Sorry for the late update...I have written this in less then an hour so, there will be less cohesiveness and plenty of typos. IGnore them as always *
Chapter 18
***
As Ishita opened the front door, Muthu came running to her. Ishita knelled down to pet him "missed me baba?" she asked, rubbing the back of his ears.
As if unmindful to her question, Muthu searched behind her, realizing she came alone, he made whining noise. She let out a heavy sigh "...He'll come later..."she answered knowing who Muthu actually missed.
It amazed her just how fond Muthu got to Raman in this short time, well how couldn't he be, it was Raman who looked after all his needed these days. She didn't think the two would get adjusted this easily with each other, especially since Muthu wasn't really exposed to people, thanks to her working life and Raman's dislike towards dog had her concerned initially, but both of them proved her wrong. In fact Muthu was probably closer to him then her. Letting out another heavy sigh, she headed to the kitchen and poured some dog food in the bowl for Muthu before heading to freshen up.
***
As she splashed the cold water onto her face, she couldn't help not to recall the conversation at lunch. ARHGGG" She let a loud groan, something she wanted to let out long time back. "Why is this happening with me?" She questioned her fate looking at herself in the mirror. She felt deserted.
"Come on Ishita, let's not over react, she is just an ex...they are just friends now...I'm sure" Her heart tried to soothe but in vain.
"An Ex he was happy to meet...an ex he is to meet again...without you...an ex, he didn't bother introducing you to, Ishita" Her brain tried to pound in the reality. Did he feel she was threat to his happiness, she mused.
She sulked down on the closed toilet seat. She pulled onto her hair at both side of her head. Everything just seemed over whelming. An alone tear escaped her eyes as she tried to suppress her feelings. She never wanted to sadden by his happiness, never did she want to stand in his way but right now she couldn't help it. The more she thought, only one thing became clear, she needed him for herself. She wanted him to herself, imagining him with another women, seemed impossible. She no longer wanted him to find love elsewhere, she had plenty to give and its within her, where he should find it.
"Selfish" her brain mocked.
Another tear flowed down her cheeks. Flashes of the their times together over the past few weeks played her mind. Didn't that meant something to him? Did it not effect him in the same way.
"Why Raman...am I not good for you?" She sobbed burying her face in her palms. Why was love being so cruel to her, didn't it give her enough pain already? She deserved a better chance, she deserved him.
The sound of Muthu's worried barking outside the bathroom door made her regain her senses, she composed herself and washed her face once again before making her way out.
"I'm okay..." she told the little guy, who nuzzled her feet as if asking her whats wrong. She picked him up and hugged him tightly. "At least I will always have you, right Muthu?" She asked walking to the bed.
Muthu gave a comforting snuggle in response. She laid herself on the bed , pulling up the blanket. As she closed her eyes, her thoughts ran back to him. What was he doing in her absence? Would he be missing her as much as she was missing him? Would he even care? Would he be leaving early to meet her? What time would he even come home? The wandering questions exhausted her enough to make her doze off.
***
When he walked in, the house looked dark and empty. Was she not home, he wondered as he turned on the lights. Muthu who was also sleeping with Ishita, instantly jumped and ran to him, upon hearing his footsteps.
"easy pal!" Raman told as the little fellow showered smooches on him. "Did you eat yet?" he asked to which Muthu signaled toward the bowl in the corner, which looked half eaten. So she was home, Raman let out a sigh of relief. "Where's Mumma?" he asked and Muthu gestured the room. Giving Muthu another rub on the back, Raman moved toward the room.
Placing his keys on the rack, he walked in and there she laid in the darkness in a cocooned position. The sight had him concerned, rarely Ishita like to nap during the day and even then she hated complete darkness. He turned on the dim lights making sure not to disturb her sleep, he noticed the frown lingering her beautiful face. She looked worked up. There were still some wet tears near her eyes. Was it really the mention of his past with Niddhi that had her this worried? His mind was still unable to grasp gist of it. But then nothing else happened to upset that he could think of. Why, why would something simple as that effect her this much?
He sat himself next to her, searching her face for anwers while gently stroking her hair. "I'm sorry Ishita..." He told softly kissing her temple. Did she really fear losing him as Vandu said. If that was true, he will prove she had nothing to fear, he was never going to leaver her, ever! .He kissed her forehead again and left quietly without disturbing her.
It was the constant sound coming from the kitchen,that woke Ishita. She looked at the clock, it was only 6 : 15pm , was he back ? She smiled as she tied her hair into a bun and rushed herself to the kitchen.
"Back so soon?" She asked standing at the entrance.
"Haan, why did you didn't want me back? "
She rolled her eyes "You said you would take long...what time did you leave office?"
" same time I always leave, 5...and It was long, a whole 43 mins...Do you even know how LONG 43 minutes actually is!!"
Ishita chuckled "what happened?" she asked taking the knife from his hands to chop the remaining vegetables, which he has done so deformingly
He happily let her take the lead and comfortably jumped up to take the seat on the counter as she worked. "Let's just say you should never agree for anything you don't like based on guilt..." he replied finding an apple to bite on.
Guilt?" her eyes quirked up
Letting out a sigh "haan I wanted to mend things because we didn't necessarily end on a good note before...if you know what I mean..." He told.
"but Romi said she was your dearest..."She voiced the thought that bothered her the most with clear irritation .
"Romi knows Sh*t... I spend the most time with you ,You never even heard about her before, shouldn't that tell you how much I enjoyed having her around..."
"but You seemed happy seeing her at the mall that day...even today you ditched me for her..."
He watched her few seconds, now he saw that pinch of jealousy Vandu nagging to him about. He grinned internally.It felt good to know she didn't like any other women with him.
"I didn't ditch you...being stuck between a wife and ex is something no man prefers..." he reasoned.
"You saying that as if we are fighting for you" she ridiculed him.
He chuckled. "You'll never have to fight for me...I'm going nowhere Madrasan" he winked.
Ishita stared at him. How? How did this man know, what she needed to hear, what she wanted to hear? How did he always find a way to amuse her. A content smile finally came upon her "I hope not..." she murmured under her breath. She felt silly for worrying about this earlier. She cursed her overthinking mind. He was still very much hers to claim.
" what went wrong between you guys even?" She casually probed.
"She just wasn't my type" his responded with the same causality. What he was doing was against the advice of Vandu, according to her, he was supposed to cook up a story to fuel up Ishita. But how could he, when he knew it caused her to stress. He will never knowingly be the reason behind her troubled thoughts. Yes, he wanted his wife to confess her love for him, but not like this, not forcefully. Ishita should never feel threaten by any other women in his life, she didn't need to. No one held her place before and no one ever will. Setting her up, making her feel like she has to act fast seemed to mock the feelings he had for her. Love was freedom, she had the freedom to fall for him in her way with her own time. He will wait, no matter how long it took.
"So what is your type? She asked curiously and cautiously.
He gave a smirk and jumped down. "Why,would you know anyone I would like?" He asked closing in on her. She was little taken back by sudden closeness and leaned her back against the counter behind. She knew there was tease to his question and she wanted to play him back.
" Maybe..."
"Acha? Care to introduce her to me?" his asked huskily, caging her in between his arms.
"for that I have to make sure she is your type...so Tell me ..." she tried to sound unaffected by his proximity, which she failed miserably at and he grinned seeing her state.
His closeness always made her feel this way, it always made her weak. She could feel his eyes watching her intensely tracing the contours of her face. She battled to keep her hitching breath from reaching his ears, her legs started to wobble under his heated gaze and she was glad to have the counter behind her for support. As she felt his fanning breath against her burning skin, she closed her eyes, trying to find some strength to withstand his magic, but the moment she felt his thumb stroking the edges of her lower lips, she lost control.
"Raamm...man..nnn..." a soft moan escaped her lips.
Hearing her moan his name triggered the thoughts of sinful desire in him. As his eyes fixed on her trembling lips, his hands moved to wrapped around her waist, tugging her close. Analyzing her smitten face one more time, he brushed his lips ever so gently with hers. She parted her lips in reflex. His hands tighten its grip on her waist breathing hot air onto her lips, indicating how hard it was to control for him. He felt he was teasing himself having her this close but he couldn't afford to jeopardize what they had for this momentary thirst.He groaned internally unable to fully ravish her lips in the way he wanted, he stood still unable to part away from her just yet.
His unresponsiveness made her conscious, she slowly opened her eyes and saw he had his closed, she could tell he was battling his conscience in taking this forward. A smile formed her lips which was felt by him.
Before she could show just how much she wanted him too by capturing his lips, the vibration from his phone broke their embrace. Raman immediately backed away ruffling his hair. Taking in a deep breath, he looked up at Ishita who looked off to the side unable to face him. " I should get this..." he told, finding it as perfect excuse to get out of the awkward situation, which he didn't want to answer. She nodded.
As soon as he was out of sight, "EEEkkk" she screeched trying to shake off the goosebumps he had given her. Her still trembling hands traveled to touch her lips, where she felt his just minutes ago. She smiled cheekily biting her lips . If only that phone call didn't come, she thought before shaking her head at her shamelessness.
***
The evening passed by stealing glances and avoiding each other to bypass the embarrassment. There were no awkwardness but rather shyness. Both spotted the blushes the other adorned.
As they laid next to each other calling it a day, both their minds ran back to encounter in the kitchen. A shy smile played both their lips simultaneously. This wasn't the first time they shared intimacy, they had a baby as proof. But this time it was different as this time it didn't feel forbidden. It wasn't an act of heated moment, there were no alcohol to blame.
The moment was genuine in every way and both of them knew it.The moment assured that he was special to her and she felt the same with him. The moment told, it was time to take their relationship further. Both of them felt the urge to confess their feelings to other, but how was the question. Making that first step wasn't going to be easy, but it had to be done. Planning on getting the perfect advises from their friends first thing tomorrow, both fell sleep with lingering smiles.
***
*** Okay that is it! Hit the like button if you enjoyed will be looking forward to the comments.!😃**
Also this jealousy track may have played out little differently then what some of you wanted...but I had to keep things intact with the characterization i had created initially...though I myself is little confused with that😆...so sorry if I have disappointed anyone.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
12