Part 1
For New Years, Raman wanted to take his family to the outdoor fireworks happening at the city park this year. But the Bhallas were being unfestive and showing no interest. Romi and Rinki had plans with their own friends. Simmi had decided to take Ananya for a sleepover at Pammi aunty's place and Mummyji and Papaji said they were too old to stay up till midnight.
In the end it was just going to be Ishita and Ruhi with him. He was preparing a surprise picnic dinner for them that his mother had helped with. Just a few of the snacks remained to be packed. Thinking about it now, Raman was happy he would get to spend it with them alone. As much as he loved his whole family it was nice to get some alone time with his girls.
R: Ishita yaar, chalo ab. Nahin toh agle saal ke New Years tak nahi paunchne wale.
I: haan almost ho gaya. Ruhi aur main aa rahe hain
Raman thinking to himself...yeh madrasan or uski beti kabhi nai sudrenge. Picnic key liye itni tayyari
R: Ishita!
Ru: Papa, aap kitna shor kar raho ho
Mother and daughter were coming down the stairs together. Ruhi was looking cute in tights and a sweater while Ishita had opted for a simple salwar suit, the deep purple and blue of which went well with her creamy skin.
R: Ruhi ki bacchi, apni ishima se sab kuch seekhi jaa rahi ho
Raman grabs her and starts tickling her as she giggles. Ishita smiles at the two of them. After several weeks of drama she was happy to be able to spend her first New Years with her family. She noticed on the table a wicker picnic basket, in surprise.
I: Arrey wah Papa. Yeh aapne humare liye picnic banaya?
R: Nai nai yeh toh bheek mangane ke liye hain
Ishita rolls her eyes.
I: Bahot kharaab joke
Ru: Picnic...yay...main bhi dekhna chahti hoon
Raman put Ruhi down so she could go see and he looked at Ishita. She noticed for the first time what he was wearing. Khakhis and a red polo shirt. She hadn't seen him in clothes this casual, outside his nightclothes, since before they were married. He looked handsome. His clean shaven face was helping too. She gave him a coy smile which he noticed.
R: Lagta hai meri tareef andar hi reh jaayegi madrasan. Bolo bolo
He gave her a prideful look as Ishita walked back towards him. Pulling up to his ear, she whispered
I: Lagta hai is saal aapke liye bahot Lucky hone walla hai
Saying so she pulled back with a mischievous look on her face. Raman was shocked. He wasn't entirely sure if what he heard was what she had meant but this was his seedhi saadi madrassan no longer. If it was, she had just put into words what his hopes were for them tonight. A new beginning to their lives, with the next step in their relationship.
I: Apna mooh toh band karo Ravan Kumar
R: Yeh sunne ke baad, ab toh mera mooh tum hi band kar sakti ho.
Saying this he pulled her close to him again holding her waist as Ishita blushed at the hint in his words.
I: Raman Ruhi ke saamne aap kya kar rahe ho
He let her go regretfully.
R: Ab toh bach gayi Jhansi ki rani. Dekh lunga tumhe baad mein
I: Promise?
She smiled wickedly. Before Raman process this second jolt she turned around and walked off.
I: Chalo Ruhi beta, papa ko thoda time lagega.
She smiled to herself.
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Later in the car...
They had been driving for 30 minutes now, listening to Ruhi's favorite music station. Raman was driving erratically. His mind wasn't even in the car though he was keenly aware of every little movement of Ishita's as she sat in the passenger seat. He couldn't stop thinking of her words and wished New Years was over already and he could be back in their room with her. Then again he had planned to finally tell her the three words she was waiting for at the stroke of midnight. Which was also a moment he had been looking forward to.
Ishita, meanwhile, was thrilled with her flirting success earlier. She loved how turned on Raman was by her; as much as she felt turned on by him. Even from the early days of her marriage, she had felt intensely attracted to him but was careful in never showing it. As they got closer, it became harder to hide when he would take up any excuse to hold her hand or lean towards her to whisper in her ears. She would hold her breath till he withdrew, lest she gave herself away. But being in love changed all that of course. Now Ishita felt a certain possessiveness for Raman, her husband who she loved. She was starting to feel freer in showing her affection. She wasn't sure what the night held for the two of them but she felt ready to take the next step in their relationship. Raavan kumar was hers now and she wanted to share their love in every way.
Ru: Papa aur kitni door jaana hai
Both Raman and Ishita were brought back from their respective thoughts.
R: Bas almost aa gaya beta
He looked over at Ishita awkwardly. She smiled broadly at him and he wondered how she could behave so normally after setting his blood on fire like that.
The sun was just setting and most of the crowd had already gathered. Raman took the Picnic basket and the blankets together as Ishita got Ruhi out. They waited for him at the entrance holding hands and giggling with each other. He smiled as he walked up to his beautiful family.
R: Yahi picnic karna hai kya? Chalo chalo.
As they headed over, he felt Ishita's other hand slip into his. He looked over at her and she smiled at him happily. Raman interlinked their fingers and the trio walked inside hand in hand.
After some searching Raman found them a nice secluded spot with a view of the sky. Ishita set up the area and they settled down for the show.
Ru: Papa, fireworks kaise bante hai
Raman pulled Ruhi into his lap and started telling her a charming and magical story of how fireworks are made. Ishita listened as she put out the picnic dinner Raman had packed. She was impressed with his lovely surprise and made a mental note to reward him for it later. Coming back to the conversation ishita heard
Ru: Papa aap kitne smart ho. Ishima ne mujhse kaha ke fireworks factory mein banthe hai
I: Kya...
R: Tumhari ishima ko kuch nahi pata ruhi. Koi imagination hi nahi hain unme.
Ishita gave him a fake perturbed look while he winked at her. Ishita thought to herself, Dekhna Raavan kumar kya imagination dikha thi hoon.'
After finishing dinner they played a few games with Ruhi while waiting for the fireworks to begin. Ruhi was overjoyed with the show and Raman and Ishita loved watching her face react in wonder to each of the different shapes, colors and designs.
Ruhi was sitting in Ishitas lap and Ishita was leaning against Raman as they watched cutely together. As it got colder, Raman wrapped a large blanket around all three of them, hugging them tightly. He snuggled closer to them from behind and kissed Ishita on her temple. She nudged him in response. His heart was bursting with happiness at this moment, being here with his girls. Loving as much as being loved by them and silently he prayed his thanks to the universe for setting his life right.
The fireworks finished a little before midnight and Ruhi fell asleep almost immediately not waiting for the countown to commence. Ishita lifted her and tucked her in front of them with the extra blankets. Meanwhile Raman prepared his next surprise. When Ishita got up she found him standing there with a bottle of champagne and two glasses.
I: Raavan kumar, ek aur surprise. Kya karoon tumhare saat
Raman was happy to see how pleased she looked.
R: Tum mujhe undestimate karke bahut pachtauge madrasan lekin kabhi nahi seekhoge
He sat down and pulled her down next to him. As he popped the bottle open and poured out the glasses Ishita continued their banter
I: Aapke andaz ko main kabhi underestimate nahi karti. Lekin yeh kya romancing skills...hai rabba
R: Chalo at least mujhse me romance hai, yeh toh maan gayi
With a few minutes remaining till midnight, he gave her a glass and began to toast
R: Humara pehla New Year ek saath. Har saal tum, main, humari Ruhi aisehi pyar mein jude rehenge. Humari zindagi ki ek ek saal ki khushiyan hum aise hi welcome karengi. Yeh wish nahin balke meri vishwaas hai. Cheers meri Jhansi ki Rani
Ishita smiled at his sweet words
I: Cheers
They both took a sip.
I: Thank you Raman, yeh bahut khoobsurat surprise di tumne. Mere do favorite people ke saath nayi saal ki shuruaat...it's the best New Years I could have had.
R: Abhi to baki hai madrasan
Ishita frowned at him as the MC began the countdown in the distance. Raman took their glasses and put both aside. He sat up on his knees and pulled her up as well.
R: Arrey meri bholi biwi, jaanti nahi ki New Years pe kya karte hai. Midnight strike hone par?
Raman scooted closer to Ishita. She began to feel shy realizing where this was headed with a feeling of anticipation and nervousness. She put her hands on his chest. He put some of her stray hairs behind her ear and brought her face closer with his hand.
I: Raman, is park mein?
R: (speaking softly, naughtily) Isi liye aisi secluded jagah chuna maine
I: Ramann..
R: Mm...
Their lips were inches apart now
3...2...1 cheers went up loudly all around them but everything sounded distant to Raman and Ishita as they were lost in each other's eyes
R: (softly) Happy New Year Ishita
His lips touched hers and he began kissing her slowly. Her lips were soft and delicate and tasted like champagne. When she started kissing back more confidently, he deepened the kiss slightly pulling her closer. He never wanted to part from her mouth but he had one last surprise so he pulled back from her reluctantly, let her breathe and then touched his forehead to hers, whispering
R: I love you Jhansi ki rani
Ishita felt a rush as he kissed her and a regret as he parted from her so quickly. But then he followed it with the three special words she'd been waiting to hear and an overwhelming feeling overtook her. She knew the truth of that statement but still she loved hearing it in his deep, husky voice. She looked up into his eyes, touched his cheek with her fingers and smiled that special smile she saved for him alone.
I: My buddhe Raavan kumar I love you too. Aur Zindagi bhar karti rahoongi.
Raman pulled her back into himself and kissed her again, this time deeper and more intensely. Her mouth opened slightly inviting him in. He sunk into the kiss, savoring her completely. She locked her arms around his neck and sighed into his mouth.
They parted unwillingly. But after all it was still a public place. Raman held her face again and touched their heads together.
I: Oh! Happy New Year!
He laughed and kissed her lightly on the nose. They had never been this close to each other in their lives before and it felt electric; making him forget the time and place. He gazed at her wishing he could see all of her right now, to be one with her for good. The intensity of his feelings for her were demanding to be expressed, and more than just verbally. Ishita looked into his eyes and saw the same fire reflected there that she was starting to feel inside herself. She was unraveling from his one look.
R: Ghar chale?
Ishita nodded and looked down.
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End of PART 1
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PART 2 (final)
Bade Achhe Lagte Hain
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