have even an ounce of those feelings which have ruined her life and now her baby's life as well. But that doesn't mean that she is not thankful for what Raman is doing for them. She feels fortunate that Toshiji is there for her and of course Raman too.

Toshiji is surprised at all of the happenings. She being a mother can see where this is headed. Raman's changing behavior towards ishita and now towards her baby is definitely noticeable. But Toshiji wonders where this is going. She knows both of them are mature and very level headed. She only hopes that it all gets sorted out soon. She will not mind Ishita and her baby as her bahu and grandkid at all. Wishful thinking doesn't hurt now, does it!!!!!!

Raman, Ishita and Toshiji go straight to Bhalla Mansion. Raman sends neelu and couple of other trusted servants to pack up Ishita's essentials and bring them to Bhalla Mansion.

Toshiji has already got prepared a bedroom right next to Raman's bedroom for Ishita. Mummy ho to aisi J

Ishita moves in to her new bedroom. Raman wonders: we have 10 bedrooms in this mansion. Why mummy gave Ishita this bedroom? Than thinks again: may be because it will be easy if Ishita needs something if I am around and easily accessible.

Toshiji had a whole different motive though. WinkJ

That night Toshiji stayed with Ishita until she fell asleep. Raman kept getting up. He couldn't sleep. He decided to go check on Ishita

Raman goes to Ishita's room. She is sleeping peacefully. Raman thinks:

Raman: I took the right decision by bringing her here. She is sleeping so peacefully.

Suddenly he sees frown lines on ishita's forehead. He knew she is having a bad dream. He caresses her forehead and smooths away those lines. Ishita feels the warm, soothing touch in her sleep. She is shedding silent tears in her sleep. Raman sees them glistening at the corner of her eye and wipes them down. As he is about to pull his hand away, ishita grabs it in her sleep and she turns to her left side. This makes Raman's right arm envelope around ishita. He tries very hard to free his hand, but fails. Finally he gets an idea. He tickles her palm and she leaves his hand.

He gets up from the bed and starts walking towards the door. He turns back, glances at ishita and leaves the room. He now is feeling content and falls asleep.

Ishita starts the office again from the next day. She is very committed to her job and she hates sitting idle at home since Toshiji won't let her do anything.

Raman initially did not agree with her. But how can he resist that pokey little puppy look Ishita was giving him. He melted and allowed her to come to office with one condition that she will only work half a day and he will personally drop her off at home everyday.

This is what their routine looks like: Ishita comes to office every morning with Raman, Raman goes home with her at lunch, has lunch with everybody, leaves Ishita at home and returns to office.

Life is like a bliss for Bhallas and Ishita. Ishita and the baby has brought the joy and happiness to Bhalla Mansion. The good, loving environment has brought out Ishita from her dark, painful past.

6^th month of pregnancy:

Raman has grown possessive towards Ishita and the baby. Ishita doesn't mind the feeling of protection she feels with Raman around. She likes the care, the concern and the possessiveness she sees in Raman's eyes. She also sees something else in his eyes and she is afraid of it. She does not want to break a promise she made to herself. She thinks: I will NEVER do that AGAIN. But you know when all you see around you is darkness and all of a sudden you find a bright ray of sunshine, you want to hold onto it. Ishita was in the same state and Raman was her ray of sunshine.

Raman hears all kinds of chatters around the office and anywhere else they go about his and ishita's relationship. People are talking shit about them and he doesn't give a damn about it. But he knows that ishita does care and he has managed to shield her from all of the negativity. She barely goes anywhere besides her office and the OBGYN. Even there Raman and/or Toshiji accompanies her.

By now Toshiji knows for sure that her son is in love with ishita but is in denial mode. But she is not sure of what ishita has in her heart. She can read the care and concern she has for Raman in her eyes but she also sees anguish and pain too.

She is hopeful though.

What do you think???? Will the pain and anguish in Ishita's eyes be replaced with love and happiness for Raman ans with Raman?

New entry in the story

Thank you

NM