Chapter 9:
8th month of pregnancy:
Raman and ishita almost behaves like they belong to each other. Hugs, holding hands, wiping tears, rubbing her back while she goes thru the motions of morning sickness every morning, rubbing her swollen, tired feet is a norm. Ishita is homebound now. The doctor has advised her to rest as much as possible. They are partners. Ishita has grown more beautiful as the pregnancy progresses. Her belly is out now. She is having difficulty sitting down or getting up or laying down. She can't bend or lift anything.
Raman has discovered many things about ishita in past few months. He has learned that ishita sings so well, she can cook some mean Panjabi food, she is non vegetarian, she likes shows like Family guy and American dad, she looks gorgeous in saris and her skin feels so soft and she feels good in his arms, that he loves her hair and her eyes and her everything. That she looks beautiful when she sleeps, when she smiles, when she speaks, when she sings, when she cooks in his kitchen, when she is engrossed in reading or watching TV.
Ishita has learned many things about Raman in past few months of living in Bhalla mansion. Raman likes to cook, that he is very health conscious, he loves his mom and dad, that he loves outdoor sports and swimming, that he has a gorgeous smile, those dimples makes him more handsome, that when he is happy, his eyes sparkle, he feels so warm when they hug, she loves it when he caresses her hair, when he wipes her tears, when he helps her get thru morning sickness every morning, that when he touches her, her heart skips a beat. She is doing everything she can to refrain from those feelings. Ishita thinks how can somebody love somebody else's baby like his own? But as we all know heart has its own mind and it listens to nobody else. You can't refrain heart from loving and hoping and wishing and desiring and...
One thing is for certain though, a connection the baby has with Raman is very surprising to Ishita. Every time Raman is around ishita, the baby moves or kicks. Very reluctantly one day ishita tells Raman this
Ishita: Raman, I wanted to show you something
Raman: what is it?
Ishita holds Raman's hand and puts it on her belly.
Raman: what?
Ishita: shhh, just feel
He feels the baby kicking. He is ecstatic. He couldn't stop those happy tears from rolling down his cheeks
Ishita: wipes his tears and tells him, Raman, every time you are around, the baby moves or kicks. The baby has a cosmic connection with you. Other times, no activity. Just when you are near. It is like the baby feels your presence.
Raman: really??? Oh I am so happy ishita. He pulls her into a bear hug and says: This is absolutely beautiful. You are beauti...
He suddenly stops. They pull apart and walk to their respective bedrooms, not before turning around and smiling at each other and saying good night to each other.
This whole scene is witnessed by two people. Toshiji and a new guest, one with happy tears and one with sad tears.
The new guest is Shagun, Raman's childhood friend. She is visiting some relatives in the city and has decided to come to Bhalla Mansion. She is actually going to stay there for few days. Shagun is in love with Raman since long time and has confessed her love to Raman. But Raman very politely tells her that he just sees her as his friend and nothing else. Shagun in my story is a nice and understanding girl. Yeah I know, but I am sticking with it.
Today, watching Raman and ishita together like that, she knows for sure that Raman is in love with Ishita.
But what confirms her doubts is what happens when she gets up in the middle of the night to get some water from the kitchen.
She sees Raman going to Ishita's bedroom. She follows him and watches him as he goes near sleeping Ishita and sits close to her. He than ever so slowly caresses her belly and feels the baby move. He is overjoyed with the feeling and bends down and places a feathery light kiss on ishita's forehead.
Now shagun's doubts are cleared. She is sad for herself but she is happy for raman. And of course Ishita.
Next day, Shagun comes to Raman who is sitting at the breakfast bar.
Raman is surprised to see her there.
Raman: Shagun, you here?
Shagun: good morning to you too.
Raman: I am sorry. Hi, good morning
And gives her a hug. Precisely at same moment, Ishita is walking into the kitchen and sees them hugging. She wonders who could that be who is hugging Raman?
She feels something, a weird sense of jealousy and walks towards them and coughs
Ishita: good morning Raman. Good morning? I am sorry, I don't know who you are? I am Ishita.
Shagun: I am Shagun, Raman's childhood friend. Good morning. Nice to meet you. When are you due? Pointing at her belly
Ishita: looks at Raman, who is smiling. Nice to meet you too. I am due in three weeks.
Raman walks to Ishita, takes her hand and helps her sit at the table and gets neelu to serve her breakfast while he sits next to her.
Raman: Shagun, please sit down with us and have some breakfast. Now turning to ishita, how is my baby this morning? Any your morning sickness? And tucks a strand of her hair that was hindering her eating.
Ishita: turns red, thinking, god, what must Shagun be thinking about us? I need to talk to Raman? To divert Raman's mind from her, she says: Raman, aap bhi khayiye na? me and the baby are fine.
Meanwhile, Toshiji and Bhallaji come to have breakfast as well. Shagun sees how well all four of them get along. She knows now that Raman has found his match, his soul mate, his love. She wipes a tear at the corner of her eye. But she is happy for her friend. She is hopeful that she will find her Mr. right soon as well.
After breakfast,
Raman is getting ready in his room. Two women in his life head towards his room with a sense of determination. Ishita wanted to talk to raman about moving back to her apartment after the delivery and before she falls for him as she fears. Shagun wanted to talk to raman about Ishita and make him realise of his love for Ishita.
Who will approach raman first? Will it be Ishita or Shagun? What is next? Will Ishita and raman ever confess their feelings for each other
NM
Anupamaa
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
0